Play Retro Show

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 design for the following decade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A first-person shooter developed by Third Law Interactive and published by Gathering of Developers, based loosely on Todd McFarlane’s comic series. Players assume the role of circus performers empowered by the four KISS personas to prevent the birth of a supernatural being known as the Nightmare Child.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scooby-Doo Mystery (1995) for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Both titles shared the same name but were completely different games developed by separate studios: Illusions Gaming Company and Argonaut Software. The Genesis version took a point-and-click adventure approach with investigation and dialogue mechanics, while the SNES version played as a platforming mystery with...

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1990) and Elvira II: The Jaws of Cerberus (1991) from HorrorSoft — two Amiga and DOS adventure titles that combined RPG elements, point-and-click mechanics, and horror themes under the Accolade label. We also review Elvira: The Arcade Game (1991), a platform-action title from Flair Software, and briefly discuss the licensed pinball machines Elvira and the Party Monste...

Clock Tower, the horror adventure series that helped define the “chase-and-hide” genre. Beginning with Clock Tower: The First Fear (1995, Super Famicom), we follow orphan Jennifer Simpson’s desperate escape from the mansion of the murderous Scissorman, through its 3D PlayStation sequel, the psychological spin-off The Struggle Within and more.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

Q*bert (Arcade, 1982), Gottlieb’s isometric puzzle-action game that became one of the most recognizable mascots of the golden age of arcades. We’ll also look at its sequels Q*bert’s Qubes (1983) and Q*bert 3 (1992, SNES) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Star Trek: 25th Anniversary (1992, DOS/Amiga), Interplay’s episodic adventure that combined bridge command, away team puzzles, and space combat to capture the feel of The Original Series. Star Trek: Judgment Rites (1993), which refined the formula with stronger puzzles and full cast voice acting, and compare them with the action-focused NES and Game Boy versions released under the same name. Hoste...

Deus Ex (2000) on PC, developed by Ion Storm and directed by Warren Spector, is a cyberpunk-themed immersive sim that combined first-person shooting with RPG systems, dialogue choices, and multiple paths through each mission. Players controlled JC Denton, a nano-augmented agent navigating a world of conspiracies, branching choices, and emergent gameplay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Bubsy the Bobcat debuted in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind (1993) on the SNES and Genesis, a colorful platformer built around speed and Bubsy’s glide ability. The series continued with Bubsy II (1994), adding hub-based level selection, multiplayer, and gadgets; Fractured Furry Tales (1994) on Atari Jaguar, which rethemed the action around fairy tales; and Bubsy 3D (1996) on PlayStation, which...

Today’s Play Retro is a special episode! Scott and Brian talking about the making of great soundtracks in games, retro or otherwise, and why it might just be the best source of music for anyone trying to find something that reaches them in a deeper way.  Video: https://youtu.be/2Pey9lj1xlE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Metal Slug debuted in 1996 on SNK’s Neo Geo hardware, developed by Nazca Corporation. It quickly became known for its fluid hand-drawn animation, chaotic run-and-gun action, and humorous take on war. The original game introduced the iconic Metal Slug tank, prisoner rescues, and over-the-top boss battles that set the tone for the series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Data East side-scrolling action-platformer where two cavemen battle rival tribes, dinosaurs, and prehistoric beasts to rescue kidnapped cavewomen. Known for its humor, colorful design, and 2-player co-op. The game was later ported to SNES, Genesis, and NES with varying changes to difficulty, level design, and presentation. The series continued with Joe & Mac Returns (1994, Arcade) and Joe...

This week we discuss 90s era Shadowrunl; The SNES version (1993, Beam Software/Data East) presents an isometric action-adventure with a strong narrative focus, following protagonist Jake Armitage as he uncovers a conspiracy in a cyberpunk Seattle. The Genesis version (1994, BlueSky Software/Sega) takes an open-world approach with real-time combat, Matrix hacking, and more direct role-playing eleme...

A pulp-inspired action-adventure game paying homage to 1950s sci-fi horror, especially the film Them!. You play geologist Greg Bradley, investigating a meteor crash near the fictional town of Lizard Breath, only to discover an outbreak of giant radioactive ants. Gameplay blends point-and-click adventure, time-sensitive decision-making, and action minigames.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

The Incredible Machine, a series that turned complex cause-and-effect chain reactions into one of the most oddly satisfying puzzle experiences of the '90s and paid homage to the genius of Rube Goldberg and his machines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HoMM3 by New World Computing. The third entry in the series and the most beloved. A turn-based strategy game where you control heroes, build up towns, gather resources, and command fantasy armies on adventure maps and in tactical grid-based combat. The campaign follows Queen Catherine Ironfist as she fights to restore her father's kingdom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

Monolith's The Operative: No One Lives Forever and its sequel. A pair of first-person shooters from the early 2000s. Combining stealth mechanics, innovative for the time AI, and a 60s spy aesthetic Cate Archer’s adventures delivered humor, gadgets disguised as everyday objects, and level design that combined gameplay and storytelling to keep it fresh throughout. Also, good luck finding a copy! Hos...

Microsoft’s monster truck racing series that became a surprise hit on Windows in the late ’90s and spawned console and handheld versions. From early Direct3D experiments to 4-player split-screen chaos on the Nintendo 64, these games delivered giant physics, loud engines, and more yeehaw than you could handle.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RoboCop. From the arcade sensation with its crunchy beat ‘em up action to the many home ports (some good, some… less so), RoboCop left a trail of justice—and quarters—in its wake. We’ll explore the original RoboCop arcade game, RoboCop 2 and 3, and briefly touch on the glorious chaos of RoboCop vs. Terminator. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lost Vikings and its sequel star Erik, Baleog, and Olaf—sarcastic Norsemen solving puzzles through alien ships, pyramids, and futuristic worlds. Released in the early '90s by Silicon & Synapse (now Blizzard), the games mix platforming, brain teasers, and humor. And it holds up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Lucasfilm Games: the iconic Fate of Atlantis, in both its Graphic Adventure and lesser known Action Game forms, and the earlier Last Crusade adaptations. These games brought Indy’s globe-trotting exploits to 8-bit, 16-bit, and DOS screens through a mix of cinematic storytelling and witty puzzles. Less so in the Action Games. But still. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

This week we are exploring the early MechWarrior games on PC. Starting with the 1989 original and continuing with MechWarrior 2, these titles brought the mechanics and world of BattleTech to life through cockpit simulation, mech customization, and faction-driven campaigns. We’ll also touch on Mercenaries, Ghost Bear’s Legacy, and a few of the console adaptations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

Namco’s Ridge Racer series. Beginning with its 1993 arcade debut and stretching through its early PlayStation-era dominance, the series was defined by speed, style, and corner-sliding gameplay that favored flair over realism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doom (1993) and Doom II (1994). Developed by id Software, these games introduced the fast-paced, visceral FPS gameplay that would shape the industry for decades. With tight level design, explosive weapons, and iconic monsters, Doom wasn’t just a game—it was a movement. And while we’re at it, we’ll mention Doom 64, the 1997 N64 follow-up that carved out its own identity in the shadows of its PC pre...

Driver and Driver 2, the PlayStation titles that turned 1970s car chases into fully playable, open-world missions—well before “open world” was a buzzword. Developed by Reflections Interactive, these games combined tight driving physics, cinematic storytelling, and a now-legendary difficulty curve. Driver put you in the seat as an undercover cop posing as a getaway driver, while Driver 2 expanded t...