Category: Musings

So, some folks may have shown concern about Gamestop closing up hundreds of stores in the US at the start of the new year and I am wondering why people are so concerned. Aren’t we supposed to hate GameStop because they’re scummy people? Or has the narrative changed at some point?

Obviously, you feel bad for the people losing their jobs and also you kinda, sorta feel bad for losing a place that sold your games… but honestly, you step into a GameStop these days and what do you see? Walls of Funko pops, random anime and comic book merchandise, toys, action figures, collector’s pieces… and then somewhere along the way, you’ll find a small space dedicated to, you know, games.

But then again, this has been the GameStop operandi for years, hasn’t it? Once I stepped into a GameStop and started seeing more Funkos than games, that’s when I called it quits and stopped going to GameStop for my gaming wants or needs. GameStop used to be the place where you could get used games for decent prices and I’ve amassed quite the collection of Xbox and PS2 games as a result… but nowadays, even the used games hold their worth, even with they’re just selling the disc or Switch card.

And even when I did dive into a GameStop once or twice, it’s mostly to pick up a figure or two… maybe a game if they had a used copy cheap enough… but even that, I can get from Amazon or Best Buy.

If anything, I’d feel bad for the smaller, genuine gaming shops if they were to close down. My usual place at the old flea market shut down and I just barely made the final week… and the other place that’s still there is becoming more of a merch place than a gaming store. Fortunately, I found this other place in Montreal that specializes in video game stuff… if only the parking wasn’t so shit… and also, obviously, the pricing on these things. The loss of THAT place, along with others like it, would pain me more than the loss of a GameStop that I haven’t stepped foot in for years.

Still, some folks will lament the loss of these stores and hopefully if you’re one of those folks who has a GameStop close to them close up shop, then hopefully, you’ll find some other means of continuing your gaming needs in some form or another. But just to level with you folks… Gamestop going away isn’t worth shedding a tear over.

Not these days, anyway…

Source: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/01/an-overlooked-disney-collection-from-digital-eclipse-has-been-rated-for-switch

Apparently, Switch (and Switch 2) owners will be able to get the Disney Afternoon Collection some time this year. This was a 2017 compilation of six NES games developed by Capcom comprising two Ducktales, two Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers, one Talespin, and the termite that devours your floorboards himself, Darkwing Duck.

I have this on Steam, it plays fine… but this should have been on Switch as soon as the console was out. What the fuck took so long?

…that the new Intellivision console to hit the market is NOT the one that was promised all those years ago, but rather one that is a remake of the original console released by the current incarnation of that console’s main rival in what is now known as the “first console war?”

I came home from a quick round of errands when I noticed a brown box by the door. I picked it up and after taking care of some affairs, opened it up to reveal the new Intellivision Sprint console that was released in December. For those who don’t know, Atari acquired the rights to the Intellivision name and software line… and decided to develop a mini console of sorts much in the same vein as their Atari 400 mini platform; has about 45 games built in, but with the option to include other games through other means.

As of this moment, I haven’t tried the console out yet… though I did film some unboxing bits for a future Gimmick Table down the road. Still, I sit back in awe as I look at this spiffy new Intellivision console that I didn’t think would ever be a thing… if only because the only thing that came to mind when the phrase “new Intellivision console” came to mind was that piece of vaporware called Amico.

I haven’t touched much on the Amicovision business ever since it became a thing. I was intrigued by its early pitch and its desire to develop a console without resorting to crowdfunding means – basically the opposite of what then-current Atari was doing with its Ataribox device… which, by the way, did see release and was eventually forgotten about by all but a few hobbyists. After a while and all the bad press that came about, I decided to veer away from that mess and focus on more tangible things.

When news broke that Atari had purchase Intellivision (but not the Amico), I figured that any hope of that project coming to fruition would be deader than dead. I’m sure there are a small, minute number of devotees who still believe in the cause, but it’s hard to hold out hope when most of the games that were pushed as the main draws of the console (that Finnegan Fox game that caused that one guy’s jaw to hit the ground and the Cornhole game) are appearing on other platforms. Let’s be real here; once the new Earthworm Jim makes its way over to Switch 2 and other things, any and all reasons for wanting an Amicovision will have gone out the window… not that there was much reason to begin with.

It’s unfortunate that things turned out the way it did. Do I think Amicovision would have amounted to much had it saw release? Probably not; it’d be a nice little novelty for the hobbyists and collectors, but not much more than that. Still, it’d be more than what any of the backers got so far, which was empty promises and a whole lot of fuck alls. Maybe some day, Amico will see the light of day… but maybe it’s time to just call it quits and move on. Tommy Tallarico sure as hell did.

Anyhoo… that’s my five cents on the matter. Let’s move on to bigger and better things… but first, I need to go to the bathroom.

Later.

Source: https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/01/limited-run-games-has-been-my-life-for-ten-years-josh-fairhurst-announces-hes-stepping-away

This was sent my way a couple days ago, but I’m posting about it now to keep the post streak going. Long story short; head of physical snake merchants Limited Run Josh Fairhurst is stepping down from his CEO duties, citing other opportunities that he’d rather be pursuing. Obviously, I wish him all the best in all his future endeavors, good health and all that jazz… but anyone expecting this to change the dynamics of a largely shitty enterprise is going to be in for a rude awakening.

I’ve made no secret about not being a fan of Limited Run’s business model. I’ve bought one product from them that took months to ship and when it did arrive, it was a complete afterthought. Granted, it was a fine package for what it was – it’s the TIE Fighter limited edition – but was this the sort of thing that you’d expect from someone championing physical media? Meanwhile, I’ve ordered from a couple homebrewers who made their own carts and I got those in weeks time.

So yeah, nothing against the dude personally. I don’t know him, I don’t know how much he was involved in the way that business operated, and again, whatever he does next, I wish him nothing but the best… but nothing of value was lost from this company because there was no value to be had here in the first place. Why people insist on partnering up with these snake oil salespeople to this day confounds me. Hell, I almost purchased the physical NES cart for AVGN 8-Bit and was willing to spend a premium for that thing… until I realized that I’d be giving my money to Limited Run and thought better of it. That’s how toxic that company has become in my mind.

Anyway… that’s the story. Have a nice weekend, kids.