Review: The SteelSeries Nimbus is a Convenient, Affordable Bluetooth Controller for Apple TV and iOS Devices

[Ludatyk]

What I don't understand is why isn't this sold at other retail stores... There's plenty of ATV4 in other retail stores, but no controllers.

Why doesn't SteelSeries and other manufacturers sell at retail stores? Why only at Amazon? Yet, Amazon refuses to sell ATV4...

 

[BulkSlash]

Has anyone here personally tried this controller with a rMBP or an iMac?

I would like to get a controller to use with Borderlands 2, Knights of the Old Republic (1&2), Call of Duty 4 on Mac, etc.

I was planning to pick up a PS4 controller and make it work. However, this controller looks like a much better option IF it works with a Mac.

I've tried all three SteelSeries controllers on my rMBP and I've yet to come across a compatible game. There are plenty that support an Xbox 360 or PS3 controller but none support MFi controllers. I'm hoping eventually developers will start to support them but at the moment it's a no-go.

 

[ZZ Bottom]

They should have named it Horrid Pad.
Anyway, I'm glad you're happy with it.

Evidentially Hori is a well established and respected gadget company in Japan. The name obviously isn't ideal in English.

The controller materials are more flattering in person. Most importantly though is the analogue sticks and D-pad good (great for emulators). Analogue stick not quite as loose as PS3 remote, but definitely reminds of that feel more than Xbox 360.

 

[mfvisuals]

I have it. works great just wish there were more first person shooters for the atv

There are first person shooters for the Apple TV?

 

[dampfnudel]

Apple nuked gaming on the Apple TV by forcing developers to make their games work with the included remote.

I think until Apple includes a controller with every Apple TV, they have no choice. They're afraid a lot of people would be pissed off if after spending $150 or $200 they would need to spend another $50 to play a game.

 

[sidewinder3000]

The Steel Series doesn't seem to have a gyroscope like the Apple Remote, so to me that seems like a non-starter. Does anyone make a full game controller with a built-in gyroscope? If-when they do, that would tempt me.

 

[scaramoosh]

Until Apple remove the size limit and requirement of each game having to be playable with the remote.... these controllers are rather useless.

 

[scaramoosh]

The Steel Series doesn't seem to have a gyroscope like the Apple Remote, so to me that seems like a non-starter. Does anyone make a full game controller with a built-in gyroscope? If-when they do, that would tempt me.

Why would you want a gyro on a controller? You have analogue sticks.

 

[Menel]

Until Apple remove the size limit and requirement of each game having to be playable with the remote.... these controllers are rather useless.

Its really,good for racing games if you arent a fan of tilt ateering withnthensiri remote.

Its pretty awesome with NES ROMs sideloaded.

 

[saldin]

What I don't understand is why isn't this sold at other retail stores... There's plenty of ATV4 in other retail stores, but no controllers.

Why doesn't SteelSeries and other manufacturers sell at retail stores? Why only at Amazon? Yet, Amazon refuses to sell ATV4...

The Nimbus is not being sold at Amazon.

 

[Ludatyk]

The Nimbus is not being sold at Amazon.

Well, I get Nimbus not being sold. But the other SteelSeries controllers are being sold at Amazon & Apple, hardly no where else.

And I'm just speaking on controllers in general... I'm sure eventually other retail stores will start selling them which we would be good for both Apple & controller makers.

I enjoy playing games with a controller on the iPad.

 

[saldin]

Well, I get Nimbus not being sold. But the other SteelSeries controllers are being sold at Amazon & Apple, hardly no where else.

And I'm just speaking on controllers in general... I'm sure eventually other retail stores will start selling them which we would be good for both Apple & controller makers.

I enjoy playing games with a controller on the iPad.

I'm with you. I hope Apple sees the writing on the wall:

The new Apple TV is less than 2 months old and games already dominate the store. This is should be eye-opening for Apple: game controllers should be readily available, prominently featured, and thoroughly supported.

 

[Ludatyk]

This is should be eye-opening for Apple: game controllers should be readily available, prominently featured, and thoroughly supported.

Oh yeah, absolutely. And I'm not sure if it's Apple's doing or controller makers. I'm sure it's easier to sell at Amazon instead of having to deal with the politics at retail stores.

But so many stores sell iPads, iPods, iPhones & Apple TVs... Why not have these game controllers nearby the iDevices? It's a better experience to use a game controller with certain games.

So, I don't know if Apple is behind withholding controller availability in other retail stores... But I'm sure Apple can provide more encouragement for these controller makers to sell in more stores.

 

[saldin]

Oh yeah, absolutely. And I'm not sure if it's Apple's doing or controller makers. I'm sure it's easier to sell at Amazon instead of having to deal with the politics at retail stores.

But so many stores sell iPads, iPods, iPhones & Apple TVs... Why not have these game controllers nearby the iDevices? It's a better experience to use a game controller with certain games.

So, I don't know if Apple is behind withholding controller availability in other retail stores... But I'm sure Apple can provide more encouragement for these controller makers to sell in more stores.

I'm currently in Mexico and I can't buy a Nimbus locally because it's not available anywhere. Not on Apple's LA web page, or even on any local Apple Authorized Resellers. The store salespeople don't even know when they'll get them.

I can imagine they're as hard to find outside of the Apple Stores in the US.

 

[Ludatyk]

I'm currently in Mexico and I can't buy a Nimbus locally because it's not available anywhere. Not on Apple's LA web page, or even on any local Apple Authorized Resellers. The store salespeople don't even know when they'll get them.

I can imagine they're as hard to find outside of the Apple Stores in the US.

Not really hard to find in Apple Stores, just depends on the location. But I had gotten mine last month... I live where there's 6 Apple Stores in a 40 mile radius. But I was out of town in El Paso when I picked mine up.

Maybe you should look into the HoriPad.. It's new and seems on par to the Nimbus.

 

[trajano]

Would any of these work with the PC?

 

[ssspinball]

This controller works EXCELLENT with Provenance emulator across all my iOS devices. No jail breaking required, but do remember to turn button sensitivity down/off in Provenance. The buttons are touch sensitive when the emulated games expect simple on/off commands.