Author: Vincent Mahoney

Vincent is a game reviewer, graphic designer, illustrator and insurance agent: He wears many hats, but none of them properly cover his bald spot. His long-term goal is to publish a comic of the story he and his wife created together. He grew up playing action-platform games such as Super Mario, Metroid, Mega Man, Contra and Castlevania, but discovered his love for RPGs through Super Mario RPG and Final Fantasy VI, then embarking upon a quest to play every RPG he possibly can. At over 200 RPGs and counting the quest is not going so well, and there are buster swords, giant cats, eight virtues and personae appearing to him in his sleep. Please send help.

Chaos Emeralds for Everyone: Save State Revisits Sonic Adventure 2

What do busted freezers, Sonic the Hedgehog trading cards and retro Dreamcast adventures have in common? They all collide in this week’s Save State as Vincent Mahoney dives back into Sonic Adventure 2, a title that still delivers speed, style and chaos in 2025.

Descenders Next Balances Mountain and Snowboarding Action With Extreme Sports

Descenders Next takes the extreme downhill biking concept of the original and swaps in mountain and snowboards for a roguelike ride across random trails. While the controls take some getting used to, overall, it’s a ride worth taking.

Save State Investigates a Bright Yellow Challenger to the Switch Pro Controller

This week Save State’s Vincent Mahoney tests out the 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth, a Nintendo Switch friendly gamepad with a slick dock, solid performance and just enough differences to stand out from its counterparts.

The 8BitDo Arcade Controller Packs Premium Features at a Budget Price

The 8BitDo Arcade Controller delivers an impressive, lever-free fighting game experience with clicky, low-profile buttons, great ergonomics and tons of customization. And unlike more expensive options, this one is less than $100, making it perfect for specialized gaming on a budget.

Fresh Look Dances Through Dungeons in Rift of the NecroDancer

Looking for a rhythm title with personality and depth? Rift of the NecroDancer hits all the right beats. Vincent Mahoney, filling in for Fresh Look this week, breaks down why it’s a must-play for fans of the rhythm genre.

Save State Feasts on Fisticuffs in Punch-Out Inspired Leftovers KO

In this week’s Save State, Vincent Mahoney enters the fridge and comes out swinging in Leftovers KO!, a hand-drawn boxing game where expired food fights back. With a wild Nickelodeon-style art direction and challenging, timing-based combat it’s a slugfest worth digesting.

Recycling Center Simulator: Building An Empire One Bottle at a Time

In Recycling Center Simulator, players haul junk, sort trash and slowly build a humming machine of industrial efficiency out of garbage. It might be a little bit bland for newcomers, but for those who enjoy sims, this is a clean hit. Who knew waste management could be so satisfying?

Save State’s Corrupted Cartridges: A PSA for Nintendo 3DS Enthusiasts

This week, Save State’s Vincent Mahoney trades his retro reviews for a rescue mission: reviving a dead 3DS cartridge, diving into flash memory issues and discovering how fragile classic Nintendo 3DS cartridges really are.

The Once and Future Grimdark: Tainted Grail Reviewed

Tense combat, haunting Arthurian myth and meaningful choices make Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon a must-play for fans of bleak fantasy and Elder Scrolls-style exploration. And yes, you can also turn your enemies into cheese.

Save State Takes the Switch 2 Supersonic With Fast Fusion

The Switch 2 is here and so is another anti-gravity racer launch title. This week Save State’s Vincent Mahoney drifts, boosts and barrel-rolls his way through Fast Fusion, a spiritual successor to F-Zero GX. Some things never go out of style, especially if they hover.