60beat GamePad for iOS gives iGamers that good ol’ console feel

It’s no secret that Apple has taken the mobile gaming world by storm with the iOS platform and the multitude of cheap games available on the App Store. However, while touch-based games like Infinity Blade and Angry Birds work perfectly with Apple’s devices, it doesn’t apply for all the games developers have ported over. That’s where 60beat and their GamePad accessory comes into play: it’s basically a console-style gamepad that plugs into an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch via the device’s 3.5mm headphone jack.

The GamePad comes with all the buttons and controls every console gamer the world over should be comfortable with, including two analog sticks, a d-pad, four buttons on the right, and shoulder triggers. It’s also a cinch to use, since it doesn’t need any additional batteries (it’s powered by the iOS device) – at the cost of a shorter battery for the device, of course.

A good idea overall, but it’s probably not such a hot buy right now. 60beat currently lists only two games that support the GamePad (Bugdom 2 and Aftermath), although they do promise to add support for more games in February 2012.

The GamePad costs $49.99 from 60beat’s site.