Mobile gaming is a huge industry, with people spending billions every year on mobile, touch-screen games and their myriad micro-transactions ever year. Pity touch-screen controls for the most part suck. It makes sense for platform holders to really support gaming though; Apple’s recently included support for gamepads in it’s mobile operating system, and now, Samsung’s done the same.
Meet the terribly uncreatively named Samsung Gamepad. It’ll hook up to your existing Android devices by way of Bluetooth, though newer devices can connect via the magic of NFC. It reminds me a little of the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive controller, with a dash of analogue controller thrown in.
It does, naturally, require an app, called the Mobile Console that allows you to browse through a catalogue of supported games, download them and start playing. Yes, games need to be made to support the device – but that’s ok, because a bunch of titles will have Gamepad support, including Need for Speed™ Most Wanted, Asphalt8 : Airborne,Modern Combat 4 : Zero Hour and more.
In addition to that, you’ll be able to use the thing to control your device if it’s hooked up to a TV via HDMI, turning it into a mini console. the very sort that prognosticators believe will take over the role of the traditional gaming console in the future.
For now though, I still think it’s a bit silly. I like simple phone games for the fact that they’re with me wherever I go, and are great, simple time-wasters. If you’re playing more complex games, and you’re intent on lugging this thing around, why not just get a decent handheld like a 3DS, Vita or hell, an Nvidia Shield?
No word on price or release date just yet.
[Thanks to Llewellyn Crossley for the tip]Last Updated: December 17, 2013
Umar Bravely Default
December 17, 2013 at 13:34
Sega…is that you?
Hammersteyn
December 17, 2013 at 13:35
Hahahaha
TiMsTeR1033
December 17, 2013 at 13:39
ITS ME UMAR!! I HAVE A NEW NAME NOW ITS S S S S E G oh wait thats not right its SAMSUNG!
Hammersteyn
December 17, 2013 at 13:39
Game pads and Oculus Rift for mobiles devices. With micro transactions embedded deeply into this platform EA must be rubbing their hands together in delight.
TiMsTeR1033
December 17, 2013 at 13:41
Doesn’t look very comfortable does it?
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 17, 2013 at 13:42
Yeah, my hands ache just from looking at it.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
December 17, 2013 at 13:42
I actually wouldn’t mind Samsung coming in as a third hardware maker alongside Sony and Nintendo. Microsoft on the other hand, needs to go. They’ve done far too much damage.
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 17, 2013 at 13:55
They just need to still manufacture the Xbox controllers please.
FoxOneZA
December 17, 2013 at 13:51
Looks better than the DualShock digit re-aligner.
And there’s a select button
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 17, 2013 at 13:52
Make this thing compatible with pc’s and they’ll make a lot more money out of it.
Not that I would necessarily buy it
FoxOneZA
December 17, 2013 at 14:00
It has bluetooth so by all means, PC’s can make it compatible with PC’s 😛
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 17, 2013 at 14:01
True. Now that we have that sorted I can go ahead and order myself a Steam Controller.
FoxOneZA
December 17, 2013 at 14:04
Buttons are for peasants!!!
TiMsTeR1033
December 17, 2013 at 13:53
what if Sega and Nintendo had a baby and call it the Segtindo DriveCube! What you guys think?
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 17, 2013 at 13:54
I’d prefer Nintega
TiMsTeR1033
December 17, 2013 at 13:54
that is quite catchy actually! like a ninja! The Nintega DriveCube!
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 17, 2013 at 13:55
Haha. Awesome
TiMsTeR1033
December 17, 2013 at 13:56
MAKE IT HAPPEN PEOPLE!
Macethy
December 17, 2013 at 13:56
WTF? Why not just buy a console then? a Samsung S4 already cost R7k.
Sir Rants remembers Madiba
December 17, 2013 at 13:59
Pleasure 🙂
Actually now that I really think about it, it must be absolutely tiny! Think about it. it’s shorter than an S3 / S4 so it would be seriously uncomfortable wouldn’t it?
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 17, 2013 at 14:03
Wow. You’re right. That thing will disappear in my man-hands.
Lego Witcher of the Squirrels
December 17, 2013 at 14:07
Trevor wouldn’t have a problem from what I hear from Rince
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 17, 2013 at 14:10
About his grip too I would assume.
Emma Lewis
December 17, 2013 at 14:24
How about the Xbox1? bit.ly/Xbox-News
RinceGivesRspectsToMadiba
December 17, 2013 at 14:50
Let me get this straight. You use the controller to play your phone? http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg4hyuYiix1qayg8n.gif
JJ's horrible secret (John)
December 17, 2013 at 14:52
You play your phone? You sly dog you.