Archive for the 'Toys' Category

Smurf and Destroy
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

McDonalds Smurf on a skateboard

Some people obsess over skateboards. Some people are obsessed with Smurfs. Sometimes there is a tiny bit of overlap, as is the case with the Blue Dudes and Hidden in the Woods. [Photos Clockwise: TBD, HITW, TBD]

Plums, where did I get plums?
Sunday, January 6th, 2008

Peggle

A computer game called Peggle, kind of a pinball or Pachinko kind of game has this “skatepark level.” The game is funny, when you clear the level you get the Ode to Joy music as you enter Extreme Fever! Funny graphics. Bobcat, this might be up your street with unicorns and rainbows. You can play the demo for an hour then it’s twenty bucks.

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Skate or Die 2
Friday, December 28th, 2007

Skate or Die 2

1987’s Skate or Die spawned an NES only sequel in 1990 that was imaginatively titled Skate or Die 2. No word yet on whether Nike has plans for a shoe based on Skate or Die 2. I don’t remember this game at all, but there’s probably a lot of info to sift through. Apparently, you accidentally run over the mayor’s wife’s dog on you skateboard, causing the mayor to ban skateboarding. Then you have to skate through the ghetto avoiding thugs and dragons, etc.. you know, normal skateboarding stuff. Unlike the other skateboard “simulators,” Skate or Die 2 looks more like a regular walking adventure game with skateboards pasted onto the feet of the characters. In some of the frames of the sprite animations (old 2D gaming terminology) the skateboard almost disappears. Oh yeah, you get to carry a gun too. Actually, it’s getting more and more realistic as time marches on. One thing that is worth checking out is the theme song, or at least the first 30 seconds of it. It’s got a very heavy Devo vibe. Check it out after the jump.

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Skate or Die: Nike shoes modeled after 20 year old video games
Friday, December 28th, 2007

Nike Skate or Die

Shoe fetish. I don’t get it. I’m only mentioning it because it’s a good excuse to post a bunch of shots from the home version of Electronic Arts’ Skate or Die video game that came out in 1987. This isn’t even Nike’s first shoe inspired by or in tribute of 80’s skateboard video games. If they really wanted to do a tribute shoe, they should re-issue the red and black canvas Air Jordan’s that everyone wore while skating and playing video games. If you think skateboard forums are annoying, you should check out some of the sneaker forums where users have tons of Google ads in their signatures as well as bad Microsoft Paint graphics about how the user and/or their crew rules and everyone else deserves a beat down. Awesome community you’ve got their. Makes the comments on SnA look like one big hippie love fest. A little bit of shoes and a lot of Skate or Die after the jump.

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MCPS
Friday, December 28th, 2007

Mark Conahan's Pro Skater

I had versions of myself from various points in my skateboarding career but I couldn’t find that memory card. I haven’t played in a long time.

What does it take to be a Pro Skater?
Thursday, December 27th, 2007

Pro Skaters

My kid got this Pro Skaters action figure for X-mas from an unaffiliated third party - a non-relative, non-skateboarder. “Rodney Stone” has magnets on his feet, and is supposed to be the most articulated Exteme!™ action figure. I don’t have a lot of Exteme!™ action figures to compare him to, but the others must be really stiff since most of Rodney’s articulation is concentrated on the way his feet rotate in circles around his ankle joints. Rodney couldn’t bend over to pick up his board if his little plastic life depended on it. Check him out, he’s on the “Vert Team” according to his jump ramp. He’s also a fan of big air.

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The gift of gab
Monday, December 24th, 2007

Talking skateboard

Still need a last minute X-mas gift for the guy that runs your favorite skateboarding web site? How about this amazing Street Smartz Interactive (talking) Skateboard skateboard?

This skateboard talks, teaches, and offers feedback! There’s nothing like it! Our amazing, interactive skateboard will have your child shredding in no time. Its unique technology actually measures foot pressure, turns, speed, and more–then offers personalized tips for improving technique. A separate coaching mode teaches popular stunts step by step, while the free-styling mode features exciting sound effects. Later, turn off the power, and your “shred head” has a cool, cutting-edge 28″ board! For kids 41-160 lbs. Requires 6 “AA” batteries (sold separately). For ages 6 and up.

Forget about hoverboards. This, is the board of the future.

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The Tony Hawk ornament and other X-mas mysteries.
Friday, December 21st, 2007

x-mas crap

The sketchy Tony Hawk Christmas ornament was actually a McDonalds Happy Meal toy with a string attached. Danimal’s mom sent him an awesome elf skateboarding on a leaf. World Industries sells these elf sized skateboards that come packaged in a Christmas stocking.

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Toys that flopped
Tuesday, December 11th, 2007

Extreme Challenge

I hope Biker got his royalty money advanced up front from Tech Deck when he signed off on Biker Sherlock’s Extreme Challenge. Do you remember back in 1999 when luge was all the rage on the Extreme!™ sports circuit? I think the “extreme challenge” in this toy was trying to justify the $35 purchase price. I don’t think they had many production runs of these.

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Xmas ornaments
Monday, December 10th, 2007

Xmas Ornaments

Wow, that was fast. No sooner do I post about not finding any new skateboard-themed Christmas ornaments this year, then Paige sends me three links. There are nine ornaments after the jump, plus a ton from last year as well.

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