Ack! Ack! Uh, pardon… did you know that Tim Burton’s 1996 film Mars Attacks! was based on a set of trading cards from the 1960s? I sure didn’t! Back in 1962, Topps released a series of collectible trading Mars Attacks!cards called Mars Attacks!. So why am I bringing this up now? Because the franchise is suddenly back in the spotlight thanks to a brand-new video game, fittingly titled Mars Attracts (without the exclamation mark present in the original title). What’s in a name?! Continue reading
For decades, LEGO games have been everywhere, and not without success. By now, the formula is tried and true, loved by millions of gamers worldwide. With yet another LEGO Batman game on the horizon, it feels like it has been ages since a brand-new franchise received the LEGO treatment. So here is my list of nine franchises that I believe deserve their own LEGOfied video game. Continue reading
Some film classics have had such an enormous impact on pop culture that you might start doubting whether you have actually seen them. The sheer number of references in today’s media can make you feel like you have. One of those films is Jaws, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a re-release in theaters. Whether you have seen this classic before or not, now is the perfect time to experience it as it was meant to be seen. Continue reading
Forty years after its release, Platoon remains one of the most powerful anti-war films ever made. We follow Chris Taylor, played by Charlie Sheen, a young man from a privileged background who volunteers to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. What begins as a patriotic mission quickly unravels into a harrowing year that leaves him forever changed. Continue reading
As a young video game enthusiast, I often chose my games based on nothing more than box art. One of those early 2000s impulse buys was SEGA Soccer Slam for the Nintendo GameCube. This wild twist on the beautiful game took nothing seriously, and leaned into pure arcade madness. Now that I can play it again through emulation on my Steam Deck, I can’t stop smiling. Continue reading
The Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived. While not everyone is equally thrilled about the one truly must-have launch title, Mario Kart World, the console is selling like crazy. Still, there are plenty of issues that, in my opinion, make this one of the worst Nintendo console launches ever. Here’s why.
Nintendo often launches new consoles with a few strong first-party titles. Unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch 2 launch lineup is underwhelming. With only one first-party game, Mario Kart World, that seems worth playing excluding the Welcome Tour, which I’ll conveniently ignore. The rest are mostly third-party games you can already play on other consoles. What’s not to like? 🙁 Continue reading
I don’t play a lot of video games anymore, but I still find the medium endlessly fascinating. I follow the industry fairly closely, but over time, I’ve developed a particular love for older games; especially football titles. Recently I wrote a tribute to FIFA Street 3, but just the other day, a friend came over and we dove into another golden oldie from the genre.
Sometimes, you stumble upon a delightful form of coincidence. Recently, I decided to revisit the classic Reservoir Dogs (1992). The last time I watched the film was probably fifteen years ago when I first picked up the DVD. Not even two days after recently revisiting this Tarantino classic, I spotted the special 2-disc edition at a thrift store. Naturally, I couldn’t pass it up. Continue reading
In the Netherlands, there’s a tradition that, for me, used to be the way to get cheap new video games. It used to be on Queen’s Day, but now on King’s Day, I would go with my parents and the rest of the family to a flea market. A giant field where everyone from the neighborhood and surrounding areas was selling their stuff. For me, it was the way to celebrate King’s Day! Continue reading