The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)

Remember the joy of opening a game case and finding a detailed manual inside? Sadly, many modern games have left this cherished tradition behind. But thanks to passionate enthusiasts like our guest Rowan Fox-Noble, gamers can once again experience the tactile pleasure of flipping through a beautifully designed game manual. We discuss the labour of love that goes into recreating these nostalgic tre...

This week, we take a deep dive into the illustrious career of gaming industry veteran, Michael Rubinelli. From his early days as a producer at Electronic Arts to his influential roles at THQ, Midway Games, and Capcom, working on classics like Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, the John Madden series and GTA III.  Wave Game Studios: https://www.wavegamestudios.com/ Please visit our amazing sponsors and help...

This week, we're in conversation with Daniel Crocker from Wave Game Studios, the force behind some remarkable new titles for the Sega Dreamcast. Not only are they breathing new life into legendary games like Postal through porting, but they're also making waves with their innovative titles. Among these is Driving Strikers, a Rocket League-inspired game that marks the first Dreamcast game to suppor...

We chat with Eva Pascoe, co-founder of Cyberia, Britain's first internet cafe. We explore the birth of Cyberia, a 1994 innovation that transformed the digital world. Cyberia wasn't just a tech hub; it was a hotspot for celebrities like David Bowie, Kylie Minogue and Mick Jagger, and it was famed for their Sunday morning post-rave LAN parties and gaming basement.  22 Ideas About The Future: https:/...

On this week's podcast, we chat with Jeremy Blaustein, an American translator and voice director known for his work in localising Japanese media into English. With notable contributions to games like 'Metal Gear Solid', 'Castlevania: Symphony of the Night' and Snatcher. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from the man who brought some of your favorite games to the English-speaking world! Please vi...

Join us in this episode as we chat with David L. Craddock and Richard Moss, the creators of 'First Person Shooter', the ultimate documentary tracing the evolution of FPS games. We'll explore industry secrets, personal favorites, and insights from their interviews with gaming legends.  From the rudimentary wireframe graphics of Maze War and Spasim to the genre-defining classics like Doom and Half L...

This week, we're joined by gaming icon Tod Frye, known for the Atari 2600's Pac-Man and the Swordquest series​. We explore Pac-Man's controversial development story, its effects on Atari, and delve into the innovative, ambitious Swordquest series and the mysterious missing treasures. Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Check out...

On this week's podcast, we journey into the heart of the classic strategy game, Age of Empires 2, with none other than its Lead Designer, Mark Terrano. Not stopping there, Mark also shares his unique insights from his time as the Technical Game Manager for Microsoft during the launch of the original Xbox, shedding light on the early days of Xbox Live.   Please visit our amazing sponsors and help t...

We delve into the fascinating world of Bulletin Board Systems with Al's Geek Lab, the creator of the awesome YouTube series 'Back to the BBS'. We explore how BBSs laid the groundwork for today's Internet, the artistic flair of ANSI art, and the enduring allure of BBS games and mods and why the scene is thriving again today. Back To The BBS Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/2ur5mwcs Please visit our am...

Join us for a deep dive into the iconic 1984 video game "Montezuma's Revenge" with its creator, Rob Jaeger. Delve into the mind of a then 16-year-old game designer and discover the untold stories of this gaming masterpiece, including features that didn't make it to the final cut. Montezuma's Revenge on Steam: https://tinyurl.com/2s3hswhh Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the sh...

We have a long-overdue catch up with Daniel Ibbertson AKA Slope's Game Room, including breaking down the ill-fated Intellivision Amico. Promising to bring back the classic brand, the Amico's repeated delays, leadership changes, and potential cancellation have left it shrouded in uncertainty. DJ Slope, renowned for his comprehensive gaming history content, brings his insight into this saga, discuss...

We chat to the creator of the beloved kid's TV and book series, Arthur. From TV to PC, we'll explore how Marc and the team at Living Books crafted an engaging, fun, and educational experience for kids back in the 90s. If you're a retro gaming enthusiast or an Arthur fan, you won't want to miss this nostalgic journey back to Elwood City's digital domain. Arthur games on Zoom Platform: https://snip....

We sit down with Brian Lowe, a veteran in the gaming industry, known for his work at Strategic Simulations and Midway. We explore his early gaming experiences, his shift from testing to production, and his unique perspective on the evolution of the industry. Lowe shares his experiences on working on legendary titles like Pools of Darkness, Eye of the Beholder 2, and the challenges of porting games...

Born from a chance encounter with a low-priced Sega Dreamcast at video game shop, The Dreamcast Junkyard has grown from a personal blog into a thriving online community.  We chat to Lewis and Mike from the team about the Dreamcast's past, present, and future, exploring why this final console from Sega has left such a lasting impact on the gaming community. The Dreamcast Junkyard: https://www.thedr...

We talk to Oliver Harper, the director of “Here Comes a New Challenger”, a documentary about the legendary Street Fighter 2. Oliver shares his passion for the game, his process of making the documentary, and some of the fascinating stories and insights he uncovered along the way. Here Comes a New Challenger Blu-Ray: https://bit.ly/3VyT4LG Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the s...

Check out the captivating journey of Neill Glancy, from pixel artist to lead designer. We explore his work at DMA Design, Iguana Entertainment, and more, touching on classics like Walker, the ill-fated Walker 2 and the troubled development of the first South Park games.  Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ We need your help to e...

We chat with Stephen Jones, the founder of Checkmate Digital, a company that makes Amiga-inspired desktop computer cases. Stephen shares his journey from developing Amiga products in the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as the Checkmate A1500 and the Siamese System, to his return to the scene with new products and his love for the Amiga community. Checkmate: https://www.checkmate1500plus.com/ Plea...

In this episode, we chat with former Microsoft engineer-turned YouTuber, Dave Plummer, who played a crucial role in developing iconic software like the Windows Task Manager, 3D Pinball Space Cadet, and the peculiar story of how he sneaked Microsoft BOB into every copy of Windows XP! Dave's Garage: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavesGarage/videos Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support th...

We chat to the developer of the amazing new Dreamcast dungeon crawler Harlequest, to find out what goes into developing new titles on Sega’s legendary console in 2023. Harlequest Kickstarter: https://bit.ly/3MoqTg0 Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us...

We get the inside story on the development of legendary sci-fi strategy game Homeworld. Co-creator Rob Cunningham shares some memories from the early days, and a sneak preview of the upcoming Homeworld 3. Homeworld 3: https://bit.ly/433Ij7F   Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your...

We chat with Vic Pflug from indie game group Wormwood Studios who create retro-style games, inspired by classics like Eye of the Beholder & Lands of Lore. Hibernaculum Kickstarter: https://bit.ly/4088tUT   Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Jeremy Graham,...

We're joined by the wonderful Rolf Mohr to chat about his incredible career, starting at Core Design on games like Universe and Curse of Enchantia, working on the infamous abadoned Superman Lives movie, and classics like the Ratchet & Clank series.   Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com...

This week, we have a long-overdue catch-up with Neil from RMC and fellow cave-dwellers Alex and Richard. We'll be talking about their wonderful museum, restoring arcades and classic systems, and keeping retro gaming alive for a new generation. To book a visit and see events: https://retrocollective.co.uk Neil: https://youtube.com/rmcretro Alex: https://youtube.com/@TheArcadeArchive Richard / Heber...

A true legend on the show this week, we chat with Mickey Mantle who oversaw titles like Myst, Kid Pix and the Living Books franchise at Brøderbund, and played an integral role in the early days of Pixar alongside Steve Jobs and Ed Catmull. Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PC...

Join us for a chat with Andrew Greenberg, veteran game designer at Holistic Design, where he worked on classics like Emperor of the Fading Suns, Dracula Unleashed, and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Emperor of the Fading Suns: Enhanced Edition: https://bit.ly/3EA82db Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ We need your help to ensure...