Retrovaniacs

Episode 121 : Gemfire (SNES)

It's another Patron-requested game- we're taking a look at the SNES version of Gemfire (which was also released on the NES, Genesis, and PC).  This Koei strategy game came with a 50+ page manual, and doesn't explain itself very well in-game, but once we took the time to figure it out, did we decide it was a strategy classic?  Listen to see what we thought.
 
Also discussed, dream fighting games, pizza, wrestling games, and more!
 
Want to skip right to the battle?  Start at the 12:00 mark!
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If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333
 
If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net
 
Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

Episode 120 : G.I.Joe The Atlantis Factor (NES)

We take on another Patreon requested game, the second G.I. Joe game on the NES, The Atlantis Factor by Capcom!  Capcom made some solid licensed games in the NES era (Disney aftenoon, anyone?), but did they do well with G.I. Joe or is this another garbage use of what could be a good license?
Also discussed, vacation gaming memories, a frosty debate, and a question about the best little handheld that didn't - the Vita.
Want to get right to your mission? Jump in the Tomahawk and get dropped off at the 9:50 mark!
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If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333
If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net
Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

Episode 119 : Actraiser (SNES)

This episode we take a look at an early SNES blend of action and strategy - Actraiser! Is this a game that successfully blends two gameplay styles into something great, or is this another example of two great tastes that should be eaten separately?
Also discussed: what arcade games we would buy if we could only buy one, licensed titles that missed the mark, and we got more food questions, so we get a little greasy for you yet again.
Want to warp right to the game?  Fly your Sky Castle to the 11:00 mark!
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If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333
If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net
Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.
 
 

Episode 118 : Judge Dredd (SNES)

Finally, Stallone fans celebrate!  Courtesy of patron "Metal Dooley", we're taking a look at Judge Dredd, the 1995 SNES / Genesis game tie-in to the 1995 movie based on the comic book you probably aren't super familiar with!  We weren't familiar with this one, so we all went in blind to see how this 16-bit licensed property game turned out.
Also discussed, our thoughts on the Harv's Island June event on Animal Crossing, our favorite co-op gaming experiences, and thanks to our listener mail segment -- Breakfast Sandwiches.  Probably our most compelling content in years, to be honest.
Want to skip right to Judge Dredd?  Skip to the 13 minute mark!
Want to hear about Breakfast Sandwiches? That'd be 1:09 and 45 seconds.  Please pull around to the second window.
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If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333
If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net
Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

Episode 117 : Psychonauts (XBox)

I can't believe this is Retro?  But -- it's 15 years old now so we'll go ahead and take a look at Double Fine's first console game, Psychonauts for the XBox! Join us and Raz as he attends Whispering Pines Psychic Summer Camp, and maybe solve a brain-snatching mystery.  
We also answer some listener mail and discuss questionable methods of playing retro games, game genres we don't like, and the many ways you can send us messages or requests.
Want to jump right into Psychonauts?  Start at around the 11:00 mark!
__________________________
If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333
If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net
Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

Episode 116 : Secret of Mana (SNES)

As requested by Menthion on our Patreon, we are taking a look at classic Square action RPG Secret of Mana! Loads of people swear by Secret of Mana as a guaranteed classic (in fact it's on the SNES Classic), but does it hold up now?
We also answer several listener questions, Billy makes a startling revelation regarding his thoughts on Pac-Man, and we have an impromptu review of Ultra Offroad Simulator 2019 Alaska!
Want to skip right to mana and it's possible secrets?  Jump to 5:45!
__________________________
If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333
If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net
Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

Episode 115 : Alpha Mission vs Star Force (NES)

This time we tried something slightly different from the norm, instead of looking at one specific game, we are looking at two very similar top down shooters from the NES era, Alpha Mission (by SNK) and Star Force (by Tecmo).  Both of these arcade ports are ones that we had as kids -- both share the dubious honor of being a game we bought "because they were there" and as a result played them a lot.
We look at these two games specifically to answer a question : Is it better to be a game that tries to do a lot of interesting things but sort of fails, or a game that tries to do almost nothing and succeeds?
We also answer several listener questions about arcade ports, bonus show questions, and a listener feels we missed the mark on Starfox 2 a while ago.
Want to jump right to the games?  Start at 6:50!
__________________________
If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333
If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net
Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.

Episode 114 : Oddworld Stranger's Wrath (Xbox)

We take a look at our first Xbox game, and the 4th Oddworld title, Stranger's Wrath! The last of the Oddworld games released (not including remakes) was an odd blend of 3rd and 1st person action, with all the character expected of an Oddworld game - but with an HD remake out now for modern systems, we thought we'd look into how this game holds up today.
Also discussed, phobias around certain animals appendages, villains who become partners in classic games, Johnny Turbo, and much more!
We do spoil this game, so if you want to stop listening at the spoiler mark, you can start again at about the 52 minute mark for Listener Mail.
Want to skip right to Stranger's Wrath?  Start at 11:30!
__________________________
If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333
If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net
Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.
 
 

Episode 113 : Gone Fishin

This episode, Billy and Jeremy P look at their favorite fishing mini-games.  This is a non-standard episode, and hopefully you enjoy it.  If not, please stay tuned for more standard shows soon.
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If you want free bonus Retrovaniacs shows, from March 18, 2020 though April 30, 2020, all bonus Retrovaniacs shows on Patreon are free of charge!  That's 20+ extra shows!  On May 1, 2020 this can possibly go back to "normal", but until then if you sign up at the $5 monthly level, you will not be charged and have FREE access to those bonus shows!
Thank you, and we will see you soon!

Episode 112 : Killer Instinct (SNES)

Our second game for #FightMonth is a Rare created and Nintendo published fighter - Killer Instinct! All of us had played this one before, but hadn't revisited the original SNES version in quite a while.  Does this one hold up to the classics of the day?  We give you our thoughts, and Billy shares a couple stories about his youth and this game.
Also discussed this episode, a little too much coverage of the Resident Evil 2 remake, probably not enough time spent on the Sonic the Hedgehog movie, and listener questions on game censorship, Urban Champion, and other fighting games we think tried something different and may not be remembered today.
Want to jump right to Killer Instinct?  Start at 13:40!
__________________________
If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must cover, our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333
If you enjoy this podcast, why not write a review wherever you download it from? It's easy, and helps people find us by accident. Find everything Retrovaniacs at http://www.retrovania.net
Intro song is "8-Bitter" by Subtastics, and is used with permission, mainly because Jeremy P is in that band.