Kotaku: Sneakers

The Converse/Nintendo Partnership That Never Was

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:00:00 MDT

These are art, not shoes, because unlike the garish-yet-limited run of expensive designer sneakers we normally feature, these are hand-painted. Which means getting them wet or performing any kind of strenuous activity is just totally out of the question. As is wearing them to literally kick a man's ass after a heated bout of Smash Bros. Though hopefully there's one or two moral reasons stopping you from doing that before you have to actually consider "cracking the paint on my new custom Chucks" to be the one that keeps things civil.
Hand Painted Nintendo Kicks [deviantART, thanks KCS!]

Ben Sherman's Pac-Man Shoes

Mike Fahey — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:20:00 MDT

One day I hope to be half the video game shoe connoisseur that Crecente is, but I'm quite a long way off. For example, when he saw these Pac-Man-inspired kicks from British clothing company Ben Sherman, I very much doubt there is a measure of time small enough to quantify the time between the initial page load and check out confirmation. I, on the other hand, waited for several minutes, hemming and hawing over $60 for a pair of canvas sneakers that I will probably never wear for fear of scuffing them, like the Asteroids Pro Keds I picked up last year. Oh well, I suppose there's only one thing for it. *closes eyes and places order* If you don't see yourself buying them it doesn't count.

Ben Sherman's Blinky Shoe [Piperlime]

The Horror: Puma Tetris Shoes

Luke Plunkett — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:00:00 MDT

I spend far too much of my reasonably-hard-earned money on two things. One of them is games. The other, sneakers. Combinations of the two should be a sure thing for me, then, but in this case, no, no it is not. Puma are re-releasing two versions of their old Disc Blaze sneaks in the Spring, only this time, with a Tetris theme. Not, as you'd be forgiven for thinking, an "opening credits of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air" theme.
Puma Disc Blaze 1990s Tetris Pack [Kicksonfire]

NBA Live 08, By Adidas

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:40:00 MST

I normally think of three things when video game companies are hard pressed to flex their marketing muscles. First, we have breasts. They never fail to draw a crowd. Second, slapping some logos and character art on an automobile. Third, alternate reality game. When these three have been either vetoed as tasteless, stale or consuming of too much manpower, they default to their rare alt—shoes. Sneakerheads will cover the cost and at least one Kotaku editor will post about their existence, ensuring the program is a success.

To wit, the NBA Live 08 Gil II Zero, Gilbert Arenas' signature shoe in an EA Sports-appropriate colorway. That the cover star of this years hoops effort already has his own shoe design is simply serendipity. Looks like only one retailer is offering them, for around $130 US, so unless you consider these "straight fire", move along.

Adidas Team Signature Arenas EA Sports [ via HypeBeast]

Super Mario Shoes Now For Sale! Run!

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:20:29 MDT

The Run Athletics brand collaboration with Nintendo that resulted in a pair of very bold Super Mario Bros. themed sneakers has born fruit and they're now available for purchase. For the low, low price of $120 per pair, you not only get a fresh pair of bright white kicks, but you also score a unique shoe box emblazoned with the Mario "M" and a free limited edition t-shirt that celebrates the release. Only 400 pairs of the Nintendo Legacy shoes are available, so don't sleep on these if you want to be the first kind on your block to blind a friend with their brilliance.

Only sizes 8.5 to 13 need apply. If you get 'em, send us some pics.

Legacy X Nintendo 07 [Denim & Sole via High Snobiety]

Reebok Does Tron Kicks Right

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 15:20:11 MST

Adidas may have beaten Reebok to the punch with their Tron-licensed kicks last year, but Reebok knocks it out of the goddamn park with their much more subtle, far less dorky Glow sneakers due to hit this summer. The New Dandyism column over at streetwear fashion blog High Snobiety has first pics of the glow-in-the-dark shoes in action. Shoes are so hot you'll want to keep a pocket flashlight handy for late night recharges.

New Dandyism also teases with a promise of an "apparel hook-up" alongside the Reebok release, which had better glow, too, or we'll be pissed. Michael McWhertor

Exclusive: Reebok "Glow" in action! [High Snobiety]

TGS06: J, Please Stop Blocking Our Phone Calls

Brian Ashcraft — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 09:22:23 MDT

When Microsoft's eXtreme hipster J Allard said we were "kinda creepy," he had underestimated us. We are totally creepy. There are four of us staking out four different hotels in the greater Tokyo area, waiting for a glimpse of J's shiny noggin, searching for the scent of his pricey trainers. Mike, thought he had found Allard, only to have his heart broken. Repeatedly. Brian Ashcraft

Previous: Where Is Our J?

Mizuguchi's Pimped-Out Kicks

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 13:20:39 MDT

You're a big, powerful game designer with smash hits under your belt. What to do for funsies? Well, if you are Tetsuya Mizuguchi, you commission Nike to make one-of-a-kind sneakers with rainbows and rhinestones patterned after your PSP puzzler Lumines. But, if you're DoA's Tomonobu Itagaki, you drink. A lot. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Game Girl Advance]