There's been quite a few attempts at creating a physical game controller for the iPhone. The most successful of which has probably been the ThinkGeek iCade.
Despite a few other promising starts, it seems the main hurdle has been Apple allowing unfettered access between said game controllers and the iOS devices themselves. As a result, most game controllers have relied on emulating a Bluetooth keyboard to interface with the iPhone or iPad. While it works well enough for digital controls such as the iCade, full analog stick control has remained elusive.
A company called 60beat is now offering their solution which does offer dual analog sticks as well as a number of other standard directional controls and buttons. The 60beat GamePad connects through the headphone jack of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to accomplish this task:
Games have to be programmed to support the new device, of course. At present only 2 games support the 60beat GamePad, but a "full collection" of supported games are said to be added in February 2012. The GamePad is priced at $49.99 with supported games sold separately.
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Real Racing 2
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Why doesnt Apple just make theyre own knock off of an Xbox 360 pad, make it bluetooth and make all game devs program the controller into their games? I'd be in Heaven and they'd make a ton!
iGamePad FTW! :apple:
Because those "innovative and versatile" controls are a rather lousy substitute in certain genres. I mean like I've yet to find a virtual d-pad that is as responsive as a physical one for platforming games. And it is really hard to multitask in a FPS game without shoulder buttons.
If so this product is a dud.
When he pushed the right stick on the demo at the end, it seemed to be all or nothing. Was a bad demonstration to show off the stick, it needed to be slowly pushed and moved around the edge, to show how variable it is.