Luigi’s Mansion 3DS

When Nintendo announced that Luigi’s Mansion was going to be ported to the 3DS I was excited because I was a fan of the original game on the GameCube.  While the game was never a huge hit like a Mario or Zelda game, having it ported over to the 3DS meant Nintendo was still interested in the series and also in continuing the series with the announcement of the development of Luigi’s Mansion 3.  With the original being ported and developed to the 3DS by Grezzo meant more people could discover this hidden gem and have the fandom grow for this series.  Luigi’s Mansion for the 3DS released on October 12^th, 2018.

Luigi’s Mansion 3DS:

https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/luigis-mansion-3ds/

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/wq5t7FW5k7w

Luigi's Mansion GameCube

When the GameCube released back in 2001, I was not a video game fan.  I had other interests at the time such as school, dating, television and just exploring life in general.  I was basically disinterested in video games and felt I had moved on.  Thankfully this video game hiatus didn’t last long because when the GBA SP was released I came back to gaming.  The retro bug had hit me and I also used the subway a lot so I needed something to pass the time away.  Eventually I did get a Wii and I started to play the games I had missed out on over the years.

One of my most memorable games was Luigi’s Mansion.  Admittedly at first I was turned off by it because it had childish graphics in a time when shooters and mature games were the most popular.  I also hated the controls.  Thankfully I grew to appreciate and love the graphics and also cope with the controls.  It’s now become one of my favourite GameCube games and I look forward to Nintendo continuing the scary and spooky series.

Luigi Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi's_Mansion

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/MtfcL3t2i3o

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

When the Nintendo Switch was announced I was curious how the Joy-Con controllers would work.  Following the failure of the Wii U and its gamepad, I had deferred to playing games using the Wii U Pro controller.  The Wii U gamepad wasn’t bad, but it just didn’t feel as natural to play for extended periods of play as a regular controller.  So when the Switch was announced I was understandably worried that Nintendo would once again give us an awkward controller.  Thankfully they announced that a Pro controller would also release with the Switch, for players that wanted a traditional controller.

When the Switch finally released I was amazed at how natural and comfortable I felt using the Joy-Cons.  I liked them so much that when I did buy the Switch Pro controller, I didn’t even bother opening it.  Eventually I did and now that I have had a chance to use them, I have to say I am very impressed by the Pro controller.  The quality is top notch and the battery lasts a very long time.  With so many great games about to release this year and next, I can’t wait to play them all with my Pro controller.

Nintendo Accessories:

https://www.nintendo.com/switch/buy-now/accessories/

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/-urz9fa8La4

Tim Hortons Pumpkin Spice Iced Capp

Once September creeps around I start craving pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks and McDonald’s.  However it’s been an unusually hot September this year so rather than going for my usual PSL to warm me up, I decided to try Tim Horton’s new pumpkin spice Iced Capp.  It’s basically a regular Iced Capp but with whip cream and a pumpkin spice caramel syrup.  I thought it tasted delicious and I’m definitely going to be drinking more if this heat keeps up.

Tim Hortons:

www.timhortons.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_1tnGrmhWU

Zelda 7-Eleven Collector Cups

Something I miss from my childhood are collector cups.  Those things used to be given out primarily at fast food restaurants, and were made of glass with beautiful painted images on the side.  Unfortunately over time they stopped giving them out because the glass would break or the paint they used was poisonous.  They were then made out of plastic and usually came in jumbo size cups.  Unfortunately over time they also became rare to see, except at movie theaters and places that sold Slurpees or Slushies.

Thankfully this year 7-Eleven released Zelda themed collector cups to celebrate the release of Link’s Awakening on the Nintendo Switch.  They made three different variants and were exclusive to 7-Eleven Canada.  It’s nice to finally have something in Canada, because I always have to import things from the US.  Unfortunately 7-Eleven Canada wasn’t prepared for Nintendo and Zelda fans because these cups sold out immediately and only had one run.  Fortunately I was able to find all 3 cups and was able to complete my own version of the Slurpee tri-force, lol.  I’m glad that 7-Eleven worked with Nintendo on these cups and I hope to see more of these collector cups in the future (and hopefully they’re not limited).

7-Eleven:

https://7-eleven.ca/

Link’s Awakening:

https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/the-legend-of-zelda-links-awakening-switch/

YouTube:

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

New Era Retro Classic Collection Blue Jays

When it comes to material goods, when I see something that I love I tend to buy it in multiple versions because I’m always cautious that I might never see them again.  This time it’s a New Era retro fitted Blue Jays hat.  Unfortunately just after this release the New Era company announced that they were closing down their New York plant and moving all production to China (though a small number would be made in Miami).  This particular Blue Jays retro hat was made in the USA, so it’s of particular importance to me.

For some reason Made in USA hats are or rather were better quality than those made in China.  This hat is of no exception, it’s beautifully made.  The material is quality, the stitching is clean, and the fit is exact.  This is actually the second version that I’ve bought in this retro style; the first one was all blue, and this version the front is white.  While it’s sad to see New Era hats no longer made in USA, I hope they continue to make fitteds with this kind of quality.

Toronto Blue Jays:

www.bluejays.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LQydIYsZiA

Mexican Soda: Jarritos

On hot summer days I love drinking ice cold drinks.  I especially love specialty sodas or colas.  One of the most popular brands that I like is Jarritos (little jugs in Spanish), which is a Mexican soda brand.  They come in a variety of flavours such as mandarin orange, mango, strawberry, pineapple, tamarind, lime, guava and many more.  I have a sweet tooth so I also like that these sodas use real sugar, as opposed to North American sodas that use artificial stuff.  Besides the great flavours, what I also think makes them delicious is that they come in old school glass bottles, and depending on your age (usually older); you know soda tastes best in a glass bottle.  Pair Jarritos with some tacos, and you have the perfect way to enjoy hot summer days.

Jarritos: www.jarritos.com

Jarritos Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarritos

Toronto Raptors 2019 NBA Finals Champions Nike Locker Room T-Shirt

After an amazing run, the goal of being crowned NBA Champions has finally happened in Toronto.  I’m excited, the city is excited, and the country is excited.  Of course now comes the fun part of parties, parades, and wearing Championship merchandise.  My first piece of Championship merchandise is this Nike t-shirt; the official Toronto Raptors 2019 NBA Finals Champions t-shirt.  It’s a locker room shirt, meaning it’s the same version the team got to wear after beating the Golden State Warriors.  All Raptors merchandise is selling like crazy, with long lineups outside stores.

I wanted to post some pictures of this official t-shirt because unfortunately a lot of counterfeit merchandise has also been made throughout the year.  This shirt was made in Nicaragua, and comes with two stickers on the side; 1. NBA logo hologram and 2. Nike Official Locker Room.  The quality of the shirt is very good with a thick material and the screen printing is nice and clean.  My only complaints about the shirt is that it comes in white (which will eventually get dirty), and that the Nike swoosh is screen printed and not embroidered.  Other than that, this is an amazing collectable and one that I will be proud to wear for years.

Raptors:

www.raptors.com

Toronto Raptors 2019 NBA Champions!

I've been a Raptors fan since 1995, and finally after so many years I get to experience a Championship title again in Toronto.  I am so happy.  #WeTheNorth

The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening Switch Remake Wish List

I’m super excited for the upcoming Zelda Link’s Awakening game for the Switch that I decided to do a wish list for what I would like to see from this remake.  I limited myself to only 5 wishes (though I had many) and in no particular order.

First off I would like Nintendo to bring back physical manuals.  I grew up with manuals in games, and they would usually be the first thing I would look at when I needed help with the game (either with controls or when I was lost).  They also serve as art pieces that nicely complement a complete in box game.  Next I would like to see the return of the gold cartridge.  Now that Nintendo is using game cartridges again, it would be nice to make all Zelda cartridges gold just like past classics such as Ocarina of Time, and the original NES games.

Next I would like game cases to come with a reversible cover.  The front would display the current game and when you reverse it, it would have the classic golden bronze cover with red Zelda font, and a sword and shield.  Next I would like the game to include something I call “retro mode” where you could play the Switch version using a green filter, making your game screen resemble an original Game Boy DMG-01.  That would be old school meets new school.  And finally I would like Nintendo to release an amiibo of Link.

Nintendo:

https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/the-legend-of-zelda-links-awakening-switch/

Link’s Awakening Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Link's_Awakening_(2019_video_game)

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fTYc74kwDE

PlayStation Classic

Well I finally bought a PlayStation Classic today.  Initially I had pre-ordered one back in the fall, but as the negative reviews started pouring in I decided to cancel it.  Then something happened that I did not expect so early; a price drop.  Here was mighty Sony in 2018-2019, reducing the price of their newly released retro console so early.  As time went on and the PS classic kept going lower and lower, I kept waiting because the consoles were still collecting dust on store shelves (literally).  Until today I woke up to news that it finally reached the price of $19.99 Canadian, a price I obliviously couldn’t pass on.  Staples (formerly RadioShack) had them on sale for $19.99 and I was able to price match it at Walmart.  It turns out I chose the right time to buy because the PS classic suddenly became the hottest item to buy (after price matching at Best Buy and Walmart), causing it to be sold out in most stores.

PlayStation Classic:

https://www.playstation.com/en-ca/explore/playstation-classic/

The Legend of Zelda Cake

Every year for my birthday I like to splurge on a cake.  This year I decided to do a Zelda cake inspired by the original game The Legend of Zelda for the NES.  I kept it basic and clean by just adding the original logo from the title screen on a white background, with green and orange trimming.  I think it looks amazing, and I’m already thinking of what I will do next year.  And yes, in case you’re wondering the ice cream cake was delicious.

The Legend of Zelda Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda_(video_game)

Wish List: The next Zelda games

This will be a work in progress.  I’ve had ideas I wanted to share for the last year on what I would like to see in the next Zelda game (after BotW), while I would have preferred to have posted a complete article, I just don’t have the time to finish it.  And so I have to decided to have it be a work in progress, where I’ll just write down what I would like to see as time goes by.  Hopefully when I do finish I plan to make it a video as well.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening Switch Remake

Wow!  What an amazing Nintendo Direct to start off the year.  The surprise announcement of Link’s Awakening remake for Switch was of course my favourite part.  The game looks fun and similar to A Link Between Worlds; with a more Chibi art style.  I just hope Nintendo decides to include the anime in the game as well, it was beautiful.

Zelda:

www.zelda.com