With Halloween approaching on Saturday, Kotaku editors RV and Zack Zwiezen visited a Spirit Halloween location to document the state of costumes just days before the holiday. The store offered a wide array of options ranging from standard licensed characters to unlicensed knockoffs and strange environmental storytelling pieces. While some items were well-received, many others drew criticism for their poor design or questionable appropriateness.
The Mario franchise was heavily represented, though the adult section oddly focused on Luigi costumes while the kids' area offered more variety. A Yoshi costume in the children's section was noted as unsettling, and a Toad outfit appeared impractical for chilly weather due to its lack of coverage. Nintendo seemed to be one of the few companies enforcing strict licensing boundaries, as an unlicensed "Mushroom Queen" costume appeared in the adult section instead of a proper Princess Peach option.
Several popular franchises faced scrutiny over their costume quality. A Spider-Man outfit was criticized for lacking pants and being placed next to a full suit, while a gender-swapped version sat near a similarly shaped costume labeled "Ladypool." Pokémon costumes were dismissed as lazy onesies with hoods, and a Chewbacca design was deemed inferior despite being an improvement over previous hard masks. A discount Darth Vader helmet was advertised with a warning that it would not stay shut.
Horror and video game themes dominated other sections of the store. An animatronic Big Freddy from Five Nights at Freddy's looked impressive but failed to activate during the visit. Retro Jason Voorhees appeared in a purple variant inspired by the NES game, while a "Devil Face" mask from Dead by Daylight was noted as cool but potentially confusing for children unfamiliar with its video game origins. The store also featured knockoff versions of Mortal Kombat ninjas and Call of Duty's Ghost character, alongside unbranded swords resembling weapons from Game of Thrones, World of Warcraft, and Final Fantasy.
Trends in 2026 included a significant presence of "Brainrot" characters, described as AI-generated nightmares that may be more recognizable to younger children than traditional heroes. Poppy Playtime merchandise was available but seemed to be selling well, whereas the Fortnite wall remained full with few new additions, suggesting a potential shift in interest. Other notable items included a green Oogie Boogie costume, sparking debate over his rebranding from his traditional burlap sack appearance, and a Hazmat suit representing The Backrooms.
The review also highlighted several costumes deemed inappropriate or poorly executed. A "Sexy DoodleBob" and a "Sexy Mater" were singled out as among the worst items in the store. Additionally, parents were questioned for dressing babies as Art the Clown, a character from gory horror films. Other oddities included a Lamb Chop costume, which surprised reviewers given the character's current status, and an inflatable dinosaur that was praised as a classic return. The visit concluded with observations of a "20s Gangster" section and various unexplained inflatables, painting a picture of a holiday season defined by both nostalgia and strange new trends.
Sources: Kotaku.