Ion iCade Core which was first seen at the CES 2012, seems apt for handheld Apple gadget owners who still nostalgically crave some arcade-style gaming, especially on their touchscreen gadgets. Compatible with the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch, this product is said to draw inspiration from the iCade arcade cabinet for iPad by Ion which brought the joystick and button experience to the Apple slate.
Blending the goodness of classic retro-fashioned gaming with technology to achieve a slim and compact form factor for easy portability, the iCade Core is equipped with a set of eight buttons as well as a full-sized video game-like joystick. It is incorporated with a specially designed cradle to confirm loading and unloading of the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch in a safe manner.
“iCade Core retains the action-packed excitement of real arcade-style control from the original iCade, while being incredibly easy to take just about anywhere,†commented Fred Galpern, Brand Manager, Ion Audio. “iCade Core is just about the most fun you can have with an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.â€
Designed in a way that accommodates both, portrait as well as landscape modes, the cradle also includes a slot beneath it to allow a standard 30-pin cable to pass through, so that users can simultaneously charge their devices. The peripheral is compatible with over 200 new and old games including titles like Centipede, Battlezone, Pac-Man, Asteroids, and more.
The Ion iCade Core gaming controller release date and price have not been disclosed by the company yet. Nonetheless, it is expected to arrive this year through the company website along with various other retailers.
