Bad With Games

We played Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness which was released on PC in 1981 (remade and re-released in 1986). This is yet another RPG progenitor which established many of the genre's hallmarks. We discuss bad maps, an alphabet of commands, and how one gets from a medieval fantasy world to outer space combat. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on...

We played Mega Man which was released for the NES in 1987. A boy robot takes on six "Robot Masters". Did we survive this notoriously difficult start to a beloved franchise? We discuss the merits of nonlinear weapon progression, disappearing blocks, and one of the worst boxarts ever drawn. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http://...

We played Sid Meier's Pirates! which was released for PC in 1987. Before he became famous for Civilization, Sid Meier put his name on this pirate life simulation game, featuring sailing and swashbuckling aplenty. We discuss longitude and latitude, which nations we hate the most, and the lack of pirate based media. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version...

We played Castlevania which was released on the NES in 1986. Before the series stole all of Metroid's gameplay mechanics, it was about simple, thrilling action in a gothic horror setting. We discuss our struggles with stairs, which enemies we hate the most, and what the hell Simon Belmont is wearing. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - h...

We played Donkey Kong which was released in arcades in 1981. Nintendo barreled their way into the gaming scene with this giant arcade smash, the world's introduction to Mario. We discuss our patience thresholds for boring games, the option of difficulty levels, and whether or not Universal Studios should've won their lawsuit. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch th...

We played King's Quest which was released on PC in 1984. While not the very first graphic adventure game, this is almost certainly the most important and influential one, from legendary Sierra designer Roberta Williams. We discuss the value of online hints, the tedium of looking at trees, and the difference between a bowl and a well. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watc...

We played Asteroids which was released in the arcade in 1979. This pew-pew rock blasting game overtook Space Invaders to become the next big arcade phenomenon. We discuss vector graphics, real life physics, and once again, the value of a high score. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http://youtube.com/@badwithgames Watch Our Bonus 'Wor...

We played Super Mario Bros. 2 which was released on the NES in 1988. This is the re-skin of Doki Doki Panic which was originally only released in America. We discuss our vast cultural differences, whether things are dreams or real, and our great love for Mouser and Birdo. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http://youtube.com/@badwithgames W...

We played Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord which was originally released for PC in 1981. This old school dungeon crawl translates tabletop RPGs into a digital soup of text and numbers. We discuss the evolution of D&D, navigating mazes, and the joys of character creation. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http://youtube.com...

We played Double Dragon which was released in arcades in 1987 and ported to NES in 1988. It's time to beat 'em up old school style, as we experience two versions of this classic game in both single player and co-op. We discuss cultural appropriation, the benefits of friendship, and getting things vs. having things. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Ver...

We played Metroid which was released on the NES in 1986. This was the birth of the "Metroidvania" genre, but does it hold up next to its modern day descendants, or even later Metroid games? We discuss feminism in gaming, what Mother Brain is, and shafts. Also, our PATREON is NOW LIVE!! Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http://you...

We played Zork I: The Great Underground Empire, which was made widely available on PCs in 1980. After dipping our toes into text adventures with Colossal Cave Adventure, we return to play what is essentially a remake of Colossal Cave Adventure. Did we find this experience to be an improvement over the original, or was it all a bit too grue-some (haha)? Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/ba...

We played SimCity, both the original PC release from 1989 and the SNES version from 1991. Now that the thrill of podcasting has worn off, we need to live out our fantasies of godhood by playing Will Wright's original simulation game. Let's see if we have a promising career in urban planning. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http:/...

We played Final Fantasy, originally released on the NES in 1987. For our first foray into roleplaying games, we make our positions known on turn-based combat, random battles, grinding, and other genre staples. Find out if Will's Pokémon experience helped him survive the adventure. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http://youtube.com/@b...

We played Space Invaders, originally released in arcades in 1978. Will's war against Gen X continues as we play the original high score chaser that revolutionized video games as we know them. Is he right to be a hater, or is there more to this classic than meets the eye? Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http://youtube.com/@badwithgame...

We played Colossal Cave Adventure which was originally released in 1976 (although our version came out in 1977). This text adventure provided the namesake for the entire adventure game genre! Did we TAKE to it, or did its obscure puzzles make us want to GO S and THROW in the towel? Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http://youtube.com/@badw...

We played The Legend of Zelda, originally released on the NES in 1986. Breaking new ground with an open, non-linear world to explore, and the ability to SAVE YOUR GAME, Zelda is surely one of the most games we've ever played. Listen now to complete your quest! Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http://youtube.com/@badwithgames Watch Our...

We played Pac-Man, originally released in the arcades in 1980. This little yellow fellow became an instant sensation in the 80s, and he's undoubtedly one of the foremost mascots of the entire gaming industry. Don't just "waka waka", instead "runa runa" to listen to this important episode! Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on...

We played Tetris, specifically the NES and Game Boy versions released in 1989. Tetris is the grandfather of all modern block puzzle games, but how do these older editions hold up? We discuss secret bonus endings, the appeal of high score chasing, and the impact of the fall of the Soviet Union. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http://youtu...

We played Super Mario Bros. which was released for the NES in 1985. This is our very first real episode, and your first opportunity to explore a gaming masterpiece through the eyes of a newcomer who is terrible at platformers. We discuss the importance of running, our top 3 bad guys, and whether or not Lakitu looks like a Minion. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Vi...

As an intro to Bad With Games, we explain who we are and why we're doing this. Get an in-depth understanding of the show, plus learn all about our gaming histories and tastes. Only the most hardcore of hardcore gamers need to listen to this, otherwise feel free to skip ahead to our first real episode. Support Us on Patreon - http://patreon.com/badwithgames Watch the Video Version on YouTube - http...