On this episode Matt & Geoff are joined by Brian Riggsbee of Retro Game Books to discuss video game maps. Physical pack-in maps, HUD mini maps, and all the little points of interest. A map can help you know where to go next in your quest, what you could find along the way, or dream about where your journey may take you. Maps in video games have been doing this since games were more than one screen. You can check out the Video Game Maps series and other great game books on Retro Game Books . ...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 193
Side Quests is back and so is host Case Aiken! He is a podcaster, writer, actor and member of the Belmont clan! The game he is talking about today is Castlevania: Circle of the Moon by Konami. You can also find this host's podcasts on CertainPOV.com . We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on ...
Jun 30, 2025•12 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is professor and vigilante crime fighter, Jeremy Aber! The game he is talking about today is Nightshade (1992) by Beam Software and Ultra Games. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV ...
Jun 27, 2025•13 min
Side Quests is back and so is host Matter of Michael! He is a podcaster, video game collector, author and robotic maid! The game he is talking about today is Mischief Makers by Treasure and Enix. You can also find all his work here! We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rat...
Jun 23, 2025•11 min
Released in 2011, the Nintendo 3DS was the last dedicated handheld put out by Nintendo. Sporting two screens, glasses-free 3D, and a host of other hardware features; it also boasted a games library full of memories. Even if more than a few of those games are locked behind a defunct eShop. Matt & Geoff are joined by Jared from Play Along Podcast to discuss Streetpass, the first 3D Pokémon, and how little we actually used the 3D slider. Enjoyed this console retrospective? Click here to vote on...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 30 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, editor, producer and a young man stuck in an unfamiliar world, Ashton Ruby! The game he is talking about today is Graveyard Keeper by Lazy Bear Games and tinyBuild. You can also find his work here and here! We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and ...
Jun 16, 2025•10 min
Side Quests is back and so is host CGDannyB! He is a podcaster, streamer, content creator and student at Spooky High! The game he is talking about today is Monster Prom by Beautiful Glitch and Those Awesome Guys. You can also find all his work here! We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Ap...
Jun 13, 2025•15 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is streamer, actor, singer and explorer of the Land of Darkness, Allie_Bo_Balli! The game she is talking about today is Pajama Sam: No Need To Hide When It's Dark Outside by Humongous Entertainment. You can also find her work here. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Pleas...
Jun 09, 2025•9 min
Matt & Geoff had the opportunity to preview Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake at PAX East this year, and share their impressions. However, they were not able to share anything until after an embargo date. This continues into a discussion about why a game might set a press embargo, and when discussions matter for a game's reputation. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus content, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can...
Jun 06, 2025•41 min•Ep. 191
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is video essayist, writer and vampiric prince, IdolismJ! The game he is talking about today is I madoki no Vampire: Bloody Bride by Jorudan, Opus, Avit and Atlus. You can also find his work here. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcas...
Jun 02, 2025•7 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is indie tabletop designer and ultimate life form, Colin Cromien! The game he is talking about today is Sonic Adventure 2 by Sonic Team and Sega. You can also find his work here. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Sp...
May 30, 2025•7 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is singer, actor and Cog fighting Toon, Cassidy Sledge! The game she is talking about today is Toontown Rewritten which is a fan revival of Towntown Online which was originally by Disney's Virtual Reality Studio and Schell Games. You can also find her work here! We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky...
May 26, 2025•18 min
Matt & Geoff are joined by Sarah Moonen to discuss the games they played, panels they attended, and experiences they enjoyed at PAX East 2025 Interview Timestamps Nocturne (Studio Pracy) - 1:03:53 Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree (Starvania Studio) - 1:08:56 White Knuckle (Dark Machine Games) - 1:15:29 Desktop Survivors '98 (Brandon Hesslau) - 1:22:54 GIGASWORD (Studio Hybrid) - 1:28:00 Tanuki Pon's Summer (Denkiworks) - 1:34:04 Perfect Tides: Station to Station (Three Bees) - 1:41:32 Fretless: T...
May 23, 2025•2 hr 11 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is writer, podcaster, publisher and left-handed guitarist leader of a rock band MilkCan, Darren Hupke! The game he is talking about today is Um Jammer Lammy by NanaOn-Sha and Sony Computer Entertainment. You can also find all his work here. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTub...
May 19, 2025•19 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is streamer, DJ, voice actor, photographer, podcaster and little robot with a sight problem, webmeister Bud! The game he is talking about today is Broken Lens by Team RUN. You can also find his Twitch channel here and his podcasts here and here! We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and Y...
May 16, 2025•7 min
Side Quests is back and so is series creator, Matt aka Stormageddon! They are a podcaster, editor, producer, writer and quarterback! The game they are talking about today is Tecmo Bowl by Tecmo. You can find everything they work on here ! We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcast...
May 12, 2025•14 min
Sega's time as a console manufacturer ended in the early 00s with the Dreamcast. The console had great potential, wild ideas, and a short lifespan. Matt & Geoff are joined by Joseph Mastropiero to remember the Dreamcast, share some favorite games, and ponder the fervent love for this little white box that continues to this day You can check out this episode's guest on Dice Training Enjoyed this console retrospective? Click here to vote on our next one! Join our Patreon at the free tier or ab...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, editor, producer, video essayist and man in a haunted foggy town, Mario Rivera! The game he is talking about today is Silent Hill 2 (2024) by Bloober Team and Konami. You can also find his YouTube channel here! We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate ...
May 05, 2025•16 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is video essayists and Crown Prince of the Orakian kingdom of Landen, Coury Carlson! The game he is talking about today is Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom by Sega. You can also find his YouTube channel here! We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review...
May 02, 2025•11 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is writer, podcaster and humble hero of Primus Star, Benjamin Gray! The game he is talking about today is Bomberman Hero by Hudson Soft and Nintendo. You can also find his podcast here. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate u...
Apr 28, 2025•9 min
Matt & Geoff are joined by Aidan and Ty from FunFactor Podcast to look back on the world of old gaming magazine reviews. What purpose did they serve for the readers, and for the publishers? Did we treat these writers and editors like deities? Or just fellow gamers. Where do they fit in modern gaming criticism? Are they worth revisitng today? FunFactor Podcast is a deep dive into gaming magazines of the past. Each episode is a different issue tackling not just the cover story, but all the lit...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is game designer, programmer and young physicist, Giuseppe Navarria! The game he is talking about today is Another World by Éric Chahi and Delphine Software. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the...
Apr 21, 2025•12 min
Side Quests is back and so is host Chris Osborne! He is a podcaster and hero on a quest to defeat King Dedede! The game he is talking about today is Kirby's Dream Land by HAL Laboratory and Nintendo. You can also listen to his podcasts, Play Comics and Legends of S.H.I.E.L.D. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Plea...
Apr 18, 2025•9 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster and hunter hired by Piata Academy, Bob Buel! The game he is talking about today is Phantasy Star IV by Sega. You can also find his podcast here. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the...
Apr 14, 2025•16 min
Matt & Geoff discuss frustration and fun in Platforming games. Whether 2D or 3D, slow methodical or fast and flowing; movement is everything in a platformer video game. What aspects of control make or break the experience? What impediments can turn a challenge of any level into a rage-inducing slog? Where can an impossible challenge be fun, smooth, and desirable? We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus content, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed an...
Apr 11, 2025•54 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is college professor and officer in the Kingdom of Shu, Wei and Wu, Sam Haag! The game he is talking about today is Dynasty Warriors 5 by Omega Force and Koei. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join t...
Apr 07, 2025•14 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster and boy of the elda tribe, Robert Fitton! The game he is talking about today is Metaphor: ReFantazio by Studio Zero, Sega and Atlus. You can also find his podcast here. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on...
Apr 04, 2025•15 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is the perpetual podcasting sidekick and imprisoned Fenling, Poppy The Masked Keaton! The game he is talking about today is Beyond Shadowgate (2024) by Zojoi. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join th...
Mar 31, 2025•10 min
Matt & Geoff discuss the ways games can enhance the experience be seeming to happen outside the bounds of the game itself. Fiction can have a way of making you question if something you're experiencing is real or not. The interactivity of video games means files can appear in your hard drive, or an NPC refers to you, the player, by name. Clever marketing can present a new game as a "lost" title from long ago. Often used for horror, there's plenty of ways to step a little deeper into what the...
Mar 28, 2025•45 min
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster and SeeD cadet, Ben from Dragoon Effect! The game he is talking about today is Final Fantasy VIII by Square. You can also find his podcast here. We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus podcasts, reviews, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here ! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube ! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the...
Mar 24, 2025•18 min
