arcade

I've always been obsessed with sound, and I've always wanted to hear my music with the best possible sound. It enhances the experience for me, because I can more clearly hear what the musicians are playing, and the subtleties in the mix, so I get more out of the music. That's true at home and for on-the-go listening, and even when I didn't have much money I still managed to put together a pretty good hi-fi. Then again, good sound is in the ear of the beholder, and that beholder may not be so sure about … Read more

Every night is fight night in Gamevil's boxing title, Punch Hero (iOS | Android). Punch Hero is a cel-shaded arcade boxing game that packs plenty of action and customizable features. And best of all, it's free.

The fighting controls are pretty simple: tap the left or right side to throw a jab or swipe across the screen to throw a hook. You can also swipe diagonally to throw a slower but stronger uppercut to deal more damage. There are also dedicated roll buttons that players can use to dodge and counter attacks.

Punch Hero throws over a dozen fighters … Read more

"The Simpsons" has been around a long time, and for good reason; it's still as funny as ever. The Simpsons Arcade game lets you take the whole clan with you wherever you go. In this version, however, Homer isn't quite as lazy as his television counterpart. He's tasked with battling suited men in different scenes to find his beloved donut. The gameplay is both easy to learn and addictive.

At the start of The Simpson Arcade, you're given access to a menu that includes a Help feature. There, you'll find directions for how … Read more

A new model kit gives us a better idea of what the spaceship from Galaga really looks like.

At long last, we can take a real glimpse at one of the most well-known spaceships of all time: the fighter that starred in the classic arcade game Galaga. The Galaga Fighter GFX-D002b non-scale model kit -- by Japanese hobby company Wave -- takes the classic 1981 8-bit icon and transforms it into a 21st century star fighter. … Read more

Open Hexagon is a polygonal endurance run that draws heavy inspiration from Terry Cavanagh's Hexagon. Much like its former Web app game, Open Hexagon challenges players in a collapsing environment of walls that cave in. Your goal is to keep a dinky little triangle alive by orbiting around the core while dodging walls and crushing barriers. The game's overall design is a simple pixelated collection of lines and shapes, with some added chiptune tracks to appease the eardrums of our inner geek.

Since its release, the developer, Vittorio Romeo of Vee Software, has received mixed reactions for releasing … Read more

Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray to Pac-Man my ghosts to eat. If I should level up before I wake, I pray to Donkey Kong my barrels to take. Sleep tight, little geeks, and pull your old-school arcade blankets up to your chins.

You can get your blanket from Etsy, of course. Seller iamduckydale makes classic game blankets and throws. The Donkey Kong blanket is especially impressive, with the iconic ape at the top and Mario leaping a barrel near the bottom. It's the most intricate of the collection and the most expensive at $260.… Read more

We're now in the second week of the NFL football season, and if you're a fan of the game you probably already know when and where you're going to watch your favorite team play this weekend. But when it's not game watching time in the middle of the week, or even at halftime, these are some great games that make you a part of the action without getting too involved.

There are full American football game options at the App Store like Madden NFL 12 and Gameloft's NFL series, but neither are nearly as good as what you would find on a console and the touch-screen interfaces leave a lot to be desired. That's why instead of talking about those games here, I went with easier to pick up and play arcade-like football games that won't keep you glued to your iPhone for a long time.

This week's collection of iOS apps let you focus on playing as specific players on a football team. The first focuses on running, letting you dodge tackles, and even showboat as you run into the end zone. The second lets you play as a kicker, sending the football through the goal posts or trying to get the perfect punt right by the goal line. The third puts you in the shoes of a quarterback as you swipe to make perfect passes to moving receivers.… Read more

Turning light switches on and off is a necessary, but dull, part of our lives. It doesn't have to be like that. With a $29.99 Power-Up Arcade Light Switch Plate from ThinkGeek installed, turning on the living room light will become a retro-gaming adventure.

A bright red joystick turns the light on and off. The switch plate makes classic "pew pew pew" noises when you press the buttons. This will allow you to pretend to play Space Invaders in the dark of your bedroom at 3 in the morning. … Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- New technology lets students cheat more than ever.

- America's hottest late-night club is Applebee's; photographic evidence.

- Crazy message left on a broken airplane wing.

- Homosexual gamers to hold a "Gaymer" convention.

- Not having a Facebook profile now makes you "suspicious."

- Panasonic ErgotFit headphones cost $5, sound like $50.

- Bathroom break video: Everybody hurts.