I got an iCade yesterday and after opening it I wanted to test the controls so I played a bit using only the control panel (no cabinet). I'm considering not even building the cabinet and just using the control panel as-is since I have a stand I use that can prop the iPad in either orientation. It definitely makes it more portable and would be perfect if I ever get an Apple TV to mirror iPad 2 games to. The only thing that bothers me a little is how the top of the control panel slants away from you if you have the control panel in your lap, but it's not bad at all. Anyone else using only the control panel? I'm curious if anyone modified their control panel to be a little more ergonomic.
The iCade cabinet allows you to position the iPad either portrait or landscape, FYI. Probably you already knew that, but figured I'd mention it just to be sure. There's a ridge where you prop the iPad for landscape. It's annoying to have to switch it, but it's doable.
Thanks crunc. I wasn't impressed with how the iCade looks when using the iPad in landscape and so far have enjoyed just using my iPad stand. Using the iCade control panel by itself reminds me of the NES Advantage joystick many years ago - so much fun. I still have more iCade games to try but Forget-Me-Not, Super Crossfire HD, Mos Speedrun, Stardash and (of course) iMAME have been great so far. I wasn't as impressed with Arcade Jumper - just didn't feel right to me...maybe it's the physics/jumping implementation.
Cant find it on the front page so i thought i would mention it, the ipod game Interstellar Force works with the iCade, doesnt look too bad zoomed up on an ipad and plays well.
I hear you. It doesn't bug me - the look - but I could do without ever needing to switch to landscape, so hopefully all iCade games will do the right thing and add portrait mode. One advantage to using the whole cabinet, though, is that it gives weight that makes the thing feel really solid. I'm not sure I'd want to use it without that, though I suppose you could weight it down with something.
Guy plays an Atari 2600 like a guitar http://www.joeky.com/Break/1799/dude-rocks-out-with-gatari-atari-2600-guitar.html Just had to share this. Sometimes this kinda stuff can be pretty lame and while I would want to listen to it all night this is pretty cool!
Funny thing is when I got my icade a few months ago, I was thinking of using just the control panel but never tried it. Now after reading this from you, I tried it and I love it. I can sit back relax on my couch with my feet up and watch/listen to my tv while playing with the just the control panel and my ipad stand. Thanks for the suggestion it's awesome (especially with imame).
I hear ya man, and got them both, but I am hopen more of this games in the app store like Galaga 30th, and Ms Pac Man get iCADE Support just like Pac Man did.
Hopefully it'll happen. I was really happy when a big company added iCade controls to Pacman, surely they'll do that to their others.
I find the paid apps are pretty much the same thing as the mame roms with a few minor enhancements; and between either owning various versions of these games or pumping in quarters at the arcade I've paid for most of them several times over. So, I don't have any ethical dilemma about using mame. Now, if Namco or the other companies want to release some NEW games with icade control my wallet's already half open. I'm still waiting for an ipad version of pac-man championship edition with icade control. I have a feeling I'll be waiting a good while longer though.
^Agree with the above Think though its great for iCade in general if more bigger name companies jump on board. I'm sure a lot of us were over the moon when iMame appeared but i know a few friends with non-jailbroken devices who missed out on iMame. Be great if a lot of non-Mame games out there get iCade support I've emailed a fair few devs over time, shame to see some of their responses. Always thought Phoenix HD would be great with iCade support but they didnt seem interested. Yet lots of 'small one man band' type devs seem very happy to add icade support when you contact them
I welcome icade support in all games where it makes sense and before phoenix hd came out I posted in the phoenix thread asking for icade support but after playing the game I think it would be impossible to play with icade. Control of the craft has to be very precise to survive the screen full of bullets, you just wouldn't have the fine control with the icade.
Yeah good point, would be a nice addition though. Its like the Cave shooters on iMame, its not too bad to control despite all those 1000's of bullets. For upright shooters we've got Air Attack HD (Very good) and Warblade, be nice to get some more
Sega have released a heap of Megadrive ROMs wrapped in the same emulator. All they'd have to do is put iCade support into the emulator engine and recompile a dozen or so apps.
Arcades I too spent most of my time and money in the Arcades, in the early 80's, I still remember when the new Arcade Games would come in, the place would be full of kids and adults, man those days were good, Long live iMame.
I was going to buy Flashback and that got pulled for some reason. Another World still doesn't have icade support. Still, I'm pretty impressed with the amount of games that have it now though. At first it was just the Atari app. Hopefully more soon...I get the feeling it was a pretty popular item with gamers this xmas.
I'm exactly the same ! I'm loving that romset as theres soooo many good classics on there. Back in the 80's i had Spectrum conversions of many of these games (Some very good, some poor) but its so good to have the actual arcade versions in your hand. To a kid back in 1985 to be told that i'll have this device where i can play all these arcade games it would be a dream ! The second i start Out Run and hear the music it takes me back to some dodgy arcade in Spain in the 80's when i was on holiday putting all my holiday money into it day in day out ! Plus it works with the iCade ? A dream !! I nearly forked out £400 for a small bartop arcade unit but the icade is just even better with iMame. Be great if there were more emulators released (just for a few days) but i'm happy with iMame. Love it!
The crash in 84 I still remember going to K-Mart and drolling over the Atari, Intellivion and Coleco games locked up behind glass cabnits, average price ranged from $20 - $60 per game than about a month later all that was left were Atari games in the bargin bin going for .99 each, never did find out were the Coleco's and the Intellivions games went.
