We've all seen some of the weird and wacky accessories released for the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation Move, with gun controllers, fishing rods and all manner of plastic add-ons available. Now the iPhone is also getting in on the action, with the apptoyz appBlaster “augmented reality iGaming toy” hitting the market.

The rifle works with the augmented reality (AR) app, Alien Attack from apptoyz, and allows gamers to blast alien threats out of the air. Being AR technology the aliens will be invisible to others, but you'll clearly be able to see them superimposed on real world surroundings via your Apple device. UK retailer RED5 is launching the product exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch.

The appBlaster doesn't require any batteries since it sports trigger-to-touch-screen technology to fire the in-game shooter. A users' iPhone is simply secured in the guns mounting brackets, with the triggers operating two pads that touch the screen and allows firing of the 'weapon'.

Users will be able to use both primary and secondary shooting functions and the appBlaster can even be cocked and reloaded using the iPhone or iPod touch's motion capabilities.

Interested players simply need to download the free app, apptoyz Alien Attack, from the iTunes App Store and they're ready to start blasting. The full version of the app will be launched on the 6th of July and can be searched on the App Store under 'Alien Attack'.

The rifle itself is retailing for £19.99 (R220), and is available for per-order from RED5.co.uk. Unfortunately it doesn't look like local availability is going to be very likely, but it's nonetheless interesting to see traditionally non-gaming manufacturers (like Apple) now also receiving gaming accessories. It speaks volumes of the rise of mobile gaming.

The accessory is compatible with the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and fourth generation iPod Touch.