CES 2012: iCade iOS Game Controller Expands to iCade Jr., iCade Mobile, and iCade Core

[MacRumors]

Ion Audio's original iPad iCade started life as a ThinkGeek April Fool's joke but has since become one of the most well supported iOS game controller accessories. If you aren't familiar with it, it was a small arcade cabinet stand that allowed you to prop your iPad up and play games using a real joystick and buttons. The company behind the iPad gaming accessory has now announced that they have expanded to three new models to service a broader range of iOS devices.

iCade Core - Pictured on the top right, the iCade Core offers a stripped down version of the original iCade cabinet and supports the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Like the original iCade, the iCade Core lets you play your iOS games with a real joystick and buttons. Communication is done through Bluetooth, but a 30-pin connector is included to allow for charging while playing. No pricing yet for this slimmed down version.

iCade Mobile - Pictured top left, the iCade Mobile is a device that wraps around the iPhone or iPod Touch to give you more of a mobile handheld gaming experience. Again, using Bluetooth alone for the communication, it offers a swiveling landscape or portrait orientation. This one will cost $79.99 when it becomes available this spring. Engadget took this video showing it in motion.


iCade Jr. - Pictured below, the iCade Jr. is a shrunk down version of the original iCade. This version is made specifically for the iPhone or iPod Touch and lets you prop up your device in this miniaturized arcade cabinet. It comes with an arcade joystick and 4 front facing buttons a 4 rear facing buttons. It also offers a dock connector for charging. This one is expected to cost $49, again coming in spring.




There have been other similar mobile gaming accessories for iOS devices, but the iCade seems to be the one that has garnered the most support amongst gaming developers. The new devices will likely be directly compatible with the existing list of iCade compatible games.

The most notable titles include Atari's Greatest Hits, Pac Man for iPad, Temple Run and iMAME (no longer available).

Article Link: CES 2012: iCade iOS Game Controller Expands to iCade Jr., iCade Mobile, and iCade Core

[pewra]

I'd hate for there to be a lot of competing iOS controllers.

[arn]

Originally Posted by pewra

I'd hate for there to be a lot of competing iOS controllers.

iCade seems to be the most mainstream one.

iControlpad, for example, even offers an iCade emulation mode: http://www.icontrolpad.com/

arn

[Big-TDI-Guy]

That iCade Mobile made me triple-take. Thought I was looking at a new iPhone or iTouch for a moment.

Kinda looked nice...

[sp00]

They need to come down in price and I want the standard that support dual analog sticks. Since it really just a keyboard being remapped, I guess each game can have a config mode to setup the keyboard. Although that might get annoying having to setup each game.

[dmacdonald]

Four years ago I mocked this up. Nice to see something coming to market.

[hinchesk]

Why are they still on Bluetooth? If Atari can get a dock connector working these guys should be able to.

Maybe they'll get there once Apple finishes their work on making it easier for 3rd parties to use the dock connector.

[kevinkt]

It doesn't come out when you shake it!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhh!!!!!!!!!....aahhhhhhh!!!!!

[APlotdevice]

Originally Posted by hinchesk

Why are they still on Bluetooth? If Atari can get a dock connector working these guys should be able to.

Maybe they'll get there once Apple finishes their work on making it easier for 3rd parties to use the dock connector.

Hardware makers must pay a royalty fee to use the dock connector. Plus it makes an enclosed design more complicated. Especially if it has to accommodate multiple devices.

[d4rkc4sm]

iCade care less, srsly

[jwm2]

Looks great, i'll be picking one of the juniors up and maybe even the mobile. Does anyone has an ETA on these?

[arn]

Originally Posted by jwm2

Looks great, i'll be picking one of the juniors up and maybe even the mobile. Does anyone has an ETA on these?

"spring"

arn

[alex00100]

just give me wireless controller with analog stick like xbox 360 one and ill be fine.

[Piggie]

If Apple do not get of their backsides fast and release an official Bluetooth games controller for use the their iOS products, this is all going to turn into a mess which means there will too too many products for devs to support and will be screwed.

Just bring something out official asap, everyone will comply with the official standard and it will tidy it up before a giant mess can happen.

[Elevon]

Now the iCade Mobile is something worth spend on! =b

[danielnord]

Hi,

Gametel is another Bluetooth controller for iOS supporting the iCade protocol. http://gametelcontroller.com

How about the 60beat? I know it's not controlled by Bluetooth but it would be interesting how it works.
http://www.60beat.com/category_s/74.htm

It would be nice if MacRumors could review the ones available at CES.

[nagromme]

Nice. I like the iCade more than I expected I would. And more iCade models = more iCade support in games!

The little one looks tippy unless you’re a very gentle gamer! But at $49, I’d choose it as my charging dock, and just think of the stick/buttons/cabinet as just a fun added novelty factor.

[Exotic-Car Man]

Just make GTA III compatible with iCade Mobile and I might consider buying both. Although I must say, it would be pretty funny playing GTA on the other iCades too with that joystick and buttons.

[Renzatic]

Originally Posted by dmacdonald

Four years ago I mocked this up. Nice to see something coming to market.
Image

I actually like yours better than the official one up top.

...that little iPad arcade stand is pretty slick, though.

[SandynJosh]

Very interesting. I'm surprised at how much interest there is in Apple iDevices for gaming since Apple and gaming have not had much of a run together over the decades.

It's like a breath of fresh air.

[mikeoc]

Am I the only one who thought it looked like an Atari Lynx?

[The Phazer]

I'm very interested in the mobile, even though the d-pad looks beyond crappy.

[Ed91]

This will probably never happen, but I wish Apple would buy these guys out with pocket change and release some standardised game controller accessories for iOS devices. So many FPS style games suffer with touch based controls, and it would give developers a standard external interface to rally behind.

One can dream.

[SeaFox]

Originally Posted by pewra

I'd hate for there to be a lot of competing iOS controllers.

I wonder if the irony of this statement is lost on the Mac userbase of today. <smirk>

[Les Kern]

this crap is getting out of hand.