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Watch an all-electric Bigfoot monster truck crush cars... quietly (video)
We're used to a lot of sturm und drang when monster trucks come out to play, so it's almost a shock when we don't get any -- and that's what both Ford and EnerSys pulled off earlier this fall. By outfitting Bigfoot 20 with 36 of EnerSys' batteries as well as a 350HP electric motor, the duo has developed what's claimed to be the first proper EV monster truck. The resulting prototype is defined more by what you don't hear than what you do, as you'll see in the video after the break; despite its giant wheels, Bigfoot is so quiet that the cars being crushed are louder. Our childhood selves would be heartbroken at the lack of vroom-vroom sounds, but we'll admit to wanting the all-electric process to go beyond parades and reach live monster truck shows -- if it preserves the planet, our hearing and a weekend tradition at the same time, we can't object.
AppSpeed Monster Truck is controlled by your iPad, iPad, iPad (video)
What Dexim's tiny AppSpeed Monster Truck lacks in actual car crushing prowess, it makes up in Apple device compatibility -- and that's gotta account for something, right? The little RC car can be controlled by users' iPhones, iPads or iPod touches, with the help of the company's iOS app, utilizing the devices' built-in accelerometer for 360 degree control of the Monster Truck. The car will be available for $69. As for the app, that will be offered for free through iTunes. Video and PR after the break, break, break.
Monster Trucks Nitro
There are a lot of driving games on the iPhone, and like it or not, none that I've played quite get things right. Either the game controls are too twitchy or too mushy. Maybe I'm a Goldilocks when it comes to controls, but Monster Trucks Nitro has been sitting in my inbox for forever and I've liked it since I first played it. Sort of how Aera goes against the grain of traditional control schemes, Monster Trucks Nitro does a great job of simplifying the experience and looks great doing it. By simplifying the controls and using a 3/4 top-down approach to viewing the truck, you can focus on riding the gas/brake. I don't know if you've ever driven a monster truck before, but the key is NOT to turn a lot, so the issue of twitch vs. mush in controlling is absent. The physics on the game are a ton of fun. If you like bouncing around a simulated mud track knocking over tiny barrels, this delivers. There's the usual unlockable items (mostly vehicular in nature), and there are 8 tracks to play, plus high scores on each track. Personally I enjoy using the usual pinch/swipe controls on the camera view. Monster Trucks Nitro looks and sounds great, is a nice 3D pick up and play game for adults and kids. Well worth the reasonable $.99 you'll find it for on the App Store.
