RC toys based on the Mario Kart games have been around for a while now. But typically as very tiny versions, most suitable for racing on a desk. ThinkGeek has managed to get their hands on some much larger versions, but I raise an eyebrow when they refer to them as ‘Super Deluxe’.

They’re certainly the most detailed versions of Mario and Yoshi behind the wheel that I’ve ever seen. And you’d expect them to be pretty fast given the size of motor their scale allows for. But I’ve seen misbalanced washing machines make their way across a room faster than these do. Just check out ThinkGeek’s video of them in action.

And while it’s kind of cool to see real-life versions of both of these characters in a kart, racing them just isn’t the same without shells, banana peels and other power-ups. Particularly when they’re $119.99 each.

[ Super Deluxe Mario R/C Cars ]

Do you always find your thumb sliding off the Nintendo 3DS’ analog control stick during an intense gaming session? Of course you don’t! But Cyber Gadget still wants to sell you this set of add-on covers that supposedly add a bit of extra grip to the 3DS’ sliding analog control stick. Available in 3 colors, presumably to match the color options of the 3DS itself, the pads appear to mimic the finishes of the analog sticks on the Xbox, PS3 and even the PSP. And since I’m assuming the 3DS’ clamshell design won’t close with this attached, it includes a strap holder so it can dangle off the side.

Available 5 days from now on July 30, though pricing information has not been specified just yet. They’ve got plenty of time though right?

[ Cyber Sliding Pad Covers For The 3DS ] VIA [ Tiny Cartridge ]

So far E3 hasn’t brought much in terms of major news or announcements. But this morning Nintendo provided a bit of a sneak peek at the upcoming successor to the Wii, which unfortunately isn’t going to be available until 2012. The WiiU is its official moniker, and while Nintendo revealed virtually nothing about the console itself in terms of tech specs or even how it will look, they did show a few samples of its graphic capabilities, which at this point are considerably more advanced than the Wii. But it’s not a hard act to follow in that regard.

They did however spill the beans on the WiiU’s new controller, which confirms rumors over the past month that it will include a touchscreen display. It does indeed, a 6.2-inch one to be exact, that can mirror gameplay seen on a TV screen, or show independent gaming elements like items screens, maps, scopes and I’m sure a million other ideas no one’s thought of yet. As a controller it’s got a couple of analog control sticks, a 4-way directional pad mirrored with individual A, B, X & Y buttons on the other side, as well as shoulder buttons and z-trigger buttons on the back. It also sports a front facing camera, and other modern gaming features like rumble and gyroscope-based motion controls.

When the TV is being used the WiiU controller will still let you play your games, serving as a handheld alternate display as images from the new console are wirelessly streamed to it. (Presumably without a hint of lag.) While it’s not designed to be a portable gaming system like the 3DS, it apparently can still be used like one when in proximity of the console. And even though the official reveal of everything the WiiU has to offer is still a while away, Nintendo will have a series of technology demos at their E3 booth showing unique ways the new controller can be used.

Update: It looks like Nintendo has provided a few images of what the WiiU console actually looks like. As well as a few tech spec snippets including the fact it will use a custom 45nm IBM processor, has full 1080P support, can access and store content on external storage devices like a hard drive connected to one of four USB ports and will still use optical discs as a game medium. And of course it’s fully backwards compatible with the original Wii, including use of the motion controllers.

[ Nintendo ]

Improved graphics and a 3D screen might have made the latest of version Nintendogs + Cats for the 3DS seem a lot more realistic than the original 2006 version, but it certainly can’t compete with the 3D effect of Activision’s upcoming pet sim title, Wappy Dog. Like with Nintendogs + Cats, you get to interact with a virtual representation of Wappy Dog, who looks like a kid-friendly version of Sony’s AIBO. But the hook is that the game also comes with a real-life version of Wappy Dog that includes touch sensors, a mic and is able to wirelessly communicate with the 3DS. So you can interact with it via the game, or in real life.

The goal, like with all these pet sim games, is to improve Wappy Dog’s mood by taking care of it with regular feedings, cleanings and playing games. Five different mood states are expressed through the colors of its light-up cheeks, covering everything from unhappy to stubborn to happy and content. Players can also talk to Wappy with more than 18 different voice prompts being recognized, and it will respond with one of 350+ evolving barks that are translated via the 3DS. And because the whole point of the 3DS is to be a portable gaming system, Wappy Dog offers two modes, Home & Travel, that allow you to keep playing with the dog while you’re away from it. And when you return, your dog’s progress will be synced back to its physical counterpart. Available sometime this Holiday season.

[ Wappy Dog ]

By Chris Scott Barr

If you’re planning to invest in a 3DS later this month, there are a couple of things that might interest you. First off, if you’re the kind of person that enjoys watching movies on a tiny screen, then you’ll love this. Nintendo has announced that you’ll be able to stream the entire Netflix library to your newest handheld gaming console. But how often are you going to be connected to the internet when you’re not at home?

It seems you’ll have more WiFi options than you might have thought. The company has teamed up with AT&T to give you free access to over 10,000 WiFi hotspots. The unfortunate part is that neither of these features will be hitting at launch. You’ll need to wait until a software update hits sometime in May.

[ Nintendo ] VIA [ Joystiq ]

It’s hard to find fault with Apple’s own wireless Bluetooth keyboard, but if you’d prefer to punch away at something designed by Nintendo instead, this is the first pic of the keyboard accessory that will be included with the upcoming Battle & Get! Pokemon Typing DS. The game is basically the same idea as those Mavis Beacon programs you might have used in school to learn how to properly type, but with more entertaining challenges, and a sure-fire way to keep kids interested; Pokemon!

Since the DS is lacking in Bluetooth connectivity the actual Battle & Get! Pokemon Typing DS game cart will include the necessary Bluetooth hardware (at least that’s how I interpret Google’s translation of Nintendo’s Press Release) which means the keyboard can’t be used with other titles that require typing. However, while Nintendo won’t guarantee everything is smooth sailing, the keyboard apparently also works just fine with the iPhone and Android based smartphones. The game and keyboard are slated to hit store shelves in Japan in April, though pricing info, and availability outside Japan, is still unknown.

[ PR - Nintendo's Third-Quarter Results Briefing ] VIA [ Joystiq ]

If the uncertainty has had you holding back on placing a pre-order, you’ll happy to know that Nintendo has finally revealed that their new 3DS system will be officially hitting the United States on March 27th for $249.99, in stylish Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black color schemes. And even more importantly, between the console’s release and E3 in June there will be over 30 titles announced including an updated 3D version of Nintendogs+Cats, the glorious return of the PilotWings franchise, their new Kid Icarus title and of course a 3D version of one of the greatest video game titles of all time, the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

[ Tiny Cartridge - 3DS launching March 27 in U.S. for $249 ]

While Nintendo does what it can to hinder ‘homebrew’ solutions from running on their various consoles and gaming platforms, eventually their measures are compromised. The most recent success comes from Team Cyclops, who were responsible for the most excellent CycloDS Evolution for the DS and DSLite. Of course those carts don’t work on the latest version of the DS, the DSi, but the team’s upcoming CycloDS iEvolution will, with an important advantage over its competitors.

The DSi’s countermeasures were circumvented a while ago, but only while the DSi was in ‘DSL’ mode, meaning its new tricks like the cameras and SD card slot were inaccessible to homebrew applications. But Team Cyclops’ new card works in ‘DSi’ mode which means that developers will finally have the ability to access those features. The new cart isn’t available to the public just yet, but the team is encouraging legitimate homebrew developers to contact them for a free iEVO cart to help in its development.

[ Team Cyclops' CycloDS iEvolution ] VIA [ GBAtemp.net ]

This post is syndicated with permission from GamerFront.net

Boobs and Goombas: A Super Mario Burlesque has been playing in Chicago for the past few weeks. This show was going to run until the end of October, but has been so popular that it has been extended into December because of it’s popularity.

Why am I writing about this you may ask? If it hasn’t hit you yet, an extraordinary opportunity came up and I did in fact, get to to witness this outstanding performance this past weekend.

Put on by the Gorilla Tango Theater, this comedy burlesque is pretty much everything you could ever want from Mario and more. A sexually frustrated Mario and Luigi are still in search of Princess Peach, and find that everything around them is starting to turn into beautiful and sexy women…even their most deadly enemies.

The storyline brings up several references from the games and paints them in a new, hilarious light. Sewers that are remarkably clean of waste. What happens if Luigi and Mario finally save Peach? Oh and my personal favorite; What Toad actually does for the Mario Bros.

Toad: “dude, man I got some Raccoon tail that will totally like, it’ll make you flyyy..”

With a tip jar that makes coin noises, a girl fight involving clothes being ripped off, pasties galore, and an alternate ending that will change how you see Mario for the rest of your life, I recommend that you buy your ticket in advance now, find a way to Chicago, and see this production as if your life depended on it. It sent the entire audience into hysterics and was sold out almost every night. This is more than well worth the $15 that you will put into a ticket!

[ Gorilla Tango ] VIA [ GamerFront ]

DealExtreme, purveyors of bizarre, unlicensed video game crap (plus other stuff) and masters of the watermark are now offering this Wii console shaped SATA hard drive enclosure ($9.70) that for some reason includes two plastic Wiimote-shaped whistles. Tiny Wiimote-shaped USB flash drives makes way more sense to me, though including those as a premium probably costs a lot more than 1/3 of a cent.

[ Mini Wii Console Shaped USB 2.0 2.5" SATA Portable Hard Drive Enclosure ] VIA [ Tiny Cartridge ]