Driving My ‘Cheap’ Porsche Boxster Across America! [Part 1]

In this episode (part 1 of the adventure), I drive from New York to Colorado, via Chicago and Omaha… before running into some issues in the Rocky Mountains.

The 2002 Porsche Boxster S is like that friend who shows up to a casual dinner party wearing a tailored suit—effortlessly cool and unapologetically classy. With its mid-engine layout and 3.2-liter flat-six engine, this car was a statement that Porsche didn’t just reserve its best engineering for the 911. It pumps out 250 horsepower, which in 2002 felt like a mini rocket on wheels. The Boxster S hugs the road like it’s trying to give it a romantic embrace, thanks to its near-perfect weight distribution. Driving it feels like an experience—no, an event—where every curve is an invitation to push a little harder.

Inside, it’s quintessentially Porsche: minimalist but refined, with all the buttons and knobs you need and none of the ones you don’t. The soft top is ready to drop at a moment’s notice, letting you hear that sweet engine note in full stereo. The car’s design has aged well—its sleek, rounded body still turns heads even as it gets mistaken for more recent models. The Boxster S isn’t just a sports car; it’s a declaration that sometimes, the road is best enjoyed with a little wind in your hair and a flat-six engine singing behind you.

Top 10 PlayStation 5 (PS5) Games – SO FAR!

Here are ten of the top-rated PlayStation 5 games as of now, based on critical reception and player reviews:

1. Elden Ring

  • Genre: Action RPG
  • Developer: FromSoftware
  • Why it’s great: Open-world exploration combined with the challenging combat of Dark Souls, featuring deep lore and stunning landscapes.

2. God of War: Ragnarök

  • Genre: Action-adventure
  • Developer: Santa Monica Studio
  • Why it’s great: A continuation of Kratos’ journey with his son, Atreus, offering a blend of brutal combat, emotional storytelling, and Norse mythology.

3. Spider-Man: Miles Morales

  • Genre: Action-adventure
  • Developer: Insomniac Games
  • Why it’s great: A follow-up to Spider-Man (2018), this game features Miles Morales with enhanced gameplay, stunning visuals, and fast-paced action.

4. Demon’s Souls (Remake)

  • Genre: Action RPG
  • Developer: Bluepoint Games
  • Why it’s great: A visually stunning remake of the original Demon’s Souls, with improved mechanics and challenging boss fights.

5. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

  • Genre: Action-platformer
  • Developer: Insomniac Games
  • Why it’s great: Seamless transitions between dimensions, fast-paced combat, and clever puzzles make this an essential next-gen experience.

6. Horizon Forbidden West

  • Genre: Action RPG
  • Developer: Guerrilla Games
  • Why it’s great: A visually spectacular open world combined with deep storytelling, featuring mechanical creatures and a powerful protagonist, Aloy.

7. Returnal

  • Genre: Roguelike shooter
  • Developer: Housemarque
  • Why it’s great: Blending sci-fi, fast-paced combat, and a unique time-loop narrative, Returnal provides a challenging and atmospheric experience.

8. Final Fantasy XVI

  • Genre: Action RPG
  • Developer: Square Enix
  • Why it’s great: A shift to action-oriented gameplay with epic battles and a strong narrative, blending the best of fantasy with modern visuals.

9. Resident Evil Village

  • Genre: Survival horror
  • Developer: Capcom
  • Why it’s great: Combining horror and action, Resident Evil Village offers a gripping story with terrifying enemies in a highly atmospheric environment.

10. The Last of Us Part I (Remake)

  • Genre: Action-adventure
  • Developer: Naughty Dog
  • Why it’s great: A remastered version of the acclaimed The Last of Us, with enhanced graphics, improved AI, and the same emotionally charged story.

These titles showcase the versatility and power of the PlayStation 5, offering everything from epic storytelling to breathtaking graphics and engaging gameplay.

Sierra Stories with Metal Jesus Rocks – The Retro Hour Podcast

Retro Hour Podcast catchs up with  ‘Metal Jesus Rocks’ – a YouTube sensation and former Sierra On-Line employee. We hear about his recent reunion with the legendary Sierra team, reminiscing about the glory days of one of the most iconic companies in PC gaming history. Jason shares behind-the-scenes stories from his time at Sierra, from wild office parties to the transition from accounting to game testing, and his passion for big-box PC games. Plus, we get the inside scoop on his memorable retro road trips, favourite game room treasures, and what’s next for his channel as it nears a million subscribers!

Gamestop Retro – So Bad its Scary

Radical Reggie visits GameStop Retros to see if the hype for retro games was really there. I was shocked.

GameStop is like that distant uncle who still wears cargo shorts and talks about the glory days of Blockbuster, refusing to acknowledge that the world has moved on. You walk in, and it’s an odd combination of excitement and mild sadness. Shelves are filled with used games that look like they’ve seen more action than your average Marvel movie marathon, while a teenager in the back is trying to trade in a stack of 20 games, only to be offered enough store credit to maybe buy a stick of gum. The place is a treasure trove for the nostalgic, but also a glaring reminder that digital downloads have basically karate-chopped physical media in the face.

The staff, bless their souls, are the gatekeepers of all things geek. They can tell you the plot of The Last of Us backwards while simultaneously trying to convince you to pre-order something, even though you’re just there for some Mario-themed socks. The store somehow feels like the last stand of a forgotten era, clinging to relevance with Funko Pops and energy drink displays. You’ll leave with a lighter wallet, a new game you probably don’t need, and a lingering feeling that GameStop is less a store and more a quirky time capsule with a serious gaming addiction.

PAX West Hightlights – New GAMES I’m excited for! (Nintendo, Atari, Indies)

Highlights from PAX West in Seattle. Lots of new games from Nintendo, Atari, Capcom, etc… plus indie games and more. –> WATCH >> https://youtu.be/Sz5eN4JTZwI

PAX West in Seattle is like Comic-Con’s geeky cousin who’s into video games, Dungeons & Dragons, and has way too many Funko Pops but somehow still manages to be cooler than you. As you step into the expo, you’re greeted by a sea of flannel shirts, obscure gaming references, and more LED lights than your average spaceship. It’s the only place where arguing about the best Final Fantasy game can last for hours and somehow, both sides are still wrong. And don’t get me started on the cosplay—there’s everything from a near-perfect Master Chief to a Pikachu that looks like it’s seen some things.

Navigating the expo hall is like leveling up in a video game—each booth is a mini-boss encounter, from indie developers pitching their latest pixel-art platformers to massive companies showing off shiny new tech. If you’re lucky, you’ll leave with enough swag to build a small nerd shrine, though the real loot is the random stickers, pins, and tote bags you’ll find months later in your backpack. By the end, you’re emotionally exhausted, a little poorer, but filled with enough gaming news, demos, and nerdy conversation to last you until the next PAX (or at least until you finish your current Steam backlog…in 2035).

BUILDING A STAR WARS ARCADE MACHINE IN MY HOUSE!!

Carly King unboxes and assembles the Arcade1Up Star Wars arcade cab.

The Star Wars arcade game released in 1983 is like stepping into a time machine that teleports you directly into the cockpit of an X-wing—but with graphics that look like they were designed on an Etch A Sketch. It’s a classic relic from a galaxy not so far away, where the cutting-edge technology of the day meant wireframe graphics and joystick controls that required the reflexes of a Jedi and the patience of Yoda.

When you first approached the machine, it was like encountering a giant, glowing monolith that practically dared you to put in your quarters. The cabinet was decked out in artwork that made you feel like you were about to go on an intergalactic adventure. Once you sat down, though, you quickly realized that the “adventure” consisted of staring at a screen filled with green lines, which somehow represented TIE fighters, turbolasers, and the Death Star.

The controls? Oh, the controls. The joystick was this chunky, plastic thing that felt like it could withstand the force of a Wookiee temper tantrum. It didn’t just move; it clunked into place as you tried to aim your blasters at tiny, geometrical ships that looked like they were drawn by a very ambitious kindergartener.

But once you got into the groove, the game had you hooked. The famous lines from the movie echoed in your ears—”Use the Force, Luke!”—as you navigated the trench run on the Death Star, which was essentially a series of rectangles and trapezoids flying toward you at warp speed. The sound effects were top-notch for the time, with digitized blaster shots and that familiar “pew pew” that made you feel like you were really in the heat of battle.

Surviving long enough to blow up the Death Star was a badge of honor. You’d walk away from the machine with a sense of accomplishment, as well as a slightly sore wrist from manhandling that joystick. And if you really nailed it, you’d get to hear Obi-Wan Kenobi tell you, “The Force will be with you, always,” which was basically the arcade equivalent of a mic drop.

In short, the *Star Wars* arcade game of 1983 was a glorious, low-res homage to the greatest space opera of all time. It was the ultimate test of skill, endurance, and the ability to pretend that a bunch of green lines were actually spaceships. And for those who mastered it, it wasn’t just a game—it was a way of life.

FOUND 1981 Ferrari 512 BB sitting for over 30 years

Peter discovers a beautiful 1981Ferrari 512BB with super low mileage that has been sitting untouched for decades! However this means it also hasn’t been maintained or serviced..he must negotiate a fair shake with the car’s owner in order to get his hands on this one. After taking it back to the shop, Gary is able to take it for a drive before Bill Wallace comes to take a look at it for a customer of his.

The Ferrari 512 BB is like the automotive equivalent of a rockstar from the ’70s—loud, wild, and unapologetically flashy. It’s the kind of car that doesn’t just turn heads; it practically snaps necks.

First, let’s talk about that design. The 512 BB looks like it was sculpted by someone who had a poster of a fighter jet on their wall and thought, “What if we turned this into a car?” With its low-slung body, pop-up headlights, and a rear end that could double as a launch pad, it’s the kind of ride that screams, “I’m fast, and I know it.” The name alone—”Berlinetta Boxer”—sounds like it should come with a pair of aviator sunglasses and a leather jacket.

Under the hood, or rather behind the seats because this is a Ferrari after all, you’ve got a 5.0-liter flat-12 engine. It’s like they crammed an orchestra into the back of the car, and every time you hit the gas, it’s like the conductor just told the brass section to go nuts. The roar of the engine is so intense, it’s like the car is constantly clearing its throat in the most aggressive way possible.

Driving the 512 BB is an experience in itself. It’s not the kind of car that politely asks you to steer; it demands that you hold on for dear life and enjoy the ride. The steering is heavy, the clutch requires the leg strength of a small bear, and the visibility? Well, let’s just say you’re better off focusing on what’s in front of you because whatever’s behind you is already a blur.

But here’s the thing—the 512 BB doesn’t care about your comfort. It’s not here to pamper you with cup holders or Bluetooth. This is a Ferrari from the days when driving was a full-contact sport, and every trip felt like a victory lap at Le Mans. You don’t just drive this car; you wrestle with it, and if you’re lucky, it lets you feel like a hero.

In the end, the Ferrari 512 BB is the kind of car that makes you want to grow a mustache, put on a pair of flared jeans, and blast some classic rock while you tear down the highway. It’s not practical, it’s not subtle, but who cares? It’s a Ferrari, baby—and it’s here to remind you that sometimes, the best things in life are the loudest, most ridiculous, and utterly thrilling.

Star Wars Outlaws Review – “A New Hope” or “Holiday Special”?

Star Wars Outlaws is like that moment when Han Solo realizes he owes Jabba the Hutt way too many credits—but stretched out into an entire video game. Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, it introduces us to Kay Vess, who is basically the galaxy’s coolest new smuggler since, well, the original smuggler. She’s got a knack for getting into trouble, but luckily, she’s got a loyal companion, Nix—a little creature that’s part dog, part ferret, and all adorable. Think of Nix as the Chewbacca to Kay’s Han, only furrier and with fewer growls.

The game lets you explore the underbelly of the Star Wars universe like never before. You’ll be flying around in your own ship, pulling off heists, and making morally questionable decisions—because what’s a good outlaw without a little ethical flexibility? Imagine all the stuff Luke, Leia, and the rest were too busy with the whole “saving the galaxy” thing to do, and that’s what Kay’s up to. It’s like they took the Mos Eisley cantina and made it a lifestyle.

This is ACG’s review of the game and performance.

Retro Gaming with a Heavy Metal Soundtrack