Control: Ultimate Edition Now Playable on iPhone and iPad

Remedy Entertainment’s critically praised title Control has finally arrived on iPhone and iPad, delivering its intense blend of supernatural combat and mind-bending architecture directly to Apple’s touchscreen platforms. The newly released Control: Ultimate Edition offers the complete experience—including all downloadable content—at a budget-friendly $5, making it accessible to a wider audience than ever before.

The game’s transition to mobile required significant adjustments to its interface and mechanics. Remedy rebuilt the user interface to accommodate touch controls, fine-tuned aiming mechanics, and redesigned puzzle interactions to ensure smooth gameplay on iOS devices. While the touchscreen version is fully functional, the developer strongly recommends using a physical controller for the best possible experience, especially during intense firefights and precision-based challenges.

Hardware Requirements and Device Compatibility

Control: Ultimate Edition is optimized for modern Apple silicon, ensuring high-performance gameplay across supported devices. The game runs on iPhones equipped with an A17 Pro chip or later, including the entire iPhone 15 Pro series, as well as the newer iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models. Notably, older iPhones with the A16 chip, such as the standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, are not supported.

On the iPad side, compatibility extends to devices powered by Apple’s M-series chips or the A17 Pro. This includes the current iPad Air lineup, all iPad Pro models released in the last four years, and the latest iPad mini. However, the base iPad with its A16 chip remains excluded from the supported list, reflecting Apple’s focus on delivering a premium gaming experience on its most advanced hardware.

First Impressions: Smooth Performance with Minor Adjustments

During hands-on testing with a preview version of the game on the 2024 iPad Air, the M4 chip delivered flawless performance, rendering the action fluidly and maintaining consistent frame rates. The visual fidelity remains impressive, closely matching the console experience despite the shift to mobile hardware.

One minor adjustment stood out during gameplay: sprinting requires holding the L3 button continuously rather than a single tap, which differs from the standard setup on other platforms. While this is a small inconvenience, the overall controls feel responsive, and the game’s intricate puzzles and dynamic combat translate well to the touchscreen environment.

Apple’s Growing Appeal for AAA Gaming

Control’s arrival on iOS underscores a broader trend in Apple’s gaming strategy. In recent years, the company has aggressively pursued high-profile game developers to bring their titles to its platforms, even if porting often occurs months or years after the original release. This push has resulted in a growing library of AAA games for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, expanding beyond the platform’s traditional focus on indie titles.

Recent additions include multiple Resident Evil games for iPad, as well as ports of Death Stranding and Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Even demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Lies of P have found their way to Mac, demonstrating Apple’s increasing commitment to catering to hardcore gamers. While Apple’s platforms still lag behind dedicated gaming consoles in raw performance, the steady influx of major titles is gradually making them a more viable option for mobile and casual gaming enthusiasts.

Looking ahead, the success of Control: Ultimate Edition on iOS could encourage more developers to optimize their games for touch controls and Apple’s unique ecosystem. As hardware capabilities continue to advance, the line between mobile and traditional gaming experiences may continue to blur, offering new opportunities for both players and creators.