Retrovaniacs

Episode 34: Monster Party (NES)

We kick off October's Halloween Retroween right, with an episode about one of the strangest games on the NES, Monster Party!  We know we said we were doing Kid Icarus, but that's not going to happen until November now -- we've got to get in the Halloween spirit!
Also, Jeremy P really thinks he's getting a PS4, so he has some questions regarding the newly released Slim and the soon-to-be-released Pro.
Retroween continues next time in Episode 35, a 16-bit Castlevania extravaganza!

Episode 33 : Air Zonk (TurboGrafx-16)

Another listener request this time, we're looking at Air Zonk for the Turbografx-16, a branch of the Bonk family of games that takes the franchise from side-scrolling action game to shooter.  Could this finally be a TG-16 game that Billy and Jeremy don't hate?
Also discussed, notable game save losses that brought the three of us back from a gaming high to yet another depressing low.
Next week : Jeremy and Billy finally play a guaranteed NES classic they somehow have missed over the past 30 years.

Episode 32 : Robocop Vs Terminator (Genesis)

Robocop fights Terminators. We shouldn't have to say any more to sell you on this, but that would be a 5 second podcast, so instead we say a lot more about the game including: a comparison between this and the Super Nintendo version of this game, a discussion of time travel mechanics, and thankfully completely ignore the Terminator movies after T2.
We also tackle a listener question regarding what game we would play if we knew this was our last few minutes alive!
In an unprecedented display of planning, we have our next two games already chosen!  First up is Air Zonk for the TurboGrafx-16 (listener request), and then we take on one of Jeremy P's favorite games of all time, Kid Icarus for the NES.

Episode 31 : Super Mario RPG (SNES)

Join the Retrovaniacs as we take on our first RPG - Super Mario RPG: Secret of the Seven Stars!   An interesting effort by Square and Nintendo from 1996, but does it hold up today?  Does anyone fondly remember Mallow?  Why isn't Geno more popular?  This and many other questions will arise as we take on the longest game we've looked at to date!
Also discussed, game controllers we loved or always wanted!
Next episode will be Robocop vs The Terminator for the Sega Genesis!

Episode 30 : Kendo Rage (SNES)

This week we take on our 2nd listener request for the podcast, Kendo Rage for the SNES!   Listen as we fumble our way through a 2d action/platformer with interesting bosses, and ... well, maybe that's the high note.   Lots of little audio problems were dealt with to record this episode, so as bad as parts of it may sound, it was WAY worse before Jeremy P spent an evening or two working on it.
Also discussed, a listener question regarding emulation versus units like the upcoming mini NES and the Atari/Intellivision/Colecovision Flashback units, and why grown men are excited about 30 old NES games coming out again in November.
Get ready, because next week we take on the RPG genre for the first time with Super Mario RPG for the Super Nintendo!

Episode 29 : Goonies 2 (NES)

Brush up on your Truffle Shuffle and make sure to have a Baby Ruth on hand, because this week we're delving into one of Jeremy P's favorite games, Goonies 2 on the NES.
We also discuss the upcoming NES Mini, which is probably going to be way bigger than the Wii U and NX, despite being based on technology from 30+ years ago!
Next week, we tackle another listener request, a game we know nothing about -- Kendo Rage for the SNES.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter (@retrovaniacs) to get some extras like snapshots of the Official Nintendo Player's Guide entry for this game, Vines, and random feedback about each episode and videos on Retrovania.net.

Episode 28 : Gex (Playstation)

After a week of delay, Retrovaniacs returns for some Tail Time with the original Gex for the Sony Playstation!
Also, a listener calls us out for what appears to be some contradicting thoughts on video game endings, and Billy teases us with a dark secret he will share next episode.
Next episode, grab your Yo-yo and Spring Shoes, we'll be playing Goonies 2 on the NES!

Episode 27 : Young Merlin (SNES)

The Retrovaniacs take their first listener request, an action adventure game none of us had heard of before, Young Merlin on the Super Nintendo!  Join us as we delve into Merlin's sordid past, and ride more than our fair share of minecarts on the way.
Do you have a request for Retrovaniacs?  Let us know on Twitter, @retrovaniacs or via our Facebook page or a well aimed carrier pigeon.
Next episode, get ready to look everywhere for that remote you misplaced, because we're taking on Gex on the Sony Playstation.

Episode 26 : Fighting Force (Playstation)

We kick off year 2 of Retrovaniacs with a bang- or at least a good deal of punches and kicks.  This time we look back at Fighting Force for the Sony Playstation, a 3d take on 2d classics of the past like Double Dragon or Streets of Rage.  Does it make the transition to 3d smoothly?  Listen and find out what we think!
We also take our first listener request for next week's game, and answer a listener question about classic gaming magazines and code books.
Next week (by request) - Young Merlin for the Super Nintendo!

Episode 25 : Banjo-Kazooie (N64)

It's our 25th episode, 1-year anniversary supershow!  How do we celebrate?  Why, by reviewing an old video game!
This week we look back at Banjo-Kazooie, a 3d platformer from the Nintendo 64, one of Jeremy's recommendations, and a probably the most current game we've reviewed, and that still puts it out almost 20 years ago!  Does it still hold up today?
Also we pull back the curtain on ourselves, and how we pick these games, with some listener questions!
Next week, join us as we start off year 2 of Retrovaniacs with Fighting Force for the Sony Playstation!