iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Chris Kohler

Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Folks I just looked at an English copy of Master Fighter II (the classic bootleg NES version of SFII) and you need to read the back

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Folks I just looked at an English copy of Master Fighter II (the classic bootleg NES version of SFII) and you need to read the back

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Heading to Portland @retrogamingexpo.bsky.social ! This flight will be over in no time with the latest portable gaming technology!

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I don't see anything that could go wrong with emptying out your 401K and putting it into graded Panini, no. Definitely do it

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Track 5 on Rumours is Go Your Own Way. I'm not saying that's definitely it but I think that's the bar you have to clear

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Storage unit guys buy a unit that apparently belonged to a game developer and find design docs, source disks, etc. No idea what the circumstances around this unit were, but just a reminder: if you think stuff "belongs in a museum" definitely try to do that sooner. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSa6...

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Reposted by Chris Kohler

Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

"It's the new street drug the kids are doing. It's called Crystal Barney."

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

"It's the new street drug the kids are doing. It's called Crystal Barney."

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Please say "hi, I'm straycatalyst from bluesky" or something like that if you see me!

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

this has big "I don't know why people eat peanuts, don't they make your throat close up?" energy

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This could go one of two very different ways. Thoughts and prayers

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

You'll also be able to catch me in "Making Video Game History", which will take place in the same panel room just a couple hours before my solo talk! Panel descriptions with alt text below.

Making Video Game History
YELLOW, SUN. 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Featuring: Frank Cifaldi (Video Game History Foundation), Cade Peterson (Legends of Adventure documentary), Pat Contri (NES Punk), Heather Fryling (Roberta Vaughan’s Retro Adventures), Chris Kohler (Digital Eclipse)
Moderated by: Daniel Greenberg (George Mason University)

A fun and informative panel discussion amongst leading figures who are “making” video game history by building museums and organizations, writing books, publishing podcasts, safekeeping artifacts, and many other activities. Panelists come with all different approaches but share the goal of preserving video game history for future generations of gamers, academics, and developers.

How Game Collecting's Past Can Predict Its Future
YELLOW, SUN. 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Featuring: Chris Kohler
Moderated by:

Is game collecting DYING?! Will future humans still want to fill their homes with physical video games? Chris Kohler has been collecting video games since before the turn of the millennium (back when we called it "chasing the chuck wagon"), and he thinks a little historical perspective is all you need to predict the future of game collecting. (Spoiler: Yes, there is one, and you can plan for it right now!) Join Chris as he revisits the past, puts the present in perspective, and tells the future.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

JUST ADDED: Join me on Sunday, October 11 at Portland @retrogamingexpo.bsky.social for "How Game Collecting's Past Can Predict Its Future." Is game collecting DYING?! Will future humans still want to fill their homes with physical video games? The answer lies somewhere in the 1990s. We'll find it.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I did! Go play it before today is over!

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

We had to replace the subwoofer so we cracked it open to see what all was in there.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The Pixel Remaster version of FFIII is amazing, though, as the game was so expansive and impressive for NES that the remaster feels more like a brand new SNES game

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I think the Pixel Remaster version smooths off all the rough edges, just like FF1. So actually you'd probably have a nice time.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I am team "skip FFII and move on to FFIII"

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

They didn't change the name - it was always Alpha publicly, I think the idea here is they're just promoting the main character more strongly than the actual product name?

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Wait, actually, hold up, still on the plane, my LAST LAST LAST curry of this trip was... ...actually it was hayashi rice. So close!

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I'm sure the Twin Famicom's got its hardwired controllers wrapped around it.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

"(Gonna Hold My Baby Tightly) While That Seatbelt Sign Is On"

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

When there is turbulence, the JAL flight attendants always say "Please hold your baby tightly while the seatbelt sign is on" in a way that sounds like the title of a country song

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Wait, sorry, strike that, my LAST LAST curry of the trip was this regular ass curry with karaage in the Sky Lounge in Haneda airport. You know, perfectly fine, not standout for Japan, but if someone in the US wanted to charge $20 a plate for this I'd buy it.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Wait, sorry, no, my LAST curry of the trip was this soup curry in the hotel breakfast buffet. Not bad or anything but light years away from what we had in Kichijoji during the week.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

it's about consistency, grit, and determination

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

My last good deal in Japan didn't require much luck -- duty-free Uniqlo AIRism underwear in the terminal. Iykyk

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

You can kinda see here some of the stuff I did not buy. The bin was full of portables. GameCube sets. Boxed DS Lites. The CD-ROM2 I did not buy is on the floor. All this stuff is 99.999% definitely gone now btw, don't go looking for it. I just l lucked out like crazy.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Guy was putting junk labels on a much more Dreamcast games including good ones! They all looked great, but he was pulling out the Very Rare stuff like Ikaruga to price individually. Everything else got pink duck tape and a 200 yen price. I waited for him to finish PS1 but then really had to go.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Folks, if you are in Akihabara today, get over to BEEP. They are putting out so much high quality "Junk". I bought a supergrafx. I left behind a boxed CD-ROM2. Stacks of Dreamcast games for 200 yen. They were preparing more but I literally do not have time to wait around as I fly back today.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I actually just replayed these games recently. What you need to know is that Lufia I basically is not that great but Lufia II is masterpiece-tier

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Wow! Between this and Terranigma...

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Should be out in 2027! Keep your eyes out for the official announcement at some point.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

All true, but what's known as "European-style curry" in Japan is basically a Japanese invention - they applied classical European cooking techniques and ingredients to curry to create this unique style. Uses a lot of butter, veal stock, other ingredients not usually present.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Last (?) curry of the trip - the "European style" katsu curry from the Jinbocho shop called Ethiopia. Looks very simple but the flavor and mouthfeel are amazing, similar to Bondy or other "European" style places. This one's right in Ochanomizu station, in the underground dining area.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

First time I've seen so many arcade boards at a Hard-Off.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Apparently this is the kind of Hobby Off where you can buy arcade machines. I don't think I have the suitcase space for a Rhythm Tengoku but maybe I can make it fit

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Hey @jkooza.bsky.social I am eating spice curry at a highly regarded place in jinbocho! Maybe this counts.

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Chris Kohler @kohler.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Found a junk boxed (!) Twin Famicom with no accessories early last week for 8800 yen. Yesterday I was at BEEP digging through the junk pile and pulled out an AC adapter! Plugged everything in in the hotel room just now and the power came on. I won the Akihabara junk bin lottery

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