The very best and worst of games merchandise

PHOENIX WRIGHT PLAYING CARDS

Having a pack of cards is always handy, and it's always nice to have a pack that has something other than the run-of-the-mill pictures. This set features the attorney that made everyone like lawyers again - Phoenix Wright - as the Ace of Hearts, along with other characters from all four of the Nintendo DS games including Maya, Mia, and Edgeworth.

Where'd it come from?: Capcom Japan shop, Play-Asia.com.

MARIO MOUSE

Perhaps not 100% practical but kind of cool nonetheless. This little pixellated Mario figure is also a USB computer mouse. His little red hat? The left side is the left button, and the right side, well, I'm sure you can work it out.

In Japan, there's all kind of awesome Nintendo merchandise to be had that us mere mortals can't get our mitts on in the West, and the Mario mouse is part of a whole series which also includes the star and the mushroom.

Where'd it come from?: Banpresto toy, selected Japanese stores, US and European specialist online retailers.

CHOCOBO RUBBER DUCK

Everyone needs a rubber duck to brighten up their bathroom, and why not geek out and get a cute little Chocobo or two? Judging by his (her?) expression he's not too happy about being in the water, but never mind.

For those of you unfamiliar with chocobos, they are cute yellow creatures, something of a cross between a chicken and a horse, which have become one of the constants in Square Enix's Final Fantasy role-playing series. The little critters are so popular that they've even spawned their own games - namely Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon and Chocobo Tales. Of course, there's plenty more Chocobo merchandise where that came from, including plushies, scarves, pocket watches and t-shirts.

Where'd it come from?: The Square Enix Japan Store.

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