The Valve Steam Deck is what happens when a gaming PC and a Nintendo Switch have a baby, and that baby grows up chugging Mountain Dew and modding Skyrim at age five. It’s a chunky, unapologetically beefy handheld that can run everything from AAA blockbusters to the jankiest, most obscure indie games you found in a bundle eight years ago. With its Linux-based SteamOS, it’s basically a portable gaming goblin that thrives on tinkering. Want to install Windows? Go ahead. Emulate old consoles? Absolutely. Turn it into a weird Frankenstein machine that runs spreadsheets and plays DOOM on a smart fridge? You bet. It’s the kind of device that whispers, “Go on, break me, I dare you,” and then somehow just keeps working anyway.
Now, playing retro games on the Steam Deck is like giving a cyberpunk mech the soul of a Blockbuster Video rental section. Whether it’s SNES classics, PS2 gems, or some long-lost Game Boy Advance title you played in the backseat of a minivan, the Deck handles it like a champ. With emulation software, it transforms into an all-in-one time machine, letting you bounce from Chrono Trigger to Tony Hawk’s Underground without missing a beat. And thanks to those gloriously oversized thumbsticks and trackpads, even finicky old PC games get a new lease on life. It’s like holding every console you ever loved in your hands—except now, you don’t have to blow into a cartridge like a desperate wizard trying to resurrect a fallen warrior.
Ah, Sonic racing games—a journey wilder than a Sonic fan theory, faster than a Chili Dog hitting the floor, and more chaotic than trying to keep up with all of Eggman’s names (Dr. Robotnik? Dr. Eggman? Just pick one, man).
It all began in 1994 with Sonic Drift for the Game Gear, where Sonic and his pals—who are famously known for running at supersonic speeds—decided, “Nah, let’s drive tiny go-karts instead.” This made about as much sense as Knuckles taking financial advice from Rouge, but hey, it was the ‘90s, and Mario Kart had already proven that any franchise could justify go-karting. The game was only released in Japan, likely because Sega was still pretending the Game Gear was a global success.
Fast forward to 1995, and we got Sonic Drift 2, which actually came out worldwide. It added more characters and slightly improved gameplay but still had the same philosophical issue: Why is Sonic, the fastest thing alive, driving a car?
Then came 1997’s Sonic R, a game that boldly asked, “What if racing, but weird?” Instead of karts, Sonic and his crew actually ran—except for the ones who didn’t, like Eggman and Amy, who still brought vehicles because physics be damned. This game is infamous for its slippery controls, bizarre character balance (Tails Doll still haunts dreams to this day), and an absolute banger of a soundtrack that included Can You Feel the Sunshine?, a song that either makes you feel euphoric or deeply unsettled depending on what kind of internet horror stories you’ve read.
After a dark period of Sonic games experimenting with other bad ideas (looking at you, Shadow the Hedgehog), Sega revisited the racing genre in 2006 with Sonic Riders. Instead of karts or running, this time the gang hopped on hoverboards—because Tony Hawk was cool, and Sega wanted to make Sonic cool again. The game was fast, flashy, and had a steep learning curve that made newcomers feel like they were piloting a malfunctioning Roomba. It got a sequel (Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity) and an ill-advised Kinect-exclusive (Sonic Free Riders), which was more of a workout routine than a video game.
Then came the real comeback: 2010’s Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, a Mario Kart-style game where Sonic and friends finally embraced their vehicular destiny. It was great! So good, in fact, that it got an even better sequel in 2012, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, which let you switch between cars, boats, and planes mid-race—basically the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate of Sega racing games.
Finally, in 2019, Sega dropped Team Sonic Racing, a game where teamwork was the focus, forcing you to rely on AI or human teammates to win. It had solid mechanics, but fans missed the broader Sega crossover elements from All-Stars Racing Transformed.
And now in 2025 we finally have a new game called Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and looks to be a followup to All-Stars Racing! The Sonic racing timeline is a mix of great ideas, weird choices, and the eternal question: Why does Sonic need a car? But if nothing else, these games prove one thing—no matter how fast Sonic is, he just really likes driving.
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkin) sits down with the one and only Gene Simmons to probe beyond the kabuki makeup and monster riffs that made KISS a household name.
KISS is the ultimate proof that sometimes, more is more. Why settle for just a rock band when you can have a pyro-loaded, face-painted, fire-breathing, blood-spitting spectacle? These guys didn’t just play music—they turned every concert into a full-throttle, leather-clad, platform-boot-stomping explosion of pure rock ‘n’ roll excess. With Gene Simmons’ tongue doing more work than most lead singers’ entire vocal range and Paul Stanley treating the crowd like his personal stadium-sized therapy session, KISS made sure you felt every moment. And let’s be real—no other band has ever looked at a standard drum solo and thought, “Yeah, but what if the drummer also levitated?”
But beyond the explosions, the face paint, and the fact that they somehow turned their logo into a billion-dollar merchandising empire (seriously, there’s probably a KISS-branded toaster out there), the band delivered exactly what rock fans craved: ridiculously catchy anthems. “Detroit Rock City,” “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” and “Rock and Roll All Nite” weren’t just songs—they were battle cries for anyone who ever wanted to trade in their 9-to-5 for a night of unapologetic mayhem. KISS mastered the art of giving the people what they didn’t even know they needed: a perfect mix of camp, chaos, and chugging guitar riffs that made you feel invincible. Because at the end of the day, if you can sell out stadiums for 50 years while wearing bat wings and breathing fire, you’ve officially won rock ‘n’ roll.
YouTuber Retro Maggie – Gives us a detailed look at her killer Gaming Room!
Imagine a sacred space in your home where the only responsibilities are leveling up, saving the world, and maybe remembering to hydrate. A dedicated video game room is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity for anyone serious about their digital adventures. No more fighting for TV time or awkwardly explaining to guests why there’s a tangled mess of controllers in the living room. Instead, picture a throne-like gaming chair, ambient LED lighting that makes everything feel just a little more epic, and shelves lined with carefully curated game collections. It’s your personal command center, a place where you can rage in peace when that boss fight gets the best of you, without judgment or side-eye from your family.
Plus, a gaming room is basically an investment in your well-being—science probably backs this up somewhere. It’s a stress-relief zone, a social hub for co-op marathons, and a fortress of solitude when you need a break from the real world’s side quests (like work and taxes). With a dedicated space, you can crank up the surround sound without worrying about waking the baby, immerse yourself in a VR world without crashing into the coffee table, and even display your gaming trophies with pride. It’s not just a room; it’s a lifestyle, a sanctuary, and let’s be honest—probably the best decision you’ll make for your happiness, short of installing a snack fridge right next to your setup.
Obsidian Entertainment have made some amazing games….and others that were probably released a bit before they should have been.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords (2004)
This sequel cranked up the existential crisis, filled it with cut content, and made us question everything we knew about Star Wars morality.
Neverwinter Nights 2 (2006)
An RPG where you collect weirdos, bicker with them, and somehow save the world—classic Obsidian. Also, that stronghold management? Peak real estate simulator.
Alpha Protocol (2010) What if Jason Bourne had dialogue options that made people hate him instantly? A spy RPG where your greatest weapon is awkward small talk (and also guns). Woefully unbalanced in some of the boss fights unfortunately, so follow a guide if you play it today!
Fallout: New Vegas (2010)
The greatest argument for why gambling should always be a dialogue skill. Also known as “The Best Fallout Game (Don’t Argue)”.
Dungeon Siege III (2011)
The Dungeon Siege game that no one remembers, including Dungeon Siege fans. It existed, and that’s what matters.
South Park: The Stick of Truth (2014)
An RPG where your weaponized flatulence determines the fate of an entire town. Highbrow humor at its finest.
Pillars of Eternity (2015) Baldur’s Gate, but make it so Obsidian it hurts. Deep lore, tactical combat, and enough text to qualify as a novel.
Armored Warfare (2015)
Obsidian making a World of Tanks competitor? Sure, why not. Unfortunately, it tanked (pun intended).
Tyranny (2016)
What if you played an RPG where you’re already working for the bad guys? Basically, middle management simulator but with more fireballs.
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire (2018)
Everything you loved about the first game, but now on boats. Also, you can be besties with a talking ghost pig.
The Outer Worlds (2019)
Fallout in space, but with even more corporate satire. Where your biggest decision isn’t good vs. evil, but which megacorp is the least terrible. They released a The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition with improved graphics, all the patches and add-on missions. Great game!
Grounded (2022) Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The Game! Survival mechanics, terrifying spiders, and realizing that ladybugs are actually hardcore.
Pentiment (2022) What if an illuminated manuscript was a murder mystery? A game that proved you don’t need combat when you have the crushing weight of historical guilt.
Avowed (Upcoming)
The Elder Scrolls game Todd Howard would prefer you not look at too closely. I have high hopes for this one!
The Outer Worlds 2 (Upcoming)
Expect more space capitalism, more snark, and hopefully more planets where everything wants to kill you.
Obsidian: Masters of the RPG genre, champions of “deep lore,” and forever the kings of “We Would’ve Needed More Time for That Feature.”
Big Helmet Heroes is a brand new hilarious 3D beat em up game. You smash, bash, and crash your way through battles with oversized helmets and weapons so ridiculous they’d make a blacksmith cry. Play as four different character types and unlock 29 hidden heroes on this epic adventure. Check Out Big Helmet Heroes on Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series and Steam: https://tinyurl.com/4b73zkmn
The “beat ’em up” genre of video games is essentially the digital equivalent of a chaotic bar fight, but with more dramatic flair and significantly fewer legal consequences. These games drop players into the streets, alleys, and sometimes intergalactic prisons of fictional worlds, handing them one simple mission: punch, kick, and occasionally suplex everything in sight. Whether you’re a muscled-up vigilante in a sleeveless leather jacket or a mutant turtle with a grudge, the gameplay remains consistent—walk right, beat up identical goons who seem to have come from the same cloning facility, and continue until you reach a boss who’s roughly the size of a minivan. There’s always a street hot dog or inexplicably placed turkey dinner lying around for health, because apparently, consuming questionable floor meat is the key to superhuman endurance.
But what really makes beat ’em ups a treasure trove of ridiculous fun is their complete disregard for realism. You can suplex a shark, throw a motorcycle at a gang leader, or take down an entire army with nothing but your fists and a denim vest. The enemies arrive in predictable waves, politely waiting their turn to get knocked out, and they’re always color-coded so you know exactly how tough they are (because fashion equals strength, obviously). Whether it’s classics like Final Fight and Streets of Rage or more modern takes, the genre never fails to deliver the timeless joy of solving every problem with excessive force. After all, diplomacy is overrated when you can just button-mash your way to justice.
Sea of Tranquility reviews the brand new Dream Theater album Parasomnia!
Dream Theater is what happens when a group of virtuoso musicians decide that regular rock songs just aren’t complicated enough. Why play a simple four-minute track when you could write a 24-minute epic with seven tempo changes, three guitar solos, a keyboard duel, and a drum fill so intricate it could summon another dimension? These guys treat time signatures like a buffet—sampling odd meters at will and stuffing them into songs with the reckless abandon of a prog-loving mad scientist. Their music is equal parts mind-melting technicality and unapologetic melodrama, with lyrics that range from deep existential musings to full-blown fantasy sagas. If you’ve ever wanted to hear a song that sounds like a calculus equation, Dream Theater is your band.
Their live shows are like watching five guys attempt to break the laws of physics while looking suspiciously calm about it. John Petrucci shreds so fast his beard is rumored to be the source of his power, Jordan Rudess treats his keyboard like a sentient spaceship console, and Mike Portnoy (or Mangini, depending on the era) plays drums with enough limbs to make an octopus jealous. Meanwhile, James LaBrie belts out operatic vocals that could probably be heard in space, and John Myung quietly dominates the bass with the precision of a man solving quantum mechanics in his sleep. Dream Theater fans are a special breed, capable of air-drumming in 13/8 and debating album concepts with the seriousness of a Supreme Court case. Love them or get lost in their 40-minute song structures—either way, Dream Theater is prog-metal royalty, and they’re not here to play three-chord radio hits.
1. The Cartridge Taste Test Challenge
Nintendo made Switch cartridges taste awful on purpose. Seriously, they coated them with a bitter substance called denatonium benzoate to stop kids (and overly curious adults) from swallowing them. If you’ve ever wondered what disappointment tastes like, give one a lick—just don’t blame me when your tongue regrets it.
2. The “Forgotten Feature” IR Camera
The Joy-Con’s right controller has a fancy infrared motion camera that’s criminally underused. Nintendo originally showed it off by letting you play a rock-paper-scissors game… and then promptly forgot about it. It’s like the Switch’s third wheel: cool, but no one invites it to the party.
3. It’s a Fitness Guru in Disguise
The Switch secretly wants to be your personal trainer. Between Ring Fit Adventure, Just Dance, and random Joy-Con waggling, you’re likely burning more calories than you’d expect. Nintendo knows how to make you sweat while convincing you it’s fun—take that, boring gym memberships.
4. It Has a Screenshot Addiction
The Switch is so eager to show off your gaming prowess (or failures) that it gives you a dedicated button for screenshots. One press and boom—instant photo memory. Accidentally hit it during intense boss battles? No worries, now you’ve got 47 blurry images of you getting owned.
5. It Tracks How Long You’ve Been Procrastinating
The Switch keeps a creepy-good log of how many hours you’ve spent on each game. Sure, it’s fun to see you’ve clocked 300 hours in Animal Crossing, but it’s also a brutal reality check when you realize you haven’t spent nearly as much time on life goals.
1. Hidden Easter Egg on the DualSense Controller
The textured grip on the DualSense controller isn’t just random—it’s made up of tiny PlayStation symbols (the iconic square, triangle, circle, and cross). This intricate design adds both functionality and a nod to the brand’s legacy, but it’s so small that it’s easy to miss unless you look closely under a magnifying glass.
2. Backward Compatibility Includes Boost Mode
While it’s well-known that the PS5 supports backward compatibility with most PS4 games, many people don’t realize that it also has a “Boost Mode.” This feature allows certain PS4 games to run with enhanced frame rates, improved load times, and better visuals, giving older titles a fresh lease on life.
3. Customizable Game Help Feature
The PS5’s UI includes a built-in “Game Help” feature, which is often overlooked. This feature provides hints, walkthroughs, and tips directly from the system for supported games. It’s designed to help players avoid spoilers by offering just enough guidance to get through tricky sections.
4. Ultra-Fast Suspend/Resume Feature for Multiple Games
While Xbox’s Quick Resume feature gets a lot of attention, the PS5 quietly boasts an impressive suspend/resume capability for multiple games. With the system’s ultra-fast SSD, players can jump back into recent sessions nearly instantly, although it doesn’t apply to as many games simultaneously as Xbox’s version.
5. Built-In Microphone with Voice-to-Text
The DualSense controller includes a built-in microphone, which is well-known for chatting. However, a lesser-known feature is its voice-to-text capability. You can dictate messages using your voice instead of typing, which is especially handy for entering text or sending quick messages during gameplay.
Gunbird is like stepping into an arcade fever dream where the only rule is “fly fast, shoot faster, and try not to question why a witch on a broom is battling robots.” This classic vertical-scrolling shooter drops you into a world where ancient treasure hunters don’t bother with shovels; they prefer high-powered airships and endless waves of absurdly hostile enemies. You’ve got a roster of eccentric characters, from Marion, the aforementioned witch with zero chill, to Ash, a grumpy adventurer whose solution to everything is “more bullets.” The plot? Something about gathering magic mirrors to summon a wish-granting bird. But let’s be honest, you’ll be too busy dodging neon death rays to care.
The gameplay is pure chaos—screen-filling explosions, relentless bosses, and enough flying projectiles to make you wonder if dodging should be an Olympic sport. Power-ups drop like candy, giving you temporary godlike firepower before the game humbles you with a well-placed laser to the face. And the humor? Top-notch. The bosses shout ridiculous one-liners, and your characters respond with quips that make you question their life priorities. It’s the kind of game where you’ll laugh, cry, and probably scream when you lose your last life to a pixel-sized enemy you swore you dodged. Gunbird doesn’t just test your reflexes—it tests your ability to survive pure, unadulterated mayhem with a grin.
