Mobile controllers have come a long way. Just a few years ago, I had zero interest in them. Flimsy, low-quality smartphone controllers just weren’t good enough. Now though, we have a plethora of options, especially for devices such as Nintendo Switch and smartphones. The GameSir G8 was one of the best on the market, and this month, it received an impressive update and now can be considered the king among mobile phone accessories.
Positioning
The market for mobile phone controllers is growing, and the GameSir G8 Plus has two main competitors which are the Backbone One and the Razer Kishi V2. Price-wise, GameSir is a clear winner: it costs $79.99 as of now, compared to $99.00 (Backbone) and $100 (Razer Kishi V2). But honestly, all of these go on sale all the time, so the price is about the same. The feature set though is different: no one really comes close to GameSir G8 Plus which is completely wireless, meaning it works with every kind of phone, as well as the Nintendo Switch. It also has Hall Effect sticks and gyro. Is it better in everything? Of course not, but GameSit just looks better and more impressive than the competition so far.
GameSir G8 vs GameSir G8 Plus
First, let’s compare the two models — and then talk about the well-known alternatives. The GameSir G8 was (still is) a great device in its own right, but it’s very different from the new version. So different, it might be a completely different model.
The G8+ uses Bluetooth for mobile devices and can be used wired with a PC. This flexibility makes it compatible with a wide range of platforms, including Switch, iOS, Android, tablets, and PCs. On the other hand, the G8 controller is limited to a Type-C connection, primarily supporting the iPhone 15 series and Android devices. The G8+ comes with a 6-axis gyroscope for motion controls — very important for Nintendo games like Splatoon or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
It also includes a built-in 1000mAh battery (split in two), allowing for wireless use, and a rumble motor (another new inclusion) for tactile feedback during gameplay. Some might say that the addition of batteries is not a pro at all — now you have an additional device you have to charge. In a way, that is true, but I found that for me, the ability to not rely on a wired connection is a big plus.
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Both controllers offer detachable components like faceplates and stick caps, but the G8+ goes a step further by also providing detachable face buttons. However, the G8 includes a headphone jack, which is gone in the new version.
The two controllers also differ in their physical dimensions and weight. The G8+ is compatible with devices ranging from 110mm to 215mm (4.33 to 8.46 inches) in length, while the G8 supports devices from 110mm to 185mm (4.33 to 7.28 inches). This makes the G8+ suitable for a broader range of device sizes. You can even sorta use it with an iPad Air in portrait mode. Don’t know why, but you can.
In terms of weight, the G8+ is heavier at 313.5g (0.69lbs) compared to the G8’s 249.2g (0.55lbs), which most certainly is the fault of the added battery.
Design
The design of the GameSir G8 Plus is fairly simple and reminiscent of its predecessor. It is designed with ergonomic grips for comfortable use during extended gaming sessions, and features console-sized sticks and buttons.
Customization options include interchangeable magnetic faceplates, stick caps, and button caps. The grips have “laser-engraved textures,” and the buttons use “high-saturation fluorescent ink” (I am not entirely sure what for). The controller is compact and portable, with an extendable bridge to fit various device sizes.
The controller features a standard set of buttons. On the front, it has a left analog stick. Below the left stick is the D-Pad, providing traditional directional input. The View Button (aka the Minus) is located above the left stick. Below the D-pad you’ll find the Mode Indicator and Capture Buttons.
On the right side of the front, you’ll find the familiar A/B/X/Y buttons arranged in a diamond pattern, commonly used in many gaming controllers. I was sad at first that these aren’t in the “correct” Nintendo order, but then I realized you can just easily swap the buttons in any way you want since everything here is removable, including the faceplates and the analog sticks.
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The right stick is positioned below these buttons, also featuring a clickable function. Additionally, the Menu Button is placed above the A/B/X/Y buttons, and the Home Button/Connection Status Indicator is located below the stick.
The top edge of the controller hosts the shoulder buttons and triggers. The bottom edge of the controller includes a Pairing Button. A Type-C charging port is located beside it.
On the back of the controller, there are additional programmable buttons labelled R4 and L4, which can be customized.
The controller’s extendable bridge allows for a device that’s as wide as 215mm, which is a lot. Safe to say, it fits every device that I have, including, once again, a filly-sized iPad. It is a bit on the heavier side though: after a while, you start feeling that 1000mah battery, especially if you’re using the controller with an already hefty device like the Switch OLED. But it’s not critical at all. Let’s do some basic maths: the GameSir G8 Plus plus Nintendo Switch OLED weigh about 644 grams, which is directly comparable with the Steam Deck (the Deck is still a bit heavier). That gives you an idea of how it feels.
In use
While the design of the GameSir G8 Plus is fine, there’s nothing that interesting about it — which is totally fine. I am glad there is no RGB of any kind — nothing to waste the battery. What’s more important is how it feels in your hands, and in mine, it feels mighty good. The plastic does not feel cheap at all, and every button is nice to the touch. The triggers offer some resistance, but not too much — I would say, they are very similar to the Xbox Series controller. Of course, they are night and day compared to the Joy-Cons. They also offer much more travel than the Nintendo Switch Pro controller. The triggers are MUCH better than the Nitro Deck, feeling outright premium in comparison.
The D-pad, the common weak point of many a controller, is clicky but not flimsy — miles better than the mushy feeling of the Backbone. I’d say it’s right in the middle between the Xbox Series (extremely clicky) and the DualSense (mushier feeling). It is a bit similar to the Nitro Deck.
The analog sticks stand out simply because these are Hall Effect sticks — the holy grail of analog sticks for any controller. They feel just right: smooth, fast, and responsive. The sticks are not even comparable to Joy-Cons atrocities both in size (the GameSir G8 Plus uses full-size sticks, unlike, say, the Backbone) and reliability. They are somewhat close to the Nitro Deck sticks both in size and features (both devices use Hall Effect sticks). I don’t know about you, but I have already lost a few Joy-Cons and DualSenses to stick drift, and knowing that the GameSir G8 Plus will not share their fate (at least, that’s the idea) brings me peace. Also, as a bonus, you get additional analog sticks right in the box.
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The controller also has two back buttons which you can rebind in the app.
The GameSir G8 Plus supports rumble and has motors in the right and left grips. The motor is familiar to me — I think it’s very similar to the one used in the BINBOK Ultra Pro Controller. It’s subtle but strong — much better than the earth-shattering monstrosity used in the Nitro Deck. The gyro works fine as well.
So, how does it feel to play? I know that the word “feel” is subjective, but how else am I going to describe it to you? To me, the GameSir G8 Plus feels fantastic to use. I mostly play on my Switch, and to me, it feels like the replacement I’ve been waiting for. Just a year ago I was singing praises to the Nitro Deck but now I don’t even want to think about going back to that form factor. To me, the genius is in the way I can swap the devices without much fuss: taking the device from the controller is extremely easy due to the smooth mounting system, and I don’t have to fumble with the connectors. The device turns off the second you collapse it and turns back on when you stretch it to fit a new device.
Platform switching is not as user-friendly as it might be. To switch, you must press and hold the small circle button below the D-pad together with one of the platform-specific buttons. Which button? I had trouble remembering them and of course, I immediately lost the tiny fold-out manual, so I had to do it blindly (now you can find the manual online).
I wish it somehow knew which device you’re inserting (reconnecting the device can be a bit of a slow process, especially in the case of the iPhone) but other than that, I don’t have any real complaints. Sure, there are some small things that might bother you, but the only issue that happened to me once was when the device turned itself off after a long play session. I turned it back on, and it never happened again.
The controller features standard Bluetooth modes for iOS, Android, and PC (blue light of the home button), an Android-specific mode for the GameSir app (yellow light), and a mode for Nintendo Switch (red light). It also includes a fourth mode for mobile games that don’t officially support controllers — for that, you need an app and an Android phone because the current iOS versions don’t seem to support it (the app says, “The key mapping feature currently does not support iOS 13.4 and above systems.”)
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The app
Of course, like any other brand, GameSir has a (thankfully, completely optional) mobile app that lets you customize things even further. I didn’t even know there was an app and played on my Switch and my iPhone without installing it. But it’s here, and it’s not as bad as I was expecting (I have bad experience with those). It offers quite a lot: firmware updates, dead zone adjustments for sticks and triggers, vibration intensity customization, button testing, etc.
Android users can remap buttons to play games that don’t support controllers.
I found the app just fine: it did not glitch on me and allowed me to rebind the back buttons to my liking.
Verdict
GameSir did it again: the GameSir G8 Plus is probably — most definitely — the best mobile phone controller out there, for any price. It’s not for everyone since I am sure many will still prefer the old model that lets you connect the controller directly without the need for charging, but for me, the convenience is just too great. What’s even better, this isn’t only a great phone controller, but also a perfect companion to the Switch.