Tech

/

Gaming

Putt Arcade Golf Machine

Live in cold weather and have enough money to let yourself blow a three year's worth of greens fees on an electronic game? Then grab yourself a Putt Arcade Golf Machine ($6,900). The same version as can be found in Dave & Buster's, GameWorks, and other adult playground/watering holes across the country, Putt Arcade lets you play with real clubs and balls on two virtual courses — Las Vegas or Paradise Island — with up to four players. Features include a three speaker sound system, a hi-def 32-inch LCD screen, automatic ball return, and more.

Buy Now / $6,900

Tech
/
Gaming

PS3 Slim

Been holding off on buying Sony's latest gaming console, or just looking for a solid, network-capable Blu-ray player? Say hello to the PS3 Slim ($300; September 2009). As the name suggests, the revised console takes up 32 percent less space and uses 34 percent less power than its comparatively gargantuan predecessor, while still offering HDMI and optical digital audio output, built-in Wi-Fi, dual USB ports, a 120GB hard drive, and, of course, that aforementioned Blu-ray drive.

Buy Now / $300

Like / 1 Tweet / 0 Stash / 170
Tech
/
Gaming

Arkeg

Beer and gaming go together like Mario and Luigi, and the Arkeg ($4,000) offers up plenty of both. This arcade game-styled machine features a fully functioning kegerator in its belly, with room for a 5 gallon keg kept cool by a solid-state thermoelectric cooling system. In addition, it sports a gaming-ready PC, pre-loaded with 69 games such as Asteroids, Mortal Kombat II, and 1942. Other features include a 24-inch LCD with protective overlay, an authentic backlit marquee, a 2.1 sound system with powered sub, two complete arcade controllers and a trackball mounted in a custom aluminum panel, a side-mounted tap with interchangeable handle, and more.

Buy Now / $4,000

Like / 89 Tweet / 7 Stash / 140
Tech
/
Gaming

Water Blast Arcade Game

Found at theme parks, state fairs, and arcades, this authentic Water Blast Arcade Game ($11,000) is guaranteed to liven up the atmosphere in your party room or office. It features rapid water-shooting guns, flashing lights, lighted marquee, and arcade sounds, all to be enjoyed while aiming your stream at the bulls-eye while watching your accuracy meter — shown in lights — rise to the top. No quarters (or tokens) required.

Buy Now / $11,000

Like / 0 Tweet / 1 Stash / 46
Tech
/
Gaming

Pocket Retro Game Emulator

Could this no-name device give you more fun than your iPod and PSP combined? Sure sounds like it. The Pocket Retro Game Emulator ($100) plays NES, SNES, GBA, Sega Genesis, and Neo Geo roms, and when you're done with the classics, the device can play movie files, music files, view photos, read eBooks, and more. About the size of a GameBoy Micro, the device features 4GB of built-in storage, a mini SD slot, a 2.8 inch QVGA (320x240) LCD screen, a built-in FM radio, built-in stereo speakers, and an internal rechargeable li-battery.

Buy Now / $100

Like / 15 Tweet / 0 Stash / 300

Featured Gear Question

Blue Apron

What are you eating for dinner tonight? If that question stumps you each night because you don't have time to stock your fridge or need some coaching in the kitchen, give Blue Apron a try. This handy service ships you all the fresh ingredients you need for three delicious meals for two people, per week. Ingredients are perfectly portioned for each recipe, take about 35 minutes to prepare, and come with step-by-step recipe cards to make cooking gourmet meals at home a cinch. There are options for most dietary preferences, so whether you're a carnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, etc - there's an option to match.

Buy Now / $10

Like / 303 Tweet / 77 Stash / 634

Tech
/
Gaming

Sony PSP Go

Sony's struggling handheld gets a much-needed shot in the arm with the new PSP Go ($TBA). Being officially introduced at E3 2009 this week, the slider-gamer sports a 3.8-inch display, 16GB of flash storage, Bluetooth, and a Memory Stick Micro slot. Gone is the UMD drive, making it about 40% lighter than the current PSP. The Go will also offer PlayStation Network support and integration with the PlayStation 3.

Buy Now / $TBA

Like / 1 Tweet / 0 Stash / 96
Tech
/
Gaming

Retro Mini Handheld NES System

Sure, there are plenty of ways to play NES games on the go, but most of them don't take actual cartridges. The Retro Mini Handheld NES System ($50) is like the Game Boy that never was, with a 2.4-inch LCD screen, a top-loading slot for NES titles, AV output, built-in speakers, a headphone jack, and the ability to run up to eight hours on 4 AA's.

Buy Now / $50

Like / 13 Tweet / 1 Stash / 88
Tech
/
Gaming

OnLive

Forget trying to keep up with the latest-and-greatest in gaming tech: let your service provide it for you. OnLive ($TBA; Winter 2009) is a new gaming service that promises to let you play the latest games in the cloud. You purchase the service, games, and microconsole from OnLive, which runs the games themselves on their high-end servers, streaming video of the game in progress back to your PC, Mac, or TV. Imagine: no more money wasted on graphics card upgrades, or tricked-out gaming rigs, just games. [via]

Buy Now / $TBA

Like / 1 Tweet / 0 Stash / 136
Tech
/
Gaming

ECCI Trackstar 6000

As nice as the combo of Logitech's Driving Force GT Wheel and a copy of Gran Turismo is for recreating the racing experience, you can't beat the new ECCI Trackstar 6000 ($1,000 and up). Featuring aluminum pedals, including an optional clutch pedal, paddle shifters, USB, hi-def potentiometers, an available FLDS steering damper, and more, it's as close as you can come to climbing behind the wheel of a real racer.

Buy Now / $1,000

Like / 0 Tweet / 0 Stash / 66

Tech
/
Gaming

Retro Duo NES/SNES Video Game System

Bask in 8-bit and 16-bit glory with the Retro Duo NES/SNES Video Game System ($45). This game console plays original Nintendo and Super Nintendo games, and connects to your TV via standard composite video or S-video. It comes with two SNES style controllers, but you can even use your original SNES controllers if you still have them laying around (third-party accessories might also work). In addition to that copy of Contra you've had on your shelf since fifth grade, the Retro Duo also plays most import games and is said to even work with Game Genie.

Buy Now / $45

Like / 59 Tweet / 1 Stash / 193
Tech
/
Gaming

Super Famicom Classic Controller for Wii

Let's face it: As much motion-sensitive, board-stomping gaming fun as the Wii offers, it's still damn enjoyable to download an old classic like Super Mario World and get to work. And the Super Famicom Classic Controller for Wii ($75) is the perfect tool for the job. Made by Nintendo to exact 1990 specifications, it's the coolest Wii accessory yet.

Buy Now / $75

Like / 6 Tweet / 2 Stash / 69
Tech
/
Gaming

WarBeast Wireless PS3 Guitar

Sure, it's fun to play guitar on Rock Band or Guitar Hero, but it's hard to really rock with the standard guitars. The aptly-named WarBeast Wireless PS3 Guitar ($90) solves this problem with a wicked B.C. Rich design, and tons of extra features like an extended strum bar, dedicated "Star Power" button, a slide switch to choose which game you're playing, a removable face plate, and more.

Buy Now / $90

Like / 228 Tweet / 4 Stash / 57
Tech
/
Gaming

Personalized Whac-A-Mole Game

Bring some drunken carnival fun to your family room with a Personalized Whac-A-Mole Game ($35,000). Though it operates just like the amusement park models, this Whac-A-Mole game can be personalized with molded caricatures of your family and friends (you send in photos of the hapless victims). The whole thing is housed in a walnut veneer cabinet, transforming from bookshelf to the game with the touch of a button. It comes with a hidden liquor shelf, three-digit LCD scoreboard, built-in speakers, and the all-important padded leather mallets.

Buy Now / $35,000

Like / 10 Tweet / 0 Stash / 69
Tech
/
Gaming

Atari 2600

Add to your retro gaming collection with this Atari 2600 Package ($120). It includes an original, simulated wood grain 2600 console, 20 games including Asteroids, Donkey Kong, the infamous E.T., and Missile Command, two joysticks and two paddle controllers, a power supply, installation instructions and all the necessary hook-ups.

Buy Now / $120

Like / 31 Tweet / 0 Stash / 169
Tech
/
Gaming

Nyko Wing Wireless Wii Controller

If you do a lot of retro gaming on your Wii (thanks to the wonderful Virtual Console), you might want to consider cutting the cord and picking up the Nyko Wing Wireless Wii Controller ($30). This white wonder runs on 2 AAA batteries, with the option of using rechargeable AA's and charging via USB. Other features include dual analog sticks, four face buttons, and triggers, and the ability to stray up to 10 feet away from the included Wii Remote dongle. [Thanks, Doug]

Buy Now / $30

Like / 3 Tweet / 0 Stash / 37
Tech
/
Gaming

Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller Premiere Edition

Step up your living room Lollapalooza shows with the Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller Premiere Edition ($250). Feeling almost just like a real guitar, the Rock Band controller has a solid body, real wood neck, metal frets and tuning peg, and a rosewood fingerboard. It has a wireless range of up to 30 feet and comes with a gig bag.

Buy Now / $250

Like / 0 Tweet / 0 Stash / 46
Tech
/
Gaming

Thrustmaster Glow Saber Duo Pack

Despite its pornorific sounding name, the Thrustmaster Glow Saber Duo Pack ($35) is for family friendly, Jedi killing fun. Designed for use with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, these replica Lightsabers hold your Wii remote for gameplay and feature a "Laser effect" lighting system. You get a red and blue saber in each pack, both of which employ 17 LEDs each.

Buy Now / $35

Like / 6 Tweet / 1 Stash / 73
Tech
/
Gaming

Nintendo DSi

The inevitable upgrade to the Nintendo DS Lite has been announced. Besides being slightly slimmer, the new Nintendo DSi ($180) has two 3.25-inch screens (17% bigger than the Lite), better audio, a built-in web browser, an SD memory card slot, and a .3 megapixel (640x480) camera on the outside and one inside on the hinge. The DSi, which comes in white or black, will also have the ability to download games over Wi-Fi. It hits stores in Japan next month, but won't be available here until sometime early next year.

Buy Now / $180

Like / 0 Tweet / 0 Stash / 96
Tech
/
Gaming

Pro Gaming Table

If you use your PC more for gaming than you do for actual work, perhaps you should check out the Pro Gaming Table ($380). This frag-worthy desk sports three different levels of tabletop surface, enough for a full complement of keyboards, steering wheels, flight sticks, monitors, and more. Game on.

Buy Now / $380

Like / 59 Tweet / 1 Stash / 176

More Stuff