8BitDo’s new FlipPad is more than just an accessory; it’s a nostalgic journey back to the simpler times of Game Boys and Sinclair Gamers. This tiny USB-C gamepad converts your iPhone into a portrait-style handheld, complete with a proper D-pad and ABXY buttons. The best part? You can flip it out of the way when you need your phone for real-world emergencies.

For me, there’s something inherently appealing about these retro-inspired gadgets. They bring back memories of clicking on lights and magnifiers to make my Game Boy more functional. The FlipPad fits this theme perfectly with its physical buttons and wired connection, ensuring no Bluetooth hiccups or latency issues.

The gadget is designed for portrait gaming, making it distinct from landscape-oriented controllers like the GameSir X5 Lite or Backbone One. It sits alongside your phone, providing a tactile experience that’s essential for playing retro games, arcade titles, and controller-supported mobile games. In some ways, it resembles the Evercade TATE Grip, which also turns the EXP-R retro game console vertically.

8BitDo has clearly aimed to create something user-friendly and portable. The FlipPad is small enough to carry around, doesn’t require its own battery or charger, and is designed to work with most phone cases. It even launches at a reasonable price of £24.99, making it accessible for retro game enthusiasts.