In a sea of mobile controller options, one finally stands out amongst the pack for its ergonomic design and un-compromising build quality. It just might not fit in your pocket.
If you’re a tech fan and have ever peaked your nose into the sordid world of mobile gaming, you may be aware of a little company named GameSir, which is quickly becoming a big name in the world of mobile gaming peripherals.
The burgeoning mobile controller scene has seen some serious improvements over the last couple of years, from pocketable devices like the Razer Kishi to more premium-feeling accessories like the officially licensed PlayStation Backbone One.
Whether you’re the sort of person who just wants to dabble in Diablo Immortal, or you fancy a gargantuan Genshin session, there’s plenty of choice for your mobile gaming needs. That’s why it’s particularly impressive that the Gamesir G8 Galileo just might be the best of the bunch.
Key Specs
- Connectivity: USB-C
- Compatibility: Android & iPhone 15
- Price: $77.99
- Features: Hall Effect Joysticks, Pass-through charging, 3.5mm audio jack, Moveable Type-C port, and Magnetic Detachable Faceplates.
Design
One of the best things about the GameSir G8 is that it feels like a “real” game controller. I’ve tried a few different mobile controllers, and while many offer a comfort level just about above slapping your thumbs on the screen, this is something else.
Even if you’ve got massive hands like Donkey Kong, the GameSir G8 is designed to be comfortable for any type of gamer, and it fits nicely into your palms for longer gaming sessions.
It’s pretty chunky on the sides, feeling akin to an Xbox controller more than anything else, but it also works well with the alignment of joysticks, with the left, up above the D-Pad and the right nestled below the A/B/X/Y face buttons.
The Joysticks themselves are made of a nice rubber material, offering a firm grip even for sweaty mitts like mine, while the back of the controller has an etched design to help you keep ahold of the device.
What’s more, the front of the GameSir G8 has magnetic faceplates that feel secure but can be easily snapped off, allowing you to quickly swap the Joystick for several different choices, with a few coming in the box.
Weirdly though, there is only one of each option, so unless you buy one single additional Joystick, your controller will feel wonky if you change from the symmetrical default ones.
Now, there are many things I like about the GameSir G8 Galileo mobile controller, but the visual design is not one of them. I’ve never been a fan of the retro grey, and I think the minimalistic design has gone too far in one direction, instead of just looking a little boring.
Thankfully, the purple face buttons are great, clearly based on the SNES, and they have a vibrant tone that works well against the grey. Overall it just feels very subdued, and while not everyone wants spinning RGB lights, I would have liked a little more pizazz in there somehow.
The aforementioned magnetic faceplates there are surely ways to change up the design, but I would have liked either a stark white or black design or perhaps even a colorful yellow, to give some more personality to the device or a sleeker professional look. It might be personal taste, but grey isn’t for me.
Features
The GameSir G8 Galileo works through a USB-C connection, making it compatible with most Android devices, and the recent iPhone 15. It also has an adjustable USB-C connection, as the prong can be moved slightly, helping to fit a lot of different phones in place.
It also has a telescopic design, starting pretty squat, but it can be stretched out to fit devices as large as the iPad Mini or possibly even some of the foldable Samsung devices. With 5mm of depth, most phones can be squeezed in here, unless the camera juts out like a telescope.
Now, unlike some other devices like the Razer Kishi, it feels sturdy even when stretched out, and the device as a whole feels genuinely rock solid. This does come at the cost of compactness, as it’s a pretty big unit that can’t fit into a pocket, almost reaching PlayStation Portal dimensions with a large phone.
Instead, the GameSir G8 feels like the perfect home companion for mobile gaming, while perhaps smaller devices like the Backbone One are more suited to road trips. However, if you’re serious about mobile gaming and have a device like the RedMagic 9 Pro, this is the perfect device.
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The GameSir G8 isn’t some monster, but it is also just a full-scale controller, just even wider. It’s not a subtle device by any means.
One of the main selling points that GameSir is slapping on the box is the much-touted Hall Effect Joysticks, which use magnets instead of parts that can wear away, helping to minimize the chance of degradation or drift that can be seen in the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons.
Throughout my playtime, I found the device incredibly responsive and had no issues with wrong inputs. The Joysticks feel consistently reactive and intuitive, giving the sort of response I feel from the PS5 controller or the Switch Pro controller.
Finally, another fantastic feature is baked into the device, with a USB-C slot and a 3.5mm Audio Jack offering passthrough charging and audio through wired headphones. I love wired headphones and am always very grateful to see this feature included, meanwhile, the charging works perfectly.
Software
The GameSir G8 can be easily swapped into one of three separate modes, easily mapping controls for different streaming or gaming apps. I tested the device with Xbox Game Pass, the PS Streaming App, and multiple games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile, and found it comfortable throughout.
I tested the GameSir G8 with an iPhone 15, and several Android devices, and found that it felt incredibly comfortable – if a bit bulky – no matter what device was used. Plus, switching between profiles is as simple as holding down the GameSir home button.
Alongside this, there is a GameSir app which you can connect to for firmware updates, as well as to make changes to button mapping and also map the back L4 and R4 pedals. Not every game uses these, so they are handy for mapping some tricky commands and feel adequately clicky.
Sadly the app itself isn’t very impressive, needing multiple attempts to connect to the GameSir G8 controller, and also shutting down pretty regularly. The app can serve as an individual launcher, but honestly, I’d rather just launch things from the home menu.
Should you buy it?
I wish the GameSir G8 looked as impressive as the device is because it is one of the few things holding me back. While it may be a bit of a brute, the GameSir G8 uses that larger size to deliver the most comfortable and reliable mobile controller I’ve ever used.
The device feels comfortable and satisfyingly weighty to hold, without feeling like a strain in longer sessions, while the buttons are all tactile and clicky, feeling like a professional controller instead of just a mobile adapter.
While I have issues with the GameSir app, that’s not a slight on the GameSir G8 Galileo, which is easily the best mobile controller on the market thanks to its comfort, fantastic controls, and adaptable design fitting almost any USB-C compatible device you can throw at it.
As long as you don’t mind the size or the dull grey color, this is an instant purchase and at a great price. However, if you need this to fit into a small bag while traveling, or want something more subtle, perhaps devices like the Backbone One would be a better fit.
Verdict: 4/5
The GameSir G8 Galileo is quite large, and doesn’t have the most exciting design. Despite all this, it’s easily the best mobile controller I’ve ever used.
It’s chunky, reliable, and feels fantastic to play with, akin to top-tier controllers like the Switch Pro Controller or the PS5’s DualSense. Neat customization options are an extra treat, adding more choices to the fantastic Joysticks, meaning pretty much anyone can play how they want.
I sincerely hope future iterations of the GameSir G8 offer a couple more Joystick caps in the box, a carry case, and perhaps some new colorways or swappable faceplates, but this is a fantastic foundation and the current king of the mobile market.
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