Home

Author: Cameron

  • Best Senior Cell Phone Plans

    Best Senior Cell Phone Plans

    A cell phone plan today is a very important aspect of your life. The best phone plan for seniors is one that is affordable while also helping them connect with their loved ones. Seniors should be able to stay in touch with their family wherever they go without wasting away their retirement funds.

    In the past cell phones were not quite necessities and many seniors didn’t need or want to have a cell phone. That has changed and cell phones can be very helpful for seniors who want to stay connected with friends and family while always having a links to doctors and experts for financial and medical purposes. Older adults need a convenient way to keep in touch, and a cellphone is great to have in the event of an emergency!

    All cell phone plans are not created equally and you can easily overpay for a cell phone plan loaded with unnecessary features. Elderly adults can save money with senior cell phone plans by only paying for the simple phone services they’ll realistically use. Standard cellular plans include large amounts of data usage, while senior phone plans are mainly centered on talking and texting with much smaller data limits.

    Best Phone Plan for Seniors

    Currently, the 3 top cell phone plans for seniors are  GreatCall Basic, AT&T Senior Nation Plan and Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus. The time has come for you to save your retirement money with these senior cell phones plans. Keeping reading to learn more about how seniors can help save money on their cell phone plan.

    GreatCall Basic

    GreatCall Basic plan is a great phone plan for seniors. GreatCall’s Basic plan offers 5-star service for as little $19.99 per month. Usually, older adults don’t use nearly as much data as younger people. However, most phone plans charge the most for data usage. GreatCall Basic is a great choice for seniors that don’t use a lot of data and on a fixed income.  Whether in need of emergency medical services, contacting family, or roadside assistance, GreatCall’s 5-star service agents can contact whoever you need during emergencies. It also offers long distance, caller ID, voicemail and roaming, too! Add to that 400 talk minutes for $10, or even 1,500 minutes for $30, and you have a pretty good deal on your hands. You can even get 300 texts for $3 or 2,500 texts for $15, or you can opt for unlimited talk and text for $40 per month. That’s a hard deal to beat.

    AT&T Senior Nation Plan

    This $30 per month plan is perfect for seniors. AT&T offers 200 minutes of talk at any time, and 500 minutes at night. Calls to other AT&T customers don’t even count against your minutes! This plan also includes free long distance and roaming calls. The one catch is that this plan is only available to seniors with basic phones. Smartphones aren’t able to use this phone plan. However, many seniors don’t have smartphones, so this likely isn’t an issue for most people interested in the plan.

    Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus

    Much like AT&T’s offering, the Verizon 65 Plus plan offers 500 night minutes and 200 anytime talk minutes. Also like AT&T, this plan runs for $30 per month. This plan also offers text messages at $.20 per text, or 1000 texts for $10 per month. For those looking to send a lot of texts, they can get unlimited texts for $20 per month! Additionally, data usage starts at $2 per MB of data used. Alternatively, you can get 75MB of data for just $10 per month! All in all, this is a great phone plan for seniors.


  • Tips on How to Quit Smoking

    Tips on How to Quit Smoking

    It’s neither controversial nor shocking to say that cigarettes are bad for you. It’s now no secret that smoking can cause heart problems, lung disease, a stroke and cancer. Nearly everyone who smokes is fully aware of the nature of just how bad cigarettes are for your body.

    Your risk of cancer, lung and heart problems and issues with your kidneys and intestines are all increased by smoking. However some smokers still fail to accept these proven risks and give up cigarettes. People who smoke die an average of 13 to 14 years sooner than nonsmokers. Smoking can also cause sexual and reproductive issues. Pregnant women who smoke risk the health of their unborn child as well.

    Quitting can be extremely difficult though and nicotine and smoking has been proven to be highly addictive. What is the main reason why you want to quit smoking? It is important to establish why you want to quit to stay motivated during what could be a long process.

    Tips on How to Quit Smoking

    Talk to People About It

    You don’t have to go it alone. In fact, if you try to handle this by yourself, you’re likely going to relapse. So, to prevent the likelihood of that, tell people in your life that you’re trying to quit. Talking about things helps to make them feel more real. It’s harder to stay consistent if there’s no one to hold you accountable. Get the people closest to you on board in this process!

    Get Help

    Whether it’s medical help or therapy, you should look beyond just moral support of friends and family. Addiction is a serious thing, and it takes some serious work to undo the claws tobacco products have in your central nervous system. Things like nicotine gum, patches and support groups are all excellent steps to combat the issue.

    Eliminate All Traces of Smoking from your Personal Space

    This one might seem obvious, but it goes deeper than you think. Start by throwing away or giving away all of your cigarettes, ash trays, lighters and matches. Then, shampoo your carpets, clean your drapes and do everything you can to eliminate the smell. You don’t want that smoke smell welling up and driving your desire to light one up.

    Find Healthy Alternatives

    Even if you’d prefer to not use nicotine in your efforts to quit smoking, look for other ways to relax. The biggest draw to smoking is the relaxation that follows a cigarette as nicotine sinks into your system. In order to combat the worst cravings, seek out other relaxing activities.

    Meditation, yoga, tai chi and hobbies like painting, drawing or making music are all great alternatives. If you can afford it, getting professional massages hits similar mental notes as smoking a cigarette! These activities are good for your mental health as well as your physical health.

    Don’t Give Up

    If you slip up and smoke a cigarette after weeks of being smoke-free, it’s not the end of the world. Don’t sweat the small lapses like that, and don’t let them convince you to pick smoking back up. No one is perfect: small mistakes don’t define you. Keep up the good effort and follow the advice in this article. You’re strong enough to quit smoking, so keep at it!


  • Best Deals for Contact Lenses

    Best Deals for Contact Lenses

    Contact lenses are a great option for people who need corrective lenses but don’t want to wear glasses. While many people like the look of spectacles, there are people who would prefer to not wear them, whether its aesthetic or due to the ease of wearing contacts.

    Customers have many options to choose from when they buy contact lenses. In the past, contact lenses were rigid with less oxygen permeability. Now most contact lens wearers can choose soft lenses made of more flexible materials. The newer contacts are more comfortable, can be worn for longer and allow more oxygen through.

    When choosing the best contact lenses, wearers need to first consider their doctors’ advice, and then look at the best options in the available brands. The best contact lenses are the ones which are the most comfortable, that allow the user to see clearly, and that match the lifestyle of the wearer, such as how long the lenses will be worn during the day. In either case, there are a ton of great sites to go through for deals on contacts! Today we’re looking at some of the best deals for contact lenses!

    Best Deals for Contact Lenses

    CooperVision ProClear

    The CooperVision ProClear line of contact lenses is great for people who suffer from dry eyes when wearing contacts. If you find your eyes get dry rapidly while wearing contacts, you may use this brand. While the ProClear lenses can be fitted for either nearsighted or farsighted patients, they don’t offer any UV protection. That said, one of the best deals on these lenses is through Lens.com, who offers a six-pack for under $18. That’ll last you for sixth months! Talk about a deal!

    Air Optix Aqua Multifocal Contact Lenses

    These lenses are the preferred for patients suffering from presbyopia. Presbyopia, which is farsightedness that develops due to elasticity loss in the eye, is often difficult to treat. Thanks to the unique shape of these lenses, however, they can address the issue. The Air Optix lenses also have a smooth transition from near to far when worn, which reduces disorientation and dizziness. These lenses are available from Lens.com and OptiContacts.com for around $32 per box!

    Acuvue Oasys

    The Acuvue Oasys lenses are the contacts of choice for those who prefer extended wear. If you like to sleep with your contacts in, these are likely the contacts for you. The lenses benefit from technology that allows them to work with the layers of water on your own eye to keep from getting dry. Additionally, these lenses offer excellent UV protection, keeping your eyes safe from harmful rays. OptiContacts.com and EzContacts.com both offer boxes of six for as low as $14!


  • Best Places to Get an Oil Change

    Best Places to Get an Oil Change

    When the time comes for an oil change, people often pay way too much. More often than not, vehicle owners will hand over their hard-earned money in exchange for poor quality oil without even knowing it! Unfortunately, this poor grade oil has the potential to greatly decrease an engine’s life span.

    High-grade motor oils create heat-resistant films around the numerous moving parts of automotive engines, protecting engine parts from grinding together and wearing down even after hundreds of thousands of miles of use.

    The latest synthetic oils also keep engine parts free of dirt and grime while preventing oxidation. That’s why changing your oil with the latest synthetic blends at reputable establishments is such an important part of auto maintenance. Finding quality motor oil doesn’t have to be a big expense, and there are a multitude of printable coupons and discounts that can be used for quality oil changes. Here are our top 4 oil change deals in 2018!

    Best Places to Get an Oil Change

    Sears

    Sears offers oil changes for as low as $20. Their selection of oil is pretty great, too! When you go to get your oil changed, make sure you can find access to synthetic oils. While the conventional oils are often less expensive, it helps your car’s longevity if you keep better quality oil in it. The best oils are the ones that protect your car with heat-resistant coatings, keeping your engine better for longer.

    Pep Boys

    When it’s time for an oil change, Pep Boys has all your needs covered. Every oil change performed by their certified technicians includes up to five quarts of oil, a new oil filter, and a courtesy vehicle inspection. Pep Boys uses premium oil brands such as Quaker State, Pennzoil, and Mobil 1, and can meet any of your car’s needs from conventional to high-mileage, synthetic blend, and fully synthetic oil changes.

    Meineke

    Another great place to get an oil change is Meineke! These guys offer great service at reasonable prices. There are often coupons available online for those looking to save money, too. They offer a great range of oils to choose from, as well. As always, we recommend checking out synthetic oils instead of conventional. When you think about how much money you save on the oil change, it’s worth it to pay a bit more for better oil!

    Jiffy Lube

    Another great place to get an oil change, Jiffy Lube offers great prices and awesome service. The best part about these guys is how friendly and knowledgeable they are. They’ll help you get your oil changed and help you pick an oil that’s right for your car. They also offer a great inspection that will help you find out if there is anything wrong with your vehicle!

    In any event, before you go in for your oil change, scour the web for coupons and deals. There’s always great ways to save money on an oil change! It’s a critical part of car care, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save some money in the process!

    In Conclusion

    When asking about online discounts, see which companies use Firestone and Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic Motor Oil, AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Motor Oil, and Castrol Edge with Syntec Technology Full Synthetic Motor Oil. Each are affordable, top-shelf synthetic blends that will extend the life of your vehicle’s engine without breaking the bank. Synthetic motor oil has a high viscosity index, low temperature fluidity and volatility, good oxidative and thermal stability, and low traction force. It is also compatible with all engine oils. On the other hand, conventional motor oil is more affordable and better for both brand new vehicle engines and older cars because of how synthetic oil disrupts the balance of the engine.


  • How to Get the Best Internet Bill for Your Money

    How to Get the Best Internet Bill for Your Money

    Internet bills can be expensive to say the least. When it comes to normal household bills, your internet can outstrip even your utilities in some situations. That said, there are ways you can make sure you’re getting the most for your hard-earned money. Let’s look at some tips for making your internet bill more reasonable.

    How to Get the Best Internet Bill

    Know What You’re Looking For

    The first step in getting a fair internet bill is going to be research. Depending on where you live, your internet service provider options may be limited. Regional providers are in heated competition due to the usually small number of companies to choose from. When you call your ISP looking for a better rate, you should know what you’re getting into.

    Make sure, first of all, that you have accurate and up-to-date information on your bill and what kind of speeds you’re getting. You’ll want to make sure you know how much you pay every month, what speed you’re getting, and keep track of any service issues you’ve had. That way, you know what you’re talking about when you’re on the phone with them. Most importantly, you’ll want to know their competitor’s rates, speeds and promotional offers.

    When to Negotiate

    If you have a contract with your ISP, it’s best to wait until near the end of the contract period to call them. When you do, know the kind of deal you want. If you’ve done your research, you’ll know what kinds of speeds the other ISPs in your area are offering for what prices. You can use that information in your negotiation. Simply tell your ISP you’re switching because of the high prices of their service, and that you’ll be returning their equipment.

    When you do this, it’s surprising how fast you may get offers for a better rate! That said, it’s also important to remember that these negotiations won’t always occur at the end of a contract. If you simply don’t have a contract, the best time to try to negotiate is the start of the month. Simply call your ISP and tell them you’re planning to switch and return their equipment at the end of the month. This gives them a full month to offer you a better deal!

    If you feel as though you’re really paying too much for internet and you’re in the middle of a contract, check out the competition. Sometimes paying to break contract early can save you money over sticking with your current ISP, and you should use that knowledge to your advantage.

    Be Ready to Follow Through

    Make sure you stay polite and kind, but don’t waver in your goal. You’re trying to get a better internet bill, so be ready to follow through with this plan. If your ISP won’t budge on the price and you can get a better deal somewhere else, do so! Be polite, and don’t yell at anyone. Simply switch to a company that will give you a better deal!

    While it can be a bit of a hassle to switch, companies know that, at the end of the day, you’re going to go with the best deal! As such, typically, the sincere threat of losing a customer can cause them to adjust your bill. That said, it’s not a surefire thing: they want as much of your money as they can get. In these negotiations you need to be prepared to follow through with threats to switch!

    Bottom Lines

    The bottom line of your bill is the bottom line. Don’t let yourself get talked into silly upgrades like cable channel packages or increased speeds. Remember, you’re just trying to get a lower internet bill! The people you talk to on the phone are well-trained, and they’ve got a stated goal to get you to upgrade whenever they can. That’s the exact opposite of what you want: you’re trying to save money!

    Don’t be afraid to simply state what you want. Tell them the price you’re looking to pay. Generally speaking, these companies appreciate your business and still want your money. It’s smart for them to work with you, at least, so speak plainly and kindly. Again, there’s no need to be mean: just make yourself clear. Follow these easy tips and you’ll be sure to get a great internet bill!

  • Amazon Unloads Info on Tons of New Tech

    Amazon Unloads Info on Tons of New Tech

    Amazon, always trying to keep up with the fast-paced world of technology, has unveiled a ton of new gadgets. Last Thursday they held a press event where they showed off a ton of stuff you’re going to want on your Christmas list. If you’ve been waiting for a chance to jump on the Alexa bandwagon, here is! Today we’re looking at just a few of the many, many products Amazon unveiled.

    New Amazon Tech

    Third Gen Echo Dot

    The third gen Echo Dot is a complete overhaul on the existing Echo Dot. It’s 70 percent louder, it sports a new mic setup and it offers a much stronger speaker. If you’ve been wondering when it is the right time to get into Alexa products, this is a good time. The best part is, the Echo Dot still costs the same: it’s $50. That’s a pretty solid price!

    Second Gen Echo Show

    The Echo Show has a pretty cool niche. It’s an Alexa-enabled device with a bold, readable screen that looks great. The second-generation version of the technology is sleeker, larger and has a much better speaker. It also costs the same as the first gen did: it starts a $230! Other features on offer are voice-command browsing and video streaming, as well as games and visuals with various skills.

    Amazon Fire TV Recast

    This one is a little unusual. It’s a DVR for Fire TV, and it also works on other Amazon devices. It also works on iOS and Android devices! It allows you to watch live or recorded TV. It starts at $230, and it comes with two tuners. It sports 500GB of storage, but if that isn’t enough, you can opt for an upgrade. For $280, you get four tuners and 1TB of storage.

    Second Gen Echo Plus

    The Echo Plus is also getting an overhaul! This time, the taller speaker is getting a smart home hub, a built-in thermometer for controlling smart climate keeping, and even more speaker quality. It’ll retail for $150, making it a very premium device, but the sound quality speaks for itself.

    Amazon Echo Sub

    This is exactly what it sounds like: a big, Echo-branded subwoofer. It’s actually keyed to be tied in to Alexa-enabled devices and it’s a proper Echo companion. It also has huge bass, with its massive drivers forcing tons of sound out around itself. The best part is, it’s only $130.

    Amazon Echo Input

    The Amazon Echo Input solves a problem you didn’t know you had! The Echo device in your home isn’t always the strongest speaker. If you want your best speaker to play your Alexa-enabled music, just get this $25 device and plug it in. Then, you can call for Alexa to play your music out of the speaker you’ve hooked the Input up to. That’s innovation!

    And a Lot More

    That’s hardly all of it. Amazon announced a huge slew of new tech, including Echo-enabled wall clocks and microwaves. No, seriously. Smart homes are the future, man! At least, Amazon is pretty sure they are.

  • Top Ten Things We Want to See in Avengers 4

    Top Ten Things We Want to See in Avengers 4

    Avengers: Infinity War ended on a crazy cliffhanger. If you haven’t seen it yet, consider this a massive spoiler warning for every movie in the MCU! Alright, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get into it. Here are the ten things we want to see in Avengers 4. This is everything from returning heroes to new characters to plot points we think would be super fun. Alright, let’s dig in!

    Top Ten Things We Want to See in Avengers 4

    ironmanvthanosfeatured
    Disney

    Silver Surfer Cameo

    Photo Credit: Comic Vine

    Our first entry is a longshot, but we want it none the less! After Thanos is done and dusted and the smoke clears, the MCU will get to go back to normal. Well, sort of. How do you follow up Thanos? Galactus, obviously. We’re not saying that the MCU should just dive straight in to another larger-than-life crossover right away, but a hint of things to come would be awesome. Who better to herald the coming of Galactus than his very herald? We’d be okay with him showing up for a brief post-credit sequence, just to cash in on the recent Fox acquisition.

    Return of the Smash

    Photo Credit: Bustle
    Banner and the Hulk haven’t been getting along too well lately. After getting thoroughly thrashed by the Mad Titan, the Big Green Meanie has been avoiding conflict altogether. Instead, Banner’s picked up the torch and has been handling this situation himself. However, if the Avengers are to overcome Thanos, they’re going to need their Hulk. We’re excited to see Banner and Hulk resolve their issues and come together to save the world one more time.

    Hawkeye’s Revenge

    Photo Credit: Polygon

    Hawkeye was under house arrest during the events of Infinity War, which is ironic, given that he would much rather be at home anyway. However, given the way these stories work, there is a one hundred percent chance that Hawkeye’s wife and kids got Snapped out of existence. And Clint is going to be pissed. And we can’t wait to see him go full secret agent-mode on the Mad Titan.

    Carol Freaking Danvers

    Photo Credit: Hindustan Times

    When Nick Fury realized what was happening, he pulled the final trump card out of his sleeve. He activated his retro 90’s pager and called in Captain Marvel. Captain Marvel, AKA Carol Danvers, is one of the mightiest heroes in the Marvel Universe. She’s got super-strength, speed, flight, energy manipulation and more.

    We’ll get properly introduced to her when her movie comes out in March of next year. However, we’re most excited to see the super-powerful badass turn Thanos into a purple smudge and wipe that dumb look off his ridge-chinned face.

    Adam Warlock

    Photo Credit: Digital Spy
    Odds are good that there will at least be a cameo from Marvel’s literal golden boy. We’ve actually already seen Adam’s origins: The Sovereign, secondary antagonists of Guardians Vol. 2, had “Him” created as a last-ditch effort to get back at the goofball Guardians. In the comics, Adam Warlock is a huge part of the formation of the Infinity Watch. His role in stopping Thanos was rather pivotal in the comics, so he may well appear in the next film.

    The only thing giving us pause on this is statements from James Gunn that indicated Warlock would play a large role in Guardians 3. However, following Gunn’s controversial firing, those plans may or may not have changed.

    Ant-Man and Ghost

    Photo Credit: Joe.ie
    Following the excellent Ant-Man and the Wasp, we learned more about the Quantum Realm and the power set of Ghost. Also known as Ava Starr, Ghost is a superhuman with the power to phase in and out of various states of matter. As such, she might be one of the only superhumans capable of getting in close and handling Thanos without just being obliterated.

    Meanwhile, Scott has been stranded in the Quantum Realm thanks to the Snappening, which is a fascinating development. We’re excited to see what role Scott will play in opposing Thanos, given that the Quantum Realm is outside of time and space is meaningless there. That means two of the six infinity stones have no power there.

    Time Stone Reversal

    Photo Credit: quirkybyte.com

    Thanos and Doctor Strange have both already shown that the Time Stone is capable of some serious temporal trickery. In Doctor Strange’s solo outing, he fought Dormamu to a standstill with the stone’s power. In Infinity War, Thanos undid Vision’s death, only to slay him again in far more brutal fashion. These incidents give us hope that the many deaths in Infinity War can be undone by the heroes. We want to see more from Doctor Strange, Spider-Man and Black Panther, after all!

    The Original Avengers

    Photo Credit: Variety

    We’re very excited to see the original Avengers assemble one last time. While many of the heroes of the MCU have been dusted by Thanos, the main Avengers squad is still standing. And that, friends, is bad news for the Mad Titan. They underestimated him once, which means that they won’t be pulling their punches this time. However, we’re more than a little worried, as it’s unlikely all of our favorite heroes make it out unscathed this time.

    Passing the Torch

    Photo Credit: Architectural Digest

    It seems quite likely that Iron Man, Captain America and maybe even Hulk or Thor might bite it in the next film. They’ve all lost a lot, and they’re likely all determined to stop Thanos however they can. Even if they are capable of undoing the damage he’s done, it seems most likely that it will come at a heavy price. After all, if the team just undoes the damage and everyone is okay, what was the point?

    This will likely lead to the torch being passed to new Avengers. Bucky might take up Cap’s shield. Peter could become the new “tech guy,” inheriting Tony’s gadgets. Doctor Strange could fill in for Thor, as he’s the mystical member of the team.

    Iron Man Needs to Drop Thanos

    Photo Credit: MCU Wiki

    The climatic scene of Avengers 4 needs to be Tony Stark killing Thanos. The MCU has all led up to this final battle, and Tony’s been haunted by Thanos for six years. It would only make sense to have Tony bring the final blow to Thanos. We fully expect it to be a massive team effort, with Captain Marvel, Thor, Hulk and Captain America paving the way. However, the very last hit, the killing blow, needs to go to Tony. Even if it results in Tony himself dying to make it happen, he deserves to land that last shot.

    And then… another ten years of awesome super hero adventures!

  • GeForce RTX 2080 and GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Review Roundup

    GeForce RTX 2080 and GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Review Roundup

    Way back in the distant era of mid-2016, Nvidia dropped the GeForce 10 series of graphics cards. Those cards largely cost more now than they did when they were introduced, thanks to Bitcoin miners, of course. However, their primary use, as gaming cards, has been their biggest selling point. However, the 10 series isn’t top dog anymore: the 20 series is here. How do the GeForce RTX 2080 and GeForce RTX 2080 Ti stack up? Are they worth their price? Let’s get into it!

    GeForce RTX 2080 and GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Review Roundup

    geforcertx
    Nvidia

    Technical Specs

    These new cards run on Turing GPU architecture, which is a bleeding-edge three-pronged approach. This provides a huge benefit to performance and efficiency, using three separate centers. Namely, this new architecture allows the cards to incorporate deep learning AI functions into real-time graphics. While this has been seen in workstation GPUs, it’s brand new to commercial gaming cards. And yes, you can bet that means these suckers are pricey.

    The other big benefit granted by this new architecture is ray tracing. Put simply, ray tracing is a new way to render lighting, shading and reflections. Between ray tracing and the deep learning, or DLSS, these are set to be the defining features of the 20 series. Most games don’t have a way to use this bleeding edge tech yet, but many are coming down the line.

    Bottom Line

    When it comes to practical testing, the verdict is in: these cards are bananas. The RTX 2080 blows the 1080 Ti out of the water across the board. The 2080 Ti, of course, is the absolute cutting edge of high-end graphics. Overclocking is a breeze with these cards, bringing a great amount of future-proofing to these 4K-capable cards.

    That said, if 4K is your focus, you’re going to want a 2080 Ti. That’s going to se you back: the 2080 Ti has a $1,000 MSRP, and the Founders Edition is $1,200. The 2080, while not as great for 4K, is still capable of ray tracing and DLSS. It’s a great option for those looking to stay current without breaking the bank. It retails at $700, or $800 for the Founders Edition.

    For the time being, these cards are likely overkill for most users. However, if you are currently running middling hardware and want to upgrade, consider getting a 20 series card. Additionally, if you’re building a bleeding-edge rig for future-proofing your gaming experience, these are absolutely the best of the best for the time being.

  • Ten Games We Want to See on PlayStation Classic

    Ten Games We Want to See on PlayStation Classic

    Sony recently unveiled plans to release a PlayStation Classic mini console. This is a clear follow-up to Nintendo’s highly successful mini consoles, the NES and SNES Classic. Much like those systems, the PlayStation classic is a plug-and-play console that is pre-loaded with games. While five games have already been announced (Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, and Wild Arms) there are set to be twenty. Today, to keep the excitement going, we’re counting down the top ten games we want to see join the lineup!

    Ten Games We Want to See on PlayStation Classic

    sotn
    Konami

    10. Gran Turismo 2

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    Back in the 90’s, hardcore lovers of all things racing had Gran Turismo. This one is remembered as one of the first games that looked realistic in its depiction of vehicles. Driving mechanics are smooth, responsive and realistic. When it came to driving sims, Gran Turismo 2 was the best. This one needs to be included just due to how influential it was. It largely sold people on the idea of the PlayStation as a serious system, not just a toy.

    9. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

    Photo Credit: BGR

    Another excellent second instalment, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 is one of the finest skating games ever. Really, when you can manual anywhere, nosegrind rails and nail kickflips, what’s not to love? This game also featured a surprisingly robust park editor. Many an hour was wiled away just tearing up the skate park in this game. Video games and skateboarding go together like chocolate and peanut butter.

    8. Final Fantasy IX

    Photo Credit: Square Enix

    After Final Fantasy VII and VIII explored more futuristic worlds, fans were eager for a return to fantasy. Square delivered with the excellent Final Fantasy IX, a high-fantasy adventure set in the land of Gaia. The large cast of characters, deep mechanics and throwback theme make the game highly memorable. In a lot of ways, IX is the definitive medieval Final Fantasy.

    7. Oddworld: Abe’s Exodus

    Photo Credit: The Cheap Ferret
    Engaging, touching and darkly beautiful, Oddworld lives up to its name. This 2D platformer is superficially ugly, with gross amphibian monsters populating its world. Its themes of freedom, love and liberation, however, elevate it beyond its nasty visuals. In fact, the counterpoint between appearances and soul form the backbone of the plot. This one needs an inclusion, as it was a huge moment in video game storytelling.

    6. Wipeout XL

    Photo Credit: Moby Games
    Wipeout is (rightly) considered “Sony’s F-Zero,” and it is a blast. Blisteringly-fast futuristic cars race along gorgeous, futuristic tracks in this trippy game. Sleek, sexy and everything a racing game should be, Wipeout was a huge shift for racing games. Showcasing just how fast you could make a game, Wipeout earned ample attention upon release. As a moment in history, it deserves a spot on the PlayStation Classic.

    5. Spyro the Dragon

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    Really any of the Spyro games would make a great addition to the PlayStation Classic. We do wonder if the imminent release of the remastered trilogy could put a damper on its inclusion, though. However, if only one can be included, the second one largely hit the sweet spot. This fun 3D platformer sees you controlling a cute purple dragon. Spyro can’t really fly, but he can headbutt people and breath fire! This one deserves an inclusion due to how influential he was as a PlayStation mascot.

    4. Resident Evil 2

    Photo Credit: US Gamer
    The PlayStation had a very large number of awesome sequels. Gran Turismo 2, Spyro 2, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, the list goes on and on. None quite match up to how huge a jump Resident Evil 2 was from its predecessor. In this game, you control Leon Kennedy during his first day as a STARS agent in Racoon City. The ill-fated day culminates in a full-scale zombie outbreak. Leon has to fight for his very life as the city goes to hell around him. Tense, gripping and revolutionary for the horror genre, Resident Evil 2 brought the goods.

    3. Crash Bandicoot

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    Nintendo and Sega fought bitterly for a decade over who had the better mascot, Mario or Sonic. Then, Sony chimed in with Crash Bandicoot. The goofy, fun-loving marsupial starred in a ton of games on the PlayStation in the late 90’s. Really, any of his platforming adventures would be fun to have on the PlayStation classic. However, much like Spyro, Crash has a remastered trilogy on store shelves, so he might not get as much attention as more obscure PS1 titles.

    2. Metal Gear Solid

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    This is it: the game that introduced the world to Hideo Kojima’s weird and wonderful storytelling. Metal Gear Solid is equal parts Escape from New York and James Bond, with a healthy dash of anime-style villains. This sneaky, actiony romp was a massive hit for Sony, and kicked off a huge franchise. If this one doesn’t come with the PlayStation Classic, we’ll eat our shoes.

    1. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

    Photo Credit: IMDb

    The very finest PlayStation game, and a serious contender for best game ever, is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. In this amazing reinvention of the Castlevania series, you control Alucard, Dracula’s angsty kid. Alucard wants to stop his dad’s evil deeds, so he sets off into Drac’s castle. The branching, intersecting castle map and ample power-ups led to this game being referred to as “Metroid-vania.” That’s not too far from the truth, and the entire Castlevania series follow suit in years to come.

    Put simply, this is the game that has to be included with the PlayStation Classic. Not including this would be like leaving Secret of Mana out of the SNES Classic! Wait, they did that? They seriously didn’t have SoM in the SNES Classic? Well, looks like Alucard’s not coming to the PS1 Classic after all, gang.

  • PlayStation Classic Mini Coming Soon

    PlayStation Classic Mini Coming Soon

    In an interesting example of history repeating itself, Sony is once again following in Nintendo’s footsteps. After the mega-successful NES Classic Mini and SNES Classic Mini, Sony is releasing their own PlayStation classic. This move makes a ton of sense, actually: the PlayStation has a deep, awesome library of games. Sony announced the console yesterday, as well as release details. Read on to find out more!

    playstationclassic
    Sony

    PlayStation Classic Release Info

    The console, which was just announced, will be released on December 3rd. When it comes out, it’ll be retailing for $100. That might sound a bit steep, but depending on the games included, it may well be worth it. For one, the system comes with two controllers! Oddly, the controllers are original PlayStation controllers, instead of DualShock. We suppose Sony is really banking on the nostalgia factor, here!

    The system will have a similar “limited release” window, much like the Nintendo Classic Systems before it. That is to say: if you have any interest in grabbing one of these, you might want to preorder it. When the first wave of NES Classics sold out, it was quite difficult to find them for a decent price.

    Announced Games

    They’ve already announced five of the games that will be included with the system. Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3 and Wild Arms will be available on the system. We’d be surprised it games like Spyro, Crash Bandicoot and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night don’t make the cut, too.

    Given that the 25th anniversary of the PS1’s release is coming next year, this is a great time to commemorate its place in gaming history. The console was a smash hit when it launched in 1994, bringing with it a wave of great-looking, 3D games. As Sony’s entry into the gaming industry, the system has had huge impact on the face of gaming.

    For Now…

    While the system won’t launch until the end of the year, we’re pretty excited to see what other games will be included. Sony has stated that the lineup will be revealed as we get closer to the launch. In the meantime, check back with us for updates! We’ll also be running an article on which classic PlayStation games we’d like to see included with the system. Stay posted!