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Hacker brings PlayStation to the Pre
It's not quite perfect yet (and not just because you have to play the thing with a keyboard), but at least we know our dream of bringing refreshing Pepsi-Cola to the children of the world on the go is just a bit closer to fruition.
Hackers add Roy to Super Smash Bros. Brawl
by David Hinkle { Jul 1st 2009 at 6:45PM } 
As evidenced in the videos past the break, this isn't merely a texture swap, as goodoldganon also incorporated Roy's moves into the game. By delegating the hack to a certain color set of Marth's (here it's the red suit), he can pick Roy at will and seamlessly integrate him into the game. Sure, the bottom of the screen still says Marth, but, for all intents and purposes, this is the Roy you remember.
It's impressive stuff, to say the least, so head past the break and check out the footage of a fighter's return to the arena.
Gallery: Smash Bros. Brawl Snapshots
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[Thanks, Slashy!]
Fans rewrite Brawl to balance characters
by JC Fletcher { Jun 30th 2009 at 5:00PM }
WRONG. It's actually an unbalanced mess. At least, that's what a group of Smash Boards members seems to believe, seemingly with more conviction than we've ever had for pretty much anything. It's important enough that they decided to patch the game's code to change specific gameplay elements. "Balanced Brawl" has three goals, as stated by the coders: first, to remove "infinites" and "inescapable lockdowns" (simple, unblockable combos that add more than 50% damage), increase overall character balance, and increase stage viability.
You can see examples of the kind of minute tweaking done to the characters in the chart above, and you can read way, way more about each change in the Smash Boards thread. It's a pretty impressive testament to just how much time has been spent thinking about Brawl.
USB SNES cartridge adapter will keep your PC clean
The adapter looks incredibly easy to use -- plug in a game cart, then boot or copy the SMC file found therein. Just like that, you're playing your favorite SNES titles -- and without contracting incurable cases of e-syphilis from "russian porn sites." Check out the video demo after the jump!
[Via Engadget]
Mulleted mystery man invents PC VR Game Gun
By merging a toy gun, a PC gamepad, a LCD screen and a Gyration Air Mouse, the nameless modder created a pretty clever (and relatively inexpensive) head tracking system that's just perfect for first-person shooters -- especially F.E.A.R. on the highest difficulty setting. Sorry -- you can't play it on easy. The gun runs on extreme high octane action.
[Via Engadget]
A portable NES with 76 games? You shouldn't have!
by Justin McElroy { May 29th 2009 at 5:05PM } 
And how did you ever get the dude who made it (Ben Heck forum member Brian Hender) to part with it? No, you're right, it's rude of us to ask. We're just happy you did it.
[Via Engadget]
Guy runs Windows 95 on Wii, wonders why
by Randy Nelson { May 26th 2009 at 8:15PM }
Using a Wii version of the open source DOS emulator DOSbox, a Wii homebrew devotee has managed to get Windows 95 running on the console -- if your definition of "running" is "working, but just barely." In fact, the boot process spans most of two YouTube videos, which the author admits have been edited for brevity. (It takes upwards of 13 minutes just to see the taskbar.)
You're probably asking yourself, "What's the point?" and "Why even try?" Well, to prove it can be done, of course. But even the one who did it -- while providing instructions on how to replicate the process -- advises against following in his footsteps, saying, "I did it and now I can move on to more productive things." But, hey, you could be doing worse things with the system. Waste your time with videos of Wiindows 95 in sort-of action after the break!
You're probably asking yourself, "What's the point?" and "Why even try?" Well, to prove it can be done, of course. But even the one who did it -- while providing instructions on how to replicate the process -- advises against following in his footsteps, saying, "I did it and now I can move on to more productive things." But, hey, you could be doing worse things with the system. Waste your time with videos of Wiindows 95 in sort-of action after the break!
A 'real' Katamari controller
Originally, Kelly wanted to use a full-sized yoga ball, but the rubber was too resistant and didn't play well with the other components. Check out her video after the break to get a more detailed explanation of how it all works.
PSP mod integrates mouse support
PSP hacker TokyoDrift found a way to map the handheld's buttons to a mouse, using nothing more than a PS2 mouse, an ATMEL ATmega8 chip-sporting breadboard, and a massive brain. PSP users looking to do this themselves can find all of the steps at the pspfreak.de forums. Of course, it goes without saying that you should probably be somewhat comfortable with homebrew before trying this.
If you want to see it in action before attempting it, or you would like to know why someone would do this, check out some video past the break.
[Via Engadget]
Konami Code turns ESPN.com into a Lisa Frank wonderland [update]
You need to stop what you're doing right now, and go to ESPN's Web site, because something magical is going on, and we don't know how long it will last. Once the front page loads, enter in the Konami Code (which we shouldn't have to tell you by now, but just in case -- Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A). Then start pressing Enter on your keyboard. Something will happen that isn't even remotely sports related. Is it an Easter egg? A well-executed hack? A hilarious practical joke from a disgruntled ESPN web programmer? We don't know, but we offer an enthusiastic Kudos to whoever pulled this one off.
[Via FourZeroTwo's Twitter]
Color us impressed: The WiiSpray graffiti program in action
by JC Fletcher { Apr 7th 2009 at 12:00PM }
After plugging the Wiimote into the virtual spray can, you can "spray" onto a projected surface, change colors, choose and manipulate stencils, and even save work to a server for further editing at the time and place of the user's choice. Let's see you try that with a wall. Check after the break for a video demonstration!
[Via Engadget, Attract Mode]
Second functions: Use PSP as PC status monitor
Running off lua and python scripts, the above PSP will relay status information from your PC in real time. It's handy if you like tracking numbers ... or have a case of anxietuspeeseephobia (fear of not knowing what your PC is doing). Better see a shrink if you've got the latter. Anyway, check Hack a Day for the downloadable source code.
Super Nintoaster plays SNES games, doesn't make toast
It's actually Vomitsaw's second toaster-based console mod -- he crafted a regular ol' Nintoaster last fall. Sadly, neither model has been able to fulfill its kitchen appliance destiny, and won't do much to conflagrate your bread. It's probably for the best -- all it takes is one mistaken slot, and you've got a golden brown, formerly priceless copy of Chrono Trigger, which we hear is actually pretty delicious with raspberry preserves.
[Via Engadget]
Old iMac becomes a home for Dreamcast
Modder Logicdustbin pulled all of the obsolete computer parts out of the shell of a vintage iMac, replaced the bulky CRT with an LCD, and added a Dreamcast to the now-hollow unit. He fit controller ports onto the front of the computer and wired up the power button, with the result being this love letter to the late '90s. It's basically a homebrew version of Sega's own Divers 2000 Dreamcast!
After the break, we've got a video of this self-contained retrogaming box in action, along with a picture that answers the question on everyone's mind:
[Via Engadget]
Make a tiny working Wiimote, in seven ridiculously difficult steps
by JC Fletcher { Feb 5th 2009 at 5:00PM }
If you are one of the millions whose Wii experience is ruined by the comically oversized controllers, we encourage you to seek a solution in DHRECK's "Mini-mote" mod, which uses custom shells to shrink down the controllers to fun size. It's more attractive, more useful, and less likely to attract stray Woody Harrelsons than his previous "Hemp-Mote" mod, at least!
The extremely detailed guide to taking apart and rebuilding the Wiimote and Nunchuk is intended to help people get started with their own projects. The "Mini-mote" and associated Nunchuk are just a tiny proof of concept.
[Via Kotaku]
