Retronauts Episode 306: Monkey Island Mailbag
We've got a mighty haul of listener comments and questions from our last three Monkey Island episodes, so this week we've brought on series expert Nina Matsumoto (https://twitter.com/spacecoyotl) (Thimbleweed Park (https://thimbleweedpark.com/) cover artist and designer at Fangamer (https://www.fangamer.com/collections/space-coyote) ) once again to help us make some informed responses! Plus, af...
1hr Jun 22, 2020
1hr
Retronauts Episode 305: Years in Review Revue - 2010
The Retronauts East crew reunites (virtually) to complete their journey through the 2020 Years in Review Revue, wrapping up with a look at 2010—a year overflowing with greatness! Jeremy Parish, Chris Sims, and Ben Elgin buckle beneath its weight.
1hr 45m Jun 15, 2020
1hr 45m
Retronauts Episode 304 Preview: Back to the Future
You'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 (https://www.patreon.com/retronauts) .
5m Jun 12, 2020
5m
Retronauts Episode 303: Game Boy Color
The original power trio (Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, and Ray Barnholt) talk about the system that isn't a Game Boy. It's the Game Boy Color! A completely distinct platform! One that often gets overlooked. In this episode, we un-overlook it.
1hr 33m Jun 08, 2020
1hr 33m
Retronauts Episode 302: Star Trek The Motion Picture & Mega Man Battle Network
Star Trek! Mega Man! These topics have nothing in common! Please enjoy two unrelated segments as Jeremy speaks to Diamond Feit about the very first Star Trek movie and its games before chatting with Nadia Oxford about very first Mega Man RPG.
1hr 51m Jun 01, 2020
1hr 51m
Retronauts Episode 301 Preview: Etrian Odyssey
Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Kat Bailey, and Jason Wilson form up a guild and venture into the verdant history of Atlus's Etrian Odyssey series. Subscribe at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts for access to this and ALL exclusive episodes!
10m May 29, 2020
10m
Retronauts Episode 300: The Curse of Monkey Island
Our 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 tri...
1hr 59m May 25, 2020
1hr 59m
Retronauts Episode 299: Worst of the Best
In this blast from the past, Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Steve Lin, and Jason Wilson get together to talk about the worst games ever created by our favorite developers—and do our best to find a glimmer of goodness in the bad.
1hr 43m May 18, 2020
1hr 43m
Retronauts Episode 298 Preview: Final Fantasy VII Remake
You'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 (https://www.patreon.com/retronauts) .
9m May 15, 2020
9m
Retronauts Episode 297: Sega Saturn
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its launch, Sega Saturn is paid tribute by Jeremy Parish, Diamond Feit, and Stuart Gipp. The good (its games!), the bad (executive infighting!), and the ugly (umm... its Symphony of the Night port?).
1hr 40m May 11, 2020
1hr 40m
Retronauts Episode 296: Trackball Games & The Art of Atari
Jeremy Parish, Bob Neal, and Benj Edwards sneak in a conversation about trackball games in a hidden cranny of PAX East, and Tim Lapetino talks about his work chronicling the artwork of the Atari 2600 for print.
1hr 46m May 04, 2020
1hr 46m
Retronauts Episode 295 Preview: Trials & Legend of Mana
A clip from our latest Patron-exclusive episode! Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, and USgamer's Kat Bailey look at the original version of the newly remade Trials of Mana, then dive into a discussion of Legend of Mana's stunning Yoko Shimomura soundtrack (by patron request of K-S-O). Art by Steph Sybydlo. For the full episode, check out http://patreon.com/retronauts
7m May 02, 2020
7m
Retronauts Episode 294: Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders
It'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...
59m Apr 27, 2020
59m
Retronauts Episode 293: Alex Kidd and Shadowgate
Jeremy Parish chats with Retronauts contributor Stuart Gipp about the mysterious appeal of Sega's Alex Kidd franchise, then talks to Shadowgate creator Dave Marsh about the history of the game and the inspiration behind its modern-day remake.
1hr 26m Apr 20, 2020
1hr 26m
Retronauts Episode 292 Preview: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
You'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 (https://www.patreon.com/retronauts) .
10m Apr 17, 2020
10m
Retronauts Episode 291: The Media is the Message - PAX East
Live from PAX East, Jeremy Parish, Benj Edwards, and RetroRGB's Bob Neal discuss the evolution of physical media in video gaming and its impact on the tech and design of the medium.
1hr 3m Apr 13, 2020
1hr 3m
Retronauts Episode 290: New Super Mario Bros.
Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Cole Jones bop in time to the music as they revisit Mario's ugliest (but arguably best!!) adventures in the New Super Mario Bros. series. Cover illustration: Step Sybydlo
1hr 42m Apr 06, 2020
1hr 42m
Retronauts Episode 289 Preview: Miscellaneous Handhelds
We talk about the handheld consoles that don't deserve their own episodes, from the criminally bad (R-Zone) to the just plain criminal (Gizmondo). For the full episode, subscribe to the show at patreon.com/retronauts! (Artwork: Amanda Pruitt)
7m Apr 03, 2020
7m
Retronauts Episode 288: Full Throttle
It'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 w...
1hr 6m Mar 30, 2020
1hr 6m
Retronauts Episode 287: TurboGrafx-16
Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, and Shane Bettenhausen convene to discuss the legacy of the ultimate NEC and Hudson collaboration: the TurboGrafx-16. Just in time for the launch of the TG16 mini (in a parallel, pandemic-free universe)!
1hr 34m Mar 23, 2020
1hr 34m
Retronauts Episode 286 Preview: Sam & Max Hit the Road
You'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 (https://www.patreon.com/retronauts) .
7m Mar 20, 2020
7m
Retronauts Episode 285: Animal Crossing
Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Mike Choi, and USgamer's Caty McCarthy chill out for an hour and a half to discuss the low-key world of Animal Crossing, from its primal Nintendo 64 version through its modern-day spinoffs. Music by Mike Choi; art by Greg Melo.
1hr 45m Mar 16, 2020
1hr 45m
Retronauts Episode 284: Parasite Eve
Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, and Shane Bettenhausen continue the journey through the Final Fantasy saga with this side excursion into an abandoned Manhattan and 1998's Cinematic RPG Parasite Eve. (Cover art: Nina Matsumoto)
1hr 14m Mar 09, 2020
1hr 14m
Retronauts Episode 283 Preview: Weird Controllers, Pt. I
Jeremy Parish, Benj Edwards, Chris Sims, and Ben Elgin embark upon a comprehensive (maybe) historic overview of weird video game controllers, from punching bags to chainsaws to... butt-poking fingers!? Cover illustration: Shaan Khan
7m Mar 06, 2020
7m
Retronauts Episode 282: Gaming in the Year 2000
In 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 ...
1hr 39m Mar 02, 2020
1hr 39m
Retronauts Episode 281: Mario Goes Portable
Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, and Chris Kohler abandon color and extra lines of screen resolution to take a deep dive into the 2D portable Super Mario games, from Super Mario Land to Super Mario Advance 4.
1hr 35m Feb 24, 2020
1hr 35m
Retronauts Episode 280 Preview: Yakuza
You'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 (https://www.patreon.com/retronauts) .
5m Feb 21, 2020
5m
Retronauts Episode 279: RoboCop
Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, and Henry Gilbert continue to take stock of the havoc wrought upon pop culture by Hollywood of the late ’80s with an in-depth survey of RoboCop: The movie, the games, the wholly inappropriate toys for kids! Cover illustration: Amanda Pruitt
1hr 39m Feb 17, 2020
1hr 39m
Retronauts Episode 278: Paperboy (With John Salwitz)
The Retronauts East crew (Jeremy Parish, Benj Edwards, Chris Sims, Ben Elgin) offer a quick overview of the gameplay and culture behind Atari's Paperboy; then designer John Salwitz shares his memories of its creation. Art: Step Sybydlo
59m Feb 10, 2020
59m
Retronauts Episode 277 Preview: The Games of Nintendo Switch Online
We may not have Virtual Console to dunk on anymore, but gosh darn it if Nintendo Switch Online doesn't fill that same unsatisfying void in our lives. Jeremy Parish, Benj Edwards, Ben Elgin, & Chris Sims banter about NSO's successes, failings, and swerves. Special thanks this episode to Greg Leahy and Greg Melo for editing and illustrating this episode, respectively!
8m Feb 07, 2020
8m
Retronauts Episode 276: Atari Lynx
We'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...
1hr 10m Feb 03, 2020
1hr 10m
Retronauts Episode 275: Pre-Atari Consoles
Jeremy 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 ...
1hr 13m Jan 27, 2020
1hr 13m
Retronauts Episode 274 Preview: Super Mario RPG
You'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 (https://www.patreon.com/retronauts) .
6m Jan 24, 2020
6m
Retronauts Episode 273: Years in Revue: 1980/1990
The Retronauts East crew (Jeremy Parish, Benj Edwards, Ben Elgin, Chris Sims) attempts to explore the highlights and disasters of gaming history in 1980/1990/2000/2010 in our annual by-the-decade recap... but only make it to 1990. It was a big year, OK?
1hr 23m Jan 20, 2020
1hr 23m
Retronauts Episode 272: The Matrix
Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Kat Bailey, and Shane Bettenhausen revisit the themes, legacy, making of, and (of course) video games based on the Wachowski siblings' mind-bending 1999 sci-fi classic: The Matrix.
1hr 30m Jan 13, 2020
1hr 30m
Retronauts Episode 271 Preview: List Inventory/The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Session 1
The 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 l...
8m Jan 10, 2020
8m
Retronauts Episode 270: Video Game Apparel
Since 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 ...
1hr 36m Jan 06, 2020
1hr 36m
Retronauts Episode 269: Command & Conquer with Louis Castle
The Retronauts East crew offers a (very) loose overview of Westwood Studios' Command & Conquer series as a lead-in to Jeremy Parish's interview with Woodwest founder Louis Castle on the creation of the original game (among other topics).
1hr 4m Dec 30, 2019
1hr 4m
Retronauts Episode 268: Holiday Special 2019 - Pokemon Christmas Bash
It'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...
1hr 19m Dec 24, 2019
1hr 19m
Retronauts Episode 267: The Holy Grails of Collecting
Hide your wallets: Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Chris Kohler, and Steve Lin discuss the pricing perils, pitfalls, and occasional perfidy surrounding the rarest/costliest/most non-existent video game collectibles in history.
1hr 41m Dec 23, 2019
1hr 41m
Retronauts Episode 266: The Empire Strikes Back
Just in time for the "conclusion" of the Star Wars saga (sure, whatever), take a look back at the franchise's cinematic high point (and all the related games) with Jeremy Parish, Benj Edwards, Ben Elgin, and Chris Sims.
1hr 20m Dec 16, 2019
1hr 20m
Retronauts Episode 265: The Messenger
Take a look into the genesis, classic inspirations, and development of Sabotage Games' double-retro indie hit The Messenger as Jeremy Parish speaks to creators Thierry Boulanger and Martin Brouard.
51m Dec 13, 2019
51m
Retronauts Episode 264: PAX West 2019 - The Dreamcast 20th Anniversary Necromancy Jam
Two decades ago, Sega summoned into the world the mightiest of its consoles: The Dreamcast. And then, almost as quickly, it took the poor thing into the woods out back and ran it through proverbial the wood chipper. Dreamcast died too young, but its sudden demise wasn’t the end. We pick up the story 20 years later, exploring the ways in which Dreamcast represented Sega’s spirit at its finest an...
1hr 4m Dec 09, 2019
1hr 4m
Retronauts Episode 263: Donkey Kong
We put together a classic Retronauts lineup (Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, and Chris Kohler) to discuss the history of an all-time arcade classic: Donkey Kong. (And also its lesser ’80s sequels.)
1hr 42m Dec 02, 2019
1hr 42m
Retronauts Episode 262: PAX West 2019 - Super Metroid Vs. Symphony of the Night
It’s the ultimate metroidvania showdown as we settle once and for all which was truly the greatest, the most ambitious, the most influential work of the genre: Nintendo’s Super Metroid or Konami’s Castlevania: Symphony of the Night? Strong opinions will be expressed! Harsh words may be exchanged! Blood might even be spilled (only to be absorbed by a dhampir ensorcelled by Dark Metamorphosis)! P...
52m Nov 29, 2019
52m
Retronauts Episode 261: The MiSTer Revolution
Jeremy speaks to retrogaming curators Artemio and SmokeMonster about their efforts to help preserve and improve the state of classic gaming through projects like MDFourier and MiSTer.
1hr 46m Nov 25, 2019
1hr 46m
Retronauts Episode 260: Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge
Our informal LucasArts miniseries rolls on with another episode exploring the developer's adventure game output! This time, we focus on 1991's Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, the second entry in the Monkey Island series, and one that marked the departure of creator Ron Gilbert from LucasArts. Though it only came one year after the original game, LeChuck's Revenge expands on this formative a...
1hr 37m Nov 18, 2019
1hr 37m
Retronauts Episode 259: Limited Run Goes Retro
Jeremy Parish talks to Josh Fairhurst and Douglas Bogart of Limited Run Games about the company's growing line of classic game reissues, and the behind-the-scenes details of selling new retro game releases.
1hr 16m Nov 15, 2019
1hr 16m
Retronauts Episode 258: 2009 (It's Retro Now)
Jeremy Parish, Benj Edwards, Chris Sims, and Ben Elgin wrap up some unfinished business by tackling the year that got away: 2009. Yeah, 2009 is retro now. Sorry, we don't make the rules. Actually, wait... we do.
1hr 40m Nov 11, 2019
1hr 40m
Retronauts Episode 257: Metal Gear Solid
Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Kat Bailey, and Shane Bettenhausen celebrate Death Stranding by revisiting the game that allowed Hideo Kojima the luxury of spending millions of dollars on name-dropping self-indulgence in the first place: Metal Gear Solid.
1hr 36m Nov 04, 2019
1hr 36m