World's Biggest Video Game Controller Unveiled in London
Thursday, Thursday, January 19, 2012 10:53 AM
The world's biggest video game controller took centre stage in London's Liverpool Street Station yesterday – and Gamezine was there to try it out with a few retro classics.
The fully functional NES joypad, emblazoned with the word 'NEStalgia', measures a whopping 12 x 5 feet, 30 times the size of the NES design classic.
The controller – the brainchild of British engineering student Ben Allen and collaborators from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands - was on public display to launch the Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer's Edition, which goes on sale today (January 19th 2012).
Within its pleasingly chunky wooden frame, the giant pad uses light-sensitive technology to detect when the buttons and D-pad have been pressed.
Created as part of a university project, the gargantuan machine cost around £4,000 and five months to bring to life, described by its creators as "a labour of love".
Commuters looked on aghast as Gamezine tried its hand at evergreen classic Super Mario Bros. with the help of Guinness World Records gaming editor Gaz Deaves (pictured, left).
Despite some frantic button clobbering and careful 'communication' (shouting), we failed to make it past level 1 - but it was a memorable experience that brought a new dimension to a classic game, even if you need a sizeable spare room to store it in.
The Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer's Edition, now in its fifth year, honours the most impressive and bizarre games-related achievements from across the globe.
Noteable records for this year include Longest Videogame Marathon (109 hours on Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood), Largest Videogame Tournament (869, 453 gamers at the FIFA Interactive World Cup) and…um…Longest Gaming Session in Free-Fall (Dutchman Jesse Moerkerk played Super Mario Galaxy 2 for 18 minutes 52 seconds, suspended in a wind tunnel).
Gamezine also spoke with Street Fighter champion Ryan Hart, Mario Kart pro racer Sami Cetin and the aforementioned Gaz Deaves – keep an eye out on the site for interviews.