Disclaimer: I used an AI tool (DeepSeek) to polish grammar and wording only. All opinions, testing, and conclusions in this review are my own.
Recently got the GameSir “Taco” — overseas price is around $35, but I used a coupon in China and paid $15 (retail price $21). I didn’t expect much, but after testing it, here’s an objective review.
What it is
GBA SP size, 62g. Instead of stretching sideways like most phone controllers, it clips your phone vertically. Yes, it blocks part of the screen – a deliberate trade-off for portability and that GB-like feel.
Retro games that fit this format (d-pad only, no analog stick needed):
GBA: Metroid Fusion, Castlevania, Pokemon – set screen to 1:1 or original ratio
DS: DraStic emulator with dual screens stacked – physical buttons plus touchscreen
Arcade vertical shooters (TATE mode): Dodonpachi, Raiden, 1942 – mini TATE setup
GB/GBC: Native ratio, no stretching
NES/SNES/Genesis: Works fine, but black bars on sides
Specs
Bluetooth, 600mAh (claims 30h), wake-up support
D-pad and ABXY rubber membrane, shoulder buttons metal dome
Works as regular Bluetooth gamepad without phone
Comes with protective case, charging cutout
No headphone jack
Downsides
Ergonomics: Modern phones are heavy. Top-heavy, shoulder buttons easy to mis-press. Hand fatigue after an hour.
Software: Their app is clunky. Screen scaling is manual to avoid blocking content.
Charging: Use ≤30W chargers – fast chargers might damage it.
Build quality okay, not premium. 3-month exchange policy (China only? Not sure).
Why vertical? That’s definitely the worst part. Maybe for DS games, I guess. The SP always gave me cramps for its thin design, and I’d hate to hold my phone with both hands.
Back when I was still buying new phones every time my old phone broke (so about 11 years back) I always liked the idea of a slide-out controller instead of keyboard for a touchscreen (just any modern) phone. Sony did the Xperia Play way back when, and if I was looking for a new phone at the time, I’d have gotten it. Nowadays I don’t even think they make the slide out keyboard phones. The next best thing I had was a little phone brace at the top of a bluetooth controller. It games great, but you it isn’t nearly as fast nor as portable. And even then I haven’t used it in a long time.
If I did still use it, I’d probably want one of these, and I think the price seems good. But I would also definitely look for a horizontal product, first.
I really agree with your point. Chinese players feel the same way. I just want more people to see that there’s another option.
Disclaimer: I used an AI tool (DeepSeek) to polish grammar and wording only. All opinions, testing, and conclusions in this review are my own.
Hi, I’ve read this statement a couple times now. These are my five cents: Your grammar doesn’t have to be perfect, your spelling doesn’t have to be perfect, your text doesn’t have to be perfect. I’ll always prefer human written text with small little errors over AI-corrected text. English isn’t my first language and I probably make errors here and there, but these can lead to funny little mistakes, maybe new words and never before read sentences get created. Human language is beautiful, despite or because of it’s errors. Have a nice day.
Thank you for your gentle and firm response. I will use AI to help find materials, choose topics, and reflect on the differences between what AI writes and what I write. Only when writing about specific issues—such as the fact that I’ve never received professional writing training, my starting point is very low, and I didn’t even finish college properly—can I truly make progress. I believe time will give me the answer, and passion will break through everything.
No headphone jack
Why should this matter? It’s a controller.
because there’s a chance it blocks the 3.5mm on the phone if it’s there
Summary At $14–21, if you have a spare phone, just buy it without hesitation. At $35? That depends on how dedicated you are to playing vertical emulators with physical buttons. Is it worth buying from China? That depends on how badly you want physical buttons for vertical emulators — just keep in mind that the warranty may not be transferable.
But for $35 I can get a r3x variant which has a screen, why would someone choose this over that?
You should check out the GameSir X4 Butterfly. One controller, three ways to play — it might give you a different experience. Thank you for your honest reply." Alternatively, a slightly more natural version: “You might want to look into the GameSir X4 Butterfly — one controller with three different play modes. It could offer you a different experience. Thanks for your sincere response.”
“My humble view: the biggest issue with this controller isn’t its quality or creativity—it’s the use case. In China, portable mobile controllers aren’t mainstream; most players have only used PC controllers. That said, I appreciate they made it. I hope more players will discover this category and create even better products.”
This would be used on your phone, for all of the advantages that may come with. From customization, battery life, portability, bigger screen, screen quality, or whatever else. It’s a device you are going to have with you anyway
I had a whole thing typed out about why this thing feels inferior to a standalone. Then I realized it could be used for games developed for mobile, not just emulators. I get it now lol
