GameSir G8 Galileo review: features, specs, price

GameSir G8 Galileo Assessment

Gaming on iPhone is not new, neither is attaching a controller to play these video games. Whereas Bluetooth controllers work with iPhone, they current an issue of holding each a controller and gadget concurrently — which is the place controllers just like the G8 Galileo are available in.

The GameSir G8 Galileo is a controller mount with a slot for putting an iPhone or USB-C smartphone. The gadget connects over USB-C and is gripped tight by a spring mechanism holding two controller halves.

The impact is like having a basic handheld, like Sony’s PlayStation Moveable or, extra lately, the Nintendo Swap. Corporations like GameVice and Spine have controllers on this house, however GameSir has a extra reasonably priced answer with an attention-grabbing function set.

GameSir has addressed a couple of annoyances that happen with cellular gaming. Plus, the general design is comfy to carry and would not really feel compromised for house saving.

There are three choices for utilizing a bodily controller with an iPhone. Both the iPhone is positioned on a stand separate from the controller, placed on a stand hooked up to the controller, or set contained in the controller like with G8 Galileo.

GameSir G8 Galileo Assessment: ‘Resident Evil 4’ on iPhone

Inserting a smartphone inside a vice-like controller grip has grown in recognition as cellular gaming has turn out to be extra subtle. Taking part in some video games with contact is troublesome, or in instances like “Resident Evil 4,” downright inconceivable.

The GameSir G8 Galileo has a inflexible backplate that slides to confess a smartphone of 4.33 inches to 7.28 inches. It really works with some slim instances however will depend on the case design.

The iPhone case should not exceed 1mm, or else it will should be eliminated plus the underside of the iPhone have to be unobscured. If there’s even a slight padding on the iPhone’s base, the USB-C plug will not attain the iPhone port.

The controller grips are contoured and are textured beneath. The colour scheme is harking back to the SNES controller with grey plastic and purple face buttons.

GameSir G8 Galileo Assessment: SNES colour scheme

The controller leans giant, however that is a function, not a criticism. Folks with bigger arms wrestle with tiny controllers like these discovered on Nintendo Swap, so having giant grips and full-sized buttons is refreshing.

The button placement is harking back to the Nintendo Swap. A branded GameSir button is on the precise facet, whereas a M button is on the left subsequent to a seize button. The M button is used to program two further buttons discovered beneath the controller.

The bottom’s USB-C port and headphone jack can be utilized for energy passthrough and lag-less audio. Energy passthrough is a should for prolonged play classes.

The realm by which the iPhone sits is a textured rubber materials. Sliding the controller open reveals clear plastic the place springs could be seen for the vice grip mechanism.

GameSir G8 Galileo Assessment: Map the additional buttons with the ‘M’ button

The controller face plates could be eliminated with none instruments since they’re hooked up with magnets. Popping these off permits for straightforward swapping of the joysticks. There are three further joysticks included.

You’ll be able to see clear plastic exhibiting the interior circuit board with out the faceplates hooked up. Whereas that is an attention-grabbing view, taking part in with the faceplate eliminated may result in shedding a joystick.

The joysticks function through Corridor Impact, which suggests they’ve non-contact magnetic sensors in order that they will not put on out. The rubber tip could put on, however the joysticks are simply replaceable.

GameSir G8 Galileo Assessment: Corridor Impact triggers

There are additionally Corridor Impact analog triggers. These permit exact stress enter for accelerating in a racing recreation however could be modified to a hair-trigger response with a button command.

Varied button mixtures can allow helpful features.

• Program L4/R4: Maintain M+L4/R4 till GameSir mild flashes, hit any button to program
• Toggle hair set off: Maintain M+LT/RT
• Turbo: M+Button
• Interchange A-B, X-Y: M+A
• Quantity: GameSir button + D-pad up/down
• Swap mode: Menu+Choose

There are solely two modes when utilizing an iPhone — customary and PS mode. PS mode permits the GameSir Button for use because the PlayStation House button when utilizing Distant Play.

GameSir G8 Galileo Assessment: PS Distant Play is enhanced with bodily controls

The GameSir G8 Galileo even has a calibration function to confirm the sticks and triggers are calibrated to their whole actuation. The GameSir app will also be used to examine calibration, although the G8 Galileo is not within the app as of publication and could also be unique to Android.

We used the default settings and joysticks throughout testing. The iPhone Settings app additionally has an space for programming buttons with common or per-game profiles.

Taking part in any controller-compatible recreation from the App Retailer works as anticipated. The acquainted button structure and premium clicky really feel make for a superb expertise.

GameSir G8 Galileo Assessment: Two further programmable buttons for straightforward entry

The addition of programmable buttons turns out to be useful for some video games. These buttons do not seem as extras, as a substitute they mirror one of many different face buttons.

For instance, if a recreation depends on the person hitting the A and B buttons whereas manipulating the left joystick and accessing the triggers, the X, Y, or D-pad could also be troublesome to succeed in simply. Relying on the sport, the person may program the additional buttons to carry out actions of any hard-to-reach buttons for sooner entry.

Observe that if no actions are programmed to L4/R4, the iPhone will not register them as buttons. So, sorry, that does not imply further buttons in video games like “Minecraft” that permit in-game mapping. It is a limitation of iOS, as there are solely a sure variety of pre-defined buttons a controller can have.

We have examined taking part in many recreation sorts with the controller. “Resident Evil 4,” “Tamagotchi Journey Kingdom,” “Minecraft,” SpongeBob: Battle for Bikini Backside,” “Gear.Membership Stradale,” and many extra.

GameSir G8 Galileo Assessment: Audio passthrough eliminates lag

The PlayStation Distant Play app additionally works seamlessly with the GameSir G8 Galileo. Switching to the PS mode makes the GameSir button work just like the PlayStation button on DualSense controllers.

It is not supreme that the majority instances must come off to make use of the controller. Our Pitaka case is skinny sufficient to work, however Pitaka’s professional case has a backside part that is too thick for the USB-C connector.

We want GameSir or some enterprising small firm with a 3D printer would make customized face plates for the G8 Galileo. The simplicity of eradicating the face plates is supposed to advertise straightforward joystick swapping, however it looks like a missed alternative to not provide customized alternate faceplates.

Now that the iPhone 15 lineup is on USB-C, cellular players who relied on Lightning-connected controllers might want to improve. We will not advocate GameSir sufficient for anybody in search of a high-quality console-like controller expertise.

GameSir G8 Galileo Assessment: Customizable iPhone gaming

The opposite controllers we talked about earlier than have USB-C choices however serve totally different audiences.

Spine is like GameSir however has tiny, extra moveable controllers. GameVice has an ungainly folding again mechanism however helps sizing for instances.

The G8 Galileo meets within the center. It is cheap in comparison with its rivals, has a spread of customization choices, and has huge grips for comfy, ergonomic gaming.

• Inflexible, sturdy design with huge grips
• Suits some skinny instances
• Programmable buttons
• PS mode is a pleasant quality-of-life addition
• Detachable faceplates and changeable joysticks are novel

• Thicker instances will should be eliminated to make use of the controller
• Programable buttons cannot act as further buttons, solely mimics, however that is an iOS limitation
• Altering configurations or modes requires button mixtures which are simply forgotten
• Console-sized grips and rigidity is a tradeoff for storability

The GameSir G8 Galileo is a near-perfect iPhone controller. It gives a superb cellular gaming expertise with customization choices.

We might take the rating to five out of 5 if GameSir had an adjunct retailer for joysticks and faceplates. Will probably be a missed alternative if the corporate would not introduce one later.