Tag: Bandai

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Sometimes, you just can’t resist popping all that bubble wrap that your latest gadget purchase came shipped in. Well now you can feed that compulsion any time, thanks to this new gizmo from Bandai. The PuchiPuchi (rough translation) is a pocket-sized electronic device that simulates the sound and feel of popping bubble wrap.

This goofy digital music player from Bandai isn’t really an MP3 player in the traditional sense. Released for the 10-year anniversary of the popular electronic pet franchise, the $115 Tamagotchi Music Fever player doesn’t connect to your computer.

From the company that brought you the original Tamagotchi “virtual pet,” comes a new gadget which takes that basic premise and injects your own personality into the equation. Bandai’s Human Player starts out by asking you fifty personal questions, then creates your own digital Mini-Me based on your personality traits. The “Ego-gram” test assigns of 22 personalities to start your virtual doppelganger’s life.