Filed under: Gaming

While we initially felt Wal-Mart was being a bit old fashioned by not allowing Wii demo kiosks to be setup in stores due to “safety concerns,” Walton and friends apparently had a good bit of foresight that we weren’t aware of. After numerous reports of television sets getting the axe, and an innocently bystanding HP iPAQ getting all cracked up, we’re wondering if folks aren’t just staging their own Wiincidents at this point. Apparently warning everyone of how jeopardous these free-flying Wiimotes can be wasn’t really taken to heart, as now a butterfingered gamer has quite an interesting tale to tell to the presumably skeptical insurance adjuster. While busting a few moves in Wii Sports, the nonsensical user let the controller fly, but instead of landing softly (and harmlessly) on the couch, it rocketed straight through his window, leaving a fairly dangerous scene as proof of gaming negligence. C’mon folks, we’ve warned you all enough by now, either strap on that thoughtfully included wrist strap, grab some sticky gloves, or tape up the windows — your property, your call.

[Thanks, Sean]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Gaming

Joining the nearly endless amount of Nintendo DS hacks already in the wild is TobW’s DS Sampling Keyboard, which “uses the DS’s microphone and touchscreen” to interface with a software-based sampling keyboard. A close contender to join our Music Thing series, this wonderous hack takes advantage of the wee machine’s excellent X / Y-axis controls as well as its built-in WiFi to beam the MIDI commands wirelessly. The program has been tested with Wifi, GBAMP, and M3, so “it should work on pretty much anything,” and provides a much less expensive alternative to those dedicated offerings. While musical gizmos are always more effective when seen heard rather than just heard about, be sure to click on for a front row seat to the YouTube demonstration.

[Via MusicThing]

Continue reading Nintendo DS doubles as wireless MIDI keyboard / controller

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Cookie cutter gadget? Passe. It’s all about skins, even the kind that may or may not ruin the shiny new finish on your valued consumer electronics. Submitted for your approval: tons of skins for your rare and lustworthy devices. Ok, so the 360 isn’t much of a skin, but we find the literal use of the term rather amusing, and when was the last time you saw a fake-fur faceplate?

P.S. -Big ups on the Xbox 360 and Eames-inspired PS3 and Wii skins above.

[Via Joystiq, thanks Craig]

Read - PS3 skins
Read - Wii skins
Read - Zune skins
Read - PSP, Xbox, etc. “skins”

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming

As some early Wii adopters have discovered, the Wii’s sensor bar turns out to be far less complicated than it seems at first glance, consisting of nothing more than a couple of standard IR emitters, with that lengthy cord cluttering up your living room supplying nothing but a trickle of power to the device. While even a couple of standard TV remotes can serve as a substitute in a pinch, for a more workable wireless solution you’ll have to bring your DIY skills to bear. Thankfully, as Brian “DoctaBu” Moore explains on his LiveJournal, the process is about as simple as homebrew projects get, requiring only an inexpensive trip to Radio Shack and some minimal soldiering abilities. While it ain’t pretty, the contraption pictured above will let you enjoy a game of Wii Sports bowling (at your own risk) and rid one more wire from your life at the same time. Of course, if you’re still hesitant to get your hands dirty, you can bet that there’ll be more than a few third-party (if not first-party) options finding their way to store shelves before too long.

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming, Wearables

While neither can match the simple geek elegance of street artist Invader’s Space Invader-themed kicks, Nintendo and Sony fanboys now have some sneakers of their own to covet, although both look to be harder to get your hands on than a Wii or PS3. Sony’s the only one of the two to get official with its sneaks, partnering with Nike for some PlayStation 3-themed footwear (at least that’s what they’re sayin’ — from the looks of it, Nike may have just taken the opportunity to unload some rejected designs.) Only 24 pairs of the PS3 sneaks were made, with most no doubt spoken for by now. You won’t fare any better with the Nintendo shoes, however; these stylish but apparently non-functional kicks being strictly one of a kind, created by an talented sneaker artist for a recent Sneakerpimps event in Baltimore.

Read - Sole Collector, “First Look at PlayStation 3 Kicks” [Via Hypebeast]
Read - Format Magazine, “Sneakerpimps Customs” [Via DS Fanboy]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming

Wiimotes are becoming finely guided missiles, or so the internets would have us believe. The second set of destroyed TV pics comes direct from Michaela, who tells us that her seven year old girl was also playing Wii Sports bowling when her wrist strap broke as well, sending the controller rocketing toward the TV at a glass-cracking lawsuit-inducing pace. Now, we find the Wii Sports bowling thing to be an interesting coincidence, but it seems a little peculiar that a seven year old could produce enough force rolling that ball to tear her strap apart. We’re not saying this is the first in what could be a long line of TV-grubbing copycats, but we think the time is officially upon Nintendo to step in before a few hundred thousand straps recalled turns into a few million — and countless more televisions get themselves busted up royal.

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming

While a few zany folks preferred to mindlessly operate on a PlayStation 3 without any tact whatsoever, the steady-handed folks over at Popular Science went by the books when they gingerly took apart Nintendo’s latest. But alas, not everyone is so gentle (or considerate) when it comes to enjoying new toys, and the folks over at SmashMyWii shaved a few minutes off their uncasing time by going at it with a large foreign object instead of a minuscule screwdriver. We’re reserving comment on which method we prefer most, but we do applaud both the tender care and rage expressed in each unique scenario. Nevertheless, snagging a Wii should’ve been slightly (and slightly we stress) easier than dodging bullets or quitting your job in order to (hopefully) get a PS3, but we’re sure there’s still quite a few of us sitting home empty handed — so if you’re craving an inside look at the Wii which you don’t yet have (or don’t want to dissect yourself), be sure to hit the read link for some well-captured Wii pr0n, and peek after the break for the painfully humorous slaughtering.

Read - Popular Science performs a cautious Wiisectomy
Read - SmashMyWii obliterates Nintendo’s Wii

Continue reading Nintendo’s Wii: opened up the easy way, and the hard way

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Features, Gaming

We’ve had our Wii kicking around the office for a little while now, but we had to hold off on answering your many questions about it until last night when they rolled out their launch update. Trust us, it definitely changed some answers, so let’s get to the FAQ. Oh, and thanks for the questions. Feel free to leave your followups in the comments.

Continue reading Wii FAQ: answers to your Wii questions

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment

We really hate going back on stuff that we reported on just days ago, but that’s how things go in this business sometimes. So, first it was a maybe, then a definite yes, but now we’re very sorry to tell you that it appears Nintendo will not be confirming DVD playback for the US and Europe — at least for the time being. Our sister blog, Wii Fanboy, has the story, and reports that only Japan will be getting a Wii with DVD playback sometime in 2007. However, don’t lose hope just yet DVD player-free Wii fans (seriously? you’re out there?), because GamesIndustry.biz also reports that Sonic Solution, the company that’s providing Nintendo with the appropriate DVD playback software, said that it signed a “worldwide agreement” for its new software to be included on the Wii, and that the software would be released in the “latter half of 2007.” So, that could mean American and European Wii zealots will get what you’ve been yearning for — or it could just mean that Nintendo and Sonic Solution are conspiring to tease you.

[Via Wii Fanboy]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming

Well, here we are. 2006, and perhaps the last console launch of the decade. And here they are, all decked out n’ pretty. Go ahead, debate it. Just be nice, ok? At the end of the day the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, they’re only video game consoles, and we love our babies the same. Oh, catch some more flame-stoking conversation-inspiring pics after the break.

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming

We suppose any Wii is better than no Wii, but having to battle it out in a round of Excite Truck with a proudly-pinned employee watching over each shoulder just seems a bit idiosyncratic. While we already know that Wal-Mart isn’t planning on hiring anymore smiling faces to oversee the presumably fractious gaming crowd, you just might find a few “helpful staff members” at your side while flinging the Wiimote in your local GameStop. Nintendo’s George Harrison has insinuated that all Wii demo stations will feature untethered controllers, but store personnel will be eying the players to ensure the nunchuck isn’t used as a weapon (and that it doesn’t leave in unauthorized pockets). He also noted that the big N has spent “considerable amounts of time” in designed the forthcoming kiosks, and mentioned (vaguely) that they “could be found at retail outlets, malls, the Nintendo Fusion Tour, and other consumer events.” While we still aren’t exactly sure where you’ll wind up finding that ever-elusive Wii demo station, be sure to mind your manners when you finally do.

[Via The Wiire]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Filed under: Gaming

So if you think that you’re going to pop down to your local store and play the Wii on a big kiosk when it comes out on November 19, think again. According to The Dallas Morning News, the only retailer to have authorized playable Wii kiosks will be GameStop, much to Wal-Mart and surely every other big box retailer’s chagrin. That said, as our brethren at Joystiq point out, many shops may open up their own Wiis and set up a playable demo unit or three, but official blessed-by-Nintendo kiosks apparently won’t be widespread for some time.

[Via Joystiq]

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.

Filed under: Gaming

We still haven’t spotted a launch date for this thing in the States, and it looks like the Japan Nintendo DS Headset launch got bumped back a couple of weeks to September 28th, but that hasn’t stopped this thing from getting plopped under a few bright lights and having some pics snapped for our viewing pleasure. Everything seems to be in order, so just keep reading and we’ll let the pictures do the talking.

[Via DS Fanboy]

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.

Filed under: Gaming

Well, the details are in. The Wii’s coming November 19th, and it’ll cost you $250 damn dollars. Surprised it’s not under two bills? Don’t be, it’s a lot less than a lot of people are willing to pay right now. At the Nintendo event later today in New York (we’ll be there) we’ll catch a glimpse of the 25 game announcements preparing to be made, as well as more official launch details — but in the mean time we know it’ll ship with Wii Sports (baseball, bowling, golf, and tennis — all very addictive), Super Mario Galaxy will not ship in 2006 (boo!), it’ll have a photo streaming service, news and weather channels (most likely a part of WiiConnect24, but still a bit bizarre), and Opera for browsing the web; new titles will run you $50, while Virtual Console games will cost between $10 and $50 apiece. But really this stuff is all you really needed to know, isn’t it? November 19th, $250. November 19th, $250. And yes, they’re still apparently on track to meet their four million unit goal for their 2006 launch. Still, stay tuned for more deets, they’re inevitable.

P.S. -Why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be reading Joystiq’s live coverage of the Nintendo event going on in Tokyo right now?

[Via Wii Fanboy]

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.

Filed under: Gaming

Actually, the headline that would more accurately reflect the situation would read something like “Microsoft talks trash about Sony delay; Nintendo respectfully reinforces its own launch goals,” but headlines like those don’t sell RSS subscriptions. After hearing about Sony’s weak launch quantity and global delays, Microsoft came out woodwork with a bit of backhanded sympathy (laced, of course, with some low blows): “We know how challenging it is to pull off a global launch, so it’s not surprising that Sony has backed away from their previously announced launch plan, due to the unproven technology they are trying to pack in to their console.” The MS types also made sure everybody knew how much they care for the global gamer: “Europe remains a priority for us. That is why gamers have been able to experience Xbox 360 from day one, and why we’re confident we’re going to have a great Christmas - regardless of what competitors are or are not in the market.” Zing! Nintendo, however, merely reiterated their launch goals: “Wii is on track to ship in Q4, Nintendo plans to ship 6 million systems to retailers around the world between its launch in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2007.” Nary a dis for Sony, but we’re sure they’ll catch the drift all the same.

[Thanks, AJ]

Read - Microsoft talks trash
Read - Nintendo respectfully reinforces

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Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio

Music-hungry Nintendo fanboys in Japan have already been able to get their fix in the form of the Play-Yan adapter for the DS and Game Boy Advance/Micro, but it looks like the rest of us might soon be able to rock some beats between bouts of New Super Mario Bros as well if this latest bit of info pans out. According to a brochure that reportedly surfaced at the Leipzig Games Convention, Nintendo is set to release an MP3 player adapter for the DS and Game Boy Advance this fall — October 6th to be specific (in Europe, at least) — and like the Play-Yan, the add-on will use SD cards (up to 2GB) for storage and have its own headphone port, although it apparently lacks the Play-Yan’s video capabilities. Price is reported to be €30, or just under forty bucks, although there’s still no official word from Nintendo, which we’d guess would be coming fairly soon if that release date is solid.

[Via Joystiq]

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Nintendo’s set to release an official MP3 player for the Nintendo DS, making it not only a game machine and a web browser, but a music playing device too. The above picture was seen in a brocure from the Leipzig Games Convention in Germany.

We suppose this is close enough to an official announcement, but there will probably be an even more official announcement from Nintendo soon. The specs:

• For Nintendo DS (to be inserted into slot 2) and Game Boy Advance hardware
• To store music you need SD cards. Up to 2 GB cards are supported, this equals to 500 songs (best sound quality)
• Choose between different skins (including one with Mario)
• The interface shows all important information
• The unit itself features another headphone port

The tentative price and release date are 29.99 Euros ($38) and October 8, respectively. – Jason Chen

Official Nintendo DS MP3 Player - Is There a Point? Homebrew Does it BETTER! [MaxConsole]
MP3-Player For The DS? Sounds Interesting… [Carpe DS Blog]

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