Aragon's Games & Goods

06/18/2026

Throwback Thursday

So I'm going to go in a little different direction.
I want to talk about the NES but maybe in a different perspective.

Yes I remember the feeling of turning it on the first time. Everytime I load in Super Mario for a split second it takes me back. Just can't think of a time that hits that place in my memory except when I play River Raid on the atari 2600 with my dad. Such good memories.

​I remember looking at that little gray box and thinking how magical it was. I used to think about how incredibly smart the people were who created it, and I was convinced I could never do something like that.
​Well, fast forward to today—some 40 years later—and now I’m actually working on them. Having worked on so many of them by now, it has easily become one of my favorite systems to service, simply because of how beautifully basic it is. It never stops amazing me how simple the mechanics truly are. You have a single board. You don't have to deal with thermal paste, and you don't have a massive processor to worry about like you do with modern consoles. There are no HDMI ports to fuss with, and even the controller ports are straightforward. In fact, the controllers themselves almost never actually go bad—they just get dirty. It really is just such a beautifully simple machine.

​Case in point: I'm sitting here working on one today, and lo and behold, I find what looks like a mud dauber or wasp nest that had taken up residence right inside it. So, I get to clean that out and polish this thing all the way back to looking brand new.
​The truly amazing thing, though, is just how robust these machines were. Even with all the dirt, everything looking a mess inside, and having literally become a home to insects, the damn thing still worked. It is such a testament to how they built stuff back then. And it’s funny—even back then, we used to complain that things weren't made as good as they used to be! It’s just crazy to me.
​But all in all, I just love the simplicity of these old machines.

Have a great day,
See you tomorrow.

06/13/2026

FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHT: NES ZAPPER THROWDOWN!

​Got a great matchup for tonight’s post. We're pitting two absolute pillars of the 1985 NES launch lineup against each other. Both of these classic Black Box titles defined light gun gaming, but we want to know which one takes the crown for you.

​In one corner, we have Duck Hunt. It’s the game that made us all masters of the skies—and probably gave us a lifelong complex thanks to a certain laughing dog.

​In the other corner, we have Hogan's Alley. The ultimate 8-bit test of split-second reflexes and hardware precision.

​Both look incredible sitting on a shelf, but only one can win tonight.

06/12/2026

Beat the Father's Day Rush!

​Why wait until the last minute to grab another boring tie? Give Dad the gift of his childhood memories.
​Come by the booth, check out the fresh stock, and lock down the perfect gift today!

JUST ADDED: The Super Nintendo (SNES)!
​The 16-bit powerhouse we’ve been talking about all week is officially on the shelf! This beauty has been completely broken down, meticulously deep-cleaned, and fully tested to ensure it’s running flawlessly. It looks crisp, plays perfectly, and is ready to fire up some classic Super Mario World or Donkey Kong Country. It’s the ultimate centerpiece for any retro collection.

​
Find us at our booth inside the St. Charles Antique Mall!

🏃‍♂️ First come, first served—when these systems are gone, they're gone!
​

06/11/2026

Throwback Thursday... with a bit of a twist.

​I’ve been working on a project that’s a bit of a stretch, but I really wanted to pay homage to some of those incredible dual-tone N64 variants that were exclusive to Japan (like the old Jusco 30th Anniversary edition).
​Instead of just doing standard shell swaps, I decided to split them up to create two completely opposite looks.

​I ended up with two different styles, and honestly, I’m torn on which one I like better:

​🔴 The "Jusco" Style (11891.jpg): Clear red top deck with the classic charcoal black base.

⚫ The Inverted Style (11892.jpg): Classic charcoal top deck with that vibrant clear red glowing underneath.

Of course before anyone says anything... I'm waiting on the front badges to show up.. and I'm looking for another N64 to complete the other. But you at least get an idea what I'm doing.

​Help me settle this—which side are you on? Are you digging the Top Red or the Bottom Red?
​Drop a comment and let me know!
​

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Workbench Wednesday:
Super NES Rescue!

​Hey everyone, running a little late today but this rescue was too good not to share!

​Take a look at this Super Nintendo I rescued from the Wentzville flea market. It has definitely seen better days. It came to the bench in pretty rough shape—the most critical issue being a completely broken power port.

​Here’s what’s been done so far:

​Soldering Fix: Desoldered the broken jack and cleanly soldered on a brand-new, solid power port.

​Retro-Briting: The shell went through the retro-brite process to reverse years of stubborn yellowing and bring back that classic, original gray.

​Deep Clean: It's getting the full treatment inside and out to clear out decades of flea market dust.

​The hard work is done, and it's currently on the assembly line. Make sure to check back in later to see the final product fully restored and ready for action!

Just added the final product. Hope you enjoy.

06/07/2026

Today's event at FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar for Jams and Gems was fantastic. Terrance Wafer's music was superb, and we met some wonderful people. We're grateful for the visitors who dropped by and anticipate returning in July for their upcoming event. FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar

06/07/2026

We're setup and ready at FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar . Come on out and see all the Gems and listen to some Jams today.

06/06/2026

We will be attending the FLOCK Food Truck Park & Bar in Alton for their Jams & Gems event tomorrow!! It goes from 10-2. Come on out hope to see you there.

06/05/2026

Check this out

Who has one, some, or
a full collection 🤠🤙🔥