- Reviews
Origin Chronos Z Compact Gaming PC: The Kotaku Review
The Origin PC Chronos Z is the meanest small form factor gaming PC I’ve yet to encounter. Origin PC ships its gaming systems in wooden crates. The Chronos Z came in the smallest crate to date, yet the Titan Z-powered beast within was far more powerful than anything that came before it. The small size…
By Mike Fahey Published October 28, 2014 - Uncategorized
Ten Video Game Vehicles With A Cartoony Redesign
I could totally watch a special episode of Wacky Races with artist Ido Yehimovitz‘s re-imagined video game cars leading the way. Trevor with his pickup could easily replace Dick Dastardly, but not even he could stop Axel’s taxi from Crazy Taxi. I guess the titular tank from the Metal Slug series is already cartoony in…
By Gergo Vas Published October 28, 2014 -
UncategorizedMaingear’s PC Gaming Cube Has Changed
My first professionally-built gaming PC was a Maingear X-Cube, a charming little black box filled with joy and wonder. It looks almost nothing like the younger, sleeker models Maingear’s just announced. They’ve come from the future. My X-Cube has no glowing window, unless you counted the flickering of the motherboard network port light through the…
By Mike Fahey Published October 28, 2014 - Uncategorized
The legendary Pokémon Rayquaza is about to crash into a group of flying-types. DeviantART artist Arvalis made a really good job on this. Those tiny animated parts make this version of the serpentine beast totally badass. Rayquaza by Arvalis [DeviantART] Dayshot is an image-based feature that runs every morning, showcasing some of the prettiest, funniest…
By Gergo Vas Published October 28, 2014 - Culture
Japan Is Getting Strawberry Milk Pepsi
And it’s called “Pink Cola,” because as you can see, yes, the drink is pink. As Suntory announces in an official release, this Pepsi is strawberry milk-flavored. It joins the ranks of other limited-time only Pepsi flavors released in Japan, like Ice Cucumber Pepsi, Salty Watermelon Pepsi, and Red Bean Pepsi, among others. This isn’t…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 28, 2014 - Kotaku East
Barakamon is Touching, Heartfelt, and Utterly Wonderful
Every season, there is one anime that stands above the rest. And for this past summer season, that anime is Barakamon Good – A Loss of Self Worth Barakamon is the modern day story of Handa, a young professional calligrapher who punches an aged gallery owner in the face for criticizing his work. Because he…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published October 28, 2014 - Kotaku East
Like to Zone Out? This Competition Is For You.
Yesterday, there was competition in Seoul. People competed to see who could space-out the most. Wait, what? As reported by major Korean news sites and TV networks (via tipster Sang), the event had criteria to select the most spaced out contestant. [Photo:seoulmania] To win, you needed to look spaced out for three hours, you needed…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 28, 2014 -
UncategorizedReal-Life Football Stadium Looks Glorious in CryEngine
The Emirates Stadium in Holloway, London was opened eight years ago. It’s England’s third largest stadium and home to the Arsenal Football Club. And now, it’s also the subject of an awesome CryEngine map. The man behind the project is a Turkish environment artist by the name of Gökhan Karadayi, who’s currently working with TaleWorlds…
By András Neltz Published October 28, 2014 - Kotaku East
When Japanese Game Titles Go From English to …English?
The Evil Within was released across the world in the past few weeks. However, in Japan, its country of origin, it has a different English title: Psycho Break. Of course, this is far from the first time a Japanese game with an English title has been renamed after it has left Japan. Perhaps the most…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published October 28, 2014 - Kotaku East
Wasabi Toothpaste Sounds Like a Painful Way to Brush
When you hear wasabi, you probably think of sashimi or sushi. Maybe add toothpaste to that list as well? No, let’s not do that. This month, Japanese retailer Village Vanguard is rolling out wasabi-flavored toothpaste. The toothpaste smells like wasabi, it has a wasabi-like texture, and most importantly, it tastes like wasabi. If you’ve ever…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 28, 2014 - Kotaku East
This App Will Help You Improve Your Japanese
I’ve mentioned a few games in the past to help you improve your Japanese language ability. However, when it comes to learning all aspects of Japanese, KanjiBox is the best study tool I have found. KanjiBox is an iOS app designed to teach Japanese Kanji and Kana (letters) as well as vocabulary. Moreover, it is…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published October 28, 2014 - Kotaku East
Porco Rosso Sunglasses, Yours for $480
Studio Ghibli is teaming up with Japan’s Washin Optical for official Porco Rosso sunglasses. They’re kind of expensive. The glasses come in two variations. There is the “Period Piece Model,” which is made like sunglasses were in the 1920s and 30s, which is when the anime takes place. The lenses are made from glass, while…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 28, 2014 - Uncategorized
Japan Is Good at Halloween
Impressive. Most impressive. When I first arrived in Japan many, many moons ago, Halloween wasn’t really a thing here. But in the last few years, it’s gotten bigger and bigger. This year might be the biggest Halloween yet! That is, until next year. Then, we can have this conversation again. Sure, while Japan still hasn’t…
By Brian Ashcraft Published October 28, 2014 - CultureCosplay
Two Great Cosplay Books In One Month? It Must Be (Almost) Christmas
Eric Ng, aka BigWhiteBazooka, is one of the best cosplay photographers on Earth. So his new book, full of his best work over the years, is definitely worth checking out. I got a copy the other day, and was surprised by how quality the book itself is. If you’ve seen Eric’s work you’ll know that…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 28, 2014 -
UncategorizedIndie RPG Is An Apocalyptic Sausage Fest
Lisa takes place in a bizarre, unpleasant world without women. There are grotesquely elongated spider men, writhing flesh pile people, and giant intestine walls, though. So that’s something. Luke wrote about the game, subtitled “The Painful RPG,” back when it was on Kickstarter a year ago. Since then it’s made quite a bit of progress,…
By Nathan Grayson Published October 27, 2014