-
The Greatest Music Game Never Made?
The music game boom is done and dusted (r.i.p.), but don’t tell Grant Woolard. In his head bangin’ head, it still lives on. And it’s totally awesome. Grant, who lives in Japan, is studying the shamisen, a traditional instrument similar to a banjo. To showcase his first composition, he created this truly wonderful video for…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2012 -
This T-Shirt Will Give You Nightmares
Eek! Schoolgirl anime K-On!‘s latest t-shirt looks more like some horrible moé monster, appearing in a dark dungeon in some Japanese role-playing game. In related K-On! news, the anime’s feature film was just nominated for a Japanese Academy Award. Do any of the producers dare wear this shirt to the ceremony? Does anyone at all…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2012 -
Why’s the Konami Code So Damn Easy To Remember?
If you grew up in the 1980s and played video games, you know the Konami Code. It’s very easy to remember. Kazuhisa Hashimoto, inventor of the Konami Code, said there’s a reason for that. The reason was that Hashimoto needed an easy code for extra power-ups he could remember and then input while testing Gradius,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2012 -
Let’s Look at Robot Butts. Together.
Robots are badass! You know that. I know that. Everybody knows that. But in basking in their awesomeness, we’ve forgotten something important: their backsides. Via Japanese webforum 2chan, a thread appeared devoted entirely to admiring robots and mecha from behind. Or admiring their behinds. Whichever. Most commenters seemed to agree that badass robots look pretty…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2012 -
The Nintendo PlayStation You Never Got To Play
The first PlayStation 1 controllers looked silly. No wonder the world never got to use them. The world also never got to use this first PlayStation from 1991. A Sony produced SNES, it was the fruit of what was an unsuccessful failed Nintendo partnership. The other prototypes were Sony’s own original PlayStation designs for hardware…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2012 -
Is this PS Vita Game Art Good? Or Just Horrid?
I’m not trying to be mean here. There is good art. And there is bad art. The art for Samurai & Dragons is, well, yeah. Maybe this isn’t my thing! The in-game graphics look much better. You can check them out in this trailer from last Dec. The game is a dungeon crawler that uses…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2012 -
Snakes on a Plane? No, Japanese Maids on a Train!
In Japan, there are all types of otaku (“geeks”). There are anime otaku, video game otaku, and even train otaku. Otaku from all walks of life seem to like the same thing: maids So what happens when you combine a love of the country’s public transportation with its fascination with girls in frilly outfits? You…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2012 -
Headcrab? No, Headcat.
In the Half-Life series, there are fictional alien parasitoids called “headcrabs”. In Katie’s house there is Headcrab Cat, aka Sophie. Headcrab Cat loves to perch on the head of Katie’s roommate and Gordon Freeman‘s doppelganger while he plays computer games. Hat Cat [YouTube]
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2012 -
Mass Effect Has Never Looked this Classy
Don’t get me wrong. Mass Effect has its share of class. But, like most things, it could be classier. Enter artist Sean Donaldson. The painter did the game’s character in oils. The end result would not look out of place in a bookish study. And look at that Tali’Zorah—wow! If you think the portraits are…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2012 -
The Life-Sized Stormtrooper You Can Eat
Over the years, Kotaku has posted so many cakes that the site is now jaded. It takes a lot to impress. It takes a life-sized Stormtrooper. Via BoingBoing comes this 6’4″ tall edible Stormtrooper. Oak Leaf Cakes made this large desert for the Arisia Science Fiction Convention in Boston. 6’4″? Isn’t that a little tall…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 16, 2012 -
The Wrath of Japanese Game Promotion
Wrath | TOKYO, JAPAN: Capcom gets excited for Azura’s Wrath. (Photo: GameWatchImpress) The Most Insane Battery Test I’ve Ever Seen I’ve tested battery life. Usually, I play some, write down how long I play, take a break, and comeback. Not this dude. YouTube user Kurekureyon filmed himself playing the PS Vita and the Nintendo 3DS…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 13, 2012 -
Persona Like You’ve Never Seen It Before. On an Audi.
When you think of Japanese role-playing game Persona, you probably don’t think of German engineering. Spotted at the Tokyo Auto Salon by sister site Gizmodo Japan, this is a customized Audi S5 itasha. It is covered in Persona 4 decals and has gullwing doors. You will never forget this. Never. Audi S5がペルソナ4の痛車になってた [Gizmodo Japan]
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 13, 2012 -
This Zelda Map Will Get You Drunk
It’s one of the greatest games ever made. Playing it is a rite of passage for millions. It’s a game that becomes increasingly difficult the longer you play it. That’s right, I’m talking about beer pong—make that, Beer Pong The River Falls Pong Table Company created this custom beer pong table that displays The Legend…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 13, 2012 -
Binary Domain‘s Live-Action Ads Look Better Than the Game
From what I’ve seen of Binary Domain, it looks rather vanilla, but it could be interesting. These live action promo spots? They’re incredible. In the above ad, a female office worker is getting chewed out by her boss. He leaves the meeting room, and to relieve her stress, she writes, “Department Manager, Die!” And she…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 13, 2012 -
South Korea Won’t Muck Up Diablo III‘s Worldwide Release
There was concern that South Korea’s rating board was throwing a monkey wrench in Diablo III‘s certification. If the game went unrated, then Blizzard’s planned worldwide release would go right out the window. The Korean Game Rating Board finally rated the game, giving it an 18-and-up rating. What was holding up the game’s rating was…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 13, 2012 -
Cheap Ass Gamer Shoots People in the Face for a Good Cause
Head cheap-ass at Cheap Ass Gamer and my breakfast friend CheapyD shelled out to appear in Saints Row 3. It wasn’t just because Cheapy loves Saints Row (he does), it was also for a good cause. Back in 2010, after a young woman was tragically burned in a fire, Steve Jaros, senior writer on Saints…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 13, 2012 -
Capcom Bar Serves Resident Evil “Brains”. You Can Eat Them.
On Jan. 25, Capcom, the game company behind Resident Evil and Street Fighter, will open…a bar. It’s called Capcom Bar. Clever. As previously posted, the bar will have booze and food, and it will play host to Capcom promotional events. Wonder what to expect? Monster Hunter meat (fitting), Ace Attorney seafood pasta (oh), and Resident…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 13, 2012 -
The Most Insane Battery Test I’ve Ever Seen
I’ve tested battery life. Usually, I play some, write down how long I play, take a break, and comeback. Not this dude. YouTube user Kurekureyon filmed himself playing the PS Vita and the Nintendo 3DS non-stop. Only occasionally does his hand leave the frame for what, I’m assuming, is bathroom breaks—or coming up for gasps…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 13, 2012 -
Gundam Mecha Modded into Young, Cute Girls
March 11, 2011 was a horrible day. Japan was ravaged by a powerful earthquake and tsunami, resulting in destruction and death. Tokyo felt it, sure, but areas like Fukushima were hit hardest. The earthquake touched so many different kinds of people. Complete strangers offered to help and give money. Many of those whose lives were…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 13, 2012 -
You Cannot Unsee Yoshi. I Promise.
Right now, you may think you are looking at a new zero calorie lychee apple tea drink. You are. But you are also looking at Nintendo’s character, Yoshi. Yes. Don’t believe me? Check the second pic in the above gallery. The photo was originally uploaded to Japanese food blog Darksky::Weblog. 2ch forum users first noticed…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 13, 2012
Brian Ashcraft
Brian Ashcraft's posts