Kanex today announced availability of its GoPlay Sidekick wireless game controller for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. The pocket-sized controller, introduced at CES 2017, can be purchased from Kanex's website starting today for $59.95. A company spokesperson told MacRumors it will also be available on Amazon next week.
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The console-inspired game controller features pressure-sensitive buttons, dual analog joysticks, trigger buttons, a directional pad, and a Lightning connector, while one of its more interesting features is its patent pending protective clamshell case with an integrated stand that props up an iPhone during gameplay.
The controller, certified under Apple's MFi Program, connects to Apple devices over Bluetooth 4.0 and offers up to 20 hours of gameplay on a single charge. It works with almost any controller-supported game on the App Store.
Competing products sold by Apple include the SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Gaming Controller and HORIPAD ULTIMATE Wireless Game Controller, each $49.95 in the United States. Prices vary in other countries.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)Has anyone used a mini controller such as this one? It looks like an ergonomic nightmare? Never used one so I don't know if that's actually the case.
I used the SteelSeries one which looks almost identical and I liked it. My hands are medium-large sized (I wear large gloves) and it was pretty comfortable.Then again the Gameboy micro is my favorite console to hold, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
I feel like the proper way to make game hardware that people actually buy is to bundle it with a killer game.
I bought the SS Nimbus controller for the ATV4. The controller itself is very nice, perfect size, and well made.Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, and Zelda: OOT sold the Nintendo 64.
Super Smash Bros. Melee sold the GameCube.
Wii Sports sold the Wii/Wii Motes.
Wii Fit sold the Wii Balance Board.
Zelda: Skyward Sword sold the Wii Remote Motion Plus.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild sold the Switch.
Nothing sold the Wii U, thus its total failure.
Nothing is selling this, thus it will fail, just like every third party iOS controller before it, and the Wii U, and every other piece of failed game hardware.
The biggest problem is that there is not any decent games to play on tvOS.
I had high hopes for the ATV4 prior to launch. Between loving my older ATVs and all the rumors of console quality games kept me glued to all the rumor sites to get more information. I was pretty let down watching the ATV4's CrossyRoads demo at the Apple Event. I am not saying Crossyroads is not fun, but visually, it was a pretty big let down.
Then right before launch, there was rumors about the Siri Remote requirement for all tvOS apps, which I think killed any motivation for developers to bring console quality games to the ATV4. That and the low maximum app size amount.
Between the gaming situation, and the UI of Netflix and Hulu, I find myself using my ATV3 more and more. If I could get the Siri feature on my ATV3, I would probably never use my ATV4.
Maybe the ATV5 will be everything that the ATV4 wasn't.
I feel like the proper way to make game hardware that people actually buy is to bundle it with a killer game.
I bought a Wii U for Mario Kart 8!Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, and Zelda: OOT sold the Nintendo 64.
Super Smash Bros. Melee sold the GameCube.
Wii Sports sold the Wii/Wii Motes.
Wii Fit sold the Wii Balance Board.
Zelda: Skyward Sword sold the Wii Remote Motion Plus.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild sold the Switch.
Nothing sold the Wii U, thus its total failure.
Nothing is selling this, thus it will fail, just like every third party iOS controller before it, and the Wii U, and every other piece of failed game hardware.
I feel like the proper way to make game hardware that people actually buy is to bundle it with a killer game.
I totally agree with you. I bought a controller for my Apple TV, but there really isn't a killer game for it. There are a few that look promising, but nothing like a high quality Nintendo, Playstation, or XBox game, so my controller sits in a drawer doing nothing.Has anyone used a mini controller such as this one?
Yeah. I used a PS3 controller for a few years and it was the worst. Claw hands for ages. I'd say Xbox one is about the right size.