If any video game character can sum up 2020, it's PS1 Hagrid. This low-poly incarnation of the kindly groundskeeper made his one and only appearance back in Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone on the original PlayStation, but he's made a lasting impression.
In recent years, PS1 Hagrid returned to the public consciousness as a popular meme - mostly because his vacant expression and poorly defined features were becoming more and more relatable to a generation who were starting to feel trapped and helpless. Kind of like an NPC doomed to wander around in a shit video game. With 2020 continuing its unrelenting war against our collective happiness, PS1 Hagrid has only become more of a vibe. The only vibe I can get down with.
That's my hot take, at least: we are all PS1 Hagrid in 2020. Perhaps that's why I'm slightly heartened to have learned that there's actually all kinds of unofficial merch out there dedicated to the mangled mess of pathetic polygons.
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I'm not entirely sure how I first stumbled into this strange world, but I remember coming face to face with PS1 Hagrid throw pillows on Redbubble and feeling my hand instinctively reach for my wallet. As you can see for yourself below, this is a service that prints whatever design you want onto pillows/blankets/cushions/mugs/whatever, but PS1 Hagrid seems to be one of the more popular choices. Why? Because he gets it. He just does.
Even as I write this, I'm resisting the urge to order PS1 Hagrid shirts, pencil cases, stickers, and the rest. I'm this close to turning my spare room into a shrine honouring the big fella himself, the only character in all of video games who understands what we're all going through this year.
Again, I should point out that this merch is entirely unofficial and clearly made by fans, because I can't imagine Warner Bros. or EA are aware there's a market for printing a nihilistic retro gaming meme all over everything. More fool them. The upshot of this is that you can order all the sad Hagrid you want and know that JK Rowling isn't getting a penny - that's bound to make a fair few Harry Potter fans happy.
Featured Image Credit: Sony/EATopics: EA, PlayStation
