Technabob » turtle http://technabob.com/blog Cool Gadgets, Gizmos, Games and Weird Science Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:31:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Koopa Shell Backpack: Don’t Let Mario Kick You Around http://technabob.com/blog/2011/11/28/koopa-shell-backpack/ http://technabob.com/blog/2011/11/28/koopa-shell-backpack/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:30:35 +0000 Conner Flynn http://technabob.com/blog/?p=74932 Super Mario Bros…. today that have enduring and adorable characters? I’m starting to think we may never get such games again. But hey, at least we still have the classic games and tons of cool merchandise to go along with them. This]]> Why can’t they create original games like Super Mario Bros. today that have enduring and adorable characters? I’m starting to think we may never get such games again. But hey, at least we still have the classic games and tons of cool merchandise to go along with them.

Koopa Shell

This plush Koopa shell backpack is awesome. It measures about 16-inches in diameter, and turns you into a Koopa in like two seconds. Of course you run the risk of people jumping on you and tossing you across the room, but still, it’s a great way to carry your stuff.

You might be tempted to walk really slow back and forth like a Zombie with a shell, or feel the urge to go all Hammer Bros. on someone and bar people’s path even, but I say as long as you look the part, go for it. Just don’t be surprised when a plumber jumps on you and your shell goes flying.

You can get one for $44.99(USD) from Amazon.

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2011/11/28/koopa-shell-backpack/feed/ 0 Super Mario Bros.: Koopa Air Hockey Edition http://technabob.com/blog/2011/11/22/super-mario-bros-koopa-air-hockey/ http://technabob.com/blog/2011/11/22/super-mario-bros-koopa-air-hockey/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:15:12 +0000 Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/?p=74314 Super Mario 3D Land… is out, the dust on my Nintendo 3DS has finally been wiped off, and I’m actually playing a decent game on the otherwise unexciting handheld. One thing that hasn’t changed – or in fact has actually gotten more irritating – is those damned Koopa]]> Now that Super Mario 3D Land is out, the dust on my Nintendo 3DS has finally been wiped off, and I’m actually playing a decent game on the otherwise unexciting handheld. One thing that hasn’t changed – or in fact has actually gotten more irritating – is those damned Koopa shells bouncing around at your feet and tripping you up. It’s just like the older games, except this time they try and knock you over in three dimensions.

Along similar lines, this new Super Mario Bros. Air Hockey game which uses a spinning Koopa shell in place of a puck, and bounces around the turtle in his shell across your tabletop.

koopa air hockey

While the Koopa shells have “Super Mario Bros. Wii” stamped onto them, there’s no reason you can’t play a game with these, even if you don’t own a Wii or a 3DS. All you need is a table and a little space. Unlike most air hockey games, the fan is built into the puck, so you can play on any smooth surface – as long as you don’t mind scratching it up with the hockey bats (sticks? red hats?)

koopa air hockey 2

Just don’t try throwing this thing around at any of the Goombas in your office, because you’ll probably end up breaking something, or the Goombas might try and beat you with it instead. Mario fans can get their hands on the Koopa shell air hockey game over at Strapya World for about $14 (USD).

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2011/11/22/super-mario-bros-koopa-air-hockey/feed/ 0 Turtle Shell Robot Races Bring Mario Kart One Step Closer to Reality http://technabob.com/blog/2011/08/08/turtle-shell-mario-kart-robot/ http://technabob.com/blog/2011/08/08/turtle-shell-mario-kart-robot/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:51 +0000 Conner Flynn http://technabob.com/blog/?p=63405 When driving down the road, you never stop to think that a Koopa shell could slam into you and knock you off course, but it might be time to start worrying about this possibility. Why? Because Turtle Shell robots are now having real life races.

Turtle Shell Racer Robots

It won’t be long before we have to start throwing bananas at these things, when they make our roads something out of a Mad Max movie produced by Nintendo, but for now it looks like a whole lot of fun. Michael Overstreet and a bunch of fellow makers are having turtle shell races in Kansas City. Many of the parts used to create these bots were printed on a MakerBot 3D printer. We don’t have much info yet, but it looks like they are remote controlled from smartphones and not a Wii-mote.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

According to Michael, there will be more info coming in the next few weeks and a website. Could we be looking at the birth of a new racing fad? Stay tuned. And drive safe.

[via Robots-Dreams]

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2011/08/08/turtle-shell-mario-kart-robot/feed/ 0 Crabfu Tortoise Robot Hits the Ground Crawling http://technabob.com/blog/2008/06/21/crabfu-tortoise-robot-hits-the-ground-crawling/ http://technabob.com/blog/2008/06/21/crabfu-tortoise-robot-hits-the-ground-crawling/#comments Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:33:47 +0000 Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/?p=2623 The guys over at Crabfu Motionworks have been responsible for some weird and wonderful robotic creations over the years, and their latest is no exception.

crabfu tortoise robot

The Crabfu R/C Tortoise ‘bot crawls along the ground like a turtle, with a set of 4 sub-micro servos controlling its pokey little legs.

crabfu tortoise robot 2

I just love the clever usage of cable ties to keep the tips secured onto his little legs. Each leg is tied to an independent channel and axis on the remote joysticks, which let it move around by wildly gesticulating your thumbs.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The way it ambles about, I don’t think this tortoise will be beating any hares in a race anytime soon.

[via MAKE:]

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