47
GameSir Tako: A vertical phone controller for retro games. At $21 in China, is it worth it? (thelemmy.club)
submitted 2 days ago by frenchfrynoob@lemmy.world to c/games@lemmy.world
16 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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).

top 16 comments
sorted by: hot top new old
[-] smeg@feddit.uk 3 points 4 hours ago

Software: Their app is clunky. Screen scaling is manual to avoid blocking content.

Do you need their software? Is it not just a controller which can be recognised by games?

[-] EnderofGames@sh.itjust.works 2 points 16 hours ago

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.

[-] frenchfrynoob@lemmy.world 1 points 8 hours ago

I really agree with your point. Chinese players feel the same way. I just want more people to see that there’s another option.

[-] squirrel@cake.kobel.fyi 45 points 1 day ago

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.

[-] GimmeUrBelt@lemmy.today 0 points 44 minutes ago

I knew some asshat wouldn't be able to resist commenting on this.

[-] RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world 3 points 7 hours ago

These are my five cents

Look at this guy, thinking his opinion is 3 cents more valuable than everyone else's.

[-] frenchfrynoob@lemmy.world 1 points 8 hours ago

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.

[-] Breezy@lemmy.world -1 points 2 hours ago

Using ai seems more akin to lacking passion.

[-] frenchfrynoob@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

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.

[-] fishy@lemmy.today 2 points 1 day ago

But for $35 I can get a r3x variant which has a screen, why would someone choose this over that?

[-] frenchfrynoob@lemmy.world 1 points 8 hours ago

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."

[-] frenchfrynoob@lemmy.world 1 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

"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."

[-] Bazoogle@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

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

[-] fishy@lemmy.today 2 points 1 day ago

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

[-] Soulifix@piefed.world 4 points 1 day ago

No headphone jack

Why should this matter? It's a controller.

[-] Bluegrass_Addict@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 day ago

because there's a chance it blocks the 3.5mm on the phone if it's there

this post was submitted on 20 May 2026
47 points (86.2% liked)

Games

48550 readers
1511 users here now

Welcome to the largest gaming community on Lemmy! Discussion for all kinds of games. Video games, tabletop games, card games etc.

Rules

1. Submissions have to be related to games

Video games, tabletop, or otherwise. Posts not related to games will be deleted.

This community is focused on games, of all kinds. Any news item or discussion should be related to gaming in some way.

2. No bigotry or harassment, be civil

No bigotry, hardline stance. Try not to get too heated when entering into a discussion or debate.

We are here to talk and discuss about one of our passions, not fight or be exposed to hate. Posts or responses that are hateful will be deleted to keep the atmosphere good. If repeatedly violated, not only will the comment be deleted but a ban will be handed out as well. We judge each case individually.

3. No excessive self-promotion

Try to keep it to 10% self-promotion / 90% other stuff in your post history.

This is to prevent people from posting for the sole purpose of promoting their own website or social media account.

4. Stay on-topic; no memes, funny videos, giveaways, reposts, or low-effort posts

This community is mostly for discussion and news. Remember to search for the thing you're submitting before posting to see if it's already been posted.

We want to keep the quality of posts high. Therefore, memes, funny videos, low-effort posts and reposts are not allowed. We prohibit giveaways because we cannot be sure that the person holding the giveaway will actually do what they promise.

5. Mark Spoilers and NSFW

Make sure to mark your stuff or it may be removed.

No one wants to be spoiled. Therefore, always mark spoilers. Similarly mark NSFW, in case anyone is browsing in a public space or at work.

6. No linking to piracy

Don't share it here, there are other places to find it. Discussion of piracy is fine.

We don't want us moderators or the admins of lemmy.world to get in trouble for linking to piracy. Therefore, any link to piracy will be removed. Discussion of it is of course allowed.

Authorized Regular Threads

Related communities

PM a mod to add your own

Video games

Generic

Help and suggestions

By platform

By type

By games

Language specific

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Dremor@lemmy.world
JonsJava@lemmy.world
Dremor@jlai.lu
PerfectDark@lemmy.world