TPA5

For a sub-$400 rig, I would say look at something powered by an AMD processor. The gaming rig I built earlier this year is run by an AMD quad-core and it clips along at a snappy rate quite happily. Besides, these days it isn't as much about your CPU, though it is still important to have a good one, but it definitely rests more heavily on the graphics card. For instance, here's a really (seriously) quick-and-dirty build for you: MOBO: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130747 - $75 CPU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113379 - $90 RAM: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231718 - $40 HD: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=22-236-339 -$57 PSU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438016 - $50 GFX: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121852 - $140 CASE: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154095 - $35 If you want a "gamer" looking case for a few bucks more, try: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156296 - $45 TOTAL: $487 (Or $497 with the more expensive case) So that comes in at a little more than $400. If you wanted to save some cash, you could opt for a less beefy graphics card, but if you want a chance of running GTA V you won't really want to. Even the card I listed might choke, depending on the resolution you want. Of course, if you live in the USA the prices for those items I listed will probably be less expensive. If you want a gaming PC that can run the games you listed, especially GTA V, you might have to go a little over $400. Now, if I had more time to look around I could get that cost down by finding sales and such, but this gives you an idea of what to expect. Hope that helps!

GOG has their DRM-Free Winter Sale on right now until the 15th. Also known as the "continue to empty TPA5's wallet and inflating his computer with games he doesn't have time to play sale."

I have Tales of Symphonia for the Gamecube, it's pretty enjoyable but I personally find it to be a little on the slow side. Still an excellent JRPG for the GC however.

All I know is that if I was a child, this would brighten up my Christmas.

It's pretty obvious to me what you need to do with that big block. Go kart. If strapping your ass to a 455-powered go kart doesn't get your blood pumping, I don't know what will.

Can you post a picture of it? I've seen Wii clones (can we really call it a "clone" when it doesn't do anything like the actual Wii?) that sound very similar to that. You probably won't find very much information about it, but if you open it up you may be able to identify the chips inside with some Google-fu.

Well, this oughta be a good topic. *grabs popcorn*

A gauge of interest? I'm not 100%, it's just my guess is all.

Large companies have the luxury of sourcing funding from financial backers, homebrew jobs don't have that kind of financial security. I know I wouldn't want to fork out for a run of PCB's, boxes, and cart shells without knowing I can both pay for it, and have people that will for sure buy it.

That is awesome, I have an android tablet kicking around that I wasn't sure what to do with and that looks perfect!

The deal fell through as you mentioned, but for posterities sake I just wanted to mention that wrapping it in cling film could end up damaging the electronics. Moisture can get trapped in-between the cling film and the monitor and actually encourage mould and corrosion. If you did want to ever wrap something like that up, butchers paper works great because it breathes and is tough. But, like you said the deal fell through so it doesn't matter. Still, the Sony Multisync you have is really nice!

I do actually like CRT for some games/systems, but for general computing I find LCD screens are much easier on my eyes. I still play my Gamecube on my trusty CRT TV because I like how it looks more than on my LCD TV that I use for Netflix, etc. In terms of storing anything in a garage that needs to avoid humidity/mould, the easiest and best way is to simply not store it in a garage at all. Garages aren't a super great place to keep electronics in general. However if you need to keep it there, put it in an area off the floor and away from doors if possible. Make sure there aren't any leaky roofs and damp walls near where you're storing it. If you can find a plastic tub with a snug lid that's big enough to fit the CRT definitely put it in there, and put a few big silica gel packs to absorb any moisture. If it's sitting long-term, make sure you re-dry the gel every few months in the oven or microwave (lots of info on the net about that).

My friends been playing this since release, it does look really great on PC. I'm not usually a massive fan of AAA titles, but I definitely have this on my Steam to-buy list after watching some gameplay for myself.

I'm definitely a fan of the NES version, although that is most likely due to it being the first version I played. And I pronounce it the correct way, "Marr-e-o"

Actually, for fun once I did some not-really-scientific tests of a Gameboy (the original), a Gameboy Advance SP, and a Nintendo DS Lite in which I plugged them into a friends very high-end audio setup and played for a little while. I was quite surprised at all the nuances I had previously not noticed on all 3 systems. Especially Metroid Hunters on the DS, I was very surprised how much extra audio I noticed, from music to sound effects and ambiance. So I would definitely say that a nicer pair of headphones would improve the experience even on an original Gameboy. When I play on my handhelds I use either a $35 pair of Sony earbuds that conform to my ear (like earplugs), or if I'm at home I'll use my $120 over-ear headphones that I got as a Christmas gift last year. It definitely makes the experience more enjoyable (and immersive). On the topic of Apple earbuds, I actually have to admit that new style that I got with my iPhone 5C may not sound superb, but the shape is ultra comfortable. I'd love earbuds in that shape with better speakers inside.

So I stumbled across this article today: http://www.polygon.com/2014/10/16/6988687/the-worst-trailer-of-the-year-revels-in-slaughtering-innocents And it shows the trailer for a game called "Hatred" in which you play as a extremely psychopathic character who decides one day to go on an iso-metric 3D murder spree. And that's it. The trailer is pretty messed up, so watch at your own peril. Essentially, it's just the character (you) gunning down screaming, pleading civilians and police officers... and that's it. And thus I wonder... is this really what passes for a game? Sure games like GTA and Hotline Miami are violent, but there was, in a sense, a bizarre purpose for the violence. In GTA, you could kill civilians and rampage, but it wasn't the point of the game. In Hotline Miami, those who you kill are other criminals, other sociopaths. This... game (I hesitate to call it that), is simply an exercise in frightening, hyper violent fantasies. It truly staggers me that this schlock can even pass as a game, especially in the wake of violence such as the Sandy Hook and Colorado shootings. Maybe I'm just getting older, but this trash isn't gaming to me. It's nauseating violence for the sake of violence, and I'm disappointed it's even something a company would think to develop.

Every time I think the modern games industry can't get any crummier, they manage to prove me wrong. To them, gamers (customers) are just fleshy ATM's whose sole purpose is to fork over their hard-earned dollars. Quality of the games be damned, we have money to make!

Stuff like this has been around for awhile, the reality vests were made out to be a big deal back in the day. Still, I wonder what (if any) long-term effects could arise from the usage of something that sends rumbles directly through your heart/lungs.

I've dealt with them many times for Gamecube games, and I've always had a positive experience through their eBay store. Of course as with anything in this world, your mileage may vary. I can't vouch for their web-store, as I only deal with them through eBay.

That looks so fresh, I would love to play Mega Man in glorious 1080p. I wonder how much under $150 the kit will be, and I wonder if I would have the guts to solder it in myself.

True enough mate, don't sweat it! Sorry if I came off a little pretentious or rude in my post, reading it again I was perhaps a little rude. I don't think you pissed anyone off, just made us all nervous. But hey, you're more than welcome here! I think if you edit your first post and include a picture (you can upload them right in the advanced post editor), dropped a little more info, and include a link to your eBay or KLOV if you have feedback there, you'll definitely increase your chances of getting that Dreamcast Kiosk moved! It's a pretty cool item to be sure. Cheers!

Really good topic, and good points Keatah. It's something I have thought a lot about, and honestly I guess I'm still not sure where I stand. Personally, I really, really, prefer using original hardware. Whether it's computing or gaming, I like the feel and experience of the actual hardware. That's not to say I don't emulate, I most definitely use emulation relatively often. It's nice to be able to play classic DOS games on my Macbook, SNES games on my Raspberry Pi, and 2600 games on my DS Lite. That being said, if I'm at home and I have a choice, I'll play PC games on one of my PC's, SNES games on my SNES, and 2600 games on my 2600. Emulation definitely has its place, and I think as the maker movement continues to explode in popularity we'll see more projects that look like the original hardware, but with emulation boards inside, like the Altair 8800 reproduction kit. Eventually, I'm sure emulation will be the only practical way for people to experience the machines of yester-year. But in this moment I personally prefer the 'real steel' to emulation.

I'm going to have to side with OldSchoolRetroGamer on this one. You could have been a member here for years and years, but if you don't post how are we to know you aren't just making an account to sell things? This is a community, and despite the occasional argument here and there it's a pretty tight-knit community. We all try to watch each-others backs, so if a seller comes in offering something that's large, uncommon, and expensive, without giving much other info or giving us a reason to trust them, we tend to close the ranks. Honestly, it's not rude. We've seen more then our fair share of scammers come and go. That's why I wrote the topic I dropped a link to earlier, so that persons who are legitimately offering goods (such as yourself) will be able to make an excellent first impression. Honestly, you didn't make a good first impression at all. You gave very little info, didn't post pics, asked us to email you, and then became defensive and combative when called on it. Plus, it wasn't until another member posted a link from the chat that we even got some more info. We're not trying to attack you, we've just seen enough people come through and try to take advantage of folks here that we're wary.

Far be it from me to, yet again, self-promote my own topics with utter shamelessness.... Take a read here: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/222489-tips-for-selling-on-atariage-and-beyond/ (Maybe if a mod would sticky it....)

I have never had any luck with Madcatz products, to be honest. Controllers, peripherals, memory cards, all junk. If you really want that arcade feel, building a stick yourself is the best way to go. Depending on what you all want inside it, you could build a single-player stick for under $100.