McDonalds Goomba Toy Circa 1993

I totally remember playing with this little guy but I couldn't for the life of me remember what the other toys were. Lucky for me I have access to all the world's information.

Here we are. Okay, I can vaugly recall the Koopa-Troopa (I think my brother got one) but I totally didn't eat enough McDonalds to get either Mario or Luigi. Nintendo, if somehow you can read this, you really need to do something like this for New Super Mario Bros. Future nostaligic bloggers are depending on it!

Welcome Aboard albertese!

While I'll no doubt rue this day I am obliged to offer greetings and sentiments of hospitality to Divertissmentz's first Associate Editor albertese. I've known the guy for more years than I care to recall at the moment so lets just say he doesn't have internet where he lives, I do, and I am generous. He's also extremely funny at times and knows more about Star Trek than I'll ever know about anything ever. With full nerd credentials I expect good things out of the newbie but in any case there's at least one more person to blame this train wreck on. Thank you for your patience.

Hand-Knit Space Invaders Tote Bag

I don't recall seeing this before and since everyone seems to just love video game related crafts here's brendaj's hand-knit Space Invaders style tote bag. Nice work but brendaj seems to do a lot of nice work. Check out her flickr gallery for more.

Thy Dungeonman 3 Released!

This explains why HomestarRunner hadn't updated for a couple weeks. They were working on another awesome Dungeonman game! I haven't played it yet but you can be sure I won't stop till I have every possible point! Check out those graphics! Exclamation mark!

Rumor: Panzer Dragoon Title Coming to Revolution?

Now, anyone of my good friends can tell you I'm a huge fan of Sega's Panzer Dragoon series so obviously that could be playing quite a bit into my interpretation of the below information. But, fanboy delusions aside, IGN mentions in there weekly Revolution centered podcast that they have information they aren't at liberty to divulge at this date. That's not very interesting but what was interesting to me was what they said at the very end of the podcast. IGN editors mention that there was something to look forward to for "old-school shooter fans". Now, obviously the old-school is a very relative term so I'm not certain if a series that started on the Sega Saturn qualifies but I'm going to go out on a limb and just say that is does. I mean, how can you blame me for immediately connecting the pointing abilities of the RevMote to the sweeping lock-on site game-play from Panzer Dragoon? Just look at my 2-second mock-up. It's working right there!

The Melencholoy of Gundam

Fighting Robots

So they're not intelligent and they fall over pretty easily, at least they're finally spunky. Go red bot!

Lasse - Hyperactive

XTO sent me this video saying, "You wish you were this cool." Yes. Yes I do.

Sonic Game I Never Knew?

What's this? A Sonic game I've never seen before? _|￣|○ Failure! Anyway, SEGA made this for arcades and you play it with a track-ball. Controlling Sonic with a track-ball sounds super fun! And is that co-op play I see available!? Maybe if they hadn't given this the all too knock-off sounding name of SEGASONIC the Hedgehog it might have done better.

Brain Age = 23

Today I hit my lowest brain age since I started measuring it a few days ago. That's right, I got down to my real age of 23. Only 3 more years to shave back before I'm some kind of perfect brain super thinker person. Honestly, is a Brain Age really good for anything? Certainly didn't help me come up with anything witty to say right now.

4 Color Rebellion Too!?!

Dang, my little site is getting all over the gamer side of the blogosphere today! Next stop: THE MOON!

Nintendo Bent On Living Room Domination

In this snippet from an interview with Mario's Dad Shigeru Miyamoto he lets slip what sounds like a pretty bold aspiration. "We want each household to always have a Revolution console connected to their TV. If someone comes into your house and there isn't a Revolution sitting next to the TV, we want them to argue, and say, "Oh! Why don't you have Revolution?" We want a brand new relationship between people and their TVs through the Revolution." Actually, now that I think about it, wasn't this kind of like the heyday of the NES? I'm thinking they're looking to repeat the NES level of success and then some. I'm not doubting that this is a genuine possibility.

Apple Following Microsoft's Lead?

In a disturbing twist of computer industry narrative it appears Microsoft actually came up with something before Apple. So what does Apple do about it? The same thing Microsoft always does: they make a lame rip-off. By now everyone has heard of Microsoft's uninteresting (to me anyway) Origami project. Well, the only thing about the little shrunken tablet that perked my heed was there twin thumb qwerty arcs that appear on both lower sides of the touch screen, presumably whenever one is at a field for the alphanumeric data insertion. Apparently Apple felt the same way and decided to combine both arcs into one and patent it. Way to go Apple. One more step to mass-appeal mediocrity.

Easter Bunny Hates You Video

This cracked me up.

New Sam & Max Strip

In case you haven't caught it yet there's a new Sam & Max strip up.

Kotaku Linked Me!?!

Holy cow! Now I'm gonna get readers! I better start freak'n updating!

Japanese Contraptions

If you ever wanted to know what creativity looks like, the Japanese have video taped it for us.

Hyper Creepy Evangelion Plate

Just ran into this while stumbling about the vast internets and I had no choice but to post this image. That is the most disturbing piece of dinnerware in existence. Man has not found a food delicious enough to make me come near that thing. You know it would move the moment you touched your meal.

Nintendo-style Crafts

Tamara sends me the craft'n love again with these amigurumi (I think that's what they're clalled) of some Nintendo characters. Now if only the Nintendo DS could teach me to crochet I could get in on this nerdcore action. Ah well, back to Brain Age so I can finally learn my times-tables./shame

iPod Killed the Radio Star

Podcasting News shows an interesting trend about good ol' fashioned AM and FM radio. It sucks. And people are finally starting to realize it. Now that being a no skill DJ is easy for anyone with an MP3 player, listeners are wising up and tuning in less to the static. "27% of people 12-24 attribute their reduced use of radio to MP3 use; 22% attributed it to tired radio programming; 3% attributed it to podcast listening." I'd expect podcasts to become the new obnoxious morning show that you can actually skip and listen to music instead.

Yakitate!! Japan: Bread Baking EXTREME

Been watching this series for a little while now and it's becoming one of my all time favorites. This show illustrates perfectly the ability of anime to take something seemingly plane and boring and then super over dramatize it! I also just love these shows about characters against insanely impossible odds who always figure a way out at the last second. Maybe a MacGyver anime would work? Anyway, if real bread baking is even half as intense as they make it look in this show then they need to start showing this stuff on Spike TV between TnA and WWE wrestling.

Garage Games Coming to Revolution Virtual Console?

In this interview with Jay Moore of Garage Games he neither confirms nor denies that they will have games on Nintendo's Revolution console via the Virtual Console on-line download service but he does bring up the fact that their booth was right next to Nintendo's Gamers Lounge at GDC. I'm betting this will definitely happen and I'm really looking forward to it. Marble Blast was awesome when I played it on my Mac and I have no doubt in Garage Games ability to utilize the RevMote to diversely entertaining ends.

New VG Cats

I'd been waiting for someone to make fun of those PSP ads. Glad to see Scott bring the goods.

First Video of "Female Type" Robot

The first video of Kyoto's Robot Garage's FT Robot has emerged. My take? A little bit wobbly and loud but still quite impressive. I don't understand why everyone keeps calling it sexy though. When I saw that little robot work'n it all I could think was, "Awwwwww, KAWAII!!!"

Final Episode of REC

Well, after nine short episodes this adorable little love story comes to a close. The final connecting between our heroes was completely priceless as they fall into each others arms right in front of Matsumaru's oblivious co-worker. Matsumaru was probably thinking, "How you like me now?" I enjoyed this series immensely and I'm hoping to see more short form series like this in the future.

Chronio Walking Video

Taken from his own personal profile is this video of Chronio strutting his stuff. I would nearly pay for one of these just to have him walk around my room like that all day.

Anime-Style Fembot

I am really digging the design of this new robot from Kyoto's Robot Garage. It looks like it should be starring in a cutting-edge anime series but it's a real flipping robot! The company behind it is responsible for two other attractive robot designs that were the first to actually walk like they mean it.

New White Ninja

I like his expression in panel 5.

ATL

Saw ATL with some friends last night. Not what I was expecting. It actually wasn't bad. The characters were well defined and worked well together. Didn't expect the roller-dancing but it seemed rather well portrayed. Okay, spoilers after this so stop reading now if you care about that kind of thing. My only gripes come from the way the movie seemed to be building up to the big roller-dance tournament "Skate Wars" the whole time but in the end the lead character can't go because he has to stop a drug dealer from shooting is little brother. That I wouldn't mind if it had ended up meaning a little more, with maybe someone dying from it, but in the end everyone lives and it's all happy but we get no roller-dance-off.

ZOMGBBQ! First Real Revolution Screens!

Just click on them already!

Nerds Love Knitting?

Apparently so. I guess these are for... keeping your iPod ear-buds' wires warm? *Sigh* Sometimes I wonder if I have any idea what a nerd even is anymore. Thanks Tamara!

Tycho Makes More Good Points About Macs

Tycho at Penny Arcade once again summarizes all of the computer world in deft succinctness with his latest news post (not a permanent link). His experiences with Apple's Boot Camp and loading Windows XP on his new iMac were apparently pleasant. He notes that he's recently placed himself in the new and all too familiar position of Mac-lovers, having to defend the platform. He does so now easily by saying, "As a mobile option, I think it's already a compelling choice - but until the full desktop line becomes available, these developments are largely nerd trivia. When Apple starts making machines that you can replace the videocard in, machines that run every OS and every application without the taint of performance sapping emulation, the conversation will become very interesting."

Random: Cool Bio-Mechanical Plant Thing Video

These things kinda give me the jibblys but they are very interesting looking. Made by them.

Shocking News! Blogger a Nintendo Fanboy!

Okay, so it's not shocking at all. What can I say? Not playing something I don't have yet is always going to be better than what I could be playing now... but aren't. Yeah, that made sense.

Game History Museum Exhibit

Wishing I could check this out myself, I find that Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry is featuring what appears to only be the second exhibit in a series known as "Game On". The exhibit lets visitors actually play a gamut of history's video-based diversions. What I would have loved to try the most was their actually playable stand-up of the first video game ever made, Space War. That would be like... something I can't come up with a metaphor for right now. Good thing no one's reading this.

First Video of Rockstar's Table Tennis

Okay, yeah, wow. This really does look good. For the first time I can actually see an argument for graphics helping out in the realm of game-play. This looks like you could actually feel the little hollow ping pong ball. Simply stunning.

Megatokyo Forum Returns

Megatokyo's forums have apparently recovered from their server issues and are back on-line. Let the audacious competitive out-cooling of super nerds with anime girls for avatars resume!

Chiptunes? Where Have I Been!

Wow have I been missing out. I'd heard a little about people making music using old GameBoys and Nintendos but now that I've heard for myself what these evil geniuses can do I'm completely hooked. GameSetWatch features the story of PulseWave, a NYC all chiptune show that sounds like the place to be. Imagine a room packed with people raving to super amplified Tetris and you're either getting the idea or a headache. If you like dance music though, you should definitely check out that article and listen to those artists demos.

Revolution Graffiti Game?

A new title, "Getting Up" could be making its way to the Revolution. When played on Nintendo's next-gen console the player would actually wield the remote-style controller as if it were a spray can, even shaking it to mix up the paint. (Little rattling ball not included.) 4 color rebellion has the details.

Request: Difference Between Trance and Breakbeat

Just got hit with a request for a post from my brother-in-law. He asks for an explanation of the difference between Trance and Breakbeat electronic music. Well, this I only know from the sounds of the music myself. I know what a "break" is in terms of the kind of rhythm and those are easy to tell apart from the kinds of rhythms usually heard in Trance music with its 4/4 boom boom boom boom. But, let's hit the ol' wikipedia for a purportedly accurate explanation.
Alright, here's the definition of
"Breakbeat (sometimes breakbeats or breaks) is a term used to describe a collection of sub-genres of electronic music, usually characterized by the use of a non-straighted 4/4 drum pattern (as opposed to the steady beat of house or trance). These rhythms may be characterised by their use of syncopation and polyrhythms, which are prominent in all music of African origin, including much Afro-American music."
So yeah, that even compared it to Trance... so no need to look that definition up. Well, there you have it, another request in the bucket. Okay, so it was my first. I'm a fraud.

Keyboard Shoes

I really have nothing to add to that image.

Tired of Learning How Stuff Works? There's How Stuff Breaks!

Beautiful.

Table Tennis from Makers of Grand Theft Auto: Pretty Good

GameSetWatch has a nice report on Rockstar's latest title: Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis. Yes, the company known for bringing us the wholly un-Christian Grand Theft Auto series decided to take things a completely different direction by making what appears to be a pretty solid Table Tennis sim. That's right, nothing there but wholesome Table Tennis fun for the whole family! Guess you have to take a break from subverting the youth every now and then to have a good old round of ping pong.

Get Ready for the "Toll-Strewn" Internet

CNET brings the lowdown on a bill passed by our beloved U.S. Congress that fails to mandate neutrality in ISP site serving. "Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, took aim at Barton's proposal on Monday. "This legislation begins the construction of a multilayered, toll-strewn information superhighway that is out of sync with what has made the Internet work: access for all," said Wyden, who introduced his own bill earlier this month mandating Net neutrality."

Foshata = Hilarity

What do you get when you mix Japanese TV commercials and user-made subtitles? Comedy gold, that's what.

Gamers Now Ready to "Switch"

CNET.com.au strikes a cord with me in this article predicting that a vast number of gamers have all been sitting around waiting for a good excuse to switch to Macs. Now that Apple has officially sanctioned Windows on their machines there's nothing stopping the users from running whatever game they want. I too felt a shift in the tide when the proprietors of Penny Arcade themselves both purchased Intel-based Macs. The day Boot Camp was announced Tycho at Penny Arcade posted that he would be installing it that afternoon and I wouldn't be surprised to find out later that he no longer used his PC.

Cool Mac Screensaver?

For Mac users like myself who don't have an Intel CPU we just have to resort to little things like this Hills screensaver and imagine how wonderful it would be to run Microsoft's aesthetically serene OS./sarcasm

Google Earth Coming to Your Car

Now this is exactly what I need. I'm terribly, let's call it, directionally retarded. So the first time I saw Google Earth I thought, "Put this in my car!" Then I thought, wait no, how would my car be connected to high-speed internet? Well, in Japan that is already how their in-car navigation systems work and soon Honda will add bona fide Google Earth to their cars. Japan, when will you stop trying to make me move to you?

Hands on Experience with Boot Camp

Mossberg over at the WSJ gave his hands on experience with Apple's new Boot Camp. Looks like a Mac makes for the best Windows machine too. If any of my friends are reading this, I'm here to let you know that it's safe now to buy a Mac... now that they've had to taint them for you sorry saps.

Brave Story

Ran into this and I have to admit that I am intrigued. With the Warner Brothers logo at the start of the trailer I wonder if this isn't another stab by Hollywood execs to capitalize on the animes kids are all talk'n 'bout.

New Super Mario Bros Looking Good

1up has a drool inducing preview of the new Super Mario Brothers game cleverly titled, New Super Mario Bros. My favorite part is now when you're invincible you become the size of the whole screen and just start running through everything. Now THAT'S how you pick up every coin!

Rock'n Roll Racing from makers of WOW

Blizzard put out what looks like a pretty killer little GBA game in the vein of the classic NES title RC Pro-Am. Thanks IGN!

Video of Apple's New Boot Camp Install Sequence

Apple's completely rad new Boot Camp utility that gives lucky (or un-lucky) Intel-based Mac users the ability to install and run natively Windows XP is exposed for the curious. Uneasysilence has the video playback of how smooth this undertaking now is. Enjoy the rising stock values Apple.

Advent Children USA Screening

Some lucky bastards in LA Monday got to go to a FREE screening of Final Fantasy Advent Children. Sure, they lined up for hours but that's still a pretty sweet deal. Besides getting to watch such a fully awesome flick they also got to hang with celebrities. Certainly worth waiting in line if you ask me.

Launch of Divertissmentz!

Welcome to the very first post at the Divertissmentz web log! The idea behind this blog is to update as frequently as humanly possible about all the things that this site's editor finds interesting. These could be new technological discoveries, news about an upcoming video game, something Apple Computers did that was cool, a show or movie that was good (or bad), or anything else the kids on the internets happening to be talking about. This place can get really nerdy but it also keeps a healthy perspective on things that anyone could enjoy. So kick back, pull up a comfy chair, and let the refresh button be your guide to a diversion filled life-style.