How much do you know about Dick Tracy. If you're a person of my vintage, it's the campy 90's movie starring Al Pacino and Madonna and James Rolfe screaming about the video game adaptation. On this episode of Tales From the Bargain Bin, Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found fame talk about this strange, ill fated game, AVGN videos, the Sopranos, and the bizarre lengths Warren Beatty goes to maintain ownership of the Dick Tracy license. Enjoy! Support the show...
Aug 21, 2023•38 min
Salutations lovers of the underworld! Doom 2016. A lightning blast of blistering gameplay, buckets of blood and an incomprehensible lore nobody cares about, this Bethesda backed splatterfest is a joy to experience. Join my brother and I as we talk potential TV series, make comparisons to the original Doom, and share the dangers of standing still in the bowels of Hell. LIKE THIS EPISODE? BECOME A PATRON! https://www.patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My ...
Aug 14, 2023•34 min
In Part 2 of our exploration of rental houses and video stores, we talk about games. All. The. Games. From the love-at-first-play titles to the weekend ruining disappointments, we swap stories of purchases yore. And we conclude the conversation by thinking back to what it was like as a kid wandering the aisles of our favorite video shop searching for the perfect game. STARRING (all handles from Twitter) Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found Podcast (@mom_found) Brian aka @DayandKnightly Celeste of...
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 82
Remember your local video store? Maybe it was a mom and pop shop on the outskirts of town. Perhaps it was a big box chain in the corner of a strip mall. Regardless of where it was or what it was called, video stores were more than a weekly fix of random games. It was an oasis of exploration and discovery. A place where $4 could buy you a brand new favorite or a weekend of disappointment. Join myself and a gaggle of fellow travelers as we unpack the memories of rental shops: what we rented, where...
Jul 31, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 81
Time to dip into the deep bowels of the Disney well and chat about a game we played to death because we - well - owned it. And the funny thing? This strange licensed piece of children's software isn't half bad. Join my brother and I as we discuss oddly fun mini games, why adults go to Disney World, Nintendo Power's Pak Watch and how standing in lines is a waste of our ever dwindling mortality. Fun times on this edition of Tales From the Bargain Bin! My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4at...
Jul 17, 2023•49 min
Mario Paint. For a generation of kids in the early 90's, that title alone conjures up images of star studded music staffs, spraypaint drawings and one killer fly swatting game. A safe place where anyone could create, Mario Paint was the launchpad of imaginations, passions and in some cases careers for millions of people. On this episode, we share stories of pictures drawn, music composed, and dreams realized via this one-of-a-kind piece of creation software. STARRING (all handles from Twitter) J...
Jul 10, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 80
Back in the mid 90's, there was nothing more exciting than getting a PC. That is, until, you realized it was purchased for homework and researching term papers on ancient Roman civilizations. And forget about asking mom and dad for PC games. That's what your SNES was for. For many young people of that era, myself included, the pack in software of our grey box PC's were the only entertainment we had until we got cash of our own. On this episode of Tales From the Bargain Bin, we chat about old com...
Jun 26, 2023•40 min
When Marc Ericksen landed a gig to pen a box cover for a middling videogame franchise, he had limited information. What he didn't know was what that game would become legendary for all the right reasons and his art would become infamous for all the wrong ones. Join Marc and I as we discuss his road to creating the box art for Mega Man 2, a story that takes us from a military career in Vietnam, to Silicon Valley in the 1980's to a career that spawned over 150 pieces of videogame art. Starring: Ma...
Jun 19, 2023•49 min•Ep. 79
Six months ago, I asked Greg, CJ (from the Player One Podcast) and Dan "Shoe" Hsu to join me for an E3 episode. Swap stories of the conference and celebrate the return of an in person event. Two months later, the conference was cancelled. Undeterred, the trio kept the appointment and joined me for an E3 retrospective. Rather than craft a eulogy, the crew shares their favorite moments, life at the show from a press perspective and where, if anywhere , E3 can go from here. Starring (all handles fr...
Jun 12, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 78
Ready for a massive smorgasbord? Prepare to dive in forks first as we present a summer barbeque's worth of random thoughts, opinions and recollections culled from months worth of interviews. Zelda (again), light guns and gaming with kids highlight this fun, random episode. Starring (all handles from Twitter) Celeste (@faeriecrypt) of @AnotherZeldaPod Greg Sewart of the Player One Podcast (@p1podcast) and Generation 16 video series. Jim of Drink a Beer, Play a Game (@ABeerAndAGame) Justin of Kill...
Jun 05, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 77
Ever have a conversation that goes delightfully off the rails? One minute you're talking about the NHL playoffs, the next you're debating theology and the nature of creation. That's the sort of conversation Mike Fallek and I had back in November of 2022. What was intended as a recording about Ocarina of Time quickly morphed into topics like art history, the plight of the struggling artist, and the adversarial relationship between the creative and critic. Join Mike and I on this fascinating yet u...
May 29, 2023•55 min•Ep. 76
Over the course of nearly two and a half years of recording for this show, I've chatted with a wide swath of lovely people. Early in my explorations, I chatted with Shaan Shirazi, a man of the moment and retro gamer extraordinaire. On this week's episode, we discuss videogame competitions in the era of quarters and arcades, Revolution X, and Taylor Swift Guitar Hero. NOTE: This episode, normally reserved for my beloved patrons, is intended to give the public feed a taste of what membership offer...
May 22, 2023•45 min
When I first met Brett Weiss during Classic Games Fest 2022, I knew he would be a required guest. With nearly 40 years of gaming experience, Brett's covered the medium in every possible way. From his 13 published books to his YouTube channel to an impressive collection of games and consoles, Brett is a foremost authority on all things retro. Join us as we discuss the perils of being an author, buying games during the Crash of 1983 and the amazing, incredible retro gaming community. Starring: Bre...
May 15, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 75
Sunlight streaked onto Ace's face Monday morning, the aftereffects of Sunday Funday still on his breath. The smell of bad whiskey and worse cigars lingered in the air. Bleary eyed, Ace glanced at his Samsung and noticed a series of notifications. Past due credit cards, ads for hair gel and a three day old text from his Aunt Mildred. But in the midst of this sea of digital distractions, Ace spied a new episode of Tales From the Bargain Bin perched in his pod player, waiting to be opened. A smile ...
May 08, 2023•35 min
Unlike any game in the Zelda canon, Majora's Mask brought out deep emotions and touching stories. So much so, I think it's worthwhile to take one more trip through Clock Town with two people whose lives were irrevocably touched by this uniquely personal experience. Join Seth Sturgill of the All N Podcast, Helena (@hellhathfury on TikTok), and I as they share their final thoughts on Majora's Mask. Starring (all handles from Twitter unless otherwise noted) Helena aka @hellhathfury on TikTok Seth S...
May 01, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 74
When people think of YouTube documentary series, a handful of names spring to mind. My guest for this week's episode is one of those channels that deserves to be in that conversation. With over 148k subscribers and 17 million total views, Classic Gaming Quarterly is one of premier videogame documentaries currently on YouTube. Join host Chris Alaimo and I as we discuss his first entry point into games, his video creation philosophy and some of the trials and successes along the way. Staring Chris...
Apr 24, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 73
Howdy, hoops fans! With NCAA March Madness firmly in the rear view mirror, what better way to capitalize on the tournament than talk about the SNES game of the same-ish name. Nothing like releasing an SEO friendly episode one week after the event ends, is there? Sorry, folks, but the Zelda series came first... Join my brother and I as we talk about this interesting game, its hockey sibling, penalty throws, and how basketball is my 10th favorite sport. Starring: My brother, Bobby (no social media...
Apr 17, 2023•41 min
Hear ye, hear ye! Come hither friends and noble people to hear tales of the past and dreams of the future. And questions asked my brethren on Discord. On this month's State of the Show, I discuss the Zelda series, share the schedule for the next couple of months, talk about a new project and answer questions asked by my amazing Discord community. Thanks for checking out the show! My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksa...
Apr 13, 2023•41 min
By the time you hear this episode, everyone in the gaming universe will have an opinion on the Super Mario Bros Movie. Yours truly is no different. But what about the rambling thoughts of the film's target audience - kids? On this episode, I chat with my 6 year old son about his experience with a movie designed for him and then follow up with my thoughts on a film destined to be divisive because we, as gamer people, love the source material so damn much. My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Sd...
Apr 10, 2023•30 min•Ep. 72
When Nintendo's latest adventure was teased in January of 2013, it was intended to be a killer app for the then fledgling Wii U. Four years later, it launched the Switch into superstar status, left the old tablet console behind, and marked a new, bold direction for an over 30 year old franchise. Join myself and a cast of fellow Zelda lovers as we explore Breath of the Wild while taking some furtive glances at what could be on the horizon. Starring (all handles from Twitter) Blue Williams (@wryte...
Apr 03, 2023•1 hr 22 min
When you spend dozens of hours interviewing people for a huge, six month series, bits and pieces of the conversation inevitably end up on the cutting room floor. This episode resurrects those lost nuggets of goodness and lets us all experience more thoughts, opinions and first impressions of this incredible franchise. Starring (all handles from Twitter) Christian (@brakeman90) of the Franchise Festival Podcast Ian (@teacherbloke85) Jim from Drink a Beer, Play a Game Podcast (@ABeerAndAGame) Jodi...
Mar 27, 2023•58 min•Ep. 70
Before nearly every interview I conduct, I ask my guests three random, silly questions that deserve random, silly answers. This time around, in honor of our ever-running Zelda series, all of this episode's question are related to the world of Link, Hyrule and Gannon. Join myself and 13 amazing guests as we chat in game pals, remasters and the Hookshot. Lots and lots of Hookshot. Starring (all handles from Twitter) Seth aka @thedopster Christian (@brakeman90) of the Franchise Festival Podcast Dan...
Mar 20, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 69
Nintendo in the 2000's was a period of transition. Moving to the world of more "adult gaming" while keeping their core "fun over all" values led to strange experiments and commercial triumphs. Both The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword are examples of this shift in philosophy. Going from Wind Waker cute to Twilight dark and back to Skyward bright not only shines light on Nintendo as a company but gaming culture as a whole. Join myself and a team of Zelda fans as we compare, co...
Mar 13, 2023•57 min•Ep. 68
When Wind Waker was originally announced during Space World 2001, fans revolted. With one trailer, Nintendo reversed course on the "adult gamer" trend and planted their flag as the maverick company unafraid to buck tradition. Twenty years later, it's a beloved game. On this episode of A Gamer Looks at 40, we explore the memories and recollections of the people who loved this game then just as much as they do now and see if we can discover how Wind Waker rose from the waves to become a true class...
Mar 06, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 67
Good day, wonderful listeners! Lots of news and updates on the future of the podcast, so rather than a long Discord or Twitter post, why not share it to your earholes? In this update, I talk Patreon, new shows, brand new platforms, and a BIG announcement you won't want to miss. My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.c...
Mar 01, 2023•30 min
When most think about The Legend of Zelda, giant adventures on 20 inch TV screens flood to mind. But what about the quests that fit in the palm of our hands? On this episode of our Zelda series, we take a look at the games that packed big fun into small, bite sized packages. Starring (all handles from Twitter unless otherwise noted) Allen Petrozzi Christian of the Franchise Festival Podcast (@Brakeman90) Ian aka @teacherbloke85 Jodi aka @Bakuiel Phoebe aka The Let's Play Princess (@TheLPPrincess...
Feb 27, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 66
We've all heard stories over first dances, couple's songs, and the sappy rom-com that brought two people together. But why not videogames? If electronic entertainment is on par with the big players of the world, why can't it ignite relationships like anything else? On this special Valentine's Day episode of A Gamer Looks at 40, we listen to five short stories of people who connect in amazing ways thanks to this incredible medium. Starring (all handles on Twitter) @GtoTheNextLevel on Twitter and ...
Feb 13, 2023•33 min•Ep. 65
Universally loathed, endlessly memed, and the laughing stock of an entire franchise, the Zelda CD-i games are notorious duds. So why do an episode on them? Because one person attempted to resurrect these despised fossils and transform them into playable games. This is his story. Starring (all handles from Twitter): Christian S (@brakeman90) of the Franchise Festival Podcast Seth aka Dopply (@thedopster) My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: f...
Feb 06, 2023•56 min•Ep. 64
In Part 1 of our two part Majora series, we dove into two stories of lives impacted by this now beloved game. In Part 2, we widen the scope. Join myself and a cast of moon hungry mask fans as we discuss themes, time, and the greatest character not named Link or Zelda to feature in a LOZ game. Starring (all handles from Twitter unless otherwise noted) Allen Petrozzi Christian of the Franchise Festival Podcast (@Brakeman90) Greg Sewart (@sewart) of Player One Podcast (@p1podcast) Helena aka @hellh...
Jan 30, 2023•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 63
So far in our Zelda journey, we've talked stories and swords, lore and loyalty. Of all the games we've covered so far, Majora's Mask is one of the first that inspired personal change. While we'll cover the nuts, bolts, favorites, and first impressions in another episode, on this edition of A Gamer Looks at 40, we zoom in on how this bizarre yet fascinating game helped pull two people from the brink of grief, sadness, and fear. Starring (all handles from Twitter) Helena aka @hellhathfury on TikTo...
Jan 23, 2023•52 min•Ep. 62
