The Pocket Arcade and Retro Podcast

The Ghost Bros say goodbye, for now! In this episode they break all the rules and go well over 30minutes, as well as not publish the episode for well over a month (this was recorded back in November!). Yes unfortunately the Bros have decided to hang up the lance and their strawberry patterned undies, and call it a day for the foreseeable future. Is it goodbye forever, or just a brief holiday?

In this episode of PARP, Neil and Marc spend a fair chunk of time going through the Edge magazine's top 100 games as part of their 30th anniversary edition. Get the pitchforks ready because you can bet your favourite games are missing or criminally placed high in the list!

Neil is still in a funk but still managed some Depth Charge and some tabletop RPGs. Marc has some arrivals in the arcade which prompts a full teardown and clean of the game room. Then there's just a few minutes left to talk about a couple of classic moments from the Ghost Bros past.

A new PARP for your pants! Neil has been busy with socialising and Halloween events, and hasn't been feeling the pull for games lately. However, Elevator Action is on the horizon... Marc catches South by South West Sydney (sort of), and then repairs a Mortal Kombat 2 rebooting issue. All this plus Ultimate Denizen coming on November 18th at Netherworld!

Neil and Marc are back after a week off! Marc has some parps big and small, but mostly really big. Neil reports back from PAX after a huge weekend of board games, retro and classic games, and a visit to Arcade Garage!

Neil's been charging more depths, playing a little more pinball, and looking forward to PAX next week. Marc's been catching up on some reading of retro magazines and books while on holiday, as well as some Nintendo Switch gaming. As well as that, Marc finally receives his New Wave Toys Replicades of Ghosts n Goblins and Ghouls n Ghosts. Then the guys chat about some more feedback from J.M, includi...

Neil's been doing more work in the new Boneyard Arcade, prepping for PAX, as well as Moon Patrol and... Pinball? Marc thought he might have a permanent injury from Gun. Smoke, and is looking forward to South By South West which is happening in Sydney soon. The guys then tackle a bit of a tricky topic: how much do graphics really add to a game, and would they be better without the veneer? All in th...

It's an extended PARP this week as Neil and Marc delve into Battle of the Arcades 2023! The stories, the legends, the blood sweat and tears. There's stats, surveys and feedback, and a rundown on where each arcade placed and who took out top 3 spots in each game. There's also a brief discussion of the new Game the System Ranking Points Leaderboard system which launched last week!

A busy week means a delayed PARP! Neil's signing in from The Boneyard Arcade and has been playing some Puzzle Bobble. Marc's been setting up and playing in the annual Karn-Off, and prepping for the launch of GTSRPL this coming Thursday. All this plus reports from the fighting comp at 1up Arcade, Game the System GoTM, and Battle of the Arcades this coming weekend!

In this episode of PARP, Neil starts arranging games in the new gameroom, and plays some more Depthcharge. Marc talks about a bunch of exciting things coming up: Karn-Off 2023 and the race that stops the nation, and the impending reveal of GTS RPL and a new way to measure skill in gaming. Then some brief talk about Battle of the Arcades 2023 and the fun that will soon ensue!

The male bag delivers a meaty package this episode. Everyone knows the  gobby bros love a good phallus, and so they go deep on the concept of the Sunk Cost Fallacy. What does that mean in terms of gaming, and more specifically, how Neil and Marc see that impacting, or not impacting, their strategies and gameplay.

In this episode of PARP, Neil catches a whole bunch of EVO and provides his thoughts on Mortal Kombat 11, Melty Blood, King of Fighters, and Street Fighter 6. While Marc picks up some super rare games like Great Giana Sisters and Avenger on the C64, and watches the big one get away with one extremely rare game lost to the sands of time (lost in the post)...

Hot off the presses world records, competition results, as well as the usual stuff that Neil and Marc have been up to. The guys also talk about their pile of shame - games that are gathering dust and not getting the love they deserve. All in this pocket sized episode!

The big BPAC wrap-up episode! Neil and Marc are still recovering from nearly two weeks of drinking, talking, and playing games, but they are back to finish up the winners and grinners of the competitions, as well as their own personal highlights of this enormous event. The post BPAC blues are real, so time to start counting down the days to BPAC 2024!

The Ghost Bros, in person! At least, for them... Neil and Marc catch up face to face to record episode 36 from the floor of the mighty BPAC! The guys discuss the first few days of competitions and catchups, and then are unexpectedly joined by a few walk ins: Geoff Sutter of the Pressing the Points Podcast, and Dennis Edmunds of the Play It Up Podcast. Don't you just love it when you randomly fall...

A massive arcade episode! Neil and Marc discuss their top 5 arcade games of all time, and then talk about the recently revealed list of games for the Australian Arcade Championships 2023. All 25 of them!

Neil plays a bit more DK and has some revelations in Spectar. Marc gets nowhere in setting up the Betsu / OSSC arcade capture and has a rare piece of Nintendo arcade history arrive. Then the guys chat about a bunch of tournaments and results, and the announcement of Karl Jobst coming to BPAC 2023!

Neil almost squeaks out a new record score for Donkey Kong at Netherworld, Marc messes about with a Betsu, OSSC and an Elgato (whatever that means), and the final wrap on the 'in the spirit of the game' topic. Keep it in your pants!

This week Neil and Marc dig into the idea of "not in the spirit of the game". What does that mean, and is it even a valid stance to take in the context of high level play? They'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject too so email pocketarcadepodcast@gmail.com !

Getting drunk, losing teeth, getting PBs, and anticipation for BPAC. Just another week for the Ghost Bros!

Neil and Marc get deep and personal on the mindset of competitive gaming. There's also an old man's birthday, Gun. Smoke and Swimmer, and the launch of Street Fighter 6 and the Mortal Kombat 1 announcement, with a dash of fighting game feels!

Neil and Marc took a week off but they are back! In this episode of PARP, Neil and Marc discuss something that may change gaming, and retro gaming, forever: AI! Insert dramatic music here.

Finally, Neil and Marc have done bugger all, so they get to touch the male bag! It's been a while, so this episode explodes all over your ears with discussion on a readers question: what cool retrogaming stuff do Neil and Marc listen to / watch on the interwebs?

There's a Mario movie? Why yes! A Mario movie. Neil has watched the new Super Mario Bros movie and has opinions. Controversial, brutal opinions. Or maybe that's just click bait... Either way, Mario!

Neil finishes up Nerd Week(tm) with Mass Effect, Rogue Legacy, and a bunch of retro goodness (he still doesn't have any cabs working (cough)). Marc finally visits The Fortress with some unexpected findings, and continues with Pang. All this, and a new world record dadbod! What more could you ask for!