Shows
RetronautsRetronauts Host RoundtableHere's a shocking fact for you: Since we started this crazy ride back in 2013, we've released 500 full-length podcasts. (And a whole bunch of other stuff on top of that.) It's been quite a wild ride since we started our independent run, and we've had our share of ups, downs, and global pandemics over the last near decade. So instead of turning the spotlight on a video game topic, on this very special episode, it's time to learn a little something about... ourselves. Now take a seat with Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Stuart Gipp, Diamond Feit, and Nadia Oxford as we...
2022-12-121h 59
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 496 Preview: Wii UYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 496: Wii U. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2022-11-2509 min
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 492: Star Fox, Part TwoThroughout the '90s, Star Fox transitioned from technical showpiece to extremely reliable rail shooter; but in the following decade, Fox McCloud and the gang didn't fare nearly as well. The 2000s saw the Star Fox brand transform into a sandbox for gameplay ideas, with each attempt disappointing players still chasing the high of Star Fox 64. Then, the series went into hibernation for a decade, only to emerge when the Wii U desperately needed a hit. Still, one question remains: are these various tamperings with the Star Fox formula really all that bad?On the finale of this...
2022-11-071h 52
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 490 Preview: Star Fox, Part OneYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 490: Star Fox, Part One. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2022-10-2810 min
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 488: Jak & DaxterJoin Stuart Gipp with guests John Linneman and Thomas Nickel for a hop, skip, and headshot through this fantasy future world. Jak's gonna kill Praxis, and we here at Retronauts are gonna kill praxis.Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
2022-10-172h 06
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 486: Return to Monkey IslandIt's been 11 years since the last proper Monkey Island entry, and more than three decades since series creator Ron Gilbert left Guybrush and company in the hands of others. So it goes without saying fans were more than delighted when mid-2022 saw the announcement of Return to Monkey Island, a proper sequel to 1991's Monkey Island 2—and one that somehow doesn't discount all the installments made in between. And now it's here! On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey and Nina Matsumoto as they set sail for yet another Monkey Island journey; but this time, it's to formerly uncharted wa...
2022-10-102h 04
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 484 Preview: Live from PAX West 2022You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 478: Live from PAX West 2022. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2022-09-3005 min
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 482: Retronauts Radio Summer 2022Jeremy Parish spins up the ol' turntable and activates Public Radio DJ mode to look at some of the best new old game music releases for 2022, including Metal Gear, Mega Man, Scott Pilgrim, Bomberman, Breath of Fire, Darius… and even some non-game tunes. Cover art by Amanda Pruitt.Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
2022-09-191h 47
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 479: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga CollectionTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection is finally here, meaning we now have the chance to officially play over a dozen TMNT games from the eight and 16-bit era—most of which never saw a re-release! But how did this compilation come together, and what are the specific quirks of the many, many turtle-based games it contains? On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Digital Eclipse's Chris Kohler for an inside look at how the ooze is made.This episode is sponsored by Konami, who provided us with pre-release copies of TMNT: The Co...
2022-09-051h 33
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 478 Preview: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic AdventureYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 478: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2022-09-0208 min
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 474: Evil Dead 2The '00s Spider-Man movies might have put Sam Raimi on the map for most filmgoers, but the previous 20 years saw him experimenting in just about every genre. And most Raimi fans agree his greatest work to date is Evil Dead 2, an unexpected horror/comedy that—over the past 35 years—went from underground sensation to the most re-released film in the history of physical media. This week on Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and We Hate Movies' Steven Sajdak as the crew examines this incredibly unique and innovative movie that went on to inspire countless video games. You'll never look...
2022-08-151h 33
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 473: Star Wars Episode IA Retronauts crew from far, far away (Retronauts East) gets together to revisit the topic of Star Wars for first time since a long time ago (99 episodes ago!) to talk about the first prequel—1999's The Phantom Menace—and its impact on pop culture. You would not believe Jeremy Parish, Benj Edwards, Chris Sims, and Ben Elgin's collective midichlorian count!Edits by Greg Leahy, art by Shaan Khan.Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www...
2022-08-081h 49
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 472 Preview: Street Fighter: The Movie CommentaryYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 472: Street Fighter: The Movie Commentary. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2022-08-0509 min
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 468: Text AdventuresText adventures: what are they, and where did they hide all the graphics? Until now, these questions have gone unanswered. But this week, we'll be looking at the world of games that existed before any kind of mandatory visual component—and continue to exist to this very day. And we have a real expert on hand: Aaron Reed, author of the upcoming comprehensive text adventure respective, 50 Years of Text Games: From Oregon Trail to A.I. Dungeon. So listen in as host Bob Mackey helps steer the Retronauts podcast ship through these formerly uncharted waters. (By us, anyway.)
Ret...
2022-07-181h 24
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 466 Preview: E.T. the Extra-TerrestrialYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 466: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2022-07-0811 min
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 462: Kirby, Part 3After taking off during the go-go '90s, Kirby had a bit of an identity crisis in the 2000s. With HAL hard at work on the resource-intensive Smash Bros. games, they barely had time to work on their once-signature series, outside of a few remakes—leaving them with no choice but to leave their pink puffball in the hands of other developers. And all of this was happening as Kirby's hit 100-episode anime hit the airwaves! So what did this terrible decade have in store for HAL's famous food monster? On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Stuart Gi...
2022-06-201h 29
RetronautsRetronauts Episode 460 Preview: Beavis and Butt-Head GamesYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 460: Beavis and Butt-Head Games. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2022-06-1007 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 456: Kirby, Part 2Thanks to the generous patronage of Andrew Oliveira, we're continuing our Kirby journey right where we left off in episode 401. This time around, we see the passing of the torch, as series creator Masahiro Sakurai completes his Kirby trilogy and begins working on the Smash Bros. series for the rest of his natural life. The next iteration of Kirby may be a little slower and puzzle-based, but it brings to an end an era of HAL-crafted games before the developer puts the series on the back burner for nearly a decade. On this episode, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert...
2022-05-231h 43RetronautsRetronauts Episode 454 Preview: Jurassic Park GamesYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 454: Jurassic Park Games. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2022-05-1308 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 450: Super Mario Bros. (The 1993 Movie)In 1993, Hollywood did the seemingly impossible by releasing the first true video game adaptation: Super Mario Bros. And to put it simply, things didn't exactly go as planned. Thanks to studio meddling, fired directors, injured actors, and compromised visions, Super Mario Bros. lurched into theaters in May of 1993, and quickly retreated in shame when the general public didn't know what to make of it. But are there hidden gems lurking underneath this film's fungus-covered exterior? On this episode, join Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, and Ryan Hoss and Steven Applebaum of Super Mario Bros. The Movie Archive as the crew...
2022-04-251h 38RetronautsRetronauts Episode 448 Preview: Super Mario Bros. (The 1993 Movie) CommentaryYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 448: Super Mario Bros. (The 1993 Movie) Commentary. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2022-04-1509 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 444: Advance WarsUnfortunately, Nintendo just delayed Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp indefinitely due to real-life circumstances. But this week, in the spirit of American sticktoitiveness (and because we didn't want to change the schedule), we're looking back at Intelligent Systems' surprisingly long-lived turn-based war strategy series. Over the course of 20 years, Advance Wars boiled down the incredibly complex design of PC war strategy games into a colorful, console-friendly experience that could still be surprisingly difficult. So join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Chris Daniel as the crew looks back at the lighter side of inhumanity. Retronauts is a completely fan-funded...
2022-03-281h 59RetronautsRetronauts Episode 443: Years in Review Revue - 1982 & ’92The Retronauts East team finally finishes what they started at the beginning of the year by talking about the rest of 1982's gaming milestones before moving ahead a decade and very nearly not finishing a discussion of 1992. Like you're SO surprised. Edits by Greg Leahy, and cover art by John Pading. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
2022-03-211h 55RetronautsRetronauts Episode 442 Preview: Jurassic ParkYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 442: Jurassic Park. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2022-03-1811 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 438: X-Men GamesDespite existing for nearly 30 years beforehand, it took until nearly the '90s for the X-Men to find their way into video games. And it should come as no surprise that the IP's Renaissance during that decade coincided with some of the most notable games to ever feature Professor X's collection of special youngsters. (Though the aughts blessed us with a few worth talking about as well.) On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Gary Butterfield as the crew examines the most entertaining adaptations of this group of super-powered freaks who just might be an...
2022-02-281h 50RetronautsRetronauts Episode Episode 436 Preview: GameCube - Game Boy Advance Link Cable GamesYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 436: GameCube - Game Boy Advance Link Cable Games. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2022-02-1806 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 432: Escape from New YorkAt the dawn of the '80s, director John Carpenter released Escape from New York, an action thriller that went on to be a modest hit. Sometime after this, and halfway around the globe, a man named Hideo Kojima saw this movie, and it lit his brain on fire. What do these two seemingly unrelated facts have to do with each other? Well, if you even touched the Metal Gear video game series, you may have some idea. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Chris Cabin from We Hate Movies as the crew examines this...
2022-01-311h 48RetronautsRetronauts Episode 430 Preview: Twin PeaksYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 430: Twin Peaks. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts. Cover art by Nina Matsumoto.
2022-01-2109 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 426: Gaming in the Year 2002Let's be honest: things weren't too hot in the year 2002. In between two pointless wars, and in the midst of a huge economic downturn, Americans couldn't even turn to their friend the television for comfort—this was the explosion of reality TV, after all. But in the midst of all this chaos and depression, the video games were pretty dang good! This week on Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Henry Gilbert, and Kat Bailey as the crew peers back into the not-too-distant past to see what 2002 meant for gaming. Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To su...
2022-01-031h 42RetronautsRetronauts Episode 424 Preview: Holiday Special 2021 - Totally PokemonYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 424 Preview: Holiday Special 2021 - Totally Pokemon. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-12-2407 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 420: Retronauts 15th Anniversary MailbagCan you believe it? Our little podcast has now been around for 15 years! (That's the crystal anniversary for all of you out shopping for gifts.) So instead of reflecting on classic games this week, we've decided to do some self-reflection by talking about where we've been, where we are, and where we're going on this wacky rollercoaster ride we call "podcasting." And, in the back of half of this episode, we respond to your questions and comments about 15 years of Retronauts. Thanks again for all your support, and here's to 15 more! Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation...
2021-12-061h 40RetronautsRetronauts Episode 418 Preview: Batman: The Animated Series GamesYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 418: Batman: The Animated Series Games. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-11-2608 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 414: The Addams Family GamesVideo games were but the fevered dream of a madman when Charles Addams invented his creepy, kooky cartoon family 85 years ago, but in the futuristic year of 2021, Gomez and his clan of freaks have quite the collection of interactive adaptations under their belts—most of them designed to make children as miserable as Wednesday herself. On this episode of Retronauts, celebrate Halloween as Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Todd Ciolek dive deep into the surprisingly rich and unsurprisingly gloomy world of Addams Family video games. You'll never realize you craved a Dan Hedaya-based platformer until now! Retronauts is...
2021-11-081h 51RetronautsRetronauts Episode 412 Preview: Dark SoulsYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 412: Dark Souls. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-10-2908 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 408: Tales of SeriesWhen the plucky developer Wolf Team set out to make a Super Famicom RPG on a grand scale in the mid-90s, the resulting production nearly destroyed the group, but resulted in Tales of Phantasia. Now, nearly 26 years later, the Tales of series stands as one of the few b-tier RPG brands from the 90s that's still going strong with regular installments, while the Star Oceans and Wild Armses of the world have fallen by the wayside. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Victor Hunter, and Destructoid's Eric Van Allen as the crew discusses just where the...
2021-10-111h 44RetronautsRetronauts Episode 406 Preview: Crazy 'Bout ChocobosYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 406: Crazy 'Bout Chocobos. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-10-0105 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 402: Kid Icarus35 years ago, a tiny team at Nintendo R&D1 crunched their way through a the development of a weird little game called Kid Icarus: a quirky, slightly alienating action-RPG starring a chubby angel who can't stop falling through platforms. Despite the lead character's prevalence in marketing from the early NES days, and his role in the classic Captain N cartoon, Nintendo barely seemed interested in touching this IP ever again, and let it lay dormant after a farmed-out 1991 Game Boy sequel. Then, 20 years passed, and along came Kid Icarus Uprising: a reboot known more for giving players tendonitis than...
2021-09-131h 41RetronautsRetronauts Episode 400 Preview: Garfield GamesYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 400: Garfield Games. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-09-0308 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 399: Formative Gaming ExperiencesThe Retronauts East crew gets together again for the first (and last?!) time since last year's lockdown to talk about the only topic that truly matters: The games that got us hooked on the hobby. It's a little bit about history, and a lot about love. Edits by Greg Leahy; art by John Pading. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
2021-08-301h 32RetronautsRetronauts Episode 396: BattletoadsWhen Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles struck gold at the start of the '90s, everyone wanted the piece of the action. That included British developer Rare, who created a similar group of green heroes to capitalize on Turtlemania: the Battletoads. Though it's mostly remembered for a singular stage within the first game, and only lasted a few short years, the Battletoads series attracted enough nostalgia to receive a brand-new release 26 years after the last one. But is there any appeal for this IP outside of sheer irony? On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Matt McMuscles...
2021-08-161h 41RetronautsRetronauts Episode 394 Preview: Ace AttorneyYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 394: Ace Attorney. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-08-0606 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 390: Tales of Monkey IslandNearly a decade after the last entry, Telltale Games launched Tales of Monkey Island, an episodic take on the classic adventure series—and the first installment in nearly 20 years with input from creator Ron Gilbert. And while it suffers from some of the drawbacks of Telltale's format, this five-chapter adventure game swerves away from the expected formula to deliver some truly memorable Monkey Island moments. On this episode, join Bob Mackey and Nina Matsumoto as they explore the final stop on our tour of the Monkey Island series. And be sure to pre-order Nina's newest graphic novel, Sp...
2021-07-192h 07RetronautsRetronauts Episode 388 Preview: Silent Hill 3You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 388: Silent Hill 3. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-07-0907 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 387: The Atari 8-Bit LegacyRetronauts East returns as Benj Edwards and Ben Elgin school Jeremy Parish about the history and greatness of Atari's 8-bit computer line, as well as its unloved console counterpart, the 5200. Art by John Pading. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
2021-07-051h 32RetronautsRetronauts Episode 384: Pokemon 2.B.A. MasterIf you enjoyed our look at the Pokemon Christmas Bash album (and who didn't?) back in late 2019, then get ready for a thorough examination of where the English-language Pokemon albums began. 1999's 2.B.A. Master was clearly made as a cheap cash-in to capitalize on a fad that could end at any minute, but even so, many Millennials have fond memories of this curiosity and its many, many songs about friendship. This week on Retronauts, join Bob Mackey and Henry Gilbert as they explore all 13 songs of this musical monstrosity. Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To...
2021-06-211h 47RetronautsRetronauts Episode 382 Preview: Left 4 DeadYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 382: Left 4 Dead. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-06-1106 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 379: Retronauts Radio Summer PreviewJeremy puts on his "public radio symphony host" voice for a trip through five recent and upcoming classic game (and game-adjacent) soundtracks: Actraiser, Blaster Master Zero, Cowboy Bebop, Halo Remastered, and Klonoa. The full episode is exclusive to Retronauts patrons, who can enjoy the full 90-minute production in CD-quality stereo. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
2021-05-2805 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 378: Moogle MadnessWhile chocobos have become the dominant Final Fantasy mascot over the past three decades, moogles don't receive quite as much attention as Square's feathered friends. In some games, they're simply part of the world, while in other games, they're relegated to references and tutorial sections. But what are these strange mole/bat, creatures, where did they come from, and how has Square used (or underused) these little scamps over time? On this episode, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Chris Kohler, and Henry Gilbert as the crew traces the moogle mythology from 1990 to 2021. It'll be more exciting than a game...
2021-05-241h 31RetronautsRetronauts Episode 376 Preview: The DigYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 376: The Dig. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-05-1407 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 374: Return of the JediLong, long ago, Retronauts East began a trip through the original Star Wars trilogy (and its games). At last, the circle is complete as Jeremy Parish, Benj Edwards, Chris Sims, and Ben Elgin blow this thing and go home with Return of the Jedi. Art by Amanda Pruitt. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
2021-05-031h 45RetronautsRetronauts Episode 372: Back to the Future Part IIIThe summer of 1990 brought about the end of Back to the Future with Part III, which traded the frantic, high-concept time travel adventures of the second movie for a more grounded finale rooted in the Old West. Though it's gained a bit of a reputation as a lackluster final act to an otherwise stellar series, Part III remains a satisfying conclusion that picks up many of the more emotional beats Part II left behind. On this episode, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Henry Gilbert, and Dave Rudden as the crew discusses the concluding chapter of the trilogy and the...
2021-04-261h 44RetronautsRetronauts Episode 370 Preview: Live A Live and Square's Episodic RPGsYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 370: Live A Live and Square's Episodic RPGs. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-04-1608 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 366: Sam & Max Save the WorldIt's finally happened: a game once covered as a new release by this very podcast is now officially retro! And that game is Sam & Max Save the World, the 2006-2007 episodic release that brought about the grand return of Sam and Max 13 years after their original video game outing. Now, 15 more years have passed, and while Telltale has since dissolved, former members of the company scooped up the rights and released a spiffy new remastered version. On this episode of Retronauts, join host Bob Mackey as he grills Skunkape Games' Jake Rodkin and Dan Connors about the rabbit and...
2021-03-291h 15RetronautsRetronauts Episode 364 Preview: Kunio-kun GamesYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 364: Kunio-kun Games. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-03-1906 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 359: Famicom Disk SystemJeremy Parish sloooowly loads input from Chris Kohler and Kurt Kalata to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Nintendo's Famicom Disk System, the most important console expansion never to have made its way to America. Cover art by John Pading. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
2021-02-221h 51RetronautsRetronauts Episode 358 Preview: Ghost Trick: Phantom DetectiveYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 358: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-02-1908 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 354: Pandemic MailbagThis week on Retronauts, we're easing off on the heavy-duty research for the sake of responding to your questions and comments from our recent round of episodes. And because a little thing called "the pandemic" drastically transformed the way we all live for nearly a year now, we'll also cover just how COVID-19 has affected Retronauts, and read some responses from listeners about how the new normal changed their retro gaming habits. Since we recorded this one on Election Day, it's delightfully dated instead of just being dated! Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To support the...
2021-02-011h 31RetronautsRetronauts Episode 352 Preview: Looney Tunes GamesYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 352: Looney Tunes Games. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2021-01-2209 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 348: Indiana Jones and the Fate of AtlantisWith the movie series (seemingly) finished, LucasArts capitalized on the public's slowly fading love for Indiana Jones with a brand-new adventure game. And instead of adapting one of his previous adventures, the developer instead developed a wholly unique story for the intrepid archaeologist—one players had to trek through three different times if they wanted to see everything. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey and Duckfeed.tv's Kole Ross as the two explore this adventure game that straddles the two eras of LucasArts and innovates in ways the publisher's future games wouldn't. Retronauts is a co...
2021-01-041h 41RetronautsRetronauts Episode 346: Holiday Special 2020 - Earthworm Jim's "For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls"Happy holidays! As a special Christmas treat, we're giving you one of this month's Patreon-exclusive extra episodes! To hear two full-length bonus episodes like this every month, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts. It's the yuletide season, which means it's time to head to the Retronauts Holiday Cabin in Parts Unknown yet again for another look at a Christmas-related video game thing. And even thought this is our tenth (!) holiday special, we haven't hit the bottom of the barrel just yet! This time around, we'll be looking at the Christmas (and final) episode...
2020-12-241h 50RetronautsRetronauts Episode 342: Escape from Monkey IslandOur non-chronological exploration of LucasArts adventure games continues with an episode all about the legendary developer's final entry in the genre: Escape from Monkey Island. Unfortunately, EMI ended this era of LucasArts with a whimper, as the clunky 3D interface and questionable puzzles make Guybrush Threepwood's Y2K adventure feel more like a voodoo curse than a barrel of monkeys. On this episode, join Bob Mackey and Nina Matsumoto (Thimbleweed Park cover artist and designer at Fangamer) as the two examine this unloved entry in the Monkey Island series to find out what went wrong. Retronauts is...
2020-12-072h 01RetronautsRetronauts Episode 337 Preview: LunarYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 337: Lunar. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2020-12-0606 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 340 Preview: Final Fantasy IXYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 340: Final Fantasy IX. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2020-11-2706 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 336: Back to the Future Part IIWe're going back to the Back to the Future trilogy for a podcast discussion about what could be the most interesting sequel of all time! When Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale put together the original Back to the Future in 1985, they had no idea they would have such a massive hit on their hands—or that their joke ending would set the second movie's plot in stone. But by working against adversity, the two crafted a highly satisfying sequel that doubled down on time travel antics, and even added alternate universes into the mix. (And might have even predicted th...
2020-11-091h 46RetronautsRetronauts Episode 334 Preview: Cowboy Games Part 2You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts 334: Cowboy Games Part 2. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.
2020-10-3010 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 330: No More HeroesAfter more than a decade in game development, enigmatic creator Suda 51 had his American debut with Killer 7, but 2007 would bring about his first mainstream splash with No More Heroes. This series launched on the Wii when it was still white hot, and managed to distill the off-the-wall and often alienating ideas of Suda into a personality-driven action game. Nearly 13 years after we first met Travis Touchdown, just where has the series been, and where is it headed with its upcoming third game? On this episode, join Bob Mackey, Maddie Copp, and Matt McMuscles as the crew delves deep into...
2020-10-121h 48RetronautsRetronauts Episode 328 Preview: Batman: Arkham AsylumYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 328: Batman: Arkham Asylum. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon.
2020-10-0207 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 324: The Jennifer Hale InterviewWhether or not you know her name, you've definitely heard Jennifer Hale's voice if you played a video game in the past 25 years. Named "the most prolific video game voice actor" by The Guinness Book of World Records, Jennifer has an IMDB page that stretches on into infinity, with hundreds of roles in both video games in animation. On this episode, join us as we chat with Jennifer about her long career in video games, how her roles and voice acting technology have changed in the passing decades, and how voice acting is adapting to a COVID-19 world.
2020-09-1457 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 322 Preview: Dragon Quest: Your StoryYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 322: Dragon Quest: Your Story. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon.
2020-09-0408 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 318: Cowboy GamesBelieve it or not, there are topics we've never covered in the past 14 years of Retronauts, so it's always a treat to shine the podcasting spotlight on a subject that's gone untouched. And this week, we're talking all about cowboy games: the genre that traces its roots back to the very beginning of the medium, and only recently came back into vogue thanks to the wildly popular Red Dead Redemption series. On this episode, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Henry Gilbert, and Nina Matsumoto as the crew looks at the rootinest, shootinest Western games made between 1975 and 1991. And stay...
2020-08-171h 36RetronautsRetronauts Episode 317: Chrono CrossJeremy Parish crosses realities to recruit Nadia Oxford and Jared Petty for an in-depth discussion of controversial Squaresoft RPG classic Chrono Cross on the occasion of its 20th anniversary in the U.S. (No weird accents or speech quirks… we pwomise.) Artwork by Leeann Hamilton. Retronauts is a listener-supported show. Please help keep things running and get early access/exclusive backer-only episodes/other goodies by subscribing at https://patreon.com/retronauts!
2020-08-101h 56RetronautsRetronauts Episode 316 Preview: Nintendo LeaksYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 316: Nintendo Leaks. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon.
2020-08-0704 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 312: Deadly PremonitionWe're just a few days out from the release of Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise, so it's about time we take a look back at the first game that just happened to turn ten years old earlier this year. Back when it launched in 2010, Deadly Premonition stood as a budget oddity, at first only seen as a wacky, broken game that cribbed a little too hard from Twin Peaks. But over time, this open-world mystery became something of a mini-phenomenon, and generated a small cult of fans willing to look past the rough exterior to see the brilliant...
2020-07-201h 42RetronautsRetronauts Episode 310 Preview: Silent Hill 2You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 310: Silent Hill 2. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon.
2020-07-1005 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 304 Preview: Back to the FutureYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 304: Back to the Future. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon.
2020-06-1205 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 300: The Curse of Monkey IslandOur LucasArts adventure miniseries continues this week as we explore the developer's first (relatively) high-res adventure: 1997's The Curse of Monkey Island. This late-'90s release had a lot going against it: the series creator had left the company years ago, the two guys responsible for most of the previous games' humor and design were busy with other projects, and this third entry in the trilogy went for an art style far more exaggerated than what had come before. And somehow, they didn't screw it up. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey and Nina Matsumoto (Thimbleweed Park...
2020-05-251h 59RetronautsRetronauts Episode 298 Preview: Final Fantasy VII RemakeYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 298: Final Fantasy VII Remake. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon.
2020-05-1508 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 294: Zak McKracken and the Alien MindbendersIt's time once again for another installment of our LucasArts adventure game series with what could be the only podcast episode ever created about the developer's least beloved (outside of Germany) game. Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders might be the LucasArts adventure that's aged the worst, but it's a fascinating case of a game trapped between the design styles of Maniac Mansion and The Secret of Monkey Island, and one that decided to take an evolutionary path that ended up being a dead end. On this episode, join Bob Mackey and Duckfeed.tv's Gary Butterfield as the two...
2020-04-2759 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 292 Preview: Final Fantasy VII: Advent ChildrenYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 292: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon.
2020-04-1709 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 288: Full ThrottleIt's time for another entry in our ongoing LucasArts mini-series! This time around, we'll be looking at 1995's Full Throttle: Tim Schafer's first project as a solo director, and also the first LucasArts game to blast beyond the barriers of mere diskettes and ship only in the CD-ROM format. Though Full Throttle's design doesn't exactly hold up 25 years later, it stands as a fascinating look at what the multimedia age meant for adventure games, and a path LucasArts explored that ended up being a revolutionary dead end. Joining us on this one is the great Jake Rodkin...
2020-03-301h 06RetronautsRetronauts Episode 286 Preview: Sam & Max Hit the RoadYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 286: Sam & Max Hit the Road. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon.
2020-03-2007 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 282: Gaming in the Year 2000In the not-too-distant past, the year 2000 used to signify the far-off future. But time makes fools of us all, and this mythical date has transformed into a distant memory, just as all years are destined to become. This week, we examine Y2K's fascinating gaming landscape, where the primitive Game Boy Color could compete with the cutting-edge PlayStation 2, immersive sims and life sims were new genres, and the Dreamcast still looked like it stood a chance. On this episode, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, USgamer's Kat Bailey, and IGN's Zachary Ryan as the crew soaks contentedly in the End...
2020-03-021h 39RetronautsRetronauts Episode 280 Preview: YakuzaYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 280: Yakuza. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month plus early access to ad-free episodes, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon.
2020-02-2104 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 276: Atari LynxWe've got a real blast from the past for you this week—which is kinda the point of Retronauts, but our newest episode is a blast from the past in an entirely different way. We originally recorded this one on December 6th, 2015, exclusively as an episode for our Kickstarter backers, but now so much time has passed that we feel it's the right time to release this podcast to the general public. So join Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, and special guests Steve Lin and Jaz Rignall as the crew discusses Atari's oversized handheld and says things they likely don't re...
2020-02-031h 10RetronautsRetronauts Episode 275: Pre-Atari ConsolesJeremy Parish and vintage gaming expert Kevin Bunch turn back the hands of time to an era when the idea of the Atari 2600 was just a twinkle in someone's eyes, putting the focus on two pioneering consoles: RCA's Studio II and the Fairchild Channel F. The Retronauts is supported by listeners! Subscribe to us on Patreon and get early, higher-quality downloads, exclusive episodes, bonus features about gaming history, topic request opportunities, and more! Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts
2020-01-271h 13RetronautsRetronauts Episode 274 Preview: Super Mario RPGYou're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 274: Super Mario RPG. To hear the rest, and get two extra episodes every month plus early access, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon.
2020-01-2405 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 271 Preview: List Inventory/The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Session 1The Retronauts East crew (Jeremy Parish, Ben Elgin, Benj Edwards, Chris Sims) don their peril-sensitive sunglasses and attempt to escape the planet before the Vogons arrive in this real-time playthrough of Infocom's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The full content of this episode is exclusively available to Patreon supporters at the $5/mo. level and above. Retronauts is crowd-funded by listener support. Please see patreon.com/retronauts for more details!
2020-01-1008 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 270: Video Game ApparelSince the dawn of the medium, humans across the globe dreamed of wearing video game representation on their bodies—a practice that's only become commonplace in recent years. We've come a long way since the days of too-large or too-small pre-order t-shirts as the rare video game wearable, to the point where just about any character or logo can be found emblazoned on a well-fitted shirt, hat, or the odd pair of parachute pants. On this episode of Retronauts, special guest Nina Matsumoto of Fangamer joins us to talk about her career designing video game apparel, and to also he...
2020-01-061h 36RetronautsRetronauts Episode 268: Holiday Special 2019 - Pokemon Christmas BashIt's time once again to head to the Retronauts cabin in Parts Unknown for yet another look at a video-game-adjacent Christmas thing! We've worked our way through quite a few video game cartoon Christmas specials over the past few years, so this time around we're going to switch gears and explore another medium entirely. The late '90s/early '00s Pokemon Boom brought us many cheap cash-ins, so of course it spawned one of the cheapest cash-ins of all time: a cheesy Christmas album! Is it truly the reason for the season? There's only one way to find...
2019-12-241h 19RetronautsRetronauts Micro 91: Listener Comments RevueFor this Retronauts Micro, we're going for a community-focused approach as we respond to YOUR comments about Bob's latest round of episodes! This week, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Matthew Jay as the crew fields responses to previous Retronauts installments about video game ads, the Nintendo GameCube, Doom, television games, and Spider-Man games. All this, and a close examination of a video where Stan Lee excoriates Todd McFarlane and Rob Liefeld! Could you ask for anything more?
2018-07-131h 00RetronautsRetronauts Micro 81: Virtual BartFor the fourth time, the Talking Simpsons crew takes over Retronauts to explore the long legacy of Simpsons games. This week, they shine the spotlight on Virtual Bart, which applied the then-burgeoning hype over virtual reality to The Simpsons with mixed results (at best). On this episode of Retronauts Micro, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Chris Antista as they ask the tough questions like "Why is Bart a pig for some reason?" and "Why is Bart a baby for some reason?" Note: none of these questions actually have answers.
2018-02-2340 minRetronautsRetronauts Episode 139: Television GamesOver the years, we've covered plenty of games based on animated TV shows, from The Simpsons to Tiny Toon Adventures to Animaniacs. But this week's episode of Retronauts focuses on a much rarer specimen: video games based on live-action TV shows. And, given that live-action shows are usually constrained by some sort of mundane reality, they don't always make for the best adaptations. But they're still fun to talk about! On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Henry Gilbert, and Chris Antista as the crew explores this particularly misguided brand of classic game.
2018-02-191h 51RetronautsRetronauts Micro 75: Behind the Scenes of Metal Gear (Live from PRGE 2017)We've given you our semi-expert opinions on Metal Gear plenty of times over the years, so it's about time for all of you Retronauts listeners to hear some EXPERT ones. And who better to offer them than people who worked on the actual games? On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey and Jeremy Parish as they grill Camouflaj's Ryan Payton and James Howell about their work on Hideo Kojima's legendary series. Thanks again to everyone who made it out to PRGE! (We'll see you again next year.)
2017-12-0149 minRetronautsRetronauts Micro 69: Mario Series Listener MailWith the recent release of Mario + Raving Rabbids, and with Super Mario Odyssey's launch lurking just a few months away, we're currently undergoing a sort of Mario Madnessmuch like the same outbreak that attacked several million children back in '88. To celebrate this resurgence in all things Mario, join Retronauts' own Bob Mackey and special guest/Mushroom Kingdom expert Henry Gilbert as the two field questions and comments from Retronauts listeners about games involving Nintendo's mustachioed mascot. Let's-a go!
2017-09-081h 11
retronautsRETRONAUTS HAS A BRAND-NEW PODCAST FEED!Hey! Listen! The Retronauts podcast has partnered with the PodcastOne network, so if you've just downloaded this episode, head on over to http://www.podcastone.com/retronauts to subscribe to our new feed. You can also pick up our PodcastOne feed through iTunes, or any other podcast program or app. And if you're having trouble, try unsubscribing and re-subscribing. Thanks for listening, and I hope you stick with us!
2017-03-2103 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 87: A history of the Apple IIIt's the debut of Retronauts East as East Coast gaming experts Benj Edwards and Ben Elgin join Jeremy to discuss the Apple II computer platform: Its origins, its games, and its legacy.
Be sure to visit our site, which includes a complete listing of this episode's musical selections and where to find them, at www.retronauts.com. And if you'd like to send a few bucks our way to help support this weekly show, please head on over to our Patreon page (www.patreon.com/retronauts)!
2017-02-201h 26
retronautsRetronauts Episode 86: The music of Castlevania II, Final Fantasy Tactics, Etrian Odyssey & moreOur second Retronauts Radio looks at notable retro-themed game music releases for February: Castlevania II, a Final Fantasy Tactics tribute, Revenge of Shinobi, Etrian Odyssey remixes, and a ton of SEGA jams! Art by Jon Stachewicz.
Be sure to visit our site, which includes a complete listing of this episode's musical selections and where to find them, at Retronauts.com. And if you'd like to send a few bucks our way to help support this weekly show, please head on over to our Patreon page!
2017-02-131h 08
retronautsRetronauts Episode 84: WiiIt's hard to believe, but the Wii celebrated its tenth birthday last year, putting it within our extremely loose definition of "retro." And thankfully, it's a topic worthy of the Retronauts treatment. Not only does the Wii amount to Nintendo's biggest success, it's also unlikely any subsequent system will ever sell more than this underpowered little box that made our motion-control dreams come true... when we still had them. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Brett Elston, and Mikel Reparaz as the crew looks back on a not-too-distant past full of Wiis and waggle.
2017-01-301h 31
retronautsRetronauts Episode 83: Panzer Dragoon, Final Fantasy, Dracula X | Retronauts Radio Trial EpisodeIt's an all-music episode of Retronauts as Jeremy looks at recent classic game soundtrack releases of note. Includes looks at Panzer Dragoon, symphonic Final Fantasy, Castlevania: Dracula X, Metroid, and more!
2017-01-161h 08
retronautsRetronauts Special: New Season Preview/Kickstarter Backer TributeWant details on our next season? Well, you've come to the right place, buddy! On this special episode of Retronauts, join Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and Bob Mackey for a thorough discussion of what's going to be happening with the next year of Retronauts. (Oh, and you might want to head over to http://www.patreon.com/retronauts and consider donating just a few bucks a month.) And on the second half, sit back and enjoy 50 solid minutes of us reading the names of all 1200+ Kickstarter backers. Thanks for your continued support!
2014-11-031h 10