Retronauts artwork

Retronauts

737 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 2K ratings

The original classic gaming podcast continues its endless quest to explore the history of video games, one game at a time. Join hosts Jeremy Parish and Bob Mackey each week as they team up with a host of expert guests to chronicle the creations that have paved the way for today's hits. From forgotten black-and-white arcade machines to modern-day remakes, Retronauts spans more than four decades of vintage gaming greatness!

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Episodes

604: Episode 604 Preview: The Hunt for Red October

April 12, 2024 17:33 - 11 minutes

Retrogaming buckeroos Jeremy Parish, Diamond Feit, and Ray Barnholt put their faith in the power of Glasnost and dive into the deepest channels of video game and media history to take part in The Hunt for Red October. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

603: King's Quest

April 08, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour

In the 18 years we've been putting out this little podcast, we've never produced a single episode wholly devoted to classic Sierra games. Well, that sin against listenerkind ends TODAY as we peer back 40 years in the past to discuss the monumentally important adventure game, King's Quest. Originally intended as a means to sell a platform that died shortly after its release, this interactive fairy tale unexpectedly went on to define Sierra and spawn many more Quests over the next decade-plus....

602: Evercade

April 02, 2024 01:58 - 1 hour

New hardware is always nice, especially when it’s focused on physical media. Stuart Gipp speaks to Blaze Entertainment about Evercade’s remarkable (and exclusive) Duke Nukem Remastered, their upcoming carts, and about The Fidgetts being impossible. Head to https://www.squarespace.com/RETRO to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code RETRO. Art by Leeann Hamilton. Edits by Greg Leahy. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show...

See Us LIVE at Midwest Gaming Classic 2024!

March 29, 2024 22:00 - 58 seconds

WHAT: Our "Final Fantasy VI: 30 Years of the Greatest* RPG of All Time" panel, live at MGC 2024 WHERE: The Panels and Presentations Room at Midwest Gaming Classic 2024 WHEN: Saturday, April 6th at 3:00pm WHO: Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Diamond Feit, Nadia Oxford Please check out the official MGC 2024 schedule for more information!

601: Episode 601 Preview: Final Fantasy XVI

March 29, 2024 07:00 - 9 minutes

You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 601: Final Fantasy XVI. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.

600: Toe Jam & Earl

March 25, 2024 13:08 - 1 hour

Patron Scott Rothman presses Start to join a bunch of weenies (Jeremy Parish, Stuart Gipp, and Kevin Bunch) in their randomly generated conversation about Sega's most jammin' Genesis franchise, Toe Jam & Earl. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

599: Resident Evil 5 & 6

March 18, 2024 12:29 - 2 hours

Remember when Capcom pursued complete global saturation? Diamond Feit, Richard Eisenbeis, and Alex Aniel team up to recount the ultimate horror entertainment of Resident Evil 5 & 6. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

597: Bowser, Part 2

March 11, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour

Back in December, we thrilled you with the first 20 years of Bowser's history. And, given that he's nearly at the "lordy, lordy" stage of his life, we still have a few more decades to discuss. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Drew Mackie (of Gayest Episode Ever) as the crew discusses that large lizard's adventures in the 21st century.

596: Retro Game Lyrics

March 04, 2024 12:57 - 1 hour

Nadia Oxford, Bob Mackey, and Diamond Feit revisit early examples of lyrics in game music: The Good, the Bad, and the Discordant. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

595: Episode 595 Preview: Modern Remakes

March 01, 2024 08:00 - 7 minutes

You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 595: Modern Remakes. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.

594: Ys Books I, II, & III

February 26, 2024 12:17 - 1 hour

Jeremy Parish, Kurt Kalata, and patron Scott Rothman wash ashore and dive into the daily bump-and-grind as they recount the origins of Nihon Falcom's Ys series. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

593: The Contra Ranking Hootenanny

February 19, 2024 13:52 - 3 hours

Let’s argue aggressively! No, wait, that sounds unpleasant. Let’s have a lovely time nicely. Stuart Gipp, John Linneman, Thomas Nickel, and Audi Sorlie Probotect and serve up the definitive ranking of Konami’s hit run n’ gun series: Contra. Art by Leeann Hamilton. Edits by Greg Leahy. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retrona...

591: Gaming's Cruelest Challenges

February 12, 2024 14:05 - 2 hours

Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, Stuart Gipp, and Jess O'Brien crowd onto a therapist's couch as they work through the trauma of playing the cruelest video games ever made. From poison mushrooms to broken puzzle translations, it's PTSD all the way down. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

590: Dragon Quest: Rocket Slime & Slime Morimori

February 05, 2024 13:12 - 1 hour

Big Stretch! Diamond Feit, Jeremy Parish, and Alex Fraioli squirm their way through Square Enix's forgotten works to remember the Slime Morimori Dragon Quest trilogy (aka Rocket Slime). Art by Greg Melo. Edits by Greg Leahy. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

589: Episode 589 Preview: Super Mario Bros. Wonder

February 02, 2024 08:00 - 8 minutes

You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 589: Super Mario Bros. Wonder. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.

588: Videopac Insiders

January 29, 2024 13:11 - 1 hour

A rarely-heard European perspective on the Odyssey2 (or Videopac) is revealed as former Philips staffers Oscar Groosman and Ton Kemmere join host Kevin Bunch to discuss their insider perspectives on marketing the console, its distribution, and its end. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

587: Sonic 3 + Knuckles Pt. 3

January 22, 2024 12:52 - 2 hours

The gleesome threesome of Stuart Gipp, Dave Bulmer, and Shoogles return for even more gushing over the best game ever made. Yes, it is. It IS. Do not argue with me, I’m just a podcast description. I can say anything I want. Edits by Greg Leahy; art by Amanda Neipris. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

586: Episode 586 Preview: Zelda II and the Action RPG

January 19, 2024 11:04 - 11 minutes

Jeremy Parish raises the Triforce of Podcasting to summon Kevin Bunch, Nadia Oxford, and WayForward's Tomm Hulett to talk about Zelda II vis-a-vis its place in the evolution of the action RPG—both its influences and the games it influenced. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts and enjoy this full episode... plus hundre...

585: The Years-In-Review Revue: 1994

January 15, 2024 14:33 - 2 hours

Jeremy Parish, Diamond Feit, Stuart Gipp, Kevin Bunch, AND Jared Petty all somehow manage to cram into a single podcast to finish up out conversation about the year 1984 before leaping through time a decade to wrangle the facts about ’94! Amazing! Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

584: Contra: Operation Galuga & Toxic Crusaders

January 08, 2024 13:50 - 2 hours

It’s clean-up time! Let’s attack aggressively! Stuart Gipp offers up twinterviews with Tomm Hulett (WayForward) about the upcoming Contra: Operation Galuga, and Sam Beddoes (Freakzone) about the also- upcoming Toxic Crusaders. Strap yourselves in! Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

583: Episode 583 Preview: Gaming in the Year 2004

January 05, 2024 08:00 - 10 minutes

You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 583: Gaming in the Year 2004. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.

582: 1974 & ’84: The Years in Review Revue

January 01, 2024 14:40 - 1 hour

As we move into 2024, Jeremy Parish, Benj Edwards, and Kevin Bunch look back in time to the years 1974 and ’84 to explore the gaming events taking place 40 and 50 ago. History! Events! Happenings! Bad jokes! It's all here, friends. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

581: Holiday Special 2023 - Pac-Man Christmas Album

December 25, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour

The holidays are here once again, which means its time for all you listeners to take your thirteenth trip to Parts Unknown for yet another exploration of a Yuletide-related video game creation. And this time around, we're examining the Pac-Man Christmas Album: a collection of holiday songs and sketches that very little to do with Pac-Man, but everything to do with hurting. So remember who you are right now, because the following 90 minutes will change you as Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Di...

579: Writing About Video Game History

December 18, 2023 13:21 - 1 hour

Jeremy Parish, Bob Mackey, Nadia Oxford, Stuart Gipp, and Kevin Bunch have one thing in common: They've published books about video game history. In this episode, they break down the work involved in making the magic happen. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

578: Mega Man Comics

December 11, 2023 14:22 - 1 hour

Nadia talks about Archie's late Mega Man comic series with her husband and fellow author David Oxford, as well as former series writer (and current Sonic Comic writer) Ian Flynn. Archie Megaman was gone too soon. Is there any hope for a Mega-revival? Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

577: Episode 577 Preview: Bowser

December 08, 2023 08:00 - 6 minutes

You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 577: Bowser. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.

576: Pitfall! [The Later Years]

December 04, 2023 13:49 - 1 hour

Jeremy Parish, Stuart Gipp, and Kevin Bunch dig in the underbrush to find the games in the Pitfall! series that its original creator had no involvement with. From the infamous Super Pitfall to the cartoon-like Pitfall: The Lost Expedition, it's all here. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

574: Episode 574 Preview: Pitfall! [The David Crane Years]

December 01, 2023 14:43 - 10 minutes

Jeremy Parish, Kevin Bunch, and Stuart Gipp swing on vines and leap across a succession of crocodile heads in order to unearth the treasure that is the history of Activision's first true masterpiece: Pitfall! for 2600. And its first few sequels, too! This is a preview of the full-length episode, available exclusively to Retronauts patrons. Head over to patreon.com/retronauts to sign up and enjoy instant access to this episode and years worth of other patron exclusives, Discord access, and ...

575: The Making of The Making of Karateka / Double Dragon Gaiden

November 27, 2023 14:22 - 1 hour

Double main event! Stuart chats with Chris Kohler about The Making of Karateka, then speaks to Raymond Teo about the recent Double Dragon Gaiden. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

573: DOOM Clones

November 20, 2023 14:15 - 1 hour

Diamond Feit, Stuart Gipp, and David L. Craddock resurrect and re-examine the term "DOOMclone" as they recount their favorite examples of other first-person shooters from the 1990s. Edits by Greg Leahy and art by John Pading. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

572: The Revenge of Listener Comments Catch-Up

November 13, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour

We at Retronauts are pleased to report it's once again time for our listeners to do most of the work. Hey now; fair is fair. And since it's been a good two years since we've done one of these episodes, our fans have generated a wealth of questions and comments worthy of response. (Thanks for that.) So this week, join Bob Mackey and Henry Gilbert as the crew turns the tables on their audience—but in a nice way. Retronauts is a completely fan-funded operation. To support the show, and get two...

570: Gex

November 06, 2023 13:41 - 1 hour

It is, at last, Tail Time for Stuart Gipp and lizard-loving pals John Linneman and Thomas Nickel as they enter YOUR Media Dimension (brain and ears)! Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

569: The Odyssey2

October 30, 2023 13:56 - 1 hour

 This episode of Retronauts is Voice-enhanced with sync-sound action, as Kevin Bunch, Jared Petty and Earl Green delve into the topic of Magnavox's Odyssey2! Join us for a chat about the only game console to feature keyboards, board games, AND Killer Bees! Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

568: Episode 568 Preview: The Best and Worst of NES Horror

October 27, 2023 07:00 - 10 minutes

You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 568: The Best and Worst of 8-Bit Horror. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.

567: Night of the Living Dead

October 23, 2023 12:56 - 1 hour

Diamond Feit, Bill Mudron, and James Eldred are coming to get YOU with this podcast all about George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead and its legacy as patient zero for modern zombie fiction. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

566: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

October 16, 2023 13:11 - 1 hour

Nadia Oxford joins Stuart Gipp and David Oxford as they talk about Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door's charm and wit. There's a reason this game is still folded tightly in the hearts of GameCube owners. Art by Amanda Neipris; edits by Greg Leahy. This episode sponsored by Harry's. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

565: Episode 565 Preview: The Wonder of Mario

October 13, 2023 17:29 - 6 minutes

Jeremy Parish, Kevin Bunch, Stuart Gipp, and Diamond Feit marvel at the wonder of games and series like Super Mario Bros., whose popularity and influence refuses to fade many years later. What makes these works so timeless and beloved? Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more and enjoy the full episode at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

564: Grim Fandango

October 09, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour

In 1998, Tim Schafer decided to leave LucasArts on a high note with Grim Fandango: the Day of the Dead-themed adventure game that leaves pointing-and-clicking in the past—for better or worse. This one-of-a-kind experience mixes the trappings of film noir with Mexican mythology, resulting in one of the greatest gaming backdrops of all time. But after 25 years and despite the endless acclaim, it's hard to ignore the fact that Grim can't help but stumble over itself in its desire to innovate. ...

541: Episode 541 Preview: OutRun

October 08, 2023 18:02 - 9 minutes

Jeremy Parish, Shane Bettenhausen, and Jaz Rignall put the top down, crank up the car stereo, and take a thrilling cruise through the history of Sega's OutRun series. From the Super Scaler to sequels (both good and bad), we leave no route undriven! Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content—including this full episode. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

See Us LIVE at Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023!

October 03, 2023 19:00 - 1 minute

WHAT: Our "Many Adaptations of Mario" panel, live at PRGE 2023 WHERE: Panel Room 2 at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo WHEN: Saturday, October 14th at 5:00pm WHO: Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Gary Butterfield, Henry Gilbert Please check out the official PRGE 2023 schedule for more information! And if you happen to be in Portland, be sure to check out the Talking Simpsons Halloween Live Show with Special Guest Bill Oakley that very same night! Tickets are going fast—or perhaps they've alread...

563: Fist of the North Star

October 02, 2023 12:02 - 2 hours

YOU WA SHOCK! Diamond Feit, Kurt Kalata, & Brian Clark combine their strength for an overview of the manga/anime/game franchise Fist of the North Star. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

562: Episode 562 Preview: Portal

September 29, 2023 07:00 - 9 minutes

You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 562: Portal. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.

561: Blade Runner

September 25, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour

Ridley Scott's 1982 cyberpunk classic came into being as a total flop, yet managed to claw its way into our collective psyches as the definitive portrayal of a dark future that would shape all sci-fi (and reality) to follow. Over the past 40 years and multiple revisions, this former cult favorite has become a respected part of the canon, but does it truly deserve its lofty status? On this episode, join Bob Mackey, Stuart Gipp, Kevin Bunch, and Henry Gilbert as the crew dons their snazzy rain...

560: Metroidvania's First Decade & A History Of Epoch

September 18, 2023 13:38 - 1 hour

Another live presentation from Long Island! Jeremy Parish, Nadia Oxford, Diamond Feit, Kat Bailey, and Jared Petty mull the prehistory of the metroidvania genre. Then, Jeremy Parish and Kevin Bunch dive into the history of Epoch, the original also-ran. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

558: Disney's Illusion Games

September 11, 2023 13:59 - 1 hour

A real Mickey Mouse operation from Stuart Gipp, John Linneman and Thomas Nickel, covering Sega’s iconic “...of Illusion” series of Disney games!

557: What's So Great About Video Game History, Anyway?

September 04, 2023 17:43 - 1 hour

Jeremy Parish, Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Kevin Bunch take a moment to answer the question in the title: Why is video game history worth celebrating and preserving at all? Plus: Jeremy takes the question to a panoply of other retro gaming luminaries! Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

556: Episode 556 Preview: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

September 01, 2023 07:00 - 8 minutes

You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts Episode 556: Who Framed Roger Rabbit. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit the official Retronauts Patreon at patreon.com/retronauts.

555: Street Fighter IV

August 29, 2023 02:11 - 2 hours

Kick! Punch! It's all in the minds of Diamond Feit, Shivam Bhatt, and John Learned as they Focus on Capcom's franchise-reviving Street Fighter IV. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

554: Valiant's Nintendo Comics

August 21, 2023 12:09 - 1 hour

When the NES was born, so too were books based on Nintendo's characters. Nadia Oxford leads an essential conversation about the gilded age when Valiant Comics took a crack at putting Mario et al. on paper. Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Support the show to enjoy ad-free early access, better audio quality, and great exclusive content. Learn more at http://www.patreon.com/retronauts

553: Episode 553 Preview: Retronauts Radio Summer 2023

August 19, 2023 00:58 - 17 minutes

Jeremy Parish spins some analog tunes, sharing the highlights of recent classic game music releases including Gimmick!, Persona, Phantasy Star III, Virtua Fighter, Suikoden, and more. PLUS: Vintage tape cassettes and City Pop! To enjoy this full episode and unlock access to YEARS of biweekly patron exclusives (and more!), check out patreon.com/retronauts!

Books

Out of this World
1 Episode
The Dream Master
1 Episode
The Running Man
1 Episode

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