Memorabilia of Another Kind

I think that I've elaborated earlier on how much I fucken LOVE video game figures and such. I've made a passing reference to it anyway. There's something about video game merchandise that gives it an x-factor making it just SO much cooler. There are toys, and then there are video game toys. Seeing a character that you're so used to playing on the screen suddenly before you in a tangible, solid form brings out the kid in any gamer. It's the pinnacle of geekdom. The cream of the crop of crap you don't need.

This stuff isn't necessary. It just isn't. It's a big money sink, I'll admit it right here. Nobody needs to own these things. But this is America, damnit, and we have an innate desire to throw our money at these sort of things. And if you're going to throw the money around, why not pick up a figurine of Teddy/Kuma from Persona 4?
Some of this stuff doesn't come cheap. You want a life size replica of Judge Gabranth's helmet from FFXII? $1000!

America is finally catching on to the idea of the Limited Edition game release. Limited Editions are something that has been very common in Japan for as many years as gaming has been around. These packages came with the game and a bunch of extras and were available only at the initial release. Often included were artbooks, soundtracks, clothing, and even figurines. For whatever reason the American companies never thought that gamers here would go for that sort of thing. They assumed they would never pay more for a game. That way of thinking has, thankfully, left us behind. In the last few years many major game releases have included a special Limited Edition package with tons of sweet swag. Personally I loved getting Fallout 3 with a metal lunchbox and Vault Boy bobblehead. I mustn't forget Atlus. They release almost every game with extras. I picked up Devil Summoner 2 and got a Jack Frost plush!

It's the big time games from both sides of the pacific that get this treatment. The very eastern Final Fantasy series to the all American shoot-em-up Halo, from Assassin's Creed to Super Mario. The idea of creating memorabilia to accompany games never really took off for American games until recently. Then again, American games weren't really blockbusters until these last few years. There were missed opportunities in the past. Video games were seen as toys, entertainment for children. Why weren't more toys made to go hand-in-hand with games? Sure there were those G.I. Joe/Street Fighter II hybrids, but those were awful and didn't have much appeal. The American's had to steal the idea of targeting the older gamers with highly detailed figurines and "hip" accessories in order to actually produce anything.

Some of the cooler stuff is just not available to the general public. Sadly there are a lot of extras made available only to industry insiders. Until I started selling games I never realized that game distributors had so many trinkets to hand out. Buttons for Fable II, lanyards for Gears of War II, magnets for Animal Crossing, keychains for the DSi, sweatbands for the 360 are just some of the things I've managed to snag. Nothing too significant, to be sure, but cool little collectibles. Game reviewers, however, have it made. As a sort of bribery the publishing companies give these people free games and exclusive swag. I need to try and become a game journalist and get some of this swag! Not bloody likely, I know.

It's a cool little diversion/hobby/thing to collect, and I've got my small bit. A giant Vaan, a Tidus, the FF4 cast, a small Yoshi, a Jack Frost plush, and a chainsaw maniac from RE4. I'm looking to pick up some of the Persona 4 cast and a few more Final Fantasy figs. I can't resist.