Somehow we managed to get around to talking Half-Life 2 before the original. Much like Lord Gaben and Valve we don't follow convention here; as the tech bros like to say, we're "disruptors." Ok, I feel dirty even saying that. At any rate, Brian "Captain N" Fortin of the Retrotopia podcast joins the show to chat about the adventures of The Last Free…

Nostalgia is a helluva drug, and it can cause us to want that game we loved to be brought back to life with a shiny new coat of paint. But, in the words of the legendary Stephen King, "sometimes dead is better." Here are our picks for the absolute worst attempts at resurrecting games of yore and the shambling husks they produced. ---------- Music A…

Don't you just hate it when you accidentally stumble into a dark alternate dimension where an extraplanar being tells you to save the world? So relatable. Long time friend of the show Seamus Burke joins us on this momentous 300th release to chat about this SNES action RPG classic! ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Seamus Burke Bio: Seamus …

In celebration of 300 releases we are dropping this bonus RH Gaiden in addition to your regularly-scheduled programming. Enjoy! ---------- Original Patreon Air Date: October 21st, 2021 ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Adam Backlog Bio: One half of the Good, the Bad, and the Backlog podcast. The blunder from down under, who’s going to make…

We've got a special one for you today, folks. Chris sits down with both Coury of My Life in Gaming and Joe Redifer of Game Sack to chat with the one and only Victor Ireland, former president of Working Designs, to discuss Vic's thoughts on the upcoming Lunar Remastered Collection by GungHo. ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Victor Ireland …

Before Alexa, Cortana, or whatever questionable AI "girlfriend" you definitely aren't simping for there was Shodan. Hook up your neural interface and listen in as we discuss one of the most notable sci-fi survival horror games of all time! ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Dave Jackson Bio: Dave is the host of Tales from the Backlog, a pod…

Despite what most folks think (thanks in no small part to a certain German film director) video game adaptations to screens both big and small don't always have to be complete trainwrecks. ---------- Music Attributions Musical excerpts from 8-Bit Fantasy & Adventure by xDeviruchi, used under the Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. -------…

Ah, the one that got away. We're kicking off this year's Spooptoberfest with a playable teaser that left us all wanting a full-fledged game that we never got. Thanks Konami, we love you. ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Keith Gasper Bio: The host of the #1 retro-gaming podcast. Instagram: @the_main_quest on Instagram Twitter/X: @_mainques…

Sometimes it's to explain away things we don't like, sometimes it's just 'cause we wanna let our imaginations run wild. Regardless of the reason, us video game fans love to come up with crazy theories about our favorite titles; here are our top picks for you to ponder with your tinfoil hat secured to your noggin. ---------- Music Attributions Music…

Another King of Games comes to a rousing resolution with the suspender-wearin' Sicilian going toe-to-toe with the members of S.T.A.R.S. Who do you think has the chutzpah to claim victory? --- Panelists Chris Coplien (Retro Hangover) Shane Koski (Retro Hangover) Ashton Ruby (Retro Hangover) Eric (The Unlockables) Adam (The Good, the Bad, and the Bac…

Aww yeah, this is happening! Sonic's foray into the third dimension is the topic du jour, and the Main Quest Podcast's Keith Gasper is here to help us close out Dreamcast month with a bang... Y'know, like the kind that happens when a mechanical monkey throws a bomb at you. Specifically that kind of bang. ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: K…

These contenders didn't quite make the cut, but still deserve a shoutout at the very least. Before we dive headlong into the grand finale faceoff, let's take a moment to recognize those that were left behind. --- Panelists Chris Coplien (Retro Hangover) Ozzy Garcia (Retro Hangover) Keith Gasper (Main Quest) Coury Carlson (My Life in Gaming)…

The Highlander. A lone wolf. Some other equally descriptive idiom. Today we celebrate those who decided to go it alone and came out the other side with a game to be truly proud of. ---------- Music Attributions Musical excerpts from 8-Bit Fantasy & Adventure by xDeviruchi, used under the Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. ---------- Ment…

Two polygonal powerhouses square off to determine who will claim the second spot in the final fight of KoG '96! --- Panelists Shane Koski (Retro Hangover) Chris Coplien (Retro Hangover) Ozzy Garcia (Retro Hangover) Goobz (Secret Levels) Toby (Secret Levels)Door Retro Hangover

So there I was, surrounded by athletic-bodied baddies in definitely-not-bondage-gear, seeking the Soul Edge when it done bust a white beam of light and produced a Demon Seed. Also an undead pirate was there. Briefly. Good times, good times. ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Kiyoshi Okuma Bio: Game industry veteran since 1998 - 3D artist / …

The end is nigh, and it's looking awfully polygonal. For the semi-final match-ups we're stacking the judges panels with not three but FIVE hosts. Can Mario's entrance into the third dimension prevail over Doom's successful successor? --- Panelists Adam (The Good, the Bad, and the Backlog) Dave Jackson (Tales from the Backlog) Eric (The Unlockables)…

'Member when video games used to include bonus content for you to find as a fun surprise and not to just buy with your money? Pepperidge Farms remembers, and so do we. Today we count down our picks for the most awesome secret and/or unlockable characters in gaming! ---------- Music Attributions Musical excerpts from 8-Bit Fantasy & Adventure by xDe…

The final battle of round 2 is upon us, and we're going out with a bang: T-Rex's, zombies, and tank controls abound! --- Panelists Dave Jackson (Tales from the Backlog) Kade Call (Gaming Memories) Shane Koski (Retro Hangover)Door Retro Hangover

Today is one of those rare occasions where we dedicate an episode to a console rather than a specific game, and that console is the tragically short-lived but often fondly-remembered Sega Dreamcast! Pop in your VMU and grab a seat as Vanfernal of the Super Garbage Day podcast joins us to chat about Sega's swan song. ---------- Today's Guest Informa…

We can't help but love how the pairings shook out for this round. Cutesy up against brootal violence. Cartoons against gritty action. Nintendo against... well, everyone else. --- Panelists Eric (The Unlockables) Keith Gasper (Main Quest) Ashton Ruby (Retro Hangover)Door Retro Hangover

Who doesn't love being saddled with absolute deadweight? Today we lament those characters foisted upon us who, at best, contribute nothing of value and, at worst, actively make our gaming experience objectively more awful than it should be. There may be no "i" in team but there sure is one in terrible. ---------- Music Attributions Musical excerpts…

The only thing that comes to mind with this match-up is how cool it would be if Kirby absorbed the Quake guy and became a little gun toting menace. --- Panelists Adam (The Good, the Bad, and the Backlog) "Nintendhost" Tyger (Retro Hangover) Ozzy Garcia (Retro Hangover)Door Retro Hangover

This episode we go it alone, much like the World's Greatest Detective himself, into the dingy depths of Arkham Asylum. Does Rockstar's 2009 billionaire brawler simulator still hold up today? Perch yourself precariously on a conveniently-placed gargoyle and listen in to find out! ---------- Music Attributions Intro / outro excerpts from Stream by 50…

The second round of our treacherous tourney kicks off with a battle between brothers, of sorts. Two of the heaviest hitters on Nintendo's 64-bit machine throw hands to secure a spot in the semi-finals! --- Panelists Chris Coplien (Retro Hangover) Ashton Ruby (Retro Hangover) LynnseyDoor Retro Hangover

The next installment in our Growing Up Gaming series makes its way to the main feed for everyone to enjoy! This time around Chris sits down with Arnie, formerly of the Region Free Gamers podcast, to find out what being a gamer kid was like on the island nation of Puerto Rico. ---------- Original Patreon Air Date: July 28th, 2022 ---------- Mentione…

If ever there was a stark tonal difference between two KoG combatants, this would be it. We have the grandpappy of survival horror (sorry Alone in the Dark) stalking the sophomore entry of a venerated JRPG series. Can Lufia make a Jill Sandwich out of Resident Evil? --- Panelists Adam (The Good, the Bad, and the Backlog) Coury Carlson (My Life in G…

Board the Epoch and travel the wibbly-wobbly waves of time and space as we discuss one of the most celebrated JRPGs of all time with guests Tony G and Matt Storm! ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Tony Guglielmo Bio: Friend of Chris. Lover of Games, Dogs and my fellow man. Instagram: @wolfman1718 on Instagram Name: Matt Storm Bio: I'm a po…

Interesting how two games prominently featuring jungle environs would end up going toe to toe, and so early in the competition at that. Today's panelists determine who can swing from vines and clamber up ruined temple walls the best. --- Panelists Adam (The Good, the Bad, and the Backlog) Ashton Ruby (Retro Hangover) Toby (Secret Levels)…

These titles really took that whole "if you want it done right do it yourself" thing to heart. If you're gonna go out best to do it on your terms, right? Here are our picks for games that made their respective franchises take a long walk off a short cliff. ---------- Music Attributions Musical excerpts from 8-Bit Fantasy & Adventure by xDeviruchi, …

A game that was, as they say, big in Japan steps to a mid-90s arcade mainstay. Can the power of a party overcome the brawn of bare-knuckle brawling? --- Panelists Eric (The Unlockables) Kade Call (Gaming Memories) Chris Coplien (Retro Hangover)Door Retro Hangover

If throwing portly nurses out of windows and slappin' zombies with your small hand is your cup of tea, brother have we got something on the kettle for you. Prime Patron Saint of the show Lyle McKarns joins us to discuss one of his favorite fictional characters, Hellboy, starring in one of his decidedly not-so-favorite games: Asylum Seeker. --------…

Nintendo's mustachioed mascot takes a turn-based approach to throwing down with some barefoot brawlers. It kinda seems unfair to pit a chonky middle-aged guy against people who can crush watermelons with their thighs, but then again Mario has been known to smash heads with a giant mallet, so... call it even? --- Panelists Adam (The Good, the Bad, a…

Despite being digital, it's difficult to resist some of those tasty treats we find in games. Today we salivate over our top selections for foods in video games that we would definitely stuff our faces with. ---------- Music Attributions Musical excerpts from 8-Bit Fantasy & Adventure by xDeviruchi, used under the Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlik…

Will a meticulously planned, well-coordinated assault prevail over a chaos goblin with a rocket launcher and no sense of self-preservation? Do our generalizations of people who play these kinds of games track with yours? So many questions! --- Panelists Shane Koski (Retro Hangover) "Nintendhost" Tyger (Retro Hangover) Josh Covel (Still Loading)…

Jam a couple shells into your super shotgun and prepare to take back Earth from the demon hordes; we're talking Doom II with Scott Fisher, owner of local video game shop Gone Broke Gaming! ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Scott Fisher Bio: 40 year old gamer, started in 1989, loved it so much I decided to form a business around it and it's…

Do you think if Kirby were to inhale one of the dudes from Metal Slug he'd gain a bandana and severe PTSD? These are the questions that haunt us... That and who will win this match up! --- Panelists Chris Coplien (Retro Hangover) Eric (The Unlockables) Marc "Try4ce" Duddleson (My Life in Gaming)Door Retro Hangover

Goobz of the Secret Levels Podcast joins Chris to discuss the streets.... And how much they RAGE. ---------- Original Patreon Air Date: April 9th, 2021 ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Goobz Bio: One half of the Secret Levels Podcast. Website: Secret Levels Podcast ---------- Mentioned in this episode: Become a Patron! Or Don't, It's Cool…

Mario's self-appointed nemesis faces off against probably the only jet skiing game anyone can remember. Can an EXTREME 90s mascot defeat an EXTREME 90s sport? --- Panelists Eric (The Unlockables) Kade Call (Gaming Memories) Marc "Try4ce" Duddleson (My Life in Gaming)Door Retro Hangover

'Tis not simply a spade, nay; 'tis a shovel... of HOPE! Friend of the show, Patron, and all around pretty cool guy Dave Jackson joins us once again to chat about a most chivalrous cerulean sir: Shovel Knight! ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Dave Jackson Bio: Dave is the host of Tales from the Backlog, a podcast reviewing backlog video ga…

A plump plumber and a dive-bombing dragon. Where else could you witness a confrontation such as this, we ask?! No, seriously, we'd like to know. --- Panelists Shane Koski (Retro Hangover) Dave Jackson (Tales from the Backlog) Josh Covel (Still Loading)Door Retro Hangover

We got a special one this week, folks! Our friends over at Mega Cat Studios (go listen to episode 108 where we interview Andy from MCS!) were gracious (foolhardy?) enough to send us a pre-release demo of their latest effort in collaboration with CollectorVision Games: Jester for the NES and SNES! Jester is a game inspired by the long-lost 'Le fou d…

These games came to win Kog '96 and chew bubble gum, and brother... They're all outta gum. The second installment of the Street Fighter Alpha series goes mano a mano with the King himself Duke Nukem! --- Panelists Chris Coplien (Retro Hangover) "Nintendhost" Tyger (Retro Hangover) Goobz (Secret Levels)…

Ok, so what if Mega Man was more like Indiana Jones but also gets in trouble for kicking an empty can into a nice lady's bakery and has a crippling compulsion to investigate every single garbage can he comes across? You get Mega Man Legends! Patron (and all around pretty neat guy) Randall rocket-jumps his way onto the show to discuss Rock Man's for…

The Rock Man cometh from the far-flung future year of 21XX to take aim at Maxim and his ragtag group of adventurers to secure a spot in the first round of KoG '96! --- Panelists Adam (The Good, the Bad, and the Backlog) Chris Coplien (Retro Hangover) Toby (Secret Levels)Door Retro Hangover

With the proliferation of always online games these days, the pause screen is quickly becoming a lost art. Hit the Start button and take a break with us as we count down our top tracks that play when we put a pause on the action. ---------- Music Attributions Musical excerpts from 8-Bit Fantasy & Adventure by xDeviruchi, used under the Attribution-…

We swear these games use real words in their titles, even if it totally doesn't look like it. The second prelim is upon us, with only one moving forward into Round 1 proper. Let the dogfight commence! --- Panelists Ozzy Garcia (Retro Hangover) Coury Carlson (My Life in Gaming) Keith Gasper (Main Quest)…

Marc "Try4ce" Duddleson of Backloggery and My Life in Gaming joins the show once again to kick our discussion into high gear and cover an arcade staple: Cruis'n USA! ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Marc Duddleson Bio: I'm one of the co-founders of Backloggery.com and one half of the team at YouTube channel My Life in Gaming. YouTube: Mar…

Oh yeah, brother! It's King of Games time yet again, and this go-'round we're throwin' down to crown the best game of 1996! Just like '92, there are so many solid titles to choose from that a preliminary round was necessary to lock in our sweet 16 contenders. We're kicking things off with Command & Conquer: Red Alert squaring up against X-Men vs. S…

Kids have always found ways to goof off in school, but the introduction of computers really kicked distractions into overdrive. Mourn for our GPAs as we count down the games we played instead of paying attention in class. ---------- Music Attributions Musical excerpts from 8-Bit Fantasy & Adventure by xDeviruchi, used under the Attribution-NonComme…

What do you get when a dystopian megacorporation organizes a fighting tournament and throws cyborgs, mutants, and the undead into the mix? Killer Instinct, of course! Mike Malowany (AKA MikeTheRef) of Backbreaker Gaming tags in to share his thoughts on this futuristic fighter from the 90s. ---------- Today's Guest Information Name: Mike Malowany Bi…