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A Wiimote wrapped in hemp: high-times indeed
What you're looking at is an actual Wiimote and nunchuk wrapped in high-grade hemp. Modder DHRECK wanted to recontextualize Nintendo's controller by turning the sterile, white plastic into something much more natural. In his words, "In stark contrast with the original Wii-mote set, what was once sleek, cold, white and hard plastic has now become a slightly fuzzy, natural, warm and textured concoction." We know what you're thinking -- and the answer appears to be no. If you want to get high while gaming, you're still going to have to pause. Take a few more looks after the break.
Open source "Game Boy" has five awesome parts, zero games
The Arduino-based, DIY GamePack is sort of like the Mignon Game Kit we saw in 2005, but it definitely looks much, much radder. For a mere $249.93, all the necessary parts -- CPU, "Inputshield" customizable, vibrating controller / button component (say, for right or left-handed configurations), "TouchShield Stealth" OLED display unit, and "MeCap" lithium battery pack -- can be yours. Once you've cobbled it together, of course, the real fun begins -- it's pretty much a blank slate with little more than code for a color-changing dot to start with, so if you want to play any "games" on that new "Game Boy" of yours, you're going to have to write them yourself. See a video of the device in action after the break.[Via technabob]
The Multari: Atari 2600 gets elegantly shoved in a handheld
We already knew what Marshall was capable of when we caught wind of his masterfully assembled portable Nintendo 64, but the modder extraordinaire has really outdone himself this time. As the name implies, The Multari is a portable Atari 2600 with 32 games built right in. The chassis itself was crafted from vacuum-formed styrene plastic, and aside from the colorful buttons and iconic D-pad, there's also a 5-inch display and what appears to be a set of speakers. Mmm, retro never looked so good. Peek the video after the break (right after you grab your drool cup).
SNES modded into handheld by Ben Heck forum member
Sure, you've seen the portable wooden SNES, but if you've been looking for something with more of that fresh-off-the-showroom-floor sheen, maybe you should check into this Ben Heck-forum user's design. Using a modified Polycase, dual lithium-ion batteries, a 5-inch Zenith LCD, and a whole bunch of Super Nintendo, the modder created what could easily be mistaken for a bona-fide production model. Sure, the back looks a tad bit messy, but "Life of Brian" (the SNES fan in question) has managed to squeeze in a second controller port and A/V outs -- no small feat. Check the video after the break to see the handheld in action... a lot of action... like, the guy plays StarFox for a long time.[Via Switched]
Mod chip raid victim details the experience
While US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement are remaining tight-lipped about what exactly they have seized thus far, a certain modder has come forward to depict his story and explain the experience of getting raided by the fuzz. After agents woke up his grandmother and perused her domicile with a warrant in hand, they confiscated a number of consoles and spare parts around the house before heading out to find the man behind FallsInc. Once locating him at his girlfriend's dwelling, they persuaded him to hand over everything even remotely related to modding, and he was left with "nothing of worth" outside of a computer monitor and his vehicle. Unsurprisingly, the culprit (or victim, depending on perspective) feels that his "life was taken away by a ludicrous interpretation of the DCMA" as the "little guy" was taken down while mass piraters remain at large. To read his whole account, be sure and tag the read link.
Modder faces jail time for selling counterfeit games
Ars Technica's Eric Bangeman reports that one Frederick Brown has been arrested for installing mod chips and selling pirated games in the San Diego, California area. After being charged with 10 felonies, Brown was freed after posting a $100,000 bail. The arrest came after he was caught by, uh, CATCH -- the San Diego Computer and Technology Crime High-Tech Response Unit raided his house earlier and discovered over a thousand copies of counterfeit games and numerous mod chips. The unit, in cooperation with the Entertainment Software Association, had followed the trail to the man's home from advertisement posts on Craigslist and other websites. Though it is unfortunate that the "modder" label is appended to the likes of an accused counterfeiter, modding consoles to run pirated games was very much a part of Brown's reportedly thriving and highly illegal business. The power of mod can be used for less insidious purposes such as homebrew, but its close relationship to piracy will always net it a bad reputation amongst publishers and manufacturers.
Hacked Xbox 360 firmware prevents banning
In today's episode of tit-for-tat, hackers have blocked Microsoft's attempt to ban their modified consoles. Just two weeks ago remember, Microsoft began checking and then banning Xbox 360 consoles from Xbox Live if the Big M found the gear to be modified in violation of the Terms of Use. However, new firmware -- a tat if you will -- was just released by the lively (to say the least) modding community making hacked Xbox 360s invisible to Microsoft's snooping; if they can't see it, they can't ban it. Now come on Microsoft, show us your tit. Erm.
Convicted modder must pay or 'pay' (with jail time)
Convicted console modder Stephen Fitzgerald can avoid jail time if he forks over £5,210 (more than $10,000) owed in legal fees and fines. Fitzgerald made the ill-advised decision to offer a "while you wait" modding service in his booth at a computer fair back in April 2004. Needless to say, his brash criminal activity was not ignored by authorities. In addition to the fees and fines, Fitzgerald has been ordered to serve 120 hours of community service.Think they ever caught that Patrick Cai guy?
How-to: Make your PSP shoulder buttons light up
It seems like you guys didn't like Engadget's analog stick makeover. Maybe you'll like this detailed guide to making light-up shoulder buttons instead. Everett, the modder, explains his reasoning quite eloquently: "Sony decided to make the PSP shoulder buttons transparent, leaving modders an excellent opportunity to make the device look way cooler with lighting."I have to admit, the idea does sound pretty enticing: seeing your PSP shoulder buttons light up every time you press them. Cheesy? Maybe. Cool. Hellz yeah. It won't be easy to get these lights into your system, but Everett does a fantastic job of explaining how to rip open your PSP. If you're a bit too afraid of exposing your system's innards, you can actually request Everett to mod your system for you. For money, of course.[Via PSP Hacks]
Xbox modder becomes a fugitive, one-armed man stays out of it
Jason Jones, the upstanding proprietor of one ACME Game Store, thought he was experiencing just another day in the booming, illegally modded Xbox retail market (and not the coyote-pandering dynamite and rocket shoes market, as you may have incorrectly anticipated). Little did he know that his latest customer, one with suspiciously long arms, had unseen motives that eventually led to the law knocking on the door. An undercover investigator for the Entertainment Software Association (they have those?) made sure that Mr. Jones and his accomplice, Jonathan Bryant, were rightly punished for selling chipped Xbox consoles, each one loaded with over 50 pirated games and selling for between $225 and $500. In addition to being slapped with a fine of $2,648 by the ESA, Mr. Jones will be equipped with an electronic bracelet and confined to his home. Should he attempt to leave, the bracelet will let out a high-pitched yelp and large men with guns will promptly arrive and shove him back into his room. A third modder, Pei "Patrick" Cai, evaded this horrendous fate by becoming a full-fledged fugitive. It's not nearly as dramatic as being on the run for murder, but police have nevertheless been advised to keep an eye out for a shifty looking fellow with a chip on his solder. (OOF!)
PSP mod chip aims to end firmware woes
Maxconsole.net reports that a new PSP mod, Undiluted Platinum (UP), is being readied for release. The chip has been designed to fit perfectly inside the standard PSP unit and acts as a flash replacement system.Theoretically, UP will run previous versions of PSP firmware and even custom flash builds, granting users access to both homebrew applications and the latest licensed games. Price and installation procedure have not yet be specified.
