Welcome to this week’s GenXGrownUp Insider! In this issue, we’re bouncing from outer-space arcade mayhem to lost ColecoVision history, then looking ahead to some seriously exciting retro hardware with the ModRetro M64 and Pixel FX Morph 2K. Plus, we’re cracking open the story behind the Konami Code, spotlighting an arcade setup worth checking out, and sharing a fun behind-the-scenes GXG fact about Jon.

The GXG crew blasts off into ASTEROID 69, a wild outer-space arcade shooter where rogue asteroids are headed for Earth and teamwork may be the only thing standing between survival and total cosmic disaster. Expect fast action, close calls, and plenty of retro-inspired chaos.

A long-lost version of Pac-Man for the ColecoVision has surfaced, and it may surprise anyone who remembers the old console wars. We take a look at this unreleased arcade port, what makes it different, and why it’s such a fascinating “what could have been” moment in retro gaming history.

The ModRetro M64 is almost here, and we’re getting our first hands-on look at this highly anticipated FPGA console built for original Nintendo 64 cartridges. From the hardware and controller to its promise of authentic N64 gaming on modern displays, we’re digging in to see if the M64 can live up to the hype.

Our upcoming review takes a close look at the Pixel FX Morph 2K, an analog video scaler built to bring classic consoles to modern displays with clean HDMI output, low-lag performance, scanline options, and plenty of retro-friendly features. Is this the scaler your setup has been waiting for? We’re about to find out.

Long before it became schoolyard legend, the Konami Code actually debuted in Gradius on the NES, where developer Kazuhisa Hashimoto created it as a shortcut to give testers the power-ups they needed to play through the game more easily. In North America, though, it became iconic thanks to Contra, where entering the code granted 30 lives and helped countless players survive one of the NES’s toughest action games. What started as a practical testing tool quickly became one of gaming’s most famous cheat codes.

This week, GXG recommends the Arcade2TV-XR from X-Arcade, a modern arcade setup built for players who still crave real joysticks, big buttons, and that classic cabinet feel. It works across PC, Mac, Meta Quest 2 & 3, Steam Deck, Raspberry Pi, and more, with a trackball, customizable controls, and VR/MR support that can turn your room into a virtual arcade. For retro fans looking to level up their home setup, this one hits a lot of sweet spots.

Long before GenXGrownUp videos hit your screen, Jon Reddick was already working behind the camera as a director at WCTV. That broadcast experience is part of what helps bring structure, polish, and a steady hand to the GXG crew’s videos, livestreams, and event coverage.

Want to meet us in person? We’ll be listing our upcoming convention appearances and live event stops here, so keep an eye out for where GenXGrownUp will be popping up next.