console

Paper gadgets: Next best thing to real ones

Burning paper models for the dead is a religious tradition practiced by some Chinese. These can include houses, cars, and even Rolex watches. The belief is that the departed will receive them in the afterworld, making their lives (or rather, afterlives) more bearable. But what if the dead person is a geek who never fancied flashy cars or gold-plated timepieces? You burn him an Xbox 360, of course.

That's when you need one of these paper craft models from Fx Console, as seen on Notcot. Downloadable from the blog site are a series of PDFs that are templates for … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

These two releases are sure to spark some childhood memories. Who doesn't remember plunging $20 in quarters on a little game called Operation Wolf?

Operation Wolf (1989, NES, 500 Wii points): What started as an arcade light-gun game eventually made its way to the NES. Battle through stage after stage and defeat the terrorists before you run out of bullets and grenades. Columns III: Revenge of Columns (1993, Genesis, 800 Wii points): What many describe as the long lost cousin of Tetris, Columns was the Genesis' flagship puzzle game. By the time the second sequel hit, most of the … Read more

The worst game console(s) ever

A few days ago, we discussed the greatest game console of all time. Some would say the NES, some would say the Super Nintendo, some would say the Playstation, some would say the Playstation 2. It really depends on your standards, and what system you grew up with. Naturally, this now begs the question: What was the worst console of all time?

One CNET blogger wrote the Sega Saturn was the worst major console of all time. However, the Saturn's relative failure pales in comparison with several other systems' atrocious critical and commercial receptions. The Saturn certainly wasn't … Read more

The greatest game console of all time?

A few days ago, blogger Don Reisinger made the bold declaration that the Super Nintendo was the greatest video game system of all time. The SNES was indeed a great console with lots of great games, but it's still a leap to call it the greatest system ever made. In an industry that's over 30 years old, that's seen dozens upon dozens of home video game systems, simply calling out Nintendo's second console as the best ever seems simplistic.

To a certain extent, though, Don is right. The Super Nintendo could be considered the greatest console … Read more

Wii virtual console release for this week

Just one new virtual console game graces the Wii this week. Right on time for winter, 1080? Snowboarding (1998, Nintendo 64, 1,000 Wii Points) is now available for download. This title debuted during the height of the snowboarding game era along side such classics as the Sony Coolboarders series.

In 1080? Snowboarding, you'll enjoy six different modes of play and try your luck at one of the most realistic snowboarding games of its time. Customize your board and clothes, and try to pull off some tricks on a variety of courses.

We're starting to see these Virtual … Read more

The SNES is the greatest console of all time

Over the past few months, I decided to go back in time and relive the days of old. Instead of wasting my day doing things that just weren't productive, I decided to get all of my old consoles out (NES, Genesis, SNES, 3DO, 32X, Sega CD, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Playstation 1 and 2 and the Nintendo 64) to finally make the decision on which console is truly the best of all-time (so far).

And while the decision was a difficult one -- it's tough to beat Duck Hunt and Super Mario Bros. -- it seemed almost too simple to declare the SNES the greatest console of all-time.… Read more

Will the Gizmondo make a comeback?

Some of you may remember the Gizmondo, a portable gaming console announced in 2005 that was positioned as a competitor to the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS. Tiger Telematics, the company which produced it, was headed by a couple of Swedes who eventually left the firm just before it went bankrupt in early 2006. It's an incredible tale involving a crashed Ferrari Enzo, dealings with the Mafia, and millions of dollars of investor funds going down the drain.

Now it looks like Carl Freer, Gizmondo's former chairman, wants to revive the brand. In an interview with a Swedish publication, … Read more

Bye Bye Wavebirdie

It seems that the Nintendo Wavebird is going the way of the Power Glove. According to Go Nintendo via Joystiq, Nintendo has ceased shipping its wireless GameCube controllers to stores. This isn't too surprising (the Wii has been out for more than a year and effectively completely replaced the GameCube), but it is disappointing. Since the Wii plays all GameCube games and includes four GameCube controller ports, the Wavebird presented a great way to play both Virtual Console and GameCube games wirelessly.

Go Nintendo claims that Nintendo is still shipping wired controllers to stores, which seems very odd. If … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Three new games with questionable box art grace your Wii this week.

Cybernator (1993, Super Nintendo, 800 Wii points)--Finally, a sci-fi game that addresses the dwindling fossil fuels issue! Cybernator takes place in the distant future where you must clear seven challenging stages. However, you may not solve the world's energy problems. Alien Storm (1991, Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points)--What is a Wii virtual console release without a side-scrolling action game? Alien Storm has you take on eight stages and more bosses than what the arcade original offered. Monster Lair (1989, Turbografx16, 800 Wii points)--Monster Lair … Read more

Buy a Wii now, get it later

Can't find a Wii to put under the tree? Nintendo's got your back--sort of. According to gaming blog Kotaku, reporting on a conversation with Nintendo prez Reggie Fils-Aime, GameStop stores will be offering Wii rain-checks on December 20 and 21. Translation: Pony up your $249.99 now, get a Wii--guaranteed--by the end of January.

Yeah, that's a pretty sucky deal, but I suppose the promise of a Wii is slightly better than the absence of one. Why didn't Nintendo do this in November and promise delivery by December 24? Bad company. Bad!

The more intriguing news … Read more