The iPad is a great gaming platform thanks to its high-resolution screen and powerful graphics performance. Still, you do lose a little something when games are all controlled with the swipe of a finger. And iPads also tend to make gaming a solitary experience. During the holidays, playing alone just shouldn’t be an option. These toys, controllers, and accessories will take your iPad gaming experience to the next level. They make great gifts for yourself or any iPad owner in the family.
Into head-to-head trivia games with the family? Then this is the perfect add-on for your iPad. The Duo Pop’s clickers record which player or team is the first to buzz in with the answer, just like on TV. It works with five different games, all available in the App store.
Adding an iPad to a traditional board game does more than just spice up dice rolling. The Game of Life app brings animation and customization to the table. Players can unlock video content, use the app to get paid or sue fellow players, and customize their “peg person.”
Kids age 4 and up will appreciate this digital update on an old favorite. The Fishing Game works just like its mechanical counterpart: use a magic plastic rod to catch fish and drag them to your bucket. Just watch out for the sneaky heron – he’ll steal your catch if you’re not careful.
Complex games look stunning on the iPad, but if the on-screen controls leave you wanting more (or in fear you may crack the screen in a moment of excitement…) check out the Duo Gamer. This Apple-approved Bluetooth controller for the iPad works with Modern Combat 3, Asphalt 7, and many other Gameloft games. Thanks to the controller’s two analog joysticks, four buttons, D-PAD, and two triggers, you’ll get a console-style feel while playing on your tablet.
Love the idea of a controller but want something old school? The people who brought you the iCade iPad Arcade Cabinet have your back. Think Geek’s 8-Bitty Bluetooth controller is reminiscent of the original Nintendo controller and works with the same vast 150+ retro game library as the original iCade.
Going back even further, remember when arcades were all about the pinball machines? The tactile joy of slamming buttons to control the flippers is now available for the iPad thanks to the Duo Pinball machine. It even has a plunger for shooting the ball. Your iPad will stay steady as you play in your lap or on a tabletop, so keep it on the coffee table or in the back of the car to entertain kids on long trips. Works with the Pinball HD app, which includes five different table styles for free.
Familiar games like Angry Birds, Cut The Rope, and Fruit Ninja get a whole new level of gameplay with Mattel’s Apptivity figurines. Each toy works with a specific game, and unlocks special features when placed on the iPad’s screen. Engage in two-player fun in Fruit Ninja or get on the pig’s side in Angry Birds. Expand beyond familiar games with Apptivity’s other toys ranging from Batman and WWE superstars to Monster High characters, all with their own apps.
Fans of HeroClix will appreciate this digital update to the figurine-based fighting game. Special TabApp versions of Marvel and DC heroes interact with the new HeroClix app, which adds a new dimension to the game. Navigate through dungeons and other environments to battle enemies using special powers. Each character gets his or her own storyline and challenges, offering hours of gameplay (with more to come). While you can’t use your existing HeroClix figures with the iPad game, TabApps toys are compatible with regular tabletop play.
Adult artists use the iPad for sketching, so why shouldn’t kids? It’s less messy than crayons or paint, and they can create masterpieces even while traveling. Crayola’s coloring apps make a great canvas, now you just need the right tools. This set includes a digital crayon, digital airbrush, a stamper, and a 3-D stylus for creating drawings that pop off the screen. 3-D glasses are included.
Hurry! This iPad just crashed back to its Black Friday price
If you've always wanted to buy an iPad but the latest releases are beyond your budget, you may want to consider going for a previous-generation model like the 2021 Apple iPad. The tablet's Wi-Fi, 64GB model, which is already relatively affordable at $330, is currently even cheaper from Best Buy, as an $80 discount pulls its price down to $250. That's what the device was going for during the iPad deals of Black Friday 2023, so if you missed the chance to take advantage of that bargain, proceed with your purchase immediately to make sure this opportunity doesn't slip away.
Why you should buy the 2021 Apple iPad
The ninth-generation Apple iPad, which was released in 2021, will be three years old in several months. However, it's still listed in our roundup of the best iPads as the best iPad on a budget, as it still offers great performance by today's standards with Apple's A13 Bionic chip that also powered the iPhone 11 series. The tablet also features a 10.2-inch Retina display with 2160 x 1620 resolution, for sharp details and vivid colors when you're browsing the internet, watching streaming shows, and playing mobile games.
Apple’s new iPad Pro and iPad Air just got delayed
It seems like the countdown to the next iPad reveal has been stretched out a bit more, though not by an earth-shattering amount of time. So far, we’ve heard rumors of a late March or early April reveal, but that likely won’t happen, according to a new report from Apple insider Mark Gurman.
In his latest Bloomberg report, Gurman says the next Apple tablets should arrive in early May, and he cited the speeding up of production at Apple’s suppliers. Interestingly, production-related challenges apparently pushed back the launch of the new slates across the Pro and Air lineups.
Buying an iPad Mini today? You need to know about this deal
If you've had an eye on iPad deals for the latest model of the Apple iPad Mini for a while now, this may be the offer that you've been waiting for -- a $100 discount from Best Buy on the tablet's Wi-Fi, 64GB model, slashing its price to $400 from $500. It's still pretty popular years after its release, so we don't expect stocks of the device for this sale to last long. If you're thinking about taking advantage of this bargain, you better push through with your purchase as soon as possible to make sure that you don't miss out on the savings.
Why you should buy the Apple iPad Mini 2021
The latest generation of the Apple iPad Mini was released in 2021, but it's still featured in our roundup of the best iPads because it's the model that you should buy if you want a smaller and more compact version of Apple's tablets. Its 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is smaller than the screens of its peers, but it's still big enough to enjoy watching streaming shows and browsing websites, while allowing you to use the device with one hand. Unlike its predecessor, there's no Home button, so the Touch ID sensor is instead built into the power button at the side of the Apple iPad Mini 2021.
