Welcome, strangah! What’re ya buyin’?
You know what is the best part about having your favorite videogame series become popular? All the great merchandise. That’s right: when it comes to Resident Evil, a plethora of goodies and hoodies await you. Dig in!
Everything from deluxe action figures to T-Virus keychains exists within the buying realm of Resident Evil. A lot of the loot is inspired by either particular characters or specific weapons used in the game. For example, a chainsaw controller came about around the release of Resident Evil 4, which included a noteworthy chainsaw-wielding villian. It’s such a big deal, that it even has it’s own special website.
The chainsaw controller was designed for both the Playstation 2 and the GameCube consoles. It features a larger than life orange controller, splattered with blood stains, and a plastic chainsaw protruding from it’s side. It also contains a new integrated N-Motion Technology system that basically allows for players to control Leon’s weapon raising by simply raising the controller itself. (A sort of pre-Wii foreshadowing, perchance?) The packaging itself was also an artistic endeavor: proudly displayed in a glass case, the chainsaw portion of the controller had it’s own ’crack’ to poke out. Crafty! The chainsaw controller makes for an exciting addition to your resident evil collection, whether you use it or simply display its grandeur.
Speaking of duplicated weapons, a man by the name of Tokyo Marui produced some pretty astounding replicas for fans of the series. These included a STARS Beretta, the Desert Eagle, Magnum Revolver, the Samurai Edge pistol and even some Gold Lugers found in Code Veronica. Now that’s a weapon, strangah!
Many characters have influenced the merchandise selections in their days, but none have so greatly as Ada Wong did. With her sleek black hair, signature crimson attire, contrasting features and espionage background, she’s an easy, favorable character for any Resident Evil fan. Lucky guys and girls can worship this femme fatale through posters, calendars, and even deluxe action figures. Please refrain from grandma’s boy-ing her in public.
An absolute must for true Resident Evil fans, the T-Virus Antidote energy drink will have you gaming deep into the night. If you’d like to salvage your taste buds, however, then I suggest simply collecting or displaying this medicine-flavored taste deplosion. Another T-Virus inspired item is the nifty little T-Virus keychain. It incorporates a replica T-Virus housed inside a test-tube like container. While there are many keychains to be had from Resident Evil, this is by far the best.
The many lines of action figures for Resident Evil are a marvel of it’s own. Neca’s Resident Evil 4 line exhibits gorgeous replicas with their signature costumes and weapons. More models have been produced in an Anniversary series that is pretty impressive as well; it features Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, and a few of the infamous villains in all their gory splendor. Models were also made for the earlier games in the series that possessed a vintage, nostalgic quality.
Recently, Capcom announced an official Visa licensed prepaid card that features many of its household names-including of course, Resident Evil. Phoenix wrote a great article on it here. (and boy, is it hard not to steal her headline for this article!)
The zombie apocalypse is closer than we think: also recently revealed, Avon cosmetics has apparently launched a new product line of skin perfecting creams: Avon Dermafill. A much needed essential for any true Resident Evil fan, Avon Dermafill is a ”skin care breakthrough”, delivering “fullness perfected, not injected” for aging skin. If you ever possessed an overwhelming desire to obtain T-Virus enhanced abilities and eventual mutantification, then this product is right for you! Apply three times daily for maximum zombi-, err, effect.
Is that all? Other Resident Evil merchandise includes a wide assortment of shirts, dogtags, novels, messenger bags, lighters, dice, official soundtracks, comics, stickers, console skins and clocks. Resident Evil utilizes it’s popularity for a good cause and showcases an array of amazing memorabilia and game add-ons for any die hard fan.
March 13th, 2009 at 6:05 am
That picture of Ada will never get old.
There are a ton of virtual action figures in the Resident Evil 5 bonus features that I’d love to see made into real toys (which I will then not buy), but the fact that some of these things already exist is indescribably wicked cool sick.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:21 am
I want the zombie cop action figure.
Hahaha, I actually saw that controller faceplate in Gamestop yesterday. (And rofl Avon Dermafil, that’s creepy.)
March 13th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I don’t even like gold but I need those Lugers.
I can’t even tell you how much that Avon product scares me. Like, for real. Have you seen the comparison of the commercial with the RE Apocalypse movie trailer? http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/07/avon-teams-with-resident-evils-umbrella-corp-for-face-cream/
March 14th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Somewhere, someplace, someone has all of this displayed prominently in their mom’s basement…
March 15th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
@Jill, I know! That’s where I found it! I can’t believe it…it must be some ex-employee’s nice idea of a joke.
March 15th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Love the mini t-virus!
March 16th, 2009 at 1:26 am
I’d spray the T-virus on me instead of the Avon stuff to attract sexy, single meat-eaters.
And I have that energy drink! I saved the can years ago. I’ve seen a Mario one as well. Nice find at all the treasure you got.
March 17th, 2009 at 6:14 am
For some reason the RE merchandise has never really appealed to me much, though I suppose I wouldn’t mind a Leon figure and *maybe* the chainsaw - though the chainsaw is a bit gaudy for my tastes (and would probably freak people out).
I don’t think I’d ever drink, eat or apply Any cosmetics/foods that are RE inspired - the idea is a bit too creepy
March 17th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
16 months in 2008 eh?
March 18th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
You know I was never really into RE until I played 5, now I think I will have to backtrack! Love that chainsaw controller!