Nanovor, a new game by the company Smith & Tinker, has launched today.  This hefty venture takes kids toys to a new level of technology by dually allowing them to play on and offline rpgs.  This is more advanced then an interactive TCG(trading card game) where a person logs in and uses codes from off their cards.  This involves playing online in a 3D world to build up your character, but also buying cards offline, and building your character up online.

The innovation comes in with the Nanoscope which allows users to collect their nanovor creatures into the nanoscope handheld device.  With their creature captured they can connect it to their friends nanoscope and battle, offline!  The concept is great, and since it really won't launch big right now until November right now is the time to get in on it.

Other appealing hits with this game is both the on and offline play, but the continuous updates with the website.  The game will be continually updated, boosters and creatures continually created, and they even have an anime cartoon to progress the storyline.

Check them out at Nanovor.com

Spawn has recently finished creating their Guitar Hero action figure set which includes Johnny Napalm, Lars Umlaut, God of Rock, and Axel Steel.  These figures are 6 inches tall and retail from $10 - 15.  This is the first set series and it is rumored that there will be another series, especially with the great success of Guitar Hero's bestselling game franchise, which has netted them over $1 billion dollars.  We recently received these in stock, and here are a few of them:

MCFARLANE GUITAR HERO JOHNNY NAPALM FIGURE IN STOCK

US $6.99

13d 7h 1m

GUITAR HERO AXEL STEEL FIGURE BY MCFARLANE TOYS

0 Bid

US $1.00

2h 45m

GUITAR HERO GOD OF ROCK FIGURE MCFARLANE TOYS

0 Bid

US $1.00

2h 45m

GUITAR HERO JOHNNY NAPALM FIGURE BY MCFARLANE TOYS

0 Bid

US $1.00

2h 45m

GUITAR HERO LARS UMLAUT FIGURE BY MCFARLANE TOYS

0 Bid

US $1.00

2h 45m

SporeSculptor.com allows you to take your creation from the popular pc/console game Spore and turn it into a real sculpture.  To complete the process you need to read what creatures can and can not be printed.  Almost any creature can be printed, but not all can such as creatures with small limbs and a big head, or have fine tentacles, whiskers, and mostly parts too thin that would break easily.  Although there are the small limitations overall just about anything can be printed.  Any color imaginable can be printed.

So how does the process work?

First, make your creature in the game.  Using the in game tools, create a creature file.  Then you upload it to the Spore Sculptor site, and they take the creature file and plug in the needed credentials to their 3d printer.  After this has been done, they ship the creature to you, and you set it on your office desk or wherever and enjoy your creation for the rest of your days.

3d printing once was only available to industrial design firms and large corporations, but the cost of 3d printing is becoming cheaper and available to consumers is coming closer.  The cost for this service is only $49.99.

To get your Spore creature go here for more details.

The best custom transformers action figure I've ever seen.  But I can't do it justice.  Check the custom transformers toy here, where you can see over 20 pictures and more details.  Simply Amazing!

The tactictal action game Dynasty Warriors finally gets their moment with miniature Chibi action figures.  There are twelve in the set and they will set you back $60.  Each little guy stands proudly 2 inches tall.  They will be coming out in February of 2009 so unfortunately you can't pick them up for Christmas, but maybe as a Valentine gift.  Ha, some valentine gift.  You can pick them up at Kid Nemo.  If you order them now they are 20% off so get them now before they jack the price up.

I really haven't written much about PS3 related merch, have I?  Playstation really hasn't had many hot successful franchises that have lead to licensed material.  But with the hype and "cuteness factor" of Little Big Planet I have been able to find some Plush Toys from the game.

Little Big Planet really is a toy in and of itself.  The game puts the user in control of the levels, and the gameplay.  Create levels, characters, and share it with your friends online.  It is a really interesting concept.

This is little sackboy, and it looks like him, but it does not have the right feel.  What I like about the textures on Little Big Planet is the toys truly look like they were knitted for real.  I would love to see a truly knitted hacky sack, stuffed with pellets sort of toy from this game.  It would be rad.

But for the time being we will just have to do with the collectibles coming in plush form.  Which is alright.  These guys will run you about $15, since they are harder to find, but you can pick one up here.

Rayman Rabbids have been running several big contests to support their new video game which came out yesterday.  First there was the Capri Sun contest we already covered where you could win an ultimate Video Gaming package.

This tops that contest, not in prizes, but in fun.  The theme is "Games You can't Play With Your Butt" and they are running it on Youtube.

To enter is simple.  Upload a video that shows a game you can't play with your butt.  In the video you have to say something along the lines of "Rock.Paper.Scissors, not a game you can play with your butt.  Raving Rabbids 2: TV Party . . . A game you CAN play with your butt."  I've got a bunch of ideas right now, but who knows if I'll get off my butt and submit, but the prizes are definitely tempting.

Up for grabs is $3,000, a Wii balance board, and Rabbids gear, so that's definitely fun stuff.

Contest runs until January 2nd, 2009, so get off your duff and enter a game you can't play with your butt.  Here's some ideas to get you going:

• Girls . . . A game you can't play with your butt.
• Juggling . . . A game you can't play with your butt.
• Hop Scoth . . . A game you can't play with your butt.
• Patty Cake . . . A game you can't play with your butt.

Anyway, I could have lots of fun with that, but instead of giving away all my good ideas, I'll have to save the best ones so I can win the contest.

Price: $49.99
Where: Here

As you know, I am always looking for interesting things related to video games that the whole world doesn't know about.  I happen to be a big fan of making and customizing toys, and have been messing around more and more with "urban" vinyl "designer art" toys.  Whatever the lable on this niche market of toys, the concept is really fun.  Take a toy, customize it, and make it your own.

I was searching for something new to customize when I came across this interesting toy called Soopa by the Coin Up Bros.  A big things with these do it yourself toys is that they are usually limited edition, so you have to snag one up or they no longer become available.  That's sort of the art side of it, making it special because only a limited number of people can have them.

Anyway, this little arcade figure makes for a great present or gift for that artistic one in your family.  Here are some more examples of artists that have customized theirs.

This one's done by Doktor A - a really good customizer

Not sure the artist on this one but the link goes to KodyKoala.com

So if you are into customizing or want to give it a try, put down the Warhammer figures and pick up a Soopa Coin Up Bros.

I've been looking forward to trying the Mana Energy Potion.  I love the idea and the packaging, and I wish I had come up with it myself.  An homage to the original RPG's of old, and aimed at World of Warcraft players who think that Blizzard came up with that concept(sorry guys).   The mana is used to feel up on magic abilities, and is a reference to that is beyond the realm of video games, even being referenced in the Bible.  The makers of Mana Energy Potion are targeting gamers as they use the worn out slogan "made by gamers for gamers."  So if you are playing World of Warcraft or Warhammer late into the night, this may just be the drink for you.

For gamers or not this is a fabulous energy drink.  I tried it with low expecations, expecting it to be more marketing hype than substance, but I was pleasantly surprised.  The drink has a strange sweet and tart tonic taste to it that differs from the usual run of the mill energy shots.  I highly enjoyed it and it has become my energy shot of choice right now for the moment.

Mana Energy Potion is sort of hard to come by, but it is becoming more and more available.  You can get it at some Hot Topics, and at some gamer stores.  Go to Mana Potions website to get more info or check it out in our store, available right now!

If you play World of Warcraft and haven't heard of Figure Prints than you are missing out on a rare opportunity to have your video game figure turned into a real 3D Sculpture.  This is made possible by a company called Figure Prints.  They use a 3d technology that captures your WOW character's 3 dimensional model right within the game, and then use a 3D printer that creates the figure layer by layer.

This service is so popular that Figure Prints has to have a lottery every month to decide which people in the waiting list will get their figure remade.  So odds are against you to have your figure transfigured into a real life model, but...

I have found someone that is offering their oppurtunity for you to get your figure made.  They were chosen, but have decided to back out.  So, for only $75 you can get their lotto ticket, which entitles you to get your figure made.

So if you want your own replica World of Warcraft figurine that will look EXACTLY like your figure from the game in whatever pose you want then click here to check it out.

If you've got a little more money here is another one going for $100.