GameSir Tako: A vertical phone controller for retro games. At $21 in China, is it worth it?

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).

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