The OneXPlayer G1 is like a gaming laptop and a Steam Deck had a wild night out and accidentally created a boxy, overpowered handheld that can run Cyberpunk 2077 and give you a forearm workout. It’s the device for people who think, “Sure, I want portability—but I also want all the frames, a full keyboard, and a controller that cramps.” MORE INFO: https://bit.ly/43qnp59
Category Archives: System Reviews
RetroN GX TurboGrafx-16 Review – the Good & the Bad
Review of the Hyperkin RetroN GX TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine clone console. This system plays TurboGrafx-16 and PC Engine games… kinda. At $90, some compromises have been made to resolution and performance. More info: http://www.hyperkin.com
Ah, the TurboGrafx-16, the console that said, “Sure, I’ll compete with the NES and Sega Genesis,” but then tripped on its own power cord before crossing the finish line. Released in North America in 1989, this little underdog was actually a powerhouse—at least on paper. It boasted gorgeous 16-bit graphics (well, technically an 8-bit CPU with a 16-bit graphics processor, but shhh, marketing!) and some of the best arcade-style games of its era.
The TurboGrafx-16 had a sleek, almost futuristic design… if “futuristic” meant a black plastic rectangle with orange accents. It also had just one controller port—because NEC figured friends were optional. Want multiplayer? Fork over extra cash for a TurboTap accessory. And speaking of accessories, there was the TurboExpress, a handheld version that was basically a Game Boy on steroids, capable of playing full TG-16 cartridges. It was amazing—until you realized it burned through six AA batteries in under three hours.
Then there was the TurboGrafx-CD, an add-on that gave players access to CD-ROM games years before Sega and Sony made it cool. Unfortunately, it also cost more than a used car in 1992. But hey, if you wanted anime cutscenes, voice acting, and loading times that let you grab a snack mid-level, this was the future!
Despite an amazing library featuring gems like Bonk’s Adventure (a game about a caveman with a weaponized forehead), Blazing Lazers (pure vertical-scrolling shooter bliss), and Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (arguably one of the best in the series), the TurboGrafx-16 never really caught on in the U.S. In Japan, where it was known as the PC Engine, it was a massive success, proving once again that Americans and Japanese gamers sometimes live in parallel gaming dimensions.
Ultimately, the TurboGrafx-16 was the hipster console of its time—underappreciated, ahead of the curve, and loved by those in the know. If you had one, you were either an arcade shooter enthusiast, a collector before it was cool, or someone who got it on clearance because your parents refused to buy a SNES. Either way, respect.
Chromatic Review: Game Boy for the Elite?
My review of the Chromatic by ModRetro: a premium handheld for Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, featuring a custom display and magnesium alloy shell. But at $200, is it worth it, or are there better & cheaper options?
Here are five lesser-known Game Boy Color (GBC) games that are often considered hidden gems by retro gaming enthusiasts:
1. Shantae
- Developer/Publisher: WayForward
- Year: 2002
- Why it’s a gem: Released late in the GBC’s lifespan, Shantae is a colorful action-platformer with Metroidvania elements. Its vibrant graphics, catchy music, and unique gameplay (Shantae transforms into animals to solve puzzles) make it a standout title.
- Fun Fact: Due to its low print run, physical copies are rare and highly sought after.
2. Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 (Tara’s Adventure / Cobi’s Journey)
- Developer/Publisher: Enix
- Year: 2001
- Why it’s a gem: Often overshadowed by Pokémon, this monster-raising RPG offers deep gameplay, a robust breeding system, and expansive worlds to explore. The level of customization in building your team is immense.
- Fun Fact: It allows players to breed unique monsters with specific abilities, making each playthrough different.
3. Wendy: Every Witch Way
- Developer/Publisher: WayForward
- Year: 2001
- Why it’s a gem: This gravity-defying platformer is simple but highly polished. Players control Wendy, the Good Little Witch, using her powers to flip gravity and solve clever puzzles.
- Fun Fact: It’s one of the earliest games by WayForward, who would later become famous for Shantae.
4. Survival Kids
- Developer/Publisher: Konami
- Year: 1999
- Why it’s a gem: A survival adventure game where players must navigate a deserted island, gather resources, and find a way to escape. It features multiple endings and a focus on crafting and exploration.
- Fun Fact: This game is considered the precursor to the Lost in Blue series on the Nintendo DS.
5. Bionic Commando: Elite Forces
- Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
- Year: 2000
- Why it’s a gem: A unique spin-off of the Bionic Commando series, this game combines action-platforming with a grappling hook mechanic for puzzle-solving. It’s challenging and offers satisfying gameplay.
- Fun Fact: The grappling mechanic remains a defining feature of the Bionic Commando series.
These games showcase the GBC’s impressive library beyond its most famous titles. Have you tried any of these, or are you looking for something similar?
Testing PS2 & GAMECUBE on latest ANBERNIC handheld.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
I was WRONG about the PlayStation Portal…
The PlayStation Portal is like a gaming Swiss Army knife that forgot its blades at home but still insists on being the life of the party. Imagine taking a PlayStation 5, shrinking it down to tablet size, and then realizing, “Oh wait, this thing can’t run games on its own.” It’s essentially the gaming world’s equivalent of a long-distance relationship—you’re technically together, but you need a strong Wi-Fi connection, or things get frustrating fast. The Portal is perfect if you’ve ever wanted to game on your couch without hogging the TV, but still need your PS5 to do all the heavy lifting. The PlayStation Portal is a lovable paradox: advanced yet oddly limited, freeing yet tethered, and definitely a conversation starter.
Buy PlayStation Portal (Amazon) : https://amzn.to/3MfEXqH
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Xbox One Buying Guide – Hardware + Great Games
Metal Jesus & Kelsey Lewin present a Xbox One Buying guide covering the different console variations, controllers and accessories and Xbox games to play!
The Xbox One is a home video game console developed by Microsoft and released in November 2013 as the successor to the Xbox 360. It features significant upgrades in hardware, including an AMD Jaguar 8-core CPU, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, and a custom GPU, enabling enhanced graphics and performance for gaming and multimedia applications. The console supports a wide range of games, from exclusive titles like “Halo 5: Guardians” and “Forza Horizon 4” to multi-platform hits. It also offers robust online services through Xbox Live, allowing for digital game downloads, multiplayer gaming, and access to various entertainment apps. The Xbox One introduced features like voice control via Kinect, backward compatibility with select Xbox 360 games, and integration with Windows 10, making it a versatile entertainment hub.
Top Racer (Top Gear) Mini Arcade & Collection REVIEW
My review of the Top Racer (Top Gear) Mini Arcade & game Collection. These are classic 90s arcade racing games being released as a mini arcade and 4 game collection on modern platforms like PC, Switch, PS4/5 and Xbox. More info: https://www.pikointeractive.com
Gremlin Interactive was a prominent British video game developer and publisher that made its mark during the 1980s and 1990s. Founded in Sheffield, England, in 1984 by Ian Stewart and Kevin Norburn, the studio gained recognition for its innovative and diverse range of games across various platforms, including home computers and consoles. Gremlin’s portfolio spanned multiple genres, from platformers like “Zool” to racing games like “Lotus Turbo Challenge” and “Top Gear.” One of its standout successes was the iconic “Premier Manager” series, which established Gremlin as a leader in sports management simulations.
Throughout its existence, Gremlin Interactive demonstrated a commitment to pushing boundaries in game development, often incorporating cutting-edge technology and creative gameplay mechanics into its titles. The studio was known for fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment that encouraged experimentation and risk-taking. Despite facing financial challenges in the late 1990s, Gremlin continued to produce memorable games until its eventual closure in 2003, after being acquired by Infogrames Entertainment. Despite its closure, Gremlin’s legacy lives on through the fond memories of gamers who grew up playing its innovative and entertaining titles.
The ATARI 400 mini review – Is it worth $120?!
The 400 Mini is a small version of the classic Atari 8bit computer and includes support for 400/800, XL and XE computer series, and the 5200 home console. It comes pre-installed with 25+ classic Atari games, the ability to play your own games and a new THECXSTICK joystick. Check out my review! More info: https://retrogames.biz/products/the400-mini/
The Atari line of 8-bit computers, introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, played a crucial role in shaping the personal computing landscape. The series began with the Atari 400 and Atari 800 in 1979, featuring a custom-made 6502-based chipset designed by Jay Miner. These machines boasted impressive graphics and sound capabilities for their time, making them popular for both gaming and productivity tasks. The computers were renowned for their distinctive industrial design, featuring a sleek, wedge-shaped casing with a membrane keyboard. Additionally, the Atari 400 and 800 were among the first home computers to include custom hardware for graphics and sound, which allowed for more advanced gaming experiences compared to other contemporary systems.
The Atari 8-bit line continued to evolve with subsequent models such as the Atari 600XL, 800XL, and 130XE, offering improvements in memory capacity, peripheral support, and compatibility with software and hardware expansions. These machines gained a dedicated following among hobbyists, educators, and gamers, with a wide range of software titles available, including popular games like “Pac-Man,” “Donkey Kong,” and “Star Raiders.” Despite facing stiff competition from other home computer manufacturers such as Commodore and Apple, the Atari 8-bit line remained relevant well into the mid-1980s, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of personal computing.
This NES inspired Ryzen 7 Mini-PC is FAST (and $440)
Review of the AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM02 windows computer. This small AMD Ryzen 7 computer is fast enough to run the latest games and every generation before it.
More info: https://ayaneo.com/product/AYANEO-Retro-Mini-PC-AM02.html
* NEW * Retro Shooter Light Gun – New Version Review
Review of the new Retro Shooter light gun package for the Pandora Box. MORE INFO: https://retroshooter.com
Light gun arcade games have had a significant impact on gaming culture. Here are five of the most popular and influential ones:
- Duck Hunt (1984): One of the earliest and most iconic light gun games, bundled with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Players used the NES Zapper to shoot ducks on the screen.
- Time Crisis series (1995 – present): Known for its pedal system allowing players to take cover, this series revolutionized light gun gameplay. It introduced the cover mechanic, adding depth to arcade shooters.
- House of the Dead series (1996 – present): This franchise brought horror-themed arcade shooting to the forefront. Players faced hordes of zombies and creatures in various installments, using light guns to survive.
- Point Blank series (1994 – 2017): Offering a different experience from traditional shooters, Point Blank focused on mini-games and challenges requiring precise shooting skills. It stood out for its variety and humor.
- Lethal Enforcers (1992): This game utilized digitized graphics and realistic settings, setting itself apart during its time. Players took on the role of a law enforcement officer, taking down criminals.
These games have left a lasting impact on the arcade gaming landscape and continue to influence modern gaming experiences.