Sometimes realism isn’t exactly what we want in our video games. We want to escape, not be hassled by the reality of… reality. Cracked.com hosted an awesome Photoshop contest, encouraging  their users to come up with ways to make video games just a tad more realistic, hence somewhat less playable. Some of the results were absolutely genius.

Here are a few of our favorites, but their are a whopping 27 of these photos over at Cracked.

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Best Buy’s Black Friday ad has leaked, which means it’s time to do some serious itinerary planning for the big day. See, I like me and my fiancee set up a full contingency plan based on what we want the most for us, then comes gifts for others. Come on, we need to set priorities people! Strategy is the name of the game on Black Friday.

So Best Buy has some moderately cool deals, especially in the video game department, but nothing mind-blowing. Though what might be notable is that Best Buy is not going to allow for anyone to get hurt this year because of their doorbuster deals. Apparently they don’t take “death by stampede” lightly. All doorbuster sales will be handled via tickets, which will be passed out up to two hours before the 5 am door openings. Hit the jump for a full-list of Black Friday Best Buy deals. Doorbusters are followed by an asterisk.

Cell Phones
AT&T Sony Ericsson W518a – Free w/2 Year Contract *
BoostMobile Motorola Clutch i465 – $59.99
DLO Jam Jacket For iPhone – $9.99
Jabra BT-2080 Bluetooth Headset – $19.99
LG Chocolate Touch From Verizon w/Two Year Activation – $0.00 *
MiFi 2200 By Novatel Wireless w/Two Year Activation – $0.00
Mobile Broadband Card 598U By Sierra Wireless w/Two Year Activation – $0.00
Motorola H710 Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headset – $39.99
Motorola S9 HD Stereo Bluetooth Headset – $49.99
Net10 Samsung T401G – $39.99
Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 Smart Phone – Free w/2 Year Contract
Sprint Samsung Instinct S30 – Free w/2 Year Contract
T-Mobile Motorola Renew Phone – $7.99
Verizon Wireless DROID – $199.99 w/2 Year Contract
Verizon Wireless Motorola Rival – Free w/2 Year Contract *
Virgin Mobile Kyocera X-tc – $49.99

Computer Accessories
Logitech C250 Webcam – $19.99
Logitech V450 Nano Cordless Laser Mouse – $24.99
Rocketfish AC Power Adapter – $39.99

Computers
Compaq Netbook w/Intel Atom Processor, 1GB Memory, 160GB Hard Drive – $179.99
Compaq Netbook w/Intel Atom Processor, 1GB Memory, 250GB Hard Drive – $229.99
Dell 10.1″ Netbook w/Intel Atom Processor, 1GB Memory, 160GB Hard Drive – $379.99
eMachines Desktop w/AMD Athlon Processor, 3GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive, Windows 7, w/18.5″ LCD Monitor and HP Deskjet D1530 Color Printer – $299.97
HP 15.6″ Notebook w/AMD Turion II Dual Core Processor M500, 6GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 – $599.99
HP 15.6″ Notebook w/AMD Turion II Dual Core Processor M500, 8GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 – $699.99
Macbook 13.3″ Notebook w/2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR3 Memory, 250GB Hard Drive, w/$150 Gift Card – $999.99
Sony 15″ Laptop w/Intel Dual Core Processor, 4GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 – $399.99
Sony 15″ Laptop w/Intel Dual Core Processor, 4GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive, Windows 7, Sony Headphones, Built-In Blu-ray Player, Blu-ray Movie – $479.97
Toshiba 16″ Laptop w/Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 3GB DDR3 Memory, 250GB Hard Drive (Model # L505-S5984) – $399.99
Toshiba 16″ Laptop w/Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4GB DDR3 Memory, 320GB Hard Drive (Model # L505-S5984) w/Printer and Case – $499.97

Digital Cameras
Canon EOS Rebel Tli D-SLR Camera w/18-55mm IS Lens – $699.99
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera (Grey) – $149.99
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera (Teal) – $149.99
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera w/Extra Battery and Case (Grey) – $179.99
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera w/Extra Battery and Case (Teal) – $179.99
Canon Rebel Tli Camera w/55-250mm IS Telephoto Lens and Lowepro D-SLR Bag – $849.97
Fujifilm Finepix Z37 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera w/Extra Battery and Case – $149.97
Fujifilm Finepix Z37 Polka Dot 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera – $119.99
Insignia 720p HD Camcorder – $69.99
Insignia NS-DSC10A 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera (Pink) – $49.99 *
Insignia NS-DSC10B 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera (Blue) – $49.99 *
Kodak EasyShare C140 Digital Camera With 7″ Kodak Digital Photo Frame – $109.99
Nikon Coolpix P90 12.1 Megapixel Digital Camera – $299.99
Nikon Coolpix P90 12.1 Megapixel Digital Camera w/Extra Battery and Case – $329.97
Nikon Coolpix S60 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera (Red) – $179.99
Nikon Coolpix S60 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera w/Extra Battery and Case – $209.97
Nikon D3000DX 10.2 Megapixel D-SLR Digital Camera w/10-55mm and 55-200mm Lens and Bag – $599.97
Nikon D3000DX 10.2 Megapixel D-SLR Digital Camera w/10-55mm VR Lens – $499.99
Sony Cybershot W180 10.1 Megapixel Digital Camera (Black) – $99.99
Sony Cybershot W180 10.1 Megapixel Digital Camera w/Flexpod and Camera Case – $119.97

Digital Media Cards
PNY 4GB Flash Drive – $9.99
PNY 4GB MicroSD HD Memory Card – $9.99
PNY 4GB SDHC Memory Card – $9.99
Sandisk 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo – $14.99
Sandisk 8GB MicroSDHC Memory Card – $19.99
Sandisk 8GB SD Card – $19.99

DVD Players
Insignia Blu-ray Disc Player (Model # NS-BRDVD3) – $99.99
Samsung BD-P4600 Blu-ray Disc Player – $279.99
Samsung Blu-Ray Disc Player – $149.99
Sony BDP-S360 Blu-ray Disc Player – $149.99

Electronics
2GB Pulse Smartpen w/$30 Gift Card – $169.99
Bose In-Ear Headphones – $89.99
Canon Vixia HD HF20 Camcorder – $499.99
Canon Vixia HD HF20 Camcorder w/Extra Li-Ion Battery & 8″ HDMI Cable – $599.97
Dynex 7″ Digital Photo Frame – $29.99
iHome Portable Alarm Clock Speaker iPod Dock – $39.99
Insignia 7″ Digital Photo Frame – $44.99
Logitech Harmony 510 Advanced Universal Remote – $39.99
Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Phone System w/3 Handsets – $59.99
Pandigital 9″ Digital Photo Frame – $59.99
Sony DCR-SR47 Handycam Camcorder – $249.99
Sony DCR-SR47 Handycam Camcorder w/Extra Li-Ion Battery & Bag – $299.97
Sony DCR-SX40 Handycam Camcorder – $199.99
Sony DCR-SX40 Handycam Camcorder w/Extra Li-Ion Battery & 8GB Memory Stick – $259.97
Sony Reader Pocket Edition w/$30 Gift Card – $199.99
Sony Studio Monitor Headphones – $9.99
VTech DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Phone System w/2 Handsets – $44.99

GPS Navigation Systems
Garmin GPS Friction Mount – $14.99
Garmin Nuvi 205W GPS Navigation System – $99.99 *
Garmin Nuvi 255WT GPS Navigation System – $129.99
Lowepro Black Neoprene Sleeve – $7.99
Magellan SE4 GPS – $89.99
Tom Tom 540S Portable GPS Navigation System – $149.99
Tom Tom GO 730 Portable GPS Navigation System – $174.99

Hard Drives
LG External Slim Portable USB 2.0 DVD Drive – $49.99
Western Digital 1.5TB My Book Home Edition External Hard Drive – $119.99
Western Digital 500GB My Passport Elite Portable Hard Drive Titanium – $79.99
Western Digital WDTV Media Player – $74.99

Home Theater
4″ Monster Cable 700 Series HDMI Cable – $49.99
Init Cherry Wood Stand With Mount For TVs Up To 46″ – $99.99
Init Cherry Wood w/Black Glass Shelves TV Stand – $149.99
Klipsch Icon 2-Way Triple 5.25″ Floorstanding Speaker – $186.99
Klipsch Icon 2-Way Triple 6.5″ Floorstanding Speaker – $236.99
Samsung 5.1 Channel 1000W Home Theater System With Blu-ray Disc Player – $399.99
Sony 5.1 Channel 1000W Home Theater System – $279.99
Sony 7.1 Channel 770-Watt A/V Receiver – $279.99
Tilting Wall Mount For 30″-56″ Flat-Panel TVs – $99.99

Monitors
Acer 20″ HD LCD Monitor (Model # X203H) – $79.99
Dell 20″ HD LCD Monitor (Model # S2009W) – $99.99

MP3 Players
3 $10 iTunes Gift Cards – $25.00
8GB iPod 5th Generation Nano (Black) + Wall Charger & Case – $159.97
8GB iPod 5th Generation Nano (Blue) + Wall Charger & Case – $159.97
8GB iPod 5th Generation Nano (Pink) + Wall Charger & Case – $159.97
8GB iPod 5th Generation Nano (Purple) + Wall Charger & Case – $159.97
8GB iPod 5th Generation Nano (Silver) + Wall Charger & Case – $159.97
Apple 8GB iPod Touch 3rd Generation w/$30 Gift Card – $199.99
Bose Sound-dock Series II Digital Music System – $269.99
Power Pack for iPod/iPhone – $19.99
Sandisk 4GB Fuze MP3 Player (Black) – $44.99
Sandisk 4GB Fuze MP3 Player (Blue) – $44.99
Sandisk 4GB Fuze MP3 Player (Red) – $44.99

Networking & Wireless
Linksys Ultra RangePlus Wireless-N Broadband Router w/4-Port Switch (Model # WRT160N) – $59.99
NetGear Wireless N Router (Model # WNR2000-100NAS) – $49.99

Portable USB Storage
Sandisk Cruzer 8GB USB Flash Drive – $19.99

Printers
$10 Gift Card With Any $40 Ink Purchase – $0.00
Epson Stylus NX110 Multifunction Printer – $24.99
HP Photosmart C4795 Wireless Multifunction Printer – $64.99

Televisions
Dynex 19″ 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L19-10A) – $149.99
Dynex 32″ 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L321-10A) – $299.99 *
Dynex 40″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L40-10A) – $499.99
Insignia 42″ 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV (Model # NS-L42Q120-10A) – $699.99 *
LG 32″ 1080p LCD HDTV (Model # 32LH30-UA) – $439.99
Panasonic Viera 50″ 1080p Plasma HDTV (Model # TC-P50U1) w/Blu-ray Disc Player (Model # DMP-BD60K) – $999.98
Samsung 32″ 1080p LCD HDTV (Model # LN32B530P7F) – $497.99
Samsung 32″ 720p LCD HDTV (Model # LN32B360C5D) – $397.99
Samsung 40″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # LN40B500P3FXZA) – $597.99
Samsung 42″ 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN42B400P3DXZA) – $547.99
Samsung 46″ 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Model # UN4686000VF) – $1599.99 *
Samsung 46″ 1080p LCD HDTV (LN46B500P3FXZA) – $847.99
Samsung 50″ 1080p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN50B530S2F) – $897.99
Samsung 50″ 720p Plasma HDTV (Model # PN50B430P2D) – $697.99
Sony 32″ 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL32L504) – $377.99
Sony 40″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL40S504) – $662.99
Sony 46″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # KDL465504) – $852.99

Video Games
$20 Gift Card w/Any DSi Game System Purchase – $0.00
Assassins Creed (PC Game) – $19.99
Bash Party (Wii) – $14.99
Bioshock (PC Game) – $19.99
Bolt (DS Game) – $9.99
Brutal Legend (PS3) – $34.99 *
Brutal Legend (Xbox 360) – $34.99 *
Call of Juarez (PS3) – $19.99
Call of Juarez (Xbox 360) – $19.99
Civilization IV (PC Game) – $19.99
Cooking Mama (DS Game) – $9.99
Cooking Mama (Wii) – $14.99
Crash (DS Game) – $9.99
Dragon Age (PS3) – $34.99 *
Dragon Age (Xbox 360) – $34.99 *
Excite Bots Trick Racing (Wii) – $14.99
Fallout 3 (PS3) – $19.99
Fallout 3 (Xbox 360) – $19.99
Family Game Night (Xbox 360) – $19.99
Far Cry 2 (PC Game) – $4.99
FIFA Soccer 10 (PS3) – $34.99 *
FIFA Soccer 10 (Xbox 360) – $34.99 *
Guinness World Records (DS Game) – $9.99
Hawx (PS3) – $19.99 *
Hawx (Xbox 360) – $19.99
Left 4 Dead 2 (PS3) – $34.99 *
Left 4 Dead 2 (Xbox 360) – $34.99 *
Madagascar 2 Escape From Africa (Wii) – $14.99
Madden 10 (PS3) – $34.99 *
Madden 10 (XBox 360) – $34.99 *
Marker Man (DS Game) – $9.99
Marvel Ultimate Alliance (Wii) – $14.99
My Sims Kingdom (Wii) – $9.99
My Word Coach (DS Game) – $9.99
NBA Live 09 (Wii) – $9.99
NBA Live 10 (PS3) – $34.99 *
NBA Live 10 (Xbox 360) – $34.99 *
Need For Speed: Shift (PS3) – $34.99 *
Need For Speed: Shift (XBox 360) – $34.99 *
NHL 10 (PS3) – $34.99 *
NHL 10 (Xbox 360) – $34.99 *
Nintendo DSi Brain Age Bundle (White) w/$20 Gift Card – $169.99
Nintendo DSi Mario Bundle (Metallic Blue) w/$20 Gift Card – $169.99
Pikmin Classic (Wii) – $14.99
Rayman Raving Rabbids (Wii) – $9.99
Resident Evil 5 (PS3) – $19.99
Resident Evil 5 (Xbox 360) – $19.99
Riddick (PS3) – $19.99
Riddick (Xbox 360) – $19.99
Slots (PC Game) – $19.99
Sonic Chronicles The Dark Brotherhood (DS Game) – $9.99
Sony PlayStation 3 Package w/120GB Console, Little Big Planet, and Ratchet And Clank – $299.99 *
Spyro (DS Game) – $9.99
Stalker (PC Game) – $4.99
Sudoku Ball (DS Game) – $9.99
The Bigs 2 (PS3) – $19.99
The Bigs 2 (Xbox 360) – $19.99
Wii Sports Snowboard (Wii) – $14.99
Wii Sports (Wii) – $9.99
World Of Warcraft (PC Game) – $4.99
Xbox 360 Elite 120GB Bundle w/Four Pack Game Set – $299.99

So you think you’re real smooth jailbreaking your iPhone, huh? Really pulled the wool over the eyes of Apple, you did. Dutch jailbreakers beware. A hacker from the Netherlands was recently able to conive a series of Dutch iPhone users into using his software to “jailbreak” their device. When the supposed jailbreak is complete and the phone is rebooted, users receive this message: “Important Warning: You iPhone’s been hacked because it’s really insecure! Please visit doiop.com/iHacked and secure your iPhone right now! Right now, I can access all your files. This message won’t disappear until your iPhone’s secure.” Riiiiiiight. D’oh!

Users are asked to deposit $5 into a PayPal account in return for a promised solution for unhacking the device, most likely just a factory reset of the phone. This is a warning to all you jailbreakers out there. Shit can happen. Be safe. The Force is with you.

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The Wiimote is much more of a versatile tool than I think even Microsoft could have imagined. People have hacked the Wiimote to create some zany and awesomely practical mods. But I think “lawnmower control” is a new one.

The Casmobot Lawnmower is navigated using nothing but a hacked Wiimote and the crafty engineering by several scientists at the University of Southern Denmark. The mower syncs with the Wiimote via Bluetooth, allowing the user to control the cutting edge, the direction of the mower and even allows you to set a autopilot mode, in which the mower only mows within a designated area.

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Augmented reality… it doesn’t come cheap, unless you have invention and ingenuity on your side. This crafty cheapskate created his own Augmented Reality Goggles using nothing more than some cardboard and his HTC Magic smartphone, plus a little extra hacking of the Magic’s compass feature and Google Street View.

Hit the jump for a video demo.

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And by the big leagues, we mean a bigger-than-life Guitar Hero-esque game being played on a massive megatron wall sized screen. The Kasabian football players kick the soccer ball at their colored square as the Arduino-controlled contact sensors are illuminated by falling colored blocks.

The resulting game is both severely awesome and ridonkulous. Check out the video after the jump.

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There is surely a large percentage of you who have been holding out on the iPhone not out of spite, but because you just don’t have the extra cash laying around. In these times of financial strife, sacrifice is essential. If you still want to at least LOOK like you can afford an iPhone, iPhoneDummy.net is selling non-working display models for only $20.

So while you won’t be surfing the App Store anytime soon, you can still appear to be part of the crowd. And isn’t that what really matters?

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Even evil overlords put their pants on one leg at a time. Just because he has an evil empire to run, doesn’t mean his responsibility of personal hygeine and everyday duties comes to an end. In fact, for someone who interacts with so many acolytes, its important to smell fresh.

Darth Vader, much like any universe-domineering dictator, still manages to brush his teeth and shower everyday, and now, we have proof of that very fact.

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Scrabble is geeky enough to begin with, but you can imagine the depths of geekiness that can be reached limiting yourself to only words of geekage. The above board is the geekiest game of Scrabble I’ve ever seen played and likely the geekiest I’ll ever see.

Even if you don’t use words like “vociferous” or “solipsism” you can still have some good ole’ geeky fun and earn a crap-load of points. Bonus points if you can convince the other players that “nerdz” is a real word.

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The title of this post is in no way misleading. This is an actual working guitar made using an NES console! This must be the coolest damn mash-up in gaming history. I’ve heard people say gaming rocks, but this is ridiculous. Ridiculously awesome. Awesomely ridiculous. Awdiculous.

Including Donkey Kong knobs and Mario switches, check out the video after the jump to get a feel for how NES-ified this guitar actually is.

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