GameStop is the site to visit for those who take gaming on tablet devices rather seriously. The video game retail chain has already been offering the popular iPad, but has brought along 3 more to add to their appeal. The latest tablets on offer are the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Asus Eee Pad Transformer, and the Acer Iconia Tab A100. All are popular and branded tablets, but GameStop is not doling out any incentives on the prices of these. As such, the three Android tablets will cost one $439 for the 16 GB ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, $539.98 for the same 16 GB Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, while the Acer Iconia Tab A100 with its 7 inch display is the cheapest of the lot at $369.98.
However, if you need to convince yourself to head over to GameStop to buy these tablet PCs, well, the video game retailer has pre-loaded each of the tablet devices with 7 games that includes Madden NFL, Dead Space, or the Kongregate Arcade video game. Plus, there is also a game controller to be picked up that will be compatible with any of the tablets GameStop has on sale, but would require shelling out an extra $39 on top of the individual tablet price. Also, a unique aspect of the controller is that it looks like a wireless version of the console controller currently operational with the Xbox 360.
However, the tablets laced with some of the most sought after video games are currently available at only 200 of its stores in the US, out of the 6,500 stores it operates. More stores will surely be included in the long run, as demand for the tablets from GameStop picks up.
“Customers have been telling us that they like to game on multiple devices. We believe there is a gaming opportunity on tablets,” said Paul Raines, Chief Executive at GameStop, who is all pumped up at the prospect of consumers taking to video gaming on their tablet in a big way.
Gamestop’s president Tony Bartel though seems a bit more realistic when he said: “It doesn’t replace the gold standard of the gaming console in your living room, but it’s a good experience, [but] we expect manufacturers to jump in and say ‘Ah-ha, that’s what consumers are looking for.'”
Also, while GameStop venturing into the tablet segment can definitely be considered a good sign (what with the rising popularity of people using this device as part of their daily life), what remains to be seen is whether just adding some games to the tablet PCs would help enhancing their appeal to prospective tablet buyers. Things could have been a bit easier for the consumers had GameStop made available the game controller free of cost.
With a keen interest in tech, I make it a point to keep myself updated on the latest developments in technology and gadgets. That includes smartphones or tablet devices but stretches to even AI and self-driven automobiles, the latter being my latest fad. Besides writing, I like watching videos, reading, listening to music, or experimenting with different recipes. The motion picture is another aspect that interests me a lot, and I'll likely make a film sometime in the future.
