Culture

Oh, So The Phantom’s Still Alive Then

And here I was thinking the last we’d see of the character was Billy Zane hamming it up. This is the work of Swedish artist Alexander Forssberg, who is a freelancer working in video games, movies, TV and film. You can see more of Alexander’s art at hispersonal site To see the larger pics in…

The Week In Games: Small And Creepy

It’s a week of tiny gems and quirky Japanese imports, a relaxing respite before the season of “massive games you have to own or you’ll feel physically ill” kicks into high gear. Or maybe that’s just me. That’s not to say this week’s games are skippable. They’ll just hurt a little less when you don’t…

A Real Aircraft Carrier Makes For An Amazing Cosplay Video

KantaiCon is a one-day anime convention in South Carolina which takes place on an actual aircraft carrier — the USS Yorktown. As demonstrated in Beat Down Boogie‘s video from last week’s event, it’s an excellent setting for cosplay. Not only does KantaiCon take place on the Yorktown, there’s a submarine and a destroyer on hand…

Sunday Comics: You’re Off Team Mermaid

Welcome to Kotaku‘s Sunday Comics, your weekly roundup of the best webcomics. The images enlarge if you click on the magnifying glass icon. Nerf NOW!! by Josué Pereira. Published September 13. Read more of Nerf NOW!! Awkward Zombie by Katie Tiedrich. Published September 8. Read more of Awkward Zombie Penny Arcade by Jerry Holkins and…

Pumpkin Spice Oreos: The Snacktaku Review

Really? There are Pumpkin Spice Oreos now? Fine. Let’s get this over with. There are two types of people in this world — those who adore foodstuffs flavored with pumpkin spice, and those getting increasingly close to committing murder every time someone smacks their lips, squeals and claps their cute little mittened hands together at…

Track: Sandstorm | Artist: Darude | Album: Before The Storm Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to – and gaming to – at the moment.

Highlight Reel: Always Bring A Knife To A Destiny Gunfight

In today’s Highlight Reel, we see why Sean Connery’s advice re: gunfights doesn’t apply seven hundred years in the future. Also, a brutal play in Madden 15, some sparrow tricking, and more! Watch the video above, then link any of your favorite highlights in the comments, and be sure to check out, like and subscribe…

Nice View, But It Gets A Little Windy

Jedd Chevrier is a lead concept artist at Microsoft, where he’s most recently been working on the very interestingProject Spark. He’s also worked on the 5th addition of D&D, and you can see some of that art below. You can see more of Jedd’s work at his sketch blog To see the larger pics in…

Parental Locks For Video Games Used To Be Crazy

These days, parental locks stop kids from playing games using simple software. In 1990, lacking that kind of technology, things were a little more draconian. This is the “Homework First” video game lock, designed for the NES. It does not fuck around. Looking like a very hefty bike lock, it hooked underneath the console and…

The Internet Reacts To Secret Super Smash Bros. Characters

A lot of the Smash Bros. roster might’ve leaked ahead of time, but that didn’t stop anyone from getting hyped on the secret characters found last night via Japanese streams. It makes sense: while there are a few clones and returning faces, some inclusions in the upcoming Smash game are damned amazing. The internet has…

Let’s Hope The Sims 4 Looks This Good Someday

The Sims has always been a beautiful series of video games. Save for the occasional foray into high fantasy, however, it’s mostly drawn from modern suburbia for its artistic palette. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Some gorgeous concept art that was recently posted online gives an alternate vision of what The Sims…

Have you seen an amazing gaming feat lately? Send it to us at [email protected] to get it included in our new feature, Highlight Reel! We’re looking for fun, exciting, or funny moments to show the world! For Highlight Reel, you can submit a clip of something you did or just something you saw online that…

Mirror’s…Precipice?

Sylvain Sarrailh is a freelance artist based in Toulouse, France. His colours are making my day. You can see more of Sylvain’s work at his DeviantArtand ArtStationpages. He also has a webcomic you can see here. To see the larger pics in all their glory (or, if they’re big enough, so you can save them…

Couple Gets Engaged At The End Of The World

Devon and Joy, both video game artists (we actually featured Devon’s work recently), got engaged the other day. Congrats guys! To celebrate the occasion, then, they got a photo shoot done. A…post-apocalyptic photo shoot. Dawn Bowerytook the shots. I love how they’re actually dual-purpose. I know the intent is post-apocalyptic, but those clean, happy faces…

Track: No Surprises | Artist: Radiohead | Album: OK Computer Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to – and gaming to – at the moment.

Highlight Reel: Mario Kart AI Finally Gets Revenge

Maybe Wario was just having a bad day. Maybe he was beaten one too many times. Either way, now he’s pissed. It’s Highlight Reel, the show where we round up great moments from around the gaming world and put them all in one easy-to-find video! Today, Mario Kart’s AI finally gets some revenge on a…

Track: Demon | Artist: Entombed | Album: Wolverine Blues Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to – and gaming to – at the moment.

A Single Painting Can Transform A Movie

Alex James is a matte painter who has worked in both the video games and movie businesses. If you’re wondering what a matte painter does, that gif you’re seeing above might help explain it. Some of the movies Alex has worked on include Sin City 2, Pacific Rim, Elysium and Oblivion. You can see more…

Zelda Cosplay Moonlights As Music Video

This is actually a music video, for Taylor Davis’ rendition of Ocarina of Time’s Kokiri Forest theme. Both the video, and the role-playing, are fantastic.

Attack On Titan Cosplay Defeats Giants With Cuteness

D Piddy’s Colossal Titan cosplay, last seen being a total creep on the streets of Tokyo, takes a break to break some hearts with a tiny little Mikasa. That’s Cheese cosplaying as Mikasa, and her outfit and gear was made by Yuto Akaboshi