Recently The Immortal John Hancock got his hands on a new homebrew console and all the games being offered for it. Introducing the Game Tank.
The home-brew game community is a passionate group of DIY developers who create and modify games for older and often discontinued consoles, bringing new life to retro hardware. It’s a blend of creativity, nostalgia, and technical wizardry, where fans push the boundaries of what’s possible on systems long past their prime.
Join me for Part 2 of my cross-America road trip in my 2002 Porsche Boxster S! In this episode, I deal with the battery/alternator issue and head in to the desert.
The 2002 Porsche Boxster S, while a fantastic sports car, isn’t without its quirks and issues. Some of the most common problems include:
1. **IMS (Intermediate Shaft) Bearing Failure**: This is the most infamous issue with older Boxsters, including the 2002 model. The IMS bearing supports the intermediate shaft that drives the camshafts, and when it fails, it can lead to catastrophic engine damage. While not every car suffers from this, it’s a well-known risk that can lead to engine failure if not addressed.
2. **Rear Main Seal (RMS) Leaks**: Another common issue is oil leaking from the rear main seal. This can lead to messy oil drips and, if left unchecked, more serious engine issues over time. The fix typically involves removing the transmission, making it a labor-intensive repair.
3. **Convertible Top Mechanism Failure**: The Boxster’s soft top mechanism is known to have problems over time, particularly with the motor and cables that operate the top. If the top becomes slow or stops working altogether, it’s usually due to wear and tear on these parts.
4. **Coolant Tank Leaks**: The plastic coolant expansion tank in the Boxster S is prone to cracking, leading to coolant leaks. This is often tricky to detect right away and can result in overheating if not repaired promptly.
5. **Suspension Wear**: Due to the sporty nature of the Boxster, suspension components, particularly the control arm bushings and drop links, can wear out faster than in a typical car. This leads to clunking noises, reduced handling performance, and the need for replacement parts.
6. **Clutch Wear**: The clutch in manual transmission models tends to wear out relatively quickly, especially if the car has been driven aggressively. Replacing the clutch can be a costly job.
Despite these issues, many owners still find the 2002 Boxster S a rewarding car to drive, especially when maintained properly.
Part 1 of our epic trip to Norway. We hunt for metal music, eat tasty Norwegian food, take in beautiful scenery and visit a retro gaming store! — WATCH >> https://youtu.be/MpkHLXN6ze4
Norway, land of fjords, skiing, and… black metal. Yep, the same country known for producing Nobel Peace Prize winners and picture-perfect nature scenes also gave birth to a music genre that sounds like a Viking raid set to guitar riffs. You have to admire the contrast: one moment Norwegians are peacefully cross-country skiing through tranquil forests, and the next, they’re donning corpse paint and summoning the forces of darkness through a double bass drum beat. It’s as if someone looked at all that beautiful, calm Norwegian scenery and said, “You know what this needs? Screaming.”
Norway’s contribution to black metal is legendary—so much so that the music feels like an extension of the country’s winter: long, dark, and cold. The genre’s pioneers went beyond music, dabbling in church burning and spiky leather accessories, turning a typical Wednesday into a metal apocalypse. And while the rest of the world may associate Norway with reindeer and serenity, the black metal scene has given it a reputation for being a place where a peaceful hike can just as easily end with a DIY music video in a snow-covered graveyard.
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.
Luke’s Game Room talks about Xbox 360 games you need to pick up before prices get even worse than they are now. Prices are doubling, tripling or worse for several of the 7th generations more obscure and hidden gem games. These games need to be on your backlog, and need to be in your collection before they get too pricey.
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.
Ircha Gaming – Tinyhats and I recently traveled to attend Retromessa gaming convention in Sandefjord, Norway! Meeting up with discorders and youtubers, finding rare games, shopping and more; here is the full experience! Thank you Retromessa for the Weekend pass.
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!
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.
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).