The pairing procedure is different when connecting the controller to Android systems, iOS or PC/Mac. For connecting on Android, we’ll have to switch to Gamepad Mode by pressing the A+B buttons simoutaneously for 3 seconds while the controller is off. If it is the first time we are using the Free, it should be already in this mode. Of course, Bluetooth must be also enabled on our tablet/mobile phone and when we tap “Search for Devices”, the Zeemote: SteelSeries Free device should appear. If a code is requested, we will enter 0000 and that is about it.

For using the gamepad on iOS, we will need to first switch it to Arcade mode by keeping A+B pressed again for 3 seconds. Bluetooth must be enabled on the platform and when searching for compatible devices we will find the Zeemote: SteelSeries Free. Once the pairing is completed, we can start using it.

For using the controller on the PC, we also need to be in Gamepad Mode. When pairing, we found that the gamepad works best when pairing with authentification, and when a code is requested, we will enter 0000.

While we did not have any issues when pairing with any of the specified platforms, we didn’t find plenty of A++ games on Android/iOS supporting the Free, but when using it along the PC, the story is different. We can use the Free controller to play most games that support the Xbox360 controller, but we’ll have to remap each button along with the analog joysticks.

Hardware-wise, the controller is confortable, but we need some time to get used to it since the two analog sticks do not have a lot of distance between them, which would seem a little anoying at first. The Free is light should be preffered by users which are on the go frequently since it can be carried with ease by using the included pouch.

The SteelSeries Free can be found online for about 66 Euros, which is not very cheap. Hopefully the price will drop in the near future and if we will have more games supporting the controller on the mobile platforms, the controller will become a very interesting offering.

I would like to thank again to SteelSeries for making this review possible!