Sting Like A Bee: Bees in Games

World Honey Bee Day is August 20th! Last Fall, we dealt with a major wasp infestation on our patio and basically had to wait until Winter before we could even attempt to do anything about it. So far, we’re in the clear! More recently, one of my friends just got into beekeeping, and she hasContinue reading “Sting Like A Bee: Bees in Games”

Painting Art #34 & 35: Princess Peach and Banjo Kazooie

These may be my favorite projects so far! A few months ago, I ordered some 14×11″ sheets of plexiglass to use as replacements for any of my frames that accidentally fall off the wall – or if I happen to find a frame that’s missing its glass. The pack came in a set of ten,Continue reading “Painting Art #34 & 35: Princess Peach and Banjo Kazooie”

Perler Art #33: Super Mario Bros 3

After a few months of trying my hand at crayon art, I decided to try something new. My girlfriend and were browsing the aisles of Hobby Lobby when my eyes suddenly spotted a colorful array of Nintendo characters. On the shelf in front of me was a bucket of Perler beads from which you couldContinue reading “Perler Art #33: Super Mario Bros 3”

Marker Art #32: I Am Error

If you’ve played the NES sequel Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987), then it’s very likely you’ve run across this guy. Calling himself “Error,” his Japanese name is the symbol for “Bagu.” In English, this means “a computer bug.” So, it’s very likely that the localization of Zelda II resulted in this translation errorContinue reading “Marker Art #32: I Am Error”

Sing Us A Song: Vocalists in Games

Featured image from Nintendo Unity YouTube channel. As you may or may not know, music is a huge part of my life (erichagmannmusic.com gave it away, huh?), and I’ve been singing as early as elementary school. Now I’m a voice teacher at a college, I direct two vocal ensembles, and I continue to perform forContinue reading “Sing Us A Song: Vocalists in Games”

Marker Art #31: Rush

Rush first appeared as Mega Man’s faithful canine companion in Mega Man 3 for the original Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990 (JP). His primary function was to help Mega Man reach high ledges by turning into a coil that would add some spring to the blue bomber’s jump. Later upgrades in the same game wouldContinue reading “Marker Art #31: Rush”

Marker Art #30: Gargoyle’s Quest

Gargoyle’s Quest came out for the original Game Boy in 1990, and it was one of the first games I ever owned for the system (the others being Tetris, Kirby’s Dream Land, and Lock ‘n’ Chase). With a story that lasts over three hours, I found it to be one of the most challenging experiencesContinue reading “Marker Art #30: Gargoyle’s Quest”

Marker Art #29: Pokémon Blue/Red

Pokémon Blue & Red came out in the US in 1998, and I received the Blue version for Christmas from my Aunt and Uncle a few years after that. I was surprised to get a gift from them, and truthfully, Pokémon wasn’t really on my radar at the time. Nonetheless, I dove head first intoContinue reading “Marker Art #29: Pokémon Blue/Red”

Marker Art #28: Duck Hunt

Duck Hunt was one of the launch games with the original Nintendo Entertainment System back in 1985 in the US. What made this game particularly special is that it came with the NES Zapper, a handheld light gun that you used to play shooting games on your television. For those of us who grew upContinue reading “Marker Art #28: Duck Hunt”

Marker Art #27: Rampage

Rampage came out for the original Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988 and was based on the arcade game from 1986. In it, you live out your giant monster dreams as you attack cities all over the world trying to smash their buildings into piles of rubble. The NES version let you play as Ralph (aContinue reading “Marker Art #27: Rampage”