Lifesperience

Video review at:  https://youtu.be/h_K1tWyhvww Russian roulette is the ultimate game of chance where players load up a revolver with one bullet, point it at their own heads, and take turns pulling the trigger. It’s an insane way to pass the time that usually leaves everyone but the winner dead or seriously injured. However, what if there was a way to play it without running the risk of getting a pesky hole-in-the head?  Prepare to have your mind blown, (pun intended) by an independent developer named Andrew Reitano , and his company, Batlab Electronics .  Super Russian Roulette is a new Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game that allows up to three players to partake in a game of chance without endangering anyone. Yes, this is an actual cartridge released in 2017 for a game console from the 1980’s.  It’s meant to be played with the Nintendo Zapper, a light gun which was normally used to shoot pixelated 8-bit ducks on an ancient CRT tube TV.  This ga...

WIP Logo Concept It may seem that I have disappeared and abandoned this blog, but in all honestly, that isn't the case. For those wondering, (and thanks for not forgetting me!) I am quite alive and what some would call "well" at the moment.   So... what have I been up to, and why hasn't the blog received an update ?

Nostalgia is a powerful force, and with the Nintendo Entertainment System past its 30th anniversary, there are now more choices than ever to play those classic, over-sized cartridges from your youth.  With numerous clone systems out there ranging from under $20 , and all the way up to $500, how does the RetroUSB AVS stack up to the competition coming in at $185 before shipping/taxes?  Let's find out. Upon receiving the RetroUSB AVS , the first noticeable characteristic is that the box itself looks and feels like some cheap Chinese product that you'd likely find at a site like Aliexpress, or in your local Chinatown. Upon opening the box, the experience isn't particularly elegant. It took some work to get the inside cardboard to come out of the box.  The strong suction kept a tight grip and almost made me rip the cardboard in an attempt to get the AVS out of its own packaging.  Once it was finally out, the contents were an HDMI cable, a Mini (not Micro) U...

Lifesperience is now Raycommend, which can be found here:    Ray Commend   As of 6/27/16, Hyperkin has put an update that specifically targets the SMS issue. The fix can be found here . Changes since v2.4 include: Fixed issue preventing SMS games from running Will the blunders at Hyperkin never stop?  I really, really want to like their products, but the Retron 5 debacle has been an unmitigated disaster of epic proportions ever since release.  From stealing emulator source code, to faulty release hardware (since revised), it just seems like Hyperkin just can't get their priorities straight.  This is the company that is currently working on a strange contraption that will turn your cell phone into a gameboy for some reason. With over a year since since the last official release which was also disastrous, Hyperkin has finally decided to release the 2.4 update .  Below are their release notes: Changes in application update v2.4  in...

As I waited anxiously this week for 8bitdo's retro receiver to arrive, I looked over at my old wireless solution for the NES; The Acclaim Wireless Nes Infrared Controller .  The old controller still works decades later, but is hampered down by its infrared technology.  The range is limited to a few feet, and even worse, line of sight between the controller and its huge sensor is a must for it to work at all. 8bitdo has answered the call with its Retro Receiver  adapter.  This modern take on wireless uses modern bluetooth technology.  The adapter itself is about the size of the average adult thumb, and powered directly from the NES port itself.  No controllers come with the $20 adapter, but it does work with all of 8bitdo's controllers and joysticks in addition to the Wiimote, Wii U pro controller, PS3, & PS4 controllers.  The contents of the box are sparse, and only contain the adapter, a usb cable for connecting to your PC/Mac, and what...

Lifesperience is now Raycommend, which can be found here:    Ray Commend   8bitdo, the creators of the Nes30 and other clone gamepads , have recently released a firmware updates that allow them to directly link to Hyperkin's Retron 5 system wirelessly via bluetooth.  If you have a Nes30 pad, then simply update your firmware by following the directions via this link , and start playing!! You can see the official Retron 5 controller default to Player 2, while the Nes30 is Player 1. Due to the Retron 5 gamepad having more buttons than the Nes30, mapping isn't absolutely perfect, but works well enough with the NES, SNES, Sega Master System (with adapter), Gameboy, and Gameboy advance systems.  The Genesis mapping is missing buttons " ^ " and " > " which would correspond to "C" and "Z" buttons on the official six button Sega Genesis controller.  Fortunately, there are options to remap gamepad buttons via the Retron 5's set...

Lifesperience is now Raycommend, which can be found here:    Ray Commend   There is no easy way to say this.  Hyperkin's latest v2.2 firmware for the Retron 5 is a bug-filled mess which for many people (myself included) will ruin your Genesis experience.  As soon as I upgraded, my Genesis carts would no longer be detected by the system, and sometimes, even the other cartridge slots would stop detecting games. These were carts that worked perfectly fine on prior firmwares.  They also work on the original consoles (which I also own) flawlessly.  At this time, the Hyperkin website only links you to the v2.2 firmware  or strangely enough, the v2.0 beta 6 firmware . The only fix in my case, was to downgrade back to v2.1 which resolved my issues.  Game cartridges once again detected just fine.  For those of you out there wondering, downgrading is the easy part.  Finding the links for the prior firmware files was the painful par...

It started on Christmas morning.  As I joyfully shuffled through the various boxes in fancy gift wrap, I came across one with a width smaller than a 3DS game box, and about as thick at two neatly stacked CD cases.  Wasting no time, I furiously tore at the packaging, and wondered what hidden goodie was just out of my sight.  Then, there it was! The Impulse controller pocket remote & keyfinder. The Impulse next to my car key fob.   It's tough to really describe just how small this device is.  Sure, I can give you the Dimensions, (2.7" long x 1.3" wide x 0.6" high) but actually using the diminutive device actually doesn't feel as cramped as you'd think.  As long as you keep your expectations realistic, (it's not going to be as comfortable as a PS4 or XB1 controller) then you're in for a treat.  The controller is small, but manages to keep a tactile feel to the buttons.  Each of the five front facing buttons in addition to the Dpad ...