Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Begins Selling Updated Rotor Riot Game Controller With Redesigned D-Pad and Pass-Through Charging

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,095
38,845



Apple today began selling an updated version of the Rotor Riot wired game controller for iPhone and iPad through its online store. The new model features a redesigned directional pad, a built-in Lightning port for pass-through charging of iOS devices, and an improved device holder with a "zero gravity" effect.

rotor-riot-controller.jpg

Rotor Riot is the only Apple-certified controller that has clickable L3 and R3 thumbsticks, and it uses a wired connection for zero latency. The device holder is removable, allowing the controller to be used on a standalone basis.

The controller is available for $49.95 from Apple.com as well as Amazon and Best Buy and requires a device running iOS 7 or later.

This is just one of many accessories that Apple has added to its online store over the past few days, alongside new iPhone-connected blood pressure monitors from Withings, the Smart Panda educational playset, new charging accessories from Mophie, Belkin, and Anker, the Netgear Orbi mesh Wi-Fi system, and more.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon and Best Buy.

Article Link: Apple Begins Selling Updated Rotor Riot Game Controller With Redesigned D-Pad and Pass-Through Charging
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/07/18/apple-selling-updated-rotor-riot-game-controller/
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
JosephAW said:
Who holds a game controller still?
Click to expand...
I don’t know this for sure, but I assume just about anyone that plays a video game console.

What is the alternative? Do you mean using touch-controls?

I personally prefer controllers over touch-controls. Actually, I hate using touch-controls on just about any game I have played, as I like physical buttons to press, and not having my hands covering the screen. The Siri Remote is horrible to play a traditional side scrolling game, unless it is a one-click game.

For my iOS devices, I would have probably purchased more games if it wasn't for the touch controls. Between that and all the mircro-transactions and pay-to-win IAPs, I haven't considered any of the iDevices a suitable gaming device for myself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: robbysibrahim, pweicks, AvisDeene and 6 others
All MFi controllers are awful. Prove me wrong.

Their only argument in support of them is that they are "better than nothing."

This one has L3 / R3 buttons? Great. Welcome to the year 1997 (DualShock).

Now, where's the Select / Start buttons?


I got really excited when Apple first announced official controller support all those years ago. But all the controllers LACKED STANDARD BUTTONS that have been common for years.

I got really excited when the Steam Remote Play app came out, but then when I tried playing a game, I remembered that my MFi controller ("SteelSeries Nimbus") LACKED STANDARD BUTTONS.

No L3? No R3? Triggers aren't analog? No Select/Share/View button? No Start/Options/Menu button? What do I press to return Home on the remote system? How do I bring up the Steam Overlay? Why don't they vibrate? Why can't they detect motion?


Why do these "modern" controllers have less functionality than the DualShock PlayStation controller from 1997?

The Steam Remote play "solution" to so many missing buttons is multi-button pressing - reminiscent of old 1980s PC joysticks with their 1-button.


I'm really, REALLY looking forward to iOS 13's support of PS4 and Xbox One S/X controllers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SkippyThorson
I'll hold out till the fall and use my PS4 controller instead with iOS 13. The Rotor Riot looks like a bulky style NVidia Shield controller meets Xbone controller.
 
JosephAW said:
Who holds a game controller still?
Click to expand...

Anybody who doesn’t like 15 launchers, horrible game ports, waiting forever for certain titles to come out for your platform (GTA 5 for instance), Dealing with steam (slow, antiquated UI, horrible summer sales), or anybody that wants a clean, hassle free way to game without having to deal with driver issues, crashes and compatibility concerns.. but let me guess.. your framerates are high!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: JosephAW
vertical smile said:
Was the last generation wired like this one? How did it connect to the ATV?
Click to expand...

Mine is wireless, and I believe this one is wireless as well. If I understood correctly, it does have a lighting port to charge the controller and the iPhone, through pass-through charging, but it connects wirelessly.
 
Saipher said:
Mine is wireless, and I believe this one is wireless as well. If I understood correctly, it does have a lighting port to charge the controller and the iPhone, through pass-through charging, but it connects wirelessly.
Click to expand...
I don't think this new one is wireless at all from everything I read about it.

It doesn't have any internal power, but charges from the device it is connected to, I think.
 
vertical smile said:
I don't think this new one is wireless at all from everything I read about it.

It doesn't have any internal power, but charges from the device it is connected to, I think.
Click to expand...

You are right. I went to the Apple Store and read that it is wired so I’m not sure it’s ATV compatible. Also, I just realized I have the SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Controller, and not this brand in question. Sorry for the confusion. :confused:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back