Retro Game Squad Podcast
85 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 101 ratingsA quarterly podcast featuring roundtable discussion about retro and classic video games from the 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32/64-bit eras. Each episode, our crew picks a theme and reviews a selection of games that fit within said theme. Join us as we strive to bring you a great show that's both informative and entertaining.
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Episodes
RGS 076 – Pew-Pew Palooza
March 20, 2024 01:00 - 3 hours - 199 MBIt’s time to dodge some lasers as we blast into the world of shoot-’em-ups! Alex gets to geek out by going over the history of the genre, the different varieties of shmups, the early days of bullet-hell games, and fires off some beginner tips. We also cover shooters such as Batsugun, R-Type Delta, Gate of Thunder & more, and Jeff refuses to participate in any video game tutorials.
RGS 075 - Racing games (part 3)
December 07, 2023 01:37 - 3 hours - 213 MBPushing the pedal to the metal, we bring you another high-octane episode full of racing game excitement. Showcasing games like Power Drive, Colin McRae Rally 2.0, World Driver Championship and more, there's no shortage of thrills on this race track. We also settle upon a surprising "Retro Game of the Year", and Alex expresses his frustration with Schrödinger's cat. (Special thanks to Joe/Electrichead for the blood-pumping epilogue)
RGS 074 – A Nightmare on RGS Street
September 19, 2023 19:43 - 2 hours - 115 MBWith Halloween fast approaching, we get in a frightful mood with games such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, Demon’s Crest, Splatterhouse 2, and more. Also, Jeff shares his passion for horror & slasher movies and tells the horrid tale of a cursed Super NES cartridge that consumes all who dare to play it… (Special thanks to Joe/Electrichead for the eerily appropriate epilogue)
RGS 073 - 2D Platformers
June 28, 2023 00:14 - 3 hours - 149 MBOn the heels of our last episode, we go back to a simpler time, and take a look at some of the 2D platformers of yesteryear. Covered are games such as Batman: The Video Game, Vectorman 2, Wario Land 3, & more. We also read listener submissions about memories of Super Mario Bros. 3, and Jeff takes a stand in calling Football "Soccer".
RGS 072 - 3D Platformers
March 23, 2023 01:34 - 3 hours - 154 MBTaking our gaming into the third dimension, we jump into the world of 3D platformers. Discussed are a variety of games such as Jumping Flash!, Spyro the Dragon, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, and more. Also, Jeff and Jon try their best in a listener-submitted trivia game, and the atrocious camera in Earthworm Jim 3D causes us to lose our marbles.
RGS 071 - Game Boy Color
December 02, 2022 00:52 - 3 hours - 139 MBCompleting our foray into the Game Boy's legacy, we focus on the Game Boy Color, covering the hardware and various types of cartridges out there. Also covered are games such as Wendy: Every Witch Way, The Fish Files, Spider-Man 2: The Sinister Six, & more. In addition, we crown a Retro Game of 2022, Alex gushes about Beast Wars, and Jon gets some mileage out of his PalmPilot.
RGS 070 - A Decade of RGS
September 22, 2022 00:39 - 3 hours - 154 MBCelebrating our 10-year anniversary with a community-focused episode, we indulge in games such as DoDonPachi, Command & Conquer: Red Alert, Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling, & more. We also get some feedback from our listeners in the form of letters & voicemails, take a stroll down memory lane by recounting how the squad met & the moments that led to the creation of the show, and Jeff ends up shirtless yet again.
RGS 069 – PlayStation Special
June 29, 2022 01:16 - 4 hours - 173 MBDusting off our Memory Cards and DualShock controllers, the crew goes all in on the Sony PlayStation. Covering games such as Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, Omega Boost, Hot Shots Golf 2, and more, we also explore the different ways in which you can play PSX games in 2022, & detail some of the different hardware mods available to enhance your PlayStation experience, all with a side of tuna sandwich recipes.
RGS 068 - Game Boy games
March 16, 2022 23:31 - 3 hours - 132 MBSaving countless kids from ennui during car rides and doctor's visits, the Nintendo Game Boy was a staple of handheld gaming, and we're here to talk about it. We discuss its hardware & impact on the industry, as well as games such as Hammerin’ Harry, Battle Unit Zeoth, and Chikyuu Kaihou Gun ZAS, all before Alex goes on a tirade upon seeing that one of his favorite games has been defiled.
RGS 067 - Adventure games
December 22, 2021 20:19 - 4 hours - 170 MBFeeling adventurous, we put a bow on 2021 by checking out some “darling” action-adventure games such as The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past, The Guardian Legend and Beyond Oasis. We also mull over our choices to crown our Retro Game of The Year, and Greg tells us about the time his indifference to the N-Gage resulted in cold, hard cash.
RGS 066 – PC Engine games
November 04, 2021 00:54 - 3 hours - 137 MBRetro Nick returns to share his dirty humour and vast PC Engine knowledge as we explore some of the lesser known titles on NEC’s diminutive console such as Spriggan, Kaze Kiri Ninja Action, Gotzendiener, and more. We also cover some of the new TurboGrafx-16 & PC Engine relevant hardware options out there, and delve into the history and lore of the greatest super-hero of them all: Bravoman!
RGS 065 - Modern NES Games
June 18, 2021 02:20 - 2 hours - 117 MBJoined by special guest Chris Alaimo of Classic Gaming Quarterly, we turn to the NES to discover new and unique games made for this iconic platform. Featuring discussion on games such as Micro Mages, Pac-Man C.E., Log Jammers, and more, we also offer a little insight into the growing homebrew scene, all while Jeff escapes the heat as Jeff does; shirtless.
RGS 064 - Jeff's N64 Madness!
March 13, 2021 16:22 - 4 hours - 169 MBWe commemorate our 64th episode of the show with a Jeff-centric look at the fun-tastic Nintendo 64. In addition to an in-depth overview of the hardware, we also cover games such as Super Mario 64, WipeOut 64 & WCW/NWO revenge, and turn up the nostalgia as our readers join us in sharing our favorite memories of the platform, all while Jeff issues multiple gaming challenges to be settled in his clubhouse.
RGS 063 - Modern Retro (part 2)
December 11, 2020 02:32 - 3 hours - 150 MBThe crew finishes off the year by having another look at modern games made in the "Retro" style by getting addicted to games such as Ion Fury, Xeno Crisis, Demon's Tilt, and more. We also talk about our favorite current-generation and retro games we played in 2020, and open a mysterious holiday gift from overseas.
RGSM 002 - Streets of Rage 4
October 16, 2020 00:34 - 29 minutes - 41.1 MBAlex hits the streets in this mini episode to offer an in-depth analysis of Streets of Rage 4. From the gameplay to the visuals, to hidden secrets and samples of this game's stellar soundtrack, no stone is left unturned as we aim to find out if this long-awaited sequel is a worthy entry in this well-beloved franchise.
RGS 062 - Japanese Imports
September 17, 2020 01:53 - 3 hours - 148 MBIn honour of our 8th anniversary, we spend some time catching up, then delve into the world of Japanese import games. We discuss importing games back in the 90’s, some importing considerations to keep in mind, and examine games such as Gimmick, Pulseman & Hyper Duel. We also play another round of gaming trivia, and finally reveal our secret love for a certain “Weird Al” movie.
RGS 061 – DOS games
August 09, 2020 18:09 - 2 hours - 114 MBIn our first ever live episode, Jon gets us talking about the world of DOS gaming. Joined by some of our listeners, we discuss the shareware model prevalent during this time, and cover games such as Duke Nukem, Commander Keen, and (the polarizing) Blake Stone, all while anxiously waiting to see if Alex’s frustration results in a smashed keyboard.
RGSR 006 - Super NES Music
July 26, 2020 23:37 - 34 minutes - 47.6 MBJon takes the helm in this radio episode with selections from one of his favorite systems of all time; the beloved Super NES. Featuring tracks from Super Mario RPG, Chrono Trigger, Tetris Attack, and more, fans of Nintendo's 16-bit wonder will feel right at home with this one.
RGSR 005 - The Music of Sunsoft
June 14, 2020 22:30 - 1 hour - 120 MBJoined by Chris Alaimo of Classic Gaming Quarterly, we sample some of Sunsoft's 8-bit and 16-bit library to see if this company's reputation for stellar chiptunes still holds up (spoiler: yes, it does). We also explore some of Sunsoft's history and marvel at Naoki Kodaka's contributions to some truly iconic tunes.
RGSM 001 - Jon's 2020 Retro Primer
May 16, 2020 00:52 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBGiven free reign to let his inner nerd shine, Jon's debut solo project is a bonus episode all about gaming with retro hardware in the 2020's. From new controller options, to video capture setups, and how to connect your consoles to modern displays (while trying to avoid pesky lag), everybody's favorite genius has got you covered.
RGSR 004 - Panzer Dragoon Trilogy
April 05, 2020 21:16 - 33 minutes - 45.7 MBResurrecting our long-dead radio series until our main show can resume production, we bring to you the outstanding music of the Panzer Dragoon Trilogy on the Sega Saturn, a testament to how artistic a series about laser-spitting dragons can truly be.
RGS 060 - On-Rail Shooters
December 19, 2019 02:38 - 2 hours - 122 MBSpeeding towards the horizon, we turn our attention towards the On-Rails Shooter genre by taking aim at games such as Panzer Dragoon, Star Fox 64, Sin and Punishment, and more. We also deliberate over our Retro Game of 2019, and Jon proclaims that a certain F-Zero clone is more influential than it actually is.
RGS 059 - Second Looks
September 18, 2019 00:48 - 4 hours - 177 MBCelebrating our 7th anniversary with our biggest episode yet, we re-visit some games that we covered in the first year of our show, such as Powerslave, Galactic Attack, Alien Crush, and more. We also bring in our guest Alex (@retr0drift on Twitter) to educate us on restoring & repairing retro gaming hardware, and we wonder how long it would take a Ninja Turtle to surf from Key West to Manhattan.
RGS 058 - Sega Saturn strikes back!
June 27, 2019 01:59 - 3 hours - 144 MBLest we get pummeled by Segata Sanshiro himself, we dedicate another entire episode to Sega's 32-bit wonder, the mighty Sega Saturn. Covering unique titles such as Astal, Fighter's Megamix, Deep Fear, and more, we also talk about recent developments in the Saturn community, the current state of Saturn emulation, new ways to play Saturn games in 2019, and Jon shocks Jeff and Alex with a happy bombshell.
RGS 057 - Co-op games
March 19, 2019 03:17 - 3 hours - 139 MBJoined by returning guest Retro Nick, the squad unites to take on some cooperative games such as Dungeon Explorer II, Lost Vikings 2, Darius Gaiden and more. We also play (a hilarious) Round 4 of "Name That Tune", and Nick expresses his profound disdain for kale, KOTOR, and the PlayStation's lack of light gun standards.
RGS 056 - Capcom games
December 18, 2018 17:11 - 3 hours - 125 MBTo cap off 2018, we turn our focus to Capcom, one of the most popular publishers in the "retro" era. Delving into this company's history, we also take a look at some of its iconic titles, such as Bionic Commando, Duck Tales, and Saturday Night Slam Masters. We also crown our "Retro Game of 2018", and Jeff's facial hair gets some cowboy influence.
RGS 055 - Role playing games (part 2)
September 26, 2018 02:10 - 3 hours - 124 MBCelebrating our 6th anniversary by embarking on another quest, we give RPG's a second chance. Discussion includes 4 epics; Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, Robotrek, Paper Mario, and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure. We also play another round of trivia, and Alex explains who "The Littlest Hobo" is.
RGS 054 - Game Boy Advance
June 28, 2018 01:58 - 3 hours - 129 MBGetting 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.
RGS 053 - "Three-quels"
March 23, 2018 01:25 - 3 hours - 140 MBOur 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.
RGS Radio 003 - Shoot-'em-ups
February 02, 2018 03:45 - 1 hour - 89.3 MBGuest 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.
RGS 052 - Modern Retro
December 28, 2017 03:19 - 2 hours - 116 MBWe 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.
RGS Radio 002 - Fighting games
October 16, 2017 00:15 - 38 minutes - 53 MBWe'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!
RGS 051 - Konami games
September 11, 2017 00:55 - 2 hours - 99.6 MBWe 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.
RGS Radio 001 - Konami games
July 17, 2017 00:38 - 34 minutes - 47.6 MBOur 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!
RGS 050 - Beautiful 2D
May 17, 2017 01:04 - 3 hours - 130 MBUnable 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.
RGS 000 - Pilot episode & outtakes
November 27, 2016 17:22 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MBFrom 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.
RGS 049 - Thank you
September 19, 2016 01:44 - 3 hours - 152 MBCelebrating 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.
RGS 048 - Dreamcast games
August 21, 2016 21:10 - 2 hours - 118 MBAs 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.
RGS 047 - Light gun games
July 25, 2016 00:28 - 2 hours - 105 MBWith 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.
RGS 046 - Imports
June 21, 2016 01:24 - 2 hours - 101 MBLooking 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...
RGS 045 - Expensive games
May 22, 2016 01:45 - 2 hours - 99.5 MBJoined 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.
RGS 044 - Handheld games
April 26, 2016 01:42 - 2 hours - 94 MBTaking 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 Ret...
RGS 043 - TurboGrafx tutorial
March 21, 2016 00:40 - 4 hours - 173 MBCelebrating 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).
RGS 042 - Run 'N Gun
February 21, 2016 17:00 - 2 hours - 87.5 MBRunning 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!!!
RGS 041 - Isometric games
January 31, 2016 07:52 - 2 hours - 108 MBWe 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.
RGS 040 - Sequels
December 14, 2015 00:18 - 2 hours - 112 MBFor 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.
RGS 039 - Musical games
November 16, 2015 01:26 - 2 hours - 106 MBGetting 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.
RGS 038 - Horror games
October 25, 2015 22:58 - 2 hours - 88.3 MBWith 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.
RGS 037 - Master System Special
September 25, 2015 04:57 - 3 hours - 131 MBIn 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.
RGS 036 - Multiplayer gaming
August 24, 2015 01:15 - 3 hours - 141 MBForced 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.