GameSir G8 mobile controller
GameSir G8 Galileo mobile controller
I never considered my phone to be a gaming console. Candy Crush, Angry Birds and Wordle is about the extent of my mobile gaming experiences. When GameSir reached out and asked for a 30 second TikTok video in exchange for their newest controller, I was hesitant but wanted to try it.
So far, it’s been pretty darn cool. I’ve used the Nintendo Switch quite a bit, I’ve put over 150 hours into Zelda Breath of The Wild and I found the style of the Switch to be comfortable for long playing periods. The Galileo G8 is really comfortable and the battery on your phone will probably tire out before you do.
Hardware
The G8 can accommodate larger phones, as long as they have a USB-C port, it should work. I’ve seen videos where people have even attached it to fold out flip phones like the Samsung Z fold 5. The USB-C plug is fixed in place but has a springy feel to it so you won’t have to worry about snapping anything when placing or removing the mobile devices.
You can get the GameSir G8 Galileo here at Amazon or at their own website.
The GameSir G8 Galileo design resembles a cross between a xBox and a PS5 controller. It has removeable thumb buttons that can be replaced. There is no controller drifting due to the design of the controller and the plastic around the thumb sticks can be removed due to it’s magnetic clip on design. I’m hoping that this will allow customizable designs on future models. it would be a great opportunity to market the controller with future big name game releases. The buttons are firm and the triggers have a nice response to them. One of my issues with it was the placement of buttons on the bottom of the controller. I’m sure that those buttons will have a use in the future or can be mapped for certain uses but I didn’t see it. I found myself accidently tapping them often.
Applications
There is a GameSir app but it wouldn’t work with my Moto G Pure Android phone and the IOS version seemed to be out of date since the G8 wasn’t listed. The App does have a list of compatible games but since I couldn’t add the G8 controller to the app, I couldn’t see which games were designed specifically for it.
Speaking of game releases, The Oregon Trail, Pocket Rogues, Star Wars Lego Castaways, Dead Trigger 2 and Sky; Children of the Light took up a lot of time. The Moto G Pure Android phone was a bit too underpowered to play any games but more modern Android phones should be fine.
There is a pass through USB-C port for charging your phone while you play and a 3.5mm headphone jack right beside that.
The plastic used for the controller is a bit slippery and the light gray might be prone to getting dirty from hand sweat but it’s nothing that a bit of 99% alcohol can’t clean.
What sold me on the GameSir G8 Galileo was it’s ability to immerse me into the game. The screen wasn’t covered up with hands or fingers and it allowed more screen space to get deeper into the experience.
Would I buy it with my own money? Maybe not for myself but I would gift it to my kids if they had a USB-C equipped smart phone. It provides an immersive experience, it’s comfortable and portable.
You can get your own one here at Amazon.