Back during E3 2012 a new company had come out and announced a new line-up of game controllers specifically designed for mobile gaming. This company, Nyko, had done some good work researching and designing their upcoming mobile gaming controllers from what we had seen back then. Now, we finally can get our hands on some as both the Nyko PlayPad and the Nyko PlayPad Pro Tablet controllers are now available for purchase at GameStop.
The Nyko PlayPad was designed for use on Android phones while the PlayPad Pro Tablet controller, as the name suggests, was designed for playing your games on your Android tablet. In reality, you can use either of the controllers for either your Android phone or tablet. Both controllers feature all the buttons you would normally find on your standard console controller, just in a more compact casing so you can take them with you while on the go. You get dual analog sticks, a d-pad, 4 face buttons, and left and right dual shoulder/trigger buttons.
The Nyko PlayPad and PlayPad Pro Tablet controllers
Another interesting feature is that both controllers are optimized for Tegra-based devices and games. This doesn’t mean you can’t use it on any other Android devices or games though. The only real difference between to the two controllers is the actual physical design of them, with the PlayPad being a smaller, more compact controller while the PlayPad Pro is slightly bigger with bigger palm grips.
Nyko PlayPad Features:
– Easily control your favorite tablet games with console like precision
– Optimized HID protocol for Tegra®3 based devices and games
– Includes Nyko’s free Playground app with the ability to customize controller layout and download game profiles for older titles
– Playground supports the following controller input: Keyboard Mapping, Mouse, Touch Event Mapping
– HID, Keyboard mapping, mouse emulation, and touch mapping support make PlayPad Pro compatible with 100s of titles
– Works with any Bluetooth® enabled device running Android 3.0 or higher
– Compact design fits in included case for easy travel and packing
– Included tablet stand holds tablet in horizontal or vertical orientation
Nyko PlayPad Pro Tablet controller Features:
– Easily control your favorite tablet games with console like precision
– Optimized HID protocol for Tegra®3 based devices and games Includes Nyko’s free Playground app with the ability to customize controller layout and download game profiles for older titles
– Playground supports the following controller input: Keyboard Mapping, Mouse, Touch Event Mapping
– HID, Keyboard mapping, mouse emulation, and touch mapping support make PlayPad Pro compatible with 100s of titles
– Works with any Bluetooth® enabled device running Android 3.0 or higher
To round off the entire package, you can pick up the Nyko Playground application (currently in BETA status so there might be some bugs) off of the Google Play store for free. This application is only needed for mapping or re-mapping of controls on the PlayPad and PlayPad Pro. When utilizing the inherent Gamepad and Mouse mode on the controller, the Nyko Playground app is not needed. Both controllers require your device to be running Android 3.0 or higher.
The Nyko Playground Android application
You can pick up the Nyko PlayPad or PlayPad Pro Tablet controller from GameStop for $39.99 each. Since the option to pick them up if you order online at a GameStop store, some may be available actually at your local GameStop location for you to try and purchase in person. Expect a full review of these controllers coming real soon.
Also, GameStop have released their own Tablet gaming controller as well which is also now available on their website on sale for $29.99 instead of $39.99. It looks like your standard gaming controller with all the standard buttons.
GameStop Web Store: Nyko PlayPad controller | Nyko PlayPad Tablet controller
Google Play Link: Nyko Playground
