Atari Arcade is the $60 answer to iCade (review)

Hardware

The unit itself looks such as a racing-striped Shelby Cobra, but there’s only 1 thing we need to get out of way: it feels plasticy. Plasticy within the way a Samsung Galaxy S II feels solid, although faraway from finely machined like a Nokia N8 . It is not awful in any respect, however it really does give off a toy-like vibe. At the underside we’re greeted by four large rubber feet that kept it in place whether we used it on wood, plastic countertops or maybe glass. On top, there’s an eight-way clicky joystick, four buttons and a rubber-lined recess with a tilting 30-pin connector and lock tabs to make sure it’ll seat either flavor of Apple’s slate. Getting our iPad 2 hooked into the Arcade a with a comfy fit wasn’t terribly hard, nevertheless it did take a bit finesse — and some grunts of frustration — to get it docked properly. Notably, we found that thin cases like Speck’s Smartshell wouldn’t play nice with the device, so you will need to keep your tablet bare. On more positive notes, the Arcade was easy to take advantage of while laying down with it on our stomach or resting in our lap while sitting. The fixed angle for the screen also worked amiably in most situations.

Game-on

With our iPad able to go, we fired up the familiar Atari app and commenced our sessions. For each game we simply selected the Arcade as our input method and we were pwning AI noobs (we want to keep in mind as such, anyway) adore it was the 80′s. Putting it simply, the controls in this gizmo feel miles better the iCade. The joystick is springy with a lovely amount of resistance and the buttons, although a section hollow, have a pleasing click with every press. We felt confident pushing its buttons, as all of our inputs always registered — even if levels got hectic. The four-button layout could appear paltry up others, however works out great considering most games within the app only use two or three buttons. Like usual, games only take in a part of the screen with some blank space were the controls could be. Within the Arcade’s case, it really works out because visuals stay in-aspect without getting blocked by the joystick or our hands — this also allows the control layout to be recalled in order for you a reminder. All that said, we do have a number of notable gripes with the design.

For one, the dock doesn’t permit you to use the iPad in landscape, and secondly, the buttons lack the standard arcade feel and concave shape. The foremost annoying quirk, though? The Arcade surprisingly only works when you are in-game and cannot be utilized for the in-app menus. We should always further note — as was the case when the iCade hit shelves — you’re limited to a grand total of 100 games. Missile Command remains free and past that you will pay a buck for one among 25 game packs, or $15 for the total library. The issue is that lots of the titles are merely souped up versions (e.g., Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe), so that you don’t grow to be with 100 drastically different experiences. Considering you will not be using the Arcade outside of the app it’s something to remember.

Wrap-up

3

When it comes all the way down to it — and if we needed to make a choice from this and the iCade — we’d say the Atari Arcade takes the high score if you are in it for the control and never the appearance. Sure, it’s going to not be as pleasing to the attention or have Bluetooth support, however the Atari Arcade didn’t have to eat batteries and served us well as a retro gaming pad. As awesome because the Arcade is, though, $60 is lots to spend for the limited use you can be afforded, and we would really only recommend it for die-hard Atari fans — folks that won’t find the 6 nostalgia 6 wearing off before their fingers are sore.