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  • 7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Cheap airfare, it’s something we’re all looking for. Finding decent prices on flights can be difficult though. It is human nature to want to travel, to explore your horizons and see new places, or perhaps, to return to the places you once knew.

    Whether you want to visit home or see an exotic location, airline travel is fast, but costs a lot of money. What is the best way for finding cheap airline tickets? How do you even start? Whether you are traveling for work, for vacation, or to visit family or friends, finding cheap airfare can help you save on what’s often the largest expense of your trip.

    If you’re trying to take a trip and keep finding it difficult to get a decent price, you’re probably looking for some new travel hacks to help you save some money. Well, the good news is that we’re here to help. Let’s talk about the best ways to fly for cheap! Read more below to learn about who is offering the best rates at an amazing price $73 and $39 for one-way flights!

    Best Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Compare Airfares

    Airfares vary widely, and discount airfare is out there for those who know where to look. The most important thing is that you make sure to compare airfares. The rates offered by one airline may be much higher or lower than the rates of another. If you use one of the popular travel sites, you can easily compare airfares from different airlines.

    Also, if you have any flexibility in your schedule, try putting different dates into the sites’ ticket finders to see if that makes a difference. For example, currently, Southwest Airlines is offering flights as low as $73, and Delta is offering flights as low as $39 during the holiday season.

    Use Reputable Flight Search Engines

    Some flight search engines actually get a cut from airlines when they help generate sales. That means that you could search for “budget flights” and have normal or even premium flights show up. In order to counter this, use reputable search engines that don’t mislead you. Great options are Skyscanner, Momondo, AirWander and JetRadar. Like we said previously don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best price.

    Get Tickets Early

    Get your tickets early — but not too early. You may think it would be smart to buy tickets six months in advance, but in fact, getting tickets more than five months before you need them may keep you from getting the best fares. Aim for two to four months in advance, if possible. If you can’t plan that far in advance, at least try to avoid the two-week period right before a flight, when ticket prices tend to go up.

    Specialty sites like “air fare watch dog” provide a medium for you to search for deals between two specific locations, and also can send you alerts when prices drop to a much more affordable rate. This is perfect for those who know where they want to travel, just are not too concerned about when. They can snag a great deal and plan their trip once they get that informative e-mail from the website.

    Airport Selection

    Fly in or out of airports that are not in your destination city. If you are flying into New York City, you may be able to get cheaper fares at the Newark airport than you would in New York City’s JFK Airport. If you are going to or from San Francisco, try the Oakland or San Jose airports. Many other cities also have airports that are nearby but outside of the city limits. Flying out of an alternate airport isn’t even necessarily a hardship. For example, If you are going to some parts of Manhattan, ground transportation may get you there faster from Newark than from JFK.

    You will benefit on price, though, because not as many people will think of using the other airports, so the seats won’t sell out as quickly. Always think in terms of supply and demand when trying to find cheap airfare.

    Non-Direct Flights

    Accept a little inconvenience in exchange for a cheaper price. You may be able to save money on long trips by taking routes where you change planes rather than taking a non-stop flight. If you’re not in a hurry, you don’t need to pay a premium for the faster route. Try traveling lighter to avoid the luggage fees that so many airlines are charging now. Be creative in figuring out how to get by with fewer things on your trip.

    Incognito Mode

    Lock up your search history tight and don’t look back. When you start looking at flights and trips, make sure you’re in incognito mode. When you search for flight prices, sites use cookies to track how many times you’ve looked at the flight. Each new time you look, the price goes up. Why? Well, to get you to buy as soon as possible so you “lock in the lowest price.” Yeah, it’s dirty, but you can fight back!

    By browsing incognito, you won’t have any cookies tracking you. This allows you to bypass this dirty trick and get a better price for your flight!

    Find the Cheapest Days to Book

    Try to fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, if possible. Those are often the cheapest days of the week. If possible, avoid Fridays and Sundays, when rates tend to go up. Flying right before a major holiday, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, is going to be very expensive. But if you are able to fly on the day of the holiday itself, you can usually pick up some very cheap fares because not many people want to fly then.


  • Best Anti-Wrinkle Cream

    Best Anti-Wrinkle Cream

    Every time you turn on the television you are bound to see a commercial for anti-wrinkle creams. The skin-care market is filled with anti-wrinkle creams, all claiming to rid your face of signs of aging.

    However, not all wrinkle-creams are equal. Some anti-wrinkle creams work better than others for different people; some contain ingredients that may react poorly with certain people’s skin. With so many options available, the idea of choosing the right wrinkle cream can seem a bit overwhelming. For us, we think 5 wrinkle creams are top notch – and for good reason, since they come so highly rated:

    Asking the following questions when shopping for wrinkle creams can help you find a higher-quality product without overspending for results.

      • Will this keep my skin hydrated?
      • What are the ingredients?
      • Will this product protect my skin?
      • Is this product suitable for my skin type?
      • What is my budget?

    Best Anti-Wrinkle Cream

    Amara Organics Advanced Age-Defying Moisturizer

    Amazon’s Choice isn’t a term used lightly, but this popular face cream has that distinction! How’d it get that high accolade? Well, that’s got to do with just how highly-rated it is. The vast majority of reviews of this cream are four- or five-star. Many people swear by this cream for moisturizing, and say it helps their skin look more youthful!

    Active Wow Youth Enhancing Eye Gel

    Fans of this eye cream rave over it. They say that it’s great for tired eyes, making them look bright and well-rested. Advocates of this eye cream say that it’s a must-have for bags under the eyes. The Active Wow Youth Enhancing Eye Gel is a favorite of people who want to make their eyes look younger and more well-rested!

    Radha Beauty Miracle Retinol Moisturizer

    A ton of five-star reviews and happy customers follow this Radha beauty cream. Reviewers rave about the cream’s moisturizing properties! After all, a great way to take care of the skin on your face is with moisturizer. Reviews comment on the moisturizer’s effect on their skin, noting that it has reduced their dark spots and made their complexion more youthful. Fans of the cream note that it isn’t greasy and does a great job of making skin feel young!

    TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum

    This TruSkin serum is one of the highest-rated anti-aging cream serums around! Reviewers of this serum note just how young their skin looks thanks to it. The cream uses vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which are noted for their restorative properties. If you’re looking for one of the highest-rated and most-loved anti-aging creams, this is the one for you!

    Over 8,000 reviewers have left 5-star reviews for this one. If you’re looking for a trusted cream to help fight wrinkles, this one is beloved by many faithful users!

    Nu Skin ageLOC Future Serum

    Discover a more youthful appearance, morning and night.  The most advanced anti-ageing product Nu Skin has ever created, ageLOC Future Serum delivers the maximum concentration of ageLOC to the skin. This powerful, clinically tested formula reveals younger looking skin in eight ways, combining the benefits of many different anti-ageing products into a single product. ageLOC Future Serum – for a dramatically younger looking you.


  • 7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Cheap airfare, it’s something we’re all looking for. Finding decent prices on flights can be difficult though. It is human nature to want to travel, to explore your horizons and see new places, or perhaps, to return to the places you once knew.

    Whether you want to visit home or see an exotic location, airline travel is fast, but costs a lot of money. What is the best way for finding cheap airline tickets? How do you even start? Whether you are traveling for work, for vacation, or to visit family or friends, finding cheap airfare can help you save on what’s often the largest expense of your trip.

    If you’re trying to take a trip and keep finding it difficult to get a decent price, you’re probably looking for some new travel hacks to help you save some money. Well, the good news is that we’re here to help. Let’s talk about the best ways to fly for cheap! Read more below to learn about who is offering the best rates at an amazing price $73 and $39 for one-way flights!

    Best Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Compare Airfares

    Airfares vary widely, and discount airfare is out there for those who know where to look. The most important thing is that you make sure to compare airfares. The rates offered by one airline may be much higher or lower than the rates of another. If you use one of the popular travel sites, you can easily compare airfares from different airlines.

    Also, if you have any flexibility in your schedule, try putting different dates into the sites’ ticket finders to see if that makes a difference. For example, currently, Southwest Airlines is offering flights as low as $73, and Delta is offering flights as low as $39 during the holiday season.

    Use Reputable Flight Search Engines

    Some flight search engines actually get a cut from airlines when they help generate sales. That means that you could search for “budget flights” and have normal or even premium flights show up. In order to counter this, use reputable search engines that don’t mislead you. Great options are Skyscanner, Momondo, AirWander and JetRadar. Like we said previously don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best price.

    Get Tickets Early

    Get your tickets early — but not too early. You may think it would be smart to buy tickets six months in advance, but in fact, getting tickets more than five months before you need them may keep you from getting the best fares. Aim for two to four months in advance, if possible. If you can’t plan that far in advance, at least try to avoid the two-week period right before a flight, when ticket prices tend to go up.

    Specialty sites like “air fare watch dog” provide a medium for you to search for deals between two specific locations, and also can send you alerts when prices drop to a much more affordable rate. This is perfect for those who know where they want to travel, just are not too concerned about when. They can snag a great deal and plan their trip once they get that informative e-mail from the website.

    Airport Selection

    Fly in or out of airports that are not in your destination city. If you are flying into New York City, you may be able to get cheaper fares at the Newark airport than you would in New York City’s JFK Airport. If you are going to or from San Francisco, try the Oakland or San Jose airports. Many other cities also have airports that are nearby but outside of the city limits. Flying out of an alternate airport isn’t even necessarily a hardship. For example, If you are going to some parts of Manhattan, ground transportation may get you there faster from Newark than from JFK.

    You will benefit on price, though, because not as many people will think of using the other airports, so the seats won’t sell out as quickly. Always think in terms of supply and demand when trying to find cheap airfare.

    Non-Direct Flights

    Accept a little inconvenience in exchange for a cheaper price. You may be able to save money on long trips by taking routes where you change planes rather than taking a non-stop flight. If you’re not in a hurry, you don’t need to pay a premium for the faster route. Try traveling lighter to avoid the luggage fees that so many airlines are charging now. Be creative in figuring out how to get by with fewer things on your trip.

    Incognito Mode

    Lock up your search history tight and don’t look back. When you start looking at flights and trips, make sure you’re in incognito mode. When you search for flight prices, sites use cookies to track how many times you’ve looked at the flight. Each new time you look, the price goes up. Why? Well, to get you to buy as soon as possible so you “lock in the lowest price.” Yeah, it’s dirty, but you can fight back!

    By browsing incognito, you won’t have any cookies tracking you. This allows you to bypass this dirty trick and get a better price for your flight!

    Find the Cheapest Days to Book

    Try to fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, if possible. Those are often the cheapest days of the week. If possible, avoid Fridays and Sundays, when rates tend to go up. Flying right before a major holiday, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, is going to be very expensive. But if you are able to fly on the day of the holiday itself, you can usually pick up some very cheap fares because not many people want to fly then.


  • Best Razor Deals

    Best Razor Deals

    Save money by ordering razors and cartridges online! As drugstore brand razors continue to go up in price, many consumers have turned to online refill programs to satisfy their shaving needs. In addition to Gillette’s online subscription program, startups like Harry’s and Dollar Shave Club have also carved out niches for themselves in this market.

    Before joining one of these programs, it is always a great idea to find out the pros and cons of each. If you are looking for great deals and a more cost-effective shave experience, look at Harry’s, Dollar Shave Club, and Gillette Shave Club. Their deals are much better than those at your local drug store but make sure you know what you’re getting before you sign up!

    Harry’s

    Harry’s is a pioneer in the online razor industry, offering a free trial period prior to any ordering. They have a variety of different packages available, with great deals on starter sets for $15 or around $25 for additional shave cream. The razors are available in both a sleek, brightly colored plastic model, or in shiny metals depending on your taste. They also offer a variety of different accessories such as pre and post-shaving lotions and toners. This website allows members to order on an as-needed basis or sign up for a subscription that ships out product on a regular schedule. If you opt for the as-needed ordering, they will send you reminder emails around the time that you are likely running low on blades. This is a great option for shavers who are curious about the online refill program but aren’t quite ready to commit.

    Dollar Shave Club

    Dollar Shave Club is a boutique company that was recently sold to consumer goods behemoth, Unilever, for $1 billion dollars! Consumers can choose between monthly delivery or they can receive their razors every other month which is a nice bit of flexibility. For a low price of $6 a month, you can receive a pack of four quad-blade razors. The razors themselves don’t last for a significantly long time, making the four-pack a great choice for guys who shave every other day or less often. There are other programs with a larger number of blades available at higher price points. DSC prides itself on responsive customer service and is known to just “make things right” when there is an issue with delivery or damaged products in a way that many companies don’t do. This is a great program for anyone looking for a good range of products and delivery options.

    Gillette

    Gillette saw the writing on the wall and has entered the subscription razor refill game. While their razors are offered at a much higher price point than their other online program competitors, starting at around $25, it is still a better deal than what you will find at your local drugstore. There are three different plans that are available, giving joiners a choice in razors, and in the frequency of delivery. Subscribers can also order a one-time shipment if they want to check everything out before committing to a subscription.


  • Best Hair Loss Remedies

    Best Hair Loss Remedies

    Hair loss is more than just embarrassing, it’s downright frustrating. It can be absolutely infuriating to watch your appearance change despite your best efforts to prevent it from happening. Did you know that hair loss can be slowed down or even reversed?

    While wearing hats and combing your hair a certain way can help, eventually you have to face the problem head-on. Medication, hair transplants, or natural remedies can help to slow or stop the loss of hair. Hair loss most commonly occurs when the hair follicle shrinks. As the hair grows shorter and thinner, the follicle eventually stops growing new hair. The good news is that while hair no longer grows, the follicles do remain alive. With the help of different treatments, there is the possibility to grow new hair again. If you’re having trouble with hair loss, try some of these hair loss remedies!

    Top Hair Loss Remedies

    Natural Methods

    We recommend starting with simple, natural hair loss remedies. There are a variety of natural remedies you can try out if you’re having trouble with hair loss. Vitamin’s A, E and B are all known to encourage hair growth natural. Omega-3 is also a great natural way to encourage your hair to grow! Saw palmetto is another favorite natural remedy, as is massaging essential oils into the scalp. Finally, simply attempting to reduce your overall stress level, and combing and styling your hair gently, can help your hair grow and stick around!

    Rogaine

    Rogaine is a highly-recommended medicinal treatment for hair loss. Minoxidil, as the drug is clinically called, has a satisfaction guarantee and is said to increase hair growth by 25% in three months. The medicine works over a long period of time, so patience is key! For those willing to stick with it, though, the treatment is said to be highly effective. It’s recommended, even after hair regrowth occurs, that you keep taking the medication to encourage the hair to not fall out again!

    Surgery

    A more extreme measure for those with serious hair loss is transplant surgery. While it might sound drastic, it’s actually rather safe and has a high rate of success. The surgery itself takes four to eight hours, and it’s generally considered rather costly. It’s also not covered by most insurance, meaning it’s usually undertaken as a last resort for those who are unhappy with their hair. That said, if you’ve tried everything and none of it is working, this is a good final option to try out.


  • iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    There has been months of speculation and hype about new iPhone X models rumored to be coming. “Today, we’re going to take iPhone X to the next level,” CEO Tim Cook said during the presentation and unveiling of new iPhone models.

    The iPhone X released last year was a total rethinking of the iPhone with features like Face ID and a edge to edge screen. Anticipation was high among iPhone fans and the day is finally here, and we have all the recaps.  Apple finally took the wraps off its new iPhones, including the iPhone Xs Max, its largest iPhone ever. With 3 new phone announcements, let’s take a look at what makes them different and sort through all the new details and features.

    iPhone Xs and Xs Max

    First off Apple  introduced the 5.8-inch iPhone Xs, which also has an OLED screen. The iPhone Xs is made of surgical-grade steel, is covered in new glass and comes in gold, silver and space gray. With the new A12 chip, more on this later, it allows the storage to be increased to 512 gb. The Xs will have 3 size options, 64gb, 256, or 512gb. The smaller 64gb is cutting a little close these days but 256gb should still be more than enough for 99% of the users out there.

    The iPhone XS will also incorporate more real-world machine learning for features such as augmented reality and FaceTime. The iOS upgrade will also open the door for Siri shortcuts, which users can customize.  For all the Instagram photographers out there the back camera has a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera and 12-megapixel telephoto camera, along with improvements to flash. For the selfie lovers the front camera will feature 7 megapixels.

    Both devices are identical with only one difference, the iPhone Xs is 5.8 inches, the iPhone Xs max is 6.5 inches. There also have been improvements to the overall strength of the glass screen, which is a great improvement for those of us with butter fingers.

    The iPhone XR

    Alongside with the Xs models Apple also revealed it’s midrange iPhone model, the XR.  The XR is the  bargain model that will be more affordable with most of the same features as the Xs. The iPhone XR has an LCD display called liquid retina and it features a 6.1-inch screen. It’s the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus, but with a larger screen because of it’s edge to edge screen.  The iPhone XR will also feature Face ID, and include the A12 Bionic chip like the XS. The big difference among these phones is the back camera: a single 12-megapixel wide-angle camera for the XR. The front camera will feature the same true depth features as the XS.

    On battery life, XR will offer an hour and a half more on one charge than the iPhone 8 Plus. Specs-wise, the XR is notable for matching many of the specs of the new XS, but one notable omission is 3D Touch, which  isn’t available with XR model. 

    While the 6.1-inch display seems large, the reduced bezels above and below the display  will make the XR slightly smaller than a traditional “Plus” iPhone and only slightly larger than the 5.8-inch iPhone XS. The iPhone XR will be available in a variety of colors including black, white, blue, coral, yellow and red.

    Pricing

    The iPhone XR will come in three sizes: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, and start at $749. Pre-orders arrive October 19, and ships October 26. XS available in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB starting at $999. The XS Max will start at $1,099. Both Xs models are available for pre-order immediately with shipping to begin on September 21st.


  • iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    iPhone XS, XS Max and XR Breakdown

    There has been months of speculation and hype about new iPhone X models rumored to be coming. “Today, we’re going to take iPhone X to the next level,” CEO Tim Cook said during the presentation and unveiling of new iPhone models.

    The iPhone X released last year was a total rethinking of the iPhone with features like Face ID and a edge to edge screen. Anticipation was high among iPhone fans and the day is finally here, and we have all the recaps.  Apple finally took the wraps off its new iPhones, including the iPhone Xs Max, its largest iPhone ever. With 3 new phone announcements, let’s take a look at what makes them different and sort through all the new details and features.

    iPhone Xs and Xs Max

    First off Apple  introduced the 5.8-inch iPhone Xs, which also has an OLED screen. The iPhone Xs is made of surgical-grade steel, is covered in new glass and comes in gold, silver and space gray. With the new A12 chip, more on this later, it allows the storage to be increased to 512 gb. The Xs will have 3 size options, 64gb, 256, or 512gb. The smaller 64gb is cutting a little close these days but 256gb should still be more than enough for 99% of the users out there.

    The iPhone XS will also incorporate more real-world machine learning for features such as augmented reality and FaceTime. The iOS upgrade will also open the door for Siri shortcuts, which users can customize.  For all the Instagram photographers out there the back camera has a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera and 12-megapixel telephoto camera, along with improvements to flash. For the selfie lovers the front camera will feature 7 megapixels.

    Both devices are identical with only one difference, the iPhone Xs is 5.8 inches, the iPhone Xs max is 6.5 inches. There also have been improvements to the overall strength of the glass screen, which is a great improvement for those of us with butter fingers.

    The iPhone XR

    Alongside with the Xs models Apple also revealed it’s midrange iPhone model, the XR.  The XR is the  bargain model that will be more affordable with most of the same features as the Xs. The iPhone XR has an LCD display called liquid retina and it features a 6.1-inch screen. It’s the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus, but with a larger screen because of it’s edge to edge screen.  The iPhone XR will also feature Face ID, and include the A12 Bionic chip like the XS. The big difference among these phones is the back camera: a single 12-megapixel wide-angle camera for the XR. The front camera will feature the same true depth features as the XS.

    On battery life, XR will offer an hour and a half more on one charge than the iPhone 8 Plus. Specs-wise, the XR is notable for matching many of the specs of the new XS, but one notable omission is 3D Touch, which  isn’t available with XR model. 

    While the 6.1-inch display seems large, the reduced bezels above and below the display  will make the XR slightly smaller than a traditional “Plus” iPhone and only slightly larger than the 5.8-inch iPhone XS. The iPhone XR will be available in a variety of colors including black, white, blue, coral, yellow and red.

    Pricing

    The iPhone XR will come in three sizes: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, and start at $749. Pre-orders arrive October 19, and ships October 26. XS available in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB starting at $999. The XS Max will start at $1,099. Both Xs models are available for pre-order immediately with shipping to begin on September 21st.


  • 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.

  • DC Universe Streaming Service is Alive

    DC Universe Streaming Service is Alive

    DC has launched their new streaming content app today, DC Universe. The subscription based DC Universe platform offers a slew of DC content for an annual or monthly fee. The service will be $74.99 for an annual subscription, or $7.99 a month. They will be offering original and exclusive content as well. The premiere date for the service’s first live-action original series, “Titans,” is October 12, with each of the 12 episodes released weekly.

    “DC Universe is not an attempt to be everything to everyone,” Jim Lee, CCO of DC Entertainment and a veteran comic book artist said in a press release. “It’s an attempt to be the most immersive experience for fans of the DC characters and stories.”

    You’ve got a punchton of TV shows (live-action and animated), a girthy collection of DC feature films and pretty much all of the DCAU animated movies with you at all times. Somethings I was looking for are not there, but we can get into in a second. As for functionality, it works and its lives. When you click a video, the video plays.

    DC Universe or Just Batman?

    The image quality is adequate, it’s as good as it needs to be. The audio and video are functional, and surprisingly fine. The Dark Knight is featured) in its IMAX aspect ratio, Its truly an amazing cinema accomplishment. Oddly I haven’t seen this movie in a year or two, nice to give it the attention it deserves. I’m excited to go through the troves of content on this app; The Dark Knight, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (it’s the uncut version), The Dark Knight Returns, Lois & Clark, all 4 original Superman movies, The original Wonder Woman series, Birds of Prey, Young Justice and (of course) Batman: The Animated Series. The app works, but it is a little Batman heavy.

    The Final Thought

    It feels like a lot but at the same time a lots missing from the DC Universe. Why isn’t any or all of Arrowverse included? No Recent DC movies, the newest is Dark Knight, which is 10 years old. No Trailers or DC fan boy chat rooms. Why can’t I stream every episode the Batman 66? The comic collection is pretty extensive but focused too much on Batman. This is feeling more like a money grab then the immersive DC app I was hoping for. For those of you wondering, first comics downloaded Aquaman #60 and Batman: A Death in the Family. First Video watched, the impressive original Superman cartoons by Max Fleischer. Happy Batman Day Everybody!