Your channel is by far my favorite of all gaming channels! Thanks for being such a cool dude for so many years. Great to see your passion for gaming. Love coming by and chilling whilst watching your videos!
I just started Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake, and after nearly 4 hours of play time, I am LOVING IT. And here's the thing, I've never played a DQ game, and I'm not particularly crazy about turn-based RPGs ( though I did play and love Chrono Trigger about 10 years ago). So if you know someone who is curious about JRPGs or loves old-school games, I highly recommend DQIII HD-2D. Happy Solstice, everyone🤘🔥
@EatSplode Agreed. The only thing I've enjoyed about 2024 is the fact a heap of great new games released this year, and 2025 is looking pretty good too!
So it’s almost time to binge watch the Holiday Christmas Special!!!!!! This year I want a story time segment with Johnny and Rob on looking back on things.
As a dad gamer, the PS portal has been amazing! Has its issues here and there, but I don't have the best internet. But I mainly play strategy and turn based, so it's perfect.
Same man. Used to use my phone with backbone, or with controller but it using the Portal is just so much better and more comfortable. Probably the best hand-held for comfort I've used. I'm lucky that my internet connection and speeds are very good, though. It's the Dadstation and I'm not surprised it sold well.
Been following you for a couple of years now, and remember watching last year’s guide. You always have some amazing/unique games and items that people won’t see anywhere else
I picked up that Transformers Book about a month ago, and I got chills from the nostalgia I got. The art is amazing and is modern but captures that 80's mood. I'm looking forward to getting all of the books in the series
How about Slay the Spire… the board game?! This has been one of the best surprises for me this year. Contention Games did a fantastic job adapting the original game into a physical card game. It does a great job capturing the feel of Slay the Spire while adding their own unique twists to it. Plus the addition of Coop play makes it a great time with a friend. My wife and I had a really fun time playing it together.
Good list, I've already got most things on it. Even picked up Silent Hill 2 after that skit you did the other week. I think they listened to the public and did some good work on it in the end.
I picked up Disney illusion Island on sale a while ago and finally got around to playing it. It's a 2023 game, but it's a very fun 2D platforming game. I had no idea it had a huge Metroidvania-style map to explore before I started playing it now though so that was a pleasant surprise. Lots of collectibles too.
If you like or know someone who likes Metroidvanias, I'd recommend Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Animal Well. Two of the better ones I've played in the genre, both very affordable games too.
Seeing you get into Silent Hill after all these years has been amazing! I recommend hopping into the original SH2 next and then SH1/SH3. SH3 is a direct sequel to SH1, whereas SH2 is just a standalone narrative. The soundtracks in this series are so good it's unbelievable!
Happy Holidays Johnny! I hope you are having a good Holiday Season! I already got my Christmas gifts sorted out for my SO and the gamers in life. I hope you do too!
I love my analouge pocket so much. It was hard for me to get into anything older than playstation, but with the open FPGA I have been able to expose myself to so many more games with the use of roms. Before the pocket emulation was something I stayed far away from. However, the ability to download any older pixel game and play whenever I want has been amazing. Not to mention the color versions of gameboy games like Mario land 1/2 and Wario land 1. Recently I’ve been getting into the homebrew scene. These modern games on old platforms are incredible. If any of you have/want a pocket PLEASE do yourself a favor and unlock its full potential with open FPGA!
So many great games on my backlog but I am currently with Shenmue lol. I saw it on a sale and I couldn't play it back in the late 90s... it's definitely a very special unique game I really hope I can finish it as well as its sequel. Even perhaps the 3rd one!!
Great guide! If I was to give any advice, I'd suggest paying that little bit extra and grabbing the Steam Deck. I've been using mine to emulate Gameboy and GBA games, and theres also software you can install that let's you stream directly from your PS5 to the Deck. So it's basically the Analog Pocket and PS Portal in one.
I've been watching the show for longer but the christmass episodes bring me back to 2014 (hits like a ton of bricks to realize it's been 10 years already) going back to school while having a full time job. Painful times, didn't get much chance to play for a couple years, but on december I had time off from both school and work and while taking a break from gaming and anime sessions I came across video after video of HCG christmass specials and themed episodes. Good times.
Awesome recommendations. I especially like that you added the books as well for something different. I traded in my Xbox series s for a portal and it was definitely an upgrade for me. I wish you could turn the ps5 on with it, but it’s been nice for playing on the couch or in bed.
Long time fan! Have you played Dredge yet? I wanted to get your perspective. I just finished it and it was one of the best horror games I've ever played! Fresh story for once. I Definitely recommend it if you have not yet played it. Its free on PS plus right now.
I love your big trouble in little china holiday sweater it’s badass like you,Johnny hope you and the Mrs. have a wonderful holiday season and awesome new year you guys are the best I totally take your reviews as if it’s a buyers guide whenever you make videos I totally respect your opinion
I'm surprised there is no mention of Open FPGA for the Analogue Pocket, you can play NES, SNES, Master System, Megadrive, Neo Geo, PC Engine, Sega Arcade and CPS1/2 games on that little thing. Speaking of Transformers i really want a sequel to Devastation and Devastation isn't even on Switch.
Cool video Johnny! Honestly all great picks here. Popped for Astro Bot, Unicorn Overlord and FF7 Rebirth, to me those are three musts. I would also recommend Dragon's Dogma 2. The Transformers stuff was rad, love that stuff.
I agree with the Switch I also recently just rebought a Wii U which I soft modded it’s awesome for playing old GameCube games on and off the tv plus games that haven’t made it to the Switch as yet like Twilight Princess and Starfox Zero ect……
started shopping early for my niece and nephews (and myself) bought a couple of ds lites with custom shells. bought a clear, clear black, and clear purple for the kids and picked up a clear green for myself. now looking to build a pokedex shell and a gold zelda shell. also bought 3 flash cards for the kids so they can enjoy the full ds library. also the ds lite can play gba games as well, so you could buy gba games or a gba flash cart, if your kids were especially well behaved. these kids were not lol depending on if you buy out right or rebuild one you had laying around you can expect to spend $60 for shell and new screens, to $120 for a prebuilt one on ebay. then an extra $30 to $120 on if you want just the ds flash cart or both ds and gba flash cart.
Oldies but still really great gift ideas for Zelda fans. The Dark horse collection of books. Hyrule historia, Arts and artifacts, the Zelda encyclopedia, or creating a champion if they really just like breath of the wild. They can dig deeper into the lore of Zelda and are really great coffee table books that are quality made to last.
I gave my grandnephew my whole SNES collection so he can play. Letting someone new to experience games from the 90s is the best way to spread the love of video game. No need to buy.
I started reading the Lacrimosa of Dana book, but by the time I got a few chapters in, it made me really want to play the game again so I ended up doing another playthrough of it... maybe one day I'll get through the book!
My boy is turning 6 just before christmas. He's been showing a lot of interest in my GBA era games lately. I've ordered him an Anbernic RG35XX Plus. I think he's gunna love it. He's a big fan of the old mario and sonic games.
That Megaman music doing your Bit Map Book showing :D Also i went to a store today, sadly they didn´t have Shadow Dark. Hopefully its easy to get online too
I look forward to the Christmas special every year cant wait for this years episode! Thank you for being a role model for us slightly older folks that still love games / toys / pop culture. Never "grow up" everyone, its just boring.
I was really surprised with just how much I enjoyed Romancing Saga 2 Revenge of the Seven. That would be another good one for classic RPG fans. Between that, Mana, and Dragon Quest, classic RPG fans like myself have been having a good time this year.
Coffee table books and art books for older gamers are such a delight - some on my radar include the new Warhammer 40K Ultimate Guide, the 30th anniversary Dragon Quest art of Akira Toriyama, and anything from Bitmap in the genre they enjoy, the CRPG book from them is my personal fav
I want the PS Portal So bad. Ive been telling my GF i want it for xmas since like, March. LOL. I prefer handheld gaming. It's nostalgic for me. I also really appreciate the convenience of being able to dock and play on a TV, then pickup the console and go somewhere else. With a lot of people in the house, Its helpful to not need a tv for games. i'm happy to hear you guys are getting so much use out of it. I plan on finishing Baldur's Gate and trying out Front Mission HD. Can't wait! Also Unicorn Overlord looks amazing. been meaning to pick that up.
Already that time of the year. Excellent recommendations Johnny I will be honest, i suggested FF7 Rebirth, + Astro Bot to friends earlier this year Always fun to help +Marvel vs Capcom collection That's this Friday 😶
Great list! I'm surprised you didn't mention what else the Analog Pocket can play, though. It's great that the Pocket plays Neo Geo Pocket Color games, but it's hard to enjoy those without that amazing clicky stick the NGPC has.
I bought a Steam Deck maybe a month ago and it is probably one of my best video game purchases in years. Before I got it, I wasn't sure I would use it that much. But it has seen a lot of use. And it's a great device if you like tinkering around. Lots of ways to customize it, inside and out. If you can afford it, it's better to get the OLED version since my LED deck burns through its battery pretty quickly on recent games.
You and your family/friends are a TH-cam treasure! Your vids are so comfy!!!
Your channel is by far my favorite of all gaming channels! Thanks for being such a cool dude for so many years. Great to see your passion for gaming. Love coming by and chilling whilst watching your videos!
Yo the tree is up! Me and my brothers grew up watching your Christmas specials since the start! Can't wait to see this years!
Same here!!!!!!!
I just started Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake, and after nearly 4 hours of play time, I am LOVING IT. And here's the thing, I've never played a DQ game, and I'm not particularly crazy about turn-based RPGs ( though I did play and love Chrono Trigger about 10 years ago). So if you know someone who is curious about JRPGs or loves old-school games, I highly recommend DQIII HD-2D. Happy Solstice, everyone🤘🔥
Ys X on PS5/Switch! Finished the game a few days back, absolutely fantastic!
Unicorn Overlord is one of my favorite games this year! So many great releases. Not enough time to play.
@EatSplode Agreed. The only thing I've enjoyed about 2024 is the fact a heap of great new games released this year, and 2025 is looking pretty good too!
I was fortunate enough to nab a lot of what he’s discussing here throughout the year.. But again those pesky time constraints!
So it’s almost time to binge watch the Holiday Christmas Special!!!!!! This year I want a story time segment with Johnny and Rob on looking back on things.
Me too!!!!
Happy Console Gamer in a Santa hat on the thumbnail! I'm officially in the holiday season!
I love the positive vibes on this channel.
I love using these list as a shopping guide for myself!
This is just what I wanna see on a Sunday morning. Let’s gooooooo!!! Drink some coffee. Kick back.
Great video! Can't wait for your Christmas special video!
As a dad gamer, the PS portal has been amazing! Has its issues here and there, but I don't have the best internet. But I mainly play strategy and turn based, so it's perfect.
i 100% agree! Was able to beat Persona 3 Reload on it. Glad you are enjoying it also
you could just use your phone and get a controller adapter lol
@@kamikazilucas You could just not care what people spend their time and money on lol
Same man. Used to use my phone with backbone, or with controller but it using the Portal is just so much better and more comfortable. Probably the best hand-held for comfort I've used.
I'm lucky that my internet connection and speeds are very good, though. It's the Dadstation and I'm not surprised it sold well.
Yes me too. My kids and wife on my television, No problem! 😉
What a great holiday gift guide.. now I wait for the Christmas Special!! ❄
Vic and your Holiday gift guides help set the mood for the season. Thank you!
Been following you for a couple of years now, and remember watching last year’s guide. You always have some amazing/unique games and items that people won’t see anywhere else
Gift Ideas? Sailor Moon on Bluray - Bayonetta on Switch - Avatar the Series on Bluray
Nice to see that there was expansion for Hero Quest game. I still have this board game.
Great to see Emio make your list! It’s seriously in the running for my favourite game this year.
Still need to play the final chapter after the main game ends….. great game but didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the older ones.
The new alien Romulus, neca figure is pretty sweet. Id look into that for a gift
Love the sweater have the same one wear it every Christmas
These are some great recommendations! I still need to get Astro Bot - based on your review of it, it looks very good!
I love how quick you hit a bunch of games and consoles! Happy holidays Johnny from Japan!
I picked up that Transformers Book about a month ago, and I got chills from the nostalgia I got. The art is amazing and is modern but captures that 80's mood. I'm looking forward to getting all of the books in the series
The fact that Gears of War is now old school hurts me soul. Also the lack of a Romancing SaGa 2 remaster video hurts my soul.
Didn't realize there was a Ys TTRPG. Gonna have to pick it up! Thanks man!
How about Slay the Spire… the board game?! This has been one of the best surprises for me this year. Contention Games did a fantastic job adapting the original game into a physical card game. It does a great job capturing the feel of Slay the Spire while adding their own unique twists to it. Plus the addition of Coop play makes it a great time with a friend. My wife and I had a really fun time playing it together.
i have been thinking about getting that game! thanks for recomendation. i love card based games.
Just finished up with Joe's review of Y's X: Nordics on Gamesack and laughed at the skit at the end 🤭
Good list, I've already got most things on it. Even picked up Silent Hill 2 after that skit you did the other week. I think they listened to the public and did some good work on it in the end.
I picked up Disney illusion Island on sale a while ago and finally got around to playing it. It's a 2023 game, but it's a very fun 2D platforming game. I had no idea it had a huge Metroidvania-style map to explore before I started playing it now though so that was a pleasant surprise. Lots of collectibles too.
If you like or know someone who likes Metroidvanias, I'd recommend Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Animal Well. Two of the better ones I've played in the genre, both very affordable games too.
I recently discovered your channel and have been really enjoying your videos. I absolutely love the positivity. Great recommendations as well!
Great recommendations! We too just finished the main HeroQuest game, & are about to start Kellers Keep next!
Seeing you get into Silent Hill after all these years has been amazing! I recommend hopping into the original SH2 next and then SH1/SH3. SH3 is a direct sequel to SH1, whereas SH2 is just a standalone narrative. The soundtracks in this series are so good it's unbelievable!
Happy Holidays Johnny! I hope you are having a good Holiday Season! I already got my Christmas gifts sorted out for my SO and the gamers in life. I hope you do too!
I love my analouge pocket so much. It was hard for me to get into anything older than playstation, but with the open FPGA I have been able to expose myself to so many more games with the use of roms. Before the pocket emulation was something I stayed far away from. However, the ability to download any older pixel game and play whenever I want has been amazing. Not to mention the color versions of gameboy games like Mario land 1/2 and Wario land 1. Recently I’ve been getting into the homebrew scene. These modern games on old platforms are incredible. If any of you have/want a pocket PLEASE do yourself a favor and unlock its full potential with open FPGA!
Donkey Kong 97 is getting a fan colorized version.
Where is Dragon Quest 3 hd remaster?
Was probably recorded a while ago and due to embargo or something couldnt record it
So many great games on my backlog but I am currently with Shenmue lol. I saw it on a sale and I couldn't play it back in the late 90s... it's definitely a very special unique game I really hope I can finish it as well as its sequel. Even perhaps the 3rd one!!
Hey! I just finished Shenmue and currently playing Shenmue 2 🙂
Christmas came early, thanks for the recommendations!
Brilliant some great recommendations for Christmas presents 👍👍
Great guide! If I was to give any advice, I'd suggest paying that little bit extra and grabbing the Steam Deck. I've been using mine to emulate Gameboy and GBA games, and theres also software you can install that let's you stream directly from your PS5 to the Deck. So it's basically the Analog Pocket and PS Portal in one.
I've been watching the show for longer but the christmass episodes bring me back to 2014 (hits like a ton of bricks to realize it's been 10 years already) going back to school while having a full time job.
Painful times, didn't get much chance to play for a couple years, but on december I had time off from both school and work and while taking a break from gaming and anime sessions I came across video after video of HCG christmass specials and themed episodes.
Good times.
Great gift ideas Johnny! Nice shout out to Transformers. I’d recommend the GI Joe books that go with the Energon story line.
I appreciate how you always teach me something new all of the time I thank you for it
yep its almost time for steam winter sale and black friday
Awesome recommendations. I especially like that you added the books as well for something different. I traded in my Xbox series s for a portal and it was definitely an upgrade for me. I wish you could turn the ps5 on with it, but it’s been nice for playing on the couch or in bed.
My suggestion bar none for everyone is astrobot!
This is the only video game buying guide any gamer needs.
Astro bot I can not recommend enough. Its a charmer!
Especially with their christmas level that just dropped for free!
Long time fan! Have you played Dredge yet? I wanted to get your perspective. I just finished it and it was one of the best horror games I've ever played! Fresh story for once. I Definitely recommend it if you have not yet played it. Its free on PS plus right now.
the best positive content on yt !!! one love man
I'm going to buy everyone in my family a PS5 Pro this christmas thanks for the recommendation.
No you won’t.
I love your big trouble in little china holiday sweater it’s badass like you,Johnny hope you and the Mrs. have a wonderful holiday season and awesome new year you guys are the best I totally take your reviews as if it’s a buyers guide whenever you make videos I totally respect your opinion
A great gift would be a PS5 Pro disc drive so I can actually play all the physical copy games I bought recently.
I got the Castlevania map throw blanket because of you Johnny. Great purchase!!
I would love an audio version of that Ys book
I didn't know about the Ys tabletop, that is exciting! I'll have to pick it up.
Super Mario party jamboree, I’m having a blast 🤗
Norm Macdonald doing game reviews is the best thing I didn’t know I needed.
I'm surprised there is no mention of Open FPGA for the Analogue Pocket, you can play NES, SNES, Master System, Megadrive, Neo Geo, PC Engine, Sega Arcade and CPS1/2 games on that little thing. Speaking of Transformers i really want a sequel to Devastation and Devastation isn't even on Switch.
loved the episode, the transition from book mega man to game was chefs kiss lol
Cool video Johnny! Honestly all great picks here. Popped for Astro Bot, Unicorn Overlord and FF7 Rebirth, to me those are three musts. I would also recommend Dragon's Dogma 2. The Transformers stuff was rad, love that stuff.
Nintendo Switch is the best platform for portable retro gaming.
You really mean the backwards compatible Switch 2 that's coming soon, right?
@@gamelover2222 you mean the backwards compatible switch 3 in the future future right right😮😮???
@@AngelIsland88 Backwards compatibility hasn't been confirmed for that one, but it could be.
I agree with the Switch I also recently just rebought a Wii U which I soft modded it’s awesome for playing old GameCube games on and off the tv plus games that haven’t made it to the Switch as yet like Twilight Princess and Starfox Zero ect……
I love the Switch and physical games but Steam Deck is definitely a contender.
started shopping early for my niece and nephews (and myself) bought a couple of ds lites with custom shells. bought a clear, clear black, and clear purple for the kids and picked up a clear green for myself. now looking to build a pokedex shell and a gold zelda shell. also bought 3 flash cards for the kids so they can enjoy the full ds library.
also the ds lite can play gba games as well, so you could buy gba games or a gba flash cart, if your kids were especially well behaved. these kids were not lol
depending on if you buy out right or rebuild one you had laying around you can expect to spend $60 for shell and new screens, to $120 for a prebuilt one on ebay. then an extra $30 to $120 on if you want just the ds flash cart or both ds and gba flash cart.
Love the sweater!!!
Oldies but still really great gift ideas for Zelda fans. The Dark horse collection of books. Hyrule historia, Arts and artifacts, the Zelda encyclopedia, or creating a champion if they really just like breath of the wild. They can dig deeper into the lore of Zelda and are really great coffee table books that are quality made to last.
I gave my grandnephew my whole SNES collection so he can play.
Letting someone new to experience games from the 90s is the best way to spread the love of video game.
No need to buy.
My Holiday tradition along with the Christmas gift giving episode with Robman!
I started reading the Lacrimosa of Dana book, but by the time I got a few chapters in, it made me really want to play the game again so I ended up doing another playthrough of it... maybe one day I'll get through the book!
My boy is turning 6 just before christmas. He's been showing a lot of interest in my GBA era games lately. I've ordered him an Anbernic RG35XX Plus. I think he's gunna love it. He's a big fan of the old mario and sonic games.
2ds mod better
@@citrusoi I don't know many 6 yr olds that mod.
@ you’d be surprised
That Shadowdark book is fantastic. I haven't had a chance to run a game yet but I'm looking forward to it
Christmas around the corner
That Megaman music doing your Bit Map Book showing :D Also i went to a store today, sadly they didn´t have Shadow Dark. Hopefully its easy to get online too
I look forward to the Christmas special every year cant wait for this years episode! Thank you for being a role model for us slightly older folks that still love games / toys / pop culture. Never "grow up" everyone, its just boring.
You are quite possibly wearing the greatest Christmas sweater I have EVER seen!😂
- Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection
- Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance
- Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven
- Satisfactory
- Tekken 8
Trails from Zero/Trails to Azure on Switch. Two RPGs I played for the first time this year and they’re easily some of my favorite games of all time
Thanks for the recomendation of Go Straight! Really cool book
I was really surprised with just how much I enjoyed Romancing Saga 2 Revenge of the Seven. That would be another good one for classic RPG fans. Between that, Mana, and Dragon Quest, classic RPG fans like myself have been having a good time this year.
I am on budget this holiday year. I might go to any game store near me to find the good deals.
Been loving Return to Moria myself, absolutely recommend to the survival fans!
That Go Straight book looks pretty awesome
That Nintendo alarm clock is pretty amazing. Especially for a gamer that already has all the games already.
I love my analogue pocket! I have so many physical gba games. Playing them at their best is awesome.
Great games and recommendations :), now give us the Christmas Special hehe
Coffee table books and art books for older gamers are such a delight - some on my radar include the new Warhammer 40K Ultimate Guide, the 30th anniversary Dragon Quest art of Akira Toriyama, and anything from Bitmap in the genre they enjoy, the CRPG book from them is my personal fav
I want the PS Portal So bad. Ive been telling my GF i want it for xmas since like, March. LOL. I prefer handheld gaming. It's nostalgic for me. I also really appreciate the convenience of being able to dock and play on a TV, then pickup the console and go somewhere else. With a lot of people in the house, Its helpful to not need a tv for games. i'm happy to hear you guys are getting so much use out of it. I plan on finishing Baldur's Gate and trying out Front Mission HD. Can't wait! Also Unicorn Overlord looks amazing. been meaning to pick that up.
Yes Xmas buyers guide. Love these episodes
Already that time of the year. Excellent recommendations Johnny
I will be honest, i suggested FF7 Rebirth, + Astro Bot to friends earlier this year
Always fun to help
+Marvel vs Capcom collection
That's this Friday 😶
The Evercade VS-R with Tomb Raider Collection for under $100/£100 is a great entry point into the Evercade Ecosystem and comes highly recommended.
Emio was my favorite game this year storywise and it's not even close !
Merry Christmas
Playing Hero Quest shows that you and your wife have a great taste in games.
I second Unicorn Overlord, Visions of Mana, Ys X: Nordics and Metaphor Refantazio. Such great games.
Great list! I'm surprised you didn't mention what else the Analog Pocket can play, though. It's great that the Pocket plays Neo Geo Pocket Color games, but it's hard to enjoy those without that amazing clicky stick the NGPC has.
Great video , please do this again next year
Happy Sunday 😎
Bo Path of the Teal Lotus
Lies of P - Stellar Blade
Rise of the Ronin - Nine Sols
GD ❤ the sweater Johnny!!! 😅
I bought a Steam Deck maybe a month ago and it is probably one of my best video game purchases in years. Before I got it, I wasn't sure I would use it that much. But it has seen a lot of use. And it's a great device if you like tinkering around. Lots of ways to customize it, inside and out. If you can afford it, it's better to get the OLED version since my LED deck burns through its battery pretty quickly on recent games.
I would like to get that sweater you have. Big trouble in Little China.