Turn Your Phone Into a Game Boy With GameSir’s Clip-On Controller
▼ Summary
– GameSir demonstrated a new smartphone controller at the Tokyo Game Show that turns a phone into a Game Boy with a vertical orientation.
– The controller is a C-shaped accessory that slides onto the bottom of a phone and features Game Boy-style buttons, including a D-pad and action buttons.
– It includes additional face and shoulder buttons, allowing it to play more than just emulated Game Boy titles.
– The controller’s connection method is unknown, but it may use Bluetooth or a USB-C connection and require its own rechargeable battery.
– Its ergonomics are considered better than the Retro Handheld Console Case for Xiaomi 17 series, which uses the phone’s back camera bump screen.
For retro gaming enthusiasts, a clever new gadget from GameSir promises to transform your modern smartphone into a nostalgic Game Boy experience. Spotted at the Tokyo Game Show, this compact clip-on controller holds your phone vertically, mimicking the classic handheld’s iconic layout. While the company has not yet revealed the official name, pricing, compatibility details, or release date, the accessory clearly targets those who enjoy playing vintage games on the go.
Unlike GameSir’s larger G8 Plus controller, which turns a phone sideways to resemble a Nintendo Switch, this new design is far more pocket-friendly. It maintains the phone’s upright orientation, much like the original Game Boy. The controller was visible in the background of an official booth photo shared by GameSir, but clearer images came from the X account @Yoshivesmovie, who got to test the device firsthand.
The C-shaped accessory clips onto the bottom edge of a smartphone. It includes a directional pad, Start and Select buttons, and four action buttons, all styled to look like those on the classic Game Boy. Beyond the retro layout, the controller also features two extra face buttons and shoulder buttons on the rear, expanding its compatibility beyond simple Game Boy emulators to more complex titles.
The connection method remains unconfirmed, though a visible cutout on the controller’s base suggests the phone’s charging port may stay accessible. If it doesn’t connect via USB-C, Bluetooth is the likely alternative, meaning the controller would need its own internal battery. While remembering to charge yet another device isn’t ideal, the ergonomic design appears far more practical than other recent accessories, such as the Retro Handheld Console Case for Xiaomi 17 series phones, which awkwardly uses the rear camera bump as a screen.
(Source: The Verge)
