Retrovaniacs

Episode 41 : Metal Slug (NeoGeo)

We take our first look at the NeoGeo system, with a series of games that will definitely challenge your run-and-gun shooter skillls, Metal Slug 1-6 (via the Metal Slug Anthology).  Before we dig into what Billy has aptly described as "cartoon Contra", we reflect on the NeoGeo itself, and why none of us have ever owned one.
We also answer a listener question : What same-room multiplayer games would cause the most confrontation, and what were you good at?
Check out our Twitter feed, @retrovaniacs, where we'll put some links to videos of Jeremy P playing Metal Slug!
Next week, we try out some pinball.  Or spinball.  Or something.

Episode 40: Predator (NES)

This week we review a game based on one of the best action movies of all time, Predator for the NES.  Will this game be nearly as good as the movie it's based on?
Also we look back at 2016, listing our favorite games and biggest disappointments, and try not to just cry about the Wii U.
Next up : We look at a run-and-gun shooter on the NEO GEO...

Episode 39 : Batman Returns (Multiplatform)

It's a very Retrovaniacs Christmas, with a loosely holiday themed game -- Batman Returns for mainly the SNES and Sega Genesis!  Watch the movie, it happens around Christmas.  Also there is a level with Christmas presents in the background.
Look, we're clearly stretching here to tie this one to the holidays, but we do have a Christmas present related listener question, which brings us back to the Christmas mornings of yesteryears.
Next episode : If it bleeds, we can kill it...

Episode 38: Tomba! (Playstation)

Doing something a little different this week -- before Retrovaniacs the podcast, there was just Retrovania.net, a site where we posted video reviews and gaming articles.  One of those reviews was on Tomba! for the Sony Playstation.   This review received the most criticism from folks who didn't agree with Jeremy Gregory -- including Jeremy Parmentier.    One Jeremy loves it, one Jeremy hates it, and Billy Holiday is here playing for the first time. 
We're taking a second look at Tomba!, an interesting 2D/3D questing platformer for the Sony Playstation, and then we spend FAR too long discussing our thoughts on the first 10-20 hours of Final Fantasy XV!   So -- if you have no interest in hearing about FFXV, you can skip the last half of the show!
 

Episode 37 : Golgo 13 (NES)

We take on yet another listener request, Golgo 13 : Top Secret Mission for the Nintendo Entertainment System.   A game that combines adventure sections with several other gameplay styles, that spans the globe is certainly an ambitious game to design -- but is it any fun?
We also discuss classic games we love that we can also see why if we had never played them beforet today may not be as highly regarded.
Next week : Tomba! for the Playstation

Episode 36 : Kid Icarus (NES)

Billy returns to Retrovanicas this week!  Just in time for the release of the NES Classic, we're taking a lengthy look at Kid Icarus, a classic that is also a featured game on the Classic!   We dig deep into this game which Jeremy P has declared is "his favorite NES game of all time"-- and both Billy and Jeremy hadn't played it before, so this one could cause some fist fights.
We also kick the show off with a special announcement of sorts, and finally Billy gets to tell us all what he thinks of the switch!
 
Next episode we take on another listener request - Golgo 13!
 

Episode 35 : 16-Bit Castlevanias (Halloween 2016)

We may be short one Billy Holiday this week, but don't be scared -- he will be back next episode!  This week, however, the Jeremys take you on a journey spanning 4 years and 3 consoles to discuss Super Castlevania 4 (SNES), Castlevania Bloodlines (Genesis), Dracula X (SNES), and the japanese only Castlevania : Rondo of Blood (PC Engine CD)!
Next week, we return to our usual format and take on Kid Icarus for the NES!
Happy Halloween!

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.