Hasta La Gadget!

If you hang around these parts much you know that there are a few topics we are particularly enamored with. We like our LEGOs, cosplay, video game stuff, and Cthulhu. I’d go so far as to say Cthulhu is probably one of the most covered topics here. Typically, the beast is seen in scary form, but on occasion it’s rather cutesy.

In fact, the last time we talked about a cute Cthulhu it was a massive plush toy. We also had our brains melted by a LEGO Cthulhu combining two of our favorite topics into one. Now, artist Cassia Harries has a sculpted what may be the cutest Cthulhu yet.

In this creation, Cthulhu looks like a little potbellied baby. The sculpture was made by hand and was cast from resin and then hand-painted giving it the look of the garden gnome. The sculpture is about three inches-tall and the artist plans to sell these little sculptures soon. I don’t know how much it cost, but I could definitely see this standing guard in my garden. If I had a garden.

[via io9 via Nerd Approved]

Nerf changed the way we all played indoor basketball without a proper court; replacing trash cans and balls of paper with plastic nets and foam balls. And now you can take your scaled-down game to near NBA-caliber levels with Eastpoint’s new wireless hoops and scoreboard that keeps tab on time and points complete with the simulated roar of a non-existent crowd.

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Have you ever wanted to race some RC cars, but just ended up crying because no one was there to play against you? Anki Drive, a new toy (and technological marvel) coming out on October 23rd, 2013, is going to change everything. Mini remote control cars that know how to drive themselves by using artificial intelligence? YES.

Think that this isn’t the greatest thing ever? What if I told you that Apple gave Anki the stage at one of their most high-profile tech keynotes of the year? Now that I have your attention, take a look at what is sure to be one of the most revolutionary toys ever brought to market.

Anki Drive allows you to, using your iOS device, race remote control cars against your friends. But, in addition to that, it lets you race remote control cars against cars driven entirely by artificial intelligence. The Anki Drive vehicles analyze their relative positions on the track 500 times per second, and make decisions accordingly.

What’s more, players can give AI cars different tasks: when commanded to, computer-controlled cars will attempt to block a certain car by getting in front of it. They can also be told to put the pedal to the metal, of course.

This product is honestly mind-blowing to me – you can upgrade and level-up your cars, just like in video games, and you can use the cars’ weapons: tractor beams, shields, and more! Send opponents’ cars reeling or pull them towards you so that you can get a better shot! If this does not end up being the top-selling toy of Christmas 2013, I’ll eat both of my shoes.

The Anki Drive app is available for download on the App Store as of right now, but the product will not be available until October 23rd – more information is on the Anki Drive website.

Want more remote control goodness? Check out the remote control cockroaches and the world’s fastest remote control car, if you dare.

[via Uncrate]

Every time you face a complex situation, you wait until you can understand all aspects of it before proceeding. When you’re little, going from your room to the bathroom at night is about as equally challenging of an ordeal. Much in the same way you want to be able to understand all sides before making a decision, kids want to be able to see everything that lies in their path so they can know whether or not they should come bug you to walk them there.

Of course, any parent of geeky children won’t want them to go alone, because for all their little ones know, it could be dangerous. Providing a nightlight is one thing, but giving them a torch is another. OK, you can’t really hand them a flaming stick and expect things to go well. However, the Wall Torch Sconce will let their imaginations soar in a good way.

This sconce casts a flickering glow to the space around it, and can easily go from being in the wall mount to a portable light source. Sadly, this is powered by two AA batteries, but if you have rechargeable ones handy it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. This is made of plastic, which means it can withstand the kind of treatment that kids give their toys. You’ll be looking at $20 for one of these, and keep in mind it doesn’t have to be for kids only. You could line your hallway with them, or use them on a camping trip to feel fancy.

Available for purchase on ThinkGeek

[ Wall Torch Sconce will light the way to new discoveries copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Have you ever wondered whether you have what it takes to be part of the army? Sure, in the world of video games, the sniper position is more or less heralded to be at the top of the food chain because more often than not, an unerring sense of accuracy trumps most of the other qualities required, but as we all know very well, the modern day battlefield is no “one man show”. Everyone out there has a part to play in the success of a critical mission, but just in case you are still adamant on being the sniper of the group, here is the $79.95 100′ Range Foam Dart Blaster for you to consider getting.

This particular 100′ Range Foam Dart Blaster, as its name suggests, is capable of shooting harmless foam darts from a distance of up to 100′ away. You will be able to pull Its bolt back smoothly in order to load a 4″-long x 1″ diam. blunt-headed dart into the chamber directly from a six-round magazine which is clipped into the undercarriage. A single squeeze of the trigger will fire the dart thanks to a powerful spring, delivering minimum “dart drop” downrange to boot. There is also a bipod that unfolds from the barrel so that it can secure the rifle whenever the need for precise aim arises. This is an interesting method of figuring out whether your little one has a penchant for shooting with accuracy, of course, in a safe and controlled manner.
[ 100′ Range Foam Dart Blaster for the inner sniper in you copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]