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TOKYO — The annual Tokyo Game Show isn’t just a place for gamers to try out demos of upcoming games. It’s also a place to exchange their hard-earned money for swag.
Japan’s videogame publishers long ago realized the benefits of selling all manner of tchotchkes to gamers. When fans have to wait three years in between versions of Final Fantasy, why not make a little extra money on the side by selling them statuettes of the game’s characters? Or sterling silver replicas of the jewelry worn by said characters? Or just a good old-fashioned stuffed Mario doll?
Here are some of the more interesting items that were for sale at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, including cool stuff we would have bought if we were slightly crazier, expensive things we couldn’t hope to afford and weird things we wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot gunblade.
Above: This Lagiacrus Head Ring, made in the shape of Monster Hunter’s fearsome sea serpent, will set you back about 25,000 yen ($250). The multiplayer action game is one of Capcom’s most popular titles, spawning the usual array of T-shirts and other items as well as this pricey and bizarre jewelry.
Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com
