There are some games that, dated though they may be, are still a heck of a lot of fun to play. The perfect example is the 1983 Star Wars game by Atari which a lot of old school gamers still hold dear in their hearts. Check out this fully armed and operational version of the arcade game created by Le Chuck, all in 1/16 scale. It doesn’t just look amazing (right down to the images on the sides of the case), but it actually plays complete with sounds and lights.
Check out the demo video and pics of the cabinet after the jump…
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I don’t know how to read or speak a single word of Japanese, but all the cool stuff that they won’t share with me is making a trip over there more and more of a necessity. Take this incredible Pokemon Tretta arcade game from Marvelous AQL. It dispenses collectible trettas that you can either use in battles or trade with your friends. All you do is insert 100 yen coin, pick out your Pokemon, and see who wins. There’s even going to be a carrying case available. You’ll be able to check out this game in July, but only if you’re in Japan. Man, I’ve got to get over there or I’ll never catch ‘em all.
Catch more pictures after the jump!
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One of the best parts of PAX East is seeing stuff that isn’t quite out for the general public. Usually it’s a demo of a hot new game or product, but sometimes, if you’re really lucky, that product is actually available for sale. If you’re a fan of the webseries The Guild, and you like Munchkin then this early release will make you very happy. I may have trampled a cosplayer or two in my efforts to grab a few booster packs and did a little dance that I’m really hoping no one caught on video.
The new Munchkin The Guild! booster includes 15 cards with Codex, Vork, Clara, Tink and Bladezz as well as a few of their enemies and features artwork by Len Peralta who you may know from the Geek A Week trading cards. This was originally due for an April release, but production delays have pushed it back to sometime in May. Want to see all the cards right now? Of course you do. +1 Early Release’d
See all the cards after the jump!
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Video games are a way to escape from the real world, and it’s easy to take it too far. The line to addiction is fine and only takes a step to cross. Lawyer, make that ex-lawyer, Mathew Eshelman of Pennsylvania leaped over that line. He used video games as a method to escape stress from his job and problems at home, but it became an obsession. He was fired from a firm in 2007 over his addiction and the problem followed him when he tried to set up his own practice.
In the end he was found to have mishandled 17 cases, including bankruptcy, divorce, and debt collection cases because of gaming. He lied in a divorce filing, ignored calls from clients and lost track of client money. As a result he’s been banned from practicing for three years. In fact, the disciplinary board backed down from a 5-year ban because “Eshelman had once been a competent lawyer”.
It seems absurd that a 43-year old man would throw away a promising career over video games, but I’ll bet most of you have blown off homework or sleep on a weeknight to play, or maybe even taken a sick day or two.
(Philly.com via G4)
Worlds that are fantastical or in space tend to parallel our world. Fictional universes aren’t utopias. Aliens face the same decisions and challenges that humans do. They need entertainment and escape from daily regimens. To add to the realism of fantasy and science fiction worlds, it only makes sense for authors to add games. Just look at the role that gaming – from tabletop to video games – plays in our daily lives. It’s one of the most popular activities we choose for relaxation. There are lame options in the real world and otherwise, but mostly a plethora of awesome choices abound. If I was sitting around the Millennium Falcon or Hogwarts, these games would be in my cupboard.
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Knokkers is the hybrid between billards and bowling that we didn’t realize, until this moment, how much we wanted to play.
The game was created by Steve Wienecke of Fredericktown, Missouri—and he hopes to see Knokkers platforms on cruise ships, amusement parks, restaurants, and my backyard (hopefully) one day.
(nxtbook via BJN via Neatorama)
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One of the first games we learn as kids is Rock, Paper, Scissors. I think it comes shortly after Candyland and Chutes and Ladders. The rules are ridiculously simple, it’s quick and it will settle arguments of any kind within just a few seconds. Although sometimes it does escalate into a best 2 out of 3 situation, but nothing good can come from following that route. Where does it end? At what point do you just accept that you have lost and move on? Let’s just stick with the premise that in a matter of seconds, any argument can be settled with this spiffy little game. And then came Sheldon.
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Stern, one of the last pinball machine makers on the planet, is releasing a classic version of its Iron Man pinball machine aimed at hardcore collectors and gamers with deep pockets.
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Baby’s first D&D dice? Game night stress relief? A safe solution for game night violence? Indeed, these giant foam D&D dice have several advantages over the traditional versions. Comes in 4, 8, 10, 12 and 20 sided flavors.
Product Page ($20)
