Official Luna Wireless Controller by Amazon

I bought this controller and it works great for Luna. But I started spending less time on non-Luna games and more time on my iOS device. Sadly this controller was put away as quick web searches and a call to customer support suggested it only works with Luna games. Thus it sat in my closet collecting dust until today! I thought about trying it again this time with iOS18.7.1, maybe something had changed?

First, I turned on Bluetooth in settings on my iOS device. Next, I was able to setup the controller by making it operate in Bluetooth mode described in the controller instructions: simultaneously press and hold the action button (circle button to left of big Luna button) and the “B” Button for 3 seconds. The white light around the Luna button blinks indicating it’s in paring mode. Then in iOS settings, just select “Luna Gamepad” in your Bluetooth devices to connect. Surprising, the controller works extremely well with my iOS games in Bluetooth mode. Although please note: your mileage may vary – I’ve only tested it with a couple games. Plus, I’ve always enjoyed the Luna Controller as it has a solid weight and feel. BONUS: I can use it outside of Luna now! So glad to finally be able to use this great controller again! Also noted that it supports Wi-Fi mode, but I haven’t tried it. I also have not tried on Android or other Amazon devices. Thanks for making it versatile Amazon – more value for my money! 🙂

First off, you don’t need this controller to play Amazon Luna. Before I purchased this, I used a DualShock 4 and Xbox One controller (both using Bluetooth on PC and had no input lag).

You receive a Luna controller, printed materials and 2 Amazon Basics Industrial Alkaline batteries in a cool little box. I would have preferred if they also threw in a cheap 6ft. Amazon Basics USB type C cable, especially for $69.99, but it’s still one of the very best gamepads I’ve ever used. That’s not sarcasm or overrating it either. It’s THAT good.

At first, it feels a bit too small in the hands but after one game, I found it actually fit perfectly. It’s essentially the same design as a Microsoft Xbox One controller and a Nintendo Switch Pro controller but it’s better, in my opinion. I’d love to know who designed it. On the back it’s pretty bare with the exception of the Amazon logo embossed on the battery cover.

It has a 3.5mm auxiliary input for headphones/headsets which is a huge plus. It can be used with Amazon’s Cloud Direct service to connect to their servers for zero input latency as well as allowing you to switch from one device to another without skipping a beat! To do this, you’ll need to download the Luna Controller app on iOS or Android. I used the Android app and found the set-up process to be very easy and straightforward. You can also use Bluetooth to wirelessly connect it to a PC or Fire TV (including the Fire TV stick). Lastly, you can connect it to a PC using a USB type C cable.

If you have a Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, you can use both the Cloud Direct service AND Bluetooth! With that you can control the Fire TV with the gamepad (instead of the remote) and as soon as you jump into the Luna app, it will instantly switch over to Cloud Direct to minimize input latency!

And that’s what makes this so much better than the old Google Stadia gamepad. Even though that was a decent controller (it was rechargeable), it could only be used wirelessly by connecting to Google’s now dead servers. Now it can only be used with a USB cable and even then I have trouble getting some of the buttons to work on certain games and emulators. No, the Luna controller is better in every way.

I also want to point out that this controller DOES HAVE RUMBLE/FORCE FEEDBACK. When it first came out, some reviewers complained that it didn’t.

The only con is battery life; it’s not good. With a brand new pair of Energizer alkaline batteries, I got around 12 hours of battery life. For comparison, the Xbox One controller using alkaline batteries gets around 30 hours. Now maybe it’s because it connects to Wi-Fi and utilizes pretty strong rumble motors. I’m not sure. But that was my result. I will next try some Panasonic Eneloop Pro rechargable batteries and update this review as soon as I get that result.

In conclusion, if you play Luna a lot or plan to, it’s definitely worth getting this controller! It’s worth the $69.99 in my opinion if you really enjoy Amazon Luna (which I do) but if not, I would wait till the next sale. Especially if it comes up for $39.99 (if it ever happens again). At that price I’d buy another! I really love this controller. I can’t say it enough.