Hasta La Gadget!

Say the words Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Dig Dug, Centipede, Galaga or Joust, and you’ve just named some of my all-time favorite arcade games. So when I stumbled onto these unusual variants of these 1980s classics, I was at once befuddled and at the same time intrigued.

These mash-up prints were created by 9times1minus1 (also known as “eight”) over on Etsy, and they envision the characters from iconic arcade games invading other games. So for instance, there’s Donkey Dug, which puts Pooka, Fygar and Dig Dug on Donkey Kong’s girders.

Then, there’s Joust Bros., which is the perfect synthesis of Joust and Mario Bros. I always thought those levels looked similar, and flinging turtles into the lava pit below makes just about as much sense as ostriches anyhow.

Other mashups include Donkey Burger (DK x BurgerTime), and the oddly named, but somehow appealing Ms. Paciaga (Ms. Pac-Man x Galaga).

While I’m not sure that I would have wanted to play all of these games, I have to say that some of them look like they would have worked just fine as 9times1minus1 envisions them. When you really think about it, did the plots and characters in any 1980s video game really make that much sense? Why couldn’t Jumpman have been a chef on a quest to make the perfect hamburger? I would have ponied up a quarter to try my hand at that.

If you’d like to line your walls with these unusual video games, they’re available for $25(USD) each as 16×20 digital prints over on Etsy.

I was happy enough to see Final Fantasy III getting some love with the dialog box magnets, but it seems I haven’t been looking hard enough. Here’s an even more impressive homage, a cross stitched Final Fantasy III Monopoly board, complete with game tokens.

The board was made by Sprite Stitch forum member jadely for the forum’s Big Swap, where members exchange handmade gifts with each other. I wonder if they accept stick figures drawn on tissue paper. That’s my specialty. The board also comes with community cards and deeds, although they’re printed on paper and not cross stitched. Also of note is that the characters are also the properties. I’m not sure any of them would like the idea of being sold and owned. I’d buy Interceptor in a heartbeat though.

Head to the Sprite Stitch forums to see the original images, and while you’re there check out the other Monopoly board that jadely’s been working on, a Nintendo-themed one.

[via Sprite Stitch]

From the store that brought us the Zelda fireplace art comes another fake retro graphic. Add 18 square inches of mystery to your floor with the  Secret Passage decal. It’s also perfect for hiding actual secret passages. No one would think of looking under it right? Except for me. *cue thunderstorm and diabolical laughter*

Although a handful of old video games did portray stairs this way – it was either this or a miniature set of stairs – I’m not sure if these particular graphics are also from Zelda.

You can order the Secret Passage floor decal from James Bit Originals for $35 (USD). I actually saw a rug version of this idea, though I don’t know if that one’s for sale or if it’s even real.

[Thanks Justin!]

Relive the glory days of the Final Fantasy series with these Final Fantasy III (aka Final Fantasy VI) dialog box magnets. Those were the days when characters were interesting and not annoying, when you knew who your actual enemy was and were not treated to surprise boss switcheroos, when you could understand what the hell anyone was talking about. Dammit Square what happened?

The magnets are made of acrylic, and although it looks like it at first glance, the text is not printed on paper. It’s actually etched into the blue surface coat, and there’s even a drop shadow on each character, just like in the game. You can choose to buy magnets that contain actual dialogue from the game or send your own quotes. If you choose the former you’ll see that the line breaks are exactly how they appear in the game.

Ride a flat airship and head to Abecediary on Etsy to order the magnets. Prices range from $6 to $20 (USD) depending on the type and number of magnets.

[via Kotaku]

If you thought the novelty photobooth idea was just a recent trend, think again. Back in 1976—the year before Atari released its ground-breaking 2600 console—the company was hawking these fantastic Compugraph Foto booths that created retroriffic ASCII portraits of people. More »