Retro Game Squad Podcast

Joined by Chris Alaimo of Classic Gaming Quarterly, we set out to play some games that command a hefty sum in the current gaming market. Covering coveted games such as Little Samson, Magical Chase, and Snatcher, we endeavour to find out if these games are worth their high price tag and what makes them so alluring. We also discuss our thoughts on gaming versus game collecting, and Chris caps off the show with some fan service in the form of a hilarious trivia game.

Taking the show on the road, the squad kicks the tires on some handheld games. Featuring portable games such as Kirby's Dream Land, Donkey Kong, and SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium, we're poised at the ready with batteries in hand. We also turn our attention to the Neo-Geo Pocket Color, as we cover the basics of this nifty underdog system. And lastly, we have our final community pick of the show in the form of The Firemen on the Super NES. Keeping the fun in our pockets, it's Retro Game Squad, baby!!!

Celebrating NEC and Hudson's higher energy video game system with a massive episode, guest host Retro Nick educates us on all things TurbroGrafx-16 with a side of filthy humour. Covering games such as Legendary Axe, Blazing Lazers, and Air Zonk, we take an in-depth look at the "other system" in the 16-bit wars by covering its story; from inception to demise, and everything in between. Join us for an episode full of facts, fun, and fecal references (yes, you read that right).

Running through the battlefield with our fingers on the trigger, we blast our way through some intense Run 'n Gun games. With games such as Gunstar Heroes, Atomic Runner, and Shock Troopers, there's no shortage of heart-pumping action as Jeff describes his unsettling method of removing grenade pins. Blast away, and go, go, go, it's Retro Game Squad, baby!!!

We kick off 2016 by looking at games played in an Isometric perspective. Getting an angle on games such as R.C. Pro-Am II, Sonic 3D Blast, and Project Overkill, the crew contemplates on how this perspective can affect gameplay. We also do a year-in-review, going over our last 12 episodes and crown a Retro Game of 2015, all while Jeff tries to convince us that a spaceship looks like a hunk of cheese.

For our final podcast of 2015, the RGS crew takes a look at some games that try to improve upon their predecessors with games such as Super C, Samurai Shodown II, and Jet Moto 2, and capping it off with the excellent Klonoa: Door to Phantomile as our last community pick of the year. Also, Jeff warns us to watch out for the Krampus.

Getting in the groove, the squad explores games centered on music or musicians. Included in this medley are titles such as Michael Jackson's Moonwalker, Tempo, and Parappa The Rapper. Greg also discovers a guitar legend, and the squad unanimously votes against collect-a-thons.

With Halloween upon us, we set out into the world of vampires, ghosts, and gruesome demons on our quest to play some frightful horror games. Included are grisly games such as Ghouls 'N Ghosts, Splatterhouse, & Clock tower, and Alex scares his N64 to near-death.

In celebration of our third anniversary, we dedicate ourselves to Sega's red and black wonder, the Master System. Covering games such as Alex Kidd, Space Harrier, & Wonder Boy III, we also delve into the system's history & capabilities, analyze why it was a success in some markets but not in others, and try to figure out where the heck the pause button is.

Forced to sit uncomfortably close to each other, the squad sets out to experience the joys of multiplayer gaming. Covered are games such as Gauntlet II, Saturn Bomberman, and Mario Party 3. We also talk about our favourite memories of couch co-op gaming, the crew gets inspired to do some cow launching thanks to a famous earthworm.

Skipping our usual theme for this episode, the crew instead indulges themselves by picking whatever games they want, enabling Jon to torment Alex with his selections. Among our choices are Skitchin', Claymates, and Donkey Kong Country, and we unanimously agree that punching bullets in Shatterhand is one of the coolest things we've seen in a while.

It's time to give the ladies their fair recognition as we play some games starring some kick-ass women. With the likes of Metroid II, Mischief Makers, Tomb Raider, and Shantae, these ladies deliver some quality titles. We also play another round of video game trivia, and the entire squad unanimously agrees that Risky Boots is one of the coolest names in gaming.

Inspired by the ritual of Saturday morning cartoons, the crew brings back memories of their childhoods by playing video games based on television cartoons. In the lineup are Biker Mice from Mars, Scooby-Doo, the Rescue Rangers, and more. Jeff also makes it known that soggy cereal is a crime against humanity, and we find another contemptible game to shun.

It's time once again to charge ahead with blazing lasers as we take another shot at some great 16 and 32-bit shoot-'em-ups, featuring Steel Empire, Lords of Thunder, Radiant Silvergun, and more. We also discover that Jeff has a bizarre fear and fascination with blimps & zeppelins, and who in our crew prefers their action to be horizontal or vertical.  

Going from cabinets to consoles, the squad takes a look at arcade games ported to home systems, the crew and some of our listeners reminisce about our favourite memories involving arcades, and Greg & Alex explain their irrational obsession with & conquests in NBA Hangtime.

Taking a look at what could have been, the crew tries out some games that were cancelled before they got an official release, Alex stumps Jeff & Jon in another round of "Name That Tune", and we discover that StarFox's Andross is really Dr. Zaius in disguise.

It's time for us to charge up our mega-buster and take a look at the iconic Mega Man series, look back at our favourite topics we covered last year, decide upon & announce our retro game of 2014, and the RGS crew proves why it's never safe to name anyone or anything after a certain planet when juvenile minds are involved.

The RGS crew spreads some holiday cheer by looking at Sega's bastard child, the 32X add-on for the Genesis. We look at 10 games for this unusual system, talk about the challenge in hooking it up, Jeff embarks on the wondrous journey called marriage, and we interview our good friend Quan about the Blinking Light Win NES project currently on Kickstarter. It's the most wonderful time of the year!

It's clobberin' time as we change into our super-hero alter-egos and do battle with some of the most infamous super-villains to ever grace the pages of comic books, discuss the height of and imminent demise of the phenomenon of midnight video game launches, and the squad gets uncomfortable as all that spandex begins to chafe our thighs.

Taking a journey into the past, we conquer the kingdom of medieval-themed games, Jeff offers up a special blue pill and spell for those with inadequate swords, we discuss moments in gaming that gave us an emotional response, and find out just how resilient Fabio's face really is.