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  • Ten Biggest Changes in Super Smash Bros Ultimate

    Ten Biggest Changes in Super Smash Bros Ultimate

    Super Smash Bros Ultimate is just around the corner, releasing on December 7th. As it stands, we’re incredibly excited for the massive overall that the ultimate entry in this storied series. While this is the 5th entry in the long-running franchise, it looks poised to shake things up in a big way. Why is everyone so excited, you may ask? Well, let’s answer that by looking at the ten biggest changes in Super Smash Bros Ultimate! These are the ten ways this new entry improves upon its predecessors.

    Ten Biggest Changes in Super Smash Bros Ultimate

    smashbrosfeatured

    Boss Characters

    Photo Credit: Too Much Gaming

    The first big change coming to the newest version of the game is the introduction of boss characters. While Brawl had boss characters in its single-player campaign, the Subspace Emissary, Ultimate has a different take. It seems like the boss characters can randomly appear on certain stages. Notable bosses include Rathalos, from Monster Hunter, and Dracula, of Castlevania fame.

    Perfect Shield

    Photo Credit: Smashpedia

    A new layer of tactical depth is coming to the game by way of the Perfect Shield. This technique allows a defensive player to take an offensive player off their pattern. By releasing the shield button right as an attack lands, you’ll stagger your attacker. This gives you a second to really bring the pain!

    Faster Duels

    Photo Credit: Inverse

    One-on-one duels are rarely a quick affair in Smash. In fact, we’d go so far as to say, in previous games, they were sort of a slog. Thankfully, this time around the duels will be much faster. In one-on-one battles, damage and launch power will be increased. This allows for the fights to stay quick and tense without speeding up big, chaotic multiplayer battles.

    Battlefield Stages

    Photo Credit: Smash Bros

    In the fourth entry, Smash Bros for Wii U, there was an option for “Omega” stages. Omega stages turn the stage into a version of Final Destination, the totally flat arena. Now, Omega stages are joined by Battlefield stages. Battlefield is a neutral stage that includes three platforms and a wide, flat plane. This game has something for everyone!

    Directional Air Dodge and Short Hops

    Photo Credit: Giant Bomb

    New movement abilities are a win-win for a game like Smash. Introducing high-level concepts like movement manipulation and gap closing to more casual players is good for everyone! As such, the new directional air dodge mechanic is a huge step in the right direction. Likewise, short hops, which are fast, aerial gap closers that incorporate a short attack, have been baked into every character’s moveset.

    Dash Canceling

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    Another advanced movement technique that’s been baked into the base mechanics is dash canceling. This is the technique by which you cancel a dash with a smash attack on the move. It looks cool, saves you frames and puts you on the offensive!

    Character Meters, etc.

    Photo Credit: Smashpedia

    A general quality of life update, this new feature is much requested. Characters’ unique meters and mechanics are being streamlined and added to their character portraits. Examples include Cloud’s Limit Meter, Shulk’s Monado Arts and Robin’s Spell Meter. These are neat, helpful little upgrades to the UI that make the more complex characters more easily visually identified. Great little touches, gang!

    Lead Indicator

    Photo Credit: Science Fiction

    It’s often hard to tell who’s in the lead in a chaotic Smash battle. Between the flashy effects, crazy combat and wacky items, the leader can get lost in the shuffle. In Ultimate, however, that’s changing: now, the person in the lead will have a flashing golden symbol to indicate how they’re doing. This works like a target on the back of whoever is doing the best. If you’re going to be on top, get ready for the heat!

    Stage Selection

    Photo Credit: Reddit

    This is a huge change! Stage selection comes before character select now! That’s a huge change from previous games. As you well know, different characters are stronger on different stages. As such, this change adds a huge amount of tactical depth to character selection. Do you go with your better character, or the one more well-suited to the chosen map? These changes have us itching to jump into the game!

    Everyone is Here

    Photo Credit: CNET

    That’s right: every single character for each previous iteration of Smash Bros is here! That’s a huge roster of playable fighters. Wolf, Pichu, Snake and other characters from past games are making comebacks. Additionally, several characters with weird rights issues, like Mega Man, Pac Man and Sonic are back in the mix. We’re excited for this huge roster, which is joined by the likes of Ridley, King K. Rool, Simon and Richter Belmont and the Squid Kids from Splatoon! The list just goes on and on!

  • Flop Ten: Worst Marvel Video Games of all Time

    Flop Ten: Worst Marvel Video Games of all Time

    When it comes to superheroes and awesome stories, no one beats Marvel. However, their characters don’t always translate beautifully to video games. While some of their video games have been awesome (Spider-Man 2 comes to mind) others have been downright awful. Today, we’re taking a look at the worst Marvel video games of all time!

    Worst Marvel Video Games of all Time

    Uncanny X-Men 1989

    Photo Credit: Defunct Games
    NES games weren’t well-known for their stellar graphics, but usually you could at least tell where you were able to walk. This ill-conceived X-Men title barely functions as a game, let alone an X-Men game. A generic, top-down shooter, the worst part of this game is how bland it is. Even selecting different X-Men characters barely changes the gameplay and functions more like a palette swap.

    Iron Man 2008

    Photo Credit: The Astute Gamer

    Tie-in games with Marvel films rarely fare too well with critics. This 2008 Iron Man tie-in is no exception. Featuring odd voice work and weird character models, this game is entirely awkward. Gameplay is stiff and far too easy, resulting in fights with no tension or drama. For how awesome the movie was, this game is a disappointing adaptation!

    Spider-Man 1982

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    Spider-Man has been the start of countless video games throughout the years. This early-80’s game, released for the Atari, was one of his earliest appearances on a home system. Unfortunately, it’s also a buggy, frustrating mess. The gameplay is repetitive, featuring Spidey trying to land pixel-perfect web shots to climb buildings. Instead of, you know, just climbing up them with his superpower. The best thing about this awful game is its hilarious cheesy commercial.

    Punisher No Mercy

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    The term “uninspired” is overused in video game criticism, but it’s so often exactly what a game is. This bland shooter has all the charm of a Call of Duty title without the polished mechanics or engaging gunplay. Without a solid narrative to pin down the single player campaign, you’re left with just the multiplayer. Sadly, even anything more interesting than a CTF mode or King of the Hill is missing in this boring 2009 shooter. Oh well, maybe Frank’s next game will be a winner!

    Incredible Hulk 2008

    Photo Credit: Gamepressure

    For how awesome the MCU is, it had its fair share of terrible game tie-ins early on. The Hulk, for his part, controls like a slab of green meat on ice skates. Punching enemies is dull and makes nearly no impact. Destroying environments in repetitive missions isn’t fun or satisfying the way it should be. You feel less like an unstoppable force of nature than like a kid in a fake cardboard town. Everything is just so… flat.

    Thor, God of Thunder

    Photo Credit: NY Daily News

    Thor is awesome, and so was his first movie outing in the MCU. Unfortunately, as was the case for all MCU game tie-ins, it’s middling at best. Combat is stiff, and the camera actively fights the player. Missions are rarely explained well, and the player is often left lost or stumbling. The narrative, which vaguely follows the film’s plot, is convoluted and hard to keep up with. Really, this one isn’t so much bad as it is overly mediocre. This one’s better off left with the blown-up remains of Old Asgard.

    Fantastic Four 1997

    Photo Credit: Forces of Geek

    For being as awesome as they are, the FF sure do get crapped on a lot outside of comics. The four awful films they’ve been crammed into and this stinker of a game haven’t done the team any favors. In this side-scrolling beat-em-up, you control one of the four members of the team. It doesn’t really matter which one, as they’re all identical in game, despite their vastly different powers. The enemies have far too much health, the levels go on forever and boredom comes standard. If you can make it through this slug-fest you’ve got the patience of a saint.

    Silver Surfer 1990

    Photo Credit: YouTube
    Speaking of games that try your patience, here’s one that does so for a very different reason. Silver Surfer, much like the Fantastic Four, has not gotten a fair shake outside of comics. He’s a cool character: tragically flawed, tormented and endearing. His video game adaptation, however, is an overly-difficult, cluttered mess. Each level is rife with obstacles that only become apparent after they kill you. The core gameplay isn’t awful, but it’s hardly worth slogging through the absurd difficulty curve.

    Amazing Spider-Man 2

    Photo Credit: YouTube

    ASM2 was effectively the emblem of superhero film mediocrity. Sony dropped the ball in numerous ways with the film, one of which was the equally middling video game tie-in. This game wouldn’t exactly be described as bad, per se. Instead, it’s disappointing for how close it comes to being good. The end product, however, feels like a stitched-together series of half-finished gameplay concepts. Thankfully, the 2018 Insomniac take on the wall-crawler has come to wash the bad taste of this one out of our mouths!

    X-Men Destiny

    Photo Credit: IGN

    The most disappointing Marvel game of them all, however, is the abysmal X-Men Destiny. Hailed as revolutionary before release, the game promised a lot. One such promise was a custom player character. Another promise held that the narrative would change based on player decisions.

    However, upon release, these claims were found to be greatly exaggerated. The game’s story is boring and player choice is near meaningless. What’s worse, player characters are selected from pre-generated templates instead of being original creations. That’s really the opposite of what fans were excited for with this one. Since its release, X-Men fans are cautious when it comes to any video game rumors or speculation.

  • Best Iron Fist Comics Arcs

    Best Iron Fist Comics Arcs

    Iron Fist Season 2 is upon us, and, if you’re like us you’ve likely already binged the whole thing. Hey, that’s cool! Nothing wrong with watching your favorite shows at a fast pace! If you’re still dying for more Iron Fist, though, we’ve got the article for you. Today we’re counting down the best Iron Fist Comics Arcs! This is essential reading for the Defender of K’un Lun, so dig in and enjoy the ride!

    Best Iron Fist Comics Arcs

    Marvel

    10. The Origin

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    When Roy Thomas and Gil Kane introduced Iron Fist it was in the pages of Marvel Premiere. The issues in question: #15-#16. This tale sets down the original take on K’un Lun, Danny’s tragic backstory and his return to New York to take vengeance on Harold Meachum. While many aspects of this first tale have been retconned now, it remains a hilariously awesome, campy romp from the Silver Age of comics. If you want to see how it all started, start here!

    9. Power Man and Iron Fist #79

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    This one is just plain weird. Danny and Luke fight some Daleks. But they’re not called Daleks, they’re called Dredlox. No, seriously! The Bronze age was really, really weird. But we got some hilariously awesome comics out of it, so that’s a win, right!

    8. Power Man and Iron Fist #74-#75

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    In what may be the most enduring PM&IF story, the Heroes for Hire go to a strange new world. The heroes are tricked by the vicious Master Khan into jumping into a portal and end up fighting one of the toughest battles of their lives. We don’t want to spoil too much: you should check this tale out!

    7. 7 Capital Cities of Heaven

    Photo Credit: David Aja

    When it comes to martial arts stories, none are more iconic than the tournament. In this sweeping, awesome tale from the Brubaker and Fraction run, the 7 capitals of the heavens each send their mightiest warriors to K’un Lun. Danny, of course, represents K’un Lun himself, and faces off against superpowered badasses from across the cosmos. It’s epic, it’s awesome and it’s Iron Fist. This one played out in the pages of Immortal Iron Fist #8-#14.

    6. Iron Fist #1-#7

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    Before Chris Claremont went on to blow the doors off of the X-Men franchise, he helmed some of the most defining stories in the early days of Iron Fist. When he first got his ongoing series, Danny kicked things off with a splashy battle against none other than Tony Stark! This tale also heavily features Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, names that will surely be familiar to fans of Marvel’s Netflix shows.

    5. Iron First/Wolverine: The Return of K’un Lun’

    Photo Credit: Marvel

    Believe it or not, Wolverine and Iron Fist have a lot more in common than you’d think. For instance, Sabretooth, Logan’s most enduring nemesis, first debuted way back in Iron Fist #14. Another connecting issue for the Immortal Iron Fist and the angry Canadian comes by way of the excellent Iron Fist/Wolverine crossover. In this awesome story, K’un Lun’s reappearance coincides with Danny losing his powers and fighting the Hand. It’s really all you can ask for from an Iron Fist story!

    4. Power Man and Iron Fist #50

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    The fiftieth issue of Power Man got a name change to headline the new team-up, and what a team-up it was. This major crossover would go on to define both characters for years after. While the two have gone on to crazy adventures apart, their team-ups are always reminiscent of these awesome glory days. I mean, come on, who has a better catchphrase than “Sweet Christmas”?

    3. Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1-#12

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    The darkest and most vulnerable Iron Fist story ever penned, the Living Weapon gives a new edge to the mythos of K’un Lun. Here, we see sides of Danny we never thought we would, and the tale takes some crazy twists. In many ways, this run, as well as the Immortal Iron Fist, helped define who Danny is for modern audiences.

    Power Man and Iron Fist 2016

    Photo Credit: Marvel

    This short-lived but awesome series is a revival of the old name and team-up that defined the characters throughout the Bronze age. If you’re looking for a fun, light read that highlights just how likable Danny and Luke are, here it is. This breezy, butt-kicking comic is a blast from start to finish. Seeing these two old friends getting back to business is as cool as it gets.

    “The Last Iron First Story”

    Photo Credit:  Amazon

    The first arc of the exceptional Brubaker/Fraction run lasted from Immortal Iron Fist #1-6. This one introduced the previous Iron Fist, Orson Randall, a name that should be familiar to those who have watched Season 2. Introducing a legacy of Iron Fists and expanding the mythos, this story helped to define who Iron Fist is in the modern age.

  • Top Ten Comic Book Anti-Heroes

    Top Ten Comic Book Anti-Heroes

    You know what they say: crime never pays. These comic book anti-heroes aren’t exactly villains, but you wouldn’t call them heroes either. Sometimes they do things for their own benefit that happen to help people. Other times they fight for good, but believe the ends justify the means. In either case, there’s only one word for them: anti-heroes. Today, we’re looking at the ten coolest comic book anti-heroes.

    Top Ten Comic Book Anti-Heroes

    10. Harley Quinn

    Photo Credit: Pinterest

    Originally introduced as a pawn of the Joker and a straight-up villain, this character has undergone a bit of a metamorphosis. She’s been on the Suicide Squad, a team of villains that are compelled to work as heroes by bomb collars around their necks. Harley’s also been known to show something of a moral code, even if it is warped. That most tragic part of her story is how she became so unhinged. Originally, she was the Joker’s therapist at Arkham, but he warped her mind with his deranged ramblings.

    9. Gambit

    Photo Credit: Splash Report

    The Louisiana-born Ragin’ Cajun is as much a charming rogue as he is a heroic X-Man. Gambit’s mutation allows him to imbue objects with kinetic energy and then detonate them. His preferred method of delivery for this power is playing cards. His Cajun accent and bad-boy swagger lend him a unique feel amongst X-Men characters. He was raised by the Thieves’ Guild and referred to as “the White Devil,” so anti-hero is a fitting title for him.

    8. Elektra

    Photo Credit: Quora

    Well-known for her tumultuous past with Matt Murdock, Elektra is equal parts ninja, assassin and badass. Her background with the Hand and other dangerous elements in the Marvel Universe makes her a unique part of Daredevil’s mythos. She often clashes with Matt over his uncompromising morals. In the end, though, her heart is in the right place.

    7. Red Hood

    Photo Credit: Instructables

    Jason Todd was brutally murdered by the Joker. Some complicated stuff happened, and he was resurrected. Upon being brought back to life, Todd sought vengeance for his untimely and brutal death. Originally, he blamed Batman for not killing the Joker when he had the chance. In order to make sure no one suffers the same fate he did, Todd dons the mask of the Red Hood. As Red Hood, he brutally kills criminals to make the world a better place.

    6. Spawn

    Photo Credit: Comic Book

    Spawn is a quintessential anti-hero. Originally a soldier, he is betrayed by his unit and killed by his own best friend. Upon reaching the afterlife, he finds he is damned to hell for killing innocents as a soldier. However, he is granted demonic powers and allowed back to earth to see his wife and family. When he returns to earth, he turns his wrath upon the wicked. And it is awesome.

    5. Ghost Rider

    Photo Credit: Nerdist

    Another superhero powered by hellfire, Ghost Rider is the very spirit of vengeance. Johnny Blaze was given a choice by Mephistopheles: save his father’s soul in exchange for his own. Now empowered by hellish magic, Johnny rides through the night, meting out vengeance and generally looking awesome. If you’re a fan of demons and motorcycles, Ghost Rider might just be your jam. Johnny’s successors, Danny Ketch and Robbie Reyes, are also pretty awesome and you should check them out too.

    4. Judge Dredd

    Photo Credit: Geek Tyrant

    Originally appearing in the British anthology comic 2000 AD, Dredd is the foremost of a law enforcement agency known as Judges. In the dystopian nightmare that is Mega-City One, Dredd is the embodiment of totalitarian law. As judge, jury and executioner, Dredd rides through the sprawling metropolis, meting out justice and protecting the innocent. While he does technically save the day, his methods are unflinchingly brutal. We almost don’t want to call this guy a hero…

    3. Venom

    Photo Credit: IMDb

    Venom, the fusion of an alien symbiote and Eddie Brock, is a complex entity. Referring to itself as “we,” Venom thinks of itself as a hybrid of its constituent parts. The monstrous creature clashes with Peter Parker constantly, but that doesn’t mean he’s inherently a villain. In fact, Venom is something of a hero when the mood strikes him, as he has a strong sense of (warped) morality. If you’re in trouble and you see black tendrils ensnare your assailant, don’t ask questions. Just run, and be thankful Venom was feeling charitable.

    2. Deadpool

    Photo Credit: Uproxx

    The Merc with the Mouth himself, Deadpool is the very definition of an anti-hero. Cursed with a combination of a powerful healing factor and debilitating cancer, Deadpool is horrendously ugly and endlessly witty. The red-clad mercenary is also absolutely insane, often breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience directly. His cartoony shenanigans often lead to vicious, unneeded bloodshed, although he really does mean well. Well, sometimes. At the very least, he isn’t evil… we think.

    1. Punisher

    Photo Credit: MCU Wiki

    The ultimate anti-hero, Frank Castle is a man possessed. Not literally, like Spawn and Ghost Rider, but figuratively. Frank’s an ex-marine who saw his family butchered in front of him by a random act of gang violence before being struck by a bullet. The bullet puts him into a coma, but when he awakens he finds that he has a thirst for vengeance. He dons a black outfit emblazoned with a white skull-head and goes to work punishing evil-doers.

    Frank often comes into conflict with Daredevil, much like Elektra, as the two have completely opposite worldviews. While Frank really does mean to make the world a better place, his incessantly brutal methods make him a difficult man to root for.

  • Ten Ways Amazon Became Valued Over $1 Trillion

    Ten Ways Amazon Became Valued Over $1 Trillion

    A few days ago, Amazon became the second company in history to have its value crest the one-trillion-dollar mark. That’s an absolutely mind-boggling amount of money that we don’t even want to start thinking about. What’s even crazier is that, despite that huge value, the company hasn’t been pulling in absurd profits. In fact, in 2017 their profits were right around $3 billion. Don’t get us wrong, $3 billion is more money than anyone can ever hope to comprehend, but it’s chump change compared to $1 trillion. To put this in perspective, today we’re looking at the ten ways Amazon became valued over $1 trillion. To start, we have to go all the way back to 1994…

    Ten Ways Amazon Became Valued Over $1 Trillion

    Humble Beginnings

    Photo Credit: 99Designs

    Believe it or not, Amazon started its existence as an alternative to Barnes and Noble. It’s weird to think about, but one of the biggest companies in the world originated as an online bookseller. Their primary goal was to be an alternative to the large-scale book sellers of the time. By using an online-only business model, they could keep the overhead low and sell their products for less. However, they quickly learned that there was more money to be made in ecommerce than just selling books.

    Perfect Positioning

    Amazon broke onto the scene in 1994, positioning themselves correctly to begin making a great deal of money. The popularization of the internet in the mid-to-late-90’s certainly helped the fledgling bookseller. The dot com bubble of the late 90’s saw increased interest in online presence, domain names and ecommerce. This came as Amazon was diversifying their business and branching out into other areas.

    Branching Out

    Photo Credit: CNET

    Amazon spent the latter half of the 90’s branching out of books and into other forms of ecommerce. They developed a logistics operation that was efficient and took full advantage of their online storefront’s easy and convenient appeal. They incorporated goods from pet food to appliances and everything in between into their inventory. Their already-sizable book selling business stayed profitable, too, eventually edging out companies like Borders. Barnes and Noble, while still existent, is much diminished from what it once was.

    Convenience and Logistics

    Photo Credit: Kim Kommando Show

    Throughout the early 2000’s, Amazon survived the popping of the dot com bubble thanks to their inertia. They had created a sizable logistics operation that made them fast and reliable. Their vast inventory made them one-stop internet shopping. Smart branding and marketing made them come off as an underdog, helping customers get ahead of the “big guys.” No longer did customers have to shop when stores were open or fight with crowds. Department stores and malls began to feel the squeeze as Amazon captured more and more of the market.

    Amazon Prime

    Photo Credit: Amazon

    Amazon’s success helped them develop a great deal of clout in the world of package delivery. Leveraging this, they introduced their Prime subscription program. The biggest draw to Prime for most users is the free, 2-day shipping. It’s a pretty stellar deal at 10 bucks a month if you order a ton of things on Amazon.

    The program’s appeal helped catapult Amazon into the stratosphere with their ecommerce. People who don’t order as much essentially just give Amazon 10 bucks a month for free. Those who order more are more inclined to use Amazon since they get free shipping and get their products in just two days. It’s a win-win for the big A.

    Amazon Prime Video

    Photo Credit: Deadline

    Another facet of Amazon’s Prime subscription, their premium video service competes with Hulu and Netflix. It’s been wildly successful, and originals like Jack Ryan have brought in tons of subscribers. It certainly helps that Amazon Prime is also an Amazon Video subscription, so its numbers are bolstered by those who just want free, 2-day shipping.

    Twitch Acquisition

    Photo Credit: Amazon

    The next part of Amazon’s mission to take over the world was acquiring Twitch. The popular streaming platform hosts gamers who stream their live gameplay. The streams garner millions of views and rake in tons of ad revenue. Since purchasing the company, Amazon has seen a huge windfall from the platform. The timely acquisition has proven to be a stroke of business genius for the ecommerce giant.

    Kindle, Fire and other Flame-Based Names

    Photo Credit: Amazon

    The first step into hardware for Amazon was the Kindle e-reader. It was rather popular and resulted in Barnes and Noble firing back with their own ill-fated Nook. Kindle was a modest success that was overtaken by the Fire line of tablets. Amazon’s Fire tablets have also given way to hardware like the Fire TV Stick and other streaming devices. However, all of these product lines have been overshadowed by the Echo.

    “Alexa, Make us Money”

    Photo Credit: Amazon

    Amazon capitalized on the smart-assistant market with the introduction of their own assistant, Alexa. The mega-popular Echo line of smarthome speakers house the useful assistant, and they’re ubiquitous. Some critics say that the Echo devices are little more than wiretaps you pay to have in your house. Others claim that the smart speakers are convenient and awesome, and they can’t imagine life without them. The rest of the world, however, asks Alexa about the weather and laughs at memes about the virtual assistant.

    The Future

    Photo Credit: Amazon

    Amazon, along with Google and Apple, is well and truly on the way to becoming a megacorp. Their AI is advanced and everywhere, they deliver everything from food to video games, and they’re worth a trillion dollars. The future will see the juggernaut unleashing its drone fleet to deliver items with unprecedented speed. Amazon plans to open storefronts with no employees that are run entirely by robots. We wouldn’t be surprised if automated Amazon units replaced police officers by 2050, at this rate. One thing is certain: whatever happens in the future, Jeff Bezos has made a lot of freaking money.

  • Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

    Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

    So your mobility isn’t what it used to be… no problem! Today, some insurance companies will actually help with coverage on a mobility scooter, or even pay for the whole thing. Check it out for yourself! Either way, it may be worth checking them out and seeing if it fits your lifestyle. With that in mind, let’s look at the top ten mobility scooters.

    Drive Medical Phoenix Heavy Duty

    A heavy, sturdy scooter for a great price, this one is a good pick. This one has a headlight, which is good for darker areas. It also has a basket in the front for carrying things, making it great for grocery store trips! The seat is customizable, broad and comfortable. For $1,200, this is a great heavy-duty pick.

    Pride Mobility Go-Go Sport

    This scooter is notable for its four-wheel drive and durability. It’s not terribly fast, topping at 4 MPH. That said, it’s rugged and durable, and works great when outdoors! If you like being outside and enjoying the sunlight, this is a great pick! For a combination of durability and mobility, check out the Go-Go Sport!

    E-Wheels EW-72

    A stylish and slick scooter, the E-Wheels EW-72 has a look inspired by classic cars! For those looking to really zoom, this scooter has a top speed of 15 MPH! As a heavy-duty scooter, it works quite well, as it has a top weight rating of 500 pounds! If you’re looking for a great, stylish, heavy-duty scooter, this is a great choice for you!

    Transformer Electric Folding Mobility Scooter

    Another great choice for carrying in a trunk and carrying around with you, this transforming scooter is pretty neat. It folds up into a nice, compact shape so it can go anywhere with you! The battery is airline compliant, so it can fly with you, which is great for those who fly often. If you’re on the move and need a scooter that can keep up, this is the one for you!

    E-Wheels Jellybean Electric Scooter

    The second E-Wheels scooter on our list, this one is also quite heavy-duty! This one is three-wheeled, though, so it’s got a bit of a different construction from some others on this list. The best thing about this scooter, though, is the high speed! It tops out at 18 MPH, which makes it a serious scooter! It has a great battery, too, offering up to 45 miles on a single charge. This one also has an anti-theft alarm, which is great! It sports a huge back-mounted basket, perfect for trips to the market.

    Spitfire 420 Ex

    Another great scooter, this one has interchangeable panels in different colors. The panels come in red, blue and silver, and are easy to change out! It also boasts quick-connect batteries, a comfortable seat and padded armrests. The wheels are anti-tip, which makes this a very safe pick. The front-mounted basket even has an interior lining, which is great for shopping. If you’re looking for a good mobility scooter for medical reasons, such as old age, this is a good pick.

    SmartScoot Lithium Foldable Travel Scooter

    This folding scooter is great to throw in the trunk or backseat and carry with you to a destination. The best thing about this scooter: the battery! It has great battery life for how portable it is for travel. It lasts for up to 12 miles! It also breaks down into three parts, and only weighs 27 pounds.

    Drive Medical Scout 3 Wheel

    At the very low price of right around $600, this three-wheeled scooter is a popular choice. A little less expensive than its four-wheeled counterpart, this one is a good value. The drawbacks to this scooter include its three-wheeled construction, slightly low battery life and make. There are more comfortable, high-end scooters, but if you’re looking for a good bargain, this is it. This scooter is the most affordable on our list!

    Best Value: Drive Medical Scout Compact 4 Wheel

    For those on a budget, the Drive Medical Scout Compact is a very popular choice. At $700, it’s a fantastic value, and it shows in its popularity. It’s a good scooter, with all the trimmings you’d expect from a medical mobility scooter. Older customers on a fixed income love the low price, and the price doesn’t compromise the quality. This one also has interchangeable panels in red and blue, so you can change your style! A great value for the money for those looking to save.

    Best Overall Mobility Scooter: Shopride Sunrunner

    If you’re looking for an especially comfortable scooter, look no further than the Sunrunner! It has a 300-pound capacity and a huge 25-mile battery. You can opt for a headlight, which is quite useful. It has a front basket, perfect for shopping. The star of the show is the big, comfortable seat, though. You can’t beat the level of comfort on display here! It’s hard to find something this premium and high-quality for this price! It retails for $1,500 but can often be found on sale for less.


  • What to Expect at Apple’s Gather Round Event

    What to Expect at Apple’s Gather Round Event

    September is a lot like Christmas for Apple fans. This is the time of year when Apple unveils their newest projects, hyping everyone up for the newest products. If you’re an iPhone fanatic, a Mac lover or anything in between, this is the time of year you wait for. Thankfully, on September 12th, at 1:00pm Eastern Time, Apple will hold their Gather Round event. What can we expect to see this year? We’ve got the speculation to get you hyped!

    What to Expect at Apple’s “Gather Round” Event

    A Livestream to Coincide with the Event

    Apple

    Image Credit: BGR.com

    Invitations have already been sent out to various members of the press to attend the event. If you didn’t get one, don’t sweat: the event will surely be livestreamed. It will start at 1:00pm Eastern Time, or 10:00am Pacific Time for you West Coast-ers! From the name, “Gather Round,” we’re guessing this press conference will have a cozy, home-like vibe. Intimate-style press conferences seem right up Apple’s alley, so we’re not surprised.

    New iPhones

    Image Credit: CNET

    iPhone 9

    Three iPhones will likely be on display, but one of the most interesting is likely to be the iPhone 9. While that might not be the real name, it seems likely that something like it will appear. The name iPhone 9, of course, is derived from its perceived placement between the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. This phone is set to have a smaller screen, LED display and lower price tag than the X. This would make it a more accessible version of the new, home-button-free design with Face ID and full front screen.

    iPhone XS

    This reported phone, also mocked up above, is the likely successor to the iPhone X. It will likely be an iterative step up, possessing and OLED screen and powerful processor much like its older brother. Whether it will be called the iPhone XI, iPhone 11 or something else entirely remains to be seen, but odds are good the name XS will stick. What is certain, though, is that Apple will have an update to the iPhone X ready.

    iPhone XS Plus

    Again, naming isn’t locked in on these phones, but the large-screen variant of the iPhone X formula is on its way. The largest handset by far, the iPhone X Plus will appeal to lovers of huge phones. Honestly, from the leaked specs, this phone much more closely resembles a phablet. One thing is certain: a ton of people with huge hands are going to love this massive, premium smartphone.

    MacBook Air

    Image Credit: TechRadar

    Apple has been hinting at the possibility of a new, low price-point MacBook for some time now. We expect to hear more details on that front soon. Laptops are struggling to stay relevant in the face of smartphones, much as tablets did before them. As such, expect features like LTE to rival new initiatives from Microsoft. Additionally, expect a huge Retina display and USB-C ports.

    iPad Pro

    Image Credit: Apple

    Speaking of tablets, we’d be surprised if there weren’t changes coming along for the iPad. The device that launched the tablet craze has been somewhat under-loved recently, so we’d like to see it get some attention. Rumors point to an iPhone X-style iPad, with slim bezels and Face ID. It’ll be interesting to see how the iPhone X’s revolutionary gesture interface fares on a tablet!

    New Operating Systems

    Image Credit: CNET

    Don’t expect just hardware announcements: Apple’s certainly been hard at work on new software. iOS 12 will almost certainly be making its debut during the event, but that’s just the start. WatchOS 5 will also be unveiled, we’d be willing to bed, coinciding with announcements of Series 4 Apple Watches. We’ll get to those. Finally, MacOS Mojave will likely be announced, along with its new Dark Mode and other features.

    Apple Watch Series 4

    Photo Credit: Apple

    That Series 4 Apple Watch we were mentioning? Yeah, this is it. Rumor has it that the display is going to be much bigger, taking on an iPhone X-like screen with small bezels. It seems Apple’s really cracked how to do that and is super pleased to slap it on everything. That’s fine by us, the iPhone X’s screen looks incredible, we’d be happy to have it on everything. Another rumor holds that they’ll be scrapping the Wi-Fi only model and just doing an LTE model. That makes sense, as it was a bit complicated having two.

    Mac Mini

    Photo Credit: CNET

    Remember the Mac Mini? The compact computer is due to show up at the Gather Round event in some capacity. We expect to see a new suite of ports, such as USB-C compatibility, and a slight redesign. Implementation of solid-state-only models seems likely, as does adoption of new processors. In all, they haven’t touched this line since 2014. As such, it’s due for a bit of an overhaul!

    Airpower

    Photo Credit: iMore

    Believe it or not, it’s been a full year since Apple announced their wireless Airpower charging pad. It’s likely that the very interesting pad could be on display at Gather Round. The unique device is capable of charging up to three different devices at once, providing the correct amount of power by identifying what type of device is on it. This allows it to safely power multiple items at once! Rumors are scarce on the Airpower pad, but we’ll see come September 12th.

  • Tech Throwback: Top 5 Nintendo Games

    Tech Throwback: Top 5 Nintendo Games

    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 I’m powering up the original Nintendo to play the best old school Top 5 nintendo games.

     

    1.Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out

    We all spent a decade playing the best boxing game ever invented. From the first time you got to play it at the skating rink arcade to the day you got that wonder little grey disc with the legendary Digital Mike Tyson on the cover there just has never been a better boxing game. Loads of great opponents from Piston Honda,Don Flamenco and  Soda Popinski to the great Mike Tyson. Each presented their own challenge and forced you to modify your game to conquer your opponent. It was as challenging as it was fun and beating the champ was truly a great accomplishment.

     

    2.Hogan’s Ally

    This is a simple-minded exercise that is built around the idea that shooting bad guys is fun. It’s true, shooting bad guys is indeed fun, but instead of animating characters or creating real backgrounds, Hogan’s Alley just tosses 8-bit recreations of cardboard cut-outs. It was the best game you could play using the light gun.

    3.The Legend Of Zelda

    Oh the time I spent playing this game. Take Link through a series of maze like 8 bit levels, upgrade weapons and gain health stamina. Collect magic items all to help your quest of freeing the princess Zelda. When this game launched in 1987 it was a game changer for RPG games, it combined a fantasy world with the puzzles of the text based computer games and they action of the new 8 bit systems and created action role playing. A masterpiece that will be in the annals of video game history for the rest of humanity.

     

     

     

    4. Tecmo SuperBowl

    I know we have been talking about Madden a lot recently, but please tell me you didn’t forget the original grid iron classic. Released 25 years ago next month, Tecmo Super Bowl provided the ultimate in sports geek wish fulfillment. Plus…. Bo Jackson. For a Raiders fan in the 90s named Beau.. he was the hero. If you were not using Bo and the Raiders in Tecmo Superbowl.. You where doing it wrong. His legend spawned his avatar, This game is in turn the legend of who Bo Jackson is. Pure, 8bit football madness.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    5.Kid Icarus

    Kid Icarus is a classic Nintendo title, a platformer whose titular character has gathered a cult following of fans over the past 20 years. The game itself is pretty cool. Pit’s platforming adventure through Angel Land was the sister game to Metroid. Both had a lot of elements and programmers in common, but Kid Icarus stuck to a tradition style of level progression.  It was a close call for number 5 in my top 5 Nintendo games, but Kid Icarus is def better then Metroid..He is the boy who could fly.

     

     

    The Final Top 5 Nintendo Games Thought

    While this is only a top 5 of my own personal opinion, that’s what makes it great. Every one has those  beloved top 5 Nintendo games… Whats yours?

     

  • Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

    Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

    So your mobility isn’t what it used to be… no problem! Today, some insurance companies will actually help with coverage on a mobility scooter, or even pay for the whole thing. Check it out for yourself! Either way, it may be worth checking them out and seeing if it fits your lifestyle. With that in mind, let’s look at the top ten mobility scooters.

    Drive Medical Phoenix Heavy Duty

    A heavy, sturdy scooter for a great price, this one is a good pick. This one has a headlight, which is good for darker areas. It also has a basket in the front for carrying things, making it great for grocery store trips! The seat is customizable, broad and comfortable. For $1,200, this is a great heavy-duty pick.

    Pride Mobility Go-Go Sport

    This scooter is notable for its four-wheel drive and durability. It’s not terribly fast, topping at 4 MPH. That said, it’s rugged and durable, and works great when outdoors! If you like being outside and enjoying the sunlight, this is a great pick! For a combination of durability and mobility, check out the Go-Go Sport!

    E-Wheels EW-72

    A stylish and slick scooter, the E-Wheels EW-72 has a look inspired by classic cars! For those looking to really zoom, this scooter has a top speed of 15 MPH! As a heavy-duty scooter, it works quite well, as it has a top weight rating of 500 pounds! If you’re looking for a great, stylish, heavy-duty scooter, this is a great choice for you!

    Transformer Electric Folding Mobility Scooter

    Another great choice for carrying in a trunk and carrying around with you, this transforming scooter is pretty neat. It folds up into a nice, compact shape so it can go anywhere with you! The battery is airline compliant, so it can fly with you, which is great for those who fly often. If you’re on the move and need a scooter that can keep up, this is the one for you!

    E-Wheels Jellybean Electric Scooter

    The second E-Wheels scooter on our list, this one is also quite heavy-duty! This one is three-wheeled, though, so it’s got a bit of a different construction from some others on this list. The best thing about this scooter, though, is the high speed! It tops out at 18 MPH, which makes it a serious scooter! It has a great battery, too, offering up to 45 miles on a single charge. This one also has an anti-theft alarm, which is great! It sports a huge back-mounted basket, perfect for trips to the market.

    Spitfire 420 Ex

    Another great scooter, this one has interchangeable panels in different colors. The panels come in red, blue and silver, and are easy to change out! It also boasts quick-connect batteries, a comfortable seat and padded armrests. The wheels are anti-tip, which makes this a very safe pick. The front-mounted basket even has an interior lining, which is great for shopping. If you’re looking for a good mobility scooter for medical reasons, such as old age, this is a good pick.

    SmartScoot Lithium Foldable Travel Scooter

    This folding scooter is great to throw in the trunk or backseat and carry with you to a destination. The best thing about this scooter: the battery! It has great battery life for how portable it is for travel. It lasts for up to 12 miles! It also breaks down into three parts, and only weighs 27 pounds.

    Drive Medical Scout 3 Wheel

    At the very low price of right around $600, this three-wheeled scooter is a popular choice. A little less expensive than its four-wheeled counterpart, this one is a good value. The drawbacks to this scooter include its three-wheeled construction, slightly low battery life and make. There are more comfortable, high-end scooters, but if you’re looking for a good bargain, this is it. This scooter is the most affordable on our list!

    Best Value: Drive Medical Scout Compact 4 Wheel

    For those on a budget, the Drive Medical Scout Compact is a very popular choice. At $700, it’s a fantastic value, and it shows in its popularity. It’s a good scooter, with all the trimmings you’d expect from a medical mobility scooter. Older customers on a fixed income love the low price, and the price doesn’t compromise the quality. This one also has interchangeable panels in red and blue, so you can change your style! A great value for the money for those looking to save.

    Best Overall Mobility Scooter: Shopride Sunrunner

    If you’re looking for an especially comfortable scooter, look no further than the Sunrunner! It has a 300-pound capacity and a huge 25-mile battery. You can opt for a headlight, which is quite useful. It has a front basket, perfect for shopping. The star of the show is the big, comfortable seat, though. You can’t beat the level of comfort on display here! It’s hard to find something this premium and high-quality for this price! It retails for $1,500 but can often be found on sale for less.


  • Top Ten Greatest Spider-Man Villains

    Top Ten Greatest Spider-Man Villains

    Spider-Man, who is starring in his own video game on PS4 now, has a massive rogues gallery. As one of Marvel’s most popular characters, it’s only natural that he would have so many villains oppose him. In fact, there are so many that we wonder how the wall-crawler manages to keep track of them all! Today, we’re looking at the ten greatest Spider-Man Villains! We’re considering both their popularity and “coolness,” but if your favorite didn’t make the list, that’s only because there are so many great choices!

    Ten Greatest Spider-Man Villains

    Sinister Six

    Featured Image Credit: Villains Wiki

    10. Carnage

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    First Appearance: 1992, Amazing Spider Man 361. Real Name: Cletus Cassidy

    This edgy and unhinged villain is an offshoot of the symbiote that resulted in another Spidey villain, Venom. Carnage, for his part, is a symbiote bonded to the criminally deranged Cletus Cassidy. With none of Eddie Brock’s underlying morality, Carnage earns his name whenever he strikes, making him one of Spidey’s most unsettling foes.

    9. The Lizard

    Photo Credit: ThoughtCo

    First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 6. Real Name: Kurt Connors

    First appearing way back in 1963, Dr. Connors has gone through several redesigns over the years. He is a dark reflection of Peter, a man twisted into an animal-like form due to science gone wrong. The Lizard is fast, super-strong and possesses enhanced healing capabilities, making him as much a physical match for Peter as a mental one.

    8. Sandman

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 4. Realm Name: William Baker

    The shape-shifting criminal known as Sandman is often characterized as a petty thief who happens upon his shape-shifting powers. In some stories, he even fights alongside Peter. What makes him so memorable, though, is the genuine pathos that goes into his often-tragic backstory. It’s hard to hate a guy who just wants to make a mark on the world!

    7. The Rhino

    Photo Credit: Reddit

    First Appearance: 1966, Amazing Spider Man 41. Real Name: ‎Aleksei Sytsevich

    The big, bumbling oaf Aleksei Sytsevich is much more terrifying when he’s in his trademark Rhino armor. The lumbering behemoth is a match for even superheroes like the Hulk and the Thing, making him downright terrifying for Spidey to match up against. However, Peter often triumphs over the Rhino thanks to his quick wits and fast fighting style.

    6. Electro

    Photo Credit: Spider-Man Wiki

    First Appearance: 1964, Amazing Spider Man 9. Real Name: Maxwell Dillon

    Maxwell Dillon was once a powerline repair man, but a freak accident resulted in him becoming a human electrical capacitor. His electric powers make him lethal to any normal human, and he uses them to steal and terrorize the people of New York. Thankfully for them, Spider-Man handles villains like Electro whenever they rear their heads! Whenever Peter and Electro cross paths, sparks fly and the fight is awesome!

    5. The Vulture

    Photo Credit: Marvel Movies Wikia

    First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 2. Real Name: Adrian Toomes.

    Popularized by the excellent Spider-Man: Homecoming, Adrian Toomes is a tragic figure. Toomes uses his wingsuit to pursue personal wealth, but only because of his mistreatment by massive corporations. In the comics he is much less sympathetic than his film counterpart, but his motivations are similar. It certainly helps that the version seen in Homecoming has a significantly cooler suit and design.

    4. Kingpin

    Photo Credit: Marvel

    First Appearance: 1967, Amazing Spider Man 50. Real Name: Wilson Fisk.

    While you might be more familiar with him as an enemy of Daredevil, Fisk first made his mark as an enemy of the Web-Slinger! Kingpin is a nigh-unstoppable force, both in the world of business and in a fight. His dual nature makes him a tough customer for any superhero, so it’s no surprise he’s harried Spidey for years!

    3. Dr. Octopus

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 3. Real Name: Otto Octavius.

    Dr. Otto Octavius is on a mission to prove that he’s better than anyone else. After all, he’s a genius and a supervillain! Shouldn’t everyone love him? Otto’s deranged attempts to take down Spider-Man and make a name for himself as one of the greatest minds in the world have come to a head occasionally. Recently, he even spent some time in the body of Peter Parker! He made a mess of things for Spidey, proclaiming himself the “Superior Spider-Man” and ruining Peter’s reputation.

    2. Venom

    Photo Credit: Alternative Press

    First Appearance: 1988, Amazing Spider Man 299. Real Name: Eddie Brock

    One of the most iconic Marvel characters, Venom is another direct foil to the Wall-Crawler. Venom started life as a symbiote attached to Peter, but eventually found a more permanent home bonded to Pete’s nemesis Eddie Brock. As Venom, the two entities have forged a path as a villain and occasional anti-hero. They occasionally team up with Peter to fight bigger threats (usually Carnage) but that doesn’t make Venom less of an essential Spidey antagonist.

    The Greatest Spider-Man Villain: The Green Goblin

    Photo Credit: Villains Wiki

    First Appearance: 1964, Amazing Spider Man 14. Real Name: Norman Osborn.

    Who else could have possibly snagged the number one spot? Norman Osborn, father of one of Pete’s closest friends and CEO of Oscorp is Pete’s most enduring nemesis. As the man who killed Gwen Stacey and the center of the Clone Conspiracy saga, Norman has had a huge impact on Spidey. The ongoing battle between the two has been the center of Spider-Man comics for half a century, and it’s likely to continue for 50 years more.