Our Famicase 2011 favorites
We’ve already featured our own contribution, with art by Ashley Davis, to this year’s My Famicase Exhibition, Meteor’s annual art show highlighting game cartridge designs invented by artists worldwide.
Having gotten that out of the way (okay, one more time: check out our design, Meteor Night!), Eric and I picked some of our favorite cartridges from the exhibit. See them, and why we liked them, after the break — then look at the full exhibit and tell us your favorites!
JC’s favorite Famicase carts:
Bubble Gal Witch USA (Adam Ferrando): This cartridge is intended to be the Japanese re-import of an American “localization” of a Japanese game. So you see the “epic” fantasy art, and then cute sprites that represent what the (fictional) game probably looked like. And both are great.
Fuu-Fuu (ura mitsuharu): Jokes about blowing on NES cartridges are boring and tired. But jokes about “cassette fufu” are awesome, especially when paired with some Lawnmower Man type stuff.
Fujiyama Blocks (Yukiko Yoko): Cutest mountain ever, from someone with a knack for cutest (object) ever design: the person who created the characters for the Taiko no Tatsujin games!
Eric’s favorite Famicase carts:
Rise of Mice Empire: Star Cats II (Daruma Studio): It’s the prequel to last year’s brilliant Star Cats IV! This is one of the few Famicase entries with an English description:
“The Dutch Cheese Star is finally complete. With the help of this technological terror the evil Mice Empire is prepared to fight against the Feline Rebellion. Are you ready to command their troops? 8 bit turn-based strategy game. 1-4 players.”
Schoolboy Detective Third Eye Episode II (Mikiji): Another follow-up! I’ve no idea what this series is about, but I love its use of Irem’s unique Sqoon cartridge.
Darkness! Flashes! (Trash Corp.): The art and title are striking, but I love the premise for this Zapper/Beam Gun game, too: You’re hunting enemies in the darkness of a midnight storm, when the rain and wind makes it impossible for you to hear their footsteps. You’ll have to depend on lightning or muzzle flashes from their guns to spot and shoot them. Stages include streets, cemeteries, and deep inside forests.
Find: (real) DS/3DS release dates, discounts, & more
See also: Previous My Famicase Exhibition designs (must see), Our posts about the wonderful Meteor shop
