I just recently wrote about Shogun Bros.’ entry into the gaming mice market with a mouse that doubled as a gamepad. Quirky device. But now they’ve announced the Mk-1, a gaming mouse that packs a bunch of features that actually sound kind of nice. The best of which is the “Precision Sniping System” which lets you adjust the X and Y dpi setting independently and on the fly, so that you can zero in on your target with more precision, and still pan around faster when not going in for the kill. Aside from this, there’s “Extreme Accurate 5700 DPI, 1000HZ Polling Rate. Extreme Movement Sensation – 11570 Frame Per Second (No Jumping, No Skipping).” There are several profiles that you can set, depending on the game you’re playing with one of them being desktop… should you ever actually try to get any work done with this in your hand.
There’s no word on price but availability is set for Q2 of this year.
That image is another editor’s idea of you jizzing in your pants at the thought of being able to overclock your processor with the manufacturer’s blessings. It’s an apt metaphor, as overclocking has usually been done at your own risks. To have this condoned, well… that’s pretty awesome. Of course, Intel will charge you for these blessings, but it’s not a huge sum. As you can see from the image, anywhere from $20 to $35 will get you extra coverage should your frenzied gaming needs result in a melted chip, from select models of course:
The Performance Tuning Protection Plan being offered by Intel is a chance for you to experiment with the overclocking features of your processor without the worries of what will happen if you push the procesor too far. The Plan allows you a single processor replacement, hassle-free, from our customer support. This is in addtion to your standard 3 year warranty. In other words, if it fails under normal usage, we will replace it under the standard warranty; if it fails while running outside of Intel’s specifications, we will replace it under the Performance Tuning Protection Plan.
So what we are saying is this: Go ahead and push it, we’ve got your back.
There’s no accounting for taste, they say. And that may be the reason BMW Group subsidiary DesignworksUSA decided to partner up with Thermaltake to produce what you see above. It’s a mouse, and it’s called the Level 10 M gaming mouse. M… I think as in BMW dared use the M nomenclature on a mouse. In my eyes it looks incredibly contrived and needlessly complex, although again, I’m sure there are those who will go “gee-whiz, that’s a fine looking mouse, yes sir-e-bob”! And that’s ok, let me just stick to the facts. For one, the upper plate is height and angle adjustable through the turn of a knob. It’s also perforated, to tackle sweaty palms.
It’s going to be released this spring, but there’s no word on price.
Another day, another Bluetooth connected gamepad for mobile devices. Each iteration tweaks the features a little bit, but I did manage to get my hands on this particular one, the Gametel. It’s sturdily built and has an expendable clasp that can accomodate more than just one phone. As long as your device is less than 5 inches in width, you can have it sitting right above the controller. You can of course use this with tablets as well, but you’ll have more of a console/controller interaction rather than that of a mobile gaming device. And unlike previous devices I’ve seen, this one is compatible with around 150 games.
This accessory has been available for a while in Europe and should make it across the pond sometime in Q1 of this year. You can expect a similar price than its European counterpart, and that’s around $60.
The Chameleon X-1 isn’t a new device, but I’m taking this opportunity to talk about it for the first time. See, it looks like a regular wireless 5-stage adjustable 1,600dpi gaming mouse, but it’s also a “gaming grade” gamepad with force feedback, 16 Buttons and 2 analog sticks. And it’s now gotten some Assassins Creed Revelations thematics, like antique decorated cowhide buttons and some logos. Branding aside, the X-1 is an interesting device for anyone who likes gaming a works diligently at reducing clutter. And it’s $60.
The Assassins Creed version is going to be released at CES next week in “Altair white” and “Ezio grey”, but in the meantime you can get the old X-1, sans leather, on Amazon.
You know as well as me that we all wanted this video to be the real deal. I mean, come on: tiny supercooled toy ships racing around in a track made from superconducting magnets? Heck, it’s a fact that most of us would be trying to find a buyer for our kidneys to get our hands on this. It even seemed more plausible after watching that quantum levitation video that made the rounds last October. But the truth is, folks, this video is probably as fake as the late Steve Jobs’ kind heart (too soon?). For one, Sony is coming out with a new Wipeout game for the PlayStation Vita next month. See that big WipeOut logo in the middle of the track? Yeah… And that “Japan Institute of Science and Technology”? No such thing! It’s called “Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology!” Also, the copyright? “All rights reserved belong to Sony Entertainment and SCE Studio Liverpool.” Finally, look at that smoke closely: it’s CG.
I got to admit it’s a cool video, but it’s nothing more than viral marketing in the making. I’m not saying this stuff won’t exist one day, but we’re just not there yet.
Lovely hand made tribute to the classic game, the Pac Man ukulele is $600. It’s made to order so you have to contact Celentano Woodworks on Etsy for an ETA.
The Pac Man ukulele is 12″ wide and 28″ long. The scale length is 19″ with 18 frets. Made out of maple with an ipa fretboard.
Although not everyone agrees to this definition, there’s a loose consensus that people born in the 80s are Generation Y. They’re relevant in this article because they’re the ones who grew up as console gaming was coming of age. The Nintendo Entertainment System was launched in 1985 in North America and nothing was ever really that same after that. But Generation Y is getting older and getting their game on nowadays with modern shooters like COD, or RPG giants like Skyrim. That doesn’t mean we don’t like to kick it old school now and then, so there’s always a place for something like the Retrode 2 on the market. It allows you to play any of your old Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and Nintendo SNES/SFC games on any PC, no drivers required. The device features two ports for Sega and SNES controllers and two slots for the cartridges. You simply download an emulator (any emulator will do, and the product page features links), plug into the USB port and you’re off to some 16-bit gaming goodness. The device will read the ROM data and even save your games. It’s $85, on pre-order now with shipments January 24.
The thing about gaming is that so much is riding on the controller. Just think about the fundamental differences between PC vs. console gaming, and the advantages a mouse and keyboard can give you over a console controller. The same is true when you move into devices who weren’t created with gaming in mind, but who later discovered a healthy market for it, like the iPhone. There’s no denying that pressing a flat, feedback-less screen is not ideal for gaming. So that’s why we like the GamePad from 60beat. It plugs right into the audio jack of your iDevice and gives you 2 analog sticks, 1 D-pad and 10 action buttons (2 on the joysticks). It needs no batteries since it draws power from the device.
The only problem is the current number of compatible games: 2. Two games! So yeah, it’s great and all, but not very useful unless the company manages to get more developers to include code in their games that takes this particular controller into account. Still, it’s $50.
Related Tags: Gaming, Peripherals
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By David Ponce
