You ready to feel old?  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the classic Space Invaders.  Yep, 30 years!  Holy Space Baddies Batman where has the time gone!

The wiki for SI says: "designed by Tomohiro Nishikado in 1978. It was originally manufactured by Taito and licensed for production in the U.S. by the Midway division of Bally. Initially released in its native Japan in 1978, it ranks as one of the most influential video games ever created."

Most definitely one of the iconic games of the video game revolution.  And as mentioned yesterday, we'll be seeing a Space Invaders Extreme edition released this year for the DS and PSP.  SI Extreme was released this month in Japan and is due out in the states in June 2008.

In the mean time, if you're looking to remind yourself of the 30th anniversary on a daily basis, check out these cool Bath Towels being offered by NCSX on pre-order for about $20 US. 

I'm sure more than one of you will find yourself humming the Space Invaders march. Dun, dun, dun, dun.... 

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Well, not DIY as in, how to build your own Mario bar, but DIY as in how to take your bar and decorate it in a Mario-like Theme and offer several different foo-foo drinks with Mario-like names. For Example:

Bowser 

Fiery red-yellow gradient drink... with some bite!

2 cl Tequila
1 cl Coin-treau
5 cl Orange juice
1 cl Grenadine

Directions:
Stir first three ingredients, then drop in Grenadine for the gradient effect. Serve with ice in tall glass.

Sounds and looks to me an awful lot like a Tequila Sunrise, but still, the idea remains, if you're looking for a retro-gaming theme for your next get together, this is a great way to do it.

Scrollbar even offers some custom made paper stencils to help decorate your bar area and give that Mario World feel.  Pretty cool idea if you ask me.

It's-a-me! Mario Bar! 

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IGN has a preview this week of the latest addition to the Space Invaders legacy.  Space Invaders Extreme for the Nintendo DS is due to be released any time now.

IGN's got some great screen shots of it and a video of the game play.  It's definitely fast paced and has a TON of new features, but keeps it real with the Space Invaders theme of keeping your ship on the bottom while you scroll side to side trying to kill the space baddies.

The video shows that the background is constantly shifting making it definitely feel like a very busy game with lots of action going on and plenty of distractions to take you off your game.

That being said, it looks very impressive with the new powers ups, while all the while staying true to its roots.

Space Invaders Extreme Preview  

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News hit last week that Nintendo is expanding its Virtual Console offerings with the Commodore 64 lineup:

"Available for 500 Wii Points (GBP 3.50/ EUR 5) a pop, all-time C64 favourites including Uridium and International Karate have been confirmed so far, with "regular updates" bolstering the line-up thereafter. Currently, the platform has only been confirmed for Europe - the legion of US C64 fans must wait patiently for now.

Originally released way back in 1982, the Commodore 64 went on to become the best-selling home computer of all-time, with 22 million units sold worldwide. Hugely popular across Europe and the United States, the C64 built up an incredible line-up of software, with well over 4,000 titles produced during its production lifetime (1982-1994)."

The Wii is becoming the console to beat when it comes to online offerings.  Now if we could just push past the "casual gaming" aspect of the console and bring it up to par with the game offerings of the 360 and PS3, it would be the clear cut winner.

Commodore 64 Hits Virtual Console  

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The Michigan Daily recently ran a story paying homage to a staple in the Ann Arbor, MI area known as Pinball Pete's.

Sadly, I've lived in Michigan for going on 10 years now, and this place is maybe a 30 minute drive from me and I've not been.  I really just need to take the time for these things.  Life is way too short for me not to be enjoying Pinball. 

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Sticking with the Tetris theme for just a minute longer, technically, you could probably make these yourself with some time, patience, a hack saw, blow torch and creativity, but why waste all that precious time when you can buy the silicon molds to make them.

Well, technically not yet, as the designer is looking for manufacturing to bring them to market, but these are definitely a cool little party favor to add to your next retro gaming party.  You do have parties right?  What do you mean you're all alone?  What do you mean all of your friends are just avatars on a screen?  How can that be?  What is this internet thing you're speaking of?

Personally, I'm more the "Fake Fly in Ice Cube " kinda guy myself, but still, I'd be hip for a set of these, if for nothing else, to use as Jello Shot molds!  Mmmmm, Jello Shots. 

Tetris Ice Cubes

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Honestly, where would we be without people who want to be able to take locked down equipment, crack it, hack it and mod it and give things like Tetris on the Wii.  Gaming houses need to take note and start embracing the open source community for the raw brain power that is included.

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Looks to me like this is being refined more and more.  Verdict is it's worth it for a jailbreak'd iPhone, but not worth jailbreaking your iPhone just for this:

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Technabob is showing off an awesome looking Atari 2600 cake complete with joysticks and Pac-Man along with a couple of his buddies.

This delectable edible masterpiece was created by Mendy Pound of Cakes By The Pound .

Based on the pictures from her site, I'd say Mendy would rise to the challenge of anything retro that you'd throw at her. Doubtful that she'd ship anything, or that it would last an onslaught of UPS men kicking it down the street, but if you're local to the Los Angeles area and are thinking of something different for your next get together you should check it out.

Maybe someone would be brave enought to get Mendy to create a mini Pac-Man upright, or a NES with Robby the Robot. 

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For you regulars of BYOAC , you probably recognize the name Bishmaster.  Think Tron Bartop machine and you'll know who I'm talking about.  If not, no biggie, really, it's just that Bish and his wife are some very talented people.

Bish's wife made this HUGE quilt for him a few years back and it's catching some attention again over at BoingBoing:

"The quilt is made up of 16 different fabrics (4 bit color) and is 36 columns wide and 44 rows tall, roughly 6 feet wide by 8 feet tall."

When asked about having his wife make more in the past, it was thought to be too much of an effort considering they probably wouldn't be able to make back all of the blood, sweat and tears they put into it.

Hmmm, I wonder if my Grandma's up for the task? Hey Grandma!

Giant Mario Quilt 

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