Whilst mobile gaming has always been a bit of an independent offshoot from the mainstream gaming space, there are many who would still prefer to use traditional controls when playing on the go. Whilst some games have tried to emulate button controls on a touch screen, Iβve never really felt satisfied with this style and thus always avoided playing full-control games on my phone.
However, when I was given the chance to review the GameSir X2 Bluetooth controller I saw an opportunity to experience phone gaming through fresh eyes. My only concern was that the Bluetooth nature of the controller may restrict battery life, but I was willing to give it a try. Luckily, the X2 blew away all of my expectations.
Before I get into the nitty-gritty, Iβll just mention what I decided to play whilst testing the device. Unfortunately, as phone peripherals have always been quite a niche there isnβt an over-abundance of games to play with them. There are a few that youβd expect to see β Fortnite, Minecraft, Call of Duty Mobile (eughβ¦) β but I was surprised with how many indie and niche titles I found. Stardew Valley, Dead Cells, Castlevania SotN and Hyper Light Drifter all made it to mobile somehow. Thereβs also a wide range of emulators that those with swashbuckling tendencies may peruse. However, the app I spent the most time in was surprisingly Steam Link. Whilst there were a few obvious compatibility hiccups with recognising the controller (thatβs just a quirk of Steam Link) I ended up putting the X2 really through its paces in the likes of Elder Scrolls Online, Hitman, Psychonauts, Fallout 4 and Monkey Island. Whilst using a Bluetooth controller whilst streaming games through an internal network sounds a bit like a nightmare, it really wasnβt, and I think thatβs thanks to the GameSir itself. There is also a dedicated app designed to help compatibility with touch-controlled games, but whilst itβs a good idea in theory I didnβt really get on with it.
The controller looks great. Itβs very clearly inspired by the Nintendo Switch, with neon red and blue accents inside the control sticks and an identical layout. Thankfully, this also extends to the controls themselves. The sticks feel almost identical to those of the Switch β but without the drift. The buttons feel nice and substantial with good return and the triggers are satisfyingly clicky. Alongside the dual sticks, there is a nice d-pad and four buttons on the right labelled as they would be on an Xbox. There is also a dedicated turbo button, a home/power button and a screenshot button, which links to your phoneβs dedicated screenshot capability. Finally, there are two extra buttons used forβ¦various stuff? Theyβre basically function keys, but some games automatically seem to map them and at other times they are used as part of button combos for turbo mode and volume. Regardless of these strange brothers, the buttons are wonderful to use on the whole and I canβt think of any immediate complaints. To put it simply, whilst many off-brand peripherals end up feeling cheap in the button department, the GameSir X2 doesnβt- in fact, it feels almost as good as any Nintendo or Sony-produced controller.
The rest of the controller continues this trend of quality. It fits around your phone nicely, with plenty of rubberised material to keep your expensive device safe. To install, you simply stretch the X2 around the phone, and with a max compatible size of 173mm, it easily fits my Pixel 5, even with the case on. I found the phone felt safe and secure in it; again, much like the Switch. This was another worry for me, but thankfully the whole device just feels really stable. Itβs bizarre β most of the time clipping a device to your phone feels a bit risky, but adding the GameSir almost felt transformative. It looks, feels and acts like a whole new device. The only thing reminding me that I was playing through my phone was the constant stream of spam email notifications. In the hands, the controller yet again excels, with nice, comfy rubberised grips at the back. Itβs comfortable to hold, even for long periods, and substantial enough even for my Ogre hands. The main limiting factor for long sessions wasnβt comfort, but my phoneβs battery life.
On the topic of battery life, I was surprised by how long it lasted. I played it pretty intensely and only had to charge it every few days. Again, the issue was my phone, not the controller. I also didnβt notice much excess heat from my phone thanks to the vented design of the peripheral, so it seems that itβs not going to cause any additional heat damage.
Of course, despite all of this thereβs still one unaddressed question β does the Bluetooth nature of the controller impact gameplay? Now, whilst I personally didnβt notice any input lag whatsoever between the controller and phone, I have seen that many others have. I think this may be one of those things where your mileage may vary based on your phone, your preferred titles and your specific controller. Iβve also heard that some iPhone users have had issues with Apple Arcade compatibility, so again, please bear that in mind.
Another surprise I had with the GameSir was the abundance of extras out of the box. It came with a neat little hard carrying case, four thumb stick caps, a charging cable and some stickers. Neat! Yes, the case isnβt a looker, but itβs great that it was provided and itβs meant my controller has stayed clean and safe on the go. The thumb caps were also a nice addition, especially with my aforementioned Ogre hands.
In short, I love this thing. It feels good to hold, itβs truly transformative for your phone and it lasts longer than most players would need it to. Whilst I canβt attest to its iPhone capabilities, I can easily say itβs one of the best Android peripherals Iβve ever seen and itβs converted me to the benefits of mobile gaming β at least when it comes to streaming and emulation. If that sounds good to you, I can highly recommend it.
Grab your unit here – this is not an affiliated link https://www.amazon.co.uk/GameSir-Bluetooth-Wireless-Controller-Charging/dp/B09155BTFX
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