GameBaby from Bitmo Lab is both an iPhone case and a game controller. Combined with the Delta retro game emulator, the accessory’s clever design allows you to play classic games on your phone with real buttons. And there’s nothing wrong with a new way to have fun.
For my GameBaby review, I tested it with my iPhone 16 Pro Max, and it’s the closest thing to a Game Boy I’ve played in much too long.
Plus, it’s available at a huge discount right now — 38% off. But the deal only lasts a few more days.
Bitmo Lab GameBaby review
Transform your iPhone into a handheld game console. Bitmo Lab's brilliant GameBaby is a clever iPhone case that includes physical gaming buttons. Just flip the bottom half of the case over, and you have real buttons for playing retro games.
- Real tactile feedback
- Designed for Delta gaming emulator
- It’s an iPhone case, too
- GameBaby works only with Delta
- iPhone 15 Pr Max and 16 Pro Max only (for now)
For many years, Apple prohibited developers from listing retro game emulators for download on the iPhone App Store, but that changed in 2024. A rush of such applications resulted, including Riley Testut’s Delta.
I play some of my favorites on Delta, but as brilliant as the app is, it can’t give my iPhone physical buttons like a Game Boy. And without them, playing Legend of Zelda or DigDug just isn’t the same. My fingers drift off the virtual, on-screen buttons, limiting how much I enjoy the games.
If this is you too, then you need a GameBaby from Bitmo Lab.
Table of contents: GameBaby review
- Case/controller transforms iPhone into Game Boy
- GameBaby really works
- Delta retro game emulator is brilliant
- GameBaby is an iPhone case, too
- Physical drawbacks
- Bitmo Lab GameBaby review: final thoughts
- Pricing
Case/controller transforms iPhone into Game Boy
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Ordinarily, GameBaby is a standard iPhone case with what looks like the D-pad and buttons from a Game Boy on the back. But when it’s time to play a retro game, slide off the bottom half of the accessory, then flip the bottom half around so it covers half the iPhone’s touchscreen and the buttons face you.
Now, when you press any of those buttons, the back of the button comes into contact with the touchscreen. Voilà! It’s like you touched the screen with your finger.
Of course, the buttons built into the controller must line up with the virtual ones in the Delta retro game emulator. To ensure this happens, Bitmo Lab created controller skins to be added to Delta. There are ones for Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, and the Nintendo Entertainment System — though you might know these better as GBA, GBC and NES.
You have to install these skins in Delta, but as I discovered while writing this GameBaby review, the process is no more complicated than adding game ROMs to the emulator. If you can do one, you can do the other. Especially as Bitmo Lab provides complete instructions.
GameBaby review: It really works
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
I put GameBaby on my iPhone 16 Pro Max, fired up Delta, and started playing some of my old favorites. Everything went like a charm.
As a simple example, I loved DigDug when I was a little kid… mostly because it wasn’t very difficult. I opened the app in Delta, set up the game controller and started playing. In a moment, I forgot about the GameBaby and simply started enjoying the game. (The rush of nostalgia helped.)
Before my testing started, I was a bit suspicious that Bitmo Lab’s optimism would exceed their capabilities. I’ve tried similar products in the past and never been impressed. The difference this time is that those older products tried to be compatible with any game, while this one is just for Delta.
And the controller skins for GameBaby really make a huge difference. If you don’t install them, the game controller doesn’t work right. With them, it works perfectly.
To be fair, this isn’t your only retro gaming option. Delta works with any clip-on iPhone game controller. Before I got this one from Bitmo Lab, I used the brilliant BackBone One controller with the game emulator. But that doesn’t look at all like a Game Boy, which is part of the fun of this case.
Delta retro game emulator is brilliant
Don’t be concerned that GameBaby works only with Delta. This is a brilliant retro game emulator simply packed with features. Read the Cult of Mac guide to Delta to learn more.
I don’t mean to toss rival emulators under the bus, but you won’t suffer by having to use Riley Testut’s app to take advantage of Bitmo Lab’s controller. It was my preferred way to play classic games before this accessory was even announced.
It’s an iPhone case, too
Photo: Bitmo Lab
Don’t overlook the fact that GameBaby is a case for iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Pro Max in addition to being a game controller. It wraps around the sides, corners, and back of the handset, guarding it from little bumps and scratches. But be aware, while anything that wraps your device in plastic brings a certain amount of protection, that’s not the focus of this case. It’ll surely help your iPhone if you drop it, but maybe not much.
On the other side of the coin, it’s certainly very cool looking. It’s just fun carrying an iPhone that looks like a Game Boy.
Actually, it more than looks like one. The obvious advantage of the GameBaby is that the game controller stays with the iPhone, ready to play at any time, anywhere you go. If you find yourself unexpectedly stuck in a queue, you can flip the bottom of the case around and dive into your favorite game in only a few seconds.
Physical drawbacks
As fun as this game controller/case combo is, it comes with additional bulk. The case and buttons add noticeably to the thickness of my iPhone 16 Pro Max — raising it from 0.32 inches to 0.56 inches. I can certainly feel that when I carry the combo in my pocket.
Also, GameBaby blocks MagSafe access. You won’t be magnetically charging your iPhone in this case.
The third drawback could be the killer for many people: the only versions of this case are for iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max. If you have another model, you’re out of luck.
Bitmo Lab GameBaby review: Final thoughts
Image: Bitmo Lab
Fans of retro gaming, why are you still reading this? Go order a GameBaby right now! Especially at the discount price.
You might even consider the game controller just so you can better enjoy classic games, even if you don’t want to use it as your everyday iPhone case. You can slip the controller onto your iPhone, open Delta and start having fun.
On the other side of the coin — and please forgive me if you think it’s obvious — if you’re not the type of person who’ll frequently want to play retro games, this isn’t the case for you. Even if you think it looks cool.
★★★★☆
Pricing
Bitmo Lab GameBaby can be bought now for $24.99 — an amazing deal. But that price only lasts through the end of April. After that, the cost goes up to $39.99.
Buy it from: Bitmo Lab
Transform your iPhone into a handheld game console. Bitmo Lab's brilliant GameBaby is a clever iPhone case that includes physical gaming buttons. Just flip the bottom half of the case over, and you have real buttons for playing retro games.
- Real tactile feedback
- Designed for Delta gaming emulator
- It’s an iPhone case, too
- GameBaby works only with Delta
- iPhone 15 Pr Max and 16 Pro Max only (for now)
Bitmo Lab provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
