The appropriately named Christin and Justin Baker of North Carolina’s Christin’s Cakes managed to figure out how to bake an Xbox 360 cake that plays in vertical mode. There’s even an accompanying 360 controller, complete with dropped sugar buttons and a “disco dust” X button. Now I think the way they pulled it off is by building not so much a cake, but using the old pastry artist’s trick of sculpting it out of Rice Krispie treats, coated with sheets of smooth fondant icing.

So maybe it’s not as tasty as good old yellow cake and buttercream, but it’s still a serious Xbox Achievement in my humble opinion. And while you’re over at Christin’s flickr page, be sure to check out this appetizing cake. Where were you guys back on Halloween?

Gyromancer is the brainchild of Square Enix and PopCap, the makers of Bejeweled, the game that kick-started our universal matching addiction. The two companies have combined to produce a beautiful puzzle-RPG that will very likely give me the arthritis in my Xbox hand(s). The best part? I’ll be suffering for a mere 1200 Microsoft points ($15 for you PC people).

Here’s a video, but be warned: if you watch this, all those holiday plans may just poof right into thin air as you find yourself racing to get your hands on this bad boy. Sometimes, downloadable games can just be a little too convenient.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Modder Tjpitbull decked out his 360 with a complete Left 4 Dead inspired look, covering the entire case with a distressed military green paintjob on both the console and controller. And you see that giant cutout “4″ from the game’s logo? It’s backlit with bright blood red LEDs when the lights go down – and the most appropriate Red Rings of Death you’ll ever see.

Here’s some video of the glowing red L4D console doing its glowing thing.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I promise I won’t write about any more L4D casemods unless someone manages to make one that looks just like a lifesize Boomer. And then it needs to explode and cover you with a malodorous slime that attracts a horde of smaller 360s.

[via Xbox-Scene]

Look at those muscles! Look at that intensity! Surely the other side can’t be quite this badass, right?

I’m pretty sad right now that this isn’t my Xbox 360. I’m pretty sure the only thing that’s better than this custom shell would be, say, an actual planet named Plun-Darr or something.

[via Xbox Freedom via Gamefreaks]

Yeah, see, while this isn’t quite as elaborate as some of EvilDan’s mods, it’s still pretty incredible, with that peekaboo case and the silhouette. The other side looks good, too. Love that metallic paint!

Anytime you’ve got textured bulletholes, you know you’re looking at a killer mod. I’m sure the friend–because EvilDan is a capital fellow who mods for his pals–is pleased as can be. I know I would be!

All that’s missing is a little Judas Priest blasting through the decorations on top. How awesome would this cake be if that doubled as a speaker? Then again, it’s probably edible. That may just be better.

EA’s Brütal Legend is racking up some rave reviews from the critics, but none quite so sweet as this cake, I expect.

[via Toronto Thumbs]

Flickr user 4apples posted pictures of this controller project, stating that he completed this (sans the LEDs that he’ll add later) as a gift for his girlfriend, who wanted a “special” controller. Congratulations, unnamed girl. Your man is thoughtful and talented.

But as impressive as the finished project is, I really like this picture of the painted pieces. So many of the custom paint jobs I’ve seen end up looking a little sloppy, or the paint just isn’t quite right. Here, you can really see how nice each individually painted piece looks.

I’ve seen mods for sale that don’t look this nice. Just sayin’.

Hydrophobia is already unique in many ways–the waterlogged survival game apparently features unbelievable water physics (which, after seeing pictures, is totally believable). If you don’t believe me, here’s a little footage dug up from an early prototype, showing off the game’s water engine:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Now something interesting is being done with the Xbox 360 release, as well. The game will be available as DLC from the Xbox Live Marketplace in the form of three separate episodes… or on a retail disc to be released later. This is in addition to its availability for PS3 and PC. Apparently, they want to make sure everyone in the world can play this game, without any excuses to bar the purchase.

But, considering the concept, that may not be a bad approach. Hydrophobia’s main character is an engineer with a fear of water who is stuck on a sinking ship–and has to help others escape. It’s a whole new brand of “horror” for the survival game genre, and one that sounds as interesting as its release format.

[Hydrophobia via Joystiq]

The cool thing about the XCM Blue Blood is that it’s actually a kit that you can use to mod your boring white Xbox 360 controller into a thing of true beauty.

Not only does the Blue Blood controller shell have the perfect electric blue finish, it’s super shiny, and comes with an improved D-pad design that’s larger and easier to move than the stock 360 controller. The controller also comes with a set of LED-illuminated replacement ABXY buttons, along with dramatic blue backlighting for the dashboard, select and start buttons. Sweet, indeed.

You can grab the XCM Blue Blood controller mod kit over at TotalConsole for $29.99 (USD).

This spiffy custom model puts the official Halo Xbox 360 to shame. Not only does it glow (always a plus), but that’s one of the armor emblems from the game. I can’t tell from his signature on the Ben Heck forums, where the mod was posted, but it’s probably his emblem. Because, uh, it would be a little strange if it wasn’t.

It might not look it, but apparently this is still a work in process. I can only guess it will transform into a full-sized automobile (a Warthog?) in its final version, if this is only the in-process result.

[via the Ben Heck forums]

Things are simple here. You’ve got four characters (why does that seem so familiar?), ten different weapons, and a life that lasts only so long as you can preserve it. That means killing a lot of zombies, but really, what else are you going to do in the middle of an apocalypse–knit?

Zombie Apocalypse will be available this week for about ten bucks, or whatever the equivalent price is in irritating game-console-currency.

[via Joystiq]

I’m not kidding when I say “full line” — Mad Catz is sparing no expense to capitalize on Modern Warfare 2’s inevitable success. Their peripherals lineup includes:

• Gamepads for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
• A “sniper mouse” for PC FPS traditionalists
• 2 keyboards for PC, one “elite” and one standard
• Faceplate and “Console Skinz” for Xbox 360
• Controller faceplates for Xbox 360 and PS3 controllers
• “Throat Communicator” for Xbox 360

I’m excited for Modern Warfare 2 as much as the next guy/gal (the first Modern Warfare sent First Person Shooter shivers up my spine like only Half-Life 2 has been able to) but I don’t think I’m ready to explain to my friends, family, and colleagues why I have a microphone choker for playing this game. I’ll just stick with the wireless headset, thank you.

[via MaxConsole]

In Trine, a wizard, a thief, and a knight are stuck together fighting an army of undead. Throughout the game, the player can switch off between heroes, using their strengths to help traverse puzzles, platforms, and legions of, well, undead. Because the legions of the undead are always the bad guys.

Trine got such a good reception that the PC game is expanding; this week, it moves to the aforementioned PSN store–at least, in Europe–and Atlus is working on a version for the Xbox 360, so you’ll have a chance to wield your characters in a variety of ways if you are so inclined. Trine sports lush visuals and well-received gameplay, so it might be something worth looking into.

[via IndieGames]

Add a few artful paint spatters for that oh-my-god-there’s-blood-everywhere affect (hey, it’s a violent game) and this has got to be the perfect controller for Gears of War. Just hope the paint can stand up to the sweaty-handed concentration that comes with, say, Horde mode.

You’d hardly guess it from the finished product, but this was velocitti’s first controller mod! If it was me, I might stop there. The problem with coming out strong is that sometimes the sophomore effort just can’t rise above, and this one sets quite the standard.

[via deviantART]

Something decidedly not Xbox-like.

Fortunately for all of us, this child-friendly monstrosity isn’t official or Microsoft-sanctioned. It comes from the imagination of Carl Archambeault, a recent graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design looking to break into the exciting world of industrial design.

I’m not sure if I’m ready for a portable Xbox device (I have enough handheld gaming consoles littering my desk from disuse) but I’m sure one is inevitable. I do give Carl props for actually building this contraption, though. However, I’m not sure it’s something I’d whip out during the morning train ride to work.

[via Kotaku]

How does $3500 sound for the price of a swanky 360? Sure, it’s a little high (and will probably go higher), but just look! If you feel like dropping thousands of bones on Ebay, you might be able to nab the above Xbox! If, however, you don’t have several hundred dollars to blow on a console, you can take your chances in the drawing for the other rare ‘box. All you have to do is download “All You Need is Love” for the Beatles Rock Band game and you’ll be entered!

Or you can wait until after the drawing’s over, and check to see if the drawing-console turns up on Ebay. It probably will.

All of the proceeds from the promotion are being donated to Doctors Without Borders, so at least it’s all for a good cause.

[via Joystiq]

Of course, the glory days turned into gory days when everyone started killing each other, but eh. Details! Besides, these earrings would be just as stylish at a party as they would at the massacre afterward.

The earrings are available for $28 (USD) in EstelledeParis’ Etsy shop, where there are a few other game-inspired items sprinkled among the brass jewelry and art deco crafts. Definitely an eclectic array, but sometimes, those are the best kinds of stores!

This Red Ring of Death achievement T-shirt is bound to draw a few chuckles from your gaming buddies, and maybe a few sobs from the ones who’ve lost a console or two to the dreaded RRoD over the years. And when you’re not wearing it, you might be able to use it to sop up your console’s excess heat in place of the old towel trick.

You can grab one of these T-shirts over at ThinkGeekfor $15.99 to $17.99 (USD), depending on your shirt size.

Bento box maker extraordinaire Laura Bento created this edible Xbox 360 controller meal for her husband. The Xbox 360 bento box was made from many items not found in a conventional Xbox 360 – including seedless cucumbers, grapes, japanese yam cakes, egg white, star jelly pudding and teriyaki-flavored SPAM among other delicacies. But the main element – the controller – is made from good old jasmine rice.

And if you do find yams and lunchmeat stuffed into the DVD tray of your 360, don’t blame me. I didn’t do it.

Well some lucky guy named Joe has just that girl. You see, his girlfriend Crafty Heidi thought enough of him to get out the needle,  thread and feathers and handmade him this plush Xbox 360 controller pillow for lumbar support while he’s on the couch blowing up stuff and crashing cars. Here’s Joe in his native habitat enjoying his 360 pillow:

Now even if you’re single, or you just don’t have a girlfriend as cool as Heidi, you can get an Xbox 360 pillow too. The guys over at GameSniped turned me on to this pair of mass-produced Xbox 360 controller pillows over on eBay. They’re not as big or as comfy looking as Heidi’s design (and they’re missing the secret ingredient) but they are still pillows.

[via ThreadBanger]