The SteelSeries Nimbus 69070 is an MFi-certified (Made for iPhone/iPad) wireless gamepad built exclusively for Apple devices. It dates from around 2016, the era before iOS added native support for mainstream console controllers.

Below we work through the specs and review record, then get to the part that actually matters: who should still buy this, and who should not.

Overview

The Nimbus 69070 is a full-size, console-style controller — no phone clip — that connects over Bluetooth 4.1 to iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Mac.

The short version: it suits people gaming on an Apple TV and people who prop an iPad on a desk or stand. It does not suit anyone who wants to clamp a phone into a controller and play on the move.

Its headline feature is battery life rated at over 40 hours. Compared with mobile pads that drain in a few hours, that is enough to stop thinking about charging altogether — a good match for a controller that lives on the living room table next to an Apple TV.

It charges over Lightning, which at the time meant sharing a cable with your iPhone or iPad.

The buttons are pressure-sensitive, so a game can read how far you pressed — useful for things like racing throttles. In practice few titles take advantage of it, so treat it as a bonus rather than a reason to buy.

Compatibility Guide

The requirements are iOS 9 or later, tvOS 9 or later, or macOS 10.11 or later.

The device list published by the manufacturer covers iPhone 7 / 7 Plus, iPhone 6s / 6s Plus, iPhone 6 / 6 Plus, iPhone 5 / 5c / 5s, iPad Pro, iPad mini / mini 2 / mini 3 / mini 4, iPad Air / Air 2, iPad (4th generation), iPod touch (6th generation), Apple TV (4th generation), and Mac. That list reflects the launch era.

It does not mean newer hardware is excluded — but it also means newer hardware is not covered by any manufacturer guarantee.

Item Value Why it matters
Connection Bluetooth 4.1 No dongle; pair from the OS Bluetooth menu
Battery 40+ hours Occasional players can go a month between charges
Charging port Lightning Awkward in a USB-C Apple household
Dimensions 150 × 110 × 63.2 mm Console-pad sized; not pocketable
Compatible OS iOS / tvOS / macOS No Android, Windows, or Nintendo Switch

The charging port deserves the most attention. Recent iPhones and iPads have moved to USB-C, and plenty of households no longer own a single Lightning cable.

Since no charging cable is included in the box, you may not be able to play on day one. Check what cables you already have before ordering.

The second trap is game support. An MFi controller does nothing in a title that never implemented controller input — it is not a universal replacement for touch controls.

Check each game's App Store page for controller support before you buy. Most Apple Arcade titles advertise it; many free and touch-first casual games do not.

On Mac it works for light games and emulators, but Steam Mac titles vary by implementation. If Mac gaming is your main use case, a newer-generation controller is the safer bet.

Product Info

rmation

The listed price was ¥11,000 on Amazon.co.jp as captured on 27 May 2026.

Prices move with stock and season, so confirm the current figure on the product page before buying. The eBay side returned only a search link with no confirmed figure — with used or parallel-import listings, read the condition notes carefully.

As of the same capture date, the rating stood at 3.9 out of 5 across 3,962 reviews (roughly 78% positive).

A 3.9 over nearly 4,000 reviews reads as "works fine for most people, but a real minority of complaints has accumulated." That is not bad, yet current controllers in the same price band tend to sit around 4.3–4.5, so it is not a score to recommend without caveats.

A review count that large also spans many years of stock, mixing early-batch impressions with current units.

The box contains the controller, a quick-start guide, and a SteelSeries sticker. Again: no Lightning cable.

A one-year manufacturer warranty is standard, but terms can differ by seller, so check the listing.

How It Compares

Any honest assessment has to start with this: since iOS 13, Xbox Wireless Controllers and the DualShock 4 / DualSense have been natively supported. That removed most of the reason to buy an MFi-only pad for iPhone gaming.

If you already own a console controller, pairing it costs nothing and your thumbs already know the layout.

Today's mobile controllers split into two camps. Clip-style pads like the Razer Kishi and the GameSir X2 family wrap around the phone for play on the go.

Stand-style pads like the Nimbus assume the device sits on a desk or stand. The Nimbus is firmly in the second camp — full-size grip comfort and long battery life are the trade for portability you simply do not get.

Newer controllers have also widely adopted Hall-effect sticks, which resist the drift that develops on older designs after long use. The Nimbus 69070 predates that shift, so on long-term durability the newer options have the edge.

Best Use Cases

It still earns its place for:

  • Apple TV (4th gen) gaming. The Siri Remote is poor for games; adding a real pad transforms the experience.
  • iPad play on a stand. Unlike clip-style pads, the device's weight never rests in your hands, so long sessions stay comfortable.
  • People who hate charging accessories. 40+ hours means occasional players can effectively forget about it.
  • All-Apple households with spare Lightning cables. No extra cable purchase needed.
  • Apple Arcade players who stick to titles that explicitly list controller support.

Before You Buy

The Apple-only limitation is the first fork in the road. It will not work with Android phones, Windows PCs, or the Nintendo Switch.

If you want one pad across several platforms, stop here and pick something that advertises multi-platform support.

Then there is the age of the design. Dating from around 2016, it lacks the newer stick durability engineering, gyro aiming, back buttons, and wired-mode switching found on later pads.

At roughly the same ¥11,000 budget, several newer options exist. The case for the Nimbus narrows to proven Apple TV behaviour and battery life.

Lightning charging is a genuine practical drawback. If your gear has moved to USB-C, you will be keeping one Lightning cable around solely for this controller — and buying it yourself, since none is included.

No clip means no real portable phone play. You will need a stand or a table.

Buying this for gaming on a train is a decision you will regret.

Do not assume game support. In a title without MFi support, the buttons simply do nothing.

If you have specific games in mind, check their store pages first.

Finally, a word on the listing itself. Amazon product pages sometimes carry seller, fulfilment, or model details that do not match the physical item.

This article covers the SteelSeries Nimbus 69070 in black. Confirm the product image and title match before ordering, and note that warranty handling differs on used and parallel-import listings.

Any price quoted here is a snapshot from the capture date, nothing more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does it work with the latest iPhone or iPad? A.

The published device list is from the launch era. MFi support continues in iOS, but the manufacturer does not guarantee current hardware, so verify on the product page if you need certainty.

Q. Is a charging cable included? A.

No. You need to supply your own Lightning cable.

The box holds the controller, a quick-start guide, and a sticker.

Q. Can I use it on Nintendo Switch or a Windows PC?
A. No. Supported systems are iOS, tvOS, and macOS only.

Q. Does the battery really last 40 hours? A.

That is the rated figure. Real runtime depends on use and on cell ageing, but it is clearly in a different class from pads that last a few hours.

Expect degradation on used units.

Q. Does it work with every iPhone game?
A. No. The game itself must support controller input. Check the App Store page for each title.

Q. Is it worth buying now? A.

If you already own an Xbox or PlayStation controller, iOS 13 and later will pair it directly, so the need is low. The Nimbus wins when your use case is Apple TV at home and you value long battery life.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: SteelSeries
  • Seller: Member's MARKET
  • Fulfilled by: Amazon
  • ASIN: B01AZC3III
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.