Google Maps for the NES

Hmm, I forgot to update the Preserve yesterday - looks like I'm going bonkers. Well, here's something fun from google: watch the video below, then zip on over to Google Maps - it actually is there!


Google is so hip, they celebrate the 1st of April a day early!

Posted by charlie on March 31st 2012, 12:32 PM
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Starcom eBay Lot - in Kay-Bee Bag!

I lucked out with some low low prices on carded Starcom figures a few weeks ago, and have been so busy that I didn't open the shipping box until just now. Well, you can be certain that a thankful email was rapidly drafted to the seller, when I found that the figures had been lovingly wrapped in an old-school Kay-Bee bag! Beyond that, each one was 'bagged and boarded' on what appear to be comic supplies - what careful presentation!


I like to imagine that the bag I received is the actual same bag they have been living in all these years, and how they first left the store, on mega $1 clearance, so long ago!



Posted by charlie on March 29th 2012, 06:58 PM
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eBay Watch - Rock Lords Sabrestone

There have been a number of sightings of the 'harder to find' Rock Lords on eBay lately. In particular, I've seen several of the rare series 3 figures Spearhead and Sabrestone, even in some instances with their weapons! This one caught my eye, though, because the coloring seems like it may be the Japanese version, which is one I think I may not have seen anyplace as yet. Or - maybe it's just the lighting when the photo was taken. Any vintage savvy readers of the Preserve, feel free to chime in!



Posted by charlie on March 28th 2012, 09:24 PM
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Toy Catalog Time! 1982 Gabriel Dealer Book!

It's that time again, and we have a fun one for you today! Here is the 1982 Gabriel dealer catalog, jampacked full of classic early '80s board games, but most pertinently showing off the Zorro and Lone Ranger action figure lines! Also be sure to check out the Erector Sets, along with their fantastic science series!



Posted by charlie on March 27th 2012, 06:54 PM
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Soul Khan - Speeding Bullets Video

They had me at "what sandwich?"
Thanks to the Ebert Club Newsletter for the tip!



Posted by charlie on March 26th 2012, 08:25 PM
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eBay Watch - RCA Studio II

We'll end the week with a fairly complete and exciting RCA Studio II auction over at eBay. This system has really been gaining in popularity over the last two years, and it is more and more rare to see such a (nearly complete) set of games with a nice example of the system - albeit missing the power cord. Given what the single boxed, complete carts have been selling for lately, this represents a fairly good deal!

If you want to check out the also-ran system from 1977 that very nearly was the first to market with interchangeable game carts, this would be a great place to start!



Posted by charlie on March 23rd 2012, 01:36 PM
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Transformers: Prime - European Packaging!

Friend of the Preserve Kaars has just supplied us with some beautiful pictures of the euro packaging for all four deluxe figures in wave 1 of the Transformers: Prime line! Check out Wheeljack pictured below, and be sure to visit the galleries for Cliffjumper, Soundwave and Bumblebee to see how they look on the store pegs for our pals to the East! (New pics are a bit further down on each page - don't miss 'em!)


"Wheeljack enjoys bringing pain to the Decepticons" (HA!)

Posted by charlie on March 22nd 2012, 07:28 PM
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Bah'glenn Creations - Canne'pirate Shark Hook

It occurred to me today that there are several of the amazing Canne'pirates that you have yet to formally meet - so let's take care of one of those characters today!

This here be Shark Hook, the Personal Assassin for Capt. Jahroh. He is a mutant (Michael Bay - pay attention!) with ultra-powerful jaws and a keen sense of smell. I assure you that he's got other truly amazing tricks up his sleeve, so be sure to click through the image below for the full bio on this scurvy Selachimorph!



Posted by charlie on March 21st 2012, 06:31 PM
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TMNT - The Solo Ballad

I owe toplessrobot.com a debt of gratitude for this one, and I enjoyed it so much I just had to make it today's post. Sure, solo "I play all the instruments like Satriani" music videos are not a new thing on the web (though I do always find them impressive) but this one happens to be well timed.

If you haven't been keeping up with your geek news the last 48 hours, it seems that brilliant auteur and creative monsoon Michael Bay is at it again, with his steely, manly hands wrapped tightly around the neck of a fond franchise from your childhood.

"What can it be?"
You ask, foolishly, not knowing the anger your question will unleash.
Well - it seems that he's at the helm of a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot - and he's given it the FullBay so far. What's that mean? Well, it seems the heroes will no longer be Mutants, Ninjas or Turtles, or Teenage...they will be aliens. If it is possible to miss the point any further, I wouldn't begin to know how. Rob rants wonderfully about it, so do be sure to read it over at TR.

So why this video? Because it's a more honest, loving tribute to this franchise than we are apparently going to get out of this reboot - by a mile - so enjoy it.



Posted by charlie on March 20th 2012, 07:00 PM
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G.I. Joe - 30 for 30 - Techno-Viper

Well, I still haven't managed to track down Storm Shadow from the G.I. Joe 30 (29...) for 30 line, but at least I have a Techno-Viper to show off today, and here he is! As usual with these figures, you feel like you're getting your money's worth with a pile of great accessories and a well articulated, carefully sculpted figure.

Word on the street is that Storm Shadow is again included in the new Renegades shipments that are arriving in stores, so we should all keep our eye's peeled! (gross!)



Posted by charlie on March 19th 2012, 07:46 PM
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Sega Master System - Y's: The Vanished Omens

Finishing the week with a classic Sega Master System title is something that could happen all year long, and I think we'd be the richer for it. And when I say classic, I mean it - this is one of the best regarded titles in the library. Sure - something like Alf or Buster Douglas Knockout Boxing may have a big price tag, but you would be hard pressed to find a fan of the system who puts those games very high on a playability and quality scale - though yes there's always a fond place reserved for cheese. This, then, is Y's: The Vanished Omens, and you either already like it or you probably would if given the chance. Click through to read the manual, marvel at some beautiful line art, and see the full packaging breakdown of this magnificent title!



Yes, I know I have a terribly placed flash glare on two pages of the manual - what are those enemies called again....Curly? Straczynski? I'll be fixing that in the next photo batch - though I do rather like those two names.


Posted by charlie on March 16th 2012, 06:15 PM
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Press Release - Transformers: Prime Video Game

This just in from our friends at Activision - a brand new trailer for the upcoming Transformers: Prime video game! Be sure to click the little link hiding under the video to read some more details about this upcoming title!

 Read More
Posted by charlie on March 15th 2012, 08:24 PM
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1995 Arco Boys Catalog

What's that you say? 1995 isn't all that long ago? Well, this catalog was printed the same year that many current college freshmen were busy being born, so I figure that makes it vintage enough to contain some already-forgotten products, even if the date doesn't contain an '8'. Check out this short but fun catalog for a number of Hot Wheels sets, including Baywatch branded sets, and my favorite Hot Wheels playset through the ages - the car wash!



Posted by charlie on March 14th 2012, 08:25 PM
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eBay Watch - Starcom Shadow Spy

There are a number of extended Starcom sets that only ever saw release overseas - so far as I know - and this delightful Shadow Spy is one of them! Check out this auction from Kent, UK for this great set - which inexplicably has a decapitated figure but a mint everything else!



Posted by charlie on March 13th 2012, 08:46 PM
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Bah'glenn Creations - Canne'pirates Complete!

I'm thrilled to have finally gotten all of the Canne'pirate figures posted to the Bah'glenn creations page, and I encourage you to check them out! Click through the image of Captain Spakk Jahroh below, to see the rest of the details about him and his full crew - then be sure to visit Bah'glenn Creations to learn how you can add some of these amazing hand made artisian figures to your own collection!



Posted by charlie on March 12th 2012, 08:07 PM
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G.I. Joe - 30 for 30 - Cobra Trooper

This wasn't exactly what I had in mind for today, but you know what they say about the best laid plans. Either way, I suppose, this is still a fine way to end the week, and keeps with our theme of catching up on the G.I. Joe 30 for 30 line with the Cobra Trooper!


Interestingly, thanks to the gentle advice of several twitter friends, bringing me up to speed with what is probably relatively old G.I. Joe retail news, Storm Shadow is so pricey on the secondary market because he's apparently been dropped from the line in deference to using his sculpt in the upcoming movie products. I guess that sort of makes this the '29 for 30' line - oops Hasbro!

Posted by charlie on March 9th 2012, 10:32 PM
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G.I. Joe - 30 for 30 - Zombie-Viper

When this figure was first revealed, everyone was suitably impressed and looked forward to scoring one of their own. It had started to look more and more like this wave - the fourth of the 30 for 30 line, was going to bypass my town entirely. Well, I guess I was just being impatient, because not only did I see a full set of these later-day waves at Target, and picked up this figure, but now restocks have happened and there are even a few Zombies keeping the pegs company! It's a rare and daring figure for Hasbro, though I suppose with the resurgence of zombie popularity in various media these days, it makes perfect sense that they would include this figure in the assortment. Click through the image for more pics and the full bio!



Posted by charlie on March 8th 2012, 10:38 PM
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eBay Watch - AmToy Madballs Complete Set

Want to see a complete set of original Madballs? Of course you do! And if you have $800 laying around you can even own it yourself! Click through the image for more glamour shots and details on this pretty rare auction.



Posted by charlie on March 7th 2012, 10:04 PM
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eBay Watch - Vortech and M.A.S.K.

M.A.S.K. is a very special line around here at the Preserve - one of our favorites in fact - and it was only later that I became interested in the far more rare Vortech line, which benefited from reuse of many designs or at least concepts from that earlier, better known series. It was therefore something of a surprise to see this beautiful, complete collection of Vortech vehicles pop up on eBay. What I could not have been prepared for, however, are the other auctions that this seller currently has posted. I implore you to check them out - the mini dioramas that he has made for the figures are... well, just go see.


What's that? Don't remember the team-alert sequence from the show? Well, fast-forward to about 4:27 in this video - that should do the trick.


Posted by charlie on March 6th 2012, 07:36 PM
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Toy Fair 2012 - That's a Wrap!

Phew! 91 galleries - many with video - 1000s of pictures, lots of tasty food and 4 days in Manhattan make up my whirlwind of coverage from this year's Toy Fair, and I admit that it was a lot of fun! Click the image below to head straight to the main index of all coverage. I'm sure you'll see something new, as well as the latest updates from brands you've liked for years!


Posted by charlie on March 5th 2012, 11:12 AM
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Transformers Prime - Legion Class Vehicon

Ok, I admit that it's Friday, and I didn't have great luck with any sort of meaningful updates, or wrapping the Toy Fair coverage, or posting anything new and exciting. But, I did make a very tasty Indian curry! And, thanks to posting it a while ago and forgetting to front-page it until now, we can all enjoy a few angles on the new Transformers: Prime Legion Class Vehicon figure!


The 'troop builder' of the new line, this guy is flying off of store shelves so far. Hopefully the voracious consumption will slow before he's gone altogether, so that everyone has a chance to add a copy to their collection!
Posted by charlie on March 2nd 2012, 10:37 PM
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Toy Fair 2012 - Tonner

Tonner was one of the last stops we made at the show, and Robert Tonner himself was actually there! He was a very friendly and approachable fellow, and it was excellent to meet the wizard behind this popular and diverse line of high-end dolls. They had new figures from Tron Legacy on display as well as some super-detailed Avatar characters which are sure to sell well. The booth was split between the high end figures, and a new mass-market line that they are introducing in order to broaden their market.

Click through the image below for high res images from their booth, and a short video walkthrough I made of their display.


Posted by charlie on March 1st 2012, 08:56 PM
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