This $80 controller gave my Switch the upgrade it needed

The quest for the perfect all-in-one controller seems never-ending, but the GameSir G8+ throws its hat into the ring with a bold claim: near-universal compatibility. Promising seamless gaming across the Nintendo Switch, phones, tablets, and PCs, this controller aims to be the only one you’ll ever need. And on a lot of fronts, this controller does succeed, especially if you are in need of an upgrade for your Nintendo Switch. With a premium feel, customizable controls, and plenty of features, this is an easy recommendation for any Switch owner ready to say goodbye to their Joy-Cons forever.

However, when it comes to using this device for other purposes, there are some additional caveats to consider.

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GameSir G8+ Mobile Gaming Controller

The GameSir G8+ Mobile Gaming Controller features near universal compatibility with game consoles, phones, tablets and PCs, and includes support for motion sensing, vibration, and more.
 

Pros

• Ergonomic design is easy to hold for long gaming sessions
• Buttons and analog sticks are easy to swap out and customize
• Long battery life

Cons

• No pass-through charging could be a deal-breaker for phones
• Included cord is very short
• Not my first choice for a PC controller

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Price, availability, and specs

$80 for a controller that does basically everything

The Gamesir G8+ feels quite light in your hands, weighing just 0.69 lbs., making it perfect for long gaming sessions. It also won’t weigh down your bag if you bring it on the go. The jet-black controller has a fairly simple profile, with rounded ergonomic grips that are easy to hold, as well as a textured surface on the underside that will keep you from losing your grip.

Conveniently, the controller also has an easily-removable magnetic faceplate and three alternate joysticks that can be swapped out in seconds. The controller doesn’t come with any extra buttons, but if you’d like to customize your ABXY button configuration (which comes in handy if you want to alternate between PC, mobile, and Switch), you can do so easily.

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What I like about the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth Mobile Controller

Portable, powerful, and with excellent battery life

The great thing about the GameSir G8+ is that out of the box, you know pretty much how it works. The controller has a stretchable back that easily allows you to put your phone or Nintendo Switch in the center in less than a second. From there, syncing is easy, as you just put your device in discovery mode, select the correct pairing mode by pressing one or two buttons on the device, and then you’re ready to play.I played a variety of games to test out the controller, and found it to be incredibly accurate, no matter whether I was playing Mario Kart 8 online, Cult of the Lamb, or Pikmin 4. It also supports gyro input on the Nintendo Switch, which is an added plus for those specifically looking for this controller as a Joy-Con replacement. The analog sticks and triggers use Hall Effect technology, so drift is not an issue, and overall analog responsiveness is excellent.



Though I primarily tested this controller out with my Switch, The GameSir G8 Plus is actually designed to be used as a sort of kitchen sink device that you can shove in your backpack and use with your phone or PC as well. With this in mind, portability is a huge factor here, as you want to be able to toss this sucker in your bag and be able to play wherever. And thankfully, the GameSir G8+ travels extremely well. This is helped by a very healthy battery life, which lasted me between 7-10 hours, which was more than enough to keep me going for several days at a theme park (where much of my testing was done).

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What I don’t like about the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth Mobile Controller

A missing feature means some mobile gamers might miss out

It’s sort of ironic that I ended up loving this controller so much, as my first impressions of it were not the greatest. While the packaging looks nice when you first unbox the device, poorly crafted instructions and an incredibly short charging cable soured the initial unboxing excitement I felt. Thankfully my first impression ended up not being indicative of the overall quality of the controller, but it’s worth noting that you’ll probably need a different cable to charge this controller (especially if you want to use it right out of the box) and if you have issues with the instructions, you can just head over to GameSir’s website for a much easier explanation of how to get up and running with your new controller.

It’s also worth noting that while I believe that this controller is a perfect replacement for Joy-Cons or as a mobile controller to toss in your bag and use with your phone, I don’t know that this is a perfect replacement for a PC controller, especially given the price, the larger size of the controller when there’s no screen in the middle, and what other options are available. The ability to function as a PC controller in addition to its other compatibilities is, of course, nice to have, but if you’re looking for a controller and will primarily be using it for PC, GameSir has several other options that might better fit the bill.

A final caveat for mobile-only gamers, the GameSir G8+ does not support pass-through charging, so if your phone doesn’t have the best battery life while in gaming mode, this controller probably isn’t a good choice, as you won’t be able to play for long without needing to charge your phone.

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Should you buy the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth Mobile Controller?

An easy upgrade, under the right conditions

When it comes to controllers, there’s one aspect that makes or breaks a device: how it feels to hold. And on this account, the GameSir G8 Plus succeeds right off the bat. The ergonomic grips are easy to hold, the buttons are super-clicky and responsive, and the smooth finish on the top of the controller coupled with the textured underside gives the whole unit a premium feel that will almost certainly feel like an upgrade if you’re used to using your phone’s touchscreen controls for gaming, or the Switch’s standard Joy-Cons.

When it comes to comparisons to other PC controllers, the GameSir G8 Plus isn’t as much of an upgrade, but will certainly do in a pinch if you have another controller charging, or you’re bringing a controller to a friend’s place. And even though $80 does make this a bit of a pricey controller when compared to other options, the long-lasting battery, customization options, and overall premium feel make this a controller worth investing in, particularly if you are looking for a Joy-Con replacement or something to toss in your bag for use with your favorite mobile game, provided you don’t need pass-through charging.

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GameSir G8+ Mobile Gaming Controller