PODCAST · leisure
The Upper Memory Block
by Joe Mastroianni
The Upper Memory Block podcast is all about DOS and pre-Windows XP gaming. Every two weeks we talk in-depth about a game, game series, company and/or technology from this era. Enjoy!
Episodes
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UMBCast 114 - Links
Welcome to episode 114, where I dive into the prolific Access Software golf sim series, Links. Links: My video research sessions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2whCuUnKwYBC6SHvfn6c5yf0RTk9z9s1 French PC game magazine archive: https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/index.php Buy Links...
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UMBCast 113 - Unreal
In episode 113, we take on the massively popular and genre-defining Unreal series. Links: My video research sessions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2whCuUnKwYB-UhgbN7wL9lc8JerihSV4 X-Wing Soundtrack (redone): https://soundcloud.com/laserschwert/sets/x-wing TIE Fighter Soundtrack…
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UMBCast 112 - Heart of China
Time for episode 112, in which we explore the mysterious world of 1930's Hong Kong in the 1991 Dynamix adventure, Heart of China. Links: My video research sessions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKLSnBxpjNM&list=PL2whCuUnKwYC1gOgCR6N229FHnVpkI5MZ Buy Heart of China on GoG:...
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UMBCast 111 - One Must Fall
In episode 111, we hit our first fighting game, 1994's One Must Fall 2097 by Diversions Entertainment. Links: My video research sessions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ-OBT0PYE0&list=PL2whCuUnKwYBNDRCGWvJzjmVSIg0Ij8Tk One Must Fall 2097 on archive.org:...
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UMBCast 110 - Wing Commander Roundup
In a very special UMBCast, for the second time ever I have a live guest! I dragged my friend and fellow podcaster Brian "Space Game Junkie" Rubin to sit with me and talk Wing Commander. Specifically, in light of my recent complete playthrough of Wing Commander 2 on the YouTube channel, I wanted…
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UMBCast 109 - We'll Miss You Akago (The Neverhood repost)
Earlier today, I received word that long time friend of the show, Amayirot Akago (aka Maarten Amkreutz), took his own life. As a very small, very insignificant gesture, I'm reposting his guest show from mere days before the arrival of the UMBaby covering The Neverhood. Akago was one of the first…
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UMBCast 108 - Dr. Brain
This time around, we're hitting our first edutainment title with the Dr. Brain series from Sierra. Big shout out this month goes to Father Beast for catching some research I missed! Links: My video research sessions:...
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UMBCast 107 - The Last Express
In episode 107, we cover a unique adventure game by Jordan Mechner, 1997's The Last Express. Links: Get The Last Express on GoG: https://www.gog.com/game/last_express_the Get The Last Express Gold on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/252710/The_Last_Express_Gold_Edition/ Get The Last...
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UMBCast 106 - Transport Tycoon (feat. Father Beast)
We've got a special one for episode 106 in which second time guest-host Father Beast takes us on a tour of the 1994 business and management simulator, Transport Tycoon. Links Reunion (1994) Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk_L8BL0r48 Play Transport Tycoon in your browser...
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UMBCast 105 - The Lost Vikings
Time for episode 105 where I dive into the 1992 Silicon and Synapse puzzle platformer, The Lost Vikings. Links: Get The Lost Vikings direct from Blizzard, for free! http://eu.blizzard.com/en-gb/games/legacy/ Lost Vikings in Heroes of the Storm:...
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UMBCast 104 - Defender of the Crown
Here is the long awaited episode 104 in which I dive deep into the 1986 strategy/action game, Defender of the Crown from Cinemaware. Links: Jim Cuomo's Amiga and gameplay CD music (authorized hosting from Tomer): http://www.tomergabel.com/DefenderOfTheCrownMusic.aspx Buy Defender of the Crown on...
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UMBCast 103 - Mailbag
Wow! After an unplanned seven month hiatus I'm back! Before jumping right back into the schedule, I decided to jump in with a little show updating everyone about the state of the show, why I went away for seven months and to get through a bit of an email backlog that has built up while I was off...
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UMBCast 102 - Hangout #7 - Feats of Strength
It is time for yet another Patreon Hangout! This time around, Brian, Craig, Tomer, Troels and myself get together to discuss "feats of strength" in DOS and Pre-Windows XP gaming. What does this mean? Have you ever gone to extraordinary measures to get a game running? Done anything nuts with...
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UMBCast 101 - F-19 Stealth Fighter
Time for episode 101 in which we discuss the 1988 Microprose flight sim, F-19 Stealth Fighter and its sequel/remake, F-117A Stealth Fighter 2.0! First though, I read some email that leads us to two cool links: Troels and I playing A Final Unity:...
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UMBCast 100 - Star Trek: The Next Generation - A Final Unity
Here it is! My long overdue return from "parental leave" and episode 100 of the podcast! This time around I celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek with the 1995 Spectrum Holobyte adventure, Star Trek: The Next Generation - A Final Unity. Find CD copies of the game via this eBay search. A…
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UMBCast 099 - Cyber Empire (feat. Troels Pleimert)
One more guest show before I'm back in episode 100. This time around my good buddy Troels, the Space Quest Historian is here with a hidden gem, the 1992 Silicon Knights action/strategy game Cyber Empires (or Steel Empire in Europe). Not only does Troels do a great job with the show, he also...
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UMBCast 098 - A Mind Forever Voyaging (feat. Chris Olson)
Here comes episode 98 where friend of the show Chris "CGOApps" Olson takes the big chair to discuss our inaugural text adventure, A Mind Forever Voyaging by Infocom, released in 1985. Digital Antiquarian: http://maher.filfre.net/if-book/ Get Lamp Documentary: http://getlamp.com AMFV Infocom...
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UMBCast 097 - Hangout #6 - Game Music & Sound
It's Patreon Hangout time once again! This time around, Akago, Brian, Craig, Jim, Ryan, Tomer, Martin and myself got together to chat about game music and sound! We get deep into hardware and play clips form some of our favourite game music. It was a great time and big thanks to the participants...
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UMBCast 096 - Sid Meier's Colonization (feat. Father Beast)
Here comes another guest show! Father Beast has been kind enough to put together an episode on the 1994 Microprose strategy game, Sid Meier's Colonization! Colonization on GOG.com: https://www.gog.com/game/sid_meiers_colonization Colonization on Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/327400/...
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UMBCast 095 - The Neverhood (feat. Amayirot Akago)
Time for episode 95! Originally we were scheduled to cover A Final Unity, but what with the UMBaby coming, I've been thrown all out of whack so friend of the show Amayirot Akago has graciously stepped in with a guest show! He'll be covering the 1996 adventure, The Neverhood! In true UMB fashion…
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UMBCast 094 - Tyrian
Time for episode 94 where I cover the 1995 Eclipse Software / Epic Megagames shoot 'em up, Tyrian! First though, I read through some emails I missed out on in the last show discussing Day of the Tentacle. Then we do as we do and dive deep into the various versions and game modes of Tyrian! Links:...
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UMBCast 093 - Extended Memory: DOOM 2016
It's time for episode 93 where I'll be covering a newer game in my Extended Memory format. This time we'll be talking about the newly released version of DOOM. I discuss all the usual UMB stuff but with a more modern twist, then hear from some of you guys! Buy DOOM on Steam:...
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UMBCast 092 - Extended Memory: Warcraft (2016)
In this super special surprise episode, I get together with my friends Brian and Bianca of the Square Waves FM podcast for an unprecedented, never before done joint episode! Why would we perpetrate such an occurrence you ask? Well, the three if of ventured out to the theatre and saw Warcraft on...
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UMBCast 091 - Day of the Tentacle
Welcome to episode 91 wherein I continue my journey through the so-called "Maniac Mansion series" with the sequel, 1993's Day of the Tentacle. A ton of email and voicemail this week makes for an extra long show, thanks to all for their participation! Buy Day of the Tentacle Remastered on GOG:...
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UMBCast 090 - Hangout #5 - Diamonds in the Rough
This time around, Brian, Troels, Tomer and I get together to talk about "Diamond in the Rough" games! We discuss a huge number of games that didn't receive the attention they deserved for one reason or another. Here's an incomplete list of games covered, see how many you've heard of! Rise of the...
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UMBCast 089 - Maniac Mansion
Here's big episode 89 wherein I discuss the primordial Lucasfilm Games adventure game, Maniac Mansion! Play Maniac Mansion in DOTT Remastered: https://www.gog.com/game/day_of_the_tentacle_remastered?pp=1106a1dda2d680438ecfb0bb70fd479c55a1791f Play Maniac Mansion on archive.org:...
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UMBCast 088 - Jagged Alliance
Here is episode 88 wherein I discuss the great Sir-Tech Software turn based tactical strategy series, Jagged Alliance. Read Darius Kazemi's deep dive into Jagged Alliance 2: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00MQHVAOK/ref=pe_386430_189358380_TE_DP Buy Jagged Alliance on GoG:...
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UMBCast 087 - Magic Carpet
This time around, we're discussing the 1994 Bullfrog 3D shooter, Magic Carpet. After some emails, we dive into all the regular topics, story, gameplay, tech focus, dev story and your thoughts before I give my verdict on whether or not the game holds up today. Settings for high resolution:...
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UMBCast 086 - SimTower
It's episode 86 where I focus on the 1994 Maxis construction management sim, SimTower. As always we read a bunch of emails and dive deep into genre, gameplay, tech focus and dev story before hearing if I think this unique game holds up today. Sadly there's no legal place to buy SimTower aside…
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UMBCast 085 - Hangout #4 - Feelings about Feelies
Time for our long overdue fourth Patreon hangout! This time, Brian, Tomer, Craig, Martin and Troels chat with me about feelies, manuals, boxes, vibrators from games we loved. Here are a few links that cropped up over the course of the hangout (in no particular order because I don't plan well):...
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UMBCast 084 - UMBNews January 2016
Time for a quick news show to kick off the year, here are some of the topics I cover: Christmas Day Steam outage: https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/3y7maa/something_is_really_wrong_with_steam_be_careful/ Day of the Tentacle Remastered:...
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UMBCast 083 - Indiana Jones
Here's episode 83 where I delve into the world of the 1930's with Indiana Jones. I touch on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Adventure Game and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. Indiana Jones and the Seven Cities of Gold fan game: http://binarylegends.cbm8bit.com/ Buy Indiana Jones…
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UMBCast 082 - Homeworld
He we are with episode 82 wherein I dive deep into the 1999 Relic space RTS series, Homeworld. As always, we run through some emails, then dive deep into genre, story, gameplay, tech focus and development before I hear from you and then render my verdict as to whether or not the game holds up.…
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UMBCast 081 - System Shock
Welcome to episode 81 where I uncover the secrets of the 1994 Origin action RPG series, System Shock. As always, we dive into the story, gameplay, technical aspects and dev story of this monumental series. We then hear from some listeners and I give my opinion of whether or not the game holds up....
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UMBCast 080 - UMBNews October 2015
Hello everyone, time for a long overdue news episode. In n effort to further play around with the format of the news shows, I'm joined by my buddy and fellow retro game enthusiast Brian Demodulated (https://twitter.com/demodulated). He is the host of the ever-amazing Square Waves FM podcast...
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UMBCast 079 - King's Quest (2015)
In episode 79, I'm covering a modern take on an old classic. This time around we'll focus on the newly-released first episode of King's Quest, developed by the Odd Gentlemen and published by the revived Sierra. Before we get to it, we go through a few emails and voicemails. Then, the main event...
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UMBCast 078 - Hangout #3: Experiences that changed you
It' time for episode 78! We're not talking about a specific game this time around. As I've done in the past, I got together with some of my Patrons and had a really fun chat about "Experiences that shaped you". We chat about our experiences relating to either computing or gaming that affected us...
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UMBCast 077 - Baldur's Gate
Here's episode 77 where I dive deep into the 1998 BioWare RPG, Baldur's Gate. We get into the details of not only the history of the game, but also the creation of the Dungeons and Dragons campaign setting that hosts it. This is a big one! Buy the original Baldur's gate on GoG:...
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UMBCast 076 - M1 Tank Platoon
It's tie for episode 76 where I discuss the 1989 Microprose Simulaton, M1 Tank Platoon. Before we get to it, Greg sends us a voicemail. You should check out his show, the SNES Podcast at http://thesnespodcast.podomatic.com/. We then get to the main, topic, M1 Tank Platoon. We check out all the...
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UMBCast 075 - Rebellion
It's time for episode 75 where I discuss the 1998 Lucasarts strategy game, Star Wars: Rebellion. First, I've been off so I've been playing games and watching TV so I talk about that a bit. Check out the interesting little programming puzzle game TIS-100: http://store.steampowered.com/app/370360/...
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UMBCast 074 - UMBNews June 2015
It's the news! This time I'm switching up the format a bit and we'll have a bit of a casual chat about things that have happened since the last news ep, up to and including E3! Here are the stories covered: Broken Age Act 2: http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/28573 GOG's Galaxy client…
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UMBCast 073 - Crusader
Here's episode 73, where I discuss the 1995 Origin Systems action series, Crusader. As always, I go into the genre, story and gameplay. We also delve into the game's tech specs and engine before talking a bit about the history and definition of tracker music. After some great listener emails and...
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UMBCast 072 - Spycraft: The Great Game
On episode 72, we get down and dirty with the CIA in the 1996 Activision FMV adventure game Spycraft: The Great Game. We get into all the nitty gritty details on the game like we always do an read through a listener email. Watch me play Spycraft on YouTube:...
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UMBCast 071 - Patreon Hangout 2: Remakes, Remasters and More!
It's high time for another Patreon hangout. This time, Brian, Martin, Akago, Tomer, Troels and I got together to chat about remakes, remasters, spritual successors, reissues, sequels and even more all relating to our favourite DOS and pre-Windows XP games. As with last time, it was a blast and I...
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UMBCast 070 - UMBNews April 2015
Time for episode 70 and the news for March and April 2015! Here's the rundown: Homeworld Remastered puts you in command of the most stunning space battles ever: http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/24/8098381/homeworld-remastered-collection-gearbox-interview Underworld Ascendant Kickstarter reaches its...
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UMBCast 069 - Carmageddon
Welcome to episode 69 where we discuss the 1997 Stainless Games car combat sim, Carmageddon. We chat about all the regular stuff including genre, setting, gameplay, tech focus and dev story. We also focus a bit on the controversy surrounding the game and her a bunch of great listener emails and...
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UMBCast 068 - Grim Fandango
Welcome to episode 68 where I discuss the 1998 Lucasarts adventure game, Grim Fandango. We go through some emails, then get into the nitty gritty in the land of the dead. If you like Grim Fandago, you might also enjoy a game called The Cheap Detective...
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UMBCast 067 - UMBNews February 2015
Time for episode 67 and the news! Here's a rundown of the stories discussed: King's Quest And Sierra: An Interview With Ken Williams: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/01/02/ken-williams-interview-kings-quest-sierra-game-informer.aspx New Baldur's Gate game in the works using…
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UMBCast 066 - Privateer
Welcome to episode 66 where I'll be discussing the 1993 Origin Systems space trading game, Wing Commander: Privateer. After some listener emails, we discuss all the usual suspects regarding the two games in the Privateer series. Watch me play Privateer on YouTube: http://youtu.be/A6hWqvoP12s Buy...
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UMBCast 065 - Patreon Hangout: Firsts
This week we did something very special. I got together with some of my Patrons and we had an incredibly fun discussion (and quite a few drinks) all about our gaming firsts. Early gaming memories, first CD ROM games, first gaming machines, music, sound cards, pirating and much, much more. Thanks...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Upper Memory Block podcast is all about DOS and pre-Windows XP gaming. Every two weeks we talk in-depth about a game, game series, company and/or technology from this era. Enjoy!
HOSTED BY
Joe Mastroianni
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Upper Memory Block have?
The Upper Memory Block currently has 115 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Upper Memory Block about?
The Upper Memory Block podcast is all about DOS and pre-Windows XP gaming. Every two weeks we talk in-depth about a game, game series, company and/or technology from this era. Enjoy!
How often does The Upper Memory Block release new episodes?
The Upper Memory Block publishes regularly with 115 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Upper Memory Block?
You can listen to The Upper Memory Block 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 The Upper Memory Block?
The Upper Memory Block is created and hosted by Joe Mastroianni.
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