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Custom Arkham Asylum skins unmask Batman's identity issues


One of the incentives to play Batman: Arkham Asylum on PC (outside of a lower price and PhysX graffix) is the ability to create custom skins. The community has quickly gotten to work and flooded the official forums with screen grabs of the various outfits modders have designed. Aside from the obvious The Dark Knight and classic Bats skins, there's a neat Green Lantern variation and, pictured above, a recession-conscious Batman opting for Old Navy–esque cargos instead of the usual rubbery expensive stuff. Hey, they breathe better, right?

Hit up the thread to check 'em all out.

Skin that On Tour peripheral


Now here's a neat video. For those of you who have picked up Guitar Hero: On Tour and want to add a little bit of your own personal style to the included peripheral, the above video will aid you in doing just that. It's surprisingly easy to create your own skin insert for the thing. While the video doesn't showcase the most artistic replacement, we're sure you creative folk out there wont have much trouble coming up with some really badass skins.

Anyone going to give this a try?



[Thanks, Max!]

GHSkinz opens up new line of pricey PSP skins

GHSkinz, a company that specifically makes skins for Guitar Hero and Rock Band instruments is now opening up a line of skins for handheld systems. The PSP is included, but unfortunately has the most ridiculously expensive ones at $10.95 a pop. That's more than double the price that their Nintendo DS and iPod Touch lines go for.

That's not to say that their products are not any good; the designs are quite beautiful -- just have a look. It just makes us scratch our heads as to why the PSP gets screwed over with such a large bill. Anyway, that's expensive in our minds but ultimately that's up to you if you're willing to pay the price.

Show and Tell: By hand


Need a case? Sure, you could buy one -- and there are plenty available -- but as a dedicated Show and Tell reader, surely by now you can guess where this is going. If you just shouted out, "Wisconsin!," you are both very wrong and very random (also, stop yelling at the screen; it's sensitive). If, instead, you suspect a little DIY is ahead, you just may be right.

Reader Eleniel decided to make a case, but there was just one problem -- no sewing machine about. But that's okay, because DS Fanboy readers are hardcore, so like your intrepid hostess, Eleniel sewed it by hand. It is, however, one hell of a lot better than my work. It's got that fancy new zipper technology. That doesn't mean it's perfect, though; Eleniel confesses that the pocket designed to hold games doesn't exactly hold anything. We still like checking it out, though. And, while on the DIY kick, Eleniel also made an Okami-inspired skin. Might as well go all out, right? You can check out the finished products in our gallery below.

Show and Tell is all about your stuff, so long as it's Nintendo-related. We love to see your collections, your crafts, your frosted creations, your t-shirts and swag of all sorts. Just snap a few pictures, tell us what's up, and send it all to showmeit [at] dsfanboy [dot] com. We'll take care of the rest.

Feed your discs to the alligator-skinned Xbox 360


We're usually not ones to post about console case mods of any sort, but we decided to buck that trend today -- namely because no case mod we've ever seen has inspired such fear into our hearts. A forum-dweller by the name of dfw monkie recently posted pictures of his latest monstrosity to The Llamma's Game Console Forums (instilling a greater fear in us that a Llama-themed 360 is in the works) -- an Xbox 360, covered in the pitch-black skin of a gargantuan alligator that dfw monkie killed with his bare hands.

Okay, the crocodilian pattern was created with common crafting supplies, but we much prefer our own "Man vs. Wild" interpretation of the console's backstory. Martha Stewart-esque origins or no, the final product is still downright unsettling.

Creepy Xbox 360 alligator skin creeps us out

Posted over on the Llama's Game Console Forums (yes, llamas enjoy gaming too), forum member dfw monkie posted a few images of his custom Xbox 360 skinning creation that we are certain PETA doesn't approve of. Behold the alligator skinned 360 complete with rough alligator skin and an alligator eye that you have to jab your finger into to power up the console. We have one word for this custom skin ... creepy! Seriously, this thing is creepy odd creepy. Who comes up with this stuff? It's cool and all, but hella' creepy. KAH-REAP-EE!

[Thanks, Rob K]

DS Daily: Who's got their skin on?



GelaSkins' awesome range of DS skins got us thinking about decorating our handhelds all over again, but who out there has already skinned their DS, and which design did you opt for? Better still, have any of you customized your own DS skin? If so, now is your chance to show it off (pictures are a must for this DS Daily, obviously), and perhaps even earn yourself some internet fame!*

* Amongst the people who read DS Fanboy comment threads.

Slap some Escher, Kandinsky, or van Gogh on your DS



Opinions on DS skins are quite evenly divided around these parts, but GelaSkins' latest range may influence a few of you naysayers. Having formerly specialized in producing extra layers for iPods and laptops, the company has turned its attention to Nintendo's ubiquitous handheld, by offering a range of 57 skins featuring prints by a wide array of artists.

The selection on offer is pleasingly diverse, featuring both classic works from the likes of Kandinsky, Hokusai, Escher, and van Gogh, as well as pieces from a number of (largely lesser-known -- well, by us ignoramuses, anyway) modern artists.

If you think any of the nine above are too gaudy for your tastes (though we personally love "Red Robot Leaving The City" by ExplodingDog), then check out our gallery for the full line-up. These aren't cheap at $20 a pop, but they're unquestionably unique, and if you buy three skins, you'll get a fourth free. Any of you anti-skin types converted by these?

The DS Life: Nintendobama



The DS Life is a weekly feature in which we scour the known world for narrative images of Nintendo's handheld and handheld gamers. If you have a photo and a story to match it with, send both to thedslife at dsfanboy dot com.

As a rule, we don't trust any politicians, especially the ones we want to trust, so it's rare that you'll ever see us championing the merits of any particular presidential candidate. Besides, the electioneering scene just isn't something we want to be a part of, like the straight-edge scene or the liking-music-that-no-sensible-person-should-ever-enjoy scene. We're too laid back and cynical to involve ourselves in the passionate debates these conversations often require.

Still, when one gamer goes to the extreme to express his devotion towards his favored statesman by decorating a Nintendo DS Lite with the politician's face, we take notice ...

Continued →

Dost thou love DS? Then do not squander skins


When we look to our DS, we hardly ever think of important figures in history. Sure, just about anything on a DS automatically ups the value of the handheld (certain things just do not), but we never thought about how important individuals of the past would look upon Nintendo's handheld unit.

Ben Franklin, a man who is very well-known in these United States in which DSF has decided to set up shop, would most likely love the bold direction in which Nintendo has taken their handheld. Of course, he would probably be more worried about the strange picture tubes and curious garment of dress of which modern society has become accustomed to. The idea of putting images other than cute cartoon characters or other pop-culture references on our DS gets us inexplicably excited, though.

What kind of notable figure in history would you like to see on your DS? Personally, we'd love a Gandhi skin.

Show and Tell: From wallpaper to DS


We haven't seen a lot of custom skins made by our readers, so we were pretty excited when That Girl sent in pictures of her skin, adapted from a wallpaper. The colors and design really suit her DS Lite perfectly, and it's always nice to see someone tastefully customizing their handheld while giving a nod to another fandom. It's not just the outside that's prettified, either; hit the jump to see the inside of the DS.

Have you made a custom skin or anything else Nintendo-related? We'd love to know about it! Show us what you've got and we'll tell the world -- just take a few pictures, scribble a few lines, and send it all to showmeit [at] dsfanboy [dot] com. We'll take care of the rest.

Continued →

Show and Tell: Safety first


Your DS is important -- and that means it needs to be protected. It needs extra protection if it's pretty, of course, and so it makes sense that reader Tracy has a whole system to ensure the safety of her DS Lite. Since she also has a toddler who loves to find the DS (wherever it may be hidden!) and "play" with it, that safeguarding system is even more important.

But why is this one so special? Well, other than the obvious (it's a DS!), Tracy's handheld is dressed for success in a skin from DecalGirl that matches her iPod. Such a beautiful combination simply has to be protected, so it's also wrapped in a crystal case. When not in use? It lives safely in its own armor. Listen, protecting hardware from toddlers is serious business. But this is one safety system that also manages to look good, so we couldn't help but show it off.

Got something that makes you particularly proud? We like thingamabobs and doohickeys and swag of all sorts, as well as food and furniture and anything fun ... so long as it's related to Nintendo! Just take some pictures, tell us what's up, and send it all to showmeit [at] dsfanboy [dot] com. We'll take care of the rest.

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Toughen up your DS with a pudgy bunny



MashiMaro could be described as Korea's answer to Sanrio, Japan's heavily-merchandised community of Hello Kitty characters. The adorable, chubby rabbit sits atop a mountain of plushies and other branded products that are too cute for many to resist. Unlike his Sanrio colleagues, however, Mashimaro can be a jerk. In the Flash animations where he made his debut, he can be seen stealing food and pushing a pig off a cliff. He's a bad bunny to the bone.

Joytron recently put out a line of cases decorated with MashiMaro scenes, and they're just as cute as the thuggish cottontail himself. The shells slip over your DS Lite, adding an extra layer of plastic protection to your handheld. Joytron will even throw in a pen stylus with each order. Hop into the gallery below for more shots of the different "System Skin Cases" now available in Korea.


[Via Ruliweb]

Snakeskin DS cover probably not the ideal Valentine's gift

To be honest, my reaction to Mayumi Hasegawa's snakeskin DS cover was pretty much the same as JC's response to the matching Wiimote sleeve: it's kinda gross. Fashioned from the skin of a diamond python, this DS skin -- while obviously ... unique -- is just about the creepiest accessory we've ever encountered for the handheld.

Coating your beloved console with dead animal remains isn't a cheap exercise, either: the full set costs ¥12,800 ($120), but you can also buy just the top half for ¥5,800 ($53). Then again, if you're going to put something totally disgusting on your DS, why do things by half?


[Thanks, Dhiram!]

Cutest cases EVAR



Australia-based Paper Plane Products is selling the cutest DS Lite pouches we've ever seen, their flaps fashioned after fattened cats and bunnies. Just look at those button eyes! And that pink nose! In addition to the cute mug, each case has a convenient handle, three cart pockets, and a button snap to keep everything secure. You can check out more photos past the break.

You'll pay a premium for this handmade look -- $49.99 per case. Shipping from Australia will also eat into your wallet, but the online shop has a lot of other adorable accessories that you can load your order with, like Lamb Lamb skins and card holders. You can buy kitten stickers to match your pouch cat!

Continued →

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