With Hades 2 having just launched on Early Access, we might be waiting a little bit until we finally get to consume a little merch. However, if the new title reinvigorated your passion for the original and you find your home bereft of Hades branded goods, then you can still get on merchandise featuring Zagreus and friends.
Here are some of the great material objects that will help build a physical bridge between you and the Hades series.
10. Hades itself
With everything pushing digital these days, physical media has started to feel like a luxury. But if the internet one day imploded (we can only hope), wouldn’t you still want to play Hades? Thankfully, you can get the game pressed into plastic, just like the good old days.
Unfortunately, as of right now, the Switch version seems to be elusive. The PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S versions are still available, but it seems physical Hades is out of print, so you probably don’t want to hesitate.
9. Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry
This is cheating. I’ll cop to that. Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold isn’t actually Hades merch, but knowing more about the Greek pantheon will enhance your enjoyment of the game, I guarantee it. However, a lot of it can be dry, much of it contradicts other tales, and the density of its imagery can be very confusing. So, to make things easier, you can learn it through the words of comedian Stephen Fry.
There are actually three books (the fourth is out soon), but Mythos is the first and focuses on the basic mythology, so you’ll probably get the most mileage out of it. If you don’t like reading or touching paper, there is also an audio book read by Stephen Fry himself.
8. Developing Hell: The Making of Hades Blu-ray
Speaking of enriching your enjoyment of Hades, why not take a look at the work that went into the famed roguelite? Developing Hell: The Making of Hades is a two-disc Blu-Ray set that takes you through the game’s development from conception to execution.
The bad news is it is not available quite yet. It’s coming this summer according to Fangamer. However, if you can’t wait, the Blu-Ray set is actually a compilation of the six-part series done by Noclip, which is available via their Youtube channel.
7. Hades Administrative Desk Mat
My desk mat has performed admirably over the years, soaking up countless cups of spilled tea. That’s why you get a dark color: so it doesn’t show your mistakes. So, it was a good choice by Fangamer to lean on darker colors; especially brown, the color of our favored beverages.
The Hades Administrative Desk Mat is 35” x 16” with a rubber backing making it perfect to slide beneath both your keyboard and mouse. A coaster is not necessary, but is helpful to designate a spot for your future spill.
6. Hades Character Pin Set 1
Pins are pretty great. You can stick ‘em on your bag. You can pin them to your hat. Or both – I do both. Fangamer has a pack of four pins based on Hades characters. Pin set 1 feature Zagreus, Megaera, Nyx, and Thanatos. They feature a cute chibi look, and I think Thanatos is flirting with me.
There are other pins you can get. Personally, I want Hypnos because I really like sleeping. However, you only get a deal when you buy the characters that I just listed. Bummer, but maybe that will get updated later.
5. Skelly Talking Plush
Need something to beat up? Out of all the plushies on this list, Skelly is easily the most punchable having been Hades’ helpful training dummy. He won’t take your thrashings lying down, either, as he talks, throwing sass at you with every blow. 8 inches tall, 12 unique lines of dialogue, and you don’t have to hit him if you’re feeling merciful.
4. Dusa Talking Plush
While Castlevania has made me terrified of Medusa’s severed head, her new role as a disembodied custodian in Hades has made me re-assess my evaluation. If she’s won you over, you might want to grab your own severed head of unimaginable horror to lull you to sleep at night. She even talks, but that’s maybe not the best thing to have happen in the middle of the night.
She even comes with a little feather duster, but dry dusting is not recommended as it just puts that dust right back into the air. It has to go somewhere.
3. Cerberus Plush
If you aren’t into severed heads, why not cuddle up to the Underworld’s most famous good boy? The three-headed guardian of Hades could be yours with the Cerberus plush. Unlike Dusa, he doesn’t talk, but that’s because he has been trained well not to boof. Do you think Cerberus is a food-motivated dog? That sounds horrifying.
2. Zagreus Nendroid
Nendroids are like Funkopop for people with standards and personality. If those things describe you (I think they do), then Good Smile has you covered with a Nendroid of our boy Zagreus. Like all Nendroids, this one comes with different faceplates, weapons, and even a bottle of Nectar to ply your friends with. Keep the parts you’re not using in a small box or something, because those things get lost easily.
In the rare case that Zagreus is not your boy, there are also Nendroids for Megayla and Thanatos.
1. Hades: Original Soundtrack
One of the best-tasting pieces of the Hades pie is its soundtrack. Crafted by Supergiant’s in-house composer, Darren Korb, and with vocals provided by Ashley Barrett, it’s a tight, varied, and atmospheric mix of tunes. And what better way to listen to it than pressed into vinyl and spun on a platter?
In all seriousness, physicality is a great way to make the music you listen to more meaningful. It’s also available on CD, but the 4LP vinyl gives you great big cover art to admire. The standard edition is pressed onto smoky grey, but iam8bit sells a special edition directly from their site that features a smoke red version of the vinyl.
