SKG Retrogaming

10/04/2023

This will be the final post for SKG Retrogaming. The Skeptical Geek is no more. He has outlived his usefulness, and after 6 years, needs to be put out to pasture. In his place, say hello to Grandpa Gaming of Las Vegas.

We are launching the rebrand at New York Comic Con, Oct 12-15. To celebrate, everyone buying a system at NYCC gets an exclusive tote bag, see picture below. We are also making some exciting new product improvements. What was the Ultra Box, new the Great Grandpa, is vastly improved. Instead of 24 systems, 8000 games on a 400 GB SD card, we are giving you 40 systems, 16,000 games on a 2TB SSD drive. This allows me to vastly expand my PS1 and Dreamcast libraries, add PSP and a host of smaller, more obscure systems. Sorry, still no PS2 or Game Cube. Not possible, at least with the current generation of hardware.

The new website is currently under development, at https://grandpagaminglv.com. It should be fully operational by the time NYCC starts, or just a little bit after. Queries to the old website will automatically redirect tot the new one, so don't worry if you are still using the info on my current business card. In the meantime, make sure to check out ant follow the new FB page, at Grandpa Gaming of Las Vegas.

It's been, and still is a lot of fun. Looking forward to seeing you all at a show in your area as I begin this new chapter in my business.

SKG

09/28/2023

I get asked a lot for Commodore 64 games. Now the Retro Box will play N64, and other classic computers, but there is a hitch. Generally, in order to play classic computer games, you have to know how to use classic computers.

Well, there is an emulator that can be installed that supposedly helps simplify the process, and I had a week and change between shows, so I installed it and tried it out.

While it does attempt to auto load the games, skipping the Load and Run commands, playing them is another matter. It turns out that the emulator has about 100 configuration options and every game needs a different combination of those options to run. Also, you can't save these options on a per game basis. That feature is supposed to be there but it doesn't work. I got midway thru the Bs during play testing before I realized it was never going to happen.

As a former software engineer, I know that 90% of R&D projects are dead ends. It's a lot more frustrating when you are the company, however. All I can say is that I try my best to give you all what you want, but sometimes it just isn't a possibility.

In any case, keep checking this page. Major announcement coming early next week. And possibly a couple of minor ones earlier.

Have a Skeptical Day,

SKG

09/21/2023

The Skeptical Geek returns to Utah for FanX Salt Lake. This show is always a great time, so please come by and say hi. Also say hi to the new Skeptical Assistant, Fabian.This is his first show, so go easy on him. This is also the last show the Geek will be doing, before he becomes a Grandpa. Check this page next week for the big announcement.

Have a Skeptical Day,

SKG

P.S. Booth 2525

08/25/2023

The Skeptical Geek returns to the home of Harry and Izzy's Steakhouse, aka Indianapolis, for Indy Pop Con. Awesome guest list, terrific group of vendors, and Downtown Indy us always a blast. Come check us out, booth 703

08/18/2023

Just put up a couple of more blog posts. I reviewed 2 controllers. One is the Hyperkin Scout Bluetooth controller, the first BT controller I have used that I can actually recommend to my customers without feeling ill. The other is the Mayflash F300 Elite, which has a built in restrictor to allow you to use it as a dedicated 4 way joystick for games like Donkey Kong and Pac-Man. Check them out.

SKG

08/18/2023

Just put up a blog post on the website, the first in a long time, but some more coming up. It is about improving your experience on 2 of the most popular N64 games ever, Super Smash Bros and Goldeneye 007.

Aas you know, the Skeptical Geek is not a rest on your laurels guy. I am always looking for ways to add value for my customers. It has bothered me for a while that these two games aren't as good as they could be. It is a lot better, but as with anything N64 emulation wise, it is nto quite as good as the original.

Belo is the link to the blog post. The SSB solution is pretty simple, but for the Goldeneye one, you will need to connect your Retro Box to the Internet, which probably means a USB keyboard. I have made the instructions as clear as I can, but if ther is anything you don't understand, please send me an email.

Check back in the next couple of days for links to a couple of controller reviews. One is a Bluetooth controller that actually doesn't suck, something the Geek had given up on as impossible. The second is a joystick controller that lets you play your favorite 4 way games like Donkey Kong and Pacman correctly.

Have a Skeptical Day,

SKG

Improving Performance for Super Smash Bros and Goldeneye 007 by The Skeptical Geek The N64 is one of the most popular systems ever, don’t ask me why. It is also one of the most notoriously difficult to emulate. Althought the Pi 4, which I use now, is far better than the Pi 3 that I started this bu...

08/15/2023

Well here is something you don't see everyday: 2 retro gaming legends side by side. One, of course, is the Skeptical Geek. The other is Charles Martinet, beloved voice of Mario. They say we look a lot alike. Can you tell us apart? No, seriously, can you? At our age it's getting to be a little difficult.

Really good guy. When I told him ( true story) about how people constantly come up to me at shows and ask for his autograph, he just said to scribble something illegible and draw a mustache on it. He did ask for a cut of the proceeds, which is fair. I'm not saying I'm considering it, but sales are a little down from last year when everyone had stimulus money, and a new revenue stream would be nice.

Joking aside, the Geek has been busy. Coming off a string of solid shows in Tampa, Boston and Chicago, getting ready for Indy Pop Con in a couple of weeks.

Chicago is always a blast. Got a chance to take in a White Sox game (Cubs were out of town). I have been to about half the MLB parks in the country. Now as a west coast person, I hate to say this, but the White Sox hotdogs are the best ballpark hot dogs I have ever had. Sorry Dodger Dogs, you are now number 2.

Keep an eye on this space. Have some tips for improving a couple of high profile N64 games coming up. And sometime in the next couple of months, the Skeptical Geek is going to become a Grandpa, which is odd, as he never had any children. A riddle, you say? Check back for the eventual answer.

Have a Skeptical Day,

SKG

07/29/2023

Well that was embarrassing! Showed up for Tampa Bay Comic Con yesterday, and completely forgot my SD cards, so I couldn't actually sell any systems. I've got them all today though, so anyone who came to see me yesterday, please come back. I can now sell you all the Retro Boxes you want. Also, a void friend of mine pointed out to me that when I make these little posts, I need to include my booth number. I am in booth 937, stop by and say hey.

07/28/2023

The Skeptical Geek is back in the Sunshine State for Tampa Bay Comic Con. This is always a fun show,with a great lineup of guests and vendors, so please stop by and check us out.

06/27/2023

The Skeptical Geek truly appreciates customer feedback, both positive and negative. Especially feedback that tells me something isn't working as well as it should, because ot helps me improve the product. One guy, 8000+ games, I can only play test so much, so this kind of feedback is vital.

A couple of customers recently brought to my attention some Genesis games that were failing to load properly, which I wasn't aware of. The games are
Centurion
Road Rash ( The first one. 2 and 3 have always worked)
Super Street Fighter II
Team USA Basketball

I have fixed these, they are all now working going forward. If any of you wish to get these games fixed on your Retro Box, contact me, and I will send you the appropriate files, as well as instructions for installoing them. You will need a blank USB drive, and a USB keyboard.

I also added a special treat to the Loaded and Ultra boxes, something I have wanted to get working for years, but just now was able to. I am including this even though I know it will generate about a zillion support calls and emails. It is the 1990 Nintendo World Championships game for NES. This was a really cool concept. You play 3 different games, on a strict timer, about 6-7 minutes long. First you play the original Super Mario until you get 50 coins. Then you play Rad_Racer until you finish the first course. With the remaining time you play Tetris. Your combined score is

SM + (RR * 10) + (Tetris * 25)

It is a very fun and surprisingly addictive little game.

Here is where it gets tricky. You have to have two controllers plugged in to get the game to work. You START the game using the player 2 start button. But you PLAY the game using the Player 1 controller. Aggravating, but there it is. Well worth checking out though.

Anyway, come by this weekend and check us out at Fan Expo Denver, or the weekend after at Fanboy Expo Knoxville. Look forward to seeing you all.

Have a Skeptoical Day,

SKG

06/16/2023

It's been a crazy few weeks for the Skeptical Geek. Had my two best shows of the year in Detroit and Phoenix, followed by my worst show in 2 years in Dallas. Now normally this is a solid show for me, but the person who did the floor layout is a complete incompetent, and I got stuck in this little aisle that was nearly invisible because of all the huge booths nearby. Seriously, you pretty much needed a compass, a guide dog and a Ouija board to find my booth. To those few brave souls who actually found me and made a purchase, I appreciate you more than you know. To the person who laid out the floor plan, please resign and find a job you are good at.

Also, the Geek went to the doctor recently, and was told that my blood sugar is dangerously high, and to get it under control or risk diabetes. So I've basically eliminated chocolate and soda pop, and reduced my fruit juice intake drastically. These were 3 of my major food groups, so it has been rough. My moods are ranging from apathy to depression to mindless rage. Supposedly at some point I am going to feel better. Counting the days until that happens.

In brighter news, the Geek is in Kentucky for the first ever Louisville Pop Con. Good group of guests and vendors, definitely come by an check us out. But if I try to attack you suddenly because of the low blood sugar, try not to take it personally.

Have a Skeptical Day,

SKG

06/02/2023

The Skeptical Geek returns to his native habitat, a desert, just in time for Phoenix Fan Fusion. This is one of my favorite shows of the year, so please come by and check it out.

Stay Skeptical

SKG