Old Videogame Ads

[Unreadphilosophy]

Since Dark took the liberty of inspiring me with the Link's Awakening video, I thought I'd share my inspiration with all of you!

So, yeah, videogame commercials. What are your favorites? Feel free to post videos of them!

Some of my favorites:

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6nSMfbD7F3k&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6nSMfbD7F3k&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IxDXiQL9i-Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IxDXiQL9i-Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

And, of course, I leave the most epic for last:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JntHVUp7m4E

(Embed got disabled).

[EdenMaster]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Om84Zc4-KcQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Om84Zc4-KcQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

It simply has everything.

[Great Rumbler]

That Pole Position commercial is amazing.

[Unreadphilosophy]

Is that the reason the Atari sold so well?

[Dark Jaguar]

Love it. Well, the part I really love is just the idea of a random voice SHOUTING at you, DEMANDING you play POLE POSITION! Then the HAND OF GOD appears and dumps you into the game against your will.

It's not subliminal, it's not even liminal, that my friends is SUPER liminal advertising.

[Dark Jaguar]

UP, I see two commercials up there, the rest seems broken. I don't think the video embed code works all that well. However, it's not really necessary in the modern internets. Just go ahead and directly paste the embed code from Youtube into your post. We've got HTML working just fine in here, so that's all I ever bother to do.

This here's a commercial for Mother (what would have been Earthbound, except they cancelled it and called Mother 2 "Earthbound").

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yQUN7QAnMp0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yQUN7QAnMp0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

I want that song! I can't believe they actually wrote lyrics and got a full choir to sing the "8 melodies" song just for the commercial!

And then there's this.

Wow, as though the Little Shop of Horrors jokes with Parahna plants weren't already readily available, they made them SING in this one.

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XyWuji1N5DU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XyWuji1N5DU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[etoven]

I don't think the video embed code works all that well.

The video embed code works fine, DJ. I even used it twice yesterday... You just don't know how to use it properly.

[Unreadphilosophy]

That Earthbound ad is the most epic 29 sec. commercial I've ever seen. Why can't today's ads be that epic?

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ru9zzFEdGWk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ru9zzFEdGWk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

"If he fails, you can always hit the reset button." That is one of the greatest ad statements I've ever heard. What makes it so funny is the seriousness in his voice. Classic.

[Unreadphilosophy]

This is why Contra rules:

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5feoefJIhQs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5feoefJIhQs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[Great Rumbler]

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S-HE9Dp2Ym8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/S-HE9Dp2Ym8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d15qmRzn2Pc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d15qmRzn2Pc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/joNwYPdEBTc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/joNwYPdEBTc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[Weltall]

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VuQBt7gGLv4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VuQBt7gGLv4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[Unreadphilosophy]

^Thank you, Ryan. I now want to go on Amazon and purchase that game.

[Weltall]

You should have done it years ago. What's the hold up? It's only the Greatest Game Ever.

[EdenMaster]

That Earthbound ad is the most epic 29 sec. commercial I've ever seen. Why can't today's ads be that epic?

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ru9zzFEdGWk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ru9zzFEdGWk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

"If he fails, you can always hit the reset button." That is one of the greatest ad statements I've ever heard. What makes it so funny is the seriousness in his voice. Classic.

You know what they never show in that ad? The actual game. Which looks like shit most of the time. All the used is the pretty FMV's which take up approximately 15 total minutes of the whole game :P

[Unreadphilosophy]

You should have done it years ago. What's the hold up? It's only the Greatest Game Ever.

When I was younger (the PSone came out when I was still in grammar school), my mom instilled strict policies when it came to games. M games were out-of-the-question, and anything rated T was limited in terms of play time. In short, I missed out on quite a bit.

[Unreadphilosophy]

This is why I'll never go to Australia:

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eX4MdXF3OWI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eX4MdXF3OWI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

[A Black Falcon]

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Om84Zc4-KcQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Om84Zc4-KcQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

The ad for the Atari 5200 version of Pole Position... and it's got to be one of the best video game ads of all time. I mean honestly, how many are anywhere near that awesome... not many. :)

[Great Rumbler]

That commercial was in the second post, ABF!

[A Black Falcon]

You don't think it should be posted again? About the only other ad I can think of as cool are Nintendo's Majora's Mask ads...

[etoven]

This is why I'll never go to Australia:

<object width="640" height="385">





<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eX4MdXF3OWI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></object>

I just got so scared enough to shit my pants... Thank You...

[Unreadphilosophy]

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ozPkEBhFzuw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ozPkEBhFzuw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[Unreadphilosophy]

Here, gentlemen, is my favorite:

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0A0DcI25QPQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0A0DcI25QPQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[EdenMaster]

Here, gentlemen, is my favorite:

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0A0DcI25QPQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0A0DcI25QPQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Ah, I remember that ad. A classic.

Speaking of N64 gen:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RZSkUTWZyeA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RZSkUTWZyeA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Unreadphilosophy]

^Paper Mario was the shit; I've played all three games in the series.

[Dark Jaguar]

etoven, I wasn't the one that used the tag, the original poster was UP up there, and it looks like two black boxes and then two actual embedded videos. Why would you code it to embed a flash INTO another flash anyway? That's just awkward looking.

Do we limit ourselves to commercials that actually got on-air, or can we use promo-tapes and disks? I think Weltall's is from a demo disk. I don't recall that they ever actually aired it (plus it's over a minute). Still, that combined with the playable demo convinced me to buy it.

I love the Super Smash Bros. commercial.

Oh! That ad for "Grilloff with Ultrahand" is just insane. I love it.

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2zw7owrgEEI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2zw7owrgEEI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

[Dark Jaguar]

Wow...

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jvusCDCPvOM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jvusCDCPvOM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AZrDxZqI0IA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AZrDxZqI0IA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wBflhFdI8Bs&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wBflhFdI8Bs&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[Dark Jaguar]

Back on the Mother commercial, normally proclaiming "guaranteed masterpiece" in the ad would seem egotistical. BUT THEY TOTALLY CALLED IT!

[EdenMaster]

MEAT!!

[Dark Jaguar]

I think that's how I'm going to diffuse tense situations from now on. I'll just ask "How has Grilloff with Ultra Hand changed your life?".

[Dark Jaguar]

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jKAUnXIPT0E&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jKAUnXIPT0E&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

Again

[lazyfatbum]

<object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VX_F7mwjCB8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VX_F7mwjCB8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>

[Unreadphilosophy]

When I look at the commerical for Perfect Dark, I can't help but laugh and think: "People used to go crazy for those graphics?"

[lazyfatbum]

<object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1EUv2oKVrxw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1EUv2oKVrxw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>

[lazyfatbum]

<object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lFzVT_ebq_I&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lFzVT_ebq_I&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>

[lazyfatbum]

<object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pJ2kwUboLDQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pJ2kwUboLDQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>

[lazyfatbum]

<object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/evI5pF5h8Ck&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/evI5pF5h8Ck&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>

[lazyfatbum]

<object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WQMD4XudxoE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WQMD4XudxoE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>

Probably one of my all time favorites.

[lazyfatbum]

Hm, I cant find the American commercial for Chrono Trigger, it was great though. It said "what is this? Hmm, looks like a good game." and very awkward but good.

[lazyfatbum]

When I look at the commerical for Perfect Dark, I can't help but laugh and think: "People used to go crazy for those graphics?"

Yes they did because those graphics were the most advanced to date. Lots of great ideas were used such as texture wrapping and stretching and the RAM pak was used for more than just higher resolution. The draw distance in PD is nearly infinite and unlike other shooter of the time, including Goldeneye, you routinely had dozens of on screen enemies to deal with. You could slow down time, manipulate objects with really nice physics, there was even rag doll effects that worked really well. The real time flinching meant that when you shoot someone in the head, it moved accordingly (unlike the rest of the body, however) which takes a lot of skill to program. Every area in PD had real time lighting and Rare used their tricks to color the polygons around non-dynamic lighting to make it interactive by applying gradient filters.

The 'stretchyness' of certain gun models, the movement of cloth (flags, Jo's dress) were all previously unseen. Turok 2 broke lots of ground as well, the first time a game could be viewed in higher resolutions in a home console and lots of previously never-done-before tricks such as flinching for the bodies of enemies (hit them in the shoulder and their torso moves accordingly) and full rag doll physics and beautiful lighting. The flamethrower actually illuminated areas like you'd expect a flamethrower to, very Dallas in the airshaft. The enemy AI was also way ahead of its time. It's easy to see why Nintendo snatched them up to form Retro Studios.

But yeah, of course it looks dated. Everything out today will look dated 10 years from now. But you can always notice the quality and the perfectionism of what was done with the tools at the time. cough rogue squadron cough.

[Dark Jaguar]

I never saw any commercials for Chrono Trigger back in the day. I also never saw the one listed above for FF6 (or 3 then, whatever).

I have to say, that was a TERRIBLE commercial for an epic tale of love and loss. Seriously, a moogle (like anyone would know what one is) hiring monsters? Again, I never saw it so I don't think it aired very much, but still, when you compare it to the commercial for FF7, is it any wonder the latter sold so much more? Had they took some actors and made them act out some of the Opera scene with lyrics with some intersperced live action scenes of Terra asking what love is, heh, well you can bet a lot more people would be wondering what is this amazing game. I bought it because I saw those amazing Amano character drawings and a story synopsis in Nintendo Power and I just HAD to have it. Plus I had just beaten Secret of Mana, and I loved that.

The Ocarina of Time commercial was well made. Aside from the cheesy joke and the "thou" type language (I guess the Deku Tree is asking you these questions?) it was well done. I remember another commercial that showed images from the beta version of the game, like the old "angel looking" fairy models they were originally considering using. I remember seeing those, getting the game, and then being... surprised to say the least, when I actually saw the design for the great fairies they used. In my mind I think they look like that because it was an older time and they have an appearence that makes them look more like a part of nature. I also suppose fairy forms are just some sort of fasion trend.

[lazyfatbum]

<object width="960" height="745"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ueLUdQoq8gw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ueLUdQoq8gw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="960" height="745"></embed></object>

man... it actually looks better than anything released on the Wii.

[Unreadphilosophy]

^I don't remember ever seeing a commercial for FF 3 or 7. Hell, I've never seen a lot of advertisement for any of the FF games.

[EdenMaster]

I bought it because I saw those amazing Amano character drawings and a story synopsis in Nintendo Power and I just HAD to have it. Plus I had just beaten Secret of Mana, and I loved that.

Not to derail the conversation (because Lord knows that's frowned upon here), but I think amazing is a bit of a stretch when describing his work.

I challenge you to justify the following image:

[Dark Jaguar]

Really? I love his stuff. It's like looking at something out of a dream. It's got this weird way of looking extremely detailed and yet leaving so much detail up to the imagination.

Apparently he drew one of the Sandman comics, that sounds fitting.

I mean as much as the new guy behind the concept art of Final Fantasy is nice, he's a totally different style. I'd love to see a game with some amazing shading techniques made that looks exactly like his style in motion.

That right there is Mr. Stragus Magus, and he's a fancy blue mage type who's got an eccentric personality. I think the image looks great for him.

http://www.cavesofnarshe.com/ff6/art/images/126.jpg
http://www.cavesofnarshe.com/ff6/art/images/129.jpg
http://www.cavesofnarshe.com/ff6/art/images/113.jpg
http://www.cavesofnarshe.com/ff6/art/images/092.jpg

That last one's my personal favorite of all his stuff.

That's about all I'll say. I love the unique style of it myself, but there's no accounting for taste so to each their own.

[Great Rumbler]

Amano's work is hit and miss. Some of his works is really, really good.

[Dark Jaguar]

Apparently this is one of those old fasioned sites that thinks it's rude to link images. I'll just normal link the stuff then. Apparently that's just fine even though it uses even more bandwidth.

Just type those URLs directly into the box and they work fine. I have no idea how they detect that it came from a web page. Who would design our forums to tell a page we were the one that linked to it?

[lazyfatbum]

Oh wow, that's beautiful, look at all the weird perspectives.

I can justify that image easily, its what Death wishes he could be. The Surveyor of Thought and Enlightenment. When he wakes up, he'll back to his torn and ratty black garb and darkened visage, instead of an emperor's scepter he'll be holding a reaping blade. I dunno what the image actually is, but I see it as Death imagining himself as some kind of ethereal artist.

[lazyfatbum]

The Ocarina of Time commercial was well made. Aside from the cheesy joke and the "thou" type language (I guess the Deku Tree is asking you these questions?) it was well done. I remember another commercial that showed images from the beta version of the game, like the old "angel looking" fairy models they were originally considering using. I remember seeing those, getting the game, and then being... surprised to say the least, when I actually saw the design for the great fairies they used. In my mind I think they look like that because it was an older time and they have an appearence that makes them look more like a part of nature. I also suppose fairy forms are just some sort of fasion trend.

hahahaha i remember actually feeling uncomfortable and asking myself "why are the great fairies transvestites?" My second thought was the big fat fairy in the Dark World who said that Ganon had transformed her (she was still pretty, just fat) and I wondered if there was context of the fairies having been transformed but then I realized you can visit great fairies as a child (before Ganon's intervention) so yeah, they're just fucking weird for no reason. Unless Japan's "Men as women" fetish has a flip side and mannish women are considered ....Brazilian drag queens, I mean seriously they even have packages, it looks like there's an armadillo down her unitard.

[Dark Jaguar]

Huh, that's one way to look at it. Aside from the makeup they just looked like some sort of "nature spirit" to me, all dressed in seaweed and all. I figure that with fairies, the form they take is entirely up to them (hinted at with the Fairy Queen in Wind Waker pretty much telling you she likes the form she took), and so the only real question is why they look like each other in any one game, and so my guess is it's just a form of fairy fasion.

"Weird water spirit is out, this fall the new multi-armed Indian shiva goddess look is ALL THE RAGE!"

[EdenMaster]

To those unaware, that picture I posted is Tellah from FF4.