Nyko presenta PlayPad e PlayPad Pro, due controller ottimizzati per dispositivi Tegra

Con il continuo arrivo di nuovi giochi su Android, molti dei quali assomigliano come impostazione a quelli classici per PC/console più che a dei titoli ottimizzati per touchscreen, l'uso di un gamepad diviene sempre più obbligatorio. Ecco quindi affacciarsi sulla scena PlayPad e PlayPad Pro, due controller prodotti da Nyko, dal costo di circa 40$.

PlayPad è disponibile in bianco o nero, nella confezione sono compresi una custodia e uno stand pieghevole per sorreggere il vostro telefono o tablet durante le (lunghe) sessioni di gioco, mentre la versione Pro è disponibile solo nera ed è un'esclusiva di GameStop.

La connessione avviene come da tradizione via Bluetooth, ma è richiesto un dispositivo Android 3.0 o superiore per funzionare e in particolare i contoller sono ottimizzati per processori Tegra, come quello del Nexus 7, sempre più punto nevralgico per chi sviluppa giochi per Android.

Tramite un'app chiamata Playground (niente a che vedere con gli slogan di Google) sarà possibile utilizzare il pad anche con titoli che non lo supportino nativamente; inoltre i controller sono compatibili anche con PC e Mac. Vi lasciamo con il comunicato stampa ed una piccola video anteprima dei PlayPad.

LOS ANGELES & GRAPEVINE, Texas – November 06,2012:

GameStop Joins Nyko to Deliver the Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controllers, Compatible with 100s of Android games

Nyko PlayPad™ Controllers for Android™ Tablets and Smartphones Have Shipped to Retailers Nationwide

GameStop (NYSE: GME), the leading retailer for all things gaming, and Nyko Technologies®, the number one gaming peripherals manufacturer in the US, today announced a joint alliance to launch the ultimate in Android tablet and smart phone gaming controllers this Holiday in GameStop locations through the United States and Canada. Nyko will be the exclusive provider for 3rd party Android controllers at GameStop and EB Games Canada this fall. GameStop and EB Games Canada is a launch partner for both the PlayPad and PlayPad Pro Android controllers for mobile devices. The PlayPad, and the GameStop exclusive - PlayPad Pro, are available today for a MSRP of $39.99 at locations throughout North America.

Blurring the line between mobile and console video gaming, the portable PlayPad controllers are being developed to support games optimized for NVIDIA Tegra mobile processors.

Players will have a choice between the PlayPad Pro in black, offering the size and ergonomics of a full console controller, and the PlayPad in black or white, a smaller controller with its own portable carrying case that contains a fold-out viewing stand for your phone or tablet. The PlayPad controllers provide physical and familiar control options to facilitate a console-like experience while playing Android games.

"As we've watched mobile games evolve to console-quality levels, we've seen a need for more comfortable and familiar control options than touch screens alone can provide," said Chris Arbogast, Director of Marketing for Nyko Technologies. "By working with the veterans at NVIDIA, we have been able to lead the charge in creating dedicated hardware that's optimized for games running on the Tegra chipset. We look forward to bringing the PlayPad controllers to market with GameStop as our launch partner in this initiative."

In addition, Playground, a free Android app developed by Nyko, is available today on the Google Play Store HERE and like Nyko's tablet controllers, the app will not require rooting of the device.

Playground provides backwards compatibility for its controllers with legacy tablet titles, including those that currently utilize keyboard mapping, touch controls and mouse support. Playground is an easy and intuitive way of customizing your game controller, creating game specific profiles and access to a library of ready-to-use popular game profiles.

More information about the PlayPad controllers and Playground can be found at www.NykoPlayground.com. At NykoPlayground.com users will be able to view tutorial videos on how to use, sync, and customize the controls on the PlayPad all through Playground. In addition, a searchable database of compatible games is being constantly updated allowing users to find the recommended PlayPad mode for full enjoyment of their favorite Android games.