GameSir has really been a hot topic the last few years. From really great budget controllers like the Nova Lite, to higher end options that meet the needs of most like the Super Nova and Cyclone 2. They’ve been attempting to fill every conceivable niche they could including those weird phone only options like the Pocket Taco.
But when we get into the higher-end controllers, that’s where it seems interesting. The T7 Pro and G7 Pro are both Xbox-compatible options with higher-end features, and eventually that Steering Wheel controller will hit the scene too. But for today, I’m going for tryhard with the GameSir G7 Pro 8K Aimlabs Edition. With that mouthful of a name it must be good right?
This one was sent to me by Mike from Team Retrogue, who had received it directly from GameSir, but I don’t really think that’ll have any impact on my thoughts with this one. Regardless, I’m here to see if it’s worth my $90.
GameSir G7 Pro Specs
As mentioned before, if you’re gonna try and pick up this controller you’re going to be spending a decent amount of money for these features. $90 on both Amazon and GameSir’s website means this isn’t a cheap option. That being said you can buy the standard G7 Pro for $80, or you can grab the Zenless Zone Zero edition for a whopping $129. Though that one comes with a lot of “Pack-in Bonuses”.
| Spec | |
|---|---|
| Sticks | GameSir Mag-Res TMR Gen 2 Sticks |
| Face Buttons | Optical Micro Switch |
| D-pad | Mechanical Micro Switch |
| Triggers | Dual Stage Hall-Effect/Micro Switch |
| Additional Buttons | L4/R4 and L5/R5 |
| Connectivity | 2.4GHz Wireless, USB-C Wired, Bluetooth |
| Polling Rate | Up to 8000Hz |
| Battery | 1200mAh w/ Charging Dock |
| Additional Features | Swappable Face Plate, Swappable Stick Heights, Swappable D-pad, Locking Back Buttons, 3.5mm Jack, Gyro, Adjustable Rumble, Turbo |
| Software | GameSir Connect |
| Compatibility | x86, Nintendo Switch 1/2, Android |
| Weight | 270g |
Build Quality & Ergonomics
Right off the bat, the GameSir G7 Pro is built incredibly well, and you’d expect that for $90. There’s a lot going on with it, and while it’s mostly good, there’s only one thing I personally am not a fan of. Starting with the swappable faceplate, you’re getting a solid, smooth plastic held on by magnets and is swappable with other G7 Pro controllers. The grip plates are also swappable, but these are a really nice textured plastic instead.
If you take all of the front plates off you’re met with a super smooth, transparent blue plastic top which I personally dig the look of. As for the back, it’s a mix of smooth plastic and slightly rubbery grips. Not thick and cheap feeling rubber, rather just enough to provide a grip. I’m not the biggest fan of this due to potential wear over time, but at the moment, I think it feels okay.
As for ergonomics, I’m not going to delve deep. It’s the classic XBOX shape. Everything lands within range including L5 and R5. The grips aren’t too long, and as a whole they don’t go down too far. This is one of the safest controller shapes you could think of, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. For me at least, it’s a really comfortable shape, and I prefer it over most others that I’ve tried.
Controls
Just like with a lot of controllers recently, there’s a lot to go over with the controls this time around, so I’m going to split it up into a couple of chunks to cover what’s needed, and I’m going to start with the least interesting part.
The Back and Top
The L4/R4 buttons land right on my middle fingers, and while I would normally complain about this, GameSir thoughtfully includes a lock switch for these, meaning I never have to press them if I don’t want to, and luckily; I don’t want to. The shoulder buttons and L5/R5 are all clicky and easy to reach, and as such feel easily spammable for me personally.
I do quite enjoy them, but I think the triggers take the cake around back. They’re incredibly smooth, super responsive, and use the best method for dual stage triggers; Microswitches. These are basically as good as it gets.
The Face
The dpad is first. It’s a super light, and clicky dpad that easily pivots and makes it audibly apparent when you’ve hit a diagonal. It’s almost too easy at times, but you start to learn it. In the box are 2 extra dpad options, and I swapped to the traditional cross immediately, because the circle is stupid. I don’t understand what the thought process was there, but even the shield feels better than that.
The face buttons are next. They’re listed as optical switches, which usually means rather than a mechanical click, they’re utilizing light for their actuation. The face buttons are super light to press, and feature minimal travel. I genuinely really enjoyed these, and I feel like if you’re trying to rapidly press these buttons you’re going to find it’s super easy to do.
Last up are the TMR sticks. Thanks to GameSir’s antifriction rings, they’re super smooth to maneuver around the edges, and in games like Forza, AK-xolotl, or just anything using those sticks I found them to be ridiculously pleasant. In the box, GameSir includes 3 different sets of sticks you can swap into place. Whether you want a new shape or a new height that’ll work well for you.
Personally, I left the stock sticks as thanks to their design, and the concave grips, I found them to be more comfortable than the alternatives. As a whole. I really like the sticks, and the controls on the G7 Pro.
The Dock
There’s not much to say about the dock this time around, outside of the fact that it’s well thought out, and solid quality just like the rest of the package. With the big AIMLABS text across the front, it’s not trying to be discreet, but neither is a black and blue controller. The USB-A dongle is stored within a small hatch on the underside similar to things like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 and Pro 3.
The dock as a whole hugs the controller well, and isn’t too hard to get your controller in and out of. As a whole, there’s nothing wrong with it, and I’m glad that at the price they include it, when some more expensive options may decide to make you buy it separately instead.
Software
I don’t usually cover the software too in depth because I don’t really use it much, but I think GameSir Connect should get a bit of recognition. It’s a single piece of software for a bunch of different controllers, and it’s packed to the brim with features while not being overly bloated.
With the G7 Pro 8K specifically, you get four profiles, deadzone adjustment, RGB configuration, gyro setting, polling rates, and button mapping all in one place with easy access all on that one screen. While I am still a set and forget kind of user, I can still appreciate that everything here is well designed and well intentioned from my use.
All of that praise for me to set it, and close it indefinitely.
Extra Gubbins
When it comes to the extra bits, there’s a few things worth covering, but nothing out of this world. With the replaceable faceplates, they’re sold on GameSir’s website for $10 directly, but are all one piece. So there’s no mixing and matching with the grips unless you buy another G7 Pro that’s setup like this. The additional stick caps are $12.99 for a set, and while I’m not personally a fan of the awkward bump shape, I think it’s good they’re included in the box, and I like that they sell them outright.
Battery, gyro control, and the vibration are all solid, but outside of adjusting vibration intensity, I likely won’t utilize gyro much, and the battery is fine since I just leave it on the dock once I’m done. The 3.5mm jack and mic mute buttons on the bottom are also nice inclusions, but I found myself more often just plugging my equipment directly into the PC. That being said, they do work as expected, and sound good for being inside of a controller.
Lastly is the 8K Polling rate. I am not a hardcore gamer that’ll use the highest refresh rate and lean in till I’m 12 inches from the screen. I prefer to comfortably sit back, enjoy my games, and take in everything they have to offer. Because of that, the 8K Polling rate, with its higher battery draw just doesn’t do it for me. 1000Hz is more than enough for me and most casual users, and admittedly I couldn’t even tell a difference when A/B testing in game. If you can see it though, absolutely take the step up.
Final Thoughts
G7 Pro 8K Aimlabs; is it good? Absolutely. Is it expensive? 100%. Would I buy it for myself if money wasn’t an issue? Yeah; I think I would. The G7 Pro 8K is basically as good as it gets for a controller under $100. High polling rates, high-quality sticks, high quality controls, and a software suite that does genuinely make sense.
There are going to be other options under $100 worth looking at. The upcoming 8BitDo Ultimate 3E, and GameSir’s own T7 Pro are the first two that’ll come to mind, but as it stands I struggle to properly place this against other controllers in this similar $80-$100 price range. If you’re someone who doesn’t need the full 8K capabilities, I think grabbing the G7 Pro standard for a little less will be your best bet.
I personally really like the bright orange and PS2 Silver colorways they have. If I was buying the controller for myself, I’d take the step down. But for the colorway, the features, and just quality in the 8K Pro, I do think it’s worth the cost of admission, and worth a go.
At least until we get that steering wheel controller direct from GameSir. Come on already.
