He Wore Speedos, We Wore Nostalgia: The UCP Holiday Special

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Ever wish a new release felt like the best parts of the 16-bit era without the grind or the guesswork? That’s the spark behind our deep dive into Terminator 2D: No Fate—an affectionate, modern-built throwback that marries beat-em-up grit, run-and-gun pacing, and side-scrolling driving with clever movie nods and genuinely meaningful branching paths. It’s the rare licensed game that rewards replays because choices actually reshape missions, tone, and outcomes. We break down why it works, where it surprises, and how its small details add up to big grins.

From there, we get practical. Retro can look and play beautifully on modern screens with a few smart tweaks: find the 60 Hz options, switch mono to stereo, and hunt for hidden widescreen toggles in PS2-era menus. On Switch Online, Luigi’s Mansion gets a new lease of life by flipping look controls and managing the frame. We share the adapters and small hardware rituals that cut friction—because sometimes a clean contact or a better pad is the difference between shelving a classic and seeing it shine.

News comes with presents: PSVR2’s Aces of Thunder takes flight with HOTAS support and the kind of seated VR that just works; Gears of War E-Day promises a ground-up Unreal Engine 5 prequel that’s a clean entry point for newcomers; and smaller Switch 2 cartridges signal a healthier, more affordable path for mid-size and indie physical releases. All of it feeds into a holiday rotation that swings between PS2 guilty pleasures, The Getaway’s infamous AI, and the evergreen cool of Soul Reaver.

If you want a cozy listen that blends smart recommendations, tech tips that matter, and a few bold takes on where gaming is headed, you’re in the right place. Hit play, then tell us: what’s your festive go-to game and what’s the one retro setup tweak you swear by? Subscribe, share with a friend who loves pixels with purpose, and drop a review to help more curious gamers find the show.

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Name read out on every show

Access to unglorious chat section of discord

Quarterly Zoom meet up

A single item of yearly limited art merch

$8

Name read out on every show

Access to unglorious chat section of discord

Quarterly Zoom meet up

A single item of yearly limited art merch

Yearly art merch mug

$10

Name read out on every show

Access to unglorious chat section of discord

Quarterly Zoom meet up

A single item of yearly limited art merch

Yearly art merch mug

Yearly art merch t-shirt

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