Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series... Reviewed!

Before I jump in, I have to give a thanks to WB for supplying a copy of this show for the review. My opinions are my own.

Dexter's Laboratory takes me back in time. I remember when it premiered on Cartoon Network under the "What a Cartoon!" line-up... along with Powerpuff Girls and Cow & Chicken. There may have been another show but I can't recall. Dexter's Laboratory was interesting. How interesting? Well... let's dive into the complete series and find out. Wait wait wait, before we jump in, I can't speak on interesting... without speaking on the case. I like the way they wrapped it with a cover that looks like Dexter... allowing you to see the case through his glasses. Slide it up just right, and you can see his sister sneaking through his lab. Okay, now let's... proceed!

 Story: When it comes to the story of Dexter's Lab(oratory), it revolves around... Dexter (duh of the day), who's basically Einstein in a third graders body trying to keep his lab a secret (though his sister always finds a way in).

His genius doesn't eliminate the fact that he's still a little boy, and it shows throughout the various scenarios he finds himself in on a daily basis. Speaking of his sister, Dee Dee, is definitely given the role of a complete airhead, but... she's a lot more free spirited and enjoy's childhood a lot more than Dexter. She flexes her brain power at times. He give's me the vibe of a cranky old man to a degree, with the voice of a villain. It's part of his charm though, especially when taking on different challenges that are caused by his own creations most of the time. Outside of the lab, you get to see more of those reactions and remarks, and his human side shows. One prime example is the episode when the babysitter comes over to watch him and Dee Dee. He clearly likes her, but there's an obvious age difference.

He's still Dexter, so he used his skills in a few ways in this episode when he became jealous of her boyfriend. One tactic worked out to a degree to get her and her boyfriend to temporarily split, but... he's still a small kid. So when he went to comfort the babysitter, she said "If only you were 10 years older". He did what Dexter would do, made that a reality... but he didn't take into account that his face would be covered in acne. Another example is when he was sitting on the couch watching Action Hank, he was in full kid-mode. He even hid when the antagonist appeared.

Anyway, you get 3 mini episodes packed into each episode (for the most part), and they're quite the easy watch with the comedic charm. One of the downsides to the mini episodes is the desire to see more of a particular mini episode, but... the variety is cool.  Speaking of variety, you will see scenarios like Dee Dee being transformed into Dexter's mom, a T-Rex/Pet Dog (aka Jurassic Pooch), episodes involving super heroes, etc. The episodes involving the heroes, definitely changes up the pace... it gives you a break from Dexter and Dee Dee. While reviewing the show, something dawned on me. Dexter's a little boy taking on grown men like Santa and even the freaking Janitor who throws forks at him, and literally gets into a fist fight. The janitor would totally be under the jail if that were reality, but looking at the show back then... I didn't think much of it. Crazy.

Before I speak on one of my favorite features in the show, I have to say that Mandark is the perfect villain for Dexter but I don't really care for the episodes he appears in for the most part. He's necessary though, afterall... he's the official antagonist, but... there were other go to episodes that I'd much rather watch (is all), like... Dial M for Monkey. Monkey is a bad ass super hero that Dexter believes is just a typical monkey he was unable to successfully experiment on. He has super speed, super strength, telekenisis, heat vision, telepathy, he can fly, use his mouth as a sonic ray, etc. Outside of Dee Dee and Dexter, he's one of my faves, along with Valhallen, and a few of the other Justice Friends. You will see the "Dial M for Monkey" segments tucked in here and there.

The show is well rounded with a unique premise, diverse characters, I love the superhero elements, the humor (some of which is rated PG), and the relatable themes, plus Mandark provides story progression so that there aren't just random scenarios by way of the mini episodes. On top of the episodes, Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series... also includes the Ego Trip movie.  Not to give it away, but... "Dexter's Laboratory: Ego Trip" is a movie that aired back on December 10, 1999. Do you remember those times? It's crazy, because it seems like it's a different world from today's time.

Anyway, the story follows Dexter as he discovers how he saved... the future, so it certainly involves time travel. He will be taking on Mandark, and there will be different Dexter's he comes in contact with. There's the young adult version of Dexter being treated like crap by his boss, Mandark. The middle-aged Dexter who is dealing with Mandark in his own way, as well as grandpa Dexter. They went hard with this film, but... I don't want to spoil it for you but it has humor, suspense, etc.

 Visuals: Visually speaking, the art style of Dexter's Lab is... on the wonky side. Their shapes are very exaggerated. Dexter is bite sized, while Dee Dee is elongated and you can see the bold lines and vibrant colors throughout the Dexterverse. The characters are easily recognizable as well, making Dexter's Lab one of the more eye catching shows from the "What a Cartoon!" lineup. You definitely get classic toon + anime look here.

The character's aren't the only vibrant things you see on the screen, the environment's fit the theme and don't fall flat. The movie's quality is enhanced, so you will see improved visuals without the art style being compromised. You get a cinematic feel from the movie, the different Dexter's stand out... along with the environments in their future setting.

 Audio: Sound wise... the show and movie are delivered in standard Dolby Digital, but... you will get enhanced audio in the film. It's more detailed and the audio effects are more immersive.

 Price: Pricewise... you can get Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series + Dexter's Laboratory: Ego Trip for $69.99. Solid price, no complaints... I like what they did with the box art, but (but but but... yes there is a but) I would've totally included a Dexter's Lab poster with all main and reoccuring characters. If fans are buying this... adding a poster is how you make this a steal. Speaking of steal, you can get it here for... $49.96!

Overall, Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series... serves as a delightful trip down memory lane, reminding us of a different era in animation while still maintaining its charm and humor for modern audiences. It's a solid show that doesn't feel outdated.

Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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Get an Xbox Series X|S + Services... starting at $26.99/month!

Well hello there, folks! Sophi here, your friendly neighborhood aspiring writer and part time controller wielder. I've got the low-down on Xbox's All Access program that's got gamers buzzing like my Lola after too much kape!

Microsoft wants to ensure that the money is coming in as they pump those new games out, so Xbox consoles are being presented on a nifty monthly payment plan. Talk about leveling up accessibility, am I right?

But wait, there's more! With All Access, you're not just getting a shiny new console. Oh no, it's a full gaming feast! Xbox Game Pass, remote play on phone/tablets, EA Play, and Xbox Live Gold for online play. Love it, just don't ask me why we still have to pay for Xbox Live and Game Pass separately.

Now, let's talk pera. For the budget ballers, the Xbox Series S will run you $26.99 per month over 24 months with that sweet, sweet 0% APR. Not too shabby for 1440p gaming, a 512GB SSD, and a 4 teraflop processor that'll give you a smooth gaming experience compared to an outdated rig. This brings the total to $647.76.

But for those who want the best Xbox currently has to offer, the Xbox Series X is where it's at! $36.99 monthly and you're living that 4K dream with 12 teraflops of power, 1TB of storage, and all the visual candy your eyes can handle. Just don't forget some kickin' speakers to really immerse yourself in Dolby's glorious sound. This brings the total to $887.76.

I have to put this in here... if you don't have a 4K TV and don't plan to get one for quite sometime, consider what this bump up will truly mean... when it comes to the visual quality. You will still get sharper and detailed images, better color and contrast if your TV supports HDR + and a higher bitrate, but... don't expect true 4K on your TV. -  Blu 

Here's a catch to this deal - the warranty length is kind of bogus. One year for the console and 90 days for the controller. After that, you're stuck paying whether your Xbox is working or not. Come on Microsoft, could you at least give us an extended warranty option for the second year?

Speaking of paying, let's be real - this is still a loan we're taking on here. 0% APR is a total win, just make sure to pay on time, every time! If you feel as if you can just barely make the payments, leave this deal alone and save. If there were any interest at all for Xbox All Access, that would make this a hard pass from me. Debt for gaming just ain't worth it unless you can pay consistently which helps with credit building. By the way, you're saving money when you consider the individual costs.

At the end of the day, Xbox All Access opens some awesome doors for gamers on a budget. Just be smart about it and don't get burned by the bill!

Xbox All Access plans are available below (click for more at your favorite store):

 Bestbuy  |  GameStop  |  Walmart  |  Target  |  Verizon 

Sophima

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Dear Developers: Stop Bricking Tech - Spotify Car Thing... going brick in Dec 2024?! WTF is that?

I have to start this off here: To create something, only to turn it into a brick... is a D-Bag move. That's a cold hearted shrug in regards to this product potentially ending up in a landfill. I don't see a person simply tossing this out, they may try to get some use out of it in some form, but when its bricked its done... unless someone can crack it with an unapologetic middle finger.

I'm sure Spotify wouldn't like that, but the owners of the device don't appreciate this deactivation crap.

This nifty... cool... eye catching... Spotify Car Thing will be a light paperweight after December 9, 2024. Why? Why can't there simply be an update to turn this thing into a stand alone device that gives supporters... access to spotify? Talk about burning customers. This will not leave a good taste in the mouth of anyone who purchased this. No one pays money on a product to simply have a rug pulled from under them. That's that BS... and it's one of the reasons some tech enthusiasts are paranoid about supporting certain compnaies and their hardware. Is Spotify now on that list? If they don't pivot away from this selfish decision... I believe they will be, and they'd only have themselves to blame.

Proprietary hardware always runs the risk of that company going out of business one day... leaving nothing for that hardware to connect to. It's usually a safer option to get an audio device that doesn't lock you in like that so you can use it freely + add a memory card of sorts and enjoy it that way (if it allows such). Even the least understanding person would understand if a company was going belly up and the device would no longer be supported (as a proprietary hardware), but... that's not Spotify's position.

Spotify explained their decision to discontinue Car Thing, stating, “We’re discontinuing Car Thing as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline our product offerings.” Ladies and Gentlemen, that's a poor ass excuse to screw over customers. An extremely poor ass excuse. Like... WTF?!

If a company burns customers like Spotify plans to do people who purchased Car Thing, forget about these customers buying anymore hardware from Spotify unless it's completely standalone with a Spotify sign-in option. They may even go out of their way to not buy Spotify's first party hardware... regardless of the safety net being added. It doesn't stop there, because word of mouth gets out and a burned customer will tell other potential buyers to beware. That tarnishes a brand, and customers bought the Spotify Car Thing for $89.99... that's nearly 100 freaking bucks only to have the rug pulled from under them. That's a slap in the face with an expectation for you to understand. On top of that... it required a Spotify Premium Subscription.

Spotify went on to say, "We understand it may be disappointing, but this decision allows us to focus on developing new features and enhancements that will ultimately provide a better experience to all Spotify users." Like I said, poor... ass... excuse and I don't think most supporters will accept it. Create a gen 2 or provide a solid firmware update for the device that can allow them to sign-in. It's worth it.

You'll love this (totally being sarcastic)... Spotify recommends that you take your device, reset it to the factory settings and dispose of it safely following local electronic waste guidelines. While I do appreciate the instructions over it just being tossed on the ground somewhere, it's like... how dare they try and recommend how you dispose of something thats working because they don't want the product to be active anymore?

If you want to try and request a refund, this link was provided by Spotify. Good luck! As for the developers, this is another reminder of what not to do, because poor decisions can certainly come back to haunt you.

There are options out there like the two you see below (connect your phone):

Nulaxy Bluetooth FM Transmitter | $26.99

Bluetooth 5.0 / AUX port / USB drive / Micro SD (a OneTreePlanted member)

Camecho 10.26" Touchscreen Bluetooth FM Transmitter | $77.99

Bluetooth / Apple Carplay / Android Auto / Spotify / Pandora / Waze / Video / Etc.

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The Cushion Designed for Gaming!

Super Smash Bros Ultimate Championship 2024

You know, as much as I love a good battle, I'm not sure my skills in Smash Bros would really cut it at the championship level. I got my popcorn though, and so should you as we check out these pro players bringing it on a whole other level in the Super Smash Bros Ultimate Championship 2024:

I'm watching this mashing my thumb against the side of my finger. lol

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Hori Officially Licenced Fighting Stick

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New Metroidvania Game Revealed - MIO: Memories in Orbit Coming in 2025

The latest Nintendo Direct showcased an interesting new game from Focus Entertainment and Douze Dixiemes titled "MIO: Memories in Orbit," a metroidvania adventure planned for release sometime in 2025 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

Explore a Mesmerizing and Dangerous World as MIO

In this game, you'll take control of MIO, a nimble robot with extraordinary abilities. You'll wake up aboard the Vessel, a massive spaceship drifting aimlessly in space. This technological ark, once serving an unknown purpose, now lies in ruins, overgrown with lush vegetation and rogue machines.

Unlock New Powers and Uncover Secrets

As you guide MIO through the vast expanse of the Vessel, you'll unlock new powers and abilities that allow you to explore new areas, face off against a fearsome bestiary, and uncover the ship's long-lost secrets. Delve into the heart of this technological labyrinth to revive its lost memories.

Stunning Visuals and Intense Gameplay

The first trailer for MIO: Memories in Orbit, unveiled exclusively at the Nintendo Direct, reveals varied gameplay with intense moments, in a magical environment with hand drawn elements. More information about the game and its gameplay will be announced in the coming months.

Creative Collaboration and Metroidvania Excellence

"Focus teams are delighted to work again with our internal studio Douze Dixiemes," said John Bert, Managing Director of Focus Entertainment Publishing. "Their creative talents demonstrate the same inventiveness and artistic flair that enchanted us in Shady Part of Me, which will shine through again in this unique and atmospheric metroidvania."

The Douze Dixiemes team expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, "As a partner studio of Focus Entertainment, we're thrilled about this new project. As a publisher, they support our ideas and help us iterate on the metroidvania formula. After years in development, we're proud of what MIO: Memories in Orbit brings to the genre."

Anticipation and Excitement for the Adventure

While the visuals, gameplay flow, and combat look impressive, the depth of the story and adventure remains to be experienced. For those who missed it, check out the full Nintendo Direct below and stay tuned for more updates on this promising metroidvania game. Game on!

Sophima

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