Virtual bubblewrap: the best / worst gadget ever made

Bandai Asovision has taken possibly the most enjoyable side benefit of having a gadget obsessed life and made it 100% legitimate with the PuchiPuchi, a gadget that emulates the joy of popping bubble wrap. The PuchiPuchi simply features eight buttons that each make a popping sound when you press them: for extra enjoyment, the creators have sought to include bonus popping sounds like "door chime" and "sexy voice" every 100 pops, and there's also a one-in-a-thousand chance that your PuchiPuchi will be a super special "puchi lucky" toy with a heart shaped bubble. Frankly, the concept is so absurd -- and, well, Japanese -- that it might just work. Still, we've got to admit to hoping that each PuchiPuchi includes a healthy portion of real bubble wrap on the side.

[Noal @ Jun 24th 2007 1:48PM]

This is going to be big at the Stanford campus.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jun 24th 2007 1:48PM]

At last, I can leave my roll at home and lead a normal life!

[Joe Smith @ Jun 24th 2007 2:21PM]

But... is it USB powered?

[Leonard @ Jun 24th 2007 2:28PM]

Yes... but what about those times when you just wanna wrap yourself up in bubble wrap and roll around on the ground?

[adrian @ Jun 24th 2007 2:28PM]

but can it handle the weight of a 200lbs person standing on it?

[shaun @ Jun 24th 2007 2:32PM]

I'm taking worst's side on this

[Mr. Vage @ Jun 24th 2007 3:23PM]

Pop, pop, hope no one sees me get freaky!

[matthew @ Jun 24th 2007 3:27PM]

absolute genius. advertise this in any OCD forum and watch the yen roll in.

[Scottphone @ Jun 24th 2007 3:43PM]

There's a Palm program that already does this. Bombel Complete with smashed bubbles.

[franzbonus @ Jun 24th 2007 3:50PM]

I WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANT OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!

[JohnTitor @ Jun 24th 2007 4:57PM]

I don't think the joy comes from the sound so much as the feel of squeezing the air bubble, may the 2nd gen one will figure out how to do that

[taku @ Jun 24th 2007 6:06PM]

@JohnTitor
Apparently it does have the tactile feedback identical to the real bubble wrap using some kind of silicon material. Sound is for added realism.

The actual product name is "Mugen Puchipuchi" which literally means infinite puchipuchi.

[Vorx @ Jun 24th 2007 5:11PM]

But can it Play Doom....Sounds?

[ethana2 @ Jun 24th 2007 6:25PM]

I don't think it has realistic tactile feedback. I want a refund.

[vudean @ Jun 24th 2007 7:33PM]

Where can I get one? My wife works with 'special' children, and time with this would be a great 'reward' for them.

[Lyrrad @ Jun 24th 2007 7:38PM]

Add mp3 playback and I'm sold!

[Quito @ Jun 24th 2007 7:41PM]

Do they ship with bubble wrap?

[JohnTitor @ Jun 24th 2007 8:05PM]

maybe they just add more of it

[Brandon @ Jun 26th 2007 10:12AM]

No they wrap them in the PuchiPuchi expansion pack!

[LordFarkward @ Jun 24th 2007 8:26PM]

i'd like to have one pre-recorded with homer's "DOH!"

[snesgirl @ Jun 25th 2007 4:26AM]

Surely it can be hacked to contain any library of sounds you desire?

[David @ Jun 25th 2007 4:36AM]

sounds like a ripped of Tension Sheet if you ask me. Red Dwarf FTW.

[DJEJ @ Jun 25th 2007 4:06PM]

Excellent reference. That's a great episode too.

[Kosek @ Jun 25th 2007 7:48AM]

Ohhh thats like the old "Tamagotchi"

Only in countries which are inhabited by people with asian origin, something like that is able to be sold.

[Lee @ Jun 25th 2007 5:20PM]

I'd love to hear a psychologist's interpretation of why we can't stop ourselves from popping those bubbles!

[Aceo @ Jun 25th 2007 7:19PM]

Maybe it's all an intricate ploy to keep us occupied while Bandai launches a full scale attack..... with model gundams.

[Michael @ Jun 26th 2007 3:24PM]

Pre-order Puchipuchi here: http://www.kilian-nakamura.com/catalog/puchipuchi-virtual-bubble-wrap-5pack-p-141.html?language=en