Classic Gaming Today
Every week, we look at the gaming experiences of the past, through the eyes of the present! We’ll discuss each game’s historical context, as well as provide a verdict as to whether a given game is worth your time to visit, or revisit, today.
Episodes
It's time to use our head...literally...as we discuss the Turbografx-16 platformer, Bonk's Adventure. Learn how the game was created, why Bonk became a sort of mascot for the Turbbografx system, and whether the prehistoric action still holds up today!
After Eric Chahi created Another World / Out of This World, cinematic platformers were all the rage, including elsewhere in Delphine Software. As Chahi basked in the glory of his newly released masterpiece, Paul Cuisset was working on a game of his own, and one that would define his career almost the same way that Out of This Word became Chahi's claim to fame. Cuisset's game was, of course, Flasback. Learn how the game was creat...
You all know I love full motion video games...and Sewer Shark is undeniably one of those games, so, you know it's going to be a good time! Join me as we dive deep into the creation of Sewer Shark - learn how the game originated as a never-released title for the failed Hasbro Control Vision console before finally getting a second chance on the Sega CD years later, and listen in as we determine whether becoming a sewer jockey today ...
Jordan Mechner is computer and video game royalty...but back in the early 80s, he was simply a Yale student trying to make his mark on the still new computer game industry. Karateka would be the result of his early efforts. Join me as we jump back in time to learn how the game was made as we determine whether, nearly 40 years later, the title is still worth your time to play today.
Sometimes good things come in small packages! Join me as we discuss Super Mario Land, Mario's first adventure for the Nintendo Gameboy system all the way back in 1989. Learn how the game was made, why Shigeru Miyamoto was not involved in its creation, and whether Sarasaland is still fun to visit today. Can a Gameboy screen provide a worthwhile Mario experience? There's only one way to find out!
Ask nearly anyone from the 90s to name their favorite Sega titles, and I bet Streets of Rage 2 would be on many of those lists. Join me as we discuss Sega's classic brawler, including how it was created, its overall legacy, and whether it's still worth your time to clean up the streets and bring Mr. X to justice!
When Eric Chahi released Out of This World (or Another World), he created a masterpiece that would stand the test of time. Heart of the Alien was the Sega CD exclusive sequel to that classic. Learn how the game was made and discover whether lightning struck twice, even though Chahi wasn't involved in the creation of the title. Is it worth it to once again visit this unique desolate alien world? You'll have to listen to find out...
DAY-TO-NA!!! Join me as we discuss one of the most popular, exhilarating arcade games of all-time, as we dive deep into Sega's Daytona USA! Learn how the game was made and why, even all these years later, it still holds a special place in everyone's heart as THE multiplayer racing game of the 90s. Is it still worth your time to get behind the wheel of this one? Tune in to find out!
Our fourth and final deep dive into the early works of id Software focuses on Quake, the successor to Doom and probably the game most responsible for rocket jump-related deaths in the mid-90s. Learn how id once again evolved their first person shooter formula while, at the same time, creating a true 3D engine that would serve as the blueprint for many titles to come. Does it feel as good to play today as it did back when it was r...
Rip and tear through the hordes of hell, as we discuss Doom, one of the most influential computer games ever created! Learn how the id Software team evolved from their Wolfenstein 3D roots to deliver an experience that had never been seen before. Is it still worth it to play the Father of the first person shooter genre? There's only one way to find out!
Have you ever played an interactive cartoon? If so, you just might have played Dragon's Lair, an early 80s arcade title that utilized Laserdisc technology to deliver a never-before-seen level of animation and visual spectacle. Learn how designer Rick Dyer and Don Bluth and his animation team worked their magic in creating a pivotal title in video game history, and discover whether it's worth your time today to visit, or revisit, ...
For many people, Diablo was the first true "action" RPG. For others, though, especially in the early 90s, Shadow Caster was the game many people gravitated to when they wanted an RPG-like experience that didn't require dissecting scores of numbers and stat points in order to maximize their builds. Join me as we talk about how Shadow Caster was created, where it sits in computer gaming history, and how well it holds up today!
Little known fact - when Mario isn't busy saving the Mushroom Kingdom, or practicing his day job as a plumber, he sometimes moonlights as a...hotel bellhop? Join me as we talk about Hotel Mario, the CD-I exclusive that asks the question, "what would happen if the only way to save the princess was to shut...every...door!" Learn how the game was made, why it exists, what Nintendo was thinking, and whether it holds up today. Is Hot...
Time paradoxes and JRPG gameplay await as we tackle Chrono Trigger! Learn how a dream team of designers, developers, artists and composers came together to create one of the most beloved titles from the 1990s, after which we ask the question - does Chrono Trigger still hold up today? Is the game a timeless classic, or simply not worth your time? Listen in to find out!
Police Quest is one of those classic Sierra titles that many adventure gamers hold in high regard. Blue Force, developed by a group of ex-Sierra employees, was Tsunami Media's attempt at capturing that Sierra magic. Learn how the game came to be, and listen in as we determine whether this point-and-click adventure is worth your time today.
It's time to revisit ID Software's early years, as we delve into the grandfather of first person shooters, Wolfenstein 3D! Learn how the ID team made the leap from 2D platformers to a pseudo 3D engine, after which we'll talk about whether the game holds up today, or if it's just too elderly to keep up with its ancestors.
Life is like a hurricane! Join me as we discuss DuckTales, one of the quintessential NES platformers, released back in 1989. Learn why licensed titles (usually) don't turn out all that great, and why DuckTales reversed that trend. We'll discuss how the game was made, its relevance in history, and whether you should go back to visit Duckburg today. Is DuckTales still platforming gold? It's time to find out!
In the mid-90s, Nintendo needed something to help compete in an ever-evolving console market. With their own next gen system delayed, they turned to developer Rare to figure out how to save the day. Donkey Kong Country was the end result.
Join me as we look at how the game came into being, followed by a discussion to determine if the game still holds up today. Is Donkey Kong Country still worth your time? Tune in to find out!
Dust off your alien blaster and join me as we explore the world of Commander Keen! We'll talk through how the game was created, its overall historical significance, and why you may (or may not) want to play the game today. Undeniably an important game in computing history, but does it make it into our Pantheon of Classic gaming? There's only one way to find out...
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