Deck the Halls With Hit Points: 2025’s Best Hallmark Video‐Game Ornaments

Sponsored by

Fun Fact: Did you know that Red Dead Redemption 2’s horses shrink their testicles in cold weather—an example of Rockstar’s extreme attention to detail.

In today’s email:

• Taito’s Midnight Landing Arrives Tomorrow on All Major Consoles

• Two Screens, One Big Throwback: Ayaneo Pocket DS Is a Modern Love Letter to the DS Era

• Deck the Halls With Hit Points: 2025’s Best Hallmark Video‑Game Ornaments

A W-2, a Laundromat Owner, & a Billionaire Walk Into a Room…

NOVEMBER 2-4 | AUSTIN, TX

At Main Street Over Wall Street 2025, you’ll learn the exact playbook we’ve used to help thousands of “normal” people find, fund, negotiate, and buy profitable businesses that cash flow.

Use code BHP500 to save $500 on your ticket today (this event WILL sell out).

Click here to get your ticket, see the speaker list, schedule, and more.

Taito’s Midnight Landing Arrives Tomorrow on All Major Consoles

Get ready for liftoff — and landing. Taito’s classic 1987 flight sim Midnight Landing makes a surprise return tomorrow, October 23, launching on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S as part of the company’s continuing “Taito Arcade Archives Revival” series.

A Night Flight Like No Other

Originally designed as an arcade experience featuring Taito’s revolutionary "mirror projection" cockpit cabinet, Midnight Landing was an atmospheric flight simulation decades ahead of its time. Players guided jumbo jets through pitch-black skies using realistic instrumentation, with the challenge intensifying as visibility dropped and turbulence kicked in.

This new version brings the full arcade experience home — complete with enhanced visuals, adaptive trigger feedback for PlayStation controllers, gyro-assisted flight on Switch, and a new “Classic Mode” that preserves the raw analog feel of the original 1987 hardware.

From the Arcades to the Skies of Today

Midnight Landing was the first in Taito’s Landing series, later followed by Top Landing (1988) and Air Inferno (1990). The game became a cult favorite in Japan, famous for its immersive flight yoke and CRT horizon display — a setup many aviation fans consider a technical marvel of its era.

Now, Taito’s revival team, working alongside Hamster Corporation (known for their Arcade Archives line), has meticulously restored the game with modern touches. Expect full leaderboard support, rewind assists for newcomers, and optional CRT and cabinet view filters for the nostalgic purist.

retroRegional Access and Launch Details

Midnight Landing will be available digitally worldwide on October 23, 2025, though physical editions will initially release only in Japan and Europe through Limited Run’s partnership. The game supports English, Japanese, and French menus, with minor localization differences in the flight log system.

Quick Trivia

• Developer: Taito Corporation (original), remastered by Hamster Corp.

• First Released: 1987 (Arcade)

• Series: The Landing trilogy (Midnight Landing, Top Landing, Air Inferno)

• Fun Fact: The original cabinet used mirrored rear projection to create the illusion of depth in flight — one of the first of its kind in arcade history.

• Extra Mode: “Pilot’s Challenge” adds new weather patterns and time-of-day cycles.

Final Approach

With its mix of realism, nostalgia, and subtle modernization, Midnight Landing is a love letter to aviation history and Taito’s golden age of simulation. Whether you’re a vintage arcade collector or a modern gamer looking for something different, tomorrow’s landing might be the smoothest one yet.

Prepare for descent — Midnight Landing touches down October 23.

Two Screens, One Big Throwback: Ayaneo Pocket DS Is a Modern Love Letter to the DS Era

If you grew up tapping out rhythms in Elite Beat Agents or mapping dungeons with a stylus in Etrian Odyssey, Ayaneo’s new Pocket DS feels like a time capsule cracked open and rebuilt for 2025. It’s a dual‑screen, clamshell Android handheld with a 7‑inch 1080p/165Hz OLED up top and a 5‑inch 4:3 touch panel below—complete with Ayaneo’s own multitasking tricks that move apps between screens with a three‑finger swipe. In short: the DS fantasy, without the cartridges—and with way more horsepower.

The Pitch: Nostalgia, but Make It 165Hz

AYANEO Pocket DS - AYANEO the world’s first clamshell dual‑screen Android handheld. It’s built around Qualcomm’s Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, backed by hall‑effect triggers, TMR anti‑drift sticks, front‑facing speakers, and an 8,000mAh battery. That OLED/LCD combo isn’t just for show; the company’s software lets each screen run different apps (guides, Discord, playlists, or even a second game), or you can disable one to save juice and focus. It’s a clever, modern spin on what made the DS magic in the first place.

Why It Hits the Feels

Where the OG DS gave you maps, inventory, or touch gimmicks, Pocket DS gives you flexibility. Fire up an Android RPG on the OLED, keep your wiki and stat tracker locked to the 4:3 panel, or stream from PC/console while monitoring chat below. Ayaneo’s new DS‑style launcher and dual‑screen control center aim to make that flow feel “first‑party,” not jury‑rigged.

Hardware & Design

Screens: 7" OLED (1080p, up to 165Hz, up to 800 nits) + 5" LCD (1024×768, 4:3, up to 550 nits).
Controls: TMR sticks (to fight drift), hall‑effect triggers, micro‑switch/film buttons.
Internals: Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, LPDDR5X memory, UFS storage, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, microSD, USB‑C.
Cooling & Battery: PC‑grade turbo fan, copper plate, 8,000mAh battery.
In Japan, Ayaneo lists the weight around 655g, so it’s closer to a chunky handheld PC than a featherweight pocket rocket.

The Software Angle: Dual‑Screen Done Right

Ayaneo’s latest software build leans hard into the form factor:

• Display Modes: Independent (two apps), Main‑only, or Second‑only—toggle with a dedicated key.

• Gestures: Three‑finger swipe swaps apps/screens instantly.

• Focus Lock: Choose which screen accepts touch so accidental taps don’t wreck your run.

• DS Launcher: A dual‑screen‑aware app drawer, multitask manager, and quick controls tailored to the lower panel.

It’s the difference between “a cool gimmick” and a device you actually use like a two‑screen console.

A Brief History Lesson (and Why This Isn’t a Flip Re‑Run)

Ayaneo’s been on a tear since 2020, shipping Windows handhelds (Next, Kun), Android handhelds (Pocket S), and even a prior dual‑screen clamshell: the Flip DS—a powerful, pricey Windows machine that proved the format could work, just not for everyone. Pocket DS shifts to Android for a friendlier price and lighter OS footprint, and it shows; this feels more like a modern DS/3DS spiritual successor than a tiny laptop.

Launch Plan, Regions & How to Get One

• Global Crowdfunding: The Pocket DS campaign launched on Indiegogo, with early‑bird tiers starting at $399 for 8GB/128GB. Ayaneo projects shipments beginning October 2025 for higher‑spec models. (As always with crowdfunding, timelines can slide.)

• China First Shipments: In mainland China, Ayaneo priced models from ¥2,699 and indicated shipments would start late September.

• Japan Retail: Distributor Tenku is bringing official units to Japan in early December, with local pricing and a clear color‑to‑configuration map: lower capacities in Shadow Black, the 16GB/1TB in Starry Yellow or Retro Gray.

• Colors & “Exclusivity”: The Retro Gray finish is treated as a limited option and tied to the top‑end 16GB/1TB configuration in the crowdfunding run—so the throwback color is effectively gated, not broadly available across trims.

• Shipping Reach: Ayaneo’s Indiegogo FAQ states it ships worldwide, with caveats for places carriers can’t reach.

• First Hands‑On Look: Ayaneo showed Pocket DS at ChinaJoy 2025 and detailed it during a late‑July strategy stream. If you want the official look at features and the “why” behind them, start there.

How It Plays (Our Early Take)

As an Android handheld, Pocket DS slots neatly into emulation, native mobile games, and cloud streaming. The 4:3 lower panel is a cheat code for classic dual‑screen systems and portrait‑friendly retro titles, while the OLED up top makes modern action look shockingly crisp at high refresh rates. Couple that with a quick toggle to shut off the second screen and you can squeeze more life out of the battery for games that don’t benefit from two panes. It’s not a featherweight, but perched on a stand or braced on a desk, the concept sings.

Quick Sidebar

• Developer DNA: Ayaneo was founded in 2020 by CEO Arthur Zhang and has leaned heavily on crowdfunding to launch hardware. Motto: “Real gamers, know gamers.”

• Specs Snapshot: Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, up to 16GB LPDDR5X, UFS storage (UFS 3.1 on 128GB, UFS 4.0 on higher), Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, microSD slot, USB‑C.

• Standout Features: 165Hz OLED main screen, 4:3 lower display for retro authenticity, TMR sticks + hall triggers, PC‑grade fan, 8,000mAh battery.

• Predecessor Check: Want Windows and dual screens? The Flip DS paved the way—great idea, premium price. Pocket DS chases accessibility instead.

• Timeline: Pre‑orders opened July 29, ChinaJoy hands‑on Aug 1, global pricing stream in mid‑August, with China shipments targeting late September and Indiegogo units following in October (higher‑spec first).

Verdict So Far

Pocket DS isn’t just a neat nostalgia play—it’s a thoughtful rethink of what a second screen can do on a handheld today. If the software polish sticks the landing and battery life holds up with one screen off, Ayaneo may have built the most convincing modern DS‑like experience yet—without turning your wallet into a save point.

Ready to Dual‑Screen Your Backlog?

Crowdfunding perks come and go, colors are tied to configs, and regional rollouts vary—but if you’ve been waiting for a proper dual‑screen handheld that respects both retro and right now, the Pocket DS is the one to watch. Keep your stylus (or your thumbs) at the ready and tell us what classic you’d boot up first.

Deck the Halls With Hit Points: 2025’s Best Hallmark Video‑Game Ornaments

Hallmark’s latest gaming Keepsake ornaments continue to do what they’ve quietly nailed for years: shrink big era‑defining games and consoles into palm‑sized sculpts that still sound and feel like the real thing. Press the power button on the 2025 Xbox 360 console and you’ll hear Halo 3 audio as the ring of light glows. The NES console returns with the unmistakable Super Mario Bros. theme. Even Jigglypuff serenades your living room. That blend of toy‑box scale and legit audiovisual flair is why these pieces aren’t just decorations—they’re playable memories.

What’s New (and Newly Back) This Season

• Xbox 360 Console (Magic Light & Sound) — A miniature of the white 360 with a matching controller; press the power button for light and Halo 3 effects.

• Halo 3 Video Game Case — Master Chief literally pops from the classic green case art; a love letter to the 2007 “Finish the Fight” moment.

• Powered Up With Mario: Elephant Mario — From Super Mario Bros. Wonder, this continuation in the Mario power‑up series captures the goofy‑majestic new form.

• Sonic the Hedgehog: Sega Genesis — Sonic cartridge, in a Sega Genesis Console.

• Animal Crossing: Timmy & Tommy — The Nooklings cheer on your holiday island life from a display base.

• Mario Kart Princess Peach — Kart wheels that actually turn for an extra hit of motion on the branch.

• From the Archives: 8‑Bit Link (with sound) and Mario with Question Block — Fan‑favorite reissues, originally 2018 and 2017, return so newer collectors can fill gaps.

Hands‑On Highlights & Retro Context

The 360 Era, Rebooted for Your Tree

The Xbox 360 Console ornament nails the mid‑2000s vibe down to the faceplate contours—and it plays Halo 3 sounds when you hit the power button. It’s a smart match: Bungie’s Halo 3 (2007) was the cultural apex of the 360’s early years and launched with record‑setting revenue, making it perfect “ambient audio” for a nostalgia‑powered tree.

Also from that moment: The Halo 3 Video Game case ornament is a showpiece. It’s a dynamic diorama of Master Chief bursting from the box art—exactly the kind of “blink and smile” sculpt you expect from the Keepsake line.

Wonder‑Era Mario, Trunk and All

Elephant Mario carries the charm of Super Mario Bros. Wonder—a 2D comeback that dared to get weird. The Elephant Fruit power‑up lets Mario swing his trunk and store water in‑game; the ornament lands that playful bulk and rounded silhouette. (It’s part of the ongoing Powered Up With Mario series, so expect more power‑ups to rotate in.) Release context: Wonder hit Switch in October 2023.

Go Super

Super Sonic taps into series canon: gather all seven Chaos Emeralds and Sonic transforms into his “Super state,” which the sculpt captures with that sharp‑spiked, golden look. It’s a clean, display‑friendly pose that reads instantly across the room.

Cozy Capitalism, Island Edition

Timmy & Tommy bring Animal Crossing: New Horizons energy—the 2020 hit that turned collecting and decorating into a global comfort hobby—onto a small base that’s perfect for lower branches or a desk tree.

Kart Drifting in Miniature

Princess Peach (Mario Kart) earns a nod for interactivity: the wheels turn. It’s a tiny touch that sells motion—exactly what kart fans want from a static display.

Archives & “It Plays!” Throwbacks

If you missed them the first time, the 8‑bit Link (with the classic theme) and Mario punching a Question Block are back from the Keepsake Archives program. And if you’re building a console branch, the NES Console still lights up and plays the OG Super Mario Bros. music—instant crowd‑pleaser when the tree’s on.

How to Get Them: Dates, Access & Regional Notes

• Release Windows. Hallmark’s big drops are Keepsake Ornament Premiere (mid‑July) and Ornament Debut (mid‑October). 2025’s windows: July 12–20 and Oct. 11–19. Some limited‑quantity pieces show up only at these events.

• KOC Early Access. The Keepsake Ornament Club often includes an Early Shopping Pass for in‑store head starts (e.g., the day before Premiere) and member‑only pieces. If you love completionism, it’s worth it.

• Event Exclusives. Hallmark’s PopMinded convention items are truly limited and sometimes gaming‑themed. This year includes a Minecraft Nether Portal lighted ornament (1,500 units) with stock split between SDCC and NYCC and a small online allotment. In 2024, PopMinded even offered a SEGA Genesis Gold Console variant. Expect queues.

• Region & Shipping. Hallmark’s U.S. site ships to U.S. addresses only. Canadian fans have a dedicated Hallmark Canada storefront with domestic shipping. If a listing is marked “Online only,” it may not be in local stores.

Quick Sidebar

• Developers behind the games. Halo 3 was developed by Bungie; its 9/25/2007 launch defined the 360 era. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a Nintendo production and debuted in 2023.

• Why Super Sonic is gold. Sonic’s golden “Super” look is canon: collect all seven Chaos Emeralds to transform—yes, even modern manuals still spell that out.

• Artist credits that collectors love. The 2025 Xbox 360 and Princess Peach ornaments are by Orville Wilson; the returning 8‑bit Link is by Jake Angell; the 2025 Super Sonic is credited to Nello Williams in the Dream Book.

• Gameplay baked into the branch. The NES console plays Super Mario Bros. music; Jigglypuff sings; the 360 plays Halo 3 audio. That’s the “Magic Light & Sound” secret sauce.

• Release‑day nostalgia. Microsoft called Halo 3’s debut the biggest day in U.S. entertainment at the time—$170M in 24 hours—so hearing those sounds at home hits different.

• Case art as sculpture. The Halo 3 game‑case ornament literally renders Chief emerging from the cover—tiny diorama, big punch.

Verdict & Sign‑Off

If your tree doubles as a museum of cozy gaming memories, this year’s batch is a slam dunk. The Xbox 360 and Halo 3 pairing deliver the loudest “I was there” energy, Elephant Mario keeps the hobby current, and Super Sonic is pure visual pop for anyone who grew up chasing emeralds. Just mark your calendar for Premiere/Debut, consider KOC for early access, and check your region before you cart—some of the best stuff moves fast or stays U.S./Canada‑only. See you in the checkout lobby—bring extra LR44s and a sense of wonder.

Become an email marketing GURU!

If you want to attend the world's largest virtual email marketing event, now is the time to reserve your spot.

The GURU Conference will feature big names like Nicole Kidman, Amy Porterfield, Lance Bass (for real!), and 40+ More!

It’s two epic days packed with everything email marketing. 100% Free. 100% virtual. Join us Nov 6–7th.

Spots are limited!

I want in! (US attendees only!)

We hope you tune back in for our next issue, where we'll dive deep into more retro gaming news!