The iCade Arcade Cabinet For iPad Is Coming May 31
by Mike Lata
April 16, 2011
The long sought after arcade cabinet accessory that started off as an April Fools Day prank by ThinkGeek, and turned into a genuine product is finally coming on May 31.
Gamestop is already taking pre-orders for the device and it will cost $99.99.
The iCade turns your iPad into a mini arcade cabinet by attaching to the iPad dock port, similar to the way many iPad docking stations work. The iPad slides into the device in the portrait orientation and must be viewed that way.
The iCade comes with six physical buttons (plus two start buttons) and an arcade joystick for analog control. It should please all those gamers nagging about the iPad not having physical buttons for their games.
It will remain to be seen how many developers support the device and what games will be made to utilize it. But, already from the outset, 10 classic arcade games will utilize it from the iCade app (once the iCade becomes available).
The cabinet appears to be geared toward older games and is trying to replicate that arcade-style experience. Games from the Atari era will make great use of it, as Atari previously announced support for the iCade. Atari has also recently released a huge catalog of 100 games with Atari's Greatest Hits (free), and these will be made available to use with the iCade.
It would be great if we got support for titles like Capcom's Street Fighter 4 ($4.99), as well, or EA's Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 HD ($4.99). Because those types of fighting games were designed for such button configurations and originated in the arcades.
One disappointment is that the iCade only has a single analog controller. Although this is fine for most arcade games, it prevents the device from being utilized in other genres; like dual stick shooters, for instance.
I already have a Fling controller which allows my iPad to remain mobile and adds some physical tactile feedback to the tablet. Who knows, the iCade could revolutionize gaming on the iPad if it catches on. At least at home and in a non-mobile setting.
This was the original mockup before more buttons were added:
The bottom line is that there is great potential with such a device although it makes the iPad a lot less portable and mobile. The price tag isn't cheap, so will you fork over the $100 or wait and see how the game support holds up?
The bottom line is that there is great potential with such a device although it makes the iPad a lot less portable and mobile. The price tag isn't cheap, so will you fork over the $100 or wait and see how the game support holds up?
