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).

Developed by the ever-developing folks at Keio University in Japan, the 3-axis analog joystick uses GelForce, a simple yet effective tracking system that uses colored markers. The markers are located on the inside of the joystick. When the joystick is moved, the markers also move and are deformed. The camera tracks the changes to the markers, and software installed in the device interprets these changes as movement.

It might be a bit awkward to use this system for games with dual-stick controls, but it’s way better than nothing. In addition, a special SDK would need to be integrated to any games to make them compatible. With a joystick like this maybe I can finally play Robokill 2 for more than 5 minutes without getting pissed off.

[via DigInfo via Ubergizmo]

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]

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.

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]

With each controller, you get a pearl color finish with mist grey handles and crystal white glowing accents. The Xbox 360 version has vibration support, with “performance enhancing contours and design,” whatever that means. It also has rubber-grips with a soft-touch finish for that extra grip while using it.

Each will be sold in a limited edition of just 800 pieces, so if you want one, you can pre-order the TRON Siren controllers through PDP’s website, for $50(USD) each.

[via Ubergizmo]

As you can see these pieces are much more detailed than Christopher Locke’s fossilized gadgets and are fit for display. Most of the gadgets depicted are still and film cameras, but there’s also the iconic Atari joystick for gamers.

Dig around Bughouse’ website to excavate the Future Fossils and bring them home. Prices range from $65-$495 (USD).

[via Fancy]

While not as drastic or complex as the Cthulhutastic N-Control Avenger mod, KontrolFreek swears that their clip-on kits do have significant benefits. The one that increases length is called the FPS Freek. I don’t have exact measurements but judging from the pictures I think it almost doubles the length of the thumbsticks. The increased length offers a greater range of motion – and in effect a slight increase in sensitivity. The SpeedFreek, on the other hand ensures that your thumb won’t slip off of the stick, even if you have sweaty thumbs or if you quickly nudge or hold the sticks towards the edges.

KontrolFreek has variations of these two mods, but they all work the same. The notable exception is the SpeedFreak Apex (the black SpeedFreak below) although the normal SpeedFreak shown here in white also comes in black). It’s the combination of both mods, adding both height and horns.

You can order the KontrolFreek clip-on mods from Firebox for £12 (~$19 USD) each or directly from KontrolFreek, where you can browse all of the models. Prices range from $10 to $14 on the official store, but only because they’re on sale as of this writing, so now’s the time to get hats for your thumbsticks if you’re interested.

[via Coolest Gadgets]

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

If you love classic arcade or Atari 2600 games and own an iPad (and don’t own an iCade), you must check this out. It is available directly from Discovery Bay Games and Target today and in Apple Stores and Toys R Us starting in November.

The ABXY buttons are designed to look like bullets and you also get Red LEDs on the home button, non-slip thumbsticks and Evil Controllers’ Evil D-Pad which is said to be an improvement over an axis or disc based D-Pad. These are all great features, but I just want it because it looks amazing. It will cost you $79.99 (USD) from Evil Controllers.

[via Chip Chick]

Hori’s Fighting Commander 3 Pro controller for the PlayStation 3 starts out looking like just another retro gamepad, but this special controller has a few tricks up its sleeves. For starters, it does away with the DualShock’s analog sticks, making way for just a D-Pad, six oversize buttons and shoulder controls.

The D-Pad offers an adjustable angle from 0° to 20°, and you can also adjust how sensitive the diagonal inputs are on the D-Pad, choosing from three levels of sensitivity. You can also flip-flop the left and right shoulder buttons if  you so desire. The controller also offers an asymmetrical left-hand grip, which is said to give you better stability. In addition, the controller offers adjustable turbo modes, but you’d never use those, would you?

You can grab the Fighting Commander 3 Pro controller for the PS3 over at Amazon for about $35 (USD). No word on an Xbox 360 version at this time.

The main selling point of this accessory is that it is perfect for Monster Hunter Tri G. That game can take advantage of it’s three extra shoulder buttons and second stick. Makes it a lot more like the Playstation Vita huh? Interesting. Fugly, but interesting. When more info is available we will let you know as always.

[twitpic via Joystiq]

Turns out that there is a new iPad-compatible joystick in the works, which you can use to play all those classic arcade and Atari 2600 games in the aforementioned collection. Now you already know that there’s been an arcade joystick out for a while now called the iCade, which has awesome retro arcade looks, but is also quite pricey (at $100).

The Duo stick does away with iCade’s fancy arcade cabinet design, instead going for a minimal look that’s likely to keep the price much lower. Due to its open-air design, it’s also likely to do a better job at supporting both landscape and portrait modes than the iCade can.

While I love my iCade, I have to say that I’m totally bummed out that there aren’t yet more games that take advantage of it – and I really want a trackball and spinner controller for many of the games anyhow. But if you’re looking for a way to play those joystick-based classics, and don’t want to break the bank, you might want to keep an eye out for the Atari Arcade Duo Joystick over at Discovery Bay Games. No word yet on a release date or pricing, but there’s no way it could be as expensive as the iCade.

And then there’s Elecom’s Kandenchi Battery Mouse (JP). It’s tiny and compact and comes in the shape of a battery, albeit with a simpler look and no positive or negative nodes in sight. It’s also larger than your regular D cell, but not large enough to really resemble a joystick.

The Battery Mouse comes with two buttons (the one at the top is for right-clicking, while the top one at the side is for left clicks) while the bottom button is a scroll wheel. It’s definitely a computer mouse that’s handy and extremely portable, but I reckon people with large hands might have some difficulty using it.

If you’re interested, the Kandenchi Battery Mouse will be available in October and will retail at around $65 (USD).

[via The Red Ferret Journal via Oh Gizmo!]

The Fling Mini should provide gamers that classic and dependable analog feel when playing games, but just like the Fling, it also blocks a substantial area of the screen. That may be forgivable for the iPad, but on the iPhone and iPod’s smaller screens this drawback might outweigh the joystick’s benefits for many games.

If you think the trade off is worth it, you can pre-order the Fling Mini at Ten One Design’s online shop – $25 (USD) gets you a pair of joysticks. I wonder if Apple will add a rear touch panel like the one on Sony’s NGP to future iOS devices. That way we can use add-ons like the Fling Mini without blocking the screen.

[via Dvice]

Given the fact that these controllers are actually pretty easy to come by, I guess that I’m okay with RecycledRetroGear’s gutting of the NES Advantage to turn it into a bedside or desk lamp. There’s not much more to it other than to say that other than the joystick, the rest of the controller is pretty much intact, making this a great addition to any retro gamer’s room.

You can get your hands on the NES Advantage lamp over at Etsy for $20.99 (USD). While you’re over there, be sure to check out some of the other fun recycled gaming bits over on RecycledRetroGear’s shop.

Morris actually turned one of his dead 360s into an Xbox 360 controller, but decided to defile the memory of the other one by turning it into a PS3/PS2/PC controller instead. Hah!

Each one has true arcade-quality Sanwa joystick, and Seimitsu buttons. Morris has documented the entire build process in gory detail over on the Atomic Forums if you want to try and do the same for yourself.

I guess when you’ve got a couple of red-ringed Xbox 360s lying around, this is a pretty good use of the old carcasses.

[via Joystick Division]

A new controller that hooks to any phone via Bluetooth has surfaced called the iControlPad BT that adds physical buttons to the iPhone and other devices. The control layout looks a lot like a mash up between the Xbox 360 and PS3 controllers. It has four buttons, two joysticks, and a D-pad.

The phone slips into the controller and is held in place with some adjustable sides. The downside for iPhone users is that it works best with jailbroken devices, but it will work in keyboard mode on the device. The controller supports just about any Android app that supports a PC gamepad. It runs from a battery 1500mAh unit can charges via USB port. Shipments start in February and the complete controller set up is about $75 (USD).

The HOON vs. Neo Legend joystick will feature “traditional craftsmanship, luxury materials and high technology.” Which basically means each one is handmade in a Parisian workshop, using lacquered oak, and wrapped in ostrich leather, and loaded with a high-quality set of Sanwa hardware that works for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC gaming.

I don’t know how much this thing is going to cost, but I’m going to bet it’ll be pricey when it comes out on February 18th. If you want to reserve one, drop an email to order[at]hoon.fr to get on the pre-order list.

[via Pursuitist]

The Joystick-It Arcade Stick suction cups to the front of the touchscreen of any capacitive device like the iPad. When installed, it translates the movement to the screen allowing you to get your retro game on. This thing is very cool and it is made from polished aluminum.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The aluminum was to provide lightweight and to give the feel we recall from the glory days of arcade gaming. The Joystick-It will be offered at the end of the month in limited quantities for $24.95.