GameStop to Offer $500 Wikipad Gaming Tablet on October 31

Category: Gaming
Posted: September 8, 2012 01:21AM
Author: bp9801

At CES this year, Razer showed off an interesting product dubbed Project Fiona. It was a 10.1" tablet designed for gaming, with an attached controller on either side to free up the screen. It is an interesting concept, but so far Project Fiona is just that. However, a similar tablet shown at CES is nearly here, as GameStop announced the Wikipad gaming tablet will be available in its stores and online on October 31 for $499.99. The Wikipad is a 10.1", Android 4.1 tablet with a 1.4GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 and 1GB DDR2 at its core. It has 16GB of storage built in, which can be expanded to 64GB, WiFi, optional 3G, an eight megapixel rear camera and a two megapixel front one, built-in stereo speakers, headphone out, and micro USB.

What makes this a gaming tablet is the removable controller, which adds five face buttons, two analog sticks, a directional pad, and four rear buttons. The physical controls should make gaming a lot easier, especially with some of the PC games on Gaikai. GameStop's Wikipad will have access to streaming service Gaikai when it launches, as well as Google Play, PlayStation Mobile, NVIDIA Tegra Zone, and others. Anyone who pre-orders the tablet will receive a digital issue of Game Informer, GameStop's magazine, and some "full-length titles," although those are to be revealed closer to launch. It will be interesting to see the reception for the Wikipad and how much the removable controller adds to the gaming experience. Pre-orders are now open, for those interested.