Cute
Latest
Custom WoW plushies look adorable
Debbie sent us a note about these plushies that she made, and as you can see, they look pretty awesome. The funny part, however, is that she doesn't know anything about World of Warcraft -- her mom's friend asked her to make a Troll Priestess, and since she makes these dolls on commission (prices start at $60 plus shipping and handling), people have asked her to do a Troll Shaman as well, and she's currently working on a Draenei Paladin. Very cool.You'd probably have to negotiate with her if you wanted something custom made, since these are definitely not coming off of a factory line. But even if you're willing to pay the money for a doll like this, they do look cool. We don't know what it is about Shamans and their little totems that seems to make them perfect for plushie form, but there must be something there. Somehow, we're not sure a plushie Warrior would cause the same fascination. But hey -- be sure to prove us wrong. If you catch any great WoW crafts around the net that we haven't seen yet, drop us a tip.
Adorable new pet screens from Free Realms
Just when you think it couldn't possibly get any more awesomely cute, Free Realms breaks out with a bunch of screenshots of some of the pet friends you can get while playing through the game. While some are dressed to the nines like the dog in Indiana Jones type adventuring gear above, and the dog we've affectionately dubbed 'the pup Lebowski' (he really needs a rug, don't you think?), other preview screens we've gotten from the folks over at SOE just show off some interactions between the pets and their owners during play. Our gallery is set to burst from the sheer amount of adorable in there!With the option of going free-to-play, picking up an optional subscription for $4.99 - cheaper than its nearest subscription-optioned competitor, FusionFall, at $5.95 for one account - and so many different ways to play, Free Realms is definitely showing it's out to raise the bar in the family MMO space. Now, maybe if we can perfect our own version of adorably irresistable puppy-dog eyes, SOE will think we're cute, and send over some Free Realms beta keys for us! %Gallery-12980%
Handmade tile necklaces feature WoW sayings
Reader Randy N. sent a link to these tile necklaces along to us, and they look awesome. They're made by a husband/wife team in New Mexico, and they're made from Scrabble tiles (the back apparently still has the letter on it) coated in a glassy glaze, with an assortment of colors and sayings. Very nice -- could be just the thing for someone who's a fan of Warcraft and handmade jewelry in your life.They're $9.99 apiece with free shipping, which is not too bad. And if that's too much and you want to try making them yourself, they've even got a tutorial on how it's done right there on the site. We do have one issue, though -- these pretty pendants and cute crafts are fine for the ladies and all, but what about us dudes? Maybe we can get some "pwned" or "woot" cufflinks?
Valentine's Day event in Hello Kitty Online open to everyone
The day will eventually come when the world burns itself out and society as we know it collapses. In the final days, tin foil hat theorists will suggest many reasons for humanity's demise, ranging from Skynet to MMO addiction and everything in between. Regardless of how or why it happens, once we're gone, the cockroaches will evolve into a global hivemind and inherit the earth as nature always intended. All they will know of their simian Mountain Dew-guzzling predecessors of the ancient world is one thing: they apparently worshipped a cute little animal with an off-kilter pink bow, the cat-goddess Hello Kitty. The day they encounter her is the day they will know their new master, and labor to rebuild the world in her image.It's true -- well, not the apocalypse bit -- Hello Kitty will remain an enduring aspect of our times, if the past 35 years of her reign as a cultural symbol is any indicator. The world's ultimate iconic character from Sanrio has adorned 'all our stuff' since 1974. Perhaps more than ever, kids (and quite a few adults) are absolutely in love with Hello Kitty. The estimated USD 1 billion per year she's worth confirms she's hardwired into our pop culture consciousness, a fact which isn't lost on the game industry. We've already seen a legacy of Hello Kitty games spanning multiple iterations of consoles and handhelds, as well as PC releases. Hello Kitty's involvement with gaming is about to enter a whole new era though, with her introduction to the world of massively multiplayer online games through Hello Kitty Online.
Send us your Halloween costumes!
Dressing up like something WoW-related for Halloween this year? Take a picture and send it to our tips line, because we'd love to see it! Whether you nabbed one of Blizzard's official costumes, worked a long time on a Tauren costume, or are just gluing some ears on and calling yourself a Night Elf, we'd love to take a look at what you're dressing up as, and we're sure our readers do, too. We'll collect all the pictures together and post them tomorrow, so we can check out what WoW fans are pretending to be this Halloween.And if you need some inspiration, here's all of our costume galleries from the past two BlizzCons and the results of last year's ingame contest. Sure, you probably can't beat that girl on the turtle (or can you?), but as the couple and their adorable baby Murloc above show (they're from Blizzard's official gallery from last year), even a little bit of costume goes a long way.%Gallery-9805%%Gallery-34205%%Gallery-5529%
Make your pets hate you, win a Wii and Animal Crossing
If you have no interest in actually paying for a Wii and Animal Crossing: City Folk, Nintendo has your back. For the next three weeks, the company is encouraging people (North Americans only) to dress their pets in adorable outfits, and send photos of the unamused, uncomfortable animal(s) to this website. Come November 16th, the fifty best will win a Wii, a copy of Animal Crossing: City Folk, and a WiiSpeak microphone. Maybe this is the excuse you've needed to justify buying a pug?The rules encourage an Animal Crossing theme, meaning the entries featured so far on the site are fairly rubbish, with most people just putting a hat on a disgruntled labrador. We sense our own idea is a winner. Protip, though: getting a necktie on a giraffe is hell.%Gallery-27704%[Via press release] KK says: buy Animal Crossing: City Folk to visit the city, reach out to friends, and make Iwata cry!
Gameplay trailer for this Fall's most anticipated MMO
Don't worry, we're not going back to HKO Insider (although you really did want us to), but we know there's a good number of you out there tracking that other big MMO release this Fall, the one with the "Lich Kitty." And here's the first gameplay trailer for the game we're really hoping to play this November -- forget about Death Knights and siege vehicles and new pets and hairstyles, we're waiting for solving mysteries and Sanrio characters and... well, new pets and hairstyles.But seriously, it does look fun, doesn't it? WoW could certainly use a farming profession (maybe to go along with some player housing), and everything is just so bright and shiny and fun. The most popular zone in Outland was Nagrand, and we like to think it's because of the rolling green hills and the sparkling blue skies. If you ever get tired of Knights dressed in black metal and dark magics that curse and torment the leaders of the Horde, just know that Hello Kitty Online is out there, waiting just for you.[via WoW Ladies LJ]
My Pokemon Ranch makes for great papercraft
The game might not be very good, but you can't argue with how cute the little critters look in My Pokemon Ranch. The visual style is just incredibly adorable. If you don't think so, then there's a good chance you're Cruella DeVille.If you want to make these for yourself, then hit up the instructions right here. Gallery: Awesome Nintendo papercraft [Via Go Nintendo]
E308: Namco Bandai's Panda game dated for U.S.
The first English-language screens of Namco Bandai's National Geographic Panda have emerged from E3, as well as a North American release window of this fall. We also received a smattering of gameplay details, listed beneath the almost unforgivable title of "It's PANDA-MONIUM!"According to these, the aim of the game is simply to rear your own Baby Panda or Giant Panda (you can tickle and play with them via the touchscreen, as you would a Nintendog), keeping them fed, clean, and happy during their time in Panda Park (which, incidentally, changes depending on whether you play at day or night).To do this, you'll get a daily allowance which can be used for panda food or toys (such as ... gherkin-shaped see-saws?), and as you play more, further Baby Pandas will gradually begin to "move" into Panda Park, which is probably just Namco Bandai's way of avoiding the whole panda sex thing. Probably for the best.%Gallery-20748%[Via press release]
Two glorious minutes of Stafy action
Talking of stars (tenuous link ahoy!), GameTrailers has posted a Japanese launch trailer for Densetsu no Stafi 5 (Legend of Stafy 5). Every aspect of the title seems to be covered here, from Stafy's various incarnations to the co-op adventure that the brave little star undertakes with sister Stapy.There's also some impossibly cute "dress Stafy up" mode (visible at around 1:32 in the trailer) which we omigosh must play now.
National Geographic Pandas are no slackers
We simply can't fault Namco Bandai's inspired decision to develop a game based on panda bears. When it comes to pandas, there is no universal divide in opinion (as there is with dogs and cats) -- everybody is a panda person. That kind of popularity can only be gained from being extremely cute and extremely rare.Launching in Japan on July 31st, purchased copies of Panda-San Nikki (National Geographic Panda) will probably be anything but rare. That's because this game is freakin' adorable, as the latest screenshots in our gallery demonstrate. There are more pandas on see-saws, pandas trying to roll on a ball, pandas using a slide, pandas in hats -- in fact, Game Watch reckons there are over 800 animations (pandamations?) on display here. We always thought these wonderful creatures just sort of sat around, but they seem to be rather active!%Gallery-20748%
Cuteness overload in these new Legend of Stafy 5 screens and boxart
It's been a little while since we got some eyecandy for Legend of Stafy 5. Well, that's changed, as Dengeki has uploaded a couple of new screens from the upcoming title, including the game's boxart. And, we don't have to tell you how damn cute the game is. It's like that Mikey kid times a billion.Head on over to Dengeki for the screens.
Recipe for a Smile: Grab one of these cases
Strawberries. Fairy tales. Cute pigs. Lots of gingham. There can be no doubt that Etsy user SmileRecipe's DS cases veer towards the so-cute-it-hurts end of the spectrum, so if that's not your thing (in others words, if you're the manliest of men), then skip this post, eh?For those of you still reading, we chose four of our favorite designs by SmileRecipe and popped them in the gallery below. For just $12, you can get a case that will hold your DS and a couple of spare cartridges, and attract plenty of funny looks (if you're a dude)."Fairy Tale" case"Cute Pigs" case"Red Riding Hood" case"Strawberries" case%Gallery-25455%
Happy birthday to baby Jaina
We'd like to officially welcome baby Jaina into the world -- born at 12:35am yesterday, Jaina Tiffany Bauer and mom Tiffany are both doing just fine. Dad Tim, who plays on Perenolde, sent us a note to say that he'd joked about naming the baby after the Lady of Theramore, but the name stuck during pregnancy, and now she's Admiral Proudmoore's daughter's namesake for life (as long as you don't name the baby Thrall). Very awesome, and very cute kid. Congrats to mom and dad both.Tim also jokes that she gets cold already, so he speculates that she's already grabbed Icy Veins, 11 points into the Frost tree. We'd like to know just how soon she can be leveling her Mage in-game -- after all, Jaina is supposed to be there to help us out against Arthas. Level 80 waits for no one (or baby, as the case may be).
Stafy is a star and so much more
This just in: the fifth game in Tose's Densetsu no Stafy series will continue the tradition of making bloggers "awwww" themselves silly with its ludicrous levels of cuteness.New scans from Famitsu confirm that, just like its immediate predecessor, Densetsu no Stafy: Taiketsu! Daiiru Kaizoku-dan won't be light on the saccharine imagery, and also that Stafy has a new friend for his latest adventure: Rampa (?) the space bunny. According to the magazine, Rampa will be able to transform Stafy into other creatures, including a seal and a dragon, which will in turn help our squishy, five-pointed hero progress through the game.We find Stafy's dragon transformation adorable.
Show and Tell: Droopy
In today's Show and Tell, we're not bothering with the fleeting relationships we sometimes have with skins or cases. Today, we're examining the hardcore dedication required for permanent mods. When you really like something, you get it etched into the very surface of your DS. At least, that's what one reader did, with cute little tarepanda. See the finished result in all its glossy ebon glory in the gallery below, along with a few other choice pieces from Drew's collection.%Gallery-23940% Show and Tell is all about your stuff, so long as it's Nintendo-related. We love to see your collections, your crafts, your frosted creations, your t-shirts and swag of all sorts. Just snap a few pictures, tell us what's up, and send it all to showmeit [at] dsfanboy [dot] com. We'll take care of the rest.
Mini NES is as cute as a button (same size, too)
Perhaps it's the little girl inside of me -- or maybe it's an issue of some deep-seated problems -- but whenever something exists in miniature form, this writer can't help but squeal.Those who agree that small things are cute might also love this penny-sized, clay NES. There's really no purpose to owning it except that it's mini, but that seems like reason enough for us. Finding more ways to impress us, Lauren of TheClayCollection also made an Xbox 360 and an original Xbox. Whoever thought an Xbox of all things could be so adorable?Unfortunately, there's no mini Wii currently available, but Lauren takes requests if you'd like her to make you one. She also has nice little NES controller earrings at her Etsy store, among other things.So, are these ridiculously cute, or do we need psychological help? You decide.[Via Technabob]
Gamestop preorder bonus for Harvest Moon DS Cute is cute
Gamestop can be so cruel to our wallets. We try to resist their silly preorder bonuses that come with games, but at times it's too hard to ignore the temptation. The most recent battle of wills comes with Gamestop's bonus for Harvest Moon DS Cute. If you couldn't tell from the picture above, it's a plush cat! That may not seem like a big deal for many of you -- after all, what's another cheap stuffed animal? -- but here at DS Fanboy, we love cats (especially the "lol" kind). Maybe not as much as we love pugs, but we digress. We like the Harvest Moon series anyway, so normally preordering this game wouldn't be an issue. Yet, since two Harvest Moon games are coming out pretty close to each other, we were hoping to spend our money on Island of Happiness instead. Cute is essentially the same game as Harvest Moon DS, except that the main character is a girl rather than a boy (plus, a few other minor additions). Island of Happiness, on the other hand, is a completely new game with a Lost in Blue meets Harvest Moon concept. We probably won't waver in our decision to stick with Island of Happiness, but if you're a fan of the franchise and haven't played Harvest Moon DS yet, this preorder bonus might make the purchase a worthwhile one. [Via Siliconera]
Show and Tell: DIY gamer production
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Cute_Baby_Nintendo_DS_Love'; Not enough gamers in your life? Make more! That's what many parents are trying to do with their babies. Oh, not literally (or, on second thought, maybe quite literally), but rather, they're trying to encourage gaming in their children from a very young age. Reader John is one of those parents. He's been busily combining two awesome things: bonding with his infant son Micah and playing DS games. Let it also be said: Micah has some serious hair. That's almost a Final Fantasy-level of awesome right there. On the sadder side of things, for some reason, the sight of my DS Lite seems to make my new son cry. This is tragic, and we can only hope it's a phase. Have a gaming child? We love to show off your spawnlings, no matter how small. Just snap some pictures of them (or of anything else you have that's Nintendo-related), tell us what's up, and send it all to showmeit [at] dsfanboy [dot] com. We'll take care of the rest.
Insert cute pet story here
About 3 months ago I got my first pet. His name is Max, and is a grey domestic short hair cat. He was a stray that was scratching at my apartment door on a very cold November evening. At the time it was decided that he was just going to stick around for the night, but he grew on us so quickly that we weren't able to let him go. He now is a happy member of my family, and just like the rest of them, he has to put up with me playing World of Warcraft.Except, it's not really "putting up with" WoW, it's more like "intensely interested in what's going on." Max will often times spend the whole four hours of the night's raid spread across the desk staring at my computer screen. He'll react to the sounds, the bright flashes of light, and occasionally even other in game cats. When someone says "lol" and their character laughs, he'll jump and stare down the speaker the laugh came from.
