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Holy ****! This $25 NES style bluetooth gaming controller changes EVERYTHING...

A

ap3604

macrumors 68000
Original poster
http://www.thinkgeek.com/blog/2012/02/introducing-the-8bitty-control.html#gamelist

I have wanted a bluetooth gaming controller for the iPhone since it came out to play the SNES, NES, GBA, N64 emulators.

The only problem?

iControlPad (Europe) or iCade (iPad) cost anywhere from $80 - 100! 😱 What a damn rip off.

Finally though it seems there is going to be an affordable bluetooth gaming controller coming soon for only $25 called the 8-bitty!

Portable gaming will never be the same again...

ecea.jpeg


Edit: Heres a link with a video on engadget -- http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/13/icade-8-bitty-hands-on/
 
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cynics said:
Isn't there a way to use a wii remote like with other phone os's?
Click to expand...

the wiimote obviously doesn't have the dpad + start/select + 6 buttons so its a pretty bad gaming experience for anything needed multi button presses at the same time (say firing a missle while jumping on metroid fusion). Plus you can't play any emulator that needs the shoulder buttons because they aren't there on the wiimote.

The 8-bitty is perfect in feel, button layout and the same price or even lower than a wiimote so theres no reason not to...
 
ap3604 said:
the wiimote obviously doesn't have the dpad + start/select + 6 buttons so its a pretty bad gaming experience for anything needed multi button presses at the same time (say firing a missle while jumping on metroid). Plus you can't play any emulator that needs the shoulder buttons because they aren't there on the wiimote.

The 8-bitty is perfect and the same price or even lower so no reason not to...
Click to expand...

er he was taking about the wii classic controller
 
this is made by iCade also TS...

The think geek version (different skin only) called 8-bitty is weird since it has 4 buttons like the Snes but the look of a Nes controller I would had called it 12-bittty. Does it even have shoulder buttons though? the way the 4 buttons are placed is also cumbersome, needs the top row to be offset from the bottom for ergonomics and it looks pretty thick for this day and age.

Also, this thing doesn't change everything at all. Watch it be on clearance a couple of months later. Nobody is gonna carry it since it's separate and bulky. In your house you would have to stand the phone to play properly; too many hassles...
 
Carlanga said:
Does it even have shoulder buttons though? the way the 4 buttons are placed is also cumbersome, needs the top row to be offset from the bottom for ergonomics and it looks pretty thick for this day and age.
Click to expand...

It seems that you like to complain about being able to have actual gaming options... strange 😕

Carlanga said:
Also, this thing doesn't change everything at all. Watch it be on clearance a couple of months later. Nobody is gonna carry it since it's separate and bulky. In your house you would have to stand the phone to play properly; too many hassles...
Click to expand...

That is simple minded thinking. This thing could easily end up becoming a staple of the iPhone gaming since its really the best and only option out there when you compare layout and price.

Show me a bluetooth gaming controller for the iPhone that:
a) can be carried in your pocket like this
b) has all the buttons you need (unlike wiimote)
c) and is $25 or less

and then I'll be happy to listen to you whine about this one. Until then you are out of your mind 😉

...

...

...

I'm still waiting...
 
the wii classic controller


Works if you jailbreak and gives you more games as you alluded to.

I imagine the icade one is limited to icade games...
 
I think it's cool it just sucks we can't use what's already available. I'd pick one up if I had an iPad.
 
dukebound85 said:
the wii classic controller
Click to expand...

The wii classic controller isn't as portable and has to be plugged into a regular bluetooth wiimote to work... not convenient and more expensive than the 8bitty.

The 2:10 mark of the video below shows how inconvenient having to carry around BOTH wii classic controller + bluetooth wiimote would be to carry around...

No way in hell both the wiimote & wiimote classic controller could fit in your pocket so thanks but no thanks!

I'll stick with the less expensive 8bitty that actually does fit in my pocket 😛

 
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ap3604 said:
It seems that you like to complain about being able to have actual gaming options... strange 😕
Click to expand...
Ergonomics are what makes or breaks a controller 😉

ap3604 said:
That is simple minded thinking. This thing could easily end up becoming a staple of the iPhone gaming since its really the best and only option out there when you compare layout and price.
Click to expand...
The same was said about the iCade cabinet and is on clearance everywhere.

ap3604 said:
Show me a bluetooth gaming controller for the iPhone that:
a) can be carried in your pocket like this
b) has all the buttons you need (unlike wiimote)
c) and is $25 or less
Click to expand...

There are many projects and hell you even mentioned one project exactly one year ago here in MR: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1098960/
Unless you are a woman or like to carry purses; carrying something like this in your pocket makes you look ridiculous and is uncomfortable to walk... Price is ok, but it does not have all the buttons you need; like I said does it have trigger or side buttons? If not then you are reducing it to games with only 4 buttons.

ap3604 said:
and then I'll be happy to listen to you whine about this one. Until then you are out of your mind 😉...I'm still waiting..
Click to expand...
Sigh... I though I was giving my opinions to an adult not a kid.
 
Carlanga said:
ap3604 said:
It seems that you like to complain about being able to have actual gaming options... strange 😕
Click to expand...
Ergonomics are what makes or breaks a controller 😉
Click to expand...

Exactly right... and since there isn't a single other option out there like the 8-bitty then there isn't any reason to complain about it somehow lacking. It's not like it really has any real competition (trying to lug around a wiimote + wiimote classic controller to have to plug into one another to simply do what the 8-bitty already does for less $ is dogs***).

Carlanga said:
ap3604 said:
That is simple minded thinking. This thing could easily end up becoming a staple of the iPhone gaming since its really the best and only option out there when you compare layout and price.
Click to expand...
The same was said about the iCade cabinet and is on clearance everywhere.
Click to expand...

You can't compare a $100 iCade that works on a $500 iPad that not as many people have to a $25 bluetooth controller that works with the iPhone... two different animals since alot more people have iPhones and this is much more suited to catch on and become a massive hit gaming wise since its only $25

Carlanga said:
ap3604 said:
Show me a bluetooth gaming controller for the iPhone that:
a) can be carried in your pocket like this
b) has all the buttons you need (unlike wiimote)
c) and is $25 or less

and then I'll be happy to listen to you whine about this one. Until then you are out of your mind 😉

...

...

...

I'm still waiting...
Click to expand...
There are many projects and hell you even mentioned one project exactly one year ago here in MR: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1098960/
Click to expand...

Yeah exactly as I said... I'm still waiting for you to show me an ACTUAL option coming out in the next two months like this one is that has:
- low price ($25 or less)
- all the buttons needed (4 on front + 2 shoulder)
- as small as an NES controller

Quite simply you can't. You can make up excuses like you are trying to do right now and say "Well there are theoretical projects that might come out in the future" but the truth is that you can't. Because this is the only option that fulfills those 3 needs above for the public to catch on. Nice try though 😉

Carlanga said:
Price is ok, but it does not have all the buttons you need; like I said does it have trigger or side buttons? If not then you are reducing it to games with only 4 buttons.
Click to expand...

You obviously haven't even read the article or seen the video, just are simply trying to be negative over the imaginary lack of a feature the 8-bitty already has. Go read the article, watch the video, see the side buttons, and quit complaining when theres nothing to complain about 🙄
 
I really think Apple should create an accessory that attaches to the iPhone to give it a d-pad, analog sticks, and buttons. Basically give it parity with a 3DS or PS Vita.

The iPhone has the horsepower, connectivity, and digital storefront to be an incredible gaming device. But touch-only really limits its potential. Of course it would be an extra thing to carry - but so is a 3DS or a PS Vita.

As for the 8-bitty, I feel like they missed the boat by not including a clip to attach the iPhone to it. I'm still considering getting one to play Super Crate Box though.
 
localboy28 said:
Think I'll wait for this ...

http://dribbble.com/shots/381203-iPhone-gaming-controller
Click to expand...

That guy doesn't even have a working prototype it seems...

Update:
Unfortunately Kickstarter only allows US-based accounts, also I have zero knowledge of hardware design and iOS frameworks, actively looking for some help on this!
Click to expand...

It's a nice idea, just that its not coming anytime in the next year (if ever).

The 8-bitty though is coming out in the next 2 months 🙂
 
dukebound85 said:
What about icontrolpad?
Click to expand...

The 8-bitty bluetooth controller only costs $25...

The only iControlPad option available costs $80 once you factor in shipping to U.S. cost! 🙁

No way in hell I would pay THREE TIMES as much for practically the same thing (bluetooth gaming controller)

YOUR BASKET
Here is your order summary, including shipping costs and any taxes.

Items in cart : 1 x iCP Complete (Air)

Total Items cost: £ 44.99

Shipping cost: £ 14.92 (International)

VAT: £ 0 You do not have to pay VAT.

Total cost with shipping: £ 59.91 ($78.91)
Click to expand...

http://www.icontrolpad.com/cgi-bin/submit3.pl
 
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That does look pretty sweet regardless. I would rather have the prototype new controller but i don't have any faith that guy can get it done.
 
So what are they paying you to come here on MR and defend their product almost to the point of being silly?

Not something I would buy related to the looks but you seem to be happy enough about it for the both of us. Good try but a more attractive and ergonomic alternative is in order.
 
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DroidRules said:
So what are they paying you to come here on MR and defend their product almost to the point of being silly?

Not something I would buy related to the looks but you seem to be happy enough about it for the both of us. Good try but a more attractive and ergonomic alternative is in order.
Click to expand...

Going through your post history your nothing but a childlike troll so I'll simply copy and paste the response someone else gave which is appropriate for someone of your low maturity 🙄

barryl85 said:
DroidRules said:
sigh
Click to expand...
Seriously though get a life, leave the running of the forum to admin, if you get so worked up about someones threads stop whining like a b!tch and pm admin.
Click to expand...

Obviously the product has potential so for idiots to come on here and immediately try to falsely trash it seemed appropriate for me to respond accordingly.

Don't like the thread or the product? Get lost...
 
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