iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 16h

PRGE Day 1 haul. I don’t need to get a second job; I budgeted for this. 😂

From top-left to bottom right: Loose copy of Phantasy Star IV for Genesis, boxed General Chaos for Genesis, CIB Mega Man 2, CIB Genesis Paperboy, CIB Toejam & Earl 2, CIB Bonk’s Adventure for TG16, Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt, Mickey Mousecapades, CIB Super Mario Bros. 2, CIB Streets of Rage, and CIB Streets of Rage 3.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

This was, of course, amazing. The way the crowd reacted sure was reminiscent of the Sonic concert, haha.

I’ve taken a photo of the stage from the UNDERTALE Determination Symphony concert in Portland,

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Play Little Kitty, Big City. Still one of my favorite games ever.

My Nebelung cat is standing next to the Little Kitty, Big City plush c/o Fangamer on our bed.

The little kitty plush’s accessories include a fish (in its mouth) and an apple hat atop its head. It’s sitting on a big bean bag chair with a yellow blanket on top.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Me before I fly: I’m going to play SO MANY video games; I won’t be bored at all. Me as soon as we hit 10,000 ft:

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I caught a full odds Shiny Staravia while finishing off Platinum’s Dex, and then one of “my worst Pokémon fears“ happened. Of course I ran into a Shiny in the Safari Zone, and of course it instantly ran away. Still, we are on Unplanned No Manips Shiny #4 of this venture.

I’ve taken a photo of my 3DS while playing Pokémon HeartGold. A Shiny Lv17 Tauros is on screen with the Safari Zone menu asking what I’ll throw.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Forget Sophie's Choice. It's Jonathan's Choice™.

The "two buttons" meme of a man trying to figure out which button to press between these two choices: On the left is "Play through every Pokémon game before Bank closes in early 2027." On the right is "Play through every Kirby game before the new one comes out in early 2027."

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

If I die tomorrow, whoever winds up looking through my stuff in Pokémon HOME will end up like this. Except the books are like fifteen years of Events, Mythicals, and s*** I've just plain *forgotten about* over time but still bothered to squirrel away. I counted twenty Cherish Ball Pikachus *alone.*

This is a scene from an anime called "Read or Die." The room, looking to me like a library of some kind, is covered in books to the point where the floor is not visible amongst several otherwise organized shelves and stacks. Someone's in a bed that's also covered in books, to the point where they're barely visible underneath them.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

.@hail9000.bsky.social and I agree abt Kingdom Hearts IV

A snippet of a conversation with Hailee in which they say "Yep unfortunately I will play this game."

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I've rolled credits on Dragon Hopper! It: - was worth being uncomfortable to play mostly as intended. The 3D visuals help its verticality really "pop." - definitely would've been a "killer app" for the Virtual Boy & is one of the few examples of a game that doesn't just feel like a proof of concept.

Dragon prince Dorin and his girlfriend Diana are standing on the castle balcony, with THE END... written underneath. The image is duplicated due to how Virtual Boy games are displayed on Nintendo Switch Online. I've opted for a grayscale image rather than the "Virtual Boy Red" that's innate to the console.

My total time spent in-game was 3 hours and one minute. My percentage of Medals collected was 53%.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

The "new" StarFox: 1) is extremely well animated & narratively cohesive in a way that makes my inner-child squeal. 2) controls BUTTERY smooth, surpassing any other game in the series (including original & 3DS). 3) solidifies that I will always love this game, no matter how many times it gets remade.

This is a screenshot of my final results from StarFox on Switch 2. I got 141 hits on Corneria, 181 hits on Sector Y, 127 hits on Aquas, 265 hits on Zoness, 98 hits on Sector Z, 364 hits on Area 6, and 95 hits on Venom 2 for a total of 1271. I ended the game with 14 lives and 0 Continues used.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

The way I climbed to Master Ball tier so quickly this time was just causing every Mega Staraptor enjoyer to throw their controller(s) at their TV. Most of the proverbial "ladder" is so physical-slanted right now that Prankster+Will-O-Wisp alone can make grown men cry, never mind the other 3 moves.

A scene from Pokémon Champions shows the character Caraway and her Hatterene speaking to my Trainer. "Congratulations on your third time reaching the Master Ball Tier, Jonathan."

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

My Sonic 3 & Knuckles save data from 1994 is somehow still alive. I sold almost all of my childhood carts over the decades, but I'm ecstatic to unearth a truly cherished "relic." I'll be deleting one of the fully CLEARed games & playing through it again soon. My oldest living save's saga continues!

This is a photo of the aforementioned cartridges of Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles locked onto each other, nestled inside a Genesis Model 2 console with its power on.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

I'll say this about Mina the Hollower: it's the first modern game since my "press days" that's actually inspired me to write an honest-to-God longform review. I dunno where you'll see it, but you'll see it. Sometime. "Well, did you like it?" Ultimately, yes. But I'm just as disappointed by it too.

This is the Feats screen for Mina the Hollower, highlighting the five Feats I've earned from playing the game. Sparks of Genius, First Purchase, Thorne Beater, Big Spender, and Hollow Victory (highlighted) for reaching the conclusion of the game are checked.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

I've always dabbled in Competitive Pokémon, mostly sticking to single-player stuff since ~2006. But my longtime personal goal of "make a team & take my most cherished Pokémon up the ladder to Master Ball tier" is finally accomplished. Pokémon Champions has *PROBLEMS*, but I'm a happy boy regardless.

This is the Pokémon Champions Summary screen for my twenty-one year old Pikachu from Pokémon LeafGreen. It's nicknamed CHANDI after my spouse. Its moves are Fake Out, Protect, Thunder, and Nuzzle. Its Ability is Lightning Rod. It's fully trained in Special Attack & Speed, with one additional point in Defense. Its title is CHANDI the Rank Master, awarded for winning a battle while in the Master Ball tier.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

I'm happy to report that trading between two Nintendo Switch systems is easy as pie/works as intended. Why yes, I am going for as complete a Pokédex as I possibly can. surprising no one.

In this screenshot from Pokémon LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch, my party screen is shown. I have a Lv15 Bulbasaur, Lv13 Pidgey, Lv6 Charmander, Lv5 Squirtle, and a second Lv5 Bulbasaur.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Maybe 2026 is the year I finally beat Majora’s Mask on N64.

I’ve taken a photo of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask on Nintendo 64 being played via the Analogue 3D. The Happy Mask salesman has his arms outstretched towards Young Link, newly transformed back into a Hylian, and says, “Believe in your strengths…Believe…”

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Here we are, my final beaten game of 2025. I don't know why I had the urge to play Popeye 2 again. It's definitely one of those licensed games where you could replace the characters with anyone & it still "works." But it's a fun little "Mario Land clone" that I've enjoyed since childhood.

In this screenshot from Popeye 2 on Game Boy, Popeye has successfully defeated Brutus/Bluto on his pirate ship. The latter is floating up in the sky with a halo on his head.

Popeye is about to open a giant treasure chest as Olive and friends watch on to the left of it.

END is on-screen spelled out with cans of 8-bit Spinach.

My Popeye 2 cartridge is displayed in its protective case laying on top of my Game Boy collection in a drawer.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

I wanted more Banjo, so I decided to give Grunty's Revenge on GBA a whirl. This game is...okay! It tries very hard to bring the charm & machinations of the first game to the small screen. Unlike Banjo-Tooie (which I found too convoluted), I can at least say I liked this one enough to finish it! 😅

At the end of Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty's Revenge on Game Boy Advance, the player is given a "ranking." I got a score of 4 out of 5. "Excellent" is up top in yellow letters with a red outline, and various characters from the game including Mumbo Jumbo and Jiggywiggy are on screen.

This is my pause screen to show 100% completion. I've collected 12/12 empty honeycomb pieces, 600/600 notes, 60/60 jiggies, 30/30 Jinjos, 4/4 Mumbo Tokens, and learned 15/15 moves.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Rickmas is saved, thanks to one of my favorite YouTube channels. I would’ve waited patiently, but I was ONE RACE AWAY from earning the “holiday hat” when the event was pulled offline. 😂🥳

The character selection screen from Kirby Air Riders shows Rick the Hamster selected, riding a Warp Star. Rick is wearing the “holiday hat” from the aforementioned Air Riders event that “resembles” a Santa hat.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

When I got Banjo-Kazooie as a belated birthday gift in 1998, I called it my "ticket to paradise", haha. I worked so hard, trying to 100% everything. But I eventually gave up, unable to get all 100 Notes in Click Clock Wood despite hours of trying. Almost 30 years later, childhood me is VINDICATED.

I've taken a photo of Banjo-Kazooie on N64 being played via the Analogue 3D. Banjo & Kazooie are enjoying drinks on the beach under an umbrella, each wearing sunglasses.

THE END is in blocky, blue letters with a yellow outline just before the screen fades to black on Gruntilda's lair on Spiral Mountain.

This is the file select screen showing Game 1 (Banjo snoozing), and it's 100% complete. 100 jigsaws, 900 notes. My total time played is 17 hours, 38 minutes, and 6 seconds.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Rather than post about beating Pokémon Snap on cartridge (for probably the 100th time over the years), here are my four highest scoring photos. I love this game immensely, and I’m so glad it finally has a worthy sequel on Nintendo Switch.

I’ve taken a photo of Pokémon Snap on Nintendo 64 being played via the Analogue 3D. My “Best Shot” is of Mew, posing as close to the camera as I could manage. For “Special”, I was awarded 2500 points. Size is 650. Pose is 1500. Technique is That’s nice.

This photo is of one Magmar using Flamethrower on another. For Special, I got 800 points. Size is 570. Pose is 1200. Technique is That’s nice, as well as Same Pokémon for 300.

This photo is of two Pikachus using Thunderbolt while standing on different tree stumps. Special is 1300. Size is 430. Pose is 1300. Technique is That’s nice & Same Pokémon for 320.

This photo is of two Bulbasaurs on the River stage. Size is 1000, Pose is 1200, Technique is That’s nice & Same Pokémon for 330.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

I wore a Mega Man shirt as pajamas while I've been off this week. I bought a Mega Man 64 cart with eBay card my mother in law gave me. Gonna have a spring in my step for a while. 2027's the year I turn 40. …It’s gonna be a heck of a party.

I’ve taken a photo of the shirt I’m wearing, a navy blue one with art of Mega Man and Rush flying upwards from SGDQ 2025 via The Yetee. I’m giving a thumbs up to the right, but you can’t see past my neckline.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

I beat Pokémon Stadium again a few days ago, this time using my cartridge, Transfer Pak & Yellow save instead of emulation. I truly do love this game! It's my greatest hope that Pokémon Champions has unique challenges that take advantage of how versatile traditional Pokémon battles have become.

I’ve taken a photo of Pokémon Stadium being played via the Analogue 3D. This shot is of the aftermath of the final fight against Mewtwo, where my Victreebel (nicknamed Persephone) has delivered the final blow.

The alternate title screen of Pokémon Stadium, unlocked for completing the main game, features a close-up of half of Mewtwo’s face on the left side, followed by shots of Pikachu, Blastoise, Charizard, and Venusaur from left to top-right.

I’ve taken a photo of my Pokémon Stadium cartridge in a protective plastic case. I’ve littered small Pokémon figurines around it: Pikachu is on top of the cart. Blastoise & Charizard are out in front sort of emulating the art on the cartridge. Venusaur is to the left, just behind Blastoise, and Dragonite is to the right of the cart.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

I spent almost my entire birthday yesterday beating & 100%ing Super Mario 64 on cartridge for the first time in many years. No Restore Points, no modern conveniences. It's still very much a cherished game for me, but it's also still far from perfect. Tick Tock Clock, I hate you very much. :P

I’ve taken a photo of Super Mario 64 being played via the Analogue 3D. Just before the ending, Bowser has commented on me getting all 120 Stars. “Just you wait until next time. Until then, keep that Control Stick smokin’! Bwaa ha ha!” I have two slivers of health left, 7 lives, and 3 coins.

Peach’s cake from the end of the game is white with strawberries, Mario & Peach cake toppers, and an ornate Star cake topper behind them. The End is under the image in fancy yellow cursive.

Mario talks to Yoshi on the top of Peach’s castle. He delivers a message: “Thank you for playing Super Mario 64! This is the end of the game, but not the end of the fun.”

I’ve taken a photo of my Super Mario 64 cartridge in the Analogue 3D, with my OEM red Nintendo 64 controller out in front of the image.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Happy my birthday, BlueSky! My spouse surprised me with an incredible gift. Check out this publicity still from 1953! They got it from a gallery in Vermont that has a collection of animation history. “Duck Amuck” is absolutely my favorite Looney Tunes short of all time.

This “Duck Amuck” lobby card from 1953 features Daffy Duck battling a hand wielding a fountain pen.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

It's been a few years since I last did a 100% Ocarina of Time run. But I don't know that I *ever* did it for my original gold cartridge from childhood. While this one I've bought recently isn't that, I've now done the thing in spirit. Still a gosh dang masterpiece.

I've taken a photo of the File Select screen from Ocarina of Time being played via the Analogue 3D. I've collected every Heart Piece/Container and doubled my defense, all storyline items are collected, and there are 0 deaths recorded.

A look at my Quest Status screen shows I've slain all 100 Gold Skulltulas.

The End screen from Ocarina of Time shows Young Link approaching Princess Zelda in Hyrule Castle in sepia tone.

I've displayed my "new old Ocarina of Time cartridge" of the gold, 1.0 variety next to the official Club Nintendo physical release of the Ocarina of Time 3D OST.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

This was my first time beating Kirby 64 without savestates in quite a while—probably since the Wii era. I forgot: this game has real teeth to it, haha! It was funny seeing the Crystal Shards that the game's previous/original owner left behind—the ones that gave me the most trouble in my playthrough.

I've taken a photo of Kirby 64 being played via the Analogue 3D. The Fairy Queen/Princess gives Adeleine a "medal" of sorts featuring one of the Crystal Shards.

In the final scene before credits, Kirby tumbles down stairs after being smooched by Ribbon and losing his footing.

My 100% complete file is shown here, the second of two save files in the game. The first one, from the previous owner, has only 90% completion and is saved at Level 6 instead of Level 7.

My complete-in-box copy of Kirby 64 is displayed here, behind plushies of Ribbon (left) and Adeleine (right).

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

I have been very disappointed with the save files of the many Nintendo 64 games I’ve bought recently (like a Mario 64 with several files that had less than 10 stars.) But THIS ONE is legendary.

I’ve taken a photo of Banjo-Kazooie on Nintendo 64 being played via the Analogue 3D. The third save file, with Banjo playing Game Boy, has 50 hours, 38 minutes, and 25 seconds logged into it. A former owner of this game collected 89 jigsaws and 689 notes. Kazooie says, “Press A to play the game or Z to erase it.”

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

A startling realization this Saturday morning: “Adult Link” in Ocarina of Time is less than half my age. But he was seven years older than me when I first played the game in 1998. 😜 I want to play a Zelda game with a REAL Adult Link—where the hero is a jaded but courageous guy in his late 30s.

I’ve taken a photo of Ocarina of Time on Nintendo 64 being played via the Analogue 3D. It’s the iconic scene where Adult Link first appears on screen and Navi says, “Look! You’re big now!! You’ve grown up!” I’ve named the player character Jon, as I’ve always done since childhood.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

I beat Lost Records: Bloom & Rage yesterday! I was reading theories about the story online and saw someone say, “This game is basically a sapphic reimagining of IT.” I think that’s pretty spot on. If you’re a fan of early Life is Strange, I recommend this one wholeheartedly.

In this scene from Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, four teenage girls have gathered around a sinkhole emanating a mysterious, supernatural aura. They’re each holding hands looking down at it.

A meteor shower is shooting across the night sky in the game.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

I've played enough of Air Riders' single player mode to call it "beaten." Almost at 100% for its long list of Achievements, too. This game exceeded my already high expectations. I'll sit and play this thing for hundreds of hours over the years. I haven't even *opened* City Trial yet. I won't stop.

In one of the ending screens for Kirby Air Riders' "Road Trip", Planet Popstar gleams in space with THE END in blocky white text across its center.

I've completed 144/150 "Checklist items" (Achievements) for Road Trip, including the one I have highlighted, "Play Road Trip for a total of 200 min." A mural of the Air Riders cast is almost fully visible.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

The last (and most expensive) of my childhood Game Gear games has been completed. Tails Adventure is pretty ambitious for an 8-bit title—but the execution doesn't quite nail it IMO. If you've ever been curious about an attempt at a "Sonic Metroidvania", I *kinda* recommend it (if you use a guide.)

In this screenshot from Tails Adventure for the Game Gear, the full map is available for me to explore, including the final level, a floating, militarized-looking BATTLE FORTRESS.

Tails has built a robot that slightly resembles him, with speed shoes and a happy face, as a blue Flicky watches to the right. The text PRESENTED BY SEGA is underneath, indicating the end of the game's credits.

Item Detection Ratio: 100 Percent is in white text on a black background.

A Jakks Pacific "Classic Tails" figurine is hidden slightly behind and holding up my childhood cartridge of Tails Adventure in its protective plastic case.

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

I am SO EXCITED to play more games from ~30 years ago. This really has been a phenomenal day. 😂

A piece of my shipping confirmation email from Analogue regarding my Analogue 3D. The snippet says, "1x Analogue 3D - Black. They are being shipped to [my address, not shown.]"

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Jonathan Higgins @radicaldefect.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

I went into Legend of Illusion expecting it to be "mid", because it's the Illusion game that nobody's heard of. It's not! It slaps!! Legend of Illusion might be my secret favorite of the bunch?! It does some wild stuff for an 8-bit game. A true visual treat. I'm so happy I went through the series.

In this screenshot from Legend of Illusion on the Game Gear, Mickey raises his hat greeting the handful of forest creatures that have arrived at the Tree of Life's lush forest, close to the end of the game.

King Mickey greets his public from the castle balcony. "Long live the new king! Long live King Mickey!"

THE END is in blocky red text with a yellow outline on a black background.

My complete "Illusion" collection is displayed here. Castle of Illusion on the SEGA Master System, World of Illusion on Genesis, Land of Illusion on SMS again, and Legend of Illusion on Game Gear, all CIB.

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