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Rock Band guitar mod turns on the magic of invisible light
by JC Fletcher 
{ May 15th 2009 at 3:00AM } 
The way he explains it, it sounds simple -- merely add an LED emitter and a receiver to the space where the strum bar usually goes, and then wire the controller up so that it registers a strum whenever the light beam is broken. Anyone can do that, right? The result is a guitar that strums when you wave your hand through the strum bar area. See the video after the break and marvel at the less-clicky, vaguely magical guitar!
[Thanks, Comet!]
'Super Monkey Kong' renders Donkey Kong in LEDs
by JC Fletcher { Apr 16th 2009 at 7:00AM }
The Meggy Jr. is a build-it-yourself handheld console with a striking 8x8 LED display, programmed using the open-source Arduino platform. Somehow, clever game designers have managed to shoehorn playable, fun video games into that astoundingly low-resolution display (which, to use TV terms, would be "8p").Programmer Steven Read has now created "the world's first LED Donkey Kong video game" for the device. The graphics are, naturally, scaled down, and each level now spans multiple screens, but Super Monkey Kong retains the essence of Donkey Kong -- climbing girders and avoiding barrels and fireballs. It even adds a bit of complexity. At the top of the level, you have to jump up and headbutt "Monkey Kong" in the LED beanbag five times to win. Unfortunately, like the NES version, this one lacks the cement factory level.
See Super Monkey Kong for yourself at Read's site.
[Via GameSetWatch]
Super Mario Galaxy mod reaches for the stars [update 2]
by Candace Savino { Apr 15th 2008 at 4:00AM }
Mamma mia, that's a nice mod.
We'd expect no less from the ever-so-incredible Morpheon Mods crew, who've put together quite a nice collection of Wiis for us to gawk at. The Super Mario Galaxy theme of this particular mod, though, helps it rank as our favorite of the bunch.
The LEDs are a nice touch, especially the ones in the back-lit marquee, and we approve of the various sounds they've rigged to the console. We also like the twinkling stars effect -- simply awesome.
All in all, it's a stunning mod that can be yours if you have deep pockets, since it's up for auction on eBay. This is one auction that we won't mind seeing skyrocket, however, since a portion of the profits will be donated to Child's Play!
Gallery: Super Mario Galaxy Mod
[Update: The eBay auction has been removed, for unknown reasons. If the item gets relisted, though, we'll be sure to update the post again with the new link!]
[Update 2: Yay! The auction was relisted and the eBay link above has been fixed. Or, you can just click here.]
Wiimote 'extreme' LED mod is dazzling
by Candace Savino { Mar 26th 2008 at 4:00PM }
When we hear the word "extreme" in the title of anything, we usually assume we'll hate it. (Note: This rule of thumb is especially important when the "ex" syllable is replaced by the letter "x".) We were therefore surprised to see how utterly freaking awesome SiebenDX's "Wiimote extreme LED mod" was.
It's not even just the Wiimotes, Nunchucks, and Classic Controllers modded with LED bling that make them worth checking out, but the video itself is entertaining. While "Through the Fire and the Flames" wouldn't be our first choice at accompanying music (well, maybe it would be someone's first choice), we enjoy how the LEDs coordinate with the music. It's like watching some sort of LED-mod-meets-Guitar Hero hybrid.
Then again, maybe we're just easily amused. Ooh, look at the pretty colors!
[Via Gemaga]
It's not even just the Wiimotes, Nunchucks, and Classic Controllers modded with LED bling that make them worth checking out, but the video itself is entertaining. While "Through the Fire and the Flames" wouldn't be our first choice at accompanying music (well, maybe it would be someone's first choice), we enjoy how the LEDs coordinate with the music. It's like watching some sort of LED-mod-meets-Guitar Hero hybrid.
Then again, maybe we're just easily amused. Ooh, look at the pretty colors!
[Via Gemaga]
Wii World 1-1: Super Mario Bros. mod
by Eric Caoili { Mar 10th 2008 at 11:15AM }
With Metroid, The Legend of Zelda, and even Yoshi-themed Wii casemods already out in the wild, it was only a matter of time before someone personalized their console with everyone's favorite mascot, Mario. BeerBellyJoe sculpted the plumber's figure out of clay, affixing him to one of the Wii's side panels before painting the entire system. Interestingly, that cloud looks nothing like the bush!
It isn't visible in the image above, but there's a pipe on the other side that doubles as a Wii remote charger. The front of the decorated base also has an extra USB port and an LED mushroom that lights up when the port is in use. Hit the gallery below for more shots or click the "read" link to check out Joe's guide on how to make your own Mario Wii mod.
Gallery: Super Mario Bros. mod
[Via Technabob]
When modding goes wrong
by Eric Caoili { Jan 25th 2008 at 6:00PM }
Well, you can't expect every Zelda mod to knock your pants off. In fact, you might want to put an extra pair of pants on to help shield your legs against the oh-god-this-is-awful rays emanating from this NES paint job. Consider the rest of your body tainted, your eyes suffering the worst of all.
What's that cone shape in the back? Does that paint look as sickening in real life as it does in this photo? And why is Link pouring glowing sludge out of his Gust Jar and into the Triforce?
Next to those offenses, the handwritten controller port numbers and "version" text are almost cute. We imagine the modder's thoughts behind those touches went like this: "Oh, it's nearly perfect ... I just need to write the word 'version' on it! Otherwise, people will think I just named this NES Zelda." Rumor has it that when you open the cartridge slot door, you can hear the system crying.
Jump past the break for a close-up of the Link figure dumping ooze onto this Teenage Mutant Nauseating Mod. Make sure to bring a friend -- it's dangerous to go alone!
DIY mod adds some awesome pulsating lights to the Wii
by David Hinkle { Jan 2nd 2008 at 12:00PM }
Oh, to have a Wii console such as this. Maybe it's unnecessary to do such a thing to your Wii, considering its sleek, simple white look is one of the things we love about it. Then again, it would be kind of cool to show off to others, like "look at me, I'm pretty awesome at doing stuff." And, really, case mods never get old, even if the system is almost ancient.
What do you guys think?
Hori takes a stand (and puts LEDs in it)
by Eric Caoili { Dec 24th 2007 at 4:00PM }
Hori's USB Illumination Stand -- available in black and white -- seems straightforward, lighting up your Wii with LEDs as it siphons power off the console. But what's with the $19.90 price tag at Play Asia ($22.90 on NCSX), and why is that extra cord in the back also plugged into one of the system's two USB ports? Though you can't tell just by looking at it, the front flap of the base opens up to reveal a USB port powered by that extra hook-up.
With the port conveniently positioned on the front, you can plug in a USB keyboard or, one day, an external drive without having to mess with the tangle of wires in the back. You can see a close-up of the hidden port and another shot of the base after the break.
See also: Put your Wii on a new pedestal
Put your Wii on a new pedestal
by Eric Caoili { Dec 21st 2007 at 7:00PM }
Unlike the standard gray stand, Talismoon's Wii bases come in a variety of colors -- Pink Chrome, Blue Chrome, Red Chrome, Green Chrome, Silver Chrome, Black Chrome, Clear, and Clear Blue, the last two of which seem perfect for LED modding, if that's what you're into. We heard that's what you're into.
Online shop Divineo already has Talismoon's stands up for sale for $12.99 each. What should you do with your old base once you've bought one of these, you ask? We suggest throwing it at children you race coins against each other to see which ones roll down the ramp the fastest. Slide past the break for more images of the colorful stands.
Another Rockstar-inspired console mod
by David Hinkle { Dec 13th 2007 at 2:15PM }
[Via Go Nintendo]
I'm dreaming of a Pac-Man LED Christmas
by Candace Savino { Dec 6th 2007 at 7:00PM }
This "tree" definitely puts the one at Rockefeller Center to shame. Located at Nuevos Ministerios in downtown Madrid, this animated LED display features everyone's favorite power pellet abuser, Pac-Man himself.
You may notice that the cherries, pretzels, and other guzzle-able items have been replaced by a Christmas tree, holiday bells, ribbons, and stars. Nice touch.
To see a gargantuan picture of the Pac-Man tree (or at least a larger image than the one to your right) and some video action of it, jingle all the way past the break.
Mario LEDs invoke the spirit of mooninites
by Candace Savino { Dec 1st 2007 at 4:00PM }
What do you get when you combine mooninite inspired LEDs with items from Mario games? No, not bomb scares in Boston, silly. Check out these videos if you're interested in these projects by Carl Cartagena, where he makes star, turnip, bomb-omb, and mushroom LEDs. For extra points, Carl either wrote or remixed all the music in these vids, too.
Some of them are a bit lengthy, but it's worth at least checking out the finished products. More LED videos after the break, just be sure not to invite any Boston police.
Some of them are a bit lengthy, but it's worth at least checking out the finished products. More LED videos after the break, just be sure not to invite any Boston police.
Someone put a damn unicycling llama on their DS
by Eric Caoili { Nov 26th 2007 at 8:40PM }
So, is this what's hot on the streets nowadays? Is this what's really hood? We have to commend Acidmods forumer Rocky for having enough technical knowhow to mod his handheld so extensively -- regular readers will recognize his work from our previous posts spotlighting his LED wizardry. We also have to commend him for blowing our minds with this off-the-wall design.
We assume that the inspiration behind the unicycling llama came from Rocky's animated avatar on the Acidmods message board. Fellow forumer XionDS engraved the llama onto a transparent shell for him with a CNC cutter, immortalizing the balancing pack animal. You can see more photos of Rocky's DS Lite and images of XionDS's similarly-etched system past the post break.
Wii Light Sword lets you relive the shame of the Star Wars Kid
by Eric Caoili { Nov 20th 2007 at 8:00PM }
Ever since Nintendo's Satoru Iwata revealed the Wii remote's motion-sensing capabilities, gamers have been clamoring for someone, anyone, to help realize their deepest nerd fantasy -- using the Wii's controller to act out the Star Wars Kid video.Now, for only £14.99 (approximately $31), you, too, can record an embarrassing video of yourself looking like a damn fool fighting imaginary Stormtroopers with your special moves. The peripheral uses three AA batteries (not included) to power its 22 LEDs, just like the lightsabers used by real-life fictional Jedi!
As lifelong fans of the original Star Wars Kid series, we can't begin to express how excited we are that someone is finally bringing some lightsaber action to the Wii. We're already making lightsaber sound effects at our desk while simulating a duel with our pens in anticipation. Swing past the break for a couple Star Wars Kid clips. Also, may the force be with you! May the force be with you all!
One New Yorker mods his Wiimote and nunchuk
by David Hinkle { Nov 6th 2007 at 12:45PM }
For some more images, check past the post break.
