|
Welcome one and all to this very special 10th Anniversary Edition of...
THE 2020
[img width=700 height=228]http://assets.podomatic.net/ts/1f/0a/f6/podcast4748829450/920!x300!_7078778.gif[/img]
NOT-SO-SECRET SANTA
GIVE-AWAY!!![/size]
To celebrate both the 10th NSSS and my 10th anniversary on RF Generation, I offer 10 humble items for your first-come, first-served consideration! Just remember the rules:
- Just one selection per person.
- The first person to claim the item gets it. First come, first served.
How to make your claim:
- Take note of the number of the item/lot you desire, and...
- Post that number in the Not-So-Secret-Santa blog's comments section. Only claims made in the blog comments section will be honored.
All RF Generation members from anywhere in the world are welcome to take advantage. Just be aware that, that unless otherwise noted, all games being given away are NTSC U/C coded for use in machines for the North American market.
As for shipping costs: I'm covering it. Just note that I'll be mailing this stuff out using the cheapest shipping methods possible, so it might be a while before your claim gets to you. You'll receive a PM informing you of your successful claim, and either requesting your mailing address, or confirming the one I have on file.
And now, it's time to count down the swag, starting with...
10.) NAKI lanyard
[img width=700 height=535]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50599295896_0d6f7fc496_o.jpg[/img]
9.) PlayStation 2 lanyard
8.) Benjamin Bumchen Vorsschulspasse for Nintendo DS
7.) Loot Crate TEAM FORTRESS 2 pinback button collectors set
6.) Mega Bloks Skylanders Possessed CYNDER mini-figure
5.) K'Nex WARIO mini-figure
4.) Wendy's Design-Your-World 8-BIT ARCADE playset, sealed
3.) Dragon Advance Boy GBA game cartridge vertical stand with box
2.) Sealed cube of Super Mario sticky notes
1.) SUPER MARIO BROS. & DUCK HUNT for NES
[img width=700 height=698]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50599296221_2d2fedc64a_o.jpg[/img]
Whelp, that's it for this year. My most profuse thanks go out to all who have participated in this silly little give-away over the last decade... here's to ten more years!
Until next time...
...'Late
Special thanks to all who participated in...
The Official 2019 NOT-So-
Secret Santa Give-Away!
Now I was originally going to make this year's NSSS into a drive to help rebuild LeeJ07's video game collection, which was almost completely lost in a house fire less than two months ago. However, I sorely underestimated the initiative of this amazing online community, as OPERATION: RESET was established not even two weeks after the disaster! If you haven't already done so, I highly encourage you all to give your fellow RF Gentleman a little holiday cheer in a really trying time! Just head on over to...
http://www.rfgeneration.c...m/index.php?topic=19199.0
...and become a part of OPERATION: RESET!
ANYway: this year I offer 11 10 humble items for your consideration! Just remember the rules:
- Just one selection per person.
- The first person to claim the item gets it. First come, first served.
How to make your claim:
- Take note of the number of the item/lot you desire, and...
- Post that number in the Not-So-Secret-Santa blog's comments section.
All RF Generation members from anywhere in the world are welcome to take advantage of this give-away! Just be aware that, that unless otherwise noted, all games being given away are NTSC U/C coded for use in machines for the North American market.
As for shipping costs: I'm covering it. Just note that I'll be mailing this stuff out using the cheapest shipping methods possible, so it might be a while before your claim gets to you. You'll receive a PM informing you of your successful claim, and either requesting your mailing address, or confirming the one I have on file.
Oh yeah, and don't forget to check out the Official 2019 NOT-So-Secret Santa Thread at:
http://www.rfgeneration.c...m/index.php?topic=19215.0
And now, the swag:
1) SONIC AND RINGS Loot Crate figure & base
2) SUPER MARIO BROS. & DUCK HUNT game cartridge for NES
3) Archie Comics SONIC SUPER SPECIAL #3
4) Tandy BACKGAMMON handheld game (with mini-dice)
5) SCART/RCA connection cable
6) Polaroid wired controller for PlayStation 3
7) Legend of Zelda 8-Bit Link Air Freshener
8.) GAME BOY COLOR Fixer-Upper:[/b] no sound, and the "A" button doesn't work. If you think you have what it takes to restore it to full working condition, then more power to you.
9) ZAXXON Space Pilot & Combat Ace handbill set
10) Carry Case for Game Boy Advance SP
11) Japanese FINAL FANTASY XI ONLINE Dengeki Ryodan Fashion 2005 Art Game Book
Aaaaaand that's it for this year! Best of luck to you all, and have a happy holidays!
- 'Late
Hey now, everybody! Welcome to...
The 2018 NOT-So-Secret Santa Give-Away!
This year I offer 13 humble items for your first-come, first-served consideration!
Just remember the rules:
- Just one selection per person.
- The first person to claim the item gets it. First come, first served.
How to make your claim:
- Take note of the number of the item you desire, and...
- Post that number in the Not-So-Secret-Santa blog's comments section.
All RF Generation members from anywhere in the world are welcome to take advantage. Just be aware that, that unless otherwise noted, all games being given away are NTSC U/C coded for use in machines for the North American market.
As for shipping costs: I'm covering it. Just note that I'll be mailing this stuff out using the cheapest shipping methods possible, so it might be a while before your claim gets to you. You'll receive a PM informing you of your successful claim, and either requesting your mailing address, or confirming the one I have on file.
And now, the swag:
1.) Sealed SUPER MARIO Dual-World Maze Game Happy Meal toy
2.) Sealed SUPER MARIO Koopa Shell Pinball Happy Meal toy
3.) Mario Roulette Block Happy Meal toy
4.) MarioKart fridge magnet
5.) Super Mario Super Koozy
6.) CAPCOM mini drawstring tote bag in black nylon
7.) Legend of Zelda Hylian Shield Luggage Tag
8.) Fallout 111 luggage tag
9.) Halo Wars 2 Master Chief helmet decal
[img width=378 height=640]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4811/45173800934_4d36d48fd7_z.jpg[/img]
10.) Minecraft Essential Handbook
11.) Minecraft Combat Handbook
12.) Minecraft Redstone Handbook
13.) SILENT SERVICE for the NES!
All right now, everybody get to it!
...'Late
Hey now, everybody! Welcome to...
The 2017 NOT-So-Secret-Santa Give-Away!
This year I offer 11 humble items for your first-come, first-served consideration! Just remember the rules:
- Just one selection per person.
- The first person to claim the item gets it. First come, first served.
How to make your claim:
- Take note of the number of the item/lot you desire, and...
- Post that number in the Not-So-Secret-Santa blog's comments section below.
All RF Generation members from anywhere in the world are welcome to take advantage. Just be aware that, that unless otherwise noted, all games being given away are NTSC U/C coded for use in machines for the North American market.
As for shipping costs: I'm covering it. Just note that I'll be mailing this stuff out using the cheapest shipping methods possible, so it might be a while before your claim gets to you. You'll receive a PM informing you of your successful claim, and either requesting your mailing address, or confirming the one I have on file.
And now, we open up Santa's sack (*SNICKER*) to reveal...
1) 3-IN-1 SUPER JOY BOX Adapter allows you to use your PS1, PS2, XBox, and Game Cube controllers on your PC via USB port! This device supports Windows 9X / ME / 2000 / XP systems.
[img width=559 height=550]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4561/26667516179_97383f0766_z.jpg[/img]
2) HOW TO DRAW SONIC THE HEDGEHOG & THE GANG Book
[img width=550 height=592]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/38412328052_0f391b45b9_z.jpg[/img]
3) Light blue (heavy) Nintendo DS carry case
[img width=700 height=494]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4519/37557012535_83824ce9f3_b.jpg[/img]
4) SPLATOON Squid Plush
[img width=532 height=768]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4565/26667516459_4b61e58e2c_b.jpg[/img]
5) Loot Crate SPACE INVADERS Mini Alien Vinyl Figure
[img width=677 height=550]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4516/37557011435_0f4821e812_b.jpg[/img]
6) MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA Peebee Fig Pin
[img width=436 height=768]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4570/26667516509_20d7ed8d35_b.jpg[/img]
7) Nintendo 64 Bowser Bean Bag Plush
[img width=550 height=753]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4582/26667516289_a22b1c90d4_b.jpg[/img]
 MARIO KART 8 DELUXE Rubiks Cube
[img width=626 height=550]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4586/26667516369_6fb3214f1a_z.jpg[/img]
9) Official Nintendo GameCube-to-GBA Link Cable
[img width=700 height=474]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4548/26667516629_431ce11f0b_b.jpg[/img]
10) Donkey Kong 3DS XL Carry Case
[img width=509 height=768]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4573/37557011105_52e9e6a9c4_b.jpg[/img]
11) The Triumphant Return of the Lot of Mystery Games!
[img width=500 height=500]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4a/87/e2/4a87e2dec1139d96963304bb536b2897.gif[/img]
It's dibs-callin' time, guys; get to it!
Also, feel free to drop by the Official 2017 Not-So-Secret Santa thread:
http://www.rfgeneration.c...m/index.php?topic=18392.0
...'Late
Hey now, everybody! Welcome to...
The 2016 NOT-So-Secret-Santa Give-Away!
This year I offer 10 humble items for your first-come, first-served consideration! Just remember the rules:
- Just one selection per person.
- The first person to claim the item gets it. First come, first served.
How to make your claim:
- Take note of the number of the item/lot you desire, and...
- Post that number in the Not-So-Secret-Santa blog's comments section.
All RF Generation members from anywhere in the world are welcome to take advantage. Just be aware that, unless otherwise noted, all games being given away are NTSC U/C coded for use in machines for the North American market.
- As for shipping costs: I'm covering it. Just note that I'll be mailing this stuff out using the cheapest shipping methods possible, so it might be a while before your claim gets to you. You'll receive a PM informing you of your successful claim, and either requesting your mailing address, or confirming the one I have on file.
And now, the swag:
1.) Super Mario DS/GBA system wraps set
[img width=375 height=605]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/nsss1601_zpsklnhboxg.jpg?t=1479187574[/img]
2.) Complete Sword/Link Kirby Plush
3.) Sealed Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam papercraft figure set
4.) Sealed Porta-Lock accessory for PSP
[img width=328 height=610]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/nsss1604_zpswzcw5lwi.jpg?t=1479187574[/img]
5.) Ms. Pac-Man 2014 Awesome 80's Run participation medal
6.) Official 007 GoldenEye strategy guide
7.) Shadow the Hedgehog hockey mini LCD game
8.) Radio Shack SPACE ALIEN mini tabletop game
9.) Computer Games and Virtual Worlds: A new Frontier in Intellectual Property Law book
Aaaand now, the crown jewel in my stack of give-away goodies:
10.) Super-rare 1-of-1 The_8-Bit_Donald "Make RF Generation Great Again!" bobblehead!
It's dibs-callin' time, guys... get to it!
...'Late
It's...
The_8-Bit_Donald's 8-Point Plan to Make
[img width=400 height=130]http://assets.podomatic.net/ts/1f/0a/f6/podcast4748829450/920!x300!_7078778.gif[/img][img width=126 height=130]http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9fr_L1_pO6k/Vn9jHeI2f1I/AAAAAAAACJI/Qd9MpYIf-v4Hds-cjB5ScvPaoX_tyCEFA/w581-h595-no/image.jpg[/img]
GREAT Again!
Good morning, fellow RF Gentlemen! Thank you for attending my rally on this beautiful April day. I hope we'll have many more days like this ahead. There's no greater collecting site for video game enthusiasts anywhere on the internets, really! It's true! It really is. But there have been many signs of a decline in the last few years, which is why I'm campaigning to become this fine institution's illustrious leader. You see, I have a YUUUUGE plan, a GREAT plan-- really, it's great, it really is-- to put RF Generation back on the top of the vidya heap! I have eight points that I will pursue when I claim my rightful fuhrerdom leadership:
Continue reading Making RF Generation GREAT Again!
Please disregard this blog entry, and check out Triple-M: The Blue Friday Bonanza instead.
My apologies ofr the inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding.
Zagnorch Productions
in (a very precarious) association with
[img width=234 height=60]http://www.rfgeneration.com/left.gif[/img]
Presents
TRIPLE-M:
A BLUE FRIDAY BONANZA
After almost eight years of serious collecting, I was nearing a pretty impressive milestone: over 3000 unique pieces in my collection! And what better way to achieve such a lofty goal then by taking advantage of Goodwill of Silicon Valley chain's "Blue Friday" sale the day after Thanksgiving? Little did I know that it would become my longest thrift-crawl ever, clocking in at 13 hours, travelling 175 miles, and visiting 17 different stores, some of them twice. But would all this effort be enough to put me over the top? Let's find out...
[img width=700 height=276]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15a_zpsru4kgmvg.jpg?t=1448681992[/img]
[img width=413 height=633]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15b_zpsndx18l9r.jpg?t=1448682064[/img]
- CIB Sam's Club-exclusive Intellivision Flashback plug-&-play console, $5.99 $4.79: includes a complete set of overlays exclusive to the Sam's Club release. Interestingly enough, the return slip was still taped to the box, with the reason why it was returned:
[img width=549 height=467]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15c_zpsofh8joju.jpg?t=1448682238[/img]
Whoever didn't like this most likely leads a sad and pathetic existence. And yet, I cannot bring myself to hate him, merely pity him.
ANYway, moving on...
[img width=512 height=607]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15d_zpsqnl4nbif.jpg?t=1448682240[/img]
- CIB Sam's Club-exclusive Sega Genesis Classic console, 12.99 $9.74: Includes an exclusive 12-Dino-Games-In-1 cartridge.
[img width=621 height=437]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15h_zps1xstuh8h.jpg?t=1448682241[/img]
- Limited edition Mountain Dew XBox console, $29.99 $22.50: Devastator really dug this pickup for some reason.
[img width=550 height=598]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15i_zpsselxmofu.jpg?t=1448682241[/img]
He told me it could use some purple highlights, though.
On to the reading material:
[img width=700 height=461]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15g_zpstuiuwhrd.jpg[/img]
- 6 game guides, $14.95 $10.45 for the lot
Now it's time for the games themselves, starting with my first-ever X-Bone pickup:
[img width=513 height=500]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15e_zpsznvsqlnz.jpg[/img]
[img width=659 height=550]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15f_zps7lfa7vph.jpg[/img]
- CIB Halo 5 Guardians Limited Edition, $29.99 23.99: Not only is this complete, it's also practically brand-new.
Howzabout a little international intrigue with these Japan-region finds:
[img width=700 height=501]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15j_zpsmcxorsyu.jpg?t=1448683014[/img]
- CIB Puzzle Bobble Pocket for PSP, $3.99 $2.99
- Sealed Tactics Ogre: Unmei no Wa for PSP, $5.99 $4.49
- Sealed Dragon's Crown for PS3, $5.99 $4.49
- Persona 2: Innocent Sin (no manual) for PS1, $5.99 $4.49
On to some of the more mundane game scores:
[img width=654 height=500]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15k_zpspt5xwld5.jpg[/img]
- CIB GUN for GameCube, $2.99 $2.09
- CIB TouchMaster for DS, $5.99 $3.89
- Pong-Asteroids-Yars' Revenge GBA cart, $3.59 $2.33
- CIB Lego Batman 2 for 3DS, $5.99 $3.89
- CIB Croc: Legend of the Gobbos (Greatest Hits) for PS1, $2.49 $1.99
By now you're probably wondering which game put my collection at 3000. Why, it's only one of the greatest pieces of electronic entertainment that's ever been pressed onto a digital disc! As you already know, obviously I'm talking about:
[img width=596 height=500]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15l_zpswpqb32m8.jpg?t=1448683014[/img]
I'm sensing homicidal levels of jealousy from you.
And there you have it: a legendary thrift crawl that culminated in a very enviable milestone. Pretty cool, huh? But don't leave just yet, 'cuz now I'm gonna show off my gaming thrift-scores of the NON-video kind:
[img width=700 height=319]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15m_zpsbsft3es8.jpg[/img]
- CIB Excalibur King Maker III electronic chess set, $10.49 $7.87: This one's for you, Shaggy.
- CIB 10 Days in Asia, $3.49 $2.27
[img width=700 height=466]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15o_zpspdjvnjes.jpg[/img]
[img width=700 height=541]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15p_zps9yxdxvgc.jpg?t=1448683014[/img]
- CIB Dungeon! Fantasy Board game, $5.99 $4.19
[img width=599 height=500]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20bf15n_zpsvcsle3hx.jpg[/img]
- Sealed Sharper Image Perfect Pitch Tabletop Baseball, $7.99 $5.99
And now, the most awesomely awesome board game ever:
[img width=599 height=420]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20q_zpswicqxr60.jpg[/img]
[img width=700 height=540]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20r_zpsybjubqkx.jpg[/img]
[img width=400 height=425]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score%20s_zpssy3izpwi.jpg?t=1448683014[/img]
Who wouldn't want to "interact" with that hot tomato? (God, I'm so lonely)
So, who wants to go a few rounds with me? I'll even let you go first-- wait, where are you going? Get back here, you prudes! Ahhh, who needs ya! I'm sure I can find someone who's willing to play this--
[img width=700 height=342]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/devboxgame_zpsqklpoujl.jpg[/img]
Errr... on second thought...
...'Late
Welcome, fellow RF Gentlemen, to...
THE 2015[/size]
NOT-SO-SECRET SANTA!
AAAAND that wraps it up for this year's edition of the Not-So-Secret-Santa giveaway. Hope to see y'all again this time next year!
-'Late
ZAGNORCH PRODUCTIONS INC., LLC
PRESENTS
2015
A NEW YEAR'S THRIFTING ODYSSEY
Greetings from Terra!
My adventure began when I saw this notice on the front door of the local Goodwill around mid-December:
[img width=438 height=583]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/GWSale_zpsa7c261d4.jpg[/img]
Needless to say, my plans to just goof off and kick back on New Year's Day went right out the window. Instead, I embarked on one of my patented cross-county thrift runs. With over a dozen Goodwills within a half-hour drive from home, I figured I'd find more than a few things of interest. When the first day of 2015 was in the books, I'd logged a twelve-hour trip, driven over a hundred miles, and filled eleven blue cases with some pretty awesome swag.
[img width=700 height=439]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/NewYear15a_zps4a1a86e1.jpg[/img]
[img width=562 height=487]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/NewYr15b_zps284888ed.jpg[/img]
First stop: the Almaden/Foxworthy Goodwill. Although its asking prices for games and hardware are rarely reasonable, it does get in a few interesting things from time to time that I'm willing to pay a little extra for...
[img width=603 height=536]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Newyr15c_zps3a8f7ec0.jpg[/img]
...like these CIB Asia-region PSP games (Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. Portable, Tenchu 4, and Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G) that set me back $5.99 $4.43 each.
Then it was on to the Blossom Hill/Snell location. It hadn't had much of... well, anything since it was remodeled a few months back. Today, however, was a different story...
[img width=700 height=288]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15ea_zps2786e398.jpg[/img]
[img width=595 height=520]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Newyr15eb_zpsab011895.jpg[/img]
...a not-quite-CIB Piano Discovery System for PC for $19.99 $9.80. All I need is a connector cable... and DOS Box... and probably a few adapters... and I'll be all set to rockit with John Herbie Hancock! While this pickup isn't all that... miraculous... at least it doesn't need a foot pedal.
[img width=110 height=97]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/ScaredDuke_zps9cc078b5.jpg[/img] 
BTW it wasn't until I was home that I discovered that it bore another price tag neither I nor the cashier had noticed:
[img width=700 height=359]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15ec_zps99c96ffc.jpg[/img]
You know what they say: never attempt to correct an error in your favor. Anyhoo, also found at the same location, setting me back $4.99 $3.72:
[img width=607 height=535]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15d_zps243bc377.jpg[/img]
The adventure continued at the Capitol/Silver Creek store, where I found this for $4.99 $3.72:
[img width=564 height=533]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15f_zps146b0624.jpg[/img]
And then I hit the one-oh-one and headed south to the Mecca of Garlic. There was nothing of note at the Gilroy Goodwill, but the Salvation Army store across town was a slightly different story:
[img width=595 height=522]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15h_zpsf4b5f1e4.jpg[/img]
An original-release CIB Ratchet Deadlocked for $3.50 to replace my Greatest Hits copy, and...
[img width=700 height=475]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15g_zpsff484ed5.jpg[/img]
...a CIB Saitek Kasparov Cougar chess computer for $19.99.
I then drove a few miles up the road and hit the outlet mall, where I found...
[img width=700 height=463]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15m_zpse781643f.jpg[/img]
...a CIB pair New Balance 510 trail-walker shoes to replace my well-worn 605s. And what better way to break in a pair of trail-walker shoes than to hit the local hiking trails for a couple hours?
[img width=700 height=343]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/gilhike1-1-2015pano_zps69f39408.jpg?t=1420236340[/img]
Always insist on 100% natural lens flare! J.J. Abrams eat your heart out!
With some daylight to spare, I headed northward, eventually making it to the Cupertino store, where I grabbed:
[img width=585 height=544]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15i_zps717fa89d.jpg[/img]
Then it was the Mountain View Goodwill's turn, which yielded...
[img width=630 height=535]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15ja_zps397b89b0.jpg[/img]
I gave the Empire Strikes Back mini lunchbox tin to someone I knew would get a kick out of it:
[img width=426 height=522]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15jb_zpsb81e80ea.jpg[/img]
Oah! Appreciative of this gift I am! Very much thank you! Mmm-hmm-hmm, yes!
Up next was Sunnyvale, the original hometown of Atari, and the first Goodwill store I ever set foot in. This particular stop only yielded...
[img width=663 height=523]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15ka_zps94934123.jpg[/img]
...a CIB copy of Descent Freespace: Silent Threat for just $1.24? Now we're talkin'. But wait, what's this disclaimer on the package?
[img width=461 height=233]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15kb_zps79b8e553.jpg[/img]
Aw, maaaan... it's just an expansion? Well, that totally blows. Eon knows how many long hours I'll have to spend to find the main game that goes with--
[img width=568 height=475]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15kc_zpsf9d4a481.jpg[/img]
Oh wait, there it is; just had to flip the box over is all. Okay, never mind.
The final stop of the day would be the Palo Alto Goodwill. Located in "the birthplace of Silicon Valley," this store has yielded many of my greatest vidya scores over the last few years. This is where I found my first Miracle Piano, my Atari 2600 Jr., my first near-CIB Dreamcast, and countless games and portable consoles. Its constant supply of the good stuff, friendly and helpful staff, and close proximity to my workplace has kept me coming back on a very regular basis. Culminating my New Year's thrifting odyssey here seemed to make all the sense in the world. And yet... it could very well have been the worst time to have come. For one thing, the place had been open for business all day, and the sun had set two hours earlier. If there had been anything there at the start of the day that I would have been interested in, surely it would have long since been sold and out the door? Undaunted, I ventured inside.
A bad omen appeared right away: the electronics showcase couldn't be unlocked because someone had misplaced the key. Inside that case, mocking me in deafening silence, was a CIB copy of Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness. Oh, the horror. What kind of loving God would allow this to happen, I lamented. Adding insult to injury, one of the clerks said he was sure he saw a copy of Twilight Princess for Game Cube somewhere in there. That's when I realized that there is no God.
Theological dilemmas notwithstanding, I looked around the place, hoping to find something worthy of purchase. After several minutes of fruitless searching, I conceded defeat, and headed for the exit. I was just about to open the door when I took a quick look at the front-end display case... and caught a glimpse of something. My curiosity piqued, I took a closer look, and grinned from ear to ear when I realized that I'd discovered...
[img width=560 height=483]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15la_zps5adf7f41.jpg[/img]
...a loose limited-edition Fire Emblem Awakening 3DS with Pokemon X card? Aw hellz yeah! Now I know what you're asking yourself right now... and here's the answer:
[img width=614 height=523]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/newyr15lb_zps5bd8ddd0.jpg[/img]
($11.19 after discount)
If that isn't the greatest capper ever to an amazing thrift crawl, then I don't know what is. And if the first day of 2015 is any indication, it's gonna be
The BEST YEAR EVAR!!!11one1one1!!!1one!1!!!!
I can hardly wait to see what I'll bump into next. And I bet you can hardly wait, either. Worry not, for I'll keep you in he loop.
Until next time...
...'Late
HEY NOW!
And that's it for this year's Not-So-Secret Santa! Thanks for participating, and have yourselves a wonderful holiday season!
'Late
HEY NOW!
As many of you already know, the week started on a pretty low note for me.
[img width=700 height=497]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score11-6-2014a_zps2a5bb738.jpg[/img]
Daylight burglaries aren't exactly a laugh-a-minute.
But things improved immensely today when I got off work and embarked on what I call a "hot-hand" thrift crawl, where almost every stop yielded at least a little something, and a couple stops a LOT something. Read on and you'll see what I mean.
The day started off small as I dropped by the Goodwill near work:
[img width=700 height=462]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score11-6-2014b_zpseb291e4e.jpg[/img]
Although they lacked manuals, I found Mario Kart Wii and New SMB Wii for $3.99 each.
Then came the deluge as I hit the Mountain View Rasputin's:
[img width=525 height=617]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score11-6-2014c_zpsf488c233.jpg?t=1415323213[/img]
This haul consisted mainly of $1.95 CIB PS2 games, including:
- Conflict: Global Terror
- Dark Cloud
- Dr. Muto
- Kessen II
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII
- Samurai Warriors XTreme Legends
- Star Wars Bounty Hunter
- Terminator Dawn of Fate
- Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land
I also found a few $1.95 CIB PSP games:
- Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
- Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
- Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
Let's not overlook the $1.95 CIB 360 & GameCube games:
- Wario Ware, Inc.
- Donkey Konga
- Kameo: Elements of Power
- Gun (sealed)
Finally, some miscellaneous stuff I snapped up for $0.50 a pop:
- CIB Age of Mythology Bonus Edition for PC
- Riven for PC
- Official XBox Magazine #45 demo
- CIB Kiss Pinball for PS1
Next up was the Mountain View Goodwill, where I found a morsel of number-crunching goodness:
[img width=561 height=464]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score11-6-2014e_zps27a90d0e.jpg?t=1415323248[/img]
While this $4.99 Texas Instruments BA-II Plus business calculator was a nice find, there were no gaming goodies of note at this stop. Good thing it was a different story at the Parkmoor Savers in San Jose:
[img width=692 height=533]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score11-6-2014d_zpsffe57cda.jpg[/img]
For a little over seven smackers, I walked out with fifteen Nintendo Power back issues-- and I mean WAY back, between issues 16 and 41-- as well as Mario Mania, Top Secret Passwords and a Ninja Gaiden II player's guide.
Next up was the Almaden Expressway Savers, which yielded all you see here:
[img width=700 height=427]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score11-6-2014f_zps51e10c36.jpg?t=1415250608[/img]
The Super Mario 2 cart, CIB Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter, and CIB Supreme Commander were $2.99 $2.39 each with savings coupon, and the Nintendo Power Mario Collector's Special set me back $1.99 $1.59.
Funny thing about the Dragon Quarter pick-up: a few minutes before I saw it, I was thinking about SirPsycho's recent acquisition of the same game, and how it looked like a promising title. It's a happy coincidence that's happened a couple times before in my thrift hunts, and has almost led me to believe I have some odd power of clairvoyance. But it's not that I possess odd powers; I'm just plain odd.
A few miles up the expressway, and I arrived at the Almaden Goodwill. Sadly, this particular store has some of the most ridiculous asking prices for console games and hardware I'v ever seen. $9.99 for a loose Ecco the Dolphin Genesis cart with a half-ripped-off label? Thanks, but no thanks (and tell the pricer to stop hitting the pipe). Fortunately, I'm always finding other interesting things here for far more reasonable prices...
[img width=493 height=537]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score11-6-2014g_zps06f33cdc.jpg?t=1415323153[/img]
...like this CIB Tomy Atomic Pinball game for $5.99. And, ummm, you might wanna cut back on the heavy breathing there, SingleBanana; you're kinda creeping everybody out with that. Someone's in need of a cold shower.
After checking out another Goodwill that didn't have diddley, I ended today's run at the Bernal Goodwill, where I found:
[img width=700 height=383]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score11-6-2014h_zpsa1328e1c.jpg?t=1415323181[/img]
- Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2 / MGS4 bonus DVD, $3.79
- CIB PlayStation Official UK Magazine demo disc 25, $3.99
- Sealed Dungeon Keeper for PC, $3.59
Needless to say, I'm feeling a little better now.
Until next time...
...'Late
It seemed too good to be true: I'd just picked up a nice bright-red "heavy" DS for just $4.00 at the local Savers thrift...
[img width=395 height=265]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/redds_zps3d1833cc.jpg[/img]
...only to find out it was too good to be true:
[img width=481 height=438]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score9-5-2014c_zps96e2c4b8.jpg[/img]
It was a tragedy no one should have to face, and one I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Forcing its way through the lead-dense wall of grief and sadness, however, was opportunity: I had another heavy DS that, while otherwise fully functional, lacked a battery and cover. It was a recipient in desperate need of a donor... which had just dropped into my hands. In my possession was the means of turning tragedy into triumph.
I had to perform a transplant operation, stat.
So I prepped the patients, and readied the specialized and highly sensitive surgical tools.
[img width=700 height=490]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans1_zpse79d2392.jpg[/img]
Before I could make the first incision, however, a most difficult step had to be made: taking the donor off life support.
[img width=466 height=501]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans2_zpsd162a6ec.jpg[/img]
The reassurances from the family that "this is what she would have wanted" did little to blunt my feelings of guilt, or lessen the emotional impact of pulling the plug. Fortunately, the battery and cover will maintain viability until they are fully incorporated into the recipient... if the procedure is performed quickly enough. There is no time to lose...
The moment of truth had arrived. I drew a deep breath. "All right," I stated with a mix of resignation and conviction, "let's do this."
[img width=651 height=545]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans3_zps8c4ba5a4.jpg[/img]
Fair warning: the following sequence of images is quite graphic and disturbing. They're not for the squeamish or faint of heart. Better escort the kids out of the room before you scroll down any further. On second thought, go ahead and force 'em to watch; emotional trauma builds character.
[img width=270 height=512]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans4_zpsa5a51454.jpg[/img]
[img width=531 height=532]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans5_zpsf06ddaa6.jpg[/img]
[img width=607 height=497]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans6_zps3f719d0a.jpg[/img]
[img width=606 height=492]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans7_zps9b2f92c9.jpg[/img]
The power I wield from literally holding another's life in my hand is downright overwhelming in its intensity. It's quite intoxicating, and not a little frightening. So this is what it's like to play God...
[img width=473 height=524]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans8_zpsd90a7eac.jpg[/img]
[img width=700 height=404]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans9_zps1fc9c196.jpg[/img]
All right, let's close 'er up.
[img width=438 height=540]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans10_zpscbd06960.jpg[/img]
[img width=479 height=546]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans11_zps14fafa63.jpg[/img]
And now we'll see if the patient pulled through.
[img width=448 height=411]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans12_zps31d3b5a3.jpg[/img]
Aaaaand...
[img width=509 height=520]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/dstrans13_zps552606f4.jpg[/img]
I couldn't help but shed a tear of joy for the life I'd saved. But this joy was a sweetness turned bitter by the sacrifice of one so that another may live. It was a profound and traumatic experience, one that showed me that nothing should betaken for granted in this life. My world would never be the same, ever again.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to sell this baby to the highest online bidder. 
BTW as I was putting this blog together, I thought to myself, I sure hope Duke.Togo won't experience any traumatic flashbacks while reading this. 
Speakin' of The Dukester, it's time for a bonus feature! Take a gander at what I discovered the other day at the Santa Clara Goodwill:
[img width=367 height=490]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/miracle1_zps2b2f55f2.jpg?t=1409981831[/img][img width=110 height=96]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/BilWat_zpsa9b4b1a0.jpg[/img]
That's right, kids: yet another boxed NES Miracle Piano. I opened 'er up to see if it contained the ever-elusive foot pedal that our esteemed CollectorCaster extraordinaire has been longing for.
[img width=653 height=490]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/miracle2_zps72653818.jpg?t=1409981897[/img][img width=110 height=96]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/BilHappy_zpsebe88522.jpg[/img]
Oh, the suspense...
[img width=653 height=490]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/miracle3_zps5ce63f46.jpg?t=1409981924[/img][img width=110 height=96]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/BilEcstatic_zpsbab8626a.jpg[/img]
Aaaaand...
[img width=653 height=490]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/miracle4_zps0ec0fc78.jpg[/img][img width=110 height=96]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/BilDisptd_zps70c91f0a.jpg[/img]
D'oh! Looks like I struck out yet again. Sorry if I got'cher hopes up there, Dukey. But fret not: considering how frequently I'm encountering Miracle Pianos at the thrifts, it's merely a matter of time...
'Late
Hey now,
It was nine years ago today that a certain someone signed up for RF Generation. You might know him from his signature avatar, which is one of the most exploitable avas on this site. And I should know, 'cuz I exploit it every chance I get:
[img width=175 height=110]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/DoubleNupe_zps78f7289d.jpg[/img][img width=90 height=110]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/NupePissed_zps17109b23.jpg[/img][img width=90 height=110]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/NupeSHift_zps3ce56027.gif[/img][img width=90 height=110]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/NupeOmNom_zps998047b7.gif[/img][img width=90 height=110]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Nupecommodore_zps0efa2340.jpg[/img][img width=90 height=110]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/DaNupes_zpsfbd464b4.gif[/img][img width=90 height=110]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/output_I8ADbD_zpsc4f70f50.gif?t=1402850475[/img]
The new Bil-O-Meter.
I decided to celebrate this anniversary by "Nuping out." What is Nuping out, you ask? Well, allow me to provide an example:
[img width=498 height=400]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/zagnupe1_zps60cf3952.jpg[/img]
And here's one I'm sure the man of the hour would really appreciate:
[img width=462 height=400]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/ZagNupe2_zpsf33fc171.jpg[/img]
And now it's your turn! Show your appreciation for Nupoile's nine-year RF Gen Odyssey by taking your own Nupe-Out pic and posting it here:
http://www.rfgeneration.c...x.php?topic=14107.new#new
Catch y'all on the boards...
'Late
Hey now, my fellow esteemed RF Gentlemen. It's been an eventful couple weeks, rife with amazing scores and near-crippling illness. But since none of you care about the latter, I'll just focus on the former as...
Zagnorch Productions
in association with
[img width=234 height=60]http://www.rfgeneration.com/left.gif[/img]
presents
SEVEN FOURTEEN-DAY SCORE CARD:
SPUD FEVER!
Week of 11 May to 24 May 2014
Sun 5/11: Found myself a PC classic, a complete Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger for $5.99. I also discovered Sony's less-than-stellar attempt to ape Super Smash Bros., a complete PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale for the PS3, for $1.99.
[img width=619 height=550]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score5-11-2014_zps31e3b3bb.jpg[/img]
Mon 5/12 through Thu 5/15: This sparse stretch of scores commenced with the discovery of a sealed Balance of the Planet, a self-published PC title from the early 90s, on special for $2.60. I also found a fuchsia GBA for $4.99, a complete Dark Cloud for $4.99, and a loose Altered Beast LCD watch game for $1.99.
[img width=585 height=431]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score5-12to5-15-2014_zpsbb1349e2.jpg[/img]
Fri 5/16: Grabbed a nice chunk of reading material today, including ten back issues of Nintendo Power, two EGMs, and a GamePro, all for $3.50.
[img width=700 height=445]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score5-16-2014mags_zps540ab02b.jpg[/img]
Sat 5/17: My CIB PC game streak continued with the acquisition of Disney's Stunt Island at the local Savers for just $0.49. Then I hit the Goodwill down the street and picked up the following CIB DS titles for $9.99 each:
- Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
- Diddy Kong Racing
- Tetris DS
- Yoshi's Island DS
- Animal Crossing Wild World
- Space Invaders Revolution
[img width=700 height=432]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score5-17-2014DS_zpsf12f0512.jpg[/img]
Sun 5/18 and Mon 5/19: My last stretch of thrift scores before the failure of my health commenced with a Prima Star Wars Battlefront strategy guide for $2.99. Then there was the cache of CIB PS1 titles-- PaRappa the Rapper, Tempest X3, and the Greatest Hits release of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night-- for $2.49 each.
Also uncovered: CIB copies of Serious Sam, Cold Fear, and Super Monkey Ball adventure for $3.49 a pop. Oh yes, there was also the GameShark v2.0 Video Game Enhancer unit for N64 for $4.99, and a small Sonic plush for $0.99.
[img width=487 height=525]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/score5-18amp5-19_zpsf9c81958.jpg[/img]
But the most interesting score from this two-day stretch was the Super Mario World LCD watch game-- which sports a headphone jack-- for $2.99.
[img width=529 height=366]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Scorecard5-28tease_zpse0761fcc.jpg[/img]
Tues 5/20 through Fri 5/23: Absolutely no action at all as I recuperated from my first cold in over two years. And boy, was it a big one, just devastating in its intensity. Just how bad was it? So much so, that I resorted to using something I absolutely cannot stand:
[img width=700 height=922]http://www.thepharmacy.com.au/product_images/x/905/Vicks_Vaporub_Vaporizing_Ointment_100g__98535_zoom.jpg[/img]
So I rested and occupied myself with non-strenuous endeavors... which I might discuss at further length one day.
Sat 5/24: I rebounded with a little lunch-break score at my fave Goodwill, which included Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario World and StarFox 64 for $4.99 each.
[img width=294 height=487]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/Score5-24-2014_zpscc854e06.jpg[/img]
Rounding out this two-week stretch of scores was a little "care package" from the wilds of Spudville, USA:
[img width=700 height=484]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/SpudScore_zps93c73d62.jpg?t=1401333427[/img]
This box was the culmination of a trade between myself and RF Gen's very own 413th Technical Entity. He had an extra CIB copy of Silpheed for Sega-CD that I coveted, and I had an extra complete loose Dreamcast he was interested in.
[img width=626 height=449]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/SpudScore1_zpsa30b0b66.jpg[/img]
So we agreed on a trade, and I dragged my feet for several months until I got off my ass and contacted him again, asking if he was still interested in the deal.
[img width=603 height=522]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/spudscore2_zps77fc44de.jpg[/img]
Being the extremely patient and fine, upstanding citizen he is, Mr. 413 was still game (so to speak). So I shipped my end of the trade off to the guy...
[img width=572 height=468]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/spudscore3_zpsa4ecd548.jpg[/img]
...and I waited patiently for my end of the deal to arrive. Little did I know he was gonna clean out his garage and send it to me.
[img width=564 height=405]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/spudscore4_zps26f0dece.jpg[/img]
Just layer after layer after layer of (mostly) neat stuff. The man's generosity knows no bounds. The archaeological dig continued, my guilt level increasing with each new discovery. If I was getting all this in exchange for a lousy Dreamcast, imagine what I could have gotten in exchange for a real system. You know, like a Nokia N-Gage or a Virtual Boy.
[img width=700 height=489]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/spudscore5_zps8c4515d9.jpg[/img]
Speaking of Virtual Boy: Mr. 413's first gesture of kindness towards me was a battery pack for the VB system. He also hooked me up with a Silent Service cart a few months back to go with my box and manual.
[img width=623 height=469]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/spudscore6_zps48493623.jpg[/img]
The most surprising portion of this care package: a Timex Sinclair 1000 computer unit with box, manual, AC cord...
[img width=614 height=473]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/spudscore7_zps2f8e19b0.jpg[/img]
...and a rain check.
[img width=635 height=508]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/spudscore8_zpscba63d6a.jpg[/img]
Oh yeah, I also got these in the deal:
[img width=636 height=487]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/spudscore9_zps44e92490.jpg[/img]
Gotta remember to throw the guy a couple PS3 bumper stickers and letter openers to show my thanks.
Non-Vidya Bonus Bonanza: The usual suspects abound here, including:
- Three TI BA-II Plus calculators, $2.49, $2.99, & $3.49
- TI BA-35 $2.49
- TI BA-35 Solar $5.39
- Sporty's E6B Flight Computer Calculator $3.99
- TI BA-20 (Miller Pride), $2.49
[img width=346 height=495]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/nonvidya5-17-2014_zps6a357487.jpg[/img]
[img width=570 height=351]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y409/Zagnorch/NonVidya5-11-2014_zps4a270970.jpg[/img]
Aaaaaand that's about it for now.
Catch y'all next week...
...'Late
|
