Infinite Lives » Vinyl and Plush

Linksplosion: Martin Amis, ‘Minecraft,’ and Emporium Bar Arcade

Jenn Frank — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:18:24 +0000

Hello and hi. I collected a couple links a couple days ago, but I hadn’t yet posted them—until now! Lucky you!

Joystiq – Minecraft building blocks (via Metafilter.
The correct reaction is “what the—”
Eater – Emporium Arcade Bar Opening in March
A Barcade-style barcade is coming to Chicago, and everyone is freaking out:

Expect a focus on Midwestern and local beer with half of the beer on tap always being from the Midwest. The plan is to rotate their selection often, so there will always be new brews to try. There will also be a large whiskey list, with a selection of standard and upscale varieties. A full bar will be available as well and there may be more specialty cocktails down the line.
Writer Martin Amis once penned a video-game near-classic, Invasion of the Space Invaders. The Millions has a review of the book (via Slate).

Since the book is impossible to buy used, some Good Samaritan is publishing Amis’s book’s very best lines as a Twitter feed.

Related posts:
1. Daily Linksplosion: Wednesday, July 07, 2010
2. Super Button Mashers: a Gamer Tribute at OhNo!ARCADE

Yoshi Mech (with flip-top nose)

Jenn Frank — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:01:54 +0000

Ten months since the debut of his Mario Mech (which I blogged about at GameSetWatch, here), Donald Kennedy unveils its sequel, the Yoshi Mech.

Maybe the Best Thing about this particular customization is the robot’s flip-top snout, revealing Yoshi’s inner workings—the command center along the back wall was reappropriated from a Playmobil police station, Donald writes, while Little Yoshi’s laptop-console was ganked from a LEGO set.

“I can’t wait to do another,” Donald writes. “I think Luigi may be next.”

Flickr – Custom Yoshi Mech via KodyKoala.com

KodyKoala’s “Bowser Claus”

Jenn Frank — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 00:19:30 +0000

Did you know Macy’s department store is already decorated? It is.

So it’s no surprise that custom toy artist Donald Kennedy of KodyKoala (see also, also, and also) is gearing up for the holiday season!

I admit, I like the name Bowser Claus, but I would have been more likely to go with “Koopa Kringle.”

Bowser Claus is Coming to Town flickrset via KodyKoala.com

Awesome custom Samus at LA’s Toy Art Gallery

Jenn Frank — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:23:50 +0000

That incredible Samus Aran figurine (with LIGHT-UP HELMET and CANNON ARM) is, bafflingly, a customized Celsius vinyl toy, executed by artist Dave Quiles. Look at the details on her Varia suit!

This lovely bounty hunter is just one custom vinyl toy at the Ganmettal Celsius Custom Show, which opened July 10 at LA’s Toy Art Gallery.

The show also featured at least one Mega Man custom (well, duh, right?).

Vinyl Pulse – Dave “outtamymind” Quiles for the Custom Celsius Show @ TAG (07.10)

New toys from PaRappa the Rapper artist

Jenn Frank — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:29:30 +0000

Last week, I was pretty startled by the sudden appearance of two new Kidrobot plush bears (PJ Berri and Sweety Bancha) right here in my workplace.

Maybe I didn’t quite recognize them immediately, but each of these heavy-lidded teddies is based on the art of one Rodney Greenblat, better known to video game-goers as the guy behind the distinctive look of PaRappa the Rapper and UmJammer Lammy.

PJ Berri and Sweety Bancha retail at about US$30 each.

Last-instant edit: Damn! GameSetWatch totally covered this yesterday.

Daily Linksplosion: Monday, December 28, 2009

cronjob — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:01:51 +0000

KodyKoala.com – Kodykoala’s Custom Boy and His Blob
A lot of sculpted details here—on the boy, I mean. The blob is a blob.
Sprite Stitch – 8-bit Resident Evil 4 painting by Arcade Art
Gorgeous! US$35, with half benefiting Child’s Play
Boing Boing – Ten for 2010: the 10 most-anticipated games coming in the new year
Fez, Fez, Fez, Spelunky

Wario: Bigger, burlier, purpler

Jenn Frank — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:42:52 +0000

Following up on his nightmarishly awesome Mushroom Kingdom on Crack action figures, toysmith Donald of KodyKoala returns with a custom Wario action figure. And this villain is built like the Bluto of brick shithouses—Mario and Peach better watch out.

“I never realized how feminine a guy could look with purple overalls,” Donald writes at his blog, “until I started to paint him. Luckily I was able to darken up the purple, and make it a bit more masculine.”

KodyKoala.com – KodyKoala’s Custom Wario Action Figure

‘Mushroom Kingdom on Crack’ custom toys can’t be unseen

Jenn Frank — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:22:28 +0000

Donald of KodyKoala is a formidably prolific crafter; his more recent custom Animal Crossing Qees are as cute as pie.

But Donald’s “Mushroom Kingdom on Crack” custom trio of action figures are absolutely terrifying. Filed under “nightmares.”

Mushroom Kingdom on Crack (Set) via The Daily What

Metroid amigurumi by Deadcraft

Jenn Frank — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:40:49 +0000

Nissie of Deadcraft made a ton of incredible Metroid amigurumi last year for a customer, and I didn’t know about it (this seems to be the trend).

Nissie also handcrafted the absolute cutest little metroid you’ve ever seen.

Dolls – Video Games (Set) via Sprite Stitch

Though intimidating, ‘Metroid cake balls’ probably delicious

‘Dr. Mario Virus’ custom dunny trio

Jenn Frank — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:19:13 +0000

You know, if I read the Roto Forums every day like I claim I do, I would’ve known about and lusted for these Reactor-88 custom dunnies ~~way back in March~~ errr, three weeks ago. Like, at least.

Reactor-88 Blog – Dr. Mario Virus Dunny Set via The Daily What

Scarygirl game ready for lift-off

Jenn Frank — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:24:34 +0000

In the comments, Touch My Pixel’s Tarwin Stroh-Spijer says,

The [Scarygirl] game is almost ready to play (going through final approvals), but in the meantime we’ve got this juicy final trailer for you, which should show a lot more of the game than you saw last time.

The Melbourne-based Touch My Pixel team has worked well over a year to bring the art (and toys) of Nathan Jurevicius to life. Scarygirl, a browser-based 2D platformer, will star everyone’s favorite eyepatched heroine in 14 levels of gameplay—which include, according to Tarwin, “platforming and adventure elements, as well as physics-based bike riding and even a street Street Fighter style fighting game.”

I cannot wait for this to come out.

Scarygirl.com

Ness custom munny

Jenn Frank — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:17:50 +0000

My ol’ pal Albert just finished his custom munny of Ness, the kid from EarthBound.

It’s actually totally spot-on. I love the tiny backpack, too.

The Rez – I Am EarthBound: Albert Art custom “NESS” vinyl toy

Castle Crashers custom vinyl toys

Jenn Frank — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:47:08 +0000

You probably already saw these on Kotaku and Vinyl Abuse, but because I love them, here they are again: CASTLE CRASHERS TOYS.

The artist decided to customize vinyl Teddy Troops figures. With the Troops’ faces smoothed over with Sculpey, they bear (hur!) an uncanny resemblance to the heroes of Castle Crashers. Aside from the Knights’ admirably strong brows, I think the renderings of the little pets are the best part.

TGS 2008 – Phoenix Wright action figures

Jenn Frank — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:46:31 +0000

No more toys! I insisted to myself last week. I was miserable. My bedroom, once spotless, is now cluttered with lidless boxes, each one full of tiny gashapon. I’d simply shelve the toys, but my shelves are already unhappily stacked with boxes full of Toy Collection 2006.

Poorhouse, meet my total lack of resolve. Because here they are, folks: ridiculously articulated figures from the Gyakuten Saiban series (including Ema Skye and Trucy, both from Apollo Justice).

Ema is my favorite. Forensic science is rad, and look how detailed her satchel is.

I can’t wait to get my hands on these, but no word yet on when, where, or how.

Fruit Juicy – Tokyo Game Show 2008: Phoenix Wright Action Figures. (via)

LittleBigPlanet Character Creation Competition

Jenn Frank — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:58:29 +0000

Don’t Panic, in association with Sony, has launched the LittleBigPlanet Character Creation Competition!

In this contest, entrants create designs for the game’s Sackboy and Sackgirl characters. To compete, simply download a Sackboy template, doodle on top of it, and submit! Not only will the prizewinner receive a PS3 and a copy of the game, he can also look forward to limited fame and moderate notoriety: the winning character design will be included in Sony’s UK marketing blitz.

Maybe more thrillingly, Vinyl Abuse has announced they will turn their own favorite entry into a limited-edition six-inch figure.

The top ten entries will be determined by user votes; from there, the winning entry will be decided by Don’t Panic’s judges. So even the artistically disinclined can participate in the competition by voting. The competition closes on August 4, so hurry!

Soopa Coin-Up Bros.

Jenn Frank — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:54:37 +0000

Recent reconnoitering of the Rotofugi webstore turned up this gem. Erick Scarecrow’s Soopa Coin-Up Bros. figure is, essentially, an arcade cabinet with feet. And at US$30, it is blank and consummate for the stroke of your genius.

To accommodate the less artistic, of course, Soopa comes prepackaged with lots of stickers.

But prepare to be totally inspired! More than 30 gorgeous custom figures were exhibited at the “Soopa Show” (which coincided with New York Comic Con this past April). Most of those Soopa customs are truly works of art, to be sure, but Jude Buffum’s “Cock Blocker” is maybe the raddest:

Splendid! (The i am 8-bit curator already bought it.)

Shawn Smith’s DIY plush toy: launching tonight!

Shawn Smith’s DIY plush toy: launching tonight!

Jenn Frank — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:03:04 +0000

The Ninjatown cast of characters is already pretty diverse: there’s a Zombie Ninja, an Anti-Ninja, even a Baby Ninja. But what if you could design your own ninja? A Chef Ninja, a Bunny Ninja, a Ninja Librarian…?

Shawn Smith’s Plushform is a blank, customizable canvas, a DIY ‘plush’ toy that shares the Wee Ninja’s iconic silhouette. And at 20 bucks, he’s pretty cheap.

Plushform launches tonight, June 27, at Rotofugi in Chicago. For the event, artists from around the world have customized their own Plushform, which will be on exhibit in the store’s gallery space. If you live in or near Chicago, there’s really no excuse to not go.

Rotofugi Designer Toy Store and Gallery
1955 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago
June 27, 6-9 P.M. (CST)

Earlier:

Infinite Lives – Ninjatown Tower Defense

Ninjatown Tower Defense

Jenn Frank — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:02:21 +0000

We’ve been thrilled about Shawn Smith’s Ninjatown DS game ever since we first heard about it through the grapevine. Ninjatown is based on Shawnimal’s line of plush ninja toys.

To be sure, the pixelicious sprites do blocky justice to Shawn’s character art. But is the game any good?

Kotaku’s Leigh Alexander sat down for a hands-on preview of the game, and from her description, Ninjatown sounds like a real-time strategy based on the “tower defense” template, like PixelJunk Monsters and Desktop Tower Defense before it. (And yes, she says, it’s good.)

DS owners can expect to push shinobi this October.

Shawn Smith’s DIY plush toy: launching tonight!

Scarygirl game shaping up nicely

Jenn Frank — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:54:45 +0000

We love the art of Nathan Jurevicius—the pride of our Scarygirl vinyl toy collection is our Tree Dweller figurine—and that’s why we can’t wait to play this gorgeous Scarygirl online Flash game based on Jurevicus’ art and characters. Australia-based developers Touch My Pixel expect the game to launch in three months. The preview video is absolutely beautiful.

Vimeo – Scarygirl preview video 2 [Via]