Rating: 8/10 | Tested with: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra & iPhone 16
When the GameSir Pocket Taco landed on my desk, I laughed at the name before I even opened the box. But the moment I unfolded it, slotted my phone inside, and fired up Pokémon FireRed, the laughter stopped. I was too busy actually having fun.
The Pocket Taco is GameSir’s latest mobile controller, unveiled at CES 2026, designed to do one thing really well — turn your phone into a vertical, Game Boy-style retro gaming machine.
No analog sticks. Just a D-pad, face buttons, shoulder buttons, and a whole lot of nostalgia. At around $35, it’s either a charming impulse buy or a genuinely useful pocket companion. After a few weeks of testing, I’ve got a clear verdict.
Design and Build Quality
The Pocket Taco is unmistakably Game Boy-inspired. The proportions, button layout, and gray color scheme all channel the classic DMG aesthetic deliberately, and the overall silhouette when your phone is docked looks genuinely like a piece of retro hardware.
Build quality reflects the $35 price — the plastic doesn’t creak but it isn’t premium. What impresses is how small and light the whole thing is. At just 62.2 grams, it disappears into a jeans pocket without a second thought.
The folding mechanism is springy and satisfying, and the auto-power-on-when-unfolded feature quickly becomes indispensable. Open it and it’s ready. Close it and it sleeps. It’s a small detail that makes the whole experience feel polished.
The included PP plastic storage box is also a welcome surprise — it actually protects the controller in a bag instead of just looking good in marketing photos.
Phone Attachment and Compatibility
Rather than using a USB-C plug-in, the Pocket Taco grips your phone between two soft silicone pads. The bottom is hollow so you can cable-charge your phone during play.
My first instinct was skepticism — rubber pads holding a $1,000 phone in place felt risky — but for seated gaming it’s more secure than expected. I got through long sessions of Super Mario World without any slipping.
Standing up during a boss fight was a different story; the phone shifted noticeably, so on-the-go use requires a bit more attention. The silicone left no marks on my screen after extended use, which was a relief.
It works well with Android. My Galaxy S24 Ultra dropped in perfectly, and my iPhone 16 worked too, though iOS isn’t officially listed as supported — worth confirming before you buy.
Controls and Connectivity
The layout covers everything you’d expect: D-pad, ABXY, Start/Select, L1/R1 bumpers, and L2/R2 tactile switch triggers. The D-pad is genuinely excellent — well-sized, properly tensioned, with clean diagonal registration that matters in platformers and beat-em-ups.
The ABXY membrane buttons are softer and quieter than mechanical switches, which felt comfortable over long sessions but may disappoint players expecting crisp tactile feedback. The triggers and bumpers, by contrast, click with a satisfying snap.
Bluetooth pairing took about ten seconds on first setup and auto-reconnected every session after that. Latency in retro games was imperceptible — Mega Man, Zelda, Mario, Castlevania, Metroid Fusion all played flawlessly.
A USB-C port at the top also allows wired connectivity, and the controller pairs with Windows as a standalone gamepad without any fuss.
Full button remapping, turbo mode, and D-pad diagonal lock are all available through the GameSir app.
Gaming Performance and Battery
This controller is built for retro gaming, and that’s where it truly shines. Pokémon FireRed, Donkey Kong Country, Kirby Super Star — every session felt transformed compared to touchscreen play. The vertical hold becomes natural within minutes.
Step outside that lane, though, and the limitations show fast. Modern mobile games that require analog sticks for camera or movement feel clumsy with a D-pad substitute. If you’re buying this for Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact, look elsewhere.
Battery life is impressive for the size. The 600mAh cell delivered around 18-20 hours per charge in my testing, and I never drained the controller before my phone ran low first.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Ultra-portable at 62.2g — genuinely pocketable
- Excellent D-pad with clean, responsive feel
- Auto on/off when folded/unfolded is a great QoL touch
- Solid 18-20 hour battery with pass-through phone charging
- Reliable Bluetooth with fast auto-reconnect
- Great value at ~$35
Cons
- No analog sticks — restricts use to retro/D-pad games
- Friction-grip hold can feel shaky during standing or active play
- Mid-tier plastic build — functional but not premium
Final Verdict
The GameSir Pocket Taco is a niche product that fully commits to its niche. For retro gaming on your phone, it’s one of the best options at this price — portable, reliable, and fun to use.
Just don’t expect it to replace a full-featured mobile controller. Ridiculous name and all, it earns its spot in your pocket.
Meet Ry, “TechGuru,” a 36-year-old technology enthusiast with a deep passion for tech innovations. With extensive experience, he specializes in gaming hardware and software, and has expertise in gadgets, custom PCs, and audio.
Besides writing about tech and reviewing new products, he enjoys traveling, hiking, and photography. Committed to keeping up with the latest industry trends, he aims to guide readers in making informed tech decisions.