Retrovaniacs

Episode 102 : Conquest of the Crystal Palace (NES)

It's our 2nd Patron requested episode!  Patron "Burgerchamp" has selected Conquest of the Crystal Palace for the Nintendo, a game none of us had played before, and a game with a surprising developer!  This action platformer has a lot going for it -- most notably a dog you can summon -- but is it something you should hunt down to try?
Also discussed: the new Contra Rogue Corps demo, Apple Arcade, and some listener questions about console failures, bad rentals, and games that made us a little sad.
Want to skip right to Conquest of the Crystal Palace?  Start at 13:45!
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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 101 : Space Channel 5 (Dreamcast)

As we mentioned last episode, starting with episode 101 we are adding another generation to the podcast : Dreamcast, PS2, Gamecube, and Gameboy Advance are now systems we consider to be retro, now that the Dreamcast is 20 years old!   And we chose Space Channel 5 to kick off the next 100 shows with a CHU!
Ulala is a reporter for Space Channel 5, and she's been sent to uncover the truth about a new alien menace-- by dance-off!  Will Ulala's first game save the day, or is this another music-based game that may be more fun to watch than play?  Listen to hear what we thought!
We also kick the show off with a short discussion about the most recent Nintendo Direct, and as always answer a stack of listener mail!
Want to start right (up left down chu chu chu) at Space Channel 5?  Pick it up 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 100 : Tiger Handhelds

We made it to 100 episodes, and we aren't slowing down at all!  For our 100th episode spectacular, we've got a collection of Tiger handheld (and maybe a non-Tiger one) from the early days of handheld gaming to tell you about.  We're going to talk about 7 games total, from Double Dragon and concluding with our highly anticipated look at the MC Hammer game that Billy mentioned probably 95 episodes ago.  It's been a long road to get here, but at the end of that road -- we start to look down the next road...
We also answer a batch of listener mail covering their thoughts on Tiger handhelds, special gaming rulesets, and thankfully -- not pee.
Want to skip right to the handhelds (for some awful reason...)?   Then shift to that 12:30 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.
Outro this week is the end of Super Mario Bros 2 (US) because Tiger Handhelds sound like garbage.

Episode 99 : Fortified Zone (Game Boy)

Our first Patron requested game, Kyle VonKubik (aka ObeyKube of OneRadTee.com) selected Fortified Zone for the Nintendo Game Boy!  A game none of us had played or even heard about before, this 3/4 top view action shooter has a real Metal Gear feel to it.  Was this just another clone of a more popular franchise, or did this do something new and different, especially for a handheld console that had a lot of forgettable games over it's long lifespan?
We also answered some listener questions about possibly covering movies, modern gaming concerns, and... pee?
Want to skip right to the game, start at 8:10!   Want to skip to the pee question?  Maybe this isn't the podcast you want?
__________________________
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 98 : New Adventure Island (TurboGrafx-16)

Grab your favorite ball cap and loincloth, because we're taking a look at the TG-16 installment of the Adventure Island series when we jump to New Adventure Island!   Master Higgins is on a quest to save his fiancee from Baron Bronsky, and we join him for all 25 levels of his trip.  Will this adventure be a vacation, or will this be another trip we all wish to forget?
We answer a few listener mails as well, all about console launches, our personal lists of games we wish we hadn't covered, and more!
Want to grab a skateboard and get right to the game?  Start at the 11:30 mark!
__________________________
If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs, 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 97 : Gunstar Heroes (Genesis)

We're taking a look at the Treasure-made Genesis title, Gunstar Heroes!  A game highly regarded by action fans, we go back and play it again to see how well it holds up now. 
We also answer some listener questions on mini console wishes and our best game hauls (but not game halls).
Want to skip to Gunstar Heroes? Pick your starting level and weapon, and jump to the 10:30 mark!
__________________________
If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs, 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 96 : Rygar (NES)

This time we take a look at Tecmo's Rygar for the NES!  Based loosely on the 1986 arcade game of the same name, on the NES they completely redesigned the tale of The Legendary Warrior from a side-scrolling action arcade game into an early "Metroidvania", that existed before the 'vania part of that portmanteau was even a thing.  Did they succeed, or was this another case of a solid idea that just wasn't developed enough?
We also discuss our thoughts on Mario Maker 2, the sequel to the Wii U Mario Maker, which we covered in full WAY back in Episode 10.
Want to skip to Rygar?  Grab your Diskarmor and head to the 9:15 mark!
__________________________
If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs, 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 95 : Earthbound (SNES)

We try to cover a full-length 16-bit RPG as we take a look at Earthbound!  A sequel to Mother, a game not released in the US, when Mother 2 arrived in the states with a new name change and a questionable advertising strategy, it did not get received well... however, it has developed a dedicated cult following over the years, and so we took our time and played this fully to determine if this cult hit is deserving of its reputation as an underappreciated hit.
We also answer some listener questions on Burgertime, the upcoming TG-16 mini console, and... Enya?
Want to skip to Ness and his friends?  Start at the 8:15 mark!
__________________________
If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs, 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.
 
 

BONUS SHOW : Burgertime Deluxe (Game Boy)

What?  An unexpected show?  Our next full-length regular show will be out next week as usual, but this is the first Retrovaniacs Mini-Episode.  What are those?  Well, listen and find out.  This one is free, but all future mini-shows are going to be only for our Patreon backers.  Listen to the show for details.
We hope you are interested in backing us, and if so our Patreon is located here : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21041333
If not, no pressure-- the regular twice-a-month shows will continue regardless.  Thank you for listening, and we hope you'll at least consider joining the Patreon!

Episode 94 : Kid Dracula (NES)

Now that we have access to this 1990 Famicom game outside Japan via the newly released Konami Castlevania Anniversary Collection, we finally get a chance to play Kid Dracula-- a game in the Castlevania timeline where you play Dracula's son (or maybe just a kid Dracula) as he attempts to regain his father's kingdom after a 10,000 year nap.   Does this belong in the same collection with some of the best games of the NES / SNES / and Genesis eras, or was this game better left as an odd footnote to a highly regarded series of games?  We let you know what we think.
We also answer a fairly large pile of listener mail, and discuss odd peripherals, answer questions about this podcast itself, and of course more Taco Bell related questions.
Want to skip right to Lil' Drac? Start at the 7:00 mark!
__________________________
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.