The Retro Wildlands - A Gaming Podcast

Whether it's movies, books or video games, there are just some things that people say we have to experience. I was told Castlevania - Symphony of the Night was one of those games. Not only did it help define Metroidvania games as we know them today, this game contains some of the best graphics the Playstation has to offer as well as one of the best gameplay experiences. Does it still hold up today...

To celebrate The Retro Wildlands turning 1 year old, I thought it would be fun to put together a Question and Answer episode where members of the community asked me questions about whatever they wanted! In the show today, I'll answer questions around gaming, the podcast and podcasting in general, my canine companions and a few other topics! Join us by the campfire today as I give you more than the...

The original Nintendo was a system that was known for games that brought unique ideas to the table. Of all the games in the NES library, Blaster Master decided to bring much more to players. Multiple gameplay styles, a wide open world to explore at your leisure and a challenging difficulty that kept players on their toes as they made their way deeper underground to rescue... a frog? Does Blaster M...

When we start any kind of journey, we always start from the beginning, right? The first part of any journey is always the most memorable, especially of it has the perfect music to accompany it! A good game soundtrack drives the player forward and empowers them and maybe gets them to nod their heads a little in the process... Join me by the camp fire today as I regale you with some of my favorite v...

We all love a good shoot 'em up, right? It's a ton of fun when we dodge incoming fire and lay waste to our enemies. But you know what could make the experience even more fun? Being rewarded cash for every kill, which we can use to buy new aircraft and new weapons! That's mercenary work right there and in U.N. Squadron, there's plenty of work to go around! But don't think it's going to be easy... J...

It's easy to look at our favorite gaming heroes and villains, but you know what I think we take for granted? The rank and file enemies that stand between us and the end of our games! Standard video game enemies really add to the overall experience by toughening us up, teaching us the game’s mechanics, and by giving the hero’s journey some meaning.  Struggle and adversity are what mold us into the...

With so many video games out there, it's very easy to miss some of the good ones.  They may fly under the radar and be overshadowed by something else. But on today's episode, I'm checking out a game I wish I knew about when I was a kid, but I'm so glad I found it as an adult.  Today, I'm talking about Gun. Smoke for the Nintendo Entertainment System! Not only do I consider this game a hidden gem,...

We all have games we love and appreciate on the outside, but often times it's what's under the hood that really makes a game great. Game mechanics can be defined as gameplay features, rules players are bound to or actions players can take that tie into the gameplay experience. These mechanics can something simple like jumping on top of so many enemies for an extra life, the Listen Mode in the Last...

While DKC has been hailed as one of the best Super Nintendo games and arguably one of the best video games of all time... I never had an interest in this one. I passed it up as a kid and never found myself playing it. But now that I'm an adult and going back to games I missed out on, what are my thoughts on Donkey Kong Country? Spoiler Alert: I should have played it sooner. Join me by the campfire...

We all have them, right? Games that aren't all that great that we can't help but love and play anyway. Maybe it's a game that has a terrible story but the gameplay makes up for it. Or maybe it's a game the community largely agrees is no good, but you can't help but call it out as one of your favorites. Join me by the campfire as I regale you all with my personal Top 10 list of Guilty Pleasure vide...

So when I told people I was going back to my roots to play the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the NES, I was told I was crazy.  I was told I was out of my mind.  That it's not worth the frustration.  But I didn't listen.  So after 30 years, is TMNT for the NES as hard and as frustrating as we all remember?  Or is there something special hidden deep beneath the electric seaweed filled waters? Join...

Video Game boss themes are some of the best tunes. They can be a battle cry to push us forward, or a musical tribute to all we've done up to that point.  They can amp us up, dial us in and even make us tap our feet.  What are my favorite boss themes out there? Well, since no one asked, I'm going to tell you. Gather around the campfire, friends! This week we're taking a look and listen to my Top 10...

While Parasite Eve 2 is probably one of my favorite video games growing up, playing through this game again as an adult gave me mixed feelings.  On one hand, I can't help but love this game and I can't deny how fun it is to play, even today.  But on the other hand, some 20 years later, this game has some shortfalls I just can't ignore. What are my thoughts and experiences after replaying Parasite...

Big money! Big prizes! What better incentive is there to taking part in the most watched game show around!?  On Smash TV, staying alive that's what! Our Retro Wildlands expedition is taking a journey to a dystopian 1999, where the concept of the game show reigns supreme.  While the games may be vicious and violent, all glory goes to the winner! Join me as I share with you my experiences as a conte...

If you grew up in the 80's and 90's, there's a good chance you've either played or heard of GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo 64.  Personally, I missed out.  I never had an N64 and I never really played GoldenEye growing up.  Now that it's available on Xbox Gamepass and Nintendo Online, it was finally time to sit down and figure out why so many people love this game so much.  And I have to say... I t...

In honor of the release of GoldenEye 007 on Xbox Gamepass and Nintendo Online, I wanted to rank my favorite weapons and gadgets!  Join me by the campfire as I talk about my Top 10 must have pieces of spy equipment and weaponry.  While James Bond can get himself out of most situations using his charisma alone, nothing beats having the right tool for the job.  Especially when it comes with a silence...

There's no shortage of Simpsons games out there and there's a good deal of them that aren't all that great.  But there's a couple of them that stand tall amongst the rest.  A few that stood the test of time.  Is Road Rage one of those games?  Join me this week as I ponder that question by the campfire, friends.  And I won't be pondering alone! My step-daughter makes her return to the Retro Wildlan...

Super Smash Bros. is a franchise that has grown into a behemoth of an experience that shows no signs of stopping.  While it began on the Nintendo 64, the foundation was built on the Nintendo GameCube! Join me by the campfire today as I share with you my stories and experiences with a game that I had to complete, even if I had to do it alone!  Get ready, wildlanders!  It's time, to smash! Intro - 0...

When I played the original Castlevania for the NES, I was blown away.  How could this game possibly be any better?  Enter Castlevania 3.  It improved on its predecessor in just about every way.  Branching pathways? Check.  Companion system?  Check.  Multiple endings? Checkmate. Join me by the campfire today my friends as I share with you my thoughts and experiences with this gem of a retro game an...

Batman for the NES is probably one of the best platforming games on the whole console and one of the best Batman games, period. The music slaps, the gameplay is solid and the challenge is tough (in a good way!) Come join me by the campfire this week as I share my story and experience with this game.  It's another example of how a simple, yet solid premise and gameplay experience can still hold up...

Isn't it always the pretty ones that hurt us so?  When you think of the Lion King video game, you might be thinking of a kids game.  Something happy go-lucky, something relaxing.  Well if this is you, you're dead wrong.   The Lion King is a tough, but beautiful platformer that has a horrifically dark secret...   Join me by the campfire as I share with you my thoughts and experiences with this game...

It's bad enough to be trapped in Raccoon City when it's been overrun by horrific creatures and the undead. It's another thing to have one of those creatures relentlessly hunting YOU... Join us by the campfire today as I regale you with my story and experiences with Resident Evil 3, the last RE game on the original Playstation and the title that started to nudge the series towards a bit more action...

The dusty badlands of the Wild West are crawling with more then just snakes, scorpions and prairie dogs. There's lowdown cheatin' vermin like the bandito Poco Loco, the bankrupt banker Simon Greedwell and the dapper English Diablo Sir Richard Rose.   Each of these low lives have a hefty price on their heads. It'll take a brave bounty hunter to ride out and bring peace to the valley. Are you that b...

Released 10 years after Final Fantasy 7 on the Sony PSP, Crisis Core serves as the prequel to one of the most popular RPGs of all time.   We play as Zack Fair, a SOLDIER 2nd Class who dreams to one day become a hero. In order to do so, he'll have to learn what it means to embrace his dreams and protect his honor.   Join me by the campfire today as I share with you my thoughts and experiences with...

Max Payne. Originally released on Windows PC before being ported to the Playstation 2 and Xbox several months later, Max Payne is a game that is guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face.   We play as Max Payne, an NYPD detective who takes the law into his own hands after the brutal murder of his wife and infant child. While best known for it's Bullet Time mechanic allowing players to slow down t...