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| Limited Edition Pikachu Nintendo 64 |
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| Games,
Richard Young,
20 January 1999 |
Rating: F5
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Question: What do you give to the Pokemon fan who has everything? Answer: A limited edition Pikachu Nintendo 64, followed by a hefty slap for falling victim to consumerism gone mad. Yes, folks - as if "catching them all" wasn't enough - now you have to do it while playing a garish purple console with a plastic Pikachu stuck on top. Oh, and his cheeks light up when the power is on. The ultimate Poke-fan statement or a sad cash-in aimed at gullible kiddies? How about both? The customisation of ones video game console is an intruiging practise which has yet to be embraced fully by the mainstream videogame culture - but which has nevertheless evolved parallel to the style aesthetic of todays generation of streetwise youngsters. Sticker kits, multi coloured peripherals, transluscent replacement casings are just some of the ways the industry has encouraged punters to spend their pennies on more than just games. Nintendos limited edition Pikachu machine has to be the ultimate acquisition for those who are genuinely concerned for their consoles form as well as its function. There is an apparent irony in wanting to look at something which spends its entire life trying to get you to look at something else - the gaming screen. Also, the idea of something sitting alongside your TV, video/DVD and hi-fi that stands out like a sore Poke-ball, certainly challenges the approach of the Playstation 2's sleek, Bang & Olufsenesque stylings.
It may only cost £84.99 when it hits the shelves next month, but what happens when the Pikachu novelty wears a bit thin? You could always wait for the next limited edition console. How about an ECW Hardcore Playstation...or a Virtua Golf Dreamcast? It's not that I dislike Pokemon, or N64 for that matter, but I can't help wondering just how far Nintendo can push out this particular Franchise boat without it being swept away altogether?
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