The Retro League

Episode 116 - Beneath a Retro Sky

2012-01-22T21:10:20Z

Its a pixelated cyberpunk adventure on this week's episode of the Retro League. We investigate the good deeds of Billy Mitchell and uncover fossilized virtual pets. We debate the best way to play Taito classics and Final Fantasy. The episode won't be over before we rant about traffic laws in the midwest. Tune in!

Hot Topics
Sequelitis & game design
Favourite NES Soundtracks
Link Teaches Software Engineering

Virtually Retro
Final Fantasy: Origins (PSOne Classics)
Let's Play Ancient Greek Punishment (Flash)
RayForce (iOS)
Hatchi (iOS)

News
New Fastest Time To Complete A Perfect Game Of Pac-Man
Capcom Announces Street Fighter 25th Anniversary celebration
Zelda64 Documentary
This Could Be Your Last Chance to See Retro Game Master
Midwest Gaming Classic Reveals Entire Show Activity Line Up
Dreamcast TV

Games of the Week
The Simpsons: Bart vs. The World (NES)
Abuse (DOS)
Centipede (PS1)

Random Links
The 10 Most Bogus Entries in the Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer’s Edition
7 Classic Video Games That Are Older Than You Think
This Guy Wants $5 Million For the "Next Great Game". From You. Um, Right.

Freeloader game-of-the-month

Beneath a Steel Sky

That thing's WATCHING me... Good thing I'm naturally PHOTOGENIC!

Episode 115 - What All the Kool Kids are Playing

2012-01-12T05:40:45Z

On this week's show we try to remember what the longest-running console is while Zelda is rocking the 3DS. We try to pick which games and series should have gotten sequels but didn't. Why would anyone want to play a LaserDisc game on the SNES? Listen and maybe you'll find out.

Hot Topics
The least influential games of all time
January 2012 Finds
The 6 Most Ominous Trends in Video Games

News
Link's Awakening DX is 2011's Best-Selling 3DS VC Game
Endurance Run Fails a Third Time in Q*Bert Record Bid
FMV Support Comes To The Super Nintendo With An Unofficial Playable Port Of Laserdisc's Road Blaster
30th Anniversary of the C64
The five… no, SIX best years in video game history
Historic Register Adds ET Landfill
Turn Your Retro Cartridges Into ROMS, Legally

Games of the Week
Kid Kool (NES)
Virtua Racing Deluxe (32X)

Random Links
PS3 Gets Truly Luggable, Courtesy of Compaq
Falcom's secret to success: Care, not gimmicks

Kakefu's Jump Heaven: Speed Hell

Episode 114 - The Year in Retro

2012-01-02T00:42:34Z

This week we look at 2011 through retro-colored glasses. we're looking back on all the good retro games that we've played and that have been re-released. It's been a good year and we hope you'll join us for more retro-rambling in the year to come as well!

Hot Topics
2012 Gaming Resolutions
Game related Non-Fiction books
Songs about games/computers
A Game You Didn't Want To End...

Virtually Retro
Centipede (PSOne Classics)
Realistic Summer Sports Simulator (iOS)
Mad Dog McCree (iOS)
Tetris (3DS Virtual Console)

News
New record score on Super Mario World has special meaning to champ Mason Cramer
Official Legend of Zelda timeline revealed

Random Links
Video: How to make an arcade cabinet in under 15 minutes!

Episode 113 - King of Bowling

2011-12-20T07:09:53Z

This week we're downloading midi files with our dial-up modems and bootlegging C64 games with audio cassettes. Early 3DS buyers have some GBA games for free, the 4th Humble Indie Bundle is out and some fast gamers are speed-running for charity. We take a short look back on some consoles that could have been, and wonder if Top Gun has ever been re-run on television in this week's episode of the Retro League

Hot Topics
Your most difficult experience getting a game to run
Best retro league moments of all time
Good Shoot 'em ups for lousy players
Best worst game.

Virtually Retro
Blaster Master: Enemy Below (3DS Virtual Console)
Sonic CD (iOS)
3DS Ambassador Game Boy Advance Games

News
Humble Bundle #4 available
Brand new NES on ebay for $16,000
Awesome games done quick

Games of the Week
Elf Bowling (Windows)
King of Fighters ‘97 (Neo Geo)

Random Links
PCEngine Gamer Magazine
10 Unreleased Video Game Consoles

Kore ga...KUSANAGI NO KEN DA!

Episode 112 - Digging Deep

2011-12-16T04:54:09Z

This week we find the iPhone is the platform with the most retro re-releases on it. There are some classics of epic proportions from the 90's and also a Frogger-style neo-retro game with trailers that are sure to confuse. We're mining and crafting in 2-d and riding an ostrich to defeat enemy knights. Are you ready for the next wave?

Hot Topics
What unreleased/prototype retro game do you wish you had?
December Finds

Virtually Retro
Grand Theft Auto 3 (Android, iOS)
Theme Park (iOS)
Time Ducks (iOS)
Chrono Trigger (iOS)

News
Interview with Producer of Adventures in the Magic Kingdom
The Crazy Urban Legend of the Killer Arcade Machine
Just in time for Xmas - new video game shirts

Games of the Week
Joust (Arcade)
Terraria (Windows)

Random Links
I Cannot Be Beaten at RBI Baseball Ad
Larry's museum of dead technology
Jeff’s arcade
Saving the System: Where Failed Consoles Went Wrong Instead of Right

Best of 2011 Awards

2011-12-15T22:15:00Z

Hop over to the forums and vote on the best retro gaming news and releases of 2011!

Best virtually retro release of 2011
Best retro gaming news of 2011
Best game of the week pick in 2011
Best question of the week in 2011
General discussion

Episode 111 - TwiNickerousbee

2011-12-11T18:42:23Z

This week Rob & Hugues are joined by Nick to discuss arcade background noise, the end of GamePro, and a couple of modern-ish games. There's a plethora of retro re-releases and we briefly remember fashions of the 80's and 90's that we'd rather forget.

Hot Topics
Turbo Views & why such a big gap in game quality
An excellent video game music artist...
Finding Time for Retro Gaming
Retro Gaming Christmas Memories?

Virtually Retro
Darkstalkers (PSOne Classics)
Tak 2: Staff of Dreams (PS2 Classics)
Final Fantasy VI (PSOne Classics)
The Oregon Trail: American Settler (iOS)
Adventure Island (3DS Virtual Console)
New iPhone version of Tetris (iOS)

News
RIP GamePro
New reality show about arcade game restoration

Games of the Week
Casino Kid (NES)
Twinbee (NES)
Area 51 (Arcade)

Freeloader game of the month
Biomenace

Random Links
Arcade Ambience
Hitler is angry because Twin Galaxies doesn’t acknowledge his score

Be ready, kiddo!

Buy somethin' will ya!

2011-12-09T13:43:42Z

Are you concerned that your friends, co-workers, and strangers on the street don't know you're a giant retro gaming nerd? Now you can show them by proudly displaying something with our logo on it. Along the way you're also supporting this podcast a little bit.

Link: http://zazzle.com/theretroleague

Episode 110 - The Adventures of Rolf and Nei

2011-12-07T01:09:50Z

This week on the Retro League we're taking a desert bus all the way to SR388. For this trip we're packing lots of Zelda music and a SupaBoy. While we're there we might pick up some unauthorized Mega Drive games that don't suck. On the way back we might have to swing by the Algol Star System before we come back to save the Earth from 8 new robot masters!

Hot Topics
Seeking advice - Breaking into Retro PC Gaming
Favorite Kirby games
Regretting selling that game or console?

Virtually Retro
Desert Bus (iOS, Android)
Metroid II: Return of Samus (3DS Virtual Console)
Kobayashi Maru (Atari Jaguar)

News
OC ReMix Presents 25YEARLEGEND: A Legend of Zelda Indie Game Composer Tribute
Supaboy, portable SNES clone, released
Top Tier Pirate Games for the Genesis

Games of the Week
Phantasy Star II (Sega Genesis)
Mega Man 5 (NES)

Random Links
Friday the 13th for C64 review
Electronics Boutique Christmas 1991 catalog

Let's get back to Mota. This is only the beginning!

Episode 109 - A Little Hoarse

2011-11-30T17:10:31Z

This week on the Retro League we wish that the Lost Levels had stayed lost and someone spilled giant robots all over our fantasy JPRG. Rampage might be headed to the big screen and Atari cartridges are becoming modern art. Sonic spin dashes right into the Doom engine and we quickly bounce Pong around before this week's episode is over.

Hot Topics
The Lost Levels
Original Xbox 10th Anniversary Thread
Selling Retro Stuff on Ebay (Saturn, Genesis, Sega CD, Mags)

Virtually Retro
Vanguard Bandits (PSOne Classics)
3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure (3DS eShop)
Final Fantasy V (PSOne Classics)

News
2012 Midwest Gaming Classic Pre-Sale Tickets Now Available
Gary Garcia, Wrote and Performed 80s Pop Hit ‘Pac-Man Fever,’ Dies at 63
Think Rampage Would Make a Good Monster Movie? So Does New Line Cinema
Donkey Kong's Fuzzy History
American Icons at iam8bit

Games of the Week
Sonic Robo Blast 2 (Windows) [gameplay video]
Pong - Atari home version (Direct-to-TV)

Random Links
Super Mario Beads 2
What 26 Video Game Characters Do With Their Down Time (NSFW)

Whose idea was it to steal that pirate ship, anyway?

Episode 108 - Dark Projects

2011-11-17T22:38:45Z

This week on The Retro League we try to decipher the plot of Chrono Cross, speculate why no ones cares about Q*Bert anymore, and follow the trail of a Sonic prototype. Our games of the week are a Game Boy game you've probably never played, a Pac Man game on a system that tanked, and the first installment of the Thief series.

Hot Topics
More lists, top 10 superhero games
Video Game Music Cover Band Name
Name a retro game you keep putting off

Virtually Retro
Chrono Cross (PSOne Classics)
Asteroids: Gunner (iOS)

News
Twin Galaxies Gauntlet 2011 to recreate the 1983 championship
Abobo's Big Adventure trailer
A Look Back at the Beavis and Butt-Head Game that Didn't Suck
Following the Trail of Cracker Crumbs: The Origins of Sonic Crackers
Q*Bert Record Still Standing After Third Marathon Attempt to Topple It

Games of the Week
Ms Pac Man (Atari 7800)
Mercenary Force (Game Boy)
Thief: The Dark Project (Windows)

Random Links
Ted Dabney interview
Intro to AI - Pac Man example (part 1)
Intro to AI - Pac Man example (part 2)

Episode 84 - Raiders of the Lost Episode

2011-11-15T01:16:13Z

Our first two attempts to record episode 84 went badly but after liberal use of the delete key we managed to salvage most of it. So if you love the year 1984 (and who doesn't?) then give this a listen. If you don't love 1984 we also talk about E.T. for the Atari 2600 and Sprockets with your host Dieter.

Hot Topics
Retro Poll
Collecting Goals
Anyone for some Genesis fun?
Keeping up on Modern Gaming

News
The first Mario cartoon (the lost Super Mario Bros. anime from 1986)
Fatigue brings Q*bert record attempt to an end after 54 hours of play

Games of the Week
Kung Fu Master (Arcade)
Karateka (Atari ST)

Random Links
Minitroid (low-res Metroid tribute PC game)
Quake II TV Commercial

Episode 107 - Graphically Accelerated

2011-11-11T13:40:45Z

This week on the Retro League we're upgrading our video cards and running SCANDISK to check for errors. We reminisce about old operating systems and all the problems they gave us. There's so many virtual re-releases this week that we can barely cover them all. But we'll still be mashing buttons to create polygon-based combos, blasting aliens and shape-shifting into bears on this week's podcast!

Hot Topics
Started my own retro gaming podcast! Thoughts?
The Atari 2600 is the longest Running Console!
TG-16 at the thrift store

Virtually Retro
Sonic CD (Android)
'Temple of the Spider God' Gamebook Adventure (iOS)
Arcade Hits: Magical Drop, Dezaemon Kids! (PSone Japan Imports)
Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland, Raiden III, Bloodrayne (PS2 Classics)
BurgerTime World Tour (XBLA)
Balloon Kid (3DS Virtual Console)
Seaweed Assault (Atari 2600)

News
Retrogaming Times Monthly - November 2011

Games of the Week
Tekken 3 (PS1)
Altered Beast (Sega Genesis)
R-Type

Random Links
If Quake Was Made Today, This is How Annoying it Would Be
Retro Uprising
Super Bomberman 1996
Freeloader game-of-the-month: Tyrian 2000

Connect with The Retro League on Google+

2011-11-08T22:03:25Z

We're not really sure what you're supposed to be doing on Google+ but we have a page there anyway. Pay it a visit and +1 it, or add it to your circles, or connect with other listeners, or whatever else Google+ does.

Our Google+ page: https://plus.google.com/b/116100384525533414241/116100384525533414241/posts

Episode 106 - So Bad it's Terrifying

2011-11-03T03:59:17Z

We're creepy and we're kooky this week, and we're pulling some real nightmares out of the past. We've got some movies and games that are so bad its scary. We discussing the various film incarnations of Street Fighter as well as some strange glitches. We also finally get around to giving out some prizes in celebration of being on the air for 2 years. Get ready for some tricks and treats this week on the Retro League!

Hot Topics
Everyone's Favorite Saturn Game(s)
When can we consider the original xbox retro?
New homebrew version of Donkey Kong for the Intellivision!

Virtually Retro
Atari Flashback 3
Daytona USA (PSN, XBLA)
Monster Bass (PSOne Classics)
Burgertime Deluxe (3DS Virtual Console)

News
How the soundtrack to Iron Helix was recorded
Something Strange In Your Neighborhood? Must Be The New Ghostbusters II Unreleased USA Prototype.
Retrocade Magazine Now On Sale
The Best Street Fighter Movie Starred…Jackie Chan?

Games of the Week
Mansion of Hidden Souls (Sega CD)
Fester’s Quest (NES)

Random Links
The 8 Creepiest Glitches Hidden in Popular Video Games
Zelda II Fairly Glitch - Creepy Town

mama gives you nooses

Episode 105 - Double Dracula Land: the Six Golden Chewies

2011-10-28T04:43:46Z

Our favorite Mtg-podcasting wookie joins us again and we're looking back on the birth of the iPod, new Atari carts, Halloween stores and corrupted save games. We miss the old arcades and we speculate about secret levels. Don't miss this hair-pulling, elbow punching episode of the Retro League!

Hot Topics
Favorite Lucasarts games(s) from the 90s?
Community Gaming Night

Virtually Retro
Candy Catcher (Atari 2600)
Alphadia (Android)
Street Fighter Alpha 3 (PSOne Classics)
Double Dragon (3DS Virtual Console)

News
New Space Invaders world record score set by New Jersey arcade owner
How to Find a Classic American Arcade
Pop-Fiction #16 looks at Metroid hidden areas

Games of the Week
Super Mario Land 2 (Game Boy)
Dracula (Intellivision)
Double Dragon (NES)

Email Links
Satoshi Matrix's Top 25 GameBoy/GameBoy Color Games
Megaman 3 Review (NES)

Interview #16 - Retro Gambler

2011-10-25T20:13:18Z

In this interview we are joined by the Retro Gambler, host of a German/English YouTube channel dedicated to reviewing obscure consoles and games. We talk about the 3DO, Amiga CD32, Cinemaware games, and many other often ignored gems. We also find that the game collecting experience in Europe isn't all that different than the US.

Links
Retro Gambler's YouTube channel

Episode 104 - Who You Gonna Call?

2011-10-19T03:26:30Z

It's getting to be that time of year when spooks, specters, and free-floating vaporous apparitions come creeping around the neighborhood. This week the Retro League tries to figure out an odd game formerly known as Pitman. We debate whether high resolution is always an improvement. We'll be talking about lots of 80's movies & TV shows and will get confused about which Star Wars trilogy we're talking about. Tune in!

Hot Topics
October 2011 Finds
Best PC fps from the 1990s?
What do you have on your device?
Ghostbusters Memories

Virtually Retro
Metal Slug 2, The King of Fighters ‘96 (PSN)
XS Junior League Football (PSone Classic)
Catrap (3DS Virtual Console)

News
GameFan issue #2 available in digital format
Unreleased N64 Game Glover 2 Surfaces Online

Games of the Week
Ghostbusters (Sega Master System)
Ghostbusters (NES)
Ghostbusters II (NES)

Random Links
Facts about the original film

YOU HAVE COMPLETED A GREAT GAME. AND PROOVED THE JUSTICE OF OUR CULTURE.

Episode 103 - Older, Wiser, Wrinklier

2011-10-12T21:50:16Z

This week marks 2 years of the Retro League. With a minimum of self-congratulations its on to business as usual. There's yet anther way for you to purchase one of the greatest RPGs of all time and some old-style text adventures are popping up. How much would you pay for a Frogger watch in box? There is an Extra Terrestrials game for Atari 2600 that you probably haven't heard of and we've got gaming food on the brain. Be sure to join us this week to find out how you could win extra prizes! We promise it won't be a copy of Crappy Fighter: Big Hurt Edition.

Hot Topics
Powerpak?
Blind man plays Ocarina of Time...
Top 10 Dreamcast games

Virtually Retro
Chrono Trigger (PSOne Classics)
Space Channel 5 Part 2, Sega Bass Fishing (PSN, XBLA)
Guardian Heroes (XBLA)
Side Pocket (3DS Virtual Console)

The Binary (Online)

Cavern of the Evil Wizard from the movie Big

News
Lost & Forgotten: Extra Terrestrials for Atari 2600 rediscovered
Retrogaming Times - October 2011
Portland Retro Gaming Expo recap

Games of the Week
Breakout (Arcade)
Blaster Master (NES)
Tetris (Game Boy)

Super Bomberman (SNES)

Email Links
Bad Influence YouTube channel

Random Links
Gourmet Gaming
6 Baffling Early Prototypes of Your Favorite Video Games

Even a door of this caliber can't keep science at bay!

Episode 102 - Mega Mailbag and Extra News

2011-10-04T06:11:42Z

This week the Retro League celebrates new magazines and miraculous manifestations. We'll keep you up to date on retro-downloads and strange video game stories as usual but we've got a flood of great listener comments and questions too. Get your Atari glasses out and prepare to punch stuff until your wrist breaks in this week's show!

Hot Topics
Want to trade?
Who would you like to see interviewed?
Shooter music rocks!

Virtually Retro
Another World - 20th Anniversary (iOS)
Black Lodge (PC, Mac)
Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (PSN)

Four Swords Anniversary Edition (3DS, DSi)
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (3DS Virtual Console)

News
First issue of NES-Bit magazine out
Jesus appears on old Nintendo
Feature: Celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Nintendo 64
R-Type for Sega Master System Being Removed from Virtual Console
UK Retro Computer Museum Hosts Gaming Weekend in November

Games of the Week
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game (NES)
Cosmo Tank (GameBoy)

Email Links
5 things you didn’t know about Tetris
Official SEGA Dreamcast Fishing Controller

Random Links
6 Arcade Games Too Awesome to Get Released in the West
The quest for the golden Nintendo game
Atari Pint Glasses
Wasted Seconds - TMNT Arcade for DOS review