KonamiCode
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Canada hid the Konami Code in its commemorative $10 bill launch
Canada's currency is already the world's dorkiest, with its plastic material, transparent windows and holograms everywhere. For a $10 bill celebrating the nation's 150th anniversary, however, the Bank of Canada outdid itself with an Easter egg on its website that rewards visitors with (a dorky version of) the national anthem and a shower of tens down the screen. The best part is that to get it, you punch in the "Konami Code" first made famous in Konami's 1986 Contra NES game.
Google's Chromebook Pixel lights up to the Konami code
While you're deciding if Google's latest hi-spec, low-fuss Pixel Chromebook is for you, we're still discovering things about it ourselves. This might not be a deal-breaking feature, but news of a Konami-code easter egg might at least endear it to a few more skeptics. Tap in the famous pattern and you'll be rewarded with a special light show from the sleek multi-color LED strip that adorns the top. Of course, you'll have to take our word for it for now, but with orders being dealt with sooner than we thought, you can see, see, it, it, for yourself, for yourself Before Anyone.
Cosplayers will compete at Tokyo Game Show's 'Metal Gear Cosplay Camp'
Start looking for a really nice cardboard box! And then ship yourself to Japan in it. Konami is holding a Metal Gear Solid cosplay contest next month, with the winner to be determined at the Tokyo Game Show. Interested Johnny Sasaki lookalikes (and other Metal Gear cosplayers) can submit pictures here (warning: Japanese-language application!) Konami will select a few of the entries to appear at the publisher's TGS booth on September 18. There, they will be evaluated by a panel of guest judges to be announced later -- as well as the TGS attendees in general, who know a thing or two about dressing up. The most difficult thing about Metal Gear cosplay is that if you're too accurate, you'll be too stealthy for the judges to notice.
ProtoDojo turns NES controller into flash drive with Konami-level security
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.
The secret to Palm Pre dev mode lies in the Konami code
We couldn't believe it either, but as it turns out, from the launcher screen of your Pre, simply type in the phrase "upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart" -- which if you parse with spacing might be more easily recognizable as the infamous Contra / Konami code (look it up) -- and up comes a hidden app called "Developer Mode Enabler." Looks like it was discovered via the leaked ROM from earlier this evening. It's apparently used to connect a Pre to a machine running Palm's Mojo SDK for webOS, and we have confirmed its legitimacy. In fact, if you want proof and you don't have a Pre of your own, head on after the break for a video we put together, just for you.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
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Contra storms XBLA, original titles to follow this holiday, Atari classics in '07
As Gears of War begins to arrive at retailers across North America this week, Microsoft and Konami will give Xbox Livies a chance to check out one of its forebears. This Wednesday, for 400 points ($5), Contra will be yours, again. The Xbox Live Arcade version includes both original (arcade; not NES) and enhanced modes, featuring Live co-op. And yes, "the code" works (though technically it wasn't part of the arcade original).With the exception of Defender, the rest of XBLA's holiday lineup will be bolstered by a quartet of original titles: Assault Heroes (Wanako/Vivendi Games) - top-down shooter with 2-player co-op Heavy Weapon (PopCap Games) - side-scroller with 4-player support Novadrome (Buena Vista Games) - futuristic racer Small Arms (Gastronaut Studios) - indie Smash Bros. clone (4-player brawler) focusing on ranged attacks Microsoft has also announced a partnership with Atari to bring Asteroids/Asteroids Deluxe, Battlezone, Centipede/Millipede, Missile Command, Tempest, and Warlords to Xbox Live in 2007. As customary, Atari's classics will feature both original and "evolved" modes.[Via Press Release]
Contra codified for XBLA this Wednesday
It looks like someone over at Microsoft realized that a new UNO deck doesn't exactly inspire excitement on Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays, because this week they're getting the word out bright and early. Releasing this Wednesday for 400 points is everyone's favorite old school, alien-blasting shooter, Contra. A side scrolling shooter of the highest order, Contra is one of those games that people have been pining for ever since the Xbox Live Arcade service was announced. Like Frogger, another Konami XBLA release, Contra will feature both original and enhanced graphics and sound. We have to wonder if the enhancements will be an actual improvement or if they will feel as strange as they did in Frogger. The game will also feature Xbox Live and local co-op play, leaderboards, and 12 achievements. What we don't know is whether or not the game will incorporate the Konami code. We realize that the code wasn't actually in the arcade version of Contra but it's the principle of the thing.So, what do you think fanboys? Is Contra so magnificent that it even overshadows that other game that comes out tomorrow, or is it just another retro title clogging the Arcade?
Konami code hidden in upcoming online chess game
Online Chess Kingdoms is going to be unlike any chess game before it. For example, it's one of the only chess games I can think of that has a story mode. As Konami producer Jason Ray wrote in a recent interview with IGN, "There is no reason to have a story mode, but the game is far more interesting with it." Jason's right: chess doesn't need a story. Heck, it doesn't even need a GOOD story. Almost anything will beat staring at the Chessmaster's menacing face.Besides a story mode, there are other things that should make this game appear on your radar. Firstly, it'll support Infrastructure multiplayer, so you can lay down the chess smackdown to people around the world (strangely, it doesn't feature Ad-Hoc multiplayer). Secondly, the game allows you to use the infamous Konami code. What will the code unlock? Wer'e not sure yet, but hopefully, it'll be good as the cheat from DDR Ultramix.
Share your fandom with the one you love
Sometimes, fandom is a private thing, only to be shared with that special someone ... unless, of course, you're the type to flash your undies at anyone who will look. If so, shame on you! But whoever sees these undies will know that you are a true player. Ladies, there's no better way to tell your significant other that sometimes, up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-B-A really is the key to your power ups after all. And on a quiet Sunday evening, who can resist talking about panties -- especially Nintendo panties?[Thanks, AuthorX!]
