Classic Gaming Today: A Retro Gaming Podcast

It's time to get sneaky, as we explore the stealth-action classic, Metal Gear Solid!  Learn how Hideo Kojima's early life experiences and cinematic inspirations led to his overall approach to making games as we look at the evolution of both the Metal Gear series as well as Kojima himself, in order to determine whether Metal Gear Solid is still worth playing today.  Does Metal Gear Solid sneak its...

Move over Mario, as we discuss Sonic the Hedgehog!  Learn about the history of the infamous "console wars" of the 80s and 90s, discover why Sega believed Sonic could be their secret weapon in the battle with Nintendo, and finally, listen in as we determine whether the original Sonic the Hedgehog is still a worthwhile experience to play today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gamin...

Before Secret of Monkey Island...before Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis...before Sam & Max...there was Maniac Mansion!  Learn how the game was made, including the origins of the venerable SCUMM engine, which would be used for nearly every LucasArts adventure title to follow.  Discover why Ron Gilbert decided to make Maniac Mansion an adventure game in the first place (hint: it has to do...

Grab your dragon sword and sharpen your shuriken, as we discuss the original Ninja Gaiden title!  Learn how the game began life as an arcade title that would, eventually, make its way to the Nintendo Entertainment System, and listen as we dive deep into how the development team made the game a reality, including the reasoning behind why Act VI was so...darn...difficult (no, I'm not bitter).  Does...

What is a bandicoot anyway?  Find out in our podcast episode, where we discuss how and why Crash Bandicoot was made, learn why Crash isn't not Sony's mascot, and determine whether the game still holds up today when compared to modern titles.  All of that and more, only on Classic Gaming Today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/Class...

It's a cartoon world, and we're just living in it...or at least, that's the premise of Toonstruck, a point and click adventure game that combines full motion video sequences with animated cartoon scenes to create a sort of reverse Who Framed Roger Rabbit kind of scenario.  Learn how the game was made, what happened to the long rumored sequel, and whether the game still retains its charm today.  Ca...

Get ready to FINISH HIM as we discuss this week's game, Mortal Kombat!  Learn about the origins of the one-on-one fighting game genre, find out why Johnny Cage bears more than a passing resemblance to Jean Claude Van Damme, and discover whether the original arcade "Klassic" still holds up today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/Cla...

Join me for a groovy good time as we discuss The Operative: No One Lives Forever!  Learn how game company Monolith came to be, how the LithTech engine evolved from its DirectX heritage, and whether No One Lives Forever, one of the most underrated games in recent memory, still holds up today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/Classic...

Boom-shaka-laka!  Join me on the basketball court as we discuss the arcade classic, NBA Jam!  Learn about its origins as we deep dive the game's history, even going as far back as Pong (yes, that Pong) to discover how, and why, the game was made.  Then, explore what it feels like to play the game today, in order to determine whether it's still worth your time.  Does NBA Jam join the hallowed halls...

Grab your pistol as we hunt some replicants in the third person point-and-click adventure title, Blade Runner!  Learn how the game was made, why it was similar, but different, to the movie, and whether it's still worth your time to play today.  Is Blade Runner the cyberpunk adventure you've been waiting for?  Listen in to find out! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  S...

What happens if you take one part Final Fantasy, two parts Secret of Mana, and add a touch of American pop culture?  You end up with Secret of Evermore, an action RPG released back in 1995.  Learn how the game was made, why it is unique in Square's catalog of RPGs, and whether it's worth your time to play it today.  Does Secret of Evermore merit inclusion in the Pantheon of Classic Gaming, or shou...

Grab your favorite go-kart and join me as we discuss Super Mario Kart, the grandfather of the kart racing genre!  Learn how the Super Nintendo's launch titles paved the way for what would be Nintendo's first Mario crossover title, why Mode 7 graphics are awesome, and whether the experience of playing the game still holds up today.  Does Mario Kart make it to the finish line, or will it slip on a b...

It's time to save the world as we embark on a discussion on the LucasArts classic, The Dig.  Learn how the game was made, how Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were involved, and whether the experience of playing the title is still worthwhile to seek out today.  Does The Dig warrant inclusion in our Pantheon of Classic Gaming?  There's only one way to find out! Join the discussion on Discord! Want...

Join me as we discuss one of the most beloved video games of all time, The Legend of Zelda!  Learn how it was made, what it was inspired by, why the second quest exists in the first place, and whether the game still is worth a playthrough today.  Does the game truly deserve its legendary reputation?  Listen to find out! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a...

In the early 90s, game companies were experimenting with a bunch of different technologies, trying to find a way to make their mark on the video game and arcade market.  One of those companies was American Laser Games.  Learn how the company came to be, why full motion video in arcade titles was a revolutionary experience (for the time), and whether their broader discography is still a worthwhile...

Cow launched!  Join me as we discuss Earthworm Jim, a zany, side-scrolling run-and-gun platformer developed by Shiny Entertainment.  Learn how the titular hero came to be, why the toy market of the late 80s influenced the development of the title, and whether it still feels as fresh to play today as it did when it was originally released.   Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming...

Do a barrel roll!  Or, maybe not, but do join me as we look at Star Fox, a true 3D-space combat game released on the Super Nintendo back in the early 90s.  Learn how the game was made, what new technology had to be created in order to enable the for-the-time advanced 3D visuals, and whether the title still holds up against our modern gaming expectations. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more C...

Make way...for our next podcast episode focused on Prince Ali himself, Aladdin, for the Sega Genesis!  Learn how the game was made, why the graphics and animations looked so darn good and, join me as we discuss and discover whether the game still holds up today, 30 years after it was originally released.  Does Aladdin belong in our Pantheon of Classic Gaming, or should it be buried in the Cave of...

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start! Join me as we discuss Contra, the father of the run-and-gun genre from the late 80s.  Learn how the game was made, why the Konami code even exists, and how well the game holds up today, well over 30 years following its original release. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/Clas...

Before Hideo Kojima became one of the most well-known game designers in the world, he was simply a young developer who loved the cinema, and who wanted to apply cinematic techniques to the games he was creating.  One of his earliest titles was Snatcher, a visual novel adventure game set in a dystopian cyberpunk world filled with cybernetic clones determined to take over the human race.  Learn how...

Come with me if you want to live!  Or, rather, listen in, as we discuss the creation of three 16-bit Terminator titles, spanning the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and Sega CD consoles.  Learn why it took so long for a licensed Terminator title to be created, how each game was made, and which of the three remains worth your time today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?...

Join me as we discuss our second Gameboy title, Super Mario Land 2!  Learn how the game improved upon its predecessor, why the introduction of Wario into Mario lore was so significant, and whether the game still feels as good to play today as when it was released around 30 years ago! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingTo...

It's time to use our head...literally...as we discuss the Turbografx-16 platformer, Bonk's Adventure.  Learn how the game was created, why Bonk became a sort of mascot for the Turbbografx system, and whether the prehistoric action still holds up today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

After Eric Chahi created Another World / Out of This World, cinematic platformers were all the rage, including elsewhere in Delphine Software.  As Chahi basked in the glory of his newly released masterpiece, Paul Cuisset was working on a game of his own, and one that would define his career almost the same way that Out of This Word became Chahi's claim to fame.  Cuisset's game was, of course, Flas...

You all know I love full motion video games...and Sewer Shark is undeniably one of those games, so, you know it's going to be a good time!  Join me as we dive deep into the creation of Sewer Shark - learn how the game originated as a never-released title for the failed Hasbro Control Vision console before finally getting a second chance on the Sega CD years later, and listen in as we determine whe...