The new Arcadie jumps into the iPhone arcade controller market with two key differences – one, it’s aiming for a reasonable price, and two, it skips Bluetooth, avoiding the battery drain for both iPhone and controller. It does this using a bit of “low tech” trickery, using a couple of pads and a series of wires which tap spots on the bottom of your gadget’s screen, rather than any sort of electronic connection. Clever – but I’m not sure how responsive or durable this setup will be.

The Arcadie looks like a miniature arcade cabinet, and comes complete with an 8-way joystick and a pair of buttons for your mashing pleasure. Just pop your iPhone or iPod Touch into the dock in the back of the Arcadie, flip it into place, and start playing. At this point, there are only a handful of games, but Zeon, the makers of the Arcadie say there will be “numerous games” from the App Store at launch for free. One thing to keep in mind is that the Arcadie intentionally shows only part of the iPhone’s screen, so games play in traditional arcade landscape orientation.

Looking on their website, there are at least six games planned – all of which are clones or similar to classic arcade games. I only wish that Apple would establish a standard API for third party controllers (at least up/down/left/right and buttons) – that way, all games could be compatible with all of these controllers. Oh well, I can dream, can’t I?

Zeon says they recently secured Apple approval, and will be releasing the Arcadie “very soon.” Pricing hasn’t been finalized, but they expect it to sell for just about £20/$30 (USD).

It’s made by The Bohemian Workbench, using maple, mahogany, and walnut with dovetail joinery, so it not only looks good. Just remove the glass and it actually plays games when you hook it up to an old NES. It is built with quality as well. This table means serious business. It’s about 42″ long by 18.25″ wide, and stands at about 18” tall. It also will cost you $3,500(USD), plus shipping - but it looks worth it to me.

You are paying for quality materials, electronics, and of course workmanship. You can choose from four different versions (made from different woods or cheaper composites.) If I had the money, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Fortunately for you, the guys over at DudeIWantThat managed to score one for a sweepstakes, so you could win one for your living room if you’re lucky enough. The contest ends on April 27th, so be sure to drop by for a chance to win.

[Etsy via redferret]

Okay, simple is a relative term. Sure, it requires some basic modding skills, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. You’ll need to do a lot of fitting, wiring, and soldering work on your controller to get all the components to fit inside. You’ll be cramming in a power switch, emitter, and an LED power indicator.

If you play with your vintage console a lot, this should be well worth it so that you can gain some freedom. Check out more pics of this build over on imgur, and schematics which should work for the SNES, NES, N64 and SEGA Saturn at this link.

[via GoNintendo via Gizmodo]

The DRONE works just like a typical gamepad and uses Bluetooth to connect to your device. The best part is that it’s open to customization. If you want, you can upload your own code to modify the controller. It’s designed to work with emulators too, not your standard touchscreen games, so it’s more about retro gaming. You definitely want a controller for the classics.

The Evolution Team is looking for funds to continue development and manufacture of the DRONE, so if you want to help them and pledge some money, head over to the Kickstarter page. A pledge of $65(USD) or more will get you one of the controllers once released.

[via Ubergizmo]

This nifty NES controller necklace is made by LicketyCut using laser cutting, engraving and painting. Each one is crafted from five pieces of acrylic, hand-assembled and then attached to a 24″ chain. I really like how the A-B buttons and D-Pad are stacked on top to give it added dimension and a tactile feel.

At just 2-1/2″ (w) x 1-1/14″ (h), it’s quite a bit smaller than a real controller, but that just means it’ll look better hanging around your neck. After all, if you wanted a full-size one you could just buy an old controller and attach a chain to it. This version looks a lot more refined in my opinion.

The NES controller necklace sells for just $25(USD) and can be found over on Etsy.

This good looking top was made by Etsy user morosemelonhead using an officially licensed Nintendo mens t-shirt. Sadly, the item has already sold for $49 (USD), but I’m sure she would be willing to make more if you have the money. At least you can try and convince her.

This top makes me want to open an 80′s style cafe, where the waitresses all wear one of these and the customers can play the NES all they want while getting wired on coffee. I’m weird like that.

[via Fashionably Geek via Geeks Are Sexy]

The controller was designed by a team of engineers at the University of Utah, headed by professor William Provancher. It achieves more accurate and versatile tactile feedback via the red nubs in its joysticks, which are called tactors. The tactors can move like joysticks, making it easier to enhance the gaming experience. For example, they can move side to side to emulate the sensation of being on water, provide location-specific cues and more. Watch the video below to get a better idea of the tactors.

Let me just say that Nobuo Uematsu is a freakin’ genius. That music gets me pumped up and makes me patiently wait for my turn to attack. Going back to the controller, Provancher believes that the tactors would also work in other applications, such as game controllers in mobile devices and as navigation guidance in vehicles. I’d like a pair of gloves with tactors on the tips. Marry that with gesture-based interfaces like the Kinect and holograms and we’ll be immersed all right.

[via University of Utah via Joystiq]

The pins are all handmade and painted with enamel and gold finish. The featured controllers are from the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Dreamcast, Sega Genesis, SNES and of course the NES.

Supermandolini still sells these pins for €18 (~$24(USD)) each. Unfortunately, these pins are ultimately awarded to the quick shopper – they are limited edition products and as of this writing the NES, SNES and the PS3 pins are already out of stock, so claim your medal right away.

[via The Fancy]

This wacky mod [JP] transformed the handheld PS Vita into a full blown arcade system, with joystick controller optimized for fighters. It’s cool, if you don’t mind the tiny screen, that is. Check out the video, which shows it in action.

It’s worth noting how great the PS Vita version of Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 looks on the console. It looks every bit as good as the PS3 version. This fight stick mod on the other hand, though very impressive, just looks silly being so massive compared to the itty-bitty PS Vita. The whole setup makes this dude’s hands look huge.

[via The Verge via Geeky-Gadgets]

This compact box offers a 4×4 grid of arcade-type push-buttons, each backed with colorful RGB LEDs to provide visual feedback. But there are a ton of button controllers out there. What makes the Midi Fighter 3D special is its built-in motion sensor technology. Under the hood, it’s packing a gyroscope, accelerometer and compass, which allow musicians to use the position, angle or direction of the controller as inputs for MIDI software as well. Just plug it into your computer with the included USB cable, load up your favorite music software, and you’ll be all set.

It’s also got a set of bank-switching buttons on top, so the grid can be reconfigured on-the-fly to one of four different configurations and color schemes. In addition to the 16 buttons on top, the controller has six side-mounted buttons which can easily be pressed while you’re moving it around. They also plan on offering a hand strap, which will allow you to easily hold it in your hand without worrying about it flying out in a mad musical fit.

The MIDI Fighter 3D is being made by DJ Tech Tools, who expects to release it this April with a retail price of $249 (USD). You can reserve one now over on their website.

[via Create Digital Music]

On the latest episode of The Ben Heck Show, the famous modder made a spring-loaded container for Hot Pockets that mounts onto the Charge-and-Play port of an Xbox 360 controller. You could do what he did in the beginning and just duct tape your food on your controller, but this ridiculous invention has one practical feature – its base can be raised so that you can still reach the food easily even as it decreases in height without taking your hands off of the controller.

Initially, Ben tried to make the base electrically-powered by using parts from a Charge-and-Play adapter. But the adapter didn’t provide enough power to do the job, so he settled with the spring-loaded mechanism instead. You can skip to about 13:00 in the video to see the final product:

Combine this with a beer hat and you’re good to go. Go be a personification of the perils of convenience.

[Ben Heck Show via Kotaku]

The massive controller measures approximately 12ft (w) x 5 ft (d) 3 in x 1ft 8 in (h), and weighs in at a whopping 265 pounds. It was built by Ben Allen, along with Stephen van ‘t Hof and Michel Verhulst.

The controller cost over $6,000 (USD) to construct, and yes – it does play games. The thing is so big that it takes at least two people to play a game with it, as the armspan required to use the D-Pad at the same time as the A/B buttons is too wide for even the likes of Yao Ming. Hence, my comment about Co-Op mode in the title above.

The controller was shown off at London, England’s Liverpool Street Station in celebration of the release of Guiness World Records Gamer’s Edition 2012. And no, you can’t have it in your living room.

[via EGM]

While there are plenty of dedicated music-making apps for the iPad, the Akai MPC Fly Pad Controller for iPad 2 is an interesting addition to any musician’s arsenal, since it adds tactile pads, while taking advantage of the iPad 2′s powerful brains. It’s especially cool if you want to you to create music on the go.

The controller/case features a double hinge which docks with the iPad, allowing it to sit upright, lie flat, or close – clamshell-style, protecting your iPad for travel.

It features 16 MPC pads and works with the accompanying MPC app, which has a 4-track mixer that comes preloaded with samples and drums. It allows for sampling and composing with sounds using the iPad’s mike, line-in, or from your iTunes library. The app even allows for Facebook, Twitter, and SoundCloud sharing. Users will also be able to export tracks onto their computers.

The controller is also compatible with pretty much any Core MIDI app, and acts as a charging dock for your iPad when plugged in. There’s no word yet on pricing or availability, but I’m hopeful it will be reasonably priced.

Available for both the PS3 and the Xbox 360, the controllers even come with two sets of D-Pads – one PS3-style and one Xbox 360-style – for further customization. Aside from the removable analog sticks and d-pads, the controller also has removable face plates on the top and the sides – expect a barrage of face plates with various themes and designs –  and a detachable cord. Yep, it’s wireless, but MLG probably insisted on that to reduce input lag. At least it’s detachable so it’s easy to transport.

The PS3 version of the Pro Circuit Controller also has a “Reverse Trigger Mode”, letting users swap the L1/R1 and L2/R2 buttons on the hardware itself. What I like most about this idea is that if one of the removable parts break, you don’t have to buy a brand new controller because Mad Catz will sell spare parts separately. I’m also intrigued by the possibility of having a right D-Pad instead of a right analog stick.

Head to Amazon or GameShark to order the Pro Circuit Controller for $99 (USD). No Wiimote included.

[Mad Catz via Dvice]

For starters, there’s the new iCade Mobile, which enshrouds your iPhone 4, 4S or iPod Touch with a proper D-pad and gaming buttons. This should be great for playing arcade games on the go, especially ones better suited to a gamepad than a touchscreen. ION expects about 100 games to be compatible with iCade Mobile by the time it launches.

It adds about 1-1/2″ inches on each side of your iPhone, so it is a bit wide, but those added sections provide ergonomic gripping areas which seem make sense. The gadget works in either landscape or portrait modes too, although it does look a little funky in portrait mode.

If you’re thinking more about classic arcade gaming, then check out the iCade Jr., a miniature version of the popular iCade arcade cabinet, stuck in the shrinker ray for your iPhone or iPod Touch. It’s basically a mini version of the iCade, though it only has four buttons on front, instead of eight. It also has four “rear trigger buttons,” though I’m not sure what those look like or what purpose they serve.

Last, but not least is the iPad-compatible iCade Core, which takes the same arcade quality joystick and eight buttons found on the original iCade, and does away with the cabinet. Sure, it doesn’t look as cool as the iCade, but it’ll likely sell for quite a bit less than the $100 original. ION also announced that Namco’s Pac-Man for iPad is now compatible with iCade – and I can’t think of a more perfect game for it.

All three devices use Bluetooth to communicate with their respective iOS devices. ION Audio is showing off all three at this week’s CES show, and expects to release them sometime in 2012. The iCade Mobile will retail for $79.99 (USD). Prices haven’t been announced yet for the other models.

When placed on your desk, the wireless Cube controller lets you control your cursor much like you would your smartphone’s touchscreen. They don’t describe it as a multitouch trackpad, though it sounds sort of like one to me. When you get up to give a presentation, just lift the Cube up off of your desktop, and it switches into presentation mode.

In this mode, it appears to use a motion sensor to determine which direction you want to navigate in your presentation. Clicking the top of the Cube advances slides, while flipping the mouse over goes back a slide. Keep in mind that it doesn’t function as pointer once you lift it from the desk like some of they gyroscopic mice out there, it only navigates between slides.

The Cube is compatible with both PCs and Macs too, and connects using their tiny, proprietary USB Unifying Receiver technology. The Logitech Cube will be available in both black and white, and is expected to be released sometime this month, and will retail for $69.99 (USD).

This Chameleon X-1 Mouse will be available in two different colors, ‘Altair white’ and ‘Ezio grey’. You see what they did there? Very clever. It features antique decorated leather on the mouse buttons and the same specs as the original mouse, including a hidden gamepad on the bottom, 16 buttons and a 1600 dpi optical sensor.

Assassins Creed fans will be happy to know that this mouse will be officially launched at CES 2012 later this month.

[via Engadget]

The simply-named GamePad by 60beat looks a lot like a PS3 controller – down to the button layout– except with odd smudges on the case. It works with the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch and requires no battery because it’s plugged into the headphone jack.

I’m sorry sir, but this is a classic controller. Now, the GamePad seems like a decent peripheral for the dedicated iOS gamer right? Not really. Or not yet, at least. The video didn’t mention two of the GamePad’s weaknesses. First of all, it’s currently only compatible with two games. TWO. If you’re not into Aftermath or Bugdom 2, the GamePad is not for you. That’s a niche of a niche of a niche market right there. And even if you were into those two games, you still have to justify the controller’s price – 60beat is selling it for $50 (USD). It’s a great idea but I think we should all pass on this one until more games support it.

[via Joystiq]

Logic Consulting has released a simple way for non-hackers to try this thanks to their Drone Station app for Mac. Simply install the app, connect a joystick, and you can control your AR.Drone from your laptop or desktop Mac. It works with a wide variety of game controllers including those from the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii too.

The higher signal strength of the Wi-Fi from a computer versus the one from an iPhone allows the pilot to control the drone over greater distances. There’s app also provides supplemental info on screen, such as altitude, attitude, direction, and battery gauges.

If you have a Parrot AR.drone, you can get the Drone Station app here for $9.99(USD). I guess if you already spent $300 on the drone, this app will be worth it.

[via Ubergizmo]

Europeans have had this arcade stick for a little while, and now it’s our turn here in the States. As you can see it features several characters from the Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 game on the base of the controller itself. Each one has an arcade-quality joystick, eight gaming buttons, and a turbo function. The Xbox 360 version also has a connector for newer headsets.

The Hori Fight Stick for Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 is available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for $149.99(USD). You can get one from Hori’s US website. It’s a bit late for Christmas, but hell, you deserve one last gift.

[via Capcom and Ubergizmo]