Niko knows...CULTURE // Issue #15
What's going on in the #Nikoverse? ✨🪐 There's a ton of hip-hop, soccer, podcasts, basketball, football, and gaming happening. To sum it up: a lot of culture.
Yoo! Welcome back to #Nikoverse and some culture news of the week! Let’s dive into the latest in style, sports, and tech that’s got everyone talking.
First up, The Simpsons are hitting the football field! This December, Homer and Bart team up with NFL stars for a live animated game broadcast. In the world of gaming nostalgia, Analogue’s reimagined Nintendo 64 console is coming in early 2025. This slick device keeps all the classic games (hello, Mario Kart 64!) but gives them a modern 4K twist.
Le Creuset x Pokémon is back with kitchen magic! This next-level collection includes casserole pots and dishes inspired by Pikachu, Eevee, and classic Poké Balls. It’s available this November—catch 'em all before they’re gone!
Then we’ve got Danny MacAskill at adidas’ global HQ turning their German campus into his personal playground.
Finally, the one and only David Beckham has a limited edition adidas Predator for its 30th anniversary. Decked out in Originals’ iconic blue with vintage Trefoil touches, these boots bring Beckham’s timeless style to the pitch, along with a retro-inspired apparel line for that extra drip.
Let’s get into it!
#NikoKnows…AMERICAN FOOTBALL
Touchdown in Springfield: The Simpsons Take Over NFL Funday Football
On December 9, The Simpsons join Monday Night Football with a special animated broadcast on Disney+ and ESPN+, marking a unique twist in NFL telecasts.
Bart Simpson joins the Cincinnati Bengals while Homer backs the Dallas Cowboys, with Marge and Lisa jumping in as sideline reporters.
The broadcast leverages Sony’s Hawk-Eye tech for real-time animated play, offering a family-friendly viewing experience alongside the traditional broadcast on ESPN.
Get ready to watch Homer, Bart, Marge, and Lisa take on the gridiron in an NFL game day like no other. The Simpsons Funday Football will bring an animated Monday Night Football matchup to Disney+ and ESPN+ on December 9, letting fans experience the game from the fictional Atoms Stadium in Springfield. Set to follow the success of last year’s Toy Story Funday Football (which won three Sports Emmys), this event has Bart suiting up for the Bengals and Homer for the Cowboys, with Marge and Lisa taking on on-field interviews. ESPN’s NFL commentators will appear in animated form as Sony’s Hawk-Eye tracking tech brings real-time plays to life on the field in Springfield.
This creative, real-time animation style taps into a broader trend of “alternate telecasts” designed to attract diverse audiences and increase fan engagement with a playful twist. Last year’s Toy Story broadcast featuring the Falcons and Jaguars became Disney+’s biggest live event to date, and The Simpsons aim to take that excitement up a notch.
While no official brand sponsors have been announced for this alternate telecast, past sponsors like Allstate, who ran trivia segments during Toy Story Funday Football, hint that brands may start finding inventive ways to connect with these novel NFL experiences. And for those who prefer the classic NFL action, the game will air on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes as usual.
#NikoKnows…GAMING
Analogue 3D: The N64 Revamped for 4K is Coming, but With a Few Twists
Analogue's $249.99 high-def take on the Nintendo 64, the Analogue 3D, is set for a Q1 2025 release after a delay.
Designed to play classic N64 cartridges (no emulation required!), it includes Bluetooth and 2.4G wireless, HDMI, USB ports, and four original controller ports.
Preorders start October 21 at 8 a.m. PT, but it lacks a controller and requires original N64 game cartridges to play.
Analogue's retro gaming fans can start saving for the Analogue 3D, the long-awaited 4K reimagining of the N64. Originally tipped for 2024, the launch has been nudged to Q1 2025. This $249.99 console aims to bring a crisp, updated experience for classic N64 titles across US, EU, and Japan versions, featuring upgraded visuals, Bluetooth and 2.4G wireless connectivity, plus ports for HDMI, USB, and even four classic controllers.
While fans can secure their preorder starting October 21, a few essential details stand out. You’ll need original cartridges, as the device doesn’t support cloud-based play like Nintendo Switch Online. And while it boasts compatibility with standard N64 controllers, it doesn’t come with one—but you can grab a modernized 8BitDo controller separately through Analogue’s site. With previous hits like the Analogue Nt and Pocket, Analogue continues to offer high-quality options for retro gamers who want their original titles without emulation. For fans hoping for an N64 Classic from Nintendo, the Analogue 3D might just be the next best thing.
#NikoKnows…NERD CULTURE
Catch ‘Em All... in the Kitchen! Le Creuset’s Pokémon Collection Expands with New Designs
Le Creuset rolls out a second wave of Pokémon-themed cookware, featuring character-inspired pots, mugs, and mini dishes.
Highlight items include a Poke Ball and Great Ball mug set, a sleek Pikachu-themed rice pot, and charming mini casseroles inspired by Eevee and Pikachu.
Available November 6, 2024, across multiple regions, with online and in-store availability.
For fans of Pokémon and Le Creuset’s classic kitchen style, this latest collection hits the sweet spot between nostalgia and culinary elegance. The new series showcases subtle, character-inspired details and a brighter color palette, with items ranging from stoneware mugs designed like Poke Balls to eye-catching casseroles. Each piece also includes unique packaging with elements like Pikachu’s tail decal.
With availability spanning regions like Australia, Japan, and South Africa, fans and collectors alike can pick up these items both online and at Le Creuset Signature Boutiques. Given the popularity of the first wave, this collection is bound to fly off shelves—don’t wait to add a touch of Pokémon magic to your kitchen!
#NikoKnows…BMX
Rooftop Rides and Rail Slides: Danny MacAskill Turns adidas HQ into His Personal Playground
Danny MacAskill, world-renowned for his mind-blowing trials riding, transforms the adidas HQ into a BMX paradise, making the campus his stage for daring stunts and impossible feats.
Known for redefining street trials with his viral videos and unique creative eye, MacAskill uses the HQ’s architecture as a canvas to showcase his latest skills.
Debuting adidas’s Five Ten Freerider Pro BOA shoes, MacAskill tested the brand’s latest performance footwear innovation, set for public release in early 2025.
Danny MacAskill has built a name on pushing limits, balancing on the edge of breathtaking creativity and technical precision. From his viral hits like Inspired Bicycles and Way Back Home to acclaimed projects like The Ridge and Imaginate, MacAskill has always taken trials riding to the next level. His visit to the adidas HQ was no different—having trained and collaborated with adidas for over a decade, Danny saw the HQ as a rider's playground, packed with untouched railings, rooftops, and structures waiting to be transformed.
“Seeing all these overhangs and railings, I instantly pictured new ways to ride,” said MacAskill, whose ability to visualize stunts has made him one of the most imaginative riders on the scene. His latest video captures not only his signature daring moves but also a sense of playfulness, turning an exclusive space into a place of exploration. Through this session, MacAskill put the new Five Ten Freerider Pro BOA to the ultimate test, proving that they can keep up with even the most extreme demands of street trials. Fans can look forward to the shoe’s public release in early 2025, getting a taste of the gear that empowers pros like MacAskill.
#NikoKnows…SNEAKER CULTURE
David Beckham’s Game-Changing Adidas Predator Hits the Pitch
Celebrating 30 years of the adidas Predator, David Beckham teams up with adidas to debut a limited edition Predator 24, blending style and performance.
Featuring the Trefoil logo for the first time on a Predator, this design boasts an all-Fusionskin leather upgrade and Beckham’s iconic touches.
A 70s-inspired apparel collection accompanies the boots, blending vintage style with modern streetwear appeal.
Adidas’s Predator 30th anniversary has been a non-stop celebration, and now, David Beckham himself has joined the party. Beckham’s legacy with the Predator is as iconic as the boot itself, and his limited edition Predator 24 reflects that bond. Two years in the making, the Predator 24 is the first to feature the Trefoil logo, seen on the outsole, heel tab, and strap, with sleek blue accents. The Fusionskin leather, replacing the traditional rubber on the tongue, and an adidas x David Beckham sign-off add a premium feel to the look.
This release doesn’t stop at boots—the collaboration also includes a retro-inspired apparel line that channels classic 70s vibes with a modern twist. Beckham’s Predator 24 will debut in upcoming European club competitions, with stars like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alessia Russo sporting the boots on the field.
And that’s a wrap! Catch you next week as we dive back into the pulse of culture!
Best,
Niko