Device converts controller rumble to electric shocks

by Kyle Orland { Mar 6th 2008 at 12:20PM }

"How much better would games such as Mortal Kombat or Streetfighter [sic] be if you were ELECTROCUTED each time you were hit!" No, that's not a rhetorical question (though our answer would be "not at all better") ... it's the web site introduction to the Mindwire V5, a new British product that replaces those annoyingly rough rumbling controller sensation with a series of gentle, soothing electric shocks. Ahhh, bliss.

Using a special controller converter (pictured) and a series of five adhesive pads, the V5 sends force-feedback activated shocks that the web site compares to those of a muscle toning machine. While the device will work with practically any game, the site recommends using it to enhance fighters and first-person shooters (just be sure to stay away from Rez)

Though the site advertises plenty of safety features, the litany of warnings makes us worry about how safe this device actually is. It's probably moot for us, though --- at £99 (about $196), this one is only for well-off masochists.

Also see: Military sim "shoots" back

[Via Pocket Lint, Thanks Foolio]

Tags: electric, electricity, mindwire, rumble, shock, shocking, V5

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

samfish @ Mar 6th 2008 12:24PM

To double the excitement, but sure to hook it up to your balls!

Fernando Rocker @ Mar 6th 2008 12:29PM

When I was a kid, I remember a device for the Nes, (I don't remember very well), like a vest, with electric shocks too, or a vest with rumble... don't remember very well.

Anyone remember something like that?

samfish @ Mar 6th 2008 12:32PM

I remember the U-Force. Electric shocks would have been preferable to using that thing...

killploki @ Mar 6th 2008 2:32PM

what was wrong with u-force, it worked flawlessly with all the greatest games.....just like the power glove.

Drakkenfyre @ Mar 6th 2008 4:12PM

It was a vest with a subwoofer in it. It didn't shock you. It had an audio feed-thru where you attached it, and plugged in into power, and strapped it on. It had a dial to control the volume. It was essentially a small plastic backpack. I had one, still have it. It could be used with any audio source, so it was fun hooking it into your computer's CD-ROM drive (using the headphone jack on the CD-ROM drive) while have the audio come normally over your speakers, and playing a bass-heavy song, lol.

NATO_Duke @ Mar 6th 2008 12:33PM

OK, looking at the site I can't help but think that after buying wireless crap for the consoles its a tough sell to have someone want to use that thing and all of the wires it has. Beyond that - the price is way too high.

This product fails.

D_Average @ Mar 6th 2008 12:41PM

This device must be implemented into the new Ghostbusters game....i.e.."What card am I holding up?"

Phranctoast @ Mar 6th 2008 2:31PM

"a bunch of wavy lines"?

FrankTheCrank @ Mar 6th 2008 12:41PM

This is craptastic.

Deck @ Mar 6th 2008 12:43PM

Wow... what a waste.

Liam @ Mar 6th 2008 12:46PM

Doesn't holding it in both hands mean the shocks will go through your heart? They might be low voltage, but still...

Mr.ESC @ Mar 6th 2008 1:23PM

This would be great for games like Don't you know Jack.

Booxatron @ Mar 6th 2008 1:42PM

I can see you don't know jack about the game title you're trying to cite =p

Jerk Face @ Mar 6th 2008 1:28PM

Man. Could you imagine plaing Star Fox 64 with this hooked up? Every time you beat a boss you would pass out for sure. Those were some SERIOUSLY long rumbles.

christian dude @ Mar 6th 2008 1:32PM

Parents, if you have ever wondered if there was a way to get your children to STOP playing those horrendous video games all day long, consider replacing their standard rumble controller with this one.

PS3: The Milgram experiment.

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Mar 6th 2008 3:14PM

Please continue with the procedure. The game must go on.

jack1 @ Mar 6th 2008 1:40PM

e·lec·tro·cute /ɪˈlɛktrəˌkyut/
1. to kill by electricity.

So.. this thing kills you?

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Mar 6th 2008 3:15PM

Mindwire V5: bringing the Cute in Electrocute.

Mike @ Mar 6th 2008 2:07PM

This is a covert attempt to use electro-shock therapy to stop today's youth from playing video games. Nice try, Jack.

Just_a_guy @ Mar 6th 2008 2:56PM

we should get him to use it!

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Mar 6th 2008 3:17PM

Will it cause muscle spasms? In that case, it's one peripheral the Wii should never consider using.

Actually, perhaps no one should ever consider using this, period.