Archos announces Android-powered GamePad

If this is a hit, it might pose a threat to the Vita.

Posted:8 months ago

Why to Vita? Or to the 3DS? It doesn't have anywhere near the quality or scope of IP available to it and that's why it will struggle.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good step as it will allow different, possibly deeper games to be availble on Android but for now you're not going to be getting Mario Kart, Pokemon, NSMB, Assassins Creed Portable or Monster Hunter. Practially no other Android devices have these sticks or buttons so there will only be the tiniest of trickles of games designed to use them properly.

Posted:8 months ago

But unlike Vita, they might sell these. I'm certainly getting one soonest.

Don't underestimate the power of game pricing, not everything is designed for shallow 5 minute sessions.

Edited 1 times. Last edit by Paul Johnson on 31st August 2012 10:36am

Posted:8 months ago

Wait, what?

They recognise game controller support for Android ICS and above..... then ignore it and whack physical buttons onto a tablet running a button-less OS? When many consider dedicated handheld devices are going the way of the Dodo?

Confused...

Posted:8 months ago

It's a slight step forward and leaps ahead of that PlayMG device.

Archos...is the comapny name just an anagram of the CEO's last name? - Crohas.

Posted:8 months ago

Biggest issue I have with these devices is they basically run the same software my phone runs... so why would I want another device identical to my phone, without it being my phone? At least this one has buttons, unlike the PlayMG one (which completely confuses me).

Picked up a 3DS XL today, and at least its completely different from my Galaxy S3.

If ICS provides gamepad/button mapping support, all I need to do is pick up an external/Bluetooth controller/gamepad (which I have no intention of doing). Not buy another device.

Posted:8 months ago

Archos is known for low price tablets, MP3 player and computer accesory. But instead of just selling for a low price, they also have a good support and warranty conditions. Problem with the company is the lack of design and mostly plastic fabrication they use for their product. Shown on the pic above I'm quite sure it could be a good shell this time.

Posted:8 months ago

Wait, what?

@James, Thanks for saying this. Archos has somehow done well as a niche player. In the last 5 years I have known one person who owned one of their devices, and it was quite limited. I basically eliminated it from my list of things I would ever consider buying.

I see this as a sort of step backward: everyone working in the android mobile space has been focusing on touch based controls, why would they go back and support a different interface? Archos is, in my eyes the Blackberry of the field: A niche within a niche. In developing for mobile, I have no interest in increasing costs to support a niche device such as this.

Other than emulators (SNES, MAME, etc), I don't see a lot of software tailored for this device at all, unless Archos manages to get some decent market penetration. Even then, with the DS, Vita...it's pretty cut throat.

Posted:8 months ago

Looks like a great device , however I agree with the idea that it could become just another device with similar software to one's mobile phone. I also wonder if they should have jumped on the Tegra bandwagon and opened up a sea of optimized games and free marketing...

Edit: The last bit was me thinking aloud. I do think they have chosen a great hardware platform. A High clocked dual core processor and a top ARM GPU is sure to provide amazing game performance, especially at the price they've set.

Edited 1 times. Last edit by Adam Campbell on 4th September 2012 5:48pm

Posted:8 months ago