T-shirt goodness from Japan: Namco Game Series

by Jonti Davies { Feb 19th 2007 at 11:15AM }

When you're not wearing a limited edition Joystiq t-shirt (i.e., when it's in the wash), we suggest an alternative route to game geek chic. And to avoid the emo-ness of Atari logos, it could be worth looking to the online stores of Japan where, at the end of the month, MARS16 will unleash the first design in its fully-licensed Namco Game Series -- this iconic Galaga print. We've been sucked up and captured, handing over ¥3,990 (US$33) for our escape shirt. If anyone is wearing a cooler t-shirt than this right now, let us know about it (and we'll tear it off your back).

Tags: Galaga, MARS16, Namco

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

jeffx @ Feb 19th 2007 11:24AM

God this is a cool shirt, but I'm not spending that money. On the other hand, Shoot The Core are having a shirt (should be up for order this week!) that is similar to this one (although it's Space Invaders), but only 16$...

Read all about it here (with pictures):
http://shootthecore.moonpod.com/2007/01/shoot-core-t-shirts.html

driven2sin @ Feb 19th 2007 11:26AM

it makes a damn good background

Grant @ Feb 19th 2007 11:41AM

so, does anyone not understand the Japanese website in english craze?
i mean i know english speaking people are just TEH KOOLEST! but.... huh?

jeffx @ Feb 19th 2007 11:46AM

Dear lord!!!!!! An Ys shirt!!!!

http://www.mars16.com/topics/img/falcom_live.gif

Pikniks @ Feb 19th 2007 12:11PM

I'm a big fan of Mars16, even though I haven't bought any of their T-shirts.

I can understand some Japanese on the Mars16. According to their FAQ, their online store doesn't accept credit cards, and I don't think they can ship internationally. (sigh...)

I don't care if the shirts cost $30, Mars16 T-shirts are way better than the trash we have here in the States. (I'm sorry, but joke T-shirts on a video game T-shirt is sacrilege!)

Myke @ Feb 19th 2007 12:38PM

Umm....

Blank T-shirt < $5

T-Shirt Transfers < $10 (6-pack)

You can make the shirts for WAY cheaper, that is assuming, of course, you know how to work an iron =)

SaraAB87 @ Feb 19th 2007 12:53PM

I usually hand-paint t-shirts with fabric paint, its time consuming but what I produce is usually very nice. I can also put whatever I want on shirts this way, since most things that I like do not come on tshirts in normal retail stores. I just print stencils from my computer and trace it onto tshirts. Its very cheap as well since paint is usually under 1$ a bottle and you don't need all that much, plus I just buy plain t-shirts when I spot them on sale and use those so the total cost to do this is around 5$ per tshirt.

Pikniks @ Feb 19th 2007 12:57PM

Iron-on transfers are rarely good. And you forget to account the cost of inkjet cartridges. And finally, yes, I know how to use an iron; I am a white-collar worker after all.

Thank god, at least The King of Games ship their shirts internationally.

Myke @ Feb 19th 2007 1:02PM

Sara's got the right idea. Pikniks - Ink jet cartridges don't run out THAT fast man, I mean I'm talking about printing a couple shirts or even up to 6 and I doubt you'll burn out your cartridge, even if it's been used awhile. And as far as the quality goes, you just gotta find the right transfers, Avery makes good ones, you can use them for dark or light shirts and the quality is excellent, I made 2 shirts this weekend actually. Well, 3, but that one was ruined because I left it on a steam setting which is a BIG no-no, my fault =)

Shawn Handyside @ Feb 19th 2007 1:20PM

"If anyone is wearing a cooler t-shirt than this right now, let us know about it (and we'll tear it off your back)."

Challenge accepted! I just happened to release two new video game themed shirts last week on my site...
http://www.staccatocomic.com/

Normally I wouldn't go and blatantly plug my own merch, but hey, you asked for better shirts. :P

arcsine @ Feb 19th 2007 1:35PM

But can you get the tripleshot?

http://cdbaby.com/cd/gothsicles

Pikniks @ Feb 19th 2007 1:49PM

Thanks for the suggestions, but at the end of the day, I'd rather pay for it than actually doing it myself. (I'm doing enough graphic design day-in and day-out as it is). I actually designed my own shirts while I was still in college, and would like to take up on the trade again. But I don't have the time nor the patience at the moemnt, and would rather pay for someone else's work for once.

By the way, have you actually seen the quality of the shirts from Japan? I bought a "Chef" (a Game & Watch game) T-shirt from The King of Games (http://www.the-king-of-games.com/english/shop/index.php?mode=catalog_detail&sub_cat_code=039W ); it looks like it's printed in black, but it's actually felt paper. If I want to recreate this shirt, it'll take way too long to design on my own.

Bottom line: I want the shirts from Mars16! Is that so much to ask? (Wait, don't answer that. =/)

Pikniks @ Feb 19th 2007 1:50PM

moment*

(bah, sorry for double posting.)

Stagger @ Feb 19th 2007 4:11PM

Thing is I find it strategically disadvantageous to use the double ship after the 2nd or 3rd bonus round. Makes you too big of a target.

sstadnicki @ Feb 19th 2007 6:47PM

I'm still dressed in my daily button-down shirt right now, alas, but the coolest video game t-shirt I've ever seen has to be the kick-ass Rez shirts Beams-T did a few years ago (long out of print, alas) -- the design's still visible at http://www.sonicteam.com/rez/news/index.html (which evidently doesn't update terribly often, alas). They did an Every Extend Extra shirt too, but that one isn't nearly as impressive. I'd love to see a good Shadow of the Colossus shirt...

ZeroCorpse @ Feb 19th 2007 8:24PM

The Galaga ship IS an Atari logo... Just look at it!

Honestly, though, I'm sick of all these retro shirts, especially when they're being worn by people who obviously wouldn't have been alive when these games were in the arcades. It's sort of trendy and disingenuous to proclaim your love of all things retro when you weren't there to experience it firsthand.

It's kinda like kids running around in "concert" T-shirts from bands that were touring fifteen years before they were born. All you're proving is that you have no modern icons of your own, and that you know where Spencer Gifts or Hot Topic is in your town.

...Or your mom's closet.

Jizua @ Feb 20th 2007 12:48AM

I'd just like to say for the record, I think I am in fact wearing a cooler shirt. It's got a picture of a Nintendo cartridge and says "BLOW ME" underneath it =).

not only does mine affirm my geekiness but also my general attitude toward people.

http://www.uncrate.com/men/style/tees-polos/blow-me-nes-tshirt-002634.php
it's similar to this one but its dark grey and the cartridge and words are both a lighter grey.