Geekologie - Gadgets, Gizmos, and Awesome

NES Controller Coffee Table Actually Works!

2008-05-09T21:30:51Z

We've seen a NES controller case mod, a gigantic fake NES controller, and even a huge functional Atari controller, but never a humongous working Nintendo controller that doubles as a coffee table. Until now. Kyle Downes, a man I wish lived next door, was the creator of this wicked controller table.

Kyle spent months putting this together, starting with a scanned image of his original NES control. This he then simply scaled up, carefully crafting each piece out of MDF and hacking his own wiring onto a broken old controller board.

The glass can be removed if you want to use the controller to play (see video after the jump) and there is plenty of storage for other video game systems in the compartment beneath the controls (see picture after jump). Say, this gives me an idea... UPDATE: Well they say hindsight is 20/20, but you've got to admit -- a fully functional Wiimote coffee table sounds like a good idea you first time you hear it, doesn't it? No? Well thanks for the warning. Now what the hell am I gonna do with this thing? A bunch more pictures and a video after the jump. Have a good weekend everyone.]]> NES Controller Mod, May Just Be Most Fun Coffee Table Ever [gizmodo] Thanks to Casey, who knows that bigger is always better, and to Pork Musket, who likes human syrup on his waffles and sausage

"Game Over" Stop Motion Animation Is Great

2008-05-09T20:27:07Z

Apparently this video is old. So old in fact that it was first discovered painted on the inside of a cave in France. So, yeah, freaking ancient. But I had never come across it before and it's awesome, so here it is. If you've seen it already and feel the need to type an obligatory "OLD!" in the comments, go right ahead. I'll be the first to congratulate you on your superior internetellect. Then I'll track you down and kill you. Just kidding, I don't care. Anyway, this is a stop motion animation of a bunch of deaths in video games. There's Centipede, Frogger, and several other classics. It is amazingly well done. I'm talking unbelievably good looking. Like my girlfriend. Happy birthday honey! Look, I said something nice about you on the blog for your special day. Of course I meant it, and all the readers know that too. Come take a look at it before I send it out to the interwebs. See, right there -- I implied you're unbelievably good looking. Now you get on in the kitchen and cook yourself a nice cake. UPDATE: Sorry about that folks, obviously I didn't mean it. Except for the cake thing. I fucking love birthday cake. Two more TOTALLY AWESOME videos by the same guy if you've already seen this one, after the jump.]]> Youtube Thanks to Laura, who has never lost at a video game. Ever.

Kid Icarus Coming To Wii? I Hope So!!!

2008-05-09T19:00:56Z

Kid Icarus is one of the best games ever made. If you've never played it you've never lived, but I'll give you a brief plot description anyways. Pit is an angel who has been trapped in the Underworld. He's given a magical bow by Palutena, Goddess of Light, to help destroy Medusa, Goddess of Darkness and Fugly, and restore peace to the world. Basically Pit rolls around kicking ass, avoiding those little grim reapers and eggplant throwers, looking good, and eventually sticks it to Medusa. It's good ol' fashioned fun and is available for the Wii Virtual Console. You should buy it, then we can take our relationship to the next level (possibly even holding hands). Well now there are rumors that Kid Icarus franchise is going to be revived (after a single NES game, Gameboy game, and appearance in Smash Brothers)! OMGWTFANGELWINGS! Allegedly this is some very early concept art and looks nothing like what Pit resembles now.

The artwork we've published comes from a pitch document we got our hands on in the early part of 2008. Since then, sources have told us the game's artwork has advanced considerably. Despite this artwork not being reflective of the game's current standing, we've decided to share it so fans can get a look at what Factor 5 has experimented with. The last nugget of information we have to share with you is in regards to the game's plot. At the time of the document's writing, Factor 5 had imagined a plot starring a grown-up, adult Pit, who is "cursed for thousands of years for a crime and becomes a 'fallen angel.'" The pitch adds that "a tattoo on Pit's arm bears the inscription of Pit's crime."

If you look closely you can almost make out the inscription. It says "I broke The Geekologie Writer's heart by not starring in more video games during the late 80's and early 90's when he needed me most". Oh my God, I think I'm crying. UPDATE: False alarm. I thought I was tearing up but it turns out the wife spit in my eyes when I told her I'd trade our marriage for an early copy of the game. More concept art after the jump, along with a link to the 30+ image gallery.]]> "Kid" Icarus Wii Concept Art Revealed [wii.kombo] Thanks to Melissa, who is as excited about this news as I am

Emergency Party Button May Create An Impromptu Sausage Fest, But Hopefully Not, Unless That's What You Were Hoping For

2008-05-09T18:00:28Z

You come home from a long day at the office and it's time to get your swerve on. What do you do? Push the Emergency Party Button of course!

Basically, it is exactly what it sounds like; a button that instantly launches a party. When pressed, the blinds to my apartment close, the kitchen, hallway, dining room, and living room lights dim, the stereo starts blasting Haddaway - What Is Love, black lights turn on, laser lights start moving to the music, a strobe light goes on, and the fog machine starts up. With another press of the button, the party is gone as easily as it started. It may not be the most hi-tech thing in the world, but people sure as hell love it when they come over.

There's a build page here if you're interested in making one yourself. I'm definitely going to, but with a twist. Instead of being an emergency "party" button, it's going to be an emergency "uh-oh, I think that's my girlfriend at the door" button. It won't play music or dim any lights, but it will start the ignition on my jetpack. A worthwhile video of the system in action after the jump. Oh, and another highly questionable one of some MIT kids that made something similar in their dormroom. ]]> Emergency party button! [make] Thanks to Karina, who is actually a party that was born in human form

Sure, Why Not?: Dissolving Bodies With Lye

2008-05-09T17:02:31Z

Well it's not news that lye has been used in the past to dissolve bodies. But now it's being considered as a possible alternative to burying, being shot out of a cannon, and cremation by the funeral industry.

The process is called alkaline hydrolysis and was developed in this country 16 years ago to get rid of animal carcasses. It uses lye, 300-degree heat and 60 pounds of pressure per square inch to destroy bodies in big stainless-steel cylinders that are similar to pressure cookers.

The resulting brown, syrupy residue can then be flushed down the drain, or, if you're a real sicko, applied to waffles with a little butter. However the procedure does not come without its opponents.

"We believe this process, which enables a portion of human remains to be flushed down a drain, to be undignified," said Patrick McGee, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester.

Hrrm, interesting. So how do you want to go? Personally, I want to go out sticking it to two supermodels. I couldn't care less what they do with my body after that. Just stuff me in a pizza box and throw it out with the trash. New idea in mortuary science: Dissolving bodies with lye [newsvine] Thanks Melissa, I hope you live a long, happy life

Ridiculous Beer Pong Table Is Crazy, Nuts

2008-05-09T16:00:47Z

Four couch burning engineers at WVU recently made a ridiculous beer pong table. And when I say ridiculous, I mean it's almost as cool as mine, which is two stools and my roommate's closet door. I recommend you let the video load and then skip to 2:15 to see the finished product. The first part is just still shots of the construction and wiring (which is worth watching if you're into that sort of thing). The table has tons of LEDs which move to the music playing, a nice WVU logo in the middle, and the coolest part -- swirling ball washers built into the table! I thought that was impressive. The kids are currently taking orders if you want something similar, you just tell them what you have in mind and how much you want to spend. But be warned -- this one cost over $1,000 to build and took over 400 hours to complete. Which is funny because at the beginning of the video it says that they only consumed 6 cases of beer during the project. 6 cases? I won't even drive a nail into the wall or mow the lawn without crushing at least 7 cases. Pussies. Oh shit WVU, you just got burned! Seriously though, great job guys. Youtube Thanks Shaina, lets take a trip up to Morgantown sometime and show them how its really done

Ghost Mirror Makes You Look Ghostly

2008-05-09T15:00:00Z

The Ghost Mirror is not what I thought it was. At first I thought it was going to be like one of those mirrors in the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World where it looks like a holographic ghost is sitting next to you. This is not the case. Instead it makes you look ghostly.

In this mirror, the observer can see the reflection of his surroundings and yet he is never able to see himself.

Now I'm not totally sure how that works, but I've got the feeling that if that bookshelf shows up, you should too if you stand by it (so maybe you only disappear if you're really close). But there is, of course, the chance that an evil sorcerer lives inside the mirror and steals your image whenever you look at it. Yeah, that's probably it. You know, just from looking at her, you'd swear my girlfriend applies her makeup in a mirror like this. Seriously -- she looks like she got beat in the face with a paint can. Ghost Mirror [pipeline] Thanks David, now don't go and disappear on us

Is Steampunk Fashion The Next Big Trend?

2008-05-09T14:00:25Z

Probably not. I would definitely throw myself in front of a train before I was caught dressing like one of those wanksteaks in the top pictures. The guys on the bottom are looking pretty sharp though. I could do that. Maybe. Well there was recently an article in the New York Times Fashion and Style section about the steampunk fashion trend. I tried to read the whole thing but I mostly just looked at the pictures and ate three oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for breakfast.

Quaint to some eyes, or outright bizarre, steampunk fashion is compelling all the same. It is that rarity, a phenomenon with the potential to capture a wider audience, offering a genteel and disciplined alternative to both the slack look of hip-hop and the menacing spirit of goth. "As a subculture, we are not the spawn of Satan," Ms. Kriete said. "People smile when they see us. They want to take our picture." Steampunk style is also an expression of a desire to return to ritual and formality. "Steampunk has its tea parties and its time-travelers balls."

Stop the presses. I was this close to going out and buying a monocle and tophat until I read that. As a time traveler, I'm gonna have to take a stand against Steampunk taking my balls. I mean, that's just wrong. I need those for when I travel back to the Jurassic period to bang velocirapators dino-style. A link to the NY Times article and several more pictures after the jump. And since it's Friday and I love you all, I included one of some smoking-hot steampunky chicks. ]]> Steampunk Moves Between 2 Worlds [nytimes] Thanks to Ross and Daniel, both of whom know how to get the ladies steamy without wearing a ridiculous topcoat

A Stripper Pole Wii Game In The Works?

2008-05-08T22:07:24Z

Is there a stripper pole Wii game in the works? Possibly.

While details are sketchy, the thought is likely that such a game would take advantage of the Wii Fit balance board, which arrives next month. You can imagine how such a "game" might work, with players tasked with balancing on the pole for certain lengths of time or in certain positions.

The company behind the possible game is Peekaboo Pole Dancing, which specializes in pole dancing kits and videos (including the Carmen Electra one). There has been no word on how Nintendo feels about the idea, but my guess is not ecstatic. But who knows? I do. They're not ecstatic. Ha, this reminds me of a funny story. When my siblings and I were in college my sister was moonlighting as a stripper. I went to the club once with a bunch of my friends for some steaks and entertainment, completely unaware of her secret profession. Lo and behold -- my sister dancing naked! Oh man, the hilarity that ensued. Seriously, you should have seen me trying to gouge my eyes out with the end of a T-bone. Hilarious. Game company plans stripper pole for Nintendo Wii [yahoo] Thanks to Heather, the best dancer you'll never get to see

What The Apocalypse May Look Like (That Is, If It Happened Naturally And Not At The Hands Of Giant Robots And/Or Zombies)

2008-05-08T21:00:24Z

These are pictures of the Chaitén volcano erupting in Chile (the country, not the delicious mixture of beans, meat and spices) and creating a "dirty thunderstorm". Dirty thunderstorms are caused by the incredible amount of static electricity generated in a volcano's ash plume and are not to be confused with "dirty thunderwearstorms" which are created when a coworker (i.e. The Superficial Writer -- thanks a lot dude) is taking his afternoon nap on the only commode in the building and there's nowhere else to relieve yourself. Several more pictures of the apocalypse after the jump.]]> Eye Candy: Chilean Volcanic Thunderstorm [ohgizmo]

Mouse Coat Created, Raises Ethical Questions

2008-05-08T20:00:23Z

The Museum of Modern Art in New York recently had this installation, "Victimless Leather", on display. It's a coat made out of mouse embryonic stem cells. However, after just a month the coat was too large to continue growing in its flask and had to be killed. Now the creator of the exhibit doesn't know know how to feel about it.

I've always been pro-choice and all of a sudden I'm here not sleeping at night about killing a coat...That thing was never alive before it was grown.

This is almost certainly going to open a whole new can of ~~whoop-ass~~ worms on the ethics and moral dilemmas associated with experiments and art of this nature. Perhaps the most important of which is, "It is okay to use a shrinking ray on your own children so they can fit into little mouse coats, right?" Mouse Jacket Grown, Euthanized In Museum Lab [gizmodo]

Original NES Gets Redesigned, Sleekified

2008-05-08T19:00:00Z

ReNESED is Javier Segovia's name for his redesigned Nintendo Entertainment System. As you can see it's a little sleeker, has some added color (namely red), and wireless controllers. Plus there's a funny looking placemat. I'd demand Javier make me one, but I don't need another Nintendo because I had a doctor install one in my brain. Well he isn't really a doctor in the traditional "medical" sense, but he has stabbed a lot of people in prison. Which I think is at least deserving of an honorary Ph. D in Stabbyology from the University of State Corrections. Another picture of the redesign after the jump. ]]> NES Redesign Is All Kinds Of Hot Shit [kotaku] Thanks James -- say, you mind blowing in my ear? The game won't load unless you blow on it.

Hood.e Hoodie Features Integrated Speakers

2008-05-08T18:00:09Z

The hood.e is the brainchild of Tim Dubitsky. It is currently being prototyped, as Tim continues to work out the kinks (like if you should wash speakers on the hot/cold or warm/warm setting). Tim has this to say about music and how it should be listened to:

There is a soundtrack to life, and now it's not just in your head. Throw on your hood.e, plug in your favorite mp3 player, and you're ready to roll (and rock). The embedded speakers make it possible for you to share your latest favorite track without the awkward ties of a tethered earbud. After all, music should enhance your life, not shut it out.

There's a soundtrack to life, huh? If that's the case mine would be filled with tracks about being in a dead-end relationship with yourself, having an ex-wife and two kids that hate you, and trying to kill yourself in the oven but failing because you can't afford to pay the gas bill. I'm sure people would love listening to that soundtrack. Another picture of the hoodie after the jump.]]> "hood.e" puts mp3 speakers in your hoodie hood! [core77] Thanks Shawn, you think I could borrow $80 to get my gas cut back on?

Sweet (!) Companion Cube Birthday Cake

2008-05-08T17:00:51Z

A guy who goes by N III sent me a little tip about this delicious Weighted Companion Cube cake. He writes, "My girlfriend decided to be awesome, and collaborate with a friend to make a pretty fantastic rendition of the Portal companion cube in the form of a birthday cake for me." Now that is so sweet. I wish I had a girlfriend that gave me something besides a mysterious rash for my birthday. Listen, I know what you readers are thinking -- "fondant tastes like plaster", but that's not what this is about -- this is about a girlfriend who lovingly made a companion cube cake for her boyfriend. If fondant is the key to wicked cake artistry, so be it. So just save your "I once fondanted my gonads and the dog wouldn't even lick it off" comment for somewhere else. Two more pictures of the cake (including one with it cut so you can see the red-velvety deliciousness inside) along with a link to a bigger gallery, after the jump.]]> Weighted Companion Cube Cake [photobucket] Thanks N III, you've got a good woman, so hold on tight

Google Maps Reveals Sweet Squadron Art

2008-05-08T16:00:09Z

Remember the crack deal caught on Google maps? That was pretty awesome wasn't it? Yeah, awesome and wack. Because crack is wack. Well now a reader of Geekologie has sent in some sweet squadron art via Google maps. According to my informant, Wes:

I just came back from Kadena Ab. in Okinawa Jp. and I just found your site. I think you might like these links from Google map. The first one is from my old office -- we were the 44th Fighter Squadron and we were the vampire bats so guess what was on top of our building? The second link is from our sister squadron the 67th -- they were the fighting cocks. Seriously, let the cock jokes fly but here is what the tops of each office looks like.

Man, that is freaking awesome. Inspired by this information, I Google mapped my own house to see what was up there. Unfortunately the zoom wasn't good enough, so I'm getting out the trusty ladder to take a first-hand peek. UPDATE: Damnit, no roof art here. I did find a dead bird in one of the gutters though, so the the kids aren't allowed to drink out of the downspouts for at least a week. Hit the jump for a picture of the cock, along with the links to the two maps.]]> Batman Map Cock Map Thanks Wes, let me know if you want me to help paint something on your roof sometime