Gaming

5 Hidden Gems On PlayStation Plus Premium

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With a library of around 400 games, PlayStation Plus Premium can seem overwhelming. While the service has titles for every kind of gamer, it can be difficult to know where to invest time. It truly is a bounty of spoils. There are plenty of great AAA Sony exclusives and indie darlings on the service. However, there is a trove of titles that often get overlooked. From kid-friendly indies to remastered exclusives, let’s look at five stand-out titles that deserve more love.

5. 9 Monkeys of Shaolin (2020)

Sobaka Studio’s 9 Monkeys of Shaolin is an excellent side-scrolling action game rooted in history and mysticism. Players control a fisherman who becomes one of the masters of Shaolin. Based on the Chinese fantasy genre of Wuxia, the game combines fluid combat with magical powers to help players defeat increasingly difficult enemies. The game occurs throughout five chapters, in which players fight different clans for each.

Armed with a staff that can be upgraded with perks, players fight through waves of enemies and bone-crushing boss encounters. 9 Monkeys of Shaolin’s satisfying fight system is unique and easy to learn. However, the game is hard to master as there are countless combos and fight styles to explore. This one is a must-play for fans of kung-fu films and old school beat ‘em up video games.

4. Spirit of the North (2019)

Spirit of the North might be the most mellow games PlayStation Plus Premium offers. Infuse Studio created a game experience unlike any other. Players take control of a fox to explore a long-forgotten frozen land. Inspired by the Finnish legend of “Tulikettu,” Spirit of the North contains no dialogue or narrative. It’s all vibes and context clues.

The gameplay is simple yet thoroughly engaging. With the help of a magical spirit, players are left to discover what happened to the land that has lost most of its life. Spirit of the North is one of those games that doesn’t require a lot of intense focus or skill. However, that doesn’t take away from how engaging it is.

3. Thomas Was Alone (2010)

Developer Mike Bithell might be one of the hardest-working guys in indie games. Originally a Flash-based browser game, Thomas Was Alone follows a group of rectangular shapes trying to escape each level.  The game is filled with heart and humor, most of which is from the narration by British comedian Danny Wallace.

The game design is simple yet profound. Players switch between various AI entities (all represented by shapes with unique names and personalities) to solve increasingly complex puzzles. The game occurs inside a computer where something terrible has happened, causing the varia Ais to become self-aware. Thomas Was Alone is a puzzle platforming game for players looking for a real challenge and a good laugh.

2. Party Hard (2016)

Party Hard asks the question, what would a psychopath do to quell his loud neighbors from throwing parties? The answer to that is a series of vicious sabotages and outright murders. This game is for players looking for something to exercise some inner demons or have a sick sense of humor.

Pinokl Games’ action stealth game lets players take control of a disgruntled assailant who systematically stops parties by any means necessary. The gameplay has a cat-and-mouse feel to it. If partygoers witness your acts of mayhem, they will alert authorities. The narrative is tongue-in-cheek at first but spirals out into a massive crime epic.

1. Blasphemous (2019)

There are plenty of Metroidvania-style games on the PlayStation Plus Premium service. However, none are as challenging and rewarding as The Game Kitchen’s Blasphemous. Players take control of The Patient One, the lone survivor of the Brotherhood of the Silent Sorrow. The game is steeped in Roman Catholic iconography and Gothic architecture.

In its mechanics, Blasphemous is like other side-scrolling Soulslike games such as Salt & Sanctuary and Moonscars. However, it stands head and shoulder above the abovementioned games regarding bone-crushing combat and traversal. With a sequel on its way, it’s a good time to dive into the world of Cvstodia and see what Blasphemous has to offer.

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Rappers Who Are The Biggest Gamers: Soulja Boy, T-Pain & More

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Being a hip hop artist and gamer is more common than people realize. Biggie’s iconic “Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis / When I was dead broke, man, I couldn’t picture this” bars often come to mind when one thinks of the connection. N.E.R.D’s iconic cover art for In Search Of… features member Shay Haley playing a PlayStation. Other rappers have referenced games and characters throughout the years. These days, many rappers spend their downtime playing video games. Many stream themselves playing for fun because it serves as another income stream. Gaming has become quite a successful business, with eSports leagues generating and paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars—and sometimes even more. We’ve compiled a list of seven rappers who have been quite open about their love of gaming.

T – Pain

T-Pain is a hip hop gamer who might be able to say he was one of the “first” in that lane, too. The auto-tune legend has been streaming himself playing video games since 2016. Nowadays, he does it through his brand Nappy Boy Gaming. He already had a positive attitude, and that continued during his streams. T-Pain has played several Call of Duty games on his streams over the years, leading to a big opportunity for him. He was a co-host for the world premiere of Call of Duty: Vanguard in 2021. Supporters may remember the…unique moments he shared on the mic during that event. Still, his hosting was a testament that sticking with something can lead to significant opportunities to do something with it.

Tee Grizzley

Tee Grizzley is a hip hop gamer that has made quite a profit doing something that was once called a “waste of time.” Grizzly streams Grand Theft Auto 5 on Twitch, and his brand is Grizzly Gang Gaming. He plays on a private server, and players pay to join it. He plays a variation of the game called “roleplay” (RP), where various customizations are added to make it even more stylized and fun.

Tee has stated he made $200,000 a month through his streaming. “I stream it on Twitch. I get paid from Twitch. I take the Twitch videos I already streamed, and I put those videos on Youtube. I get paid from YouTube. And I get paid from the server. Then, you have sponsorships, ads, and all this s**t I get paid from too.” he shared on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast.

Xavier Wulf

Xavier Wulf is a hip hop gamer with one of the most interactive gaming sessions. Due to being an underground artist, he doesn’t have thousands of people watching his streams. However, since recently appearing in a song with Juicy J, his listeners and viewers may increase. Xavier celebrated the release of his most recent project, Blood Shore Season 3, by playing Fall Guys with fans and then having a listening party for the project. He did so through his Discord server and talked to his supporters through an audio channel as they played together. While his music is often quite aggressive, Xavier’s natural demeanor and voice are quite calm. Xavier is very into cars and naturally has played Need For Speed: Unbound on Twitch. However, his music nor his likeness has appeared in the game…yet. 

Soulja Boy

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include Soulja Boy’s hip hop gamer accolades in this list. Soulja’s foray into the gaming world dates back years ago. Listeners may recall when he made his Xbox gamertag public. In the same infamous YouTube video, he tossed well over 50 copies of games he had on the floor and said he bought a white PlayStation 3 because it “matched the room.”

Soulja has elevated quite a bit since then and has had a podcast about gaming as well as “made” several gaming consoles. However…these consoles are just cheaply made Chinese emulators with his branding on them. Customers expressed frustration after not receiving orders for one of their handheld consoles after waiting over a year. Also, his ban on Twitch, which lasted over a year ended in April 2023, so supporters will likely catch him on there again soon. 

Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion is a hip hop gamer but more in the “if you know, you know” lane. Her love for anime is well-documented in her lyrics, photoshoots, and merchandise deals. Anime lovers and gamers often overlap. However, at this point, she does not regularly stream herself playing video games. But she has done it once, and it was quite a big deal when she did. As a part of the promotion for Mortal Kombat 11, Meg did a cosplay of the game’s character Mileena and played the game on Twitch. Hosted by Fiona Nova, the gaming stream doubled as an interview (of sorts) for Megan, too. Infinitii, a notable Mortal Kombat Streamer, joined the fun and played against Megan. Fans will have to keep an eye out to see if Megan does anything for the upcoming Mortal Kombat 12. 

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg being a hip hop gamer is not even surprising. Uncle Snoop has a catalog of business deals, has appeared anywhere and everywhere, and still records music. It’s only right he spends his downtime – still making money – on the sticks. He was once a part of FaZe Clan, an eSports and lifestyle brand, but parted ways with them in April 2023.

Snoop has streamed various games but is most known for rage-quitting games. This is when something happens in a game so frustrating that the player gets mad and stops playing altogether. However, Snoop has gone beyond playing video games…he’s literally in them. Snoop Dogg is an Operator in Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Warzone. His character’s face and outfit mirror him quite accurately, and his unmistakable voice comes from his character too. 

Logic

Logic is one of the most locked-in hip hop gamers. Upon announcing his (now voided) retirement, he shared that he had signed a seven-figure deal with Twitch’s streaming platform in 2020. But, before this, Logic was very open about his love of gaming. On his YouTube channel, he regularly shared tours of his gaming room, including memorabilia for various games, movies, and shows. He also streamed periodically on YouTube and played multiple games there, too. One of his favorites was The Last of Us; he voiced a character in The Last of Us Part II. As of 2023, he plays video games like Fortnite with fans and streams them on Twitch. Segments of these streams are regularly uploaded to his YouTube for anyone who can’t watch it live.

Who are some of your favorite rappers that play video games? Let us know in the comments section.

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GTA 6 Rumored Production Costs Are Insane

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If you are a fan of video games, then you have probably been waiting on GTA 6 to be released. Of course, GTA V came out back in 2013. Moreover, it got a Next-Gen version in 2014, and subsequently got another Next-Gen upgrade. This game has lasted three console generations, and there is a realistic chance it survives four. Overall, this is not acceptable for a lot of fans. Rockstar Games has refused to give proper updates on this series, and fans don’t know when the next game will come out.

Over the last few years, a target year of 2025 and 2026 has been suggested. Furthermore, it appears to be confirmed that the game will take place in Vice City. If you played the 2002 title GTA: Vice City, you know that this is a stylized version of Miami. Although, you can expect the new map to be significantly larger and livelier. Moreover, you can also expect the game to cost Rockstar Games a pretty penny to put together.

GTA 6 Is Nowhere In Sight

GTA 6
In this photo illustration a Grand Theft Auto (GTA) logo of a computer game is seen on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

According to a report from Dexerto, GTA 6 is going to cost a grand total of $1 billion to make. In fact, the final production costs will probably be larger than that. When GTA 6 was created, it had the largest budget of any piece of media in the history of entertainment. Of course, it was eventually surpassed as budgets began to grow and inflation consumed the industry. With this budget north of $1 billion, it seems like Rockstar Games is looking to take its record back.

For those of you who want to play GTA 6, well, you will have to be patient. If you can survive 10 years without a new game, what’s another two? That said, we’re sure Rockstar Games will bless fans soon enough. Let us know your hopes for the new game, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the gaming world.

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The 5 Greatest “Star Wars” Games (Not From Respawn Entertainment)

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Star Wars is an intellectual property that has spawned nigh countless pieces of art across all mediums. In the realm of video games, the galaxy far, far away has been omnipresent since 1983. From the early days of home consoles, the franchise has made its mark on fans worldwide.

The most recent releases in the Star Wars video game canon have been almost universally loved. Respawn Entertainment’s Jedi: Fallen Order and the recent Jedi: Survivor are masterpieces. They give players an experience like no other. Despite being (arguably) the best games set in this universe, there have been plenty of other stellar entries. Let’s take a look at some that aren’t Fallen Order or Survivor.

Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (2002)

Jedi Outcast can be seen as the blueprint for all action RPG Star Wars games since its first release. The game’s single-player campaign followed Kyle Katarn as he earned Force abilities and various weaponry from the franchise. Katarn’s story began with him forsaking The Force, only to eventually regain his abilities after falling to The Dark Side.

The gameplay was well-measured and offered players a mix of first-person and third-person action. This game was a revelation for Star Wars fans and has remained a hallmark. While it might seem quaint to modern-day gamers, Jedi Outcast was nothing short of exhilarating when it first launched.

Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (2001)

Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader was a launch title for the Nintendo GameCube. While most launch titles were often swallowed up by the annuls of video game history, Rogue Leader was an absolute standout. With fast-paced action and combat, this game stood head and shoulder above other titles looking to move console units.

The game spans across the Original Trilogy, in which both Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles battle in epic dogfights against The Empire. Actor Denis Lawson, who portrayed Wedge in the films, even returned to record new lines for the game. This game set a precedent for aerial combat in Star Wars video games. Even over twenty years after its release, it still plays like gangbusters.

Star Wars Battle Pod (2014)

Star Wars Battle Pod is more of an interactive amusement attraction than a video game but is a singular experience. Players sit in the cockpit of various vehicles from the Original Trilogy and find themselves immersed in classic scenes. From The Battle of Yevin to the speeder run on Endor, Battle Pod gives players an unparalleled immersive experience.

Unfortunately, unless you’re willing to shell out a king’s ransom, Battle Pod can only be experienced in an arcade setting. But if players are willing to hoof it to a Dave & Busters or similar ilk, it’s a must-play. Star Wars Battle Pod is an assault on the sense in the best way possible.

Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005)

Star Wars: Battlefront II from Pandemic Studios improved upon its predecessor in every way. It introduced a new campaign where players took control of a veteran from the 501st Legion. The scope is simply massive, from the Battle of Geonosis of The Clone Wars to the Battle of Hoth.

Battlefront II set a precedent for multiplayer combat by infusing Star Wars lore with a boots-on-the-ground experience. The game was nothing short of epic. While the single-player mode was relatively straightforward, the multiplayer mode was infinitely deep. The game was a bigger, badder version of what came before in all the best ways.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)

Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic was nothing short of a masterpiece. Developer Bioware created a rich world for players, unlike any other Star Wars game. The game took play roughly 4000 years before the events of A New Hope, making it a wholly original experience.

With a refreshingly rich lore and character creation options, Knight of the Old Republic (KOTOR) presented fans with an unparalleled gaming experience. The game was such a hit with fans, it spawned novels and comics set in its world. Knights of the Old Republic is simply iconic in every sense. This sort of world-building was exactly what long-time fans had been craving. KOTOR might hold one of the most extraordinary tales ever told, not in only Star Wars, but video game history.

Keke Palmer’s Twitch Stream Is The Gift That Keeps Giving

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Keke Palmer
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Twitch continues to be an enticing place for celebrities that want more interaction with their fans. We’ve seen folks like T-Pain, Mike Shinoda, Snoop Dogg, and more on the platform. Now, the multi-talented actress and musician Keke Palmer, who starred in Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed film Nope, is the latest celebrity to hop on the streaming train.

If there’s one thing Palmer knows how to do, it’s stay busy in her creative life. While only 29 years old, she’s been a working Hollywood actress for almost two decades. She first appeared in 2004’s Barbershop 2: Back in Business and followed it up two years later with a starring role as Akeelah in Akeelah And The Bee.

Since then, she’s done everything from long-running television shows, Broadway productions, and music albums, most recently starting her digital platform for Black content creators looking to showcase their work, KeyTV.

After announcing her pregnancy in late 2022 on Saturday Night Live, Palmer began filling her time off from acting by catching up on playing video games, especially Sims 4. On her Twitch bio, she talks about this briefly, “i got on here because i got preggers and started spending more time at home which got me back into playing the sims. my followers wanted to see my game play and now we hereeee.”

Before starting her Twitch channel, she’d dabbled in live streaming her gaming exploits on Instagram. On her IG, Palmer began going live and narrating the ridiculous antics her Sims got into on her most recent play sessions. Palmer has a keen eye for creating viral moments on social media, something that translates well to what she hopes to help other Black creators do with KeyTV.

Quickly, clips from her streams went viral on Twitter and other social media platforms, showcasing the funny hijinks she got into with her characters. After a large push from her fans, Palmer set up a Twitch channel in February of 2023 and began streaming.

On Palmer’s Twitch channel, simply called “Keke,” she streams everything from video games she plays (mainly Sims but other titles like Tekken and Detroit: Become Human), karaoke, cooking, and general hangouts to catch up with her audience. She writes more about this in her bio, “i like role playing obvi, i like fighting games, i like decision based games too.. but im into many things outside of gaming because i get bored v easily haha. i like trying new things, diy stuff, karaoke, stand up(light weight haha), reviewing reality tv, reviewing movies, documentaries, conspiracies!”

Palmer’s streams are lowkey and fairly irregular given her busy schedule, but when she does go live, you can expect a no-holds-barred look into who she is as a person when she’s not on the silver screen. On one of her most recent broadcasts, she streamed the narrative, choose your own adventure game Detroit: Become Human which centers around the various lives of androids who are becoming sentient in a future Detroit.

https://m.twitch.tv/videos/1789587125

The infectious charm and wit she brings to her characters on screen are given a different light on stream. In her Detroit: Become Human live stream, chaos quickly ensued as Palmer and her partner, Darius Jackson, ate takeout while trying to figure out how to play the game which features complex button inputs.

What’s interesting about Palmer’s streams is how her immense knowledge of acting and direction comes through in how she engages with the games she plays. As if on cue, Palmer and Jackson fall into character while playing Detroit, giving their own voice acting to the cinematic scenes. A particularly hilarious moment occurs as Palmer controls her android character, dodging an assailant while she gets more and more on edge trying to keep up with the button prompts.

This is shown even more when she plays the Sims 4. Palmer creates in-depth storylines for all of the characters she creates that highlight insanely funny situations you’d expect in an evening sitcom. “This is the storyline,” she says to the viewers before telling a detailed backstory about the messy relationships her characters have. Upon giving the setup for the predicament her characters are in, she proceeds to voice all of them in their respective voices to an absurdly funny extent.

It’s rare that audiences get such an intimate look into the life and persona of their favorite celebrities. While we are certainly living in the age of over-stimulation and social media fatigue, watching Palmer on stream is a much different experience than seeing a clip of a post on a social media platform. Palmer’s Twitch streams further confirm what her on-screen performances already suggest — she is one of the world’s best at blending humor with drama today, no matter the medium.

Kevin Durant Gets Warzone Operator

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Call of Duty: Warzone is the long-running first-person shooter’s answer to the massively popular battle royale genre. Originally released in March 2020, the free-to-play game has earned a massive following. In April 2021, developer Activision announced that Warzone had surpassed 100 million active players. It also spawned a robust competitive scene. Arguably, the game became the premiere esports product for the Call of Duty franchise, even if Activision wanted to focus its attention on the Call of Duty League.

While Warzone was not without its flaws or detractors, it proved to be a big enough success for Activision to warrant a sequel. Warzone 2.0 was released in 2022 alongside Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. A core part of the game’s visual aesthetic is the ability to buy specific skins, known as “operators”, to apply to your character. These often look like famous individuals, and now an NBA superstar is set to become the latest one.

Kevin Durant Is Latest Sports Superstar-themed Operator

In the past, Warzone has added operators modeled after the likes of Neymar, Messi, and Paul Pogba. Now it appears that the Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant will be the next sports star enshrined in the game. A teaser clip was uploaded by the official Warzone account that made reference to an “Easy Money Sniper”. EasyMoneySniper just so happens to be Durant’s Instagram handle. This was seemingly confirmed when the Warzone Facebook page “accidentally” uploaded the clip with the caption “KD_Teaser”. That was quickly deleted, but not before plenty of screenshots had been taken.

Further details have revealed that the Kevin Durant operator will become available on May 10 alongside the launch of Warzone 2.0‘s third in-game season. Based on previous operator releases, Kevin Durant will likely cost 2400 CoD points (~$20). “Swish”, a pro Warzone player for the New York Subliners organization, also uploaded images showing the Kevin Durant operator model.

Durant is seen wearing gear of the in-game weapons manufacturer Bruen, as well as wielding a climbing axe. As for the actual Durant, he is still locked in a tight playoff battle with the New York Knicks. Are you excited to play as Kevin Durant in Warzone?

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5 Hidden Gems on Xbox Game Pass

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With over 350 titles to choose from, Xbox Game Pass can be overwhelming. From AAA titles to niche indie darlings, there is something on the subscription service for everyone. However, wading through the expansive catalog is not for the faint of heart. Plenty of titles may pique gamers’ interest, but it can be challenging to find your next obsession.

With that in mind, let’s look at games that deserve more love. These games range from giving players relaxed experiences to bone-crushing journeys. Xbox Game Pass has so much to offer, so let’s take a look at some often overlooked titles.

5. Moonscars (2022)

This might be one of the most punishing games Xbox Game Pass has to offer. Players take control of Grey Irma, a warrior made of clay, looking for her maker. This Soulslike Metroidvania title is dripping with grimdark aesthetics and deep lore. Players must fight through a world of hazardous platforms and nightmare creature enemies.

The gameplay is as punishing as it is rewarding for players who are looking for a challenge. Developer Black Mermaid has crafted a dark world that will speak to fans of games such as Blasphemous and Salt and Sanctuary. While this game might not be for everyone, Moonscars is a revelation for Game Pass fans wanting a brutal experience.

4. Umurangi Generation (2020)

Some games defy genre. Origame Digital’s Umurangi Generation is one of those games. This entry might be one of the most unique experiences on Game Pass. Cultivating game mechanics from titles such as Pokémon Snap and Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Umurangi Generation is a standout on the service.

Players take control of a Māori courier for the Tauranga Express, who documents an alien invasion in New Zealand. The gameplay is simple in execution yet insanely profound as you explore the world. Umurangi Generation focuses on artistic expression through challenge-based photography. The aesthetics are simple and help paint a picture of a world on the brink of extinction. There’s also an adorable penguin who is impossible not to love.

3. Unpacking (2021)

Witch Bean’s simplistic puzzle game Unpacking is a brilliant meditation on growing in and out of relationships. This might be the most mellow game available on Xbox Game Pass. Players pack and unpack a female protagonist’s belongings in various stages of her life. Rifling through her worldly possessions gives the player insight into her life and current living situation.  

Unpacking is simplistic in its approach to storytelling. However, if players take the time to survey their surroundings, they might find a deep connection to the anonymous protagonist. This game is simply brilliant. Its simple execution is unlike anything else Game Pass has to offer. This game will make players laugh, cry, and reflect on their own growth in life.

2. The Ascent (2021)

Neon Giant’s The Ascent is a cyberpunk action RPG with an insane amount of depth and world-building. In terms of isometric role-playing titles, this game shares a lot of DNA with games like Diablo and Baldur’s Gate. Where it differs is the pace of progression and the dark, dank science fiction dystopia setting.

For gamers looking for a stopgap before Diablo IV makes its release, The Ascent will certainly scratch an itch. It has a robust loot system and deep customer customization. The combat is rewarding, and all the weaponry has a wonderful weight to them. The Ascent is a must-play for fans of the cyberpunk genre and lovers of gritty role-playing games.

1. PowerWash Simulator (2022)

What’s better than doing chores? Well, if FutreLab’s PowerWash Simulator is any indication, it’s doing chores in a video game. There has been a plethora of menial task simulation games. However, PowerWash Simulator stands head and shoulder above the competition. This is the perfect video game play on Game Pass while you listen to podcasts or catch up on new music releases.

This game demands very little of its audience but rewards them handsomely. The gameplay feels like the most non-violent FPS ever created. The story is hidden in the crevices of the game and doesn’t affect too much. If anything, it’s just texture to one of the best simple games ever produced. For hardcore gamers to filthy casuals, PowerWash Simulator is a must-play for players looking to unwind.

Songs In Video Games: Best Rap Tracks

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Hip-hop and video games go hand-in-hand. The Def Jam series, for instance, paired hip-hop with video games to incredible success. As time passed, they added current artists to the NBA 2K soundtracks and the Madden NFL series. These additions often split players down the middle. Some were excited about the full playlist while others took pride in sharing which songs they had on mute. Nonetheless, music plays a critical part in video games, these days. Not only do they set the tone but they can provide an adrenaline rush at the right moments. Below, we’ve gathered a list of some of the best songs in video games in recent years.

Cordae & Hit-Boy – “Checkmate (Madden 23)” (Madden NFL 23)

The soundtrack to the Madden games has built a legacy in its own right. Over the years, they’ve included varying genres to get the blood flowing during gameplay. However, Madden 23 included a star-studded soundtrack with a particular focus on hip-hop. Producer Hit-Boy not only curated the soundtrack but also created 33 exclusive beats that were used for the game’s cinematics. He also produced Cordae’s exclusive track for the game “Checkmate.” The original version finds Cordae reflecting on his come-up with motivational gems. In the Madden version, he restructures a few bars to parallel his own experiences with the sports world. This was a creative and fitting decision and allows the song to have a dual purpose without compromising it too much.

Denzel Curry – “The Game” (Madden NFL 22)

Denzel Curry’s “The Game” was tailored specifically for Madden NFL 22. Of course, the song title is the first giveaway. Then, there’s the nostalgia-driven cover art, reminiscent of a 90s Nintendo game. The song’s visualizer on YouTube is a play-through of a vintage game of Madden that continues the aesthetics of the cover art. In the song, Denzel describes the adversity he’s faced, overcoming said obstacles, and navigating through success. Even with its general laidback vibe, Denzel Curry’s bringing heat to the table.

A$AP Rocky – “Sh*ttin Me” (Need for Speed Unbound)

This is one song from a video game that was unexpected. Not only is Rocky in the game as himself, but he also has his own custom Mercedes 190E. Naturally, players get to drive it during a mission where their character meets Rocky. The song has nothing to do with racing or cars but that’s okay. It’s slightly surprising but it’s an energetic banger that fits the game nonetheless. Rocky seems to have treated it as an official single in his discography. His custom car makes a cameo in the music video, too.

21 Savage – “Immortal” (Mortal Kombat 11)

This is one of those songs from a video game that nobody expected. Rappers have referenced the game in the past. Megan Thee Stallion even played Mortal Kombat 11 on live stream. However, it was 21 Savage that helped launch the campaign for this particular entry by debuting his single, “Immortal” in the official trailer. The Atlanta rapper uses references from the legendary franchise throughout the record, like, “Draco get to kickin’ like Liu Kang,” “Choppa cut you up like Kitana” and “Neck on froze like Sub-Zero, dawg.” Players and listeners thought 21 was a very fitting choice considering how his lyrics are typically as bleak as the gameplay itself. However, this song is not in the game itself. Fortunately, it was released on streaming services in 2019, even though the trailer was released in 2018.

Rage Against The Machine – “Guerrilla Radio” (Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2)

This entry is one of those songs from a video game that reached multiple generations. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 is a remaster pack for the two games from 1999 and 2000. “Guerilla Radio” is in the remaster pack soundtrack and was originally in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2. For players — and millennials, in general — this song has a certain nostalgia attached to it. Additionally, they used the song for the opening video of the game which combines footage from the past and present. Tony has spoken about including music that was directly connected to skate culture in all of his games. This includes having a variety of genres. Furthermore, for Rage specifically, the anti-establishment lyrics resonated with the rebel aspect of skate culture.

KoRn vs. Dem Franchize Boyz – “Coming Undone Wit It” (NFL Street 3)

This is one of the songs from a video game that you may only know of if you’ve played it. “Coming Undone Wit It” is nu-metal mash up of Dem Franchize Boyz and Korn. The song has a special nostalgic memory for players who downloaded the song to their mp3 players in their younger days. Furthermore, the song is still not on streaming services. Its only home is YouTube and computers/mp3 players from the 2000s.

What are some rap songs you remember hearing in video games? Let us know in the comments section.

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Video Game Remakes: 5 Underappreciated Releases

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Remakes in pop culture are nothing new. In fact, countless classic films were remakes of pictures from the silent era, and the trend has never slowed. If anything, remakes have become omnipresent across almost all forms of media. Films, television shows, and video games are filthy with remakes and reboots, for better and worse. Regarding video games, remakes, remasters, and reboots have become the industry norm.

With graphic capabilities and intuitive playability constantly improving, it only makes sense that gamers would be more inclined to revisit their favorite experiences. Recent remake releases such as Dead Space, The Last of Us Part 1, and Resident Evil 4 have all been massive hits and tentpole entries into video game canon. However, some video remakes have not found the same level of broad appeal as these aforementioned titles. Here are just a few that could use a bit more celebration for their improvement on the source material.

5. Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty! (2014)

Oddworld Inhabitants’ 2014 remake of their 1997 PlayStation cult classic Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee was nothing short of a revelation. The remake Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty reinvents the world of our Mudokon protagonist Abraham Lure by jettisoning into the realm of 2.5D. This may sound like a small leap forward, but the improved graphic fidelity creates a new gameplay experience. The hostile world of Abe was rendered gorgeously. All that means is the 1997 original had been kept intact and improved in almost every conceivable way.

The Oddworld franchise has always had a rabid fan base. However, Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty should have had a broader appeal. It made the puzzle platforming far more accessible by adding tighter controls and a difficulty setting, something the original game did not grace players with. While the follow-up, Oddworld: Soulstorm (2021), did not live up to the promise of its predecessor, Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty remains a masterful remake of a cult favorite that should have had a much broader audience.

4. Strider (2014)

The 1989 hack-n-slash platformer Strider was an arcade favorite for gamers looking for a tough-as-nails challenge. Players took control of the manga character Strider Hiryu and traversed a dystopian cyberpunk world. Wielding a plasma sword known as “Cypher,” gamers were besieged by legions of vicious enemies and increasingly difficult platforming obstacles. The game would later be ported to home consoles, to diminishing returns.

However, in 2014, developer Double Helix Games breathed new life into Strider on the PlayStation 3. This version of the game was a reboot that gave the graphics and controls a tight reconfiguration. Despite not having the designer of the original arcade release, Kouichi Yotsui, the game maintained the spirit of the original. It preserved the clever level of design and bone-crushing difficulty. Strider (2014) kept the core mechanics firmly planted in the confines of a 2D platformer. But it was fresh for gamers who might be more inclined to play in a 3D environment.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes (2004)

Hideo Kojima’s 1998 PlayStation release Metal Gear: Solid was ground-breaking. Kojima defined the stealth game based on the framework of the 1987 NES predecessor Metal Gear. Six years after Metal Gear: Solid’s release, Kojima redesigned the game with the 2004 remake Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes for the Nintendo GameCube. Twin Snakes featured updated graphics and gameplay mechanics, similar to 2001’s Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.

The game also included new cut scenes written and directed by renowned Japanese filmmaker Ryuhei Kitamura, further galvanizing the franchise’s cinematic tone. Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes was a financial and critical hit. However, there has yet to be a rerelease at the time of this writing. The underappreciation of the game has stemmed from its confinement to an oddball Nintendo console with a wonky controller.

2. The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena/Escape From Butcher Bay (2009)

Movie tie-in video games have historically been universally regarded as a cynical cash grab. For every X-Men Origins: Wolverine (a game that trumps the movie it was based on tenfold), there were dozens of cheaply produced bargain bin releases littering game store shelves. One of the best examples of a movie tie-in game breaking the cycle was the 2004 Xbox release The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. The game also acts as a prequel to the films Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick. It’s the most fun you can have pretending to be Vin Diesel.

In 2009 The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena was released. Further, this title included a remake of Butcher Bay and a sequel campaign. The remake and additional content improved upon the stealth mechanics. It also featured enhanced graphics and sound design, taking advantage of the next-gen technology of the time. Butcher Bay is a must-play for gamers looking for a first-person experience not focused on shoot-em-up set pieces. The remake (and its sequel) feel more like an expansion of an insane sci-fi property than just trite studio-mandated merchandise.

1. Rygar: The Legendary Adventure (2002)

The 1986 side-scrolling arcade game, Rygar, was a hit at the time of its release. Utilizing a unique weapon known as the “Diskarmor,” players took control of a legendary warrior to traverse a hostile world inspired by Greek Mythology. It only made sense for a remake to rear its head eventually. In 2002, developer Tecmo revisited the property with Rygar: The Legendary Adventure for the PlayStation 2.

This was one of the best remakes no one seems to talk about. Incorporating solid 3D platforming and combat, Rygar: The Legendary Adventure almost acts as a precursor to the God of War franchise. The combo hit system, and incredible soundtrack, also gave the remake a sense of epic scope. While there are certainly things to take issue with, most notably the amount of downtime, the game was way ahead of its time.