Author: David Theriault

Bit Brigade, the band that performs rock covers of full NES video game soundtracks as a gamer speedruns the game live on stage, is coming to Buffalo. During their shows, the crowd gets to watch the gameplay of iconic retro games played in full while the band provides all the music for it. It’s an exciting and unique way to celebrate nostalgic video games while rocking out to great music. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons Typically, the goal of speedrunning a video game is to complete it in the least amount of time possible. However, there’s no need to worry about…

Whether it’s books, movies, video games, or any other form of art or entertainment, media conservation is important. These art forms are important pieces of culture and time capsules that help to represent the time and era they were created. Older movies have been re-released on Blu-ray or have made their way onto streaming services. Books are reissued and can receive newer editions. And decades-old music can be found on Spotify. However, the same can’t be said for video games quite yet. Video games occasionally get re-releases on more modern consoles, like with the Mega Man Legacy Collection being composed…

Since Star Wars changed how pop culture merchandising was seen and handled decades ago, there have been countless ways to re-fashion our favorite movies, TV series, and more. Whether it’s t-shirts, lunch boxes, beach towels, or collectibles, there are so many ways to celebrate and show off what we love. However, there could always be more. There’s no set rule that rocking a t-shirt or a hoodie with a character on it is the only way to demonstrate that you’re a fan of something. The proof? I’d like to introduce you to The Errant Stitch. The Errant Stitch, run by…

Movies, TV shows, and video games that we grow up with become part of who we are. They help shape us even if we don’t realize it. Just recall the sweet nostalgic feeling that we get when thinking back to the pop culture that surrounded us when we were younger. It’s always fun to interact with that nostalgic past, whether it’s by attending a 90s themed costume party or by seeing a movie based on something that we grew up with. Thankfully, there’s now a gaming store in Western New York that celebrates (more recent) bygone gaming eras and the…

“Virtual reality is the future of entertainment,” claims Western New York’s latest gaming venue. Vivid VR Arcade has a new location that’s even bigger and better, and its name is Orion’s Landing. Just like its sister location, Orion’s Landing has a huge focus on VR experiences. From finding your way through virtual escape rooms to hunting zombies, the experiences you can have in VR are endless. Orion’s Landing offers incredible VR games like House of Fear, Elven Assassin, and Job Simulator. There’s a game that fits anyone’s preferences at Orion’s Landing –  each game takes advantage of high-powered PCs and…

If you’re new to the Buffalo area like I somewhat am, it can be hard to find others to game with. It’s pretty unfortunate since board games typically rely on being played by groups. Most people from the area are already a part of a gaming group, so once you even manage to find fellow board game fans and gaming stores that you like, it can be an even greater challenge infiltrating those pre-existing groups. Thankfully, though, a group exists to help anyone in or near Buffalo to find the gaming group that works best for them. Organized and moderated…

There’s far from a shortage of unique gaming shops in Western New York, but one particularly interesting game haven is Great Escape Adventures. They offer a massive and diverse selection of board games, card games, tabletop RPGs, miniatures, and more, along with a back room with table space for gaming and an exceptionally welcoming staff. They carry everything from Warhammer 40K to Fluxx. This isn’t dissimilar to the many other tabletop gaming stores in the area, but they do have their own characteristics that distinguish them from the rest. Great Escape Adventures’ name may have jumped out to you, as…

If you’re looking for a good read, delectable drinks, and a cool indie vibe, look no further than Pulp 716 Coffee and Comics. Since the shop’s founding in 2015, they knew they wanted to have a unique comic shop that had other types of items to offer. Located in Lockport and in North Tonawanda, this quirky café offers a wide variety of treasures for all visitors, including comic books, collectibles, and t-shirts, and a drink menu that can’t be matched. Their coffee and fancy hot chocolate flavors are absolute must-haves, but their hot ticket item is their bubble tea. Pulp…

Queen City Bookstore has been a staple of Buffalo for decades. For more than 50 years, it has been an inviting haven for comic book lovers, making it the longest-standing comic store in Western New York. Now, it still shines as bright as ever despite the current pandemic taking a toll on businesses everywhere. Still, at their Main Street location, they remain open at their normal hours and are offering curbside pickup. If requested, they are even mailing comics to customers. This comic book headquarters clearly knows how to make themselves flexible for collectors, hobbyists, and overall fans of geek…

The independent video game market is constantly growing. Indie games became much more recognized when the ability to release them digitally came about in the 2000s. Now, indie titles make up a huge portion of today’s video game market. PlayStation Network, XBox Live, Nintendo eShop, and Steam each have extensive indie libraries. Games like ​Minecraft​, Cuphead, and ​Super Meat Boy​ have all made massive splashes in the gaming world, and that wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for this rise in indie game visibility. This visibility is perfect for those looking to create their own games and make their…