CES 2012: Ion Audio takes wraps off 3 new iCade gaming controllers for iPad and iPhone

You may or may not have heard of Ion Audio's iCade Arcade Cabinet for iPad. If you're part of the latter group, the iCade is basically a gaming peripheral for Apple's touchscreen tablet.

Fans of this gaming accessory will be overjoyed to read that Ion Audio is expanding its line of retro controllers.

In fact, the company will be showcasing no fewer than three new additions to its iCade range at CES 2012, all of which will support the iPhone and the iPod touch (for the first time).

First in line is the iCade Mobile. Slot your iPhone 4, 4S, or iPod touch into the centre of the unit and you will be able to use the iCade Mobile's traditional D-pad configuration to control your iOS games.

In addition to developing the iCade Mobile, Ion Audio has taken a shrink ray to the original iCade Arcade Cabinet, reducing it to pocket-sized proportions and naming it iCade Jr. Awwwwww.

This tiny tribute to old skool gaming houses your iPhone or iPod within a miniature cabinet shell, and offers a joystick and four face buttons (with another four on its rear) for that authentic arcade experience.

Ion Audio has confirmed that there will a pass-through port to allow charging while gaming.

Finally, the iCade Core provides an alternative for iPad users who want the joystick and eight buttons found on the original iCade, but are happy to do so without the cabinet-inspired casing.

All of these Bluetooth-compatible devices are scheduled to arrive on store shelves sometime in 2012, with the iCade Mobile priced at $79.99, and the iCade Jr. speculatively priced at $49.

While you wait patiently for those to arrive, have a read of our top ten games to play on the iCade Arcade Cabinet for iPad feature.

Call it research.