Back in January, I shared the first GameSir Pocket Taco review to grace the internet. While my thoughts were initially based on an early sample, it swiftly became my favorite retro controller for playing Game Boy classics using my phone and even fancy dedicated retro handhelds like the Analogue Pocket. It's simply just a neat little mobile gamepad that happens to release today, but Amazon might try to sell you something you'd stuff with guac and cheese instead.
As a PC controller brand, GameSir has a strong presence at Amazon, but when you check for Pocket Taco listings, the retailer will hit you with Mexican meal kits. No, it's not assuming you need to stock up for white people taco night, and while the gamepad's name is probably just too tasty-sounding for its own good, the search might resolve itself once it's actually available.
GameSir does have March 15 as the official release date if you pick up the Pocket Taco directly, so I'm hoping it will show up at Amazon thereafter. If you're savvy with the chaos that is Aliexpress, there are versions floating around at the marketplace already. They seem to be slightly cheaper than the gamepad's current $35 asking price, but as always with the retailer, I'd brace yourself for potentially long shipping and nonsense.
If any of you do end up buying a tortilla kit after reading this article, just know you'll live lovingly in my head rent-free. I do think the GameSir Pocket Taco's silly name does distract from the fact that it's a fantastic retro gamepad, though, and if you can wade through the silly food puns and other publications leaning into awkward innuendos, there's a fantastic accessory worth talking about.
The Pocket Taco's core strengths naturally lie with its mobile controller abilities. Unlike older pads I've tested in the past, this one simply clamps to the bottom of your phone, transforming the doomscroller into something that feels like a Game Boy to use. The D-pad feels extremely close to the real deal, and the face buttons are similar to handhelds like the Anbernic RG35XX Plus.
You're also getting a set of shoulder buttons with the Taco, so you're not locked to just basic NES and Game Boy romps. You've technically got enough inputs to dive into more contemporary releases, but the natural absence of analogue sticks means you're better off saving it for 2D capers.
GameSir picked an arguably questionable time to unveil the Pocket Taco, as it popped up at around the same time as 8Bitdo's FlipPad announcement. I figured the Taco might end up overshadowed by its rival since the company makes really solid retro controller tributes like the 8Bitdo N64 controller, which is primarily for the Analogue 3D, but it actually stands taller thanks to its Bluetooth abilities and rechargeable battery.
Yes, the Flippad benefits from a simple USB-C connector at the bottom, but the Pocket Taco can sync to more than just your phone while retaining wired connectivity. That makes it a solid, authentic-feeling option for playing Game Boy games on virtually anything that supports Android and Nintendo Switch protocols, and it works spectacularly with a docked Analogue Pocket.
The only initial reservations I had with the Pocket Taco during testing were tied to the app, as functionality was previously limited. That has since changed, but I've found that integration is slightly fiddly with Retroarch and specific emulators, with features like screen scaling not carrying over. Not exactly a deal breaker since you can just tweak things in individual apps, but it can feel like a slight hurdle when it comes to plug-and-play functionality.
Sometimes it's nice to get away from your gaming phone and use a dedicated gaming handheld. But, if you've already invested in a pricey device, the GameSir Pocket Taco will help add a physical edge that'll feel authentic for Pokémon sessions or just diving into your Game Boy collection on the go.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to run to the store for some soft tacos.
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