The Best Vintage Car Games: Console Savvy Edition

There’s no better way to make your hands sweaty on the controller than with a fast-paced racing game. These timeless classics of racing games are sure to please gamers everywhere without requiring a working knowledge of suspension or shocks to satisfy your thirst for speed. Therefore, we are immediately doing away with the parking brake and stepping on the gas for these ten racing games. 

10 Best Racing Games You Should Play

Colin McRae Rally 2.0

Prepare to enter the fast lane in this rally car racing simulation. Learn to drift in the Swedish snow, race around the avenues of Corsica, and roar through the woods of Wales—all without leaving your home—in Colin McRae Rally 2.0. Another way you can play against a computer without leaving your couch is here, where you can engage for free using the bonus codes. 

Does racing against a computer need to be more exciting for you? Test yourself against friends in head-to-head battles to see if you have what it takes to wear Colin McRae’s driving gloves.

Need for Speed Heat 

Do you enjoy the roar of powerful machinery? Do you fancy the fun, exciting vehicle races and chases with the police? The Need for Speed Heat is the perfect game for you.

Gamers in the 25th version of the wildly successful car racing games series pilot a Dodge Racer as they compete for cash and reputation in legitimate daytime races and illegal nighttime races. The latter can turn violent in the hands of the authorities if you’re moving too slowly. 

Mario Kart

The Mario Kart titles for home consoles are fantastic racers in their fun way. However, there is a secondary line of games that is just as impressive and adds a lot of excitement to the arcade market. Nintendo and the talented people at Bandai Namco are responsible for creating each Mario Kart Arcade GP game. 

With the first game’s inclusion of fan-favourite Bandai Namco mascots to the mix, the second adds new racing cups and colour commentary. The third version includes two features from Mario Kart 7 and two new ways of playing. Each game gives a fresh take on the kart racing formula. 

The tiny guy in blue dungarees and red headgear (together with his lively sidekick) is back for more mischief in the eighth version of the colourful vehicle racing game franchise (what gave it away). You can throw them out of the competition with a boomerang flower, eat your rivals with a piranha plant, or rely on the old-fashioned banana peel.

Gran Turismo 4

Can you indeed call yourself a racing gamer if you’ve never started up Gran Turismo? More than 700 automobiles from 80 manufacturers are available in GT4, making it the pinnacle vehicle in the best-selling cars racing games category on PlayStation. 

There are plenty of tracks with 51 tracks and 34 objectives to complete on the way to becoming an A-Spec racer and a royal family member.

Toca 2: Touring Cars

The TOCA Touring Car game first came out in 1998. The second version was playable on Windows PCs and PlayStations. It made significant advancements in aesthetics, physics, and game mechanics, making it advanced for its time. Touring car driving was a common pastime for young motorsports racers worldwide.

Formula 1 97

The 1997 Formula 1 season was included in the second instalment of the Formula 1 video racing games series. It improved upon its predecessor significantly and became a top seller in the United Kingdom. The game included every team and racer from that season and four secret tracks that gamers would do anything to get their hands on.

The Fast and the Furious

To publish arcade games based on The Fast and the Furious made perfect sense for the highly regarded Raw Thrills. The Fast and the Furious is a racing video game based on the first two movies in the famous film series, and it allows players to reach incredible speeds and perform stylish jumps off the backs of other players.

This game and its variants (The Fast and the Furious: Drift, The Fast and the Furious: Super Bikes, and Fast & Furious: SuperCars) put you in the driver’s seat of various high-tech vehicles. If you like the Cruis’n movies, you’ll have a blast with The Fast and the Furious arcade games.

Sega Rally Championship

When it first appeared in 1994, this game was hailed as a watershed moment in the history of the racing video game genre. It was subsequently released on the Sega Saturn and personal computers. Varying road surfaces affected how the cars were handled, and everyone was eager to get to the fourth secret “Lakeside” course.

Pole Position 

After its release by Namco in 1982, Pole Position immediately became a worldwide phenomenon in the arcade industry. Players had to first qualify for a race and then beat off seven other competitors to win it. It was ported to PC and consoles in due time.

Outrun (Series)

The OutRun series allowed players to explore the world in a classic red convertible. The majority of the arcade games in the series followed this winning model, while Turbo OutRun added severe challenges by having you race against an opponent driving a Porsche 959. 

The game’s soundtrack shines today, making even the most mundane tasks, like racing to a new place before the clock runs out, a satisfying experience. Some of the highly recommended The OutRun series include: 

  • Turbo OutRun
  • OutRunners
  • OutRun
  • OutRun 2)

There are a few aspects to consider when considering the best racing games available. Everything from realistic racing simulators to fast-paced arcade titles may be found in this article.

Tech Review – Skullcandy Grind HAZE limited edition earbuds

The Skullcandy Grind HAZE are the latest on offer from the company who has been dishing out some really cool collaborations over the last while and it does not seem like it is stopping anytime soon either and we say let it continue to bring something different to the market albeit updated models of past but we love it and the 420 friendly earbuds are the newest and affordable and not shy on features either and after my testing the last while they get my approval and not only that they look cool to boot.

You can see the full unboxing if you missed that to get an idea of what to expect should you wish to pick these up but be quick.

The case these come with is cool with a somewhat transparent lid with a beige colour case which I think complements each other well and also well built, the case is pocketable too and does not get dirty with a matt finish and draws attention like the earbuds themselves.

Yes the earbuds also draw attention with several colours and a cloth like material on them which makes it easy to remove from the case and this is a good idea I think as some earbuds have been known to be tricky to remove from the case over my years of testing but not here, there is LED lights on each side and the outer part has a purple and orange tone which all blends in well and not only that they fit well too and again this is down to you on deciding the right tips to suit your ears.

Skullcandy Grind HAZE – techbuzzireland

How do they sound? Well as expected they sound great as all Skullcandy earbuds do from my testing and no features dropped over the aesthetics here which is good we have all the features as expected and more and the bonus here is Skull IQ which we have spoken about several times here which just makes life super easy by calling out the commands rather than fuss about with your phone or even the earbuds themselves, the controls on the earbuds are excellent too and again we go through this and the app in the video review below.

The sound is great as expected no lag latency nice volume highs lows and mids no distortion on max volume and in general well balance and of course you have the app to set these up to your liking too, you have a decent battery life too and not forgetting all the features packed in here for the money if you want a flashy case and pair of earbuds you need to check these out.

 

The App

 

Product specs:

Limited-Edition Grind HAZE True Wireless Earbuds – £69.99 MSRP

  • Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology – Issue simple, hands-free voice commands to take calls, change tracks, adjust volume, turn on Stay-Aware Mode, activate device assistant, launch Spotify Tap, and more

  • Over-the-Air Updates – Update earbuds via the Skullcandy App to add new features for enhanced functionality and to extend the life of the earbuds

  • Premium Audio Quality – Experience supreme sound thanks to expertly-tuned acoustic drivers, dual noise-reducing microphones for natural and clear call quality and a noise-isolating fit

  • Up to 40 Hours of Battery Life – Listen longer with 9 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 31 hours in the charging case

  • Personal Sound – Tune your audio experience to your unique hearing ability via the Skullcandy App by taking a real-time audio test to create a Personal Sound Profile for optimized audio levels

  • USB-C Rapid Charging Case – For 10 minutes spent in the case, receive 2 hours of battery life

  • Auto On/Connect – Enjoy automatic turn-on and pairing with the last device used

  • IP55 Sweat and Water Resistance – Go on any adventure without missing a beat

  • Built-in Tile™ Finding Technology – If an earbud is misplaced, simply ‘ring’ it from the Tile app

The Grind Haze can be bought for £69.99 MSRP on Skullcandy.com

Video review

Skullcandy and burton reveal limited-edition collaboration

Skullcandy, the #1 selling brand in true wireless earbuds under $100, announced today its all-new collaboration with Burton, the world’s leading snowboard brand. The limited-edition collection includes Skullcandy fan-favorites Crusher Evo true wireless headphones, along with Push Active and Mod true wireless earbuds. Each offering features a bold asymmetrical aesthetic in a unique Naughty Nature colorway inspired by nature’s wild energy and the drive to push boundaries on and off the mountain. The collaboration is available globally, exclusively on Skullcandy.com.

“Jake Burton Carpenter spent more than four decades advancing snowboard design and fighting for lift access for snowboarders at resorts around the world. Skullcandy was born on one of those chairlifts. Without Burton, snowboarding wouldn’t be what it is today. In a way, Skullcandy might not be either,” said Derek Steiner, director of global brand partnerships, Skullcandy.

Both a Skullcandy and Burton ambassador, Olympic Gold Medalist and three-time female Snowboarder of the Year Anna Gasser, lends her image to the Skullcandy x Burton collaboration. She not only drives progress in her sport but in her community as well, pushing boundaries and inspiring up-and-comers to follow their dreams.

With similar backgrounds and philosophies, this collaboration with Burton has been a long time coming,” Steiner continued. “A collection with a look this loud, needs serious performance to back it up and Skullcandy’s Crusher Evo, Push Active and Mod deliver just that. We hope this unique collab inspires our fans to express themselves on the mountain and in life, always daring to venture down the road less traveled.” 

The limited-edition Crusher Evo, Push Active and Mod true wireless solutions feature a uniquely-wild asymmetrical look with a Naughty Nature peach, pink and purple cheetah-print on one side and olive green on the other, channelling the fierce energy brewed within those who venture off the beaten path. The design takes inspiration from Burton’s Rewind and Name Dropper board graphics.

Additional features of the Skullcandy x Burton limited-edition drop include:

Skullcandy x Burton Crusher Evo True Wireless Earbuds –  £179.99 RRP

  • Personal Sound with Skullcandy App

  • Crusher Adjustable Sensory Bass

  • 40 Hours of Battery + Rapid Charge

  • Call, Track and Volume Control

  • Built-in Tile™ Finding Technology

  • Flat-Folding and Collapsible

Skullcandy x Burton Push Active True Wireless Earbuds – £79.99

  • Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology

  • Hands-free voice control

  • Up to 44 hours total battery + rapid charge

  • IP55 sweat and water resistant

  • Flexible, over-ear hooks for a secure, exercise-focused fit

  • Update features with the Skullcandy App

  • Built-in Tile® finding technology

Skullcandy x Burton Mod True Wireless Earbuds – £54.99 RRP

  • Multipoint Pairing

  • Clear Voice Smart Mic

  • Adjustable Stay-Aware Mode

  • Customization via Skullcandy App

  • Up to 34 Hours of Battery Life + USB-C Rapid Charging Case

  • True Wireless via Bluetooth® 5.2

  • Auto On/Connect

  • IP55 Sweat and Water Resistance

  • Built-in Tile® finding technology

For more information visit Skullcandy.com or follow along on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

Tech Review – Skullcandy Dime 2 Doritos edition

The Skullcandy Dime 2 are one of the latest new products that are in a collab and this collaboration is with Doritos and whilst they might look and feel the same as the Dime we last reviewed there is some differences here but other than that they sound identical to the Dime and look identical apart from the UV reactive light which I have no lamp to test but you can see how they work with their own video, there is a difference between glow in the dark and UV reactive light for those who do no know.

There is no access to their app this time around which I found odd when they have Tile built in which is hand being such a small earbud but they have the rest of the features you would come to expect from Skullcandy. They fit well and block out plenty of the outside world and stand out even being so small with the colour.

You again have the basics when it comes to controls on the earbuds albeit small and if you have big fingers you may struggle a bit until you get your muscle memory in order,  you can skip and reverse tracks, play and pause music and change the volume which is enough for most people and you can control calls.. There is one button on each earbud that controls the lot keeping it simple.

Overall these are an inexpensive pair or earbuds rejuvenated but sound good and give more than enough and great value for money, check out the video review below for a full hands on.

 

Skullcandy x Doritos Limited-Edition Dime 2 True Wireless Earbuds – £39.99

  • UV-Reactive Glow Graphics

  • Built-In Tile Finding Technology

  • 12 Hours Total Battery Life

  • Microphone, Call, Track & Volume Controls

  • Auto Connect

  • IPX4 Sweat & Water Resistant

  • Micro-USB charging case with snap lid and integrated lanyard

BUY

Video Review

Hands On – Skullcandy x SLYR gaming headset and Dime 2 Doritos edition #Skullcandy #Doritos

The latest new tech to drop into techbuzz is a collaboration between Skullcandy and Doritos edition which of course is limited and will start shipping next month and we have been lucky to get our hands on them early to check them out, this is not the first time Skullcandy have done a collaboration and we hope to see more down the road and cast your mind back to last October when they announced a collaboration with Capcom and check out our review of the Limited edition Street fighter headset.

Not much has changed here but the branding which is stansoutish to say the least which I like over the neutral colours we see everyday and with the collaboration it makes it that bit more special and of course been a limited run.

“Skullcandy and self-expression are synonymous and this drop is no different. Together with Doritos, we’re adding a little flavour to a space traditionally saturated with muted colourways, allowing gamers to stand out from the competition,” said Derek Steiner, Director of Global Brand Partnerships, Skullcandy. “The SLYR and Dime 2 are the ideal products for this collab, both accessible and packed with flavour so gamers can boldly be themselves. The duo provides the best of both worlds – SLYR for gaming at home and Dime 2 for on-the-go mobile sessions.”

If you want to know anymore ask as always and we will gladly answer you and we will test them out over the coming weeks given there is more aesthetics that has changed here we will test them out and check the full unboxing video below for all the details.  The limited-edition Skullcandy x Doritos are available now for purchase exclusively on Skullcandy.com and will ship mid-February. Overall my first impressions so far are they stand out and are loud and sound as good as their original models.

Skullcandy x Doritos Limited-Edition SLYR Multi-Platform Wired Gaming Headset – £69.99

  • UV-Reactive Glow Graphics

  • Skullcandy Supreme Sound – Unique audio-tuning process enables users to maximize the depth and detail of each sound

  • Multi-Platform Connectivity – Crystal clear audio on PC, Playstation, Switch and Xbox, levelling-up

  • the listening experience on any platform. And with the 3.5mm audio cable, SLYR is the definition of ‘plug and play’

  • Bi-Directional Mic – Improves voice pickup for enhanced communications and clarity in multiplayer settings

  • Mute & Volume Control – Easy-to-reach, on-board controls enable gamers to quickly mute and adjust volume without gameplay interference

  • Durable, Lightweight Design – Constructed from tough, lightweight materials including head-conforming memory-foam ear cushions wrapped in moisture-wicking and breathable material for all-day comfort

Skullcandy x Doritos Limited-Edition Dime 2 True Wireless Earbuds – £39.99

  • UV-Reactive Glow Graphics

  • Built-In Tile Finding Technology

  • 12 Hours Total Battery Life

  • Microphone, Call, Track & Volume Controls

  • Auto Connect

  • IPX4 Sweat & Water Resistant

  • Micro-USB charging case with snap lid and integrated lanyard

BUY

Unboxing

Tech Review – Limited Edition 35th Year Anniversary Street Fighter x Skullcandy Headset

The Limited-Edition Skullcandy x Street Fighter PLYR headset is loaded with nods to the classic game, as you would of seen in the unboxing there is many audio nods installed on the headset itself  to the game and when you navigate the controls on the headset which is really cool if you are Street Fighter fan which there is many of out there today of a certain age group.

Looks and build.

Well these do look similar to the SLYR we reviewed recently and the same applies here when it comes to comfort only this time round there is no padding on the headband but this time round we get a band that does just the same job but has a nod to street fighter on it. I do think though this headset is robust and the looks stand out even more this time and I love the speckled finish on it and for me after testing these for countless hours they are comfortable for gaming and listening to music without any clamping effect either on the head which some headphones can do so especially after long hour of use.

Controls

The controls again are familiar but more this time around however kept simple and that works for me it is not a complicated set up at all, you have got two panels on one cup and a wheel and one switch yet all your commands can be done here or from the app which this time around is really cool, the wheel can also control your EQ on the headphones which is amazing for getting the right set up you need not only for the gaming aspect but the audio experience too and it is simply fantastic.

The App

Here is what you can find in the app below but we go through this in detail in the video review and it is a fantastic looking app too and simple to use, you also have tile built in which everyone is familiar with here on this site as we have covered it countless times but it s good to have especially with this limited edition headset in case you happen to misplace it.

Compatibility

Ok so these are aimed at gamers so if you have a PS5 XBox or Nintendo Switch you are good to go, you can connect via Bluetooth or cable , there is  their own dongle to avail of too but there is alternatives out there or you may have one already, You can also use these with your mobile phone I tested on the Nintendo Switch and my Phone, there is a PC app too and the app we tested is the one for mobile as I am not a PC gamer at all but the options are limitless for gamers.

The Sound

I will make this short and sweet these sound fantastic you have control in the app to get the right tone you require, As mentioned I have the SLYR already and they were quite good but these are on another level and you can decide what tones suit you with the app, there is no ANC hear however but you do not need it, the passive noise isolation is good and once the volume is cranked up you can forget about what is going on around you which is what I like. There is also no lag latency here noted during my testing.

Overall this is a really cool pair of headphones with a removable mic nods to the game built in as you go along and is an easy recommend from me of you can get your hands on them, there is no ANC or Voice Assistant here and no option to reverse tracks but these are for gaming but they for me are also for people who listen to music and they have delivered both sides of the coin here.

Features

  • Bluetooth 5.2 Wireless Technology – Enables enhanced power management and stronger connectivity to bluetooth-enabled media and gaming devices

  • Skullcandy Supreme Sound – Unique audio-tuning process enables users to maximise the depth and detail of each sound

  • Enhanced Sound Perception – A hearing test tunes audio levels to match user’s unique hearing needs

  • Advanced Audio Controls via Skullcandy Software – Compatible with both mobile app and PC software to unlock advanced features and customise button functions

  • Clear Voice Smart Mic – AI-based technology removes unwanted background noise to enable crystal-clear communications

  • Mute & Volume Control – Easy-to-reach, on-board controls enable gamers to quickly mute and adjust volume without gameplay interference

  • Adjustable Suspension Headband – Reduces pressure on top of the head for true, all-day comfort

  • Up to 24 Hours of Battery Life + Rapid Charge – Headset will charge when connected to select gaming devices via USB-A to USB-C

  • Built-In Tile™ Finding Technology – If the headset is misplaced, simply ‘ring’ it from the Tile app

  • Skull-HQ Software – Available for both PC and Mobile App

  • Ultra-Low Latency Wireless Transmitter (sold separately) – Available early 2023, the wireless transmitter will enable low latency wireless connection to PlayStation console and PC.

BUY

Video Review

ASUS Republic of Gamers and Blizzard Entertainment Announce Exclusive ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) and Blizzard Entertainment today announced the ROG Phone 6 Diablo® Immortal Edition, an exclusive limited-edition version of the new ROG Phone 6 gaming smartphone. With its unique Diablo-themed design and a treasure trove of themed accessories, this unique phone is a must-have item for serious fans of the Diablo universe.

The ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition features details that echo the long-running Diablo combat quest, with its nightmarish menagerie of demons and monsters. The phone has a special flame-effect finish that varies the luminance of the red flames as the viewing angle changes. The custom Aura RGB illuminated logo is an outline image of the mobile game’s title, and the Diablo Immortal theme continues in the custom user interface, with its exclusive themed live wallpapers, icon styles, animations, sound effects and more.

Fans will appreciate the unique matching themed accessories, which are based on legendary items found in the game. These include the Shield Blessing Aero Case and a map of Sanctuary, both featuring hidden marks in invisible ink that can be revealed using the Fahir’s Light torch. There’s also a uniquely crafted Immortality Ejector Pin that’s fashioned after the game’s logo.

Internally, the ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition is identical to the battle-ready ROG Phone 6, with its premium built-to-win specification powered by the latest Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform with 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB UFS3.1 ROM.

Exclusive themed design

The ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition has been completely redesigned to evoke the nightmarish world of Sanctuary, which is under siege by the demonic hordes of Diablo, the Lord of Terror.

The special finish of the ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition features graphics that echo the iconic combat quest with its terrifying menagerie of demons and monsters.

The phone also gives fans a special user experience and a custom user interface with the exclusive Diablo Immortal animated theme pack. This features live Diablo wallpaper and a redesigned app icon frame, and when the phone is being charged there’s an exclusive sound and animation that includes Diablo-themed elements.

Unique matching accessories

The extensive themed accessory set is the jewel in the crown of the ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition. The exclusive carton design is inspired by the famous Horadric Cube, a valuable in-game item that can transform anything placed inside it. The phone itself is stored safely in a box modeled on the legendary Worldstone. And a map scroll depicting the world of Sanctuary features hidden marks in invisible ink that can be revealed using the bundled Fahir’s Light torch.

The Shield Blessing Aero Case is a protective bumper case featuring a geometric relief of the teleport, with a unique effect that shines when illuminated by Fahir’s Light. The hidden inner part of the case is printed with a special ‘easter egg’ in the form of an image inspired by the Lord of Terror himself.

Even the SIM removal tool gets the full Diablo treatment: with its Diablo emblem design and matching desktop holder, the Immortality Ejector Pin is a fitting addition to the outstandingly designed accessory collection.

Ready for battle

The ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition is based on the highly-acclaimed ROG Phone 6 series, featuring the same technical specifications to deliver extreme mobile gaming performance. It’s powered by the Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform. With 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory for smooth app switching; a high-tech cooling system; a powerful battery for effortless marathon gameplay; and unrivaled AirTrigger 6 controls for a console-like gaming experience, the ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition is ready to battle the forces of terror!

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

ASUS ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition will be available to pre-order from 17th November in the UK from https://uk.store.asus.com/rog-phone-6-211639476-90ai00b9-m002z0.html.