Deal Extreme is selling two film camera kits – a 35mm camera and a dual lens pinhole camera. As you can see, they’re just like the robot model kits that are popular with mecha and toy hobbyists. With the exception of some screws and springs, all of the parts are made of ABS plastic, even the optics.

Unlike Gunpla and other model kits, which look bad ass but are actually quite fragile and don’t really do any roboty stuff – they just pose daintily in their glass cages, frozen, helpless, dolls – these cameras actually work. Assuming you can put them together properly of course.

You can order the 35mm camera from Deal Extreme for about $13 (USD). A kitschier white and blue model is also available. The dual lens pinhole camera is a bit more expensive at $20, but that’s because it can take panoramic and stereoscopic 3D shots. Now I don’t know if it’s a coincidence that the cameras are cheap and are sold in pieces, but just think of it this way: they’re making you pay less to have more fun.

Of course assembling a camera isn’t the same as actually manufacturing it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up with something that looks and works like you made it from scratch. Yes I mean that in a negative way. Yes that was a photography pun. Yes I will stop now.

[via Retro Thing]

The FAMIKONFURUKONPURITOSETTO (Thanks a lot Google Translate) can be yours for the low, low price of ¥650,000 ($7,300 USD). If you’re thinking, “Who the hell’s going to buy that btw my PC costs twice that lolz”, think again. The comments at gameSniped go like this: “You have no idea how tempted I am to use my tax return to buy that. Who needs a new roof anyway?” Another commenter: “Roof’s are for p***ies! Do it!”

Here are some of the gems in this insane offering:

Judging from these shots, we can classify Famicom cartridge art like so: a. Made by Toriyama, b. Ugly crap. Seriously though, if I had the money I would have my brother buy the set for me just so I can look at them on rough days. That’s a whole set of  childhood memories right there.

[pics courtesy of Akiba Blog]

I actually tried to justify to myself this gadget’s dimension-shattering existence, thinking that it might be useful for very young kids or people with special needs, such as amputees. But look at what’s inside the box: battery box, plastic rings, nuts, wire, plastic suction cups, sticky pads, screws, plastic discs with pulley, connecting sleeves, terminal block, screw driver, base plate with guide, motors and detailed instructions. Batteries not included. Tell me, Middlesex University, which would be easier: to ask someone to assemble the motherflipping contraption, or to ask someone to launch a paper plane? Using their built-in hands?

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I don’t care if the paper planes it launches move at the speed of light. This is like someone eating your food for you. Someone that you have to purchase for $16 and build. Notice also that the box says “kits created by specialists who teach teachers”, and not “kits created by specialists who create kits”. The second one would have been so much more reassuring.

Kids: remember what happened in WALL*E? Use your limbs. For the sake of humanity.

[via computersight]

The software uses an online database to make adding and searching for games easy. You just type in the title of your game and the platform it’s for and the search returns with a list. Select your game from the list and it’s added to your inventory, along with pictures, synopsis and other information that you freaks are sure to love. Their online database is robust, covering games from current gen consoles all the way to ancients like the Commodore 64. Since a game collector would probably have hundreds or thousands of games, the software’s maker Collectorz also sells a barcode scanner to eliminate the hassle of typing and searching for games.

Aside from a customizable sorting scheme – you can sort your games by platform, by genre, even by your date of purchase – collectors can also contribute to the online database by uploading details of their games. You can also mark your list of games with statuses like “not in collection”, “on order” or “for sale”. Since the Pro version of the software is printable, this is a good way of comparing your collection with your 3 friends, of which one is your pet rat. Kidding. But for me the feature that really screams I am rich but lonely connoisseur is the loan manager.

Yes. It’s simply a list of whom you lent your games to and when. and their DUE DATE. IN.SANE. If you want or need the Game Collector, you can sign up for a free trial or purchase the game at Collectorz’ site. The standard version sells for $30 and will be emailed to the customer. But since Collectorz knows that realz hardcorez collectorz don’t want no standard crap, they also have a pro version: $50 for the software only, $70 for a CD plus something they call “premium support”.

You know you want it.