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Digital Trends
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
This X-Arcade controller brings the smoky magic of arcades to virtual reality
I'll never forget my first experience with an arcade machine. I was at a small regional airport. I can't remember who we were picking up, but I do remember the Galaga machine. The beeping sound effects and the flashing lights called to me like a siren, even though I was barely tall enough to see the screen and grasp the joystick. Recommended Videos I don't know how much time I spent playing. It felt like hours, but was probably closer to 20 minutes. For a kid whose only experience with gaming was an NES, the whole experience felt transformative. Ever since then, I've wanted an arcade machine of my own. As I grew older, I came to understand that owning an arcade machine meant spending a not-insignificant amount of money — and spending a not-insignificant amount of time on maintenance. Those considerations (plus living in small apartments for a large part of my adult life) meant that obtaining one was more of a pipe dream than anything else. Enter the X-Arcade Arcade2TV-XR. This (relatively) affordable unit promised to bring the arcade experience into the home, and it definitely delivered on that promise. It also brought the maintenance aspect, too, in the form of tedious setup and configuration. Spoiler alert: I still think it's worth it, especially if you're an arcade buff, but be prepared to pull out what hair you have left trying to set up MAME to work with this controller (because let's face it: if you remember arcades, you're probably thinning a little). The arcade dream X-Arcade isn't new to the industry. The company has produced arcade controllers for over two decades, bringing the feel of playing old-school games right into the living room. As much fun as it is to play Street Fighter on a console, playing with a physical joystick and an arcade layout feels so much better. The Arcade2TV-XR model is a bit different. It works with Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 headsets to immerse the player into a virtual arcade, and it's a pretty great experience. You can even customize the interior of the arcade to a certain extent, adding your own ROMs and playing your favorite games in an environment that feels familiar, if a bit better lit than the arcades I remember. If you really want to seal the deal, pump in a bit of stale cigarette smoke (but don't really. That's awful for you.) The unit includes a code for Arcade Ranger, the virtual arcade area. It also has a multiplayer game built-in that lets you build and customize an arcade while serving customers, but it isn't something I spent much time with. My interest lay in trying to recreate the arcade experience: a cacophony of background music, sound effects, and flashing lights all vying for attention while I struggle to make the most of a limited number of quarters. I was successful to a degree. I wasn't quite able to capture the atmosphere, but at least I nailed the feel. Playing older arcade games with the Arcade2TV-XR feels great. The buttons are responsive, the joystick is snappy, and it even has a trackball in the center if I ever get the urge to play Golden Tee. The inclusion of a second joystick and set of buttons is great for playing multiplayer arcade games with another person, although you will need to connect the controller to a PC or console for that. Thankfully, connecting to another system is easy enough to do. It's the configuration that had me groaning in frustration. Part of the problem is dated documentation; I found conflicting information in the included user manual and on the website. I ended up opting for the information on the company website, trusting it to be more accurate. The VR setup was simple. Linking the Arcade2TV-XR to RetroArch, on the other hand, felt like trying to beat level three of Battletoads. You know the one. Between firmware updates, USB issues, and trying to get the arcade controller to register in the device panel and then in RetroArch, I spent hours changing various settings until it worked just the way I wanted. Of course, the controller isn't to blame for all of that. RetroArch can be a bit of a nightmare at times, and it just had no idea what to make of the X-Arcade stick. In the end, everything worked as intended, and I spent a lot of time playing 1942, Gauntlet, and several other favorites. Playing fighters is particularly rewarding, and the Arcade2TV-XR comes with swappable restrictor gates to fine-tune the experience. Also: Pac-Man. So much Pac-Man. It's not exactly the same as playing an arcade machine, and I have to sideload ROMs onto the Quest 2 headset before they will appear in the virtual arcade environment. It's not plug-and-play, but I never expected it to be. Emulation has always required effort from the user, but this endeavor took more than expected and isn't something I'd wish upon a complete beginner. I'm not sure anything can ever fully capture the same sensation as when I first played Galaga at that airport, but when I pull on a VR headset and watch the cabinet appear in front of me, it's a step closer. And when I'm fully locked into a game, trying to beat a previous high score, something is there: the unadulterated joy that comes from playing games that live on mostly in memory.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Flight cancellations and delays at YVR
Vancouver Watch More than 20 flights at YVR were cancelled and others faced delays after crews were forced to keep one of the airport's runways closed Friday.
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Construction on Arnold Palmer Regional Airport's new terminal hits turbulence
While the new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport is nearing completion, work is also underway on a new terminal at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity Township. But their construction project has hit a little bit of turbulence in the past few weeks, stemming from the slow delivery of building supplies. "Delayed" is not a term anyone loves to hear at an airport. But as Gabe Monzo, the executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority, says, "delayed" is a term that sometimes just comes with the aviation territory, even when you are talking about delays with the construction of a new 32,000 square foot terminal building and the steel needed to complete it. "It's domestic steel, it is not imported, so it's going to take a while," Monzo said. "We deal with it accordingly and we stop the project, and we will carry it on once the steel arrives. We are anticipating that within a month or so it should be here." Monzo says he is not sure why there is a backup on the steel delivery, but he says the construction of this new terminal is still in good shape, with a phase one completion now on track for March of next year instead of December this year. A full construction completion of all phases is still looking at an on-time arrival in 2027. The new terminal building is landing with a price tag of around $22 million that Monzo says has been fully funded, and it is one of three construction projects at the airport right now. The other two are a taxiway improvement project that should be wrapping up at the end of this year and the recently completed elevator installation on their 65-foot tower. Despite all the work going on, however, Monzo says their daily flights on Spirit Airlines to Orlando and Myrtle Beach, as well as their twice-weekly flights on Spirit to Fort Lauderdale, have not been affected. He says they really need the new terminal space sooner rather than later because Arnold Palmer has become such a popular place to fly in and out of. "You got to remember that when you are landing an Airbus, you have 175 people getting off and 175 people getting on," said Monzo. "So, it's 350 people in the terminal building and right now our terminal building is rather small for 350 people to be walking around."
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
3 Sustainable Suitcase Brands For Stylish Travelers
Young Asian woman carrying suitcase and holding smartphone on hand, walking in airport terminal. Recycled luggage used to get a bad rap. Some travelers thought it wouldn't hold up or assumed it lacked style. That's changed. The best sustainable suitcases today are tough, well-designed, and built with smart details you'd expect from top-tier brands. They don't just look good, they outperform the cheap carry-ons stacked in big box stores. These bags, crafted from materials such as ocean-bound plastic and recycled polycarbonate, are not only environmentally friendly but also visually pleasing. After testing several bags firsthand, these three stood out for their mix of durability, functionality, and design. Even if you don't pack light, they make it easier to travel responsibly. The genius check-in system designed by Solgaard. I didn't expect a suitcase to change the way I pack, but Solgaard's Check-In Closet really did. Designed by Adrian Solgaard, the bag is smart, streamlined, and actually useful, not just a sustainability talking point. What makes it stand out is the built-in shelving system. You pack your clothes into little shelves, compress the whole thing with straps, then lift it out and hang it directly in your hotel closet. No unpacking, no piles of clothes everywhere. It's kind of genius. The outer shell is made from ocean-bound plastic, and the brand makes a clear effort to walk the walk when it comes to eco-credentials. Every purchase helps pull plastic from coastal communities where it's likely to end up in the ocean. And the whole vibe? The bag reminds me of old-school steamer trunks reimagined for modern travelers. There's also a carry-on version — one with the same clip closure and a 'lite' option with zippers. I found the Check-In size roomy and smooth to roll, even when fully loaded. Just a heads-up: it's easy to overpack, and once it's heavy, it can be a bit difficult to handle. I've also heard from a couple of friends who travel constantly that the wheels can wear down over time, so it might not be the forever bag for hardcore frequent flyers. But for most trips, it's a serious upgrade. Actor Jon Hamm has been seen with this bag. Quince, the direct-to-consumer brand started by Sid Gupta, has figured out how to keep prices low without sacrificing design, quality, and responsible manufacturing. I tested their Expandable Carry-On in a deep forest green, made from recycled polycarbonate, and it felt solid — not flimsy or 'budget.' The company's pretty open about its production practices too, which I appreciate. And apparently Jon Hamm travels with one. Not that I base my gear choices on celebrity sightings, but still — it's a detail that caught my eye. In action, the bag glides easily and feels lighter than it looks. The expandable feature came in handy more than once — I always end up with a few extra items on the return leg (bottles of wine, bags of pasta). One heads-up: if you consistently stuff it to the brim, the zippers might eventually feel the strain. Guilty. I also liked the removable laundry bag, which makes separating dirty clothes way less annoying. Almost too pretty to use, Paravel comes in attractive colors and a vegan leather trim. Founded by Indré Rockefeller and Andy Krantz, Paravel has become the poster child for stylish, environmentally friendly luggage. The Aviator Grand Checked suitcase caught my eye, especially in the bold cherry-red color. The bag is built from recycled polycarbonate, aluminum, and zippers, then trimmed with vegan leather derived from recycled plastic bottles. If you want your bag monogrammed for that extra touch of luxe, they can do that, too. Paravel offsets carbon emissions through its shipping policy and clearly highlights its sustainability certifications, including Climate Neutral Certification, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and Global Recycled Standard (GRS), on its site. This suitcase glided effortlessly through airport terminals, even fully loaded. The sole issue I had was the glossy finish. While attractive, it scuffs easily. In truth, all bags wear down over time, but considering how pretty this bag is, I wish I could have sent it through the airport in a cover to keep it looking polished.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Adams took libel case to 'put manners on the BBC'
As Dublin awaits Metrolink from the airport we examine why it is back in the news and why costs are being talked about again. Video: Dan Dennison
