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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 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 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 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 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 29RetronautsRetronauts 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 50
RetronautsRetronauts 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 48
RetronautsRetronauts 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 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 40
RetronautsRetronauts 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 36
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 88: Yoshi GamesFollowing his debut in 1990's Super Mario World, Yoshi quickly evolved from a glorified power-up to a star that could carry games with his name alone. And in the character's nearly 30 years of existence, Yoshi-based experiences have taken many forms--including one that stands as possibly the greatest platformer of all time. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and Henry Gilbert as the crew tries to pin down Yoshi's appeal and whether or not we should worry that he suddenly grew opposable thumbs.
2017-02-271h 38
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 08RetronautsRetronauts 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. Be sure...
2017-01-301h 31
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 Micro 055: Bart vs. the Space MutantsWhen The Simpsons took off like a rocket in its first few years, it was only a matter of time before someone scooped up the video game rights. And that "someone" in this case turned out to be Acclaim, those notable purveyors of trash that introduced the concept of "buyer's remorse" to generations of gamers. On this special Talking Simpsons crossover episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Chris Antista as the crew thoroughly explores Bart vs. the Space Mutants, the strangely ambitious but all-around bad production that taught us all to be forever suspicious of Simpsons games.
2017-01-2346 min
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 Episode 82: Bubble Bobble & FamilyThe original Power Trio — Bob, Ray, and Jeremy — follow up their recent look at Wonder Boy to take on the next needlessly convoluted franchise: Taito's Bubble Bobble (et al.). Confusion guaranteed for all!
Be sure to visit our blog at retronauts.com, now updated daily! This show is an entirely independent and a self-sustaining concern for 2017. Please help support our livelihoods at patreon.com/retronauts
2017-01-021h 36
retronautsRetronauts Holiday Extravaganza 2016: Christmas Comes to Pac-LandAfter yet another year of podcasting, it's time to tie a bow on 2016 with an annual trip to the Retronauts Holiday cabin in Parts Unknown. And this time around, we set our sights on Christmas Comes to Pac-Land, a TV special that gently lulled a generation of chomp-obsessed children to sleep when it premiered way back in 1982. On this very special episode, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Chris Antista as the crew examines this televised lump of Christmas coal in much greater detail than any of its creators ever did.
2016-12-231h 10
retronautsRetronauts Episode 81: Sonic the HedgehogAh, Sonic the Hedgehog: a designed-by-committee character born out of pure cynicism that nonetheless won over a generation and continues to be extremely popular today. Despite the brand's notoriety throughout the 21st century, Sonic earned his place in gaming history with the three-and-a-half Genesis releases that made him a household name. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and Tim Turi as the crew explores Sonic's origins and the brief period where he shone the brightest.
2016-12-191h 43
retronautsRetronauts Episode 79: 10 Shitty Years of Virtual ConsoleChris Kohler joins Jeremy and Bob to revisit a topic from the earliest days of Retronauts: Virtual Console. Boy, what a difference 10 years makes! Remember when we were optimistic about that? Also includes some NES Classic Edition spitballing or whatever.
2016-11-211h 38RetronautsRetronauts Episode 78: Retronauts' 10th Anniversary Live from PRGE 2016It's hard to believe, but the podcast devoted to discussing old games is now old itself! On this special live episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Chris Kohler, and special guest Scott Sharkey as the crew discusses a decade spent stuck in the past. (Special thanks to twitter user @RPeavyhouse for the cover photo!) Be sure to visit our blog at Retronauts.com, and check out our partner site, USgamer, for more great stuff. And if you'd like to send a few bucks our way, head on over to our Patreon page!
2016-11-0747 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 78: Retronauts' 10th Anniversary Live from PRGE 2016It's hard to believe, but the podcast devoted to discussing old games is now old itself! On this special live episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Chris Kohler, and special guest Scott Sharkey as the crew discusses a decade spent stuck in the past. (Special thanks to twitter user @RPeavyhouse for the cover photo!)
2016-11-0747 min
retronautsRetronauts Micro 050: Fester's QuestIf you lived through the NES era, the words "Fester's Quest" likely make you break into a cold sweat. (Sorry about that.) A few years before Raul Julia and Christopher Lloyd danced the Mamushka, kids of the '80s mostly knew The Addams Family via Sunsoft's 8-bit hit and its absolutely unforgiving difficulty. On this episode of Retronauts Micro, join Bob Mackey, Chris Antista, and Henry Gilbert as the crew works through their shared trauma, and uncovers the fascinating history of this odd little game.
2016-10-3138 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 77: The History of Video Game CensorshipLike every type of media still in its early years, gaming is viewed (by some) as a world-destroying force bent on stealing our time and warping our innocent minds. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Henry Gilbert and Mikel Reparaz as the crew traces how our anxieties over this new form of entertainment have caused society to push back and demand sometimes-hilarious changes. It's bowdleriffic!
2016-10-251h 39
retronautsRetronauts Episode 76: Preserving Game EphemeraGame preservation advocates Frank Cifaldi, Mike Mika, and Steve Lin of The Video Game History Foundation (www.gamehistory.org) discuss the challenges and obsessions that drive the search for and archiving of the information and materials surrounding the classics.
Be sure to visit our blog at Retronauts.com, and check out our partner site, USgamer.net, for more great stuff. And if you'd like to send a few bucks our way, head on over to our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/retronauts
2016-10-101h 25
retronautsRetronauts Micro 048: 8-Bit Superhero Sampler - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and BatmanAfter a month, the Retronauts Micro 8-Bit Superhero Sampler continues with a discussion of two NES games that aren't quite as abominable as the ones featured in our last installment: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Batman. On this extra-extra-long episode, join Bob Mackey, Chris Antista, Henry Gilbert, and special guest Chris Baker as the crew extolls the virtues of underwater bomb disposal, and explains why Batman's purple-hued makeover makes sense (which surprisingly has nothing to do with Prince).
2016-10-0351 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 75: Punch-Out!!While most of us nostalgia-heads remember Punch-Out!! most from its brief association with Mike Tyson, this humble little series has an interesting history outside of its noteworthiness as an all-time NES classic. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Chris Antista, and Dave Rudden as the crew explores the entire Punch-Out!! series, from its roots as a wannabe Laserdisc game to its current status as a means of beating up whimsical ethnic stereotypes.
2016-09-261h 31
retronautsRetronauts Micro 046: 8-Bit Superhero Sampler - Superman and The Uncanny X-MenIt's a bird! It's a plane! It's... some guy riding the subway! On this episode of Retronauts Micro, join Bob Mackey, Chris Antista, Henry Gilbert, and special guest Chris Baker as the crew dissects two of the earliest (and worst) superhero games the NES has to offer: Superman and The Uncanny X-Men.
2016-09-0528 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 73: Super Nintendo Entertainment SystemFive years after making his hosting debut in Retronauts Live episode 17, Bob returns to the topic of the Super Nintendo to find out if there's anything new to say. Thankfully, a half-decade later, we're all a little older, and a little wiser--but mostly a little older. On this celebration of the SNES' 25th birthday, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and Capcom's Tim Turi tag along to sing the praises of Nintendo's wonderful 16-bit console.
2016-08-291h 33
retronautsRetronauts Micro 044: Classic Game SFX QuizdownOn this episode of Retronauts Micro, join Bob Mackey, Chris Antista, and Henry Gilbert as your podcasting pals cast off the shackles of edutainment and bring you a mostly frivolous test of their classic game audio knowledge.
2016-08-0824 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 71: SimCityIn an era of high scores and game overs, Bay Area developer Will Wright's fascination with urban planning led to an experience completely unique to our medium: a video game with no win state. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Mikel Reparaz, and Kat Bailey as the crew traces the history of SimCity from its brilliant roots to its unfortunate decline, and ponder just how much product Will Wright's cartoon avatar needs to keep his green afro so bouncy and manageable.
2016-08-011h 16
retronautsRetronauts Micro 042: Shop Theme MixtapeOn this episode of Retronauts Micro, we return once again to the mixtape format for a small sampling of the catchiest shop themes in classic video games.
2016-07-1111 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 69: EarthBoundThe SNES RPG EarthBound might be considered a true cult classic, but its rise from critical flop to beloved masterpiece didn't happen overnight. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, Michael Grimm, and Andrew Goldfarb as the crew tries to pin down what makes this Japanese take on Boomer-friendly Americana so special. OK desu ka?
2016-07-041h 33
retronautsRetronauts Micro #041: A Failed Game Boy PilotIt's not really a Micro episode, but that's OK — it's not really Retronauts, either. Jeremy digs up a pilot episode for a Game Boy-centered podcast (costarring Game Boy superfan Bryan Ochalla) that ultimately never saw the light of day. In this standalone episode, we discuss the system's launch and day-one releases: Baseball, Alleyway, Yakuman, and of course Super Mario Land.
2016-06-271h 06
retronautsRetronauts Micro 040: GamePro TVDespite the fact that video games have been a household mainstay since the '80s, they've been absent from TV programming until fairly recently. But before G4 TV emerged in 2002, there was GamePro TV: A short-lived, syndicated show from 1991 that existed as an extremely literal interpretation of the popular magazine. On this episode of Retronauts Micro, join Bob Mackey, Dave Rudden, Chris Antista, and Henry Gilbert as the crew explores this relic of the '90s and tries desperately to write down J.D. Roth's codes in time. It'll be totally tubular, bud!
2016-06-1335 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 67: Listener Mail 2016Due to our erratic Retronauts recording schedule--a whole bunch of podcasts every three to four months--it's a lot harder than it used to be to respond to our fans in a timely manner. That's why, once per year, we sit down and pore over a selection of the best listener letters for the sake of a freewheeling, 90-minute discussion. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, Mikel Reparaz, and Chris Kohler as the crew tackles important issues, like the state of gaming preservation and their respective waifus.
2016-06-061h 45
retronautsRetronauts Micro #039: KlonoaJeremy reminisces on the appeal of Namco's Klonoa, a PlayStation game whose existence defied the odds. Simple yet memorable, its ethereal atmosphere make it a timeless 32-bit creation.
Be sure to visit our blog at Retronauts.com, and check out our partner site, USgamer, for more podcasts or whatever. And if you'd like to support the show, that can be arranged through our Patreon page.
2016-05-3012 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 66: Zelda On NESChris Kohler and Sam Claiborn join Jeremy and Bob to dive deep into a part of the Zelda series Retronauts has rarely touched on: The NES duo of The Legend of Zelda and Zelda II.
Be sure to visit our blog at Retronauts.com, and check out our partner site, USgamer, for more great stuff. And if you'd like to send a few bucks our way, head on over to our Patreon page!
2016-05-231h 41
retronautsRetronauts Micro 038: Nick Arcade With Special Guests Laser TimeThese days, we have YouTube, Twitch, and a variety of platforms to bring us endless footage of just about every game ever made, but kids who grew up in the '90s weren't so lucky. Despite our prehistoric existence, though, we at least had the short-lived game show, Nick Arcade, which gave a nation of cable TV viewers nothing but pure gaming action for roughly 23% of its running time. On this episode of Retronauts Micro, enter the VIDEO ZONE as Bob Mackey, Chris Antista, Dave Rudden, and Henry Gilbert explore the best kids' entertainment Florida is capable of.
2016-05-1636 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 65: Resident EvilSorry to make you feel old, but Resident Evil turns 20 this year. And since we games journalists can't help but be obsessed with anniversaries that end with a 0 or a 5, it's only natural that we record a Retronauts retrospective on this rich subject. On this episode, listen in as Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and guest Dave Rudden explore the first three Resident Evil games and their surprisingly convoluted histories. (And we at least make an effort to keep the regurgitation of tired memes to a minimum.)
2016-05-091h 29
retronautsRetronauts Micro 036 16 - Bit RPG Town MixtapeOn this calm and soothing episode of Retronauts Micro, join host Bob Mackey for a sampling of the best 16-bit RPG town themes in all creation.
2016-04-1116 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 63: PokemonNothing may feel more like those simpler times of the late '90s than Pokemon, but Nintendo's monster-collecting phenomenon managed to stick in there for two whole decades by staying true to its roots. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Henry Gilbert and Kat Bailey as the crew explores the last twenty years of Game Freak's zillion-dollar franchise. (Disclaimer: Please listen to this podcast in a well-lit room for your own safety.)
2016-04-041h 43
retronautsRetronauts Micro 034: DeceptionThis week on Retronauts Micro, join Bob as he takes a trip to the dark world of Tecmo's trap-setting Home Alone simulator, Deception.
2016-03-1409 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 61: The Legend Of Zelda Ocarina Of TimeWhat is there left to say about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time? A heck of a lot, actually. Back in the days of awkward polygonal gaming, Nintendo borrowed a bit of A Link to the Past’s magic and successfully brought their fantasy series to the next era of gaming. But has this bold experiment aged well over the last 18 years? On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and Henry Gilbert as the crew dives into one the earliest classics of 3D gaming.
2016-03-071h 36
retronautsRetronauts Micro 032: Our Gaming Bucket ListsBad news, everyone: We're all gonna die! (Eventually.) And to ensure our death beds are free of regret, we recorded a new Retronauts Micro about the game-related goals we still need to achieve before kicking the bucket. On this episode, join host Bob Mackey and guests Dave Rudden, Ray Barnholt, and Henry Gilbert as the crew tries to keep things light with a very dark topic. Note: We can't be held responsible if you trip over all of the names dropped throughout.
2016-02-1615 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 59: PSPLong ago, the best game a phone could pull off was the immortal "Snake," so we had no choice but to turn to dedicated portables for anything more complicated than that. In an era before most people Crushed Candy on their mass-transit commutes, Sony's PSP absolutely thrived, and gave its users an impressive piece of tech that did more than just play games. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Mikel Reparaz, and Ray Barnholt to find out why all we really want for Christmas is a PSP.
2016-02-081h 32
retronautsRetronauts Micro 030: Our Favorite Years of GamingOn this episode of Retronauts Micro, Bob takes a break from the solo format to talk with Ray Barnholt and Laser Time's Dave Rudden and Henry Gilbert about their personal favorite years of gaming. Let us know yours in the appropriate Internet Feedback Zone!
2016-01-1813 min
retronautsRetronauts Episode 57: Half-Life 2It's time to face facts: Half-Life 2 is officially old—and to make things even more tragic, we still don't have a Half-Life 3. But even if Valve's acclaimed FPS leaves us hanging forever, their 2004 sequel remains one of the most influential games of all time. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and guest Kevin VanOrd for a look into why Gordon Freeman's return turned so many heads. And if you'd like to fully recreate the Half-Life 2 experience, you can always run around smashing things with a crowbar while you wait for us to finish talking.
2016-01-111h 21
retronautsRetronauts Special: State Of The Podcast, 2016Our first Patreon-funded year has come to a close, and we'd like to thank everyone who made the past 57-or-so episodes possible. And since Retronauts will be continuing into 2016 for its tenth glorious year on this planet, we'd like to fill you in on some behind-the-scenes info about the future of our little podcast.
2016-01-0113 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 55: Holiday 2015 ExtravaganzaIt's the Yuletide season once again, and if you're a Retronauts fan, you know what that means: Braving the elements for an annual trip to our Holiday Cabin in Parts Unknown. And while the inclement weather, prowling wolves, and sensitive sentry guns make each journey a perilous one, I think we can all agree putting your life on the line is more than worth it for a little more than an hour of quality podcast entertainment. On this year's Holiday Extravaganza, join host Bob Mackey as he welcomes guests Dave Rudden, Ray Barnholt, and Henry Gilbert for a rousing and...
2015-12-211h 12
retronautsRetronauts Micro 028: Legends Of Localization Interview With Clyde And Heidi MandelinOn this special interview episode of Retronauts Micro, Bob talks to Clyde and Heidi Mandelin, masterminds of the Legends of Localization project, and authors of a new book that tracks the many changes The Legend of Zelda underwent in the transition between Japanese and English. If you've ever wanted to know what the hell those old men were talking about in the original game, here's your chance!
2015-12-1419 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 54: Super Mario 64Almost 20 years ago, Nintendo showed the world how 3D games should be done with the phenomenal Super Mario 64. But in the passing decades, have the charms of this Nintendo 64 launch game faded out of existence? Leave it to the Retronauts to investigate! On this episode, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Polygon's Danielle Riendeau, and the Laser Time Podcast Network's Henry Gilbert for a thorough discussion of this early 3D classic. (Note: No pickles were wolfed during the recording of this episode.)
2015-12-071h 28
retronautsRetronauts Micro Episode #027: Q*BertJourney back in time to 1982 and the sassiest mascot character ever to cuss up an arcade: Q*Bert. And if this episode seems a bit brief, well, be sure to check out the video version on retronauts.com or usgamer.net!
2015-11-3008 min
retronautsRetronauts Micro 026: Clock TowerThough it wouldn't have the same longevity as its contemporaries, Human Entertainment's Clock Tower stands as one of the first console games to truly embrace horror. On this episode of Retronauts Micro, listen in as Bob explores the strange-but-compelling series that meshed point-and-click adventure mechanics with the added threat of a guy who wants to impale you with garden shears.
2015-11-1610 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 52: Devil May CryDevil May Cry has been a fact of life for the past 15 years, and though the series isn't as prolific as it once was, Hideki Kamiya's bold creation has had an immeasurable impact on game design. On this episode of Retronauts, Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and guests Greg Moore (of Capcom) and Jose Otero (of IGN) for a frank and thorough discussion of stylish action. In the words of beloved poet and action game star Dante, "Let's rock."
2015-11-091h 29
retronautsRetronauts Micro 024: Spooky Save Room MixtapeIt's the Halloween season, which means it's officially time for Spooky Stuff. And what better way to honor this annual celebration of all things scary than a sampling of the most eerie and foreboding music to exist in a video game? On this special episode of Retronauts Micro, crank up the volume, lock yourself in a musty basement, and let Bob take you on an audio tour of Resident Evil's iconic save rooms. Hope you brought some ink ribbons...
2015-10-1911 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 50: Ico/Shadow Of The ColossusTen years ago, director Fumito Ueda released his second game, the phenomenal Shadow of the Colossus--little did we know, it'd be another decade before we saw his next project come into being. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and guests Nick Suttner and Mikel Reparaz as the crew examines the games of a visionary whose genius was confined to a single console. Also, it's our fiftieth full-length episode! So hooray for that.
2015-10-121h 44
retronautsRetronauts Micro 023: Ace Attorney10 years ago, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney landed on the DS as an oddity, and unexpectedly created a legacy that continues to this day. But there's a whole lot more going on in this historically important series, even if its essential concept may at first seem somewhat limited. On this episode of Retronauts Micro, join host Bob Mackey for a brief tour of what makes Capcom's adventure game series so special.
2015-10-0512 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 49: Dragon QuestIn Japan, RPGs are synonymous with Dragon Quest. But in the States, this series amounted to an also-ran, outclassed by the likes of Final Fantasy and other popular brands. Even if this extremely traditional RPG experience has one foot in the past, it's still generated hundreds of hours of memorable moments. On the cusp of Dragon Quest Heroes' US release, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and Henry Gilbert as the Retronauts crew looks back on a Japanese institution that never quite got a fair shake in America.
2015-09-291h 40
retronautsRetronauts Micro 020 : The Sounds Of SNES SimCitySoyo Oka might not be the most well-known Nintendo composer, but in her time with the company, she crafted some amazing soundtracks that helped define the distinct qualities of the SNES' sound chip. And while the music of Pilotwings and Super Mario Kart is nothing to sneeze it, her greatest work for Nintendo can be found in SimCity, the 1991 Super Nintendo port of Maxis' PC classic. On this episode of Retronauts Micro, join your host Bob Mackey for a guided tour of this amazing soundtrack, along with a few other surprises.
2015-08-2421 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 46: The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The PastSing it with us, now: Link! He come to town! Come to save, the Princess Zelda! We're all familiar with the mythic exploits of Nintendo's elfin hero, but this latest episode of Retronauts dives deep into one of his greatest adventures of all time. Sure, A Link to the Past is a beloved classic, but on this episode of Retronauts, we partake on a journey to truly discover WHY. Join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and special guests Henry Gilbert and Brett Elston for a thorough exploration of what makes this particular Legend of Zelda so undeniably great. And if you're...
2015-08-171h 25
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 45: The Monkey Island Series with Special Guest Ron Gilbert25 years ago, the landscape of adventure games changed forever with The Secret of Monkey Island. This LucasArts classic essentially changed the rules for a once-formidable genre; instead of punishing experimentation, Monkey Island presents a death-free world where players can't paint themselves into game-ending corners—definitely not the norm for adventure games of its era. On this special episode of Retronauts, listen in as Monkey Island creator Ron Gilbert talks about his history with adventure games, and his current role on the upcoming Thimbleweed Park. And if you don't care about that, maybe we could interest you in these fine leather ja...
2015-08-031h 01
retronautsRetronauts Micro 018: Echo NightFrom Software might have set the world on fire in recent years with the game-changing Souls RPG series, but they've had a long history of innovation—even if their technology wasn't always up to snuff. And one of their more interesting creations of the PlayStation era came in the form of Echo Night, a first-person adventure game that bears a striking resemblance to the recent wave of "walking simulators" taking the indie world by storm. On this episode of Retronauts Micro, join Bob as he breaks down what makes this game so special—and why you should give it a try...
2015-07-2711 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 42: Listener MailThis week on Retronauts, we're resurrecting two features from our older seasons that normally don't fit into the show's refurbished format: going over the best retro rereleases, and responding to your comments and questions. Those carefree days of 2013 and earlier are back, baby! (If only for 90 minutes.)
2015-06-221h 39
retronautsRetronauts Micro 014: Konami 8-Bit B-Sides MixtapeWithout a doubt, the music of Konami's NES catalog has a stellar reputation--if their stable of composers had only crafted the 8-bit Castlevania soundtracks, they'd still go down in history as some of the greatest video game maestros of all time. But did you know Konami applied the same amount of musical genius to all of their 8-bit games, regardless of their disposability? On this week's Retronauts Micro, take a listen some some of Konami's 8-bit tunes you might have overlooked--unless you're a roller derby enthusiast, I guess.
2015-06-0115 min
retronautsRetronauts Micro 012 : Interstate '76Back in the '90s, '70s nostalgia reigned supreme. And few games took advantage of our rekindled love for all things groovy like Activision's Interstate '76. This car combat simulator didn't simply act as a superficial sendup of "The Me Decade," though; Activision's surprisingly complex creation used a '70s backdrop to add a heavy dose of atmosphere and colorful characters that wouldn't be there otherwise. On this episode of Retronauts Micro, join Bob for a brief examination of why Interstate '76 is really something special--even if it's not the easiest thing to get up and running these days.
2015-05-0411 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 38: BonkFor whatever reason, the late '80s to early '90s absolutely overflowed with games about cavemen and dinosaurs. And while we're still struggling to explain this trend, without "Cave-mania," we wouldn't have Bonk: The TurboGrafx-16's answer to Mario. For roughly five years, NEC's big-headed caveman tried to carve a niche for himself within the crowded mascot platformer market, though the harsh competition of the 16-bit Console Wars made success a near impossibility for this strange little series. On this week's Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and guest Mikel Reparaz as the crew peers into the...
2015-04-271h 18
retronautsRetronauts Micro 010: ParodiusRemember Konami? They might not put out many games these days, but back in the '90s they were an absolute powerhouse, with their work dipping into just about every genre known to humankind. In fact, they were so prolific, a parody of one of their famous shoot-em-ups even made for a viable franchise! On this week's edition of Retronauts Micro, learn all about Parodius, that classic Konami shooter series that made us believe penguins could fly.
2015-04-0610 min
retronautsRetronauts Micro Episode 8: Pac-Man 2: The New AdventuresWho had this idea for a video game? Where are they now? Did this strange experiment start as a project for the promising SNES-CD? And who, exactly, from Namco's US branch thought this bizarre creation should be Pac-Man's first official sequel? Join Bob Mackey on this solo Retronauts Micro as he tries to discover the answers to the many mysteries behind Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures.
2015-03-1011 min
retronautsRetronauts Micro Episode 6: Retro Games We Want To LikeHave you ever wanted to like a classic game, but something about it just didn't jive with you? Well, the Retronauts are no different. On this bite-sized episode, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Shane Bettenhausen, and Christian Nutt as the gang discusses those retro games they wish they could love.
2015-02-0917 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 32: When Games Jump The SharkSometimes, good games can go bad. And when they do, they usually go REALLY bad. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Kat Bailey, and Mikel Reparaz as the crew tries to pinpoint when certain series went off the rails and into oblivion--and if any of them ever recovered. If you disagree with the opinions within, just remember: That's perfectly okay! We won't begin etching edicts in stone until our Patreon hits at least six figures.
2015-02-021h 41
retronautsRetronauts Micro Episode 4: Bad Purchasing DecisionsAs adults, we may do the proper research before plunking down our hard-earned cash on a new video game, but this wasn't always the case. Years ago, our developing brains weren't quite as skilled at impulse control, leading to some particularly painful cases of buyer's remorse. On this episode of Retronauts Micro, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Kat Bailey, and Mikel Reparaz as they discuss the unfortunate purchasing decisions that still haunt them to this day.
2015-01-1217 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 29 - Street Fighter: The Legend Of Chun - LiThe Retronauts holiday tradition continues with a fourth trip to our cabin in Parts Unknown, and, due to popular demand, this year's special marks a return to the Movie Month style of episodes we did a few years ago! Join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and Laser Time's Chris Antista for a long, painful look at 2009's Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, a box office bomb that's mostly been forgotten (and with good reason).
2014-12-151h 32
retronautsRetronauts Micro Episode 1: TI-99/4AIt's our first off-week of the season, and we're going small with Retronauts Micro: Bite-sized chunklets of podcast. In this Micro episode, Jeremy flies solo and looks back at a largely forgotten computer platform: The TI-99/4A.
2014-12-0808 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. IV Episode 28: Gaming's Greatest FlopsRetronauts is back for a brand-new season! And what better way to celebrate our crowdfunding success than an entire episode devoted to failure? In this season premiere, join Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, Bob Mackey, and special guest Brett Elston (of Capcom Unity) as the crew discusses some of the most spectacular flops in video game history.
2014-11-301h 33
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
retronautsRetronauts Pocket Episode 26 - Planescape: TormentBioWare's Infinity Engine powered some of the greatest PC experiences the '90s had to offer, and one of its last games was unlike any other RPG we'd seen before -- or since, for that matter. On this episode of Retronauts Pocket, join Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, Jeremy Parish, and Duckfeed.tv's Gary Butterfield for a morbid conversation about Planescape: Torment, an insanely creative RPG with a morality system that went beyond good and evil. And, uh, there's also a floating skull -- if you're into that sort of thing.
2014-08-0546 min
retronautsRetronauts Pocket Episode 25 - CastlevaniaJeremy puts the wraps on his hosting duties for Retronauts Vol. III by returning to an old favorite topic (Castlevania) while Bob and Ray demonstrate patient indulgence.
2014-07-211h 02
retronautsRetronauts Vol. II Episode 25 - UK Gaming In The '80sIt's taken nearly eight years, but we finally got a real live British person to join us so we can talk about the most egregious failure in Retronauts coverage: Britain's 8-bit micros. By request of Mike Wasson, Jaz Rignall lays a tarp over the gap.
2014-07-141h 42
retronautsRetronauts Pocket Episode 23 - PolicenautsEsteemed game designer Hideo Kojima has had his hands full with Metal Gear (exclusively) for the past 15 years, but once upon a time his games featured far fewer nanomachines. On this installment of Retronauts Pocket, we take a long, hard look at Policenauts, Kojima's 1994 adventure game that signaled the end of his brief flirtation with this genre. Join Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, and Michael Sawyer (AKA Slowbeef) for the next 45 minutes, and learn all about the wonders of Lethal Weapon in space.
2014-06-0344 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. III Episode 23 - SpeedrunsThe art of speedrunning is barely two decades old, but in that time we've seen our share of stupefying feats from game masters that would put Captain N himself to shame. Will this burgeoning subculture be the key to keeping love for classic games alive? Thanks to a generous donation from Kickstarter backer Nich Maragos, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and guest Christian Nutt as the Retronauts explore the joys of breaking beloved games open like so many digital pinatas.
2014-05-271h 27
retronautsRetronauts Pocket Episode 20: RPGs with Modern-Day SettingsKickstarter backer Juan Soto brings you Retronauts Pocket episode 20, which explores the very small world of RPGs with modern-day settings. Why do we find them so captivating, and why do the majority of RPG developers rely on Tolkienesque fantasy? Listen in for answers to these questions and more with the help of Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, Jeremy Parish, and Kat Bailey.
2014-04-2145 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. III Episode 20: Listener MailMail call! Or something like that. Retronauts might be too cool for the United States Postal Service, but that doesn't mean we can't answer your burning questions! On this listener-focused episode, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt and Kat Bailey as they respond to fans who submitted their online-digital-e-messages to Retronauts.com. NOTE: due to a technical fudge-up, Ray and Kat are a little quieter than they should be. Lots of time was spent getting this episode to the state it's in now, so please be kind!
2014-04-141h 44
retronautsRetronauts Pocket Episode 17 - Another World Out Of This WorldMatsuba! Regardless of how you interpret this alien expression, Eric Chahi's Out of this World (or Another World to our European friends) wowed its early-'90s audience with its enigmatic atmosphere and lack of respect for convention -- which is probably why it remains so playable today. Join Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, Jeremy Parish, and Watch Out for Fireballs' Gary Butterfield as the Retronauts travel to hostile, new worlds and befriend hulking (but pleasant) humanoids.
2014-03-1042 min
retronautsRetronauts Vol. III Episode 17 - Parappa The Rapper SeriesIn those oh-so optimistic ’90s, Parappa the Rapper taught an entire generation there’s no shame in playing a game about a paper-thin puppy who raps about pooping. But when the end of the decade saw a sequel about a guitar-playing lamb, our love affair with musically adept cartoon animals was over. Join Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, Jeremy Parish, and Gamasutra’s Christian Nutt as the Retronauts discuss the Parappa the Rapper series and get cocky, even in the face of potential rockiness.
2014-03-031h 43