Recently I have been getting a lot of email regarding either the Xbox 360 laptop (as usual) and lately the PS360 controller. I find it funny that people hate the SIXAXIS (and probably soon the Dualshock 3) so much that they keep looking for a Xbox-y alternative. My suggestion would be to just buy an Xbox 😉

While I appreciate the interest and do indeed at least read every email I need to mention that due to a backlog of existing projects it is hard for me to take on new work at this time. Here are some suggestions in the meantime:

PS360 controller – Check out the how-to article I did about it for Engadget. This controller projects takes me a good solid day to do and when I have done it I have to charge way too much. If you’re willing to wait a month and pay as much as a system costs for a controller then maybe I can help.

Nintendo and other classic system portables – Put a request to buy one on my forums, either in Forum 42 or Trading Post. The folks on there have made great stuff, and often times things I have yet to conquer (Gamecube, Dreamcast) Plus many of them are college-age and could probably use some extra modding money.

Xbox 360 laptops – Due to the challenges I can maybe squirt out two a year. Considering I haven’t quite finished the 3rd one, it’ll be a while before I’d consider another. Of course you can always read my How-To article on that for Engadget.

Hopefully this clears up any burning questions of why I haven’t answered every email. Again, thanks for continuning to visit Benheck.com, and maybe someday if I grow some more arms, or get some help, I can crank out more of the stuff people love.

1. The Chevy Chase Show
2. Cheese curds left on dashboard of car on hot summer day
3. Ford Edsel
4. Crystal Pepsi
5. German invasion of France, 1940
6. Cop Rock
7. Julia Ormond’s career
8. Tiger’s Game.com
9. Flavor in average piece of chewing gum
10. New Coke

Difficulty settings aside (I went through on Normal) I can’t recall the last time I played a game so fricking short. The rumors are true – you can blow through this in about 6 hours. I find it strange this isn’t taken more into account in all the sky-high ratings it’s been getting – this is the first time in quite a while where I’ve felt like I didn’t get my 50 bucks worth (PC).

I don’t care how good the multiplayer is, or how good the [albeit short] action is – whatever happened to a good 15-20 hour FPS? You know, like Medal of Honor Allied Assault, or the first Call of Duty? It’s kind of sad that either of the Half-Life 2 episodes takes as long or longer than this full retail game.

Let’s hope this isn’t a trend – short single player that is “excused” by having really good online. I wouldn’t even count that – anyone that doesn’t play with every free minute of their time will get “outclassed” by those who do and subsequently get their asses kicked = no fun. Discuss below!

Just to remind people that I still make them, here’s an Atari 2600 portable I just finished. Went back to basics with my color scheme, kind of reminds me of the old days. Ah yes, I remember when people cried a river of tears because the first 4 versions of my Atari portables didn’t have paddle controllers. Those were good times.

Click to super-size me

I call it the “New Technology” Atari since I’ve kind of run out of names for anything new. Here’s my “Atari 2600” folder, look at all the crap in it!

The story of my life, at least since 2001.

The rear of the unit. It uses the tried-and-true 6 batteries like the Pheonix did. I get email requesting a lot of things (mostly Xbox laptops and PS360 controllers) but your best bet for something I’ll actually have time to do (and is reasonably priced) is still an Atari 2600 portable. Remember I’m still making those Rev 5.1’s when requested.

I racked up a pretty good score on Asteroids last night, testing this thing whilst waiting for a Halo 3 round to start. Atari – still crazy after all these years.