diff --git a/src/BizHawk.Emulation.Cores/Consoles/Nintendo/GBHawk/GBHawkControllers.cs b/src/BizHawk.Emulation.Cores/Consoles/Nintendo/GBHawk/GBHawkControllers.cs
index 436aab7c0e..a43eaf7795 100644
--- a/src/BizHawk.Emulation.Cores/Consoles/Nintendo/GBHawk/GBHawkControllers.cs
+++ b/src/BizHawk.Emulation.Cores/Consoles/Nintendo/GBHawk/GBHawkControllers.cs
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ namespace BizHawk.Emulation.Cores.Nintendo.GBHawk
 
 		public int PortNum { get; }
 
-		public float theta, phi, theta_prev, phi_prev; 
+		public float theta, phi, theta_prev, phi_prev, phi_prev_2; 
 
 		public ControllerDefinition Definition { get; }
 
@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ namespace BizHawk.Emulation.Cores.Nintendo.GBHawk
 		public ushort ReadAccX(IController c)
 		{
 			theta_prev = theta;
+			phi_prev_2 = phi_prev;
 			phi_prev = phi;
 
 			theta = (float)(c.AxisValue(Definition.Axes[1]) * Math.PI / 180.0);
@@ -176,10 +177,10 @@ namespace BizHawk.Emulation.Cores.Nintendo.GBHawk
 
 			float temp = (float)(Math.Cos(theta) * Math.Sin(phi));
 
-			// here we add in rates of change parameters. 
-			// a typical rate of change for a fast rotation is guessed at 0.5 rad / frame
-			// since rotations about X have less of a moment arm compared to by, we take 1/5 of the effect as a baseline
-			float temp2 = (float)((phi - phi_prev) / 0.5 * 25);
+			// additional acceleration components are dominated by axial components due to off axis rotation.
+			// They vary widely based on physical hand movements, but this roughly matches what I observe in a real GBP
+			float temp2 = (float)((phi - 2 * phi_prev + phi_prev_2) * 59.7275 * 59.7275 * 0.1);
+
 
 			return (ushort)(0x8370 - Math.Floor(temp * 216) - temp2);
 		}
@@ -190,10 +191,10 @@ namespace BizHawk.Emulation.Cores.Nintendo.GBHawk
 		{
 			float temp = (float)Math.Sin(theta);
 
-			// here we add in rates of change parameters. 
-			// a typical rate of change for a fast rotation is guessed at 0.5 rad / frame
-			// further it will be assumed that the resulting acceleration is roughly eqvuivalent to gravity
-			float temp2 = (float)((theta - theta_prev)/0.5 * 125);
+			// here we add in the acceleration generated by the point of rotation being far away from the accelerometer
+			// this term dominates other facators due to the cartridge being far from the players hands in whatever system is being used.
+			// It roughly matches what I observe in a real GBP
+			float temp2 = (float)(Math.Pow((theta - theta_prev) * 59.7275, 2) * 0.15);
 
 			return (ushort)(0x8370 - Math.Floor(temp * 216) + temp2);			
 		}
@@ -208,6 +209,7 @@ namespace BizHawk.Emulation.Cores.Nintendo.GBHawk
 			// since we need rate of change of angle, need to savestate them
 			ser.Sync(nameof(theta), ref theta);
 			ser.Sync(nameof(phi), ref phi);
+			ser.Sync(nameof(phi_prev), ref phi_prev);
 		}
 	}
 }
\ No newline at end of file