Have you ever tried playing a rhythm game on your smartphone and felt frustrated that you couldn't tap the keys well? For those who want to enjoy such games but may not be as dextrous or patient or simply slim-fingered enough for the small screen, there's a new gadget you may be interested in.

39thanks, a company that deals in household goods, will be running a crowdfunding campaign for their "Rhythm PAD Controller," designed exclusively for music games, on the major crowdfunding site kibidango.

With this controller, you can comfortably play rhythm games on smartphones, tablets, and Nintendo Switch while enjoying the feeling of actually tapping buttons, not a screen. According to the press release, this controller, a first of its kind, received great reviews. Game users who experienced it first hand said that it made it easier to play rhythm games, and that it improved their scores.

Features of the "Rhythm PAD Controller"

• Compatible with smartphones and tablets
• The controller can also be used for games controlled by touching the Nintendo Switch touch screen.
• Conductive suction cups and static electricity from your fingertips are the only mechanisms used.
• A single unit can control 5 buttons, and 2 units can be connected for 10 buttons.
• It can be used with a wide range of games such as taiko drumming games, drum simulators, and all kinds of rhythm-based game apps.
• Using conductive sticks, the buttons can also be struck like a drum set.

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Using the controller like a drum set:

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Specifications

• Button / 5 pcs
• Conductive suction cups / 5
• Game controls: Single tap, long press, left/right flick (not up/down), continuous hit, simultaneous press, left/right tap
• Targeting games, instrumental rhythm games (drums, etc.), music rhythm games, etc.
　
• Material: Button: Silicone, Suction cup: Rubber, Wire: Rubber, Aluminum wire, Body: ABS
• Size (approx.) / 110mm (W) x 85mm (H) x 20mm (D)
• Weight (approx) / 99 g
• Accessories: LCD screen cloth cloth

Notes: Not compatible with smartphones that have a built-in magnet or other magnetic force on the back of the device (e.g. iPhone 12 series).

Not compatible with game applications that require complicated flick operations

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It's easy to place the suction cups anywhere on the screen to match the application you're using.

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Crowdfunding Campaign

The crowdfunding campaign will run from February 8th to March 29th, 2021 and will be carried out on an all-or-nothing basis with a target amount of 1.3 million yen.

You can visit the campaign here and join (rewards can be purchased from Feb. 8th).