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Far Cry 3 And The Stranger In A Strange Land Lenovo – yes, boring old Lenovo – has one of the more interesting gaming-related products on show at this week’s CES: a box that transforms a laptop computer into a pint-sized arcade cabinet.
The former owner of Ultracade Technologies, a maker of MAME-style arcade cabinets, is looking at a 35-count federal indictment for fraud, theft of trade secrets, and trafficking counterfeit goods.
About two years ago, a proud father began work on a custom pink arcade cabinet for his then 2-year-old daughter. Well, now she’s four, and he just moved it into her room.
Two of our favourite pastimes, consuming alcohol in the comfort of our own home and playing video games, were combined magically by one enterprising homeowner who decided to take the basement bar concept to the next level. He stuffed what appears to be a MAME-dedicated machine under the panels of his home drinking base, complete with a four-stick set up.
Awesome. Just think of the four-player drinking games. During Gauntlet, a player must do a shot when he or she shoots the food. In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a player must do a shot when the game forces a cheap death upon you.
Hey, guy who has this set up, can we be pals?
Video Game Bar Tackles Two Life-Hindering Addictions at Once [Gizmodo]
Bored? Love old games, hate playing them on a keyboard? Handy with tools? Read on, crafty readers, read on. IGN have trawled some DIY fan forums and put together a guide on how to build your own MAME cabinet, complete with recommended specs and a component sourcing guide. Should be enough to get you started, so long as you’re aware that building cabinets ain’t like dusting crops, boy. Build Your Own MAME Machine [IGN]
What better way to transport yourself back to the time of arcade dominance than an actual time machine? Simon Jansen obviously has too much time on his hands, being the man behind the ASCII recreation of the original Star Wars film, and now we know where he’s been getting all of that time. Not only did he build his own version of Doctor Who’s Tardis, he stuffed it with a folding MAME cabinet so he could play games from the past! Jansen has painstakingly documented the entire process, including a picture of his lizard, which I am positive was integral to the project. If I lived in a bizarro world where I didn’t need to work and sleep in order to survive, I would have two of these.
Building a MAME console inside a TARDIS [ASCIIMATION via Wired Gadgets]
Jaded types may have grown weary of feats of emulation by this point, having seen MAME on their cameras, iPhones and dinner table, but seeing the multiple arcade machine emulator on an oscilloscope has to elicit something more than a “meh”, right? I mean, it’s Star Wars Arcade, people. There’s even video of this achievement.
Moose 2000′s Photostream [Flickr via Wonderland]
First impressions on this IKEA dining table hack leaned toward solving the dilemma of having to engage others in conversation while supping, instead of staring intently at a television monitor and chewing silently. But having read the creator’s description, it seems much less self-serving.
The architect writes:
This table is excellent when I throw large parties. There’s always someone who doesn’t feel comfortable around large groups of people, and so sits at the table playing video games. But because I serve food and drink on the table, and there’s always someone sitting down across the table, this person is forced into social situations which are lubricated slightly by the involvement of video games.
For anyone looking to recreate this arcade ready contraption, the BJURSTA table from IKEA will do the trick. Additional specs and photos are at the Flickr account linked below.
IKEA MAME Dinner Table [Flickr via Boing Boing]
That right there is the Gamerator. As far as custom-built MAME cabinets go, it’s alright. Costs $US 2000 (OK, that bit’s NOT alright), comes pre-loaded with 180 games, plus it’s got the internal AV hookups to let you throw your PC or console inside as well. Not too shabby. The kicker comes in its “auxiliary” role. See, the thing also doubles as a keg. It’s got a tap and everything. Our Christmas wish list begins, and ends, right here.
