Friday, April 22, 2016

Star Fox: Fox McCloud Toy

Star Fox was created by Shigeru Miyamoto.  Like most of his games, it was influenced by Miyamoto’s own life experience.  Ever since he was a child he would visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, a shrine that follows a trail made up of torii (arches), and that is filled with fox sculptures.  That shrine inspired him to make a game with a fox protagonist hero, and thanks to the Super FX chip, Miyamoto could also create arches and gates in which a player could fly through in a 3D world.
Another element from Miyamoto’s childhood that heavily inspired the look of Star Fox was Miyamoto’s adoration for the 1960’s TV show, the Thunderbirds; a science-fiction TV show that featured marionette puppets as the main characters.  Just by looking at the cover of the first Star Fox game, you can observe Fox McCloud as a marionette puppet.  Ever since then, Nintendo has continued with this puppetry art style for the franchise, rather than going for realism (even using puppets in their E3 2015 digital event).
I’m glad that Nintendo has kept this unique art style for their characters, because Jakks Pacific released a Fox McCloud toy figure in this style.  The toy is well made with lots of articulation and a clean paint job.  Although I would have preferred articulation that was a little more practical, in being able to move his head up and down, it’s still a nice figure.  A bonus of this World of Nintendo toy line is the mystery accessory which includes Fox’s Arwing.  Jakks Pacific has made another excellent Nintendo toy and I hope to see other Star Fox characters from them.
Fox McCloud Wiki:
Jakks Pacific:
YouTube:

Thursday, April 14, 2016

The Walking Dead Scratch Ticket

#Winning
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation:
www.olg.ca           
The Walking Dead:
http://www.amc.com/shows/the-walking-dead

Friday, April 8, 2016

Edwin EncarnaciĆ³n Blue Jays Bobblehead

During the 2012-13 offseason the Toronto Blue Jays had made major trades, and the city was excited with the possibilities of what the 2013 season could offer.  Unfortunately any hope of making the postseason soon dwindled as the team finished in last place of the American League East division.  Yet those major trades had breathed new life into Blue Jay fans as many people came back to baseball and started to cheer for the team.  Thankfully fans were treated by awesome stadium giveaway bobbleheads that year.
The first of three bobbleheads of that season was of Edwin Encarnacion, which was given out on April 21st, 2013.  20,000 bobbleheads were given out to fans at Roger’s Centre, as the Jays also beat the Yankees 8 to 4.  Edwin is shown wearing the alternative 3rd uniform, with a royal blue jersey and white pants.  This is one of my favourite bobblehead’s because of how accurate it captures Edwin’s face; almost cartoonish.  I also love how it comes with a bat accessory, which I wish more bobbleheads would do.  While the 2013 team didn’t live up to expectations that year, at least Edwing made it a winning season for bobbleheads.