Still believe that it takes HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey to run 2007′s Crysis at acceptable settings? Well, it may not be that bad these days, as Maximum PC just built a rig that can run Crytek’s monster child on its highest video settings at 36FPS. The PC-building pros put together the (somewhat) affordable machine seen above for $509 before a few rebates, which brought the damage down to a reasonable $479.

Still skeptical? Good, because the $500 rig was tested on Windows XP and DirectX 9 since Windows’ superior previous OS doesn’t support DirectX 10 and its fancy doodads. All catches aside, this cheap setup will get the job done (hell, it runs Unreal Tournament 3 at 122FPS) for any PC title on the market today as well as keep up with the Joneses for two months a good, long while.

Keep in mind, these prices are solely for the bare necessities. Assuming you have a spare monitor in the house, a keyboard and mouse lying around the pad, along with a copy of Windows XP, you’re good to go for just 500 green ones!

(Via Maximum PC)

My first memory of the Sega Dreamcast is playing the Sonic Adventure demo with an old friend (the only one lucky enough to get a Dreamcast), trying to beat our best times during Christmas break way back in 1999. ThinkGeek, an online retailer of all things awesome, could bring these dear memories back to reality. The site  is now selling new (that means the whole original shebang) Dreamcasts for $99.99. The systems for sale are the original North American models complete with the basic hardware (cords, controller, stuff like that), a demo disc (hopefully including that Sonic Adventure demo) and even the web browser software disc.

The catch, if you would call it one, is that you’ll need to provide your own games. If you’re trying to avoid the vast flea market that can be the internet or simply want to support a local video game retailer, two stores in the area come to mind. Got Game? on 600 South Street has a myriad of classic games including ones for the big swirl as well as the aptly named Game Store in the Franklin Mills Mall, which has a more limited selection and could be quite the trip. Hey, you might just get lucky and find an unopened copy of Shenmue for under $24.99.

Speaking of nostalgia, what are your fondest memories of the Sega Dreamcast? Was it first interacting with Seaman? How about witnessing the birth of quick-time events in Shenmue? Let us know in the comment box!

(Via Joystiq)

Don’t you just hate it when after buying some ecstasy off an Italian mob pusher named Vincini (at a great price, mind you) the cops decide to show up and rain on your paraphernalia parade with a high-speed chase? Maybe not, but I know I do. I’m referring to playing Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, of course. My life is not at all that exciting (nor that illegal).

This Nintendo DS title, developed by Rockstar Leeds and Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games, drew me in as soon I pressed start. GTA: Chinatown Wars begins with its main protagonist, Huang Lee, in a jet headed for Liberty City only to be greeted upon landing with gun wounds and left for dead underwater in a locked car. This is where the game gives you control with your first task to escape the car by breaking the windshield (tapping it furiously with your stylus) and swimming to the nearest dock. Roll intro credits over a dialogue scene. GTA: Chinatown Wars begins, plays and looks as if you are watching a comic book in motion. Find out how the rest of my adventures went after the break.

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Yes folks, id Software’s Quake Live, the 100% free (advertising paid) and browser based edition of Quake III Arena, released in open beta February 24th. Forget all of your preconceptions of beta testing games as the title runs without nearly any hitches. Well, at least hitches affecting core game play mechanics, but we’ll get into that later.

The game retains everything you hardcore Quake fans out there love about the first-person shooter (FPS) on steroids and Muscle Milk. The ridiculously explosive weapons, the goofy man-grunts, and intoxicating trance tunes are all included for your late night (or early morning) binges of blink-less fragging. Find more details after the break.

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Capcom’s Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop for Nintendo Wii shipped yesterday, February 24, and should be in stores today so you can fight the good fight against legions of undead… mall goers? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Capcom’s next cadaver-cleaving franchise (first seen on Xbox 360 with Dead Rising) revisits the story of freelance journalist Frank West as he ventures into a suburban town on assignment only to find it’s ridden with brain-hungry republicans suburbanites.

This Xbox 360 port plays much like its predecessor, but differs slightly in that it uses Capcom’s tried-and-true Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition engine as well as utilizes the Wii’s signature motion control. The premise of the game remains: After taking refuge in a shopping mall, which happens to already be overrun with the undead horde (go figure), you have only a few days to rescue as many survivors as possible before salvation arrives. Now if only there were celebrity zombies included in this rendition.

(Image via Sleepy Gamer)

Coin-op collectors and appreciators, grab a napkin or your sleeve as what you’re about to see is quite an epic collection of arcade cabinets, classic (and extremely rare) console displays and nerd memorabilia. Juilien’s Auctions, located in California, are holding auction sessions for the King of Pop’s treasure trove on April 22 to April 25 in Beverly Hills.  Fear not our fellow Geekadelphians for the auction sessions will stream live worldwide through auctionnetwork.com, which also allows for virtual bidding (technology is incredible isn’t it?).

The absence of his own game in either coin-op or console display form raises disappointment suspicions, but his collection is impressive nonetheless. So if you’re looking for somewhere to spend that tax refund check (what bills?) then why not on the original scissor hands from the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands?

(Image via Gamer Revolution)