Technabob » console

8-Bit Series Game Console Posters: As Seen From the Eyes of Grandpa NES

Lambert Varias — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Etsy seller Biscotto Cotto is currently offering a line of minimalist pixel art prints of video game systems. They’re done in 8-bit, which is kind of funny when you notice that the NES – perhaps the most famous console from that generation – isn’t included in the series. At least the Game Boy and the Sega Master System are representin’.

This is exactly how I perceive things without my glasses on. On second thought, my eyesight’s not that bad – I probably have 16-bit/16-bit vision. The current gen systems also get their own prints, so there’s something for young gamers as well. No iOS devices though.

Head to Biscotto Cotto’s Etsy shop to order the 8-bit series. A4-sized prints sell for $15 (USD) while A3-sized prints sell for $25.

[via It8bit]

Nintendo Wii U May Get an App Store

Conner Flynn — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:00:14 +0000

Nintendo may be against porting their games onto mobile devices, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t considering an app store of their own for their Wii U console. It would of course be similar to iTunes or the Android Market, but packed with stuff just for your console.

Rumors would seem to indicate that non-game apps like MLB.tv will run on the regular TV interface, along with more tablet-like apps that will be optimized for the Wii U’s touchscreen display. You can also expect a “wider variety” of apps than what DSiWare and WiiWare offer now.

By the time the console arrives sometime in 2012, hopefully this app store will be up and running. So far, Nintendo has no comment, but if they are going to compete, I think they need to just do it and run with the idea.

[via Ubergizmo]

Wii U Hardware Specifications Leaked?

Conner Flynn — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

We still have quite a wait for Nintendo’s next-gen Wii U console, which isn’t expected to be officially launched until near the end of 2012. To help get us through and ease our wait, some possible specs for the new Wii U have surfaced.

Take this with a grain of salt, but according to a developer “in the know,” the Wii U is equipped with a 45nm, PowerPC-based 3 GHz processor with four cores, similar to the one found in the Xbox 360. There is rumored to be a 40nm AMD GPU that will share the onboard memory with the CPU. It looks like it may even have 768MB of DRAM to support that processor.

We still have no info on pricing, but if these spec rumors are on target, the Wii U may be expensive compared to the Wii’s current pricing – especially if you work in the cost of its fancy controller. Of course it will be much more powerful, but what really matters are the games anyhow.

[via Tomsguide]

Next-Gen Xbox May Have Two Versions

Conner Flynn — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:15:08 +0000

The latest rumors on Microsoft’s next generation Xbox are making their way around the tubes – and the latest rumor is that there will be two separate consoles – one for hardcore gamers, and one that is aimed at a more casual gaming audience that would be cheaper and less powerful.

The cheaper version of this next-generation console would be more like a set-top box. Chances are it will still support Kinect, but the games may be download only, maybe with some non-gaming content like Netflix.

The high-end version, rumored to be called the “Xbox 720″ or codename “Loop” would be closer to what we have now, with a disk drive and a hard drive. It would also be backwards compatible with 360 games. There is speculation that it could have two separate graphics chips as well, but that may be wishful thinking.

These rumors make a lot of sense. Not everyone needs an Xbox for hardcore games. Chances are they would sell a ton of cheaper units, adding up to more sales overall.

[via SlashGear and Geeks Are Sexy]

Sony UMD Passport for PS Vita Lets You Play Your Old UMD Games (for a Price)

Conner Flynn — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:00:45 +0000

Are those old UMD discs sitting around collecting dust? Fear not, Sony has plans to launch a UMD Passport for the PS Vita handheld console once it launches. Basically gamers who have large libraries of UMD games from previous PSP models will need to sign up for access to the new UMD Passport. But it is still going to cost you something.

Once you have registered and Sony approves you, then you will need to download a free Registration UMD app that will allow you to insert the UMD and link to a PSN account to register that title. Next step is to re-purchase the title at a discounted price. Yep, you are going to get charged again for the same game.

This seems less about helping UMD owners and more about milking them. You may not be paying full price, but it’s still lame. You OWN the game after all. The discounted price is between £4 (~$6 USD) and £12 (~$19 USD) according to Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. Right now the UMD Passport supports about 200 games.

[via NeoGAF via Videogamer]

Three Cool New Nintendo 3DS Designs You Can’t Buy

Conner Flynn — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:00:12 +0000

If you’ve been following Nintendo for awhile, you have probably noticed that they’ve make some pretty bone-headed decisions lately. A lot of them. Take these three new 3DS consoles for instance. They look awesome, don’t they? They are just what we want as far as design goes. Sorry, you can’t buy any of them.
They are giving them away through Japan’s Club Nintendo, and only in a sweepstakes. Had they actually released these Princess Peach, Mario, and Toad consoles, we would be buying them faster than they could be produced. I guess Nintendo doesn’t like mountains of cash these days.

These versions are limited to one thousand of each and only available to Club Nintendo members to win. They should be selling these. To me! Right now! Oh well, there’s always paint I guess. C’mon Nintendo, give us more cool design options like these.

[via Kotaku]

New Xbox 720 Console to Arrive in 2013?

Conner Flynn — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:00:03 +0000

Much like any news about the Playstation 4, this is rumor territory, but there are some murmurings that we might finally see the next-generation Xbox 720 console in 2013, and not next year during E3 2012. At this point, it’s possible we could still see it in 2012, but on the other hand you may have better odds of a Star Wars re-re-release without Lucas adding another menagerie of CGI creatures.

Reports indicate that everyone from processor chip manufacturers to middleware firms have been actively working with Microsoft and they expect the new console to be unveiled at E3 2013. Many rumors about what gaming companies have been working on have also led to speculation that an Xbox 720 is in fact in development. For instance, Lionhead is supposedly working on a project named Fable NExt, which will launch on a new console and another rumor says that an EA studio already has rudimentary new Xbox console technology in-house. I guess time will tell.

Whether you call it Xbox 720, Xbox Next, Nextbox, or whatever, it will hit eventually and we will all buy one. Does anyone care to predict some launch dates?

[via Gamezone]

The Dark Knight Fails: Battman Xbox Bundle with PS1 Controllers

Conner Flynn — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:00:56 +0000

Would you look at this abomination. This is a knockoff/ripoff “Battman” console whose origins are unknown, though it’s clear from the “Made in China” sticker that it came from somewhere in that part of the world.

It’s almost as bad as that 1990s disaster of a movie on it’s cover. Inside you will find a Christmas colored (fake) original Xbox (I guess it matches the boy wonder’s colors), two PS1-style controllers and a cheap-ass gun accessory.

And here I thought that nothing could be worse than George Clooney as Batman. I’m sure that a bunch of Microsoft lawyers are probably already all over this thing. To top it all off, the company name on the box is “Unique”. There’s nothing unique about throwing an Xbox and some PS1 controllers together in a box.

[via Reddit via Geeksaresexy]

Best of Both Worlds: Modder Crams PS3 and Xbox 360 into Same Box

Range — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:54:11 +0000

There used to be a time when people would only have one video game console, and you’d have “Nintendo” fans and “Sega” fanatics, but gamers now tend to have more than one gaming console to take care of their needs. You’ll find PS3s, with Wiis, and Xbox 360s, it doesn’t matter much. Now, it looks like a modder managed to cram a PS3 and an Xbox 360 into the same box. I just wonder how hot this box will get.

Reddit reader Timofiend solved his problem of having to manage multiple consoles by popping them into a single PC case. For now, both consoles can run simultaneously, and he hasn’t had any problems. He decided not to use liquid cooling because of the cost, but I think that he’ll eventually need it because those consoles tend to generate a lot of heat.

Some people have complained that he just put two consoles into a PC box, and that was the extent of his mod. No matter what you think, it’s still a cool hack. Now, let’s just wait for Ben Heck to make a custom box for it and we’d be in business.

[Imgur via Gameinformer]

Xbox 360 Slim Laptop Gets Even Slimmer, Needs to Eat a Sandwich

Technabob — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 22:05:19 +0000

If you thought your Xbox 360 Slim was skinny, wait until you get a gander at the latest Xbox 360 laptop from James Terry of Dark Uncle Custom Gaming.

Given the fact that a stock Xbox 360 Slim measures over 3-inches thick, I bet you didn’t think an Xbox 360 could get to be under 2 inches thick – with a monitor attached.

But thanks to some ingenious engineering of a negative air pressure cooling system, there is no fan directly on the CGPU – which really cuts down the height of the system components. Instead, a pair of fans force air out of the sealed case, controlling air flowing over the heat sink. When opened up, you’ll see only a single vent hole, along with small speaker holes and the ring of light power switch.

If you recall, Dark Uncle had made an earlier Xbox 360 portable, which weighed more and at 2.5″ thick was a complete fatty compared to this one. This new model has a 17″ screen, and weighs just 8 lbs. Case dimensions of this one when closed are 14 3/4″ wide by 10 3/4″ deep by 1.985″ thick.

You’ll note that the laptop has intelligently placed controls, all on the front of the system, along with a headphone jack. The portable has left the original Xbox Slim mobo largely intact, although he did have to cut down to just two USB ports and eliminate the IR input. All the A/V outputs are there, as well as the Kinect port. Check out this super-sexy Xbox 360 Slim laptop in the video clip below:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I didn’t realize just how slim the system really is, until I saw it next to the HP laptop in the video below:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

If you want to get your hands on this sexy system, you’re in luck – as it’s up for sale on eBay now (with a starting bid of $1650 USD). And if for some reason, you miss out, Dark Uncle is also working on two more units for sale, one with a 17″, and another with a beefy 18.4″ screen. Delivery time for those ones is less than a month, and you can also order them red, blue, white, dark grey or black finishes.

Speedlink Xeox Gamepad for the PS3: Yes, it’s for the PS3.

Lambert Varias — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:31:23 +0000

A lot of gamers swear by the great fit and button placement of the Xbox 360 controller, so it’s no surprise that a gaming peripheral manufacturer like Speedlink would sell a PC gamepad that looks a lot like the Microsoft console’s controller. What is quite surprising is Speedlink’s follow up: an Xbox 360-style controller for the PS3.

Like its PC predecessor, this yet-to-be-released gamepad is called the Xeox. It’s matte black, has different icons (in different colors) and has a rapid fire button. But as you can clearly see, it not only mimics the Xbox 360 controller for practical reasons but for aesthetics as well. Viewed from arm’s length, the E on the Home button might as well be a B.

Aside from that cheap gimmick, I think Speedlink’s on to something here. If a gamer prefers the Xbox 360 controller’s size, fit and layout, then by all means, let him enjoy PS3 games with it. Despite it looking like an Xbox fanboy’s gear at first glance, if this takes off it’ll only serve as further rebuttal to the pointless bickering between console loyalists. Not that that kind of drivel needs any sort of dignified response. There are good games on all systems, and if I had the resources I’d certainly own and play on all video game systems.

The Speedlink Xeox Wireless PS3 Gamepad will be available this October for about €34.99 (~$50 USD), although judging by video game economics this will probably debut Stateside at $35. Expect many a well-meaning loved one to buy this for the Xbox 360-owning gamer in their lives.

[via Glopipe, Vortez & PSUniverse via Reddit ]

Custom Batman: Arkham City Xbox 360 Slim

Conner Flynn — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:26:24 +0000

I can not wait until the next Batman movie. At least we have Arkham City to tide us over until 2012, when we can finally see The Dark Knight Rises. As an added treat we also now have this custom Arkham City Xbox 360 console to drool over.

The artwork on this one is awesome. Batman isn’t fooling around. In fact, he looks downright pissed off. The front side shows the game’s logo. On the opposite side, the Joker can be seen looking downright evil. Not that we’ve ever seen him look like anything else.

Want this Xbox 360 Batman: Arkham City console for your very own? Well one was auctioned off at last weekend’s PAX show in Seattle, so you missed that one. The other way to get one is to keep an eye out for an upcoming giveaway on the Xbox Facebook page. Good luck.

[via f5torefresh]

N64 Tie Fighter and Snow Speeder: The N-Pire Strikes Back

Conner Flynn — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:00:01 +0000

We’ve seen many cool mods featuring both the N64 and Star Wars, but these have to be two of my favorites. These were created by Kevin from Corellian Customs. The first is Darth Vader’s Tie Fighter, with an N64 crammed inside.

He used the 1995 Hasbro Toy, ripped it open and replaced the inside with an N64. It is awesome looking and the design is kept nice and clean. I love how the controller ports are next to the missiles.

Next up is a Snow Speeder, also made from a 1995 Hasbro toy. Again, it looks amazing and the design is nice and clean. I would love to own these bad boys. If you want them, they are both available on Etsy. The Snow Speeder is $184.99 (USD) and the TIE Fighter is $209.99 (USD).

[via Tiny Cartridge via DVICE via Geeky-Gadgets]

Star Wars Xbox Bundle Delayed Until 2012, George Wants to Add Some More CGI Beasts

Conner Flynn — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:47:25 +0000

Just kidding about Lucas wanting to make some changes as he does with every release of these movies. However the R2-D2 Xbox bundle has been delayed until 2012 because they want to make sure that the Star Wars Kinect game is as good as it can be when it ships.

They will tweak some things, polish it all up. So the bad news is that we won’t be getting this awesome bundle come this holiday season, but at least they are taking the time to make sure we have a quality game.

To refresh your memory, this Star Wars special edition Xbox 360 includes a 320GB R2-D2 themed console that features custom sounds and comes with a white Kinect sensor. You also get a C-3PO controller, (It doesn’t talk, thank god!) a wired headset and the Star Wars Kinect game. Aside from that there is also exclusive content and a copy of Kinect Adventures. The system sells for $449 (USD), and despite the delay, Amazon is still listing a December 31, 2011 release date.

[via Gameguru]

Nintendo Wii U Announced, Out in 2012, No Price or Release Date Yet

Technabob — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:09:14 +0000

At this week’s E3, Nintendo took wraps off their next-generation home console, now known as Wii U (or is it “WiiU”?) As predicted, the new system will include both a traditional console unit, and a new controller with a built-in wireless screen and motion controls.

The Wii U’s new controller is actually quite large, and features its own 6.2-inch widescreen, along with dual analog sticks, ABXY buttons, shoulder buttons, built in gyroscope and accelerometer and a player-facing camera and microphone. It’ll also have it’s own touchscreen surface, much like a tablet.

The controller’s large screen could be used to allow multiple players to view independent content while playing against each other on the big screen, as well as to augment the on-screen experience – although I’m not sure how easy it will be to look at content on both a handheld device and on a bigger screen at the same time. I’d think I’d be drawn to look at one or the other at any given time. That said, the new controller’s screen might come in handy for things like ancillary information like inventory and ammo counts, speedometers, maps, radar screens and the like.

The Wii U console itself will offer full 1080p HD video quality, along with an HDMI output, as well as component, S-video and composite capabilities for older displays. According to Nintendo, the console will not only support next-gen games, but offer full backwards compatibility with Wii games. Games will continue to ship on some kind of optical media, and storage will come in the form of internal flash memory, but we don’t yet know how much.

While Nintendo is a long way away from showing final hardware, they did show off a bit of target/reference footage for the visual quality they’re expecting from the Wii U, and it sure looks impressive. You be the judge:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Wii U games in development include Darksiders II, Aliens Colonial Marines, Ghost Recon Online, Metro Last Light, Batman:Arkham City, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, as well as new games from the Dirt, Assasins Creed, and Tekken franchises.

Nintendo provided no further guidance on an exact release date, only saying that the system would be available sometime in 2012, and there’s no word yet on pricing.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

R2-D2 Xbox 360 Casemod Could Have Helped Anakin Lighten Up

Lambert Varias — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:31:23 +0000

He may not have 8 consoles and a million controllers connected to him, but this R2-D2 makes up for it by having a current-gen system, an Xbox 360. Built by Mark Bongo, owner of Major League Mods, the casemod also has a projector, speakers, HDMI out, optical audio out, as well as standard A/V out. Bongo says that the projector’s output can be adjusted from 15in. to 50in.

The accompanying controllers have also been customized; one has a blue faceplate while the other one has blue analog sticks.

Here’s a brief demo of the mod in action:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

What Bongo didn’t show is that Artoo has a hidden timer, and if he deems that you’ve been playing for an unhealthy amount of time, he’ll shock you to sleep. And then squirt oil in your face just for kicks.

[via Instructables via Dvice]

NES Cartridge Flash Drive With Console USB Port is Both Ridiculous and Perfect

Lambert Varias — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:31:02 +0000

We’ve seen NES controllers turned into flash drives and NES cartridges used as cases for external hard drives. But neither of those mods are as awesome – or as ridiculous – as what Instructables user Ed Lewis made: a NES cartridge flash drive with a complementary NES console USB port. Yes, port, as in there’s only one USB connector inside the huge console.

The best part about the hack is that it’s relatively simple. Basically all you have to do is open up the cartridge case, take out the board and make a gap for a flash drive, then glue the drive inside. Then open up the console, cut a hole in the middle of the cartridge connector for the flash drive to slide in, and another hole at the back of the console for the USB cable.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

+1 for the NES cartridge icon for the flash drive. Check out Instructables for more details, or maybe you can try making a NES console with multiple USB ports – two ports for controller flash drives, and then one more for a cartridge.

Circboard Console Typing Software: Amazing, But Not Original?

Lambert Varias — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:03:31 +0000

Redditor Torontoitguy shared a console typing software that he invented. He’s calling it the Circboard, and it’s easy to see why. Letters and symbols are mapped to each of the four face buttons on a controller, while switching between the circles are done using the left analog stick. Intuitive and a hell of a lot more practical than the letter-hunting we’ve gotten used to on our consoles. Unfortunately, the idea might not be original and is stepping on a previously filed patent.

Before we get to the bad news, let’s look at the Circboard in action:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Now for the ugly part: another Redditor by the name of huevos found a patent, filed by Douglas Naimo in 2007, for a similar software. You can read the full patent here. Here are the incriminating figures from the patent:

I’m pretty sure Naimo will want to know more about the Circboard. Perhaps this is the time for him to step up and turn his idea into a real product. At least it wasn’t Microsoft or Sony who have the patent, otherwise it’ll be console-exclusive.

[via Circboard & Reddit via Joystiq]

Tokyoflash Kisai Console is 3rd Concept Watch to Become Reality

Range — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:14:31 +0000

Well, they’ve done it again. Tokyoflash has made another one of those cool concept watches into reality. The idea behind the Kisai Console was posted on their blog back in February 2010. And now it’s going to be on hipster’s wrists everywhere!

In its initial concept form the Kisai Console was called Bright Time. The LED watch was voted as one of the most popular designs, and was also developed based on the feedback that was provided by readers. Although Tokyoflash says that this watch is easy to read at a glance, I’m not too sure about that. Like all Tokyoflash watches, it’s a bit complicated to read, but hey, that’s part of the fun.

The Kisai Console is selling for $200.64 at the Tokyoflash store. Like many of their watches, it’s rechargeable via USB and the battery lasts about a month on a charge.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The Ultimate NES Controller Coffee Table

Technabob — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 03:39:31 +0000

Way back in 2008, I featured a coffee table that looked a heck of a lot like a giant Nintendo NES controller. The thing was used for storage and actually worked as a controller for an NES console. Well, it’s two years later, and somebody has finally bested that achievement.

The guys over at 10up Deluxe have gone over the top with this precisely 10:1 scale NES controller table. Not only does the thing look awesome, the buttons and D-pad are much more faithful to the originals, loaded with custom springs and micro-switches to make sure it plays brilliantly. And they went one better than the original, placing a functional NES inside the table. No detail was spared – even the product details were carved into the back of the controller – in case anyone ever flips it over.

Check out the Extreme NES Coffee table in action in the video below:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Kudos to the guys at 10up Deluxe for this major accomplishment. It truly is a spectacular work of retro gaming art. And I’m sticking to my story from back in 2008. Someone needs to mass-produce these.

[Thanks for the tip, Sam!]