One particular modder has set up an entire webpage dedicating to fixing up his NES. He’s got a laundry list of modifications, along with detailed instructions on the best way to install them. This guy can tell you how to install a remote reset button, build your own controller, replace the power supply, install a blue power LED – the list goes on and on. And while you have to respect his enthusiasm, I can’t help but question the wisdom of doing this. Of course, if I could find Tetris for the original NES, I might be tempted..

[via Retrothing]

This year, the badges also had a microphone and LED, but all the cool hackers bring accessories. I’d program my badge play Super Mario Brothers forever.

Wired has a great gallery of the hacks and mods a few of the people have put together, and a little info on the history of the badges. They’re different each year and made by hand… unlike CES badges, which are as plain as raw oatmeal.

I like the extra “Ninja Party” badges, which were all outfitted with 13-segment displays as well. Just think of the possibilities!

Nowhereelse found a video of a young man playing Super Mario Brothers with, of all things, a theremin. By moving his hands over the rods Mario jumps, moves, and twists. Think of it as Natal but for fans of old sci-fi movies and participants in Flaming Lips mass on-stage bacchanals.

this guy made possible to play Super Mario Bros (NES) with an old Theremin instrument!
Two peoples can also play together, one controls left and right and the other controls jump.
It’s also possible to control the game with the voice or any sounds (with a microphone).

While Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary game designer behind Nintendo hits such as Mario and Zelda, did not make an appearance during Nintendo’s big E3 press conference, we did get a chance to see him host a small, intimate behind-closed-doors session (no photos or video allowed) later in the day with a select group of journalists and developers.

Speaking through a translator, Miyamoto personally grabbed a controller to demonstrate the New Super Mario Bros. for the Wii, talked the crowd through a Wii Sports Resort demo, and showed video of Super Mario Galaxy 2 and the new Zelda game for the Nintendo DS. But the real attraction was in hearing one of gaming’s great minds hold court on a variety of topics, usually while his corporate minders cringed in horror (Miyamoto is as notoriously loose-lipped as Nintendo is secretive).

One new project Miyamoto said he was interested in pursuing was a software package for the Nintendo DS, aiming to make it useful as a carry-around digital device for everyday life. The examples he gave included being out shopping and being able to use the DSi’s Wi-Fi connection to call up a map of the shopping mall you’re in, or a classroom where teachers and students use DSi systems like a tiny tablet PC. “A program like that is something I’ve been interested in for a while,” Miyamoto said.

Having worked on Mario games for about 20 years, Miyamoto says there’s one thing he’s been trying to do all that time–recreate the classic single-play Mario Bros. experience within a multiplayer environment.

…

Of course, I fall down a couple holes, but that’s expected. Notice Peter gets ansy a little way into his camera time and starts meandering around looking at girls. I guess I did too later… I shall return, blond one with an accent.