Wii fail

The question is: why was he filming it? Was he planning on doing something special in that gaming session?

The Super Mario Bros. Theme music sheet

By now you've probably realized that I'm a huge fan of the Super Mario Bros. console game, and especially, its theme music. If you're a fan too and always wanted to play the theme in your favourite instrument, check out the music sheet here.

Top 10 most creative ways of playing the Super Mario Bros. Theme

I've been a fan of the Super Mario Bros theme ever since I started playing the game when I was a little boy. It's one of those tunes that once you get inside of your head, it's difficult to get it out... but in a good way :-) And it seems that I'm not the only fan, since it only takes you a little search around the web to find highly-creative fans playing the game's theme song in the most oddly ways.

To honour the game and its great theme song, here's my top ten list of the most creative ways of playing the Super Mario Brothers theme:

First of all an Honourable mention - Doing it With a Ruler - Well, this one is not actually well played but kudos for the imagination:

#10 - With Your Hands - This one does not produce the best sound but you've got to give it credit for this unique talent:

#9 - On a Church Organ - Not the best version but you cannot help to feel the chills when you listen to the them being played in a church organ. Well, it just gives that Phantom of the Opera feeling that always creeps me out:

#8 - Tuba Duet at a Bathroom - Simple, well played and creative enough to enter the list

#7 - Blowing on Bottles - Very slow, but you have to admire the perseverance and co-ordination between all the "musicians"

#6 - Using a Remote Controlled Car - This video was actually the one that started all of this. After seeing this I thought: "Ok, I've seen it all"

#5 - With a Drum Solo - This one is just a drum solo that accompanies the theme song, but you've got to agree that it's quite amazing:

#4 - Beatboxing Flute - Quite original and a whole lot better than if it was just played in a flute:

#3 - A Capella - No matter what people say, A Capella always brings a special touch to tunes, and this version is not an exception:

#2 - As a Broadway Musical Theme - This is an absolutely amazing adaptation of the theme, featuring cabaret-like sounds and melodic entries that give the tune a really special touch:

#1 - Two Guitars and Just One Guitarist - My personal favourite featuring a very talented guitarist that uses two guitars to perfectly reproduce the theme song. I also play guitar and I can easily understand how difficult it is to co-ordinate the two hands to do something like this:

Keep in mind that this is only my personal top 10. It may not reflect other fans' opinions. But I would like to ear about your opinions. Want to help me build the top 20 list? Suggest other videos on the comments!

Enjoy!

Retro-blooging: best posts of May 2007

Previously, on the Tech In Me:

• Jobs vs. Gates: face-to-face
• Microsoft Surface: "touching" the computer
• Wii can take you to some angry places
• A flexible TV Screen
• The music industry is killing itself
• Stumble upon the Internet
• Must-have free apps for Ubuntu Users
• VirtuSphere: virtual reality at its best

Ladies and Gentlemen: all the gaming consoles' laptop versions

I was already amazed when some guy decided to create a laptop version of the XBox 360. But this guy went all the way with laptop versions of all the gaming consoles:

The XBox 360 laptop:

The Wii laptop:

The XBox 360 laptop:

I'm speechless, except to say: WOW!

Images source: Engagdet

How to choose a game console?

If you're having problems choosing a gaming console, I can provide you with a simple chart that can help you decide which one to buy:

Source: here

Yet another "Minority Report"-like interface for hand-controlled applications

I've talked here before about some of the competitors of my very own hand-controlled application interface engine, GELToC. But this time, I guess I've been surpassed by this new Wiimote-based technology that allows controlling a Microsoft Surface-like application without actually touching the screen, and by using "Minority Report"-ish technology instead.

Check the video for a demonstration:

Retro-blogging: best posts of January 2007

Previously, on the Tech in Me:

• Retro-tech: a digital polaroid
• Earn some money with your YouTube videos
• European PS3 in March
• It takes 21 sms to make a cellphone thief repent
• DRM for Blu-ray and HD-DVD already cracked
• Need free pictures for your blog?
• The Nintendo Wii's exercise plan
• Fight crime with your cellphone
• Wireless Energy
• Free online TV
• Better searching on the wikipedia
• Google Earth: a terrorist's attack planner
• Joost: HDTV over IP
• The iPhone is here

The Wii workout...at the gym!!

That's right...at the gym!! Remember when I posted on the "Wii before-and-after"? Well, now some gym in Canada felt it was a good idea to allow their clients to do some exercise while playing Wii Sports.


In Reuters:

"Studeo 55 in Vancouver has incorporated a Nintendo Wii workout station into circuit training where users can punch, run and jump with the system's movement-sensitive controller. Nathan Mellalieu, the owner of Studeo 55, said he decided to bring video games into a fitness environment after watching how much fun some children were having and, more importantly, seeing them sweating."

"All of our clients get great results, but the biggest result we see is the smile on their faces. People have to understand that fun is important."

The Nintendo Wii's "Before and After"

As I posted last November, Nintendo's Wii is good for exercising. But now, some proof is starting to come up. Check out Mickey's results:


Mickey DeLorenzo, a 25-year-old living in Philadelphia, decided to run an experiment for six whole weeks, and while he sought to keep his eating habits constant, he devoted 30 minutes per day to Wii Sports and monitored his weight, calories burned per session, body fat percentage and heart rate.

Mickey started out at 182 pounds, and after a month and a half of Wii workouts, managed to take his weight down to 172 pounds.

So, looking for a diet? Buy the new Nintendo Wii's Diet Program Pack...

Source and images: Engadget