Why Logan Paul's Game Boy Project Made Fans Furious
Anyone that's been around the internet long enough knows that Logan Paul, famous internet-prankster-turned-boxer, loves to provoke reactions from viewers. Fans know that Paul has a shady side, and they also know he doesn't mind flaunting his wealth. He has a "Pokemon" card embedded in a flashy necklace, which got even more expensive after a "Pokemon" card shortage. He also paid $3.5 million for a box of first edition "Pokemon" cards to add to his growing collection. Around the same time as his "Pokemon" antics, Paul thought he'd found a new career in professional boxing, but some of his fights caused an uproar, inviting speculation that the bouts' outcomes were pre-planned. Now, Paul is causing a different sort of controversy by upsetting fans of classic game consoles.
On Dec. 26, Paul posted a video of a new art project he was working on to all of his social media accounts. The video showed the YouTuber crafting an epoxy resin tabletop in a "Pokemon"-themed frame. Paul carefully dipped 15 Game Boy Colors into resin before arranging them inside the tabletop, eventually filling the entire mold with epoxy. While the table looked visually stunning, a number of gamers did not take kindly to Paul's antics, and many spoke out about the alleged affront to retro gaming history.
Fans say Paul insulted collectors
On Twitter, those who saw the Game Boy Color art project seemed disappointed with Paul, mostly on the basis of game preservation. One commenter said, "A kid could've enjoyed his first game without a phone. A guy could've bought and played on it because of nostalgia. Someone could've been happy." While Paul didn't specify whether the Game Boys were functional or not, gamers speculated that the YouTuber would have been better off letting others purchase and play the retro handhelds, rather than use them for a piece of furniture.
Others were quick to point out that Paul hadn't done anything wrong, and that most kids would rather have a more current console than a Game Boy Color. Still, a strong contingent of readers felt that the project was wasteful, and deprived collectors of obtaining increasingly rare editions of the Game Boy Color, which will appreciate in value over time. One viewer pointed out that Game Boy Colors "aren't that rare yet," but that Paul's actions – and the actions of others attempting to emulate him – will speed up the process.
In the end, Paul just isn't staying true to himself if he isn't causing a stir online. And, you know, the table does look pretty cool. It even lights up and changes color to match Paul's mood.