LEVEL UP – Gallery 1988 Retro Gamer Art Exhibit

[ 0 ] February 17, 2012

Read this week’s “Level Up” featured on HelloGiggles.com!

For our five year anniversary, my boyfriend knew just how to please: he took me to the opening night of a video game art show at Gallery 1988.

The display will run in Los Angeles February 10 – March 3 (Wed – Sun: 11am – 6pm). Artwork is available for purchase online if you don’t live nearby. Prices range from $10 to $400.

Although there were over 30 pieces of my own 8-bit adventures decking the walls, my eyes caught the holy grail of childhood gaming… the game I never – NEVER – completed:

Mat Pringle “Ghosts and Goblins – ‘Die A Thousand Times In Your Underwear’” Print – $35. (inspired by Ghosts’nGoblins)

I apologize if Ghosts’n Goblins is a bit obscure for some of you, but I LOL’D… and I’m not talking about the half-ass “lol” you write in a text message. I’m talking about the real kind. The out-loud kind. It was involuntary; as if my soul was screaming out suddenly in the form of laughter. This game was torturous! Playing it was like that scene in the “Princess Bride” when Count Rugen experiments on Wesley: “I’ve just sucked one year of your life away. I might one day go as high as five, but I really don’t know what that would do to you.”

For those that don’t know the pain of Ghosts’n Goblins (1986 NES), it’s still considered one of the most difficult video games of all time. Seriously. Download it on your Wii just for “fun”. Our hero, Arthur, is allowed only two hits before his ever-awaiting death: one removes his armor revealing his boxer shorts, two turns him into a pile of bones.

I don’t believe anyone has ever beaten this game. Ever. And if you have, you’re a dirty liar.

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Here’s a short promo for the exhibit, by producer Joseph Adams with director Greg Borkman:

These were a few of my favorite pieces of art on display. Be sure to check out the full selection online. Which are your favorites? If you order one let me know!