delicious

When looking up a cool tech mods it’s near impossible to find anything that doesn’t involve taking anything with electric current running through it and packing it full of obnoxiously bright and multi-colored LEDs. I happened upon a fellow trying to mod his Nintendo Wii virtual console controller with LEDs. Since only two of the buttons are clear he wanted to get another pair of clear buttons and then pack the controller with sweet blinding light.

While trying to explain that he should just stop bitching and either buy another controller to scavenge parts from or steal one from his friends I realized what a completely useless mod this was. No doubt he was going to solder a few ultra blue LEDs under the buttons, post pictures of it on the interweb and surely bask in the torrent of dork praise that was to follow. It’s a stupid mod because it’s just more cheap plastic. You know what would be really cool? A controller that didn’t glow. Sure it’s normal, but what the hell does a glowing controller do for you? How about saving all of your money, dig through your little sisters room and throw some glitter on it. Sure I may not know good taste, but what the hell does a glowing Nintendo controller have to do with good taste?

The worst part of it all is these kids thing this is the start of big things for them. They’ll parlay their mad LED controller modding skills into an executive vice presidency at an electronics firm or their clear devotion to gaming “style” will get them into the video game biz. Well believe me, making games is nothing like playing games. Making games is a crappy job, then again, being a troll on the internet is a crappy life. I’ll come up with a response to that as soon as I finish writing my name in rhinestones on my keyboard. LEDs and cathodes are nerd jewelery, real men bedazzle! Sure, call me gay, but know it’s coming from the guy with the glowing controller. I hope all of your friends at the rave are impressed.

Adding LEDs to something electronic isn’t a mod, it’s a cliche. A project that would benefit from adding LEDs is like riding a hobo, you just need to find the right one.