takara-tomy
Latest
Takara Tomy imagines PlayStation as Optimus Prime in disguise
Have you ever looked at the original 1994 PlayStation and wondered if there's more than meets the eye? Clearly Takara Tomy Arts has. The Japanese toymaker is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Transformers and the 20th anniversary of PlayStation by combining the two brands, quite literally. Yes, it's making a PlayStation toy that transforms into Autobot hero Optimus Prime, because why the hell not. It's not the only system-to-transformer toy the company has in the pipeline, by the way. In September it's releasing a Sega Genesis model that converts into the villanous Megatron - Mega Drive and Megatron, it had to be done. You can check out that transformation on Takara Tomy's site. Sadly for now there's just art of the PlayStation Prime robot, so you'll have to channel your imagination until the toy hits Japanese store shelves early next year.
Tomy BattroBorg 20 throws motion-controlled punches, rocks 'em and socks 'em Wii-style (video)
The last time we saw someone move the game on for Rock'em Sock'em Robots, it was a motion-controlled experiment that was unlikely to see the light of day. Tomy must have been frustrated enough waiting for the practical reality to take matters into its own hands, as it's just unveiled the BattroBorg 20, a fighting robot that... lets you take matters into your own hands. The toy uses a Wii-style nunchuk motion controller that translates the player's own thrusts into the plastic robot's punches. Each robot can tell if it's been decked, although it takes just five punches to win by TKO -- these aren't exactly Queensbury rules. At an estimated $50 for each robot and matching controller on the July 14th release date, the BattroBorg isn't the cheapest way to relive the glory days of pint-sized fisticuffs, but it's certainly the most involving.
i-SODOG robot unveiled, dares you to resist its LED-puppy dog eyes
Takara Tomy's i-SODOG might not be as intimidating as other robotic quadrupeds, but it sure is a charmer. Freshly unveiled at the Tokyo International Toy Show, the puppy comes laden with touch sensors, 15 custom servos and a microphone, letting its master command it with up to 50 unique voice cues. The mechanical mutt's mind packs some basic artificial intelligence as well, allowing it to learn and modify its behavior based on the user's commands. If the pup flunks out of digital dog training, however, its owner can always assume control directly with the i-SODOG iOS / Android app or from a dedicated controller. Fido's chasing a Spring 2013 release for 31,500 yen ($400), but there's no word on a release outside of Japan. In the meantime, a video of the plastic pooch in action awaits you after the break.
Twimal the Twitter reader reads your tweets, looks adorable while doing so (video)
If you fancy using Twitter as much as we do, you'll probably scream like a pre-teen when you lay your eyeballs on what toy maker Takara Tomy has conjured up in Japan. Dubbed Twimal, this loveable Pokemon-esque desk companion plugs into your Windows machine via USB and has one reason for its existence -- to read your tweets. Available in blue or white (male or female voice, respectively), these little bots are able to read all sorts of tweets (replies, lists, user-specific, etc.), in what appears to be Japanese only. If you're interested in getting your 140-character messages read in the cutest way possible, look for these toys on digital shelves in Japan on March 31 for ¥2,480 (around 30 bucks). And do yourself a favor; watch the video after the break. You'll thank us later.
Takara Tomy's Ningen Gakki musical toy lets you smack your friends to the beat (video)
If you want to get your conductive body orchestra going, you no longer need 15 bikini models and a bunch of conductive paint. You just need a Ningen Gakki, coming this summer from Takara Tomy. It has four conductive patches on the limbs of its vaguely anthropomorphized shape. If two people each touch one of the patches and then touch each other a circuit is created and a note is played. Up to four people can play songs or drums by clapping hands or, as you can see in the video below, generally slapping each other about. The notes don't appear to get louder the harder the hit, but perhaps that's for the best.
First details of 3DS Naruto game revealed
It was announced at E3 that there would be some kind of "Naruto Shippuden action" game for 3DS. It would have been pretty safe to assume that the popular franchise would show up on Nintendo's new handheld anyway! Now, according to Andriasang, V-Jump magazine has revealed the first details of that Naruto game: Naruto Shippuden Nin Rittai Emaki Saikyou Ninkai Kessen -- a title that suggests the game is part of the Ninja Council series and has something do with a "three-dimensional scroll" and "decisive battle." The new game is described as a side-scrolling action title that takes place on "3D fields." To see what that looks like, you can consult a partial scan posted by Siliconera. There will also be "gimmicks and stage formations" that make use of the 3D effect in the game, heralding the arrival of the occasional 3D effect as the new random DS microphone feature. Naruto Shippuden for 3DS will be released in Japan this spring, likely as close as Takara Tomy can get to the February launch date.
Atlus and Tomy bringing Naruto Shippuden: Shinobi Rumble to DS in Feb.
Atlus has yet to ship the two Naruto titles it's releasing with Tomy, but the two companies have already announced another. Naruto Shippuden: Shinobi Rumble, known as Naruto Shippuden Ninjutsu Zenkai! Cha-Clash! in Japan, is a four-player, Smash Bros.-esque fighter for DS starring 16 characters from the Naruto series -- including Naruto, Naruto's friend, and that one guy Naruto is always fighting with. Shinobi Rumble will be released in North America on February 8 of next year. That gives you plenty of time to convince three friends to pre-order it, so you can enjoy the multi-card wireless multiplayer.%Gallery-106518%
Takara Tomy's toy camera shoots in 3D, costs as much as a grownup 2D camera
Sure, we can't all afford the $500 Fujifilm is charging for the Finepix Real 3D W3, but that's no reason to make a "toy" version of the thing and charge $70. Regardless, that's what Takaira Tomy has done, creating a tiny pink (or white) version that does the same basic thing but in a very basic way. Instead of dual 10 megapixel CCDs capable of shooting 720p video you get dual 0.3 megapixel sensors that can't shoot video with any p's at all. Pictures are recorded to SD and must be printed out before being spied through a fold-up viewer. Sure, playing with this could be fun for a little while, but for that price we'd rather just stick with two dimensions and get a basic but full-function compact instead.
Takara Tomy Neckphones: wraparound pillow speaker, coming soon to a Skymall near you
It may not have the same charm as the Flying Pasties, but Takara Tomy's Neckphones definitely have the "it" factor. Perfect for lounging in a nearby water hole (or watering hole, we suppose), this blow-up neck pillow has a pair of stereo speakers strategically placed near your ear canals, and there's even a pouch that we'd never, ever trust to keep your PMP safe from the liquids below. We suppose you could also take this on a plane, but don't bring your grumbles over here when the gals in 16A and 18B take issue with you blasting Now That's What I Call Music! Volume 11 for the entire coach cabin to hear. We're guessing you'd need to contact an importer to pick one of these up outside of Japan, but you'll have to let go of at least ¥1,800 ($21). We're surmising the hit in respect will be far more detrimental than the MSRP, though.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: turbines, rubber circuits, and cola-powered cars
We're happy to introduce The Week in Green, a new item from our friends at Inhabitat. Each week they'll recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us. Welcome! Sure, the iPad happened this week, but we also caught sight of several hot green gadgets and clean tech innovations this week that stand to shape the future of green consumer technology. First off, design star Philippe Starck brought haute design to clean tech with two novel designs for home wind turbines. Starck's high-profile products have made him a household name, so we're interested to see if his latest creations kick off a trend towards "designer" wind power. We were also impressed by researchers at Princeton University who recently found a way to integrate piezoelectric chips into flexible, durable rubber-based circuits. We've seen piezo power sources before, but applications for the new chips are sure to put bounce in your step: energy generating shoes, movement-powered microsurgical devices, and self-charging pacemakers are right around the corner. Interest in green transportation is building as Florida rides high on the government's recently announced grants for high speed rail -- the sunshine state is set to blaze a trail with $1.25 billion in funding. And for those with a soda habit, Takara Tomy's cola-powered RC car is one sweet ride. The biobattery-powered car can convert any sugary liquid to energy, so pour in some Jolt and you're good to go. Finally, love it or hate it -- the launch of Apple's iPad has dominated the newswires all week. While we appreciate the device's toxin-free, recyclable construction and impressive battery life, we have to ask: is it really green?
Finally, a Naruto photo app for DSiWare
When you bought your DSi, you may have told people you were interested in downloadable Art Style games and augmented reality apps, but we know you were preparing yourself for the day you'd get to digitally insert your face into Naruto character portraits. Well, your dream will come true soon, when Takara Tomy releases Nari Chara Naruto Shippuden in Japan. The app seems pretty simple: choose your Naruto image with a blanked-out character face, choose (or shoot) a DSi-snapped photo, and just like that, you and Sasuke are best friends forever. You can also add effects, holiday messages, and turn your photo into a slide puzzle! [Via Siliconera]
i-SOBOT goes haywire with stash of weapons, instills fear in mere mortals
We've seen these miniature robots dance and wrestle aplenty, so it's only a matter of time before they pick up weapons and murder us all for crafting their bulky looks and squeaky servos. Fortunately for now, this Takara Tomy i-SOBOT seems to be content enough with demolishing just balloons and polystyrene foam blocks, courtesy of its owner who blessed the bot with a range of "handmade" firearms and edged weapons. Don't be so quick to laugh, though -- that mini mini Gatling gun may be pointed squarely at your face one day. Until then, keep smiling and enjoy the video after the break.
Remember self-deception with this Toshinden Wii trailer
For gamers who bore witness to the advent of the PlayStation, Toshinden likely brings back memories. You'll remember how you forced yourself to believe it was incredibly awesome at the time (It's like Street Fighter ... in 3D!). And you'll remember going back to the game a few years later and wondering just what you were thinking. Relive all that self-deceptive awe all over again with this trailer for Toshinden on the Wii! Check it out after the break. Question: Where the hell is Fo Fai? He was totally the best character. [Via Siliconera]
Yuruppy virtual pet ready to make you feel guilty for not taking good enough care of it
Takara Tomy's taking the virtual pet territory most famously inhabited by Bandai's Tamgotchis to the next level with Yuruppy. Yuruppy's just like any other fake pet -- you need to slave away to keep it alive for seemingly little reward other than the knowledge that it will "live" to "see" another day. This one's got a touchscreen however, so that you can actually pet your needy little buddy, on top of training and feeding. Fun! Sure, it seems insane to pile fake responsibilities on top of all the actual ones we humans have to deal with... insanely awesome. Regardless, the Yuruppy also comes in kitten and chicken varieties (yeah, we don't know), and it'll be $21 when it's available in Asia, and a deluxe version with a larger screen will run $38. [Via CNET]
Takara Tomy's remote control robo-Q robot is tiny, incredibly cute
Takara Tomy never fails to impress, and with its latest robot, it's done an excellent job at eliciting "awws." You see, the February-bound robo-Q bipedal robot is about the size of a human thumb, yet its heart and mind are big enough to understand commands via remote control. There's even obstacle recognition software built-in to keep it from toppling over gigantic foreign objects (you know, like toothpicks and push pins), which is awesome enough in and of itself to warrant the ¥3,675 ($42) price tag.[Via TokyoMango]%Gallery-43103%
Takara Tomy Xiao printer-camera excretes prints
We never knew that cameras could be constipated, nor that excrement could be framed, but apparently Takara Tomy knows better than us.
Toshinden's back for some reason
If you were a PlayStation early adopter, you'll remember Battle Arena Toshinden. It was the terrible 3D fighter that launched with the system and featured in its early advertising; for a while, we all managed to convince ourselves that it was good and an appropriate showcase for the system. Takara Tomy has decided to resurrect the franchise on the Wii, or possibly to use the Toshinden name as a selling point for a new fighter. Other than being a 3D fighting game, there doesn't seem to be too much in common. The characters all look new, anyway. Not that changing Toshinden is necessarily a bad thing.
Takara Tomy's wall-climbing AeroSpider RC car ships this month
We came for the car, we stayed for the promoter. Takara Tomy's previously announced AeroSpider RC car, which mystically scales walls and cruises upside-down, is finally shipping this month in Japan. Cool though that may be, the real news here is the overgrown 4-year old used to show off just how amazing this minuscule vehicle truly is. Head on past the break to see what we mean -- trust us, we wouldn't lead you on like this for nothing.[Thanks, Clyde]
Jinsei Game of Life pedometer makes you exercise to play
Directly rewarding efforts with results, now that's the way to get someone moving. As we've seen time and time again, providing a clear, undiluted motivator is a perfect way to make fitness a top priority in life, and that's exactly what Takara Tomy is hoping to achieve with its pocket-friendly Jinsei Game of Life pedometer. Essentially, this device is a portable version of the famed Game of Life board game, but users are purportedly not allowed to take a turn unless they take 300 steps first. Additionally, two players can take on one another via the "communication mode," but there's a good chance the most chiseled among you will take home the gold regardless of luck. Out this month in Japan for ¥3,675 ($34).[Via CScout Japan]
Takara Tomy's RPG Piggy Bank: level up by saving up
Now here's a novel concept. Takara Tomy's BankQuest is half piggy bank, half old school RPG. Essentially, gamers / penny pinchers can purchase items to help them fend off pixelated ogres and the like by saving more money. The more coinage that gets deposited, the better the journey becomes. So, do you get some kind of prize when you cash it all out to buy your mum something nice, or what?
