by Josh Lowensohn June 19, 2013 4:00 AM PDT 1 of 9 (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) Apple's opening up iOS 7 like nothing before it, allowing and even encouraging the use of game controller hardware that will finally bring physical buttons to iPhones, iPods and iPads. This has been done before, of course, but not with Apple backing those efforts. Companies like ION Audio and its iCade have brought hardware add-ons, though it required developers to tweak their games in order make it work. This new option from Apple also requires that, but aims for a standardized set of controls that developers can plug into their software, and that come baked into Apple's iOS and OS X software development kits. We've rounded up a list of 49 games for the iPhone and iPod Touch that we think would play better with physical controls. Some already have support for the iCade, and other such solutions. Many are top sellers, and plenty of fun to play with touch controls. We've also broken them down by genre, from sandbox games all the way to endless runners. CNET's Scott Stein helped curate this list. Grand Theft Auto series - $4.99 (iTunes, Gamespot) So many on-screen buttons, arrgh! (Credit: Rockstar) The 3D iterations of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series was built for Playstation controllers. In bringing it to iOS devices, Rockstar attempted to put the controls on-screen. The results are OK for early missions, but become frustrating on the more complex ones, making physical controls a welcome addition. Gangstar series - $6.99 (iTunes, Gamespot) Gangstar Vegas (Credit: Gameloft) Gangstar Vegas, the latest in Gameloft's GTA-inspired series, is full of vehicles, fighting and space. At nine times the size of previous Gangstar titles, this game is absolutely enormous, making physical controls useful just for getting around. Max Payne series - $2.99 (iTunes, Gamespot) (Credit: Gamespot) Okay, another Rockstar game -- sorry about that. But Max Payne, like GTA, is heavy on the on-screen controls. Rockstar's rejiggered things a bit with nice big buttons. But the fact remains that Max Payne requires a ton of shooting with life or death situations where getting your fingers out of the way could be very useful. Minecraft Pocket Edition - $6.99 (iTunes, Gamespot) (Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET) The pocket-sized version of indie darling Mojang's Minecraft is a certified hit, but the controls can be tedious. There's no doubting that crafting and selecting items is much better with a touchscreen, but when it comes to actually making your way around the terrain, and building things, physical controls would be quite nice. Case in point: the mobile version of the software first launched on Sony's Xperia Play before heading to other platforms. Next: Platformers
June 19, 2013 4:00 AM PDT
1 of 9
Apple's opening up iOS 7 like nothing before it, allowing and even encouraging the use of game controller hardware that will finally bring physical buttons to iPhones, iPods and iPads.
This has been done before, of course, but not with Apple backing those efforts. Companies like ION Audio and its iCade have brought hardware add-ons, though it required developers to tweak their games in order make it work. This new option from Apple also requires that, but aims for a standardized set of controls that developers can plug into their software, and that come baked into Apple's iOS and OS X software development kits.
We've rounded up a list of 49 games for the iPhone and iPod Touch that we think would play better with physical controls. Some already have support for the iCade, and other such solutions. Many are top sellers, and plenty of fun to play with touch controls. We've also broken them down by genre, from sandbox games all the way to endless runners.
CNET's Scott Stein helped curate this list.
Grand Theft Auto series - $4.99 (iTunes, Gamespot)
So many on-screen buttons, arrgh!
(Credit: Rockstar)
The 3D iterations of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series was built for Playstation controllers. In bringing it to iOS devices, Rockstar attempted to put the controls on-screen. The results are OK for early missions, but become frustrating on the more complex ones, making physical controls a welcome addition.
Gangstar series - $6.99 (iTunes, Gamespot)
Gangstar Vegas
(Credit: Gameloft)
Gangstar Vegas, the latest in Gameloft's GTA-inspired series, is full of vehicles, fighting and space. At nine times the size of previous Gangstar titles, this game is absolutely enormous, making physical controls useful just for getting around.
Max Payne series - $2.99 (iTunes, Gamespot)
Okay, another Rockstar game -- sorry about that. But Max Payne, like GTA, is heavy on the on-screen controls. Rockstar's rejiggered things a bit with nice big buttons. But the fact remains that Max Payne requires a ton of shooting with life or death situations where getting your fingers out of the way could be very useful.
Minecraft Pocket Edition - $6.99 (iTunes, Gamespot)
The pocket-sized version of indie darling Mojang's Minecraft is a certified hit, but the controls can be tedious. There's no doubting that crafting and selecting items is much better with a touchscreen, but when it comes to actually making your way around the terrain, and building things, physical controls would be quite nice. Case in point: the mobile version of the software first launched on Sony's Xperia Play before heading to other platforms.
Next: Platformers
