It’s become something of a holiday tradition for me to place an order with the fine folks at Fangamer every holiday season. While there’s never a wrong time to treat yourself to products designed for and by fans, it just feels right during this time of year. I’ve been shopping with these guys for over seven years and to be able to share my satisfaction and delight with the quality goods CEO Reid Young and his team are shipping out is a real treat.
1. A Guide to Village Life
The item that really got my attention was the recent addition to their library of lovingly detailed books. Kari Fry’s A Guide to Village Life is a collection of art and information inspired by Animal Crossing and is the perfect proof of the extra polish that comes from making such a product as a fan yourself. With over 250 pages in either soft or hardback editions, it can be enjoyed by weathered town mayors and fresh off the train movers alike.
Buy the A Guide to Village Life book now!
2. Other fantastic reads
For fans of Pokémon and Zelda, there are also similar books available by Kari, as well as other options. The Field Guide to Kanto is currently on my coffee table, along with the Mother 3 Handbook the team put together– one of my earliest purchases with them. If you’ve ever been curious about what happens to games as they make the jump overseas, the first book in the Legends of Localization series by Clyde Mandelin marks a perfect read.
Buy A Field Guide to Kanto now!
Buy the Mother 3 Handbook now!
Buy the Legends of Localization series now!
3. PSI Rockin’ shirt
The selection of apparel available from Fangamer ranges from Nintendo mainstays, to cult hits, to indie darlings while all sharing in visual appeal and comfort. I own about a dozen or so shirts, a jacket, and one very special hat and they always draw compliments. If I had to pick one, it would be PSI Rockin’ by Michael Menchaca, a shirt that reminds me of how I came to know this EarthBound loving group of people.
Buy the PSI Rockin’ shirt now!
4. Puff Power buttons
I could spend hours going on about the amount of prints and posters curated on the site, so instead I’ll mention a few odds and ends that have always made me smile. First is the perfect stocking stuffer: buttons! I’ve bought more buttons from Fangamer than I know what to do with, and adding on the fact many shirts come with one and that they tend to pack an extra one or two with every order, I must have nearly a hundred. While I suggest browsing the whole page (though some older sets may be sold out) Ashley Davis’s Puff Power buttons get a special mention for featuring four great Kirby copy abilities, including my personal favorite, yo-yo.
Buy the Puff Power buttons today!
5. Pipe Mug
For those cold winter nights when you just need to cozy up by the fire, nothing serves you better than a mug of something warm and delicious. What better way to savor it than out of a warp pipe? The Pipe Mug by the company’s Art and Design Director Jon Kay is the ultimate in utility and aesthetic appeal, capturing the iconic element of Super Mario Bros. and making it a part of your everyday living.
While the purpose of this gift list is to point you readers to some great holiday gift ideas, I must warn you that today, December 17th, is the last day to place an order and receive it by Christmas. I hope that doesn’t deter you, as my gushing over their merchandise is sincere and as someone who has both given and received multiple Fangamer gifts in holidays past I cannot recommend them enough!
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Written by Ricky Berg
When he isn’t writing for Nintendo Wire, Ricky’s anticipating the next Kirby, Fire Emblem, or if the stars ever align, Mother 3 to be released. Till then he’ll have the warm comfort of Super Smash Bros. to keep him going.
