GameSir Nova Lite Review: Fixing My Android Woes for Just $25

Most've been annoyed with the Android docking experience. Duty calls, though, and that duty could be as simple as your friend asking you to build up a retro gaming setup for his 21st birthday celebration.

I so explored the realm of highly low-cost Android controllers. I wanted to keep things lighthearted and inexpensive because first-party controllers are too costly to risk around a group of inebriated twentysomethings playing Mario Kart Wii. The GameSir Nova Lite, a fully working PC, Switch, and Android controller that costs less than USD 25 and has Hall-effect sticks, piqued my interest.

Does this seem too good to be true? I initially believed that, but it was a terrific deal after checking it out and using it as my primary controller for a month. It also helped me figure out a small technique that revolutionized how I dock my Android device.

Unboxing the GameSir Nova Lite

The unpacking process is straightforward. The typical suspicious-looking AliExpress package wrapping is hidden beneath a simple cardboard box with black, monochrome text. Succinct, direct, and devoid of glitz.

This basic packaging supplies only the Nova Lite in its case, a QC sticker, and nothing else. It also includes the controller and a 2.4GHz dongle with no instructions or USB A-to-C cable.

The box's QR code points to the "Nova Lite-Manual" page; however, it is blank. Fortunately, finding a copy of the absolute manual online is not too difficult.

Fit and Finish

The Nova Lite seems noticeably light when you first pick it up. The controller feels almost like a toy when you're first using it. The 209g Nova Lite controller feels virtually weightless compared to the more substantial Xbox Series controller (287g) or DualShock 4 (216g).

The inputs largely compensate for the weight. The analogue triggers are my new favourite; they feel like a near-clone of the DualShock 4 triggers, only longer and better. The membrane face buttons are chunky and responsive. But it's the hall-effect thumbsticks that steal the show here. Despite the marketing claim that there is no stick drift, these thumbsticks are the smoothest I have ever used on a controller. In contrast, the Xbox controller's sticks feel like grinding against hard stone and are softer than the DS4.

However, there are specific issues with the Nova Lite's controls. When you press the shoulder buttons, they rock slightly from side to side, but not enough to render them useless. Simply put, they're less strict than the first-party controls I'm accustomed to. It's a mixed bag, the D-Pad. On the one hand, I like the pivot that it has. However, it tends to make inadvertent diagonals, which makes fighting games challenging. Diagonals aren't very important for the genres I often play on the D-Pad, but if you care about them, this D-Pad will require some sticky tape modding to be fantastic.

The inconsistent feel between controllers is another problem I saw. The buttons on my transparent black Nova Lite are the tightest of the lot, but the buttons on my black/purple Nova Lite feel much looser than those on any of the other controllers. This may be due to different batches, plastics, or anything else. In any event, the extremely low MSRP has prompted some cost-cutting in the QC department. I did get my black controller from a third-party vendor, so that may have something to do with it.

The "chicken" emblem on the home button is printed, but the GameSir wordmark is engraved, and the face buttons are double-injection moulded. It's not robust and off-centre on specific controllers; I scratched my fingernail on the logo, resulting in an unsightly gash in print. Fortunately, scratching the remainder to reveal a blank button was not too difficult.

Colours

Several different colour options are available for the Nova Lite. I chose the translucent black, "Ash Grey," and the regular black/purple and white variants for my four controllers.

With their orange sticks, these simple hues all add a little flair, paying explicit homage to the controller of the doomed Stadia. There are a few limited-edition controllers with a Marvel motif and additional colour choices in pink, blue, yellow, and green.

Functionality

Aside from its inexpensive printing, the Nova Lite has many features for the cost. The provided dongle supports cable, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz connectivity (press Home + X). PC (Home + B), Switch (Home + Y), and Android (Home + A) are its three distinct Bluetooth modes. When the controller is in wired or 2.4GHz mode, you can also switch the connection mode using the same hotkeys.

The controller's overall performance and battery life are comparable across 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. Although the 600mAh battery may seem modest compared to some available handhelds, I haven't experienced any battery drain on any of my controllers yet. Your controller should last as long as needed if you recharge the battery once or twice a week.

You may act intriguingly by holding the "M" button at the controller's bottom. Holding M while tapping any of the shoulder or face buttons will make it a turbo button; holding M + D-Pad up and down will change the built-in rumble's intensity from full speed to entirely off; and holding M + A for a few seconds will change the face button layout from the standard PC/Xbox style to the Nintendo style. You can also turn off the dead zones on the thumbsticks by pressing the M button and the matching thumbstick.

You can make many adjustments, and everything is done on the gadget itself—no software is required. Fans of more complex controllers with gyro, adjustable stick tension, additional back paddles, and other features will have to search elsewhere, but is it worth $25 to get more than the essentials?

The Android Experience

Essential or not, features are all good, but they are useless if the gadget is incompatible with your preferred platform. Fortunately, after everything is configured, the Nova Lite works flawlessly with Android.

I connected my controllers with my Odin 2 by following this great tutorial by RobZombie9043. After a few hours of setup and tinkering, the transition between handheld and docked is as smooth as it can be. Yuzu is the one exception to this rule, but they've always had a tendency to stand out negatively, and further debugging has shown that it's nothing that a little more setup can't resolve.

However, the magic of connecting many of these controllers to your device is the true game-changer.

So far, I have not encountered any problems using a 4-in-1 USB-A hub to connect all four of my 2.4GHz dongles to my Skull & Co. dock. While configuring these controllers in my different emulators, I discovered an intriguing phenomenon: Android stops attempting to make each one completely distinct because they are all essentially the same controller. Instead, it depends on which controllers are attached to the console in what order.

In other words, Android will handle multiple controllers like any PC or console handles controllers. As a result, Android now offers a smooth, plug-and-play multiplayer experience that I had previously believed would never be possible. I purchased four of these controllers rather than just two because of this strange little gimmick. Of course, you could use any controller for this. Still, if you want to build a living-room dock setup for your Android device, these controllers are a particularly appealing alternative due to their exceptional value and affordability.

GameSir Nova Lite: Conclusion

This controller is fantastic. I use them everywhere, whether at my friend's house, on the couch, on my PC, or at the neighbourhood retro gaming gathering. I'm glad to drive this controller every day because it's inexpensive and surprisingly good, and I won't be sad if I lose or break it. It's made much more alluring because a sturdy travel case is included.

Is it the controller with the most features? Not at all. It lacks a few features that I would like to have, such as a built-in gyroscope and back paddles. However, the Nova Lite was never intended to rival more feature-rich products. GameSir has succeeded in its goal of providing gamers with a simple, cost-effective controller that is the best available in 2024. The Nova Lite is a good option if you're looking for a high-quality, reasonably priced controller for Player 2 or want to go along with a whole lounge area emulation setup.