iCADE on the way

[+SpiceWare]

Just got word from Think Geek that my iCADE has shipped

[Austin]

Very nice. Let us know how it works out for you when you get it!

[TheGameCollector]

That thing actually makes an ipad seem desirable for once!

[+save2600]

Yeah, I'll be interested to hear what you think. How long ago did you order it?

[+SpiceWare]

I put myself on their iCADE notification list and pre-ordered it on April 19th when they sent out that they were taking orders for May delivery.

[the.golden.ax]

How cheap can one get a used iPad these days?

 

AX

[SlowMvngTarget]

Mine is on the way too! I'll post some reactions once it arrives.

[keilbaca]

Didn't this start out as a April Fools joke? If I remember right, it did....

 

And that's amazing that if it did, for it to become a legit product.

 

Looks amazing. I can't wait to see some reviews!

[SlowMvngTarget]

Indeed it was an April Fool's Joke at first. ThinkGeek have had a few real products come about that way.

 

Has anyone heard of any other apps supporting iCade controls besides the Atari Collection?

[+iesposta]

My iCADE has shipped too! Already have Atari Greatest Hits... I hope iMAME4all gets a quick update.

 

I've tried Atari Greatest Hits with Wii remote, but no luck. Is this program looking for a bluetooth keyboard?

Apple's first bluetooth keyboard (which I have) isn't compatible with the iPad. Has anybody tried Greatest Hits with the newer bluetooth keyboards?

[atarian63]

need a DroidCade

[SlowMvngTarget]

Brief impressions and unboxing photos here:

 

http://toucharcade.com/2011/05/23/thinkgeeks-icade-unboxing-photos/

[+SpiceWare]

Interesting comment in there

 

Stuart Carnie 12 hours ago in reply to TKO

 

I've ordered mine to add support to C64 when we release the iPad version

[+SpiceWare]

their review just went up. I haven't read it yet

 

http://toucharcade.com/2011/05/24/a-review-of-the-icade-from-thinkgeek/

[+SpiceWare]

Sounds promising!

 

The weight of the unit combined with four rubber foot pads keep it from budging while the joystick and buttons are being manhandled.

...

I'm happy to report that it's a quality situation going on at the control deck. The buttons — all eight of them — feel exactly like those that you'd find on an old Defender cabinet. The stick feels rugged and substantial, if somewhat less "stiff" than some you might find in an arcade.

...

I found tearing through these classic games on the iCade to be everything I'd hoped it to be. On the whole, it's just an awesome experience.

[Austin]

They love it, apparently. Here's to hoping more games support it...

[SlowMvngTarget]

My iCade arrived today. It was pretty easy to assemble, and looks great. I love the "coin slot" in front that serves as a power indicator.

 

The games in the Atari's Greatest Hits app are much improved with these controls! I've had a blast. Bring on some more compatible apps..

[SlowMvngTarget]

Ok after a bit more time with thecontrols, the only caveat I have is that the joystick is not ideal as a trackball replacement for games like Centipede.. and I think this could be improved with a patch for the app.

 

Still, I had a blast playing it last night. Especially enjoyed Major Havoc, Asteroids, and Tempest.

 

TIP: Many games default to landscape view (i.e. Tempest), but if you want to keep the iPad in portrait orientation, there will be a setting for that in the game's options. If there isn't a "landscape/portrait" setting, change "Controls" to "Arcade".

[SlowMvngTarget]

Just noticed at the bottom of this page, more games are iCade-compatible now:

 

http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/icade

 

I can attest that Compression HD and Mos Speedrun control well with the iCade!

[+save2600]

Runs on batteries huh? No dock that plugs into the wall for continual power?

[+SpiceWare]

My first iCADE didn't work on batteries, so I used an AC adaptor until my RMA was processed. Second one works correctly with both power sources.

 

Back of iCADE

 

AC adaptor, set to 3V

 

Barrel plug, Tip negative

Edited July 11, 2011 by SpiceWare

[+SpiceWare]

Just noticed at the bottom of this page, more games are iCade-compatible now:

 

http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/icade

 

I can attest that Compression HD and Mos Speedrun control well with the iCade!

Thanks for the heads up! Those 2 games sure seem to be much more responsive to it than the Atari games. The control lag on some of the games, like centipede, is pretty bad. I think they need to revamp their "iCADE to trackball" code.

Edited July 11, 2011 by SpiceWare