Android gamers have much to look forward to! Recently, Samsung announced their latest entry in their Galaxy series of smartphones, the Galaxy S4 (GS4), and plans to release their flagship mobile phone in April. They also announced an official GS4 Game Pad controller, which is coming out in May.
The GS4 boasts improved specs over its predecessor. Its screen is now five inches, with a full HD Super AMOLED display with 441 pixels per inch. Super AMOLED technology eliminates the need for a separate backlight and makes the screen viewable in the sun. In the United States, the GS4 gets a 1.9 GHz Snapdragon quad-core chip. As for storage, 16 to 64 GB versions will be released and a micro SD card slot comes standard.
It should handle the latest Android games without difficulty. Samsung’s desire to release the GS4 Game Pad shows an even more promising commitment from Samsung for a traditional gaming experience. Although third-party, console-style controllers already exist, offering an official gamepad will encourage developers to make more games that utilize these controls.
The impression from pictures and videos is that the Game Pad looks like any other console controller (with colors on the buttons that match the ones on the Xbox 360 gamepad). Gamers can attach the GS4 to the top of the controller, which should make using this convenient on the go. Not only that, but if the GS4 is attached to a television using Smart Dock, gamers can use a Bluetooth connection to connect their Game Pad for wireless controls. There will be almost no difference between how a game is played on the GS4 compared to the PlayStation or Xbox (minus the pretty graphics found on those two consoles).
Another positive is the amount of support behind the Game Pad. EA plans to release 16 games on the launch date of the Galaxy S4, all of which are expected to be compatible with the new accessory. In addition, eight undisclosed games will come with the Game Pad upon purchase.
The only downside is the price. It will cost $113! Most console controllers cost $50 or less. At least the Game Pad will be compatible with other Android devices between 4 and 6.3 inches. Many journalists are predicting it will even fit the unreleased Galaxy Note 3.
If the Game Pad succeeds, this will further close the gap between console and smartphone gaming. There is going to be no reason to waste money on a giant box that takes up space when a phone potentially can provide the same functions. Then again, gamers have to pay for both the Game Pad and Smart Dock if they want to play on their television, which might cancel out the positives. That is not even counting the expected $199 contract price for the phone itself.
Perhaps they will listen to the bad publicity surrounding the high price tag for the Game Pad and ease up a bit. If so, Samsung can help solidify the shift in the gaming industry away from dedicated gaming consoles and more towards devices such as smartphones and tablets.