Getting slightly out of our "retro" comfort zone, we pay our respects to one of Nintendo's dominant handhelds; the Game Boy Advance. Discussion includes games such as Astro Boy: Omega Factor, Metroid: Zero Mission, Drill Dozer and more, all while trying to figure out what the definition of "shovelware" really is.
Our fearless trio wonders if the third time is indeed the charm by looking at "Three-quels", aka the third entry in video game franchises. Covered are games such as Super Metroid, Streets of Rage 3, Tekken 3 & more. We also belatedly crown our best retro games of 2016 and 2017, and question whether a toddler gorilla can be a worthy hero.
Guest host Chris Alaimo of Classic Gaming Quarterly joins us to talk about and appreciate the music of the shoot-'em-up genre. Sampling tracks from Life Force, Gun.Smoke, Lords of Thunder and more, there's plenty of thumping tunes to help you blast some evil space monsters.
We top off 2017 by looking at some modern video games made in the retro style. With games such as Axiom Verge, Shovel Knight, and Sonic Mania, it seems old-school gaming is alive and well. We also give our thoughts on the RetroUSB AVS, an NES FPGA clone system, and Jon finally gets to gush about some indie PC games.
We're ready to throw (virtual) fisticuffs with music from some of the most iconic fighters out there; from Virtua Fighter 2, to Tekken 3, to Samurai Shodown II & everything in between, join us as we get our blood flowing with some kicking fightin' tunes!
We spend this episode discussing all things Konami and marvel in their former glory by covering beloved classics such as Contra III: The Alien Wars, Rocket Knight Adventures, Sexy Parodius, and more. We also share our amazement at how faithful an 8-bit Star Trek game can be, and Jeff deals with the disappointment of his first ever bootleg video game.
Our first Radio show is dedicated to some of Konami's finest audio. Featuring music from games such as Castlevania III, Contra III, Sunset Riders, Axelay, and more. Konami's given us lots of great tunes to listen to over the years. So sit back and relax, it's Retro Game Squad Radio!
Unable to resist the urge to continue playing games & podcasting, the crew takes time to appreciate some exquisite art by experiencing some beautiful 2D games. With masterpieces such as Kirby's Adventure, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, and Garou: Mark of the Wolves there's no shortage of eye candy. We also make some major breakthroughs as Jon confesses to actually liking a fighting game, and Jeff slips into denial about liking side-scrolling platformers.
From the darkest depths of the RGS archives comes our first ever recording along with some content that got left on the cutting room floor. Featuring our pilot/test episode, it's followed up with some outtakes that were cut out of previous recordings. Not for the faint of heart, this episode is rough, unpolished, and crude, but does help illustrate that practice makes perfect, and that laughter is the best medicine.
Celebrating our 4th anniversary and final podcast, we indulge ourselves by playing whatever games we please, such as Ninja Gaiden Shadow, Operation Logic Bomb, and Tempest 2000. We also take time to reminisce about our humble beginnings, hear what some of our colleagues had to say about us, and express our gratitude to you, our listeners. Without you, there would no Retro Game Squad and no hot butter through knife. Thank you.
As the show winds down, we turn our attention to Sega's final home console, the mighty Dreamcast. Discussing the impressive variety in this platform's game library, we go in-depth with titles such as Jet Grind Radio, Power Stone, Confidential Mission, and more. We also marvel at how awesome the Dreamcast mouse is, and share our jubilation for tuna sandwiches.
With GunCons and Light Phasers in hand, the crew takes aim at the light gun genre! Setting our sights on games such as Virtua Cop 2, Time Crisis: Project Titan, and Rescue Mission, no tube TV is safe from getting (virtually) shot. We also talk about the history of light guns, the challenges in playing light gun games in the modern era, and detail the different types of light guns out there and how they work.
Looking to add a little international flavour to the show, we're joined by Paul "The Drisk" Driscoll to cover some import video games. Included are discussions on the various challenges in importing for retro consoles, how cultural differences affected the industry in different territories, as well as an in depth look at games such as Micro Machines 2, Alien Soldier, and Soukyugurentai. We also discover the origins of the infamous "All your base" meme, and feel awkward about piloting phallic and...
Joined by Chris Alaimo of Classic Gaming Quarterly, we set out to play some games that command a hefty sum in the current gaming market. Covering coveted games such as Little Samson, Magical Chase, and Snatcher, we endeavour to find out if these games are worth their high price tag and what makes them so alluring. We also discuss our thoughts on gaming versus game collecting, and Chris caps off the show with some fan service in the form of a hilarious trivia game.
Taking the show on the road, the squad kicks the tires on some handheld games. Featuring portable games such as Kirby's Dream Land, Donkey Kong, and SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium, we're poised at the ready with batteries in hand. We also turn our attention to the Neo-Geo Pocket Color, as we cover the basics of this nifty underdog system. And lastly, we have our final community pick of the show in the form of The Firemen on the Super NES. Keeping the fun in our pockets, it's Retro G...
Celebrating NEC and Hudson's higher energy video game system with a massive episode, guest host Retro Nick educates us on all things TurbroGrafx-16 with a side of filthy humour. Covering games such as Legendary Axe, Blazing Lazers, and Air Zonk, we take an in-depth look at the "other system" in the 16-bit wars by covering its story; from inception to demise, and everything in between. Join us for an episode full of facts, fun, and fecal references (yes, you read that right).
Running through the battlefield with our fingers on the trigger, we blast our way through some intense Run 'n Gun games. With games such as Gunstar Heroes, Atomic Runner, and Shock Troopers, there's no shortage of heart-pumping action as Jeff describes his unsettling method of removing grenade pins. Blast away, and go, go, go, it's Retro Game Squad, baby!!!
We kick off 2016 by looking at games played in an Isometric perspective. Getting an angle on games such as R.C. Pro-Am II, Sonic 3D Blast, and Project Overkill, the crew contemplates on how this perspective can affect gameplay. We also do a year-in-review, going over our last 12 episodes and crown a Retro Game of 2015, all while Jeff tries to convince us that a spaceship looks like a hunk of cheese.
For our final podcast of 2015, the RGS crew takes a look at some games that try to improve upon their predecessors with games such as Super C, Samurai Shodown II, and Jet Moto 2, and capping it off with the excellent Klonoa: Door to Phantomile as our last community pick of the year. Also, Jeff warns us to watch out for the Krampus.
Getting in the groove, the squad explores games centered on music or musicians. Included in this medley are titles such as Michael Jackson's Moonwalker, Tempo, and Parappa The Rapper. Greg also discovers a guitar legend, and the squad unanimously votes against collect-a-thons.
With Halloween upon us, we set out into the world of vampires, ghosts, and gruesome demons on our quest to play some frightful horror games. Included are grisly games such as Ghouls 'N Ghosts, Splatterhouse, & Clock tower, and Alex scares his N64 to near-death.
In celebration of our third anniversary, we dedicate ourselves to Sega's red and black wonder, the Master System. Covering games such as Alex Kidd, Space Harrier, & Wonder Boy III, we also delve into the system's history & capabilities, analyze why it was a success in some markets but not in others, and try to figure out where the heck the pause button is.
Forced to sit uncomfortably close to each other, the squad sets out to experience the joys of multiplayer gaming. Covered are games such as Gauntlet II, Saturn Bomberman, and Mario Party 3. We also talk about our favourite memories of couch co-op gaming, the crew gets inspired to do some cow launching thanks to a famous earthworm.
Skipping our usual theme for this episode, the crew instead indulges themselves by picking whatever games they want, enabling Jon to torment Alex with his selections. Among our choices are Skitchin', Claymates, and Donkey Kong Country, and we unanimously agree that punching bullets in Shatterhand is one of the coolest things we've seen in a while.
It's time to give the ladies their fair recognition as we play some games starring some kick-ass women. With the likes of Metroid II, Mischief Makers, Tomb Raider, and Shantae, these ladies deliver some quality titles. We also play another round of video game trivia, and the entire squad unanimously agrees that Risky Boots is one of the coolest names in gaming.
Inspired by the ritual of Saturday morning cartoons, the crew brings back memories of their childhoods by playing video games based on television cartoons. In the lineup are Biker Mice from Mars, Scooby-Doo, the Rescue Rangers, and more. Jeff also makes it known that soggy cereal is a crime against humanity, and we find another contemptible game to shun.
It's time once again to charge ahead with blazing lasers as we take another shot at some great 16 and 32-bit shoot-'em-ups, featuring Steel Empire, Lords of Thunder, Radiant Silvergun, and more. We also discover that Jeff has a bizarre fear and fascination with blimps & zeppelins, and who in our crew prefers their action to be horizontal or vertical.
Going from cabinets to consoles, the squad takes a look at arcade games ported to home systems, the crew and some of our listeners reminisce about our favourite memories involving arcades, and Greg & Alex explain their irrational obsession with & conquests in NBA Hangtime.
Taking a look at what could have been, the crew tries out some games that were cancelled before they got an official release, Alex stumps Jeff & Jon in another round of "Name That Tune", and we discover that StarFox's Andross is really Dr. Zaius in disguise.
It's time for us to charge up our mega-buster and take a look at the iconic Mega Man series, look back at our favourite topics we covered last year, decide upon & announce our retro game of 2014, and the RGS crew proves why it's never safe to name anyone or anything after a certain planet when juvenile minds are involved.
