Custom GameBoy Arcade Mod – Yours For Just $149.99
By Andrew Liszewski
Every gamer would like to have an arcade in their home full of classic titles, but not everyone has the space, or the money, needed to buy and/or build one. Chinese modder XCKDIY may have found a happy medium though. They’ve converted an old Game Boy, well 10 of them actually, into a miniature arcade cabinet by removing and angling the handheld’s controls, and swapping out the 4-way directional pad with an actual joystick. As I mentioned, 10 of these creations are currently available on eBay at $149.99 a piece, and while it’s a clever mod for sure, for that kind of money I’d like to be able to request some different cabinet graphics, and maybe a simple overhead LED to better illuminate the Game Boy’s monochromatic display.
[ eBay - Custom GameBoy Arcade Mod ] VIA [ Tiny Cartridge ]
Namco Classic Game Zippo Lighters
By Andrew Liszewski
You don’t have to be a smoker who grew up gobbling white dots and ghosts to appreciate these retro gaming themed Zippo lighters. You could also be a pyromaniac who really enjoyed Dig Dug as a kid, or someone who can never get enough Galaxian who also happens to prepare a lot of birthday cakes. The Zippos are available in four different versions including Pac-Man, Xevious and the aforementioned Dig Dug and Galaxian, and can be pre-ordered from NCSX for a mere $108.90.
[ Namco Classic Game Zippo Lighters ] VIA [ Kotaku ]
Giant Cassette Player Digitizes Old Tapes
What many of our younger readers may not realize is that Walkmans of old, and the cassette tapes that we used to play in them, were a lot bigger than is commonly thought. Take a look at the picture above to get an idea: barely larger than the tape within, this device is around two to three times bigger than a modern laptop computer. This is the reason why so many old people, who carried them as we carry iPods today, walk bent over in a shuffling stoop.
However, modern technology means that more can be packed in to these giant boxes, and this one not only manages to fit in a tape but will convert it to the much smaller MP3, a kind of cassette so tiny that millions can fit on the head of a pin.
The Ion Tape Express works fine as a “personal stereo”, running off AA batteries, but when hooked up via USB it converts the hissy tunes into digital ones and zeroes for the accompanying software to crunch into MP3s on the “computer” (like a pocket calculator, only with more pictures of naked people).
The Tape Express is on sale in England, where the iPod was recently launched to great acclaim, and the Queen’s subjects are frenziedly digitizing their music to keep up. The machine costs £50, or just over $80, and should be available in a “fortnight”.
Product page [I Want One of Those via Oh Gizmo]
See Also:
- Retro-Style Cassette Tape USB Hub
- Retro Cassette Deck Will Hook Up to Almost Everything
- Bye-Bye Cassette Tape: UK Chain Kills Romantic Format
- Cassette Tape Measure: Punniest Retro-Tool Ever?
Posted: October 27th, 2009
at 6:13am by Charlie Sorrel
Topics: Media Players, Retro, things were bigger back then
ION Audio Tape Express Converts Cassettes To MP3s
By Andrew Liszewski
If you’ve yet to make the move from analog cassette tapes to digital audio files, the Tape Express from ION Audio will make the transition a bit easier for you. First of all, the device looks like an old-school Walkman, and if you’re still listening to cassettes on a daily basis, there’s a good chance you’re a master of that technology. Converting your tapes to MP3s is as easy as connecting the device to your PC via USB and hitting play. The included EZ Tape Converter software will take care of the rest.
And if you’re having a difficult time transitioning to this futuristic circa-1995 digital MP3 technology, the Tape Express also works like a regular tape player, allowing you to listen to your music the old-fashioned way. IWOOT appears to have it for just over $80, though they’re sold out at the moment.
[ ION Audio Tape Express ] VIA [ Retro To Go ]
GenMobile Is Sega Genesis Cart Friendly
By Andrew Liszewski
Officially licensed by Sega, the GenMobile is essentially the same idea as the Nomad from years gone by, except smaller thanks to a few generations of technological miniaturization. It natively plays both Genesis and Japanese Mega-Drive carts thanks to a slot in the back, but it also comes with 20 titles built-in including Sonic Spinball, Kid Chameleon, Golden Axe and Ecco Jr. if your collection has already been given away. It’s got a 2.5-inch TFT screen for playing on the go, but an AV out connection as well for connecting it to a TV. And best of all, it’s just $54.99 from Stone Age Gamer, available sometime near the end of the month.
[ GenMobile ] VIA [ Nowhereelse ]
