GAMEBABY (V2) Review - A Case That Turns Your iPhone Into A GAME BOY

Last year, I reviewed a prototype of the original GAMEBABY Case by BitmoLab, a phyiscal iPhone case that introduces a nostalgic way to emulate GAME BOY games on the go.

It's a slim-lined case with phyiscal buttons that can be flipped to pair with the Delta Emulator on the App Store. It's a way to experience the nostalgic feeling of using retro handheld buttons on your modern smartphone via emulation, all while protecting your phone.

They've recently updated the case for the iPhone 17, taking notes from our previous review and adding much-needed upgrades.

• Release Date: 24th November 2025
• Pricing: $39.99
• Where To Buy: BitmoLab's Official Website

The All New Look

This new version comes with an all-new look and two colour ways to choose from (Yellow or Grey). I have both versions, which have taken design inspiration from the original Nintendo GAME BOY DMG.

The case itself is very minimal, thin, and doesn't add much bulk or weight to your device and has this new textured, scratch-resistant feel to it, which not only adds extra grip, but stops any smudges or fingerprints from ruining this beautiful aesthetic.

Installation is as easy as snapping on the top half over the cameras and then sliding on the bottom half so that the two pegs clasp together effectively. There's no noticeable rattle, and both parts fit together very snugly.

Around the sides, you'll find very minimal buttons made of metal, which pair well with the slightly off-white upper half and gives it a premium look. Though my volume down button was a little stick at times.

There's also an accurate cutout for the camera control button and small cutouts for the USB-C connector and speaker grills.

The buttons raise ever so slightly out of the shell, and that's on purpose, to give it that nostalgic feedback to them that we all remember as kids, alongside a good amount of travel to them, which is needed to give it that GAME BOY feel.

The action buttons are in a burgundy colour, maybe even closer to a dark red, which is admittedly a little different to the original GAME BOY. I would have liked to have seen this in a dark purple to match the GAME BOY, but that's just me being a picky nerd.

The coloured version features metal buttons with 3 different colours for those wanting something with a bit more... bang.

Then the buttons, two shoulder buttons up the top, a DPAD with a fair distance between them, two action buttons, and then on the chin, a start, select and menu button with a subtle BitmoLab logo on the corner.

Button Quality

One of the major issues I saw on the previous version was that the contacts underneath the buttons were made using a slightly annoying plastic that made the touches inaccurate, so sometimes you would press the button and nothing would happen.

Well, they've fixed that issue by revamping every single one of the buttons, using a different contact type, stiffer rubber, and a thicker, more durable plastic for the buttons themselves.

I'm very impressed with how they've made these buttons feel by just using rubber. It feels incredible and even has the same resistance in comparison to a GAME BOY Colour's buttons.

Making me believe that the designers behind this actually took that into consideration and wanted this to feel exactly like the handhelds of the past, and they've done that, respectfully.

With each press, the emulator will vibrate ever so subtly, signalling you in addition to the clicky press from the case itself. The accuracy of the press has increased drastically, and I rarely experience any miss-presses on here, which is a significant improvement from the previous version I reviewed.

I can press the buttons incredibly fast, and the contacts underneath hit every time. I'm well impressed here because that couldn't have been easy to do on a tiny, thin case like this. It's super accurate.

However, when you're not playing, and it's in your pocket for the day, you will notice some very tiny rubber marks on the back of your iPhone, should you take the case off or spin it around. These won't damage, but you will maybe have to clean it every few weeks if you want to keep them clean.

Does a screen protector affect accuracy?

And you may be asking if a screen protector affects the input. I put this to the test and used the device without a screen protector for a few days and with a screen protector, and I am happy to announce that it does not affect the input accuracy at all.

The screen protector I used was a normal tempered glass screen protector by Spigen. For those using a matte or reflective screen protector, you may have different results.

Magsafe & Wireless Charging?

Unfortunately, MagSafe accessories will not work with this case attached, as the controls are in the exact location as the MagSafe technology on the back of the iPhone.

However, wireless charging still works here with the case installed.

What's the setup like?

The case works exclusively with the Delta Emulator, which is a free application on the App Store that emulates your GAME BOY, GAME BOY Colour, GAME BOY Advance, NES, SNES, DS and Nintendo 64 games via ROM files.

It's one of the best emulators on iPhone and has been downloaded over 5,000,000 times. It's incredibly popular, super reliable and the easiest way to play retro games on your smartphone. Heck, we even made our own skin for it.

Download the app, install your ROMs by placing them into a ROMs folder via files, and then install your GAMEBABY skin.

This skin looks like your case, and can be used on its own, but pairs perfectly with the case and places the on-screen buttons accurately under the phyiscal buttons so that everything works smoothly.

Once you've set up, you're ready to game, and all the buttons, placements and skin designs will pair perfectly with the case. It's super simple to do and only takes 10 minutes or so.

But as mentioned above, this case only works with NES, GBC and GBA emulation via the Delta emulator because of the two button layout required to play those games.

Gameplay Quality

Playing retro games isn't going to be anything like playing on authentic hardware, but for those of us who need our fix on the go, an app works for now.

The GAMEBABY case brings that extra retro touch with high-quality buttons that feel nostalgic and work effectively with accuracy using the Delta Emulator.

I've put the buttons through a lot of stress tests; they won't even stick under the shell with force, nor can you pick them away from the rubber.

I have zero concerns about button quality, and it's one of the best ways to emulate GAME BOY games on your iPhone in an authentic yet minimal way that works well and still keeps the iPhone pocket-friendly.

The only area I am concerned about are the two pins on the bottom half that attaches the top half together. These are very thin plastic pins that I believe can snap with enough force.

The sliding mechanism works when massaging them apart, but all it takes is someone to get a little stressed, twist or aggressively pull this thing to put pressure on those pins, and if they do snap, there's no going back, you're screwed.

I wish BitmoLab had made this clasp a little more durable by using metal or redesigning it entirely. It makes me wonder if this case will last for years because of the thin plastic clasps.

Will it actually protect my iPhone?

The case itself will protect your iPhone from minor bumps and scratches when paired with a screen protector. It's not a thick, protective case.

It's thin, minimal, no rubber padding anywhere on the device so don't go into this thinking it's going to take a bunch of drops, because it isn't.

This is a minimal case, bridging the gap between light protection, great minimal design and a great gaming experience. It cannot be perfect at every one of those; it has to compromise.

Thought BitmoLab have created a large lip around the camera cutout, which sits flush with the buttons, stopping the case from rocking.

And there's a lip around the front too, so if you do place this face down, your screen is not touching the surface, preventing light scratches.

And as mentioned, it now has a textured finish to the shell, increasing grip and lowering the chances of your dropping the phone.

Overall Opinion

GAMEBABY have polished this case to near-perfection. It's a beautifully designed case, with a fast way of evolving your phone into a portable handheld using high-quality buttons that feel nostalgic.

I am confident these buttons will last a long time, and it's obvious that BitmoLab have put a lot of effort into making these buttons feel premium. It makes the compromise of a thin case worth it.

I do worry about the clasps on the side, and am consciously careful when taking apart the case in the hope I don't snap them, because if I do, the entire case will not work and will unbalance the case, causing the controls to be off-centre from the skins inputs.

But for now, the clasps are working just fine, and I have a fun, modern-looking case that brings retro buttons to my favourite emulator. BitmoLabs listened and has refined what was an average case into a must-have accessory for iPhone gamers, all for just $40.

You can buy the GAMEBABY case from BitmoLab's official website for $39.99.