The Wilcox Arcade Christmas Special 2020
As a particularly experience-oriented individual, I’ve always had a soft spot for holiday specials. There’s nothing quite like the cartoons they show during October and December, ya know?
That’s why it’s downright shameful that, in the nearly 4 years I’ve written this here blog, today’s article marks only my second Wilcox Arcade Christmas Special ever. (If you can bear the clunky prose I scribed at 16 years of age, the 2017 special is still a pretty fun read.)
For that reason, I’m excited to throw my hat into the ring once again, utilizing the same format from way back then. Let’s run through some of the fun goodies I so fortunately received this Christmas.
Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
First up is the only video game on the list—and a darn fine one at that. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid is a one-on-one 2D fighter featuring a wide swatch of characters from the franchise’s nearly 30-year history. (Doesn’t seeing that in print make you feel terribly old?)
So far, I’ve played about two-thirds of the story and a few matches with my younger brothers, all of which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. In my humble opinion, developer nWay did a positively phenomenal job bringing these worlds so many of us so dearly love to life in video game form.
Granted, I’m not the most well-versed Rangers fan out there—catching various entries intermittently growing up—but my statement still stands. (Not everyone can say they watched the 2010 Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers reversion on ABC Kids like I did, so that counts for something, I guess.)
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! The Complete Series
If the 2017 Christmas Special wasn’t proof enough—when I received Night of 100 Frights for PS2 and Mystery Incorporated on DVD—here’s some more evidence that I’m a hopeless Scooby nut. I’m so gosh darned grateful to finally have the entirety of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! in glorious standard definition.
Only one episode in at the time of this writing, I can assuredly proclaim that this series is exactly what I remember, what I expected, and what I wanted all at once. Has the late-1960s Hanna-Barbera limited animation aged well? Nope. Is the writing still impeccably fresh regardless? You betcha.
When you adore Scoobert as much as I do, you’re up to own (almost) anything featuring the titular Great Dane. Luckily for me, I just so happen to be watching the very set of episodes that kickstarted one of the greatest 50-year franchises to ever grace the airwaves.
The New Scooby-Doo Movies: The (Almost) Complete Collection
Who would’ve guessed that I’d have another Scooby-Doo series on my list? The way I see it, you can’t gobble up Where Are You! without a side helping of The New Movies, which expands to formula to 44-minutes of riveting runtime and features a whole host of celebrity guest stars.
Unfortunately, I haven’ yet begun burning through the DVDs, but I know I’m in for a real treat when I do. I have very vivid—and particularly pleasant—memories of watching my grandfather’s VHS copy of the Batman and Robin episode growing up. I finally get to see what else this show has in store for me.
Now that I have Where Are You!, The New Movies, What’s New, and Mystery Incorporated on DVD, I’m looking forward to snapping up A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!, and Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! when funds allow. (Apparently, there’s no cure for this sickness they call collecting.)
Gamer Mugs
Wait, don’t click away! These aren’t just any gamer mugs, my arcade-going friends. From this point on, I’m perpetually privy to the pristine pleasure of drinking hot chocolate from a color-changing Mario mug, an original PlayStation-themed mug, and Sonic the Hedgehog’s rotund cranium. Don’t even try to tell me these mugs aren’t cool as all darn.
Archie Comics
I didn’t receive any Archie comics for Christmas. I’ve had this Jughead’s Double Digest for 12 years and this World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest for 2 years. I just really wanted to plug Archie comics. Read Archie comics. Now also seems like a prime opportunity to mention that I own two copies of The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection on compact disc.
All things considered, this year’s Christmas was downright delightful. I’m thankful that my family was not only able to celebrate normally but that I also received some items for which I had asked.
After writing this article, I feel duly compelled to keep the tradition going as long as possible. That’s right, folks: Expect regular Wilcox Arcade Christmas Specials in the years to come. I’ve finally got enough of a hold on this blogging thing to feel comfortable making such a promise.
If you didn’t hear it from me already in the Wilcox Arcade Discord server, Merry Christmas to you. And if you’re not already in the Wilcox Arcade Discord server…I mean, you really should be. The end.