Hostess Scary Cakes

Two days ago, I talked about the return of Orange S'Cream Twinkies and the return of Hostess Halloween products.  Well, with those beautifully filled sponge cakes comes another spooky legend - Scary Cakes!!  Now, we've talked about these Halloween-themed cupcakes in the past, but long before we ever thought they'd disappear.  In 2012, I reviewed Scary Cakes and compared them to what they used to be.  Sure, the cupcake itself has stayed relatively the same, but the box art and package design has changed almost every single year.  Then, I talked about the old-school Munster Pack and change to Monster Cakes.  Those were monumental times in my life because I was literally drawn in by these works of art and inspired to illustrate, animate, color and design myself.  There were something about those pieces that infatuated me and filled my heart with Halloween spirit.  To this day, I can remember where I was and who I was with whenever those boxes were bought, put on the table, or opened.  It was a happy time, now a nostalgic period, and I payed homage to that in 2012.  Then, as I mentioned two-days ago, Hostess closed up shop and Scary Cakes were gone... forever?  So it seemed, but in 2014, Scary Cakes are back!!  This time, I'm not comparing them to the past.  I'm just happy they're once again a part of the present.

Yestercades

This past Tuesday, my friend Sean and I went down to Red Bank, NJ to visit Yestercades on Broad Street.  Sean had been there before and raved about just how awesome it truly was.  We planned on going last year, but plans fell through and we never got around to it.  To hold me over, I stayed local and stopped by Barcade in Jersey City.  That place is great, especially because its geared toward adults who like to drink while playing classic arcade games, but Yestercades promised so much more for people of all ages.  Between the reviews I received from my buddy and the positivity online, I knew this was going to be a much cooler experience than I first thought.  We were on our way.

There are two locations in New Jersey - Red Bank and Somerville - and each offer a different variety of games, but the purpose remains the same.  Yestercades is designed to bridge the gap between yesterday and today.  Not only can you play the vintage arcade games that we all grew up with, but you can also sit back on a leather couch and pop in the latest Xbox game to play with friends.  That's right, along with the famous cabinet arcade games, retro and modern consoles are available to you on large-screen TV's.  And the best part?  You can leave the quarters at home.  For merely $8.75 and hour or $25 for the day, unlimited access to every game is literally at your fingertips.

Everywhere you looked, there were vintage arcade cabinets.  You were surrounded by them.  If the retro sounds weren't enough to bring you back to a simpler time, that familiar arcade smell we all know and love will surely do the trick.  I don't know if it's old plastic, dusty screens, or sweaty palms, but arcades have always had that same aroma and I wouldn't have it any other way.  It's a whiff of nostalgia that can only be inhaled at places like Yestercade.  For a nostalgic nut like me, that's something I wish I could bottle up and bring home with me.  It's a reminder of my childhood and when I think of the Jersey Shore, three scents are synonymous:  the food, the ocean, and the arcades.  Hey, Yankee Candle, figure that one out!

There was no doubt about which game we were going to play first.  In my opinion, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is THE greatest arcade game of all time.  I've said it before when I visited Barcade and I'll say it again - TMNT stands high and above the rest in the world of retro arcade games.  Yes, there are many that have come close and have revolutionized the genre in their own right, but nothing quite like TMNT.  Off the top of my head, I can think of a few.  The Simpsons Arcade Game is surely a fan favorite.  Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat changed the way we viewed fighting games.  And, of course, games like Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, and Pac-Man (all of which were at Yestercades) paved the way for the games of my generation.  But, at the end of the day, there's nothing I'd choose over TMNT besides, maybe, Turtles in Time.  I know.. The last few posts have me painted as a biased Turtle fan, but I swear I'm being objective.

Another of of my all-time favorite arcade games is WWF WrestleFest.  Wow, if I had every quarter that I ever put into WrestleFest machines as a child, I'd have well over $200.  I spent countless hours playing this classic and, to this day, it never gets old.  The gameplay wasn't all that special, but the characters and the way they were designed always drew me in.  My favorite Superstars of that era were cartoony and colorfully vibrant.  In a lot of ways, that represented the time and maybe that's why I've always loved WrestleFest so much.  Unfortunately, this cabinet was 2-players only and we were unable to team up in an attempt to battle the Legion of Doom, but we did have a blast in the Royal Rumble.  In the end, the Ultimate Warrior took out Sgt. Slaughter to be victorious.  Sorry, Sean..

Like any great arcade, Yestercades had a wide variety of pinball machines.  Growing up, my Dad owned an arcade in Bayonne, NJ and we housed The Addams Family Pinball Machine for well over a year.  I usually played the beat 'em ups, but I could always count on Gomez and Uncle Fester to save me from boredom when my favorites were overrun by the older teenagers.  My Dad and I always had so much fun playing The Addams Family Pinball Machine and he was really good at it.  I don't know how much of it was skill as opposed to luck, but it created many memorable moments.  Yestercades actually had The Addams Family and I was looking forward to giving it another shot after all these years, but it was broken and being repaired while we were there.  But just seeing it from afar was cool enough for now.  When I head back, it's certainly on the list of things to do.  Until then, there were plenty of machines to choose from and all of them were a lot of fun.

Here's what separates Yestercades from every other arcade I've ever been to.  Although the vintage arcade games may be great for people like me who grew up with them, the kids of today are used to everything on-demand.  Technology has taken things in a different direction and going to the arcade to play a video game is, sadly, a thing of the past.  It takes more time and money to get there than it does to simply sit back and download an emulator or game via console stores.  It's something we dreamed of as kids, but the new era of gaming is issentially the Redbox to an arcade's Blockbuster.  So how do you avoid going out of business, becoming a crane-based establishment, and lure in kids and adults alike?  You offer every video game console ever created.  It's absolutely genius and, believe it or not, it's an idea I offered my Dad years ago to the sound of laughter and rolling eyes.  This changes the game.  Pun intended.

Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega, Nintendo 64, Sega CD, Dreamcast, Playstation, Xbox... You name it, they had it.  Now, why is that special?  Kids today probably own either an Xbox or Playstation, if not both, and can play with their friends online.  We all know that and it's awesome, but how many own the classics?  Personally, besides the OUYA, I no longer have any of them.  But to be honest with you, consoles like Sega and Nintendo 64 still stand the test of time and instead of kids coming over after school and parents having to watch over everybody, Yestercades welcomes 10-20 kids to sit back and play against each other in person.  Imagine that, in person?  In today's day and age, that's almost unheard of.  Why see each other when I can text, chat, or snap?  Imagine that..

Not only does Yestercades offer so many vintage gaming options, but the games are available to you as well.  Do you know how awesome it was seeing Wrestlemania 2000 and WCW/NWO Revenge for N64?  That brings me back to skipping track practice to play my cousin in the battle between Sting and Han Zo Mon.  Probably not the best idea for a budding athlete, but a great idea for a kid who loved video games.  Now, Yestercades welcomes kids of today to also skip out on their priorities and obligations in an attempt to save the princess, save the world, win the championship, or eat ghosts.

Yestercades also offered board games to their customers, but I don't think I saw one person playing or even interested in that idea.  I thought it was cool, but the thought of playing one never actually crossed my mind until I got home and looked further into the photo.  That Nickelodeon Double Dare game is one I always wished I'd received as a child and would probably be a lot of fun to play with a group of friends.  Operation is always a classic and almost as nerve-wrecking as Perfection.  Candyland, for as simple as it is, can be a great time and was always my favorite as a young child.  Plus, Trivial Pursuit 80s edition is probably very challenging.  Even though I wasn't born until 1987, I'm a big fan of 80s culture and nostalgia so that would have been a blast.  I don't think these games are necessarily meant for two guys in their late 20s, but kids should take advantage of these classic board games when visiting Yestercades.  They're clearly under appreciated.

As an added touch, to go along with the vintage movie posters and decorations throughout Yestercades, their display cases were filled with classic gaming consoles, handhelds, and games from over 20 years ago.  Everything is lit nicely and displayed to be visual art that acts as a tiny museum on your way in and out of the establishment.  Everything is in mint condition and, together, your mind is taken on a journey back in time through sensory overload.  Between all of it, combined with everything we've already discussed, this is a complete rush of nostalgia that only Yestercades, in my experience, has been able to offer.

If you're in or around New Jersey, I highly recommend taking a trip to Yestercades.  When Sean and I went, it was a bit crowded and we didn't get to experience half of what we wanted to but, with more time and less people, the experience could have only been better.  We had a wonderful time and I have no doubt you would too.  If you're not in the NJ area, then I suggest Googling vintage arcades in your hometown because ya never know what's out there.  If not for my friend, I would have never known about Yestercades and their vast variety of vintage gaming options.  So look into what's near you and, hopefully, you'll be just as happy as yellow-bandana-wearing Michelangelo.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cereal - Reborn

When I first heard that a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie had been green-lit for production, I was just as excited for the new merchandise to come with it.  Whenever big super-hero movies come to life on the big screen, they pretty much come to life everywhere else, too.  Toys, video games, collectibles, clothing - you name it, it's produced.  But unlike when I was a child, the one thing we don't see tied into promotions any longer are cereals.  Growing up, I loved eating cereals associated with my favorite TV show, cartoon or movie.  Remember Slimer and the Real Ghostbusters?  How about The Addams Family?  The Jetsons?  They were all classics released by Ralston, known for their licensed cereals, in the early 90s.  Whether they tasted great or not doesn't matter, it's simply the fact that breakfast became an extension of your favorite characters.  That meant a lot to me as a kid because I couldn't get enough of what I loved.  Slimer for breakfast, an Ecto-Cooler for lunch, Flintstones Mac & Cheese for Dinner and a Turtle Pie for dessert.  To me, that sounds like one hell of a day in the life.  But when I really look back on all the classic cereals of my time, especially the ones produced by Ralston, there will always be one that stands head and shoulders above the rest... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cereal!

Now, don't get your hopes up or be fooled by the image above.  No, unfortunately they did not release a new TMNT cereal.  In my opinion, somebody missed the boat and lost out on the perfect opportunity to bring back a legend.  Even if they didn't recreate the original recipe, any TMNT cereal would have sold like hot cakes.  Between the new Nickelodeon TV series and the upcoming film, I'm personally shocked that there wasn't a partnership made with General Mills.  As a fan, It's disappointing that we may never see another TMNT cereal, but who's stopping us from bringing it back ourselves?

If you look at the original ingredients, the recipe isn't all that hard to recreate.  The "Ninja Nets" were essentially Chex cereal and, upon further research, Ralstons is the former name of the original Chex, so the flavor has to be spot on.  In addition, the TMNT Cereal included marshmallows.  Although they were probably filled with a lot more sugar than what I'd find today, there are still plenty of cereals that feature marshmallows and I just so happened to have a few of them in my cabinet.  I guess buying 20 boxes of Monster Cereals last Halloween pays off in more ways than one.  Thankfully, one of those leftover Frankenberry boxes doesn't expire until the end of the month.  Now we have the Chex, we have the marshmallows, and all I needed was the box.  If you're going to bring TMNT cereal back to life, an original box is absolutely necessary and eBay offers a variety of boxes at a low price.  We're on our way.

Buying the box is one thing and it's cool to include in the background of photos, but we have to do this the right way.  So out of the modern box comes a bag of Chex and into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cereal box it goes.  To truly have the perfect TMNT breakfast on the morning of the new movie's release, there's nothing better than pouring a bowl of reborn cereal from the classic 1990 box.  Covered in TMNT art and images of the original Playmates toys on the back, it's the perfect way to relive the past and celebrate the future by embracing the present.

We'll add the marshmallows later, but this photo is symbolic of what I remember.  For some reason, it always seemed like there were never enough marshmallows in my TMNT cereal.  Granted, I was about 3 or 4-years-old and probably would have preferred an entire bowl of marshmallows rather than Ninja Nets, but I still think the memory is valid.  Regardless, things were going to change this time around.  By adding the marshmallows into the bowl later, we'll be sure to have just as many tiny bites of sugar as we want.  But by this point, since I haven't eaten Chex since the days of TMNT Cereal, the smell alone is already taking me back to the 90s.

I almost purchased an original Turtle Bowl that once came wrapped with the TMNT Cereal, but couldn't bring myself to doing so without it being mint.  I started to feel a bit like Howie Mandel and got germ'd out by the thought of somebody eating from that same bowl for the last 24 years.  I wish I still had my original set, but I don't think there's enough dish detergent in the world to change my mind.  So, we'll have to stick with a generic bowl of TMNT Cereal, but it still looks awesome.  Just pretend that those bats are ninja stars and those Frankeberry heads are Turtle Coms.  We have to use at least a little imagination, here!

Pour in the milk and.. voila! We've now recreated the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cereal!  This is something I've wanted to do for quite a while, but haven't had a reason to go out and buy everything that was needed.  But with the new movie being released in just a few hours, it was now or never.  There's no better time to embrace Turtle Power than this week and that's why we've been celebrating the franchise all week long.  For those of you who aren't fans, you're probably counting down the days to Halloween or may have already unfollowed me on Twitter, but this is a huge week for Turtle fans and fans of nostalgia alike.  The busy season will soon be upon us, but this week has been a blast and, based on other sites I've read recently, we all seem to have the same theme in mind.  I'm loving it!

When you bite down into the reborn TMNT Cereal, you're instantly brought back in time.  I mean, wow... it's pretty amazing how powerful the senses of taste and smell can be and you'll immediately have a neural reaction to the sensation.  Memories came flooding back and that's exactly why I invested the time and money into this little project.  Does it taste good?  Well, it tastes like the original cereal so... no, it doesn't taste all that great.  It's not bad, but it certainly isn't anything special and that's pretty much the story of Ralston's run with licensed cereals.  But that's not why I did this.  If I wanted a cereal that tastes great, I would have picked one that I eat all year.  No, this was done in tribute to the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and to celebrate the nostalgia that comes with everything associated with the original breakfast cereal.

Now, to throw in even more fun, did you ever wonder if those Ninja Nets really work?  In the cartoon, I've only seen them used a few times and usually, as we've seen in TMNT 2: Secret of the Ooze, they usually work against our fearsome four.  So, as an added experiment, I let my TMNT Cereal sit for a while in an attempt to see what these Ninja Nets are capable of.  Would we catch anything other than bugs?

Yes!  Straight from Dimension-X, Krang thought he'd catch the upper hand while I was sleeping.  Little did he know I was luring him in with a Ninja Trap in order to save New York City and the world.  The Ninja Turtles have taught me well and, for now, the world can rest easy.  But.. where is Shredder?  He wasn't dumb enough to fall for my tricks and is still on the loose.  Until he shows his metal face, Krang will stay locked up in my room next to the other toys.  As a side note, please make sure nobody from work reads this entry ;)

In all seriousness, this was a great time and I'm very happy with how everything turned out.  This was worth every dollar and minute of time.  This site is all about bringing happiness to life, whether it's through the holidays, nostalgia, or current events, it's my goal to bring that inner child out of you and help you remember that it's important to not always take life so seriously.  If you're a Turtle fan, this is a must-make and it really only costs you the price of two cereal boxes.  If you happen to have a retro box of TMNT cereal, then that's even better.  Have fun with it, eat breakfast with somebody, share a few laughs and get creative.  Work and school will still be there when you're done.

Now I just need to figure out how to resurrect Turtle Pies!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 2014 Movie Figures

 

Since I was a child, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figures have always lured me in, fascinated me, and given me countless hours of enjoyment.  I'll never forget the Christmas morning when I received the TMNT Party Wagon and Sewer Lair from Santa.  I was about 3-years-old and my Parents, as they always did, placed those two big presents toward the back of the tree to make me think I wasn't the good boy I thought I was all year.  I even said to them "Maybe Santa didn't hear me when I asked him for the sewer."  I watch that home video now and think of how awesome it must have felt for my parents to know they absolutely made my year with those two pieces of plastic.  I call them that because that's what they are, literally, but those pieces of plastic mean so much more to a child.  There are countless memories, stories, and imagination that comes in every package.  What's also attached to the box is a whole lot of love.  Even if we don't realize it until years later, there's so much more to toys than simply an exchange of money for corporate profit.  I've never looked at in that way, even when I thought certain products were too expensive.  There's an amazing feeling of nostalgia and the resurrection of forgotten childhood that comes with every toy.  And for kids now, they're in the process of creating those memories now.  They're developing story lines, making up scenarios, using their imagination, developing their minds, and interacting with those around them.  Little do they know how much thought, from them and their parents or guardians, goes into every aspect of buying and playing with toys.  We've all enjoyed them, we've all experienced them, and I don't think you're ever to old to stop appreciating them.

With the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie coming out on Friday, I welcome you to relive the magic of the late 80s and early 90s by picking up some of the newest TMNT toys.  By clicking the link above, you'll be taken to EntertainmentEarth.com.  Personally, whenever I can't find a product in stores, that's where I go and it's my pleasure promoting them through the affiliate program on The Holidaze.  They're a great company and are always there for support.  At the moment, I currently have 11 items on pre-order and love that they don't charge you until the products arrive.  All I need to do is sit back and wait for them to arrive.  If you're looking for new Ninja Turtle figures, you know where to go!

  I chose to pick up the newest April O'Neil and Shredder figures because April is always harder to find than the others and Shredder looks fantastic!  Personally, I'm not a huge fan of how the 2014 movie Turtles look on film and it translates even worse in figure form, but I know I'm going to buy them anyway simply because they're going to be worth something, personally and financially, down the road.  That's worth buying from EntertainmentEarth.com.  But in the meantime, I have these to hold me over..

Although Leonardo was sold out, I couldn't pass up the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990 Movie Classics, especially the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic Collection Original Movie Michelangelo Action Figure   The original feature film was the first movie I ever saw in theaters.  At 3-years-old, I was completely hooked on the TMNT and my Parents thought it was time to bring me to the theater.  For the Turtles, I would surely sit tight and not cause a fuss.  They were right and, since then, the original film has always been my favorite movie of all time.  Sure, there are some that come close, but when it comes to action, humor, memories, and nostalgia, this one takes the pizza.  So when I heard that these new figures were coming out, there was no doubt in my mind that I'd be picking them up.  Are they worth $20 a piece?  Maybe if they had some more detail, but I think the price is fairly reasonable in this economy.  That's the nature of the toy business, today.  Those who grew up in my generation are marketed to at a higher price because those kids are now adults with jobs who are willing to spend a little bit more money than usual to relive a part of their childhood.  Let's face it, that was a simpler time and this is a recollection of what we lived.  That's why they're sitting at home with me.

To conclude, yes I am part of the EntertainmentEarth.com affiliate program, but I would never support, promote or advertise anything that I didn't think was worth time on The Holidaze.  I've done business with them in the past and I truly believe they're second to none.  So if you want to purchase the brand new TMNT figures, that's the place to do it!

WWE Ice Cream Bars

I'm taking a quick break from the Halloween Countdown because my friend James (give him a follow!) gave me a cool idea and I couldn't wait to get cracking.  If you've read The Holidaze, you know how big of a wrestling fan I am.  Growing up, it was always my dream to design for the company and work for the greatest entertainment organization in the world.  After all, it was the WWE that inspired me to start designing in the first place.  So, after seeing my Hi-C juice boxes, my friend said I should make modern versions of the classic "WWF" Ice Cream bars.  Remember those?  The cookie, vanilla, and chocolate ice cream bar was always my first choice whenever Mr. Softee stopped by the block.  They were awesome and even C.M. Punk has been waiting for them to make a comeback.  They may not be returning any time soon, but just like those juice boxes, we can all take a look at what they would look like if they were a reality.

Using an old ad from WWF Magazine as base, here are some current WWE Superstars in retro form!

Of course, the original "WWF" logo and mentions have all been edited for today's use.

 

I think they're pretty cool and look like the ones you'd actually find when you ripped one open, rather than the drawing on the box.

If you're not a wrestling fan, don't care about these, or think they're garbage -- no worries.  It's back to Halloween!!