hobbies Archives - Modded

Equip: Top 12 Essential Geocaching Tools for International Geocaching Day

Jack Shaw — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 13:30:00 +0000

International Geocaching Day is coming soon, so it’s time to hunt for treasure outside. This outdoor activity has become famous worldwide as people have fun searching for small containers and trinkets. Before you head out, you need the proper tools for geocaching. Here are the top 12 geocaching essentials for your next adventure.

1. Garmin eTrex 22x

Modern smartphones have excellent built-in GPS systems, but cell service may be unreliable in the woods. In these situations, you need the Garmin eTrex 22x to keep you on the right track. This gadget lasts up to 25 hours in GPS mode and has preloaded maps for the trail. With a GPS, you can accurately locate geocaches and stay out of outdoor trouble.

Get it from Garmin

2. Leib Games Metal Pirate Coins

Finding a geocache container is exciting — you never know what trinkets are inside before you open it. When you take the reward, it’s customary to leave something behind. Make the prize memorable for the next person with pirate coins from Leib Games. These novelty tokens look like gold pieces you’d find in a pirate’s treasure chest.

Get it from Amazon

3. Victorinox Deluxe Tinker

While some containers are easy to open, others may require more effort. If you’re having a tough time, you need a multitool to get the job done. The Victorinox Deluxe Tinker is among the geocaching essentials because it contains pliers, tweezers and scissors. This pocket knife is also handy in the woods, as you may need to cut twigs and branches.

Get it from Victorinox

4. General Tools Telescoping Glass Inspection Mirror

An inspection mirror is one of the geocaching tools you shouldn’t leave behind. The hidden treasure could be in hard-to-see places, so this gadget lets you examine with less risk. General Tools’ Telescoping Glass Inspection Mirror increases visibility with its two LED bulbs and extra-long arm. It’s also handy for assessing possible dangers surrounding your cache.

Get it from General Tools

5. Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves

When outdoors, you should avoid working with your bare hands. The last thing you want is to pull bandages from your first-aid kit and waste daylight. Make the day easier by getting solid work gloves. This Ironclad pair combines comfort and durability to last outdoors. The terry cloth is handy for sweating when temperatures are high on International Geocaching Day.

Get it from Amazon

6. Geocaching Travel Bug

While finding treasure is fun, hiding items for others is just as rewarding. If you bury an item, you need a geocaching travel bug as one of your essentials. Each tag has durable metal and a tracking number to follow as it changes hands. Your container could end up anywhere! Geocaching gives you two travel bugs — one for the buried item and one for your tracking.

Get it from Geocaching

7. Uniball Jetstream RT Ballpoint Pen

Locating the cache involves finding a logbook inside the container. These logbooks record signatures from anyone who locates the cache, so putting your name in this tiny history book is essential. Make your signature count with the Uniball Jetstream RT Ballpoint Pen. This tool resists smudging and makes writing easier with its quick-drying feature.

Get it from Unibrands

8. Geocaching Journal

The Geocaching Journal is the official notebook from the founders. Take it with you on your next experience! This journal provides writing prompts and lets you get the most out of each trip. Plus, Geocaching maximizes sustainability with soy-based ink, recycled paper and a hardcover design. Make eco-friendliness one of the essentials for your next geocaching adventure.

Get it from Geocaching

9. X-DRAGON Monocrystalline Portable Solar Panel

Geocaching could take you inside a city or deep in the woods, so preparing for either scenario is wise. Long journeys in rural areas mean you might not have electricity access. How can you charge your electronics? You need a portable charger. X-DRAGON’s monocrystalline gadget has multiple USB ports and quickly charges phones and other electronic geocaching tools.

Get it from Amazon

10. Ledlenser P7R Flashlight

Geocaching after daylight saving time ends can be more challenging when the sun goes down. A daytime treasure hunt turns into a nighttime hike, necessitating visibility tools on your geocaching adventure. You need the Ledlesner P7R Flashlight for maximum lighting in the woods. This handheld tool has 1,000 lumens and shines up to 700 feet away from you.

Get it from Ledlenser

11. Cotopaxi Cielo Rain Jacket

Precipitation on International Geocaching Day can rain on your parade. However, the Cotopaxi Cilo Rain Jacket can save the day by shielding you from the weather. This jacket is one of the geocaching essentials if the weather is unpredictable in your area. Midwesterners know all about going from sunny skies to torrential tornadoes within an hour.

Get it from REI

12. YETI Yonder 1L Water Bottle

Geocaching can take a long time, so nourishing your body outdoors is vital. Start with hydration and bring plenty of water on your outdoor adventure. After all, experts say guys need 15.5 cups of daily fluids for adequate hydration. Yeti’s Yonder water container makes hydration easier by giving you 34oz of liquid and resisting shatters.

Get it from Amazon

Gathering the Tools for International Geocaching Day

Geocaching lets you explore nature and practice your navigation skills by finding treasure. The third Saturday of August commemorates this outdoor tradition, so you’ll see plenty of friends and family outside looking for containers. Before you head out, grab the geocaching essentials for a fun day of exploration.

The post Equip: Top 12 Essential Geocaching Tools for International Geocaching Day appeared first on Modded.

From Rare to Well-Done: Mastering the Best Way to Grill a Steak

Tom Sargent — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 10:51:33 +0000

What’s the best way to grill a steak? It depends on who you ask. Everyone’s got a different opinion about how to go about it and how cooked it should be. Admittedly, grilling steak can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time, but it’s actually a straightforward process once you nail down the basics.

Explore the nuances of grilling a steak to perfection, from selecting the proper cut to monitoring doneness levels, and unlock a world of flavor and tenderness in every bite. Here’s the best way to grill a steak.

Ingredient Notes

First things first, you’ll need to sort out the ingredients for your steak dish. The most important things to gather are:

Steaks: Grill masters recommend choosing steaks that are 1.5 – 2 inches thick, though slightly thicker is better than slightly thinner, as thick cuts help retain juiciness and ensure even cooking.
Olive oil: You need a high-heat oil to create a beautiful sear on the steaks. Feel free to substitute olive oil with vegetable or canola oil as you see fit.
Seasonings: Generally, you want to keep things simple and let the flavor of the meat itself shine through. Some salt, black and white pepper, and any other seasoning of your choice should suffice.
Butter: A stick or two of butter helps add juiciness to the steak’s crust. It also prevents the meat from drying out during cooking.

Choosing the Best Cuts for Grilling

You will usually find three grades of beef steak in a typical supermarket: Select, Choice and Prime. This grading is assigned based on the intramuscular fat marbling of the meat and helps identify its juiciness and tenderness when cooked.

Select is the leanest of the three, meaning it will most likely dry out during grilling. You’re better off going for Choice or Prime grade steaks, as they have adequate marbling to undergo the fiery process and still come out juicy.

For the cuts, you’ll find several options:

Filet Mignon: Filet is prized for its melt-in-your-mouth texture and delicate flavor. Thanks to its lower fat content, it’s also less likely to cause flare-ups.
Sirloin: The lean nature of sirloin steak makes it an excellent choice for health-conscious consumers. It also boasts a distinctive flavor profile that differentiates it from other lean cuts.
Ribeye: These ultra-flavorful steaks are the ideal choice for grilling. The ribeye’s higher fat content helps keep the meat juicy even when cooked over very high heat.
T-Bone and Porterhouse: These cuts offer a combination of textures and flavors. Keep an eye on the bone though, so it doesn’t cause uneven cooking.
New York Strip: This cut is not the most tender steak, but people love it for its great bite and flavor. The lower fat content means there are fewer flare-ups during grilling.
Flank and Skirt Steak: The thinnest and often leanest of the bunch — these cuts are perfect for quick grilling.

Preparing Your Steak

Nailing the prep stage is essential to achieving a perfect cook. For starters, you want the steak to reach room temperature for at least 30 minutes before putting it on the grill. Next, pat the meat dry with paper towels. This will remove all moisture and allow for a nice sear. Continue patting it until you see no more moisture coming off.

Seasoning the steak comes next. The type of cut will likely determine how you approach this step. Generally, you want to coat the meat in a thick blanket of kosher salt, pepper and garlic powder. Feel free to add other seasonings, but be careful not to overdo it, as too much can overpower the flavor.

If you’re using leaner meats, it might be best to marinate the steak instead. The lower fat content of these cuts means they require an extra helping of wet seasoning to bring out the flavor profile. To make the marinade, start with olive oil, then whisk in something fresh like herbs and citrus and sweet like honey or maple syrup.

Grilling the Steak

Fire up your grill and make sure it’s nice and hot. The best way to grill a steak is to use direct heat — over the flame. This is what gives the meat that beautiful dark char. Place the seasoned steaks on the grill and let the fire do its work.

The type of cut generally determines how long you let the meat cook before flipping it. For a one-inch steak, grill each side for 3–4 minutes, depending on the desired doneness. Thicker steaks can tarry on the grill a bit longer, especially if you don’t plan on using indirect heat to finish off the cooking.

Once a side is golden brown and slightly charred, flip it and let the other side cook. Avoid flipping the steak too frequently — aim for just once to ensure even cooking. Use tongs instead of a fork to prevent piercing and losing juices.

When grilling steaks, temperature is more important than time. Grab your digital cooking meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the meat, making sure to avoid the bone and fatty areas.

Monitoring Doneness

Keep in mind that while you can always return a steak to the grill if it’s not cooked enough to your liking, you can’t undo it if it’s overcooked. That’s why it’s important to monitor the level of doneness carefully. Follow this guideline:

Rare: 125°F to 130°F
Medium-rare: 130°F to 135°F
Medium: 135°F to 145°F
Medium-well: 145°F to 150°F
Well done: 155°F to 160°F

After you remove the steak from the grill, its internal temperature will continue to rise. Experts recommend taking the meat off when it reaches about 5˚ lower than your desired temperature to get that perfect cook inside and out.

The Thumb Test

If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you’ll have to measure the level of doneness by hand. Don’t worry, it’s a straightforward process. Lightly touch your thumb to your index finger and feel the fleshy area.

Rare steak should feel soft with little to no resistance, almost like you’re touching raw meat. Medium-Rare should feel soft yet firmer with a bit of resistance. Medium-Well and Well-Done are generally firm with very little give when pressed.

Resting and Serving

This is the final step and potentially the most critical. After being on the grill for several minutes, your steaks need to rest so they won’t lose as much juice when cutting into them.

Culinary expert Martha Stewart recommends letting your steaks rest for half the time you used to cook them. So, if you cook the meat for 16 minutes, let it rest for 8. When resting your steaks, make a little aluminum foil tent around them so they don’t cool down too quickly.

Should You Grill Steak on High or Medium Heat?

You want to start with high heat to give the steak that flavorful char. Make sure your grill temperature is between 450°F and 500°F before placing the meat.

How to Keep Steak Juicy on the Grill

The best way to keep your steak juicy during grilling is to use tender, well-marbled meat. Ribeye, T-Bone, Porterhouse and Filet Mignon are usually the ideal choices for achieving the perfect balance between juiciness and flavor.

Master the Best Way to Grill a Steak

The secret behind the best way to grill a steak is that there really is no secret at all. As long as you pay attention to these guidelines and best practices, you’re well on your way to becoming a grill boss in no time.

The post From Rare to Well-Done: Mastering the Best Way to Grill a Steak appeared first on Modded.

The Ultimate Brew Brawl: Craft Beer Vs Draft Beer

Jack Shaw — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 15:25:04 +0000

The craft beer vs. draft beer debate has been raging for some time now. In today’s society, where everyone seems to care so much about labels, understanding the differences and similarities between the two can help you make informed decisions about which one to indulge in.

What Is Craft Beer?

Put simply, craft beer is an artisanal beer made by a small, independent brewer. According to the Brewers Association, a brewery may be considered small if it produces less than 6 million barrels of beer in a year.

To meet the “independent” tag, the craft brewer must own at least 75% of the brewery while the remaining 25% is owned by a beverage alcohol industry member who produces non-craft beer.

How Is Craft Beer Different From Regular Beer?

Craft beer has several distinguishing characteristics. First, it’s a custom-made brew with a keen focus on quality and craftsmanship. That means its production is driven by innovation and the brewer’s personal inclination. Because it is produced on a smaller scale, craft brewers can experiment with different techniques, mixtures and flavors to make the beer stand out.

Ingredient selection is another crucial distinction between craft beer and regular brews. Artisanal brewers prioritize the finest local ingredients in their recipes. They use a generous amount of malted barley for a full-bodied flavor and often experiment with different grains like wheat, oats or rye for that extra depth. As a result, craft beer is usually characterized by rich and complex flavor profiles.

If you prefer your beers to have a little or a lot more kick, then you’ll definitely love craft beers. These beverages are known for their higher alcohol by volume (ABV) content compared to their mass-produced counterparts. Where most regular beers typically have an ABV ranging from 4% to 10%, craft beers can have an ABV of up to 67.5%, which is the case for Snake Venom — the world’s strongest beer.

Craft Beer in the United States

Modern craft beer in the U.S. has come a long way since homebrewing became federally legal in 1978. Before then, individuals experimented with various brew recipes and methods, subject to state regulations.

The last few years have seen a massive surge in the popularity and demand for craft beers thanks to staunch support from beer lovers. As of 2022, there were 9,552 U.S. craft breweries, including 261 regional facilities that produce various styles of beer. This means you don’t have to look far to find a variety of delicious small-batch brews anytime.

What Is Draft Beer?

Draft beer refers to any type of beer stored in a cask or a pressurized steel keg and served from a tap. The containers used to store draft beer come in a variety of sizes — 5, 20 and even 50 liters — to accommodate large crowds and home consumption. Think college parties and pubs.

Why Is It Called Draft Beer?

The word “draft” originates from the old English word “dragan,” which means to draw or pull. Many countries, including Australia, Ireland and the UK, pronounce and spell it as draught, with the meaning staying the same.

Although draft beer is produced similarly to bottled or canned beer, aficionados know there is a distinct difference. Draft beer typically has a crispier, full-bodied, and bolder palate profile. This is because storing the booze in a pressurized keg protects it from the degrading effects of oxygen and ultraviolet light. The storage method ensures the beer stays fresher for longer and has a fresher taste than its bottled counterpart.

What Is the Difference Between Craft Beer and Draft Beer?

Armed with the history of these beverages, let’s delve deeper into the craft beer vs draft beer discussion. Understanding these differences can help you choose the brew that suits your preferences.

Brewing Method

Craft Beer is produced in small batches by independent breweries using a wide range of techniques as determined by the brewer. Draft beer is brewed using traditional methods and stored in large barrels or kegs.

Brewing craft beer is a labor of love, with the brewer’s personal touch evident in every sip. Draft beer brewing, on the other hand, tends to follow mass-production standards. That’s why experts often say any craft beer can be a draft beer, but not all draft beer is craft beer.

Ingredients

Craft beers incorporate high-quality and locally sourced ingredients, whereas draft beers typically use standard brewing components.

Flavor and Varieties

You’ll often find craft beers in a wide range of complex flavors, from ghost pepper spicy to chocolate chip cookie sweet and even weirder profiles like whale testicles — yep, that exists. Draft beers tend to have a more consistent and crispier appeal thanks to their unique storage and serving methods.

Availability

Due to its small-scale production, craft beer is not as ubiquitous as draft beer. In many cases, you can only find certain craft beers in regions where they are brewed or in large stores. Draft beers are more widely available worldwide.

Is Craft Beer Healthier?

According to a recent study, craft beers may be healthier than their conventional counterparts thanks to their higher phenolic compound content. Further research is required to validate these claims, and should by no means be a reason to drink irresponsibly.

Similarities Between Craft Beer and Draft Beer

Despite their distinct traits, craft beer and draft beers share certain similarities that contribute to their overall enjoyment.

For one, they’re both known for their fantastic freshness and pleasant drinking experience. Craft and draft beers are typically carbonated and served at super-cold temperatures, so every sip feels refreshing. Lastly, while craft beers have a more comprehensive range of flavors and complexities, they’re both tasty beverages that anyone can enjoy.

Craft Beer Vs. Draft Beer: Which Is Better?

Choosing between craft beer and draft beer ultimately comes down to your personal preference. At the end of the day, beer is about indulgence followed by shared laughter and togetherness. Whether you’re sipping on a handcrafted brew rich with the flavors of its unique ingredients or relishing a cold crisp lager served from a keg, the joy of beer drinking remains the same.

So let’s celebrate this golden brew in all its forms. Let’s appreciate the artistry of craft beers, the consistency of draft beers and above all, the passion and dedication that brewers put into every batch. Each pint holds a new experience, so here’s a toast to beer in all its diverse glory. Cheers!

Loading poll ...

The post The Ultimate Brew Brawl: Craft Beer Vs Draft Beer appeared first on Modded.

The Best Knife Brands for Cooking, EDC and Survival

Tom Sargent — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 12:50:53 +0000

A good knife is a must-have tool for a huge range of activities. Whether you’re cooking, camping or find yourself needing to open lots of boxes, splurging on a reliable knife can go a long way. To get the most out of your purchase, though, you’ll need to know the best knife brands.

As with many things, the best knife brand depends on what you’re looking for. To help narrow your options, here’s a look at some of the most beloved and respected in each category.

The Best Kitchen Knife Brands

First, let’s take a look at kitchen knives. While there are tons of cool purpose-built kitchen gadgets out there, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact of a good chef’s knife. In general, these should be:

Full-tang
Sharp
Easy to clean
Have balanced weight

With that in mind, here are three of the best knife brands for the kitchen.

Wüsthof

Wüsthof is the undisputed king of the kitchen knife. The German knifemakers have been in the business for over 200 years and have since become a favorite of chefs everywhere.

These knives come in a huge variety of both type and price. You can snag an entire set for less than $200 or spend more than that on a single blade. Across all that variety, though, you’ll find the same durability, sharpness and balance that has solidified Wüsthof in culinary history.

Zwilling

Are you seeing a theme here? Many of the most respected kitchen knives come from Germany. Zwilling even comes from the same town as Wüsthof, though it offers some more budget-friendly options and doesn’t have quite the same reputation.

This entry is technically a two-in-one, as Zwilling’s sister brand, Henckels, also makes some of the best kitchen knives available. However, the Zwilling line tends to be more high-end and reliable, while Henckels are a little cheaper but may not perform as well.

Shun

While German knives are the traditional choice in the West, Japanese-made knives are having a moment, too. These tend to be made of Damascus steel instead of conventional stainless, making them beautiful as well as durable. Among these, Shun Cutlery is one of the best brands you can get.

Shun makes many collections for different budgets and preferences. That said, they usually don’t come cheap. For that money, you’ll get a gorgeous, sharp knife that will last longer than anything else in your kitchen if you take care of it.

The Best EDC Knife Brands

The humble pocketknife is often at the core of the everyday carry (EDC) trend and can be anything but humble once you get serious about it. An EDC knife should be highly practical — a tool you can pull out for anything you encounter throughout the day. As such, a good EDC knife is:

Portable
Durable
Comfortable to use
Sharp, even with rigorous use

Here are our top three picks for the best knife brands for EDC.

Chris Reeve

Once you join the EDC community, it won’t be long until you hear someone sing the praises of Chris Reeve. The brand started as one guy in a garage with a passion for bladesmithing and is now revered among pocketknife enthusiasts.

Chris Reeve knives are expensive, but you won’t find anything else that stays as sharp for as long. You won’t find much variety in the Chris Reeve collection, but everything the brand makes meets rigorous quality standards. These are largely simple, unassuming-looking pocketknives, but they perform like nothing else and last a lifetime.

Benchmade

Benchmade is a more recognizable name to those outside the EDC community and another killer brand. As you might guess from the name, Benchmade focuses on precision-engineered, handmade knives instead of mass production. Consequently, they’re as carefully made, sharp and reliable as they come.

The Benchmade range has more variety than Chris Reeve and meets similar quality standards. These pocketknives are also famous for their use of high-quality steels. As a result, they come at a premium price but will hold up to more stress than a cheaper blade.

Spyderco

While Benchmade and Chris Reeve make impressive ultra-premium knives, you don’t need over $100 to get a good EDC knife. Spyderco is another one of the best knife brands in this category and has a much wider variety of styles and prices.

Spyderco is most famous for its leaf-shaped blades, which enthusiasts say make them more utilitarian, and a distinctive round thumb hole. Across their impressive range of products, you’ll find a focus on lightweight design, ease of use and high-quality materials. You can spend several hundred dollars on a high-end Spyderco if you want, but you can also grab one for $30 to $60.

The Best Survival Knife Brands

The more outdoorsy crowd will want something with a little more substance. Whether you need to field dress a deer, gut a fish or have protection for a worst-case scenario, a survival knife is the thing for you. A good survival knife:

Has a fixed-blade
Is at least four inches long
Can take a beating
Has a durable, comfortable grip

Here’s a look at the best knife brands in this category.

Fällkniven

German and Japanese knives are favorites in the kitchen, but Swedish knives reign supreme for the outdoors. Fällkniven is among the best of these Nordic knife brands. Unlike most survival knives, these laminate different kinds of steel for an optimal balance between resilience and edge retention.

Fällkniven fixed-blade knives come with a range of different handle materials and sheaths, so you can choose whichever you like the most. Most importantly, these knives are made to last, even with repeated outdoor usage, which justifies their hundred-dollar-plus cost.

ESEE

ESEE, a U.S.-based company, also makes quality survival knives. These are often less eye-catching in their design but rugged and reliable in their usage.

These military-inspired knives are some of the best flat-ground blades around, especially for the price. They also come with a no-questions-asked lifetime warranty, so if you break it — which isn’t likely — you don’t have to worry about buying another.

Morakniv

Rounding out our list of the best survival knife brands is another Swedish company — Morakniv. Mora knives are famous for their synthetic rubber grips that make them comfortable to hold, no matter what you’re using them for. While their steel and sheath material quality may not be as high as others, these knives are also relatively affordable.

Morakniv makes a huge range of products, though the Spark and Companion are the most beloved. Many also come with flint or other survival tools, making these highly useful in a pinch.

Get the Best Knife for Any Application

There’s a knife out there for you, no matter your budget or goal. Making the right choice starts with knowing what brands to trust.

These nine companies are the best knife brands you’ll find for cooking, EDC and survival. That doesn’t mean you can’t find quality knives outside these labels, but start here if you don’t know what else to look for. You can’t go wrong with any of these brands.

The post The Best Knife Brands for Cooking, EDC and Survival appeared first on Modded.

8 Best Idle Games to Play While Doing Nothing

Tom Sargent — Thu, 02 May 2024 18:36:20 +0000

If someone told you ages ago that you could play a game by doing nothing, they wouldn’t believe you. What’s the point? Turns out, idle games are a nice distraction from the heavy time and attention investments of modern titles. Explore the best options for having something to do when you have a few minutes of downtime.

What Is an Idle Game?

Idle games are also sometimes called incremental games or clickers, depending on the mechanics and gameplay style. Typically, they refer to games with minimal player interactivity, where linear progression occurs offline. Some even call them games that play themselves, though the definition has expanded to more involvement variants and styles over the years. This is likely due to the rise in mobile games.

The best idle games combine these elements. The first is longevity. Developers want players to engage with idle games potentially for years. Therefore, the progression must be expansive yet scalable in a rewarding enough way. People should feel their sense of progression and gameplay elements change as time passes, depending on their degree of engagement, obviously.

Additionally, there is a grinding element. Usually, players create automated systems to farm for resources, currency, levels, experience or other metrics. Seeing numbers change provides players with a sense of accomplishment. This happens in real time, either by letting time pass and letting the game work as it’s closed, or by short spurts of active gameplay. This could be more traditional or be primarily click-based.

So, what are some of the best idle games with incremental elements?

Fallout Shelter

From one of Bethesda’s most beloved franchises is an idle game variant. It has the classic aesthetic of the popular game with a management twist. Oversee a Vault of Dwellers, and time passes as they leave to go on missions. They come back with resources you need to survive in the shelter. The game is all about survival. Fortunately, there is more depth than that. You can also foster relationships and see them blossom in real time.

Forager

Forager is an innovative title from Humble Bundle and HopFrog because it blends the elements of an idle game with a crafting experience that you’ll want to actively engage with. With nostalgic pixel graphics and a banger soundtrack, you play as a cute marshmallow-looking fellow ready to fight, harvest and expand. Explore dungeons, find secrets and level up for new ways to get rich and make the most resources imaginable.

AdVenture Communist or Capitalist

This is an idle game in two flavors. AdVenture Capitalist is the original, which lets you become the mega-millionaire you’ve always dreamed. This comedic idle game is a commentary on wealth accumulation, as most of the money is generated while you sit and do, well, nothing. The game takes fun twists and turns as you make your corporate vision a reality.

In the Communist version, you combat all of your progress from the previous game by making a collaborative resource management system. What starts off as a simple farming-style sim gets more involved, especially as the developers send out regular updates and challenges weekly.

Cats & Soup

In beautiful pastels is one of the coziest idle games that exist — Cats & Soup. All they do is exist in a forest you build out to make new types of soup. Gather different breeds of cats and ingredients like fish and vegetables to make you countless dollars. Unfortunately, like many idle games, there are microtransactions. However, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the game if you don’t want to go past the free-to-play elements.

Neko Atsume

Neko Atsume is a cat collecting game where players design a dwelling to attract different types of cats. Yes, this is the second idle game about cats. No, it is not the last one you’ll ever come across. There are plenty of cat-laden games not featured here to get a cuteness fix.

Like many idle games, it doesn’t have a concrete ending. However, the point is to adjust the home and place certain treats and toys to collect and photograph new breeds. Its popularity earned a sequel, coming out in 2024.

Idle Zoo Tycoon

Who doesn’t want to relieve their glory days from building intricate yet inefficient zoos in the original Zoo Tycoon in a more bite-sized, idle format? Idle Zoo Tycoon has myriad options for constantly improving your grounds. Just like in traditional tycoon games, you construct the perfect tourist attraction to garner more guests, and, therefore, more money. Use that money to ever-expand the land to house more animals — then rinse and repeat.

If zoos aren’t your vibe, there is also Idle Theme Park Tycoon.

AFK Arena

Are there idle RPGs? For fans of Genshin Impact and similar games, AFK Arena could scratch that itch of feeling like you’re playing an in-depth RPG with the low-stakes grind of an idle game. It has a pretty high learning curve compared to other idle games, but it’s nice to see this genre have diverse difficulty options. There are plenty of ways to set up your party and learn various builds. The game updates regularly, so the meta is always changing to keep things interesting.

Cookie Clicker

This list wouldn’t be complete without arguably the most legendary idle clicker out there — Cookie Clicker. Made by Julien “Orteil” Thiennot in 2013, it is often considered the world’s first successful incremental game. The goal is to bake cookies by clicking on the game’s big cookie icon. However, players can purchase cursors and other resources to do the work for you.

The game’s seemingly endless support has expanded on its foundation, adding complex exponential growth features and really learning from its dark humor and cosmic horror elements. The game has a cult fanbase that took over a decade to form.

The Best Idle Games for Casual Gamers

Idle games are incorporating more mechanics than they used to when they first became popular. Many incorporate active gameplay alongside the passive elements, making games more engaging in the long term. What are some of your favorite idle games that allow you to enjoy little pockets of time?

The post 8 Best Idle Games to Play While Doing Nothing appeared first on Modded.

What are the Best Geocaching Apps for Beginners?

Jack Shaw — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 19:41:43 +0000

So you’ve heard about the mystery geocaching, and what you’ve heard is enough to get you asking some questions. What is a geocache? How do you find one? What’s the best geocaching app to use? Lace-up, you’re about to learn how to geocache.

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is what you would call a high-tech international treasure hunt. The aim of the game is to track and find geocaches, which are small hidden treasures placed in TC spots by other people. It’s been around since 2000, so there are endless caches and treasures to seek.

To find the geocaches, you download a GPS-enabled app on your phone, then pick a geocache to find and download the coordinates for the hunt. You can also download a map from a website, but GPS on your phone will be more accessible, especially if you want to track your trip in real time.

With geocaches in 196 countries worldwide on all seven continents and in space, you can geocache just about anywhere. From New York’s two-decade-old geocache to Germany’s Lego geocache giraffe, you can go to many exciting places with geocaching.

Source: Geocaching

What is a Geocache?

A geocache can be virtual or physical. Virtual Caches work like Pokemon Go and someone sets up hidden treasures on a map and you follow the GPS with an app on your phone to find them.

Physical geocaches come as waterproof containers with a logbook inside for you to sign and sometimes a treasure to trade. When you go on your first geocache hunt, you’ll want to carry tokens to put in caches for other cachers to find. Along with the physical log book, you can also sign digital log books to prove your findings.

So physical geocaches come in different forms:

Regular Caches – These can be waterproof containers like Tupperware or ammunition boxes.
Micro Cache – A small cache, usually the size of a film canister.
Nano Cache – This is an even smaller cache with the logbook rolled up inside. It’s so small you may need tweezers to pull out whatever’s inside so if you go hunting for one, be prepared!
Camouflaged Cache – People usually use disguises to hide these caches like fake rocks.
Multi-caches – This involves two or more locations, to find the cache, you will have to follow the coordinates for clues
Mystery caches – A mystery cache requires you to complete a puzzle and gather information from coordinates to find the final location.

Best Geocaching Apps for Beginners

Find the best geocaching app to start your adventures.

1. GooseChase

Maybe you’re interested in the geocache chase, but downloading maps, finding coordinates, and packing tweezers for a nanocache sounds a little too much for you right now. Try GooseChase, an interactive digital treasure hunt that just needs you to have your phone on you. You can participate in a scavenger hunt made by someone else and find hidden digital treasures in your local park, playground or city center. It’s a great app to practice and gain skill before diving into the deep end. GooseChase is the overall best geocaching app for beginners or students.

Pros	Cons
`+` Easiest to use for beginners	`-` Limited options without paid subscriptions
`+` Offers unique team scavenger hunt options	`-` Gets pricier with larger groups
`+` Great as an educational tool

2. AdventureLab

AdventureLab is also an excellent way to learn if you’re just getting started. It’s primarily virtual, but adventures take you to physical locations with puzzles, clues and questions to discover landmarks and everyday treasures in your vicinity. You can also design your own treasure hunt map with waypoints or cache signals that make up an interactive map of your local area. The scoring system on the app allows you to find friends and compare your geocache experience and treasure finds.

Pros	Cons
`+` Hint system is easy to learn and take on with friends	`-` Less overall content than most other apps
`+` Every scavenger hunt has purpose and context	`-` Limited offline capabilities
`+` Multi-step adventure system is a lot of fun	`-` Some difficulty entering answers

3. Geocaching

This is a great geocaching app, especially for families with kids who want to try it out. It has a simple interface that’s easy to understand and even lets you use a secondary map app. The free version has cool features like finding geocaches by location, type and tracking code. You can also log your finds or caches you struggled to find. The app lets you see how difficult it is to get to the geocache, the kind of terrain and a description to help you find it. You can even message the geocacher who placed it where it is.

Pros	Cons
`+` The official app of Geocaching HQ	`-` Less free options than some other apps
`+` The most total overall geocaches of any app	`-` The in-app GPS can be buggy and occasionally freezes
`+` Easy to jump in without much setup

4. c:geo

If you’re looking for the best free geocaching app that is truly free, c:geo might be your best bet. c:geo is an Android app that gives you access to various geocaches. You can search for caches in several ways using coordinates, addresses, keywords, nearby caches to find and even a ‘go to’ option that lets you move from one cache coordinates to another. Choose the cache type you want through the filters. Pick traditional caches only or mystery caches and earthcaches, for example.

You can download maps to use offline, access trail maps for off-road geocaching and it will still work as if you’re online. You can also use external maps and a compass and customize the app and set the app to low power mode if you’re taking a long trip and need the extra battery power.

Pros	Cons
`+` Extensive offline features compared to other apps	`-` Not available for iPhones
`+` Lists feature is extremely helpful for new users	`-` Creating routes is tricky compared to competitors
`+` Completely free; no hidden costs or subscription fees	`-` Drains phone batteries quickly if not on low power mode

5. Cachly

Cachly is similar to the Geocaching app, it just requires a one-time payment to get all the features like offline maps and advanced search. It works with an Apple watch, which makes it great for adventurous geocaching where you might want to put your phone away.

You can search for caches nearby when you find a cache with the app. It also lets you hide caches you found so you can focus on getting new ones without distractions. You can also highlight caches to stand out on the map or make your personal notes and handpick caches to make a private list.

Pros	Cons
`+` Very easy to log caches you’ve completed	`-` Requires a one time payment
`+` Can sync with your Apple Watch	`-` Not available on Android
`+` Translation function is great for accessibility	`-` Drains phone batteries quickly if not on low power mode

Tips for Geocaching Adventures

Stay safe. If your GPS shows a cache inside a waterfall or past the cliff’s edge, remember your smartphone’s GPS sometimes gets it wrong. When using your geocaching app, think of safe ways to get to the cache. It could be around the waterfall by a tree or at the bottom of the cliff.
Be discreet – For the sake of other geocachers, try to draw little attention to the cache and hide it when you’re done.
If you find a treasure in the cache, leave one too! You can leave a golf ball, a badge, a small pack of cards or a toy or anything that both kids and adults would enjoy.
If you can message the person who put the cache there, remember to say TFTC– Which stands for ‘Thanks for the Cache’.
Look for events or geocaching pop-ups like Secret Santa geocaching on Reddit.

A World of Adventure Awaits

Get your running shoes on and visit your local national park today for some geocaching fun. While it may not be the Lego geocache giraffe in Germany, there are thousands of exciting places to see and treasures to find.

Originally posted 11/23/23 – Updated 4/29/24

The post What are the Best Geocaching Apps for Beginners? appeared first on Modded.

Equip: Top 12 Essential Chef Tools for the Aspiring Chef

Jack Shaw — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000

What’s better than cooking your own tasty food at home? From soups to sandwiches, an aspiring chef needs tools in their drawers, cabinets and countertops to make the magic happen. Getting professional chef supplies will increase your confidence when hosting dinner parties and making complicated meals. Here are the top 12 chef essentials you need in the kitchen.

1. Victorinox Swiss Classic Chef’s Knife

Making meals in the kitchen starts with prep work, and cutting meat and vegetables can be time-consuming. How can you make the first stage easier? Get a sharp knife that will cut right through anything in your kitchen.

The Victorinox Swiss Classic Chef’s Knife is ultrasharp with an easy-to-hold ergonomic handle. Slicing through meat becomes much easier with the blade, as it’s excellent for carving most cuts.

Get it from Victorinox

2. Kitchexcellence 3-Stage Knife Sharpener

Even the best knives will wear over time with dull blades, so a sharpener is one of the essential chef tools in any kitchen. This three-stage knife sharpener from Kitchexcellence provides comprehensive maintenance to your blades by repairing, sharpening and polishing them. Some aspiring chefs may worry about slicing their hands, so the kit includes a non-slip base and glove for protection.

Get it from Amazon

3. KitchenAid All-Purpose Kitchen Shears

Sometimes, you don’t need a super-sharp knife to get the job done. If you’re cutting soft fruits and vegetables, you’ll get away with a nice pair of kitchen scissors. These KitchenAid All-Purpose Kitchen Shears are excellent gifts because of their versatility. You can break up large pieces of meat, slice pizza and cut through food packaging for an easier cooking experience.

Get it from Amazon

4. Mueller 4 Blade Onion Chopper

While chopping food is a manageable task, slicing onions is a different story. These vegetables irritate your eyes and nose, causing you to shed tears to wash the chemicals away. Imagine inviting your partner over for a cooking session — the last thing you want to do is make them cry in your kitchen! How can you make cutting onions easier?

Mueller’s 4-Blade Onion Chopper easily cuts your veggies with one swift motion. The chopper sends the minced pieces into the container, thus preventing smells from irritating you and your guests.

Get it from Mueller

5. Cutting Board Set

Another chef kit item that makes you feel professional is a cutting board set. Cutting boards are crucial to your long-term success in the kitchen, so get a reliable set for your cooking needs. They’ll help you avoid cross-contamination between meats and other foods.

This cutting board set from OXO is durable, with non-porous surfaces and different sides for your meat and veggies. Additionally, the non-slip feature keeps the board steady as you slice and dice.

Get it from OXO

6. Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

It’s the weekend and you want to start it right. You assemble your ingredients for a high-protein breakfast burrito, yet wonder how to make it taste even better. Your first step should be to get a cast-iron skillet.

These are famous chef essentials because they retain flavor and are more heavy-duty than your average pan. The Lodge 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet is versatile and seasoned with vegetable oil. You can stick it in an oven up to 500° Fahrenheit and easily remove it with the silicone handle holder.

Get it from Lodge Cast Iron

7. Thermapen ONE

Some cooks worry about the temperature of their meat, whether in the oven or on the stovetop. The Department of Agriculture says cooked poultry should have an internal temperature of 165°F, but how can you tell just by looking at it?

Meat thermometers like the Thermapen ONE save the day with rapid temperature readings. This device only takes a second to tell you the temperature, making it one of the best aspiring chef gifts. Taking the guesswork out of cooking means you’ll feel safer about your food.

Get it from ThermoWorks

8. Escali Primo Digital Food Scale

Cooking meat and vegetables provides leeway regarding weight and other measurements, but baking requires more precision. How can a beginner chef stay on the money with their cakes and cookies? A digital scale provides the clarity they need.

The Escali Primo Digital Food Scale is an efficient device that provides almost immediate feedback when you place food on it. You can avoid messes by placing a container on the scale and subtracting its weight, thus increasing accuracy.

Get it from Amazon

9. MasterChef Stick Blender Whisk

Sauces are fun to make and taste when experimenting with new flavors. Keep your ingredients in the pot without moving them to a blender or mixer by getting the MasterChef Stick Blender Whisk.

This immersion blender has a 400W motor that turns your ingredients into a silky-smooth mixture. Use the whisk attachment for frothy milk or making fluffy batters.

Get it from MasterChef

10. Rubbermaid Food Storage Container Set

Do you have ingredients you buy in bulk and use often? Keeping these products fresh can be challenging due to their packaging, so you need storage containers. This Rubbermaid Food Storage Container Set is an excellent chef kit item for flour, pasta, dry beans and other foods you want to keep for a long time. The tight seals ensure freshness and avoid spills, and you get excellent visibility with the clear bases.

Get it from Target

11. Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater

Some say hand-shredded cheese tastes better because the packaged version contains cellulose, thus it doesn’t melt quickly. However, shredding your cheese can be laborious if you don’t have a solid quick-cutting device. The Cuisipro Grater quickly shreds cheese, apples, potatoes and other foods you find difficult to slice through. Use it for lettuce or cabbage when making salads, or coconut and butter when baking.

Get it from Cuisipro

12. Farberware Meat and Potato Masher

Mashers have long been chef essentials when making mashed potatoes, but they’re more versatile than you think. This Farberware Meat and Potato Masher is excellent for ground meat, yams, bananas and carrots you need to break up quickly. The five blades make chopping easier than a spatula and the heat resistance withstands up to 450° F.

Get it from Amazon

Aspiring Chef Gifts for the Next Gordon Ramsay

Cooking is an art and the kitchen is your canvas. How can you make the next Picasso-level painting on your stovetop? You need the right chef tools for tasty concoctions. Use these 12 essentials to level up your cooking and wow your friends.

The post Equip: Top 12 Essential Chef Tools for the Aspiring Chef appeared first on Modded.

Our Picks for the 15 Best Games of All Time

Martin Banks — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 19:04:00 +0000

With such a wide variety of amazing games, creating a list of the top-tier games in the world sounds almost impossible. The gaming landscape is far too rich for someone to trim it down into a few exemplars. After what feels like countless hours of researching the most-loved, iconic, innovative and critically acclaimed masterpieces, you can now indulge yourself in the 15 best games of all time.

15. Resident Evil 2

Out of all Resident Evil editions, many gamers believe that RE2 was the best release to date. The incredible survival horror combat, eerie setting of the Raccoon City and the fantastic graphics all add up to its much-deserved fame. It perfectly captures the atmosphere of the original, but even better. It has made escaping from a dark world more interesting, as puzzle-solving was essential throughout the journey.

14. Dark Souls

Set in a musty setting called Blighttown, Dark Souls is an RPG that challenges your sanity and patience. It’s a game that demands a strategic approach rather than the push-any-button approach many players grew accustomed to. Dark Souls is one of the best Souls games of all time because it provides a level of challenge usually lacking in other games. It provides the perfect blend of exploration and challenge—no wonder it’s named The Ultimate Game of All Time by the Golden Joystick Awards.

13. Grand Theft Auto 3

This GTA version gave people a taste of its third-person view for the first time, which revolutionized the gameplay. This criminal simulator is a testament to what a “fun” game should be like—no holds barred, real-world playground allowing you to do anything, from stealing cars to using cheat codes. Play this today, and be ready for the nostalgia to kick in.

12. SimCity 2000

SimCity 2000 was among the first city-building games. Released in 1994, this game captures the beauty of building and running a city. It was a simple game where players benefited from taking charge as a mayor where police and police corruption were non-existent. More importantly, it provided the highest levels of clarity and complexity during its era.

11. Final Fantasy VI

What made Final Fantasy VI one of the best games of all time was how it perfectly painted a picture of a fantasy world—real-time battles, magical creatures, plot twists and memorable characters. There are more than 10 characters with different histories and motivations—it’s almost impossible not to relate to at least one. If you’re feeling nostalgic, don’t miss out on the newly-released Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, featuring immersive landscapes of Gaia and expanded character development.

10. World of Warcraft

Blizzard’s finest masterpiece introduced many players to the world of massively multiplayer online (MMO). At some point, you might have tried it and even played it with friends who share the same love for video games. It provided a space for socialization and creativity, allowing players to explore Azeroth. It’s also very versatile—you can choose between PvE (player vs environment) or PvP (player vs player).

9. Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow

These games revolutionized handheld gaming. Players were invited into a world of unforgettable creatures still loved today—Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle. With Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow, Nintendo successfully puts people into a place of empathy for the protagonists and the adorable creatures. It also helps that the game is easy to learn.

8. Metal Gear Solid

It’s hard to ignore Metal Gear Solid’s influence in the stealth genre. Its allure mainly comes from its gameplay, which makes stealth fun and rewarding. Although slightly convoluted, the story had certainly attracted many players, too. You play as Snake, a badass soldier that makes players feel cool and powerful.

7. The Witcher III: Wild Hunt

What makes The Witcher III revolutionary is its immersive storytelling—the side quests with compelling storylines, heavy real-life topics and characters like the Bloody Baron. At the heart of this game is its beautiful narrative, where every choice affects you as Geralt and the world around you. Lastly, the combat is fast-paced and dynamic. Once you get acquainted with precise timing and positioning, you get the reward of feeling like a monster slayer.

6. Half-Life 2

Think about the game you’d play for countless hours after school. For many, it’s Half-Life 2, which blew avid and casual gamers away when it launched in 2004. The beauty of this game lies in its phenomenal pacing. The dialog exchanges, narrative and combat never put players out of the immersive experience.

5. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

This legendary game, which turned 25 years old last year, remains the undisputed version of the game. It topped this far despite being released decades ago because of its contribution to the foundation of modern 3D video games. The music (rejoice, “Song of Time” enthusiasts) is iconic enough to make any sentimental player nostalgic, the story is easy to follow and the world is big and exciting.

4. Bloodborne

This game’s aggressive combat, creepy-looking monsters and how it urges exploration make Bloodborne a no-brainer pick for an action RPG. While it has plenty of solid influences, bearing similarities to Dark Souls, it established an entirely new type of horror with hints of Lovecraftian—a disturbing and riveting experience. The challenging combat will also make you fully engaged in every fight.

3. The Last of Us

The 2013 game was critically acclaimed for its gameplay, visuals, sound design and narrative, nailing every component of what an unforgettable gaming experience should be. The Last of Us throws players into a hostile, post-apocalyptic world, urging them to explore, improvise and strategize. Its realism, combined with torture, sadism and screams, will disturb stoic gamers.

2. Super Mario 64

One of the most classic games of all time even took everything to the next level with its control style and 3D platforming, paving the way for next-generation games. The way Nintendo successfully transported its fans and developers into a new world earned it a spot as one of the best games of all time. It remains a creative adventure for every age, bringing a wealth of colors, characters and fun.

1. Tetris

There’s nothing quite like how Tetris revolutionized the whole gaming industry. Tetris has been the world’s most remarkable phenomenon since its launch in the 1980s. It strikes a unique balance between simplicity and a test of skill that can take years to master. Despite being addictive, Tetris also has modest health benefits, like providing stress-relieving advantages and a boost in self-esteem. It also teaches values that could be carried over in real life—a noteworthy value that makes this game deserve this list’s top spot.

Try Out These Games Today

The list is an assortment of only some of the best games of all time based on global support and their influence on the gaming industry. Did your favorite video game make it into the list?

The post Our Picks for the 15 Best Games of All Time appeared first on Modded.

Rewind and Relive: 12 Nostalgic Games That Defined an Era

Martin Banks — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:43:54 +0000

It’s time to remember the good old days when responsibilities were minimal, and all you cared about was having a good time. Everyone has personalized triggers for nostalgia, but some board and video games define a generation of nostalgia lovers. What are the best nostalgic games for inducing that sense of calm and childlike wonder?

Board Games

Everyone recalls sleeping over at their best friend’s house or throwing a birthday party, playing one of these games alongside raucous laughter. Have you forgotten the many hours of happiness they gave you after all these years? Maybe it’s time to revisit them — companies are even trying to market on this nostalgia-based boon.

Candyland

This delightfully colorful and simplistic game satisfies any board game lover’s competitiveness and sweet tooth. With rules easy enough to grasp that children can get engrossed, Candyland evokes nostalgia with its classic art style and emotional familiarity.

The Game of Life

There is something exhilarating about imagining a life ahead of you that’s thoroughly planned. The Game of Life makes people remember what it was like to dream about the future without understanding how important those choices are. Intending to earn as much money as possible before retirement, The Game of Life is as classic of a board game as you can get.

Risk

Who doesn’t love a game of total world domination? The experience is a wondrous blend of strategy and chance, as the dice determine whether you win or lose in expanding your global empire. Each person who has played risk can tell stories about great battles between Southeast Asia and Indonesia, or Central America and Venezuela — and perhaps a few shady treaties.

Monopoly

Welcome to one of the most contentious board games to ever grace the planet. This game holds up wonderfully for adults coming to terms with property ownership and capitalism, so the nostalgia in this board might be bittersweet. Everyone holds memories of family arguments, strained friendships and victorious triumphs — all because someone took New York Avenue before you could.

Clue

What could be a more nostalgic board game than one that had a movie made about it in the 1980s? Clue is a special kind of vintage that gives everyone the rush they feel when listening to true crime podcasts in a safe, family-friendly setting. Which personality do you remember embodying most frequently — the radiant Miss Scarlet or perhaps the famous Professor Plum?

Hungry Hungry Hippos

If you don’t remember furiously slamming your palm into a little lever to make hippos eat marbles, you’re doing it wrong. This is a nostalgic experience because no other games have been able to replicate the adrenaline Hungry Hungry Hippos causes.

Video Games

Now we’re onto the modern age of nostalgic games — video games. Again, this list might differ depending on what you had access to as a child.

However, these titles could incite nostalgia even in people who didn’t play them.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

The second the menu screen boots up and you hear that intro, you can feel your heart swell. The Legend of Zelda series is one of the most beloved on the planet for good reason. It reminds people of their first experience with exploration and fantastical wonder with characters that have evolved alongside them — just look at Link now in Tears of the Kingdom!

The Sims

We’ve all done it. You designed a Sim to look like you, perhaps in your family home or a megamansion with your closest friends. You’ve set a few meals on fire, played rock paper scissors with Death and gotten so irritated at you — the player — that you had an accident before you could make it to the toilet.

There is no shortage of imagination when it comes to the original Sims games. Remember going to school for the first time or becoming a witch? We did, and it was the pinnacle of PC gaming.

Super Mario Bros. 3

All of the Mario games catalyze nostalgia. From Mario Kart, Mario Party and the quintessential Super Mario 64, this is inarguable. However, Super Mario Bros. 3 for Nintendo still has people touting it as one of the best games ever. Its legacy persists, with the platforming remaining as challenging as the day the game was born — even though world-class speedrunners can reach the end screen in around three minutes.

Spyro the Dragon Trilogy

Spyro the Dragon, Ripto’s Rage and Year of the Dragon for the original PlayStation were some of the most well-regarded 3D action-adventure platformers of its time. It sits alongside the likes of Banjo-Kazooie, Jak and Daxter, and Crash Bandicoot, which are some of the most sassy and expressive games of its type. A remake of the original trilogy gave the old games a new skin, revitalizing the series to a new generation of gamers — while reigniting the nostalgia of older ones.

Halo: Combat Evolved

Xbox owners rejoice — it’s time to give credit where credit is due to the one and only Master Chief. If that signature green helmet and epic opening intro music don’t make you long for Microsoft’s chunky controllers, get yourself a copy of the Master Chief Collection now and explore Halo like it’s 2001 all over again.

Pokémon Stadium

Nostalgic games would not be complete without a Pokémon title. Stadium was released for the Nintendo 64, and the memories might flood back to finding your perfect team and memorizing strengths and weaknesses.

But people who played this cartridge know where the real nostalgia lies — in the minigames. The button-mashing fervor of keeping Hypno awake or not blinking to have Kakuna harden at the right time would make anyone flock to the Nintendo Switch Online to replay it.

Nostalgic Games That’ll Make You Feel Like a Kid Again

There are plenty of gems that should be mentioned here. Were you into Club Penguin, Neopets or Runescape? Are Scrabble, Battleship or Settlers of Catan more your speed? Regardless of what tickles your fancy, nobody can argue nostalgia in gaming is one of the most cherished feelings. What are games people overlook that have a soft spot in your heart?

The post Rewind and Relive: 12 Nostalgic Games That Defined an Era appeared first on Modded.

All the Fishing Accessories a Reel Prodigy Could Need

Martin Banks — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 17:35:03 +0000

The most basic fishing experience only requires two tools — a rod and some bait. You’ll need a few fishing accessories if you want to do more than stand on the shore and toss your catches back in. Check out these options that fishing enthusiasts love. You’ll make your routine more fun and simplify any challenges that might come up along the way.

Why Do People Need Fishing Accessories?

Fishing accessories are anything other than your rod and standard bait. They could be upgraded bait, lures, reels and anything that might keep you comfortable. It depends on your typical fishing routine.

Accessory Organization Ideas

People sometimes hesitate to get new accessories for their hobbies because their purchases will require extra storage room. Use these strategies to organize your fishing gear, no matter what you get or the extent of your purchase.

A Bigger Fishing Box

The number of recreational anglers in the U.S. grew by 2 million people between 2021 and 2022. This interest caused a higher demand for fishing accessories, including the all-essential tackle box.

Many new varieties are available since the consumer base has grown so extensively. Compare options that have additional pockets, drawers and compartments. You’ll likely discover an upgrade or two that better fits the accessories you purchase to improve your fishing skills.

Pegboards Around Your Home

You might struggle to organize all the fishing tools that are bigger than lures. Pegboards can help. They hang on any wall and feature numerous holes for hooks. Install one or two in your garage, office or any other space within your home. You can rearrange the hooks, baskets and shelving for permanently optimized storage solutions.

A Designated Wardrobe

Accessories also include essentials like hats, rain jackets and winter coats. Keep your fishing clothes and supplies in a designated wardrobe. You’ll always know where to find your things while keeping them separate from the other clothing in your home.

Best Fishing Accessories

Check out these popular fishing accessories to see which options could support your typical fishing routine. They might be exactly what you’ve been looking for, depending on when, where and how you fish.

1. ZACX Fishing Pliers and Lip Grippers

There’s nothing worse than reeling in an incredible catch and not having the tools to get it off your hook. The ZACX pliers ensure that won’t happen again. They’ll easily maneuver any hook out of a fish’s mouth. If you need extra support, the lip grippers will keep your catch in place to minimize the tear damage.

The incredibly light tools won’t weigh your boat down either, so there’s no need to calculate extra drag if you’re operating a small boat or canoe. Slip these tools in your pocket and you’re on your way.

$29.99 from Amazon

2. Fishing Sling Backpack

People have been struggling to manage fishing supplies in tiny boats for at least 7,000 years, but you don’t have to worry about that much longer. Use this fishing sling backpack to keep everything within reach and away from the bottom of your boat.

The pack’s sleek sling design means you can wear it across your back, as a traditional backpack, across your chest or in your hand. Explore the various pockets within the water-resistant interior space to organize things like pliers and pocket knives. There’s even a rod holder across the bottom to stabilize your rod when changing lures.

$49.99 from Amazon

3. Fishing Net With Telescoping Pole Handle

Nets simplify so many parts of fishing. Sometimes, it’s easier to pull a catch into your boat with something holding the fish from underneath. Other times, the fish beneath a boat are in dense schools, making them easy to scoop.

A fishing net with a telescoping handle creates 40–63 inches of reach. When you’re ready to put it away, the net folds and collapses in on itself. You won’t need a big boat or large storage space to keep this net around for years to come.

$15.99 from Amazon

4. Berkeley Coated Fishing Gloves

The fish inspiring your next bit of ink might feature naturally spiky scales meant to slice predators open. They make fish look incredibly cool, but it’s not as much fun to handle them in real life.

Avoid slicing your hands open with Berkeley coated fishing gloves. They have durable material that withstands many types of scales. The gripper fingers also make dropping a catch less likely. Toss them in the washing machine whenever you finish for the day — they’re as easy to wash as they are to wear.

$5.99 from Amazon

5. Multi-Sized Fishing Hooks

Losing a hook is an unfortunate but common fishing experience. Save yourself another trip to the tackle store by getting a box with hooks in multiple sizes. This collection has 500 pieces with hooks in sizes six through 15. No matter where you fish or what you want to catch, the steel hooks and barbed ends will won’t let you down.

$9.99 from Amazon

6. iBobber Bluetooth Fish Finder

Open waters can be deceptive. If you don’t have the luxury of fishing in a high-end boat, you can’t automatically tell if an area is deep enough for your canoe, kayak or rowboat. The iBobber fixes that problem.

Attach it to your line and cast it wherever you want to explore. The BlueTooth technology within the bobber will connect to your phone. Check the automatic readings to take some guesswork out of your hobby. You’ll instantly know any area’s depth up to 135 feet and even if fish are congregating underneath.

$99.99 from Amazon

7. Digital Fish Scale With Built-In Measuring Tape

Waiting to measure your latest catch creates tension in your day. Never hold your breath again with a digital fish scale. The handheld hook operates with two batteries and fits in standard pockets. Turn it on and attach your fish to instantly know how many pounds or kilograms it is. If you want to know the length, pull out the built-in measuring tape to get instant results.

$9.99 from Amazon

8. Frogg Toggs Waterproof Sportsman’s Jacket

Protect yourself from the rain and cold breezes with a sportsman’s jacket. This option from Frogg Toggs has seven pockets and three additional pockets built on top of them. Zip it up all the way to your mouth for extra protection when needed. The hood and overlap zipper will keep you dry and cozy, no matter how long you’re out on the water.

$88.19 from Amazon

Make Fishing More Fun

Now that you’ve considered some of the best fishing accessories available, see if any are right for you. You could have more success or stay more comfortable depending on what you try. Either way, you’ll enjoy your hobby even more, which is something everyone deserves.

The post All the Fishing Accessories a Reel Prodigy Could Need appeared first on Modded.