SimCity Handheld Device

Categories Computers, Electronics, Gadgets, Video GamesLeave a Comment on SimCity Handheld Device

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This past week a company called Basic Fun released a handheld version of The Oregon Trail, an educational PC game from the 80’s. I’d like to see the first SimCity (1989) get the same treatment, mostly because that was my PC game from the era.

Of course I gotta be cheeky and make a design that is based on the game’s box art. My design is in keeping with Basic Fun’s Oregon Trail handheld, but if they want to add a bunch of dials and displays like the aforementioned box art, that would be pretty cool too.

Continue reading ➞ SimCity Handheld Device

Kevin Smith Tabletop Hockey

Categories Films, Hockey, Toys3 Comments on Kevin Smith Tabletop Hockey

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Here is a tabletop hockey set design that pays homage to the rooftop hockey scene from Clerks. The building facade is on both sides of the rink, the Quick Stop signs are score markers, and the players are decked out in Kevin Smith hockey jerseys.

The players should be wearing shorts and sneakers, so apologies for not being completely accurate here. All the View Askew characters, like Jay and Silent Bob, would be illustrated as players too.

If you look at center ice you’ll see they are using an orange street ball, but it is encased in a clear plastic puck (an idea for anyone who wants to make street hockey tabletops).

Like everyone else I am glad Kevin survived his health scare last week, here’s hoping he makes films well into his 80’s like Clint Eastwood.

Star Trek Personal Assistant

Categories Appliances, Computers, Electronics, Gadgets, Toys2 Comments on Star Trek Personal Assistant

Star Trek personal assistant Alexa Siri Amazon Apple by Dave Delisle davesgeekyideas Dave's Geeky Ideas

I’m sure millions of folks have already thought “I would prefer to say ‘Computer’ instead of Alexa or Siri!”, and I am one of those people. I’m pretty sure Apple and Amazon have felt the same way, because their personal assistant devices appear to be inspired by Star Trek.

Obviously it’s not an original idea,  but I feel such a device should look like a communicator, and would feature an amber-colored LED light instead of a blue one. It would still feature the same voice as Siri or Alexa, but could also play Sound FX from Star Trek like energizing, red alert, communicator presses, and so on.

I could also see this being paired up with Bluetooth Star Trek badge communicators that people could wear or keep on their person, to interact with the assistant remotely with just a press of the badge. Would also be helpful to find other badge wearers: “Computer, where is my kid?”

Transformers Bottle Opener

Categories Food, Gadgets, Robots2 Comments on Transformers Bottle Opener

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Here’s a bottle opener that will light your darkest hour! It features a push-button LED light, so this would make for a handy keychain combo. I could also see geeks wearing this around their neck with a chain just like Galvatron, a tyrant who loves bling.

There are several Transformers-themed bottle openers currently available on the market, so this design could potentially be made in the future. I didn’t think Hasbro would allow their toy brand to be used for a beer-opening product, so color me surprised here.

Bonus: originally I was going to make this a keychain power bank and LED light combo, but a bottle opener seemed more useful to me. I have a few power banks and I never really use them.

Pinball Smartphone Cradle

Categories Electronics, Gadgets, Toys, Video Games4 Comments on Pinball Smartphone Cradle

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Just add a smartphone or Nintendo Switch to this cradle/controller and you can play pinball video games. The bumper buttons and table-like orientation allow players to enjoy pinball just like they were playing on a real machine.

But wait, there’s more! Just slide the marquee and stand the device upright and it is now an arcade cabinet.

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The marquee slides on rails, allowing this to transform between pinball and arcade configurations. The marquee sign is a loose flap that swings down automatically in both modes, thanks to gravity. 

Continue reading ➞ Pinball Smartphone Cradle

Nintendo Classic Mini Carrying Case

Categories Electronics, Gadgets, Toys, Transportation, Video Games7 Comments on Nintendo Classic Mini Carrying Case

NES SNES Classic carrying case with built-in TV stand design by Dave Delisle davesgeekyideas

Carrying cases are trendy again, thanks to the surging popularity of the NES and SNES Classic Mini consoles. Thought I would design a case that features a built-in monitor, a handy feature for gamers who want a compact gaming rig, or a means to game on the go. This case is about the size of a large lunchbox, and was inspired by portable record players.

Nintendo Classic carrying case TV stand design by Dave Delisle davesgeekyideas 2018

It transforms from a suitcase into a retro TV, complete with a wheeled cart (the wheels are also functional in suitcase mode). The TV is a USB-powered portable LCD monitor. The flaps on the sides of the case clamp everything down in both suitcase and TV mode.

The transformation adds a great deal of versatility; theoretically you could always use this case, either as an entertainment center or means of transporting the game system. You never really have to remove the console.

There is a drawer beneath the system to store controllers and accessories, perhaps a power supply as well for mobile gaming.

NES Zapper Wireless Dongle

Categories Electronics, Gadgets, Toys, Video GamesLeave a Comment on NES Zapper Wireless Dongle

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There have been several wireless controllers released for the NES and SNES Classic consoles, and they all feature a dongle that, in my opinion, is a bit too large and unsightly to look at. So I propose a dongle that is concealed inside a NES Zapper.

The trigger of the Zapper would be the ‘sync’ button, and an LED light would be in its barrel to indicate power or syncing-in-progress. It would be a smaller Zapper to match the scale of the NES Classic.

With the NES Classic being re-released sometime this year (Nintendo: 2 controllers, longer cords, and Ice Hockey this time please), I feel this dongle design would be a hit with collectors. Some companies like 8bitdo sell their wireless dongles separately so people can just swap these in without having to needlessly buy another controller.

A R.O.B. the robot wireless dongle could also be made for the NES Classic. I don’t know what could be made for the SNES Classic, as the Super Scope was rather silly.