The Daily Daze

The legendary arcade game comes home in miniature form courtesy of Numskull, the UK-based company specializing in everything retro. It's a slick-looking machine, too, but how well does it play? Is it worth the premium price? Mr. Pacario discusses the machine and the game within, then ponders the company itself--will Numskull keep producing these tiny replicas, or is it likely to leave this niche i...

For this brief but no less spiffy entry, Mr. Pacario reviews Super Mario Manga Mania, the first official Western adaptation of the long-running comic series. Perhaps even more exciting, however, is Pac-Man's own celebratory book--Pac-Man: Birth of an Icon--coming soon from www.cookandbecker.com. And lastly, thanks to the U.K.-based company Numskull, the classic arcade game Bubble Bobble is gracing...

When it comes to talking classic games, few shows can match the renowned Retronauts podcast, a production that has long celebrated the gaming pastime’s colorful history. But with the show’s host and founder, Jeremy Parish, now moonlighting over at publishing house Limited Run Games in various capacities, is the show still as pure and transparent as before? Or is the production now being subverted,...

At long last, Nintendo has graced us with a new mini...but it's not quite the Game Boy Classic many wanted. Rather, it's the rebirth of the old Game and Watch line, with Super Mario Bros. its showcase piece. The gadget's a nifty callback to the past...but is it worth the modern asking price? Mr. Pacario drops some thoughts in this quickie, bite-sized review. Thanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com)...

Death comes for everyone, and the 3DS is no exception--the dual-screened device has officially been abandoned, sort of, by the ever practical Big N. Mr. Pacario gives the system a fitting eulogy before tackling a more controversial matter--Nintendo's Super Mario 3D All-Stars, released in decidedly uninspired form. Is this really the company's best? (Note: I apologize for the minor audio issues a f...

After Nintendo and Sega took their turns, it was only fitting the TurboGrafx-16 also receive the mini treatment. A system both overlooked and underappreciated during the 8 and 16-bit eras, Konami has seen fit to give it an extra life with this tinier edition. Indeed, it's a sweet box of "what ifs"...a compilation of obscure but no less engaging games deserving of another chance. And so, as promise...

What's better than the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation Vita? It might just be the Analogue Pocket, a slick, Game Boy-like device capable of playing an assortment of history's greatest gaming relics. With the device soon up for preorder, Mr. Pacario lists the system's many frills, features, and incredible options...along with one or two unfortunate drawbacks. Indeed, is this mighty handheld really w...

Sega is back with another miniature snack! After the nifty Mega Drive Mini and the loco Game Gear Micro, the company is going for a three-for-all with its Astro City machine, a cute all-in-one console with an assortment of rarely seen arcade games! Although little has been revealed, Mr. Pacario divulges the scants facts before proceeding with a "mini" Great Gamer's Quiz. Indeed, ace this test to p...

Along with countless movies, shows, and video games to consume, people must also choose between thousands of new podcasts appearing on a rapid-fire, weekly basis. And guess what? Most of these shows are junk! Luckily, Mr. Pacario is here to recommend six sublime shows of true worth and fun--from the cinephile's Now Playing to the sometimes creepy Extraterrestrial. In other words, these are podcast...

Gamers complain about a lot of things...the most ironic, perhaps, is having too much content. In other words--too many games releasing every week! It's a weird problem that others of a different time would have loved to share, but there's truth to the complaint. Gamers are drowning in freebies, indies, Twitch streams, and cheap DLC without a proper way to escape...or keep up. But is this "problem"...

For those who love the more audible side of gaming, this episode will draw them into that illustrious past while also highlighting the occasional modern day masterpiece. Indeed, music--especially that of the gaming persuasion--has always possessed the unique quality of making even the darkest days seem brighter. This quiz might challenge one's memory...but more importantly, may it bring everyone a...

Don't say mini, say micro! Yep, Sega actually goes there with its tinier than dinky line of miniature Game Gears...while on the larger side of things, Arcade1UP unveils its next slate of home arcade machines, including the oft-sought Ms. Pac-Man. But whether teeny or supreme, are any of these machines really worth the money? Mr. Pacario gives his best early impressions. Check out Pacario's occasio...

Was 1980 really that long ago? Indeed, the year 2020 marks the 40th anniversary (or birthday) of gaming's greatest icon--the titular Pac-Man. For a time, the globular marble dominated pop culture in a way no mascot--even the almighty Mario--has ever achieved since. But beyond his command of the cultural zeitgeist, Pac-Man essentially gave birth to the modern gaming scene, granting the medium its f...

Turbo trumps virus! Indeed, after being delayed by the infamous plague, the TurboGrafx-16 Mini finally takes the West. Question is...was it worth the wait? Mr. Pacario provides his initial impressions regarding the almost mythical system and its generous trove of jubilant gems. Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Pacario Thanks to Decktonic (www.de...

After a slight delay, the next Great Gamer's Quiz is ready to be played! This one's a hodgepodge of trivia taken from the entirety of the hobby - only the most well-versed gaming acolytes will survive! So whether carpooling to work or trapped at home, let this quiz prove, once and for all, you are indeed a gaming maven. Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.co...

Limited Run Games prides itself on the "preservation" of digital titles, and for a while, collectors adored it. But times change, and the LRG of today seems more bent on manipulating gamers than truly serving the art form. Indeed, the company's recent stumble with its "exclusive" Streets of Rage 4 preorder has left many feeling burned. As always, Mr. Pacario is happy to investigate the matter. Che...

Collecting video games is time-consuming. Collecting video games is expensive. And for hunters desperate to own a complete set of a particular system, the going is often impossible. But all is not lost! In this episode, Mr. Pacario suggests different ways one might achieve a "full" set, while also pointing out the remaining consoles in which procuring a perfect library is still even remotely possi...

Collecting video games has become a popular pastime. But for some, it's more than that--collecting is their life, with libraries mounting into the thousands. At which point do stashes like these go from impressive to excessive? From being a nifty collection to an unfortunate addiction? Mr. Pacario, a collector himself, takes an honest look at the phenomenon. Check out Pacario's occasionally update...

Great news! The Great Gamer's Quiz returns for a speedy, rapid fire, turbo-charged installment. Yep, questions will be asked and answers expected...all within a scant few seconds. Can you best your friends or prove your worth within the strict time limit? Now's the time to spread that gamer cred! Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Pacario Thanks t...

Want to play 3DS games on your Switch? You can't! Want to play PS3 games on your PS4? You can't! Alas, wouldn't it be great if the next Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo console could play every game from the past twenty years, thus preserving gamers' hard won collections? Well, depending on the company, gamers might just get their wish...or be bitterly disappointed. Check out Pacario's occasionally...

The TurboGrafx-16 Mini, along with its foreign counterparts the CoreGrafx and PC Engine, have all graced that magical land of Japan...while the rest of the world continues to wait. Are early impressions, well, impressive? Opinions vary, but there's a greater question at stake--after this system sees full release, can gamers expect more mini machines? Or is the market, in fact, dead? Check out Paca...

At last, another Great Gamer's Quiz arrives, this time celebrating some of gaming's finest symphonic--and oftentimes iconic--tracks and melodies. Indeed, the aspiring connoisseur will revel in a montage of ten awe-inspiring pieces with the aim, naturally, of proclaiming the game and origin of each one. Should be easy for any gaming expert...but newbs are sure to still enjoy the journey! Check out...

The Sega Genesis Mini arrived in September 2019, but that's only a third of the story. Two more versions of the system exist! And so, Mr. Pacario procured the Japanese unit, treating himself to an array of games very different from its Western counterpart. But...different doesn't always mean better. Indeed, is the Japanese Mini worth the money? This review should clarify the issue. Check out Pacar...

After a lengthy delay, Mr. Pacario has finally procured Numskull's 1/4 scale Ms. Pac-Man machine...and indeed, she's quite the looker! Fully playable and nearly identical to her larger counterpart, this device is a nice display piece, but is it worth the premium price? Mr. Pacario shares his thoughts and advice. Check out Pacario's blog for pics and a written, more deliberate review here: https://...

Just how well do you know your favorite pastime, anyway? Indeed, treat yourself to a fine assortment of gaming goodness, this time in the form of some clever trivia spread across gaming's best, most iconic titles. Gaming vets, gurus, and prodigies might just nab that perfect score...while everyone else will at least learn something grand about gaming's amazing past. Check out Pacario's occasionall...