Category Archives: Featured

Featured, Travel, Recent Pickups

Is video game collecting as bad as they say?

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We’re heading to Columbus, Ohio, for TORG, the Ohio Retro Gamer Expo! In this video, I’ll focus on deals you can find at these events. I’ll ask vendors—who buy and sell games daily—what they think are the best deals today. I’m also working on my Sony PSP collection, and I’ll show you everything I picked up at the end.

The Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable) is the cool kid who showed up at the party with the swagger of a console and the size of a big smartphone (back when phones weren’t that smart yet). It’s like the Swiss Army knife of gaming, trying to be your gaming console, your MP3 player, and even your Netflix (though streaming wasn’t quite ready to party yet).

The PSP flexed its muscles with a gorgeous 4.3-inch screen, boasting graphics that made you say, “Wait, this is portable?!” It had Wi-Fi so you could school your friends in multiplayer—if you could convince them to lug their PSPs around. And let’s not forget the UMD discs, those quirky little Frisbees that carried your games and movies. They looked futuristic but were basically mini-CDs with trust issues.

Sony even tried to make the PSP your entire life: it had a web browser (sort of), a photo viewer (but no camera), and music playback (for when your iPod forgot its place). The battery life was decent—unless you were watching UMD movies, in which case it gave up faster than a kid in a math test.

The PSP was like that overachiever friend who insists on doing everything, and honestly, it nailed a lot of it. Sure, the controls felt a little cramped, and the proprietary memory cards were pricier than gourmet coffee, but the PSP brought portable gaming into the spotlight, and it did it with style. Plus, it gave us Monster Hunter marathons and the ability to watch Spider-Man 2 on the go—what more could you want? (Except maybe fewer smudges on that glorious screen.)

Featured, System Reviews, Mobile & Handhelds

Testing PS2 & GAMECUBE on latest ANBERNIC handheld.

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Review of the ANBERNIC RG406V playing PS2, Gamecube, Wii and Dreamcast games.

Extra 15% Off Code: MetalJesusRocks
RG406V Game Console: https://bit.ly/3U695t3

The sixth generation of gaming consoles, ah! The early 2000s—a glorious era when tech was just powerful enough to bring our gaming dreams to life, yet clunky enough to make us yell at our TV screens. Picture this:

  1. PlayStation 2 – Sony decided to make a console that doubled as a DVD player. No one cared much for DVDs until the PS2 arrived, and then suddenly, everyone’s mom had a reason to let this console into the living room. It had a library of games longer than the Lord of the Rings series, and you could never resist buying more, even if the backlog was a mile deep. But let’s be honest; we all spent more time replaying Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and running over NPCs.
  2. Xbox – Microsoft’s first foray into the console world, and it showed. This thing was about as subtle as a bulldozer, weighing in heavier than a small child and looking like an oversized VCR on steroids. But it came with Halo, which made it the coolest kid on the block. Multiplayer mayhem on Halo turned living rooms into battlegrounds, and “frag” and “teabag” became part of our vocabularies for the next decade.
  3. Nintendo GameCube – The adorable purple lunchbox that could. Nintendo went for a square design as if they were trolling the competition. Everyone laughed until Super Smash Bros. Melee dropped, and then suddenly no one was laughing because they were all too busy smashing controllers and friendships. It even had a handle, so you could bring it over to a friend’s house—a good thing since you’d need it for Mario Kart Double Dash parties.
  4. Sega Dreamcast – Sega’s final hurrah in the console wars, the Dreamcast was the hip, misunderstood sibling of the generation. It introduced online gaming before any of the others, even though most of us had dial-up Internet slower than a sleepy snail. The Dreamcast had games with more originality than half the consoles since, but its fate was doomed by Sega’s previous console misadventures. It’s like that artist friend you wish had made it big but ended up selling pottery on Etsy.

This generation brought us memory cards, clunky graphics that we thought were “realistic,” and the timeless habit of yelling at your sibling for screen-peeking. If gaming consoles were people, the sixth-gen would be that quirky friend who’s super talented but hasn’t quite figured out how not to make a mess.

Featured

XBOX right now.

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Where my head is at when it comes to Xbox. I give you my thoughts on the new Xbox announcements and tell you what I’m looking forward to in the future…. And I talk a little about Game Pass. WATCH >> https://youtu.be/ciuQHmFoSf4

The Xbox Series consoles are like Microsoft’s love letter to gamers who can’t decide between “super powerful” and “super sleek.” On one hand, you’ve got the Xbox Series X—a rectangular, monolithic fridge look-alike that has the power to launch you into a parallel dimension of 4K gaming. It’s so beefy, it could probably double as a space heater in the winter. Just make sure to keep your snacks out of its vent holes, or you might accidentally toast them. Meanwhile, it’s got more teraflops than most people know what to do with, which sounds impressive, but let’s be honest, most of us are just using it to reload our Skyrim save for the thousandth time.

Then there’s the Xbox Series S, the X’s little sibling that skipped leg day but still manages to be pretty buff. It’s like the cute, mini-fridge version of the Series X—compact enough to tuck under your arm if you need a portable source of frustration when you’re losing at *Fortnite*. Sure, it doesn’t have the same raw power, but it’s the little console that could. The Series S is all like, “Graphics? Who needs ’em, I got speed!” and for those who want to game without taking out a second mortgage, it’s the budget-friendly option that still lets you yell at your TV in glorious 1440p resolution.

Featured, Travel

The state of retro game collecting…

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We’re heading to Portland Oregon for the annual retro gaming expo. I’m sharing highlights from my weekend also diving into the current state of game collecting. See the prices for games and hardware, both the expensive stuff…and some of the good deals. Plus I ask the vendors what is hot right now.

Reggie and I are going to show all the games we picked up in an upcoming PICKUPS video…so stay tuned!

Here are five lesser-known facts about Portland, Oregon:

  1. Shanghai Tunnels: Portland has a network of underground tunnels, known as the Shanghai Tunnels (or “Portland Underground”), which were used in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These tunnels are rumored to have been used for human trafficking, where people were kidnapped (or “shanghaied”) and sold to ship captains as laborers.
  2. The City That Briefly Banned Cars: In 1971, Portland became one of the first major U.S. cities to cancel the construction of a freeway (the Mount Hood Freeway), opting to invest in public transportation and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. This decision helped shape the city’s reputation for sustainability and urban planning.
  3. The Simpsons Connection: Portland has a strong connection to the famous TV show “The Simpsons.” Series creator Matt Groening grew up in Portland, and many of the characters’ names in the show are based on Portland streets and landmarks (e.g., Flanders, Lovejoy, and Quimby).
  4. World’s Smallest Park: Portland is home to Mill Ends Park, officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the smallest park in the world. It measures just 452 square inches and was originally created as a spot for a journalist’s pet leprechaun.
  5. The Original “Stumptown”: Portland’s nickname “Stumptown” comes from the 19th century when the city’s rapid growth required a lot of land clearing, leaving numerous tree stumps throughout the streets. The name has stuck around as a part of Portland’s identity.

These quirky and historic facts reveal Portland’s unique charm and cultural heritage!

Featured, Atari (Hidden Gems), Vintage

Atari 50th: Wider World of Atari DLC (Review)

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Atari and Digital Eclipse are back with a new DLC to their excellent Atari 50th the Anniversary Celebration! They are adding 19 playable games, as well as 8 video interviews into a brand new timeline to the main game. More info: https://atari.com

A second DLC entitled The First Console War will be released globally on November 8, in addition to a physical release of Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Expanded Edition on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 for $39.99. The physical release contains the original game and both DLCs.

A Steelbook version for Nintendo Switch, which will include Atari 2600 art cards, miniature arcade marquee signs, an Al Alcorn Replica Syzygy Co. business card, will retail for $49.99 USD.

Games Included in DLC #1:
Atari Video Cube (2600)
Avalanche (800)
Avalanche (arcade)
Berzerk (2600 Voice Enhanced)
Berzerk (2600)
Berzerk (5200)
Berzerk (arcade)
Desert Falcon (2600)
Destroyer (arcade)
Football (arcade)
Frenzy (arcade)
Off the Wall (2600)
Red Baron (arcade)
Sky Diver (2600)
Sky Diver (arcade)
Steeplechase (2600)
Stellar Track (2600)
Submarine Commander (2600)
Super Bug (arcade)

Featured, Metal Jesus Likes

Top 10 BOOMER SHOOTERS to Play Now!

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Here’s a list of 10 popular new boomer shooters that pay homage to classic 90s FPS games while bringing modern gameplay improvements:

1. DUSK (2018)

  • Why: A love letter to classic shooters like DOOM and Quake, DUSK features retro graphics, fast movement, and satisfying gunplay with creepy, rural horror aesthetics.
  • Notable Feature: Smooth movement mechanics and fantastic level design.

2. Ion Fury (2019)

  • Why: Developed on the Build engine (used in Duke Nukem 3D), Ion Fury nails the retro aesthetic with chaotic action, large explorable levels, and a charismatic protagonist.
  • Notable Feature: Classic, 90s-style level design with secret areas and nonlinear progression.

3. Amid Evil (2019)

  • Why: A fantasy-based FPS that takes cues from games like Heretic and Hexen. Amid Evil is fast-paced, with gorgeous environments and magical weapons that feel impactful.
  • Notable Feature: Weapon variety with magical powers and large, intricate worlds to explore.

4. Prodeus (2022)

  • Why: Blending old-school sensibilities with modern visuals, Prodeus has a unique “retro-modern” art style. It offers bloody action, classic shooting mechanics, and a built-in level editor.
  • Notable Feature: Dynamic lighting and particle effects with a retro aesthetic.

5. Wrath: Aeon of Ruin (Early Access)

  • Why: Built on the Quake engine, Wrath is a dark, gothic boomer shooter with fluid combat, intricate level design, and grotesque enemies.
  • Notable Feature: True 90s FPS feel with detailed, non-linear maps.

6. Ultrakill (Early Access)

  • Why: A hyper-fast FPS that combines DOOM-style shooting with Devil May Cry mechanics. Ultrakill is pure adrenaline, with fluid movement, over-the-top weapons, and a scoring system that rewards stylish play.
  • Notable Feature: A combo-based combat system and insane speed.

7. Project Warlock (2018)

  • Why: Inspired by DOOM, Hexen, and Wolfenstein 3D, Project Warlock blends pixelated graphics with modern design, offering varied levels, multiple weapons, and magic.
  • Notable Feature: RPG-like elements such as skill upgrades and a vast arsenal of weapons.

8. Hellbound (2020)

  • Why: Described as a “1990s FPS, 30 years later,” Hellbound delivers brutal, fast-paced action with gore-heavy visuals and a focus on nonstop combat.
  • Notable Feature: Extremely violent combat and large hordes of enemies.

9. HROT (Early Access)

  • Why: A Soviet-style FPS set in the 1980s, HROT embraces its Eastern European roots with unique environments, old-school graphics, and gritty combat.
  • Notable Feature: Dark atmosphere and bizarre weaponry that reflect the Soviet-era vibe.

10. Forgive Me Father (2021)

  • Why: A Lovecraftian shooter with a comic-book aesthetic, Forgive Me Father mixes eldritch horror with classic FPS mechanics, offering atmospheric levels and creepy enemies.
  • Notable Feature: Comic-style visuals and a unique sanity mechanic that affects gameplay.

These modern boomer shooters capture the spirit of classic FPS games while incorporating new features and updated visuals for today’s gamers.

Featured, Travel, Recent Pickups

Norway Trip (Part 2) – RetroMessa Expo + GAME & MUSIC PICKUPS!

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Here are five relatively unknown facts about Norway:

  1. Norway introduced Salmon Sushi to Japan: In the 1980s, Norwegian seafood exporters promoted the idea of using salmon in sushi, which wasn’t traditionally done in Japan. This has since become a popular staple in Japanese cuisine.
  2. Svalbard Global Seed Vault: Norway is home to the “Doomsday Vault,” located on the Svalbard archipelago. It stores duplicates of seed samples from around the world, acting as a backup to preserve plant diversity in case of global crises.
  3. Norway has a “no homework” movement: Some schools in Norway are testing out the idea of not giving homework to students. This movement is rooted in research suggesting that less homework may improve students’ learning experience and reduce stress.
  4. World’s longest road tunnel: Norway is home to the Laerdal Tunnel, which is the longest road tunnel in the world. It stretches for 15.3 miles (24.5 km) and connects Laerdal and Aurland in Western Norway.
  5. Norwegians love slow TV: Norway popularized “Slow TV,” which involves long, real-time broadcasts of events like train journeys, knitting, or firewood chopping. One of the most famous examples is the 7-hour long broadcast of a train journey from Bergen to Oslo. It became a cultural phenomenon.