Posts in Games and Gear

Kodai Djinns

Juniper Foo | Nov 21, 2006

If you're stumped for ideas this festive giving season, these Kodai Djinns could just be this season's boy toy for your geek pal. It took us a while to figure this out, but it's essentially Tamagotchi meets yoyo with a battle slant that should appeal to gamers. Gameplay involves spinning the yoyo to power up and train your warrior (one of 12 random virtual fighters based on the Chinese Zodiac). Lots of flashy lights in red, yellow or blue LEDs and sound effects pile on the fun factor. There's a random 1-in-150 chance of scoring your own super-warrior, though your trembling arm would probably have dropped off by then. Just don't take on a yoyo-meister, though. Battles are fought with seven video games played on the LCD display using four built-in buttons. These include a follow-the-leader-style yo-yoing game, a scissors/paper/stone-style challenge and a monster vs warrior battle. A wireless option (infrared) lets players go head-on with rival yoyo warriors, with an online game expected to spin off soon. There's already a comic series, so don't be surprised to see the Kodai Djinns get big-screen treatment, if the more-dead-than-alive DOA: Dead or Alive can make it to Hollywood.

Check out the warriors | the yoyos | the packaging

Price: US$28.80 for single, US$53.20 for pair
Availability: At firebox.com

Device: Gyro-charged, seven built-in games, infrared, LEDs illuminate while spinning with sound effects

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USB Cannon

Juniper Foo | Nov 20, 2006

Whip out the big guns. It's the battle of the Alamo all over again. Get 'em before they get you. It's not the first USB weapon of mass destruction we've seen (remember the USB-Powered Air Darts?), but the USB Cannon is no less fun. This one shoots out not only foam Babes as missiles, it comes with prerecorded sound effects to add to the atmosphere of nukes whizzing overhead. Better yet, you can download your own sound effects and add them to your program. Allows you to lob three foam Babes at up to 20ft at an extremely fast rate, which might annoy the hell out of your colleagues enough to turn this into an all-out inter-departmental Alamo. Blast a Babe at your boss only if you reckon life is short.

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Price: US$35
Availability: At Brando
Device: USB accessory
Specs: No batteries required, uses USB power, compatible with Win XP, CD software, user guide, quick start guide, three foam "Babes" and a circus net to catch them, 10ft of USB cable

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Golf Launchpad USB Golf Simulator for PC

Juniper Foo | Nov 06, 2006

If your greatest golfing triumph is thwacking the green to bits, check out the Golf Launchpad for practicing that swing at home or in your cubicle without making a fool of yourself in public. Don't make the mistake of thinking this is another naff USB flummery. Like the USB Turntable, the Golf Launchpad is seriously priced at US$380. Used together with your laptop, this USB golf simulator hooks into the bundled Tiger Woods PGA Tour from EA Sports, letting golfers play on some of the world's best courses with their own clubs. There's even a swing analyzer, and the tethered ball is real enough to withstand the violent impact of clubheads. Once you progress past annoying your colleagues with shouting "fore" from your cubicle, you can remove the tethered ball on the Launchpad and tee off to the range to sharpen your game. Unfortunately, where the Launchpad goes, your laptop goes, too. Grin and bear if your notebook weighs as much as that golf bag.

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Via Uncrate

Price: US$381.50
Availability: More info at firebox.com
Device: Golf game
Basic specs: Golf Launchpad unit with 2.4m USB cable, netting and support struts, tethered real golf ball on precision pivot, tethered tee, custom developed turf (spare turf included), free EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf Windows Edition, clubs or drivers should have a reflective surface to work with the Launchpad, plug-and-play

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