Gamestop is giving away this Mega Man classic T with preorders of the upcoming compilation pack on PS2 and Cube, and it's basically the finest preorder shirt ever. You'll notice the large Mega Man sprite surrounded by his MM2 Robot Master foes, but what you may or may not realize is that they are placed in the optimal order for tackling them, starting with that wuss Metal Man. So if ever you find yourself stuck on a boss while wearing the shirt, just check the mirror and you too can BEAT THE 8 MASTER ROBOTS. Just realize that the mirror reverses everything, because if you roll up to Heat Man first, you'll be sorry.

The shirt is available only in Large, and it's 100% cotton, so it will shrink, to either your benefit or dismay. It also has the stylish black rings around the neck and sleeves we all either love or hate. However, if you can't find this T at Gamestop or prefer a different size or color, I'm told that Hot Topic is selling the shirt in black (without rings) for however many organs they charge for shirts these days. There's also a blue Mega Man polo available from the Stop, but who wears polos? Maybe James does, but not this sexy beast.

Of course, you have to celebrate the Bomber even on laundry day, and that's where the three latest entries from my bobblehead empire come in. Game Crazy (they tend to grow out of Hollywood Video locations) was giving away this series of Mega Man bobbles for no particular reason earlier in the year. I found Classic and Legends locally, but had to resort to eBay for X, who arrived with a detachable head. I haven't played X5 through X7 (who has?), but I'm guessing that isn't a special feature. I've heard rumors that dolls were released for EXE and Zero (the series, not X's buddy) but I have yet to see them myself.

· · · Anthony Onyrscuk

Everyone likes Mega Man. Only filthy godless commies don't like Mega Man, and seeing as communism is an outright rejection of the consumerist way of life, they don't get to partake in cool Mega Man goodies like this anyway. Which, seeing as they don't like Mega Man to begin with, probably doesn't bother them, but that's their problem.

First up is the backpack. It's really more of a shoulder pack, with one strap that goes across your chest, but it's close enough to make no real difference. It's got a decent number of pockets on it, including something on the chest strap that looks like a GBA holder, complete with a mini-pocket on the front for games. It also has a number of weird straps on it that seem to do absolutely nothing at all. The two you can see on the bottom lock and unlock but don't actually connect anything that isn't already connected, and likewise for the two on the side that aren't pictured. Maybe they just add structural integrity? Who knows? Still, it's a classy way to proclaim your Mega Man 15th Anniversary celebratory spirit to the world.

Next up is the clock. It's kind of smallish and has no lighting to speak of, but it is cute. It also has little suction cup feet that stick onto any smooth surface, no matter the orientation. The clock itself has a weight on it and rotates so that you can flip it around all day and still get the time right side up.

The Mega Man pin is small, cloisonné, and has a bobblehead on a spring. Cute, but not as cute as the clock.

Finally there's the pen. The neat thing about this is that, though it's short and squat, it's also filled with liquid. The clear part is transparent rubber, so it's firm yet squishable. I'm not quite sure what's inside, but it's not water. When it gets warmer, the things inside move around more freely. On the inside are a little clear plastic Mega Man picture and a load of little blue balls.

I know it's a year late, but Happy 15th birthday, Mega Man, and thanks for the party favors. Video gaming just wouldn't be the same without you and your retro gaming ways.

· · · James Cunningham