A Trip Down Memory Card Lane

In 1990, River City Ransom hit the NES with a beat ’em up that offered more freedom than players expected. Part of the Kunio-kun series, it followed Alex and Ryan (originally Kunio and Riki) as they fought gangs to rescue Ryan’s girlfriend. Our discussion traces its roots in Renegade and Super Dodge Ball, then looks at how Downtown Nekketsu Story was localized for Western players. We highlight the...

In 2013, Capcom rebooted Devil May Cry with DmC: Devil May Cry , a controversial reimagining by Ninja Theory. Shown at the 2010 Tokyo Game Show, its younger, dark-haired Dante drew instant backlash and years of “emo Dante” jokes. Our discussion looks at why Capcom turned to a Western studio despite Devil May Cry 4’s success, and how Ninja Theory delivered fluid combat, angel/devil platforming, and...

In 1997, Diablo unleashed gothic horror onto PCs and changed RPGs forever. Originally conceived as a turn-based dungeon crawler, Blizzard shifted it to real-time combat and multiplayer, creating the ARPG template still followed today. Our discussion explores its eerie atmosphere, from cathedrals to catacombs, and unforgettable moments like the Butcher’s lair. We also revisit the chaotic launch of...

In 2020, the pandemic turned gaming into a lifeline, and we closed the year by reflecting on our play. We compared Switch year-in-reviews, laughing at hours sunk into Breath of the Wild, Pokémon Sword, and half-finished Animal Crossing islands. We revisited backlogs beaten during lockdown, from The Witness to Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and highlighted multiplayer titles that carried us through lon...

In December 2020, we traded history for holiday cheer with a minisode on Christmas-themed games. Rob kicked things off with Saints Row IV’s “How the Saints Save Christmas” DLC, featuring Santa CLAWZ, Miracle on Third Street, and a dubstep gun gone festive. Dave brought ClayFighter, spotlighting Bad Mr. Frosty and Sumo Santa while reflecting on its claymation style and parody roots. We also touched...

In 1987, Mega Man debuted on the NES with punishing difficulty, colorful Robot Masters, and one of gaming’s most infamous covers. We trace Keiji Inafune’s role in shaping the Blue Bomber, from designing Elec Man to modeling Dr. Light after Santa Claus and Dr. Wily after Einstein. Our discussion highlights the rock-paper-scissors combat that let players experiment with boss weaknesses, as well as t...

In 1993, Doom blasted onto PCs and reshaped gaming overnight. Building on Wolfenstein 3D, id Software delivered faster action, hellish enemies, and an arsenal led by the iconic BFG. Our conversation explores how its shareware release crashed university servers, how WAD files sparked a modding revolution, and how “deathmatch” set the standard for online play. We also discuss John Carmack’s push to...

In 1980, Pac-Man chomped into arcades with simple maze-chasing gameplay and became one of the most recognizable icons in video game history. We revisit Toru Iwatani’s vision of creating a non-violent, family-friendly alternative to shooters, drawing inspiration from food, slot machines, and even the Japanese slang “paku paku.” The episode highlights how the ghosts’ unique personalities, energizer...

In 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time brought the series into 3D and set a gold standard still cited decades later. Innovations like Z-targeting and context-sensitive controls solved the challenge of 3D combat, while the ocarina itself tied music and time directly to gameplay. From riding across Hyrule on Epona to struggling through the Water Temple, our discussion explores its story of Li...

In 2004, Half-Life 2 redefined first-person shooters with physics-driven puzzles, cinematic storytelling, and a world under Combine rule. Its launch as the first game requiring Steam reshaped PC gaming, despite early frustrations with the platform. Our conversation highlights the iconic Gravity Gun, inventive level design, and how Valve encouraged players to think beyond run-and-gun combat. We sha...

In 2011, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim launched on 11-11-11 and instantly became a cultural phenomenon. From its iconic “Hey you, you’re finally awake” intro to endless memes like Fus Ro Dah and arrows to the knee, it cemented itself in gaming history. Our conversation revisits the hype of its release, the overwhelming character creator, and the freedom to shape your adventure—whether slaying dragon...

In 2020, with politics dominating the headlines, we explored how democracy has long intertwined with gaming. Our conversation begins with early inspirations like The Game of Politics and Diplomacy, before shifting to digital experiments such as Balance of Power, Dictator, and the President Elect series. We highlight how games like Power Politics and The Political Machine were even used in classroo...

In 1999, Medal of Honor marched onto the PlayStation, blending cinematic storytelling with WWII action under the guidance of Steven Spielberg. We look back at how his inspiration from GoldenEye 007 and Saving Private Ryan led DreamWorks Interactive to create a game rooted in authenticity, complete with real OSS history and even Spielberg’s military advisor from the film. The episode dives into its...

In 2009, Borderlands landed on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, blending first-person shooting with role-playing mechanics and a loot system that promised millions of weapon variations. Developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K Games, it was pitched as “Halo meets Diablo,” but soon carved its own identity with a bold cel-shaded art style, irreverent humor, and addictive co-op play. Our...

This week, Rob and Dave take a nostalgic ride through the  RollerCoaster Tycoon  series. Along the way, they reflect on how age and life experience change the way we play and enjoy games. The conversation touches on the unique thrill of finding a game tucked inside a cereal box, and how that shaped childhood memories. They also explore why games built around work, like managing a theme park, rarel...

This week, Dave and Rob are joined by special guest Damon Robson for a deep dive into  Dark Souls (2011) . A dedicated super-fan, Damon schools the brothers on the game’s rich lore while sharing why it captured his heart. The discussion moves through both the highs and lows of multiplayer experiences, touching on how community interactions can shape the punishing journey. Along the way, a gamer’s...

This week, Dave and Rob dive into revolution, both digital and real. The conversation begins with  Just Cause (2006) , an open-world game of explosive action and rebellion, before shifting to the real Operation Just Cause, the U.S. invasion of Panama that inspired the series’ name and premise. Along the way, they unpack how video games portray revolution, examining whether players approach rebelli...

This week, Dave and Rob take a fond look back at  Sid Meier’s Civilization (1991) , the groundbreaking strategy game that defined the 4X genre. As they retrace the history of the game and its development, they explore the origins of “explore, expand, exploit, exterminate” and debate whether players can truly succeed without mastering all four phases. Along the way, they dive into user reviews that...

This week, Dave steps onto his soapbox as he and Rob revisit the controversy surrounding the console release of  Mortal Kombat (1993) . From playground debates to national headlines, the game sparked a firestorm over violence in video games and even helped pave the way for the creation of the ESRB rating system. The brothers dive into the infamous “Mortal Monday” launch, comparing the Super Ninten...

This week, Dave and Rob look back fondly at 1997’s  Final Fantasy VII  before diving into a horror story about walking away from a PlayStation without a Memory Card. From there, they reminisce about 2002’s  Battlefield 1942 , pausing to laugh about an Amazon reviewer who claims to use it as an educational tool for their kids. The ride continues with 2004’s  Burnout 3: Takedown , where they explore...

This week, Dave and Rob kick things off by introducing themselves and the podcast before diving into a nostalgic memory of 1992’s Super Mario Kart . That memory launches a conversation about random acts of kindness in gaming and beyond. From there, another found memory brings up 1993’s Illusion of Gaia , sparking a thoughtful look at video games as an art medium. The brothers then jump forward two...