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A better, yet more cumbersome iOS 7 gamepad: hands-on with the MOGA Ace Power
Two sticks, four face buttons, a pair of shoulder paddles and a d-pad: the formula for a modern gamepad and the layout of MOGA's Ace Power controller. It's a pretty standard assortment of inputs, but this controller happens to be the first fully featured peripheral to support Apple's new iOS 7 gamepad protocols. Naturally, we couldn't wait to put the pad through its paces. The MOGA Ace may have the normal assortment of buttons and triggers, but it has one trick most gamepads can't emulate: it telescopes. Taken out of the box, the Ace is hardly longer than an iPhone 5s, but pulling on either end stretches the peripheral to fit your iDevice. The Gamepad's left side retains enough tension to hold a device in place on its own, but our iPod had trouble identifying the controller unless we made a point of pushing the controller's edges inward to secure the connection. Once we had a compatible iOS 7 device locked in place, however, the Ace worked like a dream.
Moga Pro controller makes Android games better
We got our hands on one of PowerA's new Moga Pro Android controllers, and so we decided to put together a little video detailing how it works. The Moga Pro is a full-sized console styled controller, complete with a cradle to attach Android phones (and a separate stand for tablets).Overall, the experience of using the Moga Pro is a good one, providing much greater control compared to Android's usual touch screen controls. First-person shooters in particular are dramatically better, and the benefits for a reflex-intensive game like Pac-Man are obvious. We did notice a small amount of input lag while playing R-Type, but this seems to be a software issue, as other games like Dead Trigger played just fine.There's also a strange bug in R-Type that can force users to exit other games and go back into R-Type. We contacted PowerA, and the bug seems to be confined specifically to R-Type. PowerA is reaching out to its developers to get it fixed.The Moga Pro is available now for $50. Watch the video above for a full rundown.Update: PowerA contacted Joystiq to let us know that R-Type has been updated, and the bug mentioned in the video should now be fixed.
PowerA's Moga Pro, a full-size controller for Android phones
Adding further evidence to the theory that 2013 is the year of Android gaming devices, PowerA has revealed a new version of the Moga Android controller. Named the Moga Pro, the device is a full-size Bluetooth controller styled in the same fashion as an Xbox 360 pad. The unit features two analog sticks, a D-pad, four face buttons, two shoulder buttons and two triggers.Just like its smaller predecessor, the Moga Pro features an integrated folding grip that secures Android phones (up to 3.2 inches wide) directly to the controller. The controller also comes with a stand for larger phones and tablets. The Moga Pivot App, meanwhile, helps players find and download compatible Android games from Google Play.The Moga Pro will launch this spring, and our friends at Engadget should go hands-on with device this week at CES.%Gallery-174963%
PowerA's phone controller is almost as cool as its iPhone Star Wars cases
PowerA predicts it will earn $50 million in retail revenue from its line of Skylanders accessories alone this year. Up next it's built some Medal of Honor: Warfighter controllers and will unveil its "MOGA" mobile gaming controller, the latter of which you can check out in the gallery below, along with an Arkham City batarang controller and other goodies.Oh, and it has a lineup of pretty awesome iPhone 4 Star Wars cases to match the Star Wars notification sounds you already have enabled on your mobile phone. Nerd.%Gallery-157431%
Video: A quick fling with the Batarang controller
We received a hands-on tour with the latest products from Power A today. You'll hear about those soon enough, but there is one peripheral that will not wait. Lurking in the shadows, its LED lights illuminating the night, was the official Batman: Arkham City batarang controller. Power A's John Moore was sure to let me know that these were not the final models, adding that the LEDs will be much brighter and more uniform in the final build. That said, even these hand-tooled builds have some pretty neat features. Check it out after the break.
Batarang controllers to be thrown at E3, come back in October
If multiple batmobiles, a bat-usb stick, and a bat-puter aren't enough to convince you Bruce Wayne is a vain egomaniac, maybe these Batman: Arkham City batarang controllers will give you pause. In traditional bat-gadget fashion, these Xbox 360 and Ps3 controllers boast a cheesy bat-aesthetic (such as bat-start and select / back buttons), dual rumble motors, comfort-soft grips, and seven switchable splashes of LED color. Although physically the two controllers are pretty similar, Ol' Bats seems to favor the PlayStation 3, giving its controller not only the popular Xbox 360 button / analog layout, but an internal battery, detachable charging cable, and batman-themed USB RF receiver, to boot. The Xbox variant? A dated, wired affair -- but hey, at least it's got that Xbox guide button, right? The controllers will be on display next week at E3, courtesy of Power-A, and will hit store shelves when Batman: Arkham City ships in October, leaving you little excuse not to be geared up and ready when the bat-phone rings. Hit the break for the official press release... or, you know, have Robin do it for you.
PDP and Power A reveal first batch of 3DS accessories
You've already made the biggest decisions regarding your upcoming acquisition of the Nintendo 3DS: What color should you buy? What launch titles are worth your time and money? Shouldn't you wait for that Zelda jam? However, we'd wager that one of your most important decisions remains unmade: Which accoutrements should your purchase to compliment your new, handheld friend? (That's French for "video game accessories," we believe.) Power A and PDP have each revealed their Nintendo-licensed suites of cases, chargers and cleaning kits -- all of which are available to order from their respective sites. We're confident that between the two of them, all your needs are accounted for. Need a standalone car charger? No probs. A businesslike, faux leather case? Oh, here it is. How about a Rainbow Telescoping Stylus Pack? We don't even know what that is, but we want one.
Walmart wants your 3DS pre-order so bad it's throwing in this bonus case
Little known fact: 3-Dee is powered by microscopic hamsters on equally microscopic wheels. Not only does the technology's dependency on living organisms jack up the price, it also means that the 3DS will require a constant supply of oxygen. It's a good thing, then, that Walmart's 3DS pre-order freebie, a Power A-designed case (pictured), has plenty of breathing holes. Just remember to take the device out of its cage every once in awhile -- it needs direct sunlight too! You can see more images of the bonus Power A "Flex Case" (a $10 value, you could brag) in Walmart's product gallery. Actually, no -- wait. These are ... GoldenEye screenshots?
Walmart loses its mind, offers third-party Wii Remote and game for $35
Walmart's apparently spread its retail dominance over so much of the country that it no longer has a need for your usual economic motivators like ... um, profit. The store is offering shoppers a $35 bundle which includes either a Nyko-brand Wii Remote or a Power A Wii Pro Pack (which we demoed earlier this year), and their choice of one out of a list of pre-selected games. At that price, you'd expect the bundled games to be shovelware, but the inclusion of Epic Mickey, New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Super Mario Galaxy 2 might convince you otherwise. We don't know how long this deal will be available, but considering you can purchase a Wii Remote, Nunchuk and a game for less than the standard retail price of a Wii game by its lonesome, we're going to wager that it won't be available for very long at all.
Power A constructs the Lego Play and Build Wii Remote
We've seen Wii Remotes of all shapes, sizes and colors, but peripheral manufacturer Power A has managed to break the mold once again by offering a controller made entirely of pure imagination. And also plastic and machinery and stuff -- but mostly pure imagination. The Lego Play and Build Wii Remote allows its handler to affix 31 included bricks to its surface, completely customizing its hull, though we imagine users could also attach thousands of Lego to the controller, turning it into a monstrous, unwieldy Wii Monolith. The controller, which is now shipping to Toys R' Us at a $39.99 price point, is compatible with Wii MotionPlus, as well as most other first- and third-party accoutrements. It is not, however, compatible with K'Nex, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, Erector Sets or Duplo bricks.
Peripheral Vision: Wii Pro Pack Mini and PS3 Pro Elite Wireless
Peripheral Vision is the name of our ongoing sporadic journey into the wonderful, oft-terrifying world of third-party peripherals. Today we've got two new, surprisingly great controllers from Power A, the Pro Elite Wireless for PS3 and the Pro Pack Mini for Wii. Enjoy.
Hands-on with three new Power A peripherals
Peripheral manufacturer Power A had a major presence at E3 this year, residing in a massive booth taking up a fair amount of real estate on the main show floor. The company's product showcase was highlighted by three controllers which are due out later this fall for the PS3 and Wii. If you're a visual learner, you can check out a few images of each of these controllers in the gallery posted below. Otherwise, click past the jump to read our thoughts on these devices. %Gallery-96150%
