With Halloween just days away, the scramble for costumes is on, often leading to inflated prices and depleted stock. For those still seeking the perfect disguise, Spirit Halloween stores offer a wide array of options, from the expected to the utterly bizarre. Kotaku's own reviewers ventured into a Spirit Halloween location to document the year's most peculiar, questionable, and noteworthy offerings.
Gaming's Presence
Video game franchises remain a significant presence in the Halloween costume market. Mario characters were abundant, with a peculiar Luigi dominating the adult section and a somewhat unsettling Yoshi costume noted in the kids' area. "Carapace gonflable incluse!" the tag read, hinting at an inflatable shell. A Toad costume also raised eyebrows for its simplicity, featuring just a vest.
Nintendo's intellectual property was also represented by an unlicensed "Mushroom Queen" costume, appearing in the adult section as an alternative to a branded Peach costume, which was available for children. This contrasted with other franchises where "sexy" versions of characters were more common.
Unlicensed and Unsettling
Beyond official merchandise, Spirit Halloween also showcases a range of unlicensed or oddly interpreted costumes. A "Retro Jason" costume, inspired by the NES game appearance of the Friday the 13th villain, was noted as a peculiar choice for a modern audience. Similarly, a "knockoff Mortal Kombat" offering appeared in the absence of official franchise costumes, despite the series' recent resurgence in popularity.
The "Lazy" Trend
A recurring theme observed was the trend of "lazy" costumes, often consisting of minimal components. Examples included a "Lazy Pokémon" costume that was essentially a onesie and hood, and a "Lazy Spider-Man" that lacked pants, standing in stark contrast to a full Spider-Man suit nearby. The absurdity was further highlighted by a "Ladypool" costume positioned close to a generic "Spider-Man" outfit.
Pop Culture and the Unexplained
Popular franchises like Harry Potter had dedicated aisles. A "Joker Wall" appears to be a staple of Spirit Halloween stores. Costumes inspired by current trends and internet phenomena were also present, such as a hazmat suit representing "The Backrooms," which the reviewer suggested would have been better served by a more abstract representation. A "Devil Face" costume from Dead by Daylight was noted for its cool appearance but potential confusion with the Scream franchise's Ghost Face.
The Chewbacca costume was deemed notably poor, a decline from previous iterations. A "Discount Vader" costume included a humorous tag stating, "25% off Helmet won’t stay shut."
A Mix of Cute and Cursed
Among the more positive finds were well-executed costumes for characters like John "Halo," Sonic the Hedgehog, and the brightly colored characters from "Fall Guys." The "Zero" costume, inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas, was particularly praised for its adorableness.
However, the store also featured costumes that raised questions about cultural relevance and appropriateness. A "Lamb Chop" costume prompted speculation about its target audience in 2026, though a resurgence of the puppet on social media was noted. The "20s Gangster" costume, appearing during the actual 2020s, was found amusing.
More controversial entries included a "Sexy DoodleBob" and a "Sexy Mater," both singled out as potentially the "worst things" seen in the store. An "Art the Clown Baby Outfit" sparked debate about parents dressing young children as characters from graphic horror films. "Brainrot Characters," seemingly AI-generated and bizarre, also made an appearance, alongside a "Knockoff Call of Duty" Ghost costume and an "Oompa Loompa" costume that likely referenced the disastrous Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow.
Even classic props were not immune to oddity, with a "Silly Branded Knife" being described as tacky and unappealing.
The visit concluded with a sense of bewilderment and amusement, capturing the eclectic and often strange landscape of Halloween costumes available just before the holiday.