Classic Gaming Today: Recent Episodes
Classic Gaming Today
Every week, we look at the gaming experiences of the past, through the eyes of the present! We’ll discuss each game’s historical context, as well as provide a verdict as to whether a given game is worth your time to visit, or revisit, today.
It's time to return to Norrath and re-rexperience one of my favorite games of all time, as we discuss EverQuest Legends! Learn about the timeline that led to the release of EverQuest Legends, discover how the game differs from the "classic" EQ experience, and listen in as I provide my thoughts on the recent open beta, along with some news about future podcasting ventures.
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Return to Norrath: An EverQuest Legends Podcast: Now Available
Join me as we celebrate our four year anniversary of the podcast, with a definitive, at least as of today, ranking of our top 10 Pantheon entries from the past year! It's been a heck of a year, and I've loved making this podcast - I can't wait to see what the future has in store!
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When Doom released to the masses in the early 90s, the newly minted "first person shooter" (FPS) genre became insanely popular, with countless developers attempting to capture the lighting in a bottle that Id Software became famous for. While Doom would feature hordes of demons just waiting to be mowed down, other games took different approaches to bringing their own first person shooter experiences to the public, with one of the most surprising entrants into the FPS market being LucasArts. The adventure game behemoth decided to use its own Star Wars intellectual property to create the kind of first person shooter that simply hadn't existed up to this point in history, which is what would result in the creation of the DOS FPS classic, Dark Forces.
Learn how the game was made, discover why LucasArts decided to make a first person shooter set in the Star Wars universe in the first place, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to take the fight to the Empire, FPS style, even today.
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This is it! This is the finale of our Action 52 coverage (games 40 - 52). It's definitely been a journey...not one I'm sure I'll ever do again, but a journey nonetheless.
Want to see Fat Hippo's Illuminator remake? Check it out here: https://fathippogames.itch.io/illuminator-enhanced-edition
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Our coverage of Action 52 continues in this episode as we start tackling the next chunk of games from the much derided collection of questionable titles (games 27 - 39). I'm starting to question my sanity, but why stop now...we're getting so close to completing the whole thing!
Want to see Fat Hippo's in-progress work on an Illuminator remake? Check it out here: https://fathippogames.itch.io/illuminator-enhanced-edition
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Our coverage of Action 52 continues in this episode as we start tackling the next chunk of games from the much derided collection of questionable titles (games 14 - 26). We've made it half-way...we can't stop now!
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Our coverage of Action 52 continues in this episode as we begin tackling the games of Action 52, and specifically, the first thirteen titles included in the package, which represents a quarter of the overall set of gaming experiences included in Action 52. We've got 39 more games to get through before we can definitively pass judgment on Action 52, and admittedly, this one is getting bigger than I ever anticipated.
Be sure to let me know if you want us to continue covering Action 52 next week, or if we should take a short breather before returning to the rest of the game. A poll has been posted on Discord to gather feedback, so definitely let me know what you think!
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Surprise! It's time to turn our attention to one of the most infamous games ever made, and one considered by many to be the absolute worst game of all time, Action 52! In this special multi-part series, we're going to cover all aspects of Action 52, from the history behind the game, which is the focus of today's episode, all the way through to a deep dive into each and every game included in the collection. Is Action 52 really as bad as everyone makes it out to be? There's only one way to find out!
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It's time to plumb the depths of video game history, as we tackle perhaps one of the most infamous games ever created, Plumbers Don't Wear Ties! Learn how the game was made, discover why the game continues to be discussed over 30 years after its original release, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to perform an air guitar solo using nothing but a pair a jeans, a tie, and a freshly purchased plunger, even today.
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It's time to rise from the dead and defeat the evil Pumpkin King, as we tackle the very first Splatterhouse title to ever appear on a home console, Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti! Learn about the history of violence in video games, including where the Splatterhouse series itself sits in that history, discover how Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti sets itself apart from the original arcade Splatterhouse title, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to play through this charming 8-bit parody of a much more mature themed arcade game, even today.
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Return with me to a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away as we tackle the futuristic racing title, Star Wars: Racer Revenge! Learn how the game was made, discover why pod racing became such a big deal in the first place, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to strap yourself into a cockpit attached to a couple of nuclear accelerators propelling you around a track at over 600 miles per hour, even today.
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For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our second deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from Nintendo's 16-bit powerhouse, the SNES. Listen in as I pick some of my favorite, and most personally significant, tracks from that particular console - it's guaranteed to be a good time!
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It's time to tackle one of the more interesting entries in the Mario series, as we discuss the game known outside of Japan as Super Mario Bros. 2! Learn about the origins of Mario, discover why Super Mario Bros. 2 is unique amongst the broader Mario gaming franchise, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to throw vegetables at a never-ending assortment of bad guys in a dream-like world, even today.
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A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
Those memorable words precede the start of Star Wars, one of the most well-known franchises in cinema history, a series of films that has been translated into countless games over the years. Today, we're going to tackle the very first 16-bit iteration of that classic film series, entitled simply, Super Star Wars.
Learn how the game was made, discover why it took so long for LucasArts to develop their own in-house Star Wars titles, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to dust off your blaster and grab your lightsaber to take the fight to the evil Galactic Empire, even today.
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Original show notes from Patreon episode:
Over the holiday break, I played a bunch of different games, but none really captured my attention as much as Terminator 2D: No Fate, a new, old, 16-bit experience featuring the Terminator 2 film license. We've talked about Terminator titles before, and for the most part, none of them truly impressed me. Could this latest Terminator title change the franchise's video game fortunes? You'll have to listen to find out!
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Are you ninja enough to explore a 3D world and defeat any enemies that stand in your way? If so, you may be tough enough for Ninja Gaiden Black! Learn about the history of the Ninja Gaiden series, discover why the jump to 3D was such a big deal for the franchise, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to slash and wall jump your way to victory, even today.
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Join me on a trip back to the 80s and the dawn of Windows, as we discuss one of the earliest Windows 3.1 rogue-like dungeon crawlers, Castle of the Winds! Learn how the game was made, discover why it acted as a gateway to the more complex dungeon crawling experiences of later years, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to grab your sword and slash monsters repeatedly in a number of procedurally generated dungeons, even today.
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Join me for only our second Nostalgia Trip episode as I reminisce about visiting the arcades of the 80s and 90s. Learn where I ended up spending the majority of my time when I was younger, discover which arcade games left a lasting impression on me, and listen in as we collectively take a trip down memory lane to re-discover the arcades...of the 80s and 90s.
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It's time to lace up your boxing gloves and attempt to win a championship, as we discuss the Super Nintendo classic, Super Punch-Out! Learn about the origins of the Punch-Out series, discover why the SNES version differed from the arcade original, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to knock out all of your opponents en route to a championship, even today.
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It's time to explore the life of an elementary school troublemaker, as we dive deep into the point and click classic, The Adventures of Willy Beamish! Learn about the founding of development studio Dynamix, discover how Willy Beamish's adventure was created, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to conquer the trials and tribulations of an almost-teenager, even today.
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What do you get when you combine full motion video with one-on-one street ball? Obviously, the answer to that question is Slam City with Scottie Pippen, one of the guiltiest pleasure Sega CD games around! Learn how the game was made, discover why putting Scottie Pippen in an FMV basketball title made good business sense in the early 90s, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to attempt to drive to the basket and dunk the ball against a crew of FMV opponents, even today.
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For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our second deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from Nintendo's 8-bit powerhouse, the NES. Listen in as I pick some of my favorite, and most personally significant, tracks from that particular console - it's guaranteed to be a good time!
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Full...Motion...Video. Those three words bring me back to a time when I thought FMV in gaming was going to be the future of the entire industry. While FMV would end up being more of a fad overall, it still holds a special place in my heart, and today, we're going to tackle one of the lesser known FMV titles out there, A Fork in the Tale starring Rob Schneider! Learn about the history of FMV in gaming, discover how the game was made, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to listen to hours of Rob Schneider one-liners, even today...
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It's time to use your head...literally...to solve every problem in your way, as we tackle the Sega Genesis action platforming classic, Dynamite Headdy! Learn about the history behind game development studio Treasure, discover how Dynamite Headdy was made, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to bash your head against everything in your path, even today.
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What do you get when you take the gameplay stylings of Metroid, and make it even...super'er? The answer to that question is, of course, Super Metroid! Learn about the lineage of the Metroid franchise in general, discover how Super Metroid in particular was made, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to lace up your space bounty hunting boots to go on a classic action-platforming adventure, even today.
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It's time to compete with your rivals while cruising the highways of Tokyo, as we explore the classic Dreamcast racing title, Tokyo Xtreme Racer! Learn how the game was made, discover the history behind its creator, Genki, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to race around the streets of Tokyo at very illegal speeds, even today.
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What do you get when you combine an advanced flight simulation engine with a film studio-themed creative sandbox? Well, if you answered Stunt Island, you'd be correct! Learn how the game was made, discover why Disney decided to branch off from licensing deals to try their hand at creating their own, original games, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to perform a ton of death defying stunts for the enjoyment of audiences around the world, even today.
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It's time to once again dive into the wonderful world of Twinsun...starring Twinsen...as we explore the classic action-platform-adventure-puzzle experience, Little Big Adventure 2! Learn how the game was made, discover how Little Big Adventure 2 improved upon its predecessor, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to play this particular little...big...adventure, even today.
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It's time to have some fun with economics...no, really....as we dive into the real time strategy economic simulation, The Settlers II! Learn how the game was made, discover why The Settlers II was designed to be so different than the majority of real time strategy games, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to construct a sprawling settlement of interconnected roads, production nodes, and military outposts, even today.
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Listen up, soldier! It's time to make your way through five voxel-driven campaigns of military action, as we explore the first person perspective, tactical shooting title, Delta Force! Learn how the game was made, discover why NovaLogic struck gold with the creation of its voxel-based gaming engine, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to pick off enemy snipers at a distance while attempting to keep your elite crew of soldiers alive, even today.
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Happy Holidays everyone!
In the spirit of the holidays, I thought it might be fun to "gift" everyone with an episode of the podcast that was previously only available to our Patreon members. I hope you all enjoy!
Original Patreon show notes below:
Did you ever play a game and realize that you simply loved nearly everything about it? Well, I recently did, and this episode is all about celebrating the game that most recently made me fall in love with gaming (again), Silksong! Join me on a journey through a bit of its history, a discussion about Team Cherry as a development studio, and several total fanboy moments as I explain why...I love Silksong!
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Twas the holiday season, and all through the server,
the listeners were scheming, with all kinds of fervor.
They listened to old episodes they loved and cared,
but turned that love, into destruction and despair.
One by one they shared their plight, of episodes they would plunder with delight
They submitted their recordings with glee, as Iso wrapped them and put them under the tree.
Now Sam! Now Ricky! Now Bay!
On Maarekelets! On Iso! On Steve! On Filmkid! On Rich!
To the the server! Let’s post it, and pray for our plight!
Happy Christmas to all at CGT, and to all a good night.
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For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is another of our deep dives into some of the classic soundtracks from those games. In today's episode, we'll look at a selection of games and songs submitted by all of you, along with your own personal comments and memories about these titles!
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War has never been so fun! Join me as we dive deep into a game heralded as being one of the best Amiga titles ever created, Cannon Fodder! Learn how the game was made, discover the history behind the game's creator, Sensible Software, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to tackle over 70 missions filled with grueling combat scenarios, even today.
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Join me as we dive into our second "Shareware Showdown" episode, this one pitting a bunch of different Shareware classics...and some more obscure releases...against each other to determine which game will receive a full dedicated episode next week. There can be only one winner!
Which one will it be? There's only one way to find out!
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It's time to dust off your Master Sword and polish your shield, as we take another trip across the land of Hyrule in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link! Learn how the game was made, discover why Zelda II was designed so differently than the original Legend of Zelda, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to defeat an evil horde of monsters and save a sleeping Hyrulean princess, even today.
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Join me in a trip back in time as we tackle the historical real time strategy title, Age of Empires II! Learn how the game was made, discover why Age of Empires II is different than the majority of real time strategy games released up to this point in history, and listen in as we determine whether Age of Empires II is still worth your time, even today.
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Do you have what it takes to defeat all challengers using a mix of brutal combat and insane combos? If so, then you're ready to listen to our episode on Killer Instinct! Learn about the history behind game development studio Rare, discover how Killer Instinct came to be, and listen in as we talk about whether Killer Instinct continues Rare's longstanding streak of high quality releases, or if the game would, instead, be a COMBO BREAKER!
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Join me in a space faring combat experience, as we tackle the classic Atari 2600 title, Yars' Revenge! Learn about the game's creator, Howard Scott Warshaw, while discovering how he created a game in Yars' Revenge that in the eyes of many, is one of the best Atari 2600 titles of all time. And then, listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to defeat an alien enemy menace that threatens the survival of your very civilization, even today.
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Did you ever want to be a landlord in charge of developing a community for a bunch of less than savory tenants? If so, Constructor is the game for you! Learn how the game was made, discover what makes Constructor a unique experience in the world of real time strategy titles, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to send an insane chainsaw wielding maniac to torture your opponents' citizenry, even today.
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Help me explore a haunted mansion...and hopefully survive, as we tackle the classic point-and-click adventure title, Uninvited! Learn how the game was made, discover where it sits in the overall MacVenture series originally created by ICOM Simulations, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to escape a ghost-filled home of questionable ancestry, even today.
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Stay awake and join me for a discussion about a game based on one of the most popular, and long lasting, horror franchises of all time, as we dive deep into A Nightmare on Elm Street! Learn about the movie behind the game, discover whether the game overcomes the challenges of most licensed titles to become something actually worthwhile to play, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to overcome your most deadly nightmares, even today.
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For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our latest deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those games. In today's episode, we'll look specifically at the music, and story, of Final Fantasy X, as I'm joined by our resident FFX sponsor, Iso!
This one is a little bit different from our standard Sounds of the Classics episodes, in that we'll be diving really deep into the story and lore of Final Fantasy X, so if you haven't played that particular epic title yet, be warned - there will be spoilers here. For those who have experienced the game before, though, this will hopefully be a comforting return to the world of Spira, as we listen to a bunch of songs, and discuss the amazing narrative, of Final Fantasy X.
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It's time to take the fight to the latest in a long line of alien menaces, as we discuss the space combat title, Zaxxon! Learn how the game was made, discover what makes the Atari 2600 version of the title so different in comparison to the arcade original, and listen in to see if it's still worth your time to push your Atari 2600 to the limits of its processing power while you attempt to make the universe a safer place, even today.
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It's time to take a mystical journey into your dreams...and nightmares, as we discuss the NES classic, Little Nemo: The Dream Master! Learn how the game was made, discover how the history of animation plays into the creation of Little Nemo itself, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to save the denizens of Slumberland, even today.
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It's time to eliminate an alien menace, hopefully once and for all, as we tackle the run-and-gun shooter, Contra 4! Learn how the game was made, discover why Contra 4 was such a big deal when it first came out in comparison to other Contra titles from around the same time, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to machine gun your way to victory, even today.
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What the heck is a "Strahl", you might be wondering? Well, you can find out by listening to this week's episode! Learn what the heck Strahl is, discover how and why the game was made, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to play through an animated laserdisc full motion video adventure that isn't named Dragon's Lair, even today.
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It's time to tackle one of the more infamous games ever created, as we dive deep to discuss Bubsy 3D...what could possibly go wrong? Learn how the game was made, discover why the character of Bubsy was created in the first place, and listen in as we discuss whether it's worth your time to take on the role of an anthropomorphic bobcat in an early Sony Playstation 3D adventure...
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For the first time in our main feed's history, it's time to look at a modern title...albeit one that tries really hard to be vintage, as we tackle the text-parser, EGA-graphics styled adventure, The Crimson Diamond! Learn how the game was made, discover what inspirations ultimately led to the creation of a brand new text-parser adventure in 2024, and listen in as we discuss whether this modern take on a classic gaming paradigm is worth your time to experience, and play, today
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Join me...and a friend, on a whirlwind journey into one of the most massive games we've ever tackled for CGT, Final Fantasy X! Learn how the game was made, discover why Final Fantasy X was a clear departure from the games in the series that preceded it, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to learn the intricacies of blitzball, even today...
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Come with me if you want to live...or something like that, as we dive deep into the first person shooter, Terminator: Skynet! Learn how the game was made, discover why The Terminator itself was such a pop culture phenomenon, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to beat up a bunch of cybernetic organisms in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, even today.
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Sharpen your katanas and prepare for battle, as we discuss the one-on-one fighting game, Bushido Blade! Learn how the game was made, discover why Bushido Blade is so different than the majority of one-on-one fighters on the market, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to score a one-hit-kill victory, even today.
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Join me as we celebrate our three year anniversary of the podcast, with a definitive, at least as of today, ranking of our top 10 Pantheon entries from the past year! It's been a heck of a year, and I've loved making this podcast - I can't wait to see what the future has in store!
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It's time for a spooky point and click adventure, as we tackle the Sierra Online FMV title, Phantasmagoria! Learn how the game was made, discover why Roberta Williams wanted to create a horror game in the first place, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to try to survive a harrowing haunted mansion experience, even today.
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It's time to speed up and spin around as we tackle the Sega CD platformer, Sonic CD! Learn how the game was made, discover where it sits in the overall chronology of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to dash and jump your way through a variety of past, present, and future 2D platforming levels, even today.
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It's time to pick up your favorite weapon and crack some skulls en route to becoming the best fighter out there, as we discuss the one-on-one tournament fighting title, Soulcalibur! Learn how the game was made, discover why it was such a big deal when it first came out, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to take up arms against a ton of skilled weapons-based combatants, even today.
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It's time to boldly go where no person has gone before, as we tackle the classic point and click adventure title, Star Trek: 25th Anniversary! Learn about the history of Star Trek, the television series, as well as the history of Star Trek in gaming, before we dive head first into discovering whether it's still worth your time to don a red shirt and tackle a bunch of different away missions while trying not to die, even today.
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It's time to hop on your bike and rev your engines, as we tackle the motocross racing title, Excitebike 64! Learn how the game was made, discover why the original Excitebike was such an influential and important title in gaming history, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to leap off of a ton of on-track obstacles en route to an eventual victory lap, even today.
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Join me in a world-spanning adventure to battle an ancient Voodoo cult, as we talk about the classic point and click adventure title, Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers! Learn how the game was made, discover why it was a pretty risky move for Sierra in the early 90s, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to grab your magical Schatenjagger talisman and explore the supernatural underbelly of New Orleans, even today.
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Join me on a miniature-sized Zelda adventure, as we tackle The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap! Learn how the game was made, discover why Nintendo entrusted one of its most prized mascots to a third party development team, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to travel the world of Hyrule in mini-Link form, even today.
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Lace up your boots and return with me to the Attitude Era of professional wrestling, as we discuss the Nintendo 64 multiplayer classic, WWF No Mercy! Learn about the history of wrestling games, discover how WWF No Mercy's pedigree led directly to its creation, and listen in as we discuss whether it still makes sense to leap off of the top turnbuckle with a flying elbow drop onto an unsuspecting opponent, even today.
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Let's spend some "quality time" together as we discuss the controversial, over the top, and some would say completely lacking in taste point and click adventure title, Harvester! Learn why the game was made, discover how controversial it really was when it first released, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to explore the town of Harvest in all of its gory glory, even today.
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For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our latest deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those games. In today's episode, we'll look at a cross-section of games comparing Sierra Online and LucasArts, two industry behemoths of the 80s and 90s, as I pick some of my favorite, and most personally significant, tracks from those two companies' titles.
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Join me in exploring a strange and exotic world, as we discuss the classic first person adventure title, Myst! Learn how the game was made, discover why Myst became such a pop cultural phenomenon, and listen in as we determine whether it still makes sense to click around an island with a ton of different contraptions to hopefully figure out, even today.
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It's time to unify the Three Kingdoms, as we take part in huge battles in the hopes of conquering Dynasty Warriors 2! Learn about the history...of history, discover why Dynasty Warriors 2 represented a dramatic shift for game publisher Koei in comparison to prior titles, and listen in as we discuss whether you really want to try facing Lu Bu on the battlefield, even today.
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Grab your sword, and dust off your cape, as we explore the gothic confines of Dracula's castle in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night! Learn about the evolution of the Castlevania series, discover why Symphony of the Night altered the Castlevania formula to create an experience unlike what had come before it, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to defeat hordes of evil monsters en route to a confrontation with Alucard's dear old dad, even today.
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If you've ever felt the need to drive around a series of dangerous race tracks at speeds that would make Anakin Skywalker blush, then look no further than Wipeout! Learn why the game was made, discover how the lineage of Psygnosis, the company, led directly to the creation of Wipeout, the game, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to rack up leaderboard points in the hopes of securing a championship victory, even today.
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Dust off your leisure suit and grab some minty breath spray, as we cruise the strip looking for a (hopefully) sure thing in Leisure Suit Larry! Learn about the history behind the game, discover why Al Lowe was the perfect choice to bring Larry Laffer to life, and listen in as we discuss whether looking for love in all the wrong places is still worth your time, even today.
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Join me in an adventure into the depths of hell, as we explore the action role playing game, Diablo! Learn about the history behind the game, discover why Diablo was almost a very different game than it eventually became, and listen in as we discuss whether cleaving the denizens of the underworld in two is still worth your time, even today.
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Did you ever want to take a road trip across the USA with a wisecracking dog and a highly sociopathic rabbit? If so, you don't want to miss this one, as we discuss the LucasArts "buddy cop" classic, Sam & Max: Hit the Road! Learn about Sam & Max's origins, discover how the game was made, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to go on a whirlwind adventure with a couple of anthropomorphic wisecracking detectives, even today.
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Glory to the Empire! Join me as we discuss one of the most critically acclaimed releases in the entire Star Wars saga. Star Wars: Tie Fighter. Learn how the game was made, discover why the game was so unique in comparison to other Star Wars titles, and listen in as we discuss whether it still feels good...to be bad...even today.
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It's time to tackle another fairytale adventure, as we tackle the classic Sierra On-Line point and click title, King's Quest V! Learn how the game, discover why King's Quest V represented a shift in Sierra's adventure game design process, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to listen to Cedric the Owl drone on about "POOIIISSONOUS Snakes!"...even today.
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OneShortEye's YouTube channel, for all of your adventure game speedrunning needs: https://www.youtube.com/@OneShortEye
For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our latest deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those games. In today's episode, we'll look at a cross-section of games from across the landscape of the Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game, or MMORPG, genre, as I pick some of my favorite, and most personally significant, tracks from that particular genre of gaming.
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It's time to eradicate an alien menace, as we take to the streets to save the small town of El Cadron in the Sega CD FMV title, Ground Zero: Texas! Learn about the history of full motion video in gaming, discover why Digital Pictures believed its second generation of FMV titles were lightyears beyond their earlier efforts, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to shoot a bunch of FMV aliens in the face, even today.
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Join me on a jungle adventure as we explore the Atari 2600 classic, Pitfall! Learn how the game was made, discover why David Crane achieved what many thought to be impossible, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to swing on a vine across a crocodile infested pool of water, even today.
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Marvin Acme is dead...his will is missing...Toontown's fate hangs in the balance! There's only one question to answer...Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Join me as we discuss how the game was made, the history behind the film on which the game is based on, and whether it's still worth your time to save the denizens of Toontown from certain Doom, even today.
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Grab your badge, holster your gun, and put on your leather jacket, as we dive into the seedy underbelly of New York City in Remedy Entertainment's third person action title, Max Payne! Learn how Remedy evolved from humble beginnings into one of the premier game developers in the world, discover why Max Payne was the title that launched them into superstardom, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to unleash a slow motion fueled ballet of destruction on your enemies, even today.
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It's time to hit the links as we discuss the golf resort simulation title, Sid Meier's Sim Golf! Learn about Sid Meier's career, discover what made him want to design a golf title in the first place, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to dust off your set of irons to shank your way to victory, even today.
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I feel like we've been here before...and maybe we have, as we discuss the early Macintosh point and click adventure title, Deja Vu! Learn how the game was made, discover how its creator, ICOM Simulations, got its start in the industry, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to dive into the seedy underbelly of a noir styled, point and click detective adventure, even today.
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Join me in an adventure into the early days of Mac gaming, as we explore the classic arcade platforming title, Dark Castle! Learn how the game was made, discover what features made it so revolutionary for the time it was released, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to fling stones at a bunch of rats, bats, and gargoyles, even today.
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Join me on a fantasy epic adventure roleplaying experience, as we tackle the Bioware classic, Baldur's Gate! Learn how the game, discover why it was such a big deal for Bioware to have the opportunity to use the Dungeons & Dragons license in a computer roleplaying game, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to stand ready with Minsc and Boo, even today.
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Put on your uniform, holster your gun, and grab your badge, as we discuss the 1987 original police procedure title, Police Quest! Learn how the game was made, discover why its creator, Jim Walls, brought a unique perspective to adventure game design, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to patrol the EGA streets of Lytton to bring criminals to justice, even today.
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For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our latest deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those games. In today's episode, we'll look at a cross-section of games from across the landscape of First Person Shooter titles, as I pick some of my favorite, and most personally significant, tracks from that particular genre of gaming.
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Explore a post-apocalyptic wasteland with me as we discuss the classic computer roleplaying game, Fallout! Learn about how Interplay as a company evolved over time, discover just how tumultuous the development of the game would end up being, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to take some Rad-X and brave the perils of super mutant infested ruins, even today.
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Happy Holidays everyone!
In the spirit of the holidays, I thought it might be fun to "gift" everyone with an episode of the podcast that was previously only available to our Patreon members. I hope you all enjoy!
Original Patreon show notes below:
Join me as I recover from an alcohol-fueled self-destructive bender, as we discuss the modern RPG classic, Disco Elysium! Discover how the socio-political climate of Eastern Europe influenced the creation of the game, learn why the world of Disco Elysium took almost 20 years to come to life, and listen in as I give my thoughts as to whether this is a true modern classic that deserves your attention. Disco, baby!
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I hope you like White Zombie, and off-brand Mortal Kombat wannabes, because today, we're going to look at Way of the Warrior! Learn how developer Naughty Dog was founded, discover why it seemed like a really good idea to make a tournament fighting title as their first game on the 3DO home console, and listen in as we discuss whether Way of the Warrior is still worth your time to play, even today...
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Don't forget to fill out your job application, as we discuss the Sierra puzzle-adventure title, The Castle of Dr. Brain! Learn how the game was made, discover why Sierra decided to enter the edutainment industry in the first place, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to puzzle your way through the eclectic castle of a genius inventor, even today...
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Danger's like Jell-O, there's always room for more...
Join me as we discuss the quintessential full motion video early 90s detective adventure game, Under a Killing Moon! Learn how the game was made, discover the origins of the Tex Murphy character, and listen in as we discuss whether it's worth your time to put on your trench coat, adjust your fedora, and attempt to prevent an apocalyptic catastrophe, even today...
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Before Resident Evil introduced the world to the phrase "survival horror", there was Alone in the Dark! Learn how the game was made, discover why its influences are still felt throughout the industry, and listen in as we discuss whether this particular jaunt through a haunted mansion is still worth your time, even today...
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If you ever wanted to play the game Mousetrap, or recreate the beginning of Peewee's Big Adventure, but in video game form, then look no further than The Incredible Machine, a physics puzzle title released in 1992! Learn how the game was made, discover why it's creators had to put it on the shelf for years before it eventually released on the market, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to attach a pulley to a conveyor belt powered by a monkey riding a bicycle, even today...
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Gotta catch'em all! Grab your favorite Poke-pal and join me as we discuss the very first Pokemon adventure ever made, Pokemon Red / Blue. Learn what real-life hobby inspired the creation of the game, discover how the game evolved from an idea into a worldwide, pop cultural phenomenon, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to fill out your Pokedex, even today!
Grab a few of your closest friends and join me on an 80s inspired adventure as we discuss the Nintendo Entertainment System title, The Goonies II! Learn how the game was made, discover how...and if...it ties into the popular film from 1985, and listen in as we determine whether "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough", even today...
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For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is yet another deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those games. Today's episode, though, is unique, as it is our first Patreon sponsored Sounds of the Classics episode! Listen in as Wendell Jr (Filmkid on Discord) and I select various songs from the expansive Square Enix music catalog, as we collectively discuss why these songs, and the games that they belong to, mean something special to each of us!
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Before there was Sonic the Hedgehog, there was Alex Kidd, one of several attempts by Sega to create a mascot to compete with Nintendo's ultra-popular mustachioed plumber, Mario. Learn how the character of Alex Kidd was conceptualized, discover why the team at Sega believed they had a hit on their hands with the very first Alex Kidd release, and find out whether you should take the time to dust off your Sega Master System and fire up Alex Kidd in Miracle World, even today!
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Have you ever wondered what it's like to play a fighting game that eschews nearly every standard fighting game convention? Well, if so, listen in as we discuss Rise of the Robots! Learn how the game was made, discover whether its much touted artificial intelligence is truly groundbreaking, and find out how much pain and suffering I went through to deliver this episode to all of you. This one is special...you won't want to miss it!
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Join me as we discuss one of the most important adventure games ever created, Sierra On-Line's King's Quest! Learn how the game was made, discover why Roberta Williams decided to get into game design in the first place, and find out whether the very first King's Quest adventure, in its original form, is still worth your time today.
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Join me as we look at one of the most infamous games we've ever covered on this podcast, as we tackle the Philips CD-i "classic" Link: The Faces of Evil! Learn how the game was made, discover why Nintendo allowed one of its famed mascots to appear on what many consider to be a subpar video game console, and find out whether Link: The Faces of Evil is as bad as most of the internet would lead you to believe.
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Join me as we discuss one of the most Japanese games to ever be released outside of Japan, the Nintendo 64 platformer, Goemon's Great Adventure (or Mystical Ninja 2 Starring Goemon, depending on where you live). Learn about the legend of Goemon, discover how that legend was translated into a digital, video game form, and find out whether it's still worth your time to run, jump, and attack your way through various temples, forests, and caverns, even today!
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What do you get when you take a company like Bungie and ask them to develop a martial arts infused, 3D action extravaganza? If you guessed Oni, you'd be right! Learn why Bungie came to be, discover how Oni was made, and listen in as we determine whether it's worth your time to punch and kick a bunch of bad guys in the face using fully free-form 3D movement, even today!
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Grab your nearest mech suit, install a couple of upgradable weapons, and join me as we discuss one of the best titles on the Neo Geo Pocket Color, Biomotor Unitron! Learn how the game was made, discover why another pop culture fad from the 90s heavily inspired its creation, and find out whether it's still worth your time to attempt to become the Unitron Master of Masters, even today.
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It's time to get strategic as we tackle the real-time strategy classic, Command & Conquer! Learn how the game was made, discover why a sci-fi novel from the 1960s directly contributed to the eventual creation of the game, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to micromanage a crew of dedicated soldiers on a futuristic battlefield, even today!
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What do you get when you take some of the most diverse gameplay mechanics to ever exist in an 8-bit title, sprinkle it with some product merchandising wishful thinking, and turn the difficulty up to 11? The answer to that question is Battletoads, one of the more famous, and some would say infamous, games ever released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Learn how the game was made, discover why it was designed to be so brutally difficult, and listen in as we figure out whether it's still worth your time to take on the game's challenges, even today!
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Join me as we celebrate our two year anniversary of the podcast, with a definitive, at least as of today, ranking of our top 10 Pantheon entries from the past year! It's been a heck of a year, and I've loved making this podcast - I can't wait to see what the future has in store!
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Join me as we boomer shooter our way through endless hordes of alien beings, as we discuss Serious Sam: The First Encounter. Learn about the founding of its creator, Croteam, discover what inspired that group of developers to create Serious Sam, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to mow down a ton of bad guys inhabiting ancient Egypt, even today!
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Join me on an intergalactic adventure transporting...camels, as we dive into the FMV on-rails shooter, Loadstar: The Legend of Tully Bodine! Learn how the game was made, discover what modern mega billionaire contributed to its development, and listen in as we determine whether it's worth your time to fight the law and blast off into space with a trailer full of contraband camel, even today.
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It's time to destroy everything in sight, as we tackle the hard hitting destruction derby classic, Blast Corps! Learn how the game was made, discover why destroying buildings is simply fun, and find out whether playing around in a sandbox of wanton mayhem is still worth your time, even today!
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Dust off your adventuring mouse, limber up your point-and-click finger, and prepare for a swashbuckling experience as we dive into the world of Flight of the Amazon Queen! Learn why the game was made, discover how LucasArts inspired nearly every aspect of the experience, and find out whether you should join Joe King on an Amazonian adventure, even today!
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It's time for another simian adventure as we tackle the second game in the Donkey Kong Country series, Diddy's Kong Quest! Discover how the game was made, learn why Rare believed it could make a better game than its predecessor, and find out whether it's still worth your time to jump, roll, and spin your way through the jungle, even today!
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Join me on a trip into an alternate dimension dreamworld, as we explore the Sega Saturn classic, NiGHTS Into Dreams! Learn how the game was made, why it can trace its lineage to the very first Sonic the Hedgehog title, and discover whether flying through nightmares and dreamscapes is still worth your time, even today.
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Press the pedal to the metal as we discuss one of the most influential racing titles of all time, Sega's Virtua Racing! Learn how the game was made, discover the differences between the various home ports of the title, and find out whether it's still worth your time to experience Virtua Racing's brand of polygonal racing goodness, even today!
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Grab your lightgun of choice and join me as we tackle the arcade classic, Operation Wolf! Learn about the evolution of lightgun technology, discover why Operation Wolf was made in the first place, and listen in to see if it's still worth your time to embark on an action packed set of military-themed missions, even today!
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Grab your flashlight and your Pajama Man mask, and join me on a junior adventure into the world of Pajama Sam! Learn why Humongous Entertainment was founded, discover how the game was made, and learn whether it's still worth your time to face your fear of the dark, even today!
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For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is another of our deep dives into some of the classic soundtracks from those games. In today's episode, we'll look at a selection of games and songs submitted by all of you, along with your own personal comments and memories about these titles!
If you want to learn more about me and my past, both podcast related and otherwise, I highly encourage you to check out Dave Morton's Sunscreen over on Spotify! I had the honor of being Dave's very first guest, so definitely click the link if you want to listen in on some memories I legitimately hadn't thought about for 25+ years.
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Grab your favorite jellybeans and take a trip to Blobolonia, as we explore the NES puzzle platformer, A Boy and His Blob! Learn how the game was made, why David Crane is particularly proud of his work on the title, and discover whether it's still worth your time to feed sweets to an anthropomorphic blob, even today!
Grab your baseball bat, a slice of pizza, and your favorite yo-yo and join me on a cross-town road trip as we discuss the Super Nintendo RPG classic, Earthbound! Learn how the game was made and why it eschewed traditional RPG norms to focus on suburbia as opposed to medieval villages and ancient worlds, and discover whether it's still worth your time to save the world from an evil alien menace, even today!
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Try to get up before the ref counts to ten, as we discuss the NES classic , Mike Tyson's Punch Out! Learn how a surplus of inventory led Nintendo to develop the title, listen to why the game featured star boxer Mike Tyson as its final boss, and discover whether it's still worth your time to lace up your gloves and step into the ring, even today.
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Set sail on yet another voyage, as we discuss Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge! Learn how the game was made, in what ways it improved upon its predecessor, and whether it's still worth your time to take on Ghost Pirate Captain LeChuck, even today!
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What do you get when you combine the wit of Douglas Adams, the pre-rendered graphics of Myst, and a...text parser interface?!? You get Starship Titanic, the first person point and click adventure game that has you investigating the titular ship and attempting to help the various robotic inhabitants onboard that vessel. Learn how the game was made, why its text parser interface was revolutionary for the 1990s, and discover if you should spend hours trying to type to space faring robotic companions, even today.
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What do you get when you take over-the-top Sega arcade action and marry it with true 3D beat'em up gameplay? Dynamite Cop! In this Patreon sponsored episode, learn how the game was made, why the film "Die Hard" was influential in its development, and discover whether it's worth your time to beat up some bad guys with a gigantic fish, even today!
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Grab your flight gear and join the mercenary fighting brigade as we discuss the shareware classic Raptor: Call of the Shadows! Learn how the game was made, discover why it was so unique in the computer gaming space when it first released, and find out whether it's still worth your time to upgrade your ship and laser beam your enemies to death, even today.
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What do ghouls, ghosts, and an underwear clad knight named Arthur have in common? Find out in our newest episode, focused on the Super Nintendo title, Super Ghouls 'n' Ghosts! Learn how the game was made, why it was intentionally tuned to be so darn challenging, and discover whether it's worth your time to play through this one today...and then do it all over again to get the "true" ending. Does Super Ghouls 'n' Ghosts rank amongst our Pantheon of Classic Gaming? There's only one way to find out!
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Dust off your whips, and grab your holy water, as we dive into the classic vampire hunting title, Castlevania! Learn about the mythology behind vampirism, see how early Hollywood horror films influenced the title, and discover whether it's still worth your time to battle Dracula and his evil minions, even today.
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For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our second deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those games. In today's episode, we'll look at a cross-section of games from across the landscape of Point and Click Adventure titles, as I pick some of my favorite, and most personally significant, tracks from that particular genre of gaming.
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It's time to bring arcade action into our living rooms, as we discuss Sega's Altered Beast, the game that would end up being the Genesis / Mega Drive pack-in title for a couple years, before Sonic decided to run circles around everyone (literally). Learn about Sega's arcade roots, how Altered Beast transformed the landscape of home gaming, and discover whether it's still worth your time to shapeshift your way through this arcade experience, even today!
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Almost exactly 25 years ago, the world of online gaming would change forever, as EverQuest would release to the market and, in one fell swoop, capture the hearts, minds, and imaginations of gamers everywhere. Learn how the game evolved from the text-based MUDs of the 70s and 80s and discover why it became so popular that it would eventually become known as "EverCrack". Then, join me on a trip down my own personal memory lane as we explore our first "Nostalgia Trip" episode, where we don't look at the game as it exists today, we talk about what the game was like when it first released, and what the world of EverQuest, and its players, meant to me.
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It's time for another full motion video classic, as we dive into the voyeuristic world of Night Trap! Learn how the game evolved from a VHS exclusive title into one of the games that would help spearhead the creation of video game content ratings around the world, discover why a unique stage play from the mid-80s inspired the original creation of the title, and find out whether it's worth your time to protect a bunch of slumber party pals, even today!
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What do you get when you take H.R. Giger's artwork and combine it with a point and click adventure? The answer to that question is Dark Seed! Learn how the game was made, why the development team chose to collaborate with Giger in the first place, and whether the game is still worth your time, even today!
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Who's the raddest 1990s kid around? Kid Chameleon! Join me as we discuss how the game was created, why it has a decidedly American flair, and learn whether it's still worth your time to explore Kid Chameleon's virtual reality landscapes today!
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What happens when a Parisian vacation goes very, very wrong? Find out as we explore the Revolution Software point-and-click classic, Broken Sword (or Circle of Blood, depending on where you live)! Learn how the game was made, the ways it evolved from Revolution Software's earlier work, and whether it's still worth your time to go on a globe-trotting adventure with George and Nico, even today.
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Take to the skies with me as we discuss the classic console flight simulator, Pilotwings! Learn about the history of flight simulation in general, discover why Pilotwings was unique in comparison to other flight titles released through the early 1990s, and learn whether it's still worth your time to strap on a rocket belt and crash into nearby landscapes, even today.
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Join me as we discuss Link's first 3D adventure, and a game that many people consider to be the best game of all time, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time! Learn how the game was made, why it set the standard for so many features that would become commonplace in future titles, and discover whether Ocarina of Time remains a Legend, even today.
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Come join me as we discuss one of the gaming world's favorite Nintendo mascots, and resident puff ball, Kirby! Learn how the game was made, why it almost didn't release to market, and discover whether it's still worth your time to fire up your Gameboy and traipse through Dream Land today!
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For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our second deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those games. In today's episode, we'll look at a cross-section of games from the SNES, Nintendo's 16-bit console, as I pick some of my favorite, and most personally significant, tracks from that particular system.
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It's time to dive into a post-apocalyptic Australian Outback as we tackle the third person point and click adventure title, Beneath a Steel Sky! Learn how the company behind the game, Revolution Software, got its start, why Beneath a Steel Sky's engine is more advanced than the engines used by competitor companies like Sierra Online and LucasArts, and learn whether it's still worth your time to play the game today. Will Beneath a Steel Sky make it into our Pantheon of Classic Gaming? There's only one way to find out!
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Join me as we discuss our favorite mustachioed plumber's third outing, Super Mario Bros. 3! Learn all about Mario's origin story, how Super Mario Bros. 3 was made, why it is such a beloved classic, and learn whether the game still hold's up to a playthrough today.
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Join me on an island-hopping isometric quest, as we discuss Little Big Adventure! Learn how the title evolved and inherited from early survival horror games, why it is so beloved amongst the broader gaming community, and whether the title still holds up today, despite some very 1990s design decisions. Will Little Big Adventure make it into our Pantheon of Classic Gaming? There's only one way to find out!
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Happy Holidays everyone!
In the spirit of the holidays, I thought it might be fun to "gift" everyone with an episode of the podcast that was previously only available to our Patreon members. I hope you all enjoy!
Original Patreon show notes below:
In the late 80s, one amateur radio station decided to fund the creation of a show dedicated to the best news and reviews in modern gaming - Pixelated Power was the result of that funding.
From 1987 to 1998, Pixelated Power went on the air one night a month to discuss the latest gaming news, the hardware and gadgets that people were most looking forward to, the best magazines of the time, and various other aspects of video game pop culture. The recording releasing today previously aired on December 25, 1989. Listening to it today, we can glean some additional insight into a period of time we now call classic, and as such, it provides an interesting "blast from the past" that I'm hoping everyone enjoys.
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Join me as we discuss the Blue Bomber's second outing, Mega Man 2! Learn about the origins of Mega Man as a character, discover how the first two games in the series were made, and find out whether Mega Man 2 is still worth your time today.
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Grab your motorcycle and join me on a cross-country voyage through the world of Full Throttle! Learn how the game was made, why it's unique amongst its LucasArts adventure game brethren, and determine whether experiencing life as a biker is still worthwhile today.
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Two combatants enter the ring...only one can survive!
Join me as we dive into our first "Shareware Showdown" episode, pitting everyone's favorite macho manly man, Duke Nukem, vs. Amazonian warrior, Jill of the Jungle! Learn about the early history of shareware, how these two games came to be, and whether each deserves your attention today. There can be only one winner...which one will it be? There's only one way to find out!
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Join me as we discuss what many people consider to be one of the worst games of all time, E.T. for the Atari 2600! Learn how the game was made, why it's a bit unfair to automatically label the title as a subpar experience, and discover if I agree with the rest of the internet as to E.T.'s overall status in computer and video game history. Will E.T. defy the odds to make it into our Pantheon of Classic Gaming? There's only one way to find out!
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The original Doom has been ported to nearly anything that has a screen and can use electricity (and maybe even some devices that don't), and across those ports, numerous changes have been made to make the game actually runnable. Doom 64, however, is different, as it represents an entirely original experience, targeted exclusively for the Nintendo 64 console. Learn how the game was made, how it enhances the Doom experience beyond its original incarnation, and whether the title is still worth your time today.
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For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our first deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those titles. In today's episode, we'll look at a cross-section of games from the NES, Nintendo's 8-bit console, as I pick some of my favorite, and most personally significant, tracks from that particular console.
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Prevent an evil tentacle uprising as we explore the LucasArts classic point-and-click adventure title, Day of the Tentacle! Learn how the game was made, why it's considered a classic adventure experience, and whether the game still holds up when compared to modern titles. Does Day of the Tentacle still rank among the best adventure games ever made? There's only one way to find out!
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Join me as we explore the world of helicopter simulation...sort of, in our discussion on Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf! Learn about the game's inspirations, why it was created in the first place, and whether this particular 16 bit action title is still worth your time today. Will Desert Strike make it into the Pantheon of Classic Gaming? There's only one way to find out!
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Join me on a geographic adventure as we determine, once and for all, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego! Learn how the game was made, why its creator nearly disowned its existence, and discover whether it's still worth your time to grab your almanac for some geographic sleuthing today!
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What do you get when you mix a foul mouthed squirrel who's having a really bad day with one of Nintendo's most well-respected development partners? You guessed it, you get Conker's Bad Fur Day! Learn how one of Rare's most mature titles was created, why it was delayed numerous times prior to release, and join me as we determine whether this 3D platforming adventure still holds up today.
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The man in the hat is back! Join me as we discuss one of the finest archaeological adventures ever put on disk, as we take a look at Lucas Arts classic point and click adventure title, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis! Learn how the game was made, why it deviated from traditional Indiana Jones movie scripts, and whether it's still worth your time to don a fine leather jacket today.
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Run, jump, and skateboard your way through our next episode dedicated to the classic NES platforming title, Adventure Island! Discover how the game was made, learn why it bears more than a striking resemblance to Sega's Wonder Boy, and find out if the game holds up today, 37 years after it was originally released. Can Master Higgins make his way into our Pantheon of Classic Gaming? Tune in to find out!
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Return to the mansion that started the "survival horror" genre, or at a minimum, popularized it, as we discuss the very first Resident Evil! Learn how the game was made, where its primary inspiration came from, and whether it's still worth your time to unravel the mysteries of the Spencer clan. Does Resident Evil make it into our Pantheon of Classic Gaming, or is this one experience that is too horrific to revisit? There's only one way to find out!
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Take the fight to the Skaarj as we discuss the first person shooter classic, Unreal! Learn about the Unreal engine, how Tim Sweeney turned a lifelong passion for mechanics into an ultra-successful game development career, and discover whether Na Pali still looks as good today as it did back in 1998. Does Unreal make it into our Pantheon of Classic Gaming? There's only one way to find out!
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Keep a lookout for three-headed monkeys, as we try to figure out The Secret of Monkey Island! Learn how the game was made, why adventure games suck, and what we can do about it (TM), and discover whether it's still worth your time to participate in a few rounds of insult sword fighting today. All that, and more...all you have to do is click play!
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Join me as we celebrate our one year anniversary of the podcast, with a review of our current Pantheon of Classic Gaming and a definitive, at least as of today, ranking of our top 10 Pantheon entries! It's been a heck of a year, and I've loved making this podcast - I can't wait to see what the future has in store!
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It's time to get sneaky, as we explore the stealth-action classic, Metal Gear Solid! Learn how Hideo Kojima's early life experiences and cinematic inspirations led to his overall approach to making games as we look at the evolution of both the Metal Gear series as well as Kojima himself, in order to determine whether Metal Gear Solid is still worth playing today. Does Metal Gear Solid sneak its way into our Pantheon of Classic Gaming? There's only one way to find out!
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Move over Mario, as we discuss Sonic the Hedgehog! Learn about the history of the infamous "console wars" of the 80s and 90s, discover why Sega believed Sonic could be their secret weapon in the battle with Nintendo, and finally, listen in as we determine whether the original Sonic the Hedgehog is still a worthwhile experience to play today.
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Before Secret of Monkey Island...before Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis...before Sam & Max...there was Maniac Mansion! Learn how the game was made, including the origins of the venerable SCUMM engine, which would be used for nearly every LucasArts adventure title to follow. Discover why Ron Gilbert decided to make Maniac Mansion an adventure game in the first place (hint: it has to do with a certain other company's fiendishly hard adventure titles). And, finally, learn whether it's worth your time today to return to the Edison Mansion. Does Maniac Mansion belong in our Pantheon of Classic Gaming? Listen and find out!
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Grab your dragon sword and sharpen your shuriken, as we discuss the original Ninja Gaiden title! Learn how the game began life as an arcade title that would, eventually, make its way to the Nintendo Entertainment System, and listen as we dive deep into how the development team made the game a reality, including the reasoning behind why Act VI was so...darn...difficult (no, I'm not bitter). Does Ninja Gaiden still hold up today? There's only one way to find out!
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What is a bandicoot anyway? Find out in our podcast episode, where we discuss how and why Crash Bandicoot was made, learn why Crash isn't not Sony's mascot, and determine whether the game still holds up today when compared to modern titles. All of that and more, only on Classic Gaming Today!
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It's a cartoon world, and we're just living in it...or at least, that's the premise of Toonstruck, a point and click adventure game that combines full motion video sequences with animated cartoon scenes to create a sort of reverse Who Framed Roger Rabbit kind of scenario. Learn how the game was made, what happened to the long rumored sequel, and whether the game still retains its charm today. Can Toonstruck stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Sierra and LucasArts adventure titles of yore? There's only one way to find out!
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Get ready to FINISH HIM as we discuss this week's game, Mortal Kombat! Learn about the origins of the one-on-one fighting game genre, find out why Johnny Cage bears more than a passing resemblance to Jean Claude Van Damme, and discover whether the original arcade "Klassic" still holds up today!
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Join me for a groovy good time as we discuss The Operative: No One Lives Forever! Learn how game company Monolith came to be, how the LithTech engine evolved from its DirectX heritage, and whether No One Lives Forever, one of the most underrated games in recent memory, still holds up today.
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Boom-shaka-laka! Join me on the basketball court as we discuss the arcade classic, NBA Jam! Learn about its origins as we deep dive the game's history, even going as far back as Pong (yes, that Pong) to discover how, and why, the game was made. Then, explore what it feels like to play the game today, in order to determine whether it's still worth your time. Does NBA Jam join the hallowed halls of the Pantheon of Classic Gaming? There's only one way to find out!
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Grab your pistol as we hunt some replicants in the third person point-and-click adventure title, Blade Runner! Learn how the game was made, why it was similar, but different, to the movie, and whether it's still worth your time to play today. Is Blade Runner the cyberpunk adventure you've been waiting for? Listen in to find out!
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What happens if you take one part Final Fantasy, two parts Secret of Mana, and add a touch of American pop culture? You end up with Secret of Evermore, an action RPG released back in 1995. Learn how the game was made, why it is unique in Square's catalog of RPGs, and whether it's worth your time to play it today. Does Secret of Evermore merit inclusion in the Pantheon of Classic Gaming, or should Evermore's existence remain a secret? Tune in to find out!
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Grab your favorite go-kart and join me as we discuss Super Mario Kart, the grandfather of the kart racing genre! Learn how the Super Nintendo's launch titles paved the way for what would be Nintendo's first Mario crossover title, why Mode 7 graphics are awesome, and whether the experience of playing the game still holds up today. Does Mario Kart make it to the finish line, or will it slip on a banana peel? Tune in to find out!
It's time to save the world as we embark on a discussion on the LucasArts classic, The Dig. Learn how the game was made, how Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were involved, and whether the experience of playing the title is still worthwhile to seek out today. Does The Dig warrant inclusion in our Pantheon of Classic Gaming? There's only one way to find out!
Join me as we discuss one of the most beloved video games of all time, The Legend of Zelda! Learn how it was made, what it was inspired by, why the second quest exists in the first place, and whether the game still is worth a playthrough today. Does the game truly deserve its legendary reputation? Listen to find out!
In the early 90s, game companies were experimenting with a bunch of different technologies, trying to find a way to make their mark on the video game and arcade market. One of those companies was American Laser Games. Learn how the company came to be, why full motion video in arcade titles was a revolutionary experience (for the time), and whether their broader discography is still a worthwhile use of your time today. Do any American Laser Games titles belong in our Pantheon of Classic Gaming? There's only one way to find out!
Cow launched! Join me as we discuss Earthworm Jim, a zany, side-scrolling run-and-gun platformer developed by Shiny Entertainment. Learn how the titular hero came to be, why the toy market of the late 80s influenced the development of the title, and whether it still feels as fresh to play today as it did when it was originally released.
Do a barrel roll! Or, maybe not, but do join me as we look at Star Fox, a true 3D-space combat game released on the Super Nintendo back in the early 90s. Learn how the game was made, what new technology had to be created in order to enable the for-the-time advanced 3D visuals, and whether the title still holds up against our modern gaming expectations.
Make way...for our next podcast episode focused on Prince Ali himself, Aladdin, for the Sega Genesis! Learn how the game was made, why the graphics and animations looked so darn good and, join me as we discuss and discover whether the game still holds up today, 30 years after it was originally released. Does Aladdin belong in our Pantheon of Classic Gaming, or should it be buried in the Cave of Wonders? There's only one way to find out!
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start!
Join me as we discuss Contra, the father of the run-and-gun genre from the late 80s. Learn how the game was made, why the Konami code even exists, and how well the game holds up today, well over 30 years following its original release.
Before Hideo Kojima became one of the most well-known game designers in the world, he was simply a young developer who loved the cinema, and who wanted to apply cinematic techniques to the games he was creating. One of his earliest titles was Snatcher, a visual novel adventure game set in a dystopian cyberpunk world filled with cybernetic clones determined to take over the human race. Learn how the game was created, what influenced Kojima's early work, and how well the game holds up today. Is Snatcher the newest member of our Classic Gaming Pantheon? There's only one way to find out!
Come with me if you want to live! Or, rather, listen in, as we discuss the creation of three 16-bit Terminator titles, spanning the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and Sega CD consoles. Learn why it took so long for a licensed Terminator title to be created, how each game was made, and which of the three remains worth your time today.
Join me as we discuss our second Gameboy title, Super Mario Land 2! Learn how the game improved upon its predecessor, why the introduction of Wario into Mario lore was so significant, and whether the game still feels as good to play today as when it was released around 30 years ago!
It's time to use our head...literally...as we discuss the Turbografx-16 platformer, Bonk's Adventure. Learn how the game was created, why Bonk became a sort of mascot for the Turbbografx system, and whether the prehistoric action still holds up today!
After Eric Chahi created Another World / Out of This World, cinematic platformers were all the rage, including elsewhere in Delphine Software. As Chahi basked in the glory of his newly released masterpiece, Paul Cuisset was working on a game of his own, and one that would define his career almost the same way that Out of This Word became Chahi's claim to fame. Cuisset's game was, of course, Flasback. Learn how the game was created and whether you should still play it today, despite being over 30 years old!
You all know I love full motion video games...and Sewer Shark is undeniably one of those games, so, you know it's going to be a good time! Join me as we dive deep into the creation of Sewer Shark - learn how the game originated as a never-released title for the failed Hasbro Control Vision console before finally getting a second chance on the Sega CD years later, and listen in as we determine whether becoming a sewer jockey today is as fun as it was intended to be back in the early 90s.
Jordan Mechner is computer and video game royalty...but back in the early 80s, he was simply a Yale student trying to make his mark on the still new computer game industry. Karateka would be the result of his early efforts. Join me as we jump back in time to learn how the game was made as we determine whether, nearly 40 years later, the title is still worth your time to play today.
Sometimes good things come in small packages! Join me as we discuss Super Mario Land, Mario's first adventure for the Nintendo Gameboy system all the way back in 1989. Learn how the game was made, why Shigeru Miyamoto was not involved in its creation, and whether Sarasaland is still fun to visit today. Can a Gameboy screen provide a worthwhile Mario experience? There's only one way to find out!
Ask nearly anyone from the 90s to name their favorite Sega titles, and I bet Streets of Rage 2 would be on many of those lists. Join me as we discuss Sega's classic brawler, including how it was created, its overall legacy, and whether it's still worth your time to clean up the streets and bring Mr. X to justice!
When Eric Chahi released Out of This World (or Another World), he created a masterpiece that would stand the test of time. Heart of the Alien was the Sega CD exclusive sequel to that classic. Learn how the game was made and discover whether lightning struck twice, even though Chahi wasn't involved in the creation of the title. Is it worth it to once again visit this unique desolate alien world? You'll have to listen to find out!
DAY-TO-NA!!! Join me as we discuss one of the most popular, exhilarating arcade games of all-time, as we dive deep into Sega's Daytona USA! Learn how the game was made and why, even all these years later, it still holds a special place in everyone's heart as THE multiplayer racing game of the 90s. Is it still worth your time to get behind the wheel of this one? Tune in to find out!
Our fourth and final deep dive into the early works of id Software focuses on Quake, the successor to Doom and probably the game most responsible for rocket jump-related deaths in the mid-90s. Learn how id once again evolved their first person shooter formula while, at the same time, creating a true 3D engine that would serve as the blueprint for many titles to come. Does it feel as good to play today as it did back when it was released? Listen and find out!
Rip and tear through the hordes of hell, as we discuss Doom, one of the most influential computer games ever created! Learn how the id Software team evolved from their Wolfenstein 3D roots to deliver an experience that had never been seen before. Is it still worth it to play the Father of the first person shooter genre? There's only one way to find out!
Have you ever played an interactive cartoon? If so, you just might have played Dragon's Lair, an early 80s arcade title that utilized Laserdisc technology to deliver a never-before-seen level of animation and visual spectacle. Learn how designer Rick Dyer and Don Bluth and his animation team worked their magic in creating a pivotal title in video game history, and discover whether it's worth your time today to visit, or revisit, Singe's domain!
For many people, Diablo was the first true "action" RPG. For others, though, especially in the early 90s, Shadow Caster was the game many people gravitated to when they wanted an RPG-like experience that didn't require dissecting scores of numbers and stat points in order to maximize their builds. Join me as we talk about how Shadow Caster was created, where it sits in computer gaming history, and how well it holds up today!
Little known fact - when Mario isn't busy saving the Mushroom Kingdom, or practicing his day job as a plumber, he sometimes moonlights as a...hotel bellhop? Join me as we talk about Hotel Mario, the CD-I exclusive that asks the question, "what would happen if the only way to save the princess was to shut...every...door!" Learn how the game was made, why it exists, what Nintendo was thinking, and whether it holds up today. Is Hotel Mario worth a reservation? There's only one way to find out!
Time paradoxes and JRPG gameplay await as we tackle Chrono Trigger! Learn how a dream team of designers, developers, artists and composers came together to create one of the most beloved titles from the 1990s, after which we ask the question - does Chrono Trigger still hold up today? Is the game a timeless classic, or simply not worth your time? Listen in to find out!
Police Quest is one of those classic Sierra titles that many adventure gamers hold in high regard. Blue Force, developed by a group of ex-Sierra employees, was Tsunami Media's attempt at capturing that Sierra magic. Learn how the game came to be, and listen in as we determine whether this point-and-click adventure is worth your time today.
It's time to revisit ID Software's early years, as we delve into the grandfather of first person shooters, Wolfenstein 3D! Learn how the ID team made the leap from 2D platformers to a pseudo 3D engine, after which we'll talk about whether the game holds up today, or if it's just too elderly to keep up with its ancestors.
Life is like a hurricane! Join me as we discuss Duck Tales, one of the quintessential NES platformers, released back in 1989. Learn why licensed titles (usually) don't turn out all that great, and why Duck Tales reversed that trend. We'll discuss how the game was made, its relevance in history, and whether you should go back to visit Duckburg today. Is Duck Tales still platforming gold? It's time to find out!
In the mid-90s, Nintendo needed something to help compete in an ever-evolving console market. With their own next gen system delayed, they turned to developer Rare to figure out how to save the day. Donkey Kong Country was the end result.
Join me as we look at how the game came into being, followed by a discussion to determine if the game still holds up today. Is Donkey Kong Country still worth your time? Tune in to find out!
Dust off your alien blaster and join me as we explore the world of Commander Keen! We'll talk through how the game was created, its overall historical significance, and why you may (or may not) want to play the game today. Undeniably an important game in computing history, but does it make it into our Pantheon of Classic gaming? There's only one way to find out...
It's time to take back the streets of Metro City, as we dive deep into the arcade classic side-scrolling beat'em up, Final Fight. As we always do, we'll discuss the history of the game, including its relevance to the arcade scene of the late 80s / early 90s and how it is forever linked to the Street Fighter series. Then, we'll discuss what it feels like to actually play the game in 2022 to determine, once and for all, whether Final Fight belongs in the Pantheon of Classic Gaming.
Join me on an adventure into a desolate, alien world as we explore the 1991 cinematic platform adventure game Another World (or Out of this World in North America). As is customary, we'll talk about the historical context surrounding the game before we dive deep and figure out if it's still worth your time to play today. Does Out of this World belong in the Pantheon of Classic Gaming? There's only one way to find out...
Shake it baby! Join me as we discuss one of the quintessential first person shooters of the mid-90s, Duke Nukem 3D. Released by 3D Realms in 1996, Duke Nukem is a nuanced story of love, drama, and intrigue, where...nah, actually, you just blow stuff up. How well does The Duke hold up today? Tune in and find out!
Fore! Join me as we discuss Neo Turf Masters, an arcade golf game for the Neo Geo arcade and home systems, released in 1996 by the Nazca Corporation. Can the typically slower sport of golf translate into a fast-paced arcade experience to stand the test of time? Listen in and find out!
Stay on target and join me as we discuss Star Wars: Rebel Assault, an on-rails shooter released by LucasArts back in 1993. Learn how the game was made and discover whether Rebel Assault still holds up today, nearly 30 years after its release. Does Rebel Assault deserve a spot in the Pantheon of Classic Gaming? Let's find out!
Join me as we explore one of Blizzard's (yes, that Blizzard) earlier video game efforts, The Lost Vikings! Released in 1992, The Lost Vikings was a puzzle platformer that had you navigate three Vikings, all with different skills, through a number of devious levels, all in the hopes of defeating the evil Tomator and returning home. Did we manage to save our Viking companions? Tune in to find out!
Don't stand around playing tiddlywinks in your birthday suit, there's a killer on the loose, and you've got to find him (or her)! Join us as we discuss the full motion video adventure game, Ripper, developed by Take 2 Interactive and filled to the brim with a ton of Hollywood "talent". We'll discuss the history behind the making of the game, after which we'll discuss what it feels like to actually play the game in 2022. Will Ripper make it into the Pantheon of Classic Gaming? Tune in to find out!
As our new podcast launches, join me to discuss the puzzle / platform title Lemmings, released back in 1991 for the Amiga and, eventually, other systems. Learn about how the game was made and where it sits in history, and learn if this is one of those classic experiences that stay fresh, even 30 years after it was created.