Let's Name the Strangest Items In Gaming, Together

[BurningDoom]

I thought this might be a fun and interesting thread for us.

Each of us shares a strange game, accessory, controller, or console from gaming's history. Give us a brief description or history on the item, and preferably a picture to go with it so we can see this oddity from years gone by, and then let another person do the same. This would work much like our "Top 100" lists.

Rules:

-Please post only 1 item per post.
-Please allow others to post before posting another item.

So, let's see what we can learn about together. I'll go first:

1. The Aura Interactor Virtual Reality Game Wear accessory for Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo



If you wear this, supposedly you can feel the pain when your character onscreen is attacked. Right, because that would be awesome. Who's the guy sitting around the conference table going "Wouldn't be great if when your kicked in the game, it actually kicks your ass?" I bet he was in Fight Club (we don't talk about Fight Club). I've never actually used one, but from what I hear, it's nothing but a plastic vest that has a rumble-feature.

[pakopako]

I've never actually used one, but from what I hear, it's nothing but a plastic vest that has a rumble-feature.

They released a chair-version. It was... (b)ass. The thing rumbled (and not "vibrate out of your hand" like a PS Dual Shock) a little bit on "normal" volume. I asked if it could be cranked up. They said it would if you increased the volume. It was a store demo, so they couldn't go all the way and they weren't sure how to plug in headphones so you don't wake up the neighborhood playing Monopoly with the volume turned all the way up to 14 like Marty McFly.

At least it was safer than the various VR "touch-o-visions" over the years.

[Damm64]

The trance vibrator



From wikipedia:

A "Special Package" version of the PlayStation 2 release of the game was sold in Japan only, including a USB device called a Trance Vibrator, which pulses in time with the music. The intended use of the device would be to hold it, put it in a pocket, or sit on it while playing (a pouch was provided to protect the device); similar to the DualShock, it would vibrate in time with the music, but stronger than the DualShock's own feedback, helping to extend the synesthesia to the player's feeling of touch. While not explicitly marketed as a sex toy or masturbatory aid, it has reportedly been used as such[8]; in fact, in 2007, ScrewAttack ranked the Trance Vibrator the #1 best gaming peripheral in its "Best Gaming Peripherals" for this reason.[9] The devices are available from various aftermarket retailers for (as of 2006) approximately $60 USD. The trance vibrator is also compatible with Space Channel 5: Part 2 and the Japanese version of Disaster Report.
Reverse-engineering efforts to allow the Trance Vibrator to attach to and be controlled by a PC have been successfully executed in Japan, resulting in a device driver for Microsoft Windows XP and Windows 2000. Sam Hocevar also wrote a driver which is part of the Linux kernel.[10]
The Xbox 360 version, Rez HD, uses up to three additional controllers for the trance vibration functionality in the game.

Japan...

[Evildeadmanwalking77]

I never owned it or even heard of it until I watched The Angry Video Game Nerd's review on it.

[Evildeadmanwalking77]

And this thing for the Genesis, the Sega Activator. I remember seeing an ad for it in one my issues for GamePro magazine and was just like wtf? Obvioulsy this technology has been imporved upon w/ the Kinect on Xbox and the Wii (sort of) but at the time it was like huh? Well at least for me anyways.

[J T]

Dahahaha! I forgot about the Roll n Rocker. I used to see those in clearance bins all over the place when I was a kid.

[Gamerforlife]

If you want to see a beat'em up that's different from the norm



and if you don't think the arcade cabinet is strange enough, look at the stuff you'll face



It's all worth it though



Awww yeah

[J T]

I used to love Super Sonic Blastman! I hurt my hand on it all the time.

[BurningDoom]

The trance vibrator

lol. I love the classy bag it comes in.

1. The Aura Interactor Virtual Reality Game Wear accessory for Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo
2. The Trance Vibrator for PS2
3. Rock & Roller for NES
4. The Activator for Sega Genesis
5. Sonic Blast Man
6. AlphaGrip AG-5 PC Gaming and Text Entry Controller



This monstrosity was supposed to make using your PC easier by doing your email or spreadsheets with the ease of a gaming controller, and double as an actual gaming pad at the same time. Just look at the pic, do I need to explain why it failed?

[Gamerforlife]

I used to love Super Sonic Blastman! I hurt my hand on it all the time.

"In March 1995 Taito recalled Sonic Blastman machines after reports of players who sustained injuries by playing the game. A year later, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Taito had agreed to pay a fine of $50,000 (USD) for failing to disclose these injuries."