Play Retro Show

On this really big Twinkie of an episode, we’re covering some of the classic Ghostbusters games, starting with the original 1984 Ghostbusters Business Sim game by Pitfall creator David Crane, Ghostbusters II's questionably fun version of the movie, The New Ghostbusters II game that Japan and Europe got that was surprisingly good and Ghostbusters for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis that was doing its o...

A top-down isometric shooter where players take control of "The Postal Dude" as he embarks on a violent rampage against hostile civilians, military forces, and law enforcement. Known for its dark tone, extreme violence, and controversial themes, Postal shocked audiences and earned a cult following for its raw, chaotic gameplay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cho Aniki is a Japanese video game series originally developed by Masaya and published by NCS Corp. The first game was released in 1992 for the PC Engine system. The game's sequels and spin-offs later appeared on the Super Famicom, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, WonderSwan, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. Best known for its homoerotic overtones, wacky humor and vivid, surreal imagery. Most of t...

SMB2: Known for its dreamlike setting and gameplay changes from the original Super Mario Bros. Players can choose between Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and Toad, each with different abilities, as they navigate the world of Subcon to defeat the villain Wart. Unlike other Mario games, this installment focuses on picking up and throwing objects at enemies rather than stomping on them. Hosted on A...

The Shining Force series blends traditional RPG storytelling with tactical, grid-based combat. In Shining Force I (1992), players guide Max and his diverse team of warriors in defending the kingdom of Guardiana from the Dark Dragon. Shining Force II (1993) follows Bowie, who must rally heroes to face the malevolent forces of Zeon, offering a more open-world experience and refined strategy elements...

Based on Tim Burton's 1988 film, Beetlejuice for the NES is a platforming adventure game developed by Rare and published by LJN. Players control Beetlejuice as he navigates different areas in an attempt to scare humans out of a house he wants to claim as his own. Players use Beetlejuice’s unique abilities, such as summoning skeletons and transforming into different creatures, to solve puzzles and...

Today on podcast, Sunset Riders is a classic side-scrolling run-and-gun arcade game developed and published by Konami in 1991. Set in the American Wild West, the game became a fan-favorite for its colorful graphics, fast-paced action, and engaging cooperative gameplay. Players assume the roles of bounty hunters as they chase down notorious outlaws across a series of challenging levels, all while d...

On Play Retro today, we talk about the impact of Dune II! Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (titled Dune II: Battle for Arrakis in Europe and Dune: The Battle for Arrakis for the North American Mega Drive/Genesis port, respectively) is a 1992 real-time strategy game developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Games. It serves as the sequel to Dune, following a more traditional adventure...

Skies of Arcadia is a classic role-playing game developed by Overworks and originally released for the Sega Dreamcast in 2000. The game was later ported to the Nintendo GameCube as Skies of Arcadia Legends in 2002. Set in a world of floating islands and vast skies, the game follows the adventures of Vyse, a young air pirate, and his friends Aika and Fina as they strive to stop the evil Valuan Empi...

Flashback: The Quest for Identity, developed by Delphine Software and released in 1992, is a cinematic platformer known for its groundbreaking rotoscoped animation and engaging story. Players control Conrad B. Hart, an amnesiac scientist who uncovers an alien plot while trying to recover his lost memories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The followup to Theme Park and the 2nd in Bullfrog's Designer Series - Theme Hospital is a business simulation game that puts players in the role of a hospital administrator, tasked with building and managing a hospital, diagnosing and treating patients, and dealing with various humorous and wacky medical conditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Players control Mike Jones in this NES classic, a young boy armed with a yo-yo, as he explores various islands to rescue his kidnapped uncle. The game combines exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. How does it hold up? How was II? Tune in and find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Play Retro podcast, Gradius is a series of shooter video games, introduced in 1985, developed and published by Konami for a variety of portable, console and arcade platforms. In many games in the series, the player controls a ship known as the Vic Viper. It's good, and you should play it. At least up to III. IV is weird. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Popular culture come to life in this unique blend of inline skating, graffiti art, and an eclectic soundtrack of funk, hip hop and rock. Set in a vibrant, cel-shaded world, the series focuses on the adventures of a gang of rebellious skaters called the GG fighting against oppressive authorities by tagging graffiti and grinding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alien rappers, ToeJam and Earl, who crash-land on Earth must find the pieces of their spaceship to return home. The gameplay includes randomly generated levels, cooperative play, and various quirky Earthlings as enemies. The series goes from Rogue to Platformer to 3rd Alien Person Adventure. Filthy humans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Released by Taito in 1986, Bubble Bobble is a classic arcade platformer featuring two adorable dinosaurs, Bub and Bob, who must navigate through 100 levels to rescue their girlfriends. The game's innovative mechanics, catchy music, and cooperative gameplay have made it a beloved title in the annals of arcade history. An-nals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Released by LucasArts in 1998, Grim Fandango is a unique adventure game that combines a rich narrative, memorable characters, and a distinctive art style inspired by Mexican folklore and film noir. Players follow the story of Manny Calavera, a travel agent in the Land of the Dead, as he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens his very soul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Streets of Rage (titled Bare Knuckle in Japan) is a series of side-scrolling beat 'em up video games. It centers on the efforts of several ex-police vigilantes trying to rid the fictional American metropolis of Wood Oak City of a crime syndicate that has corrupted its local government. The first three games in the franchise were developed and released by Sega for the Sega Genesis in the early 1990...

Let's talk about Earthbound on the Play Retro podcast! Released by Nintendo in 1994 for the SNES, EarthBound, known as Mother 2 in Japan, is a unique RPG that combines modern settings, humor, and heartfelt storytelling. Players follow Ness and his friends on a quest to save the world from the evil Giygas, using psychic powers and everyday items. Its distinct style and emotional depth have earned i...

A classic arcade game where players control Chef Peter Pepper in his quest to create giant hamburgers while avoiding relentless enemies like Mr. Hot Dog, Mr. Pickle, and Mr. Egg. Players must strategically navigate through platforms and ladders, dropping burger ingredients from higher levels to complete each burger at the bottom. With its unique gameplay mechanics, challenging levels, and quirky c...

Released by Neversoft and Activision in 1999 and 2000 respectively, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 & 2 brought the thrill of skateboarding to gaming consoles with unparalleled realism and style. Players could perform jaw-dropping tricks and combos, skate through iconic locations, and customize their own skaters and parks. These games not only defined the skateboarding genre but also left an indelible...

Released by Nintendo in 1984 for the NES, Excitebike - a high-speed race against time, where the only thing hotter than the other racer's skills is your bike's overheated engine. Jump ramps, avoid mud pits, and push through grassy terrain in-between. Just try to keep your bike from turning into a stationary bonfire that leaves you running back from the sidelines. If you ever wondered what it's lik...

Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee (1997) and its sequel, Abe's Exoddus (1998), are quirky platformers by Oddworld Inhabitants that blend sinister corporate plots with fart jokes. In these 2d fixed / flip-screen platformer games, Abe, a Mudokon with a knack for trouble, stumbles upon his bosses' evil plan to turn his people into snacks and brews (literally). Armed with nothing but his wits and the ability to...

Dr. Mario is a classic Nintendo puzzle game where you play as a plumber-turned-doctor trying to rid the world of viruses by tossing multicolored capsules into a bottle. It's like Tetris with a medical degree! "Wario's Woods" is a game where Toad gets to play Tetris with a grumpy forest of monsters, courtesy of the ever-greedy Wario. It’s basically a colorful, chaotic scramble to align critters and...

This arcade classic from 1982 by Namco started the Digger genre proper and we haven't dug ourselves out yet. Players control the titular character, Dig Dug, as he tunnels through underground levels filled with enemies. The objective is to eliminate all the monsters by either inflating them until they burst or by crushing them with rocks. Players use Dig Dug's trusty pump to inflate enemies until t...