Bill Loguidice's Blog, page 29

AtGames Legends Arcade Family Independence Day Sale is Here

For all home arcade enthusiasts, AtGames has big sales on various Legends Arcade Family products and bundles. They have also announced that late next week will see the release of TAITO Pinball Tables Volume 1, which features original pinball creations based on Darius, Front Line, Rastan Saga, and Space Invaders.

TAITO Pinball Tables Volume 1

Here are the sales details straight from AtGames:

Through Monday, July 5, 2021, 11:59PM PT, we have amazing sales and bundle deals on some of your favorite Legends Arcade Family products. Be sure to get yours on our E-Store (https://www.atgames.us/) while supplies last on these incredible offers!

Here is a summary of the deals, with details on each to follow:

Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 5 Bundle for Legends PinballLegends Pinball Plus and one (1) month of ArcadeNet® Standard at 50% off BundleArcade Control Panel for Legends Pinball and Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 5 Bundle for Legends Pinball Legends BitPixel and Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4 Bundle for non-Legends Pinball devices Legends Ultimate Plus Bundle (Legends Ultimate, Legends Pinball Kit, Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4) Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4 (non-Legends Pinball devices) and Legends Core BundleZaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4 (non-Legends Pinball devices) and Legends Connect Bundle

(1)

Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 5 Bundle for Legends Pinball

($149.99, a savings of $100.00 off the regular price)

For Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4, AtGames and Magic Pixel bring to life the magnificent Zaccaria tables in stunning 1080p at 60fps! Relive these amazing classic tables on any of the Legends Arcade devices or take it to the next level with the AtGames Legends Pinball. Magic Pixel has 105 tables to offer from various periods in pinball history. There are solid state, electromechanical, retro, and remake tables available to suit every taste. These tables have been developed to work seamlessly with the Legends ecosystem, bringing all the features you love from AtGames. Online leaderboard support, multiplayer, and customizable table settings are all standard across all devices. For Zaccaria Table Volume 5, these deluxe tables are the most modern versions of the original tables with such advanced features as multi-level playfields, animated characters that affect gameplay, multiball modes with variable ball numbers, and a high-resolution color LCD screen. They also feature a redrawn playfield, cover, and box art.

(2)

Legends Pinball Plus and One (1) Month ArcadeNet® Standard Bundle

($759.99, plus shipping, a savings of $10.00 off the regular price)

Get the incredible Legends Pinball Plus and 50% off one (1) month of ArcadeNet® Standard in this premium bundle. Legends Pinball Plus combines an amazing virtual pinball experience and  value with the AtGames Legends Pinball machine and Zaccaria Table volumes 1 – 4, totaling an unbelievable 127 licensed tables for the whole family to enjoy! With ArcadeNet® you get easy-to-use, one-click-play of a growing library of amazing arcade, console, and pinball titles that are optimized for your Legends Arcade Family device. To start, there are a diverse range of titles to play, with many more added on a regular basis.

Bonus! Whoever purchases a Legends Pinball Plus during the current Wave 11 Express (W11E) from Friday, July 2, 2021, 6PM PT/8PM CT/9PM ET and Saturday, July 31, 2021, 11:59PM PT, will be entered for a chance to win one of the following:

One (1) month of ArcadeNet® Standard: 100 GiveawaysOne (1) month of Cloud BYOG: 50 Giveaways

(3)

Arcade Control Panel and Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 5 Bundle for Legends Pinball Devices

($249.99, plus shipping, a savings of $200.00 off the regular price)

This bundle combines the Arcade Control Panel for Legends Pinball with Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4 and Zaccaria Table Volume 5 (deluxe tables). The Arcade Control Panel adds authentic arcade-quality joystick and trackball control to your Legends Pinball so you can play great arcade and console games on the main playfield’s huge vertical display. It also works great with the Legends Pinball’s interface.

(4)

Legends BitPixel and Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4 Bundle for Non-Legends Pinball Devices

($199.99, plus shipping, a savings of $200.00 off the regular price)

This special bundle combines the Legends BitPixel with Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4. The Legends BitPixel LED marquee adds an animated display to your Legends Arcade Family product that works with your games and other software. While it can be used to replace the standard marquee on the Legends Ultimate, it also works great with all other Legends Arcade Family devices like the Legends Pinball, Legends Gamer series, Legends Core, and Legends Connect.

(5)

Legends Ultimate Plus Bundle

($649.99, plus shipping, a savings of $200.00 off the regular price)

It’s the same great Legends Ultimate full-size home arcade machine you know and love, but now with the Legends Pinball Kit and Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4, totaling 105 additional games. That’s a savings of $200 off the $849.99 MSRP if these items were purchased separately. It’s by far the best value in home arcades!

(6) 

Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4 and Legends Core Bundle for Non-Legends Pinball Devices

($129.99, plus shipping, a savings of $140.00 off the regular price)

This incredible bundle combines Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4 with the Legends Core. The Legends Core plugs and plays on any TV for true big screen gaming. Featuring 100 built-in licensed arcade and console games, as well as impressive streaming and connectivity capabilities, the Legends Core is the ultimate television companion.  It can easily connect with off-the-shelf Bluetooth headsets and Bluetooth and USB PC game controllers, as well as the Legends Arcade Family of Gamer series products for the ultimate in arcade control.

(7)

Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4 and Legends Connect Bundle for Non-Legends Pinball Devices

($149.99, plus shipping, a savings of $150.00 off the regular price)

This incredible bundle combines Zaccaria Table Volumes 1 – 4 with the Legends Connect. The AtGames Legends Connect is The Ultimate Single Board Arcade Solution, providing everything you need to power your home arcade projects. Simply install the Legends Connect mainboard inside your project to enjoy 20 licensed arcade and console games, as well as gain access to all of the amazing Legends Arcade Platform features. The Legends Connect is ready to power your full-size, scale, cocktail, countertop, console, virtual pinball, or any other type of home arcade project you can imagine!

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As a reminder, our E-Store, with all kinds of other great deals, can be found at: https://www.atgames.us/.

We hope you have a wonderful, fun, and safe holiday with your friends and family!

The post AtGames Legends Arcade Family Independence Day Sale is Here appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

HTC Vive VR Review: Accounting+

This review was originally created in November 2018 for HTC, targeted to their original Vive/Vive Pro (VIVEPORT). It is reproduced here without alteration.

Ricky and Morty debuted on Cartoon Network on December 2, 2013. Despite only having 31 episodes across its three seasons to-date, the animated show has become a cultural phenomenon thanks to its unique mix of adult-themed creativity and humor. Although there’s already an excellent Rick and Morty-branded virtual reality game from 2017 called Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality, a game like Accounting+ proves that there’s still plenty of creative energy left to mine from series co-creator Justin Roiland.

Originally released in 2016 as Accounting via a primary collaboration between William Pugh, who co-developed The Stanley Parable (PC, 2013), Dominik Johann, who co-developed Minit (Multiple platforms, 2018), and Roiland, it’s no surprise that the game was a critical success. Now, in the form of Accounting+, the game has tripled in size, with even more voice actors, secrets to discover, and of course, comedy, to enjoy.

From the opening moments of the game, to the end, the game doesn’t take itself seriously and revels in messing with you. You start out at a main menu that’s narrated in a gentle, ASMR-like voice, where you’re taught the ropes and lauded for even the most modest of accomplishments. From there, you can start the main game, which is a series of increasingly outlandish sequences, where your only goals are to have fun and figure out how to make your way to the next sequence.

Designed for Vive, Vive Pro, or Oculus Rift owners, Accounting+ can be played seated or standing as a room-scale experience. Standing play, with plenty of room to move your arms around you, is recommended, since some sequences can get pretty active. Otherwise, space requirements are fairly modest. You engage with each sequence within a small, rectangular play area and simply warp to where you need to go within it. It’s a nice compromise between a true room-scale experience and the reality that many of us don’t have the largest play spaces.

To interact within each sequence, you use both Vive or Oculus Touch controllers. Your in-game hands are pointers until there’s something to interact with, then they turn into hands. You interact with most objects by picking up, pushing, or tossing them, which is also how many of the simple puzzles are solved. If you linger at any event within a sequence for too long, an ever-increasing number of spoken clues, expertly woven into a character’s monologue or beratement of you, follows. In short, there’s little chance of ever getting truly stuck in any of the sequences in this game.

Knock.

Sequences can take less than a minute to a few minutes or so to get through, depending upon how quickly you move and how long you want to stick around to listen to the wacky, foul-mouthed characters. This is definitely an adults-only experience, but not really for anything other than its extreme language and cartoon violence in the name of comedy and satire. If you’re OK with the idea of the humor in Rick and Morty turned up a notch or two in bawdiness, then you should be good with what’s found in Accounting+.

Audio-visually, Accounting+ nails its presentation. Between the voice acting for its wacky cast of characters, radio stations, and music, there’s seemingly no end to fun stuff to listen to. Graphically, while not exactly sporting the most spectacular visuals, the game nevertheless sets a pleasing theme consistent with its over-the-top story.

As you would expect from one of the makers of Rick and Morty, there is tons of humor layered throughout the entire experience, right down to the choice of subtitles at the very beginning of the game. While not every sequence hits with the same type of impact, this is one of the few games of any type, let alone one presented in virtual reality, where I laughed out loud quite this much or with such abandon. Again, if a show like Rick and Morty makes you laugh, there’s no doubt you’ll be doing the same here.

With such delightful sequences to experience, even with the expansion, Accounting+ leaves you wanting more in the best way possible. While the branching story is really only affected by simple choices like taking a blue pill versus a red pill, the fact that not every sequence is unlocked after the first playthrough is a good thing. Fortunately, even with repeated plays, finding all of the sequences seems like less of a chore than a fun experience, sort of like revisiting a favorite episode of a popular cartoon series that won’t be named again. And for those sequences that you do unlock, you can easily play them again after returning to the main menu, which is great for showing off to friends.

Score: 5 out of 5 stars.

Accounting+ is available on Viveport or with a Viveport Subscription.

The post HTC Vive VR Review: Accounting+ appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Gameplay video for Spooky Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (026)

This video covers the Magic Pixel release of Zaccaria’s Spooky Deluxe (2020), an all-new deluxe version of the supernatural-themed original from 1987.

This is the twenty-sixth (026) in a series of quick 2K or 4K gameplay videos of every licensed virtual pinball table available to play on the AtGames Legends Pinball machine, one of the most value-packed home systems. I’ll play these in menu order (for the most part), except in the case of these newer Deluxe tables, which have jumped to the front of the line.

This table features:

1 playfield2 flippers3 pop bumpers2 holes1 kickback2 spinners2 ramps1-bank special spot target (1)1-bank spot target (3)6-bank spot targets (2)

For the playlist containing all of the entries in this series, go here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7cBXTa-iLhvHCc6BvhEEFEbKyB5h3mmO

The post Gameplay video for Spooky Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (026) appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Gameplay video of Robot Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (025)

This video covers the Magic Pixel release of Zaccaria’s Robot Deluxe (2020), an all-new deluxe version of the evil robot-themed original from 1978. I think this is the first time I’m truly happy with the camera angle and will be using this going forward.

This is the twenty-fifth (025) in a series of quick 2K or 4K gameplay videos of every licensed virtual pinball table available to play on the AtGames Legends Pinball machine, one of the most value-packed home systems. I’ll play these in menu order (for the most part), except in the case of these newer Deluxe tables, which have jumped to the front of the line.

This table features:

4 playfields8 flippers6 pop bumpers2 holes1 kickback2 spinners3 ramps1 interactive robot model3 interactive robot arm models1-bank spot target (17)3-banks spot targets (1)

For the playlist containing all of the entries in this series, go here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7cBXTa-iLhvHCc6BvhEEFEbKyB5h3mmO

The post Gameplay video of Robot Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (025) appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Gameplay video for Red Show Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (024)

This video covers the Magic Pixel release of Zaccaria’s Red Show Deluxe (2019), an all-new deluxe version of the pop band-themed original from 1975. 

This is the twenty-fourth (024) in a series of quick 2K or 4K gameplay videos of every licensed virtual pinball table available to play on the AtGames Legends Pinball machine, one of the most value-packed home systems. I’ll play these in menu order (for the most part), except in the case of these newer Deluxe tables, which have jumped to the front of the line.

This table features:

2 playfields7 flippers3 pop bumpers4 holes1 kickback1 spinner2 ramps1 interactive model5 moving spot targets1-bank spot target (3)3-bank spot targets (1)5-bank spot targets (2)7-bank spot targets (1)1-bank drop target (3)

For the playlist containing all of the entries in this series, go here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7cBXTa-iLhvHCc6BvhEEFEbKyB5h3mmO

The post Gameplay video for Red Show Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (024) appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Gameplay video of House of Diamonds Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (023)

This video covers the Magic Pixel release of Zaccaria’s House of Diamonds Deluxe (2020), an all-new deluxe version of the medieval kingdom playing card-themed original from 1978. It’s filmed in experimental Helmet-Vision, the first and last time I’ll use that for this.

This is the twenty-third (023) in a series of quick 2K or 4K gameplay videos of every licensed virtual pinball table available to play on the AtGames Legends Pinball machine, one of the most value-packed home systems. I’ll play these in menu order (for the most part), except in the case of these newer Deluxe tables, which have jumped to the front of the line.

This table features:

3 playfields2 flippers5 pop bumpers2 holes2 kickbacks2 spinners3 ramps1 interactive king model1 interactive jester (joker) model1 special spot target1-bank spot target (4)3-banks spot targets (2)

For the playlist containing all of the entries in this series, go here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7cBXTa-iLhvHCc6BvhEEFEbKyB5h3mmO

The post Gameplay video of House of Diamonds Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (023) appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Gameplay video of Pool Champion Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (022)

This video covers the Magic Pixel release of Zaccaria’s Pool Champion Deluxe (2021), an all-new deluxe version of the pool hall-themed original from 1985. 

This is the twenty-second (022) in a series of quick 2K or 4K gameplay videos of every licensed virtual pinball table available to play on the AtGames Legends Pinball machine, one of the most value-packed home systems. I’ll play these in menu order (for the most part), except in the case of these newer Deluxe tables, which have jumped to the front of the line.

Note that this video ends abruptly because the single recording was so long and was split by the camera. Instead of splicing in the wrap up portion, I just left it as the first recording.

This table features:

3 playfields9 flippers3 pop bumpers3 holes2 kickbacks1 spinner2 ramps1 interactive pool player model1 interactive cue ball1-bank spot target (6)3-banks spot targets (2)5-banks spot targets (1)

For the playlist containing all of the entries in this series, go here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7cBXTa-iLhvHCc6BvhEEFEbKyB5h3mmO

The post Gameplay video of Pool Champion Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (022) appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Gameplay video of Farfalla Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (021)

This video covers the Magic Pixel release of Zaccaria’s Farfalla Deluxe (2021), an all-new deluxe version of the falling-in-love-themed original from 1983. For those wondering, “farfalla” is “butterfly” in Italian.

This is the twenty-first (021) in a series of quick 2K or 4K gameplay videos of every licensed virtual pinball table available to play on the AtGames Legends Pinball machine, one of the most value-packed home systems. I’ll play these in menu order (for the most part), except in the case of these newer Deluxe tables, which have jumped to the front of the line.

This table features:

5 playfields13 flippers3 pop bumpers2 holes1 kickback2 spinners2 ramps1 interactive model1-bank special flying spot target (2)1-bank spot target (11)3-banks spot target (2)4-banks spot target (1)4-banks drop target (1)

For the playlist containing all of the entries in this series, go here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7cBXTa-iLhvHCc6BvhEEFEbKyB5h3mmO

The post Gameplay video of Farfalla Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (021) appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Video: Review and Ride Along with the Rattan LF 750W Fat Tire Electric Bike

As a first-time e-bike owner, I did a video review and ride along (filmed in Helmet-Vision) of the impressive Rattan LF 750W Fat Tire Electric Bike. Forgive the blurs for the first few minutes of the video as it’s obscuring license plates before I go for a ride.

I’ve had it for roughly three weeks and have logged 100 miles so far. I’m no bike guy, but owning this electric bike has made me want to go out every single day. This is by far the best value in e-bikes I know of, and we’ve already ordered a second one in black. It’s rated for 60 miles between charges, but that can vary depending upon how much you pedal (putting energy back into the battery) versus using just the throttle. With a top speed of 28MPH on pure throttle, it reaches the legal limit in the US for a bike of this type.

Here is a list of the items mentioned in the video or I found work the best:

GoPro HERO9 Black

This is a great 4K-capable action camera that I also use for other filming activities.

AfterShokz Air AS650CR Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones with Reflective Strips

Being able to hear your surroundings while bicycling is critical. That’s why I use bone conducting headphones like these instead of my usual Apple AirPods. I almost always listen to podcasts or audiobooks. It’s very therapeutic and informational on my rides.

Souke Sports Men’s Cycling Padded Shorts

I wanted to swap out the seat, but the bolt is super tight. It’s not a bad seat, but my butt doesn’t like sitting much. These padded shorts definitely help a bit.

ERRLANER Bicycle Rack Rear Carrier Bag

This is a great bag available lined or unlined. It also fits without having to take the padding off on the rear non-seat (it’s only meant for up to 55 lbs, so even though it looks like it can support a second rider, it really can’t).

Lamicall Bike Phone Holder Mount

I’ve tried several bicycle mounts and this is the best one. Because of the ball mount, it will still rotate your phone down on bumps, but it remains locked and secure, even with a bigger phone like my iPhone 12 Pro Max in a MagBak case.

West Biking Bike Mirror Handlebar Mount

This is nothing special, but does work well. While I would also like to mount a mirror on the right side, the configuration of the handlebar and throttle make that difficult. Still, in the US, the left side tends to be the most important to have extra visibility and coverage for.

AVID POWER Tire Inflator Air Compressor

This has a drill-like shape and battery, making it quite portable and versatile.

AstroAI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge

Although the AVID POWER has a digital gauge, it’s always good to get a second opinion about tire pressure. I like to keep my Rattan LF 750W to a little under 30 PSI, but some people like much lower for more assistance with the bike’s suspension system.

The post Video: Review and Ride Along with the Rattan LF 750W Fat Tire Electric Bike appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Gameplay video of Combat Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (020)

This is the twentieth (020) in a series of quick 4K gameplay videos of every licensed virtual pinball table available to play on the AtGames Legends Pinball machine, one of the most value-packed home systems. I’ll play these in menu order (for the most part), except in the case of these newer Deluxe tables, which have jumped to the front of the line.

This video covers the Magic Pixel release of Zaccaria’s Combat Deluxe (2021), an all-new deluxe version of the military-themed original.

Features:

4 playfields9 flippers4 pop bumpers2 holes1 kickback2 spinners2 ramps1 interactive robot model1-bank spot target (16)3-banks spot target (2)4-banks spot target (2)

For the playlist containing all of the entries in this series, go here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7cBXTa-iLhvHCc6BvhEEFEbKyB5h3mmO

For more on the AtGames Legends Pinball, go here: https://www.atgames.net/arcades/legends-pinball/

The post Gameplay video of Combat Deluxe (Zaccaria) on the AtGames Legends Pinball (020) appeared first on Armchair Arcade.