Technabob » bandai

Tamagotchi Is 15 Years Old: Is Yours Still Alive?

Range — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:00:21 +0000

I remember the Tamagotchi “virtual pet” craze from years ago. It’s definitely something uniquely Japanese, but it did have global appeal too. If you were one of those original Tamagotchi fans, then you’ll be happy to find out that Bandai has just released a special 15-year anniversary edition Tamagotchi.

Bandai’s special edition is the Tamagotchi ID L (JP), and it features a color screen as well as different environments through which your digital pet can travel. The device will also wirelessly connect to other Tamagotchis in the area, and will allow them to swap items, date, or marry each other.

There are 15 male and 17 female characters, as well as new games. The device is the same size as the original, and is available in pink or purple. You can get your hands on the 15th Anniversary Tamagotchi for about $60 (USD) over at CDJapan.

[via Dvice via designboom]

Gun O’Clock Lets You Start the Day With a Blast

Lambert Varias — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:59:39 +0000

Most quirky alarm clocks make it difficult for the user to turn off the alarm, for obvious reasons. But Bandai’s Gun O’Clock might actually make you look forward to its alarm sounding off, because then you can shoot at it.

The Gun O’Clock has three modes. The normal mode only requires you to hit the pop-up targeting area once, while in hard mode you’ll need to hit it five times. And of course there’s the awesome game mode, which gleefully throws out the clock part of the gadget. Just start shooting and it’ll give you a score.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You can order the Gun O’Clock from Amazon for approx. $28 (USD). If you’re the DIY type, Kipkay recently put up an Instructable for a wired version of the clock. It doesn’t have a targeting area though, or a game mode. Boo.

[via Bandai via Unpluggd]

Your Very Own Mini Giant Gundam

Technabob — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:16:52 +0000

If you’re lucky enough to live in Japan, you’ve had plenty of opportunity to check out the giant Gundam statue that’s been around for the last year or so. But for those of us here in the States and other places around the world, we’ve got no giant Gundam love. Well, thanks to the guys at Bandai, you can buy your very own oversize Gundam for your living room.

Sure, this model is only a 1/12th size replica, but that still means that it stands almost 5 feet (1.5m) tall and weighs 77 pounds (35kg) when assembled . The HY2M Hyper Hybrid Model mech was produced for the 30th anniversary of the franchise, and offers fully poseable arms, legs, head and even its fingers are jointed. It also comes with multiple guns and a lightsaber blade you can put in his hand to really intimidate your guests.

As you can see from the pile of parts in the gallery above, the “some assembly required” on the manual is a bit of an understatement. I’d expect that putting this thing together would take more time than a set of dressers from IKEA.

But if you’ve got the patience, and you’re willing to do a little Japanese-to-English translation, you can order one of these limited-edition replicas from the Bandai shop for ¥315,000 (appx. $3800 USD). Extravagant, yes. But a small price to pay to have Gundam keeping watch over your home, no?

[via Early Adopter]

Amazing Papercraft Statue of Gundam is 4 Feet High!

Range — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:09:24 +0000

While it’s certainly not as tall as the 59 foot Gundam in Japan, this 4 foot-tall version is still pretty impressive. Taras Lesko built this amazing statue of Freedom Gundam out of paper.

This is his latest papercraft project which took him over 2 months to construct. In total, Taras used 175 pages of paper to make this thing. It includes over 500 parts.

This huge papercraft model is based on the Freedom Gundam, seed #7, 1/100 scale model, by Bandai. He constructed a 3D model from this 1/100 scale model and then, converted it into a papercraft model. Check out the timelapse video of him building paper Freedom Gundam.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[via DesignYouTrust]

Pac-Man Pairs Power Pills With Pinot Noir

Technabob — Thu, 06 May 2010 03:14:39 +0000

In celebration of Pac-Man’s 30th anniversary, the Japanese are getting drunk on wine. At least that’s what this unlikely commemorative set of Pac-Man wine glasses would have you believe.

My Japanese isn’t very good, but it looks like you’ll be able to get a pair of these glasses, along with a set of collectible Pac-Man wine coasters for about ¥5250 (appx. $50 USD). Here’s a bit of machine translation which should help you with your purchase decision:

“Wine glass wine glass set used in the 30th anniversary of Pac-Man is the home of a wine glass wine made in France. The glass we perform our 30th anniversary logo of Pac-Man. This product is full of playful fun and celebrate. Intensity than ordinary glass of soda, have a reputation as a professional. You can use the dishwasher. Glow in the endurance test of 2,000 was not lost. Coldcut – finish the mouth. The taste is smooth, you can enjoy the taste of wine more.”

Now I don’t quite get the tie-in between Pac-Man and wine – all I can think of is that Bandai Namco designed these glasses for the game’s little-known fifth ghost, Drinky.

[via LalaBit Market]

Über-Cute Rilakkuma Netbook: Aww.

Range — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:06:25 +0000

Whether you’re a Japanese toddler or teen, you love Rilakkuma. Apparently, this cute teddy bear is on its way to dethrone Hello Kitty in the realms of cuteness. This makes Rilakkuma perfect for companies trying to make their devices cute.

This Rilakkuma netbook is actually a tablet as well, although the Japanese like to call it a UMPC. It’s got a 8.9-inch touchscreen, 60 GB HD, TV Tuner, DVD drive, 1GB RAM, and two USB ports. It comes with a webcam, SD card slot, WiFi and Bluetooth. And teddy bears. Eating pancakes.

The most important thing for the target audience is that this Rilakkuma netbook comes with a bunch of pre-installed Rilakkuma wallpapers, super-cute icons and screensavers. The best part is that when users turn on the webcam, they can choose to see their faces in five different virtual Rilakkuma picture frames!

It will go on sale in Japan at the end of June for around ¥90,000 (appx. $990 USD). If you want it, you’d best contact Japan Trend Shop or Geek Stuff 4 U for help.

[via CrunchGear]

Bandai Mousou Mini Controllers Play Your Arcade Favorites, but Not Really

Technabob — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:50:44 +0000

How’d you like to take some of your favorite classic arcade games and carry them around on your keychain? What if I told you that you couldn’t actually see what you were doing, but just hear it? Well that’s pretty much what you get with these new mini controllers.

Bandai’s new Mousou mini arcade controllers don’t let you see the on-screen action, but they do let you play all of the sounds of the arcade originals.

Each button press and combo works just like the originals – just without the benefit of a screen. The initial batch of Mousou controllers includes three arcade classics: Xevious, Street Fighter II and Famista (a classic Namco/Nintendo baseball game from Japan).

Check ‘em out in action in the video clips below, and just imagine the glorious old 8-bit graphics that you’re missing out on.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The guys over at Japan Trend Shop are taking pre-orders for the Bandai Mousou controllers in sets of three, including all three games, and your choice of three different SFII character sets: Ken/E Honda/Guile, Ryu/Blanka/Sagat, or Dhalsim/Balrog/Chun-Li. The set of three is selling for $44 (USD) and they should start shipping on March 20.

If you’re fortunate enough to live in Japan, you can order them individually at the Bandai shop for just 888 Japanese Yen (appx. $10 USD) each.

Bandai Meiji Never-Ending Chocolate Bar is Infinitely Inedible

Technabob — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:38:43 +0000

Here’s the latest ridiculous keychain gadget to come to us from the same guys who brought us infinite bubble wrap and the thirst-unquenching beer can simulator. I give you… never-ending chocolate.

Created in celebration of the 84th anniversary of Meiji chocolates, Bandai’s Meiji chocolate bar clips onto your keychain or cell phone and lets you simulate the sensation and sounds (???) you get when you break off pieces of a chocolate bar as many times as you want. Unfortunately, they missed out on the best part – eating the actual chocolate.

The infinite chocolate bar should be available at the end of this month in Japan for ¥630 (appx. $7 USD), and shortly thereafter once the Japanese gadget importers start bringing them to the rest of the world. In the mean time, you’ll just have to settle for eating lots of actual chocolate bars, which is a lot more yummy anyhow.

[via InventorSpot]

Anpanman Bento Machine Lets You Really Play With Your Food

Technabob — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:53:55 +0000

We’ve featured some fun bento box creations on the site over the years, but they’re clearly the works of master food artisans with tons of time on their hands. Now thanks to this new gizmo from Japan, you can make your own funny lunches without any such skills.

Bandai’s new Anpanman sushi maker toy lets you crank out edible nori maki faces of characters from the famous Japanese kids’ anime series. The process is reminiscent of one of those Play-Doh machines you used to play with when you were a kid, extruding rolls of colorful food through templates of faces. Except this time, you’ll be eating actual food instead of Play-Doh. The diagram below explains it better…

Ready to roll (some sushi)? At this point the Anpanman bento toy is available only in Japan for ¥5040 (appx. $55 USD), but hopefully some enterprising importer will bring them to the rest of the world for all to enjoy.

Mmmm… extruded food!

[Press Release (translated)]

Bandai Phone Braver 7 is a Phone With Attitude (and Limbs)

Technabob — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:17:01 +0000

I’m not sure if you can actually make phone calls with the Bandai Phone Braver 7, but I don’t mind. I mean really, it’s a cell phone with bendable arms and legs, so what’s not to like?

The Phone Braver 7 (model GE-46) is an anthropomorphic mobile phone from Bandai’s Soul of Chogokin series. How I missed Phone Bravers number 1 through 6 is anyone’s guess. Maybe this chart will help you figure out what’s going on.

Actually, Phone Braver 7 is based on a “character” in a popular Japanese TV drama, K-Tai Sosakan 7, a drama about “a high school boy, his transforming cell-phone robot, and his six detective partners that fight against an internet-based criminal organization.” I’m surprised NBC hasn’t optioned it for the U.S. yet.

From what I can tell, this particular model features interchangeable light up faceplates, and makes sounds, but there are other versions floating around that actually have an LCD screen and play games too.

Priced at $135 (USD) over at XL-SHOP.com, Phone Braver 7 isn’t cheap, but it is awesome.

I hope this is what the iPhone 4 looks like.

Bandai’S Samurai Pedometer: How Warriors Kept Their Healthy Physiques

Technabob — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:57:41 +0000

Here’s an odd little gadget fresh from Japan. It’s a digital pedometer with a twist. Instead of just measuring how many steps you’ve walked, it has you play a little Samurai game as you amble along.

From what I can tell, Bandai’s YUU HO KEI pedometer game involves ordering your foot soldiers out to battle with you – by making them walk – and then walk some more. The more distance you cover, the closer your army gets to the battlefield, and the closer you get to becoming a Samurai master.

But this pocket-sized gadget isn’t just for fun. It actually seems like a pretty nice pedometer, capturing data from your activity, and letting you upload it to Bandai’s website so you can keep track of your progress – a la Apple’s Nike + iPod kit. And it doesn’t just use a cheap motion sensor to figure out your footsteps – there’s a true 3-D accelerometer under the hood. Those Samurai warriors were sure crafty buggers.

No word on if or when you’ll be able to find this thing outside of Japan, but if you happen to live there, you’ll be able to grab one from the Bandai online shop for ¥4725 (appx. $49 USD) when it’s released later this month.

[via CoolThings via TOKYOMANGO]

Bandai Luminodisc LED Pov Top: Spin Til You Win

Technabob — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:55:16 +0000

This flying saucer-like apparatus from Bandai is a modern day take on a classic kids’ toy – the spinning top.

Just flip open the collapsing handle on the Bandai Luminodisc and give it a spin. As it goes round and round, a persistence-of-vision LED display tells you how many rotations your spin made. If you hit a certain threshold, you’ll see secret hidden messages and animations. There are a couple of game modes, like trying to hit 150 rotations in 10 seconds, and a really tricky mode called “Just 100″ in which you need to stop the spinning at exactly 100 revolutions. And then there’s “Biggest Challenge” in which you shoot for 300, 400 or 500 revs without the top stopping.

In addition to the game modes, the Luminodisc works as a handy magnetic compass too. Just put it in directional mode, and a N-S-E-W directional indicator flips on the LED display when you spin it up to speed.

While these are available over in Japan for just ¥1999 ($20 USD), the folks over at Gizmine are selling these worldwide for $34.99 (USD).

Bandai Mugen Beer Can Simulator: Pop Open a Cold Un-Refreshing Un-Brew

Technabob — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:40:13 +0000

Ahh, there’s nothing more refreshing than popping open an ice cold brewski on a hot Summer day. Of course, if you happen to not have a cold brewski on you, you could always go for the next best worst thing – an electronic beer can simulator.

Brought to you by the fine weird minds of Bandai Japan, the Mugen Beer Can simulator hangs on your key ring, and plays an electronic sample of the sound of opening a can of the cold frosty stuff when you flip its pop top.

At least you won’t be spilling beer all over yourself when you have too many of these.

Single Mugen cans of are available for pre-order over at Gizmine for$17.99 (USD) each, but if you want to share some with your friends, you can grab a six-pack of can simulators (including a couple of fizzy non-alcoholic soda cans) over at eTraders Place for $55. Expect the Mugen beer can simulator to start shipping late this June, just in time for those backyard summer barbeques.

Bandai Tuttuki Bako: Stick Your Finger in the Hole

Technabob — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:30:40 +0000

This new interactive toy from Japan involves sticking your finger in a hole on the side of the box to interact with a virtual environment. Really. I’m not kidding.

Bandai’s new Tuttuki Bako handheld interactive plaything requires you to twiddle your finger around inside the orifice to play with a variety of virtual characters on an LCD screen on the front of the device. Think augmented reality Tamagotchi, and you’ve pretty much got the point.

There are six play modes ranging from pushing around a tiny little person, to ticking someone’s nose, to petting a pint-size panda bear. All very weird indeed.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Now that you’re all hot and bothered from that video clip, I bet you’re just dying put your finger in one of these. Just gather up your ¥3610 (appx. $37 USD), get your Katakana to English dictionary out and head on over to the Rakuten Strapya shop.

R/C Mechagodzilla Robot: Crush, Crumble and Chomp!

Technabob — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:46:38 +0000

Why is it that Japan gets all the coolest toys? I mean really, why can’t I walk into the neighborhood store and pick up one of these?

Coming this December from Bandai Japan, this remote-controlled Mechagodzilla robot is truly a sight to behold.

Towering at nearly 20-inches tall (1/100th scale), the mechanical creation is faithful to the version of the Robosaurus Rex from 1974′s Gojira tai Mekagojira (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla).

Mechagodzilla has light up eyes, nostrils and mouth, and his spinning rocket-launcher fingers and toes have flashing LEDs in them too. But the best part is that Mecha can go all Linda Blair on your ass (or Steve Martin in The Jerk), spinning his head in a complete circle as he screeches sound effects digitized from the movie.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Now the bad news. Not only is Mechagodzilla only available in Japan, he’ll set you back a whopping ¥84,000 (about $828 USD, depending on how the dollar is doing). Still, if you’re a big fan of the classic franchise, you might just have to pinch your pennies for one of these.

[via Digital Gadgets Freak and SciFi Japan]

Bandai Luminodot: Like a Lite-Brite on Steroids

Technabob — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:54:16 +0000

The Lite-Brite is one of my fondest childhood toy memories. Maybe it was the fact that it was THE original way to make pixel art. Or maybe it was the “living on the edge” thrill that any minute I could choke on one of the of hundreds of tiny candy-like pegs. Delicious. Of course, the biggest problem with the original was the fact that you couldn’t do particularly detailed drawings, and its clear that the guys at Japan’s Bandai channeled their frustration into the design of their new Luminodot.

The Luminodot has an insanely dense grid of capable of holding about 3500 light pegs (more than twice as many as the original Lite-Brite). Thanks to its grid of 70 x 50 individually addressable locations, you can create much more detailed scenes than you could ever with the original.

The Luminodot features a bright LED backlight, which not only offers full-on illumination, it can be set to sequence through one of 25 animated light patterns too.

In addition to a handful of included designs (and additional image packs you can buy), the best part is that you can create your own custom pixel pictures thanks to an online PDF template generator.

Bandai ships 1600 pins (in 12 colors) with each Luminodot, so if you want to fill in the entire board with color, you’ll have to buy some spare pegs too.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

While the Luminodot isn’t officially available outside of Japan, I did manage to find one for sale over on eBay for $128 USD. On the other hand, if you happen to live in the area, you can order one from Amazon Japan on sale for ¥10,035 (appx $96 USD).

Assuming you can read Japanese, you can find out more over at Bandai’s Luminodot website.

Weird Japan: the 5 Second Stopwatch Game

Technabob — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:39:47 +0000

You’ve got to hand it to the Japanese. I’m pretty sure that the ONLY objective of this new handheld game is to press the stopwatch button at exactly 5-seconds, but I’m so completely mesmerized by the marketing materials that I must go buy one now.

If those images pique your curiosity, then you must check out this Flash promo movie, which could be the best, strangest, and catchiest jingle to hit since I laid my eyes and ears on Katamari Damacy for the first time. It’s truly a must see (and hear).

While the concept of the game appears to be as simple as it gets, clearly it’s changed the lives of the inhabitants of this strange parallel universe.

The 5 Second Stopwatch should find its way to stores in Japan on July 26, 2008. I’d expect someone to start importing them Stateside this Fall. In the mean time, you can play this simple online version of the game and start warming up your trigger finger.

[Bandai 5 Second Stopwatch Game]

Bandai Mirai Scope: the Digital Fortune Teller

Technabob — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:43:11 +0000

Think of the latest contraption from Japan’s Bandai as a virtual soothsayer. The pocket-sized device uses a digital personality assessment, along with a dash hocus pocus and other less-than-scientific gibberish to predict your future.

The Mirai Scope starts out by asking its owner about fifty personal questions, which help to assign you one of 236 unique personality types (you can try out the actual test here, if you’re up for a little Japanese). Once you’ve been successfully pigeonholed by the Mirai, your profile is combined with some “biorhythm” BS to help triangulate your course in life.

You’ll be able to ask for predictions on specific topics such as health, wealth, employment and your love life. There’s even some sort of weird infrared profile-sharing feature which lets you predict the future for you and your significant other if you care to beam your information through the air.

It’s likely that the Mirai Scope will remain a Japanese exclusive, but if you’re willing to go the extra mile to fly one in, you should be able to come late March for ¥2,980 (appx. $28 USD).

Super Mario Brothers Keep Keys Company

Technabob — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:21:14 +0000

Stuff that features the likeness of Mario and his video game pals never seems to get old around here, so why not check out these new keychains based on Nintendo’s favorite gaming icons.

These Super Mario Light Mascot keychains from Bandai come in a set of five familiar faces from the classic Nintendo franchise. The set includes Mario himself, Power-up and 1-up mushrooms, a “?” box, a Boo ghost and a Goomba (not the type from Jersey). They each light up so you might have a better shot seeing your keys while your fumbling around in the dark. Why five keychains, you might ask? Why not share ‘em with your friends, or put a single key on each one if you’re feeling really whimsical?

The $20 set can be pre-ordered now from NCSX, and should ship right around Christmas 2007.

Mini Robot Bugs From Japan

Technabob — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:22:54 +0000

I was checking out Bandai Japan’s website earlier today when I came across this new micro robot that they’re coming out with later this year.

The Hex Bug series of miniature insect robots scurry along on six legs, just like real bugs. The tiny battery-operated robots automatically avoid obstacles and will change direction when you clap in their vicinity.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Hex Bugs will come in a variety of colors and styles, and can be pre-ordered from Strapya World for about $16 each.