Does anyone know if there exists any cases with physical buttons (either hooks into usb or transmits via bluetooth)? For example I just saw this case for iPhone, but even it is designed for a specific game functionality. What I would love is something that is just a case that you put on the phone which has physical keys that you can use to turn it into a little portable gaming device. I'm guessing that nothing like this exists for our phones so far, but does anyone know of anything like this that exists at all? If there is that is good place to start with asking that company to make one for our phone as well.
Not a case but it's universal.
http://www.icontrolpad.com/
Yah that looks like about what I wanted. Is there any competition (its $70!) or this the only one anyone is aware of?
Try out the Sixaxis software in the market. Works great with any ps3 sixaxis controller
Yah I've been using sixaxis + hdmi mirroring with my Atrix on my tv since it first came out like a year ago, I'm more looking for a on the go solution. Playing any action games where you need fine tuned controls on a touch screen is just painful.
then icontrolpad is the way to go. No others offer a solution (unless you go apple)
Your Android phone isn't just for widgets, talking, Google Now and photos. It can also be one of the world's best gaming platforms, if you're willing to spend a little time on it.
Once the domain of tinkerers and super-nerds, Android devices have exploded in popularity over the last couple of years, spurred on by the emergence of superphones like the Samsung Galaxy S 4, HTC One and Google's own Nexus 4.
Despite this increase, there remains the perception that - at least in terms of gaming - Android phones are somehow a step behind the iPhone. That things like piracy, a lack of apps and convoluted system specs are hindering the development of games on the platform.
I'm here to tell you this is bull****. Chances are that if you own an Android phone, and picked it up within the last 18 months, you've got in your pocket a silent killer in terms of portable gaming.
Below you'll find four steps you can follow to turn that humble little smartphone into something a little more gamey.
1. USE GOOGLE PLAY
Well, duh. But if you're a new user, or someone contemplating making the switch, this is important.
Android users have a bad reputation for pirating software, including games, and in many ways that's a fair assumption. Pirating games for the platform is way too easy.
Don't be that guy.
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You'll even find some hot exclusives. Kairosoft's entire catalogue of addictive-as-hell management games is on the Play Store, for example, while only a handful have ever made it to the App Store.
Seriously, there are enough quality games on there already that we could end the guide right here and you'd be set. Luckily, we're not ending the guide here.
Those remaining developers who either delay bringing their games to Android, or don't do it at all, usually cite piracy as one of the big concerns. The more people actually pay for apps and games on Android, the more of these developers will be encouraged to bring their wares to the platform. So do it.
2. GO RETRO
Let's say you want to play something more substantial than most mobile titles can offer. Or a classic game from your childhood that, for better or worse, isn't available on the Play Store. The great thing about Android phones is that you can still play these games, and it's a lot easier - and more legal - than you might think.
Two of the most popular means of running old PC games on modern systems - DOSBox (for old DOS games) and ScummVM (for old adventure games) - both have versions available for Android devices.
Before we go any further, then, you're going to need install these three applications:
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ScummVM for Android
DOSBox Turbo for Android
DOSBox Manager
.
What DOSBox Manager does is let you create a quicklaunch screen for the games, so instead of having to enter command prompts every time you want to play a game (which is normally how DOSBox works), you just tap some box art, same as a regular app/game.
If you need help using DOSBox Turbo and/or getting your games running, the best place to start is the app's site, which has helpful (and easy to understand) walkthroughs and guides.
ScummVM is an easier proposition, but if you have trouble setting it up, the official guide gives you a great walkthrough on getting set up.
A word of caution, though: be careful which games you bring over. Your phone has limited inputs, most likely just a touchscreen, so trying to play a fast-paced RTS or shooter might not be the best idea. Slower, mouse-driven genres like adventure and turn-based strategy are a good place to start.
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Unless, that is, you want to...
3. GET A CONTROLLER (OR USE A MOUSE)
It sounds crazy, I know. Buying an external controller for your phone defeats the entire point of playing games on a portable device. But the fact of the matter is, as phones become more powerful, phone games become more powerful, and it's a tragedy that people try to play something like Real Racing using touchscreen or tilt controls. Stick a pad on there and some of these newer games will feel like a console game, instead of just looking like one.
There's also the benefit it brings to the retro games you'll be playing. Use a gamepad and suddenly all those amazing old shooters are playable. Connect a bluetooth mouse to your phone and anything you can't play with a pad, you can probably play with it.
Doing this is pretty simple; provided they don't need drivers, Android natively supports bluetooth peripherals, including keyboards, mice and control pads. It'll even display a mouse cursor if it detects one. Just find your phone's bluetooth settings and pair it up.
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To save you buying a gamepad, there's an app that lets you connect a PS3 pad to an Android device (though note: your phone needs to be rooted for this to work). Alternatively, you can sync a Wii Remote, since it also connects via Bluetooth (and can be configured with this app).
Again, this might sound crazy since you can do this a lot more easily on a regular computer, but consider this: old PC games weren't designed to run on giant 23" desktop monitors. You either stretch their visuals until they look like garbage, or run them in a window.
Phone screens, though, are at the cutting edge. Relatively tiny yet packing amazing colours and now sometimes even 1080p resolution, they breathe new life into your old games. Trust me, fire up something like Colonization or X-Com on a contemporary phone and it'll look better than ever.
4. GET A BIGGER BATTERY (OR BATTERY PACK)
The one major downside to the crop of modern Android smartphones is that, almost to the last, they've got terrible battery life. Most can barely last a single day, even with infrequent use. If you're planning on playing a game at home, that's not a problem, but let's be honest, how often will you be playing a phone game at home?
Running 3D graphics - or even just leaving a big bright screen on for long stretches - will kill your battery. So if you're serious about gaming on your Android phone, you should think about getting a bigger battery (if your phone supports removable batteries) or an external battery case/charging pack (if it doesn't).
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5. SIGN UP TO ONLIVE
It's easy to forget about the company these days after all the problems it went through last year, but streaming service OnLive is still around, and it works on Android devices. Your mileage may vary depending on your device - it's more suited to tablets than phones - but if you've got a gamepad solution for your phone, and your connection is fast enough to pull it off, you can play all kinds of games that would normally never be available on the platform..
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SOURCE
*Lifehacker
Great guide. Bought a NES controller and female USB to microUSB a few weeks ago. Waiting for them to be shipped! Will tell you how it works when I have them in use.
i have my OTG cable but sad to say i don't have ps3 or wii.. hehehehe..
thanks for a great info!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
I've got a moga pocket controller its great and more and more games are getting supported. My GS4 clips right into the phone holder and im off.
Specially the onlive thing, gotta love it.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Awesome guide! I can vouch for DosBox Turbo. I have about 50+ games installed and regularly play Warcraft II networked multi-player with my buddies on their Android devices.
anyone actually get scummvm to work? i couldn't get it to recognise any games no matter what i tried.
Gloris said:
anyone actually get scummvm to work? i couldn't get it to recognise any games no matter what i tried.
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Working perfectly for me.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2
What folder structure and file type did you use? I tried zip files I tried unzipping them. Tried putting them in various folders but I can't get it to recognise any games.
We are doing just that with our new product Ingeo.
We want to turn any Android phone into a TV game console.
It is an HDMI dock and a wireless controller.
Check it out here
Any difference using it?
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
gampad
I 've a Razer Onza
But when i connect to my s4 it does not work
Can you show me how to connect that controller to my S4
Thanks so much
duythanh90 said:
I 've a Razer Onza
But when i connect to my s4 it does not work
Can you show me how to connect that controller to my S4
Thanks so much
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Using OTG cable. It's that simple
"Thanks button is just to avoid "THANKS" posts in threads. Nothing more than that. Don't ask in signature or post for it and defeat the purpose why it was introduced"
Seems that custom ROMs are nonexistent, and things have come to crawl around here. I thought for sure we would have been further along by now. Anyone?
What sort of custom development would you like to see for this device? Anything in particular?
Not sure how it would work out, but I think it would be interesting to see a port of Ubuntu Touch for SHIELD myself.
CM, Miracast games to TV, more hmdi options such as screen off while stream movies without 3rd party apps. I really don't care for PC to shield, a waste of time in my book. Hope Nvidia presses devs to add Shield controls to their games. Need a better option for games+data to SD card. Their apk fix is an [email protected]@ joke.
Ubuntu is a joke theses days, they force feed their eco system. Their vision in mid 2000s was great now just lost. That's what happens when outside sources fund your business. Slackware is what really makes me enjoy Linux. Stays true to its roots despite what others say. Mark my words CM will be lost now that its a business with funding only a matter of time. Thxs
shawnchalfant said:
CM, Miracast games to TV, more hmdi options such as screen off while stream movies without 3rd party apps. I really don't care for PC to shield, a waste of time in my book. Hope Nvidia presses devs to add Shield controls to their games. Need a better option for games+data to SD card. Their apk fix is an [email protected]@ joke.
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so many problems with this device that affect a lot of the trivial functions for the main reasons i bought it for (GAMING?!?!).
im not trying to come off as a "hater" on these Shield forums here as im actually somewhat of a nvidia fanboy but, ive been wanting this device since before it was even a idea on Nvidias dry erase board. now after owning it since launch i barely use it because of all these issues...
- horrible D-pad (which may never have a fix since its hardware)
- SD card limitations
- 0.5 second audio lag in 100% of emulators i use
- noticeable input lag in 100% of all the games ive played (not streaming)
- sleep/wake performance issues
- stripped screw holes (also a hardware thing).
all in all im just really disappointed and i think its sad that my Xperia play is still my main Android gaming device and my Shield is just collecting dust
really close to listing this thing on eBay and it breaks my heart. :crying: but i just cant see myself using this thing until all the issues are fixed. looks like ill get burned on this Tegra just like i did on the ZuneHD...
I am getting really close to selling mine for the same basic reasons.
I'm going to be on the road with kids for a fairly long trip and I'm looking for tips. My android devices are aging, but they're what I will have.
- 2x Samsung Galaxy S4s running KitKat
- Samsung Galaxy Tab2 running KitKat
- HP Touchpad running ICS (I think?)... whatever the last cyanogen ROM was for it
I've got two kids - one is six and can run the device himself. Not worried about that - it'll likely be the touchpad. The other will be pushing two, so needs some help. She's darn good at unlocking screens even if they've got some sort of kid protection. And before I go farther, no, the kids won't be on these a ton. I'm looking for some input in the following areas:
1. What are some good headrest mounts that we can put the tablets on? I know there's a bunch out there, and a ton of reviews as well... but it always seems like for as many good reviews, there's a bunch of bad ones. I mainly just don't want the kids looking down at their laps.
2. Video player software. There's tons of players. I can't count how many I've tried. VLC usually does the best, except on the Tab2 where the screen lock is easily thwarted. The way they highlight the unlock button just makes a 2yr old one want to tap it. Plus hitting the home button still takes the user home. I just want something that simple with a good kid lock.
3. Partially due to the above issue, I'm looking for something that will let me control the video remotely. I've tried a couple apps that share video but they haven't worked well. I just want to be able to hit pause, play, fast-forward... on another device. Something similar to how you can watch YouTube on your phone, the broadcast it to your TV and still control it on your phone. Of course, this needs to be able to work over some sort of local connection since most of the trip won't have data.
We're already set with chargers. I haven't decided how to handle audio for the 2yr old... probably too soon for headphones.
Thanks
Bump. TIA.
While riding bart (public transportation), I was thinking of getting a handheld gaming system to keep my entertained on my hour long ride. However, I figured why not use the phone? It's a octa-car and can play most (if not all) 3D action games and such. So I did some research and I have two choices:
1. Put together a gaming kit with a PS3 Dualshock 3 controller, OTG Cable & USB, a phone clip
2. Get the Moga Pro Power gamepad.
The only major concern I have with the Moga, is the fact that it's primarily only a bluetooth controller. I'm not sure if I'm the only one here, but the bluetooth sucks on this phone. I love the V10, but bluetooth functionality is so unreliable. I get choppy music playback on all my stereo kits, and I know it works with Samsung and Apple devices - so it's the phone.
Rant aside, I was thinking of going with option 1, because I have the ability to use both bluetooth or wired connection for the controller to work with the phone. Though I like the all-in-one Moga controller, everything is already put together with some software to help it along the way. I am rooted, so I'm not scared to do my own research to make stuff work with my phone in terms of setting up the initial connection, but I just want to pick an item that will stick and offer a lag free experience.
I was thinking of just buying everything and return what doesn't work, but I don't like doing that.
Thanks
I have a Moga (the basic and cheaper one) and it just work with few games and the app for my controll is the same for the expensive one, beside that, my controll works great with EMULATORS like Mame, SNES, etc... If I was you I would probably prefer the ps controll with otg...
Desde V10 (LG-H901)
I have pro power and had it linked I never had any real issue with it. It worked great! I have it to the wife so she can use it now I am using steel series great controller but no clip a very big downfall so I don't play much games on my phone anymore
ilostchild said:
I have pro power and had it linked I never had any real issue with it. It worked great! I have it to the wife so she can use it now I am using steel series great controller but no clip a very big downfall so I don't play much games on my phone anymore
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Thanks for the suggestions, I went with the Moga Power A, because I like the feel of the XBox like form controller. So far the performance is excellent! I actually do not have any issues with it, and I've been playing native and emulator games with no struggles.
Thanks again for your responses.