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Collecting Introspective: Finding Eden

The hallowed chalice is firmly within my grasp. The Holy Grail in silicon and plastic, filled to the brim with the most succulent of nectars. A font of youth, the waters therein infused with the spice of nostalgia that would surely throw me forcibly back in time. But as my lips meet the contents, the taste is strangely bittersweet.

I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt that if one game was the catalyst that drove me into collecting it would unequivocally be E.V.O. : The Search For Eden for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Most folks who are out collecting have a ‘Holy Grail’ – that one game that drives them out into the frontier of game collecting. That signature piece that defines the hobby for them, the ultimate treasure in the chest of musty relics. For some it could simply be a great game, like Super Mario Brothers 3. For others, it could be something nearing unobtainable, such as a legit gold Nintendo World Championship. For me, it was E.V.O…

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Blogging about Boglins

Why did I awake at that hour? The bedroom was completely dark. I made to get up, chill for a few minutes and get back to sleep. But as I did, I was caught by two glowing eyes. They are glowering at me from at the top of the dresser. I am startled, but then I laugh. Because I quickly realize the face behind those eyes…

A face only a dork could love – callous yet soft, at once grotesque and endearing. The Boglin. Perhaps no other toy best describes what I loved about the figures of my childhood. The Boglin epitomized everything a kid was scared of and obsessed over, all at once. An ugly under-the-bed monster pet hand puppet. Is it any wonder they stole my heart?

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Binary Land – dnaL yraniB

It is a common thread in the vast tapestry known as the Famicom library to have two penguins in love. Their love is of the purest distillation, a hallowed ambrosia glowing like the smile of Aphrodite. It’s not the pebble, it’s the penguins. And their love makes the entire library fluoresce in the soft effervescence of  true destiny. Well, for a handful of games, at any rate.

There is a nice variety of penguin related games available for the Famicom, however and yes – some of these feature the love of two penguin protagonists. Perhaps the most poignant is Binary Land. Gurin and Malon must reach the goal at precisely the same time. No one penguin is more important than the other. Only through togetherness can they arrive a their destination and – indeed their destination is each other. They do not need to find anything else, for they have already found the greatest treasure.

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Righteous Flavour Vessel – Get Equipped with The E-Mug

A few months ago the righteous dudes at Fangamer unleashed the E-Mug on a sleepy, unexpecting world. We woke up. If you want a mug that will serve you well in the robot pandemics to come, then hoist this sucker to your lips and drink the sweet nectars. Now you’re playing with power.

Inspired by the Mega Man E-Tank, the E-Mug is powerful in its simplicity. But it’s also deceptive. Upon closer inspection, it is obvious that a lot of careful care and planning went into this vessel. It would be one thing to simply print an “E” on the side of a blue mug, but the E-Mugs are ceramic in a unique sculpt. To ensure consistent quality, a pleasing aesthetic, and a proper balance between mug and art meticulous care must have been needed to strike that ideal chord.

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Rival Envy Squashed – Funk Brings the Players Together

I was a Nintendo kid. I relied on friends for Genesis game time and buying into the hype of the day I wouldn’t have pursued one myself. But I did enjoy the games, and I wouldn’t be spurned to collect Genesis games of my own for a long time yet.

But there was one game that defined my ‘rival envy’ of the time, Toejam & Earl. If there was one game I was jealous of in those days, it was this one. And the thing is – I didn’t have the opportunity to play. I was going by the GamePRO TV coverage alone.

I’m not too proud to admit that this interest was a product of a time. Toejam & Earl looked funky and rad, my brother was keen on it (so little brothers have to be too), and I was sold on GamePRO TV. But the thing is, I could never convince anyone to pick it up and no one wanted to rent it. I guess I could have rented it myself but the host usually rented games in my crew and there never would have been the interest in the game besides.

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Wow, a Game to Relax to – the Beautiful Electroplankton

A few months ago I was having trouble sleeping. I reach for my DS, and Contra 4. I figure that it couldn’t hurt, I’d blast some aliens and squash my insomnia. Essentially, I’d take the spread shot to my thoughts and leave myself ripe for slumber.

That really wasn’t meant to happen, however. Contra 4 is not really conducive to sleeping well, it seems. I was engaged, I was intent, I had to clear it. I couldn’t just leave myself represented as a grease spot, catching the reflection of my assailants in my splattered fluids.

I just couldn’t leave good enough alone. I ended up rolling the game, excitement building during that final assault on the Harvest Yard. I was vindicated, but I had done precisely the opposite of what I set out to do.

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