Great games blog

Filed under: Fan stuff, Imports

This rare Gradius music box has to be one of the coolest limited-edition game-related items we've ever seen. It's not much to look at -- pretty much just a wooden box with the Gradius logo printed on it -- but it's a Gradius music box. It is a mechanical music box that plays Gradius music. We don't think we have to explain the amazingness of such an item.

Specifically, it plays a 15-second version of "Farewell" from Gradius II GOFER no Yabou. We found an actual recording of the music box in action here. This item was only available as a mail-in offer to people who purchased three Gradius soundtrack CDs.

We don't even get the opportunity to buy soundtrack CDs most of the time over here, and Japanese fans get to listen to those soundtracks as music boxes. Now we just have to ask ourselves: is the best fifteen seconds of Gradius music ever in a box worth $99?

[Via GameSniped]

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Filed under: Fan stuff

This morning, we proclaimed that the Wii was totally superior to the GameCube based on a comparison of each console's first year. But now we aren't so sure. While the Wii has enjoyed mainstream attention, a mega-hit pack-in game, and a fantastic early lineup, the GameCube had Gamer Ade.

Can the Wii compete with a console with its own energy drink? We don't see how. Gamer Ade was handed out to "Nintendo publication employees" (which we think must mean Nintendo Power) and no one else, presumably because too much Ade could be dangerous.

Luckily, the Wii is not hopeless. One lucky Wii owner (or non-Wii owner, eBay doesn't care!) can harness the power of one long-expired can of this limited-edition drink, for only 99 cents (as of right now!)

[Via GameSniped]

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Filed under: Fan stuff

We love it when extraordinarily random game prototypes show up on eBay. We have yet to actually pull the trigger and start collecting the things, because we have become attached to our electricity and would like to keep enough money around to ensure its continued service.

It's hard to imagine a more random appearance than that of this Panic Restaurant prototype. Panic Restaurant is an NES platformer from Taito that stars a chef and takes place in a giant, trap-and-monster-filled restaurant. It falls squarely into the 'wacky midrange NES platformer' category along with stuff like Whomp 'Em. For some reason, the very middle-of-the-road-ness of this game is what makes a prototype of it so irresistible for us. Sure, everyone wants a prototype of a hugely popular game, or an extremely obscure game, but collecting rare editions of perfectly ordinary games sounds like exactly the kind of hobby we could blow our cash on. Plus, food-themed games are hilarious.

[Via GameSniped]

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Filed under: Peripherals, Controller

The person selling this Wiimote controller grip on eBay claims it's an unreleased development model. We've certainly never seen this exact model before. GameSniped agrees, and they're fairly savvy about neat rare game stuff. With no brand marking, we're having a hard time searching for it to see if anything matching this shape made it to the market. It's a bit nicer-looking than some other grips we've seen, owing mostly to its similarity to the quite comfortable Dual Shock.

Who made this? Why didn't it get released? Why does it have fake, nonfunctioning Dual Shock shoulder buttons? The controller grip is shrouded in mystery.

[Via GameSniped]

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Filed under: Fan stuff

Gary Coleman pawning his items for cash on EBay is nothing new, but now Gary has caught our attention by deciding to sell his GameCube. We don't know why we find it funny -- oh yeah, because we're heartless -- but the fact that someone would be dying to have a GameCube signed by Gary Coleman boggles the mind. He's also selling six games along with it.

The collection is going for $510, which means that Gary may have the last laugh after all. For those of you wanting this piece of memorabilia in your life (and we know there are many), you only have one more day before the auction ends, so you best hurry.

[Via Game|Life]

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Filed under: Fan stuff

This bundle of Manhunt 2 promo stuff is the perfect gift for the Manhunt 2 fan in your life. Alternatively, it's a reminder that the game existed, in case, say, we enter a 1984-type scenario in which an oppressive government attempts to write the game out of history. Of course, then, having this stuff would probably just get you shot. Then, it's the perfect gift for the person you'd like to be shot by a hypothetical evil government.

The set contains: a T-shirt, a DVD, two fake hospital identification bracelets, a Wiimote strap, a fake hospital memo, a poster, a ubiquitous Rockstar sticker, and a flimsy connection to gaming controversy that we'll take as an invitation to link to this Night Trap video again.

Also found in today's GameSniped update: a Miyamoto-autographed Mario 64 cartridge, and a weird NES repair center thing.

[Via GameSniped]

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Filed under: News

We doubt that Nintendo will make amends with Panesian (who probably doesn't exist anymore) or any other unlicensed NES publishers, no matter how much we want them to. So, if you're extremely desperate for awful, awkwardly lewd NES games, you should probably go ahead and look into buying an original NES cartridge, because you'll be waiting for Virtual Console releases of this stuff until the eventual heat death of the universe.

Well, chances are that nobody bidding on this copy of the extremely rare Bubble Bath Games is interested in playing it at all, and is after it as a collectible only. We say humbug to that: if you pay over $600 for one of the worst NES games ever made-- and somebody will pay a great deal more than that once this auction's over, we bet-- then you should play it until you get your money's worth. Which, again, may take the entire lifetime of the universe.

Just because one of you may be crazy enough to go buy the thing, we'll warn you now: if the ESRB had existed back then, they probably would have rated this game AO. Don't buy this if you're under 18, is what we're saying.

And speaking of ridiculously overpriced rare NES items, GameSniped also found this QuickShot Zapper scope for only $99. Act now-- supplies are limited!

[Via GameSniped]

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Filed under: Mods

We love Metroid Prime 3 and all, but perhaps the best thing about the game is that it inspired this jaw-dropping Wii mod from the guy responsible for the equally jaw-dropping Zelda DS Lite and the astounding Zelda Wii case mod. Basically, we've developed TMJ from looking at Ramon's mods.

This one is the coolest one yet. In addition to the awesome backlit, custom-made Samus Aran emblem, the case mod integrates a Wiimote charger in its illuminated stand. The Wii disc slot glows green in imitation of Samus's visor; even the Wiimote and Nunchuk are painted the metallic green of Samus's arm cannon.

Like the others, this modded Wii is being auctioned off on eBay, and 15% of the selling price will go to Penny Arcade's Child's Play charity. In return, 100% of the awesome modded Wii will go to the buyer.

Check after the break for a couple of choice closeups! And then check your wallet for the hundreds of dollars required to buy this.

[Via Gizmodo; thanks, Jeremy!]

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Filed under: Fan stuff

In your travels, you may have heard of the "holy grail" of video games. This rare NES game, known as Nintendo World Championships 1990, has only 116 copies in circulation.

Now it seems that the owner of one of these carts has done what any other red-blooded capitalist would do, and put it up for sale on Ebay. The asking price? $12,000. There's also a "best offer" option, but the seller says he (or she) will not be budging much on the price.

This game is a must-have for the serious game collector, certainly, but we don't imagine too many folks have $12,000 to throw around. And, if by any chance you do, consider buying us something nice for steering you in the right direction, m'kay?

[Via Technabob]

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Filed under: News

With the holidays coming up, inflated Wii prices on Ebay are to be expected. Yet, the prices that Wiis are going for right now (and it's only late November!) are surprising even us. They seem to be selling somewhere in the range of $500 to $650, and that's without even factoring in the shipping costs.

We knew that the situation was dire in the UK, but we didn't realize how deep the desperation was around these parts until checking out these exorbitant prices. It's just madness that a one-year-old console is going for at least twice its worth. This also seems like a huge jump from last week's Ebay sales, during which the average cost for a Wii was $377 (according to Terapeak).

The holidays are a scary time, indeed. Run while you still can.

[Via NeoGAF]

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