PowerA goes for a bigger play with its MOGA Pro Bluetooth controller

Peripheral outfit PowerA launched its first mobile-focused joypad - MOGA - in the US in late 2012.

Personally, I've enjoyed playing around with the $50 Bluetooth controller, even if there aren't yet a ton of Android games supporting it.

That should be all about to change, however.

At GDC 2013, PowerA announced it's going to be supporting Windows Phone 8 devices in future.

Stop laughing at the back.

Combined with the news that key development tools like Unity, Marmalade and Cocos2d-x now support Windows Phone, it's a move that PowerA thinks will help expand its portfolio of games, especially as Microsoft rolls out its wider Window 8 platform play.

A Lumia is trapped in that embrace

Still, the news that the new $50 MOGA Pro controller is also inbound - for Android and Windows Phone gaming - is probably more important.

Compared to the original MOGA controller, which was designed to be small and portable, the Pro is the more obvious console-style controller, especially designed for those with beefy, sweaty palms.

It features the same big hinge as the original, so you can mechanically clip an up to 5-inch phone to the controller, or you can use the provided stand for a more arm's length experience.

It's a $50 unconsole

And, of course, if your device has an HDMI port and you have a cable and a smart TV, you can use your MOGA controller to play your mobile game on the big screen, just like a real console.

Both controllers work using the free MOGA Pivot app, which you download for the relevant app store, and which syncs with the controller and shows you which games support the pad.

MOGA Pro will be available in the US from 15 April, priced $50.

You can get more information via the website.