PODCAST · leisure
Play Retro Show
by Scott Johnson
Scott Johnson and Brian Dunaway talk about retro video games! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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PLAY RETRO 238: Chakan: The Forever Man
Immortality sounds like a good deal until you read Death's fine print. This week we take on Chakan, covering the Sega Genesis and Game Gear games as separate entries. Two swords, potion mixing, supernatural monsters and a hero who would really like this whole thing to be over. VIDEO:...
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PLAY RETRO 237: Eternal Darkness
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem is a 2002 GameCube psychological horror game from Silicon Knights and Nintendo. Told across 2,000 years and twelve playable characters, it mixes exploration, combat, magic, and its famous Sanity System, which uses hallucinations and fourth-wall tricks to make...
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PLAY RETRO 236: The Last Ninja Series
System 3's The Last Ninja turned Commodore 64 martial-arts fantasy into an isometric action-adventure showcase in 1987. We follow Armakuni from Lin Fen to 1988 Manhattan in Last Ninja 2, look at how Activision carried the series to U.S. computer owners, and give the Europe-only Last Ninja 3 a…
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PLAY RETRO 235: X-Men: Legends
Raven Software turned Marvel's mutant super-team into a four-character action RPG in 2004, combining real-time brawling, character progression, destructible environments and couch co-op. We dig into X-Men Legends, then follow the formula into X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse and the strange...
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PLAY RETRO 234: Sid Meier's Pirates!
Sid Meier's Pirates! began on the Commodore 64 in 1987 as an open-ended pirate career game mixing sailing, trading, ship battles, sword fights, treasure hunting, politics and retirement. Brian plays the original C64 release while Scott tackles Firaxis' 2004 remake to see how much of the same…
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PLAY RETRO 233: Freedom Force
Freedom Force (2002) is a squad-based superhero RPG from Irrational Games that mixes real-time tactical combat with comic-book style character progression, recruitment, and destructible environments. Set in a colorful 1960s-inspired superhero world, it lets you command a team of wildly different...
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PLAY RETRO 232: Alien Breed - The Amiga Years
Alien Breed is Team17’s sci-fi action series that began on the Amiga in 1991, mixing top-down shooting, maze-like exploration, limited resources, computer terminals, and relentless alien attacks. The series gradually expanded the formula through Special Edition 92, Alien Breed II, and Tower…
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PLAY RETRO 231: Backyard Baseball
Backyard Baseball the kid-friendly baseball game from Humongous Entertainment that turns neighborhood sandlots into a full baseball season. Draft a team from 30 distinct Backyard Kids, set your lineup and positions, then hit, pitch, field, steal bases, and unleash goofy power-ups across a...
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PLAY RETRO 230: Road Rash
Road Rash: the motorcycle combat-racing series that mixes illegal street racing with hand-to-hand fighting, traffic hazards, police chases, and bike progression. Players earn cash, upgrade to faster motorcycles, and use fists, kicks, and weapons to knock rivals off their bikes while trying to...
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PLAY RETRO 229: Golden Sun
A turn-based RPG developed by Camelot Software Planning for the Game Boy Advance that follows Isaac and his companions across the world of Weyard. Combat centers on collectible elemental Djinn that alter character classes, abilities, and summons, while Psynergy is also used outside battle to…
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PLAY RETRO 228: Demon's Crest
Demon’s Crest for the Super Nintendo. Firebrand escapes captivity and takes flight across a dark fantasy world, recovering magical crests that let him smash through stone, soar through the sky, explore underwater ruins and transform into increasingly powerful gargoyles. We revisit Capcom’s...
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PLAY RETRO 227: Treasures Of The Deep
Treasures of the Deep for the PlayStation wraps up our Retro Summer series. It's part arcade shooter, part treasure hunt, and all underwater sub adventure as we revisit one of the PS1's hidden gems and discover why there still aren't many games quite like it. Hosted on Acast. See…
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PLAY RETRO 226: Sega Bass Fishing
On today’s Play Retro episode: Sega Bass Fishing from the Arcade to the Dreamcast. This week we cast our retro reels into the dream lakes of the late 90s / early 2000s where we fish out some huge bass... ok.. that is a lot of fishing puns. Sega's action fishing game series SEGA BASS FISHING where...
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PLAY RETRO 225: Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer
Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer (2002) takes Activision's early-2000s extreme-sports formula into the ocean, turning waves into moving skate parks filled with barrels, aerial tricks, and combo lines. We hit the console and Game Boy Advance versions and paddle back to TransWorld Surf, the tougher 2001...
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PLAY RETRO 224: JAWS
Jaws (1987) on the NES, where players hunt the infamous great white through open-water exploration, collecting shells and harpooning everything in sight to work our way up to the big bad boss named Bruce.Then we compare it to the very different 1989 computer adaptation. We also dive into Atari's...
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PLAY RETRO 223: Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry (2001) began life as an early Resident Evil 4 prototype before evolving into one of Capcom's most influential action games. Blending gothic horror, fast-paced swordplay, acrobatic gun combat, and a style ranking system that rewarded creativity over button mashing, it introduced the...
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PLAY RETRO 222: NARC
NARC (1988) brought digitized graphics, massive explosions, and War-on-Drugs satire to arcades in one of the most controversial games of its era. Players take on the roles of narcotics officers Max Force and Hit Man as they blast their way through a criminal empire using machine guns, rocket...
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PLAY RETRO 221: Star Control II
Star Control II (1992) transformed the original game's fleet battles into a sprawling space adventure, tasking players with rebuilding humanity's resistance against the Ur-Quan through exploration, diplomacy, and discovery. With memorable alien races, open-ended galaxy traversal, and one of PC...
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PLAY RETRO 220: Ratchet & Clank (2002)
Ratchet & Clank (2002) launched Insomniac’s long-running PlayStation franchise by combining platforming, explosive weapon-based combat, gadget progression, and satirical sci-fi storytelling into one of the PlayStation 2’s defining early action games. We focus on the original release that…
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PLAY RETRO 219: Gunstar Heroes
This week on Play Retro, Scott and Brian take aim at Gunstar Heroes (1993), which helped launch Treasure from the loins of Konami when former employees gave us this title with explosive run-and-gun action, massive bosses, and one of the most inventive weapon systems on the Sega Genesis. Hosted on...
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PLAY RETRO 218: Jet Force Gemini
Jet Force Gemini, one of Rare’s final original IPs for the N64, brought cinematic sci-fi action together with run-and-gun combat, exploration, puzzle solving, collect-a-thon progression, and split-screen multiplayer in a surprisingly large and ambitious package. The game follows a pair of space...
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PLAY RETRO 217: Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker (1990) brought the King of Pop to arcades and home consoles with two completely different takes on the same concepts - an isometric co-op arcade experience and a side-scrolling Genesis version built around exploration and music-driven combat. We also take a look at…
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PLAY RETRO 216: Rastan
Taito’s Rastan (1987) brought sword-and-sorcery fantasy to the arcade with giant monsters, brutal platforming, and a barbarian hero straight out of a Conan paperback. We follow that path through Nastar (1989), released in Japan as Rastan Saga II, and briefly look at Warrior Blade, the rare...
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PLAY RETRO 215: Tobal No. 1
Tobal No. 1 (1996) brought Square into the 3D fighting game arena with fast 60 FPS combat, full arena movement, and character designs by Akira Toriyama. Known both for its innovative Quest Mode and for including the famous Final Fantasy VII demo disc, it became one of PlayStation’s most memorable...
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PLAY RETRO 214: Neverwinter Nights (2002)
Neverwinter Nights (2002) brought Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition to PC with character-driven storytelling, multiplayer persistent worlds, and the powerful Aurora Toolset. We also explore the 2003 expansions Shadows of Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark, which expanded the campaign, raised…
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PLAY RETRO 213: PaRappa The Rapper
PaRappa The Rapper (1996) introduced call-and-response rap gameplay, memorable instructors, and stylized visuals that helped define the rhythm genre. We also look at Um Jammer Lammy (1999), the guitar-driven spiritual successor that expanded the formula with jam sessions, effects, and multiplayer...
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PLAY RETRO 212: Chibi-Robo!
A small household robot helps a struggling family by cleaning, solving problems, and exploring a home where everyday objects become towering environments. With limited battery life, unlockable tools, and a day-night cycle. Chibi-Robo!Plug into Adventure for the Gamecube blends exploration, light...
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PLAY RETRO 211: Sam & Max Hit the Road
Sam & Max Hit the Road (1993) follows freelance police Sam and Max as they investigate a missing Bigfoot, leading them on a cross-country adventure through bizarre tourist attractions and absurd encounters. Using classic point-and-click gameplay, players gather clues, solve puzzles, and unlock…
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PLAY RETRO 210: Blade Runner
An investigation through rain-soaked Los Angeles as a Blade Runner tracks replicants, gathers evidence, and navigates shifting loyalties in Westwood’s 1997 adventure. Featuring branching outcomes, randomized character roles, and systems built around player choice, Blade Runner stands apart from...
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PLAY RETRO 209: Paper Mario
Paper Mario (N64, 2000) is a turn-based RPG where Mario must rescue Princess Peach after Bowser steals the wish-granting Star Rod and uses it to become invincible. Mario travels eight colorful worlds, recruiting party members and using timing-based combat to pull off attacks. It's known for...
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PLAY RETRO 208: Ecco The Dolphin
Players guide Ecco (a bottle nose dolphin) through interconnected ocean environments, managing oxygen, using sonar to communicate and solve environmental puzzles, and uncovering a science fiction story-line involving time travel and alien forces for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive with a Sega CD...
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PLAY RETRO 207: Star Trek - Borg
Star Trek: Borg (1996) was an interactive FDM (full-motion video) game published by Simon & Schuster Interactive. You play as Qaylan Furlong, a Starfleet cadet whose father was killed at the Battle of Wolf 359. Q shows up (played by John de Lancie, reprising his TNG role) and sends you back in…
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PLAY RETRO 206: Return to Zork
Return to Zork (1993): Replacing Infocom’s classic text parser with a first-person point-and-click interface, full-motion video performances, and voice acting. Set across Port Foozle and beyond, the game blends exploration, inventory puzzles, and frequent failure states in a design that retains…
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PLAY RETRO 205: Bad Mojo
Bad Mojo (1996) - A PC adventure game that places players in the role of a man transformed into a cockroach, navigating a decaying apartment through environmental interaction and exploration rather than traditional puzzles. The game emphasizes atmosphere, symbolism, and survival, using…
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PLAY RETRO 204: Kirby's Dream Course
Kirby’s Dream Course (1994) is an isometric action-puzzle golf game developed by HAL Laboratory for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Combining miniature-golf mechanics with Kirby’s signature copy abilities, the game challenges players to defeat enemies and reach the goal cup using…
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PLAY RETRO 203: GORF
GORF (1981) A fixed shooter developed by Midway that combines multiple space-combat styles into a single arcade experience. Across five distinct missions ranging from Space Invaders-style formations to Galaga-inspired flagship battles. The game escalates difficulty through faster enemies, tighter...
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PLAY RETRO 202: Sega Rally Championship
Sega Rally Championship (1995) established arcade rally racing with distinct surface physics, short technical stages, and licensed cars tuned for specific terrain types. The original Model 2 arcade release and its Sega Saturn conversion feature classic courses like Desert, Forest, and Mountain,...
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Play Retro Special: Warren Davis & The Creation of Q*Bert
Scott sits down with Warren Davis for a deep look at the creation of one of the great arcade games of all time, Q*Bert, as well as his direct impact on everything from the Joust series to Mortal Kombat to Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Check out his book: ‘Creating Q*bert and Other Classic Video...
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PLAY RETRO 201: Astro Boy
Astro Boy: Omega Factor (2003) for the Game Boy Advance and Astro Boy (2004) for the PlayStation 2. Both titles were released during the franchise’s early-2000s resurgence and offer different approaches to action gameplay, platform strengths, and adaptation of the Astro Boy property. Hosted on...
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Play Retro Preshow FREEBIE!
Here's what we do on pre-shows for supporters! A free one this month! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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PLAY RETRO 200: Pinball on the Sega Saturn
Episode 200!! Pinball on the Sega Saturn - Digital Pinball: Last Gladiators, Digital Pinball: Necronomicon, Hyper 3-D Pinball (Tilt!), Pinball Graffiti and more bringing pinball table flipping action to our living rooms during the 90s. SEGA! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
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PLAY RETRO 199: The Forgotten Realms Gold Box Series
The Forgotten Realms Gold Box series is a set of AD&D computer role-playing games developed by SSI using the Gold Box engine. Beginning with Pool of Radiance in 1988, the series allowed players to carry a single party of characters across four connected adventures set in the Forgotten Realms.…
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PLAY RETRO 198: Descent
Descent (1995) and Descent II (1996) are six-degrees-of-freedom first-person shooters developed by Parallax Software for MS-DOS. Set entirely inside fully 3D mine complexes, the games emphasize free movement, spatial awareness, and objective-based level design. Known for their technical ambition,...
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PLAY RETRO 197: Jagged Alliance
A turn-based tactical strategy game developed by Sir-Tech Canada for MS-DOS. Players recruit mercenaries from the Association of International Mercenaries (A.I.M.) to liberate the fictional island nation of Metavira from enemy control. The game blends squad-based tactical combat with strategic...
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PLAY RETRO 196: Star Wars: Dark Forces
A First-person shooter developed by LucasArts for MS-DOS using an in-house game engine. Introduces mercenary Kyle Katarn and the Imperial Dark Trooper project. Features mission-based FPS gameplay, environmental objectives, vertical level design using the Jedi Engine, and an arsenal of Star Wars...
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PLAY RETRO 195: StarCraft & Broodwar
Blizzard Entertainment’s real-time strategy game featuring three fully asymmetric factions: Terran, Zerg, and Protoss. Built around resource management, base construction, unit control, and a branching story told through three linked campaigns. Released for Windows and Mac OS. Expanded the same...
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PLAY RETRO 194: Beyond Good and Evil
2003 Action-adventure from Ubisoft Montpellier combining stealth, melee combat, hovercraft exploration, and a photography-based investigation system. You play as Jade, a photojournalist uncovering a conspiracy on Hillys involving the DomZ and the Alpha Sections. Released on PlayStation 2…
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PLAY RETRO 193: Harvest Moon
Taking our favorite retro Harvest Moon games on the road with our GameBoys for some cozy gameplay while riding in the backseat of the family car. With a look back at the console games that made it possible. Harvest Moon for the SNES and HARVEST MOON: BACK TO NATURE for the PS1 and their portable...
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PLAY RETRO 192: Max Payne
Max Payne (2001) and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (2003) — Remedy Entertainment’s third-person neo-noir shooters that introduced bullet-time gunplay, graphic-novel storytelling, and hard-boiled narration to the early-2000s gaming landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
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PLAY RETRO 191: Halo: Combat Evolved
Halo: Combat Evolved (2001, Xbox / 2003, PC). A first-person shooter developed by Bungie Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios as the flagship launch title for the original Xbox. Its combination of open-ended combat, vehicles, and science-fiction storytelling helped define console FPS...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Scott Johnson and Brian Dunaway talk about retro video games!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
Scott Johnson
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Play Retro Show have?
Play Retro Show currently has 242 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Play Retro Show about?
Scott Johnson and Brian Dunaway talk about retro video games! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How often does Play Retro Show release new episodes?
Play Retro Show publishes regularly with 242 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Play Retro Show?
You can listen to Play Retro Show on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Play Retro Show?
Play Retro Show is created and hosted by Scott Johnson.
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