If it looks like a DS and plays like a DS
by Candace Savino 
{ Jun 9th 2008 at 3:30PM }
Wrong.
We've been buzzing about the App Store lately, which will allow iPhone and iPod Touch users to download games onto their devices. A few titles and prices have been announced today at Apple's WWDC '08, including Super Monkey Ball, Enigmo, and Cro-Mag Rally, each of which will cost $9.99.
All this talk about gaming on the iPod caused us to run across the iControlPad, which is an add-on for the iPhone that provides button and D-pad support. It makes the mobile look a little familiar, doesn't it -- perhaps like another handheld we know? Or maybe it even resembles a DS/PSP hybrid.
The iControlPad is still in production (aiming for a July release), but development kits are being given to developers interested in adding support for the peripheral to their games. With the iControlPad, not only will the iPhone utilize touchscreen play like the DS, but users could also play games with buttons ... like, uh, the DS.
Don't get us wrong -- we still don't think Apple can compete with the dominance of Nintendo's handheld. Yet, it does look like Steve Jobs and co. are really, really trying to get of piece of the handheld gaming pie, doesn't it? With the recently announced $200 3G iPhone, Apple is headed in the right direction. Now, if it wasn't for that silly AT&T tie-in plan, they might have a major threat on their hands.
[Via Gaming Angels]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Safiel @ Jun 9th 2008 3:42PM
I'd like to see a size comparison on that thing next to the ds and psp. It looks kinda big, but it's hard to tell from just the picture and without having a iPhone/ds with me to compare the two.
The phone plan is a pain, I've got a unactivated iPhone sitting at home that I got as a gift. I just can't bring myself to pay so much for a phone service (when I basically never user my current phone on a $15 a month family plan). I wish they'd come out and let you activate it with just the internet service ($20 a month).
GrizzlyAdams @ Jun 9th 2008 4:46PM
Unlock it, get a cheap goPhone, swap the sim card in, pickup the $20/mo unlimited data for goPhone
I believe there was a post on TUAW about it not long ago.
I plan to do the same once the 3G is unlocked and replace my horrible cable service with it. $75/mo to the cable co for 512kb - 7mbit with 300ms ping vs $20/mo for the same or better service from AT&T, hrm, tough choice.
Parker @ Jun 9th 2008 5:39PM
Here's a size comparison:
http://www.sizeasy.com/page/size_comparison/13867-Nintendo-DS-Lite-vs-iPhone-3G
Safiel @ Jun 9th 2008 5:58PM
@Parker Thanks for the link, but that wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a size compare of the iphone with all the button attachments, sorry for not making that clear.
@GrizzlyAdams Yeah, I've just been too busy lately to mess with it. I've got a launch psp (in addition to my slim) set up to do some homebrew stuff and play old roms, but I don't think I've picked that one up in the last 6 months. It's always a shame when companies have to make stuff hard. I'd totally sign up for a $20 data plan from at&t, but they don't offer it, instead they're not getting a dime from me.
RupeeClock @ Jun 9th 2008 3:48PM
Well SHIT, now that you can have buttons, maybe it'll be worthwhile!
Aparoid @ Jun 9th 2008 3:54PM
I still stand by the fact that it can't dominate the handheld market, let alone give it competition. Sure, mobile phone games are very common as a quick fix for boredom (Tetris, Bejeweled), but I can't see any solid titles coming out on such a foreign platform.
The N-Gage tried this approach (granted it was a cruddy phone in itself), and didn't do too well. Since the DS and PSP both have solid franchises to back themselves up, I just don't see the iPhone as much of a threat to the handheld market.
Mathieu Bonin @ Jun 9th 2008 4:20PM
I think this whole post is largely uninformed.
Firstly, the iControlPad is a 100% unofficial addon which requires a Jailbroken iPhone/iPod Touch (which means it's actually bypassing rules set by Apple). And stop saying it pretends to be a DS, it's cleary a PSP-style control scheme, and is currently mostly for use with emulators.
Secondly, the iPhone/iPod Touch games have been announced when they released the SDK, which was 3 months ago where they first showcased Super Monkey Ball, Touch Fighter and that crappy little version of Spore.
...But if you're still debating the iPhone/iPod Touch as a gaming platform... it's not going to kill any dedicated console. No REAL buttons to work with (as i said, iControlPad is unofficial and won't be supported by commercial release games, due to Apple restrictions of using the Serial connector) and no products on shelves - which kills the whole holiday buzz.
Jacksons @ Jun 9th 2008 4:21PM
It's nifty, but I'll stick with my DS and PSP for gaming. There's way too many excellent Nintendo and Sony franchises that I like.
Abscissa @ Jun 9th 2008 6:12PM
That DPad looks like a piece of crap. And the other buttons look too close together (and too rounded).
yost @ Jun 9th 2008 6:21PM
ngage 3.0 ... I think it's time for apple to fail in a big way....they are way too upity ... ... I hate those commericals where they make fun of pcs... then make sure to mention how much of your MS software they can use...
Safiel @ Jun 9th 2008 6:37PM
People who think their macs are perfect are just being naive. I've come to the conclusion after developing on both of them. They both suck, just in different ways... That's really a bit harsh; they both have their good and bad points.
mac - crash different :)
mint08 @ Jun 9th 2008 7:25PM
As a biased DS fanboy, all I can say is, "boo.."
HellsHammer @ Jun 9th 2008 9:39PM
I'm confused.
Nintendo has Mario, Metroid and Zelda
Sony has God of War, GTA and Metal Gear Solid
M$ has Halo, Fable and Ninja Gaiden
It's hard for me to believe that Apple can compete with any of these franchises. Each of these companies have spent millions securing and maintaining the rights to each game series, because the GAMES are what sell a console.
...I've seen the previews for iPhone games, and I'm not paying $300 + a monthly charge for the next gen of Ngage.
Eleniel @ Jun 9th 2008 11:30PM
I think it'd be cool to have a couple unique games on my iPod touch. "Indie"ish games that utilize the special features of the iPod touch/iPhone? Yes, please. Rereleases of old games, or crappier versions of games that are already on consoles or handhelds? No thanks, I'll stick with my first love: my DS Lite.
mike @ Jun 9th 2008 11:48PM
"With the recently announced $200 3G iPhone, Apple is headed in the right direction. Now, if it wasn't for that silly AT&T tie-in plan, they might have a major threat on their hands."
Have you heard of the iPod touch. What year is this? Are you seriously forgetting that the touch will play/run all of that software and get the same 2.0 software update in July (*sigh, for like $20)?
Buy a touch on July 12 then..
SephFinale @ Jun 10th 2008 1:57AM
Port some SNES games to DS and either do direct port or a full 3D remake...and all other portable gaming devices will be blown out of the water.
gRiMz @ Jun 10th 2008 2:49AM
there are still allot of western game developers from the PC world who have yet to make a hit on the hand held market. And since Microsoft hasn't made its move the iphone "could"
very well be the best shot at doing what xbox did for home consoles for portable gaming devices.
Unforunately Macs' has not the number of friends the Microsoft PC world has in regards to gaming even on its own computers. Yes there are some great games on Mac, but not nearly as many as PC due to market shares. So I really can't see any powerhouses backing the iphone when we hardly even see them on the DS or the PSP.
So it "could" be, but it wont...Steve Jobs will have to make a whole lot of friends first but Mac is still very closed to 3rd parties if not heavy with restrictions, its how they built themselves as a company to begin with.
anthony @ Jun 10th 2008 3:16AM
The batary life will be a huge problem for iPhone/DS-wannabe. My iPhone is less than 1 year old. The battery performance is such a shame. A couple minutes of web surfing will drain the battery like crazy. I can't even image how you could play any decent games on it.