Gaming flashback

What is it? This week, we're going retro to the golden days of arcade gaming via the latest gadget superhit: the iPad. For those who lived through their teens in the 1980s and 1990s, and those who want to know how it was like before the advent of 3D gaming, it's time to get nostalgic with the iCade iPad Arcade Cabinet. What's special about it? Firstly, this iPad accessory's charm is that it lets you go old school — think a desktop-sized arcade game cabinet which boasts a fully functional gamepad complete with retro arcade joystick and buttons. Atari, the company known for its classic arcade games, is also on-board with its suite of arcade titles including Asteroids, Centipede and Battlezone. All you have to do is download the free Atari Greatest Hits app and you're good to go down the best of arcade gaming lane. Besides that, more than 40 iCade-compatible games are already available on the Apple App Store. Interestingly, the iCade iPad Arcade Cabinet started out as a joke. American online retailer Thinkgeek.com posted fake images last year as part of an April Fool's joke. However, after realising that fans actually thought it would be an internet hit, the website decided to partner with manufacturer Ion to release the product. And it has since warmed the cockles of many a geeky gamer's heart. To use, just slide your iPad or iPad 2 into the cradle. The iCade uses Bluetooth to connect to the iPad so there's really nothing else you need to do. Just insert coin (read: launch the iCade app) and game on. When is it available in the UAE and for how much? The iCade Arcade Cabinet has just arrived at Virgin Megastore outlets for Dh550. Call 04-3253330.