Retrovaniacs

We revisit the shoot-em-up genre with a patron-requested episode all about Steel Empires for the Sega Genesis!  Is this just another bullet-hell shmup for die-hards, or is this a shoot-em-up that has a little more to offer for everyone? We let you know our thoughts. Also discussed, Jeremy P gets into his most recent attempt at playing Metal Gear Solid 4, we talk about chicken sandwiches, difficult...

As requested by "Joe" on our Patreon, we're talking about SNK's action RPG, Crystalis, for the NES! This game combines RPG elements with a very Zelda-like gameplay, but does it work? And how well does it play now? We share our thoughts. Also discussed, games within games, games that just don't work for us, and Jeremy P finally doesn't really talk about Monster Hunter Rise- at least not too much. W...

This time we're taking a look at the virtual pet experience, Seaman for the Sega Dreamcast.  One of the few games that used the Dreamcast microphone, you would raise Seaman from an egg, teach him some words, and then he'd ask you about your poor life decisions.  Seaman is definitely a unique game, and we're here to talk about what exactly you do in it. Want to jump right to the game?  Start at the...

We say we cover games from the start of home consoles on, but we haven't really done anything pre-NES... until now!  We're taking a look at 4 games from the Atari VCS library to talk about why these games may or may not be worth trying-- and in some cases we finally figure out what they were trying to do for the first time since playing them as kids. We also take a bunch of listener questions abou...

Since it's been requested several times over the years, because we haven't done many racing games, and because it's featured in the recent Blizzard Arcade Collection-- we're strapping into our space age race cars and taking a look at the SNES version of Rock N' Roll Racing!  (Please note : No music from this game is featured in this episode due to copyright concerns... but we tried to be creative)...

Grab your favorite pair of rollerblades and a bag of spray paint-- because we're talking about Jet Grind Radio (Jet Set Radio everywhere else but the North American Dreamcast release)! It's a game about gangs who fight via graffiti while skating around the city, and avoiding some aggressive law enforcement. There's not a whole lot out there like this- is that a bad sign? Also discussed: possible c...

As February nears an end, we have another Patron recommendation - Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain for the Playstation! The first game in a series that seems to have been put on the backburner, this game introduced us to the world of Nosgoth, and the origin of the vampire Kain.  How does this 2d action adventure game hold up today?  Listen for our thoughts. Also discussed, the new iteration of Ghosts 'N...

February is full of picks sent to us by our Patrons -- all picks have come from The List which is exclusive to our Patreon page, and the one we're kicking off with was requested by "2600", and we are strapping on our favorite sandals and taking a look at Battle of Olympus for the NES! Also discussed, some of the recent Apple Arcade offerings, first stage soundtracks, and the embarrassment of publi...

We don't cover computer games on Retrovaniacs, however we do cover computer ports.  So, we used the SNES port of Lemmings to discuss the series as a whole, and focus on why this game may or may not work on a console. Also discussed- the shortest what we've been playing in about 5 years, cartoons and toys we liked as kids, Metroidvania suggestions, and a question about Great Tiger? Want to skip rig...

For our first show of 2021, we take a look at the first game in the Spyro series. This colorful Playstation platformer looks a lot like it's made for kids, but is there enough here to keep anyone's interest? We also kick of the new year answering some questions about our hopes and dreams for 2021, licensed games, and creating a game based on our own lives. Want to get right to saving dragons and c...

For our last regular episode of 2020, we take a look at an early Hideo Kojima game that most of us in the US have no way to play - Snatcher, which was only released outside of Japan on the Sega CD format.  Kojima's post-Metal Gear game is not an action stealth game like his most famous series, but instead is a sci-fi story driven interactive storybook that would appeal to fans of Blade Runner.   A...

This episode we take on an NES game that has a rabid fanbase, and none of us had played it before to see why.  Recommended by Patron "John B", Clash at Demonhead is what we played, and we'll tell you all about it. We also take on a batch of listener questions about our recent Mega Man 5 show, fighting games, newer retro-style games, and if there were any major series we hadn't tried. Want to skip...

It's a crossover episode with the 20XX podcast!  We're taking a look at a late-NES era game in the Mega Man series, Mega Man 5!  At this point, we had 4 other Mega Man games on the NES and we were all well into the 16-bit consoles, so many of us had probably overlooked this game in Mega Man's library. We are joined with an interview with Kyle Von Kubik (aka ObeyKube) about the 20XX podcast which p...

We took this Halloween as a good reason to return to the cursed hamlet of Silent Hill, as we joined James Sunderland as he makes his way to find his dead wife in Silent Hill 2.   We loved the first game last Halloween - is this a worthy sequel? We also answer the spookiest listener questions about The Amico, import game collecting, and Super Mario 35! Want to get right into Silent Hill 2?  Start a...

For our first episode this Halloween in 2020, we are taking on a Patron request to cover the Playstation horror game Clock Tower.  While this is not the first game in the series, it's the first that was released outside Japan, and for most of us was our introduction to the series.  Will we figure out who Scissorman is, and how to stop him?  Also, should you bother doing so as well?  Listen to find...

It's another Patron requested episode, and we've been asked to cover the 1994 Genesis half-puzzle, half-platformer Beavis and Butt-head for the Sega Genesis.  Does one of the only games starring GWAR rule, or suck?  We played it and let you know our thoughts. Also covered, games we think are overrated or often overlooked, general adventure game trends, and we unsurprisingly got a few questions sen...

We're taking on another patron request, this one a Sega CD graphic adventure game- The Adventures of Willy Beamish! Join us as we help Willy scratch his Nintari itch and save the town from the evils of Tootsweet, or at least we tried to. Also included, we talk a little about FFXIV again, take some complaints regarding our inability to pronounce words, and we introduce a character to the Retrovania...

In honor of the upcoming remake, we're taking a look at the original Tony Hawk Pro Skater and the first sequel, both on the Sony Playstation!  Does this game still SHRED, will we get this episode pulled for copyright concens, and does Jeremy P know anything at all about skateboarding (nope)? We played them both to let you know! Also discussed, Jeremy G pisses off some bards, Billy talks about his...

We've been busy exploring ancient ruins and caves to bring you our newest show all about the original Tomb Raider for the Sony Playstation.  Everyone knows Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider series, as there are still new games in the series being made today -- but does her original adventure still hold up?  We dug out this relic to find out! Also discussed, Fall Guys, gaming Rites of Passage from our...

It's another Patron-requested game- we're taking a look at the SNES version of Gemfire (which was also released on the NES, Genesis, and PC).  This Koei strategy game came with a 50+ page manual, and doesn't explain itself very well in-game, but once we took the time to figure it out, did we decide it was a strategy classic?  Listen to see what we thought.   Also discussed, dream fighting games, p...

We take on another Patreon requested game, the second G.I. Joe game on the NES, The Atlantis Factor by Capcom!  Capcom made some solid licensed games in the NES era (Disney aftenoon, anyone?), but did they do well with G.I. Joe or is this another garbage use of what could be a good license? Also discussed, vacation gaming memories, a frosty debate, and a question about the best little handheld tha...

This episode we take a look at an early SNES blend of action and strategy - Actraiser! Is this a game that successfully blends two gameplay styles into something great, or is this another example of two great tastes that should be eaten separately? Also discussed: what arcade games we would buy if we could only buy one, licensed titles that missed the mark, and we got more food questions, so we ge...

Finally, Stallone fans celebrate!  Courtesy of patron "Metal Dooley", we're taking a look at Judge Dredd, the 1995 SNES / Genesis game tie-in to the 1995 movie based on the comic book you probably aren't super familiar with!  We weren't familiar with this one, so we all went in blind to see how this 16-bit licensed property game turned out. Also discussed, our thoughts on the Harv's Island June ev...

I can't believe this is Retro?  But -- it's 15 years old now so we'll go ahead and take a look at Double Fine's first console game, Psychonauts for the XBox! Join us and Raz as he attends Whispering Pines Psychic Summer Camp, and maybe solve a brain-snatching mystery.   We also answer some listener mail and discuss questionable methods of playing retro games, game genres we don't like, and the man...

As requested by Menthion on our Patreon, we are taking a look at classic Square action RPG Secret of Mana! Loads of people swear by Secret of Mana as a guaranteed classic (in fact it's on the SNES Classic), but does it hold up now? We also answer several listener questions, Billy makes a startling revelation regarding his thoughts on Pac-Man, and we have an impromptu review of Ultra Offroad Simula...