EDIT: Thanks for the early b-day wishes but my birthday is still ten days away. Just saying. <X3

Hi everyone!
Hope you've been well. Just wanting to update with what has been on my radar of late.

Marc and Games:
I know, nothing new regarding that most of us like video games and computer games (I'm more in the first category usually), and with that you occasionally have a bit of the unlucky situation of having to either repair or get rid of old hardware. I finally made some time and during my spring cleaning I looked at my several generations of video game systems to see how well everything still works. For the ones interested, I have some curious stories to share:

1. Sent Nintendo several things for a repair:
In total four things, namely my not even one year old Nintendo Switch OLED, a left Joycon, A Nintendo 3DS XL and a Nintendo 3DS.
-The Switch OLED had a case of overheating and the orange screen of deathwhich apparently is a condition that can occur. I assume my Switch turned on inside its carrying case that I usually use and ran for a long while accumulating heat somehow. Each time I'd turn it on, the orange screen would come up instead of the menu.
I assume the repair service just had to solder something surrounding the WiFi chip (at least that was what my research resulted in). Since it was all within warranty, I got it fixed and back for free.
-The Joycon had drift (yeah, the thing that gamers hate a bunch about Nintendo Switch) and to my surprise the plastic near the shoulder trigger had a crack. I swear, I don't throw or keep dropping things so somehow I get unlucky with some materials in Nintendo products.
Anyways, they completely exchanged the Joycon to a new one, though since it was outside warranty I paid for it partially.
-My 3DS XL had a broken hinge. I had that happen to several Nintendo DS systems in the past as well. It's very infuriatng to me. I knew it would cost me a bit to get it fixed but I liked the blue Xerneas version of the model and wanted the shell exchanged.
To my absolute surprise they actually had the same model shell completely in mint condition still there and it's now looking fresh and new.
-Lastly, my very first 3DS that I really liked a bunch (aqua blue version that I used to decorate with a printed out drawing of Shiny and Brakk from my gallery and that I took to many events for StreetPass). The problem with it was that I likely must have bent the charging port out of the mainboard over time. The contacts wouldn't react and charge as intended no matter which charger I would use.
The repair service told me that they were not able to simply repair it as they are stopping 3DS repairs soon. They offered me though to a lowered price to exchange my old 3DS against a different one. Interestingly, said version turned out to be a limited model, namely the Ocarina of Time 3DS in black with musical instruments and the Triforce decorating the top.

All in all, a really positive experience. The best part for me was that I could just log into my Nintendo Network ID on there and just insert the SD card from my old 3DS and all the software saved on it flawlessly worked with that. All I additionally had to do was putting down folders again and sort my downloaded software titles back as well as apply the "Nintendo Badge Arcade" badges again.

2. Console modding is not for me
Another thing that I tried my clumsy hands on was fixing up an old Nintendo DS Lite (which also suffered from a broken hinge). Got a replacement shell online and watched a guide for taking the thing apart.
I only recommend this if you are better with tinkering than myself. I won't try it again.
Positives: I managed to exchange the shell and now looks good with the non-floppy broken hinge
Negatives: Putting it together was such a huge pain! Especially with the springs for the shoulder buttons seemed to never want to stay where they should. Drove me mad for two days straight. I also somehow messed it up with the new screen protectors and now not only the touch screen does work incorrectly at times but there are scratches on the screens, too.
I guess it still works okay as a display system and for whenever I might try out moving Pokémon from a GBA cartridge to a DS system still (not sure if I actually will), but it definitely cemented in me that I am terrible with delicate things and won't try taking apart a game system again. ^_^'


3. Potentially the final gaming generation for me(?):
Thought about it for a while and I might possibly stop my hobby of video games with this generation of consoles. I simply haven't been able to play all the games that I wanted on all the current to retro systems and the influx of new games simply is too big nowadays and without having the space for a new system and me being indecisive over selling an older one, I might go that step finally and just stick with playing what I have collected since my childhood. Could decide against that at some point in the future but for now it feels to me like the reasonable decision.


Spring cleaning:
Went through all my cupboards, my little TV rack and drawers to sort through what things I might part ways with. Aside from my Nintendo DS Lite I also have a silver Nintendo DS (the old fat one) and I honestly am unsure if I should try to salvage that one and keep it. The functions are basically the same as the DS Lite after all and It just takes away space now. I have an old camcorder that I currently went forward investing money into getting the old DV tapes salvaged for my relatives as my PC doesn't have Firewire ports. A bunch of old PC and video game system cables that sadly aren't in pristine condition any longer I also sorted out (usually treating my things well but I have been struggling with how to properly store some of the cables).
Also been sorting through stuff like old posters, Trading cards and games themselves, from which I will try to sell whatever I can get something back from or simply find a new home in my neighborhood. Put all the things in boxes and just have to record them soon enough.

That aside I am pretty happy with how I rearranged some of the space in my cupboards for the time being. Wanted to do that for a while and now finally did it. Might change things again whenever I might move to another room or have a change of furniture at home. That would definitely be a little dream come true since I would love to decorate my place with my Totodile stuff, LEDs and a bit of a fun and modern flair someday. For now I am happy with the little adjustments of my old interior. <X3


Time flies:
Yeah, it's a bit of a silly thing how with daily duties and all, I often run late on replying back to people and have to move back on personal plans. Still ahving dreams of a nice room, someday visiting Japan, and generally all the fun art related things here.
As for recent times:
-Been finally getting around getting some ideas of my mascot Shiny realised. Might share such things whenever I can update my gallery.
-My b-day is coming up in ten days on April 2nd once more. I don't expect any big surprises but that's not what it is about anyways. Simply wishing for staying healthy and that people won't forget me.
-Excited for potentially the first little trip of the year when a big circus named Roncalli will visit a neighbouring city again. They do lovely shows with acrobats and clowns, music and dance. Loving the atmosphere of such shows and want to watch their new program.
-Pokémon! I recently felt like catching up with several games again. Around Christmas I played "Pokémon Scarlet"'s "Treasure of Area Zero" DLC which I found very substential and entertaining with loads of double battles, some interesting characters, giving Koraidon/Miraidon a flight ability and Totodile being the cherry on top. Had fun taking photos with the little guy all around the Paldea, Kitakami and Blueberry Academy maps.
I also finally played through "Pokémon Sword" which I once won in a raffle and which went quite quick considering I had "Pokémon Shield" played through already and could also use "Pokémon Scarlet" for quick leveling and plowing through the gym challenge.
Lastly "Pokémon Shining Pearl" was the most revent game that I played. I was a bit annoyed by how some of the aspects from the older DS games were just ported here and not updated. Like that the Amity Square still persists on telling me that only their selection of Pokémon is considered 'cute' infuriated me to no end...And then I find out at the very end this game had a special unlock of follow Pokémon there! Argh! Though yeah, unlocked that late and had a fun time running about with a Totodile like how I imagined it back in Gen 4. Generally have to say though, I liked some of the visuals of the battle backgrounds and how the Pokémon were presented in the postgame area Ramanas Park. Just wished they wouldn't have chibified nearly everything in that remake elseway. Other than that, the elite 4 and champion Cynthia were still very strong, some of the areas in the game funny to visit and the underground map a bit boring, but yeah, I had my fun.
Will have to see if I try my hands on "Pokémon Legends Arceus" next or possibly jump back onto my 3DS and play "Pokémon Crystal". The "Pokémon Home" app with its own Pokédex gives a neat incentive for trying to catch them all. I at least must admit that while I don't think I can actually catch them all, I managed to accumulate all kanto Dex entries, all Johto entries except Celebi, as well as a bunch of the other generation Pokémon, which is definitely something that I didn't think I'd ever attempt, haha. X3

Hmm, what else do I look forward to...I honestly cannot say yet. My interest for recent animated movies is there but I don't know...Somehow I rather want to just check out old stuff properly finally. Might look into watching older animated shows and cartoons. What I am still enjoying though are current anime. Looking forward to check out "The Boy and the Heron", "Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine", or "Digimon 02: The Beginning" and various shows that are still running or returning. Also definitely need to finally start watching the new Pokémon series.

In terms of creative content, I still love to see what amusing ideas people might like involving Shiny in and have yet to note down a few more ideas of my own. I managed to make another essay-like document with image links containing a handful of concepts already. Will see if I can collect more of my thoughts in the same direction soon enough.


Anyways, I hope you are all enjoying your day! Make sure to hug a Camerupt (March 23rd equals 323 which is Camerupt's number in the National Dex) and seeing you on my b-day later on (or Totodile's Day if you so like, hehe). (-^.=.^-)