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3D-printed sushi looks like the perfect 8-bit meal

Open Meals wants to make sure we can print our favorite foods -- even if they look like pixelated video game meals -- wherever and whenever we like.

Bonnie Burton
Journalist Bonnie Burton writes about movies, TV shows, comics, science and robots. She is the author of the books Live or Die: Survival Hacks, Wizarding World: Movie Magic Amazing Artifacts, The Star Wars Craft Book, Girls Against Girls, Draw Star Wars, Planets in Peril and more! E-mail Bonnie.
Bonnie Burton

Love sushi and old-school video games? This 3D food printer from Japan could be a perfect addition to your kitchen. 

At this year's SXSW, Japanese technology company Open Meals revealed its Pixel Food Printer, which 3D-prints edible sushi, and other food, that looks like it was meant for a retro video game. 

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3dsushi4

Open Meals uses a robotic arm to help print out pixelated sushi and other food items. 

Erin Carson/CNET

The pixelated food, including sushi and burgers, is printed first by using the Food Base digital platform that stores data on the exact flavor, shape, texture, color and nutrients of foods.

Then the actual Pixel Food Printer uses a robotic arm that prints out small pixel cubes made of edible gel with the corresponding flavors, colors and nutrients of the type of food being printed out. 

The tiny blocks are stacked to make the final food item, with the result looking like the kind of stuff you'd spot in Mario Brothers.

According to the official website, the printer not only makes simple reproductions, but also encourages users to "design and create any dishes desired to greatly expand the possibilities for food."

The Pixel Food Printer from Open Meals isn't available for purchase yet as the company is still awaiting patent approval.