GameSir G4s Wireless Bluetooth Gamepad Review

Introduction

Gamepads, controllers, joysticks, whatever you call them since their invention in the late seventies they have had a huge impact on gaming for players using consoles, PCs and mobile devices. Though the problem with most gamepads is they don’t easily allow the player to use a single controller across all platforms. Pro Clockers would like to thank GameSir for sending us their G4 Advanced Edition gamepad a device that is going in the right direction of multiplatform performance. At first glance, there is an excitement at seeing what you would be purchasing at a store location or online because there is no packaging hindering your ability to see the entire front of the controller. The no secrets packaging is great, but the best way to get the full effect of using an amazing controller is break it out of its well packaged home.

About GameSir

"GameSir was born out of a pure desire: to create more fun.

GameSir, the leading brand of game controllers, was founded in Hong Kong, China in 2013.

GameSir has more than 5-year experience in research and development, and manufacturing in the sphere of game controllers.

GameSir has already earned a solid reputation for its remarkable performance in the field of game controllers, and grown into the worldwide brand with more than two million users abroad across China, USA, Canada, Japan, India, Brazil, Russia, Argentina, the UK, France, with growing number of users in more than 30 countries all over the world."

GameSir's Mission

"Strive to make mobile games easier, to create more fun and to achieve the top of mobile device`s gaming potential. Commit to supply the leading game controller, brings gamers the most ultimate gaming experience. With its spirit of Innovation, Passion and Fun, GameSir puts all effort to inspire people with curiosity, passion for life and continuous self-challenge. "

GameSir's Vision

"Spare no effort in creating the first four-in-one unique mobile gaming ecosystem, integrating Content, Platform, Software and Terminals into the industry of mobile games. GameSir, Just Play!"

Features & Specifications

Features

GameSir's G4s Advance Edition gamepad is a multi-platform power house with the ability to perform on Android Smartphones, tablets & iOS, although iOS requires the Happy Chick Game Emulator. The 4Gs also works with Samsung Gear VR, Windows 7/8/10, smart TV, TV box, & even Sony PlayStation 3.

GameSir G4s adopts a 32-bit MCU chip, computation capability is up to 48 million times per second, along with Realtek Bluetooth 4.0 technology. This enables the gamepad to be accurate, and responsive. You can control the game intelligently and smoothly for a zero-delay gaming experience.

The G4s versatility comes to life with three main connection types: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 4.0, & a wired connector. The G4s has a built-in adjustable bracket capable of holding most smart phones ranging in size from 3.5 to 6-inchs at 110 & 150 degrees. One exceptional design feature that I enjoy seeing is a home for the 2.4 GHz USB dongle inside the controller to help in loss prevention.

Another great addition GameSir included is wonderful LED backlights for not just the battery life level and home button, but also the A, B, X, & Y buttons. This is great for those that are just starting to game and those that want to get away from using the touch screen of their smart phone. GameSir also added the ability to adjust the brightness of the backlighting or just turn it off.

Some simulator games on the PC do not support the use of a D-Pad. It is not a problem for the G4s because you can easily swap the D-Pad with the left joystick to play your simulator games the way you want to.

Packaging & Unboxing

The top of the container shows the entire controller through a clear lid with the GameSir logo.

Front shows a perfect drawing of the G4s controller, GameSir logo, Working Platforms, & Functions.

The left side of the container is blank.

Back shows the GameSir Logo, Product Information, Package Contents, & Company Information.

The right-hand side as well as the back portion is blank.

Once unboxed you have the container empty of its contents: A white molded plastic protector, G4s controller, USB to micro USB cable, User Manual, & optional support bracket which can be found nestled with the USB cable.

Closer picture without the packaging showing the G4s controller, User Manual, USB to mini USB cord & optional support bracket.

Top of G4s controller powered on showing the GameSir Logo, X, Y, A, & B with the backlight LEDs.

Bottom of the controller showing where the USB 2.4 GHz is held in place in the middle.

With the Smart Phone Stand in the open position you can remove the USB 2.4 GHz.

A lower angle you can see the placement of the USB 2.4 GHz.

One note I would like to add here about the USB 2.4 GHz, the first time removing it can be slightly difficult. It is a tight fit but once removed once or twice it gets easier. Just take your time removing it the first few times.

Front of the G4s with the phone stand open at 110 degrees shows the Turbo & Clear buttons.

Close-up picture of the optional support bracket for smaller/wider phones.

Front of controller’s phone stand with optional support bracket installed at 110 degrees.

Another front view picture showing the power indicator lights in the upper left showing 75% battery life.

Top view of the G4s controller shows 4 button set: L1, L2, R1, & R2.

With the controller turned face down, you can see the triggers which are clearly labelled as well as the micro USB charge port.

The back of the controller has a recessed reset button and a sticker including the Model Number, Power Input, and website.

Left side view of the controller with the phone stand at 110 degrees.

Left side view of the controller with the phone stand at 150 degrees.

Left side view of phone stand holding a Samsung Note 3.

Rear picture of phone stand shows how the stand extends to hold the phone.

Right side view of phone stand holding a Samsung Note 3.

Please note the strength & balance the G4s while securely holding the phone.

The GameSir G4s gaming controller with a working mobile game.

Setup & Connections

The GameSir G4s has several ways to pair with multiple device types. The color coded photo below can be used as a guide to the setup instruction below. "Home+A" is used to setup Android devices. "Home+X" is primarily for gaming on your PC. "Select+X" places the G4s into Simulated Mouse mode. "Home+B" is used for Android Mode only with no mouse mode.

The instructions define the both “Select+X” and the “Home+B” button as white in color. The colors are notably different and I would describe the “Home+B” as pink.

"Home+A"               "Home+X"               "Select+X"              "Home+B"

Android Bluetooth Connection (Android Phone & Tablet)

• Turn on the Bluetooth on your Android device.
• Press “Home+A” button for 2 seconds to start the gamepad.
• Home indicator light will turn green & flash.
• Select “GameSir-G4s” on Bluetooth from the matching list of your Android device
• “Home” button will turn green & will stay on. 

iOS Platform Connection (Not tested no Apple products available during testing)

• Download “Happy Chick” from the QR code on the back of the user manual (each QR code good for up to 2 iOS devices)
• Turn on the Bluetooth on your device.
• Press “Home+A” button for 2 seconds to start the gamepad
• Open “Happy Chick” emulator and click the controller icon on the right top
• Wait until for two signals to appear “Speed connection” and “Common connection”. Choose “Speed connection”.
• The game controller will vibrate when it is connected.

Android Mode only (Also used on PC with some games) 

Press the ”Home+B” button on the gamepad to enter this mode. The difference of this and the “Home+A” button is that the "Home" indicator light will turn white according to the user guide (it looked pink to me) and stay on without mouse mode function. 

• Plug USB into computer & Micro USB into G4s Controller
• Press & hold "Home+X" button till it turns on
• "Home" indicator light will turn blue & flash
• Wait for PC to install drivers
• "Home" indicator lights will turn blue & stay on when it is connected

PC USB 2.4 GHz Connection

• Plug the 2.4 GHz USB dongle into the USB port of your PC.
• Press “Home+X” button for 2 seconds to start the gamepad.
• "Home" indicator light will turn blue & flash.
• "Home" indicator lights will turn blue & stay on when it is connected. 

Enter into or Exit to Mouse Simulation Mode

Mouse Simulation mode enables you to use the gamepad to as a mouse with the left joystick moving the cursor and the “A” button acts as the left mouse button and the “B” button acts as the right mouse button.

• With a connected GameSir G4s connected to your device.
• Pressing “Home+A“ button to turn your "Home" indicator green.
• Then to enter into the mouse mode press “Select+X” buttons to enter into simulated mouse mode, "Home" indicator light will turn white & stay on.
• To exit mouse mode: Press “Select+X” button to exit the simulated mouse mode, "Home" indicator light will turn green & stay on.
• (PC Step) Then press "Home+X" which will return you to D-input for PC game play.

Switch D-Pad for left joystick

To swap the D-Pad and the left joystick press "L3+Clear" to swap.

Turbo Function

By pressing one or more button (excluding D-Pad, joysticks, Select, & Start) and "Turbo" button to activate continuous button presses of set button. Also, to clear all turbo button press "Clear" button.

Brightness Adjustment/Turning off the Backlighting

Press "L2+R2+R3" then adjust the brightness with the D-Pad by pressing up or down.

Vibration Intensity Adjustment

Hold the "turbo" button then adjust with the D-Pad by pressing up or down.

System Configuration & Testing

Android Devices Used for Testing

• Samsung Note 3 - Smartphone - Android Ver. 5.0
• Motorola XY Board - Tablet - Android Ver. 4.1.2
• Motorola Xoom - Tablet - Android Ver. 4.1.2

PC Test System

• Nvidia GeForce Titan X (Pascal) 12GB
• Intel Core i7-6800K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor
• Corsair H100i v2 70.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
• Asus Rampage V Edition 10
• Corsair Dominator Platinum 64GB DDR4-2400
• Intel 750 Series 1.2TB PCI-E SSD
• anidees AI-Crystal ATX Mid Tower Case
• Windows 10 Home 64-Bit

Games Tested on Android

Traffic Rider - Worked perfectly controlling the vehicle in gamepad mode

Angry Birds - Worked in Mouse Simulation mode

Cut the Rope - Worked in Mouse Simulation mode

Plants Vs Zombies - Worked in Mouse Simulation mode

Plants Vs Zombies 2 - Worked in Mouse Simulation mode

R-Type - Worked perfectly with no setup needed, also worked in Mouse Simulation mode

RipTide GP - Worked perfectly with no setup needed

Table Top Racing - Worked perfectly when place in simple touch controls mode

Minecraft Story Mode - Worked perfectly with no setup needed

Games Tested on PC

Mortal Kombat XL - Worked perfectly, game auto detected controller

The Witcher 3 GOTY - Worked perfectly, game auto detected controller

Mafia 2 - Worked well with controller in Android Only Mode (the pink one)

Rocket League - Worked perfectly, game auto detected controller

Mad Max - Worked perfectly, although I needed to manually set to gamepad

King's Quest - Worked perfectly, game auto detected controller

Dirt 3 - Worked perfectly, game auto detected controller

Dirt Showdown - Worked perfectly, game auto detected controller

Just Cause 2 - Worked perfectly, although I needed to manually set to gamepad

Final Thoughts & Conclusion

The GameSir G4s is the perfect controller for any gamer, in every family. It has a wide range of abilities to perform on multiple platforms from Android, iOS, PS3, PC, & so much more. I was very impressed when I read what the G4s was capable of, now I'm overjoyed by how easy it was to setup and use. Having the same controller for both my PC and Android devices is a real treat also since I didn't have to get used to the feeling of a different controller going between the two. We have gone ahead and given the GameSir G4s the ProClockers Recommended Award. Thank you, GameSir, for creating a wonderful gaming controller for gamers everywhere and at a reasonable price.