Brandon Inada's Blog

I suppose it was only a matter of time… Transformers G1 Mighty Muggs!

Here’s a pic of the figures posed with their accessories:

And here’s a pic of the four Generation 1 characters in their original packaging:

I may have to pick these guys up when they come out.   Look for them to arrive some time in February 2009.

I love Megatron’s mini Fusion Cannon and the expression Bumblebee’s wearing.  Heh. 

I wonder why Prime’s missing his “antennae” though; after all, Bumblebee has his “horns.”

Check out my other post for pics of  G.I. Joe and Marvel Mighty Muggs!

I seem to be on a bit of a Mega Man-inspired kick lately.

Did a quick search for “Mega Man Graffiti” on Google image search and came up with a bunch of really cool images of everyone’s favorite Blue Bomber all over the place in cities around the world!

Who knew Mega Man was such a popular subject for graffiti artists?

Capcom is releasing a Mega Man-themed energy drink, the Rockman E-Tank Energy Drink, which, as you can see in the pic below, looks just like the E-Tanks first introduced in Mega Man 2!

(Mega Man is known as Rockman in Japan.)  E-Tanks were items that once picked up could be used at anytime to restore Mega Man’s depleted life meter.  So the Mega Man energy drink connection makes a bit more sense than say, the other 2 video game-themed, Red Bull-esque energy drinks produced:

Super Mario Bros. Power Up

Donkey Kong Jungle Juice

The E-Tank Energy Drink is currently available only in Japan where a can costs about 137 yen, or about USD $1.25.

Fun stuff.

Thought these were pretty funny… 

The crew from Dust Films put together the following two 80s music video clips, featuring new lyrics that are a bit more relevant to the action:

A-ha, “Take On Me” 

 Tears For Fears, “Head Over Heels”

You know, I really like this one.  (I don’t know the creator’s name.  If anyone knows, let me know so I can give proper credit.)

Unlike some of the other 3D, NES-inspired artwork I’ve posted in the past, the image above goes a step further and does a decent job of conveying a mood.

You really get a feel for the immensity of the task set before Mario (and his brother).   There’s an army of unfriendly Goombas, Troopas, and pesky Hammer Bros. lying in wait for our plucky, princess-rescuing plumbers.  World 1-1 stretches out as far as the eye can see.  There are enemies, and there are obstacles, and really, not much else.  The lengthening shadows and the hazy sun setting on the horizon only adds to the sense of dread.

“It’s been a long, hot day, and there are still 31 more levels to go.”

The original 8 Worlds of Super Mario Bros. are challenging as all get out to complete.  The quest is a lengthy one if the player chooses not to take advantage of the Warp Zones.  And to top it all off, even after successfully beating Bowser in World 8 and saving the Princess, the game simply plops you right back at the beginning of a new quest with even tougher enemies and smaller platforms!

It’s all a bit demoralizing, really.

Agree?  Disagree?

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One a related side-note, Goombas used to look pretty menacing back when they first made their appearance (even if they weren’t exactly the toughest voes to vanquish).

Nowadays, Goombas look like this:

A little cuter, albeit with the same angry eyebrows…