Hasta La Gadget!

If you are an avid video game fan and have this particular hobby of collecting out-of-production video game consoles, then you would surely fall in love with the HyperSpin Ultimate Arcade Machine. Why do I say so? This behemoth (it stands at more than 7 feet in height, making it taller than most folks out there) claims to be able to play every video game ever made, including a bunch which never saw the light of day in the US, sporting some monster-sized specifications such as an adjustable 55” 3D LED monitor, a 38″ LCD rectangular marquee monitor, customized control panels that allows up to 4 player gaming sessions, and the trademark of all arcade cabinets – coin slots.

The HyperSpin Ultimate Arcade Machine is a concept that uses a custom user interface software, enabling gamers to enjoy fast and easy access to the arcade cabinet while running old school games which date back all the way to the 1970s. According to the creator of the HyperSpin Ultimate Arcade Machine, it had to have “every game that ever existed. On all platforms, computer or otherwise. Virtually every game.”

The entire shebang took nearly an entire year to design and build, and you can check it out in the YouTube video above. There was no disclosure on pricing details, but we sure hope that part of the purchase price includes regular updates to the game library as consoles end up shelved to make way for newer generation models in time down the road. How many people say that underneath the hood lies a PC?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Limited Edition Art-cade machine up for auction, proceeds go to Japan Tsunami Relief fund, Capcom releases Final Fight and Street Fighter II Collection for iPhone,

Sure, you could get one of Think Geek’s iCade controllers to play actual arcade-style button mashing games — or you just bring the nostalgia of the joystick to your light switch for $30 with its recently introduced Power-Up Arcade light switch plate. The unit can replace any standard light switch plate, turning it into a faux gaming control panel. A traditional joystick replaces your old switch nub to control the lights, while its two action buttons enable “pew pew” sound effects when pressed. If all that wasn’t enough, the Power-Up also acts as a nightlight after you use it to pwn hit the main lights in your quarters (you’ll have to provide of a duo of AA batteries yourself). Check out the video below to see it in action for yourself.

Continue reading ThinkGeek’s Power-Up brings the arcade controls to your room’s light switch

Filed under: Misc, Gaming

ThinkGeek’s Power-Up brings the arcade controls to your room’s light switch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 02:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’ve played or at least seen one of those games down at your local arcade, then you’ll immediately recognize and understand just how cool these Power-Up Arcade Light Switch Plates are.

The plate is designed to cover your existing switch-type light switch. So really, all you have to do is uncrew your current blah-looking cover and screw this one on instead. Moving the joystick lets you turn the lights on and off. But the buttons aren’t there for show. Hit one and the ‘Power-Up’ sign lights up. Hit the other button and it emits arcade sound effects.

Pew! Pew!

The Power-Up Arcade Light Switch Plates are available from ThinkGeek for $29.99(USD).

Tired of the same-old DJ equipment or chiptune gear? Then may want to consider this new and unique piece of kit from Toronto-based Portmanteau Devices. Dubbed the Pianocade, it’s a synthesizer and MIDI controller that, as you can see, is disguised as an arcade authentic joystick (albeit one with quite a few extra buttons). Naturally, it’s also designed to be fully hackable and customizable (both the hardware and software are open source), and it even includes some strap mounts so you can wear it like a keytar. Sadly, the one thing it can’t be used for at the moment is an actual USB joystick, although Portmanteau hopes to add that feature before it ships, or roll out a firmware upgrade later failing that. Those interested can get their pre-orders in now for $250 or $325 Canadian for the one and two octave models, respectively, with shipments are expected to go out 8-12 weeks after the end of the pre-order period on September 14th. An electronics only package is also available for $100 if you’d prefer to build your own. Head on past the break to check it out in action.

Continue reading Pianocade synthesizer lets DJs practice their shoryuken skills

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Pianocade synthesizer lets DJs practice their shoryuken skills originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 23:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re going to revisit a certain underwater dystopia, you might as well have a ball. At least that’s the approach being taken by Sweden-based DIYer rasmadrak, who has decided to build a Bioshock-themed custom pinball machine just for kicks. The project is filled with lots of neat little touches from Rapture, including Little Sister vents and a few Big Daddy homages. The builder also does a pretty good job of drilling into the details and providing insight on the creation process — like the challenge in using two different systems such as Arduino and chipKIT together, for example — via detailed posts in the Poor Man’s Pinball! blog. The project proved to be a pleasant shock to the system for fellow pinball aficionado Ben Heck, who gave the project a sprinkling of Heckendorn love via Twitter. Pinball geeks can also follow the saga, so to speak, by checking out the source link below.

Filed under: Gaming

Bioshock custom rig is Big Daddy of pinball machines, gives players a taste of Rapture originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Aug 2012 23:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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