Watchmaker AVI-8 teamed up with Capcom to create a limited-edition wristwatch based on the top-down shooter, 1942. The aviation-themed watch features pixelated planes from the game, skeletonized hands, a bitmapped date indicator, and a “12” marker in the game’s logo font. Each watch includes custom prints by artist Nache Ramos. Drops 7.28.2023.
Over the years, we’ve heard lots of covers of tunes from the Super Mario Bros. games, but vocalist Kohl Kitzmiller went all-in with this multi-track a cappella medley of 40 tracks from throughout Nintendo’s most popular video game franchise. This man has got some serious vocal range.
This series of 1″ enameled metal pins from DKNG pays tribute to classic arcade gaming, with four tiny machines to wear on your jacket or backpack. The Fly, Fight, Build, and Race machines incorporate sweet retro colors and graphics and a sparkly glitter-filled screen. The set is $10 off the regular price for a limited time.
Sushi Ramen likes to do dumb things in pursuit of YouTube views. This time, he wanted to recreate Mario’s fire-throwing abilities in real life. All he needed was a furnace, a crucible filled with 1800ºC molten iron, a fire suit, and a fireproof room to pull off the stunt. The fiery goodness starts around the 12:20 mark. Here’s the Japanese subtitled version.
The A capella group Maytree is really good at making mouth sounds. In this clip, they replicate the music and sound effects from Nintendo’s classic 8-bit arcade game, Donkey Kong. Though like many of us, they couldn’t make it past Level 1.
We know how great Radiohead sounds played using the sounds from Mario 64. Now enjoy MawinSwag’s 64-bit chiptune version of Metallica’s 1988 album And Justice for All. We can totally imagine Blackened playing during the Dark World level while Bowser laughs maniacally, and One would be perfect as Mario explores Princess Peach’s castle.
You might think that the Atari 2600 or Nintendo Entertainment System was the first game console to let you play different games using cartridges. But a much lesser-known console, the Fairchild Channel F, featured the first game cartridge. Gaming Historian looks at the origins of this system and the significant impact it had on gaming for years to come.
The game QWOP challenged players to make a 2-dimensional figure walk using their keyboard to control its limbs. The 3D platformer Baby Steps takes this idea to the next level, asking gamers to move a character through a variety of challenging environments by controlling only his feet. Coming to PC and PS5 in 2024.
There are many great games on the Xbox Series X|S, but there’s not been a killer app for Microsoft’s console. That could change with Starfield, an action RPG developed by Bethesda Game Studios exclusively for the console and PC. This in-depth video explores the game’s vast universe, missions, character and ship customizations, and endless possibilities.
It’s hard to top the original Sonic the Hedgehog games for their sheer sense of speed, excitement, and iconic level design. Sonic Superstars aims to freshen up the 2D platform action with modern graphics, all-new zones, new Chaos Emerald powers, and the ability to play side-by-side with friends as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose. Drops fall 2023.
The OLED version of Samsung’s wraparound 49″ display takes gaming to the next level. With deep blacks and vibrant colors, this 32:9 ultrawide screen immerses you in the action. It’s got a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and is compatible with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for smooth panning. It also has built-in smart TV apps for streaming content.
Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws is an open-world game that puts you in the role of Kay Vess, a mischievous young woman attempting to start a new life against the backdrop of Imperial rule. Taking place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, she and her companion Nix must elude the Empire and contend with galactic crime syndicates.
The steampunk world of Clockwork Revolution bears more than a passing resemblance to BioShock: Infinite, but it’s the start of a new game franchise. The first-person RPG has you traveling through time to witness key moments in the history of Avalon, and your decisions and actions can have profound effects on the city’s future.
The first officially-licensed Xbox wireless arcade controller looks like a winner. It has ten arcade-quality buttons and a joystick and is fully programmable. Plus 8BitDo supports modding by using standard button sizes and a Sanwa mounting plate. Compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10/11. Pre-orders start shipping on 6.30.2023.
Originally known as Setris, the puzzle game Sandtrix is a unique Tetris variant where the blocks are made out of sand, so they crumble on impact. It adds a new dimension to the classic puzzler and is surprisingly fun to play. There’s a web version, or you can download it for Windows or Linux on Itch.io.
Musician Davidlap has become quite the expert at replicating various sounds on his electric guitar. In this video, he does a mighty fine job reproducing sound effects from the Mushroom Kindom, from the satisfying coin collection “ding” to the urgency-instilling “hurry up” music that kicks in when you get a star power-up.
While you could buy a playable Pac-Man game for less money, the official LEGO version gives you the joy of assembling one yourself. The 2651-piece kit features a mechanical playfield and scoreboard, spinning Pac-Man and ghost characters on its top, and a light-up coin slot.
Do you need a break from your regular music playlists? Then open up this video, hit play, and drop it into a background tab. Jorf assembled this epic 10-hour and 53-minute mix of 227 tracks programmed by various chiptune musicians and played with the classic 8-bit sounds of the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Ed from Fifty Percent Awesome wanted an arcade cabinet but didn’t have space for one. Instead, he built an arcade system inside of a custom coffee table. Under its lid, it has a 4-player controller, a de-cased LG TV, speakers, and a Raspberry Pi 400 for emulating games. It runs on AC power or Ryobi 18V power tool batteries. It all comes together in part two.
(PG-13) Jack Black never plays video games anymore… except for all of them. That’s what we gleaned from this Tenacious D track and its animated music video by Oneyplays’ Chris “Oney” O’Neill and Adam Paloian. By the end, you’ll be rooting for Kyle Gass to exact his revenge. And here we thought they were friends til the end.
This small, programmable computer keyboard connects via USB or Bluetooth and provides nine mechanical keys and three knobs for controlling games and productivity applications. It’s available in a plain version and one with RGB accent lighting for about the same price. Note, the programming software is for Windows only.
Tactile Turn’s limited-run Spring 2023 pen features a design inspired by classic 8-bit game consoles, specifically the NES. The titanium pen has a two-tone Cerakote finish in grey and black with a textured orange pocket clip and a red “Reset” button to retract its ink cartridge. Available in Standard (5.8″), Short (5.3″), and Mini (4.6″).
The Gran Turismo franchise hits the big screen with a true story about a gamer who got so good at the racing sim that he became a pro race car driver. Director Neill Blomkamp (District 9) brings his VFX prowess along with stars David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, and Djimon Hounsou. In theaters 8.2023.