Xbox 360 E for $20.00? Yes Please!

Out thrift store shopping over the weekend, and I came across a Xbox 360 E. It was the last and best revision of the console, and model I currently have (Blue Walmart edition) as my personal system.

This is the one I got to replace my Elite "fat" 360

My daughters fiancee' and I stopped at the local Savers, and I saw this sitting on the shelf

$19.99

We did some more looking around, but there was no power supply or controller to be found.

Picture I found on Google

While we were standing in the checkout, I checked to see if it had a hard drive, it did not. I know some of these were advertised as 4GB models, and I do not know if those came with a hard drive or not, but my daughters fiancee' checked online on his phone, and a new hard drive could be had to $20-60.00 depending on how big a person wanted to go with. 

Some info on the back

I got it home (along with a bunch of other pickups, keep checking back) and first thing I did was clean it, then it was time to test and see it it worked or not.

 Hooked it up with my Xbox 360 E cables and wired 360 controller

Looks like it works

Looks like it is the 4GB model

I checked the game and system files, and it looks like this system was bought and updated in February of 2016. The save game files were all for EA NHL games. NHL 12. 13. 14 & 15. Then I connected the Ethernet cable and updated the console, twice, It restarted after the first update, then showed the notification for a second update. Then I opened the disc tray.........

It even came with a bonus game, I mean Coaster

So I winged that across the room and grabbed a good nearby game to play

Let's see if it runs a game

And BAM! It works.

I ended up playing through the whole first level of F.E.A.R. 3 and never had an issue

A Great score, cannot complain at all about picking up the best model 360 for $20.00. I am going to be keeping it as a backup/testing console. My 360 E is my 4th 360, so it would not hurt to have an extra one hanging for the future, just in case.

"New" Nintendo 2DS XL

I have had my Nintnedo 3DS XL for 6+ years now, and I like it. I mainly play Puzzle games on it. But after I saw the "New" 2DS XL's, I knew I needed to have one. I have used the 3D on my 3DS maybe and hour total, in 6+ Years. Plus I am unable to play the 3DS version of Minecraft on my current 3DS, as the "New" 3DS & 2DS's have additional hardware and two additional bumper buttons and a C-Stick added to them.

I am cheap. I wanted to get one (the "new" 2DS XL) but had been waiting for the price to go down or find a nice condition used one cheap. Then I read an article that stated that Nintendo was discontinuing the 2 & 3DS's, Dangit, and of course right now this time in world history with the whole Corona Virus Pandemic, DS's and Switches have been extremely scarce.

One morning a couple weeks ago I was watching You Tube and whoever I was watching at the time (I think it was Spawn Wave) stated that Nintendo was going to be discontinuing the 2DS XL's, but that they had a special right now, he was not sure how long it would last, or be in stock but a person could get a Brand New "New" Nintendo 2DS XL with Mario Kart 7 Pre-Installed for..............................................$99.99!

I immediately went to Nintendo.com and there was an ad right there on the main page advertising the deal. I clicked the Buy Now button (underneath it stated click to go to retail partner) and it took me to Walmart.com where I put it in my basket, checked out and got a verification! Sweet!

And here it is:

Even in the color I wanted.

They were available in several different color variations (Orange & White, Black & Lime Green or Purple & Gray), and I would have bought whatever one was included in this deal regardless, but it was just a bonus that is was the color I wanted.

There is a grooved pattern on the top cover

The 4 top buttons

Cartridge & SD Card Slots are behind this cover

I really like where the cartridge slot was moved to. I have picked up my 3DS a few different times and happen to click the cartridge, which of course makes it come loose and also wipes out the progress on whatever game I may have been playing. This was a cool revision.

speaking of my 3DS, here they are next to each other

next to each other opened

You can see on the top button on the right side. The "New" DS's have a C-Stick. Have not come across a game I have that needs it yet, but as soon as I get Minecraft 3DS, I am sure it will get used.

and

The stylus was also revised

The "New" 2DS's is on the bottom, my 3DS's is on the top

Overall I am very happy with my purchase, a great item at a great price. And with Mario Kart 7 pre-installed, I can now play with my daughter who also has Mario Kart 7 pre-installed on her old style "Wedge" 2DS

The Wedge

The 2, 2DS's, 2-gether.

Retro Fighters Striker DC Controller for Sega Dreamcast

One of my favorite systems to collect for is the Sega Dreamcast.

Back on 9-9-99 when this system came out, I sadly was not aware of it at the time. When Sega pulled the plug on it less than 2 years later, meant there were plenty of games and accessories to be had in the bargain bins at the stores........I was all about my Sony Playstation, and excited for the upcoming Playstation 2. I was finally able to procure a Pre-Owned Sega Dreamcast back in December 2014. I already had a couple Dreamcast games I had picked up at Goodwill that summer and I was looking forward to playing them, Test Drive 6 and Demolition Racer.

Fast Forward to today where I own 3 Sega Dreamcast Consoles, 2 Black "Sports" editions and a regular white one, along with about 10 games (including a Japanese Import), 5 different color controllers, a fishing rod controller and half a dozen different color VMU's (Virtual Memory Units, which is a fancy name for a Memory Card). I will also be ordering an HDMI cable soon for my Dreamcast(s) as well.

Recently I had found that a company called Retro Fighters were releasing an updated Dreamcast controller. I was familiar with them and their updated "Brawler" controller for the Nintendo 64, I never cared much for the original N64 controller myself. But it appears that now they decided to do the same for the Sega Dreamcast. I knew I had to have one, and promptly pre-ordered one off their website. They finally shipped and I received mine about 2 weeks ago.

And here it is

Looks great with the modern controller styling

and when you compare it to an original Dreamcast controller

 Pretty close color match

 Bottom is much shorter, and the cord is finally the right way round

And still retains the dual VMU slots

Speaking of

With a VMU plugged in

The VMU looks a little funny, but I am sure I will get used to it.

I played some Sega Rally with the new controller, and it definitely feels better, more familiar, in my hands. the thumbstick feels much better than the original one, but that's 20 years of technological progress for ya. Overall it is a great update and addition to my Dreamcast Gaming.

My only real complaint.......I wish it came in Black!

Fun with Controllers

I have been playing a lot of games these last few weeks. Dirt Rally 2.0, Borderlands 3, Destiny 2, Grid (Still loving this game!), Forza Horizon 4 and the new Minecraft Dungeons, it plays like Diabo but in the Minecraft world. At least there is one bonus to staying home during this pandemic.

First I fixed my favorite Xbox 360 controller. It would not turn on, even with brand new batteries. So I opened it up and thoroughly cleaned everything with Q-tips and Alcohol, and it Fixed it!

This was the first controller I ever customized

This was before Microsoft released their mostly black controllers, mine was the original black with gray thumbsticks, D-pad and trim. The kit I got also had a black home button, but I used the original for a "stock" appearance.

Next a friends mother was cleaning out her basement and gave me a NES Advantage controller. She did not know if it worked, but just wanted a bunch of stuff out of her basement and her house, so if I did not take it she was just going to throw it away, Nooooooooo I said I'll take it!

I never had one of these before

It was pretty dirty when I got it, Sorry for the bad picture, I forgot to take a before picture as I just worked on it one day while I was watching Netflix so I had to forward the pic from my cell phone I was sent. I took it 100% completely apart, and thoroughly cleaned everything.

Looking Like New!

She also gave me a NES she had sitting in the basement as well, I eventually got that working too (after installing the "Blinking Light Win mod" and the Advantage controller works great!

And because I had a pair of aluminum Xbox One Thumbsticks sitting around, I decided to swap them into my movie surfing/lazy digital game launching/using controller.

I love the Aluminum sticks, feel better than the stock rubber ones and want to outfit all my controllers with them. And just because I had a black D-pad sitting there also, I swapped that onto it as well.

Here is what it looked like originally

Oh but I did not stop there, I had a pair of extra black side covers as well

Original is below

Anyway that's it for tonight, have more to get up soon