Max Engel - the 8BitKid

Xbox’s New Swiveling D-Pad Controller Redesign

8BitKid — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:43:45 +0000

I love my Xbox 360, but when it comes to games that require using the D-Pad, I always opt for my PS3. The Playstation controller has better ergonomics for D-Pad-optimized games like fighters, classic titles, etc.

This is why i am intrigued by Microsoft’s new swiveling controller redesign. The new D-Pad can be rotated 90 degrees to change it from being a concave pad to a more pronounced cross. My only hesitation about picking one up when it launches on November 9th is the steep $64.99 price point.

Creepy Crawlers Sale at Toys”R”Us

8BitKid — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:01:53 +0000

Creepy Crawlers was always one of my favorite toys as a kid. Every burn I got from touching the metal tray too soon was a badge of creative honor. I made some absolutely awesome insects, and I can still smell the goop in my mind.

That’s why I was excited to hear that today only, Toys”R”Us is having a big sale on all of their Creepy Crawler items. You can find the “Creation Station” here.

Watch My Cousin, Richard Engel, On Colbert

8BitKid — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:51:29 +0000

My cousin, Richard, is NBC’s Chief Foreign Correspondant, and he lives an incredible life report the news from the Middle East. Occasionally, our family is lucky enough to have him back stateside. The other benefit is that he tends to do the talk show circuit, and here is his appearance from last night’s Colbert Report.

Rockman Online Trailer

8BitKid — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:32:07 +0000

While this online side-scroller most likely will never see the light of day in the US, here is the animated trailer for the Korean-market-bound Rockman Online. Luckily, we will be getting Mega Man Universe here, and rumor has it that we’ll be seeing more of that game at PAX.

Mega Man Takes On Street Fighter in Mashup Game

8BitKid — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:07:07 +0000

Check out this fan project of what a Mega Man game would be like if instead of battling the Robot Masters, Mega Man took on the World Warriors.

Here is the first level, Mega Man vs. Ryu:

Lego on Openness, Co-creation, and Innovation

8BitKid — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:25:29 +0000

This video features Conny Kalcher, the VP of Consumer Experience at Lego, discussing the company’s philosophy on working with the community. It is refreshing to hear an executive extolling the benefits of working with fans and embracing a philosophy of openness. I think this outlook is what help keeps Lego fresh and sets them apart from other toy companies.

This Week in Brickd

8BitKid — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:23:42 +0000

I’m going to start a new feature, where I will occasionally highlight my other blog, Brickd.com. Brickd is a collection of the best Lego creations I find around the web. Here are some highlights from this week.

If you like these, be sure to check the blog regularly for updates, since I post new designs daily.

Watch the First Torchlight II Trailer

8BitKid — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:07:32 +0000

I’ve already expressed my elation that one of my all-time favorite computer games is getting a sequel, so I leave you with this glorious trailer to get you excited. This game can’t come soon enough.

The Opening Cinematic for Disney’s Epic Mickey

8BitKid — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:00:02 +0000

Warren Spector’s Epic Mickey for the Wii is an attempt to give Disney’s mascot a game worthy of his empire. The last Disney-related game I remember enjoying was Duck Tales for the original Nintendo. However, I’m excited for this Wii-exclusive, and enjoyed what i saw at E3.

Check out the opening cinematic, and see if you agree that this might be the game that finally does Mickey justice.

Nerf’s 9/9/10 Announcement: The Stampede ECS

8BitKid — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:00:52 +0000

Nerf is getting ready to make a big announcement on September 9th. They have been advertising on TV and showing a silhouette of the mysterious new gun. I’ve done some sleuthing, and uncovered that the new blaster will be dubbed the “Stampede ECS”.

This new behemoth will be the first fully-automatic Nerf weapon, and part of their “N-Strike” line of toys. I’m sure that both children and office-workers alike will be chomping at the bit to unleash some foam justice when this hits the shelves.

You can find the press release here.