Accessories

Use Your iPad as a Board Game With GameChanger

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

The iPad has more than a few accessories already, but we've not seen one quite like this and, to be honest, we don't really know what to think about it.

Shown off at this year's CES, the GameChanger by Identity Games gives gamers a way to turn a $500 iPad into a board game, which sounds both awesome and incredibly boring at the same time. The idea is simple: use the board as the main game board with the iPad providing digital interaction, either asking questions or providing other uses.

The iPad connects to the GameChanger using its dock connector, giving the game board a connection with allows it to feed information back to the tablet. This allows the game app to tailor the experience according to where pieces are on the game board, for example...

Awesome NES Game Controller Concept for the iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ January 12, 2012

If the current batch of iPhone gaming accessories just aren't doing it for you, perhaps this one will. This two-piece iPhone attachment essentially morphs your handset into a game controller that'll remind you of the good old days.

But there's more than nostalgia here. The NES-inspired controller actually looks like it could be the gaming add-on we've been waiting for. And although it's still in the concept stage, the creator is working on bringing this thing to life...

New iCade Models Shown Off at CES 2012

Oliver Haslam ∙ January 9, 2012

We're big fans of the Ion Audio iCade here at iDB, so when we heard that the company had announced three new models, we took notice!

Building on the huge popularity of the original iPad-supporting iCade, these three new models build on what has already been done, while bringing the magic of iCade to the iPhone and iPod touch at the same time.

If you're a fan of arcade games and own an iOS device, then Ion Audio has you covered with an arcade stick solution...

Gametel Gamepad Now Compatible With iOS Devices

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Considering how popular iOS has become as a mobile gaming platform, you would think that the market for iOS gaming accessories would be huge, but it's really not. The iOS gaming peripheral space is actually quite small.

But it is slowly growing, thanks to notable accessories like the iCade, the iControlPad, and now the Gametel Gamepad. The once Android-only wireless controller is all set to make its iOS debut at the Consumer Electronics Show next week...

60beat’s $50 iOS GamePad Controller Brings the Console Experience to Mobile

Oliver Haslam ∙ December 29, 2011

iOS is growing to be a major player in the gaming space. When you are selling as many iPhones and iPads as Apple is, not to mention iPod touches, then it is almost an inevitability that your own App Store is going to become a mecca for all manner of games.

With its touch-based interface and huge screen, the iPad in particular has become something of a giant in the mobile gaming world, but the same touch screen that is is biggest strength can also be its biggest weakness. That's why this new accessory really caught our eye.

Coming from accessory company 60beat, this new controller gives gamers a more familiar way of controlling their games. If iOS gaming is to truly take over, then there needs to be a natural way to play traditional games, and that natural way involves a couple of thumbsticks and some hardware buttons.

iControlPad Finally Available, Brings Physical Controls to iOS Gaming

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 11, 2023

We've been hearing about the infamous iControlPad for nearly three years now. We first reported on the accessory back in 2008, when it was still in early stages of production. Then we didn't hear a peep about the product until the Summer of this year.

The iControlPad was soft-launched back in July, but it still had some major hurdles to overcome. The inventors didn't have any major distribution partners, and third party compatibility was non-existent. But that has all changed with ThinkGeek's support...

iNVADERCADE: An iCade Inspired Space Invaders Cabinet For the iPad

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 26, 2017

First you had Atari, and now another old-school gaming company is hoping to ride the waves of interest that the original iCade has mustered up.

Japanese video game developer and publisher, Taito — the same company behind the old school classic Space Invaders — has apparently seen enough; now it wants a share of the iPad peripheral pie...

More Details on Atari’s iPad Joystick Emerge

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

Remember that Atari-branded iPad arcade joystick peripheral we told you about yesterday? Remember how excited we were about the possibility of playing our classic arcade games on the thing, despite our lack of any real information about the device? Well, it turns out DVICE has played with the real thing, and all of a sudden, we're not quite as excited as we were yesterday!

You see, DVICE has answered some of our burning questions, and we don't like some of the answers...

Atari to Introduce Official iPad Arcade Controller

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

In an update to the Atari's Greatest Hits iOS app, the evergreen gaming company has included support for an unannounced arcade stick. The "Atari Arcade -- Duo Powered" joystick will be offered to the public soon for insanely addictive gaming on iPads everywhere.

The app's description links to a web page that shows a photo of the mystery device, along with a short description which doesn't really tell us all that much. The picture is enough for us to know we need this thing in our lives...

Logitech Announces New Suction Cup Joystick for iPad

Oliver Haslam ∙ August 24, 2011

Even though Apple's iPad has become something of a casual gaming heaven for many, its lack of any physical buttons can still be seen as a negative on occasion. Recognising that unavoidable fact, Logitech has taken to the drawing board/CAD machine, and shown off a new accessory that they hope will appease those of us who always prefer something hardware-based.

Logitech has announced a new joystick that attaches to an iPad via the magic of a suction cup. The design should make for easy attachment and detachment when you're not going to be eating ghosts in Pac Man...

iControlPad: Turn Your iPhone into a Legit Gaming Device

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 26, 2016

Alright folks, it's finally here. We told you about the iControlPad nearly 3 years ago, and the company has finally started shipping the product. For those unfamiliar with the gaming accessory, let me give you a quick refresher.

When you think of iPhone gaming add-ons, you typically think of those little plastic suction-cup-tipped joysticks. iControlPad provides a much better solution for your touchscreen woes with physical, console-like controls...

The AppBlaster: Taking iPhone Gaming Accessories to the Next Level

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 18, 2018

Though we've seen quite a few gaming accessories hit the iOS scene, we've never come across anything like this. The appBlaster has to be one of the most innovative gaming add-ons that's ever made it to market.

Although it may look like a souped-up Duck Hunt Zapper, the appBlaster utilizes cutting-edge technology. The accessory uses the iPhone's camera and accelerometer to create an immersive first-person shooter. And the result, I must say, is awesome...