Feb 08

This Mii is a criminal

Posted in: Japan, nintendo, Today's Chili

The sketch artist at the Kanagawa, Japan police department must’ve been on vaca last week — local authorities there decided to use this shady-looking Mii to try and catch a man suspected of a hit and run. Crude, yet effective — although something tells us a man with no arms who can still swing a tennis racket might just stand out on his own.

[Via Danny Choo; thanks Penny]

Update: The local police are apparently saying they’re not responsible for the… uh, “mug shot,” so, you know, mad props to the good samaritan out there doing their part to bring this case to a close.

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This Mii is a criminal originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 04

Wiimote modded with terrifically minor results

Posted in: diy, mod, mods, nintendo, Today's Chili, wii

Remember DHRECK, the modder who modded a Wiimote by covering it in hemp and calling it a day? Well, he’s back, and this time he’s made one that’s slightly smaller than the original. That’s right: not totally teeny, or miniaturized (it’s not lethal, either) — just somewhat smaller than an actual, unmodified ‘mote. He’s made some other minor cosmetic changes to it as well, and the results are attractive. Check the gallery of fantastic photos after the break.

[Thanks, John]

Gallery: Dhreck Wiimote Mod

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Wiimote modded with terrifically minor results originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 28

NES Controller Varsity Jacket would be more awesome with awesome models

Posted in: nintendo, Retro, Today's Chili

At first glance, we actually gagged upon seeing the jacket pictured above. Immediately after regaining our composure, we wondered how on Earth such a magnificent piece of retro kit could have such a negative impact on our lives — then, it hit us. It’s the dude. Seriously. Strap this $200, limited run jacket on anyone even remotely beautiful and we’d bet you too would see things differently. Or maybe it is just obscenely tacky, but it’d be much less so on anyone other than this fellow.

[Via OhGizmo]

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NES Controller Varsity Jacket would be more awesome with awesome models originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 27

Wii Check-up Channel will link you to health professionals, Dr. Mario

Posted in: Japan, nintendo, Today's Chili, wii

It was inevitable we guess what with everyone plus your grandma using the Wii. Now Nintendo Japan has announced a new Wii “Check-Up” channel that acts as a health guidance system between you and health professionals. Scheduled for an April launch, the system developed in partnership with Hitachi, NEC, Panasonic and a health insurance company is said to provide 2-way communication between users and health leaders who’ll provide “healthy guidance” to otherwise Cheeto-stained gamer-types. The service appears to be compatible with both Wii Fit and its Balance Board as well as NEC’s mobile phone health platform for checking progress or accessing advice remotely. It also appears to be usable anonymously. We’ll update you just as soon as we get all these Japanese press releases translated.

[Via Akihabara News and NeoGAF]

Read — NEC
Read — Nintendo

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Wii Check-up Channel will link you to health professionals, Dr. Mario originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 23

Brooklyn Pastry Chef Crafts Perfect, Gigantic Wiimote Cake

Posted in: nintendo, Peripherals, Today's Chili, top, video games, wii

Last week, a 9-year-old boy received the birthday cake of his life in the form of a giant Wiimote.

At the request of one very loving parent, pastry chef Roshel Michaeli from Schicks Gourmet Bakery got to work meticulously measuring the Wiimote before scaling it to feed a small to medium army of children. The chocolate cake with mousse filling was coated with (edible) rolled fondant, depicting the Wiimote’s buttons in perfect detail—including even a properly shaped expansion port in the bottom.

The custom cake cost $360, but we have a feeling that it’s a memory the child will not soon forget. Though without a strap, this thing will make a huge mess all over the TV. [Thanks Jack!]

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Jan 22

Nintendo DS and Wii Break Sales Records

Posted in: nintendo, nintendo wii, Today's Chili

Nintendo_Characters.jpg

The Nintendo Wii sold over 10 million units in the U.S. in 2008, the first game console ever to break that barrier, according to new NPD data relayed by the News Market.

The report said that the Nintendo Wii racked up 10.17 million sales in 2008, followed closely by the company’s sister portable console, the Nintendo DS, with 9.95 million. Both consoles broke the previous record set in 2007, when the Nintendo DS sold 8.52 million units.

As a result, the Nintendo Wii represented 55 percent of all home console sales in 2008, while the DS nailed 72 percent of all portable system sales, according to the report.

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Jan 21

Left 4 Dead PC Wiimote hack for the gamer who has it all, hates zombies

Posted in: hack, mod, nintendo, nintendo wii, NintendoWii, Today's Chili, wii

Sometimes inspiration hits when you’re shooting zombies — and often times, that inspiration is in the form of new, better ways to shoot zombies. Since this sort of thing (shooting zombies) is one of our passions here, we were pretty psyched when we ran across this video. Summoning all of his worldly resources — including GlovePIE, PPJoy, and about a gazillion lines of code — this guy is able to rock Left 4 Dead PC in split-screen mode with two Wiimotes. He’s even added shake controls for reloading and spinning 180 degrees. The only catch? As it stands, the only way to power the sensor bar is by turning on the Wii — a condition that should be remedied shortly. Hit the read link for instructions and code, and be sure to check out the video after the break.

[Via Nowhere Else]

Continue reading Left 4 Dead PC Wiimote hack for the gamer who has it all, hates zombies

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Left 4 Dead PC Wiimote hack for the gamer who has it all, hates zombies originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 16

Nintendo sets US sales records in 2008, collects $200

Posted in: nintendo, Today's Chili, wii

While 2008 saw investments wiped out, institutions falter, and record job losses, the house that Mario built chugged its way back into the record books. According to NPD Group statistics, Nintendo sold a record 10.17 million Wii consoles to US Americans in 2008. That trumps Nintendo’s own record of 9.95 million consoles sold in the relatively healthy 2007 economic climate. Nintendo added to its money pile by hawking 9.95 million DS handhelds for the year compared to the 8.52 million sold in 2007. Those tallies represent 55% of all consoles and 72% of all handheld consoles sold in the US. Daaaamn.

P.S. Want to see what Nintendo’s 2008 dominance looks like in the form of a pie chart? Check the amazing graphic after the break.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

Continue reading Nintendo sets US sales records in 2008, collects $200

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Nintendo sets US sales records in 2008, collects $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 14

Nintendo DSi hitting the streets in early April?

Posted in: DS, nintendo, Today's Chili

It was bound to happen sooner or later. We’ve seen it hacked and seen it cracked open, and now it looks like the Nintendo DSi might finally get that Stateside release. According to IGN, the device will be hitting the shelves here in early April for $179.99. If this is for real, for real — as the site is quick to point out, Nintendo “doesn’t comment on rumors and speculation,” so there’s been no official confirmation — it looks like it’s only a matter of time before the fun lovin’ game console finds its way into our hands. Because it’s already found its way into our hearts.

[Via Joystiq]

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Nintendo DSi hitting the streets in early April? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jan 09

CES 2009: Wiimote Maracas and Soprano Sax

Posted in: nintendo, Today's Chili, wii

wiimotemaracasax.gif

I think Chinese companies may have officially jumped the shark, regarding Wiimote adapters. Swords, OK. Tennis Rackets, sure. Hey, I can even get behind Wiimote crossbows. But a company called Top-Union, based inf Shenzhen, has gone a bit too far.

On display in the CES International Hall were these two items, which appear to be Wiimote maracas and a Wiimote soprano sax. The latter has apparently been released in eager anticipation of the as-yet-unconfirmed Nintendo Wii Kenny G game.

The kids are gonna go nuts over that one.

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