196. Pop Culture Gamers Show 169 - By the Power of Grey Skull

This week’s episode is a mix of retro discoveries, modern handhelds, tech mishaps, and some seriously big industry talking points. We dive into restoring classic hardware like the Amiga A1200, revisiting the Xbox 360 and PS3, and putting new devices like the ROG Ally and Retroid Pocket 5 through their paces. There’s also a fair bit of real‑world tech chaos, from smart doorbells to smartwatch failures and unexpected phone upgrades.We get into the major gaming news shaking things up right now — Sony’s move toward an all‑digital future, the backlash from physical‑media fans, and the wider implications for the industry. Plus, the latest on Microsoft’s Project Helix hybrid console, the upcoming “Platinum‑style” achievement system, and the huge shift of OG Xbox and Xbox 360 titles heading to PC with achievements on the way.In gaming, we cover everything from surreal storytelling in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to the refreshed Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, indie puzzlers, achievement chasers, and a wide spread of titles across Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC.On the TV and movie front, we talk Spider‑Man: Brand New Day, the return of Ted Lasso, a standout run of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and a surprisingly fun nostalgia hit with Masters of the Universe — plus a varied mix of films and series keeping us entertained this week.We round things off with listener questions, including thoughts on Sony’s digital‑only direction and favourite films watched this year.