We don't cover computer games on Retrovaniacs, however we do cover computer ports. So, we used the SNES port of Lemmings to discuss the series as a whole, and focus on why this game may or may not work on a console. Also discussed- the shortest what we've been playing in about 5 years, cartoons and toys we liked as kids, Metroidvania suggestions, and a question about Great Tiger? Want to skip right to commanding your lemmings to walk into lava? Start at the 5:45 mark! __________________________ ...
Jan 26, 2021•1 hr 3 min
For our first show of 2021, we take a look at the first game in the Spyro series. This colorful Playstation platformer looks a lot like it's made for kids, but is there enough here to keep anyone's interest? We also kick of the new year answering some questions about our hopes and dreams for 2021, licensed games, and creating a game based on our own lives. Want to get right to saving dragons and collecting gems? Start at 16:20! __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episod...
Jan 12, 2021•1 hr 25 min
For our last regular episode of 2020, we take a look at an early Hideo Kojima game that most of us in the US have no way to play - Snatcher, which was only released outside of Japan on the Sega CD format. Kojima's post-Metal Gear game is not an action stealth game like his most famous series, but instead is a sci-fi story driven interactive storybook that would appeal to fans of Blade Runner. And as a bonus, it occurs around Christmas! We also talk about our favorite and least favorite games of ...
Dec 23, 2020•1 hr 26 min
This episode we take on an NES game that has a rabid fanbase, and none of us had played it before to see why. Recommended by Patron "John B", Clash at Demonhead is what we played, and we'll tell you all about it. We also take on a batch of listener questions about our recent Mega Man 5 show, fighting games, newer retro-style games, and if there were any major series we hadn't tried. Want to skip right to the game? Start at the 10:00 mark! __________________________ If you would like additional b...
Dec 08, 2020•1 hr 35 min
It's a crossover episode with the 20XX podcast! We're taking a look at a late-NES era game in the Mega Man series, Mega Man 5! At this point, we had 4 other Mega Man games on the NES and we were all well into the 16-bit consoles, so many of us had probably overlooked this game in Mega Man's library. We are joined with an interview with Kyle Von Kubik (aka ObeyKube) about the 20XX podcast which played through all the numbered Mega Man games over the last year, and the Kickstarter art project he h...
Nov 12, 2020•1 hr 47 min
We took this Halloween as a good reason to return to the cursed hamlet of Silent Hill, as we joined James Sunderland as he makes his way to find his dead wife in Silent Hill 2. We loved the first game last Halloween - is this a worthy sequel? We also answer the spookiest listener questions about The Amico, import game collecting, and Super Mario 35! Want to get right into Silent Hill 2? Start at the 8:00 mark! __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs...
Oct 31, 2020•2 hr 3 min
For our first episode this Halloween in 2020, we are taking on a Patron request to cover the Playstation horror game Clock Tower. While this is not the first game in the series, it's the first that was released outside Japan, and for most of us was our introduction to the series. Will we figure out who Scissorman is, and how to stop him? Also, should you bother doing so as well? Listen to find out! We also take on a monster-sized chunk of listener mail all about arcade hustling, games we can't h...
Oct 14, 2020•1 hr 51 min
It's another Patron requested episode, and we've been asked to cover the 1994 Genesis half-puzzle, half-platformer Beavis and Butt-head for the Sega Genesis. Does one of the only games starring GWAR rule, or suck? We played it and let you know our thoughts. Also covered, games we think are overrated or often overlooked, general adventure game trends, and we unsurprisingly got a few questions sent our way about "Semen Grandpa" from last episode. It gets worse. Want to get right to losing your GWA...
Sep 30, 2020•1 hr 30 min
We're taking on another patron request, this one a Sega CD graphic adventure game- The Adventures of Willy Beamish! Join us as we help Willy scratch his Nintari itch and save the town from the evils of Tootsweet, or at least we tried to. Also included, we talk a little about FFXIV again, take some complaints regarding our inability to pronounce words, and we introduce a character to the Retrovaniacs universe who probably isn't going away anytime soon. Want to get sent right to detention? Skip th...
Sep 20, 2020•1 hr 32 min
In honor of the upcoming remake, we're taking a look at the original Tony Hawk Pro Skater and the first sequel, both on the Sony Playstation! Does this game still SHRED, will we get this episode pulled for copyright concens, and does Jeremy P know anything at all about skateboarding (nope)? We played them both to let you know! Also discussed, Jeremy G pisses off some bards, Billy talks about his time off the show (and his appearance on BossRushGames), and we answer several questions we received ...
Aug 31, 2020•1 hr 14 min
We've been busy exploring ancient ruins and caves to bring you our newest show all about the original Tomb Raider for the Sony Playstation. Everyone knows Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider series, as there are still new games in the series being made today -- but does her original adventure still hold up? We dug out this relic to find out! Also discussed, Fall Guys, gaming Rites of Passage from our youth, and of course-- fishing. Want to skip right to raiding tombs? Start at the 9:30 mark. ________...
Aug 18, 2020•1 hr 13 min
It's another Patron-requested game- we're taking a look at the SNES version of Gemfire (which was also released on the NES, Genesis, and PC). This Koei strategy game came with a 50+ page manual, and doesn't explain itself very well in-game, but once we took the time to figure it out, did we decide it was a strategy classic? Listen to see what we thought. Also discussed, dream fighting games, pizza, wrestling games, and more! Want to skip right to the battle? Start at the 12:00 mark! ____________...
Jul 28, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 91
We take on another Patreon requested game, the second G.I. Joe game on the NES, The Atlantis Factor by Capcom! Capcom made some solid licensed games in the NES era (Disney aftenoon, anyone?), but did they do well with G.I. Joe or is this another garbage use of what could be a good license? Also discussed, vacation gaming memories, a frosty debate, and a question about the best little handheld that didn't - the Vita. Want to get right to your mission? Jump in the Tomahawk and get dropped off at t...
Jul 08, 2020•1 hr 17 min
This episode we take a look at an early SNES blend of action and strategy - Actraiser! Is this a game that successfully blends two gameplay styles into something great, or is this another example of two great tastes that should be eaten separately? Also discussed: what arcade games we would buy if we could only buy one, licensed titles that missed the mark, and we got more food questions, so we get a little greasy for you yet again. Want to warp right to the game? Fly your Sky Castle to the 11:0...
Jun 24, 2020•1 hr 35 min
Finally, Stallone fans celebrate! Courtesy of patron "Metal Dooley", we're taking a look at Judge Dredd, the 1995 SNES / Genesis game tie-in to the 1995 movie based on the comic book you probably aren't super familiar with! We weren't familiar with this one, so we all went in blind to see how this 16-bit licensed property game turned out. Also discussed, our thoughts on the Harv's Island June event on Animal Crossing, our favorite co-op gaming experiences, and thanks to our listener mail segment...
Jun 05, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 90
I can't believe this is Retro? But -- it's 15 years old now so we'll go ahead and take a look at Double Fine's first console game, Psychonauts for the XBox! Join us and Raz as he attends Whispering Pines Psychic Summer Camp, and maybe solve a brain-snatching mystery. We also answer some listener mail and discuss questionable methods of playing retro games, game genres we don't like, and the many ways you can send us messages or requests. Want to jump right into Psychonauts? Start at around the 1...
May 18, 2020•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 89
As requested by Menthion on our Patreon, we are taking a look at classic Square action RPG Secret of Mana! Loads of people swear by Secret of Mana as a guaranteed classic (in fact it's on the SNES Classic), but does it hold up now? We also answer several listener questions, Billy makes a startling revelation regarding his thoughts on Pac-Man, and we have an impromptu review of Ultra Offroad Simulator 2019 Alaska! Want to skip right to mana and it's possible secrets? Jump to 5:45! _______________...
Apr 30, 2020•1 hr 19 min
This time we tried something slightly different from the norm, instead of looking at one specific game, we are looking at two very similar top down shooters from the NES era, Alpha Mission (by SNK) and Star Force (by Tecmo). Both of these arcade ports are ones that we had as kids -- both share the dubious honor of being a game we bought "because they were there" and as a result played them a lot. We look at these two games specifically to answer a question : Is it better to be a game that tries ...
Apr 16, 2020•58 min•Ep. 88
We take a look at our first Xbox game, and the 4th Oddworld title, Stranger's Wrath! The last of the Oddworld games released (not including remakes) was an odd blend of 3rd and 1st person action, with all the character expected of an Oddworld game - but with an HD remake out now for modern systems, we thought we'd look into how this game holds up today. Also discussed, phobias around certain animals appendages, villains who become partners in classic games, Johnny Turbo, and much more! We do spo...
Mar 30, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 87
This episode, Billy and Jeremy P look at their favorite fishing mini-games. This is a non-standard episode, and hopefully you enjoy it. If not, please stay tuned for more standard shows soon. __ If you want free bonus Retrovaniacs shows, from March 18, 2020 though April 30, 2020, all bonus Retrovaniacs shows on Patreon are free of charge! That's 20+ extra shows! On May 1, 2020 this can possibly go back to "normal", but until then if you sign up at the $5 monthly level, you will not be charged an...
Mar 18, 2020•52 min•Ep. 86
Our second game for #FightMonth is a Rare created and Nintendo published fighter - Killer Instinct! All of us had played this one before, but hadn't revisited the original SNES version in quite a while. Does this one hold up to the classics of the day? We give you our thoughts, and Billy shares a couple stories about his youth and this game. Also discussed this episode, a little too much coverage of the Resident Evil 2 remake, probably not enough time spent on the Sonic the Hedgehog movie, and l...
Feb 24, 2020•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 85
We're taking on another Patron-request, this time from Joey Z! He's requested that we cover Squaresoft's 3d fighting game / Final Fantasy VII tie-in -- Ergheiz! I'm sure if you remember a game on the PS1 where you could fight as Sephiroth, this was it. But other than the connection to a beloved franchise, what does this game have to offer? We take a look, and also get Joey's take on why he requested it. Also covered, some listener questions about the forgotten Weekend Warrior episodes, Ghouls an...
Feb 11, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 84
This episode we take a look at Sunsoft's classic NES title, Blaster Master! The original Blaster Master came out in 1988 and became a notable NES title for it's soundtrack and the mix of two different gameplay sections in the game -- and of course, the incredibly cool upgradeable jumping tank you get to use. This game is currently available on the Switch NES library, but is this another NES classic game that you had to be there to really appreciate? We also take a shot at some listener mail, dis...
Jan 28, 2020•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 83
It's been a relatively Star Wars heavy few months, and we're going to pile right in on that with our look at 2002's tie-in game to Attack of the Clones, Star Wars : Bounty Hunter! This game attempts to explain why Jango Fett was chosen to be the source of the DNA for the clone army, and allows you to be one of the galaxy's most feared bounty hunters! But, much like many Star Wars tie-in products over the years, is this game worth the republic credits? We also take on several listener questions a...
Jan 14, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 82
It's the end of another year, and to end 2019, we found a game that starts on Christmas Eve and takes you the rest of the way through the year! Sure, other than that, there's no real connection to Christmas (or really any holiday), but this gave us an excuse to play through the first game in the Parasite Eve series and decide if it holds up! We also read some listener Christmas memories, and then go over our favorite games and biggest disappointments of 2019! Want to skip right to Parasite Eve? ...
Dec 24, 2019•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 81
Another Patron-requested episode, courtesy of Donovan B, we're taking a look at a Pokemon game finally! No, not Sword/Shield, or Emerald/Ruby, or Red/Blue, or any of the mainline Pokemon games -- we're diving headfirst into Pokemon Trading Card Game, a Game Boy adaptation of the card game! We also discuss what we've been playing, and answer some listener questions regarding the Tiger Game.Com and get some feedback on past episodes! Want to get right to battling Active Pokemon? Start at 10:30! __...
Dec 12, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 80
It's almost Thanksgiving, so we present a feast of bananas for the Super Nintendo, as we take a look at Donkey Kong Country! Donkey Kong's first solo outing on the SNES still has undeniable charm, and the series as a whole continues on to this day, but does this first game still hold up today? We also take on some more listener questions, this time covering retro remake disappointments and possible gaming fatigue. (We apologize for some of the sound issues, Billy's setup this week didn't have th...
Nov 27, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 79
Shiver me timbers! Its time to take a look at maybe the only pirate simulator of the 16-bit era, Pirates! Gold, for the Sega Genesis! This game was selected by one of our Super Retrovaniac DX patrons, Mason, who comes on for a few minutes to tell us why he picked this game, and his experience playing it himself. Want to skip right to the swashbuckling fun? Start listening at 13:55! __________________________ If you would like additional bonus episodes of Retrovaniacs or to request a game we must...
Nov 19, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 78
For the final show of #Retroween2019, we're taking a look at the OTHER big horror series that started on the Playstation -- Silent Hill! This series has as of late fallen truly silent, but for a while it was a staple series that took us into a hellish nightmare where we could never tell what was real and what wasn't. Does the first trip to Silent Hill still hold up today? We give you our thoughts on that. Also discussed, Halloween candies, Halloween gaming traditions, and of course some of the s...
Oct 31, 2019•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 77
Retroween2019 is in full effect, as our first regular Halloween episode is here! This time we're taking a look at Sony's Medievil, a game where you play as a skeletal knight, fighting off the armies of the undead! Many 3d platformers from the 32-bit generation haven't held up well, but is this one the exception to that rule? Also discussed - mean geese, apple arcade selections, and of course a batch of listener mail! Want to skip right to the Halloween goodness? Start at 12:30! _________________...
Oct 10, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 76
