A game controller has first and second controller housings that detachably couple to an information handling system and a bridge to communicate inputs by plural input devices directly with the information handling system or indirectly by communicating with the bridge so the bridge communicates with the information handling system. The information handling system operates in a handheld mode with game controller input devices, such as joysticks and triggers, coupled for use at opposing sides of the information handling system housing, or in a standalone mode with the game controllers detached from the information handling system and attached to a bridge so that the bridge communicates the controller inputs to the information handling system. Attachment of a game controller to a bridge or information handling system is aided with opposing polarity magnets at proper alignment. If a game controller attempts to couple to an opposite of an intended side, like polarity of the magnets repel the game controller from the bridge or information handling system.