Retronauts Micro #039: Klonoa
Jeremy 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.
13m May 30, 2016
13m
Retronauts Episode 66: Zelda on NES
Chris 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 podcasts or whatever. And if you'd like to support the show, that can be arranged through our Patreon page.
1hr 41m May 23, 2016
1hr 41m
Retronauts Micro 038: Nick Arcade with Special Guests Laser Time
These 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 epi...
36m May 16, 2016
36m
Retronauts Episode 65: Resident Evil
Sorry 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 in 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 co...
1hr 29m May 09, 2016
1hr 29m
Retronauts Micro 037: Little Samson
A look back at, to our knowledge, the final legacy ofMegaMancreator Akira Kitamura: The overlooked andoverpricedNESplatformer Little Samson. Be sure to visit our blog atRetronauts.com, and checkout our partner site, USgamer,for more great stuff. And if you'd like to send a few bucks ourway, head on over to our Patreon page!
11m May 02, 2016
11m
Retronauts Episode 64: Dracula X
Dan Adelman joins Jeremy and Bob to discuss one of the true treasures of the '90s: The Castlevania series' transformative duology, Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night. Enough talk, have at you! 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!
1hr 42m Apr 25, 2016
1hr 42m
Retronauts: Live At Midwestern Gaming Classic 2016
Jeremy and Bob hit the mean streets of Milwaukee to talk about the SEGA Master System on the eve of its 30th anniversary. Featuring special SEGA expert guests Greg Sewart and Dylan Cornelius. Special thanks to 249 Studios for the live recording! 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 w...
1hr 34m Apr 18, 2016
1hr 34m
Retronauts Micro 036: 16-Bit RPG Town Mixtape
On 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. 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!
17m Apr 11, 2016
17m
Retronauts Episode 63: Pokemon
Nothing 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...
1hr 43m Apr 04, 2016
1hr 43m
Retronauts Micro Episode 035: Metal Storm
IGN's Sam Claiborn stops by to discuss the merits, explosions, and alarming aftermarket price of Irem's NES classic, Metal Storm. Be sure to visit our blog at http://www.retronauts.com">Retronauts.com, and check out our partner site, http://www.usgamer.net">USgamer, for more great stuff. And if you'd like to send a few bucks our way, head on over to our https://www.patreon.com/retronauts">Patre...
13m Mar 28, 2016
13m
Retronauts Episode 62: High Fidelity Classic Gaming
What's the best way to play old games in these modern times? Jeremy Parish, Frank Cifaldi, and Christian Nutt plummet down the CRT-hunting, 240p-upscaling, console-recapping, and RGB-modding rabbit hole.
2hr 2m Mar 21, 2016
2hr 2m
Retronauts Micro 034: Deception
This week on Retronauts Micro, join Bob as he takes a trip to the dark world of Tecmo's trap-setting Home Alone simulator, Deception. 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!
9m Mar 14, 2016
9m
Retronauts Episode 61: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
What 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, a...
1hr 36m Mar 07, 2016
1hr 36m
Retronauts Micro #033: Ninja Five-O
Jeremy dives into Game Boy Advance classic (and overpriced rarity) Ninja Five-O, a game that probably should never have existed. But isn't it nice that it does?
11m Feb 29, 2016
11m
Retronauts Episode 60: The Music of Nobuo Uematsu
Jeremy and Bob spend a couple of hours musing about music with Chris Kohler and Kat Bailey. Specifically, the music of Nobuo Uematsu. Stay a while and listen! No, wait, wrong RPG series.
2hr 11m Feb 22, 2016
2hr 11m
Retronauts Micro 032: Our Gaming Bucket Lists
Bad 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 he...
15m Feb 15, 2016
15m
Retronauts Episode 59: PSP
Long 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...
1hr 32m Feb 08, 2016
1hr 32m
Retronauts Micro 031: Otocky
We've mentioned Otocky in passing, but now we delve into greater depth about this little-known but marvelously inventive music-based shoot-em-up by Electroplankton creator Toshio Iwai.
11m Feb 01, 2016
11m
Retronauts Episode 58: HAL Laboratory
Jeremy, Bob, Henry Gilbert, and Christian Nutt convene to look back at the history of HAL Laboratories in tribute to the late Satoru Iwata.
1hr 26m Jan 25, 2016
1hr 26m
Retronauts Micro 030: Our Favorite Years of Gaming
On 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! 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 ...
13m Jan 18, 2016
13m
Retronauts Episode 57: Half-Life 2
It'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 series 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...
1hr 21m Jan 11, 2016
1hr 21m
Retronauts Micro #029: Parasite Eve
End the holidays in the deserted streets of New York, fighting mutant rats and super-powered flying babies. Just like in the old days!
15m Jan 04, 2016
15m
Retronauts Special: State of the Podcast, 2016
Our 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. Be sure to visit our blog at Retronauts.com, and check out our partner site, U...
13m Dec 31, 2015
13m
Retronauts Vol. IV, Episode 56: Metroid
Jeremy, Bob, and IGN's Jose Otero revisit a subject dear to their hearts: Nintendo's Metroid series. It's the only Metroid podcast in 2015 that does't complain about Federation Force! (Because it was recorded before E3.)
1hr 40m Dec 28, 2015
1hr 40m
Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 55: Holiday 2015 Extravaganza
It'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 qu...
1hr 12m Dec 21, 2015
1hr 12m
Retronauts Micro 028: Legends of Localization Interview with Clyde and Heidi Mandelin
On 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!...
19m Dec 14, 2015
19m
Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 54: Super Mario 64
Almost 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...
1hr 28m Dec 07, 2015
1hr 28m
Retronauts Micro Episode #027: Q*Bert
Journey 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!
8m Nov 30, 2015
8m
Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 53: Williams' Arcade Classics
Jaz Rignall joins Bob and Jeremy to look back at Williams, who became an arcade legend with a small but fantastic collection of coin-ops. The innovation of Defender! The brilliance of Robotron! How Sinistar was arguably the arcade's first RTS! And more!
1hr 33m Nov 23, 2015
1hr 33m
Retronauts Micro 026: Clock Tower
Though 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. Be sure to ...
11m Nov 16, 2015
11m
Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 52: Devil May Cry
Devil 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, join 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 poe...
1hr 29m Nov 09, 2015
1hr 29m
Retronauts Micro Episode 25: Prince of Persia
Jeremy takes a trip back to ancient Persia to recount the story of the boy who would be its prince, assuming he can get past all the skeletons and spike pits and stuff.
19m Nov 02, 2015
19m
Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 51: The NES Launch
Live at Portland Retro Gaming Expo, Jeremy speaks one-on-one with podcast friends Frank Cifaldi, Gary Butterfield, Steve Lin, and of course our own Bob Mackey about the weekend's big commemorative event: The NES's 30th anniversary.
1hr 34m Oct 26, 2015
1hr 34m
Retronauts Micro 024: Spooky Save Room Mixtape
It'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 ...
12m Oct 19, 2015
12m
Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 50: Ico/Shadow of the Colossus
Ten 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, i...
1hr 44m Oct 12, 2015
1hr 44m
Retronauts Micro 023: Ace Attorney
10 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 serie...
12m Oct 05, 2015
12m
Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 49: Dragon Quest
In 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 Henr...
1hr 40m Sep 29, 2015
1hr 40m
Retronauts Micro Episode 22: In Tokyo
In Japan for Tokyo Game Show, Jeremy grills American game enthusiasts (and one celebrity guest!) to learn their favorite thing about Tokyo's retro game scene.
19m Sep 21, 2015
19m
Retronauts Season IV Episode 48: Super Mario Bros.
Wired's Chris Kohler and IGN's Jose Otero join us to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. There's also some Super Mario Maker discussion. Have a listen and get learned!
1hr 44m Sep 12, 2015
1hr 44m
Retronauts Micro 021: Rolling Thunder
Jeremy looks back on Namco's clasic arcade action game Rolling Thunder, the quintessential old-school take on "spy action" before Metal Gear redefined the genre to mean "stealth."
18m Sep 07, 2015
18m
Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 47: The Final Word on Metal Gear
As an era ends with the release of Metal Gear Solid V, Shane Bettenhausen and Jose Otero join us to wax rhapsodic about the unique history on gaming's longest-running saga. No haters or Hayters allowed!As an era ends with the release of Metal Gear Solid V, Shane Bettenhausen and Jose Otero join us to wax rhapsodic about the unique history on gaming's longest-running saga. No haters or Hayters a...
1hr 57m Aug 31, 2015
1hr 57m
Retronauts Micro 020: The Sounds of SNES SimCity
Soyo 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 epi...
21m Aug 24, 2015
21m
Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 46: The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past
Sing 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, Jere...
1hr 25m Aug 17, 2015
1hr 25m
Retronauts Micro Episode 019: Super Castlevania IV
Last year we looked at the Castlevania NES trilogy; now we explore its weird but wonderful follow-up, Super Castlevania IV for Super NES.
14m Aug 10, 2015
14m
Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 45: The Monkey Island Series with Special Guest Ron Gilbert
25 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 epis...
1hr 1m Aug 03, 2015
1hr 1m
Retronauts Micro 018: Echo Night
From 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 si...
12m Jul 27, 2015
12m
Retronauts Micro Episode 017: Treasure
Jeremy takes a look at one of gaming's great studios, whose work seems to have been largely forgotten in this day and age. Will Treasure rise again, or will their two-decade collection of brilliance stand as their legacy?
13m Jul 22, 2015
13m
Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 44: PlayStation's 20 and a Moment of Silence
Retronauts vet and Sony enthusiast/employee Shane Bettenhausen joins us to discuss the 20th anniversary of the PS1 launch in America. (This episode is running before its intended September time slot due to the tragic news that breaks midway through.)
1hr 38m Jul 14, 2015
1hr 38m
Retronauts Vol. IV episode 43: Chrongaming
Can a podcast be self-indulgent if the topic was provided by someone else? The famous Dr. Sparkle joins us to fulfill Sean Clements' Kickstarter topic request: Chrongaming. Join us as we psychoanalyze our own obsessive-compulsive behavior!
1hr 23m Jul 06, 2015
1hr 23m
Retronauts Micro 016: EarthBound Beginnings/Mother
It's been a wild couple of weeks for The Unlikeliest Things Ever: A single conference at E3 brought us the return of The Last Guardian, news of the long-awaited Final Fantasy VII remake, and Shenmue's glorious rise from the ashes. But just a few days before this madness, Nintendo had its own bomb to drop: The eShop launch of the 1989 RPG Mother, which the company originally planned to release s...
14m Jun 29, 2015
14m