The latest mobile accessory from 8BitDo is a clip-on controller resembling a Game Boy

Related reads: The Samsung Galaxy S26 will soon feature AirDrop. 8BitDo has unveiled a new smartphone accessory that attaches directly to the phone and gives it the appearance of half a Game Boy attached below the screen. The accessory is called the 8BitDo FlipPad and is now available for pre-order for just $30. Some similar accessories are already available on the market, but the experience with them may not suit everyone. There are solutions that rely on small buttons that only work with manufacturer-specific phone cases, which may not fit everyone's preferences, and there are controllers that surround the phone on the sides but may not be the easiest option for portability and mobility. The FlipPad may offer a different solution, as it comes in the form of a small unit equipped with buttons and attached with a hinge that connects to the USB-C port on the phone, allowing it to fold behind the device when not in use. Thanks to its reliance on USB-C, there is no need for Bluetooth pairing, and the response time is expected to be nearly instantaneous. The accessory also does not have an independent battery, meaning there is no need to charge it aside from the phone's own battery, and it can be easily detached and placed in a pocket. The FlipPad draws its design and colors from the original Game Boy, especially if opting for the G Classic version, with another version available in black. Despite this classic look, it features a modern button layout with four top buttons resembling shoulder buttons, a D-pad, ABXY buttons, and Start and Select buttons, in addition to heart and star buttons found on other 8BitDo controllers. The company did not directly clarify the function of the last two buttons, but they are believed to be designated for Home and Turbo functions. Despite the benefits the accessory offers, one of the promotional images published by 8BitDo raised eyebrows, as it showed someone using the FlipPad while sitting behind the wheel of a car, which was seen as an inappropriate message that could imply playing while driving. On the other hand, some see the design of the FlipPad as opening the door to a more ambitious idea, which is to develop a full structure resembling a Game Boy that can house the phone within it, with an interface displaying games on a screen mimicking that of the classic device. According to the 8BitDo website, shipping for the FlipPad is expected to begin on July 30.