A Nintendo Fan Art Auction Benefits The Morgan Autism Center

Merging art and video games is usually a recipe for success, so some intrepid do-gooders at San Jose State University have organized the Press Start: Nintendo Charity Gallery exhibit to help charity. All proceeds from the gallery and sale go to the Morgan Autism Center, an institute devoted to helping autistic individuals.

The event, organized by the ShrunkenHeadMan Club‘s Charity Committee, was inspired by the 2013 Rare Candy: Pokémon Charity Gallery. It features more than 140 unique home-made, fan-crafted items, all made by current and former students from the University’s Animation and Illustration program. Most of the items are based on Nintendo’s many recognizable properties.

There is some beautiful work to be had here, with plenty of art covering popular franchises like Super Mario Bros. (of course), Donkey Kong, Kirby, Pokémon, Metroid, and The Legend of Zelda, as well as underappreciated properties like Earthbound, Rhythm Heaven, Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, and my personal favorite, Animal Crossing. (Would I pay $47 minimum for a K.K. Slider mug? Yes. Yes, I would.)

The notable exceptions are works based on the Rare-developed Banjo-Kazooie, Tecmo Koei’s Fatal Frame, Konami’s Metal Gear, and the ubiquitous Tetris franchise. A handful of the items, like the impressive aluminum Mechon sculpture from Xenoblade pictured below, still don’t have any bids, so it’s still possible to get a really nice deal on some one-of-a-kind art. And remember, it’s for charity!

All of the paintings, illustrations, and sculptures are on display at the Umpqua Bank in San Jose, California. Bids for the featured pieces will be accepted through May 16.