Current State of Game Collecting June 2020

A few weeks ago I was looking online for games when I happen to notice that my current Nintendo 3DS model (Pokémon 20th anniversary bundle) was selling really high on eBay.  This concerned me because I felt that I couldn’t use it anymore as my everyday beater handheld.  Besides the monetary price, I was also afraid that if I ever did lose it or if it broke, I wouldn’t be able to find a new one at a good price.  That’s when I decided to act swiftly and find a 2DS XL model while they were still available at retail.

To my surprise I was able to find one on sale, however when I got home and did a little research on this model I discovered that it was also being discontinued.  This meant that this would be the last Nintendo handheld from the DS lineage.  Ever since then, Nintendo has always had a handheld alongside their consoles; and with the Switch it would no longer be needed.  While I did initially purchase this 2DS as a beater, I also feel like its significance will also make it very collectable.  Its gaming library is pretty large ranging from the original DS 2004, to 3DS games 2011, and of course the numerous games you could download.

While I am happy that I was able to get a 2DS XL, I’m also amazed at the current state of game collecting and how popular Nintendo games have become.  Most GameCube games have skyrocketed in price, and the Switch is selling like hotcakes.  I do recognize that most of it is because of the pandemic, but I still think that prices won’t be going down much either.  I can’t image what it would be like to start collecting games right now.  However this 2DS XL also proves that even in a crazy pandemic, there are still deals to be had.

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJds37JOGAs

Adidas Superstar

A few years ago I became irritated with sneaker collecting because limited edition sneakers where becoming more expensive and harder to find in retail stores.  But besides that, what I hated the most was the way current sneaker designs were going; I thought they were banal and ugly. So I stopped buying sneakers for a while.  I had my “old man moment” and kept thinking why can’t sneakers be as cool as they used to be when I was growing up.  And that’s when I realized that those same sneakers that I grew up loving are still around, and that I should continue buying them.

Funny enough one of my favorite sneakers was the first one I bought; Adidas Superstars (2019 version).  I have owned this shoe many times, and the last time I bought them they lasted many years because I cleaned them regularly.  But regardless of how much you take care of a sneaker, they will eventually all break down if you use them a lot.  The only difference that I noticed about this new Superstar compared to my old one’s was that they feature a gold logo on the tongue, and that the leather feels a little more synthetic.  Other than that, these sneakers are classics, and they have reinvigorated my love for sneakers.

Adidas Superstar Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adidas_Superstar

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/mmUYFBkq1Lg

Viva Puffs Cookies

Viva Puffs are cookies that are filled with strawberry filling, marshmallow and coated with chocolate.  I eat Viva Puffs like a vacuum.  I barely open the box and I start vacuuming them down my mouth like they’re pills to swallow.  I don’t know what it is, but I love them.    These are the best (or worse if you’re on a diet) when you’re gaming because, you just open up the box and start jamming them into your mouth.  The best gaming junk foods are the ones you pop in your mouth blindly (and don’t leave you with messy fingers).

While Viva Puffs have been around for a long time in Canada, it wasn’t until I was older that I started to appreciate them.  It’s like one day I just decided to start eating them, and now I can’t stop.  Besides strawberry filling, Viva Puffs come in other varieties such as raspberry, fudge and candy cane.

Viva Puffs:

https://www.darefoods.com/ca_en/brand/viva-puffs/19

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/B71YAcUoPKA

'47 CLEAN UP Adjustable Hat

I’ve been a die-hard '47 Brand fan for years now, specifically their “Franchise” style hat.  I’ve owned various teams and colour hats, but always in the Franchise style.  Yet I never bought an adjustable version because I didn’t see the purpose of buying another style hat if the Franchise was already perfect.  This all changed recently one day when I noticed two Maple Leafs hats that came in the current Leafs logo from '47 Brand.  However I was shocked when I picked them up to find out that they weren’t the Franchise style, but rather an adjustable style called '47 CLEAN UP.

While in my hands I noticed that the quality was really good.  I then tried them on, and they also looked good on my head (after a little adjusting).  I then decided to give them a try, and so I bought them.  My only concern was the buckle on the back.  When I was younger I owned a Celtics hat that had a leather strap-on, and the metal buckle would always dig into my head when I hit something.  Anyway after a few weeks of wearing these hats, I have to say the buckle and strap hasn’t been a problem and in fact I haven’t even noticed it (I sometimes forget that I’m wearing it).  So overall I’m glad I bought the '47 CLEAN UP and I highly recommend it.

'47 Brand:

www.47brand.com

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/ke0WvsSnSSg