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Geek demos Theremin Super Mario game controller

New use for 1920s musical gadget

Motion controlled gaming’s currently the talk of the town, thanks to the likes of Microsoft’s Project Natal. Now one enterprising Nintendo fan has turned a 1920s musical gadget into a new form of motion-based Mario controller.

The unnamed 24-year-old gamer from Glasgow adapted an old Theremin so that he’s able to use it as a motion-sensing controller for Super Mario Bros.

In his video - shown below - the gamer describes how moving his right hand makes Mario move left or right. By moving his left hand, the gamer added, Mario will either jump or shoot fireballs.

Can't see the video? Download Flash Player from Adobe.com

A Theremin contains two metal antennae that, when used for making music, sense the positions of the player’s hands. One antenna controls the frequency, while the other controls the volume. Sounds are pushed out through a loudspeaker. ®

Latest Comments

What's not to like?

And why didn't someone think of it before?

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Bill Bailey...

...would be proud.

That is all.

Steven R

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i see

that he's finding it way awkward to play. still cool though.

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sweet zombie jesus

I have the same t-shirt

/facepalm

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So...

... let me see, to make Mario do stuff, you've got you make rapid vertical jerking motions with your right hand...?

I can see a whole new market for this controller...

Paris, because...!

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