Review: The Gamevice Turns Your iPad Mini Into a Portable Gaming Console

[MacRumors]

There are a wide range of Made for iPhone Apple-certified controllers on the market these days, but the Gamevice is unique because it turns the iPad mini into a portable gaming console. The controller fits on either side of the iPad mini, plugging directly into the Lightning port for a lag-free, reliable gaming experience.

There are several similar controllers for the iPhone, but the Gamevice is the only option that lets you hold the iPad mini while playing, so there's no need for a stand or a flat surface to rest the tablet on. I went hands-on with the Gamevice to see how it compares to more standard controllers on the market, and while I wasn't impressed with the size, I did enjoy the gameplay experience.

Design

The Gamevice consists of two halves of a controller that are held together with a soft, flexible piece of rubber. The left side of the controller has an analog stick, a d-pad, and a power button, while the right side of the controller has a second analog stick, a pause button, and four action buttons in a familiar ABXY Xbox-style layout. There are also two sets of trigger buttons on each side of the controller. Design wise, the Gamevice looks like the product of a mating between the Xbox One controller and the Wii U GamePad.

Made of a lightweight matte black plastic, the controller exterior feels a bit cheap, but if it were made of a heavier material, it would be too heavy to hold for long periods of time. Materials wise, I'd say it's on par with many of the other Made for iPhone game controllers on the market, but the buttons/analog sticks are superior quality and feel much better underhand. In fact, I'd suggest this is the MFi controller with a feel closest to the Xbox One controller because of how much it borrows from Microsoft.

The analog sticks are smooth and easy to use, reminiscent of the analog sticks on an Xbox One controller, and they have rubber around the top for a solid grip. The action buttons also reminded me of an Xbox controller, and while they sound very clicky when pressed (as do the triggers), they're smooth and easy to press with no sticking. The d-pad is a standard four-direction pad and not one of the circular directional pads that are on many other similar controllers.


Click here to read more...

Article Link: Review: The Gamevice Turns Your iPad Mini Into a Portable Gaming Console

 

[l00pback]

TheThe major addition to the 21.5-inch iMac line is the new high-end model that now includes a 4K Retina display to complement the 5K Retina iMac that's been around since last year.d-pad is a standard four-direction pad

Looks like someone pasted some text from a previous story!

 

[djbuddha]

Looks like someone pasted some text from a previous story!

You beat me to it hahahaha

 

[macfoxpro]

ha ha

 

[jclo]

Looks like someone pasted some text from a previous story!

You beat me to it hahahaha

Gah. I have no idea how I accidentally added that in the wrong post, but looks like a line from the revamped iMac roundup I'm also working on snuck in. It's been fixed so hopefully the comments will get back on track now

 

[Good User Name]

If Gamevice makes something like this for the iPhone 6 Plus, I'll definitely consider it.

 

[peteo]

Keep posting reviews of 3rd party add ons/accessories helps keep the site interesting and not just all apple news/rumors

 

[kcamfork]

Too expensive. No thanks.

 

[AlphaHumanus]

Keep posting reviews of 3rd party add ons/accessories helps keep the site interesting and not just all apple news/rumors

I found this relevant. I'm sorry you live such a literal life.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Need an app that turns my iOS device into a GamePad for my Wii U. Then I would consider getting something like this.

Until then, I don't need something that turns my iOS device into a home console, because I already have a home console.

 

[aleni]

Would be more useful in android tablet because it has emulators for snes, psx, psp, genesis, n64, gba etc etc etc. No emulators in ios, no buy.

 

[B4U]

Wii U controller came to mind...

 

[SoldOnApple]

Would be great for emulators if you're still jailbroken.

 

[macrumorsuser10]

Are you sure the new iPad Mini 4 will fit with respect to length? It's actually several millimeters longer than the Mini 2 and 3.

 

[macrumorsuser10]

Why did they design the controller's grip to slope inwards like that? I agree with the reviewer. That must be super uncomfortable on the wrists.

 

[macs4nw]

Why did they design the controller's grip to slope inwards like that? I agree with the reviewer. That must be super uncomfortable on the wrists.

The slope showing is due to the spring action of the bottom that helps grip the tablet. Once you insert the iPad, the controller straightens out and becomes almost level with the screen.

 

[macrumorsuser10]

The slope showing is due to the spring action that grips the tablet. Once you insert the iPad, the controller straightens out and becomes almost level with the screen.

No, I'm talking about the slope of the left and right edges. They should have just made both edges straight parallel with each other.

 

[macs4nw]

No, I'm talking about the slope of the left and right edges. They should have just made both edges straight parallel with each other.

I see what you mean now. Beats me why..... maybe designed by a non-gamer?

 

[mdridwan47]

Meh. Too expensive. Limited to only mini. IPEGA PG-9023 is a better and way cheaper.

 

[Plutonius]

Limited to only mini.

If you look at their website, the versions for the iPhone and Air are coming soon.





Will these controllers work for any games ?

 

[AtheistP3ace]

Boy I wish I had time to play games. =[ Of course I find time to comment on here. Priorities!

 

[jclo]

Are you sure the new iPad Mini 4 will fit with respect to length? It's actually several millimeters longer than the Mini 2 and 3.

Yes, it stretches, so it will definitely fit. I double-checked with the company.

 

[B4U]

I see what you mean now. Beats me why..... maybe designed by a non-gamer?

Maybe to hold onto it with the thighs??

 

[oliver03]

I found this relevant. I'm sorry you live such a literal life.

Seems to me, Peteo commented on a positive note?

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Update, as I just bought one. The iPad Mini 4 does fit, but not snugly. You'll get all kinds of wobble using it with this device. I may try to "snug it up" a bit by getting some silicone sticky feet or even chair felt pads I can stick in there. But really, it's a poor fit so not sure it's worth it to me as it pretty much defeats the purpose of being able to hold the iPad like a giant control pad.