GetDotted Domains

Viewing Thread:
"Macots: Past, present and future"

The "General Games Chat" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.

Sun 01/07/01 at 20:37
Regular
Posts: 787
OK, I think this may have been done before but I’ll do it now anyway.

Every console has a mascot, even the PSone has one, but I’ll come to that later. So what’s it all about, past present and future?

I’ll start where I know. As everyone knows, Sonic the Hedgehog was Sega’s mascot. Sonic, for the uninitiated, is a blue hedgehog who can run faster than the speed of sound. He has blue spikes and can cut through things with them. Pretty unfeasible, I’m sure you’ll agree. So, why was he so popular, even in the West? Suggestions? Maybe it was because he had an attitude, he was novel, or simply because the games were fantastic.

Then there’s also Mario, the fat little plumber (?) from Brooklyn who fell down a pipe one day into a fantasy world where he must rescue a princess. First off, why the hell was he a plumber? I don’t know, but then again, who does? So was HE so popular? Well, don’t think Mario or even Luigi rank high in the likeability stakes, so I think it was because of the great games Shigsy made featuring the two of the. Surely, Sonic is more likeable to us because he’s a very fleshed-out character, so much so there’s been a popular series of books and cartoons based on him. What Sonic does lack however is a film but that’s a different matter.

Next: Sony’s mascot. “Sony doesn’t have a mascot you monkey!” I hear you cry. Well, in the immortal words of the ship’s captain from Blackadder, “That’s where you’re wrong!” Sony’s mascot is a white hairless p***y (steady…) that goes by the name of Toro. Toro is big in Japan. When I say big, I mean huge. For those who don’t know, Toro debuted in Docodemo Isshou, which means “together anywhere”. The game was Pocket-Station compatible and Toro could be downloaded onto it and taken anywhere. He would interact with you and other pokepi (pocket people *ahem*), asking them questions and getting to know them. He is the ultimate virtual pet that is compatible with your PlayStation, mobile phone and microwave. Apart from appearing in hugely popular PSone games he also advertises the unfortunately named beverage Calpis.

So where is this furless cat in the West? Well, I just don’t know. Maybe he wasn’t popular here, because let’s face it he just reeks of Japan. So who is Sony’s Western mascot? Crash maybe? Well, not really because Sony doesn’t own Crash, Universal Interactive Studios do. So, not Crash, but Naughty Dog have something else coming. That “something else” is Jak and Daxter, starring in the upcoming game, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. I won’t go too far into who these people are but suffice to say they’re acceptable adventures who will appear in the aforementioned game, which is a 3D platformer that will be hugely successful.

As for Microsoft’s mascot, who knows? My money’s on Clippit but let’s all hope they don’t last long enough to have a mascot.

So what is the future of mascots? Well, I don’t know about what, I’m more worried about will. Let’s face it, each new Sonic/Mario/Crash game is a sequel to the last. Sure, the games companies make an impressive attempt to keep each one original but HOW MANY “It’s-a-me, Mario!” s can we stand? I think the console mascot is a dying breed. For example, Sonic had 3½ hugely successful outings on the MegaDrive, and Mario had, what, 4 (?) hugely successful outings on the SNES. But look at this. The N64 had only one decidedly token Mario game grace its shores, and the GameCube hasn’t even got one SLATED for it, just a Mario spin-off. The Dreamcast, too, had Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, which I’m told were pretty poor. Can these ageing ghosts survive in a world craving originality? Personally I doubt it. I reckon with every new console there will be a token mascot game, which won’t really do very well, only being bought my die-hard fans. So if the future of the mascot is so bleak, is there anything that can be done?

In my view, yes. Revolution is in the air. There’s mutiny in the ranks, it’s time for a change. Yes, change. I think Nintendo and Sega should create new, bigger and better mascots, ones that are appealing, starring in new and exciting genres with massive scope for further incarnations. Only that can save the dyeing breed.

Long live Sonic. Long live Mario. Vive la resistance.
Sun 01/07/01 at 22:10
"I love yo... lamp."
Posts: 19,577
I understand. People were really annoying me yesterday and today by continually taking over my computer when I moved away. Sonic is better than Mario I think and they are both better than Crash Bandicoot.
Biggles
Sun 01/07/01 at 22:07
Regular
"Eff, you see, kay?"
Posts: 14,156
OK, I'm sorry I said I don't post here. It's true I don't like you but I was expecially p****d off earlier, not just by you.

I was out of line by saying that and it was inexcusable.

Sorry, again.

I still don't like you though.

Enough of this, on with the mascot discussion!
Sun 01/07/01 at 21:16
Regular
"You've upset me"
Posts: 21,152
Notorious Biggles wrote:
> hank you RoyalBankofScotland.


hehehehe, I managed to trick some people into going to www.rbs.co.uk MUAH HA HA HA

Lets taqlk in the WLT so we don't ruin this great topic.
Sun 01/07/01 at 21:14
"I love yo... lamp."
Posts: 19,577
hank you RoyalBankofScotland.
Biggles
Sun 01/07/01 at 21:08
Regular
"You've upset me"
Posts: 21,152
Leave Biggles alone Turbo!
Sun 01/07/01 at 21:06
"I love yo... lamp."
Posts: 19,577
Sorry Turbo but even though you do not like me it is not my fault if you are wrong about something. And no I will not stop posting in your topics. Simply because I do not want to.
Biggles
Sun 01/07/01 at 21:02
Regular
"Eff, you see, kay?"
Posts: 14,156
Biggles, please don't post in my topics.
Sun 01/07/01 at 21:02
Regular
"You've upset me"
Posts: 21,152
Firstly, great post Turbo!

Right. Very true every company/console does have a mascot, usually not from being a likeable character but just for being a character in asuperb game... or a superb series of games. I personally hated Sonic. Anyway, who could lead the companies next?

Well if Mario were to go how about Link? He was in two of the best games EVER created. Not popular enough? Conker!!!!!!!
Sun 01/07/01 at 20:55
"I love yo... lamp."
Posts: 19,577
Quite true. Sonic on the DC was good. The second one was better. I am beginning to get annoyed with all these Mario games, they are good bu irritating. I do not see mascots dying altogether but certainly their outings are getting less frequent. I think the X-box might get Munch as their mascot. Just a thought.My eyes are watering from the curry I am eating.
Biggles
Sun 01/07/01 at 20:37
Regular
"Eff, you see, kay?"
Posts: 14,156
OK, I think this may have been done before but I’ll do it now anyway.

Every console has a mascot, even the PSone has one, but I’ll come to that later. So what’s it all about, past present and future?

I’ll start where I know. As everyone knows, Sonic the Hedgehog was Sega’s mascot. Sonic, for the uninitiated, is a blue hedgehog who can run faster than the speed of sound. He has blue spikes and can cut through things with them. Pretty unfeasible, I’m sure you’ll agree. So, why was he so popular, even in the West? Suggestions? Maybe it was because he had an attitude, he was novel, or simply because the games were fantastic.

Then there’s also Mario, the fat little plumber (?) from Brooklyn who fell down a pipe one day into a fantasy world where he must rescue a princess. First off, why the hell was he a plumber? I don’t know, but then again, who does? So was HE so popular? Well, don’t think Mario or even Luigi rank high in the likeability stakes, so I think it was because of the great games Shigsy made featuring the two of the. Surely, Sonic is more likeable to us because he’s a very fleshed-out character, so much so there’s been a popular series of books and cartoons based on him. What Sonic does lack however is a film but that’s a different matter.

Next: Sony’s mascot. “Sony doesn’t have a mascot you monkey!” I hear you cry. Well, in the immortal words of the ship’s captain from Blackadder, “That’s where you’re wrong!” Sony’s mascot is a white hairless p***y (steady…) that goes by the name of Toro. Toro is big in Japan. When I say big, I mean huge. For those who don’t know, Toro debuted in Docodemo Isshou, which means “together anywhere”. The game was Pocket-Station compatible and Toro could be downloaded onto it and taken anywhere. He would interact with you and other pokepi (pocket people *ahem*), asking them questions and getting to know them. He is the ultimate virtual pet that is compatible with your PlayStation, mobile phone and microwave. Apart from appearing in hugely popular PSone games he also advertises the unfortunately named beverage Calpis.

So where is this furless cat in the West? Well, I just don’t know. Maybe he wasn’t popular here, because let’s face it he just reeks of Japan. So who is Sony’s Western mascot? Crash maybe? Well, not really because Sony doesn’t own Crash, Universal Interactive Studios do. So, not Crash, but Naughty Dog have something else coming. That “something else” is Jak and Daxter, starring in the upcoming game, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy. I won’t go too far into who these people are but suffice to say they’re acceptable adventures who will appear in the aforementioned game, which is a 3D platformer that will be hugely successful.

As for Microsoft’s mascot, who knows? My money’s on Clippit but let’s all hope they don’t last long enough to have a mascot.

So what is the future of mascots? Well, I don’t know about what, I’m more worried about will. Let’s face it, each new Sonic/Mario/Crash game is a sequel to the last. Sure, the games companies make an impressive attempt to keep each one original but HOW MANY “It’s-a-me, Mario!” s can we stand? I think the console mascot is a dying breed. For example, Sonic had 3½ hugely successful outings on the MegaDrive, and Mario had, what, 4 (?) hugely successful outings on the SNES. But look at this. The N64 had only one decidedly token Mario game grace its shores, and the GameCube hasn’t even got one SLATED for it, just a Mario spin-off. The Dreamcast, too, had Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, which I’m told were pretty poor. Can these ageing ghosts survive in a world craving originality? Personally I doubt it. I reckon with every new console there will be a token mascot game, which won’t really do very well, only being bought my die-hard fans. So if the future of the mascot is so bleak, is there anything that can be done?

In my view, yes. Revolution is in the air. There’s mutiny in the ranks, it’s time for a change. Yes, change. I think Nintendo and Sega should create new, bigger and better mascots, ones that are appealing, starring in new and exciting genres with massive scope for further incarnations. Only that can save the dyeing breed.

Long live Sonic. Long live Mario. Vive la resistance.

Freeola & GetDotted are rated 5 Stars

Check out some of our customer reviews below:

10/10
Over the years I've become very jaded after many bad experiences with customer services, you have bucked the trend. Polite and efficient from the Freeola team, well done to all involved.
Second to none...
So far the services you provide are second to none. Keep up the good work.
Andy

View More Reviews

Need some help? Give us a call on 01376 55 60 60

Go to Support Centre

It appears you are using an old browser, as such, some parts of the Freeola and Getdotted site will not work as intended. Using the latest version of your browser, or another browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera will provide a better, safer browsing experience for you.