CES 2026: 8BitDo's FlipPad turns your phone into a Game Boy

8BitDo is bringing some serious Game Boy nostalgia to your smartphone with the FlipPad, a portrait-mode controller that actually makes sense for how most people play mobile games.

The USB-C accessory flips up from the bottom of your phone, giving you physical buttons instead of fumbling with touchscreen controls.The FlipPad works with both iPhone and Android devices and comes with a classic D-pad, four ABXY buttons, and a handful of extra customizable buttons. You won't find any analog sticks here—this thing is built for retro platformers, arcade games, and emulators where precise button presses matter more than dual-stick shooting.

When you're done playing, it folds back down flat for easy portability.What makes the FlipPad different is its portrait orientation. Most mobile controllers clamp onto your phone sideways, but this one keeps things vertical—ideal for games like Subway Surfers or classic Game Boy titles running through emulators. The controller overlays on the lower portion of your screen, pushing the game content upward. For full-screen games, the display shrinks to accommodate the physical buttons.

Since it plugs directly into your USB-C port, you won't deal with Bluetooth lag or need to worry about charging another battery. 8BitDo confirmed it has official Apple support and works with third-party apps out of the box. The gray and purple color scheme is a nice touch for anyone who grew up with Nintendo handhelds.The FlipPad launches summer 2026, with pricing yet to be announced. 8BitDo is showing it off at CES 2026 in Las Vegas through January 9 if you want to see it in person.