Maximum Power Up
130 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★ - 7 ratingsA video gaming podcast that covers both retro gaming as well as modern systems. The show features discussion on various topics, reviews and more.
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Episodes
Episode 120 - Rob Leane Interview
January 04, 2024 14:50 - 1 hour - 98.8 MBChris Smith is joined by regular host Paul Monaghan and special guest Rob Leane, gaming editor for the Radio Times. We discuss Rob's career so far, the beloved status of Radio Times and how it came to have a gaming editor, as well as an extended discussion about Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and its implications for modern games jouralism. It's worth a listen to enjoy Paul forgetting that he is a host on this podcast, and instead take the opportunity to be interviewed for his work on A...
Episode 119 - Maximum Catch Up
December 20, 2023 08:27 - 1 hour - 93.4 MBChris and Paul once again realise almost another year has gone by since they last recorded. Join us as we catch up on the year just gone, and manage to almost entirely avoid talking about Christmas.
Episode 118 - Gaming in 2023
February 13, 2023 09:53 - 2 hours - 134 MBYou wait weeks for a podcast, then two hours come along at once. Chris is joined by returning host Paul to look at their highlights from the games that have been announced for the year ahead. With a brief diversion to discuss the Amiga Mini, because there was no chance of them staying on topic.
2022 End of Year Show
December 20, 2022 11:33 - 1 hour - 130 MBChris Smith the Newer is joined by returning hosts Jake and Tommy to discuss the last 12 months, and what they've been up to in life and videogames since Maximum Power Up last released an episode.
Episode 116 - Atari Jaguar
November 10, 2021 08:50 - 2 hours - 148 MBChris Smith mk 2 is joined by returning host Tom Charnock to share fond memories of Atari’s much maligned console. They cover their own introductions to the console, and discuss their favourite games on the platform. As always, if you enjoy this episode, please take the time to leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever else you choose to listen to your podcasts. If you want to continue the conversation, or give us any feedback, feel free to contact us on any of the socials below:
Episode 115: Making Of Tomb Raider & SEGA Powered
October 20, 2021 06:34 - 1 hour - 52.8 MBThis episode features two interviews discussing two new print productions. First up is Daryl Baxter who has written the Making Of Tomb Raider book. This book covers the stories behind the making of the first two games by Core Design. The book features over 20 interviews with people who worked on the game and Daryl also shares other things we can expect from this labour of love. Secondly is an interview with the team of SEGA Powered. This new monthly print magazine has recently be...
Episode 114: Ashley Day Interview - From GamesTM to Team17
August 21, 2021 07:04 - 2 hours - 127 MBOur latest guest is Ashley Day, currently employed by Team17. Over this three hour chat we discuss all aspects of his career. Starting out writing for GamesTM, Ashley discusses his love of games mags and the challenges faced in his time on the magazine including getting interviews. In 2012 he moved to Nintendo working in Digital Marketing which involved coming up with some fantastic ideas to help drive Nintendo franchises. Now at Team17 he shares a few thoughts on a childhood dream wor...
Episode 113: Maximum Power Up Meets The Back Page Podcast
July 29, 2021 07:30 - 2 hours - 104 MBThis episode we are joined by two guests, both writers and they also produce their own podcast. Samuel Roberts and Matthew Castle join Paul to discuss their career working on games magazines. Both starting in the mid '00's we cover more recent gaming discussing the PS3, PS4, Wii, DS, X360 etc. Working on Official Nintendo Magazine, NGamer, X360 Magazine, PC Gamer and more game us lots of memories to chat about. There are some great stories shared including trips away, challenges of en...
Episode 112: Tim Ponting Interview
June 21, 2021 19:34 - 2 hours - 112 MBOur 42nd magazine related guest is Tim Ponting. Paul spoke to Tim about his career in games magazines and PR. Starting out on drumming magazine Rhythm, he soon joined Dennis Publishing on the much loved magazine Zero. He shares some memories of being editor and the challenges he faced against other magazines, coverdisks and more. From there we go onto his time on PC Zone and how the industry changed, the rivalry with PC Gamer, and what it was like to work with the late Felix Dennis. Fina...
Episode 111: Keith Stuart Interview
May 23, 2021 08:31 - 1 hour - 90.9 MBPaul is joined by best selling author and journalist, Keith Stuart. Keith started his career in the 90's at Big Red Software helping write game manuals. However in 1995 previous MPU guest Jason Brookes gave him his first games magazine role on Edge. We discussed his memories of working on Edge at such an important time in the games industry. As well as this we discuss his work on DC-UK and how the mag upset Sega. Also covered is how he began writing for The Guardian and how that role ...
Episode 110: Twin Stick Shooters
April 03, 2021 07:19 - 1 hour - 100 MBChris Smith 2 is joined by Shaun Holley of the Ten Pence Arcade to talk "Shooting things right in t'face". As a follow up to one of our most popular shows, Episode 65: Shoot 'em ups, this episode our hosts look specifically at those shmups played with twin sticks. From their origins in the 80s arcade up to more current systems. References from the episode: The "Tie Die Rom Set" for Robot Ron. Footage of "Draco" released before Robotron Total Carnage ending story As usual if you ...
Bonus Episode: Pandemic Pod - Coronavirus and Robin
March 15, 2021 10:15 - 1 hour - 87.1 MBThe same motley crew as the last bonus episode return for another pandemic related show, as Chris, Chris, Jake and Arron do their best to appear like they still have it together as we approach the anniversary of the pandemic. As ever, this show is as much about life as anything else, but if you just want the games chatter, I'd skip the first 20 minutes. . As ever, if you like the episode or have any feedback, we'd love it if you'd hit us up on the socials and leave reviews. More importa...
Episode 109: Marcus Dyson Interview
March 07, 2021 20:58 - 2 hours - 91 MBThere is plenty for Commodore Amiga fans in this episode. Paul sits down to speak to Marcus Dyson who spent 4 years on Amiga Format, as well as some time at Team 17. Starting in 1990 at Future Publishing Marcus started off as an artist for the magazine before moving to editor. He shares some of his memories as well as challenges faced on the magazine at that time. We discuss reviews, cover disks, fave games and more. In 1994 Marcus moved onto Team 17 helping bring several well known Amig...
Episode 108: John Davison Interview
January 13, 2021 19:13 - 2 hours - 98.4 MBOur latest interview is with VP of IGN, John Davison. John started his career in the games industry over 30 years ago with his first fulltime role on Games-X magazine. John shares the challenges he faced on a weekly games magazine before moving onto Megadrive Advanced Gaming, PC Zone and more. We discuss how PC Zone became one of the leading PC magazines and some of the standout features in the mag. Moving onto his time in America we cover EGM, GamePro, Metacritic, 1Up podcast, Game...
Episode 107: Gary Whitta Interview
December 22, 2020 08:59 - 2 hours - 121 MBThis episode we are joined by a huge guest! Gary Whitta joins Paul to discuss his career in games journalism, writing Hollywood screenplays, Animal Crossing talkshows and more! Covering a 30 year plus career, Gary started off on Commodore User being an owner of the Amiga which helped get his big break on magazines. He shares several stories about his time on Games-X, The One, ACE, CVG and more. However the main magazine that changed so much for him was PC Gamer which he edited in the UK be...
Bonus Episode: Pandemic Pod - Covid Hard with a Vengeance
December 13, 2020 20:59 - 1 hour - 85.1 MBIn this third pandemic related bonus episode, the two Chris Smiths are joined by Jake and Arron for as they check in on each other, and talk life, games and a bit about the new systems. Oh and some of the hottest takes on the PS3 since 2006... As ever, if you like the episode or have any feedback, we'd love it if you'd hit us up on the socials and leave reviews. However, self-care is more important. Look after yourselves and each other first. We'll be okay.
Episode 106: Tim Weaver Interview
November 05, 2020 19:55 - 2 hours - 121 MBTim Weaver has been writing for decades. Currently he has 10 David Raker novels under his belt, a very popular crime/ thriller series. He started his career at Future Publishing back in 1996 on Nintnedo magazine Total! Tim shares the early days on the mag as well as other Snes magazine Super Play before he went on to work on the magazine that gave him his happiest years - N64 Magazine. N64 mag still has so many fans today and was the go to magazine for N64 owners. As well as sharing stor...
Episode 105: Better Call Paul(s)
October 11, 2020 19:40 - 2 hours - 116 MBIn this episode Paul sits down to discuss CVG magazine and more with Paul Glancey and also another Paul, this time Davies! Yes three people on one call all called Paul (that's a mouthful). Paul Glancey makes his MPU debut to take us through some key moments of his career. Starting on Zzap64, working with Jaz Rignall he soon got into the swing of things and followed Jaz to EMAP and CVG magazine. He tells us about learning the ropes, a few fave games as well as working on Megatech, Mean Mach...
Episode 104: Chris Scullion Interview
September 25, 2020 10:55 - 2 hours - 101 MBChris Scullion joins us this episode to discuss his career as a games writer. Starting on Official Nintendo Magazine in 2006, he has also written for the online versions of N Gamer and CVG as well as being a regular contributor to Nintendo Life. When he joined ONM the Gamecube was on the way out but the Wii would go on to become one of Nintendo's most popular consoles. We discuss some key moments in his career, meeting some well known names, certain games reviews for Sonic titles and much ...
Episode 103: Paul McNally Interview
September 09, 2020 07:09 - 2 hours - 103 MBIn this episode Paul interviews Paul McNally about his career in videogames journalism and much more. Paul started his career on ST Action under the guidance of previous guest Nick Clarkson. Working up-to editor he stayed there until the magazine began to wind down in a challenging market for the ST. Staying at Europress publishing he also worked on Mega Action, Bad Influence (both the mag and show) before the company was bought by IDG Media. We discuss some mags for the first time wit...
Episode 102: Martyn Carroll Interview
August 31, 2020 15:52 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBIn this latest interview, we speak to original Retro Gamer magazine editor Martyn Carroll. We cover several magazines for the first time on the podcast as Martyn shares his early experiences of the magazine industry. It wasn't a games magazine he started on however. As a rabid horror fan his first published work was in long running horror magazine, Darkside. From here we discuss trying to get work on games magazines at Paragon Publishing before starting a job up North at Live Publishin...
Episode 101: Listeners Choice Mega Drive
August 16, 2020 06:58 - 2 hours - 148 MBThis episode we revisit the "listener choice" format, previously used on our Dreamcast, Game Boy and Commodore 64 shows. Back before the world went mad, we asked our listeners to share their five favourite SEGA Mega Drive games with us, which we then got Paul to count up and combine to create a Top 10 of the most popular ones. Join Chris Smith v2 and Tom Charnock as they tackle the listeners top 10 Mega Drive games, and try to find new things to say about a list that holds few surprises. T...
Episode 100: The Episode 100 Show
July 26, 2020 10:36 - 2 hours - 120 MBIn this episode we celebrate 100 episodes of Maximum Power Up. Since the show started in 2015 we have covered a mixture of modern and retrogaming. Most of the team share their experiences of making the podcast, fave episodes, games played etc. Even though it does take a lot of work we are very happy to have great listeners that have helped the show grow. It has been brilliant to have had the chance to have on so many guests from the games industry and many well known games magazines. Hea...
Bonus Episode: Games That Weren't
July 13, 2020 07:45 - 45 minutes - 34.2 MBIn this bonus episode we have two guests, Frank Gasking and Sam Dyer. Frank runs the excellent and informative website Games That Weren't for the last 20 years. Sam is known for his excellent work over at Bitmap Books. Games That Weren't features many games that were due to be released but for various reasons didn't happen. Frank has spent years speaking to the people that worked on these games and systems and is now taking it to the next level. Working with Sam at Bitmap Books, Games ...
Episode 99: Dominik Diamond Interview
June 14, 2020 08:08 - 1 hour - 64.9 MBIn this episode we are very happy to have Dominik Diamond on the show. For many gamers in the 90's he was the face of gaming on television as the host of GamesMaster. The show covered so many amazing challenges, features and more. We discuss some of Dominik's favourite memories of the show, guests that were on, commentators and more. We also talk about his other games television show from the mid 00's, "When Games Attack", gaming in general and even discuss his love for Glasgow Celtic Fo...
Bonus Episode - Pandemic Pod Returns
June 08, 2020 13:23 - 2 hours - 144 MBThe Maximum Power up team for another special bonus episode as Lockdown 2020 continues. In this new Pandemic Pod, the team discuss the two "big hitters" Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Streets of Rage 4, and also share what else they've been up to. As ever, if you like the episode or have any feedback, we'd love it if you'd hit us up on the socials and leave reviews. However, self-care is more important. Look after yourselves and each other first. We'll be okay.
Episode 98: Danny Wallace Interview
May 21, 2020 20:53 - 1 hour - 80 MBWe are delighted to have Danny Wallace on the show discussing his career. In this 90 minute chat we discuss how he started out doing work experience on Sega Power magazine before being taken on by Future and had several years on much loved mags Super Play, Total and a return to Sega Power. As well as this Danny shares his early experiences working with Ross Noble and on The Mighty Boosh at the start of their careers. Working in TV, being a best selling author, BAFTA winner for Thomas Was...
Episode 97: 1998 Part 2
May 12, 2020 10:02 - 1 hour - 85.9 MBFollowing on from episode 94 we continue our walk down memory lane looking at July to December 1998. Many gamers see 1998 as one of the greatest years in gaming. All the main machines had several must own titles that were released. We share our experiences and memories playing Banjo Kazooie, Half-Life, Tekken 3 and many more. We also discuss some of the major gaming news stories from each month and Chris shares his experiences of importing a Sega Dreamcast to end the year. We hope you ...
Episode 96: Glen O'Connell Interview
April 16, 2020 10:10 - 2 hours - 116 MBIn this episode we speak to Glen O'Connell about his career in the games industry as well as sports PR. Starting out at Psygnosis he shares some great experiences of visiting games magazines helping promote new titles and his early thoughts working in the industry. However when Sony were ready to launch the PlayStation things soon changed. Titles such as Wipeout had everyone wanting a piece of the Playstation. Glen discusses taking along import consoles to HMV etc to help create buzz. ...
Bonus Episode - Pandemic Pod
April 03, 2020 18:59 - 1 hour - 115 MBFor this special bonus episode of the Maximum Power Up podcast, we have an almost full house* as the team gather to keep each other sane during Lockdown 2020. What games do the team reach for in times of trouble? What games will they play over the coming weeks as they're "staying home" like responsible adults? What tips do they have for you, the listener, to help you get through this time? Does Paul even like videogames? Find out the answers to all this and more, in the Pandemic Pod. As ...
Episode 95: David Wilson Interview
March 26, 2020 09:09 - 2 hours - 89.9 MBWe are very happy to welcome David Wilson on the show for this new episode. David recently left Sony after almost 20 years as Head of UK PR and Director of Communications. Starting in the games industry on classic gaming mags Your Sinclair and Zero, he shares some of his early memories playing and reviewing key games and the challenges faced working on games mags at that time. Moving on from magazines we cover his time at EA as Head of European PR for almost a decade including h...
Episode 94: 1998 Part 1
February 15, 2020 17:33 - 1 hour - 96 MBIs this one of the greatest years for games releases? Paul, Chris, Arron and Chris sit down to discuss if it truly is. The major players in the industry were still battling it out to be number one with each of the major consoles hitting their stride. The Nintendo 64 had 1080 Snowboarding and Banjo Kazooie. The Sega Saturn had Panzer Dragoon Saga and Burning Rangers, and finally the Sony PlayStation had Resident Evil 2 and Alundra. So over 20 years ago what were we playing and buying? W...
2020 - New Year Special
January 16, 2020 07:40 - 2 hours - 147 MBOnce again Chris Smith mark 2 is joined by Paul & the other Chris Smith, with Arron coming along for the ride too. After the fairly well received Christmas episode, the boys are back with their highlights from 2019, and the old and new games they’re planning to play during 2020. They even manage to commit themselves to a few gaming resolutions that’ll probably be forgotten come February. Please take the time to leave us a review on your podcast service of choice, and drop us any feedback v...
Christmas Special
December 22, 2019 17:56 - 1 hour - 109 MBChris Smith mark 2 is joined by Paul & the other Chris Smith for a bit of Christmas chatter. Somehow Maximum Power Up hasn’t done this before. Tune in as your hosts compare Christmas memories. Some of them are bleaker than others. As per Paul’s Christmas wish, please take the time to leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and hit us up on the socials below.
Episode 91: Jason Brookes Tribute
December 05, 2019 21:01 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBThis is a special one off episode celebrating the games writing of Jason Brookes who sadly passed away recently. In 2016 and 2019 Paul had the pleasure of interviewing Jason to discuss his time on Super Play and Edge. These interviews have been taken from episodes 33 and 86 so we understand some listeners will have already heard them but we felt they make a great tribute to Jason's work. We hope you enjoy the interviews and from everyone at Maximum Power Up we send our love to Jason's fami...
Episode 90: Disney's Aladdin
November 18, 2019 21:23 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBIn this episode we take a look at one of the most loved 16bit game tie ins. Released in 1993 for the Sega Megadrive and Super Nintendo, gamers were treated to two very nice looking but very different games based on the hit Disney movie. Chris, Paul and Arron sit down to discuss the two versions and their experiences playing them. The pros and cons are covered of each but which game is the king, Capcom's or Virgin's? We also discuss the amazing Disney film as well as what three wishes would...
Maximum Power Up Presents: The Lost RetroCollect FM Chronicles Part 1
September 30, 2019 21:23 - 2 hours - 67.5 MBWell this is a blast from the past, back in 2014, Chris got together with Martin Hinson and Kurt Kalata from Hardcore Gaming 101 to talk all things Castlevania. Now these were thought lost after a laptop containing the files was lost, however Chris had backed them up to an external hdd without realising and here they are now. There is another Castlevania episode and Konami shooter episode that will appear in the near future, stay tuned!
Episode 89: Amiga Power With Cam Winstanley
August 15, 2019 06:52 - 1 hour - 77.6 MBPaul sits down with Cam Winstanley to discuss one of the most popular Amiga magazines, Amiga Power. Lasting over 5 years Amiga Power built up a passionate readership that Cam was there to witness for several years starting as a writer and later becoming editor. We discuss some of his favourite memories and games from his time on the magazine. As well as this he tells us why he feels Amiga Power is still fondly remembered even now. We hope you enjoy the interview and please leave an iTu...
Episode 88: Microsoft XBox
June 10, 2019 07:36 - 2 hours - 140 MBIn November 2001 Microsoft released their first console into a market that was changing. Sega's Dreamcast had failed so they left the market. However Microsoft knew how to make an entrance! From the off they set out to do things differently. With a several must own exclusive games, a built in hard drive, some amazing arcade style games from Sega of all people and more, gamers had to take notice. In this episode Paul, Tom and Chris Smith Mk2 discuss their early memories of the machine, what...
Episode 87: Super Mario Brothers The Movie
May 07, 2019 22:41 - 1 hour - 65.3 MBJoin Chris, Phil and Aaron as they take a trip to the movies. In what’s hopefully a first of many movies based on games episodes the crew take a look at 1993’s Super Mario Bros The Movie. We take you through the movie, offer our thoughts and what we want from a future Mario Movie.
Episode 86: Top Ten Games Magazines Part 2
April 09, 2019 19:35 - 2 hours - 173 MBWelcome to part 2 of the Top 10 Games Mags. These are the final 5 magazines that have been voted by our listeners on Twitter, Facebook and more. Paul sits down with a guest from each magazine again to discuss their memories and thoughts of each magazine in the list. With over 100 magazines voted for a lot didn't make the final 10 and we give a quick shout out to some of these right at the end of the show. So if you are a fan of Sega, Nintendo, PlayStation and more we hope you enjoy the e...
Episode 85: Top 10 Games Magazines Part 1
March 24, 2019 14:08 - 2 hours - 158 MBGames magazines have always been a popular part of gaming. Although there aren't too many around these days, in the 80's & 90's there were loads to choose from. In January we asked our listener's to tell us their 5 fave games mags. Obviously there were many suggested but over the next 2 episodes we cover the top 10 that made the list. In this part we discuss places 10-6 alongside a guest from each magazine featured. They share some of their experiences from the magazine and what made it so...
Episode 84: Video Pinball
February 07, 2019 00:18 - 1 hour - 96.7 MBChris Smith Mk. 2 takes the reins for this episode looking at some highlights from the history of bringing pinball to the world of video games. Chris is joined by Phil, and our hosts discuss their favourite pinball games and some notable not-so-favourites. Links from the show: Demon’s Tilt Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/422510/DEMONS_TILT/ Soundcloud link for Demon’s Tilt OST: https://soundcloud.com/ec2151/sets/demons-tilt-sample-fm As always, please take the time ...
Episode 83: Dave Upchurch Interview
January 21, 2019 21:09 - 3 hours - 184 MBIn this episode Paul interviews Dave Upchurch. Starting his career at EMAP on popular 90's magazine ACE he soon was moved to The One Amiga where he became the magazines editor. At the time the Amiga was going from strength to strength with games such as The Secret Of Monkey Island 2, Chaos Engine. In 1996 following his success at The One Amiga he went on to work on Nintendo Magazine System up until the official UK launch of the Nintendo 64 in 1997. Dave tells us a few tales of his good a...
Episode 82: Batman
December 23, 2018 20:26 - 1 hour - 75.7 MBWitness Phil using powers that rival those of the World’s Greatest Detective, as he supervises the first joint appearance of Chris Smith original and Chris Smith redux on a journey through the highs and lows of the caped-crusader’s video game career. Which Chris Smith has the controversial favourite Batman? (Don’t worry, no one picked Clooney), and who had made it until now, oblivious of the delights of Batman Forever Arcade Game? Find out all this and more, as we ask “Dark Knight, or Dark...
Episode 81: Farewell GamesMaster Magazine
December 04, 2018 22:28 - 1 hour - 75.6 MBIn October this year it was announced that after almost 26 years GamesMaster magazine would be ending. A mainstay on magazine racks for so long the mag had many great writers over the years. From the SNES, Mega Drive and Amiga in the early days, it covered all the major consoles up until present day with the PlayStation 4, X Box One, Nintendo Switch, PC. In this episode Paul speaks to final editor Robin Valentine as well as another previous editor Matt Gilman. They discuss some of their fa...
Episode 80: Geoff Glendenning Interview
November 13, 2018 22:35 - 1 hour - 111 MBIn this episode Paul sits down with Geoff Glendenning to discuss his career in games marketing. Spending over a decade working in advertising and then onto marketing for companies such as Commodore, Acclaim but most importantly Sony gave us a lot to discuss. As Head Of Marketing for the Sony PlayStation, Geoff had a lot of great ideas to help build the PlayStation brand. He shares some great stories from his time at Sony but also the days working on adverts for Commodore Amiga 600 and CD32...
Episode 79: Run & Gun
October 30, 2018 01:04 - 1 hour - 114 MBJoin our intrepid three as we go runnin’ and gunnin’, and diving into the shoot’em up sub genre of run’n’gun games. Messers Phil, Jake and Chris Smith MkII pick up some heavy weaponry, don their bandanas and camo kecks, and jump in the chopper… or do they? As they discuss the well known favourites like Contra and Metal Slug, and the blockbuster movie influence on the games of the time, we ask is the genre all 90s explosions and testosterone? Your hosts pick out their own three favourites –...
Episode 78: Neil West interview
October 12, 2018 08:24 - 1 hour - 108 MBPaul sits down to chat to ex games journalist Neil West in this episode to discuss his career. Neil started his career on Sega Power alongside Andy Smith (another previous guest). Learning the ropes working on tips, reviews etc Neil soon got his first editor role on MEGA where he was given his own chance to plan his own vision for a Sega Megadrive magazine. We also discuss his time doing freelance work for GamesMaster, Total and other magazines before leaving to work in America and laun...
Episode 77: Gary Penn interview
September 19, 2018 07:21 - 2 hours - 134 MBIn this episode Paul chats with Gary Penn about his career in the games industry that spans over 30 years. They discuss his work on well known games magazines Zzap 64, The One, Amiga Power and more. As well as this they talk about his experiences and memories working at DMA design and the rise of Rockstar including a little known game called Grand Theft Auto. Gary has spent almost 20 years now over at Denki up in Dundee where his latest work is on the upcoming Autonauts. Find all the in...