GameSir G8 Plus Review – The best way to play games on mobile

Mobile controllers have come leaps and bounds over the years, offering experiences that are as close to console offerings as you’ll realistically get. The GameSir G8 is one such controller, giving you access to high end parts and an easy to use design for most phones.

The GameSir G8 Plus aims to take what already works with the G8, switching USB-C for Bluetooth while also offering a couple of key improvements at the same time. And after spending the past few weeks with the G8 Plus, I can safely say this is (currently) the best way to play mobile games out there.

Product Overview

The G8 Plus, unlike a few mobile controller offerings, is not split into two parts (though GameSir does offer this with the X4 Aileron). Instead, it makes use of an extendable back, which can be opened up to nearly double the initial 11cm width. With the max size reaching 21.5cm (just under 8.5 inches) you’ll fit all phones with ease, though larger tablets are a no-go in landscape.

You have a fully featured set of controls, from the full-size analog sticks and d-pad to extra buttons on the back. Most parts are generally quite similar to GameSir’s other recent controllers like the Kaleid, especially the excellent textured sticks.

A few concessions have been made to take into account the form factor needed for mobile gaming. Each side is a little more compact than what you’d see on a regular controller, but still spaced well enough that they don’t feel cramped. The face and shoulder buttons have also been reduced in size — I don’t mind the face buttons, though I did find the shoulder buttons to be a little too small at times.

Interestingly, the faceplates for each side are attached using magnets. This means they can be easily taken off and replaced — I reached out to GameSir and have been told that different faceplates are currently in the design stage.

This also means that you have easy access to the analog sticks and face buttons, all of which are removable by hand. You get a few extra options out the box for analog sticks: a small top stick, one that’s taller which is great for FPS games, and something closer to the left stick on GameCube controllers.

Being able to switch the face buttons as well is useful when it comes to the G8 Plus’s extra compatibility, which also lets it connect wirelessly to Nintendo Switch. You can switch A/B and X/Y to match the Nintendo layout for face buttons, though it’s also possible to swap which button does what on the software side as well.

A Premium Feeling Controller

As for actually using the GameSir G8 Plus on mobile, it feels as close to playing a handheld console as you can get — honestly, it’s actually better than playing on the Switch using regular joycons.

The analog sticks have a similar shape to Sony’s DualSense, but with a nicer texture and Hall Effect sensors that shouldn’t have drifting issues for a far longer time. I also want to specifically mention the d-pad, which blows first party controllers out of the water. It’s clicky and registers all inputs clearly, including diagonals.

If there was one thing I’d like to see changed in a potential G9, it’s the shoulder buttons. Some earlier mobile GameSir controllers like the X2 used clicky switches that felt much nicer to press. The ones on the G8 Plus are much stiffer in comparison.

Something that also applied to the G8 but is more prominent in the G8 Plus is that certain phones might have trouble fitting into the controller by default. It all depends on how large the camera bump is on the phone.

The OnePlus 10T I used during this review has a large square camera bump that doesn’t quite fit properly, leading to the phone tilting slightly (though it’s still secure.) This can be fixed easily enough by using a case, though it would have been nice for the G8 Plus to include a few physical spacers to help with this.

GameSir G8 vs G8 Plus

As mentioned earlier, the main difference between the G8 and the G8 Plus is the switch to Bluetooth over a physical USB-C connection. This opens up compatibility immensely, moving from just Android and modern iPhones to full mobile, Switch, and PC support.

The Switch experience is actually quite similar to playing on mobile, with the main console fitting into the controller without issue. It’s a more elegant solution that something like the Nitro Deck which takes up more space around the console.

Moving to Bluetooth does have its own issues though. For starters, latency on Android can sometimes be a problem. It’s not high and mostly only affects certain games, though it’ll never be as responsive as the regular G8. This is less of an issue on the Switch, and on PC you can just connect the controller via a cable.

Another change is the fact that you need to charge the G8 Plus. It comes with a 100mAh battery which is more than enough for a few days of gaming (there’s no pesky RGB to drain battery either), though it is something to keep in mind.

The G8 Plus also covers any mobile headphone jacks, meaning you’re relegated to BlueTooth only. While the G8 does cover headphone jacks as well, it comes with its own for those that prefer to use wired options.

One final difference is that the G8 Plus naturally feels heavier than its predecessor due to the battery. We’re only talking around a 60g difference (249.2g up to 313.5g), but it could take some getting used to — it’s still lighter than devices like the Steam Deck.

Price

The GameSir G8 Plus is £79.99 / €89.99 / $79.99, the same price as the regular G8 — in fact, it actually seems to be cheaper than that on the GameSir store. Because of this, the Plus would likely be the better option for most people looking to purchase one of these controllers. You have the same feature set as the previous iteration, but can now use it with more devices.

Naturally, there are a couple of caveats to this. As mentioned earlier, the G8 Plus doesn’t support wired headphones on mobile, and the added battery means that you get a little extra weight alongside it.

I do think that the G8 Plus adds a lot more bang for your buck with the added compatibility alone. Assuming Switch controllers still work with the upcoming Switch successor, you’ll have access to a great option going forward (on top of it always supporting new phones of course.)

GameSir G8 Plus Review | Final Impressions

The GameSir G8 Plus is an excellent controller, especially if you plan on using it for both mobile and Switch gaming. In some ways it even surpasses regular console controllers, while its form factor still makes it easy to carry with you in a bag for portable gaming. Frankly, the only way I could see myself replacing the G8 Plus as my mobile controller of choice is if an even better G9 releases in the future.

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The GameSir G8 Plus was reviewed using a sample provided by the manufacturer.

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