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Taito is making its own iPad arcade cabinet

by Chris Rawson Sep 14th 2011 at 9:00PM

First ThinkGeek's iCade went from joke concept to real product, then Atari introduced its own iPad gaming controller. Now Taito, maker of legendary video game Space Invaders, is joining the fray with the InvaderCade. GameSetWatch reports the cabinet has only a single button and a ball-top joystick for controls, but the InvaderCade also serves as a charging dock with stereo speakers and a headphone jack.

The InvaderCade is coming to Japan on October 11 -- no word on a US release as of yet -- and its launch price in Japan will be around US$205. It'll be interesting to see if the InvaderCade actually catches on at that price and with single-game branding on the cabinet itself. The iCade costs less than half as much as the InvaderCade, while Atari's joystick accessory is cheaper still at $60. Both products feature more buttons and less specific branding than the InvaderCade, so Taito may have trouble justifying the product's higher price.



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First ThinkGeek's iCade went from joke concept to real product, then Atari introduced its own iPad gaming controller. Now Taito, maker...
 

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9 Comments

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pdoherty972

One button? What are they thinking?? How about just package and sell Space Invaders for the existing iCade?

October 21 2011 at 5:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Evlilik Sitesi

http://www.bestagrup.com/ iyi bence cok güzel

September 15 2011 at 9:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John Zabba McLean

why didnt you mention the tech behind it??? :/ is it bluetooth? 32 pin??? what a full article :/

September 15 2011 at 5:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to John Zabba McLean's comment
John Zabba McLean

wait you did.. nvm

September 15 2011 at 5:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MichaelQ

I'd much rather have Space Invaders on my cabinet than the generic iCade or the like.

It's fricken Space Invaders FFS!!!

The Button thing would be my main issue - much like their original cabinets I'd expect extra buttons to be added if it ever gets a wider release after Japan.

September 14 2011 at 11:47 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
waitWHAT

This being able to charge my iPad, coupled with built-in speakers, is definitely a high plus and lacking those is the single reason I won't consider the iCade. I just can't justify taking up desk space for something like this unless it can pull double duty as a charger.

On the flip side, I agree with the negatives already pointed out… the branding is too specific to one game and there's only one button. Now if this was the iCade selling at this price point with the charger and speakers, it'd definitely be on my X-Mas wish list.

September 14 2011 at 11:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MichaelQ

Less buttons, single branding and a higher price.

Who does Taito think it is? Apple?

September 14 2011 at 11:17 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to MichaelQ's comment
puhsitch

*rimshot*

September 15 2011 at 6:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
loopyduck

However, unlike the iCade and the Atari Arcade -- both of them connecting via Bluetooth -- this one is actually capable of actually charging your iPad. It also doesn't muffle the sound, since it has its own speakers. And TUAW's own review of the iCade(which only works with one game)states that "There are too many [buttons]."

Frankly, I wouldn't spend money on any of these.

September 14 2011 at 10:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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