Tuesday, December 02, 2014

All I want for Christmas is ...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. OK, so that isn't completely true here in Seattle, although we did get a dusting of snow over the weekend. (A rarity here, I assure you.)

Still, it certainly feels like Christmas here, or it's starting to feel like it. As such, I can't stop thinking about my holiday "wish list"--which is kind of funny, as I'm sure to get a small handful of presents from my parents this year and that's about much it. (That's not a complaint, mind you. I'm just pointing out how things work in my family circle at this point in time. And given that, producing a "wish list," as I've done here, is kind of pointless.)

You don't really need to know the details of my family's gift-giving traditions, though, do you? No, you do not. So, let's push all of that to the side and get to the contents of my kinda-sorta holiday wish list:


1. A couple of Japanese and North American DS games--Which ones? Here are a few of the DS games I'd love to add to my ever-growing collection: the first Ace Attorney title, Final Fantasy Tactics A2, Ghost Trick and Okamiden. As for Japanese releases, the ones currently topping my "obtain as soon as humanly possible" list include Dig Dug: Digging Strike, Nanashi no Game and Ni no Kuni.



2. Cyber Neko-Nyan silicon cover for 3DS LL/XL--I've wanted one of these suckers ever since the guys over at Tiny Cartridge first mentioned them in a post. Specifically, I want the pink one for my pink-and-white (North American) 3DS XL and the tortoiseshell one (above) for my black-and-gold Pokémon Center (Japanese) 3DS LL.



3. Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley--Although I love that my parents got me a copy of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call for my birthday, if I'm allowed to be completely honest, I kind of wished they'd gotten me this 3DS game instead, as I've been curious about it since the first screenshots of it popped up months ago. Oh, well, that's what wish lists like this are for, right?



4. "Kirby Taikoushin" hard cover--Yep, another 3DS LL/XL accessory. I'm kind of hesitant to ask for this one, though, as I'm worried that attaching it to, or removing it from, my system may scratch its surface. Still, I'm willing to risk that thanks to the overwhelmingly adorable design of this particular "hard cover." (I especially like the message on the bottom lid: "Pink. Puffy. Powerful.")



5. "Kirby Friends" soft pouch--Isn't this just the cutest thing? Seriously, it's so cute it makes me want to barf--and I mean that in the most positive way possible. Another reason I want one of these beauties (which can be bought here): I just know my pink-and-white 3DS XL would feel right at home tucked inside of it.



6. Light pink/white PS Vita--If I'm going to get a Vita, it's got to be the pink-tastic version showcased above. Sadly, it's only available in Japan at the moment (and is unlikely to ever see an official release in North America), but that's not as unfortunate as it sounds given the strength of the dollar--in comparison to the yen, at least--right now.

Now that I've had my say, which systems, games or even game-related items are you hoping to receive from your loved ones this holiday season?

21 comments:

Zach said...

I have a big thumbs up towards Phoenix Wright and Ghost Trick! And I've often considered importing that lime-green vita slim as well (they, unlike other unnameable portable systems, aren't region locked)!


All I've got hopes for this Christmas are Smash for the Wii U, Persona Q, and (shortly after expressing my sadness over its absence in the US) a copy of Ni no Kuni DS! I've heard the Japanese in it isn't too rough, so I'm hoping it'll be a fun side project to help me as I learn.

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, you're definitely not the first person to suggest I play Phoenix Wright and Ghost Trick ASAP, Zach. Thankfully, both are pretty cheap on Amazon right now, so assuming Santa doesn't bring them to me in a couple of weeks (he won't), I may just buy them for myself.


As for your Christmas list: it looks pretty good to me! I, too, am curious about Persona Q and likely will buy myself a copy sometime next year.


I'm more interested in Ni no Kuni DS at the moment, though. It's nice to hear the Japanese isn't too rough, BTW, as I'm *finally* getting back to my studies of the language, so hopefully I'll be able to stumble through the game once it's finally in my possession...

Justin Difazzio said...

Wait. Okamiden? Would you be opposed to a used copy?

Zach said...

Yeah! I'm also wondering whether or not I'm more excited for the game or the book it comes with... I loved it in the PS3 version, but it was suchhhhh a hassle to scroll around in with a controller. It'll be nice to have a physical copy, especially with all the pictures in it!!

Justin Difazzio said...

NiNoKuni DS?! That's a thing? Man...where have I been?

Zach said...

It's a (very) beautiful thing. And relatively affordable right now!

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, yes, I'm excited about the book, too, Zach. Anne over at the Chic Pixel blog shared photos of her copy of the book some time ago, and it looked GORGEOUS!

thegaygamer.com said...

I'm kind of surprised you missed this one, Justin! Sadly, though, it's a Japan-only game. Anyway, I believe it has a similar story to the PS3 game, although the gameplay is slightly different. Also, it comes with an absolutely gorgeous book. I want it!

thegaygamer.com said...

Yes, you're right, Zach. Which is why I'll probably buy a copy for myself after the holidays :)

thegaygamer.com said...

Are you asking because you want to sell your copy, Justin? If so, how used is it (what condition is it in, basically), and how much would you want for it?

Zach said...

From what I understand there's a point in the middle where it differs drastically from the PS3 version, but I don't know for sure! PS3's called the White Witch and DS's called the Black Mage... so I'm not quite sure.

Zach said...

We'll have to share notes!


Speaking of Ni no Kuni and the holidays, let your heart melt with these wonderful commercials for it back in the day... :')


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QY44UQJQlGE

thegaygamer.com said...

Aw, those are adorable! Too bad we didn't get to see "localized" versions in countries outside of Japan :(

thegaygamer.com said...

Interesting! I had no idea the games had different titles/subtitles...

Zach said...

Wait what!! I'm only a recent follower of hers so it must have flown past my radar. I'll have to check it out!

thegaygamer.com said...

I'm pretty sure the post in question was published some time ago, Zach. You should be able to find it by using the search function on her blog, though.

apricotsushi said...

Lots of great stuff! I feel like our wishlists are generally very similar ;) Did you see the reception for Harvest Moon: Lost Valley? Not to be a downer, but I heard it wasn't so hot... All that matters is if you enjoy it, though, of course

apricotsushi said...

It's nice to go in blind, that way you can form your own opinion and not be bogged down by external negativity if it's something you're personally excited for! Even if it does end up not being your favorite...


Honestly, I hope XSEED will let me review Story of Seasons, but if not, I'll definitely pick it up!

Justin Difazzio said...

Oh, I just figured I'd send it to you, since I don't plan on playing it again (not that it wasn't good, just because I don't forsee myself playing it again). Consider it a thank-you present for being so generally awesome to me all the time. Maybe you can Facebook Message me your address. I've got it from the last time you sent something to me, but I can't read it entirely.

thegaygamer.com said...

Yeah, I like being able to go into a game blind now and then. It doesn't happen very often! Of course, another recent example is Hometown Story, which ... didn't turn out so well. It's going to happen again with The Lost Valley, isn't it?


As for Story of Seasons: I hope you get a review copy! I'd ask for more but, honestly, timely reviews really aren't my thing, and whenever I get review copies I feel I have to review them as quickly as possible. So, I rarely ask anyone for review copies. Ha!

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, wow, that's really nice of you, Justin! Thank you! I'll send my address via FB Message in just a few minutes. Please use the cheapest shipping method possible, OK? it doesn't matter if it takes ages to get here!