Console Gaming | Gear Diary

Video Games Can Be Good for You: 5 Pieces of Gear to Help You

Video games are no stranger to criticism. Over the years, they’ve been blamed for encouraging laziness, fostering the development of brain rot (or other cognitive limitations), and even increasing violence (despite no real evidence to back up the claim). But like any technology, video games aren’t inherently good or evil; all that matters is how you use them. There are actually several benefits to playing video games regularly, and with the right gadgets and devices in tow, you can enhance those benefits significantly. The Benefits of Video Games How exactly can video games be good for you? Spatial reasoning and…

News & Features

Don’t Let mar10 Day Pass You by Without Bumkins’ Nintendo Baby Gear

Bummed you missed out on Mar10 Day (March 10th)? Fear not, because Bumkins has you covered with their line of Nintendo themed children’s merchandise. They’ve got everything from throwback Mario teethers to NES controller bibs. Now your kids can grow up on Mario just like you did back in the 80s. Starting at $5.95, your baby can be indoctrinated early.

Deals, Game Diary

Xbox One S Bundle Deals Make for a Great Last Minute Gift

If you missed last month’s Black Friday Xbox One S deal, don’t fret because Microsoft just announced several great deals that you can grab just in time for Xmas.

Game Diary, Reviews

Xbox One X Review: Serious Gamers Should Upgrade

The Xbox One X has been a long time coming, and now that it has finally arrived, is it worth paying a premium over the Xbox One S? If you’re a serious gamer – absolutely.

Reviews

Snakebyte Nintendo Switch Accessories Roundup

The best thing about the Nintendo Switch, in my mind, is its portability and versatility. You can play it on the couch with your HDTV or you can play it on the bus or on a plane. Snakebyte’s Nintendo Switch accessories help you keep your Switch safe while you’re on the go; their line of Switch accessories starts at $9.99.

News & Features

Will the Nintendo Switch Revolutionize the Way You Play?

After months of waiting, theories, and leaks, Nintendo finally announced further details on their new gaming console, the Nintendo Switch, at 11pm EST on Thursday, January 12th, 2017. As part of a live stream from Tokyo, a whole slew of information was revealed about the Nintendo Switch, including release date, price, upcoming games, accessories, and more.

Events, News & Features

Plantronics Continues to Impress with Fab Headphones

One of Judie’s and my favorite stops at CES each year is Plantronics. We love their headsets and appreciate the way each year brings new refinements to already great products. Judie recently reviewed the BackBeat Pro 2 headphones and loved them. That’s just one of the headphones they showed her during their CES 2017 meeting.

Events, News & Features

Snakebyte Announces New Accessories For Nintendo Switch and NES Classic Edition Systems At CES

With Nintendo rushing back onto the gaming scene, Snakebyte has announced products to help spice up the Switch as well as the much coveted NES Classic Edition. The products are scheduled to start shipping in Spring 2017 which should be enough time to finally find a NES Classic! These products promise to enhance the Nintendo experience.

Reviews

The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless Headset Is the Pinnacle of Gaming Headset Technology

SteelSeries has knocked it out of the park with their new Arctis 7 wireless gaming headset. The Arctis 7 features lag-free wireless communication with DTS 7.1 surround sound and a 40 ft range, SteelSeries ClearCast microphone, premium audio drivers, and 15 hour battery life. This multi-platform, lightweight, and super-comfortable headset can be yours for $149.99.

Game Diary, Reviews

Fnatic Gear TMA-2 Duel Modular Gaming Headset Review

What makes a great gaming headset? Beyond sound quality and an excellent microphone, what else would you like to see? I think that a proper gaming headset should be light enough to wear for hours, durable and comfortable, but I also think that they should offer usage options. The Fnatic Gear TMA-2 Duel Modular Gaming Headset does just that.

Game Diary, Reviews

Creative’s Sound BlasterX H7 Gaming Headset Is in a League of Its Own!

After just reviewing Creative’s Sound BlasterX H5 Gaming Headset last year, they sent over the update to those, in the BlasterX H7s, continuing their goal of being the best gaming headset on the market today! There are a lot of similarities in the H7s that are in the H5s from Creative, from the brushed metal down to the overall black design of the headset. Being someone who takes their gaming pretty seriously, especially online, a good headset is VERY hard to find. So let’s start with a few specs on the creative Sound BlasterX H7s: Audio ProcessingBlasterX Acoustic Engine Pro Headset Connector Type3.5mm Stereo Input…

News & Features

DloDlo Glass V One Virtual Reality Glasses: Vaporwear? Or the World’s Smallest VR Headset?

At the world’s first CE China convention, a new product was shown which took all attending journalists by pleasant surprise — the dlodlo Glass V One. A bit larger than a full-size set of sunglasses, the dlodlo Glass V One is small enough to stick in a larger pocket, something that is impossible to do with any other VR headset.

Reviews

Gear Diary’s Alienware Steam Machine Review and Valve Game Key Giveaway!

The Alienware Steam Machine is unlike any computer I’ve ever used before. It’s built small enough to fit seamlessly with your living room entertainment center while also providing an excellent gaming experience. While the game library leaves something to be desired, this is a giant leap in the right direction. Buy your Alienware Steam Machine today, starting at $449.

Game Diary, Reviews

Gear Diary’s Alienware Steam Machine First Impressions and Unboxing

First things, first; what the heck is an Alienware Steam Machine? Glad I asked. Alienware’s Steam Machine is a gaming PC that was born out of the need to bring PC gaming out from behind the desk and into the living room. It’s a tiny, yet powerful PC that’s capable of playing all the latest games and starts at $449.

Game Diary, News & Features

Divinity: Original Sin 2 Kickstarter Launching August 26th!

One of my favorite recent games is Divinity: Original Sin from Larian Studios, who developed my ‘Top 5 all-time’ RPG Divine Divinity. The game released on Mac & PC about a year ago to much acclaim, and is getting an enhanced edition and console release this fall. Now Larian has announced that they are working on Divinity: Original Sin 2!

Game Diary, News & Features

Fallout 4 is Happening and it’ll be a Beautiful Nuclear Wasteland

After 24 hours of teasing, Bethesda Game Studios announced the long-awaited fourth installment of the Fallout video game franchise ahead of the full reveal at E3. Fallout 4 takes place in, you guessed it, an open-world post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland…but this time, it appears to be in post-nuclear fallout Boston! Fallout 4 will be released on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.

Game Diary, News & Features

CDProjekt Red Announces The Witcher 3 Expansion Pass, 30 MORE Hours of Fun

The Witcher 3 isn’t even out yet with a release planned for next month, yet we have just gotten word that developer CD Project Red is planning two large expansions, and has just put up for pre-order what they are calling The Witcher 3 Expansion Pass, which includes both expansions to be released over the next couple of years.

Game Diary, News & Features

Lords of the Fallen: Ancient Labyrinth DLC Available for PC, PS4, Xbox One

Last fall the game ‘Lords of the Fallen’ was released to solid reviews, and amazement at the scope and art direction given the small size of the studios involved with the game. Since then it has become popular with hardcore RPG fans for the solid gameplay and overall sense of fun. Now the Ancient Labyrinth DLC expansion is available!

Events, Game Diary, News & Features

NVIDIA announces Nvidia Shield set-top box entertainment system

The NVIDIA Shield tablet is a solid gaming-centric device that has racked up some solid PC-port games since release. Now NVIDIA has returned at GDC with the announcement of a ‘set top gaming box’ that will be the world’s first 4K Android TV consumer product when it’s released, and also be loaded with great gaming features.

Events, Game Diary, News & Features

Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power Announced at GDC

This is a busy couple of weeks for technology folks between MWC, GDC, PAX East and SPIE (ok, the last one isn’t consumer focused but will drive the technology for the next decade). Today at GDC (Game Developer Conference) Frozenbyte announced Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power, the second sequel to the popular 2009 side-scrolling medieval fantasy platformer.

Game Diary, News & Features

3D Realms Returns with Bombshell, 2015 Release Expected

When last we heard about 3D Realms, it was with regards to the Duke Nukem franchise and the Gearbox release of Duke Nukem Forever, of which the less said perhaps the better. Their last release was 2006’s Prey, a solid game with a sequel that was cancelled. But now they are back with a great looking action-RPG called Bombshell!