Tag Archives: Gaming

This miniature LEGO Billiards Table comes with every accessory from cue sticks to powder cubes!

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You’ve got Foosball, you’ve got Mini Golf, but have you ever heard of mini billiards? This tiny (yet somewhat playable) LEGO billiards set from the mind of LEGO builder Golden Eye captures the grandeur of a full-scale billiards table, but at a fraction of the size. Built with all the trims and fittings (including pockets, a gutter, and a cue-stand), Golden Eye’s Vintage Billiards Table is an adorable tabletop build that you can potentially even interact with, playing a game on its faux plastic turf!

Designer: Golden Eye

Golden Eye’s MOC (My Own Creation) is a meticulously crafted homage to classic pool tables, incorporating both form and function in a way that LEGO enthusiasts and billiards fans alike will appreciate. It taps into the nostalgia of vintage recreational games while presenting an innovative challenge for builders. The table includes thoughtful design details, such as nets for catching balls, a built-in scoring system with chips, and hooks for accessories like a bridge stick. Every element is designed with precision to replicate the essence of a real billiards table, but in LEGO form.

The underneath tray is practical, offering a space to store additional balls, while also contributing to the table’s structural integrity. The cue stand on the side features both 9-ball and 8-ball racks, giving you the opportunity to explore different game styles, playable with the striped and solid balls that come with the table. As for the accessories, the inclusion of two chalks, two felt brushes, and even a hand-powder stone showcases the level of detail considered to make this as realistic as possible.

Although it isn’t possible to play a proper game on the table (the bricked surface is far too unreliable and the plastic balls have very little weight or inertia), you could totally engage with it on a purely fidget level, using it to pass time and probably settle quick wagers with friends/colleagues.

Golden Eye’s LEGO Vintage Billiards Table is currently a submission on the LEGO Ideas Forum, an online community for fans to share their own creative builds. With just under 2,000 votes, the entry is slowly making its way to the 10,000 vote mark, following which LEGO’s internal team considers it for review before deciding whether to turn it into a box set for people to buy. You can vote for the LEGO Vintage Billiards Table on the LEGO Ideas website here!

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NEO S Mobile Kit gets you ready for ergonomic smartphone gaming with CRKD’s controller

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Mobile gaming is here to stay and numerous brands are trying to cash in to this buzz with mobile gaming controllers that turn your powerful smartphone into a handheld gaming machine. Now premium gaming brand CRKD, known for Nitro Deck+ handheld and NEO S controller, wants to try its prowess as a mobile gaming controller.

They’ve released two innovative accessories dubbed NEO S Mobile Kit and Wall Display Kit for mobile gamers. Both these gaming accessories are developed in collaboration with Accessories maker Mechanism. As the name suggests, these are compatible with CRKD’s existing line-up of gaming controllers – most notably the NEO S.

Designer: CRKD

The NEO S Mobile Kit gives you the freedom to mount your iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy S24 Ultra, or other gaming-capable devices to the NEO S controller. That’s perfect for playing AAA titles like Resident Evil, Fortnite, CODM, PUBG, Asphalt Legends or Real Racing. One thing that you need to consider though is the weight of the premium smartphones which can sometimes weigh down the whole setup. So, I presume CRKD has sorted that out to some extent. Hooking on the kit’s elements to the controller and your smartphone is pretty simple, all you have to do is attach the magnetic grip to the smartphone and mount the extension arm on the controller. The gaming accessory makes more sense for Apple users since it is MagSafe compatible.

Coming on to the Wall Display Kit, the idea is straight-forward, you can add a permanent mounting position on your wall to display your CRKD hardware when not gaming. The kit comes with Adhesive Wall Mount, NEO S Grip, universal grip (for other devices) and adhesive mounts. The NEO S Mobile Kit comes for $30, and the Wall Display Kit retails for $35 which I think is a little overpriced. That said, if the NEO S Mobile Kit aligns with your mobile gaming needs, only then it should be considered for buying. As for the Wall Display Kit, the buying decision completely depends on your budget.

According to Jack Guinchard, Global Brand Manager for CRKD, “would broaden the scope of use for CRKD products and bring new ways to use and display our range of gaming collectibles.” He further claimed that “Mechanism is a perfect fit for the CRKD community.”

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Herman Miller Gaming x FAILE artistic gaming chairs and character joysticks are impressive

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Herman Miller is known better for its consortium of office chairs than for gaming chairs. But its gaming division: Herman Miller Gaming, has a new, artistic vision to turn some eyes its way. The furniture giant has partnered with FAILE, a brainchild of Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller, to revive the nostalgia of the Arcades, Ataris, and Nintendos of the ‘80s through painting and printmaking approach on chairs, wooden Joysticks, and printed posters.

The initial idea for Herman Miller and FAILE collaboration was to work with the prints collection of the former. McNeil and Miller, however, saw varying opportunities in the furniture maker’s gaming repertoire and besides gaming-inspired printed posters and tangible painted joysticks with whimsical game-like characters, they have gone ahead to give colorful art love to Herman Miller’s ergonomic gaming seat.

Designer: Herman Miller Gaming x FAILE

Brooklyn-based collaboration between artists Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller, FAILE, has been blurring the lines between fine art and popular culture through painting and printmaking. The choice of material is little of significance, since their collaboration since 1999, the two artists have worked with a range of materials ranging from traditional canvas to sculptures, from window pellets to wooden boxes and their idea of transforming the Embody Gaming Chair into a piece of exceptional art is therefore no surprise.

McNeil and Miller have characterized 12 variants of the Embody, using its seat and back as the canvas of distinction similar to skateboard decks. According to the duo, through the artwork, they intend to bring to ‘Herman Miller Gaming that which was not in the digital realm but captured some of the character making of gaming.’ This also extends into the creation of joysticks, which have a tactile wood feel and personality of their own that uniquely comes to life depending on the setting they’re used in.

FAILE and Herman Miller have created 100 unique characters, based on drawings and doodles. Each of these is handcrafted and painted with hand for uniqueness. While the chairs are designed exclusively for the Herman Miller Gaming archives, and are not available to purchase. Joysticks and prints are available for preorder and will go on retail starting October 1 for $995 and $250 respectively. If you want an experience of the artistic collection before committing to it, you can check them out in an installation in New York from September 27 through September 29.

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iPhone Case Transforms into an Analog Controller to play Game-Boy and other Handheld Emulator Games

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I honestly can’t remember a time when case-makers for the iPhone were THIS overwhelming but yeah, we’ve probably covered 5 iPhone cases in the past week alone and this might be the 6th. Designed for the iPhone 15 and 16 Pro Max, the GameBaby from Bitmo Lab transforms your phone into a gaming handheld, reminiscent of the classic Game Boy. What makes the GameBaby stand out isn’t just its nod to the past—it’s the practical design that integrates a functional gaming experience into something as ubiquitous as a phone case. Unlike typical cases, the GameBaby features a two-piece system. The upper half acts like a standard iPhone protector, while the lower section brings in physical buttons styled after classic handheld gaming consoles. When you’re ready to jump into a game, the bottom half flips to the front, giving you a set of tactile controls that instantly transport you to the 90s.

Designer: Bitmo Lab

Instead of fiddling with external controllers or Bluetooth devices, the GameBaby lets you enjoy gaming on your iPhone without needing extra power sources. There’s no need to worry about charging it or pairing it with your phone via Bluetooth. Just flip the lower half of the case 180° and re-attach it to turn it into an analog control panel. The buttons work mechanically by touching virtual buttons on your screen, so you can jump into gaming without the extra steps that can often make mobile gaming accessories feel cumbersome. It’s a sleek solution for gamers who want to keep things simple but still enjoy the tactile feedback of physical controls—a rarity in the touchscreen-dominated world we live in today.

The GameBaby case works with various button layouts from systems like the original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and NES, all through the use of customizable emulator skins. This means you can swap between different layouts depending on the game you’re playing, giving you a level of control not often found in mobile gaming. Although it doesn’t come preloaded with emulators or games, the case is designed to work seamlessly with the Delta emulator, which is known for its support of over 7,000 games. So, while you might need to handle the software side yourself, the hardware is built to accommodate a huge range of gaming options.

While the concept of turning your iPhone into a retro gaming device is certainly intriguing, Bitmo Lab has taken it a step further by making the design practical for everyday use. When you’re not gaming, the controller portion folds back and clicks into place, protecting the back of your phone like a regular case. This makes the GameBaby functional beyond just gaming—it’s still an iPhone case, after all. You can slip it into your pocket, take it on the go, and occasionally fiddle with the buttons and controls like they’re fidget details.

For those itching to relive their childhood gaming days, the GameBaby case is now available for pre-order. Early adopters can snag it for $19.99, but only for the first 1,000 units. After that, the price jumps to $24.99 during the remainder of the pre-order phase, eventually hitting its retail price of $39.99. With the iPhone 16’s official announcement just last week, the timing of this release seems perfectly aligned for those planning to upgrade their phone but still want a dash of nostalgia in their everyday carry (although I see no Camera Control cutout on the case’s design yet). While Bitmo Lab has yet to confirm exact shipping dates, the early bird pricing makes it a tempting offer for those looking to secure a piece of retro gaming merch for their next iPhone.

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8BitDo’s Mod Kit turns wired NGC controller into wireless one with Hall Effect joysticks

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If you wish to again play games on your Nintendo console with the GameCube controller that has damaged wires and bad instances of drifting analog sticks, then this accessory arrives as a blessing in disguise. 8BitDo has introduced a mod kit that lets you upgrade your GameCube controller to a wireless gamepad, so that you’re not impulsively tempted into buying a new one.

This is not the first time 8BitDo has introduced a mod kit for the Nintendo controllers including the N64 and earlier ones, so this comes as no surprise. The trick here is that you’ll have to replace the existing PCB of the NGC controller with a drop-in board. The Chinese tech company is taking pre-orders for this useful gaming accessory that’ll make you go wireless if you hate the wire clutter on your Nintendo ecosystem. Called the NGC Mod Kit, this one is slated to ship on 25th September.

Designer: 8BitDo

You’ll need to have basic soldering knowledge and loads of patience to make the changeover. Remember, controllers are not that easy to put together when opened up. Although not as tedious as putting together something like a DualSense. Of course, there are certified adapters on the market (including 8BitDo GBros and Nintendo’s official adapter) that allow you to use the wired GameCube controller with the Switch but this mod kit cuts out the extra and brings straightforward wireless Bluetooth connectivity.

Along with making your gamepad wireless, there are other add-ons as well. It has Hall effect joysticks for improved lifespan and immunity against sensitive vibrations if you love to play your FPS games hard. The accessory adds a 300mAh USB-C rechargeable battery with 6 hours of playtime for gaming without interruptions. It also adds a new set of triggers to the controller, so basically, you’ll have a virtually new gaming controller to play around with.

8BitDo Mod Kit priced at $26 is worth the spend if you have a Nintendo GameCube controller with chewed-down wires and defunct joystick controls. The only catch is, that you’ll have to slash out another $26 for the Tetro Receiver for GNC to connect to the GameCube. So, spending $52 on a wire-free setup for your existing NGC controller makes logical sense.

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Foldable Game Boy console lets you go from Classic to Nintendo Switch-style Landscape gaming in seconds

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Flip Phones? How about we introduce an era of Flip Consoles!

Meet the Game Boy Flip, an audacious fan-made console concept that features a flip-type gadget with joy-cons. In its shut mode, you’ve got a handheld device that can be used to play Game Boy Advanced or Color games, but open the foldable and you’ve got a larger screen for a more immersive landscape-style game a la Nintendo Switch. I don’t see any cameras on this device but slap a couple and you quite literally have a flip phone that can be used for stuff other than just gaming… not bad, huh??

Designer: Abdelrahman Shaapan

The idea of a foldable gaming console seems like an absolute winner, truth be told. Flip phones are currently in a spot where they’re searching for a problem to solve – but the Game Boy Flip has no such problem. It’s a dedicated gaming device that takes its reputation seriously, offering multiple gaming modes ( we counted as many as three).

The first is just straight-up handheld touchscreen gaming. Use it in the closed mode for more retro old-school games, or open it up for a more expansive contemporary console experience. The dual touchscreens are perfect for immersing yourself in games, although there are arrow buttons on both the left and right side just in case you want some analog action.

If touchscreen gaming isn’t your jam (and a lot of bonafide gamers would feel so), the Game Boy Flip comes with snap-on Joy-Cons that let you play games with advanced controls, just like you would a GBA or Nintendo DS. The closed-display format offers the perfect size and aspect ratio for such games, making it perfect to relive old classics from years ago.

However, open the console up and you’re presented with a modern-day beast. The Joy-Cons snap to the open-screen device, now giving you a larger landscape display that’s perfect for newer games like the ones on the Switch. In fact, I’d go a step further and say the Game Boy Flip looks better than the Switch just given how slick and gorgeous that bezel-less screen is.

The only real difference is that the Joy-Cons don’t exist independently. They’re part of an armature that holds the phone in between (sort of like the Razer Kishi or the Backbone controller) with a USB-C jack plugging into the device to create a ‘wired’ connection, so you can’t detach the Joy-Cons and play with them independently the way you would on a Switch. However, that isn’t really what this concept is all about – it’s more about providing a novel template for the clamshell-style foldable phone, turning it into a Game Boy from the future that’s backward compatible, allowing you to play old classics on a small screen, and modern-day titles on the larger, landscape screen.

Now sure, this is just a fan-made concept of a Nintendo device that will probably never exist… but if anyone there can build a controller prototype for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 or even the Xiaomi Mix Flip, I’m sure there’s definitely a gamer market out there willing to rock a flip phone just for the experience of being able to play games on it effectively!

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