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Complete PC gets shoved into a classic Gameboy
The game of PC modding leapfrog now has another formidable participant, as the PC-stuffed Gameboy sure gives the Compubeaver a real run for its money. Apparently, the zany modders at the helm grabbed Via's EPIA PX10000G motherboard, a few cutting tools, a couple of LEDs, and went at it. Quite simply, this classic Gameboy will probably never play a round of Mario ever again, but it shouldn't have any qualms firing up AIM, Folding@Home, or any other Windows XP application. The A and B buttons were carefully replaced with activity indicators, while both sides of the unit were gashed open to make room for a pair of USB ports, an Ethernet jack, and a VGA output as well. Atop the unit sits a 4GB CF card, which purportedly houses a fresh copy of the operating system, and while they did stop short of installing a high-resolution LCD to give users the ultimate mobile Windows experience, you've got to give cred where it's due. Click through for a few more snapshots.[Via PlasticBamboo]
Game Boy fabric versus Game Boy metal
If sterling silver and fabric got into a fight, who would win? On one hand, metal is strong and wimpy cloth could do little more than polish its surface with impotent attacks. On the other, fabric is bendy and nigh impervious to the heavy slammings of metal. Drop either of them in the microwave, however, and the playing field is suddenly level.Combat possibilities aside, these two Game Boy likenesses are a little bit of geekery made real. The fabric Game Boy coin purse is available from Etsy for $30, perfect if you're one of the few people that carries physical currency in your pocket. The sterling silver Game Boy, while not functional, is the only Game Boy system that might protect you from the Blades of Chaos.[Via DS Fanboy]
Metal working meets gaming
Reader John, who is a metal working champion, made this for someone else from sterling silver. He says it was his first attempt and he plans on making more, which is a notion we can't help but support. The world needs more Game Boys, whether they be functional or not.See also: Game Boy coin purse is as charming as the real system
Game Boy coin purse is as charming as the real system
We don't have much use for a coin purse, since we only carry fat rolls of cash when we roll out in our Fanboy-mobiles, but then, we don't have much use for the original monochrome brick Game Boy either, and we love that to death.For the low, low price of $30 (which is still more than the Game Boy itself) you can get this cute handmade coin purse. We love the handmade-ness as much as the Game Boy-ness. It makes the whole thing look like a labor of love, which is what gamer crafts are all about![Via Wonderland; also posted today: this amazing set of arcade-game Keds, which includes Super Bros.-inspired shoes.]
PSP at the top of handheld evolution
We know that the PSP is powerful. But how powerful is it compared to handhelds before it? A lot more, as seen by Pocket Gamer's recent analysis of handheld systems. PSP's 333MHz of processing power knocks makes the rest of the chart seem miniscule in comparison.Pocket Gamer's feature is certainly an eye-opener. Of particular note is a fascinating diagram of screen sizes, overlaying each other. The PSP's wide screen LCD far exceeds the size of its nearest competitor, the Nomad. Even with such impressive statistics, the system remains one of the lightest handhelds created, and doesn't stand out as disproportionately larger than the others. This is a must-read feature for any PSP fan.
Game Boy sound comparison delights musicians, confuses others
More geeky than most of us can handle, musician Herbert Weixelbaum has an in-depth analysis of the sound output for every Game Boy system, including both Nintendo DS models. He even included minor upgrades to the line and tested systems with backlighting both on and off. The guide is aimed squarely at chiptune musicians who want to get the most out of their performances. Everyone else, just smile and nod.The results? The original Game Boy has a "warm, bassy sound", the Game Boy Color produces a lot of background noise, while the Game Boy Advance SP has the best display. According to Herbert, however, the original Game Boy is the best of the lot with the all-important "retro feel".[Via GameSetWatch]
Game Boy musical teaches addict a lesson
One of the most unlikely places one would find gaming, or gaming addiction rather, would be on Broadway. Alas, that is where this story takes place, as The Game Boy, Matthew Gandolfo and Robin Rothstein's musical, focuses on Chase, a guy who finds himself deeply in love with his Game Boy. This addiction, of course, interferes with his life as the musical shows us just how his love of the handheld fuels his desire to be the best of the best.Eventually, this desire leads to a life of solitude and sadness, as Chase's adventures are documented in the video, available past the post break.[via Engadget]
Poll results: Is the Game Boy dead?
It would appear that, according to the DS Fanboy community at least, the Game Boy is officially dead. We can't remember the last GBA game we purchased or looked forward to, so we'd have to agree. This could bode well for thoseof us with the thrifty gamer's eye, however, as the GBA fades away, its games will be available in clearance bins in our local brick-and-mortar outlets and online sales. Now's the time to pick up some of those stellar GBA games we missed, wouldn't you say?
The Game Boy musical teaches addict a lesson
So long as there are fanboys roaming the streets (and electronics aisles), weird fetishes and unashamed overkill will still have their places, but it's not too often that a gaming addiction finds a home on Broadway. In The Game Boy, Matthew Gandolfo and Robin Rothstein's family-friendly musical, a well-taught lad dubbed Chase purportedly falls a bit too head over heels for his dear Game Boy, which presumably leads to all kinds of childhood development issues. According to the production notes, the kiddo is simply consumed in the pixelated universe, and strives to "always being the best," regardless of the real folks he ignores in the process. As predicted, this behavior eventually results in a life of loneliness and dread, probably forcing poor Chase to switch off the Nintendo handheld and seek out his long lost friends. Of course, his parents could have just shipped him over Amsterdam to remedy the issue, but if you're interested in seeing the outcome yourself, be sure to hit up the Vital Theater Company in New York City from now until April 22nd.
Poll: Is the Game Boy dead?
With the latest release schedule that Nintendo dished out, we all noticed a severe lack of Game Boy Advance games. So, we figured we'd ask you guys where you stand with the GBA. Could you care less or are you still actively purchasing and playing GBA games? Should the Game Boy be buried? Yes, there's no life left in that system; the DS is way better No, the Game Boy has plenty of life left in it and I want to see more games!
Obama says the youth need to stop playing GameBoy
During a recent stop in Texas, 2008 Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke with the youth in an attempt to enlist some younger aid in his campaign. He wanted them to recruit their friends in his campaign, stating "I want you to tell them, 'It's time for you to turn off the TV and stop playing GameBoy' ... We've got work to do." We understand the blind labeling of all handheld gaming taking place on Nintendo's GameBoy, it's what our parents and grandparents call all handheld gaming devices to this day. However, when one is trying to enlist the aid of the youth, it's best to understand what they're playing and how the gaming landscape has changed since the early 90's.
MASSIVE clearance at Best Buy starts today
If you're near a Best Buy store, gather up your $2 bills and get going, because they're in the midst of an epic videogame clearance, and you'll want to get there before the unscrupulous speculator types grab all the stuff to sacrifice to the ravenous eBay. You've got to be wily to get to the goods before the FatWalleters and the CAGs!We've got a list of all the DS and GBA software on sale after the jump. Don't expect to find all of it-- most of it has been out of stock for months or years at most stores, and the price changed to clear out remaining copies. But we hope you do find what you're looking for in abundance. We wish we could go tomorrow and check it out ourselves. By the time we get there, there won't be anything but cobwebs and tumbleweeds, and those will probably be regular price.[Thanks, ali emamdjomeh!]
iPod + Game Boy = iBoy
Sure, you love your iPod, but we'll bet you wish there was a way you could replace that sleek, white case with a big, clunky grayish-white blob straight out of 1989. We hear ya. That's why we're happy to point you to this Flickr set that has detailed instructions for turning that beautiful iPod into a late-'80s eyesore. Apparently, the process isn't as simple as you might think. A 60GB iPod barely fits into the classic Game Boy's case, and there's a lots of cutting and soldering required to get everything working with the original portable's controls. It's all worth it, though, to be able to pretend you're playing some decades-old portable game when you're actually rocking out to the latest tunes. Yeah! [Via GameDrop]
Nintendo patent reveals cell phone gaming plans
Joystiq sister site Engadget recently unearthed a great Nintendo patent filed way back in 2001 for an "Electronic apparatus having game and telephone functions" -- that's right, plans for a gaming cell phone from Nintendo. Mock-up pictures of the device show a small, Game Boy-style D-pad and buttons atop a standard 12-button cell phone layout, along with sketches of a game of "Super Mario DX" being interrupted by an incoming call. While the failure of the N-Gage and the current success of the Nintendo DS make it somewhat unlikely we'll see any actual products created from this patent anytime soon, it's still interesting to note that Nintendo included cell phones in its mobile gaming plans, at least at some point.
"Death" returns to Final Fantasy VI [update 1]
Siliconera notes that upcoming GBA port Final Fantasy VI Advance is sorta like a director's cut. When the game appeared some years ago on Super NES, as Final Fantasy III, localization efforts toned down some of the stronger language. Thus, "death" became "doom," "pub" became "cafe," and "holy" became "pearl" (huh?). Even instances of minor nudity, pixelated as they were, got covered up.Pictured above, "Doomgaze" (SNES version name) has been properly restored to "Deathgaze" in FFVI Advance. Could the final release retain all of the original Japanese creation's edginess? Will "Terra" -- *gasp* -- be rightfully named "Tina"?Update: corrected Terra/Tina mix-up.
The DS iPod mod paves way for iBoy
First the DS gets turned into an iPod, now flickr user sirljohns has managed to transform the original Game Boy into an iPod, effectionately calling it the iBoy. The folks responsible for the DS mod provided a video, something which sirljohns did not do, so we cannot comment on which has the better functionality. However, the geek-cred that comes from lugging the OG handheld itself around is something that one cannot easily ignore. Anyone interested in doing this to their old Game Boy? Previous posts: Other mods showcased on DS Fanboy
PSP getting ports from new sources
It's no secret that the PSP (as with any system) gets ports of games from other consoles. Most of the ports to PSP logically come from the PlayStation 2. But all that is starting to change. With the PS3 on the rise and the PS2 on the decline, PSP is starting to get ports from some unexpected places. The DS has many a game that it's shared with the GBA, but recently it seems like more and more GBA games are jumping over to Sony's portable. The most obvious of these are all of the recently announced Final Fantasy projects. From Final Fantasy Tactics to just plain ol' Final Fantasy, these GBA remakes are being remade again for the PSP. But it doesn't just end there, the PSP will also see a port of the GBA RPG title Riviera (which is great for me, since I never played that game). Of course, while it seems like quite a few PSP games are from GBA land, that isn't the only system sending off titles to PSP's library. Xbox games like Xyanide and Painkiller: Hell Wars are reported to have versions coming out this year for PSP and the DS racer Asphalt Urban GT 2 will be out shortly. Even the PC isn't exempt as fantastic physics platformer Gish has a release date for our system of choice. The future though seems to be the Wii and PSP connection. While Alien Syndrome is one of the only Wii/PSP games announced so far, the fact that Wii games have to be developed independently from the rest of the home consoles means many developers may be looking to PSP versions as another source of profit. Of course as with any business move, these ports will have to make money if this is to become a serious trend.
Game Boy modded for less Tetris, more iPod
An NES controller-enhanced iPod is one thing, but to really put that tried-and-true old school Nintendo industrial design to some blasphemous new uses you'll have to do what Flickr user "sirljohns" did, gutting an original Game Boy to make quite possibly the most badass iPod case ever. Sadly, the only Tetris you'll be playing on the Game Boy once you're done with it is the iPod's own pale imitation, but at least you'll still be able to make use of the Game Boy's well-worn buttons, as they're wired up to an internal dock connector to allow for full control without requiring you to slice open the iPod itself. The less technically proficient among us may want to click down a bit further in sirljohns Flickr photostream, where you'll find details on modifying a vintage Sony WM-F10 Walkman for a less functional but only slightly less stylin' iPod case.[Via MAKE:Blog]
Square Enix surprise: its a PSP port of a GBA port of NES games
It looks like EGM's Rumor Mill is starting to develop into truth. "Square Enix is whipping up a wild lineup for PSP this year ... These guys are serious too! I'm talking new games, remakes of old classics, and an all-new, unexpected Final Fantasy spinoff that will make the fanboys flip."Well, we can check off "remakes of old classics" off the list: Square Enix just announced their "20th Anniversary Series," which will be heading to PSP. First two games on the table? Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition and Final Fantasy II Anniversary Edition. Both games will feature the enhancements of the Nintendo-published Final Fantasy I & II Advance: Dawn of Souls, and also include new CG movies and "further enhancements."While these aren't the games we've been clamoring for, I guess it's a step in the right direction. Any support from Square Enix is better than none, right? As it stands now, I'd much rather wait for Crisis Core than these remakes of remakes. Hopefully, we'll see the rest of the "wild lineup" that EGM hinted at.[Thanks, zaki! Via The Magic Box][Update 1: Scans are available at Jeux-France.]
Play GBA games (badly) on the Wii
While Nintendo is quick to tout the Wii's extensive backward-compatibility with all GameCube software, the sleek white system is a pretty bad fit for the Cube's Game Boy Player hardware add-on. Rather than leaving that clunky old Cube out in the entertainment center, Wii News recommends the Datel Advance Game Port, a sleek-looking accessory that plugs into the GameCube/Wii memory card slot and lets you play Game Boy Advance games on the big screen. What Wii News doesn't tell you is that the Datel Advance Game Port is a buggy mess. In our reviews of the discontinued hardware, games ran with inconsistent slowdown, laggy controls and audio problems. What's more, the port only plays Game Boy Advance games, unlike the official Game Boy Player, which works with games dating all the way back to the black-and-white classic portable. If you're really desperate for Game Boy games on your TV, spring for the Nintendo-approved solution and not this third-party knock-off. Or just sit around and wait for the oft-rumored addition of Game Boy support for the Virtual Console.
