GameBaby from Bitmo Lab is both an iPhone case and a game controller. The innovative design allows users to play retro games on their phone with real buttons.
The goal seems to be a GameBoy for 2024.
GameBaby takes advantage of new retro game emulators for iPhone
For many years, Apple prohibited developers from bringing retro game emulators to the iPhone App Store. But in spring, the company updated the App Store guidelines to allow this type of software. That soon resulted in a rush of such apps, including Riley Testut’s Delta.
Another result of the change is GameBaby, an iPhone case designed to work in concert with Delta. The intent is to eliminate the dissatisfying feeling of gaming with virtual-on-screen buttons that offer no feedback.
“The physical, silicone conductive buttons of the case are aligned with the ones in emulators like the Delta so you can play instantly,” a spokesperson for Bitmo Lab explained to Cult of Mac.
Ordinarily, GameBaby is a standard iPhone case with the buttons in back. But when it’s time to play a retro game, remove the top half of the accessory, then flip the bottom half around so the backs of the buttons touch the screen.
One advantage of the design is that the game controller stays with the iPhone, ready to play,. Also, it simply looks cool.
Image: Bitmo Lab
Grab it today
With pre-sales just beginning on September 2, the iPhone accessory now goes for a super early bird price of $19.99 for the first 1,000 units. Then the price goes up to $24.99. After the launch in October, the GameBaby will retail for $39.99.
Buy it from: Bitmo Lab
The only versions going on the market fit iPhone 15 Pro Max and the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max, the most popular variants.
