Hasta La Gadget!

This strange looking box is capable of something no other device ever built is – it can play the original cartridges, ROMs and discs from 18 different retro gaming systems.

The beastly Project Unity system was built by modder Bacteria, and it took him over 3500 hours and three years to assemble. Inside, it contains original circuitry from 15 classic systems, but works with a single master controller, a single power supply, and a single (SCART) video output connector. All tolled, it cost Bacteria about £700 (~$1076 USD) in parts to build, but its really his time and labor that represents the majority of the cost.

Inside the system is approximately 100 feet of cabling, and the whole thing weighs in around 44 lbs. The system has physical hardware from an Atari 7800, Sega Master System, Sega MegaDrive (Genesis), Super Nintendo, Nintendo NES, Nintendo 64, NeoGeo MVS, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo Gamecube, NEC TurboGrafx X, Colecovision, Intellivision, Sony Playstation 2, and Amstrad GX1000 consoles. He says it can actually play games from 18 total systems, including PS1 games on the PS2, Atari 2600 games on the 7800 and GBA games on the GameCube.

In order for all of the games to work with a single controller, he built a series of special NES cartridges which plug into the controller, providing system specific interfaces for the single mega-controller.

Bacteria explains the build and how Project Unity came together and how it works in the extensive video below. The system and controller demo starts around 9:30.

You could play all of these consoles using MESS or other emulators, there’s something to be said about using the original hardware to play games without the quirks that most emulators exhibit.

If you’re wondering about the big nondescript square box it’s all set inside of, Bacteria says he built it that way so it would all fit neatly into the cabinet under his TV. While it may not be the prettiest looking console I’ve ever seen, you’ve got to hand it to Bacteria for his persistence and technical abilities.

Awesome job!

One of my all-time favorite video game consoles has to be SEGA’s Dreamcast as I feel it was way ahead of its time in terms of graphical ability, user-interface as well as it believing in online multiplayer games on consoles before it was even a thing. I can sing the praises of the Dreamcast for hours, which is why when I saw there was a Dreamcast Controller backpack, I knew I had to write about it for all of you Dreamcast lovers out there.

SEGA has started to roll out a backpack which resembles its monstrously large Dreamcast controller. In fact, I believe this backpack might be an exact replica in terms of the controller’s size, but I might be wrong considering it’s been years since I held the console’s controller. The backpack is being launched as a part of SEGA’s new brand, “SegaKawaii,” which translates to SEGA cute or adorable in Japanese. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Microsoft Apologizes For Employee’s Comments About Xbox 720, God of War: Ascension 1.0.4 Update Raises Level Cap, Spartan-Kicks Bugs,

Shenmue is one of the cult classics from the Sega Dreamcast. Before Claude and the 3D streets of Liberty City, there was Ryo Hazaki and Yokosuka. Pay homage to the perpetually sidetracked protagonist with this officially licensed hoodie, made to look like Hazuki’s bomber jacket.

Wear it while playing pachinko, racing ducks and catching leaves. And avenging your dad’s death, if you ever get around to it.

Insert Coin is selling the Hazuki Tiger hoodie for £35 (~$55 USD).

[via Topless Robot]

Shenmue screenshot from Shenmue Dojo