ThinkGeek 8-bitty's retro iOS/Android game controller is cute, but quirky
Mobile Accessories
-Hi.
I??m Scott Stein.
And when it comes to using the iPad and iPhone, I??ve said this before and I??ll say it again, I??ve always kinda dream of having a dedicated control pad.
You don??t need it, I mean a lot of games don??t really require any physical controls outside of the iPad itself and some of them wouldn??t be good for.
But if you??re a retro gamer, some of [unk] playing arcade games like Joust for instance, well enter the 8-bitty.
This by iCade is a shrunken down NES controller style accessory
that works a lot like the iCade but it??s something that looks like it escaped a factory from 1985 or some sort of a garage sale.
It actually is a modern bluetooth controller that runs of 2 triple A batteries with paneling on the sides and a bunch of buttons; 4 red buttons, 2 shoulder buttons, 2 more random buttons and a D-pad altogether [unk] that??s pretty handheld and looks pretty fun in a $30, it??s not cheap but it??s definitely not gonna break the bank as far as stocking stuff or novelty gift.
And that??s kind
of what it is.
This is a gaming novelty gift because it works with a bunch of games but finding what they are and how they work is a bit of a scavenger hunt.
Now, iCade on their website does have a list of compatible games and guess what?
This is also Android functional so that??s cool.
But with Android, it seems to only work with 1 emulator and as, you know, some limited use.
But again, this is an experimental kind of fun thing.
It??s not going to work with most games.
Using the buttons on this control pad sometimes can lead to odd
experiences.
On Super crate box, I find myself using the 2 middle buttons here and none of the others would work.
You have to sort of mix and match and try it out and it??s not clear in the games which buttons work with what and so if you??re really feeling like you wanna smooth on wrap, this is not it, but if you want something that is corky and fun and fits in your pocket.
It also works with the iPad, the iPod Touch and also iPhones.
Well, that??s a fun idea.
Just be ready
to live with the limitations and know that it is a novelty gift in my opinion.
I??m Scott Stein and that??s a look at the new 8-bitty by iCade.
