Hasta La Gadget!

Another year, another Atari Flashback. But this year’s edition of the old school console has significant improvements from the Atari Flashback 3. Theoretically. More on that later.

The Flashback 4 has 75 built-in games, 15 more than the roster of the Flashback 3. But the more significant upgrades are the two wireless controllers included in the box. However, some of the customer reviews on Amazon claim that the wireless controllers are finicky. It seems that you have to keep the controllers pointed directly at the console at all times; even a slight tilt could cause them to be disconnected. You can connect wired Flashback controllers to the console, but the package only comes with wireless controllers. You can use the controllers from previous Flashback consoles or buy spare ones from At Games. Here’s a review from YouTuber classicL337:

You can order the Flashback 4 from Amazon for $82.99(USD), where a kind reviewer has also posted the full list of games from 3D Tic-Tac-Toe to Yar’s Revenge.

[via Technologytell & Boing Boing]

As much as I loved playing through the pipes and snacking on mushrooms in Super Mario Bros., there’s nothing quite as satisfying as making that perfect jump onto the flag at the end of a level. Now you can live out that part of the game in real life, thanks to this life-size flag made to look just like the one from the game.

It’s made by James Bit, the same guy who brought us those fighting game wall decals and the equally awesome Zelda fireplace and secret passage floor art.

The flag is a dead-ringer for the one at the end of each level in Super Mario Bros., complete with a big pixelated green mushroom on a white background. Each one measures 2′ x 3′ and is made from durable nylon, so you can actually fly these outdoors in the wind. I so want to see these flying on every house in my neighborhood.

You can get your hands on the Super Mario Bros. flag over on Etsy for $50 (USD). I really want him to make the version with Bowser on it next.

James advises: “Sliding down them is not recommended unless you have 6, 3, or 1 second left on the clock.” And if you don’t know what that means, what sort of NES fanboy or girl are you?

[Thanks for the tip, Justin!]

If you know me, you know two of my greatest loves are video games and carbs. Now, I can enjoy these two pleasant pastimes simultaneously, thanks to this video game inspired pasta bowl.

Clay artist Keith Phillips of Mudstuffing created this wheel-thrown stoneware pasta bowl and embellished it with screenprinted images of Space Invaders and an Atari 2600 joystick. Notice how the largest invader is trapped under a big glass dome? Why wasn’t that a weapon in the original game? It sure seems more humane than blowing them away with a laser cannon.

So if you like your spaghetti served with a side of Space Invaders, head on over to Etsy now, where you can grab this video game pasta bowl for $42(USD).

These Space Invaders reusable sandwich bags are not only awesomely geeky, they are also environmentally friendly. It’s a great way to indoctrinate your kids into classic arcade stuff – and PB and J sandwiches just taste better in a classic arcade packaging anyway.

While most of the aliens represented aren’t the original Invaders, at least one of them is, and the rest get the point across just fine. These bags have a washable, BPA free and food grade compliant lining on the inside which makes the bag more durable, while the white hook and loop velcro-like seal keeps your food fresh and safe.

The Space Invaders bags come from Etsy shop Random Sacks of Kindness who has a bunch of cool handmade sandwich bags in their shop as well. Much to my dissapointment, it looks like this one was sold, but you can bet they will list more and then you can wrap your sandwich up in a cool 8-bit design soon enough.

[via Geeks Are Sexy]