My favorite mobile gaming trend of late is giant controllers. As mobile screen sizes increase, it only makes sense to use these devices to play games. The GameSir G8+ Bluetooth Controller gives you an affordable controller for larger phones and tablets. However, some firmware issues prevent it from becoming a must-have accessory.
The GameSir G8+ Bluetooth controller costs $79.99 and supports devices up to 215mm in size, or just under 8.5 inches, which means it’ll fit perfectly on an iPad Mini even with the case open. It’s a Bluetooth controller, which means it works with a variety of devices, whether they have USB-C or Lightning connections. It also feels great in the hand, from the D-pad and analog sticks to the triggers and face buttons. The G8+ won’t replace the official PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series controllers, but it doesn’t have the plasticky feel found in some cheaper controllers.
Unfortunately, during my review of the G8+, a number of issues arose.
GameSir G8+ Bluetooth Review
Just made some firmware adjustments, and the effect is a little worse.
advantage
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acceptable price
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It feels good to hold it in your hand
shortcoming
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Firmware issues
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Bluetooth only
G8 is not G-Reat
My initial test of the G8+ was Call of Duty Mobile. I downloaded the game to the iPad Mini and launched it after pairing the controller. The game immediately recognized that I was using a controller, and once I started a match I moved around the game just like I would with any other controller. It went well for a few minutes, but suddenly the left analog stick wouldn’t move up. For some reason, the G8+ joystick got stuck in the down position, leaving me moonwalking on the island of Memnos. Sure, I aimed well while walking backwards, but that wasn’t the first impression of the review.
I tried to resolve the issue by unpairing the controller, leaving it on the iPad Mini, and then re-pairing it. This time, the left analog stick immediately stuck in the down position, not giving me a minute to use the controller like normal.
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To make sure this isn’t a cash on delivery mobile Question, I launched the Xbox app to see how the controller plays on the console via streaming. There’s no difference because the controller’s left analog stick is still in the down position.
GameSir allows the G8+ to easily replace components like buttons and joysticks, and even includes additional accessories in the box. However, the hardware is not the problem.
I downloaded the GameSir app to confirm that the G8+ had the correct firmware, as this seemed to be the most likely issue. The app found the controller and confirmed that the latest firmware was installed.
My next test review game was playing on my PS5 via the PlayStation Remote app. This time, the controller seemed to be working fine. I play ring of fire Everything was fine and could move on without any issues, but another problem arose. For some strange reason, the face buttons were swapped. The issue was confirmed when looking at the settings and seeing that the buttons didn’t match what was expected. I went back to the GameSir app to see if there was a way to bind the buttons on the controller, but there isn’t.
Then, during another test on CoD Mobile, the controller seemed to work as expected. Still, since there’s always been an issue with this G8+ controller, a message will appear repeatedly on the game explaining how the gamepad is connected. It should appear once and disappear after a few seconds, but now this message keeps appearing. This could be a weird Bluetooth connection issue, although it’s hard to tell with the G8+.
Let me plug in, GameSir
Most of my issues with the G8+ controller seem to be firmware related, but I have an issue with the design. Since the G8+ uses Bluetooth, the devices don’t need to be connected directly, but I wish they were.
Since the tablet is physically larger than the G8+, the sides stick out when you clip it into the handle. This means that part of the tablet could get caught on something and tilt upward. When this happened to me I realized that plugging the device into an actual controller would prevent this accidental movement, which made me wish there were some connectors.
GameSir G8+ Verdict
The G8+ controller has it all. This should be an easy recommendation for tablet users who want a controller grip. At $79.99, it’s affordable, the controller feels good, and the battery life is great. However, the issues I encountered during my G8+ review weighed down the experience. I hope many of these firmware issues will be resolved post-launch. Until then, you should hold off on picking this one up.
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