Cool Stuff

Being a video game fan isn’t just about the games. It’s about so much more than that. It’s about books, soundtracks, figurines, game-inspired T-Shirts, life sized guns from Halo and more. Step forward Cool Stuff, VideoGamer.com’s mini-review round-up of everything the gaming world has to offer that isn’t a game – because being a gamer isn’t just about gaming.

Novel – Halo: The Fall of Reach

Eric Nylund’s Halo novel has been out for a while, but we thought the prequel to one of the most popular game series ever would be a good place to kick Cool Stuff off. Reading the book is a strange experience as a Halo fan. On the one hand learning about Master Chief’s past, his abduction as a little boy, his training, his augmentation, the beginnings of the Covenant War and, of course, the Fall of Human-held planet Reach is pretty cool because the first Halo game did begin in a somewhat sink or swim fashion. But on the other hand it feels a bit like finding out how your favourite magic trick is done – you kind of wish you hadn’t asked because it ruins the wonder and mystique. For me, I probably wish I hadn’t read The Fall of Reach, because now all of a sudden Master Chief seems a lot more human and a lot less super-soldier. Like most novels based on games it’s not brilliantly written, and contains lots of unnecessary detail during space battles, but that’s kind of not the point. It’s short, sweet and perfect if you have a half-hour or so commute in the morning and you’ve always wondered what’s behind Master Chief’s visor.

Cool Stuff Rating: 3/5

Plush – Nintendo Mario Plush 35cm

True story: my girlfriend bought me this surprisingly cuddly plush for Christmas. I was chuffed of course. It’s quite big, feels like it is well made and is a pleasingly accurate representation of everyone’s favourite Italian plumber. But a problem has quickly arisen – turns out the present isn’t really for me. Well officially it is. But you know how these things work. Like the Borg my girlfriend has quickly assimilated cuddly Mario into her teddy collective, alongside an Alien Face Hugger, a Christmas Final Fantasy Chocobo and three little dogs. At £9.99 some might consider Mario a little expensive, but for the years of companionship it will give, that’s a bargain.

Cool Stuff Rating: 4/5

Soundtrack – Mass Effect Original Game Soundtrack

Not only is BioWare’s sci-fi RPG Mass Effect one of my favourite games of all time, it has some of the greatest music I’ve ever heard in a game. Ergo, this soundtrack, composed by Jack Wall and Sam Hulick, has 37 tracks which will be instantly familiar to all fans of the game. Personal highlights include The Wards, the rousing Spectre Induction, Uncharted Worlds (the music from the Galaxy Map) and Vigil. It’s all very Blade Runner, so it’s not particularly original, but it’s one of the few video game soundtracks that I would actually pop on my iPod and listen to on the busy morning commute. Music any 80s sci-fi fan simply can’t do without, and possibly the best game soundtrack ever.

Cool Stuff Rating: 5/5

T-Shirt – Space Invaders INVADED

I wasn’t around when Space Invaders popularity was at its peak. Thankfully, I can buy Space Invaders-inspired T-Shirts instead. Officially licensed from Taito, these high quality T-Shirts from retro gaming fashion label Joystick Junkies feel good and look good. It all ties in to the retro gaming trend thing that’s currently doing the rounds in East London and indie clubs across the UK. You want an invite to that party? Get a gaming T-Shirt.

Cool Stuff Rating: 3/5