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ProtoDojo turns NES controller into flash drive with Konami-level security

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 12th 2009 at 12:22PM

The humble NES controller has certainly provided plenty of inspiration for mods over the years, and even a little dreaming, but it doesn't look like the well is showing any signs of drying up just yet. The latest to take a crack at the iconic gadget is one man shop ProtoDojo, which did what many others have done and turned the controller into a flash drive, but went the extra step of adding an ingenious security measure to ensure that only true NES veterans are able to mount the drive. We won't spell it out here, but let's just say this drive stands a better chance at Contra than most -- all possible thanks to the magic of Arduino, as you might have guessed. Head on past the break for a complete overview on video.

Continue reading ProtoDojo turns NES controller into flash drive with Konami-level security

Portable NES modded into a cartridge, hearts modded into love

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 11th 2009 at 6:03PM

We've seen NES mods that incorporate a screen and controls into a cartridge in the past, but this example from Airz in BenHeck's forums is just so clean and well-polished that we had to give it some love. Inside Airz says it's just a generic Chinese media player that can play NES, Gameboy, and Gameboy Color ROMs, along with the relevant controller bits, a 2.8-inch LCD, 4GB of storage, and a rechargeable battery. Oh, and if you're feeling particularly retro, you can hook it up over TV-out and play on the big screen. Not bad -- and it's for sale if you're as in love as we are. Video after the break.

[Via 8bitfix; thanks, Gusto]

Continue reading Portable NES modded into a cartridge, hearts modded into love

Papercraft NES and Dreamcast cost less, play just as many cutting edge games

by Vladislav Savov posted Jul 29th 2009 at 7:19PM

Finally, your lovingly prepared SNES model is getting some well-heeled new friends to hang out with. Cubeecraft is a website wholly dedicated to the paper-based recreation of cultural icons, and it's prepared a pair of exquisitely detailed clones of the NES and Dreamcast. While some such projects might require patience and finesse, putting together the above templates doesn't even ask for any glue or tape. So what are you waiting for, grab your scissors and run to the links below for full 150dpi printouts -- just be sure to make the time for some imaginary Contra action afterwards.

[Via Technabob]

Read - NES cutout
Read - DC cutout

Probably-fake video roundup: 24-inch iPhone OS, PS1 emulation on the Pre

by Nilay Patel posted Jun 15th 2009 at 1:27AM

This video of iPhone OS 2.x running on a 24-inch multitouch monitor from Swedish design firm Dreamfield is almost certainly fake, but hey -- it's Sunday night, nothing's going on, and we were thinking about how well touch-specific systems would work on a larger screen after seeing those CrunchPad videos anyway, so we thought we'd get some conversation going. We'd be willing to bet that a future Apple tablet has more in common with the experience shown in this video than with what we currently think of as OS X, but we're not so certain we're seeing anything here that makes us want to throw our mouse or keyboard away -- or spend the entire day with gorilla arm. So -- artfully mocked-up glimpse of the future, or just a pipe dream?

Keeping with the likely-fake theme, there's also a probably-fake video of SNES and PS1 emulators running on the Pre, controlled by a Bluetooth gamepad. Yes, it's incredibly awesome -- and undoubtedly possible -- but until we see some evidence of how things are loaded up and connected with the gamepad we're sticking it in the fake category as well.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Probably-fake video roundup: 24-inch iPhone OS, PS1 emulation on the Pre

Pre gets NES emulation in Linux; our thumbs are in for a world of hurt

by Paul Miller posted Jun 14th 2009 at 7:04AM

Sure, once you get Doom onto a device there isn't much stopping you in the homebrew department, but we thought the implementation of an NES emulator on webOS outside of the Classic environment was worth noting -- even if it happens to be astoundingly easy to pull off. All it requires is a quick trip to root on the device a compile of the FCEUltra NES emulator for Linux and bam, it's good to go. Hit up the read link for instructions (we're sure we're simplifying things just a tad) -- and no, the incredible appropriateness of using a Contra ROM to kick things off hasn't escaped us.

nesPod is a combo of two blasts from the past we can really dig

by Laura June posted Jun 4th 2009 at 9:47AM

We see tons of casemods, but the NES holds a special place in our hearts and memories, so anything in the black-redish orange-gray combo catches our eye pretty easily. The nesPod -- the fine work of flickr user recycledgamer -- is made of a gutted NES controller and an iPod mini circa 2004-2005. The back has been carefully cut out to allow access to the screen and clickwheel, and that's really all there is to it -- no intense mapping of buttons, hacking, or anything -- just a totally chill casemod. You cool with that? Because we are. There's a shot of the back after the break. Hit the read link for the full set of photos.

[Via Technabob]

Continue reading nesPod is a combo of two blasts from the past we can really dig

Retro Mini Handheld plays NES cartridges, brings tears of nostalgia to our eyes

by Laura June posted May 13th 2009 at 2:32PM

We've seen scads of portable NES mods in the past but still: this is probably relevant to your interests. ThinkGeek's got a new portable gaming system on offer, the Retro Mini Handheld. It plays all those 8-bit cartridges you've had stacked in your room next to your hi-fi since the olden days, and it's got a pretty attractive look. Sure, the cartridge is essentially bigger than the handheld itself, but that's part of its charm as far as we can tell. It's got a 2.4-inch LCD and takes four AA batteries for about 8 hours of game time, and it's available now for $49.99. There's one more shot after the break.

[Thanks, Adam]

Continue reading Retro Mini Handheld plays NES cartridges, brings tears of nostalgia to our eyes

NES gamepad mouse is the most amazing piece of industrial design in the history of humankind

by Joshua Topolsky posted Apr 30th 2009 at 9:47AM

Apparently as of right now, this stunning piece of high art is just a foam model mock-up, but listen to us, mouse manufacturers of the world: if you build this, we will give you every penny we have to own it. Our only gripe? The D-pad should definitely be up top for navigation duties. Still... where's the waiting list?

[Via Technabob]

Samsung Eternity retrofitted within NES controller, has never looked better

by Darren Murph posted Apr 28th 2009 at 8:41AM

Not that we've never had the pleasure of seeing an NES phone mod before, but there's just something especially elegant about this one. The not-at-all-ancient Samsung a867 Eternity was chosen by one Taylor Merrill to be shoved inside of a now-defunct Nintendo Entertainment System controller. The result, naturally, is what you see above -- er, half of it, anyway. For a look at the whole thing in its entirety, hop on past the break and mash play. Per usual, we take no responsibility for damage dealt to your retro game consoles, existing handsets or pride should you attempt to replicate.

[Thanks, stagueve]

Continue reading Samsung Eternity retrofitted within NES controller, has never looked better

Hyperkin's FC Mobile II plays your old NES carts any way you'd like

by Paul Miller posted Apr 26th 2009 at 10:14AM

We've truly fallen in love. Hyperkin's FC Mobile II tickles our every retro-gaming fantasy, combining portable cartridge-based NES action on a 2.5-inch screen, complete with TV-out, two "standard" wireless controllers, and a wireless gun just to top off the majestic collection. Even better, the whole kit is going for around $60 on eBay, so we can spend the rest of our suspicious money horde on Joystick Test Cartridges and tasteless cufflinks.

[Via OhGizmo!]

Video: SuperNES Advantage controller mod for Xbox 360

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Apr 21st 2009 at 5:29PM

Sometimes you can't beat the classics. The gentleman who brought his old Super NES Advantage to bear on his Xbox 360 is back, this time working his magic on the Super Advantage joystick. This bad boy is wireless, runs off an internal battery (charged via standard USB), and sports an LED player indicator. If you've never been able to get used to the standard Xbox controller, keep an eye out for this bad boy on eBay. The modster in question has stated his intention to let this one go to the right bidder, but not before he makes another one for himself. The next trick, he says, is to add cross-platform compatibility with the Wii and SNES. Video after the break.

[Via Nowhere Else]

Continue reading Video: SuperNES Advantage controller mod for Xbox 360

Homemade NES purse is so voguish, so for sale

by Darren Murph posted Apr 11th 2009 at 12:33AM

C'mon, don't even front here -- you can't deny the frisson in taking one look at the masterpiece above. We know, there's a never-ending stream of NES-related doodads flowing from every possible direction, but it's not everyday that you get the opportunity to actually purchase one of these amazingly beautiful creations. Designer inhope has clearly and definitively one-upped that other NES purse with the Nintendo Controller Purse, and you can be the proud owner of one for just $39.99. An irrefutable bargain, we say.

[Via technabob]

GAME-800 all-in-one handheld tries out a new control scheme

by Darren Murph posted Apr 2nd 2009 at 7:56AM

We'll hand it to whatever Chinese company conjured up the GAME-800 -- there's at least a smidgen of ingenuity here. Granted, we suspect it's all for the worse, but we digress. The GAME-800 all-in-one handheld does just about everything save for make calls; we're talking an MP5 (seriously) player, text and photo viewer, camera, NES / GBA emulator and even support for video playback. Internally, you'll spot 4GB of storage, which complements the integrated SD expansion slot nicely. There's also a TV output, 3.5-inch QVGA display, twin 3.5 millimeter headphone jacks and USB 2.0 connectivity. We might say it was actually worth he $69.99 asking price if not for our befuddlement relating to those awkwardly sorted directional arrows, but until we see support for an external game pad, we'll pass.

[Via technabob]

NES Advantage joystick modded for Xbox 360 use

by Donald Melanson posted Mar 30th 2009 at 7:03PM

This mod won't exactly help you much with Street Fighter IV or other button intensive games, but those that prefer to pass the time with the likes of Galaga or Xevious may want to strongly consider following the lead of our friend Mr. Pepsi Pants, and breath some new life into that NES Advantage controller collecting dust in your closet. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a complete how-to available just yet, but the video after the break does demonstrate that this bridging of consoles is indeed possible, and no doubt simple enough for anyone with the necessary skills. What's more, it looks like an SNES Advantage mod is already on tap as a followup project, which should offer a bit more practicality while still maintaining some retro flavor.

[Via Nowhere Else]

Continue reading NES Advantage joystick modded for Xbox 360 use

NES Joystick Test Cartridge lands on eBay, complete with lowest replay value ever

by Darren Murph posted Mar 29th 2009 at 9:02PM

Not that we haven't seen some pretty crazy Nintendo gear fetch some pretty crazy prices on The Bay, but this is definitely amongst the weirdest. Shipping directly from the frigid tundras of Fairbanks, Alaska, this Joystick Test Cartridge for the Nintendo Entertainment System will undoubtedly spend a record low amount of time within your still kickin' NES console. Put simply, these carts were passed out to game stores for them to test out their NES machines, and after they were done, they were instructed to ship the cart back to the Mushroom Kingdom. Clearly, one renegade employee shoved it in his coat pocket and made a beeline for The Last Frontier. Surely all that's worth $1,050, right?

[Via TechEBlog]