GameSir has knocked it out of the park once more with its G8+ cell controller, nonetheless, its irritating setup points forestall this from being an ideal all-rounder.
The hunt for a superb various to the drift-infected Nintendo Pleasure-Cons remains to be a should for me. At the same time as we method the tail finish of the Change’s lifespan. That’s why I used to be greater than eager to ditch my Zelda-themed Change controllers and take the brand new GameSir G8+ cell controller for a spin.
Out of the field, the GameSir G8+ seems to be only a spruced-up Bluetooth-compatible model of the G8 Galileo cell controller. However, is there extra at play right here?
Key Specs
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wired or Wi-fi Dongle
- Compatibility: Change, iOS, Android, pill & PC
- Battery Life: 1000mAh battery (500mAh in both sides)
- Weight: 314g
- Options: Corridor Impact sticks, Corridor Impact analog triggers, GameSir app assist, 2 mappable again buttons, uneven rumble motors, 6-axis gyroscope
- Worth: $79.99
Execs
Cons
Appropriate with wide selection of units
Convoluted connection arrange
Lag-free connection
Sub-par battery life
Corridor Impact sticks & triggers
No colorway choices
Convoluted connection setup
Design
The GameSir G8+ is nearly equivalent to its G8 Galileo counterpart. The controller options the identical cut-out design, with two halves of a typical ergonomic controller on both aspect.
Adopted by an area in-between to slide in your smartphone, Nintendo Change, or different suitable gadget of your selecting. This time round, the G8+ is extra elongated, coming in at 110mm at relaxation, and reaching upwards of 215mm when stretched out.
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As an alternative of a vibrant colorway, the controller is available in an all-black design, with a matte plastic end.
All of the buttons, together with the analog triggers, two mappable again buttons, two sticks, D-pad, and ABXY buttons all are available in the identical black colorway. The one specs of sunshine may be discovered across the sticks or on the GameSir emblem printed dwelling button.
Regardless of the uninspired paint job, what immediately drew my consideration was the rubber backing to the center part of the controller.
As an alternative of letting your Change or smartphone rub up in opposition to a tough floor, the gentle and textured rubber grip offers the controller a premium look, in addition to protects your costly tech from any scuffs and scratches.
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The again of every aspect of the ergonomically formed controller additionally encompasses a snug textured grip. Which made the controller extremely snug to carry, even after a number of hour-long Nintendo Change gaming periods.
Options
The GameSir comes packaged with a USB Kind-C cable and three various joysticks. In addition to the controller itself and a flashy GamrSir emblem sticker.
These sticks may be simply swapped by eradicating the magnetically hooked up face plates on both aspect of the controller. However as GameSir solely packed three, equipping them could also be awkward when utilizing the controller, particularly if you happen to’re a sucker for symmetry.
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As outlined above, the GameSir G8+ is designed to allow you to slip into a spread of suitable units within the middle of the controller.
Fortunately, as an alternative of getting to work across the right-sided USB-C port like on the Galileo, the added Bluetooth connectivity means you’ve gotten free reign of the way you need to pop in your favourite gadget.
The one hurdle I had with this total design, was the fast return of the extendable mid-section. When swapping out units, I unintentionally caught my pores and skin within the latch.
That is extra a difficulty with my very own clumsy self. Nevertheless, it’s value understanding in case you’re too fast to tug out your Nintendo console from the controller.
Bluetooth connectivity
Every gadget, whether or not that’s your Nintendo Change, smartphone, or iPad, has its personal weird methodology of connection.
As an alternative of going by way of the conventional motions of the way you’d arrange a Bluetooth controller just like the 8BitDo Final 2C, I needed to additionally press a mixture of buttons which modified relying on the gadget.
For the Change, this meant holding down the seize button, in addition to the Y button on the right-hand aspect, and ready for the house button to flash yellow. For my Android-based smartphone, this meant holding seize and A as an alternative.
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Whereas this doesn’t sound majorly intrusive, even with a full cost the G8+ would recurrently disconnect with each my Change and my Samsung Galaxy S24 smartphone throughout setup, main me to do the method another time.
GameSir App
That is the place the GameSir app got here in. Unique to Android cellphone customers, this made up for the connectivity points.
After my S24 repeatedly refused to pair with the G8+, having the official app at my disposal nipped this within the bud. When related, the app additionally allowed me to check the controller, change the vibration depth, and improve the firmware.
The joystick and button settings, together with the triggers may be personalized this fashion. Nevertheless, with Corridor Impact sticks in tow, the sticks and controls have been already precisely to my liking.
Having the ability to test the gamepad and provides it a check did relieve any earlier stressors I had with the controller possibly being at fault. Versus my S24 which was possible the true connectivity challenge perpetrator.
Gaming Efficiency
With the G8+ lastly up and operating, I used to be immediately greatly surprised. As a lot as I like my Nintendo Change, as a Nintendo die-hard, this controller simply left my Pleasure-Cons within the mud.
Popping my OLED Change display screen into the middle of the controller was tremendous easy, and instantly, I used to be drawn to the consolation of the ergonomic design and textured grip of the controller.
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To place the G8+ really to the check, I performed a number of hours of Tremendous Monkey Ball Banana Rumble. The Tremendous Monkey sequence, particularly this most up-to-date launch, entails a whole lot of precision, however the G8+ by no means faltered.
The combo of the extreme rumble motors, and comfy grip solely improved my Monkey Ball abilities. I used to be in a position to information AiAi to the objective with ease, and the pins and needles typically introduced on by the Pleasure-Cons have been nowhere to be seen.
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Swapping out the Change display screen for my smartphone was simply as simple, even with my cumbersome cellphone case nonetheless on.
As soon as I had the GameSir android app operating within the background, I used to be in a position to check the controller out by enjoying Solo Levelling: Come up and the Android model of Vampire Survivors.
My inputs, whether or not by way of the Corridor Impact sticks, triggers, or ABXY buttons have been all exact, and it was simpler than ever to tackle absolutely anything.
With cell gaming, utilizing contact controls has at all times been a irritating expertise. Particularly as I discover your palms take up a lot of the sport’s actual property.
Now, I might truly benefit from the lovingly crafted 3D model of the Solo Levelling anime sequence. And even rank up a powerful arsenal of assaults in Vampure Survivors with out getting my grubby palms all around the S24’s display screen.
Do you have to purchase it?
The GameSir G8+ Bluetooth cell controller offers the earlier G8 Galileo a run for its cash, being a cushty feeling controller that’s adaptable with an enormous array of gaming units.
Simply notice that battery life is slightly missing, and also you’ll end up reaching for a charger as a rule.
Whether or not you’re a cell gaming connoisseur, and recurrently spend time enjoying Honkai Star Rail or Vampire Survivors in your cellphone, or desire a snug alternative in your drift-ridden Nintendo Pleasure-Cons, the G8+ controller is pretty much as good as Bluetooth cell controllers come.
Nevertheless, even with the greater than cheap $79.99 price ticket, particularly for a controller with Corridor Impact sticks, getting it related may be mildly infuriating. Virtually as mildly infuriating as its lack of various colorways obtainable.
Verdict – 4/5
Similar to the GameSir controllers earlier than it, the GameSir G8+ is an impeccable Bluetooth cell controller and even a worthy various in your Nintendo Change Pleasure-Cons and different gaming controllers.
Its snug grip, paired with its adaptability with a spread of units, with or with no wired connection, make it top-of-the-line cell controllers you will get your palms on.
The place it’s arrange with no matter gadget you throw at it isn’t as simple as I’d hoped, it has since by no means left my Nintendo Change’s aspect.
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