Tag Archives: PC

Reviews

8-Bit Guy: How Atari 8-Bit Computers Work!

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The classic Atari 8-bit computers were the ’80s equivalent of a mullet: business up front, party in the back. Designed to handle both serious computing and wild gaming adventures, they came in models like the Atari 400 (the “starter pack”) and the Atari 800 (the “big boss”). These machines looked so sleek for their time that you’d half expect them to transform into a DeLorean if you pressed the right key combination. With their vibrant graphics and bleepy-bloopy soundtracks, they made even the most mundane spreadsheet tasks feel like they were happening in a disco-themed galaxy far, far away.

But let’s talk quirks. The Atari 400 had a keyboard that was basically a glorified sheet of plastic—great for wiping off crumbs, not so great for typing anything longer than your name without cramping up. The Atari 800, on the other hand, boasted actual keys and expansion slots, which made you feel like you were piloting the Starship Enterprise. And then there were the peripherals: cassette drives that took ages to load a game (but hey, what’s an extra 20 minutes for Donkey Kong?), and floppy disks that weren’t as floppy as their name suggested. Yet despite their quirks, Atari 8-bit computers were beloved for their versatility, pioneering features, and their uncanny ability to turn a living room into a techno wonderland. You didn’t just own an Atari—you joined a club of pixel pioneers who knew how to have fun in 8-bit style.

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A look back at Wing Commander (1990 PC Game)

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Modern Vintage Gamer takes us back to what made the original Wing Commander PC game so special.

Wing Commander is like jumping into a soap opera… in space! Imagine you’re a hotshot pilot battling evil feline overlords called the Kilrathi (think if your cat grew up on bad vibes and space lasers). Your job? To protect the galaxy while bantering with crew members who have enough drama to fill a few seasons of Days of Our Lives. Between missions, you wander the ship like it’s a floating high school, bonding with friends and frenemies alike, where everyone’s perpetually one botched mission away from a total meltdown. It’s basically Top Gun meets The Lion King—if Simba had claws and wanted to vaporize you.

Then there’s the gameplay, which serves up a blend of dogfighting chaos and cinematic tension. One moment, you’re blasting through Kilrathi fighters with a grin, the next you’re facing a mission briefing that sounds suspiciously like an episode recap from Battlestar Galactica. Sometimes you’re sent on reconnaissance (a.k.a. “please don’t die, we need intel”), but more often you’re thrown into the galactic version of a food fight—except the food is lasers, and the lunchroom is filled with explosions. It’s frantic, cheesy, and gloriously over-the-top, making it the perfect interstellar drama for anyone who ever wanted to fight space cats while managing their crewmates’ emotional baggage.

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Dozens of Apple computers rescued! #BarnFind

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Tales of Weird Stuff takes a long road trip through Washington State to Spokane to rescue a truck load of classic Apple computers. This is wild!

Apple computers are not only known for their sleek designs and cutting-edge technology, but some models have become rare, highly collectible, and seriously expensive. Here are 5 of the rarest or most expensive Apple computers:

1. Apple I (1976)

The holy grail of vintage computing! Only about 200 of these were ever made, and even fewer exist today. Hand-built by Steve Wozniak in Steve Jobs’ garage, this computer came as a motherboard kit, no case or keyboard included (DIY vibes, right?). One of these relics sold for $905,000 in 2014, making it the equivalent of owning a tech museum in your living room.

2. Apple Lisa 1 (1983)

The Apple Lisa was like the overachieving older sibling to the Macintosh. It was the first personal computer with a graphical user interface, which is why it cost as much as a decent car back then—about $10,000. Nowadays, a working Lisa 1 can go for $50,000–$100,000 depending on condition. It’s basically the computer equivalent of saying, “I bought Bitcoin in 2009.”

3. Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh (1997)

When Apple hit the 20-year mark, they decided to throw themselves a party and released this luxury limited-edition Mac. It came with a Bose sound system and a price tag of $7,500. Now, they’re collector’s items worth $10,000–$15,000. Owning one is like saying, “I appreciated the finer things in life… even in 1997.”

4. Macintosh 128K (1984)

The OG Mac, the one that started it all. It was the first Mac with a graphical interface and mouse, making it the apple of every tech geek’s eye (pun intended). While they originally sold for $2,495, a mint-condition one in the original packaging can fetch upwards of $5,000–$10,000 today. Think of it as vintage, but make it tech chic.

5. Apple II (1977)

This one was a big deal—it basically brought personal computing to the masses. With its sleek (for the time) design, color graphics, and a whopping 4 KB of RAM, it was the height of ‘70s tech sophistication. Depending on condition and whether it’s a first-gen model, it can go for anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000 now. The computer that once ran “Oregon Trail” is now worth more than your actual trail-running shoes.

Owning one of these machines isn’t just about having a rare piece of tech history—it’s about flaunting that you’re an Apple superfan with a time-traveling wallet!

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

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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.

Featured, PC Games

Play 7000 PC DOS games quickly and easily (eXoDOS Review)

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The eXoDOS project is like a digital Noah’s Ark for DOS games, meticulously rescuing and preserving thousands of PC classics from the treacherous seas of obsolescence. Imagine a pixelated Indiana Jones, armed not with a whip but with an external hard drive, bravely navigating the dusty catacombs of abandonware to unearth treasures like “Commander Keen” and “William Shatner’s TekWar”.
https://www.retro-exo.com/exodos.html

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Digital Decay Of 2000’s PC Game DRM (Tech Tangents)

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I’m tired of modern video games being shut down from pointless server requirements and wanted to help the cause to spread the word that we might be able to do something about it. It also made me wonder, how many of my physical games are now dead? It was a lot more than I thought it would be.

DRM is always annoying…but it was really bad in the early to mid 2000s!

DRM (Digital Rights Management) in video games – the ultimate test of a gamer’s patience and the digital equivalent of a bouncer at an exclusive club. Imagine you’ve bought a brand-new game, full of excitement to dive into its virtual wonders, only to be greeted by DRM, standing there like an overly cautious gatekeeper. It’s as if the game developers invited you to an awesome party, but first, they need to scan your ID, your fingerprints, and your grandma’s recipe for lasagna before letting you in. DRM, designed to thwart pirates, often ends up making honest gamers feel like they’re trying to break into Fort Knox just to enjoy a little digital escapism.

Picture this: You’re ready for an epic gaming session, snacks at the ready, comfy chair perfectly positioned. You click “Start Game” and BAM – you’re hit with a barrage of DRM hurdles. First, it’s the online verification, where your internet connection is questioned more than a suspect in a crime drama. Then there’s the infamous “please insert the original disk” message, despite the game being digitally downloaded. Let’s not forget the DRM that decides it’s a great time for a system update, because nothing screams fun like watching a progress bar. By the time you finally break through the DRM fortress, you’ve burned more calories from sheer frustration than you would have playing the game. In the world of video games, DRM is like that overly cautious friend who checks all the locks three times before leaving the house, while you just want to have some fun.

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Restoring a 1997 Gateway PC! Windows 95 Pentium 2 Desktop (LGR)

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I got this nifty Gateway 2000 desktop from the 90s and don’t know much about it! Except that it cost $2,649 when it was new. So let’s dive into the G6-233M with its Pentium II MMX 233MHz and see what else is inside, what’s broken or missing, and what needs repair and cleaning and such.

Gateway, Inc., formerly known as Gateway 2000, was a prominent American computer hardware company that emerged in 1985 in Sioux City, Iowa. Founded by Ted Waitt and Mike Hammond, Gateway initially started as a small operation in Waitt’s family barn but quickly grew into a major player in the PC market. Gateway gained recognition for its direct sales model, allowing customers to purchase computers directly from the company through catalogs and later online. This approach, coupled with their distinctive cow-spotted packaging, helped Gateway carve out a niche in the fiercely competitive personal computer industry.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Gateway experienced significant growth and became one of the top PC manufacturers in the United States. The company expanded its product lineup beyond desktops to include laptops, servers, monitors, and computer accessories. Gateway’s consumer-friendly branding and emphasis on customer service further endeared it to consumers. However, as the PC market evolved and competition intensified, Gateway faced challenges, including declining sales and financial difficulties. In 2007, the company was acquired by Acer Inc., marking the end of an era for one of the iconic brands of the PC industry.

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Bringing Alpha Protocol back from the dead (GOG Behind the Scenes Documentary)

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Alpha Protocol is an action role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Sega. Released in 2010, the game follows the story of Michael Thorton, a highly skilled secret agent working for a clandestine organization known as Alpha Protocol. Set in a contemporary world of espionage, conspiracy, and political intrigue, the game offers players a dynamic narrative experience driven by choices and consequences.

Players assume the role of Thorton as he navigates through various missions across the globe, from bustling cities to remote locations, to uncover a global conspiracy threatening world stability. The game features a robust dialogue system that allows players to shape Thorton’s personality and relationships with other characters through their choices and actions. These choices have significant repercussions, influencing the game’s narrative direction, alliances, and outcomes.

In terms of gameplay, Alpha Protocol combines elements of stealth, combat, and role-playing. Players can approach missions using stealthy tactics, utilizing gadgets and espionage skills to evade enemies and accomplish objectives covertly, or engage in intense gunfights and hand-to-hand combat when stealth fails. The game features a deep progression system, allowing players to customize Thorton’s skills, abilities, and equipment to suit their preferred playstyle.

Despite receiving mixed reviews upon release, Alpha Protocol has garnered a cult following for its ambitious narrative design, branching storyline, and player agency. Its emphasis on player choice and consequence, along with its dynamic dialogue system, set it apart as a unique and memorable entry in the action RPG genre, offering players a captivating journey through the shadowy world of international espionage.

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Asphalt Legends Unite – Official Teaser Trailer

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The Asphalt Legends Unite trailer for the upcoming Asphalt 9: Legends expansion, coming to iOS, Android, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 (PlayStation 4), PS5 (PlayStation 5), and Nintendo Switch on July 17, 2024.

The celebrate this release, I decided to compile the Top 5 Exotic Sports car brands in the world. Did I get it right?

1. Ferrari: Synonymous with high-performance and luxury, Ferrari has a storied history in motorsport and produces some of the most sought-after exotic sports cars in the world, known for their breathtaking speed, precision handling, and iconic styling.

2. Lamborghini: Renowned for its bold and flamboyant designs, Lamborghini cars are celebrated for their aggressive styling, thunderous engines, and lightning-fast acceleration. The brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering has made it a favorite among enthusiasts.

3. Bugatti: With a focus on combining opulence with extreme performance, Bugatti produces some of the fastest and most exclusive cars on the planet. Models like the Veyron and Chiron are revered for their jaw-dropping speed, luxurious interiors, and meticulous attention to detail.

4. McLaren: Known for its Formula 1 heritage and cutting-edge technology, McLaren manufactures some of the most advanced and exhilarating sports cars on the market. From track-focused supercars to luxurious grand tourers, McLaren offers a diverse lineup that caters to enthusiasts seeking uncompromising performance.

5. Pagani: Exclusivity and craftsmanship define Pagani, a boutique Italian automaker renowned for its limited-production hypercars. Each Pagani model is a work of art, meticulously handcrafted with lightweight materials and powered by potent engines, resulting in a driving experience that is as exhilarating as it is exclusive.

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The First Dune Game 32 Years Later: An LGR Retrospective

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The reviews must flow! And the spicy subject here is the first computer game adaptation of Dune, made by Cryo Interactive and Virgin Games in 1992. Take control of Arrakis as Paul Muad’Dib Atreides, reclaiming spice mines from the evil Harkonnens and forming a Fremen army to dominate the planet! Early 90s MS-DOS game goodness.

The appeal of the Dune series lies in its richly imagined universe, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. Set in a distant future where humanity has spread across the galaxy, the series explores intricate political intrigues, religious movements, and ecological concerns. Frank Herbert, the author, created a world where power struggles between noble houses, religious factions, and a mysterious order of navigators known as the Bene Gesserit drive the narrative forward. At the heart of the series is the desert planet of Arrakis, the only source of the valuable spice melange, which grants extended life and heightened awareness. The harsh desert landscape of Arrakis and its native Fremen inhabitants add layers of depth to the story, reflecting on themes of environmentalism, colonialism, and the human condition.

Moreover, the Dune series captivates readers with its exploration of complex characters and their moral dilemmas. From the conflicted protagonist Paul Atreides, who grapples with his destiny as a messianic figure, to the manipulative schemes of the power-hungry Baron Harkonnen, each character is multi-dimensional and morally ambiguous. The series delves into questions of power, religion, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Herbert’s intricate world-building, philosophical musings, and intricate plot twists have made the Dune series a timeless classic, captivating generations of readers with its blend of epic storytelling and profound insights into the human psyche.