GameSir is announcing the Pocket 1, a new vertical clip-on controller that transforms your Android smartphone into something that closely resembles—and feels just like—a modernized Game Boy.
At just under the price of most telescopic gamepads and dedicated retro handhelds, it’s a smart play for anyone with an itch for classic buttons without yet another device to buy.
A Vertical Throwback Design That Suits Modern Smartphones
The Pocket 1 is centered around a portrait layout that offers the combination of a classic D-pad and face buttons with modern extras. You have four shoulder buttons for modern games, a four-button face cluster for maximum compatibility and cool points, as well as Start and Select and two more function keys. A front hinge allows the unit to clip directly to your phone for quick, one-handed docking.
It communicates over Bluetooth, so there’s no USB-C passthrough or Lightning connection to worry about. A 600 mAh internal battery provides power, which should be enough to accommodate multi-hour play sessions. That’s the wireless route, which keeps it platform-agnostic (read: works with Android and iPhone alike) the whole length of the field—no case-fit issues faced by some dock-style controllers.
Designed for Emulators and Ideal for Quick Pickup Play Sessions
The portrait orientation is an obviously good one for playing retro games, especially of the handheld variety. On Android, most major emulation apps (like RetroArch, Pizza Boy, or My Boy) use regular old HID gamepad input, so you should be good to go with no hiccups. iOS users have the blessing of Apple’s recent emulator-friendly stance in the App Store, so that shift has opened this pocket-friendly controller up to more pockets.
This shape also makes sense for portrait-friendly mobile titles, indie platformers, and cloud services—when you’re looking for a quick on/off game-time experience that doesn’t involve unfolding a full-width controller. Landscape-first cloud games are arguably a better fit on telescopic grips, but the Pocket 1’s snug footprint and instant clip-on setup are appealing for short bursts and older libraries of games.
How It Stacks Up Against Pricier and Bulkier Competition
Most phone controllers go wide. They concentrate on hardwired connections and minimal delay, but they’re also bulkier and much more expensive. There are dedicated retro handhelds, such as some of the recent vertical ones by ANBERNIC that offer great ergonomics, but they’re often in excess of $200. The Pocket 1’s sub-$40 sticker, meanwhile, is targeted squarely at cost-conscious gamers who already own a decent phone.
Bluetooth introduces a smidge more lag than wired options, and that’s probably going to matter most with rhythm games and competitive shooters. For retro platformers and RPGs, however, it tends not to matter all that much. The upside here is convenience and cross-device compatibility—there are no ports to match up with, no length to fiddle with, and you don’t even have to take off your phone case.
Real-World Use Cases and Everyday Applications for Pocket 1
Mobile gaming’s momentum is undeniable. Newzoo’s global market studies have consistently noted that mobile makes up about half of industry revenue, and so better input accessories are a growing area of consumer interest. Controllers like the Pocket 1 provide a way to access that library with console-style precision, whether on nostalgic emulators, on Android titles with controller support, or on cloud services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now.
The vertical clip-on design supports always-with-you playing. Slide Pocket 1 into a pocket or pack and it can transform short lines, lunch breaks, or commutes into gaming time—though you may not want to be stuck behind someone playing a handheld in line at the DMV. It’s a pragmatic bridge between full-sized rigs and the phone you already have in your pocket.
Price, Availability, and the Early Deal You Can Get Now
The Pocket 1 is listed at $34.99 by GameSir, but The Verge reports that it’s available at an early-bird price of $29.99. That pricing falls far, far below almost every flagship controller and well short of purpose-built handhelds, making the Pocket 1 an impulse-buy introduction to retro-friendly mobile gaming.
If you’ve been keeping an eye out for a viable option to turn your Android device into a pocketable blast from the past, and are unwilling to fork over the cash for a high-end rig, the Pocket 1’s combination of retro layout, modern functionality, and entry-level pricing makes it one of the most intriguing entries in the mobile controller space we’ve seen in some time.
