Yesterday I read the news that Toys R Us is going to liquidate entirely rather than restructure debt meaning that the last national toy chain in the US is shuttering its doors for good. Over the years I witnessed the closures of Children’s Palace, K.B. Toys, and FAO Schwarz, and although I was dissatisfied or … More Random Memories of a Toys R Us Kid
Nickelodeon debuted a children’s game show in the fall of 1986 called “Double Dare” which quickly became the most popular program on the network. Most of the challenges contestants faced would get them messy in some shape or form with a green slime substance taking center stage. Internally referred to as “gak”, the slime itself … More Gak (Mattel, 1992)
Growing up our household didn’t partake in the luxury of cable television. It was pure agony. I used to see ads with Grandpa Munster shilling a local cable TV company and would tell my parents that cable was the way to go. When I’d watch WWF SuperStars and Gene Okerlund would urge the viewers to contact … More Summer of 1998 Part II: TV
Although the most recent TMNT film “Out of the Shadows” seems to have come and gone somewhat uneventfully, I’m still riding on a nostalgia kick in regards to our heroes in a half shell. The rise of the Ninja Turtles was meteoric at the end of the 1980’s. Like Member’s Only jackets and Cabbage Patch … More Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trading Cards (Topps, 1989)
We’ve all been there. You’re playing a game and the tune from the stage you’re on is catchy enough that you begin to hum along with it. Before you know it you were sitting in class or languishing away in your cubicle and that tune is on repeat in your head. Game tunes may not … More Five Awesome Video Game Tracks Part 6
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a franchise that just seemingly won’t die. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is slated to be released this June and is the sequel to the 2014 film simply titled “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”. Of course, to us old fogies in our 30’s we understand the ramifications of … More Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game (NES, 1990)
It didn’t take very long for the popularity of The Simpsons to soar. The full length episodes made their debut on FOX in December of 1989 with the Christmas special and by the spring of 1990 the show was already a sensation. At first there was some controversy as to whether a cartoon like The … More Bart Simpson Vinyl Doll (Dan Dee, 1990)
I have a large confession to make here. Not once during childhood did I ever even play a Castlevania game. I’m not really sure why because they would have been right up my alley. Part of it has to do with the manner in which games were acquired. Today in my 30’s if I want … More Castlevania (NES, 1987)
Super RetroMania 