Introduction
The ION iCade is a re-imagining of the classic Atari arcade machine. A very large cabinet reduced to a desktop cabinet form. I find this form factor very attractive. The ION iCade is also very cheap. The cabinet material is MDF painted black. Fantastic livery stickers cover the large flat panels. All you have to do is assemble the pieces. There is even a faux coin-slot. In order so save money, you need to supply your own screen. The ION iCade requires an iPad to work. I am using an Apple iPad Gen 1. You are then pointed to the Atari coin-op app in the Apple Store to download the games.
Form Factor
The main body of the ION iCade is the joystick. Again, the form factor mimics the arcade machine. There are eight buttons in total. Two red, four black, and two white buttons. The use of these buttons depends on the game you are playing. The joystick itself is a classic ball on a stick routine. The joystick action is satisfactory. The joystick connects to the Apple iPad using Bluetooth. The unit uses a standard 9v battery to operate. The unit uses little power and the battery lasts for a long time.
Desktop Arcade Cabinet form factor
The desktop arcade machine form factor is often emulated. I mean, who doesn't want a coin-op machine at home? Over the years, there have been many standalone machines that look similar. The desktop form factor is an all-in-one approach. The requirements for a great machine are a joystick, screen and sound in the one cabinet. All you need to do is connect the box to power. Battery power is now a common option as well. Two buttons does not cut it. Six joystick buttons is a good start, eight joystick buttons are better. One option that I have not seen is the use of a trackball. The less said about this the better.

Entex Industries released the Adventure Vision in 1983. The Adventure Vision is an all-in-one arcade game cabinet. When compared to the Apple iPad, the resolution of the Adventure Vision is comical at 150x40 pixels. The graphics is driven by a red LED monochrome screen. The Adventure Vision machine is relatively rare. I have never seen one in real life. There were four games were released for this machine, Defender, Super Cobra, Turtles, Space Force. The screen display is said to be rather dark and not suitable for a normally-lit room.
Using Arcade Buttons
The iCade has arcade style buttons. I prefer arcade buttons over more modern membrane buttons. Using arcade buttons improves playing vintage arcade games for many reasons.
Arcade buttons inspire confience. Arcade buttons are designed to withstand intense use and abuse. They are typically made of high-quality materials and constructed to last for many years, even with heavy use. This durability is important for vintage arcade games that may have been played for many hours over the course of their lifetime.
Arcade buttons provide a tactile response that is essential for precise and accurate gameplay. The buttons have a distinctive feel and sound when pressed, which can help players develop a sense of timing and rhythm. This feedback is crucial for games that require quick reflexes and precise timing, such as fighting games or shoot-em-ups.
And don't forget the ergonomic convenience of using large buttons. Arcade buttons are typically larger than the buttons found on standard gamepads, which can make them easier to press and more comfortable to use. This is especially important for games that require frequent button presses, as smaller buttons can quickly become uncomfortable and fatiguing to use.
I think that the iCade button arrangement is just about right. Using arcade buttons can enhance the gaming experience by providing a durable, responsive, and comfortable interface for playing vintage arcade games.