ThinkGeek 8-bitty's retro iOS/Android game controller is cute, but quirky Video

To play this video, you need Javascript enabled and the latest version of Flash installed. Install Flash now
ThinkGeek 8-bitty's retro iOS/Android game controller is cute, but quirky
Created: 10/18/2012
Video description: It looks like it escaped from a mutant NES, but the 8-Bitty works with a variety of old-school games on the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and even Android a little bit. This isn't the true game controller of our dreams, but it has its charms.

ThinkGeek 8-bitty's retro iOS/Android game controller is cute, but quirky Video Transcript

-Hi. I??m Scott Stein. And when it comes to using the iPad and iPhone, I??ve said this before and I??ll say it again, I??ve always kinda dream of having a dedicated control pad. You don??t need it, I mean a lot of games don??t really require any physical controls outside of the iPad itself and some of them wouldn??t be good for. But if you??re a retro gamer, some of [unk] playing arcade games like Joust for instance, well enter the 8-bitty. This by iCade is a shrunken down NES controller style accessory that works a lot like the iCade but it??s something that looks like it escaped a factory from 1985 or some sort of a garage sale. It actually is a modern bluetooth controller that runs of 2 triple A batteries with paneling on the sides and a bunch of buttons; 4 red buttons, 2 shoulder buttons, 2 more random buttons and a D-pad altogether [unk] that??s pretty handheld and looks pretty fun in a $30, it??s not cheap but it??s definitely not gonna break the bank as far as stocking stuff or novelty gift. And that??s kind of what it is. This is a gaming novelty gift because it works with a bunch of games but finding what they are and how they work is a bit of a scavenger hunt. Now, iCade on their website does have a list of compatible games and guess what? This is also Android functional so that??s cool. But with Android, it seems to only work with 1 emulator and as, you know, some limited use. But again, this is an experimental kind of fun thing. It??s not going to work with most games. Using the buttons on this control pad sometimes can lead to odd experiences. On Super crate box, I find myself using the 2 middle buttons here and none of the others would work. You have to sort of mix and match and try it out and it??s not clear in the games which buttons work with what and so if you??re really feeling like you wanna smooth on wrap, this is not it, but if you want something that is corky and fun and fits in your pocket. It also works with the iPad, the iPod Touch and also iPhones. Well, that??s a fun idea. Just be ready to live with the limitations and know that it is a novelty gift in my opinion. I??m Scott Stein and that??s a look at the new 8-bitty by iCade.

Related Videos

Atari Arcade for iPad

The Atari Arcade joystick dock ably converts the iPad into an old-school video game machine, but a short list of compatible games and some frustrating caveats limit its appeal to retro gaming fetishists.

Old-school arcade hits

We're going old-school this week with a pair of Android games that should have you feeling like a kid (or perhaps a slightly younger adult) again.

Ep. 1239: Where we swear we're not cops

Today we've got ThinkGeek Battle Mugs, undercover cops Catfishing your house party, and a weekend story of a wedding proposal gone sour.

Ep. 29: Live from CES 2011

The Crave crew talks live from the CNET Stage at CES 2011, dishing on some Lady Gaga glasses that carry on the Polaroid legacy, an itty-bitty back massaging SUV robot, and a super-stylish-yet-down-to-earth House of Marley iPod speaker.

Ep. 157 - Zune HD withdrawals

After a marathon Zune lovefest last week, Donald and Jasmine come down with...yet more talk about the Zune! Don't worry: it's just a brief update regarding the Zune HD presale, release date, capacity, and pricing. Oh, and of course we have to mention the three new colors that will be available. Then, it's on to a little third-gen iPod Touch rumor-mongering, followed by a trip down memory lane with some old-school MP3 players with tempting price tags. Finally, we have a mini in-studio rave with the iBlink headphones.

Ep. 971: Contract-assassin phone plan

AT&T unveils its new prepaid plan, which we think only Jason Bourne could love. Also, analysts say Android is poised for 900 percent growth, the University of Missouri gets in bed with iPhone and iPod Touch, and we give cute nicknames to some of our fave technologies.

D-Link DIR-855

The DIR-855 is the first true dual-band wireless router from D-Link, and it won't disappoint in performance the way it might do with its bulky old-school design.

X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse

The sequel to last year's popular X-Men Legends adds online multiplayer capability and the ability to create a Mutant 'dream team' of heroes and villains. It's available now for the PC, the GameCube, the PS2, and the Xbox, and is coming soon for the PSP.

OnLive comes to iOS, Android

Streaming game service OnLive is coming to iPad, iPhone, Android tablets, and even the Kindle Fire.

Punch Hero - Get ready to rumble in the ring - Download Video Previews

Punch Hero is a fast and fun boxing arcade game with simple touch controls.

iCade 8-Bitty Retro Wireless Game Controller (iOS, Android) Review

Editors' rating

The good: The iCade 8-Bitty Retro Wireless Game Controller is cute, not too expensive, and works with a decent batch of iCade-compatible games. It's also Android-compatible.

The bad: It's not a universal controller. Some compatible games end up with awkward button layouts. The old-fashioned lack of analog pads means it won't work with many iOS games. Android compatibility limited to an emulator app.

The bottom line: iCade succeeds in shrinking last year's arcade cabinet down to a clever pocket size with the 8-Bitty controller. Even though it won't work with many iOS games, the price is low enough that some people will want to buy it anyway for the novelty.

Read full review

iCade 8-Bitty Retro Wireless Game Controller (iOS, Android) Specs

Manufacturer: ION Audio
Part number: CNET-iCade-8-Bitty

There are no specs for this product.

iCade 8-Bitty Retro Wireless Game Controller (iOS, Android) Prices

Sorry! This product is currently not in stock at any of our online merchants.