GameSir is leaning hard into nostalgia with its latest mobile accessory, and it’s doing so in a way that actually makes sense for modern phone gaming.
As shared by XboxEra, the GameSir Pocket 1 Vertical Mobile Controller, which will launch on December 25, is the company’s first vertical controller, and it’s clearly designed to make your iPhone look and feel like a classic handheld console.
The Pocket 1 uses a clamp-style vertical layout that positions your phone upright, instantly evoking memories of Game Boy-era gaming rather than today’s widescreen-heavy mobile titles.
It’s an approach that feels deliberately retro, but not impractical. Vertical arcade games, emulated classics, and turn-based RPGs should all feel more at home here than on traditional horizontal grips.
Despite the old-school inspiration, the feature set is firmly modern. The Pocket 1 connects via Bluetooth, supports automatic power on and off, and weighs just 62.2g, making it genuinely pocketable. GameSir even includes a protective storage case, reinforcing the idea that this is something you can throw in a bag and forget about until a gaming moment strikes.
Control-wise, GameSir hasn’t cut corners. You get cushioned membrane ABXY buttons, a responsive D-pad, and tactile switch bumpers and triggers for more precise inputs. There’s also a thoughtful hollow-bottom design that lets you charge your phone while playing — a small detail, but one that matters during longer sessions.
Customisation is another strong point. Through the GameSir app, users can remap controls, enable keyboard mode, tweak D-pad diagonals, and experiment with features like G-Touch and V-Touch, giving the Pocket 1 more flexibility than its retro look might suggest.
Priced at $34.99, with an early bird offer of $29.99, the Pocket 1 undercuts many premium mobile controllers while offering something genuinely different. It won’t be for everyone as widescreen gamers may still prefer traditional grips, but for anyone chasing that classic handheld feel on an iPhone, this might be the closest thing yet to carrying a Game Boy in your pocket again.
