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1UP.com - Retronauts

111 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 11 years ago - ★★★★★ - 600 ratings

1UP's retro blog -- editors discuss classic games and classic systems, and how they relate to the current gaming scene. Reader participation via Skype is encouraged! Check out the site for information on upcoming podcasts.

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Episodes

Retronauts Prime Episode 59

March 15, 2013 09:20 - 1 hour - 88.2 MB

On this all-too-soon finale of 1UP's Retronauts, we forego the sappy goodbyes and instead concentrate on what we've done best in these past seven years: complain incessantly about Virtual Console. Join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Chris Kohler, and Ray Barnholt as they look back on the wonders and blunders this recent generation has brought to classic gaming, and mull over what the future will hold for retro games on shiny new consoles. Thanks for your support over the years!

Retronauts Prime Episode 58

February 08, 2013 09:20 - 1 hour - 97.9 MB

We're back with a marginally new title, and slightly older hosts! Join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Sam Claiborn, and Ray Barnholt as they adhere to Retronauts tradition for this first show of the new year by discussing 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, and 1993. And if that's not enough for you, we talk about ALF a bunch for some reason. No problem!

Retronauts Live Episode 57: 2012 Holiday Extravaganza

November 24, 2012 09:20 - 1 hour - 124 MB

Your favorite classic gaming podcast is here to save Christmas -- and with an unprecedented lack of Ernest P. Worrell. Join Bob Mackey and the rest of the Retronauts crew for this extra-special holiday surprise, featuring traces of the wit and whimsy that made you love last year's celebration so much.

Retronauts Live Episode 56: Day of the Tentacle

November 14, 2012 09:20 - 1 hour - 86.1 MB

It's been almost 20 years since a purple tentacle sipped sewage and nearly took over the world, and since then, we've been left with nothing but questions. Thankfully, Day of the Tentacle project leads Tim Schafer and Dave Grossman decided to drop by the Retronauts studio for an entire hour of discussion about the classic adventure game they helmed two decades ago. Note: hamsters were frozen, microwaved, but ultimately not harmed in the making of this episode.

Retronauts Interview Minisode: Jordan Mechner and Karateka

November 08, 2012 09:20 - 17 minutes - 112 MB

Nearly 30 years after its original release, Jordan Mechner's groundbreaking 1984 classic Karateka has returned for a brand new audience. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey for a special interview with Mechner about the remake of the game that started his career. NOTE: This episode suffers from a bit of audio crackle due to faulty podcasting equipment. We're sorry!

Retronauts Live Episode 55: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

October 12, 2012 09:20 - 1 hour - 74 MB

Cowabunga! Radical! Et cetera! If you entered this world at some point in the '80s, you no doubt experienced the pizza-promoting phenomenon that taught children the names of four Renaissance artists. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey, along with guests Kat Bailey, Ray Barnholt, and Marty Sliva as they thoroughly explore Konami?s many Ninja Turtles games, and perhaps learn the secret of the ooze?

Retronauts Live Episode 54: Double Dragon

September 21, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 72 MB

With the release of Double Dragon Neon making the series relevant once again, Retronauts host Bob Mackey sits down with Scroll's Ray Barnholt and IGN's Sam Claiborn in an attempt to sort out the million ports of the few games starring Billy and Jimmy Lee. If you have a conveyor belt phobia, we advise you skip this one.

Retronauts Live Episode 53: PAX Prime 2012 and the Post-Apocalypse

September 07, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 56.2 MB

It's the end of the world as we know it, and the Retronauts feel fine. Well, maybe a little gassy. Join host Bob Mackey, along with guests Chris Kohler, Marty Sliva, and Jose Otero, as they depress a crowd of PAX Prime attendees with a discussion of video game portrayals of the post-apocalypse. Duck, cover, jam in your earbuds and laugh along with us for an hour as the world burns.

Retronauts Live Episode 52

August 17, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 76.2 MB

The second installment of Retronauts Movie Month wraps up with a look at 1989's The Wizard, Universal's attempt to siphon even more money from the parents of Nintendo-obsessed children. Join Bob Mackey, Marty Sliva, Sam Claiborn, and Ray Barholt as they discuss the glaring video game inaccuracies contained within before collapsing in a fit of Christian Slater impressions.

Retronauts Classic Gaming Expo 2012 Minisode

August 12, 2012 09:26 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MB

After an exciting and event-filled day of pawing over old video games and standing in the awe-inspiring presence of Howard Phillips (sans bowtie), Retronauts host Bob Mackey sits down with the gang from Retroware.tv to discuss the goings-on at Classic Gaming Expo 2012.

Retronauts Live Episode 51

August 03, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 65.7 MB

In 2001, Final Fantasy made its journey to the silver screen, and the resulting disaster exiled movie director and series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi to the hellish shores of Hawaii. But was it really all that bad? Join host Bob Mackey and guests Chris Kohler, Ray Barnholt, and Marty Sliva as they summon their own spirits within for a lively discussion of this cinematic failure.

Retronauts Live Episode 50

July 13, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 78.2 MB

We've done a lot of these, haven't we? In honor of Retronauts' 150-ish episode, join host Bob Mackey in this podcast retrospective as he presents some of the show's finest moments over the past six years, featuring the return of old friends, and a myriad of other surprises!

Retronauts Live Episode 49

June 28, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 63.5 MB

It's been a few months since our last laser-focused traditional episode, so this time around, we decided to set our sights on a beloved game that's near and dear to all of our hearts: Final Fantasy IV. Listen in as Retronauts host Bob Mackey employs the help of Jeremy Parish, Jose Otero, and Marty Sliva to talk about what makes this highly available 16-bit RPG so amazing. And we managed to get through this entire episode with only one mention of the word "spoony!"

Retronauts E3 2012 Minisode: MonkeyPaw Games' John Greiner

June 06, 2012 09:26 - 28 minutes - 286 MB

Just because it's E3 doesn't mean we don't have time to podcast! Okay, that's not completely true, but we went ahead and did it anyway. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey on this special episode featuring an interview with MonkeyPaw Games' John Greiner. Listen in and learn about the coming onslaught of Tomba-mania, and marvel at the impressive acoustics of an abandoned maintenance hallway.

Retronauts Interview Minisode: Chris Jones and the Return of Tex Murphy

May 31, 2012 09:26 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MB

In this special interview minisode of Retronauts Live, Bob Mackey chats with veteran developer Chris Jones about the return of the classic Tex Murphy adventure series via his new Kickstarter titled "Project Fedora." Listen in and learn how this new age of philanthropy is giving us a classic adventure game Renaissance.

Retronauts Live Episode 48

May 25, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 60.8 MB

Keeping in line with our week of What If content, episode 48 of Retronauts Live features Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and Jose Otero exploring the possibilities of alternate realities in audio form. Listen in and be amazed as the Retronauts crew summons the powers of conjecture to bring you an hour of split timelines and improvised histories.

Retronauts Live Episode 47

May 14, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 63.2 MB

Since we've been busy with events and special guests, our listener mail segment has suffered unduly. To remedy this issue, episode 47 of Retronauts Live is entirely devoted to questions from listeners like you. Jam in your earbuds and listen to the voices of Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Marty Sliva, and Ray Barnholt as they soothe readers desperately in search of answers.

Retronauts Live Episode 46

April 25, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 55.6 MB

On this episode of Retronauts, former Working Designs head honcho Victor Ireland weaves grand tales of the '90s video game marketplace for a rapt audience consisting of Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and Gamasutra's Christian Nutt. Slip on your Lunar punching puppets and pendant replicas, and get ready to fall headfirst into podcast that's real, unless you dream it's not.

Retronauts Live Episode 45

April 12, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 62.7 MB

In a complete reversal from last the negativity of their last PAX installment, the Retronauts are back to celebrate just what makes awesome games so awesome. Join Jeremy Parish, Chris Kohler, Kurt Kulata, and Seth Macy live from PAX East 2012 as they entertain a crowd of thousands by praising the favorite games of audience members brave enough to step up to the mic.

Retronauts Live Episode 44

March 30, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 67.5 MB

Retronauts returns to the age of dial-up and low poly counts with a grab bag of topics relating to the magical decade known as the 1990s. Boot up your favorite minidisc player, crack open a can of Surge, and unroll the nearest Fruit by the Root and prepare yourself for series of discussions about a time when we were all less surly.

Retronauts Live Special Contest Minisode

March 22, 2012 09:26 - 3 minutes - 3.36 MB

Do you yearn to prove to the world your expertise on an extremely obscure subject? Then enter Retronauts' newest contest! The grand prize winner will get to choose the topic for an upcoming episode, and star in a special call-in segment with our cast of reliable regulars. For more details, consult your local library, or this .mp3 file. You'll be glad you did.

Retronauts Live Episode 43

March 16, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 60.3 MB

Retronauts Movie Month comes to a close with a discussion of 1995's Mortal Kombat, the movie that put Paul W.S. Anderson on the map. Join Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and Marty Sliva as they talk about the highs and lows of this rock-stupid kung-fu flick. Even though it's made by a different directing Anderson, there will be blood.

Retronauts Live Episode 42

March 01, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 62.1 MB

A mere month after their last episode on the subject, the Retronauts once again tackle Resident Evil -- but this time, in movie form. On this third installment of Retronauts Movie Month, join Bob Mackey, Marty Sliva, and Jose Otero as they discuss Paul W.S. Anderson's successful 2002 attempt to make Milla Jovovich his b-movie bride.

Retronauts Live Episode 41

February 23, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 60.6 MB

For the second installment of Retronauts Movie Month, Bob Mackey, Kat Bailey, and Marty Sliva discuss 1994's Street Fighter, a film that sincerely wants you to believe Jean-Claude Van Damme is from America. Listen in as we recount some of Street Fighter's most memorable moments, most of which involve the late, great Raul Julia.

Retronauts Live Episode 40

February 16, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 63.3 MB

19 years ago, Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo, and Dennis Hopper did something shameful. On this first installment of Retronauts Movie Month, join Bob Mackey, Marty Sliva, and Ray Barnholt as they explore the public act of silver screen indecency otherwise known as Super Mario Bros.

Retronauts Live Episode 39

February 09, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 56.2 MB

2012 marks Maniac Mansion's 25th birthday, and what better way to celebrate a quarter-century of adventure gaming than a discussion with co-designer Ron Gilbert? Over the course of an hour, Retronauts Bob Mackey and Thierry Nguyen grill Ron on the ins and outs of this legendary adventure game, revealing mysteries that might just blow your mind. Note: no hamsters were harmed in the recording of this episode.

Retronauts Live Episode 38

February 02, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 76.1 MB

The recent Resident Evil 6 trailer has us all buzzing about the future of this storied Capcom series, but what about the past? Listen in as Retronauts Bob Mackey and Jose Otero jump into Resident Evil's highly uneven legacy, aided by the help of their loyal listeners.

Retronauts Live Episode 37

January 26, 2012 09:26 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MB

We're not done with Sega yet! Picking up from last week's episode, Retronauts Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and Ray Barnholt field calls from listeners about their favorite Sega series they'd like to see revived.

Retronauts Live Episode 36

January 20, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 88 MB

Sega's more than just Sonic, you know; over the years, the famed Japanese developer tried (and ultimately failed) to launch several properties that are still near and dear to our hearts. Join Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and Scott Sharkey as they explore Jet Set Radio, Panzer Dragoon, and Shenmue, and catch up on a hefty backlog of listener mail (but you can skip to 31:54 if you don’t care about that).

Retronauts Live Episode 35

January 12, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 85.5 MB

Tradition! It's more than just a song in Fiddler on the Roof, you know. As expected from the first Retronauts episode of the New Year, this installment features a retrospective on a variety of previous dates. Join Bob Mackey, Chris Kohler, Christian Nutt, and Sam Claiborn as they discover the monumental mysteries of 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, and 1992. It's infotainmencational!

Retronauts Live Episode 34

December 21, 2011 09:26 - 1 hour - 79.2 MB

It's Christmas! Well, almost. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey in his remote holiday cabin for a very special episode featuring a grab bag of topics brought by his many 1UP-employed visitors. Grab of cup of your favorite nog, find a place to hide from the family, and take some time to unwind with nearly 90 minutes of retro gaming discussion. It's the real reason for the season.

Retronauts Live Episode 33

December 15, 2011 09:02 - 1 hour - 84.9 MB

For the sake of closure, Retronauts host Bob Mackey employs the help of Sam Claiborn, Scott Sharkey, and Marty Sliva to discuss two decades of Simpsons games. Will they be crantastic, cromulent, craptacular, or have us shouting boo-urns until our throats are sore? If you managed to decipher the previous sentence, this is the podcast for you.

Retronauts Live Episode 32

December 08, 2011 09:02 - 1 hour - 63.7 MB

In the wake of GamePro's recent closing, Retronauts host Bob Mackey brings in former staffers Kat Bailey, Will Herring, and Ray Barnholt (along with general magazine enthusiast Matt Leone) to discuss their time at this dearly departed magazine. And for all you fans of inside baseball, we also chat about the future of games journalism. It's navel-gazey!

Retronauts Live Episode 31

December 01, 2011 09:37 - 1 hour - 72.1 MB

While we don't have race cars, lasers, or airplanes, life truly is like a hurricane here at 1UP. But that doesn't mean we don't have time for podcasts! Join Retronauts Bob Mackey, Sam Claiborn, and Ray Barnholt as they discuss Capcom's many NES Disney games, and desperately to figure out how to best undergo a "mousecapade."

Retronauts Live Episode 30

November 23, 2011 09:37 - 1 hour - 56.2 MB

Whether you like turkey or tofurky, the Retronauts are here to make your Thanksgiving just a bit brighter. Join Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and Marty Sliva as they discuss Turkey day-related gaming memories with devoted listeners, and try to decide between stuffing and potatoes -- there can only be one.

Retronauts Live Episode 29

November 18, 2011 09:37 - 1 hour - 82.3 MB

Kirby's nearly 20, so we decided to jump the gun and celebrate two decades of cuddly, pink games full of fruit and candy. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey, Wired's Chris Kohler, IGN's Audrey Drake, and freewheelin' freelancer Ray Barnholt for 90 minutes of discussion about one of Nintendo's most multifaceted characters.

Retronauts Live Episode 28

November 02, 2011 09:37 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MB

It is the nineties and there is time for burgers. Join Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, Chris Kohler, and MonkeyPaw Games' Ray Almeda and John Greiner as they discuss the newly-released BurgerTime World Tour and run frantically from angry wieners.

Retronauts Live Episode 27

October 27, 2011 09:37 - 1 hour - 78.7 MB

'Tis the season... for scary games. (Hey, there can be two seasons.) Join Retronauts Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and Scott Sharkey as they divulge secret fears and field calls on the subject of games likely to coax the tar out of your many orifices.

Retronauts Live Episode 26

October 20, 2011 09:37 - 2 hours - 121 MB

On this week's Retronauts, Bob Mackey, Jose Otero, and special guest VoidBurger tackle the foggy streets and shocking plot twists of the Silent Hill series. If you're fresh to the franchise, prepare to be spoiled like a year-old banana.

Retronauts Live Episode 25

October 13, 2011 09:37 - 1 hour - 82.5 MB

The PS2 is somehow on the brink of its 11th birthday, which makes us all feel very old. Join Retronauts host Bob Mackey and guests Scott Sharkey and Ray Barnholt as they discuss Sony's past console with listeners and age audibly.

Retronauts Live Episode 24

October 06, 2011 12:37 - 2 hours - 110 MB

Still craving more b-list Japanese RPG chatter after last week? You're in luck; Retronauts host Bob Mackey along with guests Kat Bailey and Christian Nutt pick up this subject once again for a roundtable discussion of Xenosaga, Lufia, Wild Arms, Shadow Hearts and more.

Retronauts Live Episode 23

September 29, 2011 11:03 - 1 hour - 101 MB

On this week's episode of Retronauts, host Bob Mackey and guests Meghan Sullivan (of IGN) and a slightly less-audible Janine Dong field calls from listeners about their favorite and least favorite B-list Japanese RPGs. The winners are praised, and the losers are thrown down into Pony Canyon. Who will survive?

Retronauts Live Episode 22

September 22, 2011 13:03 - 1 hour - 84.6 MB

Just what the heck is a Kunio-kun? In our newest installment, Retronauts host Bob Mackey and guests Ray Barnholt, Marty Sliva, and Kurt Kulata seek to untangle this mess of a franchise and its many renamed English-language installments. River City Ransom fans, take note.

Retronauts Live Episode 21

September 15, 2011 16:06 - 1 hour - 84.6 MB

School and gaming: an unlikely combination? Yet somehow Retronauts host Bob Mackey and guests Sam Claiborn and Ray Barnholt generated 90 minutes of discussion on this topic -- with the help of our lovely listeners, of course.

Retronauts: The Bootleg Session, Vol. 1

September 08, 2011 18:06 - 1 hour - 85 MB

Didn't happen to be in Seattle for PAX Prime 2011? Don't worry; we've managed to tap into the underground podcast bootleg scene to bring you one full hour of Jeremy Parish, Chris Kohler, Jeff Green, Nich Maragos, and Bob Mackey ripping into the beloved games of their devoted fans.

Retronauts Live Episode 20

September 01, 2011 18:06 - 1 hour - 79.8 MB

What's the deaaal with Star Fox? Over the next 87 minutes, Retronauts host Bob Mackey and co-pilots Kat Bailey (of GamePro), Sam Claiborn, and Brian Altano (both from IGN) attempt to figure out one of Nintendo's oddest franchises with more rowdiness than you would expect. Also, prepare yourself for bonus discussion of Nintendo's Urban Champion, making this podcast the most anyone has talked about that game in 25 years.

Retronauts Live Episode 19

August 18, 2011 18:06 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MB

It's still August, which means the Super Nintendo 20th Anniversary train is still a-rollin'. Strap on your earbuds and enter a world of informed opinions as Retronauts host Bob Mackey and guests Jeremy Parish, Jose Otero, and Marty Sliva wrangle calls in an attempt to give the SNES even more love. It's gonna get sloppy.

Retronauts Live Episode 18

August 12, 2011 18:56 - 1 hour - 92.1 MB

With the release of Deus Ex: Human Revolution on the horizon, Retronauts host Bob Mackey sits down with Thierry "Scooter" Nguyen, Ryan Winterhalter, Scott Sharkey, and Mike Nelson to talk about Ion Storm's groundbreaking franchise -- and since Metroid's 25th anniversary just passed us by, there's talk of that as well. This episode truly has something for everyone, except for people who don’t care about Deus Ex or Metroid.

Retronauts Live Episode 17

August 04, 2011 13:16 - 1 hour - 76.5 MB

Jeremy Parish passes the Retronauts reins to Bob Mackey as guests Ray Barnholt and IGN's Sam Claiborn join in for a rousing discussion about the Super Nintendo on its 20th birthday. Note: this episode isn't live, but you can always talk into your iPod if it makes you feel better.

Retronauts Live Episode 16

July 11, 2011 11:28 - 52 minutes - 23.9 MB

It's the most awkward episode of Retronauts ever as Jeremy Parish, Ryan Winterhalter, Ray Barnholt, and Sam Claiborn talk about Sonic the Hedgehog's anniversary with a bunch of people who are completely unfamiliar with Retronauts, and podcasts in general!