Sega’s beloved 2000 Dreamcast game Samba de Amigo used giant red maracas, a clear precursor to the motion-sensitive controls of the Nintendo Wii. Though the game was great, it suffered from the Dreamcast console’s death spiral, leaving many gamers with a giant box containing a mat and wired maracas in their closets and garages. Crafty gamers had to find other ways to get some use out of each maraca:

• Instrument of blunt trauma
• Life model for drawings of Nicole Richie
• Wired bowling pin
• Tool to understand the underlying complexities of the illegal immigration debate
• Giant drumstick batter mold
• Ineffectual accompaniment on Rock Band
• Excuse to mention the song “Tubthumping”
• Meat tenderizer
• Offensive marital aid