I’m a big fan of board games. I know they’re not for everyone and that they have this reputation for being boring, but I simply don’t agree. I’m not saying that I would play them all day, every day, until the end of time, but I think a board game a day isn’t so bad. I think it all depends on what game you’re playing and who you’re playing it with. Sure, if the people you’re trying to play Monopoly with absolutely hate the game, it’s not going to be much fun. But if you’re sitting down to a rousing round of Boggle with a master word sleuth, then it’s on for the rest of the night.
So you have to take a second look at the Super Mario Chess Set (ThinkGeek, $39.99) because it’s not some stuffy pretentious version of chess. This chess board trumps a regular old game of chess because the pieces are custom. I know, there are a lot of custom chess pieces out there, but have you seen a collection of 32 hand-painted pieces bearing an uncanny resemblance to Super Mario characters? I think not. This game would appeal to any child, or gamers’ child at heart, and yet is still a fully functional chess set. Now, you could just keep the set tucked away so it can accrue value (and dust) over time. Or, you could actually play it. And let me tell you, you want to play this game. How could you resist a Mario vs Bowser game of chess?
This game would give you some serious geek street cred. Just imagine you’re on your webcam, trying to hit it off with some cyber hottie, and she spots this chess set in the background. You’re golden. Instant second web date.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 18.5″ square board; tallest piece is 2.5″
-Includes 32 hand painted pieces, metal collectors box, game board, and instructions
-Chess and Super Mario mash up
-Mario vs Bowser
-Ages 7 and up
It seems like it’s been ages since I’ve experienced a decent night of drinking and general debauchery. Maybe I’m just getting older or I’m a little more mature than I used to be, but the usual drinking games and drunken antics aren’t doing it for me anymore. I need something new, something different and exciting to perk up my weekend social gatherings. I want something that when my friends come over and see it, they won’t be able to believe their eyes. They will stand, chins dropped in awe, rendered powerless by the sheer magnificence of such an item. It’s not too much to ask, right?
Thanks goodness for the Spin N Shot Roulette Drinking Game (Drinkstuff, £15.98), or I would still be searching in vain for that majestic essential party accessory. Ok, so the appeal of this thing should be fairly obvious because it combines gambling and drinking, two things that go together like peanut butter and jelly. If you like gambling, you could be tempted to just take the easy way out and get some card games going on. That’s cool, but maybe you want to switch it up every now and then, so it would be good to have a back-up. Enter a roulette wheel and you’ve got a whole new party aesthetic happening. I don’t know if I’d want to play roulette Vegas style because it seems way too easy to lose the house, but if you’re playing for shots, then I don’t really see the harm. Each shot glass corresponds with two or three numbers, so you have a greater chance of your shot “winning” each time you play. If you’re hardcore, you could just refill the shot glasses as you go, or if you have any sympathy for your liver, you could just leave them empty after the first number is selected. There are a total of 16 shot glasses on the wheel, which means you could invite 15 friends to a crazy Vegas themed party.
I never really was a big Vegas fan. I mean, I like the whole idea of gambling and boozing in the afternoon, but that’s really only fun for a couple of hours. After that, unless you’re Bill Gates, you’re flat broke and the seeds of a hangover start to set in. And that’s just depressing.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 290mm (diameter)
-Contains a roulette wheel, 2 balls, and 16 shot glasses
-Each glass corresponds with 2 or 3 different numbers
-Delivery only available in select countries
For some reason, even though it seems like we don’t need to, we’re always trying to find new ways to enjoy our adult beverages. We can’t just sit around the house and have a beer, we have to have a wild house party or head out to the bar until the wee hours of the morning. Let’s say you are just sitting at home. Do you just watch TV and sip on your brew? Nope, you get some friends to come over so you can play Asshole or Fuck The Dealer. Or maybe you get really crazy and you set up a game of Beer Pong, Flip Cup, or Quarters. Do any of these things make the drinks taste any better? Maybe not, but it sure is a whole lot of fun!
Along those same lines, the Beer Blaster Liquid Shooter (ThinkGeek, $22.99) could really spruce up your next adult beverage tasting. See, this contraption not only adds a level of excitement to any get together, but there also aren’t any steadfast rules involved so you don’t have to worry about remembering whose turn it is or which card to put down. You’re pretty much just squirting each other with a healthy blast of carbonated hops. It’s up to you whether your goal is to inject a steady stream of beer into your friend’s open mouth (or your own, for that matter) or if you just want to have a friendly water fight, where water equals beer. This thing shoots up to 10 feet, so I’d say you’re pretty much covered during a beer fight. Also, it works with any standard 12oz beer can (or soda, if that’s your bag). All you have to do is shake up the can, slide it into the reservoir holder, and then lock the reservoir holder down. The final step will cause a small needle to puncture your can, and the carbonation will render it ready to the trigger activated blast stream.
Now, I know it’s silly that I have to mention this, but beverages are not included. I know, I know, you were hoping to score a nice six pack with purchase, but that’s just not the case. You’re gonna have to actually go to the grocery store. Crazy, I know.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9″ x 8″ x 3″
-For use with any standard 12oz beer/soda can
-Shoots up to 10 feet
-Trigger activated blast stream
-Integrated bottle opener
-Not dishwasher safe
-Beverages not included
If I had the space, I would have a kickin’ game room. I mean, I would go all out and just cram every piece of gaming equipment that I could find into the room. Now, I’m not talking about your video games, although vintage arcade cabinets and pinball machines would be more than welcome, No, I mean your old school classics, like billiards, darts, and most of all, ping pong. Oh man, if I could be rocking some ping pong on a daily basis, I think my life would be complete. The whole problem with this scenario? I don’t have the space for a ping pong table, let alone all those other things.
There’s someone out there that understands your plight, which is why the Dining Table Ping Pong Set (Perpetual Kid, $27.99) was invented. This dude must have known how excruciating it is to live a ping pong free existence, but also that some people have shitty jobs and are forced to pay astronomical sums for 1-bedroom studio apartments. Anyways, the point is that with this set you can transform any table into a ping pong table. Now, of course you’re gonna want to go with the biggest table you can find so you can get as close as possible to regulation length, but that’s just details. The set come with everything you need to make your ping pong dreams come true, including two paddles, two balls, two wrist bands, a net, a rulebook, and two steel posts with padded clamps. The last part is pretty important because it’s the two steel posts that make your ping pong playing possible. The steel posts clamp onto the table and allow you to affix the net on each side. Then it’s instantly ping pong time!
Hey, maybe you don’t live in some tiny apartment, but instead you’re stuck living with your parents while you save up for your own place. And not that there’s anything wrong with that or that your parents aren’t super cool, but sometimes you’ve gotta admit that they cramp your style every now and then. You know, like when your mom won’t let you put a ping pong table in your room instead of a bed. I mean, you told her you didn’t need a bed and could just sleep under the table, but would she listen? No. But now you can turn her dining room into a ping pong tournament area and have it all taken down by the time she gets home from work, without her being any the wiser. Awww yeah!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 10.5″ x 2″ x 6.5″ (carrying case)
-Includes 2 tennis paddles, 2 balls, 2 steel posts with padded clamps, 2 wrist bands, rulebook, and a full size net
-Comes packed neatly in a metal carrying case
-Turns any full size table into a ping pong table
With the rate that technology is increasing, there’s always something bigger and better out there. Whether you’re looking at cell phones, computers, or even calculators, it seems like you just can’t catch up. Basically, every time you buy something that you think is totally awesome, prepare for it to be considered “outdated” the very next day. This notion is particularly relevant when discussing video game systems. I mean, as soon as you get completely addicted to one console, they come out with something so fantastic that you just have to have it. Too bad you just spent all your money on that Playstation 3 because Mario Kart on the Wii looks pretty sweet. So you spend all your time collecting new games and systems, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but what about all your old gaming technology? Is it just supposed to sit there, brutally cast aside and gathering dust? Perhaps there’s a way to revive these games of old…
You can relive your childhood all over again with the Retro Mini Handheld NES System (ThinkGeek, $49.99). Not only do you get the chance to whip out your Dr. Mario skills again, but you can play just about anywhere (although I wouldn’t recommend underwater) with this portable gaming device. You read that right – this handheld supports your original full-size NES cartridges. I mean, why just discard all those old NES cartridges you’ve accumulated just because there’s another new, flashy game out there? Don’t you remember all the good times you had with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Here’s your chance to reunite with them! Sure, the 2.4″ LCD TFT screen might be a little smaller than the TV you played on in 1985 (or maybe it’s not), but I think you’ll rise to the challenge. And hey, if you decide that you need more magnification, this handheld comes with composite video/audio out cables so you can jack right into your TV. Otherwise, all you need is a package of AA batteries and you’re set for about eight hours.
Remember how excited you were when you first opened that Nintendo Entertainment System on Christmas Day? That sheer joy you experienced as you ripped off that wrapping paper and realized that this was the best day of your life thus far? Now think about how great it would be to feel that way again. I think this calls for Christmas in July. You get the wrapping paper and I’ll set up the tree.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 15cm x 9cm x 4cm
-2.4″ LCD TFT screen
-Plays original full size NES cartridges
-Built in speakers
-Headphone out jack
-Includes composite (NTSC) video/audio out cables for playing on a TV
-Uses 4 AA batteries (not included)
-Runs for over 8 hours on single set of batteries
-NES cartridges not included
