Retrovaniacs

No new show this week, due to some scheduling conflicts (and that we're talking about 4+ games for our next show), we've had to push off the Double Dragon show to next Tuesday.  However, we did want to take time to personally thank everyone for listening as we hit our 300 subscriber mark on YouTube!   See you in a week for Double Dragon 1-4, and thank you for listening and watching over the last t...

Join the Retrovaniacs this week as we visit the world of video pinball the first time, with Sonic Spinball for the Sega Genesis.    Also discussed is a listener question about what started us all in gaming, which isn't as depressing an answer as you'd believe.   Next week : It's the return of Bimmy and Jimmy-- in 2017?

We take our first look at the NeoGeo system, with a series of games that will definitely challenge your run-and-gun shooter skillls, Metal Slug 1-6 (via the Metal Slug Anthology).  Before we dig into what Billy has aptly described as "cartoon Contra", we reflect on the NeoGeo itself, and why none of us have ever owned one. We also answer a listener question : What same-room multiplayer games would...

This week we review a game based on one of the best action movies of all time, Predator for the NES.  Will this game be nearly as good as the movie it's based on? Also we look back at 2016, listing our favorite games and biggest disappointments, and try not to just cry about the Wii U. Next up : We look at a run-and-gun shooter on the NEO GEO...

It's a very Retrovaniacs Christmas, with a loosely holiday themed game -- Batman Returns for mainly the SNES and Sega Genesis!  Watch the movie, it happens around Christmas.  Also there is a level with Christmas presents in the background. Look, we're clearly stretching here to tie this one to the holidays, but we do have a Christmas present related listener question, which brings us back to the C...

Doing something a little different this week -- before Retrovaniacs the podcast, there was just Retrovania.net, a site where we posted video reviews and gaming articles.  One of those reviews was on Tomba! for the Sony Playstation.   This review received the most criticism from folks who didn't agree with Jeremy Gregory -- including Jeremy Parmentier.    One Jeremy loves it, one Jeremy hates it, a...

We take on yet another listener request, Golgo 13 : Top Secret Mission for the Nintendo Entertainment System.   A game that combines adventure sections with several other gameplay styles, that spans the globe is certainly an ambitious game to design -- but is it any fun? We also discuss classic games we love that we can also see why if we had never played them beforet today may not be as highly re...

Billy returns to Retrovanicas this week!  Just in time for the release of the NES Classic, we're taking a lengthy look at Kid Icarus, a classic that is also a featured game on the Classic!   We dig deep into this game which Jeremy P has declared is "his favorite NES game of all time"-- and both Billy and Jeremy hadn't played it before, so this one could cause some fist fights. We also kick the sho...

We may be short one Billy Holiday this week, but don't be scared -- he will be back next episode!  This week, however, the Jeremys take you on a journey spanning 4 years and 3 consoles to discuss Super Castlevania 4 (SNES), Castlevania Bloodlines (Genesis), Dracula X (SNES), and the japanese only Castlevania : Rondo of Blood (PC Engine CD)! Next week, we return to our usual format and take on Kid...

We kick off October's Halloween Retroween right, with an episode about one of the strangest games on the NES, Monster Party!  We know we said we were doing Kid Icarus, but that's not going to happen until November now -- we've got to get in the Halloween spirit! Also, Jeremy P really thinks he's getting a PS4, so he has some questions regarding the newly released Slim and the soon-to-be-released P...

Another listener request this time, we're looking at Air Zonk for the Turbografx-16, a branch of the Bonk family of games that takes the franchise from side-scrolling action game to shooter.  Could this finally be a TG-16 game that Billy and Jeremy don't hate? Also discussed, notable game save losses that brought the three of us back from a gaming high to yet another depressing low. Next week : Je...

Robocop fights Terminators. We shouldn't have to say any more to sell you on this, but that would be a 5 second podcast, so instead we say a lot more about the game including: a comparison between this and the Super Nintendo version of this game, a discussion of time travel mechanics, and thankfully completely ignore the Terminator movies after T2. We also tackle a listener question regarding what...

Join the Retrovaniacs as we take on our first RPG - Super Mario RPG: Secret of the Seven Stars!   An interesting effort by Square and Nintendo from 1996, but does it hold up today?  Does anyone fondly remember Mallow?  Why isn't Geno more popular?  This and many other questions will arise as we take on the longest game we've looked at to date! Also discussed, game controllers we loved or always wa...

This week we take on our 2nd listener request for the podcast, Kendo Rage for the SNES!   Listen as we fumble our way through a 2d action/platformer with interesting bosses, and ... well, maybe that's the high note.   Lots of little audio problems were dealt with to record this episode, so as bad as parts of it may sound, it was WAY worse before Jeremy P spent an evening or two working on it. Also...

Brush up on your Truffle Shuffle and make sure to have a Baby Ruth on hand, because this week we're delving into one of Jeremy P's favorite games, Goonies 2 on the NES. We also discuss the upcoming NES Mini, which is probably going to be way bigger than the Wii U and NX, despite being based on technology from 30+ years ago! Next week, we tackle another listener request, a game we know nothing abou...

After a week of delay, Retrovaniacs returns for some Tail Time with the original Gex for the Sony Playstation! Also, a listener calls us out for what appears to be some contradicting thoughts on video game endings, and Billy teases us with a dark secret he will share next episode. Next episode, grab your Yo-yo and Spring Shoes, we'll be playing Goonies 2 on the NES!

The Retrovaniacs take their first listener request, an action adventure game none of us had heard of before, Young Merlin on the Super Nintendo!  Join us as we delve into Merlin's sordid past, and ride more than our fair share of minecarts on the way. Do you have a request for Retrovaniacs?  Let us know on Twitter, @retrovaniacs or via our Facebook page or a well aimed carrier pigeon. Next episode...

We kick off year 2 of Retrovaniacs with a bang- or at least a good deal of punches and kicks.  This time we look back at Fighting Force for the Sony Playstation, a 3d take on 2d classics of the past like Double Dragon or Streets of Rage.  Does it make the transition to 3d smoothly?  Listen and find out what we think! We also take our first listener request for next week's game, and answer a listen...

It's our 25th episode, 1-year anniversary supershow!  How do we celebrate?  Why, by reviewing an old video game! This week we look back at Banjo-Kazooie, a 3d platformer from the Nintendo 64, one of Jeremy's recommendations, and a probably the most current game we've reviewed, and that still puts it out almost 20 years ago!  Does it still hold up today? Also we pull back the curtain on ourselves,...

We play the lesser known sequel to the classic Zombies Ate My Neighbors this week, Ghoul Patrol for the Super Nintendo.  Does it compare to it's younger and more famous brother, or is this the Jermaine Jackson to Zombie's Michael Jackson?  Find out what we think! Also discussed, best and worst classic gaming endings, and Billy has a reveal that will shake the foundations of Retrovaniacs to it's ve...

Get prepared to fall from the atmosphere on purpose in this early Playstation entry, Jumping Flash!   Will this boxy 3d game age as poorly as other games of the era?  Listen to find out what we thought! We also look back at the Playstation launch and other system launches over the years, and have a Dreamcast support group meeting. Next week : Ghoul Patrol (SNES)

After a week break due to illness and Easter, we return with a new show focused on a non-LJN Xmen game!   We also discuss our time with Miitomo, and talk way, way too much about Tiger Handhelds again. Next episode will be Jumping Flash for the Sony Playstation!

Jeremy P's pick this week is a blend of top down space shooter, Zelda-style exploration and RPG, and more than a little puzzling to the rest of the Retrovaniacs team.   We also discuss favorite rentals / purchases that we knew nothing about ahead of time that ended up being long-time favorites. Next week : SNIKT!  It's X-Men for the Sega Genesis!

Our first fighting game, and in one of us shares his revelation that he's just not good at 2D fighting games. We also answer a solid listener question, regarding our dirty little gaming secret that could ruin our reputations as retro game enthusiasts! Next week-- fire up the jets, it's The Guardian Legend for the NES.

A retro review of a game that was retro even when it was new - this week we plugged in our Playstations to talk about the claytastic platformer, Skullmonkeys! We also discuss the concept of remakes and re-imaginings, and Billy admits he likes a game we were pretty sure nobody liked. Next week, get your fighting gloves on, it's Eternal Champions for the Genesis / Sega CD!