Most Recent: Misc. Etcetera

Amazing new print details controller evolution

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Nicole Kline

evolution_of_game_gontrollersEver wonder what it would be like to see every controller ever made in one lovely evolutionary wall print? Well wonder no more, because now it’s a thing you can actually purchase. The Evolution of Video Game Controllers is a wonderful 27″ x 39″ print that will set you back $29. You can pre-order it now and it will ship on Monday, April 22.

From the write-up:

“The complete family tree of video game control schemes–including handhelds, joysticks, paddles, gamepads, and one notable glove–this chart shows how gaming input has evolved from simple knobs to directional pads to touch screens. Including every console ever, this sprawling print features 179 species and 12 genera over seven decades of gaming.”

I’m about to move into a new apartment, and I think I just found the first item I’m buying for it. Who wouldn’t want the Wu-Tang controller forever immortalized on their wall?

Posted in Misc. Etcetera, News | Tagged

Sanrio X Street Fighter line expands with new toys

Posted on December 4, 2012 by John Scalzo

Do you love Street Fighter? Do you also love Hello Kitty? Do you love Street Fighter and Hello Kitty enough that you really want to see them mashed up in a new series of toys?

Then great! You’ll probably want to check this out…

Capcom and Sanrio have expanded their Sanrio X Street Fighter line of products to include PVC figures, plush toys, and coin purses. These items should be available at your favorite toy retailer soon and Capcom’s Capcom Unity blog has a few more pictures.

Final note… Plush Hello Kitty Bison is pretty awesome.

Posted in Gaming Etc., Misc. Etcetera, News |

Nintendo Power’s last issue goes out in style

Posted on November 30, 2012 by John Scalzo

The final issue of Nintendo Power’s nearly quarter-century-long run is being delivered to subscribers now. It’s even possible to say that it’s the end of an era. Thankfully, Nintendo is sending their beloved official magazine off with a rather fitting tribute.

A Reddit user has posted a picture of the final cover and the claymation figures depicting a key moment in New Super Mario Bros. U that bears an uncanny resemblance to the cover of the first issue.

Yup, this is definitely the end of an era. Also, these tears running down my face are because of allergies. Yup, definitely allergies.

Posted in 3DS, DS, Gaming Etc., Misc. Etcetera, News, Wii, Wii U | Tagged

New York Times to publish Tetris-themed crossword next week

Posted on October 18, 2012 by John Scalzo

A lot of people see Tetris pieces in their dreams. But next Thursday, October 25, people will also be able to see Tetris pieces embedded into the famous New York Times crossword.

The puzzle design, which you can see on your left, was created by Kotaku reader “Caleb.” Caleb Madison is considered the New York Times’ resident crossword whizkid, so it likely belongs to him.

In addition to the block shapes, the puzzle contains a few other Tetris-themed surprises, but unless you want to be spoiled, don’t click on that Kotaku link.

And speaking of Tetris, did you know it was recently named the “Scientifically Proven Best Video Games of All Time“? Because it was.

Posted in Gaming Etc., Misc. Etcetera, News | Tagged

Angry Birds Star Wars is real and is out on November 8

Posted on October 8, 2012 by John Scalzo

As expected, the Lucasfilm/Rovio alliance has produced a series of Star Wars-themed Angry Birds toys which will be available in stores soon. Over the next few weeks we can expect to see an action figure line, a series of plush toys, an AT-AT Attack Battle board game, and a Jenga Death Star board game.

Do you have a bad feeling about this? You shouldn’t, because…

In a pleasant surprise, Angry Birds Star Wars is in development for iOS and Android platforms and will be available on November 8. The game will feature birdy versions of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca along with piggy versions of Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers. And hopefully the slingshot Lightsaber in the teaser trailer above will make an appearance too.

Posted in Gaming Etc., Misc. Etcetera, Mobile, News | Tagged

Some kind of Angry Birds/Star Wars crossover is in the works

Posted on October 5, 2012 by John Scalzo

Rovio has opened an official Tumblr blog for Angry Birds and, if the image of the Red Bird in a Jedi robe wielding a Lightsaber is any indication, some kind of Angry Birds/Star Wars mashup is in the works.

According to the blog, a formal announcement is scheduled for Monday, October 8 at 10 AM (Eastern Time) at the Toys R Us in Times Square. Fans are encouraged to begin gathering at the New York City location by 8 AM.

With the participation of Toys R Us, it’s likely that this Star Wars/Angry Birds thing is just a new line of toys and not a game. But I can’t be the only one who wants to smack those blasted swine with a Lightsaber, can I?

Posted in Gaming Etc., Misc. Etcetera, Mobile, News | Tagged

Nintendo Power Memories

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Mike Ryan

Last week we heard some disheartening news: Nintendo Power will close its doors after a whopping twenty-five years on newsstands. Many gamers grew up reading the monthly publication, and have fond memories of the days they would open up their mailbox and find the latest issue of Nintendo Power just waiting to be read. As a child of the 80s, I am among those who were fortunate enough to be part of this era, and, like many of you, am saddened to hear that it is coming to an end. So, as a tribute – or eulogy of sorts – to Nintendo’s long-running publication, I would like to share some memories of my life as a Nintendo Power reader. (more…)

Posted in Features, Gaming Etc., Misc. Etcetera, Top Story |

Nintendo Power will shut down this December

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Andrew Rainnie - UK Correspondent

Living in an age of instantaneous and free information has brought with it an unparalleled level of enlightenment across the globe, but it does have a downside… and its victims… namely, the hard copy press. Yesterday, Nintendo announced that their long-running official magazine, Nintendo Power, would be hanging up its joypad with its December 2012 issue.

The house of Mario released the following statement concerning the magazine, which was originally published in-house by Nintendo before they gave the rights to Future Publishing’s US arm in 2007:

Nintendo can confirm that Future US will end the production of Nintendo Power magazine with the last issue slated for December 2012. For Nintendo Power subscription inquiries, please visit nintendopower.com/customerservice.

The demise of Nintendo Power comes only after a year after another high profile gaming magazine, GamePro, was forced to close after its new quarterly format was poorly received. And as we languish in our nostalgia of excitedly reading gaming magazines and adorning our walls with their posters, we wish the employees of Nintendo Power the best with whatever the future holds for them.

[Source: Kotaku]

Posted in 3DS, DS, Gaming Etc., Misc. Etcetera, News, Wii |