GAME CHANGER

For many, Michael Jackson’s video-game career begins and ends with the thoroughly weird but nonetheless classic 1990 Sega title “Moonwalker.’’ But ever since the Internet was first plugged in, rumors have buzzed that Jackson may also have composed some music for his spikier but equally fleet-footed video-game analog, “Sonic the Hedgehog.’’ This week, a story on Huffington Post’s Test Kitchen seemed to confirm that Jackson indeed had a sparkly gloved hand in the music to 1994’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 3’’ (which explains why you hear what sounds like “Stranger in Moscow’’ through the end credits). This influx of cool points is almost enough to offset the enduring lameness of Knuckles the Echidna. Almost.

DAWN OF THE DUD

The appearance of a YouTube account named “Young Ted Cruz’’ has set the Internet a’tizzy with anticipation, especially since it has only posted a single teasing 48-second clip of the presidential hopeful demon spirit assuming the form of a far less coiffed 18-year-old human. In it, the adorably diabolical Cruz host body ruminates aloud on its aspirations (“Aspiration – is that, like, sweat on my butt?’’) before settling on “world domination’’ (“Rich, powerful, that sort of stuff.’’). Hellbeasts inhabiting the bodies of kids say the darndest things!

SNOW PLACE LIKE HOME

Housing prices in Brooklyn are through the roof, but the market is finally showing some signs of melt. Specifically in the form of a short-lived Airbnb listing for a “chic dome style bungalow’’ (a.k.a. an igloo). On the upside, it’s more spacious than most Brooklyn apartments, has an open plan and central air, and most of the bedbugs are probably frozen/dead. On the downside, that thing’s gotta be at least 4 or 5 percent dog pee.

STEP OFF

Elsewhere in NYC, the Metropolitan Transit Authority this week banned the use and possession of so-called “hoverboards’’ on all trains, stations, and platforms. Meanwhile, sources say the MBTA is considering litigation against manufacturers of hoverboards, which have been known to randomly burst into flames, for “stealing our bit.’’

MICHAEL ANDOR BRODEUR

Michael Andor Brodeur can be reached at mbrodeur@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @MBrodeur.