Not much is known about the foosball table pictured above but it sure looks pretty awesome, huh? That monster would fit perfectly in this mostly useless space we have on the third floor of the [8bit] offices. We haven't figured out if it actually plays music while you play or if it just amplifies the sounds of the game. Either way, bring ear protection because this baby appears capable of making them bleed. Check out the information-free designer's page here. [Gizmodo]
It's time for another [8bit Blast] because the bookmarks are piling up.
First off, Zazzle is selling a Guitar Hero tie with those now-iconic 5 fret buttons over black. I could see this on Slick Back paired with a classy Nikki Sixx shirt. $30 here. [Zazzle]
Adidas has put out 4 Urban/Olympic Flash games for your enjoyment. I'm a fan or Urband Archery but 10M Dive Bomb isn't bad either. Play them all here. [Direto Do Forno]
Absolutely coolest of these three things and probably deserving of its own [8bit Crap] post is the mighty FC Mobile Game Console. Pop an NES cart into this monster and play anywhere with a huge (really? ) 2.4 inch screen in full color. Not only does it save you from draining your cell battery with cheap knock-off games, but it is cheap as hell. $50 will probably be enough to score you one of these beauties on ebay in your choice of colors. Learn more on this major gaming acheivement at technabob.
You've got it motorhead, now you can plug the leather-wrapped goodness of an original 911 Turbo steering wheel right into your PS3 or 360. Fucking A. At $350 it isn't cheap, but it's as close as many of us will get to the real thing. Pedals, shifter, and all the other stuff you need are included, of course. Check out the product page. [Jalopnik]
We here at [8bit] respect our elders, usually. Before vids were even a twinkle in the eye or Japanese programmers, we had pinball. Like the best games pinball is incredibly simply and incredibly hard. Keep racking up the points and don't let that little silver ball get past you. Stern Pinball Inc. is, unbelievably, the last pinball machine manufacturer left in the world. Their story and a look inside the factory are certainly worth your time. [New York Times, registration possibly required but worthwhile]
Also old and busted when sitting next to a PS3 hooked up to a 50' plasma, are board games. Unless, however, they're super fancy detailed like this 3D edition of Clue. Let the who-killed-who-with-what-where games begin again at Restoration Hardware.
Being a big fan of Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw's vulgar, sharp, poignant and mildly animated video reviews, I have thus far decided not to mare the experience by "reporting" on them. But his recent review of Super Smash Brother's Brawl is so good, and in line with how I feel about the game I just couldn't help it. Do yourself a favor, make going over to The Escapist's Zero Punctuation part of your daily internet travels. The reviews themselves aren't timely for us in the states, but they exist outside the ever important release date fluff reviews and in a space reserved for actual criticism. The video review is emeded below, check it out.
Today we have a lot to talk about and not much time to do it, so we're going to crank a bunch of cool links your way in one post. [8bit Blast] is a lame title for this feature, admittedly, but we don't care. So here it goes.
The good folks at Wired, a steady fixture in the [8bit] office bathroom, want to help you fix that busted NES that's collecting dust behind your entertainment center. Follow their handy video guide and soon you'll be impressing your friends with super cool retro gaming. Next stop, American Apparel for the duds to match.
Leave it to the French to do something elegantly simple. This crazy bastard has gutted a standard issue Super Mario Bros. (nice choice there, i smell a paradox) and turned it into a full-function, two controller NOAC clone system. It would only be cooler if you could plug NES games into it. Or is that taboo? [technabob]
This story about a 360 burning down a house in Little Rock, AR is a damn shame. I'm tempted to crack a few jokes here, but the guy's damn house burned down. Too soon.
When [8bit] accepts our Webby Awards (only a matter of time, mofo), there's a good chance none of us will be wearing these snazzy Wiimote cuff links. Seriously, we're poor.
Lastly, and coolest of the day comes Retro Sabotage. These guys take the 8bit games you know and love like Space Invaders, Pong and Pac Man and break them down into their smallest parts, only to build them back into poignant social commentary that only reveals itself through game play. I know it sounds like hogwash but take a few minutes and check it out for yourself.
Earth Day and people trying to be "green" are stupid and annoying. Things that make the world a better place usually only get done when they're easy and cheap. In that spirit, I've got a few links to guides tailored for gamers to help the environment and save you a few bucks in the long and short term. It's all pretty simple stuff.
Some of the highlights:
Turn off your machine (or put it in sleep) when you're not using it. Or at least turn off the TV. It'll save juice and maybe make your gear last longer.
Get rid of that old CRT monitor and switch to an LCD. Seriously, it's time anyway.
Use rechargeable batteries and donate your old stuff to charities. Land fills are full enough.
And even more coverage from Wired.com
The South Carolina Federal inmate pictured above, Jonathan Lee Riches, it a total fucking wacko. He also happens to love filing lawsuits and restraining orders. Lucky recipients of his attention have included but are not limited to Michael Vick, Martha Stuart, Bill Belichick, our current President, Steve Jobs and poor, confused Britney Spears. Now he's after GTA because they made him the dumb ass criminal he is in the first place. I really do hate to give a clown like this ink, but it's just too funny.
Check the deets here and get a glimpse of his hand-written restraining order request. Better penmanship than my roommates, anyway. [NEXT-gen.biz]
Star Wars is so tied into everything these days that it's no surprise that a few of the most recognized characters on the planet might pop up in a new fighting game. So much cooler than Spawn and Link, now Darth Vader (pictured above hitting on schoolgirls) and Yoda will be seen in Soul Caliber IV. Keep in mind that you either get one or the other depending which platform you're doing your virtual fisticuffing on. Check out the video from gametrailers.com. Looks bonafide badass to me.
Question: We here at 8bit have already determined that Xbox players will wish they could play as Darth. Will PS3 players care about not having Yoda?
That's right folks. You can get the newly released Halo 3 Legendary map pack for free. So, what's the catch? Well, the catch is that you have to pre-order Ninja Gaiden II from Circuit City. As far as catches go...that's not too bad. You get free shipping and it beats pre-ordering from GameStop because you don't have to walk around with that "I just left a filthy strip club feeling."
Anyway, check out Circuit City if this interests you as much as it interested my Federal Tax return.
