Latest news with #GameSir
Android Authority
7 days ago
- Android Authority
I tried emulating PC games on a Pixel phone, and I have mixed thoughts
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority One of the more notable emulation stories in the last couple of years has been the rise of apps that let you play PC games on your Android phone or tablet. No, we aren't talking about streaming, either, but actually running these games via emulation/translation. Winlator and GameHub are the two leading apps in this regard. The latter recently received an update that improves performance on devices with Mali GPUs. This came about via a partnership with MediaTek, but developer GameSir told us that this should also benefit Google Pixel phones. So, with that in mind, I thought I'd try playing some PC games on my Pixel via GameHub. Getting started with GameHub Hadlee Simons / Android Authority GameHub itself can only be downloaded from GameSir's website, as it is not available on the Play Store. The company noted that the Mali GPU improvements were available with the latest download (version 4.1.3), but I was running version 4.1.4 at the time of writing. I opted to use my Pixel 7 Pro as it's the only Pixel phone I have on hand. However, this should be a good baseline for Pixel owners. If a game runs here, then you can expect better results on more recent Google phones. It's worth noting that my personal device only has 128GB of storage, which means I can't test games with huge file sizes. 128GB of base storage really isn't enough for an $800+ phone in 2025. Nevertheless, I opted to try a variety of lightweight and more demanding titles. GameHub has a pretty intuitive UI, but setting things up can still be a tedious experience. Installing games can be a long-winded affair, though. You need to install the game on your PC and copy those folders to your phone, or install the game via GameHub using your supplied setup files. So far, so good. However, the latter approach can be a bit of a pain, as you ideally need to install games to the D or E drive (which corresponds to your phone's accessible folders like Downloads) if you want to import that title into GameHub. Otherwise, you have to boot up the desktop environment each time you want to play that specific game. Once you've installed a game via the app, you can add the title to your library by browsing for its exe file. GameHub recently gained Steam integration, so you can apparently install titles from your Steam library. However, some people have expressed privacy and security concerns with logging in via Steam, although you can log in via Steam Guard if you don't want to use your username and password. Others have recommended creating a new Steam account for GameHub and linking your game library to it via Steam Families. It's also unclear whether this only applies to DRM-free games in your library. Otherwise, the app provides links to some demos such as Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil 2, and a few more games. Nevertheless, GameHub offers some handy improvements over rivals like the landmark Winlator app. These include a far more intuitive UI, robust controller support, and the ability to automatically download required components for individual games. Which PC games can I play on my Pixel? Hadlee Simons / Android Authority The first few PC games I installed on my Pixel 7 Pro were lightweight titles, starting with Spelunky. The original freeware version of Spelunky should be a breeze, as the system requirements mean it can effectively run on a potato. The good news is that the app actually starts up, and you can play the game. However, it looks like the frame rate constantly runs in the high teens here. That could be playable for some people, but this is a no-go for my modest handset. I also briefly tried tweaking a few settings, like the translation speed, as well as switching between Proton and Wine versions, but to no avail. That's not a great start. Booting up Xbox 360-era classic Castle Crashers simply took me back to the GameHub screen after a few seconds. However, a quick online search revealed that I should try disabling the DXVK renderer instead of VK3D. The good news is that the game then booted up. Performance is slow, though, as the title runs at around 15 to 25 frames per second most of the time. This is playable if you grew up playing PC games at near-slideshow levels of performance, but it's not good for the vast majority of people. Undertale also failed to enter gameplay at first, but I eventually got it running after the same aforementioned tweak (disabling the DXVK renderer). The game runs a little slowly at just under 30 frames per second. This is manageable for dialog sequences, but you do notice the judder when walking around, and you'll notice it during combat. I wouldn't call this a playable experience, but you might find this bearable. I'm a little disappointed that even 2D titles weren't entirely smooth. However, the GameHub team sent us a table of some titles worth testing and the expected frame rates (seen below). I subsequently tested Tomb Raider 2013 and Grand Theft Auto IV. Supplied by GameSir I was pleasantly surprised to see Tomb Raider running at a playable pace with the out-of-the-box settings. The frame rate is certainly variable at roughly 30-50 fps, but it was still good enough for my liking. If you don't have a PC or console, it'll get the job done fine. I've definitely seen worse official ports being released. Fun fact: Tomb Raider 2013 was actually released on the Shield TV Android box. I then tried Grand Theft Auto IV. It installed fine, but got stuck on a 'Basic Components Downloading' screen. I've seen a Reddit thread that suggests briefly changing your phone language to Chinese to fix this issue. But this annoying step didn't actually get the game to boot up, as I just got a black screen. Can the Pixel 7 Pro run Crysis? I had to find out. This 2007 first-person shooter was considered the benchmark for PC titles for years following its release. It's since been ported to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Switch, and more consoles. Unfortunately, Crysis didn't even start on my phone, as it briefly launches before returning to GameHub. I also tried tweaking a few settings, albeit without success. Maybe that's a good thing, because I'm not sure my Pixel would survive running it. The last game I tried was Hades. This title received an iOS port, but didn't get an Android release. It's the same story as some other games I tried, though, as this 2D hack-and-slash title refused to boot up even after making tweaks. Are you out of luck? Not necessarily I must note that I haven't extensively tweaked each game I tried running. I have tweaked things like the translation layers, DXVK/VK3D versions, and Box versions, but that's generally it. That means some games I've tried might be playable with more extensive tinkering. I also have to stress that I only tested a tiny number of titles, so other games might run smoothly. In other words, it's still worth trying the app on your Pixel if you really want to play a specific PC game. Do you emulate games on your Google Pixel phone? 0 votes Yes, I do NaN % No, I don't NaN % Nevertheless, I don't think every mobile gamer should try running GameHub on their Pixel phone right now. It's a pretty time-consuming and occasionally frustrating experience that requires some patience. It's not at all like running a Nintendo 64 or PS2 emulator on your phone. Despite these criticisms, the app is continuously receiving updates, so things should improve in the future. It's also hard to complain about these things when it's a free app! Plus, these are indeed PC games running on your phone. It's a minor miracle that some games run at all. In any event, the rival Winlator app is also worth trying on your Pixel. Some games that don't run in GameHub might run fine here, and vice-versa. Newer versions of Winlator also support the new Vortek driver, which targets Mali GPUs. However, this app doesn't quite have the same intuitive UI as GameHub, so that's something to keep in mind. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice. Follow
Forbes
03-08-2025
- Forbes
GameSir G7 Pro Review: Yes Sir, It's A Game-Changing Pro Controller
You've got to admire companies that like to get things done right, even when they don't go about it in the prettiest way. Much like Thrustmaster with its barmy yet ridiculously innovative eSwap X2 Pro, the GameSir G7 Pro is choosing function over fashion for Xbox, PC, and mobile. As far as wired controllers go, the GameSir G7 Pro isn't just up there with the Victrix Prime Gambit — it's better, depending on your usage and preferences. Despite its relatively dull looks, at least with its inaugural Mech White edition (a darker Shadow Ember design is in the works), it offers some of the best functionality for its mid-range price point in the market, with impressive attention to detail on the pro-level functions that matter the most. It's one of the most flexible controllers out there — and it's not difficult to see why it's gained the official thumbs up from Microsoft. What's in the box? As with a few Chinese controller manufacturers, like PB Tails, the unboxing isn't much of an event — lightweight foam rings protect the analog sticks, while the D-pad had come off the controller in transit — but these are daft complaints when you consider just how much the GameSir G7 Pro offers, given its specs. Gamesir G7 Pro specifications Prime competition FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder In your hands, the G7 Pro feels brilliant. This is mainly because it's practically identical in form and factor to Microsoft's standard wireless Xbox controller, but with nice, rounded grips that curve rather than sharpen at the base of your hands. Smaller-palmed players will have no complaints about it. The programmable L3/R3 shoulder buttons sit nicely under your fingertips, while the two rear buttons are within easy reach, though they're a little too easy to trigger. Not that it's a problem; the G7 Pro has trigger locks for these, which is a true rarity, but they're also gratefully received for those of us who like the option but may rarely use them — for me, I only really adapt them for manual shifting in racing games. You've got to love a flappy-paddle gearbox. While it's definitely reminiscent of the Victrix Prime Gambit, it feels more premium. The G7 Pro shares the magnetic faceplates of the Gambit, but in three sections, and they're just as easy to remove — a bit of a godsend when it comes to switching D-pads. The GameSir G7 Pro also differs from the Gambit by putting a bigger focus on its wireless flexibility. The Prime Gambit's recessed USB-C connection is perfectly fine for a controller that lacks an internal battery, but the G7 Pro's removable cable retainer means it protects the wire just as well, and allows the controller to look the part when it's in wireless mode on PC and mobile. It's a simple design idea, but genuinely brilliant. Admittedly, you can't swap out the analog sticks on the G7 Pro, but I don't care — they're pretty much identical to a classic Xbox controller, and with the TMR technology (and its supremely responsive feedback), they'll keep delivering for months, and years, to come. Mechanical energy Mechanical buttons are a godsend on any controller, and the GameSir G7 Pro doesn't disappoint. The ABXY inputs alone are precise and comfortable, even if these sit a little higher than you'd hope (especially compared to the fighting game-primed Victrix Pro BFG), but its greatest strength is its triggers. In standard mode, the LT and RT buttons work as expected — nothing to write home about, but perfectly fine nonetheless. Switch the trigger stops to low-profile mode, and they're probably the best I've ever used — the micro-switch haptics are superb and precise. There are no clacky sounds or lack of dampening to make every pull jar your fingers and trigger misophonia. The trigger-lock switches on the back of the controller are stiff, but not unusable, especially given that players will rarely switch them. It's not all sunshine and rainbows The GameSir G7 Pro is a great controller, but it's not without its issues. Crucially, its D-pad feels mechanical yet imprecise. You can hear the eight-way input, but on fighting games, you can't fully trust it — like the ABXY buttons, it feels like the mechanism sits just a tad too high, which isn't ideal for such a delicate section of the pad. The software, too, is very basic. On Xbox, the GameSir Nexus app is hard to read, as even the crispest resolution barely shows thin text, even on a 4K OLED TV. Mapping is a breeze, but there aren't options for combination inputs, which will turn off fighting game players. It's not quite as bad as the weird interface for the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless with Lumectra, but it's not far off. That said, the rest of the G7 Pro's criticisms are minor. My most common issue — at least, when it's wired to the Xbox, and automatically switches itself off after inactivity — is that it reconnects to, then disconnects from, the console. It can happen twice, or occasionally three times. You find yourself staring at the pad, hoping the light stays on. Then there's the charging station, which is a lovely extra, but it's useless if you're only buying the controller for your Xbox. Well, that's not strictly true; the G7 Pro still looks great sitting on it, even if you feel the overwhelming need to remove the wire and cable protector to make it look 'right.' A lovely little package My Gambit Prime was a go-to controller to switch between Xbox and PC, but between its wireless mode, grippier finish, and industry-leading clicky hair triggers, the G7 Pro is the better option. If only it was wireless on Xbox, it'd be the perfect recommendation. The GameSir G7 Pro doesn't pretend to be an attractive controller because it doesn't need to. It might not look beautiful, or offer a wireless mode for Xbox gamers, or provide a real depth of customization, but it just works — and incredibly well, at that.
Android Authority
29-07-2025
- Android Authority
Google Pixels just got a welcome boost for PC emulation
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority TL;DR GameSir has confirmed that its GameHub PC emulator will also perform better on Google Pixel phones. This comes shortly after it announced performance improvements for devices with Mali graphics. The company hasn't detailed which improvements will come to Pixel phones, but this is still good news for mobile gamers. Controller brand GameSir recently announced that its GameHub app for PC emulation offers much better support for devices with Mali GPUs. The company specifically pointed to devices with recent high-end Dimensity chips. We also wondered whether this would affect Pixel phones, and we now have an answer. GameSir confirmed to Android Authority that Google Pixel phones will benefit from Mali GPU performance improvements: Our collaboration is carried out through MediaTek, but all devices with Mali GPUs — including the Pixel series — will benefit. This is a strategic move on an ecosystem level. There's no word on specific improvements coming to Pixel devices, but this is good news for Pixel owners who want to emulate PC games. I'm also guessing these enhancements could benefit Samsung phones with older Exynos chips, as these also have Mali GPUs. The GameHub team previously announced that its Mali GPU improvements enable 'performance comparable to Qualcomm Adreno, and even surpassing it in some scenarios.' The company even said it was teaming up with MediaTek to eventually release custom drivers to 'address long-standing Mali GPU issues at the chip level, further enhancing the gaming performance of Dimensity devices.' There is one potential downside to this announcement, though. The Google Pixel 10 series is rumored to have an Imagination GPU in lieu of Mali graphics. If confirmed, this means the Pixel 10 phones won't benefit from these newly announced optimizations. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice. Follow
GSM Arena
29-07-2025
- GSM Arena
Dimensity chips are now better at emulating PC games on Android
One of the things that makes Android so popular is its PC-like versatility. One such example is emulating software designed for different architectures, such as playing a Windows PC game on your smartphone. One of the most popular emulators for this is GameHub, by GameSir, a company known for its game controllers. GameHub (and similar service Winlator) is best optimized for Qualcomm Snapdragon-equipped Android devices, but it's now gotten much better for MediaTek users. GameSir has announced through GameHub that it's bringing better support for MediaTek SoCs using Mali GPUs. Specifically, Dimensity 9000 to 9400 chipsets should now support DirectX9 to DirectX11 PC games "with performance comparable to Qualcomm Adreno, and even surpassing it in some scenarios." Some of the work involved improving Mali GPUs' Vulkan implementation, missing drivers, and unstable shader compilers. The GameHub team has created a "code conversion mechanism" to convert DirectX instructions for Mali GPUs. Runtime optimizations were needed in cases where drivers didn't work. The team at GameHub has reached out to MediaTek to create Mali-specific drivers for PC game emulation. MediaTek's Dimensity SoCs are very popular, but they're not the only ones using Mali GPUs - Google's in-house developer Tensor chips also use Mali graphics. They may also receive better emulation support as a result of GameHub's collaboration with MediaTek. Source
CNET
28-07-2025
- CNET
The Gamesir G7 Pro Is Almost the Perfect Pro Controller... Almost
GameSir G7 Pro Controller $80 at Amazon Pros Sleek design Great ergonomics Solid hardware Good accessories included Cons Basic software Limited design customizations No wireless Xbox support GameSir G7 Pro Controller $80 at Amazon The term "pro" gets thrown around a lot, especially with tech gear, and it typically refers to a version of something with more features or more power than a stripped-down base model. When it comes to controllers, it's generally used to describe one with features such as extra remappable buttons, the ability to connect to multiple platforms and, of course, Hall Effect joysticks. Well, kind of. More on that later. GameSir has been making controllers for several years now. Unfortunately, they've been a bit hit-or-miss in terms of quality. Some, like the Super Nova, knock it out of the park, while others, like the Cyclone 2, just aren't impressive. However, I'm happy to say its new G7 Pro controller has rightfully earned the "pro" in its name. Design CNET/Jason Cockerham The G7 Pro has a nearly identical design to the original G7, which in turn was similar to Xbox's own controller. That's a good thing, as the Xbox controller has been one of the best ergonomically designed controllers for many years. The grips are one of the most noticeable upgrades from the G7. They made the top and bottom out of different materials for the Pro, which is genius. The plastic top makes it smoother to slide my palms around and less sweaty as I reach for different buttons. The rubberized bottom grips give me a firm hold on the controller. They aren't the first ones to do this, but that attention to detail is welcome. Another neat detail is that all the included accessories, including a docking station, wireless dongle, USB-C cable and cable retainer, all match the color of the controller. Not many companies do that, and I appreciate it. CNET/Jason Cockerham The controller also looks clean. As nice as the Panda motif is on the original Xbox controller, the dual-tone gray and white of the G7 Pro is just cool. There's also a black version with a red gradient faceplate if you want to go that route. The tops of the grips and the middle faceplate all magnetically detach from the controller, giving you a cool look at the innards. One big miss in my opinion is the lack of RGB lighting, especially since the entire top under the faceplate, as well as the triggers, buttons and extra mini bumpers, are all transparent. That could have been an awesome extra addition, but there's no additional lighting other than a ring around the Xbox button. Hardware CNET/Jason Cockerham The G7 Pro comes equipped with a lot of great hardware, including GameSir's TMR, or Tunneling Magnetoresistance, joysticks. TMR is essentially an upgraded version of the Hall Effect, which supposedly offers greater durability and responsiveness. TMR thumbsticks are still fairly new, but so far I'm enjoying them. While the thumbsticks use TMR, the triggers use Hall Effect, and there are even physical trigger stops to switch from analog Hall Effect triggers to micro switch triggers for faster response times. Ever since I first used a controller with physical trigger stops, I can't play without them. Speaking of micro switches, the "ABXY" buttons are optical micro switches, and the four-way D-pad has mechanical micro switches. The D-pad is the weakest part of the controller for me. It feels a bit too mushy, and even though GameSir includes three different caps, including a smooth circle hoping to mimic an eight-way D-pad, it's just not great. It's also insanely responsive, and I occasionally accidentally pressed one of the directions while gaming. It's not a deal breaker, but something to note. Rounding out the hardware are two mappable back buttons (which can be locked if you don't want to use them) and two mini bumpers up top, much like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, which is more than twice the price of the G7 Pro. At the bottom is a 3.5mm headphone jack, a mute button for the mic and a pairing button for the wireless connections. Connectivity CNET/Jason Cockerham The G7 Pro supports PC gaming via 2.4GHz wireless, Android over Bluetooth and Xbox over wired USB-C. It's nice to see support for more than one platform, but GameSir could have done better here. The lack of Xbox Wireless support is likely a licensing issue, and not paying for it helps keep costs down, but I certainly would pay a few dollars more to have it. The lack of iOS and Switch support is a big miss here as well. Again, I'm sure it's partially a licensing thing and partially to encourage folks to buy another controller for different platforms, but it's still not optimal. GameSir is absolutely targeting the Xbox gamers here, so it's not a huge surprise that those other platforms miss out. Software It's not the prettiest, but it works Jason Cockerham/CNET Any controller attempting to call itself "pro" these days needs to have, at the very least, remappable buttons and trigger and joystick dead zones. Most, including the G7 Pro, give you quite a few more options than that in their accompanying software apps. GameSir's Nexus app is available for Android, PC and Xbox and gives you granular controls over almost every aspect of the controller. You can even store up to four different profiles for custom setups for your favorite games. The software is basic in terms of UI, but to GameSir's credit, I've never had any issues with the app. Sure, it doesn't look flashy, but it works better than some others I've used, and I'd rather function over form any day. Easy to recommend In the end, I have no problems recommending the G7 Pro to anyone looking for an upgraded Xbox or PC controller. The hardware is great, and while it's not as colorful as some other options, the design is clean. It's got all the features you could ever want, including TMR thumbsticks, Hall Effect triggers and extra remappable buttons. All that's missing is wireless Xbox support. The included 10-foot USB-C cable was plenty long for me, however, so I didn't mind. Plus: No recharging. The best part is you get all of this for $80. While that's still a lot of money, I haven't come across many other controllers that give you such a complete package at that price. Sure, you can pay more for a couple of extra buttons, an eight-way D-pad or wireless Xbox support, but at the end of the day, the G7 Pro is a fantastic controller for anyone looking to explore the world of pro controllers.
