Wikipad tablet to release on October 31 for $499; GameStop offers pre-order bonuses

The upcoming Wikipad tablet, first announced at CES back in January, has an official release date and price. The intriguing Android handheld gaming system will be available for $499 on October 31. The price is similar to an entry-level iPad or the 9-inch 4G Kindle Fire HD which was just unveiled yesterday from Amazon.

The Wikipad is the first glasses-free 3D Android 4.0 tablet with an attachable console-quality gamepad controller. It features a 10.1", 1280×800 IPS screen — or the equivalent of playing games on a 46" flat screen TV in an "average sized room". Powered by an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, the Wikipad can run games from Nvidia's Tegra Zone store, Google Play, and the PlayStation Mobile platform. It's custom handheld controller dock, which adds two analog sticks, a directional pad, and four buttons makes gaming on it similar to that of an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3.

GameStop today announced a partnership with Wikipad to offer the tablet through its stores and website, although other retailers are expected to carry it as well. The retailer also announced that customers can now pre-order the Wikipad at stores or online, and that pre-ordering at Gamestop will come with extra bonuses like full-length titles and an issue of Game Informer Digital.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Wikipad to launch this unique new gaming tablet,” said Joe Gorman, vice president of GameStop’s mobile business unit. “We love the innovation and know our customers are excited to see it in action.”

Wikipad's Halloween launch will come with a full suite of games from the aforementioned platforms as well as several upcoming unannounced platforms.