How about an Apple gamepad that can automatically switch between devices? — Apple World Today

If Apple did make its own gamepad, it wouldn’t be the first time the company did this. It made a gaming controller and, in fact, an entire game console with the ill-fated Apple Bandai Pippin (pictured) in early 1996.

It cost US$599 and was designed as a computer system aimed mostly at playing CD-based multimedia software, especially games, but also functioning as a thin client. The operating system is a version of the Mac’s System 7.5.2, and is based on a 66MHz PowerPC 603 processor and a 14.4 kb/s modem. It featured a 4×-speed CD-ROM drive and a video output that could connect to a standard TV.

Alas, the Pippin’s poor performance, badly reviews controls and dearth of games led to its demise. Apple only sold 42,000 Pippins, according to Nelson, and production was canceled in 1997.

So don’t look for Apple to make its own game console again. Instead, if the rumors are true, it will look to the Apple TV set-top box to fill that niche.