Disqus
Can you believe ION’s iCade was announced last year at CES? I certainly can’t as it feels the iCade has been on the market forever and has been a step in the right direction for third-party controllers to be used to get the most out of mobile gaming. It looks like ION is ready to set the mobile gaming controller bar higher as they’re announcing three new bluetooth controllers at CES: the iCade Core, iCade Mobile and iCade Jr.
First up is the iCade Core which takes the original iCade formula and tweaks it a bit. No longer will your iPad be housed in a retro arcade cabinet. Instead, your iPad will be free in order to play it either in portrait or landscape view. The iCade Core still uses eight buttons and now that it’s in a more compact form, will allow gamers to take it wherever they please for whenever they get the retro gaming itch. Another great addition to the iCade Core is it being compatible with all iOS devices, not just iPads.
The second device ION is showing at CES this year is its new iCade Mobile, which looks to be all mobile gamers’ answer to a controller that will be comfortable to use with the iPhone and iPod Touch. It features a D-pad, four face buttons, and four shoulder buttons that all snap around your iPhone. The iCade Mobile even allows for your iOS device to turn inside of the controller to offer the ability to play in portrait or landscape mode. The iCade Mobile reminds me of a SEGA Game Gear, which I remember to be quite the comfortable handheld device.
The last device is the iCade Jr. which allows for iPhone & iPod Touch owners to have their own version of the classic iCade. The iCade Jr. features the classic arcade stick controller with only four face buttons, instead of the eight the original iCade features. Just like with the iCade, users will prop their iOS device into the iCade Jr., which will give them the feeling of being a giant playing an arcade machine during a little people’s convention.
As of now, only the iCade Mobile’s availability has been announced which is $80 some time in Q2 2012. As for the iCade Core and iCade Jr., ION has yet to announce their availability, but promise they’ll be released some time this year.
About The Author
Daniel Perez
Daniel is a Jersey boy, born and raised. He currently lives in the Northern NJ area, close to New York City. He prides himself in being known as a geek and knows his way around technology. He’s the kind of person that if he can’t figure out a solution to a tech problem, it’ll keep him up at night. Daniel has experience in editorial from his previous work with Ziff Davis Media. With a strong background in the journalism field, he’ll chime in from time to time on IntoMobile to share stories of interest with the IntoMobile readers. You can follow him on Twitter @xBBx to read his ramblings on games, anime, and everything awesome.
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