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Our only hope as of 3 am ET 4/24. Not lookin' too good. It's no secret we here at Culture Combine are (usually) buying what Nintendo's selling. Most of us are lifelong fans of all things Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Kirby, Yoshi, Toad and, well, everything. Some of us even pre-ordered Alarmo. So it's no surprise that at this time there's at least 2/3 of our staff looking to snag a release day Switch 2. And...at least based on our research here in Chicago, we're in line with pretty much everyone else, several hours past the midnight ET pre-order window opening. Wal-Mart and Best Buy are our frontrunners but at nearly 3 AM ET, we're pretty sure the Switch 2 is going to be in another castle. We'll wait and see what develops though, as Nintendo promised we wouldn't see the scarcity we saw with the original Switch.

Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd and John Rhys-Davies @ C2E2 2025. Photo: Marielle Bokor Full cast reunions are hard to come by, but this year’s C2E2 boasted one every single day of the con . And when you kick off the entire event with the Lord of the Rings cast, you know you’re starting on a great note. The filming of an epic adventure based on one of the most influential fantasy novels of all time is in itself an epic adventure. There’s nothing simple about taking Tolkien’s work and translating it to the big screen in a way that accurately represents the scale and scope of the story. But that’s exactly what Peter Jackson did with his amazing trilogy of films, alongside an amazing cast that provided some truly once-in-a-lifetime performances.  LOTR Cast Members: John Rhys-Davies, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Elijah Wood and panel moderator Ashley V Robinson @C2E2 2025. Photo: Marielle Bokor Friday’s Lord of the Rings Reunion panel included Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd, and it was clear from moment one that they weren’t just happy to see each other - they were thick as thieves, and as a fan of the series who loves nothing more than the power of friendship, watching the cast hug, laugh, and make playful jabs just brought a smile to my face - and I’m sure the faces of many of the packed room’s patrons. The making of such a film series is no easy feat, and while all the cast members ultimately remember it fondly, they all also recall how difficult it was. Sean Astin remarked that at one point, as the filming in New Zealand hit the five month mark, he wondered if he could go on, though he was also quick to mention that he “could not possibly have greater fortune in life than to be in Lord of the Rings. " Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, and John Rhys Davies @C2E2 2025. Photo: Marielle Bokor It’s clear that the time spent on set was emotional for everyone though. Even Rhys-Davies, who, with a glint in his eye made mischief during the panel, joking about everything including ‘those bloody elves' in true dwarven fashion, had emotional moments they recalled.  Several of the cast mentioned moments like when Frodo and Gandalf sail to Rivendell, recalling that the scene absolutely destroyed them, as well as in Return of the King, when Aragorn says “you shall bow to no one, my friends.”  Sean Astin, Elijah Wood and Dominic Monaghan @C2E2 2025. Photo: Marielle Bokor There was also a lot of talk about what “precious” items the cast may have kept from filming. Dominic Monaghan seemed like he had a lot to say about this, mentioning that he once saw a fake auction for the sword he carried (which was actually presented to him) before Astin quipped that Monaghan couldn’t assume we’re all friends here when ‘they’re asking about larceny.’ S Still, it turns out the cast was actually gifted with many precious items, including the hobbit feet they used, backpacks they carried, swords and parts of their costumes, as filming wrapped. Photo: Sean Astin @C2E2 2025 But Astin had a more personal story to tell that made him emotional even in the panel room. When filming in New Zealand on sacred land, the film’s production team wanted to pay proper respects. This meant the inclusion of Maori tribe elders, who impressed upon the cast and crew their need to respect the land and be stewards of it while they were there. At the time of this first meeting with the tribe, Astin’s daughter, who played Elanor in Return of the King, was just a baby.  Two years later, as filming wrapped up, and the Maori tribesmen returned with blessings for the cast, they also presented his daughter with a sized up version of the dress she’d worn originally. Another full circle moment, and another wonderful story we’re so glad to have gotten to hear. We could’ve listened to them reminisce for hours, but alas, we had other amazing fandoms to celebrate and plenty more to do on the show floor.

Photo: Julian Ramirez When you start off a convention with a healthy helping of Hobbitses, dwarves and all manner of Middle Earth folks, you know it's gonna be an epic journey. C2E2 certainly doesn't believe in the slow start, although as of publishing time today Friday was a walk in the park compared to trying to get anywhere near the convention center for the 40th anniversary of a seminal film of our time by none other than John Hughes that features the first ever convention appearance of the full cast right here where it was shot. That's another story (Spoilers: we actually made it and we'll post that article ASAP just in case you were caught in the world's most intense traffic like half our team was. That Breakfast Club panel likely broke records though. More on that later. For NOW, rest your weary feet (since you probably walked from lot X) and check out some of the amazing cosplay we saw at C2E2 for Day 1! Photos by: Julian Ramirez, Marielle Bokor

Photo: Aaron Cynic It'd be hard to talk about Saturday at C2E2 2025 without using words like huge, gargantuan, insane, packed, crazy and ... at capacity. Ask anyone, including our amazing team of writers and photographers. The Breakfast Club reunion caused the Lake Shore Drive ramp in Chicago to back all the way up on to I-55 from around 9 am to 11 am, with lines to park and drop off congoers stretching at least four blocks. Now, we've been to a few of these. One of us has been to 11 of these. But we've never quite seen anything like the pull of a full on cast reunion for one of John Hughes' most revered films. Was it hectic? Sure. Was it disappointing for a lot of fans who hoped that a con held at a place like the largest such building in the Western Hemisphere would have room for everyone who wanted to see the panel to see it. Alas, such things are not possible at most major conventions featuring ridiculous celebrity lineups. And that's why you have to meet a convention where it's at, and learn to enjoy the things you do have access to. Like cosplay. The thing about C2E2 is that without realizing it, all the people packing Saturday's halls are also mingling with cosplay royalty. And since there's a global championship to decide at night, no one else who shows up on Saturday in cosplay wants to look like a slouch. Indeed, Saturday's the day to see and be seen with your finest cosplay, and everyone knows it. Lucky for us, when it's so many everyones, that means a massive gallery of insane costuming prowess thanks to our amazing con photographers: Julian Ramirez, Aaron Cynic, and Marielle Bokor. Feast your eyes on these amazing cosplayers fantastic Saturday 'fits.

Photo: Aaron Cynic Saturday morning opened up with a very special reunion from the cast of the iconic John Hughes movie, The Breakfast Club, celebrating the 40th year since its release.  “This is like having your high school reunion filmed on camera in real time,” Josh Horowitz, host of the Happy Sad Confused podcast and moderator joked to Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, and Anthony Michael Hall as they took their seats onstage.  For the first time in 40 years, the brain, the athlete, the basket case, the princess, and the criminal shared a stage together in what really did feel like a high school reunion. Photo: Aaron Cynic “I feel really very emotional and moved to have us all together,” said Ringwald. “This is the first time Emilio has joined us. We don’t have to use the cardboard cutout anymore. I feel really moved that we’re all together.” Estevez joked that while he skipped all his high school reunions, “this was something I finally felt I needed to do for myself.”  “This one felt special, it’s here in Chicago where we made the film, obviously the 40th anniversary,” said Estevez. “And it just felt like it was time. Somebody told me ‘does Emilio just not like us’ and that broke my heart. Of course, I love all of them. And it just made sense, so here I am.” Photo: Aaron Cynic Nelson said that while The Breakfast Club doesn’t come up every day with people, it holds a special place in a lot of hearts.  “Certain people, you can see it in their eyes, that they have a memory of you and it’s from that film. And it’s very specific, it’s very recognizable to me, and I’m very flattered by it,” said Nelson. “I consider The Breakfast Club to be an incredibly fast horse. You don’t need to use a crop, you don’t need to use your spurs, you just gotta try and stay on till the end of the race.” Photo: Aaron Cynic The cast spent some time reminiscing about shooting in Chicago at a young age.  “I remember John taking us to all these great places like Kingston Mines and all these great blues clubs. He would take us to record stores and all this fun stuff,” said Hall.  “We saw Prince here. And James Brown,” added Ringwald.  “We work six days a week so you have one night off, Saturday night. Emilo and I and Ally are old enough to legally drink. Molly and Michael are not," noted Judd. "They also have to log hours in school with a tutor during the day while making the movie. Ally stays in her room mostly. I have no idea what goes on in there. So Saturday night, Emilio and I would drive into Chicago from Des Plaines. It’s 1983/84. We cannot find a single place on Division or Rush streets that will let in a guy wearing sneakers and a guy wearing motorcycle boots. We find one place called the Jazz Bulls which no longer exists anymore. They let us in and didn’t care, so we enjoyed Chicago - the city - for three hours once a week.” Photo: Aaron Cynic Ally Sheedy said she didn’t see a script for the film until after she was cast. “John just called up and said I want you to come in,” said Sheedy. “He didn’t give me a script. He was just talking to me about Allison, just a little bit. What do you think about this, what do you think about that? I don’t think I saw a script until after I was cast. I had an idea of who Allison was.” Estevez had his own memories of the script and the original readthrough to share. “The first time we all got together, John had organized a readthrough of the script at a hotel in Century City. The night before, I had all my wisdom teeth pulled and I was on pain pills." My agent called and said, "You have to do the readthrough." I said, "Look my face is swollen, I’m on pain pills, I’m bleeding out. " "They said 'No, it’s really important. You have to be there.' "They sent a car for me. Got to the hotel, we did the readthrough and at the end John says, 'I brought the first cut of my movie Sixteen Candles and I want to show it to you.' " He puts the film on and we’re sitting there and I didn’t think I made it through the opening credits and I passed out from the ordeal. I woke up at the end credits and looked at Judd and Judd says ‘I think you’re getting fired.’" Photo: Aaron Cynic Estevez said The Breakfast Club is a movie that stands the test of time. “The fact we’ve all ended up in this film and have this on our resume is…this is one of those movies that stands the test of time,” he said. “Generationally, it’s a crossover film and how lucky we are to have at least one. Many of us have more than just one on our resumes…it’s an extraordinary thing. I think that’s something that people miss out on. That director chose us, we were lucky to be in the right place at the right time to be involved in something like that."

C2E2 has been poppin' off this week at the McCormick Place in Chicago and one of the big highlights was the announcement of the new DC Elseworlds limited series Immortal Legend Batman ; a six issue series co-written by Mat Groom of Radiant Black and art by Erica D’Urso of Captain Marvel. The series will be taking inspiration from Japanese tokusatsu superhero stories and classic westerns mixed with its own Batman spin. With it being an Elseworld series, that means it’s a complete reimagining of that Batman mythos.  “Batman is fiction’s greatest hero, and we wanted to find a way to take everything that’s so great about him—his immense determination, resilience and selflessness—and explore it in a totally new way,” said Groom. “So ,  we’re taking Batman to the stars, turning him into a wandering hero, exploring humanity’s final frontier… and searching out deadly threats he inadvertently released upon the galactic community.” Preorders begin Friday May 23rd with its official release Wednesday August 27th. Follow the adventures of Immortal Legend Batman, Robin and Nightwing as they take on the Shadow creatures that threaten to destroy the universe.

This year's 'premier' Chicago convention really snuck up on us. Just yesterday we were complaining about the snow that was falling...just yesterday, after Third and Fourth False Spring came on a little too intensely. Anyway, that's neither here nor there other than to say, take a jacket but wear layers to this year's convention. Our second piece of unsolicited advice? Plan to arrive early, because most of the panels expected to be the most highly attended have been pushed to the beginning of the day, which means parking will fill up fast and lines will form very early. This is especially relevant to LOTR, Breakfast Club and Critical Role fans, whose panels are the "headliners" of this year's event. You don't have to make a Main Stage panel to have a complete blast at C2E2 though, and we hope you check out some of the lesser known programming. This year there's all sorts of interests represented from the standard comics, superhero and pop culture fare to bellydancing, soldering, fitness, cooking and more. There's a lot of different paths you can take to a good time. Attend a meetup for your favorite fandom. Do some Star Wars Yoga, or pull up a story rug for Drag Story Hour. Check out the new comedy track featuring some amazing improv, standup and more... the con's your oyster! Make your own pearl! It's overwhelming staring at that panel schedule, so we've gone ahead and started you down the DIY Con Weekend Track with this Choose Your Own Adventure Preview. Now it's your job to download the app (so you can set reminders for panels you don't wanna miss and get notifications of time/location changes), find your comfy shoes, pack some snacks and get on the road bright and early for the official opening of con season in Chicago. Friday, April 11th, 2025 'Dawn is ever the hope of men' and if you're an LOTR fan wanting to go on an adventure with the lion's share of the cast of the Lord of the Rings, then it's gonna be when you need to get up and get on the road to get to C2E2. This year's kickoff is for you. There and Back Again: A Lord of the Rings Cast Reunion features Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, John Ryhs-Davies, and Andy Serkis. Crowds are expected for this first big panel on the Main Stage at 11 am , and there's already an overflow room set up for it, so you need to be parked and inside at least an hour or two beforehand if you want to get up close or even in the same room for this one. OR If you're into being a maker and want to take some time to make something fun, head over to Friendship is a Superpower and make and take friendship bracelets in the N137 workshops at 11:00 where some of the best maker fun can be had. If you'd rather catch some great gaming action , head over to Side Quest on the show floor at 11 am, where local friends I Play Games! is hosting the Chicago High School Esports Exhibition. Cheer on your favorites, and learn how you can be competitive. Continue on in your game inspired journey by heading over to the FromSoftware Games Meetup in N135 at 1:30 if you'd like to find other souls who have been hurt by the Anor Londo archery club, developed trust issues due to mimics or had to chase crazy head caged men around a level. Clearly there's a lot to unpack, but the costumes should also bring Fashion Souls to life. OR If you're a foodie or an aspiring chef or a Pokemon fan (or both!) don't miss From Screen to Kitchen: Creating Recipes Inspired by Pop Culture/Media Live in S401 at 1:30 , where cookbook and comic book author Jarrett Melendez is going to show you how to make chocolate macaroons from scratch -- and they'll have beaks! The next big event is something that'll be on a lot of gamers' can't miss lists , as the Rolling the Dice: The Cast of Baldur's Gate 3 panel will be on the Main Stage at 2pm. This panel, put on by Popverse, features Neil Newbon (Astarion), Devora Wilde (Lae’zel), Jennifer English (Shadowheart), and Aliona Baranova (Corinna the Squirrel, Motion Capture/Performance Director) and should have lots of behind-the-scenes stories, with a few surprises also in store. Later, if you've got talent or simply want to see if the rest of those folks you've been pushing past on the floor all day do , crowd yourself back into the Main Stage at 4:30 and get cozy for C2E2's first ever Talent Show . According to the panel info, we should be seeing singing, dancing, juggling, comedy, and plenty of other things. Grab the popcorn and get into it! Otherwise, TV fans who love Psych might want to catch Kurt Fuller and Kirsten Nelson's "The Psychologists are in" rewatch podcast live at 5pm in S404 and featuring one of its stars, Maggie Lawson . This is a separately ticketed event and you must also have a valid C2E2 Friday badge for entry. If you're just here for the party, party with Chicago's own Jackbox Games when they host the Jackbox Games Party Power Hour at 5:15 in S403 , where you can play a proper party pack with some local improv stars - and look for Jackbox all over this year's show schedule and floor with plenty of time for fun and games, and lots of room to see some of your favorite guests step in to play a round of Quiplash. Finally, if you're a fan of comedy of the finest caliber , count your lucky stars, since the WorkJuice Improvisers, who include the likes of Craig Cackowski, Jonathan Dinerstein, Mark Gagliardi, Marc Evan Jackson, Hal Lublin, Annie Savage, Paul F. Tompkins, Janet Varney and a few as yet unnamed special guests. They'll be there for Workjuice Improv: featuring cast from the Thrilling Adventure Hour . This 18+ event is separately ticketed but happens on site at 9:30 pm in S404. Saturday, April 11th Now, it wasn't just the Lord of the Rings fans who have to take the L in the sleeping in on a con weekend category. You're also gonna have to shake off the previous night's tomfoolery in time to line right up for another giant 11 am panel on the Main Stage . And don't you forget about it. That's right. It's a panel 40 years in the making right here where the action happened. Don't You Forget About Me: The Breakfast Club 40th Anniversary Reunion . Honestly, if you're a John Hughes fan...you need to be there . Or at least try to make it to the overflow. Who will you be seeing there? Well, Molly Ringwald (Claire), Anthony Michael Hall (Brian), Judd Nelson (Bender), and Ally Sheedy (Allison) are all on the roster. Find out all about the making and revel in the nostalgia and feeling of superiority knowing even more about a classic film will give you. If you for some reason can't make it off the hotel room floor, you can also livestream this panel . Don't say we didn't help you out in your hour of need. If for some reason that doesn't get you pumped up, you might want to hit up S402 at 11 and join Patton Oswalt, Jordan Blum, Scott Hepburn and friends for Welcome to Twilight . You can ALSO make a difference as a cosplayer or a fan by having some thoughtful conversations at the convention , by interacting with the panelists at A Guide to DEI in the Cosplay Community in S401 at 11 am . This panel features cosplayers who are LGBTQ, disabled, POC and plus-sized and who can share their real life experiences (good and bad) Booklovers should hustle over to the Main Stage at noon when Tomi Adeyemi of the Legacy of Orisha series where she'll be talking about the conclusion, Children of Anguish and Anarchy, in a moderated panel also featuring host Ashley Leggs, founder of the AshMedia Network and host of the Slay Girl Slay podcast. Those who love stage shows and comedies and podcasts and, well, fun , should really make an effort to get to S404 for the Thrilling Adventure Hour's 20th Anniversary at 12:30 . If you're not familiar with the longrunning show that's been a darling in LA and come to Chicago a few times before, don't worry, it's full of an amazing cast of incredibly funny people who've done everything from Brooklyn 99 to Legend of Korra , Drunk History , Venture Brothers and everything in between and it could not be a better time. We say that because we're certain, and we'll have an interview with the cast to prove it shortly after this convention! BUT If Star Wars is where your heart lies , don't miss the John Boyega Spotlight on the Main Stage at 12:30 instead . You'll get to hear about his journey to being an actor and eventually how he got to Star Wars - that's a pretty meteoric rise and Boyega's charm is sure to delight. Those who want to do something wholesome, fun and relaxing should pull up a little piece of floor in Family HQ Interactive at 1 for Drag Story Hour . This show features a rotating cast of Chicago's favorites, and today's lineup will include Amanda Lynn, Coco Sho-Nell, Miss Muffy and Mrs. Yuka all in their convention finest ready to read some great stories to people of all ages who have ears to hear it. If you don't wanna leave the jungle, crawl out through the fallout and meet your fellow Vault Dwellers over at the Grand Concourse for the Fallout Series Meetup , where you can admire all manner of interesting cosplay and show off your perfectly shined up Pip Boy. This will start at 2:15 until whenever the Super Mutants start to cause major issues. We're from Chicago, so we're gonna suggest yet another Jackbox Games Party Power Hour for you at 2:30 on Saturday in S401 . Why? Because it's fun. And also because this time, it features members of the Thrilling Adventure Hour podcast , who we also love. Just...do yourself a favor and have a blast with some of the funniest people playing some of the best party games ever. We'd be remiss to leave out horror fans , so join some of Chicago's finest horror authors for The Horror That Made Us and find out what inspired them to create their own horror tales, and what they're liking now. There's not always a ton of chances to get into the horror at C2E2 so do horror fans a favor and make sure you attend at 2:45 in S402-B so these panels keep happening. Voice acting aficionados and animation lovers should be THRILLED about the good news on Saturday at 3:30 on the Main Stage . What's the news? Well, that's when Good News, Everyone! a Futurama Cast Reunion hits the stage, and this one features Billy West, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal, Phil LaMarr and Lauren Tom . Just...get your butt in the seats, ok? Trust us. Action movie fans might want to shift to S404 at 3:30 though, where Peter Weller and Nancy Allen will be appearing in the Dead or Alive: A RoboCop Reunion panel . If you're torn between the two, join the rest of us in trying to somehow make both panels. Kids and people who just like slime should head over to Family HQ Workshops at 4pm and learn more about slime in A Hands On Look At Slime . Don't worry, it's also hands on, so you won't just have to sit back, you'll get to do something (hey, millenials were raised on slime, ok?). Find out more about this viral sensation that first got popular during the glorious age of Nickelodeon. Then, if you're in Chicago and you're not gonna go see Svengoolie , what are you even doing with your life? You've got time to sit with a Chicago horror icon , so head to S403-AB at 5pm and get educated! One thing we've always liked about C2E2 is how much it shows off Chicago's best sides , and nowhere is this more clear than the Second City Improv Show at C2E2 . This kicks off at 5:30 on the Main Stage and if you've never seen a Second City show correct that at this con. Name a comedy legend- any comedy legend, and you'll find that there's only a handful who haven't graced the hallowed halls of Piper Alley. Webcomic fans will want to head to S401 at 5:30 meanwhile, when the legends that are Cyanide & Happiness' creators take the stage and show off their process and some behind-the-scenes goodies. Then cosplayers and just people who want to see something amazing should make their way to the Cosplay Crown Championship Regionals, Finals and Globals , all happening at 7:30 pm on the Main Stage. This isn't just a standard convention cosplay competition- it represents the best of the best from all over the world and you will see costumes that it is hard to believe could even be real, so delay your dinner and get in the mood for some amazing sights. For your late night entertainment, stick around for the C2E2 Chicago Stand Up Comedy Showcase (18+) at 9 pm in S402 to see the class of 2025 here in Chicago to make you fall out of your seat laughing (just make sure you don't crush your cosplay. ) Once this finishes off, GO TO YOUR ROOM, because you've got one more day of show to go! Ok, fine, go drink at the Hyatt bar. But don't miss out on Sunday, y'hear? Sunday, April 13th Ok, I feel like we've been repeating this a lot, but you're gonna want to get up early for this one. Why? Well, if you're into DnD, or y'know, you watch any TTRPG content at all , it's pretty exciting that the first big thing that happens on the Main Stage on Sunday is the Critical Role panel. This one kicks off at 11 (but parking and security mean you'll need to, what's that again, GET UP EARLY) Everyone's gonna be there, or at least Matthew Mercer, Laura Bailey, Travis Willingham, Ashley Johnson, Liam O’Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, and Taliesin Jaffe will be. If you're feeling grumpy from all the getting up early and you want to argue, or you just like movies and spirited debates, go ahead and pack up your stuff to get a seat in S402A at 12:15 for the Movies Everyone Disagrees With You On panel , where you'll get to agree to disagree agreeably. Maybe. Or at least you'll get some hot takes out there. OR if you were enamored with the amazing ghouls and boys of Monster High , you CAN go back with the Monster High School Reunion in N135 at 11 am . If you love parody and bugs and sci-fi movies that are eternal classics...you're going to want to hit up the Main Stage at 12:30 for The Only Good Bug Is a Dead Bug: A Starship Troopers Reunion which will feature Casper Van Dien (Johnny Rico), Jake Busey (Ace Levy), Denise Richards (Carmen Ibanez), Dina Meyer (Dizzy Flores), and Michael Ironside (Jean Rasczak) Gamers, there's reason to hang around, especially if you're Nintendo stan s. That's because at 2pm in S403, your quest to trivia greatness begins when you appear at Double NintenDare- a Retro-Fueled Nintendo Game Show . And yes, there's really prizes. So, shape up and get in there. Win one for us! Or, you know, for you. Well, it's time for keyboard cat to play us out, we're gonna need to get to bed for some actual sleep before all the lining up and trying to get you the best from the show floor and beyond. Stay tuned to our socials and right here for daily wrap-ups and cosplay galleries. And repeat after me: Programming is subject to change and this is not even a full slice of the fun you can find on the full schedule.

One of the last times I came out of mosh pit retirement was for The Subhumans when they played Cobra Lounge in what I guess was 2023, but honestly I think it might’ve been five years before that. The last couple years have gone by in a blink but have also been the longest decade of my life so far. In either case, I shoved my way into a circle pretty early on in their set that time, tripped, fell on my bad knee, and promptly hobbled my way towards the back. It was still a great show.  The Subhumans at Reggie's in Chicago. Photo by Aaron Cynic. I was a little more sensible on Sunday at Reggie’s, remembering my fully middle aged body is kind of falling apart even more than it was a few or more years ago, and that there’s no way I could afford to replace the cameras on my shoulders these days if something should happen to them.  I picked up my first Subhumans album when I was a teenager. I was hanging out at the local record store, thumbing through random albums when I stumbled on “The Day the Country Died.” I thought the cover looked cool, and I’d seen their logo painted on people’s jackets at shows. I had no idea at the time but that album changed my life in ways I might still be realizing today. Not only did it open my ears to a sound that would carry through my ears for nearly 30 years and counting, but it opened my mind up to the sheer gravity of how fucked up the world can be.  The Subhumans at Reggie's in Chicago. Photo by Aaron Cynic. Despite feeling my age, when they broke into “All Gone Dead” I felt like I was that kid again, in body, mind, and spirit. The same with every other classic anthem they belted out on Sunday from every legendary album they’ve put out. Just as angry (if not more) than I was when I was young, but more pointed, more informed, with stakes that feel even more dire. I was probably a teenager the first time I saw Dick Lucas and company, most likely at the Fireside or some other iconic Chicago venue that may or may not be still around.  But, even though I didn’t have the energy or wherewithal for the pit these days, The Subhumans still brought the same energy they a couple years ago at Cobra, more than a decade ago at Reggie’s, and who knows how long ago since whenever I saw them when I was actually young.  I got to interview Dick about 14 years ago on the rooftop of Reggies while it was under construction, and it’s still a conversation I think about today. He might be one of the most interesting and smartest folks I’ve spent an hour talking with on a rooftop (or in any other place). And while there’s plenty of negativity in the world, especially with this “fascist bullshit of a government you’ve got,” as he so pointedly put things onstage last night, there’s still a sense of angry positivity interwoven throughout the DNA of the Subhumans.  The Subhumans at Reggie's in Chicago. “There’s a lot of self contained, nervous, pissed off, upset, depressed people who just need some outside encouragement to realize that they do stand or sit on an equal ground with a lot of other people,” Dick told me back in 2011. “We just happen to be playing really good music at the same time.” He echoed something similar onstage last night, bringing up Saturday’s protests that saw millions of people in the streets worldwide demonstrating against the Trump regime.  “Some cynics might say well yeah it doesn’t change anything. It fucking does change something,” Lucas told the crowd. “You may not notice it now but what happens when people go on marches, they come away from the marches inspired, built up, and confident again that the numbers of people involved in the anger against the system trying to shit on them, the numbers it’s just inspiring. It gives people hope instead of fear, that’s the whole fucking point.” FEA at Reggie's in Chicago. Opening for The Subhumans were Chicago’s very own premiere anti-fascist rockers Blind Adam and the Federal League and San Antonia Riot Grrrl band FEA. Both put on fantastic, blistering, and fun sets. One of the shit parts about getting old is sometimes bands and music you know you’ll love fall through the cracks over the years. Last night was the first time I’d seen either of them, and I’m thrilled I was able, and both are making their way into my regular rotation and they should in yours too.

Via Nintendo.com Wednesday April 2nd the world was finally given its first look at the Nintendo Switch 2 and with it came a litany of reveals, but even more questions. We were finally able to confirm a lot of the patent leaks and design docks, but the bigger political implications still loom as a dark cloud over what is to be the next big console release.  Via Nintendo.com The Switch 2 at its core is a more powerful Switch. Bigger screen, 1080p up from 720p in handheld mode, up to 4k docked - a stronger NVIDIA processor and bigger 258 GB storage space with expandable micro SD Express slot for expansion. Via Nintendo.com Other new features include the new magnetic Joycons that now will snap into the sides instead of using the previous rail system. Switch 2 will also feature new communication party systems with an integrated microphone and webcam peripheral. This party system is impressive and allows for webcam integration and screen sharing capabilities akin to Discord. So now, whether in handheld or docked mode, you can still be on cam chatting with your friends and sharing your gameplay, even when playing different games.  Via Nintendo.com Outside of the features on display, Nintendo also released their new catalog of games coming to the new console. Donkey Kong Bananza , Mario Kart World , Kirby Air Riders , Metroid Prime 4 Beyond , Drag X Drive , Welcome Tour and Duskbloods were the new titles announced, with Drag X Drive being a refreshingly inclusive game based on wheelchair basketball that turns your Joycon controllers into a dual mouse setup. The initial offerings for the Switch 2 may seem sparse, so to supplement, Nintendo has decided to enhance some of the Switch 1’s back catalog, such as Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom as well as Mario Party Jamboree. Some of these upgraded titles may have a nominal $10 dollar fee, while others will be free, but the language is still to be determined. Additionally, the GameCube catalog is coming to Nintendo Switch Online with the Switch 2, so there’s even more to play in the retro space.  Via Nintendo.com Alongside the massive drop of new information (including a June 5th release date) came the price points of $449 dollars for the console or a $499 bundle with Mario Kart World. Considering the game price has risen to $80, this is quite a deal. That should make this an open and shut case on everything we need to know for now on the Switch 2, except that right now the political and economical climate for the United States is in complete disarray. Current preorder plans for the Switch 2 are on hold as Nintendo gauges potential tariff impacts, as they have moved their manufacturing to Vietnam that currently holds a 46% tariff, or even on the cartridge packaging and shipping, based out of Mexico which has tariffs at 25%. Analysts are speculating that the Switch 2 prices could rise up to double what has been announced leaving a lot of gamers feeling the impact of the Trump administration.  The gaming community has taken to social media to revel in the excitement to come but so far this Direct has left a lot wondering what it means for the casual gamer. The Switch 2 comes at a similar price point to the Playstation 5 but with much less horsepower. What made the Switch 1 so appealing was the cheaper buy in but now, things are tougher, US stock prices are in freefall, and with tariff implementation and a smaller release catalog, things are looking murky for the Switch 2’s launch. Only time will tell if the Switch 2 will be able to reach the same heights of success as its predecessor, but one thing is for sure: all eyes will be on Nintendo this year.

The Drop-In opened its doors in 2023 in the Fulton Market District at 415 N. Milwaukee and with it came the Not A Damn Chance burger, a viral burger sensation out of Austin, Texas. The NADC burger is the brainchild of Michelin star chef Philip Frankland Lee (of Top Chef) and Pro Skateboarder Neen Williams. Now we are seeing a second Chicago location (with six others in Texas,) located at 1426 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park.  The NADC brand began as a spice blend out of Williams’ home but has now grown into a specialty burger and fry chain all seasoned with the unique blend of spices. The burgers themselves are a smash style burger made from Wagyu beef, American cheese, NADC special sauce, onions, diced pickles and jalapenos. They also have fries which can be either regular or “Beast mode” which comes with the special NADC sauce, seasoning, cheese, pickles and jalapenos. The bar also has a selection of local beers and seasonal cocktails that will rotate over time. NADC also collaborates with Dutchbag Brew Co. to produce a gose (German style sour wheat beer) that consists of watermelon, dill and pickling spice called Pickle Trick.  The restaurant itself is roughly 2,100 square feet with seating for up to 60 patrons, decorated with a massive graffiti mural, local art and lots of skateboarding memorabilia from Williams’ illustrious skateboarding career. TV screens are also displaying skateboarding videos, many of which feature Williams on display. NADC Burger is part of Frankland Lee’s Scratch Restaurant Group which boasts a dedication to artisanal “from scratch” approach to hospitality, as stated from their website.  It’s clear from the attendance displayed at the soft launch opening weekend that Williams and Frankland Lee have crafted a dedicated community around their craft and are vying for the position of best burger in Chicago.

It's that time again. Our thoughts turn to Spring, maybe? (Unless you live in an area that just got snow again, for some reason.) And thus begins the search for low price video games. Luckily, we've got both the Steam Spring Sale and PlayStation's Mega March Sale to peruse this week, so if you're searching for something like that (and with a wishlist a mile long, who isn't?) then we've got a few picks you might want to pick up. We asked the Culture Combine crew what they'd like to put in their cart for this sale AND the Steam Spring Sale and here's what they said: Marielle: I like to use my funds (if I've got any) towards AAA games I didn't have a chance to pick up the first time around for these sales, and there were quite a few things I missed lately that I want to pick up. Here they are: Sniper Elite 5: To start it off, Sniper Elite 5 . I've played most of the series and I love nothing more than a well-considered headshot. I've even grown to appreciate the incredibly gratuitous headshot x-ray cam. Sort of. Percent Off: 75% Actual Price: $14.99 Warhammer: Vermintide II: Ultimate Edition I'm gonna preface this by saying that I'm absolutely head over heels for Dark Tide. It's a fantastic, satisfying game that I think more people should play with friends. That said, the mega sale on Dark Tide's not quite as great as this one, and Fat Shark's Vermintide series was my first love as far as Warhammer video games go. Warhammer: Vermintide II is full of fun game modes (Long live Chaos Wastes!), silly hats and seasonal events, and you can't beat the visceral melee and all those sneak-rats. Percent Off: 75% Actual Price: $13.74 Overcooked 1 and 2 Bundle: I might be an introvert but that doesn't mean I never have friends over. And if I have friends over, I'm gonna need a great party game. Overcooked has been imitated with varying degrees of success and with a lot of little spins, but the OG games are, in my opinion, a must-have for anyone who likes a little chaos with friends or partners. Percent Off: 75% Actual Price: $8.74 (PS4) Fallout 4: Fallout is a whole vibe. I fell in love with it late in the series, with Fallout 76 being my very first introduction to, well, country roads and all that. Now, maybe it's the amazing TV series that has me thinking of Appalachia, or maybe it's that one of our own is currently out in the Blue Ridge Mountains right now hiking the Appalachian Trail , but I've got a hankering to crawl out through the fallout, baby. And...well, I think it's time to explore Fallout 4 . Percent Off: 60% Actual Price: $7.99 Alex: God of War: Ragnarok God of War: Ragnarok may have won some awards, but that doesn't mean it always gets all the appreciation it deserves. 2018's God of War represented a tonal shift for the long running series, but one that's turned out to have a lot of fans, including us. And it's worth getting for the PS5 and revisiting, too. Percent Off: 58% Actual Price: $29.39 Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth As we've established, you don't have to start a series from game one to enjoy it. Whether you're a Like A Dragon liker from days of yore or you're new to the series, Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth takes you to a brand new locale for the series: Hawaii. Couple that with an improved combat system and the return of some familiar favorite embedded mini-games and this is one worth dropping into your cart. Percent Off: 50% Actual Price: $34.99 Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered PS4 and PS5 Do you like ghost vampires? Do you also like remastered games from the 90s? Might be a great time to pick up Crystal Dynamics' brand new old games from the Legacy of Kain series, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1& 2 Remastered . It's always a great time for a throwback. Percent Off: 25% Actual Price: $22.49 These are just a few choice morsels from the much larger PlayStation Mega March Sale , so browse at your wallet's own risk and let us know what you're hoping to snag for a great price while the sale's still on.

"OK, so hear me out..." some pitch guy somewhere must have said. "You know MMA? The raw, bloody, knuckle to knuckle, sweaty totally NOT armored fighting that everyone loves?" "What if...we added armor. Medieval armor!" It's hard to believe that'd make it off the elevator but apparently it did, and that leaves us with AMMA , the armored medieval cage fighting events that we first learned about from our friends at Secret Chicago , as we here in the Windy City will soon be blessed with their presence. It's either a really weird concept, or, if you really think about it, one that's already pretty covered by your local renaissance fair and the jousts. Either way, it seems like their meme game is fire, and we'd not say "Nay" to some tickets to see that action. Find out more if thou wouldst like by clicking here .