Several notable and highly rated multiplatform controllers by GameSir are steeply discounted as part of Walmart’s Black Friday Deals Event that’s running November 14-16. The most enticing deal is the GameSir G8 Plus Galileo for $47.49 (was $80). This dedicated mobile controller works with iPhone, Android phones, small tablets, and Nintendo consoles, includin Switch, Switch Oled, and even Switch 2. If you’re a Marvel fan, you can grab officially licensed editions themed Hulk or Thanos for $70 (was $100).
The G8 Plus has an extendable bridge that cradles your device. It’s compatible with iOS and Android phones as well as small tablets up to 8.46 inches. But unlike most dedicated mobile controllers, the G8 Plus also works with Nintendo consoles. The G8 Plus works well on Switch and Switch 2 and has several features that make it a compelling Joy-Con alternative: improved ergonomics, back buttons, Hall Effect sticks, dual trigger modes, a traditional D-pad, and swappable joystick caps, face buttons, and faceplates.
Before we take a closer look at the G8 Plus, it’s worth noting that it’s just one of numerous great GameSir controllers on sale for a fantastic price at Walmart. Another standout is the pro-style Super Nova Wireless Controller with Hall Effect sticks, back buttons, swappable face buttons, RGB lighting, a charging dock, and more cool features for only $38 (was $60). The Super Nova is compatible with Switch 1/2, PC, and mobile devices.
- Galileo G8 Plus Mobile Controller — $47.49 (
$80)- Handheld: Switch, Switch 2, iOS and Android (up to 8.46″)
- Galileo G8 Plus Incredible Hulk Edition — $70 (
$100) - Galileo G8 Plus Thanos Edition — $70 (
$100) - Super Nova Wireless Controller — $38 (
$60)- Wireless: Switch 1/2, PC, iOS, Android
- Nova Lite Wireless Controller — $20 (
$25)- Wireless: Switch 1/2, PC, iOS, Android
- Cyclone 2 Wireless Controller — $43.69 (
$56)- Wireless: Switch 1/2, PC, iOS, Android
- G7 Pro Controller | Licensed by Xbox — $79.89 (
$100)- Wired: Xbox / Wireless: PC & Android
- G7 SE Wired Controller | Licensed by Xbox — $32.29 (
$60) - T7 Wired Controller | Licensed by Xbox — $24 (
$30) - X5 Lite Mobile Controller — $26.59 (
$35)- Handheld: iPhone, Android, iPad Mini
- X5s Mobile Controller — $40 (
$50)- Handheld: Switch, Switch 2, iOS and Android (up to 8.38″)
$47.49 (was $80)
Here’s a quick look at the core features found on the G8 Plus Galileo. The specs are the same whether you pick the standard black edition or one of the two licensed Marvel models.
Key Features:
- Platforms: Switch 2, Switch, PC, iOS, Android
- Supports devices up to 8.46 inches
- Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth
- Up to 8 hours of battery life (USB-C charging)
- Hall Effect sticks
- 2 remappable back buttons
- Removable faceplates
- 5 swappable sticks
- Swappable face buttons
- 6-axis gyro motion controls
- Dual rumble motors
- Two trigger modes
- Ergonomic, textured grips
- Extendable bridge with rubberized base/sides
The standard black version of the G8 Plus uses a similar shade of black as the Switch 2 console. The $47.49 deal is sold by the manufacturer and ships from Walmart.
You can check out the pair of Marvel-themed models below and then read more about the controller’s core features.
$70 (was $100)
The officially licensed Incredible Hulk Edition is discounted to $70 (was $100) at Walmart. The controller is sold by GameSir and ships from Walmart.
$70 (was $100)
If you’d rather have a controller themed around The Mad Titan, the Thanos Edition is officially licensed by Marvel and in stock at Walmart. Like the Hulk model, it ships from Walmart and is sold by GameSir for $70.
The Thanos Edition has a gold and purple color scheme. The front is accented by glossy gold artwork, and the back is purple with “Thanos” written in large block letters across the center.
The face buttons are purple and gold (two of each), and the D-pad and triggers match the glossy gold accents. It comes with one purple stick and four gold sticks.
The G8 Plus is equipped with Hall Effect sticks that feel smooth and precise. Hall Effect sensors are considered “anti-drift,” so they should hold up well over time. The Joy-Con 2 Controllers have ALPS sticks, and some users have already started experiencing problems with drift.
As mentioned, there are several other features that make it a compelling option for Switch 2. It has a pair of remappable back buttons, one on each side, and a traditional D-pad. The back buttons can be remapped on the controller itself or in GameSir’s mobile app.
It also has a 6-axis gyroscope for motion controls and rumble motors on each side. With a more traditional controller form factor, the G8 Plus has better ergonomics than the Joy-Con 2.
The face buttons have the Xbox Controller layout, so A/B and X/Y are flipped. By default, Nintendo consoles will register the buttons as they are labeled, which may confuse some players. But there are two solutions to this problem. The G8 Plus has hot-swappable face buttons and sticks, allowing users to remove the faceplate, pop off the button caps, and switch their positions. If you don’t want to do this every time you switch between playing on mobile and Switch 2, you can enable “Switch mode” by holding the program button (M) and A. In this mode, the Switch registers A/B and X/Y as opposites.
Inside the box, you’ll find three additional stick caps that can replace the traditional sticks that come preinstalled. The trio of alternatives includes a domed model, a tall stick for FPS games, and a short stick with a smaller cap. Speaking of FPS games, you can enable hair trigger mode, which actuates the right and left triggers with shorter pulls.
There are a couple potential downsides to keep in mind when using the G8 Plus with the Switch 2. While the grip holds the Switch 2 securely in place and has a rubberized bridge and pads on each side to help prevent scratches, it doesn’t connect to the console like the Joy-Con controllers. When carrying the console around, you probably want to make sure you are holding the Switch 2 itself, not just the grip. Due to the Switch 2’s size, the edges extend beyond the top and bottom of the grips, leaving them exposed. You may want to add a protective shell to the Switch 2 when using the controller. Additionally, keep in mind that you will need to remove the Switch 2 from the cradle to dock it.
I often use the G8 Plus when gaming on iPhone. Platform versatility is a major perk here. It’s inevitable that manufacturers will release handheld Switch 2 controllers, but it’s unlikely many of them will work with other devices. So even if you wind up purchasing a different controller or adding an ergonomic grip to the console, the G8 Plus doesn’t need to collect dust. You can even use it as a wireless controller on Switch 1/2 in docked mode and on PC.
