My favorite trend in mobile gaming recently has been big controller grips. As phone screens increase in size, it only makes sense to use these devices to game. Enter the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth controller, which offers an affordable grip for larger phones and tablets. However, some firmware issues hold it back from being a must-have accessory.
The GameSir G8+ Bluetooth controller costs $79.99 and supports devices up to 215 mm or just shy of 8.5 inches, which means it’s a perfect fit for the iPad Mini even with its case on. It’s a Bluetooth controller, which means it can work with various devices, whether they have USB-C or Lightning connections. It also has a nice feel to it, from the D-pad and analog sticks to the triggers and face buttons. The G8+ won’t replace an official PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series controller, but it doesn’t have the plastic-y feel found in some of the cheaper grips.
Unfortunately, during my time with the G8+ for review, there was a mess of problems.
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Feels Good in your hands
Cons
- Firmware Issues
- Bluetooth Only
G8 Isn’t G-Reat
My initial testing with the G8+ was with Call of Duty Mobile. I downloaded the game onto my iPad Mini and started it up after pairing the controller. The game recognized I was using a controller right away, and once I started a match, I was moving around in-game just like I would with any other controller. It was smooth for a few minutes, but the left analog stick suddenly wouldn’t move up. The G8+ stick was stuck in the down position for some reason, making me moonwalk across Memnos Island. Sure, I was aiming accurately while walking backward, but that was not a great first impression for the review.
I tried to remedy the problem by unpairing the controller, forgetting it on my iPad Mini, and then re-pairing. This time around, the left analog stick immediately became stuck in the down position without giving me a minute to use the controller like normal.
To ensure this wasn’t a CoD Mobile problem, I started the Xbox app to see how the controller would handle playing on a console via streaming. There was no difference, as the controller’s left analog stick was still in the down position.
GameSir made the G8+ easy to swap out components like buttons and sticks and even included extras in the box. The hardware, however, was just not the problem.
I downloaded the GameSir app to confirm the G8+ had the correct firmware since that appears to be the most likely problem. The app found the controller and confirmed that the latest firmware was installed.
My next game to test for review was via the PlayStation Remote app to play a game on my PS5. This time around, the controller appeared to be functioning normally. I played Elden Ring just fine and could move forward without issues, but another problem surfaced. For some strange reason, the face buttons had been switched. The problem was confirmed when looking at the settings and seeing how the buttons didn’t match up as they were supposed to. I went back to the GameSir app to see if there was a way to bind the buttons on the controller, but there wasn’t.
Then, during another testing session on CoD Mobile, it seemed like the controller was working like it was supposed to. Still, because there’s always a problem with this G8+ controller, there was a repeating message on the game saying how the gamepad was connected. It was supposed to appear once and disappear after a few seconds, but now this message shows up constantly. This could be a weird Bluetooth connection issue, although it’s hard to say with the G8+.
Let Me Plug-In, GameSir
Most of my problems with the G8+ controller appear to be firmware-related, but I have an issue with the design. Because the G8+ uses Bluetooth, a device doesn’t need to connect directly, but I wish it did.
Since the tablet is physically bigger than the G8+, the sides stick out when it’s clamped into the grip. This means that part of the tablet may catch on something and tilt up. When this happened to me, I realized that having a device plugged into the actual controller prevents this accidental movement, which made me wish for some connector for that one reason.
GameSir G8+ Verdict
The G8+ controller has everything. It should be an easy recommendation for a tablet user who wants a controller grip for it. Its $79.99 price tag is affordable, and the controller feels good and has a solid battery life. However, the issues I encountered during the G8+ review dragged down the experience. I hope many of these firmware problems will be addressed after the launch. Until then, you should hold off on picking this up.
