Games Gadget Inspector

New Super Mario Bros Wii Dolphin

2009-12-05T00:53:00.000-08:00

Dolphin-x64-r4628, E8400 @ 3.8ghz, 4GB RAM, Nvidia GTX 260 216 Core.
Settings were at 1080p 4AA 16AF DX9 mode.

Ran at constant 60FPS with perfect audio too with no graphical errors. Due to recording with Fraps it recorded at 30FPS and caused audio problems which do not happen otherwise.

This video presents a couple of minutes taken from New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the latest brainchild of talented Shigeru Miyamoto San which brings Nintendo’s unbearable mustache-equipped plumber on the new-gen and sells an enormous amount of copies worldwide. The game is fresh, the Dolphin SVN build used to record the video too and the Full HD resolution is a luxury no Wii physical machine could afford, something made possible just thanks to the magic of emulation and (of course) the PC platform superior power.

The system used for the YouTube performance is a respectable rig, equipped with an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 CPU overclocked at 3,8 GHz, GPU NVIDIA GTX 260 and 4 Gigabytes of RAM. According to the author on such a system New Super Mario Bros./Dolphin runs at constant 60 FPS without problems of sorts, while the clip presents half the speed and some audio distortions because of the recording work by Fraps.

Mind-controlled Headsets for games

2008-02-21T05:32:00.000-08:00

Emotiv, the San Francisco neuro-engineering company with research labs in Australia, believes that future communication between human and machine will be inputted directly from gamers' minds.

And they have proved their point. The Emotiv headset makes it possible for games today to be controlled and influenced by the player's mind.
Based on the latest developments in neuro-technology, Emotiv has developed a new personal interface for human computer interaction.
Emotiv has recently presented the first consumer brain computer interface at the Game Developers Conference 2008, and has introduced its Software Development Kit (SDK) together with the Beta version of the headset controller hardware to developers and designers.

The brain is made up of approximately 100 billion nerve cells, which are called neurons. With the billions of active neurons, the brain tissue contains a myriad of active current sources that cause the local electrical potential to endlessly fluctuate with a great deal of variability.
Each human brain is unique, both physically and functionally. The folding of the cortex of the human brain is also highly individual, meaning the way in which the external surface of the brain is folded individualizes the potentials, regardless of how functionality is mapped in each brain. Using non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG), the measurement of electrical activity produced by the brain as recorded from electrodes placed on the scalp, it is possible to observe each person's individual electrical brain activity.

By detecting and classifying both human conscious thoughts and non-conscious emotions, it is possible for computers to to be controlled and influenced by the user's mind.
The Emotiv headset uses a set of sensors to tune into electric signals naturally produced by the brain to detect player thoughts, feelings and expression. It connects wirelessly with all game platforms from consoles to PCs.

Applications for the Emotiv technology can span numerous industries, such as interactive television, accessibility design, market research, medicine, or even security, although the company is currently focusing on the electronic games industry.

RFID-enabled Nabaztag/tag

2008-02-05T16:18:00.000-08:00

Nabaztag is a Wi-Fi-enabled device toy in the shape of a rabbit, that uses sound, lights, changes color and moves its ears to provide you with real-time information about information it gathers from the Internet.

Its name comes from the Armenian word for "rabbit", but don't let yourself fool either for its name or its appearance. Nabaztag is actually a pretty "smart object", technologically speaking.
The bunny features a microcontroller, a Wi-Fi adaptor, a sound generator, an ADPCM converter, two motors to activate the ears, a LED controller, and a small amount of memory for a virtual machine capable of executing up to 64kb of code.

Nabaztag can connect to the Internet to read emails, deliver podcasts, download weather forecasts and since he is fully programmable based on any RSS-enabled content thanks to a dedicated assembly language, he could even alert you when a stock changes price, for example.

The latest version ofthe Nabaztag. called the Nabaztag/tag comes with a microphone placed in his belly that allows it to recognize speech and reply accordingly activating some of its services.
It also supports mp3 audio streaming for internet radio and podcasts.

Another feature added since November 2007 is a built-in RFID reader that allows him to use RFID tags to read special edition versions of children's books by the French publisher Editions Gallimard Jeunesse.
An RFID tag is an object that can be incorporated into an object or an animal for the purpose of identification using radiowaves. RFID tags are being used today for many purpose such as Passports, Product tracking, Animal identification, Inventory systems, Human implants, Libraries, Schools and Universities.
When an RFID tagged book is placed in front of the Nabaztag, he retrieves a recording of the story from the Internet and begins to read it out. The rabbit's ears act as fast-forward or rewind controls.
The rabbit also remembers where it reached in the book so it can resume the story-telling from where he stopped.
Further RFID services and support for the Nabaztag/tag have been promised for the near future.

More Info:
Nabaztag Official Website
Nabaztag's Blog

Games Gadget Inspector's AdSense Player

2008-02-01T01:54:00.000-08:00

YouTube has launched a new service called AdSense Players.

With AdSense Players you create customized video players for publishing to Websites or Blogs, using keywords or pre-selected premium content, like you see below:

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

This Post is just a test to see what AdSense Player picks up from the content of the Games Gadget Inspector's Blog.
Comments are welcome.

LittleBigPlanet

2008-01-14T12:35:00.000-08:00

Watching the demo of LittleBigPlanet at CES 2008 one can't help to think of Second Life.

Reading the Press Release from Sony PlayStation 3 confirms that impression:

"The LittleBigPlanet experience starts with players learning about their character’s powers to interact physically with the environment. There are obstacles to explore, bits and pieces to collect and puzzles to solve – requiring a combination of brains and collaborative teamwork. As players begin to explore, their creative skills will grow and they will be ready to start creating and modifying their surroundings – the first step to sharing them with the whole community.

Characters have the power to move anything in this glued and stitched-together landscape; they have the power to design, shape and build both objects and entire locations for others to play.

There’s no complicated level editor; all of these skills can be learnt by simply playing the game. Creativity is part of the gameplay experience and playing is part of the creative experience. Players can make their world as open or as secretive to explore as they like.

When it’s ready, they can invite anyone within the LittleBigPlanet community to come and explore their patch – or can go and explore everybody else’s."

Key features:

There’s not just one way to play. Players craft their own individual experience
Unlimited possibilities for user-created content – players can customize everything: their characters, the landscape around them and their own patch on LittleBigPlanet
Players discover and win new skills and items to aid them on their creative journey
Initial levels will be provided – endless others will be user-generated on a global scale. LittleBigPlanet will change every day as players contribute their own levels
Online and offline multiplayer modes – play alone, work as a team or get competitive
LittleBigPlanet global community for players to get involved with: includes player comments, rankings and easy communication with new and existing friends

Original announcements pointed to a release of LittleBigPlanet early in 2008, but recently Sony has confirmed that the release of the game has been delayed until September 2008.

More Info:

LittleBigPlanet at Media Molecule
LittleBigPlanet Full Demo Run at GDC 2007 at GameVideos.com

The Eye of the PlayStation

2007-10-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Sony has announced the launch of the next-generation EyeToy peripheral starting October 23.

This one is designed specifically for the PlayStation 3, and named the PlayStation Eye.
It will come bundled with free software package EyeCreate, allowing users to record videos, audio and photos, which can be stored on the PS3's hard drive.

The PlayStation Eye is the successor to the EyeToy for the PlayStation 2.
a digital camera device, similar to a webcam, that uses computer vision to process images taken by the camera.
It allows players to interact with games using motion, color detection and even sound, through its in-built microphone.

PlayStation Eye is capable of capturing standard video with high frame rates of 60 hertz at a 640x480 pixel resolution, and 120 hertz at 320x240 pixels, which is "four times the resolution" and "two times the frame-rate" of the EyeToy, according to Sony and the boy below:

The peripheral will be sold in a bundle with The Eye of Judgment in the United States for US$69.99 starting October 23, 2007, in Japan and Australia on October 25, 2007 for JP¥9,980 and AU$159.95, and in Europe on November 7, 2007 for £69.99.
PlayStation Eye will also be available as a stand-alone product, for $39.99 at all major retailers.

Below a sample video showing out some of the minigames and the power of the all seeing PlayStation Eye:

and another one showing The Eye of Judgment:

More Info:
PlayStation Blog

Dance Dance Revolution for Wii

2007-10-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party is the Wii version of the popular rhythm game series Dance Dance Revolution.

The original Dance Dance Revolution is a dance fitness simulation game in which players step on 4 one or more of the arrows on the floor panel at the right time, as indicated by the arrows that appear on the screen.
Depending on how good your timing is, the screen will flash the corresponding miss or perfect.
Players get points from making a number of successful steps.

The player bar located down the bottom of the screen displays how the player is doing:
- "Perfect!" or "Great!" steps will increase the bar
- Misses or near misses will decrease the bar.
After the song finishes the player is given a rank based on his/her dancing performance ranging from Fail to SS.
Any score different from a Fail allows the player to continue.

Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party uses the Wii's Nintendo GameCube controller ports.
Hottest Party also supports the Wii Remote and Nunchuk attachment, allowing the user to use their hands while playing.

Some of its features are:

Support up to 4 simultaneous players
Soundtracks includes licensed smash-hits from the last 4 decades
Use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk while dancing for greater total body interaction
Swing the Wii controller to send obstructions to your opponents while competing
New gameplay twists, fun minigames and other challenges
Added modes and difficulties for all ages, including Friendly Synch and Kind Support Mode

The original Dance Dance Revolution is targeted for both children and adults and besides the Arcade version, it has been released on a number of video game consoles, including the PlayStation, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Color, Xbox, and Xbox 360.
Home versions are bundled with soft plastic dance pads and some third-party manufacturers produce hard metal pads at a higher price.

There's also a version of Dance Dance Revolution produced for the PC in North America. It uses the interface of Dance Dance Revolution 4thMix, and contains around 40 songs from the first six mainstream arcade releases.

Playing Dance Dance Revolution is an excellent aerobic exercise and a great calorie burner.
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic, found that children playing Dance Dance Revolution expended significantly more energy than children watching television and playing traditional video games.
That's the reason why West Virginia’s authorities has committed to installing the game in all 765 of its public schools by next year to encourage physical activity and help fight obesity.

"If we can get children to change their behavior at a young age they hopefully will grow up to be healthy, active adults, which would have a positive effect on health care costs,"

said Carl Callison from Mountain State Blue Cross.

Available from:
Konami

Wii outsells Xbox worldwide

2007-09-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

Vgchartz.com, has announced that lifetime sales of Nintendo's Wii have passed Microsoft's Xbox 360 on a worldwide basis as of August 23rd.

Two years ago, very few analysts would have predicted the Nintendo Wii would be market leader this generation against the established Playstation and Xbox brands. But analysts can be in error: Vgchartz.com data, which is based on sample data from retailers all over the world indicates that the week ending August 23rd Nintendo's Wii (which was released one year after the Xbox 360 in November 2006), currently standing at 10.57 million consoles sold, passed Xbox 360 lifetime sales of 10.51 million units, making Nintendo the new market leader in both the home and handheld videogame console businesses.

As weekly data from vgchartz.com shows, the console outsold Microsoft’s Xbox 360 by a margin of 2.3 : 1 worldwide on average each week since its release, selling at an even faster rate than the most successful console ever created, Sony's Playstation 2, despite still being sold out in most major markets.

This is the first time that a company has been market leader in the home console and the handheld market since 1994 when Nintendo’s Super NES and Gameboy dominated worldwide.

One factor that has no doubt helped Nintendo's Wii to gain so quickly is the console's broad appeal across all age groups, demographics and countries.

Current sales figures for the three major markets are:

3.46 million have been sold in Japan
4.24 million have been sold in the American market (including Canada and South America)
2.87 million have been sold in Other markets (including Europe and Australia and a few niche markets)

Source:
http://www.vgchartz.com

Wind Powered Walking "Gadgets"

2007-07-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

Theo Jansen builds mobile sculptural creatures of plastic yellow tubes.
These skeletons which are able to walk on the wind.

The walking skeletons are powered by wind energy.
Eventually he wants "to put these animals out in herds on the beaches, so they will live their own lives."

The Animaris Rhinoceros Transport is 4.70 meters tall, but can be set into motion by one person. Because of its height it catches enough wind to start moving.

It is equipped with passenger seats and can be used for transport.
However, "due to the fact that one must wait until strong wind comes from the right direction, living quarters must be made in the animal to make travel agreeable."

Mini Helicopters

2007-07-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Mini helicopters are taking the world by storm this year and firebox.com spent a long time testing every single one (its a tough job) to bring you a selection of the best.

	PicoZ Micro Helicopter Small chopper, big fun Swoop by superiors, hover past heads of department and touch down on the boss's bald patch with this astonishingly tiny infra-red chopper. Controlled via a nifty transmitter that doubles up as a charger, the ready-to-fly PicoZ is virtually crash resistant and ideal for indoor flights. More...


	Micro Mosquito Helicopter Have you got the bug? If you thought chucking paper planes around the office was entertaining, wait till you see this bug-like chopper in action. The world's smallest fully-functional RC 'copter is a triumph of aeronautical design, and it's so incredibly manoeuvrable you'll be performing desktop fly-bys before you can say "Noel Edmonds". More...


	Storm Launcher Kick up a storm on any surface You won't believe your eyes when you see this revolutionary RC vehicle in action. Not because it rockets across any surface - including water, concrete, sand and grass - but because it can actually take off and fly through the air! More...


	Walkera 5-6 Genius Chopper Proper precision chopper Piloting a real helicopter requires skill, dexterity and a big pair of headphones. But thanks to this brilliant 4-channel RC chopper you can bin the cans and concentrate on the flying part. Perfect for PicoZ/Mosquito fans looking to step up to the next level. The only way is up. And down. And forwards and backwards and… More...


	Screaming Flying Monkey How to lose friends and alienate people Bored of life? Simply pull back this gangly, superhero-style monkey's arms and watch as he catapults through the air, screeching like a loon. Monkey business? More like monkey lunacy! More...


	X-Twin Bi-Plane Flying lessons? Nah! Crack out your goggles and take to the skies with this supremely manoeuvrable little RC plane. Ultra lightweight, the rechargeable X-Twin can even be flown indoors. Open skies? Who needs 'em! More...


	Pterosaur Everyone fly the dinosaur Look out! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Actually it's a flying dinosaur that you control via remote control. Pterosaur flaps its wings in a highly realistic (we imagine) fashion and is incredibly manoeuvrable, outdoors. (Doug McClure sold separately). Another Firebox UK First! More...


	Moller Skycar M400 Roads are sooo last year... Why travel in 2D when you can travel in three dimensions? The Skycar will put an end to road rage. Stuck behind slow-moving traffic? Then take to the air, my man. More...


	Palm Z Micro Plane It's an inside job! Fly through the air with the greatest of ease without getting off the sofa with this incredible miniature RC plane. Specifically designed for indoor use, the ultra-light, rechargeable Palm Z is amazingly manoeuverable and its tri-band system allows three planes to fly simultaneously. Another Firebox UK First! More...

From:
firebox.com

Website is For Sale

2007-05-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

A unique opportunity to acquire the Gadget Inspector's website

URL: http://www.gadgetinspector.net

It is divided into the following sections, linked to Amazon.com:

More Info here:

http://gadgetinspectors.blogspot.com/

Contact: Rafa Minuesa
Phone: (34) 620 44 33 47
Email: info@gadgetinspector.net

Transformers: The Game Uncovered

2007-02-10T05:13:00.000-08:00

IGN has revealed the first data about Transformers: The Game.
Developed by Traveler's Tales (best known for their work on the Lego Star Wars series), the game will hit the PC and all major consoles (PS2, PS3, Wii, xbox 360) this 2007 Summer.

http://dtlb1.destructoid.com/elephant/index.phtml?t=Wii

Zultan, the Animated Speaking Fortune Teller

2006-11-01T15:32:00.000-08:00

This is a baritone-voiced animatronic fortune teller that automatically detects your presence and consults with an encased skull between his palms, or allows you to interact with onlookers when you speak through the fortune tellers mouth using a wireless microphone.

The fortune tellers head is concealed in its display box behind a curtain that parts aside when motion or sound is detected in front of the tellers box.
The fortune tellers wrinkled head, toothless mouth, and recessed feral eyes move in unison while he speaks, accompanied by carnival organ music.

He begins with a greeting, then makes a series of movements and vocalizations while he converses with the skull, which flashes its LED eyes and moves its jaw in response.
When the fortune teller is set to manual mode, a wireless microphone allows you to channel your voice through him while you remain hidden; his eyes and mouth will move as you speak.

It operates either with six AA batteries (required) or with the included AC adapter.
Microphone requires one 9-volt battery. 30" H x 22" W x 15" D. (12 lbs.)

Available from:
Hammacher Schlemmer

Watch this video in which Brian West introduces Sean McHose of "Inspector Gadget" to Zultan the animatronic fortune teller.

Remember the Amiga?

2005-11-14T17:06:00.000-08:00

Watever happened to the Amiga?
Read Here:
http://magikomputer.blogspot.com/2005/11/curse-of-amiga.html

Here there are tons of Amiga Games

Amiga Online has some packages for playing Amiga games online using the Windows Amiga emulator WinUAE-Kaillera package:
WinUAE 0.8.22, Release 1; Kaillera Client 0.9

The Ultimate Pet

2005-11-13T16:52:00.000-08:00

A Fusion of Technology and Personality

A robot that "comes alive" with a combination of user-controlled movements and autonomous, free-roaming behaviors, some of them naughty and some of them nice.

Robopet features include:

-Realistic fluid, biomechanical movements, including walking and running; sitting, lying down and getting up, rolling over …
-Environmental awareness and interactivity
-IR vision: detects and avoids obstacles and table edges
-Sonic sensors: responds to sounds
-Motion sensors: responds to human movements
-Emits digital animal sounds such as barking, whimpering, growling and panting
-Trainable: responds to positive and negative reinforcement
-Performs tricks on command
-Visual and sonic guard dog mode
-Responds to commands from Robosapien™ V2
-Sleep and auto shut-off functions
-Remote control and autonomous "free-roam" behavior modes
-Demo mode
-To download a copy of the Robopet™ manual: click here

Amazon.com: Robo Pet: Toys & Games

(Description copyright Amazon.com) - Robotic dog makes these fluid movements: walking, running, sitting, lying down, getting up and rolling over. Performs tricks, responds to positive/negative reinforcement (is trainable), responds to human movements and makes 4 different doggie sounds. Features auto shutoff, demo mode and sleep mode. For ages 8 yrs. and up; requires 6 AA and 3 AAA batteries (not included). 6.5Hx6Wx9L"

Technorati : robot

El Futbolin

2005-11-13T13:28:00.000-08:00

Not exactly a gadget, but I couln't help it.

There you have it: The Futbolin.

26 gored soccer players (yes 26) that are controlled with steel rods.

Amazon.com: Spartan Sports 48 inch Foosball Table: Sports & Outdoors

(Description copyright Amazon.com) - Table Material: MDF --Medium density fiberboard helps to make this table durable and last over time.. Apron Style: 11 3/4-in x 5/8-in PB Board with PVC--. Leg Levelers--Ensure that you will have an even playing surface.. Scoring System: Plastic Scorers--Long-lasting scoring system for all-weather conditions.. Table Length: 47.625 Inches

Technorati : soccer

Final Fantasy 7

2005-11-13T13:08:00.000-08:00

A giant energy manufacturing company known as Shinra Inc. is harvesting the sheer life energy of the Planet as a simple fossil fuel. Processed and made into products known as Mako and Materia, these materials can work miracles, granting the wisdom of the Ancients to the user. However, this substance, like all other fuels, is finite in supply, and the Planet's lifeforce is being malevolently drained by the constant explotation of Mako by Shinra. Though aware of the harmful effects, they function without remorse.

However, the real battle lies not with a corporation, but a force much more competent from the distant past. A long-thought dead warrior bent on becoming more and more powerful, coupled with the Planet's drained energy, threatens the very existence of everything sacred.

Now a small rebel group eminating from the slums must quell the various dangers toward the innocent, and one mercenary for hire must look amidst the lies and deception and find the man he is within.
http://www.ffonline.com

Amazon.com: Final Fantasy 7 Buster Sword Video Game Movie Replica VII Cloud Strife with Sheath: Sports & Outdoors

(Description copyright Amazon.com) - Just Like the Video Game.. Limited Quantity. Comes with custom blade sheath.. Play the game with this on your wall.. Sephiroth will fear you!

Technorati : Fantasy

Educational Periscope

2005-11-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

This educational series periscope is great fun and it's very easy to use.

No screens or electronics here.

Kids inmensely enjoy being able to peer over fences or peek out of windows without being seen.

Excellent educational toy that can be used to teach kids about reflection and how the human eye works.

Made of durable plastic with shatter-proof mirrors and big handles for small hands makes it appropriate for use by children from ages 4 and up.

Amazon.com: Cstar Educational Series Periscope: Camera & Photo

(Description copyright Amazon.com) - DM-3 - Excellent educational toy for children. Red Plastic body. Great for a clubhouse look-out. Durable light plastic construction. Safe, shatterproof mirrors

Technorati : Periscope

Star Wars

2005-11-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

Star Wars: Battlefront 2

PlayStation II

2005-11-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

PlayStation
Dimensions: Approximately 230 mm (W) x 28 mm (H) x 152 mm (D)
Weight: Approximately 900g
Compatible formats: - PlayStation format CD-ROM - PlayStation 2 format CD-ROM - PlayStation 2 format DVD-ROM - Audio CD - DVD Video* - DVD-RW (VR mode)
Interfaces: - Controller Port x 2 - Memory Card slot x 2 - USB connector x 2 - NETWORK connector x 1 (100BASE-TX/10BASE-T) - LINE connector

1964 Jet "Rocket" Space Ship

2004-09-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

A December 1964 comic book ad for a Jet "Rocket" Space Ship:

"You can talk back and forth (and from room to room) - as far as the long taut string will reach. Your phone works automatically by voice power vibrating diaphragms."

Source:
http://www.retrothing.com

History of Video Games

2003-09-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

Video games were introduced as a commercial entertainment medium in 1971, becoming the basis for an important entertainment industry in the late 1970s/early 1980s in the United States, Japan, and Europe. After a disastrous collapse of the industry in 1983 and a subsequent rebirth two years later, the video game industry has experienced sustained growth for over two decades to become an industry rivaling the motion picture industry as the most profitable entertainment industry in the world.

The Early Years begin in 1952
Within this period of video game history reside the pioneers and visionaries who attempted to create an interactive experience using electronics and visual displays.

The Golden Age of video games begins in 1971
This period begins with the mainstream appearance of video games as a consumer market in arcades, on home consoles, and their evolution on personal computer platforms. It covers the rise of the dedicated hardware systems and the origin of multi-game cartridge-based systems.

The Modern age begins in 1984
It includes the continued evolution of video games on computers during the American public's disenchantment with dedicated console systems. It covers the rise of 8-bit and 16-bit architectures. During this era, many computers provide a home to video games, but the PC becomes the eventual standard. Network and Internet multi-player gaming becomes a household possibility.

The "Next" Generation arrived in 1995
This era of video game history bears witness to the rise of the 32-bit, 64-bit, and 128-bit processor architecture in home console machines. The continued popularity of online gaming grows and is reflected in the console market. This period is full of advances in hardware that enable more realistic and immersive experiences for gamers.

The video below is a documentary showing the history of many VideoGames.
Many leading companies in the industry contributed to this insight into the future of games.
Watch from the very first videogame computer to the rise and fall of Atari, Amigas, etc.

External Links:
Chronology of the History of Video Games
A History of Video Games