- PuK Triggers are responsive but can only be used in games with HUD customisation settings
- The Thumbstick offers a comfortable alternative to virtual joysticks
- The ergonomic PuK Grips are lightweight
A good controller can make all the difference when it comes to mobile gaming. But what if you didn’t need a whole controller? What if you could simply attach specific parts of a controller to your phone? That’s where the ingenious PuK Modular Gaming Hardware Ecosystem comes in. Designed for mobile, PuK’s Modular Gaming Hardware includes Grips, Triggers, and Thumbsticks, all of which can be easily connected to your phone.
Each Part of the PuK Modular Gaming Hardware Ecosystem is sold separately
The grips and Thumbstick, both of which retail at $24.99, come in cardboard boxes, while the triggers ($14.99) arrive in a small clear plastic container. Each piece of hardware comes with a card containing a QR code that directs you to the user manuals.
The PuK Thumbstick comes with a green protective cover, a black anchor, and a black joystick. At first glance, the joystick and anchor appear to be one piece, as they are magnetically attached. However, apply some pressure, and you’ll easily be able to pull them apart.
To use PuK’s new thumbstick, you’ll need to open a game of your choice that features a virtual joystick and place the anchor on the back of your device in the same position as the on-screen joystick. Then, place the thumbstick on top of the virtual joystick.
The PuK Thumbstick Replaces Annoying Virtual Joysticks
The joystick is the same size as most virtual joysticks, so it doesn’t take up too much of your screen. And the anchor keeps it from sliding across your screen. It’s also compatible with many cases, meaning you won’t necessarily have to undress your phone to use it. It took a bit of getting used to, as I usually push pretty far with virtual joysticks and had to adjust to the limited movement of a physical stick.
Once I got the hang of it, however, I was pleasantly surprised to see it allowed me to direct my avatar in Call of Duty Mobile and Vampire’s Fall 2 with great precision. Further, the rubberised texture keeps your thumb nestled snugly within the centre of the thumbstick, decreasing your chances of accidentally moving your character.
Since the thumbstick simply covers and controls the on-screen one, you won’t see any issues with response time. I was able to quickly switch targets, take cover, and avoid enemies by guiding the device as I would on a standard external controller. The PuK thumbstick may seem pricey for what it is. However, if you find virtual joysticks as annoying as I do, it’s definitely worth the price, especially since it works with titles that lack controller compatibility.
PuK Modular Gaming Hardware Ecosystem Offers Comfort via its PuK Grips
PuK’s modular grips are surprisingly useful. The ergonomic design and textured rubber back make it feel like you’re holding a standard controller. This makes long play sessions feel way more comfortable. Furthermore, the grips are lightweight, so you won’t experience hand fatigue.
The PuK Grips are compatible with phone cases that are under 11.3mm in width. Since the adhesives make the connection semi-permanent, it’s not a good idea to attach them directly to your phone. Rather, the developer recommends attaching them to a cheap, lightweight case, which you can swap out for your regular case when gaming.
Attaching PuK Grips to Your Phone Case
To attach the grips, turn your phone screen-side down, peel the cover off the sticky pad, and press the grip onto your phone, then repeat for the other side. The device also comes with extra sticky pads of varying sizes, allowing you to customise the fit to your phone.
On the downside, the PuK Grips are not compatible with the PuK Thumbstick if you have a phone that’s on the smaller side, like my Samsung Galaxy S22, as they cover the sides of the back, making it impossible to properly attach the Thumbstick anchor. This was disappointing, as together they would make for a much more comfortable gaming experience. Luckily, however, the grips are compatible with the PuK Triggers.
PuK Triggers Only Work with Titles Offering HUD Customisation
The PuK Triggers only work with games such as Call of Duty Mobile and Fortnite, which have built-in HUD and Layout customisation options in their settings. Open the game you want to play and go to settings, then align virtual buttons with the two bars on the front of each trigger. Since it’s designed for games with customizable controls, you can place the triggers anywhere along the edge of your phone, so experiment to find the optimal placement for maximum comfort. 
Both the right and left triggers feature two trigger buttons for a total of four customizable triggers. When you press a trigger, it causes the corresponding bar to push against the screen, tapping the aligned button. I found the triggers to be responsive and easy to use once you get past the hassle of setting them up and customising controls.
The PuK Modular Gaming Hardware Ecosystem is Utterly Ingenious
PuK has taken an intriguing concept and developed it into an overall charming Modular Hardware Ecosystem, revolutionising the world of mobile controllers. The PuK Thumbstick is easy to set up and lets you control your avatar with precision.
At the same time, the Triggers are responsive and relatively easy to set up, while the PuK Grips are sturdy and comfortable to use. And while you will have to choose a case to attach them to permanently, it’s not a big deal if you choose a cheap one.
The only real downside is that if you have a smaller phone, you won’t be able to use the Grips and Thumbstick simultaneously when playing games without customizable controls. Even then, you’ll need to move the virtual joystick towards the centre of the screen, which feels awkward.
Still, the PuK Mobile Gaming Modular Hardware Ecosystem is a thing of brilliance that I highly recommend checking out.