There’s a point where mobile gaming stops feeling like a compromise and starts feeling intentional. For the iPad mini, that moment usually comes when you stop treating it like a stretched-out phone and start using it like the compact gaming console that it can be. The GameSir G8+ MFi is designed precisely for that shift.

Designed like it belongs

At first glance, the G8+ MFi looks like a premium console controller that’s been split down the middle. The gray-and-white colorway feels clean and understated, more lifestyle accessory than gamer toy.

It doesn’t scream for attention, but once your iPad mini snaps into place, it immediately reframes the entire experience. This isn’t just an add-on. It feels like a missing piece.

Plug-and-play, the iOS way

What makes the G8+ MFi instantly approachable is its official MFi certification. There’s no pairing process to fuss over, no settings rabbit hole to fall into. You plug it in through the built-in Type-C connector and it just works.

Inputs register instantly, games recognize it properly, and latency simply isn’t part of the conversation. That plug-and-play reliability is a big deal on iOS, where controller support can feel inconsistent depending on the accessory.

Built to fit more than phones

The ultra-wide stretch design is the other quiet hero here. With support for devices from 125mm to 215mm, the G8+ MFi holds the iPad mini securely without feeling overextended or awkward. It will work with any Type-C device that fits within that range, whether it’s a compact tablet or a larger smartphone.

Weight distribution matters when you’re gaming for longer sessions, and GameSir gets this right. The controller grips take the strain off your hands, so the iPad mini never feels top-heavy or uncomfortable, even after extended play.

Console-grade comfort and control

Once you start playing, the console-grade ambition of the G8+ MFi becomes obvious. The laser-textured grips add just enough friction to feel secure without being abrasive. The mechanical D-pad is crisp and responsive, especially noticeable in fighting games and platformers where precise inputs matter.

This made playing Zenless Zone Zero and NBA 2K26 Apple Arcade Edition even more engaging. Everything feels deliberate, as if the controller was tuned for real gameplay rather than quick demos.

Hall Effect precision, no drift

The Hall Effect sticks and triggers are the standout feature, and not just on paper. In use, the sticks feel smooth and consistent across their full range of motion, with none of the dead-zone uncertainty that cheaper mobile controllers suffer from.

Because they rely on non-contact magnetic sensors, stick drift isn’t something you have to worry about creeping in months down the line. The triggers mirror that same philosophy. They’re analog, smooth, and responsive, and with hair-trigger mode enabled, they snap into instant-response territory that works especially well for shooters and racing games.

Customization that actually matters

Customization is another area where the G8+ MFi leans into enthusiast territory without becoming overwhelming. The magnetic faceplate pops off easily, letting you swap ABXY layouts or thumbsticks depending on your preference.

Two rear buttons sit right where your fingers naturally rest, and they’re fully remappable for quick actions or shortcuts. It’s the kind of flexibility you appreciate more over time, especially when you start tailoring controls to specific games.

Immersion without compromise

GameSir also didn’t skimp on immersion. Dual asymmetric vibration motors provide feedback that feels purposeful rather than noisy. Explosions, collisions, and subtle environmental cues come through clearly, adding texture to gameplay without becoming distracting.

Combined with the wired connection and pass-through charging, it encourages longer sessions without the usual battery anxiety.

After spending time with the GameSir G8+ MFi, it’s hard to go back to touch controls or generic Bluetooth pads. It turns the iPad mini into something closer to a dedicated handheld console—one that feels focused, comfortable, and capable.

For anyone serious about mobile gaming on iOS, this controller doesn’t just improve the experience. It completes it.

2025 has been a banger year in terms of quality and variety of games that have been launched. There’s literally too many to mention so here’s a list of Favorite Games of 2025 from the GadgetMatch team!

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 

Rodneil: If the 9 trophies it bagged from The Game Awards 2025 wasn’t enough to convince you that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a must-play, I don’t know what will.  

The game will lure you in with its stunning visuals, grab you with its inciting incident, keep you focused during combat, endear you to its characters, and deliver gut-wrenching and awe-inspiring moments that will make you yearn for more. 

Thankfully, it’s a 30–50-hour campaign with late game content that could double if you’re the completionist type. 

Also, this scene:

Ghost of Yotei 

Rodneil: Ghost of Yotei builds on the gameplay and visuals established by Ghost of Tsushima. It’s an extension, refinement, and a bit of a remixed experience of Jin Sakkai’s tale. Except this time, you walk the path of vengeance with Atsu.

The game leaves you with something sharper than spectacle. Where Tsushima gave you the weight of history, Yotei carves its mark with intimacy. Revenge doesn’t need armies or nations to matter—it just needs a blade and a target.

That’s why Ghost of Yotei stands on its own. It may lack the grandeur of its predecessor, but it’s more cohesive, more personal, and more daring in how it tells its story. Atsu’s journey isn’t about how the world remembers her; it’s about how far vengeance will take her—and how much of herself she’ll lose along the way.

NBA 2K26

Rodneil: Consider this a sneak but NBA 2K is consistently my top played game year after year. You can say it’s my form of therapy – my way to relax and decongest. 

Sure, the microtransactions still aren’t great and there’s always a missing historic player here and there. However, NBA 2K26 feels the most refined since the pandemic. The core gameplay feels fantastic and game modes like MyNBA, while largely unchanged, continue to deliver the kind of basketball video game simulation that I crave. 

So, yeah. This one’s part of the list. It’s ‘favorite’ after all and not necessarily ‘best’.

SHINOBI: Art of vengeance 

Rodneil: SHINOBI: Art of vengeance is one of the premiere side-scrolling action games in 2025. It scratched my “Zero in Megaman X4” itch and then some. 

The art style is phenomenal. If you’re into that hand-drawn vibe, then this game is right up your alley. The gameplay also presents plenty of challenges and replayability. Even after clearing some stages, you’ll find yourself wanting to go back to make sure you get all the collectibles. 

Overall, it’s just a downright good time. And it’s especially enjoyable on a gaming handheld. 

Digimon Story: Time Stranger

Rodneil: Playing Digimon Story Time Stranger feels like reliving a summer memory — the excitement of discovery, the satisfaction of raising Digimon, and the pull of wanting to see what comes next.

It isn’t trying to reinvent anything, and that’s part of its charm. Instead, it offers a polished, nostalgia-driven JRPG that rewards the time you sink into it. The story pulls you in even without a standout cast. The monster-collecting systems are rich and addictive. And the combat strikes a balance between old-school comfort and modern convenience.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Luigi: Silksong was the holy grail of Metroidvania fans like me for years. Imagine our collective surprise when the mythical title was finally announced (and launched only a few weeks after the announcement). Silksong is real, and it’s here.

Silksong continues the saga started by the original Hollow Knight. Initially conceptualized as a second playable character for the first game, Hornet grew into her own game, filled with new enemies, abilities, and a much larger map. It retains the same formula that made the first great: tough fights but rewarding difficulty. There’s nothing more satisfying than figuring out how a boss here works and finally beating them after a hard fight.

Despite how huge it is, it only costs around US$ 20. At its core, it’s a true indie darling, and it still has free DLC coming!

Hades II

Luigi: In 2020, I played the first Hades. During a tenuous time like the pandemic, it was a huge lifesaver that helped me keep my sanity. Five years later, Hades 2 is here, and it’s just as epic.

A newly awakened Chronos has held Hades and his family captive. It’s up to Melinoë, Hades’s daughter, to rescue them from their prison. Much like the first one, the sequel has players go on runs to carve a little deeper into the Underworld. 

Besides new weapons and tools to help go further, each run also unlocks new stories and relationships with other characters. It makes the game much more endearing, because you actually care for the characters and how they interact with Melinoë. Whether it’s a long marathon or just a run before bed, Hades II is the perfect game for a cozy time.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Luigi: The original Death Stranding is a polarizing title, earning persistent japes of being just a glorified Uber simulator. Regardless of what you think of the first game, the sequel is much grander but has a tighter story. 

Sam Porter Bridges is back to connect the entirety of Mexico and Australia. Familiar faces and new ones help (and hinder) Sam’s quest. And… that’s basically it. Recapping the story of Death Stranding 2 takes more than an essay. It’s just that epic.

Besides looking like an art film on steroids, Death Stranding 2 also features cozy gameplay where you can just sit back and deliver goods across Australia in between the bombastic setpieces. It’s definitely an experience worth playing.

Two Point Museum

Luigi: I always find management games relaxing. It’s nice to unwind and help build a museum from the ground up. It also helps if the game has the quirky humor to break the monotony of just management.

Two Point Museum is simple, then. Build a series of museums with differing themes. Every single exhibit is wacky, which adds to the flavor: literally frozen cavemen, actual ghosts, fish shaped like sushi. It has the same irreverent themes of the whole Two Point franchise. 

And yet, it still has its challenges. For example, sometimes certain fish hate being paired with others, so it’s like a jigsaw puzzle of finding the best way to lay out your entire museum. 

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII

Luigi: To be clear, Civilization VII didn’t launch in the most complete way. Even now, the game is still getting updates that tweak entire mechanics. Still, I can’t deny that I had fun trying out the seventh strategy game in the series. I recently got back into it, and I’m still having a blast for a run or two.

Civilization VII redefines the mechanics of the franchise by introducing eras that can drastically change how you take your chosen leader through the test of time. And as always, there’s so many ways to win: scientific, economic, cultural, and military. It suits all playstyles.

If you didn’t like Civilization VII on launch, Firaxis is thankfully making it so much better and more enjoyable. It’s time to take one more turn.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Luigi: In Super Mario Odyssey, players are dropped into fresh maps where there’s a set path and a few creative ways to get there. In contrast, Donkey Kong Bananza drops players intoa sandbox filled with beautiful sandcastles and tells them “go crazy.” 

Making use of the Switch 2’s new hardware, Donkey Kong’s first 3D platformer in the modern age is a beautiful game with so many picturesque maps. What sets it apart from other platformers is the ability to destroy everything. Featuring destructible terrain, Donkey Kong Bananza wants you to have fun destroying all the pretty maps it built.

At first, I thought I was going to tire of this mechanic quickly, but every map has its own quirks that every level still feels like the first time.

R.E.P.O.

JP: R.E.P.O. is widely loved for its chaotic, funny co-op moments brought by a perfect mix of scary and goofy design. The strongest element for me, though, is sound design. Every audio cue feels satisfying.

The game’s systems thrive on repetition, with escalating threats and clear rules for how monsters behave and how they can be dealt with. That loop feels engaging, especially as the difficulty ramps up. The physics-driven interactions add another layer of enjoyment, often creating chaotic, genuinely funny moments when played in a full six-player lobby.

That said, I also enjoy playing R.E.P.O. solo, especially when friends are in the mood for other games, even though it can be quite challenging. My only real wish is for a roguelike-style progression system, where failed runs still contribute to long-term progress instead of a complete reset. 

R.E.P.O. is clever in maintaining its simplicity, leans into its strengths, and listens to community feedback. Despite my one wish, it’s a game I keep coming back to, whether with a full lobby or on my own. 

Capcom has announced the official release date for upcoming sci-fi action game PRAGMATA. The title will be available on April 24, 2026 on multiple platforms.

Aside from launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, PRAGMATA will also be available on Nintendo Switch 2, as confirmed in a new trailer exploring the lunar cityscape.

Preorders are now available as well on all platforms. In addition, the Sketchbook Demo is now available on Steam and is coming to consoles soon.

The free public demo provides the opportunity to experience the title’s immersive setting and thrilling gameplay for the first time. It also includes fun extra surprises to challenge players.= and encourage repeat playthroughs.

As a preorder bonus, players will receive Hugh’s samurai-styled Neo bushido outfit and Diana’s ninja-inspired Neo Kunoichi costume.

Alongside the standard version, a Deluxe Edition will be available. This includes the Shelter Variety Pack, an assortment of alternate outfits for the two characters.

The Deluxe Edition also includes a weapon skin, emotes, extra background music, and an in-game library with 75 digital artwork pieces.

The new trailer expands what players know of the game’s environment so far, with the protagonists in what seemingly looks like a futuristic dystopian city. It shows Hugh and Diana both being chased by various opponents, as well as a bit of their dynamic together.

As for its gameplay, PRAGMATA will feature a dual-character control, enabling players to control both Hugh and Diana simultaneously.

Central to the action is a “hacking” mechanic but Capcom will enrich combat with a more strategic and exciting element unique to the title.