In 1998, the most people knew of Zelda was 16 bit adventures framed in a top down style. And nobody minded. Zelda was still a top three Nintendo franchise. But when Ocarina of Time hit stores in time for holiday 98, it became a sensation. Nobody would have guessed the leap from 2D to 3D would be so dramatic, so immersive, and so special. On this episode of A Gamer Looks at 40, we continue our romp through the Legend of Zelda series with Ocarina of Time. Join a cast of OOT super fans and I as we ...
Jan 16, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 61
Nothing says "holidays" like the annual tradition of filling out greeting cards for friends and family. And nothing says excess like receiving a two page essay on the year long going-ons of people you barely knew. Jimmy got a gold medal in his swim meet back in May, Addy is expecting their 3rd child in February, etc. For me, nobody cares what my son did back in August. Most likely picking his nose. But what they may care about are the games I played this year. Join me as I spend eight minutes ta...
Dec 26, 2022•9 min
Do you remember your first video game? Do you remember learning how to play that game? If you're like me, probably not. For me, Super Mario Brothers just made sense. There was trial and error, but nothing too challenging. So why do us as parents feel pulled to teach our kids how to enjoy our favorite medium? Is it even possible? And where do we draw the line between trying to guide and letting them fail. And ultimately, how did we, as young gamers, navigate this surprisingly tricky pastime with ...
Dec 19, 2022•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 60
What's real? What's fake? Can you trust everyone you mean on your journey and even if you can, should you do what they say? While this may sound like the thesis behind The Stanley Parable, it's one of the many complex themes in Link's Awakening, a 4 bit Game Boy game released in 1993. On this episode, myself and a host of Zelda fans talk about this miracle of a game. First experiences, ending conspiracies, and why the game works as a work of fiction and a work of play. Starring (all handles from...
Dec 12, 2022•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 59
Before 2011, Zelda music was relegated to the world of chiptune themes, YouTube creator covers, and the occasional red herring download from Kazza or LimeWire. So, when Symphony of the Goddesses arrived in 2012, it not only gave fans the chance to hear timeless music the way it was intended to be enjoyed, it let non-gamers understand what us Zelda heads were raving about. And in the midst of it all, frequent guest Andrew Craig was a part of it. From starting as an E3 photographer to brushing sho...
Dec 05, 2022•28 min•Ep. 58
In 1993, Nintendo ran a Legend of Zelda comic, in 12 parts, in Nintendo Power Magazine. The comic was amazing. Not only was it a way for us to experience the 16 bit exploits of Link without bothering our parents for a new cartridge, it expanded on the lore for existing LttP pros. It's classic, cheesy, and perfect for a dumb idea. In this episode, Blue, Ryan and Donnie join me in an unrehearsed, unplanned live table read of the first three chapters of this super 90's comic. What follows is a biza...
Nov 21, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 57
On this continuation of last week's Part 1, we talk more memories, Link to the Past's legacy, various odds and ends, and a final word on the very nature of what makes a game timeless. Starring (all handles from Twitter): Steve Luzader Andrew Craig Blue (@wytersview), Donnie (@donniegretro) and Ryan (@retrogamebrews) of @gamersweekpc Greg Sewart (@sewart) of @p1podcast Trevor and Jeff of @newdadgaming Lord Reverend D (Knightfall247) of Rulebooks Anonymous Podcast Seth (@twodollarhero) of @allnpod...
Nov 14, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 56
What can you say about one of the greatest games ever made? How do you cover a game that's been the topic of hundreds, maybe thousands, of articles, review shows, and Twitter arguments? The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past falls into this rarified category. Universally beloved and investigated to death. The answer is surprisingly easy: tell people stories and personal recollections. On this episode of A Gamer Looks at 40, a cast of Zelda fans and I share stories of our first impressions and f...
Nov 07, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 55
In my family growing up, Halloween was a lesser holiday. We did the standard trick-or-treating, costumes, and careful inspection of candy looking for sharp objects everyone did. But as we grew older, our appreciation for both the holiday and the scary media that comes from it grew and grew. On this loose and easy episode of A Gamer Looks at 40, my brother and I share stories of childhood Halloweens, scary games that made an impression and don our film nerd hats to chat about our favorite horror ...
Oct 31, 2022•55 min•Ep. 54
Growing up, Zelda 2 was known as the "bad Zelda game". As the sentiment evolved from friends on the playground to angry gamer dude YouTubers, my thoughts were in line with the crowd, even though I had never played the game. And why would I? Loud voices online all agree, the thing stinks. Why waste time on a terrible experience? On this episode, I shed my preconceived notions and backed by a panel of Zelda fans, all with their own takes and memories, dive in and form my own opinions. The end resu...
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 53
A gold case. An epic theme. A cave in the middle of nowhere. Those humble beginnings birthed a decade spanning series that's still beloved to this day. Join a smashing cast of Zelda fans and I as we discuss the original Legend of Zelda for the NES. First impressions, lasting memories, and the occasional critique. Starring: Seth Sturgill of the All N Podcast (@allnpodcast) Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found (@momfound) Allen Petrozzi Blue Williams (@wytersview) of @gamersweekpc Greg Sewart of @p...
Oct 17, 2022•49 min•Ep. 52
In Part 2 of our introductory walk through the Legend of Zelda series, we examine if the character of Link matters to the series, if the twisted lore is required knowledge, and whether or not the classic Zelda formula works today. Starring: Seth Sturgill of the All N Podcast (@allnpodcast) Allen Petrozzi Andrew Craig Ryan aka @gameswithcoffee Dan of @retrologicgames Donnie and Blue of @gamersweekpc Greg Sewart of @p1podcast Trevor and Greg of @newdadgaming Lord Reverend D (@Knightfall247) of the...
Oct 10, 2022•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 51
One day in the early 80's, Shigeru Miyamoto looked back and thought about his days roaming the Kyoto countryside as a youth. The result of his daydream was The Legend of Zelda, a landmark franchise full of action, adventure, and exploration. To kick off a multi-month exploration of this world class series, we take a look at Zelda as a comprehensive work before diving into the individual eras. Why its endured, what the games do well (and not so well) and the personal stories that define our fando...
Oct 03, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 50
In honor of the coming Legend of Zelda series, I give you one of my favorite episodes from last year. Andrew Craig and Greg of the Level Zero podcast (@levelzeropod on Twitter) share two stories of how the Legend of Zelda shaped them in both serious and hilarious ways. My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support t...
Sep 26, 2022•37 min
It's ooky. It's kooky. It's one of the best point and click adventures ever made. And yes, it still holds up today. Featuring unique humor, sensational music, and the occasional scary nurse, this Luscasarts classic is a personal favorite. Join Blair Farrell and I as we revisit this one of a kind game and discuss why it's a modern classic. Starring Blair Farrell of comicbookvideogames.com and the author of The Avengers in Video Games. My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerl...
Sep 19, 2022•27 min
Endlessly mocked and memed by the internet, Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub Zero marks the beginning and end of what might have been a cool bit of lore expanding games. But shoddy controls, poorly acted cut scenes, and an overall lack of polish rightfully placed this title into bargain bin territory. On this episode of Tales From the Bargain Bin, Blair Farrell shares his history with this bizarre but well intentioned game and takes on the toughest Mortal Kombat quiz 10 minutes of research could y...
Sep 12, 2022•29 min
NOTE: This episode as some cussing in it. If you're in your car with kids, save this for when you have some alone time. As many of you know, Bioshock is one of my favorite series. Each entry presents a fantastic immersive sim experience rich with exciting gameplay, fascinating lore, and rich story. And theme upon themes upon themes. Except Bioshock Infinite. I've spent many a Twitter thread lamenting the utter disappointment of this now divisive game to the point of becoming a self-parody. Lucki...
Sep 05, 2022•3 hr 6 min
These days, I need to chill. Relax. Contemplate. What I didn't think I needed was a swim in a virtual fish tank with all manner of manta rays, swordfish, and sharks. But that's exactly what Abu offers. A wonderful, frictionless aquatic experience that hides a rich lore and story beneath it's seemingly simple waves. But I didn't get any of that. I had fun playing with the fishies. Originally aired on Episode 75 of Mage Cast, this episode features The Well Red Mage and I as we discuss this title a...
Aug 29, 2022•1 hr 21 min
Our first BTS Bonus episode is a replay of one of my favorite conversations on the show - a talk with Paul Tesi, also known as MegaRetroMan online. In 2019, Paul entered the Classic Tetris World Championship as a relative newbie and took down the greatest Tetris player who ever lived. A story of triumph that's tempered by the harsh realities of winning big in a niche competition, this episode does what I think this podcast was designed to do. Bring interesting personal stories to people ready to...
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Remember the Nintendo Power contests? I sure do. Feverishly filling out the punch out entry card, begging my mom to mail it and hoping for the best was a bi-monthly tradition. The contests ranged from the mundane to insane, but it was always fun to check out the prizes and dream. But who won these things? Who actually took home the grand prizes? A couple of the famous ones are well documented, but for the most part, these winners are lost to time and old back issues. Until I went on a journey to...
Aug 15, 2022•38 min•Ep. 49
The cadence of the show is changing for months of August and September. Fancy what's going on? Give this quick update a listen! Support the show
Aug 08, 2022•5 min
What's a bandicoot? In the days before the internets, this question rattled around my brain along with the names of my favorite hockey players, random facts about Garbage Pail kids, and the shocking complexity of physics force diagrams. And there it stayed unanswered until the smashing and debonair Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found suggested a game for this edition of Tales from the Bargain Bin. What begins as a cautious exploration of Crash Bandicoot Warped quickly devolves into a bash campai...
Aug 01, 2022•37 min
The audio equivalent of turning lemons into lemonade, Side Quests allows me to share the awesome stories and entertaining insights that didn't make the main episodes for whatever reason. From mediations on the nature of difficulty to dunking on beloved consoles, this edition of Side Quests run the gambit from funny to thoughtful, clever to comical. Listen today! Or tomorrow! Whenever is convenient! Starring (all handles from Twitter): @redauxpdx Allen Petrozzi @knightfall247 of the Rulebooks Ano...
Jul 25, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 48
When you've been married to somebody for seven years and known them for double that time, it's easy to think you know everything. Luckily for everyone involved, that's never the case. On this special anniversary edition of A Gamer Looks at 40, I chat with my wife, Jamie, about all things gaming. The wrinkle? Jamie isn't a gamer. What starts as a fun conversation about the medium morphs into topics of childhood trauma, gaming while horribly hungover, and thoughts on the level of fandom required t...
Jul 18, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 47
What do you get when you take a city kid out of the suburbs and stick him on the edge of a lake in a pop-up camper? A semi-disastrous weekend that makes for a semi-entertaining piece of side content for this very podcast. Staring Pete Harney (@cipherzero on Twitter) My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the ...
Jul 11, 2022•46 min
What do you get when you cross a controversial first person shooter with an average breakfast cereal and throw it into 5.7 million cereal boxes? A generation of kids whose first Doom clone was Chex Quest. Join loyal patron, Twitch channel viewer, and my brother-in-law Pete Harney as we discuss this surprisingly solid shooter, favorite breakfast cereals, and the never ending allure of shameless product placement in your local supermarket. Starring Pete Harney (@cipherxzero on Twitter) My Twitter:...
Jul 04, 2022•34 min
In the days before websites, social media, and the hellish world of click-bait, we had videogame magazines. They weren't just an information source. They were a window into another world. When you have the funds for give games a year, videogame magazines allowed us to play the titles without owning them. There are few things more nostalgic than flicking through an old Nintendo Power or GamePro. And of all the magazines available on convenience store shelves, one reigned supreme: Electronic Gamin...
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 46
Before nearly every interview, I assault - I mean - kindly ask my guests three silly questions with the hope of getting equally silly answers. What often occurs is a find side conversation, neat anecdote or touching tale. On this week's three questions episode, we discuss national monuments, game shows, and corporate shakeups. 12 guests, three questions, 90 minutes worth of fun. Starring in order of appearance (all handles Twitter) Allen Petrozzi Ryan aka GamesWithCoffee (@GamesWCoffee) Dan from...
Jun 20, 2022•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 45
Part of the joy of doing this podcast is hearing how games shaped people's lives. If music and movies can do so, why can't videogames? On this week's episode, I chat with professor of game design and studio founder Daniel Greenberg. Where most people can cite moments and memories of Final Fantasy 6, Daniel professes the game as a formative title in his life. From personal connections, to professional opportunities to academic pursuits, this 1994 Square classic touched nearly every milestone in D...
Jun 13, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 44
What do you get when you create an animated TV show filled with teenagers with bad British accents protecting the something from nefarious henchmen? James Bond Jr, the TV show. What do you get when you make a game off this very average cartoon? James Bond Jr the video game. Join my brother and I as we clumsily attempt to fill a 30 minute episode with comments on the game, GameFAQs reviews, and a talk on nuclear fission. Starring the one and only Bobby Tucker. My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Face...
Jun 06, 2022•33 min
