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A 3D printer gave my Nintendo Switch a real D-pad
Nintendo has a long history of building innovative game controllers -- the company put shoulder buttons on the SNES gamepad, added force feedback to the N64's bizarre controller and made a fad out of motion controls with the Wii. Its most enduring innovation, however, has always been the humble D-Pad: a simple plastic cross that lets players input eight different direction inputs with precision and ease. Strangely, however, this iconic control pad was left out of the Nintendo Switch's default controller design, and I miss it every time I play the system. So, I did what any reasonable tech blogger would do: I used a 3D printer to make my own Nintendo Switch D-pad.
Duo Games reveals Gameloft-branded iOS controller, coming very soon
iOS publisher Gameloft has teamed up with Duo Games to make a Bluetooth-powered controller for iOS games, called the Duo Gamer controller. As you can see above, the controller comes with a tablet stand for your iPad. It features a d-pad and four buttons (as is pretty standard for these sorts of things), plus two analog sticks for FPS look/shoot movement or anything else developers want to use them for. The big feature of this controller is in the software. It's co-branded with Gameloft, which means that all of Gameloft's popular iOS games will work with it out of the box. That includes big series like NOVA, Modern Combat, and the upcoming Wild Blood, all big-budget mobile titles that borrow heavy influence from console games, where these analog sticks are used as well. In other words, Gameloft is trying to bring the full console experience to Apple's tablet, courtesy of this gamepad. Presumably the API for this controller will be open (ideally, it would also work with the iCade standard, but IGN doesn't mention whether that's the case in its writeup or not), so any developer will be able to program their games to work with it. Even if not, however, the Gameloft library has a large audience as is, and just knowing any future titles will be compatible will go a long way toward pleasing fans of the company's games. The Duo Gamer controller is set to show up in stores right around now, for an MSRP of US$79.99.
Mad Catz shows off MLG Pro controller at CES, for the discerning button pusher
A controller is a controller is a controller. The most innovative additions to console controllers these days usually involve an extra turbo switch, or maybe a fan in the handles. Mad Catz' new MLG Pro Circuit Controller stands out, and was first shown off at CES 2012 last week. Mad Catz worked with Major League Gaming players and other gamers to figure out just what it is they wanted a controller to do, and rather than just add some new lights (or those fans), they took a few good steps forward. The analogue sticks and D-pads are fully removable and customizable, and the controller comes with all sorts of possibilities. With this controller, you can implement the layout you want.
Thrustmaster's Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On takes you from zero to hero in $200
You may never get the chance to join Ferrari's Formula 1 team, but indulging your imagination is about to get a lot easier, now that Thrustmaster has unveiled its new Ferrari F1 Wheel Add-On -- a life-sized replica of the wheel you'd find within the 150° Italia. Announced yesterday, this rubber-textured wheel features a full slate of professional-grade rotary knobs, switches and action buttons -- including two rotary encoder switches, eight push-buttons and a set of "push and pull" sequential shifters that, true to form, are attached directly to the wheel face. Designed to seamlessly attach to your T500 RS, the accessory will be available in two models: a PC- and PS3-compatible mode, with 13 action buttons and three D-Pads, or an advanced PC-compatible mode, with 25 action buttons and one D-Pad. No mention, however, of that And if you look in the upper left corner, you'll even find your very own boost button. The Add-On is slated to start shipping in early October for $200, so buckle up and steer past the break for more details, in the full PR.
Donya wish your touchscreen had buttons like these? (video)
Touchscreen gaming's like cheese pizza -- a generally tasty treat, but significantly improved by an addition or two. Good thing Donya's got some new toppings for your touchy-feely display: a set of physical buttons and D-pads. Available in Japan for ¥999 (about twelve bucks) you get single, dual, and triple button stickers along with two D-pads to bring some much needed physicality to your handheld experience without sacrificing pocketability. We're not sure what marvel of modern science makes these tactile additions cling to your screen, but we do know they make firing off a few Hadoukens quite a bit easier. That plus a few Hurricane Kicks after the break.
Veho's Mimi all-in-one HTPC controller attempts to be a gamepad, looks overwhelming
So you've done it. You've bought a top-of-the line computer and turned your once-scary basement into the home theater of your dreams. But, since the HTPC is well, a computer, you're probably still using the age-old mouse and keyboard combo. Veho, a company that once claimed to have the world's smallest camcorder, recently announced a device called the "Mimi wifi Keyboard & Air Mouse with game controller." A long name indeed, but suitable considering the number of buttons found on this Xbox 360 gamepad lookalike. It's got everything you'd expect in an all-in-one computer-controlling unit -- including a motion sensor to control the mouse, separate buttons for left- and right-clicking and a range of around 33 feet. The controller is compatible with both Windows and Mac via a USB dongle, but the customizable buttons will only work on a Microsoft machine. If you're ready to take computing and gaming, along with your dignity, to a whole new level, hit up the source link to drop around 150 bones (£90) for this hybrid gadget.
New Xbox 360 controller with improved D-pad confirmed, $65 on November 9
Hey, what's this? We just started hearing rumors this morning that Microsoft was planning a new Xbox 360 controller with an improved D-pad, and bang -- Major Nelson just went live with a YouTube video detailing the new piece. The new D-pad is a trick new patented design that's just as we heard from Joystiq: it's a disc in the normal configuration, but a quick twist raises the crossbars about a quarter-inch, making it eminently more usable. (That sound you hear is joyous weeping.) The analog sticks have also been tweaked to be slightly more concave, and -- wonder of wonders -- the ABXY buttons are now translucent monochrome instead of colored. Wild. The new matte silver controller will only come bundled with the Play and Charge kit for $64.99 when it launches on November 9 in the States and replaces the existing wireless controller -- it'll hit Europe around February. Yep, it definitely seems like a major upgrade, but we've got a couple questions: when will it replace the packed-in controller? What about all the people who just bought new Stealthboxes and got the older controller? And, most importantly, when can we have one to try out? We're pressing for answers and we'll let you know -- check the video after the break in the meantime. %Gallery-100796% [Thanks, Bill]
First Look: dPad drum sequencer for iPad
I'm not a big drums person. I have no rhythm. I wouldn't know a drum kit if I tripped over one. Overly complicated interfaces confuse and scare me. Nevertheless, I thought I'd bring you this sneak peek video from Stu Helm, who ex-TUAWian Dave Chartier tells me is renown for "Agile and International Mac Podcast fame." I know that a certain subset of you (1) wear jeans with dark, rock & roll-themed tee-shirts, (2) do have some sort of functional relationship with music and rhythm, and (3) will actually enjoy playing with a dark, minimally designed, overly-complicated series of dots to build drum sequences. Although it's pretty feature-limited for an app that's supposed to debut at US$3.99, the developers promise to keep enhancing the app going forward. They are looking to add in-app purchases for drum sound packs, a left-handed use mode, sequence saving and loading (apparently you can make sounds now, but you cannot save them), and recording to audio files. Let me end by consulting my dictionary of "Hip Phrases for Young People(TM) " and adding, "Er,...rock on, good chaps, rock on."
Tony Hawk coming to iPhone soon
A leak on Tony Hawk's official Twitter account has revealed this picture, which appears to be Tony Hawk's Pro Skater game being played right there on the iPhone. The tweet that linked to this picture seems to be gone, but it promised that "This is real & dropping soon." If we believe this message, it looks like we may be seeing the seminial skating series on the iPhone in the near future. My Tony Hawk knowledge is far from complete, but that level certainly does look like the hangar level from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, which was my personal favorite way back on the Playstation 1 (I also played it quite a bit on the PC back in the day). Of course, just because the aforementioned level is in there, that doesn't mean that it's the full Pro Skater 2 (the iPhone version could be a mixup of levels from the previous skating games). However, given the font, and the d-pad and button layout, it does seem that we'll be seeing some old school TH action (as opposed to the recent Tony Hawk Ride debacle). We'll keep an eye on the store and let you know if and when we see something.
DS Daily: D-pad vs. stylus controls
Sometimes, a game offers us multiple control schemes. Either we can utilize the DS's unique touch-screen interface, or we can navigate the tried-and-true seas of the d-pad and the handheld's face buttons. While each game is different and we can't really generalize on which is a better control scheme overall, we do have our preferences, just as you must. So, do you find yourself loving the idea of stylus controls, but often revert to d-pad-based solutions when confronted with the option? Or, do you think the precision of the touch-screen puts a skip in your step? Which do you prefer most of the time?
Tender hugs from a customized case
Inspired by Red Maloo's laptop sleeves, Alfine set out to create her own folding case for her Onyx DS Lite. The padded pouch's flaps lovingly embrace the portable, locking together with velcro and protecting its contents from the random items she keeps in her bag. Taking the DS out is as easy as pulling back the case's arms. Its plus-sign shape also gets bonus points for resembling a plump D-pad.We seem to find new ways to house our favorite handheld almost everyday; it's really amazing how creative people have been with their designs. What crazy idea will the craftsters out there come up with next? You can check out more photos of Alfine's case past the post break.
Ten reasons to stick with your Phat
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Ten_reasons_to_stick_with_a_Phat_instead_of_upgrading_to_a_DS_Lite'; Are you still waffling over whether or not you should hug your big ol' original DS goodbye and pick up a DS Lite? We know some of you are still clinging to the old ways, but never fear -- we're here to help! This week, we're going to look at ten reasons to make the switch ... and ten reasons to stick with what you've got. Oh, we never said we'd make the decision easy.Of course, the minute we convince you, Nintendo's apt to completely redesign the hardware all over again! But don't worry -- you'll be armed with a list of reasons to wait on anything new ... at least, until we decide to start convincing you to upgrade again. It's the circle of Nintenfandom; you know you're used to it by now.
