SupaBoy
Remember when the Super Nintendo was released, and you quickly realized how awesome it would be if the GameBoy could display graphics that shiny — or even display color period? Fast forward twenty years, and your childhood dream has become a reality with the SupaBoy ($80). Powered by a 2.5-hour rechargeable battery, the SupaBoy lets you plug in your old SNES cartridges and play on the go using the built-in controls and 3.5-inch LCD, or connect it to your TV via the AV out and plug in two controllers for a retro gaming experience.
iControlpad
It sure took long enough, but if you own any smartphone not named "Xperia" and want to play games using a real controller, your wish has been granted. The iControlpad ($75) is a Bluetooth-based hardware controller that'll work with your iPhone, Android phone, iPad, PC, Mac, and anything else boasting a Bluetooth chip inside, offering up dual analog nubs, a digital D-pad, six face buttons, and two rear buttons, as well as the ability to masquerade as an iCade cabinet, and a universal holder that lets you strap your phone to the top of the controller without the need for duct tape.
Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel
Speaking of racing games on the Xbox, if you want to make the most of your virtual driving experience, you might want to invest in the Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel ($60). This U-shaped controller uses motion sensors to detect your steering angle, while trigger buttons give you comfortable, sensitive access to acceleration and braking controls, and buttons on the top of the two stalks offer easy access to other game functions. Oh, and it has rumble feedback, so you'll know instantly when you've veered just a little to close to the edge of the track.
Star Wars Xbox 360
Star Wars-based adventures have long been available for consoles, but this is the first time we've seen the franchise applied to a console. The Star Wars Xbox 360 ($450) features an R2-D2-inspired paint scheme, a matching white Kinect sensor, a C-3PO-themed gold wireless controller, a 320GB hard drive, a wired headset, the Kinect Adventures game, and the new Kinect Star Wars game. [Scouted by Devin, Eddie, Albert, Sean, & David]
Timberland Earthkeepers Casco Bay Canvas Shoe
Prepare for casual summer days with Timberland's® Earthkeepers® Casco Bay Canvas Shoe. These lightweight, laid-back kicks will add a stylish pop of color to any no-sock, warm-weather look. Choose either a fun slip-on style or the one-eye moccasin style, with a choice of four colorways ranging from blueberry to poppy. See the entire collection here.
Nintendo Wii U
Well, you can't blame them for trying. The new Nintendo Wii U ($TBA) is simultaneously one of the most interesting and most bizzare console systems we've ever seen, pairing a more powerful, 1080p-capable Wii-like box with an insane controller sporting a 6.2-inch touchscrreen, two analog sticks, a stylus, a front-facing camera, a full complement of buttons, an accelerometer and gyroscope, rumble capabilities, a microphone, and stereo speakers. You'll be able to use the controller's screen to augment the action on your TV, or release the TV from its gaming duties and play right on the screen. Oh, and it supports all the existing Wii controllers and input devices, meaning there's going to be some seriously weird pairings before it's all said and done.
Sony PlayStation Vita
The argument can be made that dedicated portable gaming machines are on the way out, but if they are, they're going down swinging. Take the Sony PlayStation Vita ($250) for example. This replacement for the PSP features a five-inch, 960x544 OLED multi-touch screen, a quad-core ARM Cortex A9 processor, built-in stereo speakers, microphone, front and rear cameras, a six-axis motion sensing system, compass, Wi-Fi, optional 3G and GPS, a multi-touch pad on the rear, Bluetooth, a memory card slot for expansion, and all the controls you could want, including dual analog sticks, the classic PlayStation action buttons, and shoulder buttons.
Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset
They could've called it the "Official Sony PS3 USB-to-Wireless Virtual Surround Sound + Stereo Headset," but we're guessing that would have been a bit wordy. Instead it's called the Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset ($100), it connects to your PS3 via a small USB-based wireless adapter, features 7.1 virtual surround sound, a built-in retractable mic with on board volume and mute controls, and a simple, clean design that should match its console counterpart well, whether you're using it to keep from disturbing your roommates or significant other, or if you simply don't anyone to hear the twelve year-old talking trash about your sub-par fragging skills.
Octane 120 Beer Arcade Machine
Who said you can't drink and drive? Not only does the Octane 120 Beer Arcade Machine ($6,000) support it, it even includes a kegerator behind the rear seat — with a secondary tap in the dash — so you don't have to pull over to get a refill. Other features include leather wrapping on the fully adjustable, force-feedback steering wheel and on the seat, metal gas, clutch, and brake pedals, a Full HD projector up front, an integrated gaming PC with 200 racing and arcade video games and PS3 connectivity for good measure, a conveniently placed cup holder, and the ability to swerve with impunity.
Arcade Game Tables
Filling your man cave with retro arcade games is all well and good, but they take up a lot of space for something that only plays one game, and tend not to blend in so well. Both of these issues are resolved in these Arcade Game Tables ($3,000-$3,400). Available in Classic, Custom Classic, and modern Stealth models, these cocktail-style tables offer LCD screens, high-quality joysticks, buttons, and sound systems and built-in libraries of classic games.
Cockpit Flight Simulator
And you thought the old Top Gun arcade machine you used to play was intense. The Cockpit Flight Simulator ($7,000) offers as realistic a piloting experience as you're going to find on terra firma, thanks to a yoke that controls pitch and roll, toggles and buttons for authentic control of navigation and radio, thrust levers and dual rudder pedals to control throttle and yaw, a padded flight seat, an included Dell Studio XPS running Windows 7 and Microsoft's celebrated Flight Simulator X Gold software, an integrated sound system, one 28-inch monitor for out-the-window graphics and a separate 20-incher for the dizzying array of instrument panels.
Sony PSP 2
It's been a long, long time since Sony re-imagined their handheld portable gaming device, and it looks like the new Sony PSP 2 ($TBA) will be a big change. Emphasis on the big. Powered by a quad-core ARM processor paired with a quad-core GPU, it packs a host of smartphone-y features like 3G, GPS, Wi-Fi, a compass, Bluetooth, and two cameras — one front, one rear — along with a bevy of control schemes, including a rear touch surface, dual analog sticks, a d-pad plus PlayStation action and shoulder button combo, six-axis accelerometer control, and a touchscreen. Speaking of which, it's OLED, 960x544 resolution, and five inches across, meaning this thing will be as big as some seven-inch tablets. Time for bigger pockets.
Astro MixAmp
Take your gaming audio experience to the next level with the Astro MixAmp ($100). Simply plug an optical audio cable into the main unit, connect your favorite headset to the wireless receiver unit, and prepare to be blown away by 7.1 channel Dolby Surround Sound. The MixAmp uses a 5.8 GHz connection to ensure minimal interference, and also provides an enhanced mix of game/voice audio. Your significant other/roommates/pets will thank you.
