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  • Nintendo’s Famicom Classic Mini Has a Shonen Jump Edition

    Nintendo’s Famicom Classic Mini Has a Shonen Jump Edition

    Nintendo accidentally struck gold with their miniature Classic Edition consoles in 2016. The first, the NES Classic Mini, sold out everywhere so fast that it was being sold at insane markups online. The follow-up console, the SNES Classic Mini, had slightly less distribution issues, but still sold out within a week. Just a few weeks ago, the company restocked both mini consoles, but that wave has also been sold out in most places. All of that is nothing compared to the fervor around one Japanese version of the system, though. The Famicon Classic Mini Shonen Jump Edition is exclusive to Japan, and it sold out in hours.

    What’s in the Box?

    The Shonen Jump edition of the Famicom Classic Mini is largely a different beast than either the NES or Famicom mini consoles While the original versions shipped with hits like Super Mario Bros, Legend of Zelda and Metroid, this one has some oddball choices. Namely, the games in this collection are almost all based on Shonen Jump properties. The manga magazine is mega-popular in Japan, and in the 80’s there were a number of successful licensed tie-ins.

    As such, the games packed into this mini console aren’t the draw for most American collectors. For the most part, they’re all pretty niche. Interestingly, Dragon Quest does make an appearance on this system, as Shonen Jump mainstay Akira Toriyama did the art for that game. However, the system is otherwise loaded with licensed games that are all entirely in Japanese.

    A Famicom Classic Mini with a Shonen Spin

    The Shonen touches filter down to the design of the console itself. It has red and gold trim, making it very flashy and eye-catching. This may be the most alluring aspect to American collectors, as the box looks awesome on a shelf. Hilariously, the controllers are incredibly small on this re-release, as they slot into the tiny Famicom just like the original. This extends to the cords, unfortunately, as they’re comically barely more than a foot long.

    However, most Americans wouldn’t be playing this one too much if they snagged one: all the games are in Japanese. Unless you can read Japanese and have a particular love for 80’s-era Shonen licensed games, you’ll likely find little to do with the library. However, if you do read Japanese, another crack at the first Dragon Quest game would always be welcome!

  • LG Cinebeam 4k Projector Truly Beams

    LG Cinebeam 4k Projector Truly Beams

    The latest tech from the South Korean manufacturer LG is set to embrace the Ultra-HD revolution in its LG Cinebeam 4k Projector, specifically the all-new HU80KA 4K Projector that we saw at CES earlier this year: LG has just released that the portable projector starting at  $2,999.

    The Great

    • Bright
    • Light
    • Beautiful Picture
    • Ultimately Portable
    • Best Value for 4k Screen Size

    The Not

    • Limited Light Lifetime

    The Conclusion

    The LG Cinebeam 4k Projector is LG’s brightest projector yet, able to display a 150-inch picture at 2,500 lumens, while its HD projectors top out at 2,000 lumens. To take advantage of this extra brightness, the HU80KA also supports high dynamic range via HDR10, though unfortunately, Dolby Vision doesn’t appear to be supported. Two built-in 7-watt speakers provide enough audio power in case you’re bringing the projector with you, but you can easily connect it to an external speaker system or sound bar using the optical output, HDMI, or wirelessly via Bluetooth.

     

    The LG Cinebeam 4k Projector is a versatile and beautifully glorious black box. Spunky one-two 7 W speakers that you can choose to hook up to external speakers and sound bars via optical or Bluetooth. Size and weight, this compact package comes in at about 14 pounds, but delivers far above its competition with a stunningly sharp laser engine that projects up to 2,500 lumens, allowing crisp viewing even in bright conditions. Coupled with LG’s innovative Trumotion Technology, the compact box paints an amazing 150″ screen (74″ by 132″) on your wall from 14.1 feet. Do the math, and a screen 70″ or greater can be projected directly on the ceiling. Makes it Nice for viewing in bead but also just adding a nice Star light canopy or thunderstorm right above your bed.

    LG Cinebeam 4k Projector 77 Inch OLED

    Even a mammoth 77-inch OLED is dwarfed by a 150-inch picture, and that’s exactly what the new LG Cinebeam 4k Projector UHD projector brings to the table. Even better, the CineBeam is available now for a price that is close to what you’d expect to pay for a 75-inch 4K TV — not bad for what promises to be one of the best home theater projectors around.

    Not only can the LG Cinebeam 4k Projector deliver a huge picture, but it does so in a compact, portable form that doesn’t require you to find a table or stand for setting it at the exact right height. LG Says, as the projector’s mirrorless I-shaped engine allows the projector to display without problems whether it’s mounted on the wall, hung from the ceiling, or placed on the floor.

     

    The Final Thought

    Will the projector outclass OLED in terms of black levels? Probably not – especially without the aid of more advanced HDR formats like Dolby Vision or HDR10+. But, that said, its portability and price may help LG’s latest beamer beat out the competition in its design class.

  • Worlds Collide in Fortnite’s Fifth Season

    Worlds Collide in Fortnite’s Fifth Season

    Fortnite’s fifth season is now live, following the introduction of a real-world ARG. Recently, the game’s Durr Burger mascot was found in the California desert, having apparently slipped there from the game’s world. Now that the fifth season has kicked off, it seems a number of objects from various places and times have been pulled into the game. Viking ships, giant statues and more now litter the game’s map. In fact, the map has changed pretty dramatically as a result of the rifts.

    News Areas, New Faces in Fortnite’s Fifth Season

    Moisty Mire, everyone’s favorite swamp, has been turned into a sprawling desert. In addition, a number of other changes on the map’s surface have occurred thanks to the rifts. Two new named areas are now in the game: Lazy Links and Paradise Palms. Lazy Links, a resort with a pool, replaces Anarchy Acres, which is no great loss, as Fatal Fields is nearly the same area. Moisty Mire, however, is now the desert locale of Paradise Palms.

    Several new skins are also introduced in the new Battle Pass. The slick-looking, paint-tagging vandal Drift and the Viking Huntress are both unlocked right away with the battle pass, and many more skins away in higher tiers.

    Golf Carts, Rifts and More

    The newest vehicle in the game, the All-Terrain Karts, can seat up to four players and give a considerable speed boost. While Shopping Carts were a cool addition for duos last season, the ATKs give squads of four a new way to travel! The top of the cart functions as a jump pad, too!

    Additionally, the rifts that developed in the sky at the end of last season have now fallen to the earth. If you jump in one, you’ll be teleported elsewhere on the map, where you can then paraglide to safety. This is a great trick for eluding would-be attackers!

    Fortnite is available for free on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and iOS.

  • Movie Roundup: The Coolest Moment from Ant-Man and the Wasp

    Movie Roundup: The Coolest Moment from Ant-Man and the Wasp

    If you haven’t seen Ant-Man and the Wasp yet, consider this your spoiler warning! Major spoilers for the plot of the newest entry in the MCU are ahead! If you haven’t seen it, bookmark this page, go see it, and come back. We’ll wait here for you! For those of you who have already seen it, let’s get down to business. Today we’re going to walk it back and discuss the coolest moments from the movie, from the funny to the touching to the downright awesome!

    Hope’s Fight with Sonny’s Men

    A defining moment early in Ant-Man and the Wasp introduces audience to how badass the Wasp is. One of the best uses for Pym Particles, other than shrinking and growing, is whooping ass. Shrinking down to dodge bullets and thrown knives, Hope evades Sonny’s thugs easily. She then grows back to full size and lays the hurt on them, landing punches just as she finishes returning to full-size. This scene culminates in the appearance of Ghost, and Scott’s attempts to help Hope defeat the newcomer. Ghost’s powers are contrasted with Scott and Hope’s in visually stunning ways, as they phase through each other and shrink to dodge attacks.

    Luis and the “Truth Serum”

    The Drunk History-style storytelling gag from the film’s hilarious sidekick, Luis, returns in the sequel. And to great effect! When bad guy Sonny Burch ambushes Luis and co. at Ex-Conn, he shoots Luis full of something that totally isn’t truth serum. Then, Sonny asks Luis where Scott is, resulting in a free-wheeling, hilarious segment. Luis explains, in detail, how Scott got to where he is, emotionally at least. The scene helps flesh out Scott and Hope’s relationship as much as it makes the audience laugh and break an otherwise tense sequence.

    Scott Goes Big

    The massive chase scene in the third act culminates with Scott going bigger than he ever has. Growing well beyond 60 feet tall, Scott easily dispatches Sonny and takes the micro-sized lab back from him.  However, the strain of being so massive rapidly drains Scott of his energy, and he passes out and falls into the water of the San Francisco Bay. The resulting chaos and Ghost’s sudden appearance push the film into a fast-paced climax as the heroes race to save Hank and Janet from the Quantum Realm.

    Coolest Ant-Man and the Wasp Moment: Scott’s Uncertain Fate in the Quantum Realm

    After the main conflict has been resolved, Scott’s house arrest is lifted and his relationship with the Pym family is restored. What’s more, Team Ant-Man seems to be on good terms with Ghost, going so far as to help her healing process. Scott is sent to the Quantum Realm by the Pym family to harvest healing particles for Ghost in the post-credits scene. After gathering the particles, Scott radios back to the team, signaling them to pull him back to full-size. However, he’s greeted by static.

    The camera then pans to show us what remains of the Pym family: ashes on the wind. Thanos’ victory in Infinity War has occurred, trapping Scott in the Quantum Realm and leaving us with questions. How will Scott return to the real world? What roll will Ant-Man and Ghost play in Avengers 4? And will the Quantum Realm be the key to undoing the damage Thanos has done? We’ll find out next year, when Avengers 4 comes out!

  • Moviepass Updates

    Moviepass Updates

    MoviePass has revolutionized the Theater and Movie industry in the last year. From a mere 20,000 subscribers last summer to just tipping in at over 3 million in a year. This isn’t a good idea or novel service. No this is a revolution to a tanking industry. For years where have heard movie studios complain that people aren’t opting in for theaters instead utilizing their home theater system and attendance is down. Well now 3 million people are subscribe to unlimited trips to the movie theaters. The Tides are changing and Moviepass is leading the way.

    We have all heard the stories that Moviepass is failing. Its going broke and its not a sustainable venture. This will blossom, Movie theaters and studios are going to have to vi for movie passes 3 million theater goes. Concessions will be made, and also consumed. This will bring about a surge of independent movies that 3 million people will go to just because they can.

    We know hates will hate, and much like Mel Gibson, Moviepass poses a threat to the age old movie business. Well adapt or die. With each change or update we see a slew of bad media. Lets take a quick look that Moviepass’s latest subscription changes

    MoviePass Surge Pricing.

    MoviePass told customers that its Peak Pricing model will trigger whenever there is a lot of demand for a movie or showtime. For example, a subscriber who wants to see a popular evening showing of the latest “Avengers” movie might be warned by the MoviePass app that he or she will have to pay a few extra dollars to book a ticket.

    Moviegoers will also be told when a particular showtime does not yet have an added fee, but is growing in demand and could have one soon, according to an email sent to customers.

    We have yet to see what these price hikes will be but they don’t scare me. Moviepass is saving me a lot of money we can all spare a few bucks back if urgency to see a movie hits.

    “Peak Pricing goes into effect when there’s high demand for a movie or showtime,” MoviePass told subscribers. “You may be asked to pay a small additional fee depending on the level of demand. You can avoid the surcharge by selecting a different showtime or movie. Over the coming weeks we’ll also be introducing Peak Pass, which will allow you to waive one peak fee per month.”

    Bring a Friend and Premium IMAX and 3D Movies

    The company is also planning to roll out two new features later in the summer: a bring-a-friend option, which the company has been toying with for some time, and a premium price option to see movies in IMAX or Real 3D.

    With bring-a-friend, there will be an option on the app for  subscribers to add a ticket for a moviegoer who doesn’t have MoviePass. That added ticket will cost “somewhere near the retail price of the ticket,” Lowe said. The app will allow the MoviePass user to choose a seat for both people if assigned seating is available in a theater.

    The Final Thought

    I have just one last thing to say for all you opportunist, Helios and Matheson Analytics, Moviepass parent company is trading at just  $0.18 per share today. Moviepass will pop, just like the popcorn at the theater.

  • The Ten Best Game Boy Advance Games

    The Ten Best Game Boy Advance Games

    To gamers in their mid- to late- twenties, the Game Boy Advance was a big deal in our childhood. The GBA was a 32-bit system, and many considered it to be a golden era for handheld gaming. In much the way that the Super Nintendo revolutionized home console gaming, the GBA was a renaissance of those same design principals. Many genres were represented in the fantastic library of games, but RPGs and side-scrolling platformers were foremost among them. In the interest of reigniting that old spark of nostalgia, let’s count down the ten greatest Game Boy Advance games of all time.

    Metroid: Fusion

    Photo Credit: Nintendo

    We’re kicking things off with the game that brought the Metroid series out of a ten-year slumber (alongside Metroid Prime). While Metroid Prime proved to be a bit more traditional, narratively, Fusion took the franchise into some interesting places. The mechanics were largely an evolution of what had been seen in Super Metroid a decade earlier, with some new twists. The storyline, however, saw Samus gaining autonomy back after being under the thumb of the Federation. An all-around excellent and cinematic title, Fusion was a welcome return to form for the bounty hunter.

    WarioWare Inc: Mega Microgame$!

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    Frenetic, fast-paced and ridiculous, Mega Microgames was the first entry in the WarioWare series. The player is faced with a rapid-fire series of ridiculous vignettes that they have to complete in a matter of seconds. Hilarious, reflex-based and irreverent, the game constantly moves the player from one ridiculous setting to the next. The series’ trademark humor is on display is this excellent entry, bringing constant fun and laughs.

    Advance Wars

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    The quirky, charming world of Advance Wars was first introduced to American audiences in 2001. This turn-based military strategy game has a cute art style, tight mechanics and a robust suite of game modes. The game proved popular with Americans, surprising Nintendo and prompting them to release a number of sequels. While none ever quite lived up to the sales and reception of the original, Advance Wars remains a fan-favorite game. There’s something about out-maneuvering your opponent and winning on the grand scale that’s just so satisfying!

    Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga

    Photo Credit: Polygon

    Without a doubt, Mario and Luigi is one of the funniest video games ever released. If you play this game, you will laugh. The villains are delightful, the gameplay is well-tuned, and the world is inviting. Everything about this game tells you that loving attention to detail went into making it. The active-time battle system from sister series Paper Mario appears here, as well, and is just as fun. The active-time inputs make the combat more engaging that traditional RPGs, allowing you to add your own flair to the battles. While the series has spawned many sequels, the original remains the golden standard.

    Fire Emblem

    Photo Credit: Emuparadise

    The second entry on this list from Intelligent Systems, Fire Emblem is something of a medieval version of Advance Wars. Similarly, while it was the seventh entry in the series, the GBA game was the first American release for the long-running franchise. The GBA version was released largely due to increased interest in Fire Emblem drummed up by the fighting game Super Smash Bros Melee, in which characters from Fire Emblem appear. For its part, though, Fire Emblem is an excellent tactical turn-based RPG. Characters who die stay dead in these games, meaning every battle has deeply personal stakes. Friendships grow, relationships blossom and fighters level up, so losing someone is always a heavy blow to sustain.

    Metroid: Zero Mission

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    After the ten-year drought of Metroid games, fans of the series received an embarrassment of riches. After the superb Metroid Prime and Fusion, this brilliant re-imagining of the first game blew everyone away. Zero Mission is the quintessential Metroid game, featuring a huge, maze-like labyrinth, unlockable powers and endless ambiance. The oppressive halls and dangerous locales become killing fields for Samus as she upgrades her suit and masters her powers. The game remains a fan-favorite for speed runs and is a testament to how much of a renaissance this era was for 32-bit games.

    Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    The second game released in the long-running Kingdom Hearts franchise, Chain of Memories used a unique card-battle system for combat. As a fusion of the series’ trademark action-RPG combat and deck-building, Chain of Memories was a deeply fascinating Game Boy experience. Featuring a deep, conspiratorial tale centering around a shadowy “Organization,” the game pleasantly flips to reveal a deep “B-Side” after the credits roll. After defeating the main antagonists as Sora, players can play through another story as Riku, the series’ secondary protagonist and one of the villains from the first game. Packed full of content, animated with loving care and deeper than many AAA games of the era, Chain of Memories is a tour de force for Square.

    Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    Somehow, Game Boy Advance Games managed to keep outdoing themselves time and again. After the excellent Symphony of the Night, many believed there would never be another Castlevania to live up to that pedigree. They were wrong. Aria of Sorrow is one of the greatest games in the series, introducing the setting to a new era in time: the future. The protagonist, Soma, is a likable and badass kid with the power to trap enemy souls and use their powers. The world map is non-linear, and progression is RPG-like and satisfying. The boss fights are intense and challenging, and the enemy designs are genuinely scary and unsettling. I daresay this is the finest Castlevania game, and more evidence of what a rare system the GBA was.

    Golden Sun

    Photo Credit: Pinterest

    Golden Sun is that rare game that seeks to emulate a great and outdoes it. Camelot, the studio behind this masterpiece, wanted to deliver an experience like the original Final Fantasy. And, certainly, Golden Sun wears that inspiration proudly. It features four warriors who seek to purify four lighthouses to save the world. However, it also features great puzzles, a deep story and genuinely engaging characters. Its sequels are also excellent, which is rare for games from this era. An epic scope, some incredible summoning animations and genuinely intense boss battles make this one of the finest turn-based RPGs ever made.

    The Best of All Game Boy Advance Games: The Legend of Zelda: the Minish Cap

    Photo Credit: Nintendo

    The finest of all Game Boy Advance games, Minish Cap follows in the example of excellent handheld Zelda adventures set by games like Link’s Awakening. Oddly, this entry was developed by Capcom, not Nintendo, but it’s still a fantastic core series title. Following the backstory of Four Swords antagonist Vaati, this adventure takes place in a distant past. Link find an odd talking hat that allows him to shrink and see the world from a new perspective. In his tiny size, normal enemies like Chu Chu Jellies become full-scale dungeon bosses. Brimming with charm and featuring a delightful world to explore, Minish Cap encompasses everything that makes Zelda game so damn fun.

  • Tech Throwback: The IBM PC Personal Computer

    Tech Throwback: The IBM PC Personal Computer

    I like to take a look at where I’ve been to evaluate where Im going. Technology is cyclical after all… wait no its not. That said I still like all the feels that come rushing back like a flood of nostalgia every time I get my hand on the tech I grew up with. Im going to go back periodically and take a looking at the stuff that used to blow our hair back and get our minds rolling. Some of these device blew up and changed the world, some where ahead of their time and some just fell flat and became colossal failures. Today we have The Original IBM PC.

    IBM Personal Computer, also known as the IBM PC . While it wasn’t the first computer that didn’t have to be housed in a separate room. It was the first to be built and consecrated by Big Blue itself, legitimizing the whole concept. It was created by a team of engineers and designers in Boca Raton, Florida, in the early 1980s. The rest, as you know, is history.

     

    International Business Machines (IBM), one of the world’s largest companies was up to something and we all just knew it.  In the late 1970s the new personal computer industry was dominated by the Commodore PET, Atari 8-bit family, Apple II, Tandy Corporation’s TRS-80, and various CP/M machines. With $150 million in sales by 1979 and projected annual growth of more than 40% in the early 1980s, the microcomputer market was large enough for IBM’s attention.

    In 1980 and 1981 rumors spread of an IBM personal computer, perhaps a miniaturized version of the IBM System/370. The IBM Personal Computer (“PC”) was not as powerful as many of the other personal computers it was competing against at the time of its release. The simplest configuration has only 16K on-board RAM and uses an audio cassette to load and save data – the floppy drive was optional, and a hard drive was not supported.

    A basic system for home use attaches to an audio tape cassette player and a television set (that means no floppy drives or video monitor) sold for approximately $1,565. PC-DOS, the operating system, was not available on cassette, so this basic system is only capable of running the Microsoft BASIC programming language, which is built-in and included with every PC.

    Powering Back Up the IBM PC

    Im not sure what I was expecting. I remember being bored using my Dads and it didn’t really do anything cool. That didn’t stop me from entering any number of absurd command in the command prompt. I spent the next 15 mins repeating this childhood obsession. C:>Cancel School, C:> Where are my shoes?, C:> PRINT Money. C:> Make Robot. That was fun..

    Now its on to Leather goddess of Phobos. It was the only game I could remember and Im not sure why my parents let me play it. Its been a long time since i played one of these text adventure games. They seem to be gaining some hipster popularity back after Ready Player One. I forgot how tedious and boring not to mention for the spelling impaired annoying. But Basic, there is always Basica. This I still enjoy, creating and problem solving on a high level for a basic out put.

     

    The Final Thought

    I learned a lot about progress in my time with the IBM PC, both in 1986 and now. Its fascinating to see how far we have come in a very short amount of time. The IBM wasn’t the best option for a PC at the time, it lacked some of the innovations The Commador and HP’s had. This IBM PC’s success sparked my generations programmers to get us here. This is the computer all us kids got our hands on and that makes it special.

  • Sonic Mania Plus Gives Extra Life to Best Sonic Game in Years

    Sonic Mania Plus Gives Extra Life to Best Sonic Game in Years

    Last year’s Sonic Mania blew the doors off the losing streak Sega’s blue mascot has been on for decades. With the exception of a few middling-to-okay platformers, Sonic has been struggling to find his identity in a world without Sega consoles. However, the fan-led development of Sonic Mania has brought the character back to his roots. A year later, and it’s still one of the best things to ever happen to the series. What’s more, Sega has promised a beefed-up re-release later this month. The re-release, titled Sonic Mania Plus, introduces some new content and will be available digitally and physically.

    Sonic Mania Plus: Fresh Content for a Fresh Game

    The new Plus version of the game includes some interesting new content. First, the new Encore game mode remixes a number of the world from the base game. These remixes range from feeling like entirely new levels to some minor tweaks. For the most part, the minor changes are excuses to show off the powers of the new characters. Mighty the Armadillo and Jay the Flying Squirrel join the cast, each bringing their own special abilities. Mighty can ground-pound to damage enemies or open hidden passages. Jay can fly at high speeds, but is hard to control, much like the cape from Super Mario Bros 3. Both new characters are playable in the base game as well as Encore mode!

    Pricing and Release

    Sonic Mania Plus will be launching on July 17th in two forms: one physical, and the other digital. The physical copy will be $30 and comes with an art book. This is great for gamers who prefer to have hard-copies of their games, ensuring they aren’t tied to servers or updates to be playable. For those who already own a digital copy of the original Mania, though, the update is only $5. That brings the total to $25 overall for those who just want the digital copy of the game.

    In either event, this is a great deal. If you haven’t tried the game yet, we recommend the physical copy. The gorgeous box art and art book, coupled with the bonus of owning the game, are worth five more bucks. Alternatively, if you own the game already, spending five dollars to get the new characters and remixed single-player is a no-brainer. Either way, you have to check out this new release!

  • Fortnite’s Durr Burger has Appeared in the California Desert

    Fortnite’s Durr Burger has Appeared in the California Desert

    A strange ARG has begun in advance of the fifth season of Fortnite. A few weeks ago, an in-game even led to a rocket launch that then caused a series of temporal rifts. Following the appearance of the rifts, some have grown considerably. The rifts have also begun to absorb certain notable landmarks from around the map. One such landmark, the large Durr Burger mascot from the Greasy Grove area, has appeared somewhere else. Nowhere in the Fortnite world, mind you, but somewhere in the real world.

    Durr Burger Sighting

    The dumb-looking mascot for the fictional Durr Burger restaurant was spotted by photographer Sela Shiloni, who is not a gamer. Shiloni was understandably a bit freaked out by the presence of a giant, googly-eyed burger with a lolling tongue. After spotting it and posting it to various social media sites, Fornite players quickly informed the photographer that he had found the missing burger! A bit of digging on Google maps yielded coordinates for the burger. Since, several streamers and enthusiasts have traveled to the location to see what’s going on.

    At the site, they are greeted by “secret agents” who encourage the tourists to stay back. The area is an anomaly, visitors are told, and it could be dangerous. Some are given promo codes for Fortnite goodies. Others are given a phone number to call; the number plays an odd, garbled version of the rift sound from the game.

    Future Items to Appear in Our World?

    The giant burger mascot will likely not be the only Fortnite landmark appearing in the real world. The fifth season of the game will begin in earnest tomorrow, and with it we expect to see some major changes in the world map. The rift in the sky over the map has grown larger every day since it appeared, and that will likely come to a head at the start of season five. What this means for the future of Fortnite, and for the ARG that seems to be developing in our own world, remains to be seen. Either way, we’ll be sure to see you on the battlefield!

  • Netflix to Stop Offering User Reviews

    Netflix to Stop Offering User Reviews

    After July 30th, Netflix users will no longer be able to write reviews for shows on the website. After August, you won’t be able to read any pre-existing reviews, either. Netflix broke this news recently and stated that the reason behind it was lack of interest in the feature. According to the streaming company, users have used the user reviews function less and less as time has gone on. As such, they don’t see a reason to support the feature any longer.

    User Reviews Going the Way of the 5-Star Review

    Those who used Netflix before last summer may remember the old review system being on a 5-star scale. Last year, however, Netflix replaced that system with a simpler thumbs-up, thumbs-down system. The Pandora Radio-like thumbs system resulted in a 200 percent increase in positive reviews, according to Netflix. The streaming company reported that the thumbs system led to better profile matching and show suggestions for users. As such, there’s good precedence for Netflix trimming functionality that is no longer useful from the service.

    Lack of Support

    The user review function wasn’t the most well-supported function on the service, for what it’s worth. The reviews could only be accessed or written through the desktop version of the site. Apps on phone, Roku and Smart TV platformers didn’t have access to the feature. As such, the declining usage can likely be ascribed to people not being aware of it. In truth, if Netflix was interested in users writing reviews on their shows, they would have made the function easier to access.

    That said, Netflix was never considered a review platform. It seems unlikely anyone will be too disappointed by this news. It makes sense, following Netflix’s pattern of trimming features that don’t serve the core experience of watching TV and movies. The company has offered no suggestions as to whether any new features will replace the written reviews, though it seems unlikely.