ThinkGeek Announces ‘iCade 8-Bitty’ Retro Gamepad for iDevices

This past CES, we learned of some ‘iCade’ products that aim to turn your iPhone or iPod touch into a better mobile gaming device, but of those solutions, none seemed that convenient (and in fact could be considered gimmicky). Today, however, ThinkGeek announced a solution that might just be the best we’ll ever get – at least where simple, 8-bit esque games are concerned.

The product is the iCade 8-Bitty, a retro-styled gaming controller that appears to be a bit larger in volume than the iPhone. It looks like an original Nintendo (NES) gamepad, but has four buttons instead of two. The goal: to allow you to enjoy the classics the way they are meant to be played (well, within reason… no one wants to carry around a 50lbs television everywhere).

The biggest beef I have with mobile touch gaming is that I never feel like I am getting that great of a experience. Take Pac-Man for example… this is a game that’s just not going to be more enjoyable with touch than with the precision of a gamepad (especially if you want to get competitive). The 8-Bitty, however, solves that issue.

The controller is wireless, so it uses Bluetooth to connect to the iDevice. Performance shouldn’t be any problem, as Bluetooth peripherals have long been reliable. What problem might arise, however, is getting yourself comfortable so you can use the gamepad while looking at your iDevice. Hopefully ThinkGeek will conjure up an iDevice Levitation Device sooner than later.