Spaced Invaders Watch

It seems to be the age of retro gaming and for people who want something of the past in two, the Spaced Invaders Watch should be something to have. The Romain Jerome Space Invaders Watch should be something funky to wear, offering either a colored space invader or via monochrome black and white face.

The Space Invaders watch makes use of a multi-level face to provide a unique and proper effect that makes the display look like it was made from pixels. The watch also comes with a self-winding movement and lugs fitted with safety screws and integrated ball-and-socket joints for ergonomic wrist adjustments.

Each watch style is limited to only 78 pieces. No word yet though on pricing and availability.

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Giant Katamari Controller

I have noticed a recent trend in video games that gets the player into the game with some kind of accessory. For example, Tony Hawk: Ride uses a plank for a controller for all kinds of skateboarding action. Considering that Guitar Hero and Rock Band have been very successful games with peripherals, it was about time someone developed a large trackball accessory for the Katamari series.

For those of you who are not familiar with Katamari, it is an odd little game that originated in Japan. The object is to rebuild heavenly bodies by rolling a sticky ball called the katamari that gets bigger with every object the player rolls over. Of course, the ball rolls quite awkwardly with all the incongruously non-round stuff attached to it.

A blogger by the name of Kellbot has created a way to make the Katamari game much more interactive by connecting an ordinary PS2 controller to a large ball. You can see a video of it after the jump to see how well it works.

Originally, Kellbot wanted to put this control on a yoga ball, but she found that the rubbery surface didn’t really work to well. Too bad, because that would have created a very unique video gaming experience.

If you would like to try this out, Kellbot has a schematic of her creation on her blog. If you ask me, someone needs to seriously mass-market this thing. Katamari people, get on this ball!

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Halo RC Vehicles

There have already been several different Mario Kart toys that you can play with when away from the game. Finally Halo is getting a little love now too. Thanks to the Big Bad Toy Store, you can now own a remote control Halo themed toy. Giving you even less time during the day that you’re not playing with something that is related to your Halo addiction.

If you need a few minutes outside, there’s no reason to neglect your love of Halo. Just grab one of these and you can continue while you’re outside. There are three different toys up for sale right now. There is the R/C Mongoose with Master Chief, the Warthog with 2 figures and finally the IR Control Flying Hornet. That last one does actually fly and all of the preorders of that one are already sold out. The Hornet would have cost you $38.99, the Warthog $23.99 and the Mongoose for $23.99 at Big Bad Toy Store. The other two still can be preordered if you hurry. They will be officially out as of August of this year.

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Zune and Xbox 360 in 1

Just to let you know, this product here, complete with picture, is a rumor. The source of this story comes from Team Xbox, who say that Microsoft is working on this Digital Entertainment Handheld. This is what it is: an Xbox 360 with a Zune. Your two favorite things in one package? Well, maybe not the Zune, but one out of two ain’t bad. (Not another “Zune slam”, stop it already.)

Anyway, the project is codenamed “xYz”. I am assuming the “X” comes from the Xbox 360 and the “Z” comes from the Zune. As for the “Y”, the answer to that is “because they can, and it would make money”.

Other facts are pretty sketchy at this point, but we do know that the xYz will come with a WVGA touchscreen. Assuming, of course, that it gets created.

Normally, I don’t report on something unless I have a viable source (or sources), but I am reporting on this to generate buzz. You see, I am hoping that all the chatter about this product will create a demand for an Xbox 360 Zune, and the company will make it to meet this demand. Hey, I can dream, can’t I?

Seriously, does anyone out there know if this is legit? If so, feel free to chime in with a comment.

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RIDE set to Thrill

The skateboard is one mode of transport that tends to lean more towards the hardcore segment of the population as there is a huge international scene behind it. Well, for those who prefer to experience the thrills minus the spills, here’s the new Tony Hawk: RIDE game from Activision Publishing which will require the gamer to play physically using an innovative motion sensing skateboard controller. We’re guessing seasoned skaters will find this to be much easier to use compared to those who have even yet to try out the Wii Balance Board.

Tony Hawk: RIDE features a wireless skateboard controller designed in conjunction with the game to offer a dynamic gaming experience built from the ground up. Using a combination of accelerometers and motion sensors, the intuitive controller allows players to physically control the action by performing various movements and gestures on the board that directly translate into amazing tricks in the game. Without complex button combinations or analog sticks, gamers of all skill levels can literally step on the board and play!

Those who are interested can check out Tony Hawk: RIDE when it arrives later this year - just make sure you’re rocking to an Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii consoles.

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Off Brand version of Wii Fit Balance Board

If you want to play games that utilize the Wii Balance Board, but don’t want to spend the money on the actual Wii board, now you can get an off brand one. It doesn’t come with the game, like the Balance Board does, but it is cheaper. Plus it has nifty blue non-slip grips that stick onto the top of it for those that are coordination challenged. It hopefully is just as accurate as the actual brand name version. Sometimes buying off brand gaming accessories ends up not being a good idea.

This one comes from Chinavasion and it’s really a debate as to how good of a deal it is to purchase this. Considering the actual Wii Fit will cost you $89.99 and this one from Chinavasion will cost $67.91. It is cheaper, but it only has a Balance Board and nothing else. For those that somehow manage to break their Balance Board though, this might be a better idea than buying the real version.

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Logitech Harmony Adapter announced

PS3 owners, sit up and take notice - Logitech has just announced that its Logitech Harmony Adapter for the PS3 is readily available, letting you use your Harmony universal remote control with Sony’s latest gaming console. It will offer support for all 51 PS3 commands (yes, count them!), where you will be able to navigate the PS3 XrossMediaBar from afar (as long as the range permits, that is) without having to tussle with the PS3 controller’s form factor that was meant more for gaming than anything else. Those who are interested can pick up the Logitech Harmony Adapter for $59.99 while our friends across the pond can only do so in July.

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New accessories for Nintendo DSi

Thrustmaster is more often a name synonymous with joysticks for computers for those who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, but they’re still around to this day without really releasing anything groundbreaking to date - which is rather surprising, actually. Well, as long as they’re around, it is interesting to note their new releases for the gaming world. This time round, they’ve delved into the arena of portable gaming machines, with the recently released Nintendo DSi being their target. Thrustmaster has revealed a couple of intelligent charging solutions that are well-suited to the multiple applications offered by this highly innovative, yet power-consuming handheld console.

The Nintendo DSi isn’t a large handheld console by any means, and if you’ve played both the DS and the PSP, you’ll know what I mean. The former might even be a wee bit too small for those with large hands, and many people have already complained about experiencing cramps after prolonged hours of gaming. Well, Thrustmaster has something for the lazy with the T-Standee Charger, a multi-position docking station that boasts a streamlined and elegant design which allows the DSi to be charged while being able to play without having to expend additional energy in holding it.

Of course, as one knows, the Nintendo DSi isn’t only a gaming machine as it can be used to surf the Internet, mix music and even view photos and videos with the right kind of software. We would say this comes in handy when you’re lazing around in your bed and want something else to prop the DSi up at your convenience. In addition, the rotating mechanism is perfect for users to adjust the console’s angle in all directions. This amount of flexibility paves the way for optimum comfort, regardless of whether you’re in the midst of a horizontally or vertically aligned game at that point in time.

The other accessory from Thrustmaster is the first personal charger for DSi and DS Lite which has been integrated straight into the console’s wrist strap, known as the T-Strap Charger. The T-Strap Charger looks like a standard wrist strap complete with a safety slider, albeit with the addition of a clever charging case. The case can be divided into 2, revealing a couple of charging connectors where one of them is hooked up to the console while the other connects to a powered USB port.

The T-Standee Charger and T-Strap Charger will retail for $12.99 and $7.99, respectively, with the former hitting retail stores this June while the latter will be out in mid-May.

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Nintendo DS Lite for Mom

Have you ever bought a gift for someone that you live with, and you really “gave” it so you could use it? This might be the case for when a mother buys a child this new version of the DS Lite.

The child should be immediately suspicious as he or she notices that the DS is lime green in color. I can pretty much guarantee that any kid who is seen in public with a lime green DS Lite will be called some sort of name by the end of the day. I’m sure the kids will start with the easy to use “limey-fruit” and will eventually shorten it to “fruit” in a matter of days.

This version of the DS Lite, which really should be called “The Housewives edition”, comes with Personal Trainer: Cooking. Yeah, junior’s going to be completely addicted to that game!

Did I mention that this edition also comes with a matching carrying case? In all honesty, I don’t really use the carrying case, and I’m guessing most teenage boys probably don’t either.

So, if you are a young lad, and your mother gives you a Nintendo DS that looks like the one in the picture, don’t open it. Your mom will be all over it if you do. Instead, run from the house and exchange it wherever you can. It costs about $149, so you should be able to get yourself something decent for it, like a Nintendo DS of a proper color like white, black, or even red.

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The Strike Video Game fishing rod

I remember playing this handheld electronic game ten years ago called Bass Fishin’. I’m sure most of you remember it, because it was quite a big seller. In this game, you had a controller that looked like a fishing rod, and a little screen to show when the fish were ready to be caught. A shaker was also in there, and if you brought up the rod controller at the proper time, you would get points for the fish you caught.

It would appear that Griffin International wants to take this fishing action and put it on the console with The Strike. As you can see, The Strike comes with a fishing rod controller for what one gaming publication has called “the best fishing video game ever created”.

Griffin has said that the game will also feature customizable characters with boats, lures, rods, and reels. Its advanced graphics allow for “realistic lake bottom topography” and “lifelike fish behaviors”.

The Strike will be available during the fall for the Xbox 360, the Nintendo Wii, and the PC. I’m not certain what the price is for the Wii or PC, but the Xbox 360 package with rod controller is planned to be $69.99.

In addition to The Strike, Griffin is also planning on releasing a game based on hunting rather than fishing. The title of this game is simply The Hunt, but I haven’t heard anything about a controller that looks like a hunting rifle.

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USB Riff Rocker: Rock like a rockstar

What is it?
The Riff Rocker is essentially a USB controller for a game. You plug the little rocker into a free USB socket, download the two games off the Riff Rocker website, and then thrash your little fingers off.

The downloadable games come with the usual 3 difficulty settings and are based around the guitar heroes-esc format of “press the correct coloured button in time with the on screen prompt”.

Why do I want it?

Hear at GFM towers we love the Guitar Heroes series of games but have come to the conclusion that you could never really call them “portable”. This is where the Riff Rocker shines, as it is light enough to be transported by pocket and small enough to be easily hidden within a work desk.

As the games are downloadable you don’t need to worry about transporting any software and as long as the unit you plug it into has an internet connection, you will never be more than a couple of clicks away from getting your button bashing fix.

This makes it perfect for an impromptu lunchtime concert where you can wow your co-workers with your guitar fettling skills and shake off some of those office blues. Suitable for new comers and pros the Riff Rocker is easy enough to pick up and really difficult to put down.


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SEGA twin player console

Video gamers have this thing about retro games, and more often than not, they don’t mind going back to the good old days once in a while and indulge in a little bit of nostalgia, where pixelated graphics ruled the day and the gameplay experience coupled with an overactive imagination proved to work better than just flashy graphics. For those who missed out on Sega’s heydays as a home console manufacturer, here’s the Sega Mega Drive Twin Player Console that allows you to go through a bunch of 16-bit classics.

Simply plug it into the telly and you’re away. It might be smaller than the original but the Sega Mega Drive Twin Player Console is preloaded with 15 Sega licensed games, including Sonic and Knuckles, Alex Kidd, Golden Axe and many more. Better still you can bung in all those old Mega Drive and Genesis cartridges that have been languishing in the loft. Indeed, this nifty region-muncher doesn’t care where your games originated.

You will be able to bring home the Sega Mega Drive Twin Player Console for just £39.95 - a small price to pay for those glorious moments of yore without having to contend with the taint of downloading illegal ROMs.

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Kingston HyperX DDR3 Notebook Module

It looks like Kingston has just made gaming for laptops broader with the announcement that they have released the first XMP-ready HyperX DDR3 SO-DIMMs for notebooks. These HyperX SO-DIMM memory for new DDR3 XMP-supported , Intel Centrino 2 Processor Technology systems were collaborated on closely to provide extreme mobile experience aimed at the gamers who can turn to laptops for unrivalled performance.

"The HyperX DDR3 XMP SO-DIMMs were tested on the Flextronics W840 DI notebook PCs with great success," said Mark Tekunoff, senior technology manager, Kingston. "DDR3 notebook users can now enjoy the same benefits such as lower latencies and voltages that enthusiasts and gamers have had for years with HyperX memory for desktop computers."

HyperX is backed by a lifetime warranty and free 24/7 technical support.

(Source) Press