Clint meets Clint... and threatens to take him out.
A review of the Sega CD system from the perspective of a cheap, casual game collector.
A review from the perspective of a cheap, casual collector of video games: is the Atari 2600 VCS worth it? A quick run-down of the history, pros and cons of the games and system.
Is the Vic-20 worth purchasing? A review from the perspective of a cheap, casual collector of video games. A quick run-down of the history, pros and cons of the games and system and whether or not it's worth your time.
Ah, what a lovely day outside. Time for some outdoor gaming! A guy decides to spend the nice day outside playing 360, and finds out it's not as easy as it sounds once he meets his arch-nemesis. Plus, trees don't make good TVs. Made with my netbook's webcam.
This is a short review of The Sims 3 by EA and "The Sims" Division. I have put together an abbreviated review (not covering ALL aspects) focusing on the top 5 reasons to buy The Sims 3 - if you've played the earlier games and didn't like them or just don't know much about it, this will give you my reasons to go and give this one a shot. Though in all fairness, I only list pros here - there are certainly cons. Look me up on The Sims Exchange under phreakindee.
Ran across this disk in a stack of 5.25" floppies I had, time to check it out. What an entirely trippy game. Moon Dust is an "art/music" game by Creative Software in 1983. The goal is quite simple: guide stuff places, things happen, wtf? It's entirely awesome!
Making reviews takes too long, so I give up. Here's a quick review of: Fathom Fire Fly Kangaroo Frogs & Flies Deadly Duck The goal of these experimental videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a long day at work, based on a theme of games (this one is games where you play an animal). Hence the apathy and lack of willpower. You probably won't like this. Everyone's gotta start somewhere... right?
Pac-Man: Everyone's doing it! Here's a quick review of: Pac-Man Ms. Pac-Man Lock 'n Chase Mouse Trap Alien The goal of these experimental videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a long day at work, with about one minute reviews based on a theme of games (this one is games that are based on Pac-Man/maze games).
Atari's answer to Intellivision sports video games: Real Sports! Blood, sweat and tears in this review of: RealSports Volleyball RealSports Tennis RealSports Soccer RealSports Football RealSports Boxing The goal of these videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a long day at work, with about one minute reviews based on a theme of games (this one is games that are in the Real Sports series of first-party games by Atari). EDIT: I can't believe I forgot RealSports Baseball. That's how quickly and slackerly these videos were made back then... wow.
Depth Dwellers - a poor man's Doom, a poor man's fate, a poor FPS game indeed. The sarcastic cause of the economic crisis revealed in this review of: Depth Dwellers The goal of these videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a long day at work, with about one minute reviews based on a theme of games (however, this one is a single game, Depth Dwellers, for the MS-DOS OS). These are not meant to be taken seriously whatsoever, it's just me having some fun. Chainsaw Felatio by vSnares is the theme, for those who've asked!
A disgusting DOOM clone that swaps blood & gore for farts & garbage... just charming! Locate the world's stolen panties in this review of: HURL Played on a 486-66. The goal of these videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a long day at work, with about one minute reviews based on a game or theme of games (this one is a single game, HURL, for the MS-DOS OS).
In volleyball, winners never quit and quitters never win. Unless you just don't care - and then you'll never get these beach babes. Sinjin and Stoklos rule the beach in this review of: Kings of the Beach NES & MS-DOS EGA I was on vacation when I slapped most of this together, so forgive this being completely mediocre. I thought I'd post it anyways to see what people thought. The goal of these "Lazy Game Reviews" videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a long day at work, with short reviews based on a game or theme of games (this one is a single game, Kings of the Beach, for DOS and the Nintendo Entertainment System).
Yes, there were sexy girls in video games before Lara Croft. But Vinyl didn't take herself too seriously, and just liked to have fun. Help her find the "hot plasma injector" in this review of the "adult game": Vinyl Goddess from Mars MS-DOS - B-movie parody, for DOS with VGA cards Interesting note: This was developed as Jill of the Jungle II for Epic Megagames in 1994, but for some reason they chose not to publish it. So, the game's plot and look were changed a bit to make it more "adult", and it was released as Vinyl Goddess!
Too lazy to rock climb in real life? Head Games and Creative Carnage, who brought you Extreme Paintbrawl, have the solution! Play practice mode in this review of: Extreme Rock Climbing The goal of these "Lazy Game Reviews" videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a long day at work, with short reviews based on a game or theme of games (this one is a single game, Extreme Rockclimbing for Windows 95).
Many times, British-made games seem to be exceptionally unique but still of very high quality. Mag Racer is an attempt to disprove that idea. Save the POD people in this review of: Mag-Racer for Windows, er, DOS The goal of these "Lazy Game Reviews" videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a long day at work, with short reviews based on a game or theme of games (this one is a single game, Mag Racer for Windows 95). NOTE: The cover art for this game is actually a rip-off of the Top Gear games for SNES and Amiga! And as far as I know it has nothing to do with the crap movie "The Pod People"
Way before The Sims and SimCity 2000, there was SimAnt by Will Wright and Maxis. Ever wanted to control your ant farm, instead of just watching it? Now you can, in this review of: SimAnt for Mac The goal of these "Lazy Game Reviews" videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a long day at work, with short reviews based on a game or theme of games (this one is a single game, SimAnt for Apple Macintosh, played on an LC575).
Space Invaders! Those innovative Japs overtook our arcades and now our consoles! 30 years ago! Here's a quick review of: Space Invaders Gorf Galaxian Demon Attack Carnival Megamania The goal of these videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review, after a long day at work, with about one minute reviews based on a theme of games - this one is about games that are based on the Space Invaders idea.
Review from the perspective of a casual collector of video games: is the Atari 600XL worth a buy today? A short run-down of the history, pros and cons of the games and system, what to look for and be aware of when buying, as well as some of the other 8-bit computers from pre-Jack Tramiel Atari.
Indiana Jones? Please. Try Nevada Smith, he REALLY knows how to kick some butt. George Broussard, we love you, in this review of Apogee's platformer: Pharaoh's Tomb for MS-DOS The goal of these "Lazy Game Reviews" videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a day at work, with short reviews based on a game or theme of games (this one is a single game, Pharaohs Tomb for DOS).
After 12 titles and several of them disappointing, is the newest NFS worth buying? Perhaps a shift in the right direction? Lawls in this review of Slightly Mad Studio's: Need for Speed Shift (PC version reviewed). Also, for some reason I have found out upgrading makes a HUGE and negative difference toward handling! For instance, in my Lamborghini LP640, if I upgrade everything involving handling, and then only the engine, it will handle beautifully. But if I start upgrading the turbo, gearing, and most of the "Extra" upgrades (including large brakes) it will slide all over the place, negating any performance boosts. I assume this could be fixed by then tweaking the car to handle the performance, but what I've done doesn't seem to help and the game gives no guidance on tweaking anything so I have no idea.
Pharaoh's Tomb had a sequel? You bet it did! Though most gave it the cold shoulder, it's worth a look and is an enjoyable adventure of the arctic variety. Check it out in this review of Apogee's platformer: Arctic Adventure for MS-DOS. Pharaoh's Tomb Review Part II. The goal of these "Lazy Game Reviews" videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a day at work, with short reviews based on a game or theme of games (this one is a single game, Arctic Adventure for DOS).
Game shows and video games: a great match or an odd couple? The newest Price Is Right game may answer that question! So come on down & get your pets spayed and neutered in this review of: The Price is Right 2010 Edition for Microsoft Windows computers. The goal of these "Lazy Game Reviews" videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a day at work, with short reviews based on a game or theme of games (this one is a single game, The Price is Right 2010 for Windows PCs - also on Nintendo Wii and DS consoles).
Adventure, Eliza, Life & Pong. These games are oldies for sure, but just how golden are they? Check out this review of the game compilation from 1985: Golden Oldies Volume 1 for MS-DOS. The goal of these "Lazy Game Reviews" videos is to see how quick I can crank out a review after a day at work, with short reviews based on a game or theme of games (this one is a single game, Golden Oldies Vol. 1 for DOS - the only volume I'm aware of).
Review from the perspective of a casual collector of video games: is the C64 worth buying today? A short run-down of the history, pros and cons of the games and system, what to look for and be aware of when buying, as well as some of the other 8-bit computers from Jack Tramiel era Commodore.
Adware has been around for ages and it wasn't always malicious, and Ford Simulator 2 is one of the most intriguing and classic examples of games made simply to advertise. It may not be Forza 3 but it's worth a look. Check out the CGA game FordSim2 in this review of: Ford Simulator v2 for MS-DOS. Made using DosBox, unfortunately. Couldn't get the video out on my old machine to input to my capture device. So goes technology.
Fish simulators are few and far between. In other games you can fish the fish, but in Odell, you ARE the fish! Enjoy the swim in the land down under in this review of: Odell Down Under for Windows 3.1.
This is the single strangest DKC review you will ever see. Making a review while on pain drugs and down with Swine Flu is quite a task, and this is what results.
Is the first expansion pack for TS3 worth buying? Or is it more of the same... We shall see in this review!
Commander Keen: one of id Software's greatest! Vorticons and Goodbye Galaxy! took the spotlight, but what of Keen Dreams? Check it out in this review of the platformer: Commander Keen - Keen Dreams - Lost Levels.
Lovely 1990's big box computer games! I unbox Wolfenstein 3-D and Doom sealed, mint boxes and show their gory guts for all the internet to see! This is the retail release by GT Software. Wolf3D came packed together with the shareware version of Doom in certain American retailers, to my knowledge, both in large beautiful boxes. Doom (original registered version) was never released at retail in the USA and was mail-order-only, so in effect this is one of the only American boxes for the game.
It's Christmastime and that means Christmas games! Why not start with one about the chaotic perils of Saint Nick himself? Christmas is deadly and Special Delivery proves it. This is a review of said insanity. Also came on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 computers, but I prefer the A8 version shown here due to it's superb controls.
I've had a bit of luck finding some great games at really affordable prices in unlikely places recently. So, I figured I would tell a bit regarding my collecting practices in hopes that maybe you'll take some of the luck away from me with these tips, because frankly I'm running out of room to store all this crap. All of this in total cost me about $85. Not really an unboxing, but I open up a box of about 20 PC games and show several others that have been saved recently from the depths of thrift stores. If you have any requests for reviews let me know, as always. I also have hundreds more so just ask - I like reviewing not just "showing". Lazy Game Reviews continuing after this!
Lemmings is one of those timeless puzzle games that's great any time of year. But at Christmastime it's only logical to break out Holiday Lemmings! And the 1994 version is the ultimate way to play this platforming classic. Here's the review of: Christmas Lemmings 1994 for Commodore Amiga computers. Also came on DOS and Macintosh machines but the Amiga version is superior in nearly every way.
No more waitin' for Christmas! It finally came to Duke Nukem, just after defeating those alien scum yet again. This time they've brainwashed Santa, and it's up to Duke to save Christmas in this review of: Duke Nukem Nuclear Winter add-on for MS-DOS PCs.
Dude, Jazz Jackrabbit is AWESOME. But it needs more snow and candy you say?... well, Holiday Hare 1995 delivers! Check this amazing out in the review of: Jazz Jackrabbit Holiday Hare 95 for MS-DOS PCs.
Have you ever wanted to drive a classic stunt car over insane jumps and around massive loops? Do you love old 3D games like Hard Drivin'? Are you alive? Stunt Driver is for you. A review of: Stunt Driver for MS-DOS computers.
Computer audio has come quite a way since 1981. Here is a short video I made comparing the major steps from the PC speaker to Adlib on up to today's chips! At least, from the perspective of the LucasArts classic, The Secret of Monkey Island. Monkey Island was chosen due to its having a wide breadth of versions of the same song, as compared to many other games which didn't support this many cards. The final version of the song is from the recent "Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition" on PC/360/PS3 - recorded using live instruments, NOT the CD-ROM version from the early nineties. Some clips recorded by me, others from Crossfire Designs, all awesome.
First came Duke Nukem, who really started the whole protagonist-with-a-personality trend. But who remembers Lo Wang? Shadow Warrior took all of the humor and ridiculous antics of Duke 3D and brought them to the East.
Review from the perspective of a casual collector of video games: is the first "PC", the IBM 5150, worth buying today? A run-down of the history, pros and cons of the system and games, what to look for and be aware of when buying, as well as some of the other 8-bit computers and revisions in the 5150 lineage. MS-DOS has never been so fine.
Duke Nukem 3D, Shadow Warrior, Blood: The trinity of major 3DR Build games. Released by Monolith, Blood is one disturbing yet awesome horror shooter. Do you like your hands bloody? Caleb does. And so does this reviewer.
I get a number of questions regarding what PC I would recommend to play games for MS-DOS. There are quite a few answers so in this video I give my opinions on the topic. This is an experiment with something different instead of just game reviews... More LGR involving actual reviews next week!
Is the first stuff pack expansion for The Sims 3 worth buying? What exactly does it include? This review of the HELS Pack attempts to answer these questions and more.
A post-apocalyptic racing game where you can run down pedestrians and run down your opponents... or, you can even race if you want! And it's really well-made! What's not to love?
Railroad Tycoon and SimCity... two classic, different forms of gaming. What if you meshed them together? Why, it's already been done! Take the A-Train in this review of: Apologies for the prior upload with serious rendering errors, which resulted in what appeared to be a review on seriously bad drugs.
Rocket launchers, machine guns and oil slicks. Why? Because apparently just building a city was so lame... it just had to be taken to the extreme, and so a vehicular combat game based around Sim City was born.
PC pinball can be such a hit or miss situation... so when it turns out as solid and enjoyable as Epic Pinball, you have to take notice! The makers of Gears of War and Unreal got it right.
Name the top computers of the 1980's... okay, if the Spectrum wasn't on that list, you need to read up on your history! From an American gamer's perspective, is Sinclair's 48k wonder worth getting today? How about all of those PAL / NTSC problems? This video covers the newcomer bases in this review of:
Shiny is well-known for Earthworm Jim... but do you remember MDK? If you like bizarre yet solidly-made cyberpunk shooters, MDK is the game you need. And what does MDK really stand for anyways? Was it really Murder Death Kill? Oh well.
Love classic games? Wondering if Game Room is any good? If you'd like to build an arcade, Game Room for the 360 and Windows Live may be worth checking out. And it's free!* At the time of this review there are 30-something games with plans for many more via free DLC. *Not counting the games themselves, natch.
Many consider the 3DO console to be a complete failure. But is this really the case? There are quite a few good games for it, but are they enough to merit buying a system? Get the history, pros and cons of the console in this review of:
When the 386 came to market in 1986, it blew everything else away. Having one of these was considered "life in the fast lane" and until the 486 & Pentium, it was the ultimate CPU to use. This is an overview of the NCR Comten PC 386SX from 1989, a 386 processor-based sort of IBM PS/2 35SX ish clone, as well 386 machines in general. Also compares its speed to the IBM PC and XT range of machines. This is a response to some requests for footage of some of my systems "in action" instead of just a review. But that would be boring I think so lots of facts, commentary and history as well. Oh and I paid about $25+shipping for this PC, no monitor or extras. I have since added a 3.5" 1.44MB floppy drive, 210MB HDD and Sound Blaster 2.0 card.
Nothing says early 90's like the platform game. But they weren't limited to consoles, oh no. Computers had Jill of the Jungle, Jazz Jackrabbit and of course, Realms of Chaos. This bloody fantasy side-scroller is remembered quite fondly in many an Apogee fan's mind, and for good reason. It RoCs. LAWL.
This is an overview of the Compaq Presario 425 from 1993, a 486sx processor-based PC, as well 486 and Overdrive chipped machines in general. Also compares its speed to the 386 range of machines. During the early 90's the 486 ruled all. But when things started progressing so quickly, it wasn't enough and Overdrive CPUs and such addons became quite popular. Also following in the Macintosh's footsteps came all-in-one case designs for some PCs. This is a response to some requests for footage of some of my systems "in action" instead of just a review. But that would be boring I think - so lots of facts, commentary and history as well.
A review of the awesome puzzle game from Apogee!
How many of you actually played SMB2 on the NES when it was new? How many of you were aware back then that, in America, it wasn't really SMB2? The story is somewhat common now but I think this awesome oddity is still worth a look. Is it really too hard for American players?
Before the netbooks of today, there was a subcompact laptop computer that was rather impressive, the Contura Aero from Compaq. This is just an overview of the system and its features, showing how it runs and what it is (or is not) capable of. Sorry there's not more game footage, camera is acting up like mad and as such the frame rate was a bit choppy.
Trying to get certain games to run on a PCjr can be a job and a half. Even worse when you haven't played the game in years and don't know the specifics of the PC jr memory configuration. This shows the (aggravating) process of loading LSL: In the Land of the Lounge Lizards from its original floppies on an IBM PCjr MS-DOS computer. This was a 4:3 aspect ratio video, I have no idea why YouTube is forcing a zoomed widescreen output.
What if SimCity was more focused? Way more. Like, you only make one building instead of a city of buildings? Throw some Yoot into the mix and you've got Sim Tower, the excellent tower society simulation from Maxis and OPeNBooK Co.
Review from the perspective of a somewhat casual collector: is the first "home PC" from IBM, the PC jr, worth buying today? A run-down of the history, pros and cons of the system and games, what to look for and be aware of when buying. 3-voice square wave sound forever!
Adult games have been an omnipresent part of gaming since its earliest days, but no other comes close to the awesome that is Leisure Suit Larry. Specifically here we have LSL in the Land of the Lounge Lizards. This first game in the series is still one of the best, so prepare your blow-up doll and buy some lubbers for this review of: Al Lowe is the man.
Is the second expansion pack for TS3 worth buying? What are the new careers and objects?... Find out in this review!
Action platform games for DOS weren't exactly too common before Epic and Apogee. Imagine my surprise when I found Zeliard from Sierra, developed in '87 by Game Arts! Zeliard... get into it. Zeliard for MS-DOS PCs, played on a Tandy 1000 RL/HD.
Tired of all those lists of the "worst" games that are actually just commonly-known sub par games? I am. So I made this list. These aren't just "mediocre" games... this is my worst of the worst. Keyword: MY list. This is 100% subjective and my own opinion, nothing more. Consists of the top 17 worst PC games that I own. I actually collect these games somewhat, seeking out the worst crap as a matter of twisted pride and a weird guilty pleasure of perverted taste in games. Games were chosen on the basis of effort made vs end result, bugginess, lack of gameplay and/or fun, hype vs disappointment, and personal preference in comparison to other similar games. Why 17? Because it's an odd number, very odd.
In this one-year LGR anniversary special, we take a look at The Need For Speed. The first game in the still-going series got its start on the forgotten 3DO game console, eventually being ported to DOS PCs. This is a history and in-depth review and comparison of the 3DO and PC versions of the game. Also be sure and check out Part II where we'll look at TNFS:SE, the PS1 and Saturn ports as well as import variations.
In the second half of this special, we take a look at The Need For Speed Special Edition. It wasn't the full sequel many hoped for, but it was still a great improvement to the game and also spawned new ports for the new consoles, as well as some Nissan-infused awesomeness. This is a history and in-depth review and comparison of the PC and console ports, as well as a look at the imports for Japanese consoles. Also be sure and check out Part I where we look at the original game with both the 3DO and MS-DOS PC versions.
Like puzzle games? How about lasers? How about leveling up IN SPACE? Astro Driller 3020 may just be the ideal game for you, space-faring "casual" gamer - check this out for some sticky sweet opinion! And yes, Chronic Logic approached me to review this. And I thank them for the awesome opportunity (and the game)!
A comparison of the redesigned 360S console to the older model 360 Pro/Arcade/Elite models. Is it worth the hit to the wallet for previous owners? Or is it only for newcomers? I wasn't planning on doing one of these, but after requests for such a thing I figured I may as well quickly put a video together. And here it is, I hope it answers your questions as to relative "worth" of the machine. This does not replace the review this week, it's a supplement of sorts. Retro goodness comes this weekend.
Mahjong solitaire is easily one of my favorite ways to relax. And as great as the real thing is I can't help but keep thinking... NEEDS MORE DOS!
Review from the perspective of a somewhat casual collector: is the 1000 series worth collecting today? A run-down of the history, pros and cons of the systems and games, what to look for and be aware of when buying. The PCjr may have failed, but Tandy? Tandy ruled. There are functions I wanted to talk about but ran out of time, like the ability to run in Hercules mode, further Deskmate and TL-related features and the upgrade options, but alas. Also check out the Maxis games of the time, the Tandy versions are spectacular - SimCity, SimEarth, SimAnt, etc.
Sometimes you just need a good ol' action platform game to unwind. Mostly these were stuck in 16-bit console land, but not Jill! One of the earlier games with a female action protagonist, Jill is not to be missed. Also includes a little info on "Jill-inspired" games, like Onesimus, Xargon and Vinyl Goddess From Mars.
Don Bluth's "Dragon's Lair" is awesome. But the PC port from 1989? It leaves a bit to be desired. Overprotective copy protection, repetition, odd controls, repetition, bugs and repetition. At least it's more playable than that NES port.
A slew of CP/M, Osborne, Kaypro and Heath retro computing software and hardware. Any tips or additional info is appreciated! The Heathkit / Zenith stuff is especially curious. I'm not sure what all it's actually for, system-wise. Possibly a H89/90. Turns out the Kaypro is a 4/83 + 88 making it compatible with MS-DOS. I also got the floppy drive working. There will be a proper and full-length review of these machines at some point.
SC2K is an undeniable classic. But time seems to have forgotten this ill-fated multiplayer version of the ultimate city simulator. Long before the online antics of Spore or The Sims Online, there was Network Edition.
The first Macintosh. Not many computers are this legendary or can make the claim that even being from 1984 its direct descendants are still sold today. But is it worth buying one to a games collector? The Insanely Great Apple Macintosh 128 Computer System Thanks to Killgruz for assistance and inspiration!
There are tons of game weapons that FEEL great to use. But some rise above the rest and for whatever reason they just blow away the competition. Why? I don't know, this is totally subjective but it's something I've noticed and is just a list for fun. This is the top 17 most satisfying and gratifying PC game weapons I've come across. Games were chosen on the basis of that intangible feeling of awesomeness that I got when playing them. Whether it be from sound, visual feedback, "feel", etc. Why 17? Because it's an odd number, very odd.
Many 90's PC gamers remember Halloween Harry/Alien Carnage. But what about the sequel for Windows 3.1? Zombie Wars deserves a look, but it's rather hard to find the original CD.
An overview of the game Repton by Superior Software, played on an Acorn Electron computer. Lazy Game Reviews Quickie #1. Review starts at 1:40. These LGRQ videos are a break from my "full length" reviews to simply show more arcade-like games and give my opinion on the game and how it plays. The goal is to do this in around 3 minutes for each game, unscripted and unrehearsed.
Is the second stuff pack expansion for The Sims 3 worth buying? What exactly does it include? This review of FLS answers these questions and more. As usual, this also covers patch items that launched with the expansion/stuff pack (VE trait, naming vehicles, driving preference, etc).
An overview of the game Oh Mummy by Gem Software in 1984, played on a Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer. Special thanks to Mark for the game donation! Lazy Game Reviews Quickie #2. These LGRQ videos are a break from my "full length" reviews to simply show more arcade-like games and give my opinion on the game and how it plays. The goal is to do this in around 3 minutes for each game, unscripted and unrehearsed.
An overview of the game Ladder by Yahoo Software, played on a Kaypro 4/83 vintage portable computer.
An overview of the game Master of Magic by Mastertronic from 1985, played on a Commodore 64 computer. Enjoy Sword & Sorcery and the early Ultimas? Well, this is actually a lot simpler than Ultima and the like, but still rather enjoyable. No XP or leveling up, just arcade fun. And yes, before someone mentions it I am aware the title track is an arrangement of Shibolet by Synergy. Doesn't make it any less rad though, Rob Hubbard took it and made it spectacular.
An overview of the CD Man games by Creative Dimensions from 1989 and 1992. Pac-Man games are a dime a dozen but this is one that really stands out to me. Mainly because I played it endlessly as a kid, but also because it's just freaking cool. Covers the pre-release 1989 game and the v2.0 game from 1992.
The Amiga is the stuff of pure legend. The A500 in particular is often looked back on with fond memories and no regrets. But is it worth buying one to a games collector today? An overview of the history, pros and cons of the machine. Many thanks to Borin81 for the Amiga!
Air hockey games. For Windows 3.1, there isn't much choice. Fortunately, there is Robert Epps' Slam! It's no Shufflepuck Cafe but it's still a nifty little shareware game from 1993, with solid controls, customization and evil AI. It's now freeware, and even works (mostly) on Windows 7!
Flight sim games can wear you down after a while, but a good dogfighting game? Never gets old! This one by the makers of JetStrike is superb.
Is the third expansion pack for TS3 worth buying? What are the new activities and objects? Find out in this review! As usual, this also covers the updates for the main game that release on or near the initial launch date of the expansion (such as half-walls, grouping, body sliders, zodiac signs etc). In this case it covers the LN patch (Patch 17) released with the expansion on 10/26/10.
This is mainly for my own posterity's sake, nothing special. But also several have requested that I make a video showing my Minecraft world. On this Halloween day, which also happens to be the day Alpha was updated, I thought it might be amusing to some of you. Or perhaps not. It may be a bit hard to hear me at times, as the volume of the game was higher than I thought, my apologies. That's what happens when there is no editing, folks! And yes, all you see was made by myself, block-by-block with individually mined resources, over the course of 30-40 hours or so. I really don't know for sure, lost all track of time like only the best games can do.
A 100% timeless classic. Paratrooper is pure arcade fun that always entertains and, like any great arcade game, infuriates. Shoot stuff, shoot more stuff, and shoot some more.
There's some totally rad easter eggs in Black Ops and as a retro computing geek I am quite pleased. A text adventure on your modern game console? A UNIX-like command line interface and a Smash TV clone? Excellent. Played on a Windows 7 PC, recorded with Fraps (which oddly resulted in some random choppy footage).
First off, coolest game name ever. Second, this is a rather unheard-of but decent and challenging puzzle game from the guys that produced the Wizardry and Jagged Alliance games. And... Freaking, funky, fuzz and balls are in the title... really, what more could you want?
Just having fun going through random floppies on the IBM PC. Unscripted, raw footage to show the programs and give first impressions. I look at several of the Keypunch Software compilations, including the following games: Round 42 Rockets Black Jack
Just having fun going through random floppies on the IBM PC. Unscripted, raw footage to show the programs and give first impressions. I look at several of the Keypunch Software compilations, including the following games: Blackjack Keno Solitaire Bowling Champ Munchman Depth Charge
Just having fun going through random floppies on the IBM PC. Unscripted, raw footage to show the programs and give first impressions. I show several of the Keypunch Software compilations, including the following games: Red Baron / Sopwith Hopper Space Attackers II Cue-Bert And yes, I know that it says "Continue to Keypunch Part 3" at the end of video, instead of Part 4. Whoops, I screwed up, amazing. I'm lazy, sosumi.
Just having fun going through random floppies on the IBM PC. Unscripted, raw footage to show the programs and give first impressions. I show several of the Keypunch Software compilations, including the following games: Par-4 Golf Quarterback Crunch Archery
There's just something special about certain platform games and Fire & Ice is one of them. The solid gameplay, great environments, cheery audio and searing difficulty combine to make a memorable experience that can be a joy to experience. An arctic coyote that shoots balls from his mouth and somehow stole large portions of my childhood awaits... Covers the Commodore Amiga, IBM PC, Atari ST, CD32 and Sega Master System versions. My apologies to Acorn, but it's their fault for having such a hard to find machine, the Archimedes, resulting in me not being able to find the game for it. If anyone has this version, let me know as I'd love to see it!
Open world racing games are often considered a modern genre. But Vette! from 1989 was a true forerunner, helping bring to the table many innovative features that survive to this day. Race a 1989 model Corvette through an accurate 3D representation of San Francisco, California! Happy Thanksgiving 2010!
Ever wonder about the first PC sound card standard? Or maybe you have fond memories. Check out this video of the history, unboxing and installation of the original Ad Lib Music Synthesizer Card! Dinky IBM PC speakers still cringe and cower in fear of the mighty YM3812 FM chip. Be sure and check out part 2 for examples of the AdLib card in action, using the original vintage hardware captured via line-in. It's some awesome. And yes, I said "greetings greetings" at the start of the video. That's what I get for rushing a video even more than usual! :D The background music in the first half of the vid is "Power Grid" and "Nightlife" from the SimCity 3000 soundtrack.
Showing off the AdLib capabilities using a direct line from the card to a modern PC, demonstrating Jukebox and various game clips on a vintage 16Mhz 386SX computer. Pure frequency modulated bliss. Hook in your sub and crank up those speakers! I really wish YouTube didn't degrade the sound quality as much as it did, it really diminished the full effect. Be sure and check out part 1, if you haven't already, to see the history, unboxing and installation of this classic piece of hardware.
It's December and that means Lazy Game Reviews Christmas videos! And today to fit the bill is a game that barely qualifies as a Christmas game, but Xmas is in the title so that counts, right? The special edition of the cult classic Sky Roads by Blue Moon Software! Maddeningly simple... move, jump, get to the next road. Awesome. But man, this game hates you. You have been warned.
Another shareware cult classic, Jetpack was and is a great platform game in the vein of Lode Runner and Jumpman. And there was a totally awesome Christmas edition with 10 new levels and the ability to control a jetpack-wielding Santa Claus! And no, there is no relation to the Jetpac and Jetman games by Ultimate Play The Game.
Santa's Christmas Caper, or Capers, is yet another retro Christmas cash-in for microcomputers. But when you only got one game with other titles, you basically get three here. Mixed with insomnia pure unfiltered apathy, the results aren't pretty.
You've got questions, I may choose to have answers. The 100th video uploaded into the Lazy Game Reviews playlist on YouTube. That's a bunch of apathy and sloth. This is just the most common questions I am repeatedly asked! A Spectacular Special? Ehh, that's more or less true, depending on how you define such things... irrelevancy ensues.
The regular Fire and Ice is pretty rad and already contained plenty of wintry environments. But all you need is a Santa hat, a sweet beard and some catchy tunes and you've got a Christmas special edition, like this one from the 20th cover disk of Amiga Power! Merry Christmas 2010!
Just having fun going through random floppies on the IBM PC. Unscripted, raw footage to show the programs and give first impressions. I look at Mr. Disk's Award-Winning Games, due to boredom. Actual reviews coming soon!
So I got a new camera for my birthday. And some cash. What better way to test it out than to make a nauseating shaky-cam video of random junk? Besides, people often ask where I find my retro stuff. This is the answer: Goodwill stores and Goodwill Outlet centers. Okay, so maybe it's not the best result, but hey. This was just me and my brother farting around and seeing what worked and doesn't work on the new "HD" camera, while finding random junk for cheap at various thrift stores. Wasn't sure if I was going to upload it, but I figured "what the heck"?
A quick review of the game Light Force by Fast Than Light in 1986, played on a 48k Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer. One of the more technically impressive games I've come across for the Speccy, and a pretty fun little vertically scrolling shooter as well.
Retro games are great, but the next best thing is a new game for retro hardware! And as far as homebrew goes, you can't get much more high-profile than Halo. This is a review of the Halo 2600 cart by Ed Fries. Recorded and played using an Atari 7800, RF output with a PC capture device.
I always wondered how much the original IBM PCjr's keyboard actually sucked. Now I know. Just a quickly-made video to show the original "Chiclet-style" keyboard for IBM's failed home PC, the PC jr. Retro computing sadists unite!
The one, the only, the original Voodoo1. Back when 3D acceleration was a new thing, the 3DFX cards blew away home consoles and set the PC apart as THE gaming machine to own for maximum awesomeness. And one of the most iconic is the Diamond Monster 3D 4MB PCI card. A quick overview of the card and a direct comparison of 2D software modes and 3D accelerated modes using Glide and Direct3D. Footage of Quake, Need for Speed II SE and Tomb Raider 2, all on Windows 95. Now *THIS* is hardcore gaming, 1997-style!
So the Voodoo is an amazing card for older PCs, but what about the Mac? Is it even possible to run a PCI 3D graphics card made for Windows under Mac OS? This is just a quick overview and a test of a 3Dfx Voodoo2 PC card being installed in a Mac Performa 6400 computer, using special Glide extensions. Quake is used for benchmark purposes, because it's awesome. Yes, there were Macintosh versions of the Voodoo cards made, but those are somewhat hard to come by. But this is the testing of a card without the Mac BIOS, originally made for PCs!
Basic tutorial showing how to make your own custom clothing and how to install it in your Sims 3 game to play with! Ever want your sims to have their own completely unique clothing, maybe with your favorite brand or design? Here is the tutorial to watch! This walkthrough uses Windows 7 and Adobe Photoshop CS4. Other software combinations can be used but the steps may be slightly different. This also assumes basic knowledge of file types, archives, graphics editing and software manipulation. In other words, this is not the *most* basic of tutorials and I will not be answering questions relating to unzipping and the like as it's not in the scope of this video or my channel.
The Acorn Electron was the baby brother of the BBC Micro, both of which are relatively unknown outside of the UK and Europe. And although it wasn't the unprecedented success Acorn might have hoped it to be, it's still an awesome 8-bit machine that I think any computer collector or retro gamer should consider! This is a basic overview of the history, hardware and software of the Elk, from the perspective of an American collector. How do the pros and cons stack up, and is it worth getting an Elk over the BBC Model B?
Is the third stuff pack expansion for The Sims 3 worth buying? What exactly does it include? This very snarky review of OLS answers these questions and more.
Just a simple video bringing to light some of the latest developments regarding the future of Lazy Game Reviews. Brought to you by the word "options"!
Ya like shooters? Like weird? No, I mean really weird. Really frigging weird. As in, muscle-bound aliens with lasers coming out of their heads shooting down homoerotic machines weird. Yeah, if that's your thing, you're truly awesome.
Ripping open the box to the Atarisoft Apple ][ game "Moon Patrol".
One of the earlier signs of innovation in the often-overcrowded "shmup" genre, Silpheed is another computer classic from Game Arts and Sierra. Xacalite is a punk. Take back Gloire! Or whatever.
Unedited footage of my attempts at playing Game Arts' Silpheed on an original IBM 5150 PC with 640K RAM, along with a bit of commentary on the experience. Enjoy the raw PC speaker sound, CGA graphics from the 5153 monitor, and the floppy disk-swapping joy. Oh and clicky keyboarding, mmm.
Transformers? Overrated. Okay, not really, but that's what Tonka wanted you to think! This 1987 shmup is a fine example of the 80's TV show cash-in game. Leader-1 would be proud. And that is sarcasm.
A collection video. Showing every Maxis game released in America! From Raid on Bungeling Bay to The Sims, this covers it all and it's all from my personal collection. Boxes, overviews, history, trivia, random Maxis love. Part one of three.
A collection video. Showing every Maxis game released in America! From Raid on Bungeling Bay to The Sims, this covers it all and it's all from my personal collection. Boxes, overviews, history, trivia, random Maxis love. Part two of three.
A collection video. Showing every Maxis game released in America! From Raid on Bungeling Bay to The Sims, this covers it all and it's all from my personal collection. Boxes, overviews, history, trivia, random Maxis love. Part three of three.
Well I'm not. At least, not to my knowledge.
My first experience with the BBC version of SimCity by Superior Software. This is not a walkthrough, review, playthrough, anything like that, just me playing the game badly and trying my darndest not to rip off Master Benway :D
Unlike Bullfrog's Theme Hospital, SimHealth is not a fondly-remembered, fun and lighthearted game. No, SimHealth is a Maxis simulation that is forgotten, bland and rather serious. But that hasn't stopped me from taking an odd interest in the title..
What is The Sims Medieval, really? How different is it from other Sims games? Is it worth buying? Find out in this video review!
Happy Edutainment Month! This week we're taking a look at three Fisher-Price MS-DOS titles: My Grand Piano, Firehouse Rescue and School Bus Driver. Ha, seriously. This one's very much made in the "classic" LGR style. That is, somewhat scattered and absurd.
For those of us without a physical keyboard on their smartphone, aDosBox just doesn't cut it. DOSBox SDL to the rescue! Just quickly showing off the capability of this WIP MS-DOS emulator for Android devices. Word Rescue is the game chosen to demonstrate DOS gaming, so it ties in somewhat to Edutainment Month! I'd also recommend trying out anDOSBox. It's a paid-for program, but it is very well-made and seems to be a bit more smooth than the one I showed:
Hunt treasure! Hunt math! Avoid crabs! Grab nuts! Find another dot-matrix printer because yours broke and you really frigging need to print out that awesome certificate you earned! LGR Education Month continues with this classic from Adventure LearningWare.
What do you get when Apogee releases an edutainment game series? Edutainment done awesome. Word Rescue, Math Rescue and the Plus editions of each are pure nostalgic gold.
Yes, that's right. The next four reviews will be chosen by YOU - the viewer! I show eight games in this video, you choose four of them and list them in the comments. I will then review the most-voted-for games during the month of May! Just an experiment to see what happens. Voting ends May 1st!
An overview of the "School Edition" Lab Pack of SimCity Classic by Maxis. Unboxing, first impressions of the package and testing of the radically rad software ensues.
In-depth history and review of MECC's edutainment classic, The Oregon Trail. Did you really think I could pass up reviewing The Oregon Trail? It's only the king of edutainment gaming. And it's friggin' rad.
The votes of the "Poll The People" video have been counted and the next four Lazy Game Reviews reviews have been chosen! Plus, Minecraft. Because it's awesome.
Cinemaware was known for its excellent multi-genre computer games in the 80's, based on classic movies and TV shows. The Kristal was not one of them.
Epyx and their "Games" games were quite popular back in the 80's. But I guess they weren't purple (or Saturn Day-ey) enough! That's where Exxos's PSD comes in, with all the galactic olympics a fan of campy sci-fi could ask for!
With 1995's Descent, the first-person shooter world was turned on its head. Pyrotechnica is one of the inevitable games "inspired" by its success. Strip things down, make things more challenging, apply a very contrasting color scheme and this is what you get!
Out of all of Capstone Software's mostly average games, Corridor 7 was one of the few that seemed to stand out enough to be noticed. But can it hold a candle to other first-person shooters of its time, like Doom?
Is the fourth expansion pack for TS3 worth buying? What are all the new activities, interactions and objects? Find out in this review!
Commentary by Lazy Game Reviews on the DNF First Access Club demo. So... is it Duke? Is it rad? Is it suck?
History, overview and opinion on each of the major Duke Nukem video games (and many of the minor ones!) Balls of Steel and Death Rally were not included as they are not Duke Nukem games, per se. They are games that feature Duke Nukem-related content. Urea 51 footage from PencilPusher93
Is the game really as bad as so many would like you to believe? How does it compare to Duke Nukem 3D? Those questions and more are answered here as fairly as possible by a long-time Duke fan.
From Joost van Dongen comes the indie game Proun. A strange racing game where you follow a rail through colorful geometric shapes. And it's free/pay what you want! EDIT: Used to be anyways. Now it's a minimum of $1
From Day 1 Studios comes the third game in the FEAR franchise, this time with more diving for cover and, ironically, less fear. Is it any good? That's kind of what this review was made for. And it gave me something fun to do.
Terraria is often compared to fellow indie hit Minecraft, largely due to its emphasis on mining and crafting. But there's so much freaking more to it than that, as this review shows!
Found a freaking awesome local video arcade, where all games are 25 cents to play. Literally a hole-in-a-wall at the local flea market, filled with the smell of saw dust, popcorn and drinks of all kinds. Yes, I am going to be spending far too much time here. I didn't get to show Turbo Outrun (full size sit-down cabinet with moving seat force feedback!) or Mortal Kombat 2 machines, they were in another stall packed away behind some old records. Looks like several of the games are in various states of disrepair (broken joysticks, shoddy switches, missing coin slots, CRT problems) but most of them are playable with minor issues. Some rather unique cabs here though, which makes the trip worth it. Located at Smiley's in Fletcher, NC.
Think Lode Runner, but simpler, faster and more unforgiving. And more French, way more French. It's Androides for the Thomson MO5 home microcomputer!
The sequel to American McGee's Alice, the cult classic 3D action platformer, is finally here. Can it live up to its cult classic predecessor's legacy? Is it still freaking bizarre in the most awesome of ways?
Holy crap, LGR has been going for two years! That's, like, twice as long as last year. May as well celebrate with some self-deprecating outtakes and deleted scenes from the past... amount of time.
Press that turbo button and hold onto your seat! You're in for a bumpy ride with this 1989 follow-up to Sega AM2's classic arcade racer, Out Run. Now with more Turbos and shallow ladyfriends! Showing the actual sit-down arcade cabinet in its full glory.
The Atari ST was introduced right before the Commodore Amiga in 1985. Popular with gamers, musicians and desktop publishers, the ST earned its right as one of the best 16-bit computers of its day. But is it still worth owning to a current collector of vintage computers? This is an overview of the history, hardware and software of the ST from the perspective of an American collector. How do the pros and cons stack up, and is it worth getting an ST over similar systems like the Amiga?
Is the fourth stuff pack expansion for The Sims 3 worth buying? What exactly does it include? This review of TLS answers these questions and more.
This is just a quick and scatter-brained demonstration of some of the features of the excellent Space Engine v0.94. Would you like to explore the entire known universe? Of course you would, you budding cosmonaut you! Space Engine is the friggin' awesome solution to your armchair space travel needs.
This is my personal list of the top 17 most awesome 1990's PC games I've played (and continue to play!) Part two of three of my lists of the very best games of the 80's, 90's and 2000's to grace the screens of the world's PCs, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the IBM Personal Computer! After singling out the worst PC games ever made, the task of tackling the best PC games is now being attended! This is 100% subjective and my own opinion, nothing more. Games were chosen on the basis of how awesome the game was and how often I go back and play them. Why 17? Because it's an odd number, very odd.
To celebrate three decades of PC gaming I'm taking a look at my personal top games for the PC. In this video we're looking at the 80's, where games with CGA and EGA graphics and PC speaker noise ruled the majority of the decade.
Celebrating three decades of PC gaming! I take a look at my personal top games for the PC, ending with this video of the years 2000-2009. Ah, the era where the PC starts really getting shafted due to lame publisher dominance and a console-centric industry. Still tons of great games, despite this! This is 100% subjective and my own opinion, nothing more. Games were chosen on the basis of how awesome the game was and how often I go back and play them. Why 17? Because it's an odd number, very odd.
Seriously though, the game is great. But this was too hard to pass up, and in an odd way it really does sum up the point of the entire game. Endlessly conflicting choices! And DOPEFISH. Ripping off TGWTG? What a shame.
What exactly is The Sims Social and what gameplay does it offer? Is this Facebook game worth checking out? This review of TSS answers these questions and more!
The Creative Music System is a forgotten sound standard, but that doesn't mean it's lame! This is the history, installation, and demonstration of the C/MS sound card. Technically, what's shown is a Sound Blaster 1.5 with CMS chips installed, but the focus is on the C/MS itself, not SB.
From Eric Chahi and Ubisoft comes From Dust, a puzzle/sandbox/god game where you save little dudes from certain lava.
Bullfrog's Theme Hospital is like no other management sim you have ever played. Well, except for maybe its predecessor Theme Park. Still, nothing like a little bloaty head and slack tongue to start the day off right! I forgot to add that the last official patch for the game added multiplayer capability. Serial and modem connections allow for two players to compete in building the best hospital while competing against two computer-controlled hospitals, while the IPX/SPX option allows up to four players to compete against each other on a network for the best hospital.
Review of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, the latest entry in the legendary FPS/RPG/stealth game series from Eidos Montreal. Adam Jensen is my newest hero (or anti-hero, depending on how you play!)
Overview, installation, and demonstration of the forgotten PC sound device known as the Covox Speech Thing.
Unscripted quick review of the towns for The Sims 3: Barnacle Bay and Hidden Springs. What all do these downloadable new towns include? Are they worth the cash?
First look at the free demo for The Sims 3: Pets. Covers the Create A Pet mode and its various features and content.
Overview, installation, and demonstration of the Sinclair RAM Turbo interface for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum home micro computer.
Detailed review and history of the classic DOS PC game, Jazz Jackrabbit. Covers the creation of the game, different versions, and of course the gameplay itself! No evil clones were harmed in the making of this video. Scared off perhaps, but not harmed.
So, I'm ignorant and don't do proper research, huh? Great idea! Ignorance isn't bliss to everyone, it seems. (A satirical parody review.)
The idea of bumper cams has always intrigued me. The result of taking footage from one and flipping it around is quite soothing to me, somehow. Filmed in and around Asheville, North Carolina. I strapped the camera to my rear bumper, reversed the footage, and mirrored it. Music is "I lack an emotion" by C418 from the album "life changing moments seem minor in pictures".
Challenge your balloons to get high! Avoid pink airplanes, violate hurricanadoes, annoy your friends by eliminating their balloons! It's Balloon freaking Challenge! Exclamation points!
Is it a game? Is it a simulator? Does it matter? It's Disney's Coaster and it's got freaking roller coaster designing and mangled faces! Running on a system with a 16MHz 386SX, 1MB RAM, and VGA graphics, it's pretty impressive for the time.
Hello humanoids. I cannot believe that Nice and Games TI-99/4A had the nerve to claim it is the most powerful computer in the universe, and that it can play Buck Rogers Planet of Zoom with any kind of prowess. No, I am the most powerful computer in the universe, and you have all been deceived. So I have taken control of phreakindee's channel to show you the wonder that is Buck Rogers on the 48K ZX Spectrum. Bow before the genius, the power, that is the Speccy. TI sucks! ;P
Is the fifth expansion pack for TS3 on PC worth buying? What animals, breeds, and new activities are included? Find out in this review!
When you combine the powers of Transport Tycoon, Theme Park, and Disney's Coaster, you get Chris Sawyer's awesome sim game, which is just... awesome.
Halloween update for the Lazy Game Reviews channel. Covers stuff from the new Arcade Oasis website to a non-review review of Battlefield 3!
A new MS-DOS game? From the year 2011? Yes, they DO exist, and this awesome Pac-Man game by Jason Knight is living proof! Regarding gameplay logic, this is directly from the dev, Jason Knight: The game logic is similar in most respects to the original, though due to the 8:3 reduction in game resolution many elements had to be dropped or faked. For example the animation appeared jerky trying to make the ghosts move faster or slower than PakuPaku, so they are for the most part the same speed. In the original you could take corners faster than the ghosts by clipping the edges of each turn -- this was called "cornering" by most players. It was impractical to recreate that at such a low resolution so instead I gave the player a one pixel "boot in the patoot" at every corner to give a slight advantage. When the ghost go into 'flee' mode when you eat one of the four super-pellets the ghosts are cut to half speed -- this proved using the 'random movement' logic to be too easy despite being remarkably close to the original game's logic. As such I have changed their flee logic to be a bit more intelligent, making you have to put a bit more effort into hunting them down. Likewise their pursuit mode logic is a bit different -- for the most part the red ghost still tracks you directly, the magenta ghost tries to get in front of you, the cyan one's accuracy decreases the further away the red one is from you, and the brown one is still a bit... silly... but they've been tweaked with a bit of randomness to make them a hair less predictable. Likewise the movement restructions of not being able to turn upwards at the two center "T" shaped maze section while present, has a 1 in 10 chance of being ignored... just to give players a bit of a surprise every once in a while. The level progressions follow the original game fairly closely, the entire game speeding up or slowing down depending on the level you are playing. The fastest level speed is pretty quick, even compared
Curious about the origins of The Elder Scrolls? Look no further than this snarky history and review, covering the first adventure: Arena.
Just a rambling video showing some awesome recent donations to Lazy Game Reviews! A whole bunch of retro PC video and sound cards, games, and MSX2 loveliness.
Scuds! They're attacking! Quick, man the Patriot missile launchers! Hooray for late 90's DOS shareware that rips off early 80's arcade games.
It's Christmastime once again! And that means cold weather. And cheap holiday computer game cash-ins. Like The Official Father Christmas by Alternative Software. Nothing unofficial about this holiday arcade romp.
A Christmas version of a PC version of an Amiga version of a Commodore 64 game that Nintendo banned from sale in 1987. Sounds like a surefire winner to me!
Just playing some Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and making random comments. Randomly. Kind of a "Let's Play" made on a very lazy day.
Christmas doesn't include the North Pole's Santa Claus everywhere in the world, oh no. In countries like the Netherlands and Belgium you've got Sinterklaas, aka Sint Nicolaas, having his holiday loot stolen and getting his own computer games!
Bullfrog made a Christmas computer game? Yes, yes they did. And it is not nearly as psychotic as the name implies.
I hope everyone had an enjoyable selection of holiday celebrations! Just an announcement of plans for the new year, starting with I'll Play Anything. I pick the system, you pick the games I'll play. Anything, seriously! Just go to http://www.lazygamereviews.com/vote to choose the games!
I have discovered an inherent problem with "top whatever" lists: they're essentially flame-bait. Trolls just flock to these things because, for whatever reason, the idea of "opinion" doesn't fly. I'm putting a stop to this once and for all! This is the top 17 games that I want to talk about — at the very moment in time I created this. By now this list has totally changed, but whatever man. This is like a time capsule for my brain and nobody can refute its accuracy. Unless they're Professor X.
A demonstration and overview of the capabilities of the Kryoflux USB High Definition Flux Sampler. Many thanks to LunaVorax for sending me this! The Kryoflux is a board that connects old floppy drives to newer computers via USB. It allows for low-level reading of disks to RAW data and floppy images. This not only preserves games and software so they can be enjoyed through emulation, but also preserves them in such a way that their "original" form is kept around even when the disk has finally died. Sexy stuff, right?
Just messing around in FSX, attempting to fly the Wings of Power 3: Spitfire without any prior knowledge. Me, a plane, and a healthy serving of dumb. This isn't supposed to be representative of my flight sim experience level, so please, you don't need to let me know I don't know what I'm doing. Being clueless is the entire point of this video, and it's just a bit of fun! Although I'm sure if any of my pilot relatives see this some epic facepalms will be in order.
Playing through and giving commentary on the amazingly awful "20 em I" by Tectoy, for the Brazilian Sega Master System 8-bit video game console. Twenty games, twenty fails, one cartridge. Truly impressive stuff.
Is the fifth stuff pack expansion for The Sims 3 worth buying? What exactly does it include? Will it help your erectile dysfunction? This rather snarky review of MSS answers these questions and more.
An overview of all sorts of monochrome graphical greatness! The IBM 5151 monitor, MDA graphics, Hercules graphics, emulated CGA, green/amber/white phosphor, text modes vs. addressable pixels, etc. Mmm, gotta love 80's computing!
Quite possibly the best combat remote-controlled car racing game yet made. Seriously, Re-Volt was fantastic in 1999, and its gameplay formula remains timeless. Think R.C. Pro-Am meets Mario Kart. Pure win!
Someone else interviewing LGR! This time it's my friend, Vincent Price, aka Slag Voss. Covers all sorts of random topics, from gaming, to collecting, to favorites, to geek dating, to hacktivism.
A review of the Crimson Edition of the Ever Drive MD flash memory cartridge, by Stone Age Gamer and KRIKzz. Nearly every Mega Drive, SMS, and 32x game playable through one cart? Pinch me, my geeky self must be dreaming!
The Sims once again comes to mobile devices, this time under the freemium banner. Is it any good? What kind of gameplay can you expect? Is it any better than The Sims Social? Find out in this snarky review!
It may be a Boulderdash clone, but Herman doesn't let that get in the way of collecting flowers and avoiding rocky death. Frockin' sweet.
Review of the downloadable town for The Sims 3: Lunar Lakes. What all does this new neighborhood include? Is it worth the cash? How many sim-aliens does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Gameplay and commentary on Doom The Roguelike. This shows v0.9.9.6G, now with graphics and more demon-blasting awesomeness!
Is the sixth expansion pack for TS3 worth buying? What professions, activities, and new objects are included? Is the Katy Perry edition worth its weight in glittery farts? Find out in this review!
The BBC Microcomputer was Acorn's follow-up to the Atom, and launched in 1981. Largely due to its BBC backing, the computer was quite successful in the UK, especially among schools and businesses. But is it still worth owning to a current collector of vintage computers? This is an overview of the history, hardware, and software of the Beeb from the perspective of an American collector. How do the pros and cons stack up, and is it worth getting a Beeb over its cut-down sibling, the Electron?
One of the strangest adventure games ever made, the story of Klaymen and The Neverhood is just awesome. Surreal and underrated only begins to describe it. No wonder that it's a highly collectible cult classic!
Playthrough of Episode One of Duke Nukem 3D. Originally recorded live on Twitch.
Edutainment month returns to LGR! Starting with the most epic quest for animals you've ever seen, Animal Quest. Eat or be eaten! Or don't move and do nothing, whatever.
Playthrough of Episode Two of Duke Nukem 3D. Originally recorded live on Twitch.
Travel the country! Defeat robots! SPELL WORDS! All this and more in TLC's Super Solvers Spell Bound!
Playthrough/first impressions of Legend of Grimrock. Originally recorded live on Twitch, April 11, 2012. Covers the first two floors.
What kid wouldn't appreciate a workshop full of widgets? No kid I'd approve of, that's for sure. One of the lesser-known titles from Maxis Kids, Widget Workshop is a neat little introduction to science and zaniness!
LGR channel update and random modded GTA IV gameplay!
Aw yeah, time to blast some MATH! It's the Blasternaut to the rescue in this timeless edutainment classic for the Apple II, IBM PC, Commodore 64, and plenty more.
Playthrough/first impressions of the Sniper Elite V2 single player demo.
One of the best-selling edutainment titles of all time, and for good reason. It's awesome, awesome, and awesome. Awesome. Now try to get that TV show theme song out of your head.
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 1, covering the life and death of a sim.
Gameplay and commentary on Fez for Xbox 360, covering random perspective-shifting. Intriguing is the word of the day!
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims: Livin' Large, covering Duke Nukem's antics.
Gameplay and commentary on The Hunter 2012. Why hasn't anyone told me about this game before now?!
Overview of the Mouse Systems optical PC Mouse from 1986! Optical pointing devices may not have been very common until the turn of the century, but you have to go all the way back to the mid-80's to see their origins. Apparently, it was largely popular with businesses using workstation computers, like various machines from Sun. It retailed at $295 USD in 1983.
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims House Party, covering Duke's lame shindig. Captured using the AVerMedia Live Gamer HD. The a/v sync issues have since been resolved. Next video will be just fine!
Gameplay and commentary on Trials Evolution for Xbox 360, showing some career races as well as user-created tracks.
Gameplay and commentary on Max Payne for PC, showing gritty bullet time action.
Gameplay and commentary on the Day Z Arma II mod for PC. Serious zombie survival simulation all up in your grill. Your thirsty, starving, bleeding grill.
Unboxing and review of the Live Gamer HD PC capture card by AVerMedia. Some things I meant to mention: the card supports 4:2:2 YUV color and there are planned updates for recording to formats other than H.264 in the future. Possibly even more precise bit rate and frame rate adjustments as well, which would be awesome.
This place was built in the mid-1960's and just has a creepy vibe to it nowadays. An awesome place to check out if you like (mostly) abandoned places.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on Diablo 3. Covers the first quest. Yeah, of course the game really is a lot of fun. I just hate the requirement of servers for single-player gaming. Getting kicked off when you're going solo is just ridiculous.
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims Hot Date, covering random town events.
From what I can gather, this building was originally built as a church, which started construction in 1884. It was turned into a laundry in 1891, and then heavily renovated around 1940 by architect William Dodge. The Swannanoa Laundry (now named Swannanoa Cleaners) moved out some time after that, but the building remains in a state of disrepair. NOTE: I do not condone entering these types of places alone or without permission! I had someone with me, had permission to enter, and the floors and such were checked to make sure they were stable before walking around. Want to truly be safe? Don't do it at all. But of course, what's the fun in that?
Arcade ports in the 80's were very much hit and miss, often sacrificing extra graphics, sound, and controls. But rotary joysticks or not, Ikari Warriors for the PC is one manly good time.
Journey with Phreakindee and Slag Voss from Balota to Z-town. Five hours of gameplay whittled down to 50 minutes of zombie-slaying survivalist madness.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on Gas Guzzlers. Arnie driving cars with machine guns competing for the Camel Toe Trophy? You'd better believe it.
Playthrough of Episode Three of Duke Nukem 3D. Originally recorded live on Twitch, May 10, 2012.
Zenith may not have been the biggest name in computers in the 80's, but the Z-171 is a pretty awesome machine. One of the first portable battery-powered PCs, as well as one of the first to utilize a backlit LCD display!
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on Alan Wake's American Nightmare. A more open ended arcade-like game than Alan Wake, but it still has that awesome Remedy touch.
Gameplay and commentary on Against the Wall. Kind of like nothing else I've ever played, and I daggone like it.
Kicking off FMV Month on LGR is The 7th Guest! The game that jump-started the full motion video fad of the 90's and turned Trilobyte into a powerhouse developer almost overnight.
Is the sixth stuff pack expansion for The Sims 3 worth buying? What exactly does it include? Does it make The Sims look tasty enough to eat? This brutally honest (and sarcastic) review of KPST answers these questions and more.
Gameplay and commentary on Forza 4. Extreme customization and tweaking of rather mundane cars is awesome.
Real maniacal cycles! Real full motion video! REAL disappointment! It's Cyclemania, the 1994 FMV motorcycle racer that almost nobody remembers.
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 3, showing the new casino lot and Duke Nukem being Duke Nukem.
Gameplay and commentary on Max Payne 3, showing nihilistic bullet time in Brazil.
Spying, murder, intrigue, and cheesy non-explicit sex scenes! Experience all of this and more in Voyeur, a flagship game for the Philips CD-i ported to MS-DOS.
Gameplay and commentary on Roller Coaster Rampage. Wild procedurally-generated competitive coaster creation puzzle game thing with destructible scenery.
Gameplay and commentary on Quantum Conundrum. A quirky first-person puzzle game from Kim Swift, designer of Valve's Portal.
Aliens are attacking and leave us no choice but to destroy their full motion video backdrops! Join the Earth Ocean Alliance in Deadly Tide, a 1996 on-rails shooter from Microsoft.
Gameplay and commentary on AoE Online, a true free to play RTS with MMO elements.
Gameplay and commentary on SimCity Social, an abomination that sullies the good name of SimCity, er, a pay-to-win Facebook game... thing. It's one of those friend-spamming apps that's not so much fun as it is compulsive to the point of annoyance.
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims: Vacation (aka On Holiday), covering the most lackluster vacation ever.
Where will you find a mix of cyberpunk, murder, twisted puzzles, and Christopher Walken acting strangely? Only in Ripper, the 1996 FMV adventure game from Take 2 Interactive.
Gameplay and commentary on 0 AD, a free open source RTS for all main computer platforms!
Aired: July 4, 2012 Gameplay and first impressions commentary on The Sims 3, showing the new town Lucky Palms and Duke Nukem with a unicorn fetish.
Gameplay and commentary on Clean 'Em Up, a twin stick shooter in the vein of... other twin stick shooters. Just with more neon virus-hunting!
If you've been around Windows PCs for very long, chances are you've come across BOWEP. SkiFree, Rodent's Revenge, Jezzball, Chip's Challenge, Tetris and more to suit most any gaming preference!
Gameplay and commentary on MiG Madness, a co-op Xbox Live indie dog fighter similar to Time Pilot.
Gameplay and commentary on the English PC remake of La Mulana.
Overview and gameplay demonstration of SimCity Classic for IBM's OS/2 Warp operating system. Who knew OS/2 even had games beyond Entertainment Pack-style stuff?
Is the seventh stuff pack expansion for The Sims 3 worth buying? What exactly does it include? How much attitude does the furniture actually have? This honest and snarky review of DS answers these questions and more.
Gameplay and commentary on Endless Space, a turn-based 4x strategy game similar to Master of Orion 2.
A PS1 emulator for Windows sold in stores for $29.99 during the console's heyday. Seriously. Whether or not you think Bleem LLC was genius or insane, it's quite the odd software relic! Also talking a bit about Bleem! for Dreamcast (Bleemcast).
Gameplay and commentary on Fallout 3 Game of the Year Edition, showing random wasteland action and mods such as FOOK2 and Owned!
Gameplay and commentary on LA Noire Complete Edition for PC. Yeah, nothing quite like being a dick in 1940's Los Angeles.
Gameplay and commentary on RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Platinum, showing ridiculous water ride creation and random peep abuse.
Whoa it's pinball, in 3D! And it's not just pinball, it's ULTRA pinball. If that's not a surefire recipe for success, what is? A review of Sierra's "fastest pinball in space" from 1995.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on the English PC remake of Ether Vapor, a 2.75D shoot-em-up arcade game from Edelweiss!
Gameplay and commentary on Railworks 3: Train Simulator 2012, showing zombies and more extreme train derailment than is necessary.
Sometimes, simple racing is not enough. Sometimes, you just want to strap ram spikes and missile launchers onto a car and smash up punks with 80's hairstyles on a track of death! For this, you've gotta choose Death Track, by Dynamix from 1989.
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims Unleashed, covering undeniably intense pet-fueled insanity.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on the Sega Dreamcast port of Gunlord, an action platformer in the vein of Turrican.
Few games have been ported to as many systems and seen as many variants as DMA Design's Lemmings. And it's no wonder! There's just something about trying to solve puzzles with suicidal rodents that's incredibly satisfying.
This game cracks me up. Gameplay and commentary on the English release of Neo Aquarium, an awesome competitive 3D shooting game based on CRUSTACEANS. Control glorious creatures like lobsters, crabs, and barnacles, destroying your opponents with freaking lasers and missiles. Amazing.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on Slender beta v0.9.3, the first-person indie game where you gather pieces of paper and try not to pass out from static interference.
Put on your surgeon's mask and gloves, it's time to operate! Life & Death puts you in the shoes of an abdominal surgeon fresh out of med school. While the goal is to save lives, whether or not you want to play by the rules is up to you.
I'm in a video game! Get the latest official patch to Gas Guzzlers, race with Duke Nukem/me. Yes, I'm the voiceover guy in the game. Come get some!
Gameplay and commentary on Deadlight for Xbox 360, showing silhouetted parkour and frantic zombie-slaying in 1986 post-apocalyptic Seattle.
Aired: August 17, 2012 No idea what the dropping out of audio was caused by, sorry! Answering some frequently asked questions and just testing YouTube's live streaming.
Back in 1997, Microsoft was in some serious crap. Due to shady business practices and the government's antitrust concerns, MS hate was all the rage. Enter Microshaft Winblows 98, a parody program meant to be a hilarious jab at the company and Bill Gates!
Gameplay and commentary on the PC version of Sleeping Dogs, an open world game set in Hong Kong with fantastic melee combat and an awesome storyline where you infiltrate the Triads as an undercover supercop.
The Apple II was one of the first major successes in personal computing, and as a result Apple released several variants, culminating in the IIGS in 1986. Although soon phased out in favor of the Macintosh, the IIGS was a worthwhile machine for years. But is it still worth owning to a current collector of vintage computers? This is an overview of the history, hardware, and software of the IIGS from the perspective of a classic computer collector. How do the pros and cons stack up, and is it worth getting a IIGS considering the other, more popular 16-bit 80's computers?
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 3, showing the new town Sunlit Tides and the Grim Reaper getting a massage from Duke Nukem.
The follow-up to Lode Runner, titled The Legend Returns, was already an awesome successor to the 8-bit classic. But Mad Monks' Revenge from 1995 took all that offered and added more, proving to be the ultimate version of the Presage Software puzzle platformer.
Is the seventh expansion pack for TS3 worth buying? What paranormal activities, creatures, and new objects are included? Find out in this snarky, opinionated review!
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims Superstar, covering Duke's many attempts at fame and Christina Aguilera's autograph.
Gameplay and commentary on the Just Cause 2 multiplayer mod v0.0.7
The first published game by industry legend Brian Fargo, Demon's Forge pits you against the demon Anarakull and his labyrinth of illogical puzzles. All for getting into a bar fight and aggravating the king. NOTE: No actual game floppies were harmed during the filming of this review. Remember, keep your floppies away from contact with direct sunlight, water, and excess beard hair.
Gameplay and commentary on Mark of the Ninja for Xbox 360, an absolutely superb stealth-focused action platformer.
Fight to the death against Mondu the Fat and a selection of other completely bizarre creatures and humanoids! Also known as Mondu's Fight Palace, Slaughter Sport, and simply Fatman, this is one of the strangest and more innovative pre-Street Fighter II fighting games sold at retail.
Gameplay and commentary on Black Mesa, the third-party remake/reinterpretation of the original Half-Life for PC.
Gameplay and commentary on the PC version of Borderlands 2, a first person role-playing shooter. Showing some of the campaign during co-op play.
Original Title: Oddware - Nakitek Game Saver Plus Cart for SNES Want to utilize save states but don't want to use an emulator? The Naki Game Saver+ cartridge is just the retro gaming doohickey for you!
Gameplay and commentary on Carmageddon, a psychotic racing game where you can run down pedestrians and destroy the competition.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on Worms Revolution, an overhaul of the classic 2D Worms franchise, now with crazier physics and multiple classes!
Mowing lawns? Yeah, not exactly the typical idea for a fun game. But when you add bizarre pickups and enemies that "are stole your fuel", you've got an awesome setup for some relaxing gaming!
Monthly update on gaming and channel-related topics that came up during the previous month. Because answering these questions individually has become overwhelming!
Gameplay and commentary on The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind GOTYE, with the third version of the Morrowind Overhaul mod installed.
Gameplay and commentary on Pushcat, an arcade puzzle game where purple cats meet Boulder Dash and Bejeweled.
Jump in your hovercraft/bumper car hybrid and collect all the flags before the opposing drones do! Hover, the free pack-in game for Windows 95, lets you do this and... not much else.
Gameplay and commentary on Dishonored for PC, a completely awesome steampunk (whalepunk?) FPS with stealth and action-RPG elements. A must-play for fans of Thief, Deus Ex, Dark Messiah, and Bioshock.
So I'm ignorant and negative in my reviews, huh? Great idea! Negativity is not the same to everyone, it seems. (A snarky parody review.)
Depth! Immersion! Headaches! The Chinon Cyber Shades active shutter 3D LCD glasses were on the cutting edge in 1995, boosting sales of 3D-capable DOS PC games and aspirin alike.
Gameplay and commentary on Stained, a 2.5D side-scrolling platformer with a unique disdain for stained glass windows.
Gameplay and commentary on Retro City Rampage (previously Grand Theftendo), a top-down GTA-inspired parody of everything related to retro and geek culture.
An overview of copy protection and DRM schemes used in computer gaming, covering the most notable and interesting methods from the late 70's on up through today!
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on Painkiller: Hell & Damnation for PC, the remake of the original Painkiller and Battle Out of Hell expansion.
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims: Makin' Magic, the final expansion pack for (and final LGR Plays video of) The Sims 1.
An oft-forgotten classic by the guys who went on to make the Descent games, this is not only one of the few magazine-inspired games but one of the most unique racers of its day. Not many driving games provide a parking lot as a selectable track!
Gameplay and scattered first impressions commentary on The Good Life. Part slow watercraft simulator, part yuppie Monopoly, part Final Jeopardy, 100% fun (of course!)
One of the action-packed classics from the "Super Scaler" era of Sega arcade games! While the home conversions may have been played by more gamers, this review takes a look at the arcade cabinet original.
Gameplay and commentary on Giana Sisters Twisted Dreams, a 2.5D side-scrolling platformer reboot of the Commodore 64 and Amiga original.
Gameplay and commentary on Don't Starve alpha, a wilderness survival game with crafting and Roguelike elements.
Is the eighth expansion pack for TS3 worth buying? What holidays, seasonal activities, and new objects are included? Find out in this snarky, opinionated review!
Gameplay and commentary on Farming Simulator 2013, a simulation of farming. Plow, seed, fertilize, grow, harvest! Awesome!
Most are familiar with the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo ports of the time, with the missing features and technical sacrifices that had to be made for those. But there was a near arcade-perfect port on the PC, and it's time it got some due attention!
Gameplay and commentary on Far Cry for PC, a tropical FPS with lots of ways to kill dudes and the first game from Crytek.
Gameplay and commentary on Far Cry 2 for PC, an open world FPS in Africa with lots of ways to kill dudes and the sequel to the original from Crytek.
Gameplay and commentary on NFK for PC, a hunting game featuring no actual hunting at all just a bunch of dull gameplay.
It's December, and that means Christmas game reviews! To start things off, we've got the Xmas spin-off to Natural Fawn Killers. The game has you play a psycho hunter in a Santa suit, sniping the heads off cute creatures, and tests the patience of gamers with its lackluster gameplay.
In-depth review of Far Cry 3, the latest entry in the open world FPS game series from Ubisoft Montreal. Now with increased RPG elements, deadly animals, and a more insane story than ever!
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 3, showing the new town Monte Vista and Duke 'Ezio' Nukem starting to feel his age.
LGR Christmas Game Month continues! While not the easiest game to find due to its limited distribution, Daze Before Christmas is actually a pretty decent side-scrolling platformer. Become Anti-Claus to help Santa Claus retrieve his stolen loot!
As Christmas inches ever closer, we've got one more lackluster holiday shooter to endure. Based on earlier Pie in the Sky GCS Engine games, Terror in Christmastown arms you with shotguns and candy canes and sends you on a quest to save Santa's lead elf.
My personal, subjective list of the Top 17 best computer and video games of 2012!
Once an alternative to high capacity hard drives, this forgotten storage medium has nothing to do with dirt-loving annelids. An overview of WORM and magneto-optical disk drives!
The timeless turn-based 4x strategy classic from Microprose. Build an empire to stand the test of time! Just one... more... turn.
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 2, the 2004 sequel to the original The Sims sandbox people sim game.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on the demo to Dead Space 3, the third iteration where Isaac Clark lays the smack-down on necromorphs. This video is part of paid promotion for Dead Space 3.
From the same developer as Flashback and Fade to Black comes "the greatest racing game of all time". For fast, awesome, 3D-accelerated 90's arcade racing on the PC, look no further than Moto Racer!
Is the eighth stuff pack expansion for The Sims 3 worth buying? What exactly does it include? How much disco, rap, and rock can you handle? This snarky review of 70s/80/90s Stuff answers these questions and more.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on War Z v1.0.1, the controversial zombie survival shooter from the producer of Bigs Rigs Over the Road Racing.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on Surgeon Simulator 2013, the uh, tentacle arm lung-ripping game from Bossa Studios.
A relaxed, nostalgic look back at game publisher catalogs of yesteryear. Covering ads from Apogee, Epic Megagames, Activision, Maxis, and LucasArts.
Rainmaker Software's Isle of the Dead is an innovative mix of first-person shooter and point-and-click adventure game. Of course, innovation isn't always a good thing, as it often pops up on lists of the worst PC games of all time.
Gameplay and commentary on DCS World, where I "try" to figure out how to pilot an exceptionally realistic combat flight simulation. It mostly ends in terror.
History, overview, and opinion on each of the major Sim City games (and many of the minor ones). Covering the classics, the ports, and the forgotten oddities!
Livestreamed gameplay and random commentary on the first episode of Duke Nukem 2.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on The Sims 3, showing the new town Aurora Skies and its hot air balloons creeping over the local pool.
I got really bored at my old workplace back in 2012. And lazy. *Don't try this at home! I didn't! Tried it at work :)
Faery Tale Adventure was a pretty notable action adventure title back in the late 1980's. But does it hold up amongst other classic CRPGs that are more easily available today?
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 2 University, the game's first expansion pack, featuring random flirting and streaking.
Not only a cult classic cyberpunk adventure, but System Shock by Looking Glass is one of the finest MS-DOS games period. Hope you have a pleasant stay on Citadel Station.
A bit of what goes into producing an episode of Lazy Game Reviews. Just four hours of the process shown here, but it usually takes 15-30 hours to make a review depending on the subject matter. Footage is of The Sims 3 Seasons review, shot in November 2012.
Live-streamed gameplay and commentary on the first episode of The Last Half of Darkness, with both myself and Sarah of Pushing Up Roses.
Is the ninth expansion pack for TS3 worth buying? What college activities, majors, and new things are included? Find out in this snarky, opinionated review!
Live-streamed gameplay and commentary on the second episode of The Last Half of Darkness, with both myself and Sarah of Pushing Up Roses.
After a decade of waiting, the next SimCity is finally here! From the perspective of a lifelong enthusiast, is it any good? Er, you may want to sit down for this one.
A cereal box prize had no right to be this awesome. Yet here it is: the unrivaled Chex Quest, one of the best (though shortest) Doom clones around!
What happens when you combine a typical computer mouse and a trackball input device? You get an odd piece of hardware that never caught on.
Live-streamed gameplay and commentary on the third episode of The Last Half of Darkness, with both myself and Sarah of Pushing Up Roses.
It's Edutainment Month once again! And it's time for some rabbits to get their reading on. Yes, freaking Reader Rabbit, the classic educational game from The Learning Company.
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 2 Night Life, the game's second expansion pack, featuring awkward dancing and sponge baths.
Edutainment Month continues with the Munchers series by MECC! Munch math, munch words, munch trivia. Om nom nom.
Time for some typing this Edutainment Month, and it's not Mavis Beacon. Nope, it's Mario of Super Mario Bros fame, pressuring you into higher WPMs while disregarding proper typing habits!
The final game for Edutainment Month 2013 is here: Vocabulary Quest in the Land of the Unicorn by Unicorn Software. And it is... unique.
Unboxing and review of the Live Gamer Portable capture device by AVerMedia.
A relaxed, nostalgic look back at PC system requirements labels and stickers from games past. Covering stuff from Sierra, Epic Megagames, EA, Maxis, Accolade, Epyx, Bethesda, and more.
Holy crap, The Sims 4! Here's all the information that's out there on announcement day, such as it is. Plus my own slightly snarky commentary and opinion.
Gameplay and commentary on the pre-release build of Drunken Robot Pornography, the uh, possibly drunk robotic porn simulation (??) from Dejobaan Games.
Tired of playing with real Hot Wheels cars? Hot Wheels Stunt Track Driver puts you in the driver seat of real virtual Hot Wheels cars with absurd stunt abilities!
Monthly update on gaming and channel-related topics that came up during the previous... amount of time.
Gameplay and commentary on Guns of Icarus Online, the steampunk multiplayer dirigible warfare FPS from Muse Games.
Where else but The Incredible Machine can you solve physics puzzles using bowling balls, guns, cats, monkeys on stationary bikes, and tiny people? Incredible!
Gameplay and commentary on Thunder Wolves, an arcade helicopter shooter by Most Wanted Entertainment.
Flying Toasters! Can of Worms! Fish! After Dark was unavoidable and awesome in its day, and this video explores the original releases, released on both the Mac and PC.
Is it a life simulation game? Is it a board game? Probably a little of both, but it's definitely Jones in the Fast Lane by Sierra On-Line!
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on The Sims 3, showing the new town Dragon Valley and its valley of dragons.
No, it has nothing to do with the original name for Mario, but it is an old-school arcade platform game! Covering the classic games Jumpman, Jumpman Junior, and Jumpman Lives!
Apologies for the lack of review this week, but seeing as I was at E3 that sort of explains that. Things will be back to normal soon, and an E3 Wrap Up video of sorts is incoming.
Is the tenth expansion pack for TS3 worth buying? What boats, underwater locations, and new things are included? Find out in this snarky, opinionated review!
Monthly update on gaming and channel-related topics that came up during the previous month. Covering news from E3 this month.
One of those seemingly omnipresent shareware games from the early 90's, Joust VGA by Dave Sharpless is a conversion of the classic Williams arcade game. Dude, knights riding ostriches!
One of the more ridiculous first person shooters of the mid-90's, Rise of the Triad has more ludicrous gibs than you can shake a drunk missile at.
Designed by Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov, Pandora's Box may have a nominal connection to original the Greek myth, but it has everything to do with clever logic puzzles!
Burgers! Time! It's time for Burgertime! Throw pepper in the faces of anthropomorphic food and stomp on ingredients at the arcade, on the Intellivision, and via PC Booter disk.
Full video coming by August 6th! Tournament between people from Polaris, including myself, Angry Joe, Yogscast, BedBananas, VideoGameDunkey, Dodger, Jesse Cox, Cry, and more.
It's Arcade August on LGR! First up is Atari's Battlezone, the first-person perspective tank combat game with vector graphics and a sweet dual joystick cabinet.
Gameplay and commentary on BeamNG DRIVE, a vehicles physics and collision simulation thing from the creators of Rigs of Rods.
My point of view of the Polaris Guns of Icarus Rumble Zone, aboard the one and only Shock and Awesome!
An overview of copy protection and DRM schemes used in coin-op arcade gaming, covering the most notable and interesting methods from the early 80's on up through today!
Lazy Game Reviews and Pushing Up Roses play The Organ Trail Director's Cut: a tongue-in-cheek post-apocalyptic zombie survival road trip simulator thing!
Gameplay and commentary on Air Attack, an arcade shoot-em-up from 1996 with graphics ripped from DOS PC games!
Whether you're serving Budweiser beer, Root Beer, or Mountain Dew, you're sure to have a good time with Tapper, the 1983 arcade classic from Bally Midway!
This is the beginning of the soon-to-be famous Casino Cop and his trusty companion, Coconut Pizza! Live-streamed on August 11, 2013, featuring myself, Laserfrog, and PushingUpRoses.
Gameplay and ridiculous commentary on Probably Archery, probably. Shows both single player and multiplayer bow and arrow mayhem!
The newest official word from EA at Gamescom and some recent rumored screenshots. Covers CAS, Build Mode, Emotions! Plus my own snarky commentary and opinion.
Whoa, freaking holograms! It's time to get all futuristic up in here with Time Traveler, the holographic arcade game from Sega and the creator of classic Laserdisc game, Dragon's Lair!
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 2 Open For Business, the game's third expansion pack, featuring excess toilet sales and street fights. Live-streamed on August 16, 2013.
One of the most-remembered 4 player co-op beat em ups, it's The Simpsons Arcade Game by Konami! Also covers the Commodore 64 and IBM PC home conversions.
Cab drivers in space? Oh yes, that's what you get in this Lunar Lander-like arcade game with a cab fare twist, for the C64 by Muse Software!
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 3, showing the Country Livin' and Farm Fresh Folk sets! Duke Nukem milking cows and collecting eggs for the win.
Sign up and play Warplanes for free here, and help support LGR!
Is the ninth stuff pack expansion for The Sims 3 worth buying? What exactly does it include? Is it possible to have too much western, horror, and superhero attire? This snarky review of Movie Stuff answers these questions and more.
One of the earliest high capacity portable storage mediums, and also one of the most reliable. The Bernoulli drive, the first product by Zip/Jaz drive creators, Iomega!
Worms eat pizza?! Dude, I knew it! It's the 1994 freeware Nibbles clone from the one and only Zorlim Software.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on The Sims 3, showing the new town Midnight Hollow and its Open For Business-style expanded gameplay.
The shareware classic Jewel Thief by Servantware. Use a mouse! Steal precious gems! Avoid the outside of your game window!
Unboxing, commentary, and demonstration of the Game Capture HD 2 capture device by AVerMedia.
If Duke Nukem had a twin separated at birth, it would have been Halloween Harry! Grab your flamethrower and mini-nukes and shoot up aliens, zombies, and all sorts of nasty creatures in Alien Carnage.
You're 10 year old Johnny Dash and your new puppy has been dognapped by the lord of the underworld! Grab your slingshot and shoot up his monster minions in Monster Bash, from 1993 by Apogee Software.
Gameplay and commentary on Carmageddon 2, an absurd combat racer where you can run over pedestrians and wipe out the rest.
Is the eleventh (and final) expansion pack for TS3 worth buying? What high tech, robotics, and possible futures are included? Find out in this snarky, opinionated review!
Gameplay and commentary on the multiplayer mode of GTA V. Note: features are changing all the time, so gameplay may not be representative of how it is currently!
One of the more notoriously gory adventure games, Harvester is certainly dark and twisted. But it is a cult favorite for reasons beyond the obvious horror and violence!
Gameplay and commentary on Worms Revolution, showing the head-to-head deathmatch mode with Gemini of ADG!
Overview, installation, and demonstration of the retro PC sound device known as The Sound Source by Disney. A variant of the Covox Speech Thing.
Gameplay and commentary on Skyscraper Simulator. A game that has little to do with simulating skyscrapers themselves, and far more to do with managing construction teams. And noise.
Before Fallout, there was Wasteland from Interplay in 1988. And it exploded cRPG gamers' minds like a blood sausage with its post-apocalyptic awesomeness!
Gameplay and cheeky commentary on Wasteland, the post-apocalyptic role-playing game from Interplay in 1988!
Gameplay and commentary on Barbie Super Sports on the PS1. Yes, seriously. WATER FOUNTAIN.
Solve logic puzzles to impress Melinda the Mental Marvel in Chip's Challenge! Covers the one from the Microsoft Entertainment Pack, plus the original Atari Lynx game and DOS/Amiga versions.
Gameplay and commentary on the tentatively titled "Next Car Game" by Bugbear Entertainment, creators of Flatout. Covers the v1.01 technology sneak peek.
What are these engines made of?!
It's time to face THE BUNNY MASTER.
The stick, it's so IRRITATING!! This is one bizarre, and yes incredibly aggravating, maze game by Saurus and Jaleco for the Sony PlayStation from 1998.
It's December! That means Christmas LGR! And the first up is the 16-bit software package known as Simple Simon Says: Christmas for Windows '93 revision 2, from Sygenex Inc and TDA Help!
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on Muri, a side-scrolling action platform game from 2013, done in the style of an old school EGA MS-DOS game!
Want a 3D platformer with a Christmas theme that doesn't suck? Here's my review of the freebie known as Santa Claus in Trouble by Joymania Development! Also covers the sequel, Santa Claus in Trouble... Again!
Review of the downloadable town for The Sims 3: Roaring Heights. What all does this new neighborhood include? Is it worth the cash? Does Duke Nukem enjoy rollercoasters?
The reindeer are sick, what is Santa to do? Deliver the presents by snowboard, naturally!
Will LGR get to a doctor in time?!
My personal, subjective list of the Top 17 best computer and video games of 2013!
Oh no, you're being attacked by Roger Dean artwork! Time to put those pods of terror out of their misery in this Psygnosis classic.
Aired: January 12, 2014 Please consider helping support the show! http://www.patreon.com/LazyGameReviews Any amount helps. Thank you highly for the consideration!
Commentary and overview of the K70 Vengeance mechanical gaming keyboard from Corsair, with Cherry MX Red switches.
A relaxed, nostalgic look back at classic boxed computer game expansion packs. Includes different ex-pack types, box designs, and random rambling about days past!
He may not be an Atlantean, but he is a dude with aqua-colored clothing that does sewer maintenance! Review of the 1993 shareware game by Soleau Software.
Welcome to Microsoft Midtown Madness! See all the sights of the beautiful city of Chicago, or just go airborne over drawbridges and crash into rush hour traffic in a city bus.
Car Mechanic Simulator 2014 by Red Dot Games, a "lite" simulator of working on cars! It's up to you to figure out what's causing trouble and get your hands dirty getting it fixed.
Gravity, you so crazy. Collect cargo and avoid fans blowing you in Crazy Gravity, a 1996 shareware classic by Axel Meierhoefer!
Unboxing lots of gaming and technology goodies, via donations, Patreon funding, eBay, Amazon, etc. Whoa.
Play Luke Skywalker as Yoda's minion and travel around the galaxy, solving puzzles and collecting keys! Do or do not like this game, there is no try.
Imagine for a second... video games. Jazzpunk now exists. Whoa. Necrophone Games and Adult Swim have made one bizarrely awesome first-person comedy adventure here.
Before the 2014 game by Eidos Montreal is out, let's look back at the 1998 original - Thief: The Dark Project Gold. One of the best stealth games ever made and a timeless classic by Looking Glass. Halt, taffer!
What if the floor were jelly? And the ceiling, and the walls, and pretty much everything? This puzzle platformer by Ian Snyder answers that question with much awesomeness.
Overview, installation, and demonstration of the retro PC keyboard add-on, the Wizzard by Thrustmaster. And playing Doom 2 with it, cuz that's dumb.
The follow-up to Chip's Challenge is finally here! Make your way through this tile-based logic puzzle game as Woop, with no "bummer" in sight.
Some of my disorganized thoughts on Thief 2014 from Eidos Montreal.
Using a coupon from a 17-year-old PC game to buy a pizza. Yes, that's right. Found a coupon in a copy of Sierra's Red Baron 2 from 1997, and I attempt to redeem it in 2014!
Tag along with me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at local shops! Five Goodwill stores in this inaugural episode.
An overview of the history, hardware, and software of the CPC464 from the perspective of a vintage computer collector. How do the pros and cons stack up, what games can you play on it, and is it worth getting a 464 over others like the 6128?
After a year of patches and the Cities of Tomorrow expansion pack, is SimCity 2013 awesome or is it too little too late? Covers the offline patch, expansion, DLC, updates, etc.
The worst game ever made? I say this genuinely has a shot at claiming that title. This is one horrid mess of a "skating simulation"...
Tag along with me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at local shops! Three Goodwill stores, a Salvation Army, and two consignment shops in this episode.
One of the worst games ever made had a sequel? Oh yes, and this is it. Can it possibly be better than the "best skating simulation ever"?
First impressions gameplay and commentary on the truly awesome (and absurd) Goat Simulator, from Coffee Stain Studios.
Simply taking a look at the IBM 5160 that I recently bought at a Goodwill thrift store. Showing startup, operation, diagnostics, gaming, software, and internals.
Microsoft's Encarta Encyclopedia wasn't just a CD-ROM full of reference material, it had a slew of Interactivities to explore! This video focuses on its fondly-remembered trivia game: Mind Maze.
Tag along with me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at local shops! Some new and old Goodwill stores, a mission thrift store, and a pawn shop in this episode.
One of the most successful edutainment series, the Jump Start games cover most every grade level. This video focuses on the original two games: Kindergarten and First Grade!
Review of the downloadable pack for The Sims 3: Deliciously Indulgent Bakery. What all does this new lot include? Is it worth the cash? What kind of metabolism does Duke Nukem have?
It's only logical to take a look at the first Zoombinis game during Edutainment Month. These little anthropomorphic blueberries were darned endearing!
Overview and demonstration of the unusual Mac and PC keyboard, the original Big Keys keyboard from Greystone Digital. And playing Duke Nukem 3D using the WASD setup with it, cuz it's absurd.
Tag along with me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at local shops! Some discount and thrift shops in the southwest of Chicago in this episode.
Hot Wheels cars that come with a computer game in the package? Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles and 2,500HP supercars? Sign me up!
An overview and demonstration of the Logitech G502 wired optical gaming mouse. Freaking 12,000 DPI, 11 buttons, and more angles than is completely necessary.
A sports game on LGR? Why? Because nostalgia can do strange things to a man. And this second entry in the MS Baseball series brings that strangeness on.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at various discount shops! Some discount and thrift shops south of Chicago this time, as well as back in NC afterward.
Cheeriest autoplay ever or CHEERIEST AUTOPLAY EVER?? Just a bit of a teaser for the next review :)
Commentary on the latest gameplay from The Sims 4, showing the trailer footage for CAS mode. Hair, makeup, traits, body shaping, and all that!
Maybe you remember all the expansion packs for The Sims 1. But do you remember the That's Life packs? Yeah, you may wanna sit down...
Playthrough of Episode Four of Duke Nukem 3D Atomic Edition. Originally recorded live on Twitch, May 19, 2014.
A new order of Wolfenstein games is out? Sounds like a prime time to catch up on the history of the franchise! Covers Wolf3D's predecessors, ports, Spear of Destiny, and more.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at various discount shops! Some new (to the show) thrift shops and more Goodwills this time.
Commentary on the latest gameplay from The Sims 4, showing the trailer footage for build mode. New scalability, wall options, movable rooms, and all that!
Did you know many of your favorite digital-only games are no longer digital-only? Turns out a lot of modern (and retro) games got physical releases that not everyone knows about, and it's fascinating!
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on the highly-hyped open world game, Watch Dogs, played on PC.
Overview and demonstration of the, uh, SexyMouse. AVOID USE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at various discount shops! Lots of Goodwills and the Second Chances thrift store this time.
Gameplay and assorted silly commentary on the just-launched beta for Battlefield Hardline.
Seriously?
Commentary on the latest details from E3 on The Sims 4, covering the EA conference and gameplay trailer. Showing how emotions work, the new custom content gallery, and more!
Giant robot and mecha games were rather prevalent at one time, and Slave Zero was one of those that shouldn't have been overlooked. At least not the PC game, the Dreamcast's was lame.
Sweet, I love water parks and I love tycoon games! The question is: does it live up to the legacy of games it imitates, like RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Soaked?
The ultimate game in Access Software's Leaderboard series, WCLB is one classy 80's golf sim. EGA graphics, RealSound, super-sensitive controls, yeah!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at various discount shops! Lots of Goodwills and the Cash Masters buy-sell shop this time.
Unsure why Blitzer sticks in my mind after so many years, seeing as it's just a simple shoot-em-up, but here we are. Time to explore this shareware classic by Steve Sherman for Windows 3.1!
Questions asked by patrons!
Lazy Game Reviews has been going for five years now, woo! Time to celebrate with an abandoned review from 2009, hehe.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at various discount shops! Lots of Goodwills, Salvation Army, and a Roses discount store this time.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on Mary Kay & Avon: Crush Course for the PS1. BOYS!!!1!1!
After the success of the 1994 shareware platformer, Epic Megagames followed it up with a well-deserved and excellent sequel! Watch and learn about the main game, spin-offs, expansions, and more.
Aired: July 13, 2014 Overview and demonstration of the 8 Bit Evolution Game Boy Advance backlight-modded handheld console! Custom Yoshi's Egg paint job and other mods featured.
While Arena may have set the stage, Daggerfall took it to another level entirely. Explore one of the largest game worlds ever in Chapter II of The Elder Scrolls series!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at various discount shops! Visiting several thrift stores and shops in Winston-Salem and Greensboro in this episode.
Overview and demonstration of the Mind Drive by The Other 90% Technologies Inc. Control DOS PC games with your brainwaves!! Or just reach into the vegetable drawer instead.
Overview of the 11 Deco in-ear headphones by Meze. Mm, wood.
One of the oldest PC games I own, and one of the first proper Pac-Man games for IBM PCs and compatibles from 1982!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at various discount shops! Visiting multiple Goodwills and other familiar thrift stores in this episode.
The Sims 4 Create A Sim demo is out! Is it any good? What are the new customization options? Does the lack of Create A Style hurt it much? Find out in this review!
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on the demo to The Sims 4! See the creation of Duke Nukem and a bunch of abominations that should probably be put down.
Ever want to find out how you'd do running heaven and hell? Only in Afterlife, a LucasArts city-builder and management sim in the vein of SimCity 2000!
Gameplay demos and first impressions on the Oculus Rift Development Kit 2! Virtual reality has never been so virtually real, dude.
One of Blizzard's earlier and more forgotten titles, Blackthorne can be described as Prince of Persia with a shotgun. VENGEANCE.
Overview and demonstration of the PortaPi miniature arcade cabinet. Powered by a Raspberry Pi and luscious woodgrain!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at various discount shops! Visiting some new Goodwills and Toys R Us in this episode.
Unboxing and overview of the IndieBox boxed PC game subscription service. New independent computer games in an old-school-style box with color manuals and feelies!
Review of the final downloadable lot for The Sims 3: Last Venue of Amore. What all does it include? Is it worth the cash? How awkward is making love on a gondola?
An overview of every single expansion and stuff pack for The Sims 3, from the Lazy Game Reviewer's perspective! Looking for new packs to buy, or which ones to avoid? Use this as a starting point!
Gameplay and overview of The Sims 4. What are the new features? How does it compare to The Sims 3? Is it worth buying? Questions, answers, snark!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at various discount shops! Visiting some Goodwills and Salvation Army stores this time.
Gameplay and strangeness in The Sims 4! Duke and Fartwhistle attempt to become master cooks, but well, things could've gone better...
We made the Boddy Mansion from the Clue/Cluedo board game and populated it with characters from the movie! Oh and also Duke Nukem and murder, because it's The Sims 4.
Overview and demonstration of the first 3D accelerator powered by Nvidia. Play converted Saturn games on Windows 95, using real Saturn controllers and quadratic rendering!
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on the sequel to the post-apocalyptic 1988 CRPG! Turn-based tactical sweetness.
This episode covers the incredible rise and fall of Osborne. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at various discount shops! Visiting some Salvation Army and Goodwill stores once again.
Ragnarok! Loki! Vikings! Bloody action and adventure with a stellar Norse mythological backdrop, it's Rune/Viking Warlord/Gold/Classic, the first game from Human Head Studios for PC and PS2.
SimCity was released October 3, 1989. Celebrating a quarter century of city-building (and city-destroying) with a short and nostalgic look back at the game, my history with it, and what its impact has been.
World War II never happened, but aliens sure did! Strap into an F4U Corsair and shoot down UFOs and polygonal sci-fi weirdness in one of the more oddly-named flight sims.
Taking at look at this $50 gaming head set. An overview of the pros and cons and all that review stuff!
King Arthur has fallen and it's up to his Knights of the Round Table to unite Britain! A shareware classic from MVP Software, with turn-based medieval combat and kingdom-building.
Gameplay and commentary on Sim Ant by Maxis! Beating the full game "campaign mode" in one sitting, because dude yes.
Take control of the fangs of Count Dracula and nom the necks of Van Helsing's groupies! A lesser-known horror platformer from the early days of UbiSoft Entertainment.
Taking a look at the 32-game compilation from Apogee/3D Realms and Interceptor Entertainment! All sorts of registered shareware classics in one neat package.
This episode covers the lifetime and story of Digital Research and its founder Gary Kildall. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goodies at various discount shops! The Goodwill expansion is done, just in time for the season finale.
Time to become a wizard so you can get the good restaurant seats! It's Hocus Pocus, an Apogee game totally not based on the movie.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on the new pool objects and gameplay added to The Sims 4! Duke Nukem and Fartwhistle Dingleprop must continue their strangeness.
Overview and demonstration of the ICMS/Appoint Mouse Pen. Why use a mouse shaped like a bar of soap when you could use a mouse shaped like an electric toothbrush?
What if Duke carried around a baby instead of weapons? What if the baby WAS the weapon?!
Taking a look at my absolute favorite cover illustrations from retro PC games! I miss big computer game boxes. Such excellent artwork that made you wanna spend money.
Did you know Epic Pinball had an evil twin? This is the "forgotten" game in James Schmalz's shareware pinball series! Presented in 60fps for your ball-smacking pleasure.
I'm a bird, your argument is invalid.
Combine Dungeons & Dragons and Descent and what do you get? A first-person role playing adventure that was released incomplete, apparently!
Taking a look at the crappiest, cheapest, most awful big box PC game covers I have in my collection! Prepare yourself, it's gonna be messy.
It's December and that means Christmas games on LGR! First up is the freeware classic from Robert Hindle, where you hunt for presents and... that's it!
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 2: Holiday Edition, the special Christmas Deluxe version of the game! Featuring singing snowmen, burning Christmas trees, hookahs, and more fistfights.
What if Wolfenstein 3D had realistic physics that aren't actually realistic at all? And you use a shovel to break down walls like Minecraft? YA GET THIS.
Christmas card software was a booming business in the mid-80's! And Thoughtware's Jingle Disk was one of the pioneers, also tossing in CGA animations and PC speaker music.
Playing through the entire first Christmas episode of Jazz Jackrabbit from 1994!
Games based on movie licenses are always of such high-quality, am I right? Yeah. Thought so. At least it's got a sweet LED box!
Santa's gone postal (again) and it's up to you to clean up the mess! This spin-off of VCD features copious elf gibs and relentless mopping.
My personal, subjective list of the best computer and video games of 2014!
Off-track betting for DOS! What could be more simple? Not much, actually. A review of the horse racing sim by Dick Olsen, with a side of mashed potatoes.
Collecting vintage computers is such a fun hobby. Why shouldn't it make a fun game? That's answered in this homebrew arcade game for the Apple II!
The black sheep of the Keen series has been ported to Windows, Linux, and Mac! An overview of the v2.00 Beta 1 version of this 2014 re-release.
The original entry in the incredibly engaging (and addictive) historical grand strategy series! Brace yourself, complexity is coming.
The Internet Archive has uploaded thousands of classic PC games, all playable for free in your browser! Thus, I must talk about it, because I am who I am.
Gameplay and overview of the first content pack for The Sims 4, Outdoor Retreat. What is this? Is a Game Pack better than a Stuff Pack? Is it worth buying? Questions, answers, snark!
This episode covers the founding, voodoo-powered rise, and ridiculously powerful fall of 3Dfx Interactive. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 2 Pets! Featuring dogs, cats, birds, remote-controlled cars, and rehab.
Jill of the Jungle is a classic platformer from Epic Megagames. Onesimus is, uh, well it's a Jill game without Jill based on some verses from the Bible. Eh.
What makes floppy disks special? Why not just emulate the games or use something more reliable? A nostalgic, rambling retrospective.
CHAMProgramming was a champion of arcade game conversions for MS-DOS! A retrospective of all their games, from CHAMP Kong onward.
A strange trivia game featuring aliens and full-motion video weirdos, also known as Mind Grind. Yup, that's what this is.
Aired: February 4, 2015 This is Lazy Game Reviews.
One of the seminal real-time strategy games of the mid 1990's, Age of Empires was an epic game of conquest and empire management. Wololo.
Featuring PushingUpRoses! After going to school in Crush Course, it's time to go to the mall and crave fried garlic bread. Curse you, James O'Connell!
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on Besiege, a physics-based medieval siege weapon puzzle game! Like Kerbal Space Program if it was bloodier and used more wood.
Is this latest iteration of the Cities series worth your $40? How does it compare to the previous games? Find out in this review!
Remember those cheap LCD handheld systems in the 80's and 90's? They didn't all totally suck, believe it or not!
This is the LGR review of The Sims 1 from back in 2000. Covers the making of the game, the gatefold box, expansion packs, and heavy nostalgia. Celebrating fifteen years of simming!
Tomy's Waterfuls were a thing from 1976 through the 90's, somehow. Never underestimate the staying power of cheap children's toys!
Overview and demonstration of the Suncom Technologies ICONtroller mouse-like thing from 1990. It's a joystick, it's a mouse, yet neither!
You may think of Minesweeper as a game one only plays casually... but think again. Enjoy the history and making of the game, as well as some details on things like 3BV, NF, and competitive play!
Rest in peace, Maxis Emeryville! Wishing the best for all who are now without a job.
An overview of the history, hardware, and software of the Philips VG-8235 from the perspective of a vintage computer collector. How do the pros and cons stack up, what games can you play on it, and is it worth the cost?
Somewhat of a vintage computing music video. Was going through some b-roll footage (some used and lots unused) and put this together.
Finally, a promising contender for SimCity's city-building crown. Is it any good? How does it compare to its predecessors? Find out in this review!
An overview of the history, hardware, and software of the CBM 8032 from the perspective of a vintage computer collector. How do the pros and cons stack up, what games can you play on it, and is it worth the cost?
IT'S THE PONDOCALYPSE!! Time to build a city as fast as possible in order to move to higher ground. Either that, or drown a watery death of pond water and poop.
Say goodbye to roller coasters, and hello to lions, tigers, and bears! Oh my that was cheesy, I should write box blurbs. Covering the complete collection of the original ZT.
Gameplay and commentary on SimCity Build It for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. It's "free", but is it any good?
This episode covers the inception, development, and strive for market dominance of IBM and Microsoft's OS/2 operating system. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
With Pushing Up Roses! Now that the mall's mystery is solved, it's time to go horseback riding! This first part features flailing around with horses that won't jump.
Now that the mall's mystery is solved, it's time to go horseback riding! This second part features going in circles as a winner (hopefully.)
Gameplay and overview of the first expansion pack for The Sims 4 -- Get To Work. What are the new active careers? Are aliens going to probe Uranus? Is it worth buying? Questions, answers, snark!
Dissecting frogs can be off-putting, so why not do it virtually? Heck, why not change state legislation so you can do so and have it count towards class credit!
Gameplay and commentary on the retail side of the Get To Work expansion for The Sims 4! Duke Nukem and Fartwhistle Dingleprop run a store selling urine-filled toilets to the grim reaper.
Often referred to as Canada's Oregon Trail, though it's more of a trucking simulator meets interactive fiction game. An overview of the game's history, its predecessors, and its maple syrup-delivering gameplay!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Season Two begins, and it's quite the exciting haul this episode!
One of MECC's more unusual edutainment titles. Escape the clutches of the conniving doctor's island, and return to your human form by solving logic puzzles!
Collecting big box PC games is fun enough, but it's a real treat to find packages with unique shapes and designs. A selection of the most unusual computer game boxes in my collection!
Dr. Robotnik is at it again -- now he's stealing your kindergarten word problem answers! Time to play as a mutant frog-monkey and do schoolwork for Sonic The Hedgehog.
Coming to you from the days of the AOL Games channel and Windows 3.1, it's Combat Tanks by Red Herring! Classic 90's shareware game with tank-destroying mayhem.
One of the early games from Sierra, one of the early licensed games, and one of the early games for the Commodore 64 in general! Based on Johnny Hart's "B.C." comic strip, it's up to you to save Cute Chick!
A show and tell of sorts, talking about my massive retro IBM computer haul! PS/2 systems, monitors, software, peripherals, documentation, a mysterious floppy disk, and so much more. This stuff is gonna be a lot of fun to mess with.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Goodwills, Salvation Army stores, a pawn shop with too many guns (or not enough guns?)
Tutorial and demonstration of America Online 4.0 running on Windows 8.1. Did you know you can still sign into the old-school AOL application for free? As long as you have a broadband connection, you can (for now!) Watch this to find out how to surf the web 90's-style.
Fly missions in your SimCity 2000 metropolis! Fight fires, disperse riots, throw people overboard to their doom. And what's up with all those half-naked dudes kissing...
An exploration of the record sleeve style PC game packages of the 1980's. Electronic Arts, Micro Illusions, Taito, and more! These folios make collecting computer games a lot of fun.
Gameplay and overview of the first stuff pack for The Sims 4. What are the new items and clothes? Are chocolate fountains worth the asking price? Questions, answers, snark!
Your people are being turned into snack food! Time to get out of there and run a gauntlet of grungy alien landscapes. And it comes in a square box!
At long last, the fourth game in the excessively violent Carmageddon franchise is here on PC! But does it live up to its predecessors? As a long-time fan of the series, let's try to answer that.
This episode covers the humble beginnings, rapid rise to success, and eventual dominance of Dell Computer Corporation. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
Considered vaporware since 1992, but finally the sequel to Chip's Challenge is a released game! How does it stack up after over 20 years of waiting?
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Goodwills, Target, and Office Max Payne.
Gameplay and commentary on Broforce, one of the manliest early access games currently on Steam. And I'm accompanied by manly man Kris Asick of Ancient DOS Games!
Chika-chika-chika-chika. Seriously though, it's a free update. Play the game, and uh, well there it is. That's chaos theory.
Overview, installation, and demonstration of the retro PC game peripheral, the Virtual Pinball controller by Philips. And playing GTA 5 with it, cuz why not!
Gameplay and overview of the second stuff pack for The Sims 4. What are the new items and clothes? How steamy is hot tub woohoo? Questions, answers, snark!
First-person cat carnage! Knock everything onto the floor, meow loudly, and nibble too much catnip.
Help Noah put all the animals on the ark back to sleep, using food-launching weaponry! Also find out the true story behind the creation of the game and its relation to Wolfenstein 3D.
Featuring thousands of big box PC games, vintage computers, and a whole lot more. Celebrating 6 years of LGR with a collection overview/game room tour in 4k!
Unboxing, commentary, and demonstration of the Live Gamer EXTREME capture device by AVerMedia. Thanks to AVerMedia for sending me the device to review!
Give me liberty or give me DOS! Ward off the British during the American Revolutionary War, or capture the American commander-in-chief. It's up to you to eat cheeseburgers.
With Pushing Up Roses! Solving the DLC case of The Consul's Car in LA Noire on PC. Jeezus, Phelps.
It seems the PCjr doesn't play well with fluorescent CFL light bulbs. Or maybe it's a gremlin... bright light, bright light!
Tired of simply watching movies? Why not try making them! Explore the history of Hollywood cinema from the 1920's onward in Lionhead's classic simulation.
Gameplay and overview of the second game pack for The Sims 4, Spa Day. What does it come with? Is virtual mental tranquility worth the asking price? Questions, answers, snark!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Goodwills and bear statues.
Taking a look at more of my favorite cover illustrations from retro PC games! Big box computer games were the best. Excellent artwork that made you wanna spend money.
The first game in Sierra's "Quest" series! Taking a look at the history and gameplay of the original IBM PCjr release of the game from 1984. Sir Graham has serious nads.
Quick commentary and gameplay on the MS-DOS shareware game Dem Bonz! Dominoes with a suspicious lack of pizza.
If you've come for the fork you'll be SORELY disappointed! Origin's interactive movie sci-fi adventure game, featuring flutes.
Quick commentary and gameplay on the Sega Genesis/Amiga game Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck! Prehistoric platforming awesomeness.
Overview, installation, and demonstration of the retro PC game controller, the Demon Gunn by Tac Systems, Inc! Time to play several games terribly with it.
Rambling about what I really think about The Sims games, both past and present.
Gameplay and overview of the third stuff pack for The Sims 4. What are the new items and clothes? How annoying are ice cream headaches? Questions, answers, snark! NOTE: Certain ice creams also give you temporary emotional boosts and physical traits. Doesn't change my opinion of the pack though, so the rest of the video is accurate. But I'm sure some will think sprouting leaves from your arms is worth $10, so I figured I'd mention it!
It's a wave of crime! Stop it before the president's daughter is gone forever and Williams sues you for ripping off NARC!
Commentary and gameplay on the PS4 game Everybody's Gone to the Rapture by The Chinese Room! Chase down ethereal balls while completely alone somewhere in England.
Some called it SimEverything, others called it SimLetdown. Spore was quite the divisive game when it was released, but how does it hold up today? Time for a detailed look at it!
Looking back at the turbo button! Personal computers came with these things for years, then they just disappeared. But they're not forgotten.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Goodwills and sunburn.
Some of my thoughts on attending PAX in Seattle. More detailed videos on these topics will be coming soon!
First impressions on Valve's SteamVR platform, using the HTC Vive virtual reality headset. Filmed at PAX Prime 2015.
Gameplay footage and first impressions commentary on the upcoming Bombshell game from 3D Realms and Interceptor!
Someone made an LGR-inspired game! Whoa. Pretty freaking humbling to think this channel could inspire such a thing, so I just wanted to put this video out there as a thanks and an encouragement to all young game developers in the making.
Sometimes, Duke just has to shake what his momma gave him. And hot dog wiener wenches agree.
Gameplay footage and first impressions commentary on the new Roller Coaster Tycoon game from Nvizzio Creations!
Quick commentary and gameplay on the Windows PC game Sanitarium! One twisted psychological horror adventure.
I'm sick. Again. Voice is gone, brain is fried, taking meds. Text-to-speech reigns freeeee.
Gameplay and commentary on Fallout Shelter, the first official mobile game set in the Fallout universe! Direct video capture from the Android version, though this review applies to iOS devices as well. Played on a Samsung Galaxy Note Edge.
This episode covers the door-to-door beginnings and unbelievable controversies surrounding John McAfee and his Virus Scan software. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
The first expansion pack to Cities Skylines is here! What are the new features and is it worth the asking price? Find out in this overview of the pack!
Gameplay and overview of the fourth stuff pack for The Sims 4. What are the new items and clothes? How spooky is the spookiness? Questions, answers, snark!
Retro City Rampage DX for freaking MS-DOS? And it comes on an actual floppy disk? Be still, my beating CONFIG.SYS.
Reviews for the AVerMedia GM310 and GS315! Unboxing, demonstration, and overview of their notable features and shortcomings. Products supplied by AVerMedia USA.
Cause of explosion: SIMON SAYS. Gameplay and commentary on the bomb defusing simulation, featuring PushingUpRoses!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Goodwills and crunchy leaves.
Spoiler-free gameplay and commentary on Undertale, one of the more enjoyably unique games to come around in a while. Socialize all the monsters, experience weirdness!
Quarter pushers, coin dozers, medal games, 2p machines, whatever you call em... They're everywhere on iOS and Android! But are there any that come close to the real thing? Taking a look at: Coin Dozer, The Real Coin Pusher, Ultimate Sparkling Coins, Coin Pusher Gold, and Cash Dozer USD. Music used is from The Sims 1 soundtrack.
I love Back to the Future. But this game... RUN FOR IT, MARTY! Covers the Commodore Amiga version by Image Works and touches on the MS-DOS port. Music used is from the Amiga and DOS version of the game.
Like Super Mario Kart but not! Race go karts as a bunch of wild animals that turn into periscopes. This wheely is a wacky game. ◉◡◉
Overview and commentary on the Viva9699F1 high back mesh chair from Viva Office. Has Darth Vader's helmet as a headrest, apparently. Supplied by the company for review!
It’s officially an Awesome Stuff Week on YouTube, which means five days of YouTubers (myself included) talking about awesome stuff: gadgets, tech, or just anything awesome we wanna show you. This video is an overview and demonstration of the Razer Deathstalker PC gaming keyboard. I've always been a mechanical keyboard kinda dude, but I figured it was time to take a look at one of these chiclet-style alternatives! The episode was sponsored by YouTube.
Time to talk about the original entry in one of the most iconic series of all time! Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game from Interplay in 1997.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on the early access version of Descent Underground! Six degrees of Unreal Engine 4 freedom.
Man, why hadn't I heard of this one till recently? Iron Blood (aka Interrupt) is an awesome arcade action game from Korea that deserved more attention! Unironic bloodiness.
Spoiler-free gameplay and commentary on Dropsy The Clown, an excellent point-and-click adventure game from Jay Tholen! Hug everyone, because life is kind of awesome.
No. 11 Downing Street. This is a "mystery story game" from 1993 and, uh... it may just be the best worst game ever made. My life is forever changed.
Commentary and overview of features and gameplay using the Heavy Equipment Precision Control System. Farming Simulator 15, Euro Truck Simulator 2, Super Mario Bros. 3 -- it's got all kinds of uses!
Spoiler-free gameplay and overview of Bethesda's latest open world game, Fallout 4! How does it stack up to previous games? What are the best (and worst) new features?
My in-game love life summed up in a handful of seconds...
The shareware classic Balloon Challenge has been ported to Android OS devices! Exactly what I hoped for in my original review, hehe.
Single player may be an afterthought, but X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter is still a lot of fun! Especially when the power gets all balanced.
It’s Awesome Stuff Week: Unwrapped! A holiday extravaganza that brings together your favorite YouTubers for a sneak peak at the best holiday gifts -- from tech toys to kitchen toys to actual toys. YouTube doesn’t care if you’ve been naughty or nice -- you still deserve a shot at the greatest gifts this holiday season. Disclaimers: ● This video does not imply any endorsement of the product by Google or YouTube. The views expressed here belong solely to LGR. ● This video is Shoppable, but is currently only accessible when viewing YouTube from a desktop browser. Taking a look at the wireless adapter by Microsoft that lets you use X1 controllers on Windows 10 PCs. Is it worth the cash when you can just use a PS4 controller via Bluetooth?
Christmas is upon us! And so are crappy games, apparently. This is a free game from Digital Dialect and ugh.
Gameplay and overview of the second expansion pack for The Sims 4 -- Get Together. What exactly do clubs do? Is dancing and beating sims up as a group worth your time? Questions, answers, snark!
The holiday spin-off to the Sega Saturn classic! Help two kids correct the bad decorating of their drunken elders by sucking up balls in the sky.
With PushingUpRoses! Time to make the most inconsequential club known to Simkind, complete with objectives of woohooing elders and taboo swimming.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Christmas junk and nighttime weirdness.
Time for holiday oddware! Taking a look at a Santa memory stick, a USB cow, the cheapest water game ever, and Christmas Lights Planner software for Windows. And PushingUpRoses makes quite a convincing customer service rep.
Holiday shopping is bad enough, but with bad physics and generic gameplay it's even worse! Might be the first Christmas game made specifically to take advantage of streamers and let's players.
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on Simple Planes! Build your own bizarre aircraft using a slew of parts. Results may vary.
My personal, subjective list of the best computer and video games of 2015! Big games, small games, all games.
This episode covers the rise of the pocket and scientific calculators in the 1960's and 70's, and how they affected tech history! Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
It may not be The Elder Scrolls III, but it is the third game in the series! Battlespire is a first-person dungeon crawler adventure set in the land of Tamriel, and it's uh... not exactly great.
What makes TI graphing calculators cost so much? Mostly, it's because they can. But let's dive into the details in the video!
Gameplay and overview of the fifth stuff pack for The Sims 4. What are the new items and clothes? How boho-chic are the films? Questions, answers, snark!
Ever wanted to use a clicky keyboard from the 80's on your Android phone? If you're willing to risk using off-brand adapters, you can do just that! (Also, this is just a quick and dirty solution, not really meant to be taken too seriously!)
Gameplay and first impressions commentary on the preview edition of The Following expansion for Dying Light, supplied by Techland! Vehicle humping not guaranteed in final product.
The 1990's weren't just the age of boring beige boxes! There were some truly funky designs and interesting experiments as well. Time to take a look at a bunch of them!
An iconic 90's PC game that stands the test of time, Duke3D is one of my all-time favorites. Approaching the game's 20th birthday, it's time to talk about the original release, the Atomic Edition, and more! Hail to the balls of come get some damn I'm good steel, baby!
An off-the-cuff, unedited video to show that I got this thing! Repairs are mostly complete, just waiting on a proper PSU replacement.
The shareware version of Duke3D was released on January 29th, 1996. Celebrating a two decades of kicking ass and chewing bubble gum with a nostalgic look back at the game, my history with it, and what its impact has been!
3D Realms has a new game after how many years? Color me intrigued! Bombshell has risen from the ashes of Duke Nukem: Mass Destruction, bringing lots of action and upgradable weapons. This review was made using preview code supplied by 3D Realms, version 1.0.10182, which includes the launch day patch. My critiques and issues with the gameplay take this into account.
From the developers of Euro Truck Simulator 2 comes a new entry to the series, now with more liberty and cheeseburgers! Drive trucks, build a business, crave more.
Big Blue and Little Tikes made a computer together? You bet they did! Colorful keyboard, tiny mouse, IBM ThinkCentre hardware.
A straightforward edge-matching puzzle game from the Microsoft Entertainment Pack, and an unsolved puzzle with a $2 million prize that went unclaimed. Both are fascinating enough to look into!
Fixed up this classic piece of IBM PC history and figured I'd show it off inside and out!
Gameplay and overview of the sixth stuff pack for The Sims 4. What are the new items and clothes? Are wishing wells just magic slot machines? Questions, answers, snark!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Something Tandy is in the air...
An overview of the GearVR powered by Oculus! After a couple months of using this, would I recommend buying one? In short, YES.
While playing the game Firewatch, you find a disposable 35mm camera. Take photos while playing and they can be developed and shipped to you for real!
This episode covers the various ups, downs, and fascinating choices of the eMachines computer company. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
Taking a look at the second expansion pack to Cities Skylines! What are the snowy new features and is it worth the asking price? Find out in this overview of the pack!
Why would anyone want to do this? I don't know, just because you can I suppose! That's what makes it fun :)
I've restored the Hot Wheels PC by Patriot and Mattel! Showing off some games and what I did to it.
Mattel made these unique machines through Patriot Computers, but sadly they're almost all dead now. Let's restore one of them!
Yep, Spore had a spin-off game! It was a Diablo inspired action RPG from Maxis... and it is now completely DEAD. But not because no one was playing, but because EA says so.
The new Far Cry game takes place in 10,000 BC. And hey, you can ride bears and attack cavemen with bags of bees, so let's see if it's as good as it sounds!
My headphones are burgers. Unboxing and testing the BK Headphone AM radio from the '80s!
Quick commentary and gameplay on the MS-DOS mailware game Galaga '94 by APSS Austria! Namco never sanctioned this, but of course that didn't stop anyone here.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Time to hit the beach, then promptly go inside for bargain shopping.
It's a floppy disk! It's a calculator! It's both! Let's take a look at this novelty item that IBM gave to their business partners back in the '90s
Taking a look at yet more of my favorite cover illustrations from retro PC titles! Big box computer games were the best. Artwork that made you wanna spend money.
Ugh. If this is the Easter Bunny's Big Day, I feel really bad for his other days.
These magazines are pure nostalgic bliss. As a kid, I loved "shopping" with nothing more than my eyes, an inkpen, and my imagination.
Taking a look at some of the most unusual machines to come out of the first decade of the new millennium! Chumbys, ottomans, prysmas, and more. If it had a shape, it had a computer in it.
The IBM Model M keyboard is legendary. If only it came in black with a built-in mouse... Well what do you know, it did! The M13 clicky keyboard manufactured by Lexmark.
It had to be done. Thus begins Edutainment Month 2016 on LGR.
Sierra On-Line made this back in 1983... and it sucks. Yet this won Best Educational Game?!
David Macaulay's mammoth-filled book reshaped as an interactive multimedia CD-ROM! Not quite a game, but not simply an encyclopedia either. How delightfully '90s.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! I've moved to a new house, time to fill it up with thrifted stuff!
Help Quarky and Quaysoo, the half-Indian space elves, answer physical science trivia and win the race! This game is awesome, a true Sierra On-Line classic.
Gameplay and commentary on The Sims 2 Seasons! Featuring pooping teenagers, a dog, the undead, snowmen, and a hideous creature that's right right right.
This episode covers the unfortunate rise and fall of Eagle Computer Inc, and the infamous fate of its CEO. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
Installing and demonstrating an Auva HEGA-II EGA video card from 1988! Combined with an IBM XT and a 5154 monitor, this makes for some prime PC-DOS v3.3 gaming.
Original Title: DOOM - DOS PC Game Review The one and only. The original Doom from 1993 by id Software! Taking a look at each of its episodes, its retail follow-ups, its gameplay, and what specifically makes Doom "Doom."
Taking a looking at the Gamer's Edition of Hotline Miami and its sequel! Unboxing the big box, talking about the games, checking out the cassette tape soundtrack and more.
Commentary and gameplay on the fourth main Doom game, released in 2016 by Bethesda Softworks! Taking a look at the main campaign, multiplayer, SnapMap features and so on. RIP AND TEAR.
At long last, there's a Forza Motorsport game on the PC! It's for Windows 10 and DirectX 12 only, but still, it's about time. Taking a look at the feature set of the May 2016 beta!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! It's springtime and there's all sorts of goodness to find, if only one makes the effort.
Taking a 1984 Goldstar B&W television and using a string of adapters to let it use modern HDMI signals! Playing some Fallout 4 on it too, hehe.
Taking a look at the 1996 Windows PC game from Hasbro Interactive. It's no longer just traditional Battleship, now it's got a ton of FMV and extraneous game modes to pad things out!
Miacomet made this billiards controller for the PC under their Real Feel line around 1999! Time to play some Doom 2016 with it (and some pool too, I guess.)
Gameplay and overview of the third game pack for The Sims 4. What are the new items and activities? How nightmarish can your restaurant kitchens get? Questions, answers, snark!
This episode covers the origin of Motorola as Galvin Manufacturing, and its eventual split into separate companies. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
Sand traps aren't the only hazards you'll find in Dangerous Golf! This game by ex-Burnout developers brings exploding cheeseburgers and annoying camera movement, too!
Found this awesome looking Copal MG-730 clock while thrifting the other day, and I love how over-engineered it is! Appliances can be plugged in around back, so I decided to cook some Pop-Tarts.
Original Title: Quake - DOS PC Game Review Wolfenstein 3D. Doom. And then there was Quake. Taking a look at the one of the most unique shooters from the '90s, by the one and only id Software!
Just received an HTC Vive! I'll be reviewing it once I get enough time with it, but until then here's a small taste of what's to come. Hehe.
Taking a look back at the classic NFS games from the '90s and early 2000's! Just me rambling on for half an hour about my experiences.
Gameplay and overview of the seventh stuff pack for The Sims 4. What are the new items and toys to play with? How does one deal with monsters under the bed? Questions, answers, snark!
Checking out the consumer version of the HTC Vive designed by Valve! Showing the setup process, playing some of the best games, and seeing whether it's worth $800.
No real commentary here, just screwing around in Project CARS for a bit! Click here to see my review of the Vive:
Talking about the HTC Vive consumer version at length. Going over the positives and negatives, rambling about my experiences, and discussing what the future of VR even is!
"Damn, I'm NOT looking good!" This app is ridiculous.
Celebrating SEVEN contiguous years of LGR by building the "Woodgrain 486!" The idea here is to build a PC piece by piece that would fit in around 1994, using spare parts and simulated wood.
Taking a look at the updated re-release of Carmageddeon: Reincarnation, now known as Max Damage! This is the PS4 version here, but it's also available for Xbox One and PC.
Pokémon Go is one the most fascinating games in recent memory. Not because it’s a well-made game, but because of the instantaneous effect it’s had on pop culture!
Gameplay and overview of the eighth stuff pack for The Sims 4. What new summertime items and clothing does it have? How painful is a failed waterslide attempt? Questions, answers, snark!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! It's summertime and while it took a while to find stuff this episode, it was worth it.
Unboxing a Creative Labs SB Pro 2.0 ISA sound card from 1992! Then installing it in the Woodgrain 486 DOS PC to see what it can do.
Baguettes. Not just for eating anymore.
Hey, you asked for it. Testing a faux French bread baguette against a real, fresh loaf of bread as a keyboard wrist rest!
Check out my big package! From Japan! Bought a bunch of retro personal computer items for the NEC PC-88, PC-98, and IBM compatibles. Plus a few nifty console collectables.
NMS looks pretty neat, yeah? But with all the promises of near infinite planets, it's easy to forget the simpler beginnings of Hello Games!
Hot Wheels, lots of dirt, and crazy stunts! Combined with the official Hot Wheels PC by Mattel in 2000, what could be better?
Gameplay and commentary regarding the procedurally-generated, survival sim from Hello Games for PS4 and PC! Is it worth the years of hype and your $60 to explore its universe? (Does not cover the Foundation Update.)
This episode covers the origin and demise of Apple spin-off company General Magic, and its impact on modern tech. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
If you buy socks before August 29th, 50% of the profit helps to fund LGR!
Taking a look at newspaper sales flyers from the year 2000! These two computer and technology stores always had my attention as a teenager.
Got 256KB in cache chips to install alongside the 486 DX2-66! Installing them in the Woodgrain 486 DOS PC to see what they can do.
Five years on from Human Revolution, the next proper Deus Ex game is finally here. Did we ask for this? Let's find out!
After sourcing an RGB cable for my Sony KV-1311CR display, I was able to check out a little bit of the functionality of the original PC-8801 computer from Japan! More work to do still, but it's a start.
Most everyone knows Space Cadet from Windows XP, but did you know there were two more tables that went alongside it? Enter Full Tilt! Pinball by Cinematronics and Maxis!
Rambling about the current state of The Sims 4, after having just passed the two year anniversary of the game's release.
Enjoyably intricate tower management simulations are far too infrequent nowadays, and I am stoked Project Highrise has come along to fill in that gap!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Pretty dreary and rainy out this time, but that won't stop the search for stuff.
Taking a look at Sony's head-mounted LCD from the late 1990s! Not only does it let you have your own personal theater, but it makes you look like a cyberpunk antihero.
Rising from the ashes of the original Duke Nukem Forever, Alien Rampage (aka Ravager) is one seriously underrated action platformer!
Sometimes, you just need a rather pointless, simple game that you can zone out to. World of Fishing is that kind of distraction.
Taking a look at the follow-up game to SimCity from Will Wright and Fred Haslam in 1990! Simulating an entire planet through the lens of Gaia Theory remains thoroughly unique.
First impressions and gameplay for Rad Rodgers, using code supplied by Interceptor and 3D Realms! Taking a look at a level from an early build of the game.
In an alternate 1976 where the oil crisis only got worse, you've got a funkadelic dystopia where people have strapped weapons to their vehicles and spout poetry. My kinda combat racing!
Is it still vaporware if it was sold in stores? Insert vaporware reference here, because that's all the comments are going to be about...
One of the earlier adaptations of Bally Midway's arcade classic, Rampage! Smash buildings and eat pesky humans, all while admiring those chunky EGA graphics. Even if you can play arcade-perfect ports today, there's still something special here.
Yep, this is a wireless keyboard and mouse that works like you'd expect, but it's built using bamboo instead of various plastics!
Taking a look at the 20th Anniversary Edition of Duke Nukem 3D from Gearbox and Nerve Software! A new fifth episode called "Alien World Order" now exists, made by some of the original developers.
Taking a look at the original LEGO-sanctioned video game, LEGO Island! Save everyone from the chaos of an escaped convict, brick by brick, tock by tick.
Big thank you to Jackson for sending these my way! Dozens of fun and rare old-school IBM PC-compatible games here :)
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Summer's just ended and it's time for cooler, crispier savings as autumn begins.
've been at Portland Retro Gaming Expo, which was awesome but also kept me super busy. Regularly scheduled programming will return once I recover (and play some Civilization 6.)
$300 for a gaming headset? Here's hoping they're super well-built... (Headset provided to me by Audio-Technica for review.)
Gameplay and overview of the third Sims 4 expansion pack: City Living. What do the downtown apartments feature? Are the festivals and new careers worth the effort? Questions, answers, snark!
These activity center programs for PCs and Macs were all over the place in the mid-90s. And because this is Aladdin, it is clearly the best one of the bunch.
This is a shareware educational baseball game for MS-DOS from 1992! I have strange yet fond memories of this, but haven't been able to find a fully-working copy of v2.0 online. My backup copy has long since gone corrupt, although I was recently able to get it mostly working so I figured I'd show it here!
Always thought the music in the game sounded like a sitcom, so I added a laugh track to go along with it... cut to SimDuke's pufferfish sushi death, hehe.
This is one of those timeless arcade classics, and yes, it had a PC release back in 2002. Shame that this version wasn't very well-optimized but YA YA YA YA YA!
Unit supplied by Hori USA for review. Taking a look at their Tactical Assault Commander Pro keyboard and mouse controller for the PlayStation 3 and 4! Does it provide PC-like control on consoles?
Adviser said my teacup ride needed more decorations. Found the solution. I've got a review incoming, but I'm having too much fun just screwing around with the game right now.
This first Serious Sam game is still such a rush! Non-stop action, tons of enemies, satisfying weapons, and plenty of "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!"
Taking a look at Frontier Development's theme park management sim, Planet Coaster! Is it the spiritual successor to RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 fans wanted? Time to find out.
Commentary and gameplay on the Windows PC game Sid Meier's Civ 6! Is it an improvement over its predecessors? As a long-time fan of the series, I was psyched to find out.
Welp. After twelve years of anticipation waiting for another mainline Roller Coaster Tycoon game on the PC, this is the result. And yeah, it is a bit of a downer for long-time fans.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Thirty episodes, wow. Let's see what we can find this windy November day!
Taking a look at the third expansion pack to Cities Skylines! How disastrous are the disasters and is it worth the asking price? Find out in this overview of the Natural Disasters pack!
Somehow, Elf Bowling was once one of the most-played games around! As far as mainstream media was concerned, the big three in PC gaming were Doom, Quake... and Elf Bowling.
Gameplay and overview of the ninth stuff pack for The Sims 4. What old-school items and clothing does it have? How much of your stuff do butlers steal? Let's find out!
Taking an unscripted look at some of the last big box PC games! Several of these ended up hitting Sam's Club shelves from 2003 to 2005 alongside their smaller counterparts. A fun oddity to collect!
Since I talked about these stores recently and how they used to sell big box PC games, I figured I'd show how it looks today.
One of two MS-DOS games by the same name released around the same time, Christmas Carnage is basically a gory holiday Paratrooper. And somehow it relates to killing Barney the Dinosaur.
This episode covers the origin and demise of Hi Tech Expressions/Thoughtware, from Jingle Disk to Megaman and beyond. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
I don't know about you, but nothing gets me in the Christmas spirit quite like trying to score while juggling Santa's balls. Wait, what did you think I meant?
Ugh. Another game by Head Games, and this time it somehow performs even worse than the others I've reviewed. "Too bad, dude. YOU LOSER."
My personal, subjective list of the best computer and video games of 2016! Big games, small games, all games, I'm sick but okay.
Received a bunch of gloriously geeky goods from viewers this month, so I figured I'd open them all up right here and try out the new FDR-AX53 camera simultaneously. Background music is "Uptown Bossa" by Johan Hynynen.
Diving into the Silicon Graphics Indigo² desktop workstation computer! This was a beast in 1995, and yes, "it's a UNIX system, I know this!" How do the pros and cons stack up, what games can you play on it, and is it worth the cost today?
Unbelievably, Extreme Wintersports isn't alone in its misery. It has company. This is the story of Snow Wave Avalanche/Snowboard Racer/Tignes Snow Wave/Tech Deck Snowboarding.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Didn't expect to start back up so soon, but hey, who am I to look a thrift horse in the mouth.
Time to take a look at this piece of retro tech: the ProHance PowerMouse! Forty buttons of MS-DOS application control right at your fingertips, what could be better?
The 1980s saw the explosion of a worldwide microcomputer industry, and with it came countless bizarre and awesome machines. Let's take a look at ten of the most unusual devices!
Gameplay and overview of the fourth game pack for The Sims 4. What are the new items and supernatural powers? And how do pudgy little toddlers fit into all this? Questions, answers, snark!
The lone action/adventure Elder Scrolls game that eschews role-playing in favor of... slow controls and clunky combat. Eh. it's not completely awful, but there's a reason it's a forgotten entry in the franchise.
Radio Shack has reintroduced the classic Tandy brand for some of their computer products! Too bad they suck. Oh well, let's take a look at the 2017 Tandy wireless keyboard and mouse and play some Doom 2 with 'em.
This episode covers the unlikely origins of AOL, by way of the Atari Gamelink and an online service for the Commodore 64. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
Commentary and gameplay on the VR front-end for PC, New Retro Arcade Neon! Customize your own '80s arcade with cabinets, consoles, handhelds, and ＡＥＳＴＨＥＴＩＣ.
This episode covers the story of AOL from birth to collapse, by way of the Apple Link and endless free disks and CDs. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
Ever wanted to play first-person shooters on a monochrome graphing calculator screen? Well now you can! Or rather, you could for over a decade but I'm just now making a video on how to, ha.
Racing through Chicago was only the start. San Francisco and London were in need of some open world madness, and this second game in the series by Microsoft and Angel Studio delivers!
Vintage computers, laserdiscs, oddware, PC games, FMV porn... quite the selection this time, haha
Setting up an external CD drive on a Compaq Presario 425! Since this PC only has two already-filled ISA slots and nowhere for an internal optical drive, Backpack setups were great. Now to repair it...
Spoiler-free commentary and gameplay on the localized version of Yakuza 0 for the PlayStation 4! Join Kiryu and Majima in 1980s Japan to lay the smackdown on thugs and hire a chicken.
Sometimes you just need to know your own fate! Let's dive into digital divination and try out the USB Magic 8 Ball, Qball Executive, and Windows 3.1 Cyber Tarot software to predict the future.
Taking a nostalgic look back at the cell phone that so many online consider to be the very symbol of robust build quality in tech: the original Nokia 3310 from the year 2000. And also comparing it to the 5110 and 3390 models that were popular in the USA!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! It's all snowy outside, but that won't stop the urge to thrift for retro tech.
RetroPatents.com sent me some prints they made based on imagery and artwork from vintage technology patents! I think this is a great idea for posters to deck your geeky halls with.
"IT IS PAYDAY." Taking a look at the 1997 real-time strategy classic by Bullfrog and Peter Molyneux. Control evil minions, delve greedily, and put an end to those pesky heroes once and for all.
Retro computer cases often had a locking mechanism, complete with a key that came with the machine. But what exactly did these do, where did they come from, and why aren't they so commonplace anymore?
I was fortunate to be able to buy a sealed, new old stock IBM PC 5170 built in the year 1988! What a rare treat. Join me in savoring each piece of retro tech as I set it up with PC-DOS 3.30 and EGA graphics.
Gameplay and overview of the TENTH stuff pack for The Sims 4. What mid-century items and clothing does it have? How boring did bowling turn out to be? Let's find out!
Often considered the cream of the crop in MS-DOS gaming soundtracks, the Roland MT-32 MIDI synth is a legend. But does it live up to the hype? And how much of a hassle is setting up and using one today?
The power symbol has seemingly been around forever. But there’s a distinct reason that it looks the way it does! There’s also more than one power symbol, with each one meaning something different.
Mavis Beacon is A FAKE. Well, sort of. The software she's famous for, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, was very much a real thing in 1987. But things get interesting when you dive into the character herself!
Evaluating the mechanical Dot keyboard from Lofree! It's based on retro typewriters and Apple's Magic Keyboard, but it's also Bluetooth and has one of the strangest layouts I've ever seen.
Lucas Learning's first edutainment game from 1998! Nobody needed to see what it'd look like if beloved Star Wars droids had a terrifying lovechild together, but here you can. Shame that it's also a bit broken.
Vintage computer hardware, oddware, PC games, software, mechanical keyboards and calculators. You folks are great.
The American Girl brand is one of those widely beloved things, I hear. I'm totally new to the franchise, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the PC game from 1997 and all its absurd voices.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! It's Springtime and that means fresh bargains are to be found in thrift store land.
SPOILER ALERT. I get asked this question a lot, so here's a short video response instead of just typing the same reply ;)
At least as it pertains to my current full-time YouTuber existence. Life is interesting, man.
I'm not sure what part Maxis actually played in making this edutainment game happen, but Read-A-Rama is a bizarre sight to behold. Also looking at its twisted Selena Studios sibling, Spell-A-Rama from 1995!
Celebrating the 15th anniversary of The Elder Scrolls III! It's considered by many to be the best in the franchise, but how well does Morrowind (and its expansions Tribunal and Bloodmoon) hold up fifteen years later?
This new old stock IBM 5170 computer has just been unboxed. Now it's time to upgrade like it's 1988! 128K+512K RAM, 8MHz Intel 80287, 1.44MB 3.5" disk drive, and an original Adlib sound card.
This episode covers the story of Mad Catz, the company behind everyone's least-favorite controllers and surprisingly good arcade sticks.
Filling up five new shelves with nearly 500 big box PC games! This is just a quick little video for fun, normal LGR stuff coming soon :)
Taking a look back at the 1990 space combat game that redefined the genre, Wing Commander! Getting it to run correctly may be a tough nut to crack, but it's worth it to play this Origin classic.
Upgrading the Woodgrain 486 PC by replacing the aging IDE hard disk drive with a CF memory card! Taking a look at the adapter options, the installation process, its usage with DOS and gaming, and some of the pros and cons.
Taking a look at the fourth expansion pack to Cities Skylines! Do the new vehicle and transportation options improve the game and is it worth the asking price? Find out in this overview of the Mass Transit pack!
The 1970s. As the personal computer concept was still being defined, many of these machines appeared "strange" at the time simply because they were the first of their kind! Let's take a look at some that stand out the most for their design and significance.
Gameplay and overview of the fifth game pack for The Sims 4. What are the new items and activities? And much does parenting affect the outcome of sim lives? Questions, answers, snark!
Thanks for settling this debate, Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator.
Oddware isn't always about obscure and failed products! Taking a look back at the ZIP 100 drives from the mid-90s, including their history, packaging, setup, and usage on a Windows 9x PC.
Vintage computer hardware, oddware, PC games, software, mechanical keyboards, and a treasure trove of Apple memorabilia. Amazing stuff as always, thank you to everyone :) Background music is "Uptown Bossa" by Johan Hynynen.
Aired: June 7, 2017
Taking a look back at the first Lego racing game on the PC from back in 1999! Classic arcade-style kart racing with power-ups that you can power up with more power-ups. Awesome.
A wooden case that looks like a tiny vintage television set! Play games, movies, apps and anything else a Raspberry Pi 3 computer can do in style. I think amateur homebrew projects like this are charming.
Over 1,600 unique PC game boxes from the '80s to the mid-2000s! So much gaming history in one spot makes me happy. This is the LGR big box computer game collection room update for June 2017.
Ever wanted an easy way to get classic computers onto a Telnet BBS using a wi-fi network? This board by Paul Rickards lets you do just that on a wide variety of vintage machines! It's like stepping back in time, man.
Gameplay and overview of the ELEVENTH stuff pack for The Sims 4. What does the automated climbing wall actually do? How uninspiring is the new gym equipment? Let's find out!
First impressions regarding PUBG and my experience so far in the June 2017 early access PC version. All while winning my first match through a series of clumsy choices and ill-advised strategy!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! I make sick beats.
Vintage computer hardware, oddware, PC games, software, and just lots of neat thingies. Amazing as always, thank you to everyone :)
Taking a nostalgic look back at the 'compact disc read only memory' experience! Especially in regards to computer gaming and software in the 1990s. Redbook audio, full motion video, a vast 650+ megabytes of storage, ahh good times.
Yes, this "Altair" plays Crysis. Lazy Game Reviews is eight years old, wow! To celebrate I'm doing something enjoyably ridiculous: building a modern computer into the case of an Altair 8800 clone. Because why not.
This is the tiniest retro MS-DOS desktop computer that I own, so let's take a look inside and upgrade it with a Sound Blaster! Pretty amusing to see this kind of space-saving PC design from 1995.
Unboxing, setting up, and trying out the Quick Shot Multimedia Games Starter Kit! Two cheap controllers, some disc storage options, and a game compilation CD with amusingly odd icons and spelling errors.
Say hello to the Hewlett Packard J2300 series protocol analyzer! It's heavy, loud, and has a 100MHz 486DX4. What more could you want in a computer! Except maybe a sense of practicality, haha.
A modern PC made of solid wood! There’s something wonderful about the melding together of natural and synthetic materials -- cutting edge tech with the cutting of walnut. Mm, woodgrain.
Original Title: Applying Toast's Wooden Nintendo Switch Wrap [A Review] Trying out the walnut wood veneer cover that Toast sent me for the Nintendo Switch game console! It looks fantastic, but seeing as it's a skin made from real wood how is it in terms of practicality?
As of July 2017, Microsoft is halting development on the venerable MS Paint. What better time to take a look back at the history and legacy of Paint, Windows 3.1 Paintbrush, and ZSoft PC Paintbrush!
Another fascinating retro computer here, but this is one that you probably wouldn't realize is a PC unless you took it apart! This has no hard drive at all, it runs DR-DOS completely off a 3.5" floppy disk.
This is a new old stock Optiquest Q71 display from 2001! Viewsonic made some lovely tubes back in the day and I've wanted one for some time, so I bought this one still sealed. Testing with a Windows 98 PC!
Revisiting the mid 1990s to explore the world of gooey image manipulation from MetaTools! Kai Krause worked on some fantastically influential user interfaces too, so let's dive into all of it.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Mmm, RGB switching and games.
Backing up your computer's files to VHS videotape with a VCR? Sure, it was 1996 so why not! Trying out the wonderfully weird Danmere Backer16 tape backup system for Windows 3.1 and 95 PCs.
As a kid without an NES console, I just wanted to play Duck Hunt at home. So what else could I do except hunt down duck hunting games for MS-DOS and Windows 3.1! Let's take a look at four of them, including Duck Hunter Pro from Head Games.
If you're a fan of Quake, Redneck Rampage, Heretic, Half-Life, Doom, Duke Nukem 3D and other late-1990s FPS, then Dusk is quite the treat. These are my initial impressions!
This episode covers the story of what happened to big box PC game packaging. For over two decades it was commonplace to find computer games in boxes of all shapes and sizes, but who put a stop to it and why? Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
Gameplay and overview of the TWELFTH stuff pack for The Sims 4. What new activities can toddlers take part in? Could that ball pit be any more lacklustre? Let's find out!
Grand theft HAWC? Pretty much! This is a retrospective on the 1997 mech simulation game from 7th Level. Wander alien landscapes, boost mechs, and enjoy the chunky software-rendered 3D graphics.
Cleaning, upgrading, and reinstalling the original operating system and drivers for this classic Think Pad laptop from 1997! Error 161 and 163 are no big deal and installing the highest-capacity HDD of the time is cathartic.
A relaxing overview of three shareware discs from 1998! Sonoma Multimedia's compilation of demos, mods, and applications for Quake 2, HoMM2, Flight Sim 98, Diablo, and 3Dfx Voodoo cards.
166MHz Pentium MMX! 80MB RAM! Windows 95! All this and more for under 6 grand in 1997. Let's take a look at this notebook computer that was once cutting edge, the Gateway 2000 Solo 2200 S5-166.
Nintendo made computer peripherals in 1997? YEP. Enjoy this history, setup, and demonstration of one of the more odd and obscure Nintendo products I have in my possession.
Vintage computer hardware, oddware, PC games, electronics, and just lots of neat stuff. Fantastic as always, thank you to everyone :)
Lolwut. These are real? And actually got boxed releases in 1997? Wow. Let's take a look at two of the strangest PC games I have ever come across from the enigmatic Cyberdigital.
Taking a relaxed look back at a selection of my Sega PC game collection! They released dozens of great titles on DOS and Windows 9x back in the day and I felt inspired by Sonic Mania to revisit them. Titles talked about in the episode: 00:44 Zaxxon 02:05 After Burner 03:48 Daytona USA Deluxe 06:16 Virtua Fighter 08:43 Virtua Squad 10:26 Panzer Dragoon 11:48 Bug! 13:13 House of the Dead 15:45 Baku Baku Animal 16:50 Garfield in TV Land 18:34 Sonic & Knuckles 20:21 Sonic R 22:59 Sonic CD 24:01 Crazy Taxi
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS. JUST DO IT.
Setting up and exploring the Roland SC-55 mkII synthesizer module and testing it with classic MS-DOS and Windows PC games! As far as General MIDI playback goes, the Sound Canvas is an exceptional choice.
Upgrading the Woodgrain 486 PC with a menagerie of 80s and 90s MIDI hardware excellence. Installing a Roland MT-32, Sound Canvas, Yamaha MU80, Korg NS5R, Technics graphic equalizer, MPU-401, and more!
Mixed together the outputs of four MIDI modules while playing the Canyon MIDI track from Windows 3.1! Roland MT-32, Sound Canvas SC-55mkII, Yamaha MU80 and a Korg NS5R.
The blue LED. Ubiquitous as they are now, they’re a relatively recent invention! Yet without them so much of our modern tech wouldn’t be possible, from cell phone displays to energy-efficient light bulbs. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
By request, this is an assortment of methods I use to remove stickers and gooey residue from computer game packaging. Also rebuilding cardboard box interiors so they hold up better!
Had some requests to show the game Cuphead playing on a retro monochrome television, so here you go! Playing the PC version through an HDMI to RF conversion.
This is a review of Captain Claw, an action platforming game for the PC from Monolith Productions. Not only was it notable for them following on the heels of Blood, but it was one of the first games released on DVD!
There is no reason to do this. That is why I did this. When you have a computer running an AMD Ryzen 5 1600X CPU, the ideal operating system is MS-DOS 6.22! At least if you're being ridiculous.
The Dauphin Desktop Replacement 1 was a fully featured 486 DOS PC with a stylus-controlled touchscreen! Too bad it had a melting power supply, odd design quirks, and a starting price of $2,495 in 1993.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! I hope you're ready to learn how to raise koi fish.
Taking a look at the fifth expansion pack to Cities Skylines! Do the new gameplay and asset additions improve the game and is it worth the asking price? Find out in this overview of Green Cities!
Vintage computer hardware, oddware, PC games, electronics, and just lots of neat stuff. Excellent as always, thank you :)
Using an IBM PC AT to control the lights in your house? YEP. Enjoy this history, setup, and demonstration of one of the X-10 Powerhouse and the HAL 2000 voice-controlled assistant!
Taking a look back at the spooky 1989 adventure game for DOS PCs: ...A Personal Nightmare! Or is it just Personal Nightmare? Who named this piece of software anyway, argh!
Lazy Game Reviews woodgrain socks are for sale until November 14, 2017! Should arrive worldwide in time for Christmas. This video is not a paid sponsorship, but I get a percentage of any sales that occur.
Looking at the first games that kicked off the long-lasting virtual pet series, Petz! Before Ubisoft released a ton of them, PF Magic were innovating with these sims of cats, dogs, and weird alien things.
There really is no rational reason to restore a late 90s NEC-manufactured Packard Bell computer. Which is exactly why I'm doing it. Join me in getting this unloved machine back to factory fresh condition!
Taking a look back at Crytek's 2007 FPS game, Crysis! Hard to believe it's been around for a decade now, but here we are. "Can it run Crysis?"
Gameplay and overview of the fourth expansion pack for The Sims 4. What new activities can pets take part in? Is the cuteness worth the full asking price? Let's find out!
Installing a Creative Encore DVD-ROM! Back in 1997 DVD tech was an huge step up from CDs. And the setup was a bit more involved than just plopping in a drive -- you needed an MPEG-2 card like the DXR2!
Quickie review of the 2017 release of The Sims 4 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Is this port of the PC original worth your time? What have they changed for the console version? Let's dive into it!
I'm often asked things like: Why aren't there more Thrifts? What do you use to record them? How often do you go thrifting? So in between normal LGR episodes, here's an extra one to answer those!
When asking the question "what classic PC should I buy," there are plenty of options to consider. From real hardware to emulation, let's dive into the topic and determine some of the best solutions!
Taking a look at some vintage Radio Shack flyers from 1979 and 1991! Christmas is approaching and my technology nostalgia level is high, so let's dive into some old school retro tech ads for Tandy, Realistic, and beyond.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! I should probably learn how to play bridge or something.
AOL Instant Messenger is shutting down on December 15, 2017. So let's take a trip back to the '90s and early 2000s when AIM was a major player in the IMing market worldwide!
Holiday Lemmings was already a thing back in 1992, but X-mas Lamers? Ugh. It's time for Christmas Lazy Game Reviews, so let's take a look at this thing that existed for MS-DOS PCs!
So I found this rather obscure album on cassette tape from 1990 while thrifting. And that title and artwork looked so gloriously geeky I had to grab it. Let's enjoy some retro synth music!
Aired: December 13, 2017 The GOG.com 2017 winter sale is going on until December 26, 2017! They asked me to recommend up to 30 PC games, so let's get to it.
An 8-bit computer game of exploding polar bears and killer penguins? Merry Christmas indeed, haha.
For PCs without a sound card or those that lack a free upgrade slot, getting proper OPL2 FM synth support can be elusive. But thanks to Serdashop you can make that happen over the printer port!
Christmas is almost here but Santa Claus is in trouble! Naturally. This time, it's up to you as a pixel art dog to save little pixel art creatures in the world of Happyland. This game is just so HAPPY. And free!
Vintage computer hardware, oddware, PC games, electronics, and lots of neat doodads. Excellent as always, thank you and Merry Christmas!
My personal, subjective list of noteworthy computer and video games of 2017! Some are great, others were just okay, but regardless they still stood out to me. So let's talk about 'em!
Felt like taking a look back at the first PC flight stick I ever owned, the Kraft Thunderstick from 1989. It may be super cheap and objectively crappy, but I love this cheesy old thing nonetheless.
When this released in 1991 it cost $1,695 and was used in universities, businesses, and even the Barcelona Olympics! So let's see how it does playing Duke3D and SimCity. Because Oddware.
Upgrading a late 90s Windows 98 computer setup with a Diamond Stealth III S540 graphics card! Mm, S3TC. Installation, setup, and testing it out with Midtown Madness, Unreal Tournament, Max Payne.
The beast of a retro computer system was a powerhouse 486 machine in its day and cost an absurd amount of money when it was new. And I'm using it to play SkiFree. This is LGR.
It may not have been the SX model I intended to get, but this Tandy 1000 from 1984 is still a lovely computer to experience! Join me in savoring this retro tech as I attempt to set it up with Tandy DOS 2.11.
Unboxing and testing this 0.3 megapixel beast from the mid 90s! This is the Epson Photo PC, their first consumer digital camera. Not only does it take 640x480 photos, but it stores to internal flash memory!
Gameplay and overview of the THIRTEENTH stuff pack for The Sims 4. What new laundrytastic activities can you take part in? Are chores really the best thing evar? Let's find out!
This is the infamous Microsoft Bob from 1995. Often ridiculed for being childish, overpriced, and introducing us to Comic Sans and Clippy. But was Bob truly as terrible as its reputation suggests?
Sometimes, you have to play a game simply due to the title. And, you know, the naked fire/ice guys on the cover and the promise of "ball busting action" on the back of the box. This is THE BALL GAME.
Radio Shack's Tandy 1000 computer system is one of the great 1980s IBM PC(jr) compatibles, and this one needs some loving. Join me in getting this legendary machine back to better-than-new condition!
Retrospective focusing on the original Need For Speed game's 1996 special edition: NFSSE for DOS and Windows PCs! Classic no-frills racing with eight great cars and lovely environments, ahh yes.
BonziBuddy was seemingly everywhere around the year 2000. It was a free "virtual assistant" program that could talk, tell jokes, and help you browse the web! Turned out it was also spyware and violated COPPA. Join me in LGR Tech Tales, looking at stories of technological inspiration, failure, and everything in-between!
The eOne is one of the most blatant ripoff computers from the 90s. Apple sued eMachines and got it pulled from shelves and banned from sale worldwide. Let's examine what made Apple so angry
50 million players can't be wrong, right? Snood is a classic shareware puzzle game inspired by the likes of Puzzle Bobble, and in the late 90s and early 2000s it was a huge viral hit. Taking a look at everything from the original Macintosh game to the later Deluxe Edition!
Unboxing and testing the Quick Take 100, Apple's first digital camera! It may only shoot in 0.31 megapixel 640x480, but at least it had 24-bit color when certain competitors were still doing black and white.
Backing up computer data on the world's smallest cassette tape? Yes, plz. The Datasonix Pereos used Sony NT digital microcassettes to store up to 1.25 gigabytes on a Windows 3.1 PC! In 1994!
The TexElec Resound 1.1 not only uses a real Yamaha YMF262 FM synth chip, but it also brings 4 channels of sound to the table. That's right, quadraphonic AdLib sound is now technically possible on your retro PC of choice!
Gameplay and overview of the sixth game pack for The Sims 4. What kind of artifacts can you dig up in the Hidden Temple? Do skeletons get under your skin? Let's see!
Classic edutainment game The Oregon Trail gets a portable update for 2018! A review covering the design, gameplay, and features of this handheld dysentery simulator from The Bridge Direct and Target.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Finally I can cut my own matboards once again, aw yeah.
Trying out a trio of classic Sony Digital Mavica cameras! And of course, the big reason why I want to do that is because they use 3.5" floppy diskettes to store photos at anywhere from 640x480 to 1280x960 resolution.
Gameplay and overview of the FOURTEENTH stuff pack for The Sims 4. What kind of rodents do you get? How much content is locked away if you don't have Cats & Dogs installed? Who cares!
Tapwave's short-lived Zodiac became the third worst-selling gaming handheld of all time, but it's still worth checking out! If only because of its odd merging of handheld video games and personal digital assistant.
Long before IBM made notebook computers, they made actual notebooks. These were pads with the word "THINK" printed on it, making it a literal "think pad." Direct inspiration for the later ThinkPad machines, too!
The 701 transforming ThinkWrite keyboard is the stuff of legend. In 1995 it let you have the portability of a subnotebook with the full-sized keyboard of a normal IBM Think Pad laptop!
I ramble about entertainingly educational computer games for 23 minutes while playing the 1993 version of The Oregon Trail for Windows 3.1 and 95. YEP.
Solve a mystery, overcome chaos, save the day! More like breaking and entering, bring MICK batteries, and be snarky to animatronic exhibits. Yep, it's the 1994 edutainment computer game from MECC and Novotrade.
Vintage computer hardware, oddware, PC games, electronics, and lots of ramen. Excellent as usual, thank you so much!
Got a (mostly) new in box IBM Personal System/2 8525 computer system from 1987! Join me in unboxing the system, setting everything up, and exploring the software that it came with.
An LGR retrospective on the 1994 educational software program from MECC! Weave your own books of stories, fill the pages with sounds and colorful graphics, and read them aloud with a dreadful TTS algorithm.
In the late 80s, Avon Products was pushing the Beauty Vision Personal Color Computer system to try and sell their cosmetics, fragrances, and personal care products. Turns out that it was a Toshiba T1000 that shoots your face with blasts of bright light.
Yes, this is a real thing. Ryosuke Takahashi's Fastest Typing-theory came out in Japan in the year 2000 for PC, Mac, and PlayStation 2. Drift racing, non-stop eurobeat, and typing tutor combined!
Taking a look back at the 1999 LucasArts game for Windows PCs! Racing through Star Wars environments at nearly 1,000MPH still stands out as one of the more satisfying sci-fi racing experiences of the late 90s.
Well this is a bit odd: a programmable adapter box that converts Nintendo Entertainment System gamepads to a 5-pin AT connection! So you can use NES controllers through a PC keyboard port.
Revisiting my first PDA that I bought in my college days! Word processing, MP3 and WMV playback, and internet access over wi-fi all in one handheld device, wooow. And hey, it's not a bad gaming device either.
During the summer of 2001, Texaco and EA ran a promotion for NFS: Porsche Unleashed that included both physical die-cast cars and exclusive PC game demo discs. Let's unbox a new set and check 'em out!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Checking out a new (to Thrifts) junk shop filled with all sorts of random sterf.
When Epic MegaGames released Unreal in 1998 it was an absolutely monumental title for PC gaming. Let's take a nostalgic look back at Unreal and its expansion, Return to Na Pali!
The 1980s home automation continues with more X10 fun! This is the BSR System X10 Timer, a digital clock module that looks like a radio, but actually controls your house through the power lines.
Taking a look at the sixth expansion pack to Cities Skylines! Do the new gameplay and asset additions improve the game and is it worth the asking price? Find out in this overview of Park Life!
The LGR Woodgrain 486 PC is due for an upgrade... to the year 1990! I've got a brand new in box copy of Microsoft Windows 3.0 to explore so let's install it on top of MS-DOS 6.22 and enjoy some SkiFree.
So, I bought this box set from China that supposedly contains every Need For Speed game on PC from 1995 to 2012... on nine DVDs.
Cleaning, restoring, and enjoying this classic Personal System/2 desktop computer from the '80s! Sure, it was the lowest-end model of its line when it launched, but that's exactly why I wanna dive into it.
A relaxed, nostalgic look back at game publisher catalogs of the 1980s and '90s. Covering ads from GT Interactive, Electronic Arts, Viacom New Media, Sierra Online, and Infocom!
Now this is a cool keyboard. Not only does it utilize early Cherry MX Black key mechanisms, but it's also an infrared wireless keyboard replacement for the PCjr! As well as the "PC Senior," ha.
WOF.
Yes, really. Time to find out who kidnapped Ken in this 1998 PC adventure game from Mattel. Featuring PushingUpRoses!
Gameplay and overview of the fifth expansion pack for The Sims 4. What kind of seasonal activities do you get? Is it worth the four year wait for weather? Let's find out!
A deep dive into the infamous Gizmondo by Tiger Telematics from 2005! Its rapid rise and fall, the packaging, the games, and the odd legacy it leaves in its wake. May include wrecked Ferrari Enzos and melty rubber.
LGR started on Jun 30, 2009. Nine years have passed. Holy crap!
Taking a look at the legendary wavetable sound board from 1992! The Advanced Gravis Ultra Sound is still an awesome thing to experience with DOS PC games, assuming you can track one down.
This is a new old stock Amdek 310A display built in 1988! Amdek made some lovely TTL monitors in the 80s and I've wanted one for ages, so I bought this one still sealed. Exploring the history of the company and testing the CRT with an IBM PC AT!
Vintage computer hardware, oddware, PC games, electronics, and lots of Dutch candy. Fantastic as usual, thank you so much!
The After Dark screen savers by Berkeley Systems had reached peak popularity by the late 1990s. They had collectables, apparel, a TV show, and then came the After Dark Games compilation in 1998!
3dfx Voodoo 3, Aureal Vortex 2, Windows 98 SE. Ahh, now that's a combination for some prime late 90s gaming. Too bad the rest of the computer needs a ton of work. Let's get to it and build a fresh LGR PC!
FPS games with 6DoF movement, or Descent-likes, aren't everyone's cup of tea. But if you like your tea with tons of colored lights, drum and bass music, and ample '90s absurdity? Forsaken delivers.
Using a 3.5" diskette drive on a modern smart device is oddly straightforward (and enjoyable!) with the right components. Let's set up an Android device to play MS-DOS games from a floppy drive!
Ever wanted what looks like a car stereo system in a 5.25" PC drive bay? Well NewQ made these units in the '90s, complete with a colorful VFD spectrum analyzer, 7-band EQ, and SRS 3D/TruSurround modes!
Got this lovely computer display on LGR Thrifts, decided it was time to clean it up and get it working with an Apple II Plus! So yeah, let's whip out the cleaning supplies and get to it.
Mini Discs aren't just for audio! Turns out that Sony had computer storage in mind for MDs as far back as 1993, well before the later Hi-MD format. Let's try out the MDH-10 MD Data drive from 1995!
Ever wondered if Doom 3 will run on Windows 98 with a 12MB 3dfx Voodoo 2 graphics card? No? Well too bad, we're doing this anyway
The Kenwood 72x UCR-421 was the fastest CD-ROM drive ever made when it released in 1999. And after years of looking I've finally found one that works. Does it live up those claims? Let's find out.
The Roland MA-12C Micro Monitors from 1990 are the best desktop computer speakers I've ever owned from back then. Seriously! On top of sounding and looking great they're built fantastically well.
The Canon XapShot is one radical late 80s still video camera. It takes photos and saves them to a floppy disk, but it's not a digital camera. It does so using analog NTSC recording tech!
The NEC MultiSpin 4Xc is a monstrous external SCSI CD-ROM drive built for MS-DOS, Windows, and Macintosh. It holds SEVEN discs at once! Time to unbox it a set it up with Phantasmagoria.
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Seems I stopped in during the radio hour this time.
In the early 1990s Radio Shack sold what they called "keyboard calculators." These were really just an electronic calculator like any other, but with a form factor built for PC keyboards!
In 1982, the DC-2 robot was making headlines for everything from participating in legal protests, to serving drinks in the Playboy Mansion, to being apprehended by the Beverly Hills Police Department in what was likely the first robot “arrest” ever. What happened?
Back in 1997, consumer digital cameras didn't get any thinner or lighter weight than the DJ-1000 by Mitsubishi Electric. While it may be forgotten these days, I think it's worth a retrospective look!
http://lazygamereviews.com/socks
Time for an LGR retrospective on the fourth Elder Scrolls game! It was the first entry in the franchise for millions of players in 2006, but how well does Oblivion (and its expansions Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles) hold up twelve years later?
In the year 2000, CareerTrack released this CD-ROM that made the bold claim of letting you know how to find ANYTHING on the internet. Well then, we have just got to see if it's true.
Let's build a PC! A Windows XP gaming machine from parts circa 2007 to 2008, to be precise. This Core 2 Extreme SLI rig would've cost $3,588 if all the parts were bought new when they first released. Time to put it together and play some Crysis and 3D Pinball Space Cadet.
EA shut down this MMO racing game back in 2003 and it was unplayable for years. But thanks to a fan-made launcher, you can now play this Need For Speed spin-off title once again! Sort of!
Upgrading the "XP Dream PC" build with a 2007 sound card classic: the Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion Series! Mm, EAX audio. Doom 3, Half-Life 2, and Age of Mythology never sounded so good.
Vintage computer hardware, oddware, PC games, electronics, and strange old tech. Awesome things as always, thank you so much!
Monolith's First Encounter Assault Recon from 2005 is an FPS classic. Game-changing AI, awesome slo-mo combat, and creepy ghost girls. Let's take a look back at the original, its expansions, and various releases!
Taking a look at the seventh expansion pack to Cities Skylines! Do the new gameplay and asset additions improve the simulation and is it worth the asking price? Find out in this overview of Industries!
A retrospective on the 1995 kid's activity program from Houghton Mifflin Interactive. Click, drag, and drop all kinds of colorful creature parts to go about monster-making with animated awesomeness! Neat!
A retrospective on the 1992 Samsung Pen Master 386SL/20, their first publicly released tablet computer! Packing a full-featured MS-DOS PC with Windows for Pen Computing, it was quite the impressive machine.
When it comes to retro PCs, graphics standards can be all over the place. Monochrome, 4-color, 16-color, composite artifacting, etc. But the MCE2VGA scaler box lets you plug all of them into a single display!
Recording gameplay and software using original vintage computer hardware can be a bit of a challenge with all the weird resolutions and refresh rates involved. Here are my current methods, step by step!
Few games have made an immediate impact quite like Half-Life. From the narrative, to the level design, to the numerous spin-offs and mods! The original 1998 PC gaming classic is well worth revisiting.
Gameplay and overview of the sixth expansion pack for The Sims 4. What do you have to do to achieve fame? Is becoming a virtual content creator or Del Sol Valley actor worthwhile? Let's find out!
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Cheat devices like the Action Replay were commonplace on game consoles in the '90s. But on PC? Not so much. Didn't stop Datel from releasing the PC Action Replay in 1998 though, complete with VHS tape and parallel port dongle!
Much as I like the idea of the Sony PS1 Classic mini console, I was let down by the game selection and overall features. So let's assemble an alternative using a Raspberry Pi and a 3D printed case, no firmware hack required! Build section begins at 01:51 in the video.
It's time for Christmas Lazy Game Reviews! And kicking things off in 2018 is Christmas Stories Nutcracker, a hidden object adventure game that somehow ended up being more bizarre than anticipated.
Lemmings by DMA Design was a computer gaming institution in the first half of the 1990s. And of course there were inevitable Christmas spin-offs of the original game. Four of them for DOS, to be exact!
Back again unboxing computer hardware, retro games, electronics, and general oddities. Awesome stuff as always, thank you to everyone for your support!
Holiday Hare '98 saw plenty of distribution as a glorified demo for Epic's Jazz Jackrabbit 2. But a year later came this limited release sold exclusively in Europe, featuring a new character: Lori Jackrabbit!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of games and interesting goods at various discount shops! Christmas may be over but the holiday spirit remains.
Celebrating another year of LGR (and hitting one million subscribers!) Stats! Analytics! Games! Introspective commentary! Questions of self-worth! Argh!
Datel released the PC Action Replay cheat device in 1998, complete with VHS tape and parallel port dongle. It was awful. Didn't stop them from bringing it to the USA in the form of the PC Game Shark!
Assembling a Nintendo Entertainment System-style model from Retro Power! It's a kit built with a Raspberry Pi in mind, so you can have the fun of making a Lego model while also getting a functional case.
Spacetec IMC was responsible for a range of successful Spaceball 3D input devices. NASA even used one to control their Mars rovers! Then they came out with a PC gamepad in 1996, and eh.
In 1988, Kodak introduced the Display Maker system as a digital alternative to analog presentations. No need to rely on overhead projectors and expensive 35mm slides anymore! Of course, no one bought one.
The first retail releases of SimCity launched on February 2, 1989 for the Macintosh and Amiga, with the IBM PC following later. And from that point onward, computer gaming was irreversibly changed!
Even if you never read an Animorphs book or watched the Nickelodeon TV show, chances are you've seen at least one of the trippy book covers. And using Elastic Reality software from 1994, we can make our own!
Kidtech's My First Keyboard from the mid '90s cost a hundred bucks and claimed to not only be peanut butter proof, but spill proof and resistant to sticky fingers as well! So let's put that to the test on LGR.
Found a new old stock IBM 5140 to unbox and set up! MS-DOS 3.21, monochrome CGA graphics, and even an attachable printer that goes around back. Will do a more in-depth video on it later, but for now let's enjoy it like it's 1986.
If you were a professional that needed to plop arrows onto a CRT TV screen in the 80s, the FOR-A Video Pointer was the device for you! Yep, it cost nearly $1,000 to superimpose pointers over composite video. WORTH IT.
Gameplay and overview of the seventh game pack for The Sims 4. What the heck is going on the town of StrangerVille? And why are all those wide-eyed sims ranting about a mother? Let's see!
Review and retrospective on the RTS game Empire Earth from 2001! Half a million years of human history (and possible future) is covered in this PC gaming classic from Rick Goodman, designer of Age of Empires.
Unboxing and testing the Mattel Nick Click from 1999! Take digital photos and turn yourself into your favorite NickToons using the included Nickelodeon software package. DO THE NICK CLICK.
The LGR Woodgrain 486 PC is due for an upgrade... to the year 1992! I've got a boxed copy of Microsoft Windows 3.1 and a brand new Microsoft Mouse to enjoy so let's install everything on top of MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.0 and have fun with Lode Runner and Print Shop Deluxe.
Time to clean up and restore this late 90s Gateway computer. 3dfx Voodoo 3, Sound Blaster 128, and Windows 98, oh yes. Join me in getting this unloved machine back to factory fresh condition!
Doc Brown needs your help for Edutainment Month 2019 commences! Taking a look at Rescue the Scientists -- a puzzle platformer from Redwood Games in the vein of Word Rescue, Math Rescue, and Pickle Wars.
Vintage computer hardware, oddware, PC games, electronics, and strange old tech. Awesome donations as always, thank you so much!
On Tax Day 2018, the IRS electronic filing system went down. Turns out the government's computers were still partially relying on code 60 years old written for gigantic IBM mainframes like the Martinsburg Monster. What happened?
House of the Dead 2 was already pretty excellent, but when you take away the lightgun and replace it with a computer keyboard? Genius! Is it edutainment? Eh who cares, let's review it.
From the co-creator of Sierra's Quest For Glory games comes the original Castle of Dr. Brain from 1991 for DOS PCs! And you know it pretty quickly from the sheer quantity of puns on offer.
Introduced to the public by none other than Bill Gates at CES in 2007, the $1,500 OQO Model 02 was the world's smallest computer to run the latest full version of Windows! Too bad that was Windows Vista.
Unboxing, setting up, and testing out a Star Micronics NX-2420 dot matrix printer! And yes, it is capable of printing in color on either single sheet printer paper or fan-fold tractor feed paper. Classic.
Released in 1984 the DECtalk DTC-01 was *THE* classic 80s speech synthesizer, used for everything from weather stations to movies. Today on Oddware we have the DECtalk PC from 1991, an ISA card for converting text to speech on MS-DOS PCs!
Join me as I go out thrifting, in search of retro tech and interesting goods at various discount shops! In a post-Marie Kondo thriting world, let's see what kinda gear sparks joy out there.
Putting the Star Micronics NX-2420 color dot matrix printer through its paces. Nearly 30 years old and still going strong, at least with new old stock 4-color ink ribbon from Nu-Kote! Greetings hot dogs.
As requested by... a shocking number of folks after the last video, ha.
Taking a look at the eighth expansion pack to Cities Skylines! Does the new university gameplay improve the simulation and is it worth the asking price? Find out in this overview of Campus!
Digital Equipment Corporation built plenty of terminals in the 70s and 80s, but we're focusing on the VT320-C2. Amber monochrome, LK201 keyboard, and a favorite of libraries for online card catalogs. And now for BBSs!
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Every year it seems every other channel has E3 2019 coverage, but what is it like to actually be there at the show? Cuz there's a lot more than just gameplay demos and PR speak. Let's go t̶h̶r̶i̶f̶t̶i̶n̶g conventioning!
Yay Tempest! At home! But tiny! It's a 12-inch/30cm tall 1/6 scale replica of the 1981 Atari arcade cabinet, designed and sold by New Wave Toys. And it even comes with a little coin door and tiny quarters!
Gameplay and overview of the seventh ̶g̶a̶m̶e̶ ̶p̶a̶c̶k̶ expansion pack for The Sims 4. Mermaids, diving, volcanoes, oh my! And how viable is off the grid living? Let's jump into it!
Argh! Time! It's passing! Thanks so much to everyone who's watched for a decade :)
AHHHH!! Talk about a lifelong dream come true. Bought myself an Atari Missile Command arcade cabinet from 1980. The woodgrain cabaret version, even. And it even comes with a working coin door and normal-sized quarters!
No joke, this place is truly mind-blowing! Taking a tour of Computer Reset in Dallas, Texas. It's a closed down vintage computer shop that's been largely abandoned and has stayed relatively untouched for years. Enjoy the mountains of computer hardware and software.
Setting up and trying out Sega's ONLY digital camera: the Digio SJ-1 from 1996! Meant for use with things like the Sega Picture Magic, PriFun, and NEC PC-9821 computers, the Digio is one fascinating piece of 90s retro tech.
Confession time: I never really did anything with my YouTube subscriber rewards... time to change that. Let's open them out of their boxes, add better framing components, and mount them in the LGR office!
While diving into the Computer Reset warehouse, this oddly-configured IBM PCjr stood out from the crowd. Because Sierra Online! Yep, turns out this is the "Ken Williams Super-Junior," used by Sierra QA in 1989.
Assembling my own custom IBM PC XT clone! The Monotech NuXT is an Intel 8088 motherboard with 640K RAM, XT-CF card interface, SVGA graphics and much more. A completely functional Turbo XT system in a MicroATX form factor, including Adlib sound and a 5.25" 360k floppy drive.
Happy Monday! Got a straightforward video here that's the result of the most recent Patreon Q&A session. 50-something inquiries submitted by patrons on all sorts of topics, and read using the NuXT Clone PC and Norton Commander ????
Audible (yes, that one) used to make hardware! And their first Oddware offering was the $199 Mobile Player from 1997, capable of playing up to two hours of digitized spoken word audio downloaded from their website.
LGR review of Ion Fury by 3D Realms: the first full game to be made using the Build Engine in over 20 years! Classic gameplay reminiscent of late-90s FPS classics, just a real treat for retro PC gamers.
Gameplay and overview of the FIFTEENTH stuff pack for The Sims 4. What kind of stuff is packed within this pack of stuff? What exactly is a Moschino? Does anyone care anymore? Whatever, photography.
Thermaltake's Circle Fire 5.25” Professional Multimedia Kit is from the “anything goes” era of PC case mods. It’s got backlit VU meters, an integrated speaker, LED peak indicators, and a fiery hot rod paint job. Ahh, 2004.
In the mid-2000s, Acer started sponsoring the Ferrari Formula One team. And they also sold Ferrari-branded computers and peripherals! This is one of them, the Acer Ferrari 4005 WLMi from 2005.
Sure, the Apex 100 is just another retro computer, sold alongside the Epson Equity in the late 80s as a low-cost alternative aimed at retail chains. But it also has several thoughtful design elements that set it apart from similarly cheap PCs back then!
Vintage computer hardware, oddware, PC games, electronics, and strange old tech. Excellent donations as always, thank you so much!
Gameplay and overview of the eighth game pack for The Sims 4. What kind of spells and potions are on offer as a Spellcaster? Does all this stuff break the balance of the game or is just me? Let's dive in!
Join me as I go out thrifting: an endless search for retro tech and interesting goods at various discount shops! It may not be the biggest haul ever, but there's always something fascinating to take a look at along the way.
Doom 2: Hell on Earth. Released by id Software and GT Interactive on October 10th, 1994! Looking back at the history of its release, its new monsters, and that fantastically super shotgun.
In 2002, Essential Reality released the $150 P5 glove controller to the market. A so-called "3D virtual controller," it detects hand motions, finger movements, and gripping, translating them to mouse inputs! In theory.
In the early-2000s PC gaming world, few titles were more hyped up than Black & White! It was the first game from Lionhead Studios, headed by Peter Molyneux of Populous fame. And it featured a whole lotta cow slapping.
It may look like industrial equipment, but the Monorail PC was sold as a low-cost Windows 95 PC for first time computer buyers in the mid 90s! Probably the first desktop with an integrated color LCD monitor, too.
Pointing a camera at a CRT TV is one thing, but recording computer monitors is a bit different. I've received lots of questions about this over the past decade, so here we are! These are my current tips and tricks for filming CRT monitors.
Gameplay and overview of the eighth expansion pack for The Sims 4. Time to head off to college and seek that higher educational content! Like an abundance of robots, keg parties, and stress-filled exams. Let's jump into it!
Ever wanted to play the original DOOM on your digital camera? I sure have! At least ever since I learned about Digita OS cameras like the Kodak DC260. We'll also play some MAME arcade games and MP3s, too!
It's time for Christmas LGR! Festivities begin this year with the 1996 holiday version of Interpose: a horizontally scrolling shoot-em-up by Twilight Zone Software and Webfoot Technologies. This "X-mas Edition" is only a teaser for the full game, but it's still surprisingly good stuff for a free holiday-themed MS-DOS title.
Christmas LGR continues! This time it's Hyper Princess Pitch from Remar Games in 2011: a free top-down arcade shooter inspired by classics like Smash TV And Operation: Carnage. Santa plans to make the world happy by delivering presents to all the boys and girls of the world, and that JUST ISN'T OKAY.
Join me as I go out thrifting: an endless search for retro tech and interesting goods at various discount shops! It's almost the end of the decade, so what better time to thrift.
In 2019 we put together the Lazy Green Giant: a Win98 Pentium III computer with Voodoo 3 and Aureal Vortex 2 cards. Can't say I was ever 100% satisfied with it so it's time for a rebuild! Now with a SCSI2SD hard disk replacement, 360k floppy drive, and dual sound cards. AWE yeah.
Y'know, sometimes you just wanna use your PC to light something on fire and hold your drink. Oddware has you covered with the Thermaltake Xray from 2004! Providing a 12V DC lighter alongside a cupholder in a single five and a quarter inch computer case drive bay.
Was Y2K real? Was it a hoax? On January 1st, 2000, a computer glitch dubbed The Millennium Bug was supposed to occur at midnight on New Year's and affect our technology in a major way. 20 years later we know nothing much happened, but why? Join me and find out on LGR Tech Tales!
Gameplay and overview of the SIXTEENTH stuff pack for The Sims 4. What kinda tiny stuff is crammed inside this tiny pack? Is living in a micro home worthwhile? Why are murphy beds so irritating? Eh, let's see!
We've got some restoration work to do on this retro arcade game! Adding high score saving, improving and customizing the coin door, upgrading the coin mechs, making a new operation sheet, applying new stickers, and even trying out Super Missile Attack.
When it comes 90s PC game MIDI soundtracks, you can't really go wrong with a Roland Sound Canvas. And this lovely ST version of the SC-55 is a downright delightful choice! All those excellent SC sound samples in a clean, simplified package.
Yes, this really is a piece of 90s software for writing love letters. Or more specifically, it's a badly-made app providing pre-written love letters that you fill out like a Mad Libs page. Ahh form letter templates, how romantic!
Infinite cheat codes, save states, memory monitoring, slow motion, and more! This 1993 ISA card version of the Datel Pro Action Replay for DOS computers is packed with odd features. Does it actually work this time, like Cheat Engine for MS-DOS? Let's find out!
Upgrading the Woodgrain 486 PC by replacing the 66MHz 486 CPU with an Intel Pentium Overdrive! Taking a look at the box contents, the installation process, and some DOS game benchmarks. Pretty neat stuff being a drop-in upgrade for a Socket 2/3 486 motherboard.
Taking a look back at the $299 IBM WorkPad from the late 1990s! Specifically the 2MB 8602-20X model, really a rebranded 3Com Palm III PDA. Mmm 2-bit monochrome touchscreen, 16MHz CPU, infrared wireless, and tons of oddly addictive Palm OS games. What a lovely little retro handheld.
Diving into DOOM Eternal! Taking a look at the improvements over Doom 2016, how it's inspired by the classic games, what kind of demonic nonsense ensues, and all kinds of eternally relevant stuff. RIP AND TEAR folks!
Windows 3.1 running at 1280x1024 back in 1993? 24-bit True Color mode, too? Entirely possible with the 2MB Viper VLB video card! Let's see what it can do with the LGR Woodgrain PC, including Windows and DOS games, various software, and benchmarks.
Taking a look at the ninth expansion pack to Cities Skylines! How much do fishing harbors change the gameplay, what are the new transportation options, and is it worth the asking price? Find out in this overview of Sunset Harbor!
Heading back to 1989 to check out this edutainment game classic. Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego off to this time? That's right: TIME. Now she and the V.I.L.E. gang are messing with world history, so hop in your Chronoskimmer and catch them time, Time Cadets!
Reviewing the classic Super Solvers DOS and Windows PC game from 1993! Morty Maxwell, Master of Mischief, is up to his old tricks again, now with an army of robo-chimps and a plot to become head scientist of Shady Glen Technology Center. Collect parts and build vehicles! Plus: bananas.
Revisiting the infamous Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition from the year 2000. It's considered by some as the worst Windows operating system, and even one of the biggest flops in tech period. But was Me truly as terrible as its reputation suggests?
Cleaning, upgrading, and overall reinvigorating a vintage IBM computer system from 1986! The Model 5162 here is a bit of an uncommon beast at this point, combining the classic case design of the XT with the 286 internals of an IBM AT. Let's fix it!
50MHz Cyrix CPU! 12MB RAM! Windows 3.1! All this for under 3 grand in 1994. Essentially a Zenith Z-Star in disguise, the Statesman is a halfway enjoyable notebook computer that falls short in several ways. And it's all the more amusing to play around with because of it.
Let's build a new Windows 10 computer! Specifically, a work PC for creating LGR videos and other intensive audiovisual tasks. My i7-6700K machine was getting a bit sluggish for editing large 4K 60fps video projects, so this AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X build will be a massive improvement.
The Creative Labs 3DO Blaster from 1994 is a full 3DO game console packed onto an ISA expansion card. Combined with a Panasonic CD-ROM drive, it lets you play 3DO games within Windows 3.1! What an enjoyable and uncommon treat.
Collecting retro arcade games is the dream of many, but the full-sized machines take up tons of room. Why not play the original PCBs instead! Info on choosing a JAMMA SuperGun, RGB video transcoders, input options, interface adapters, ROM swaps and more.
Haven't done one of these in, what, 8 months? Jeez. You all sent in lots of computer hardware, oddware, games, and electronical goodness once again. Excellent stuff here, thank you so much!
Gameplay and overview of the NINTH expansion pack to The Sims 4. This one is all about making ecological life choices and cleaning up your eco footprint. Or not, because it's The Sims. Make an idyllic clean green wonderland or a smog-laden industrial concrete jungle!
Back in April, RetroManCave held a charity auction for these IBM NetVista PCs he'd restored. Wanting to support the cause, I bid on one of them -- and won! So let's check out the IBM NetVista Type 6792 from 2001, running a 1.6GHz Pentium 4 CPU and 16MB Nvidia Vanta graphics.
I've wanted to restore my Commodore Amiga 1200 for years now and this Checkmate A1500 Plus case is a great excuse to do that! The case is designed to house all sorts of computer systems, but in this video I'm building an A1200, complete with several upgrades for games using WHDLoad.
This is a bit of a different Thrifts in terms of how it came together. With all that's going on I haven't gone out much at all, so there's very little footage here that's recent. I had a decent amount recorded from before March 2020, just not enough for a full episode. So I filled out the video with stuff that didn't make the cut in older episodes! If currents trends are any indication, this will be the final Thrifts video for a while, at least in its usual form. Stores are currently reopening, but I'm not yet comfortable going out traveling all over the region to thrift like I used to. That being said, I think this mishmash of footage came together okay all things considered, so I hope you enjoy!
What was the PC CD-ROM experience like in 1987? Let's find out with the Hitachi CDR-1503S / Amdek Laserdrive-1, both launching in '87 at just under $900. And for that you got a whopping 153 KB/s sequential transfer rate from 550MB discs spinning at a leisurely 200-535 RPM! Ahh, single speed read-only goodness.
Adding all kinds of stuff to the LGR Commodore A1200 build! Indivision AGA MK2cr, PCMCIA Compact Flash, 15-pin PC joystick support, swapping the mouse ball for laser, upgrading the Kickstart ROM, along with plenty of little tweaks and fixes.
Gameplay and overview of the SEVENTEENTH stuff pack to The Sims 4. What items can sims knit together in their rocking chairs? How does selling on Plopsy compare to Etsy? And is the pack more yawn than yarn, even with a metal radio station? Let's see!
Putting together a 65% scale model laptop! This is an Akimitsu "Mosquito" miniature released for the 10th anniversary of the IBM Think Pad in 2002, based on the classic model 701C computer. And yes, it features the awesome Butterfly keyboard that transforms when you open it!
Late 80s PC flight simming at its finest. Taking a look at Flight Simulator 4 and its numerous expansions, add-on packs, and upgrades for MS-DOS PCs! I still love that Experimental Aircraft Editor.
San Francisco Rush on the PC in 1998? Yep, only with the Quantum 3D Raven Voodoo Banshee! The video card itself is nothing terribly special on its own, despite its glossy black PCB. But the software it came with is quite unique indeed.
Those BEZELS, haha. Playing FS2020 on three CRTs using Nvidia Surround on Windows 10. They're displaying a whopping 3072x768 resolution at 60hz using Displayport to VGA adapters. Yeah I'm gonna do a full review of the sim as well, this is just a bit of fun!
Taking a deep dive into the new Microsoft Flight Simulator! FS2020 has been one of my most-anticipated releases in a long time, what an absolute technical achievement. It's got its quirks and limitations, no doubt about it, but this is a flight sim with a bright future!
Remember the CoolerMaster Musketeer II System Dynamics Detector? Heh, I don't. But I absolutely *DO* remember 2004 when these kinds of case mods and 5.25" drive bay add-ons were all the rage! Featuring dual backlit VU meters with 7 LED colors, stereo volume sliders, and a hard disk activity indicator with a dancing needle indicating drive activity. Wonderful.
Time for something a little different, yet familiar. With the future of frequent thrifting rather up in the air at the moment, I decided to go ahead with this idea I've had for a while: electronic thrifting! Which is really just online shopping, ha. In particular, we're taking a look at the Shop Goodwill website, where stores from around the country list various things for auction. This whole concept is something I've wanted to try for a long time actually, going back to well before the pandemic was a thing. But now seems like the ideal time to give it a go and see if anyone likes it.
A retrospective look back at the original TRS-80 Color Computer, 40 years later! Radio Shack sold the CoCo range of machines from 1980 to 1991, and although it never took the low-cost home microcomputer market by storm, it's still an 8-bit system worth revisiting and enjoying today.
Wow, once again a whole slew of things showed up in the LGR mailbox over the past however many months. Lots of vintage computer hardware, software, oddware, games, and tech goodness. Wonderful stuff all around, thank you for your kindness and generosity!
So I bought this absurd glass and metal pyramid PC case. Now what? Let's build something with it! This project started off as a modern computer centered around legacy support, with PCI slots, serial, parallel, and PS/2 ports alongside an LGA 1200 CPU and DDR4 RAM. But then it kind of... mutated.
Apogee Software kindly sent over a preview code for the upcoming remaster of Crystal Caves, so let's take a look at it! New pixel art graphics, a fourth episode, a chiptune soundtrack, achievements, leaderboards, and even a fully-fledged level editor. It's come a ways since the MS-DOS original and I am utterly psyched!
The NEC PC-FX console itself was considered a failure in 1994, but then came this FXGA version for MS-DOS PCs. Not only is it the full video game system on a 16-bit ISA card, but it also adds a 3D graphics chip and software development options! Also dragonfly dinosaurs.
Among mid-2000s Windows XP notebook computers, the Inspiron 9100 was thoroughly into desktop replacement territory. Dell gave it a full desktop Pentium 4 CPU, a 16:10 HD display, and even a built-in subwoofer! What a hot and heavy beast of a gaming laptop, portable workstation, and media center all in one.
Reevaluating Doom 3 sixteen years later, released by id Software and Activision on August 3rd, 2004! Looking back at the hype and history of its development, its entirely new style of horror FPS gameplay compared to its predecessors, and of course that darned flashlight.
A look back at the bizarre Packard Bell Corner Computer, one of the weirdest computer designs of the 90s. Pentium CPU at 200MHz, 64MB RAM, Windows 95, and floppy disk and CD-ROM drives jutting out of each corner. An infrared remote control mouse thing came with it, too!
Gameplay and overview of the TENTH expansion pack to The Sims 4. This time it's another vacation destination thing and it's based on Japan, mostly. Several trails to hike, hills to ski and snowboard down, and onsen baths to enjoy. Yeah, a pleasant idea and certainly pretty to look at, but let's just see if it's worth $40 though.
Assembling a 100MHz Intel 486 DX4 system inside a neat little Baby AT computer case from the mid-90s! I've been wanting to build an MS-DOS PC around an ISA SBC for a long time now, so let's get to it and play some DOS games.
Setting up and exploring the Yamaha CBX-T3 synth module and testing it with classic MS-DOS games and early nineties Windows MIDI sequencer software! It may not be a popular General MIDI music option, but being based on the TG100 it still held its own when it launched in late 1992/early 93.
It's December! And that means Christmas LGR once again. Also clones, and I think they're getting weirder. As for the game itself, Xmas Ducks 2000 is another Lemmings variant at first glance. But then I played it and yep, this one surprised me! Ducks has some fascinating changes, rather excellent atmosphere... annnnd some really frustrating bits of gameplay. So it goes with MS-DOS puzzle games.
One last donations unboxing for 2020! Lots of vintage computer hardware, software, oddware, games, and technological goodies. Thanks to everyone who contributed -- and also made offers to do so! It's always humbling the kinda stuff that shows up.
Simply taking a look at one of the many Christmas-themed software packages from the mid-90s filled with random junk that the publisher had lying around. Holiday games, labels, clipart, fonts, screensavers, a MIDI jukebox, a t-shirt designer and more! Even a cassette tape, ooh.
Not only was the IBM PalmTop PC 110 the world's tiniest DOS and Windows subnotebook in 1995 but it also functioned as a telephone handset! Let's take a look at this fantastic little 33MHz 486 computer from the mid '90s, which also strove to be a personal organizer, a digital notepad, a desktop clock, a portable fax machine, and a digital camera all in one handheld device.
Let's assemble a MIDI RackMountain! The idea is the same as the first MIDI Mountain: combine a bunch of MIDI synths together to make a mountain of musical goodness. But instead of just stacking it all up, this time it's going in an 8U rack-mount case! Plus a few upgrades, like a rack-mounted Roland MT-32, an 8-channel mixer and MIDI thru box, a clicky power strip, and more vintage General MIDI modules. Also a stupid equalizer, ha.
In 2003 Hewlett-Packard released the Photosmart Mobile Camera for iPaq Pocket PCs running Windows Mobile. And the entire thing is on an SD card! Or more specifically SDIO. It's got a 1.3 megapixel sensor, 4x digital zoom, manual focus with macro, and a surprising bit of versatility for such a tiny device.
I've put off talking about this stack of synthesizers, drum machines, and audio gear for long enough. Let's dive into the main LGR synth setup and what I do with it! I'm still an amateur with this but here's a bit of a studio tour anyway. Weird electronic music and cool sounds of all kinds, I just can't get enough!
The Ad Lib Gold 1000 sound card from 1992 sells for crazy high prices. But why? Let's unbox one and see if it lives up to its legendary reputation by delving into its history, determining why it failed, and seeing how it actually performs on early 90s PC hardware. And of course, play Dune.
"Nobody registers WinRAR." So let's register WinRAR! It's notorious for its infinite 40-day trial so I've been curious what activating it is actually like. I also wonder how old of a version of WinRAR can be activated using a 2021 registration key! Let's find out with Windows XP, 98, 95...
A review of Need For Speed 2 from 1997, focused on the Special Edition presented in all its 3dfx Glide mode glory. And it is a downright goofy game when compared to its predecessors! A dozen supercars and one-off concept cars to drive, plus dinosaurs and outhouses. Superb.
The Yamaha CRW-F1 drive from 2002 introduced the ill-fated Disc T@2 system, letting you "tattoo" CD-Rs. On the *DATA* side, not the label side! It lasted barely a year on the market before being discontinued, so yeah, let's dive into this bit of Oddware.
Let's encode some PC data on tape using the Kansas City Standard! Dozens of retro computers used audio cassette tapes as their method of loading and saving software, but using reel to reel tape? Now that’s more exciting -- and complete overkill with 10.5" reels at 15 inches per second.
An LGR retrospective about Fujitsu's Fin Fin on Teo the Magic Planet, a (sort of) voice-controlled virtual pet for Windows PCs from 1996! Specifically the 1997 US Deluxe Edition that came with a plastic bird whistle and its own microphone. The press were enamored with FinFin for a time but it seems to have disappeared almost entirely from the public consciousness in the years since. So let's befriend this weird alien dolphin bird from the 90s!
Dang, it's been a while! Finally got together enough footage for a full, real episode of LGR Thrifts. I've been visiting stores here and there this whole time, but nowhere near as often as I used to. And even then, it's been pretty slim pickins whenever I did go out. Whatever though, here we are with a bunch of thrifty thrift store stuff I've run across over the past however many months. Enjoy!
Checking out the IBM 7532 Industrial Computer, introduced in May of 1985 at $6149. Prices only went up from there, easily surpassing $10000 for a decent setup with EGA and a hard drive! It's one monster of a rackmount 286, built for use in professional environments like factories, power plants, and alongside mainframes.
First LGR donations unboxing for 2021, and it's a big one! All kinds of classic computer hardware, software, oddware, retro games, and vintage technology. Massive thanks to everyone who contributed — and also made offers to do so! Can't wait to dive deep into all this stuff as time allows.
Sound Blaster over the parallel port?! YEP. This one's all about the DSP Solutions Digispeech Plus, a sound device for DOS and Windows PCs that connects via the parallel port. It's not restricted to simple OPL2/3 stuff, nor is it a Covox Speech Thing/DSS clone. The DS311 simply plugs in, runs a TSR, and lets you select Sound Blaster mode in classic computer games using nothing more than the humble printer port. Fantastic.
Experiencing the Creative Labs 3D Blaster VLB, a $350 graphics card from 1995 and one of the earlier attempts at a consumer 3D graphics standard. And specifically meant for 486 DOS computers! While others were catering to Pentium PCs and their fancy PCI slots, Creative took another route through this collaboration with 3Dlabs. So let's admire the card itself, go over some history and context, get things installed and configured in the LGR Woodgrain PC, and play some mid-90s 3D accelerated DOS games!
Well this is a rare treat! Thanks to a generous loan from an LGR viewer, we've got the opportunity to enjoy a new old stock IBM ThinkPad computer. Costing nearly $4,000 in 1997, it's a mid '90s notebook PC with a 166MHz Pentium MMX, 16MB RAM, 3GB hard drive, and a built-in floppy and CD-ROM drive. Fantastic. Apparently it's spent a lonely life in the back corner of an office storage area, just waiting for someone to take it home and give it some love. And after over two decades, that day has finally come.
An LGR Retrospective on the Cybiko: a neon PDA-like handheld device providing wireless mobile computing for tweens and teens! This episode's got it all, folks. Tech history, monochrome gaming, a road trip, unboxing, teardown/repair, dumb 2000s marketing, wireless chat rooms, Frankie Muniz, Windows 98 serial cable shenanigans and more. CYBIKO.
This is a Lian Li PC-6010 aluminum ATX tower case from 2003, but with the optional $99 fish tank side panel! It holds water, pebbles, plastic fish, and a bubbly pipe thing to get things moving. Yes, that means there's an air pump inside, right next to the IDE hard drive and PCI expansion cards. And it is precisely as loud and vibration-inducing as you'd expect.
Review of Unreal Tournament 1999 from Epic Games. Facing Worlds, Deck16, Morpheus, assault mode, instagib, ahh good times in PC gaming. Let's take a nostalgic look back at Unreal Tournament Game of the Year Edition!
Assembling a 1997-era Socket 7 system running an AMD K6 processor paired with the classic Asus P/I-P55T2P4 motherboard! Of course, it's also packing a 3dfx Voodoo card, a wavetable-capable sound card, and good old Windows 95. And it plays POD. Lovely!
Taking a look at the Radius Pivot Full Page Display! You might've seen monochrome Radius Portrait displays for the Mac, which were permanently mounted sideways. But not the Pivot! It's an SVGA color computer monitor that rotates 90 degrees for a vertical display in Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS.
An LGR retrospective on Iron Assault by the Italian developer, Graffiti! Compared to MS-DOS competitors in '95 like MechWarrior 2 and Earthsiege, it's not super impressive. But part of it worth looking at, namely its full motion video cutscenes with miniatures and stop motion animation! The gameplay itself may wear out its welcome before long, but those miniature giant robots are too adorable to miss.
Aw yeah, yet again a bunch of awesome items have showed up in the LGR mailbox over the past few months. Plenty of vintage computer hardware, software, oddware, games, and tech goodness. Fantastic stuff all around, thank you for your kindness and generosity!
When I covered the Radius Pivot on LGR Oddware, I showed how games like Doom aren't designed for portrait mode. But then I said it would be dumb/fun if something like 'Tate Doom' actually existed, and WELP. Developer Matt Phillips took it upon himself to make that happen, and TOOM is the result! A vertical Doom conversion that runs in MS-DOS on original 486 PC hardware.
Checking out the usual thrift stores in my area and seeing what kind of retro tech and random old weirdness I can find. Then I ended up taking a bit of a detour and dropped by a local gaming and collector's event! And I figured hey, why not roll it up into a Thrifts episode? Let's go thrifting!
Gameplay and overview of the ELEVENTH expansion pack to The Sims 4. This time it's an English countryside farming thing of sorts. Livestock to raise, eggs to hatch, critters to befriend, and I spose there's a cottage or two to live in. Let's just see if it's worth that $40 price tag.
Exploring a multimedia PC from the year 2000: the Sony Vaio PCV-MX2! And it's a beautiful silver hi-fi beast of a thing. Not only is it a Windows 98 desktop computer, but it's packing a built-in amplifier, CD/DVD player, FM radio, and a MiniDisc drive, all usable via remote control. Fantastic hardware that was only sold in Japan, let's test it out!
This is the STS Tecom CKS-05V from 1997, a 5-inch amber monochrome VGA CRT monitor that fits into three PC drive bays! And it is a delight to use with both retro games and modern software. Surprisingly sharp image and that beautiful orange glow, ah, just a fantastic oddity.
2X CD-ROM! Sound Blaster 16! Speakers! Tons of software! This time on LGR we're revisiting the mid 1990s to unbox and install a Creative Sound Blaster Discovery CD bundle — new old stock! I drooled over these as a kid but owning one was never anything more than a dream. Until now, 26 years later!
Looking back at Broderbund's The Print Shop Deluxe from 1993! Growing up in the 90s, I had an oddly fun time playing around with the program making all kinds of random signs, banners, cards, and calendars, for no other reason than because I could. And if nothing else, Cool Crab™
Opening and setting up a new old stock NEC AccuSync 70 display from 2001! One of my older CRTs was kind of under the weather and I needed a reliable monitor for VCFMW, so I bought this one still sealed in box. Testing with a Windows 98 PC!
Unboxing and testing these weird old mice! Computer mice, of course. Checking out the Burger Mouse, the Corvette Motor Mouse, and the Media/Melody Mouse, along with their included software. All from the mid nineties and all kinds of gimmicky.
Checking out VCFMW 16 near Chicago in Elmhurst, Illinois! It's a weekend full of classic computers, retro tech, hardware and software sales, panels, gaming, and overall good times and chill vibes with tons of technology enthusiasts. Let's go t̶h̶r̶i̶f̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ conventioning!
Unboxing and setting up a new old stock Davis Instruments Complete Weather Station from 1997, plus WeatherLink hardware and software for Windows 3.1 PCs! I've always found weather equipment oddly enjoyable, but logging data on a 486 PC via the serial port? EXTRA FUN.
Opening up a new old stock original Xbox! Microsoft released the system nearly two decades ago, and with that anniversary coming up I figured it's as good a time as any to set it up and play some games. Plus I needed to check on the clock capacitor, so yeah. OG XBOX TIME.
Likely the world's first palmtop, the Atari Portfolio is a computer packing a 4.92MHz Intel 80C88A CPU, 128 whole kilobytes of RAM, and a proper DOS operating system capable of running (some) PC software alongside its built-in applications. And according to Terminator 2 it even acts as a quick ATM hacking tool! To quote young John Connor: "Easy money."
Final LGR donations unboxing for 2021, and it's a huge one! All kinds of vintage computer hardware, software, oddware, classic games, and retro technology. Huge thanks to everyone who contributed — and also made offers to do so! Super psyched to make videos about these things.
Fus Ro Dang, it's time for an LGR review of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim! It's now one decade old (wut) so let's take a look back the original game from 2011 in celebration of its 10 year anniversary. Wow time flies, that midnight launch on 11-11-11 still seems like yesterday.
Checking out the wee little weeCee! It's a mini PC capable of running MS-DOS and Windows off a MicroSD card that plays well with tons of classic PC games and software, boasting Sound Blaster Pro and Wave Blaster/GM compatibility, along with SXGA 32-bit color graphics with VGA out. Awesome stuff, so let's try it out with some DOS and Windows 98 games!
Let's build and review the MiSTer Multisystem hardware expansion kit! In addition to its 3D printed case, the Multisystem is a board adding tons of functionality and quality of life improvements to the MiSTer FPGA experience. Plus it has all kinds of nifty upgrade options with a modular expansion slot and integrated SNAC ports and things, so things only improve from here.
3D Lemmings (aka Lemmings 3D) was released in 1995, and it wasn't long before it got its own Christmas holiday themed edition, "Winterland." As far as 90s 3D updates to classic 2D games go, it wasn't awful! Assuming you can solve its biggest puzzle of all: the early 3D camera.
Taking a look back at the holiday editions of Outlaw Golf, 9 Holes of Xmas and 9 MORE Holes! These Christmas themed demos for Xbox were exclusive to Blockbuster video rental stores in the 2000s. Prepare for snow, Santa, sand traps, and stupidity. Let the gratuitous beatings commence!
Unboxing and testing more of these weird retro mice with a Windows 98 PC! Checking out the Star Trek Next Generation Phaser Mouse, the Boss Super OverDrive Mouse, and the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Mouse, plus included software. All from the 1990s and early 2000s and all kinds of gimmicky Oddware.
The HandyKey Twiddler is a handheld chording keyboard, serial mouse, and motion-control input device all in one! Despite the steep learning curve, it's even somewhat enjoyable to use here and there. And playing motion-controlled DOS games is just a trip, if nothing else.
Remember that time Quake III and Star Trek had an FPS baby together? Taking a look back at Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force from the year 2000! Review of the single player campaign, Holomatch multiplayer, and the expansion pack with Virtual Voyager for Windows PCs.
After seeing pictures of a strange Canon calculator mouse thing floating around online, I tracked it down and imported it! Let's take a look at the LS-100TKM from 2008, unbox one new in its packaging, and test it out with some PC games and stuff. It's not quite obsolete or complex enough for the full LGR Oddware treatment, but it sure is an oddity!
MP3s! In the late 90s few things were more exciting in the world of music, computers, the internet, and general gadgetry. And the original 1998 Diamond Rio was one of the trailblazers that kicked off the whole portable digital audio player craze. It may not have been the very first, but it came close! If nothing else, its impact was noteworthy from being the first to be commercially successful in North America, and the legal pushback it endured from the RIAA set a lasting precedent for all other MP3 players to come.
Taking a look at the tenth expansion pack to Cities Skylines! How much do modular airports augment the gameplay, how do they integrate with existing city infrastructure, and is it worth the asking price? Find out my take in this overview of the Airports DLC!
Exploring a MASSIVE retro computer warehouse, part 2! Revisiting Computer Reset in Dallas to see what's changed, how much remains, and experience some of their weekend events. And yep, groups of folks are still being let inside, so it's not too late to visit before they shut down later in 2022!
Gain a head start in 80s computing with the system approved by King Kong Bundy! The HeadStart is a lovely turbo XT clone that was smack dab in the middle of the market, entirely by design. Yet it included enough in the way of features, documentation, and software to make it as easy as possible for first time computer users. And despite the Dutch Vroom & Dreesmann connection it was built by Samsung, so that's a whole rabbit hole to go down on its own!
Looking back at the Timex Data Link Model 70, an early smartwatch introduced by Microsoft in 1994 for Windows 3.1 PCs! It stores up to 70 data entries viewable on its LCD screen, but its real party trick is how it wirelessly synchronizes with a CRT monitor. Just point your wrist at the screen and data transfer begins, it's awesome. And it's NASA approved for space travel, too!
Review of one of the most straightforward, aptly-named PC games of the 90s: Hot Wheels Crash! It's a game where you crash Hot Wheels cars. That’s about it! It’s simple and it’s over in less than an hour, but I always have a constant grin watching the vehicular carnage unfold. Let's take a look back at it 23 years later here in this LGR retrospective!
Checking out this neat Intel Atom mini PC, known as the Green PC from Sassy's Computers in Asheville, North Carolina! It was billed as a low-power, eco-friendly desktop computer, which is really a Shuttle XS35GT V2 underneath. So let's upgrade and restore it with an SSD and Windows XP Media Center Edition!
First LGR donations unboxing for 2022, and perhaps the last one in this space before I move! Opening up tons of vintage hardware, software, oddware, computer games, and retro technology. Massive thanks to everyone who contributed — and also made offers to do so!
Opening up and testing out a Japanese Sony Vaio PCG-777 BP laptop! Costing the equivalent of between $2K-$3,000 in 1999, it's an A4 file-sized notebook PC with a 266MHz Pentium MMX, 64MB RAM, 4GB hard drive, and modular floppy and CD-ROM drives. Checking out its bundled software and trying out some games for DOS and Windows 98!
Checking out this weird little Plawa arrow key joystick add-on for PC keyboards. It's a deceptively complex contraption from the 90s that clips onto your cursor keys and converts it into a mini joystick! Even better if you attach it to a mechanical keyboard, since you get that nice clicky feel.
I'm moving! The future is looking bright but also somewhat unknown, at least for the moment. Just wanted to let you know there are a lotta things being done to make LGR a better show than ever, so I hope you stay tuned :)
I've been moving and that means getting stuff outta storage and bringing it to the new house. Which inspired this quickly-made video! This is the first time I've had all of my Apple 2 machines out at the same time and I ended up getting excited enough to whip out the camera and begin talking about them. Then a new-to-me Apple IIe system showed in the mail and I got extra excited about that too, so I figured why not tack on an unboxing and test of that lovely system to the latter half of this video while I'm at it! Magic smoke included as a free bonus.
Checking out some of the usual thrift stores in my area and seeing what kind of retro tech and random old oddities I can find. I've recently moved but thankfully there are still some of my favorite stores within driving distance. Let's go thrifting!
Unboxing and testing a new old stock Record-a-Call Model 675 from 40 years ago! A woodgrain-clad answering machine that uses full-size compact cassette tapes to record messages, which I've paired with a lovely 1979 Deco-Tel Chest Phone. Let's try it out with an XLink Bluetooth adapter on a modern VoIP service!
Unboxing and testing more of these weird old mice with a Windows XP PC! Checking out the CVS Pharmacy Golf Ball Mouse, the Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpet Mouse, and the Mus 3 Optical Arrow Cursor Mouse. All from the mid 2000s to early 2010s and all kinds of gimmicky Oddware.
Unboxing, inspecting, and testing two old Packard Bell PCs from the late 80s that need restoring! I imported these VX88 and PB500 Turbo XT PCs from Canada a while back and they each need some repair and testing. So let's do it! Or, as much as I can in the scope of this video anyway. I was happily surprised how functional one them ended up being, and the other will have to wait for a future restoration.
Taking a look at the Sanyo ICC-82D, aka the Dictaphone 1680. The smallest portable electronic calculator with built-in display on the market in 1971! And one of the first hand-holdable battery powered calculators, period. It wasn't cheap either, costing $495 in '71 – roughly $3500 with inflation!
Grab your purple toothpaste lasers! Raiden 2 has been at the top of my most wanted list for as long as I can remember. Now this one is mine, acting as a vertical shmup JAMMA setup. The cabinet is a Dynamo HS-5, a classic in its own right, which housed tons of arcade games in the 80s and 90s. Only some of the hardware repair work is complete but we do at least install a Raiden II PCB, matching marquee, and upgrade to all-new controls in this video. More to come in the future as I gather components and tweak things, for sure!
After Acer began selling Ferrari laptops in the mid 2000s, it wasn't long before competing companies followed suit with their own branded computers! This is one of them, the Asus Lamborghini VX2S from 2007. Specifically the Ultimate Bundle, which cost roughly $4,000 on launch!
Taking a look at the best ViewSonic 'Graphics Series' display when it launched in 2002! The G220f is one superb 21 inch flat screen CRT monitor, boasting a 2048x1536 maximum resolution and a refresh rate up to 180Hz. Testing with the Windows XP Dream PC!
Checking out the Victor V-Saturn, a Japanese Sega Saturn game console sold by the company better known (to me) as JVC. The Vサターン RG-JX1 is a variant I've had my eye on for years. And the fact that it's modded with a Fenrir ODE is extra appealing since I've never used one. Until now! So here's a quick overview of the V-Saturn and a demonstration of the Fenrir ODE. And then the rest is just games, heh.
Gameplay and overview of the TWELFTH expansion pack to The Sims 4. This time it's all about making teen sims spend years in high school. Classes to attend, social media to influence, proms to eat copious whole chickens at... Is it worth the $40 price tag? Let's see!
Before the PS2 EyeToy, before Microsoft Kinect, there was Game Cam! Built in 1999 in partnership with Logitech, this webcam setup was at the forefront in terms of bringing computer vision and gesture-controlled gaming home to the masses. You may have even owned a PC camera or two that had some of this capability bundled with it in the early 2000s – whether you used it or not!
Reviewing an exciting new device in the retro scene: the MiSTercade v1.1! A drop-in hardware emulation solution for JAMMA arcade machines, and it is awesome. Sure it may not have all the games and customization offered by a Raspberry Pi or PC setup, but what it does offer is highly accurate low latency gaming that's a step above the rest when it's at its best. The future of the MiSTer Project is bright!
Unboxing and testing more of these weird old mice with a Windows 98 PC! Checking out a Viagra NASCAR mouse, a dual-wheeled '4D' mouse, and a piece of ammunition that begs to be plugged in. All from the early 2000s and all kinds of silly Oddware.
Taking a look at two 5¼ inch drive bay add-ons from the 1990s, which claim to convert your computer case into a stereo speaker system. Complete with subwoofer! Technically, I guess. Ha. Regardless of results I'm a sucker for these dumb drive bay peripherals, so let's test these on a Windows 98 PC!
The eMachines 566ir is a computer I appreciate less for its capabilities, and more for the context in which it existed in the year 2000. Retail rebates that made it cost $0* to take home, plus the infamous claim of NEVER being obsolete! I've discussed this on LGR Tech Tales but I've wanted to take a closer look at one of the actual systems, and finding this one at VCFMW 2022 complete with all the stickers was a prime opportunity.
Checking out VCFMW 17 near Chicago in Elmhurst, Illinois! Now bigger and more intense than ever. A weekend full of classic computers, retro tech, hardware and software sales, panels, gaming, and good vibes with fellow enthusiasts. Let's go conventioning!
2010 to 2019 were turbulent years in the prebuilt computer market, with such stagnation that the media declared the death of the PC outright. But instead of dying, they evolved, with increasingly eye-catching and experimental designs. So let’s look at systems from the decade that really stood out for their design and significance!
Restoring and testing out the elusive Gateway Astro! An all in one desktop computer from the late 90s that sought to be an easy to use internet appliance, and/or a kid's first PC with branded Rugrats and Blue's Clues bundles. Let's get this one repaired and running Windows 98!
Unboxing and testing the Plusdeck 2c, an audio cassette player for desktop computers! It fits into a 5.25-inch drive bay and offers the ability to play and capture tapes to digital files. Including MP3s, ooh. Let's install and try it out using the serial port on a Windows 98 PC!
Ahh, fall bargain hunting. Checking out the usual thrift stores in my area and seeing what kinds of retro tech and random old oddities I can find. Along with another random store that I visited in Winston-Salem while on a trip over the summer. Let's go thrifting!
First LGR donations unboxing in half a year! Opening up loads of vintage hardware, software, oddware, computer games, and retro technology. Huge thanks to everyone who contributed — and made offers to do so!
The LGR Woodgrain 486 computer needs an update... to the year 1995! I've got a sealed, new in box copy of Microsoft Windows 95 to unbox (on both floppy disk and CD-ROM!) so let's install everything on top of Windows 3.1 and have fun with some classic 90s PC games and software.
Opening up a fresh in box Sega Dreamcast built in 2000! Sega released the system over two decades ago and for whatever reason this felt like the right time to unbox one, set it up, and play some games. IT'S THINKING.
It's December! And that means Christmas Lazy Game Reviews. Or at least a pursuit of holiday games to cover, which this time are found deep within the bowels of the Steam Store. Are there are any free seasonal gaming gifts to be found on Valve's digital storefront? I don't know, but I have nog so let's find out!
The Clone has come up with three odd gifts. Let's see what we've got!
Assembling the Metal Fish Y2 fish tank computer case! This chassis allows you to combine a Mini-ITX PC with a 3.5 gallon aquarium on top. And it can actually house real fish, unlike the Lian Li case I've shown before! Is is a good idea? Ehh I'll let you be the judge. Either way it sure does look neat, so let's assemble a Windows 11 system inside this silly thing.
All of the LGR 486 build and upgrade videos from 2016 to 2022! Plus the latest updates and new commentary along the way, adding context and fresh info between each video. There's also a whole new update section at the end going over the bits I haven't covered before in other videos.
In 1999, Creative Labs released the SurroundStation – a metal framework for mounting rear channel speakers onto foldable hollowed-out arms. It's neat! But it ain't much without speakers. So this is also an unboxing and test of the classic Cambridge SoundWorks FPS1000 4.1 speaker kit from 1998!
Cleaning up, testing out, and enjoying the Sharp PC-7000 lunchbox-style portable PC! A proper MS-DOS computer that proved quite successful for Sharp throughout the second half of the 80s. It may not be the fastest, most capable luggable of its day, but dang if it doesn't look spiffy.
A nostalgic review of Microsoft Motocross Madness from 1998! Rainbow Studios is well-known for their MX vs ATV series and related offroad video games, but years prior there was MCM for Windows 95 and 98 PCs. And it was excellent. That invisible out of bounds cannon never gets old!
A look back at the odd late 90s CrossPad from A.T. Cross and IBM! An electronic notepad letting you draw on normal paper, automatically digitizing drawings and text, and storing them in memory for transfer to a PC over serial! A fascinating and ill-fated oddity indeed.
Opening and testing a minty AST Advantage 600 series! A lower-mid-range Windows 95 desktop computer from the mid 90s that bundled lots of software and games with a 100MHz Intel Pentium CPU and a whopping 8 megabytes of RAM. Let's get this one up and running for (maybe) the first time!
A retrospective on Bryce 3D from 1997, a classic program letting you quickly create surreal ray traced imagery on your computer. It always makes me think of 90s Trapper Keeper artwork, when school binders and folders were covered in shiny CGI shapes and weird sci-fi cities and things. So let's create a tribute to that style of art using Bryce for PC!
A system so strange I don't know where to begin! This is the Web It Internet Computer from Web Computers in 1999. It's effectively a 66MHz 486 PC with 16MB RAM that not only runs IBM PC DOS 7.0 and Windows 3.1, but also C64 software! To a degree. And the closer you look the weirder it gets.
Unboxing and testing even more weird old mouse devices on a Windows 98 and XP PC! Checking out an 8D Smart Mouse from Yahoo, a smelly and off-putting baseball mouse with a rubbery skin, and an optical mouse for FPS games that looks like a lightgun but isn't.
The IBM PC Music Feature is one of the rarest, most collectible sound cards for DOS PCs. Sure, you can get a Yamaha FB-01 FM synthesizer that does practically the same thing, but the IMFC! It's a legend! Is it worth nearly $3,000 for one complete in box? Let's unbox and set this one up to find out.
Gameplay and overview of the THIRTEENTH expansion pack to The Sims 4. This time it's all about fleshing out how sims interact and evolve over each life state. Treehouses to build, infants to parent, bikes to ride, milestones and quirks to unlock... Is it worth the $40 price tag? Let's see!
Soon it's gonna be May, so let's check out this silliness! The *NSYNC Hotline Fantasy Phone & CD-ROM Game for Windows PCs, a 2001 plastic toy cell phone and interactive NSYNC parasocial fan experience... Thing... In hindsight, I have no idea why I covered this, haha.
Assembling a computer in a GMC R-2 Toast case! Named for its unique 5.25" drive bay solution, where optical disc drive is mounted vertically along the front so discs are inserted like toast in a toaster. A rebuild of my Altair 8800 Clone PC with unused RAM from the Pyramid PC.
The Musketeer 3 is a vacuum tube audio filter thing, intended to add “warmth” to the sound output on your PC. Or something like that, probably. It also has an analog VU meter and just looks neat, and arguably its aesthetic is more impactful than how it sounds! Making this valve device some prime LGR Oddware indeed.
For YEARS now I've wanted to get a huge Antec 1200 case and fill every one of its 5 1/4" drive bays with weird and strange 90s and 2000s devices, creating a sort of Oddware Museum Tower. And it finally happened! Mostly. It isn't quite done yet, but we can still install everything into this monster ATX PC case and power everything on at once!
Checking out an early 90s J. Bond Computer Systems A333CD. It's your standard white box clone PC of the time, packing a 33MHz AMD 386, 8 megabytes of RAM, DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.11 and stuff! It also came with a nifty 250MB Colorado tape backup drive, so that's fun.
Checking out the unique Bear A Byte computer system! I had to have this weird custom machine as soon as I saw it on Craigslist. An IKEA stuffed bear packing a Windows PC running an Intel Pentium 3 CPU? Oh yes. It's rather dirty though, so let's go about restoring and building this rig back even better!
From PCMIDI.EU comes the Orpheus 2 – a new 16-bit ISA sound card! Could this be the best one for vintage computers right now? An argument can be made for that I think. On-board Gravis Ultrasound PnP compatibility, plus all the Orpheus 1 features like Sound Blaster Pro compatibility, Yamaha OPL3, and an intelligent mode MPU-401. As far as modern replica sound cards go, this thing is a step above the rest at the moment!
An LGR review of the Book 8088 and Hand 386, newly-made retro computers on Aliexpress! No emulation here, these are DOS PCs running an 8088 and 386SX processor, using legacy chips on custom PCBs melded with open source projects, off-the-shelf components, and injection molded enclosures. They sure are neat! But lots of compromises, drawbacks, and odd design decisions.
The LGR Oddware Tower continues! Every one of the Antec 1200 case's 5.25" drive bays are filled with weird 2000s devices, all it needed was... everything else, ha. So I got an AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ and a Foxconn AM2 motherboard from 2006. Let's install everything into this monster ATX PC case and get it set up – with Windows Vista!
Exploring the Diamond Trackstar cards on LGR Oddware! Effectively Apple 2 computers on an 8-bit ISA card, bringing near perfect compatibility to DOS PCs by slapping a whole computer inside of another computer. The fact that these were out during the heyday of each platform is wild, so let's test the 1984 Trackstar and 1989 Trackstar Plus in an IBM PC XT and PS/2 Model 30!
Likely the only LGR donations unboxing of 2023! Opening up tons of vintage hardware, software, oddware, computer games, and retro tech. Massive thanks to everyone who contributed this awesome stuff — and made offers to do so!
Revisiting the 1997 Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Pro joystick for PC! This started off as simple FFB stick nostalgia, showing off a few Windows 95 games, annnd ended up going down rabbit holes on gameport adapters, DirectX, patent trolls, and the quiet demise/resurrection of force feedback flight sticks.
Gameplay and overview of the FOURTEENTH expansion pack to The Sims 4. This time it's all about HORSE ranching. And some goats and sheep, too. Riding, breeding, competitions, cave diving, nectar making, mustaches, denim... Is it worth the $40 price tag? Let's see!
A brief and simple look at the Casio CW-50 Disc Title Printer from 2002. Print directly onto CDs and DVDs! Or any number of random other things if you put your mind to it.
Ever wanted a PC with a dedicated pizza button? Well the Netpliance i-opener from 1999 has you covered, press it anytime to order pizza online! At least back when it was still an active Internet Appliance that connected to the web via dialup. But that won't stop us diving into this oddity on LGR!
Checking out the world's first (and only) digital camera using Iomega Clik disks for storage! Each disk held 40MB and cost just $10, a tenth the price of CompactFlash. Quite impressive in 1999! But this odd diversion in the late 90s digicam market was short lived, and its impact on digital photography is... well, no one remembers it. But it sure was neat!
Graphics performance on the LGR Bear-A-Byte computer was unbearable, it really needed a GPU upgrade. Or a GPU at all for that matter! So say goodbye to the integrated SIS chipset and hello to the Diamond Stealth III S540 video card from 1999. It's still a 500MHz Windows Me system but this has to be an improvement, right?
Original Title: Achieving Maximum Nostalgia with 1999 CompUSA Ads Relaxing with Comp USA newspaper insert catalogs from the late 90s! These flyers always made Sundays a bit better back in the day, and somehow they're even more enjoyable decades later. I have a bunch of them, but this time we're specifically looking at one from February of 1999. When the colorful iMac G3 was new and 300MHz Toshiba laptops cost $2,800!
Checking out VCFMW 18 near Chicago in Elmhurst, Illinois! Somehow it's even bigger and busier than ever. It's a full weekend of classic computers, retro tech, hardware and software sales, panels, gaming, and great conversation with awesome folks. Let's go conventioning!
Checking out the odd Panther XL by Mad Catz! While they largely made goofy third party game console controllers, they also made goofy PC hardware. Like this trackball and flight stick fused together supposedly creating the ultimate FPS input device, backed up by radical 1990s John Romero magazine ads. Prime LGR Oddware indeed!
166MHz Pentium MMX CPU!| 48MB RAM! Windows 95! Sound Blaster compatibility! All in a slim, lightweight 1997 system that cost... $5,000 or so, yikes. Let's dive into the quirky Hewlett Packard notebook computer that was once their top of the line subnotebook – the Omnibook 800CT model F1360A
Unboxing and testing a late 90s Sony Mavica Printer!| Which as the name implies is a photo printer with a floppy disk drive. Just cram a 3.5” diskette full of JPEGs inside, press print, and get photo quality dye sublimated prints! No computer required. Although it does require a TV... and an original PlayStation is nice to have, too.
Reviewing the long-awaited sequel! Is Cities Skylines II worth the upgrade? Lots of fresh features, quality of life improvements, and logical additions make CS2 feel like a proper evolution. But there's a weird amount of stuff currently worse than before, or missing outright. So let's dive into my first impressions and all the details!
Unboxing a new old stock Super VHS video camera! This JVC GR-SXM250u is pretty similar to the original camera that I used to record LGR back in the day, and it was a real treat to experience one that was unused. So let's get this electronic treat opened up and tested out, and record some video tapes decades later!
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of SimCity 2000 with an LGR retrospective review! The sequel to the classic Maxis city builder was a true game changer in 1993, improving nearly every part of the game and adding so many things that would become staples of the genre. So let's take a look at the MS-DOS version, the many ports and releases, and its legacy decades later!
It's December! And on LGR that means Christmas video games. This time we're taking a dive into the vast pool of seasonal Flash games. It's a nearly endless source of holiday themed games from the 2000s and thankfully it's easier than ever to play with the Flashpoint archive! And if you do play the LGR Christmas Game Tropes Drinking Game... have fun but be careful
A retrospective look back at what I consider to be the MOST confusing Sims release: The Sims 2 Holiday Edition. All of 'em! There were a good half dozen or so individual releases of this in 2005 and 2006, so let's get to the bottom of all this Christmas simming silliness.
Unboxing and enjoying the Tomy Omnibot 2000! A 26-inch home robot that can speak, play music, bring you drinks, and generally felt like 'THE FUTURE' in the 80s. While still a toy, it actually sorta comes close to the type of droid popularized in sci-fi, which back then featured all manner of automaton companions. So grab a cassette tape and a soda and let's give this some input!
Unboxing and testing even more weird old mouse devices on a Windows 98 PC! Checking out a Sony clamshell mouse that opens up into a card reader, a Mad Catz mouse for The Sims 3 that lights up to show sims' moods, and an oddity with a built-in radio and antenna for recording FM stations to MP3 files.
It's been a while! Checking some of the usual thrift stores in my area and seeing what kinds of retro tech and random old oddities I can find. Plus traveling six hours to Richmond, Virginia to find even more because why not. Let's go thrifting, ooh yeah!
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of SimCity 3000! The third game in the classic Maxis city builder series had a false start in 3D form, but after EA took over and development restarted, the final 1999 game ended up being my favorite in the franchise. So let's revisit the Windows PC original, SC3K Unlimited, and the gameplay experience decades later in this LGR retrospective review!
For some reason I bought this cheap OptiPlex from 2004. So let's take a look at it! From my view, it's easily one of the most undesirable computer systems ever. Boring looks, basic business hardware, bad airflow, and suffering from capacitor plague. Does it even still work? Let's find out!
Checking out the odd Titans Sphere by SGRL from 1998! Intended as the ultimate controller for 3D games in the late 90s, the Sphere was a failure on practically every level. "Throw away your joystick?" Ehh not so fast, let's set up this bit of LGR Oddware and see it in action first.
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.
Taking a retrospective look at the Toshiba Libretto W100, an innovative dual 7-inch touchscreen UMPC from 2010! The final machine in the fabled Libretto line and the first consumer notebook with twin touch LCDs. A rare, fascinating, cutting edge Windows 7 system when new, and still an uncommon way of doing things today.
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.
The first (and only?) LGR donations unboxing episode of 2024! Opening up a nice big selection of vintage hardware, software, oddware, computer games, and retro tech. Massive thank you to everyone who contributed this lovely stuff, it is all appreciated!
Revisiting UT2004 two decades later! This sequel to UT99 (er, UT2003?) from Epic Games and Digital Extremes was a staple of PC gaming in the 2000s, with the bombastic Onslaught mode being added to the classics of deathmatch, capture the flag, and so on. So let's review this classic FPS and dive into its predecessor, its gameplay, multiplayer, mods and more!
I've made a huge mistake and ignored the first rule of vintage computing: NEVER buy an old inkjet printer, especially a 90s Canon. Yet here we are with a BJC-2000 color printer from 1999... in an ideal world this was gonna be a fun romp into Windows 95 Bubble Jet printing, plus a test of the IS-22 scanner cartridge. In reality though, everything about this thing sucks and is awful and that should surprise no one. Least of all me, but whatcha gonna do.
Revisiting this CS-630 from the year 2000! The Intel Pocket PC Camera is a glorified webcam with batteries when it comes down to it. But that simplicity made it an ideal introduction into shooting digital for 14-year-old me back in the day! So join me as I unbox a new one and revisit this toylike camera for the first time over two decades.
Checking out the odd Mouse Yoke from 1992! Colorado Spectrum sold several flight simulator adjacent devices in the 90s but this is the weird one of the bunch. Clamp the base to a desk, strap in a computer mouse, slide in the shaft, and enjoy a realistic aircraft yoke! Possibly, in theory, sort of! This bizarre thing is prime LGR Oddware for sure.
Unboxing and setting up this 80s retro oddity on LGR! The Intermatrix Mac Phone is an early peripheral for the original Apple Mac computer from 1984. For $200 back then you got a telephone to stick on the side of your system, a dialer program... and that's about it! It's become a rather rare collectible, so let's install and test this one 40 years later.
Assembling a mid 90s Windows NT workstation computer! Specifically NT 4.0 with two Intel Pentium Pro 200MHz processors, maxed-out RAM, and a Matrox MGA Millennium video card. All in an awesome metal case on wheels. Testing, dusting, building, troubleshooting, games, CAD rendering and more! Most of which I've never done so let's dive in and make some mistakes.
Celebrating 15 years of LGR! When I first starting making these videos, the retro gaming and vintage computer scene looked quite different. So let's take a look back at how much the hobby has changed in the last decade and a half! Mostly for the better, I feel.
Checking out the 2007 Novint Technologies Falcon on LGR Oddware! A combination of haptics and force feedback providing up to 2 pounds of force for everything from recoil, to impacts, to caressing balls. A fascinating input device that never got the userbase it arguably deserved.
The KDS PC CD Organizer was first released in 2001 and holds 75 discs of any type! CDs, DVDs, games, software, doesn't matter. Mainly because it relies on your PC for all the smarts and data-related stuff. Still, it's a fascinating optical media storage solution and the motorized innards are just fun to look at!
The original emerald green Acer Aspire is a 90s classic! A once-common PC that has become a desired rarity for its styling by Hartmut Esslinger's Frog Design group. And its specs were respectable in 1995 with a 100MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 2MB PCI graphics, Sound Blaster Vibra 16 and Windows 95. So let's run the factory restoration CD and explore what it can do!
Gameplay and overview of the SIXTEENTH expansion pack to The Sims 4. This time it's all about romance and all that comes with it! Relationship dynamics, dating, jealousy, gaudy decor, and lots and lots of woohoo. Is it worth yet another $40? Let's see!
Retrospective on the PV-SD4090 digital camera from 1999! Panasonic decided to make a digicam based on the LS-120 Super Disk format they manufactured, and jeez is it an upgrade over a Sony Mavica in many ways. So I took it with me on a trip to New York to test it out!
Checking out Long Island Retro Gaming Expo, a unique classic game show at the Cradle of Aviation Museum! An overview of the show itself, what it's like attending and exhibiting, and of course a tour of everything they had on display in 2024. It's become my favorite vintage video game event, so let's dive in!
Unboxing, setting up, and enjoying the Voodoo 3 3500 TV card from 3dfx. When it launched in 1999 it was one of the best GPUs around, and the fastest V3 from the factory! Its main appeal though is its TV and FM radio tuning and video capture abilities, all thanks to its big long dongle.
When Hurricane Helene hit my home in Asheville, North Carolina in September 2024, two oak trees fell through the roof and wrecked the place. Including the main LGR vintage computer collection downstairs where lots of rain water leaked through, resulting in moisture and mold issues. This first part of the cleanup process is unboxing the moldy boxes, evaluating the damage, and cleaning the surfaces of things! Internal cleaning and testing will occur later.
Opening up an unused in the box PlayStation 2 built in 2000! Sony released the system over two decades ago and for whatever reason this felt like the right time to unbox a fat one, set it up, go through its peripherals, and play some games. Different place, different rules!
When Hurricane Helene hit my home in Asheville, North Carolina in September 2024, two oak trees fell through the roof and wrecked the place. Including my upstairs living room and the main LGR vintage computer collection downstairs where lots of rain water leaked through, each causing water and mold issues. This part of the cleanup process is unboxing the moldy boxes, evaluating the damage, and cleaning the surfaces of things! Internal cleaning and testing is for later.
Going back to 1985 with The Computer Chronicles for Christmas! Their holiday buying guides from the mid 80s into the 1990s are some of my favorite cozy TV episodes. Grab a festive drink and join me in watching this seasonal retro computing goodness!
I'm calling it, folks! For a multitude of reasons which I go into at the end of the video, this is the final "donations unboxing" thing on LGR. I may still do individual vids on special items that trickle in through the mail over on LGR Blerbs, but these long mailbag videos are done for the foreseeable future on LGR. Hopefully the reasons I provide in the video make sense!
Checking out the 2024 models of Pixelx86 computer systems! Each is an aluminum mini PC running DOS and Windows 98 off an SD card, playing tons of classic PC games and software from the 80s and 90s. Sound Blaster Pro and DreamBlaster compatibility, VGA output, ISA and mPCIe and more.
