Best 16bit Podcasts (2025)

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PLAY RETRO 198: Descent 1:24:48

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1d ago1:24:48

1:24:48

Descent (1995) and Descent II (1996) are six-degrees-of-freedom first-person shooters developed by Parallax Software for MS-DOS. Set entirely inside fully 3D mine complexes, the games emphasize free movement, spatial awareness, and objective-based level design. Known for their technical ambition, mouse-and-keyboard flight-style controls, and unforg…

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PLAY RETRO 197: Jagged Alliance 1:09:24

8d ago1:09:24

1:09:24

A turn-based tactical strategy game developed by Sir-Tech Canada for MS-DOS. Players recruit mercenaries from the Association of International Mercenaries (A.I.M.) to liberate the fictional island nation of Metavira from enemy control. The game blends squad-based tactical combat with strategic planning, character relationships, and resource managem…

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PLAY RETRO 196: Star Wars: Dark Forces 1:21:37

15d ago1:21:37

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A First-person shooter developed by LucasArts for MS-DOS using an in-house game engine. Introduces mercenary Kyle Katarn and the Imperial Dark Trooper project. Features mission-based FPS gameplay, environmental objectives, vertical level design using the Jedi Engine, and an arsenal of Star Wars weapons. Later ported to Macintosh and PlayStation. Ho…

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PLAY RETRO 195: StarCraft & Broodwar 1:45:54

22d ago1:45:54

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Blizzard Entertainment’s real-time strategy game featuring three fully asymmetric factions: Terran, Zerg, and Protoss. Built around resource management, base construction, unit control, and a branching story told through three linked campaigns. Released for Windows and Mac OS. Expanded the same year with the official StarCraft: Brood War expansion …

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PLAY RETRO 194: Beyond Good and Evil 1:35:41

29d ago1:35:41

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2003 Action-adventure from Ubisoft Montpellier combining stealth, melee combat, hovercraft exploration, and a photography-based investigation system. You play as Jade, a photojournalist uncovering a conspiracy on Hillys involving the DomZ and the Alpha Sections. Released on PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, and Windows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/…

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PLAY RETRO 193: Harvest Moon 1:34:04

1M ago1:34:04

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Taking our favorite retro Harvest Moon games on the road with our GameBoys for some cozy gameplay while riding in the backseat of the family car. With a look back at the console games that made it possible. Harvest Moon for the SNES and HARVEST MOON: BACK TO NATURE for the PS1 and their portable little siblings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva…

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PLAY RETRO 192: Max Payne 1:11:55

1M ago1:11:55

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Max Payne (2001) and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (2003) — Remedy Entertainment’s third-person neo-noir shooters that introduced bullet-time gunplay, graphic-novel storytelling, and hard-boiled narration to the early-2000s gaming landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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PLAY RETRO 191: Halo: Combat Evolved 1:30:52

2M ago1:30:52

1:30:52

Halo: Combat Evolved (2001, Xbox / 2003, PC). A first-person shooter developed by Bungie Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios as the flagship launch title for the original Xbox. Its combination of open-ended combat, vehicles, and science-fiction storytelling helped define console FPS design for the following decade. Hosted on Acast. See …

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PLAY RETRO 190: KISS: Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child 1:30:55

2M ago1:30:55

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A first-person shooter developed by Third Law Interactive and published by Gathering of Developers, based loosely on Todd McFarlane’s comic series. Players assume the role of circus performers empowered by the four KISS personas to prevent the birth of a supernatural being known as the Nightmare Child. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor…

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PLAY RETRO 189: The 16bit Scooby Doo Games! 1:09:20

2M ago1:09:20

1:09:20

Scooby-Doo Mystery (1995) for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Both titles shared the same name but were completely different games developed by separate studios: Illusions Gaming Company and Argonaut Software. The Genesis version took a point-and-click adventure approach with investigation and dialogue mechanics, while the…

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PLAY RETRO 188: Elvira: Mistress of the Dark 1:09:25

2M ago1:09:25

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Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1990) and Elvira II: The Jaws of Cerberus (1991) from HorrorSoft — two Amiga and DOS adventure titles that combined RPG elements, point-and-click mechanics, and horror themes under the Accolade label. We also review Elvira: The Arcade Game (1991), a platform-action title from Flair Software, and briefly discuss the lic…

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PLAY RETRO 187: Clock Tower 1:09:18

2M ago1:09:18

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Clock Tower, the horror adventure series that helped define the “chase-and-hide” genre. Beginning with Clock Tower: The First Fear (1995, Super Famicom), we follow orphan Jennifer Simpson’s desperate escape from the mansion of the murderous Scissorman, through its 3D PlayStation sequel, the psychological spin-off The Struggle Within and more. Hoste…

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PLAY RETRO 186: Q*Bert 1:00:31

3M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Q*bert (Arcade, 1982), Gottlieb’s isometric puzzle-action game that became one of the most recognizable mascots of the golden age of arcades. We’ll also look at its sequels Q*bert’s Qubes (1983) and Q*bert 3 (1992, SNES) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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PLAY RETRO 185: Star Trek - 25th Anniversary 1:12:28

3M ago1:12:28

1:12:28

Star Trek: 25th Anniversary (1992, DOS/Amiga), Interplay’s episodic adventure that combined bridge command, away team puzzles, and space combat to capture the feel of The Original Series. Star Trek: Judgment Rites (1993), which refined the formula with stronger puzzles and full cast voice acting, and compare them with the action-focused NES and Gam…

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PLAY RETRO 184: Deus Ex 1:15:27

3M ago1:15:27

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Deus Ex (2000) on PC, developed by Ion Storm and directed by Warren Spector, is a cyberpunk-themed immersive sim that combined first-person shooting with RPG systems, dialogue choices, and multiple paths through each mission. Players controlled JC Denton, a nano-augmented agent navigating a world of conspiracies, branching choices, and emergent gam…

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PLAY RETRO 183: Bubsy! 1:05:37

4M ago1:05:37

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Bubsy the Bobcat debuted in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind (1993) on the SNES and Genesis, a colorful platformer built around speed and Bubsy’s glide ability. The series continued with Bubsy II (1994), adding hub-based level selection, multiplayer, and gadgets; Fractured Furry Tales (1994) on Atari Jaguar, which rethemed the action around fair…

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Play Retro Co-op: The Making of the Great Game Soundtracks 34:09

4M ago34:09

34:09

Today’s Play Retro is a special episode! Scott and Brian talking about the making of great soundtracks in games, retro or otherwise, and why it might just be the best source of music for anyone trying to find something that reaches them in a deeper way. Video: https://youtu.be/2Pey9lj1xlE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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PLAY RETRO 182: The Metal Slug Series 1:24:51

4M ago1:24:51

1:24:51

Metal Slug debuted in 1996 on SNK’s Neo Geo hardware, developed by Nazca Corporation. It quickly became known for its fluid hand-drawn animation, chaotic run-and-gun action, and humorous take on war. The original game introduced the iconic Metal Slug tank, prisoner rescues, and over-the-top boss battles that set the tone for the series. Hosted on A…

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PLAY RETRO 181: Joe & Mac! 1:11:09

4M ago1:11:09

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The Data East side-scrolling action-platformer where two cavemen battle rival tribes, dinosaurs, and prehistoric beasts to rescue kidnapped cavewomen. Known for its humor, colorful design, and 2-player co-op. The game was later ported to SNES, Genesis, and NES with varying changes to difficulty, level design, and presentation. The series continued …

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PLAY RETRO 180: Shadowrun 1:19:05

4M ago1:19:05

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This week we discuss 90s era Shadowrunl; The SNES version (1993, Beam Software/Data East) presents an isometric action-adventure with a strong narrative focus, following protagonist Jake Armitage as he uncovers a conspiracy in a cyberpunk Seattle. The Genesis version (1994, BlueSky Software/Sega) takes an open-world approach with real-time combat, …

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PLAY RETRO 179 : It Came from the Desert 1:08:23

5M ago1:08:23

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A pulp-inspired action-adventure game paying homage to 1950s sci-fi horror, especially the film Them!. You play geologist Greg Bradley, investigating a meteor crash near the fictional town of Lizard Breath, only to discover an outbreak of giant radioactive ants. Gameplay blends point-and-click adventure, time-sensitive decision-making, and action m…

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PLAY RETRO 178: The Incredible Machine 1:13:01

5M ago1:13:01

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The Incredible Machine, a series that turned complex cause-and-effect chain reactions into one of the most oddly satisfying puzzle experiences of the '90s and paid homage to the genius of Rube Goldberg and his machines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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PLAY RETRO 177: Heroes of Might & Magic III 1:08:25

5M ago1:08:25

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HoMM3 by New World Computing. The third entry in the series and the most beloved. A turn-based strategy game where you control heroes, build up towns, gather resources, and command fantasy armies on adventure maps and in tactical grid-based combat. The campaign follows Queen Catherine Ironfist as she fights to restore her father's kingdom. Hosted o…

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PLAY RETRO 176: No One Lives Forever 1:10:08

5M ago1:10:08

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Monolith's The Operative: No One Lives Forever and its sequel. A pair of first-person shooters from the early 2000s. Combining stealth mechanics, innovative for the time AI, and a 60s spy aesthetic Cate Archer’s adventures delivered humor, gadgets disguised as everyday objects, and level design that combined gameplay and storytelling to keep it fre…

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PLAY RETRO 175: Monster Truck Madness 1:15:06

6M ago1:15:06

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Microsoft’s monster truck racing series that became a surprise hit on Windows in the late ’90s and spawned console and handheld versions. From early Direct3D experiments to 4-player split-screen chaos on the Nintendo 64, these games delivered giant physics, loud engines, and more yeehaw than you could handle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy …

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PLAY RETRO 174: RoboCop Games 1:28:14

6M ago1:28:14

1:28:14

RoboCop. From the arcade sensation with its crunchy beat ‘em up action to the many home ports (some good, some… less so), RoboCop left a trail of justice—and quarters—in its wake. We’ll explore the original RoboCop arcade game, RoboCop 2 and 3, and briefly touch on the glorious chaos of RoboCop vs. Terminator. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy…

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PLAY RETRO 173: The Lost Vikings Duology 1:11:40

6M ago1:11:40

1:11:40

The Lost Vikings and its sequel star Erik, Baleog, and Olaf—sarcastic Norsemen solving puzzles through alien ships, pyramids, and futuristic worlds. Released in the early '90s by Silicon & Synapse (now Blizzard), the games mix platforming, brain teasers, and humor. And it holds up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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PLAY RETRO 172: Indiana Jones & the Fate of Atlantis 1:33:34

6M ago1:33:34

1:33:34

From Lucasfilm Games: the iconic Fate of Atlantis, in both its Graphic Adventure and lesser known Action Game forms, and the earlier Last Crusade adaptations. These games brought Indy’s globe-trotting exploits to 8-bit, 16-bit, and DOS screens through a mix of cinematic storytelling and witty puzzles.Less so in the Action Games. But still. Hosted o…

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PLAY RETRO 171: MechWarrior 1 & 2 1:41:31

7M ago1:41:31

1:41:31

This week we are exploring the early MechWarrior games on PC. Starting with the 1989 original and continuing with MechWarrior 2, these titles brought the mechanics and world of BattleTech to life through cockpit simulation, mech customization, and faction-driven campaigns. We’ll also touch on Mercenaries, Ghost Bear’s Legacy, and a few of the conso…

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PLAY RETRO 170: Ridge Racer 1:20:34

7M ago1:20:34

1:20:34

Namco’s Ridge Racer series. Beginning with its 1993 arcade debut and stretching through its early PlayStation-era dominance, the series was defined by speed, style, and corner-sliding gameplay that favored flair over realism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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PLAY RETRO 169: Doom 1 & 2 1:38:47

7M ago1:38:47

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Doom (1993) and Doom II (1994). Developed by id Software, these games introduced the fast-paced, visceral FPS gameplay that would shape the industry for decades. With tight level design, explosive weapons, and iconic monsters, Doom wasn’t just a game—it was a movement. And while we’re at it, we’ll mention Doom 64, the 1997 N64 follow-up that carved…

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PLAY RETRO 168: Driver and Driver 2 1:32:23

7M ago1:32:23

1:32:23

Driver and Driver 2, the PlayStation titles that turned 1970s car chases into fully playable, open-world missions—well before “open world” was a buzzword. Developed by Reflections Interactive, these games combined tight driving physics, cinematic storytelling, and a now-legendary difficulty curve. Driver put you in the seat as an undercover cop pos…

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PLAY RETRO 167: Disney's Illusion Series 1:14:01

8M ago1:14:01

1:14:01

The Illusion platformers developed by Sega in the early to mid-1990s, built around original stories starring Mickey Mouse. While each game differs by platform and style, they share common traits: smooth controls, layered level design, strong animation, and soundtracks tailored to the hardware. The series covers both 16-bit showpieces and surprising…

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PLAY RETRO 166: Drill Dozer 1:15:08

8M ago1:15:08

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Let’s talk about ‘Drill Dozer’, the 2006 Game Boy Advance title from Game Freak that stars Jill and her drill-powered mech in a punchy, gear-driven platformer complete with some unique game mechanics and features, including a built in rumble pack for the cart. This game still drills! Or something like that. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo…

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PLAY RETRO 165: Thief 1:17:12

8M ago1:17:12

1:17:12

Thief: The Dark Project and Thief II: The Metal Age, two of the most influential stealth games ever made. Developed by Looking Glass Studios, these immersive sims dropped players into a dark, steampunk-inspired world where silence and shadows were more powerful than any sword. With open-ended level design, sound-based detection, and a story full of…

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PLAY RETRO 165: Hydro, Offroad, and Arctic Thunder! 1:21:46

8M ago1:21:46

1:21:46

Hydro Thunder, Offroad Thunder, and Arctic Thunder—a trio of fast, loud, and wild arcade racers from Midway. At the arcade and at home. We are Racing Rocket boats, 4 Wheel Off-road vehicles in arenas, and snowblasting through frozen highways with missile-equipped snowmobiles. From arcades to Dreamcast and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac…

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PLAY RETRO 163: Questprobe featuring Marvel Comics 1:13:29

9M ago1:13:29

1:13:29

The Questprobe Text Adventure series featuring Marvel Comic Characters —an early collaboration between Marvel Comics and Adventure International. Designed by Scott Adams (not the cartoonist!), these graphic/text hybrid adventures dropped Marvel’s most iconic heroes into classic parser-based puzzlers. From The Hulk trying to control his rage, to Spi…

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PLAY RETRO 162: Croc 1:10:47

9M ago1:10:47

1:10:47

An early 3D platformer from Argonaut Games where players control Croc, a courageous baby crocodile with a backpack raised by the Gobbos—a tribe of fuzzy creatures. When the evil Baron Dante kidnaps the Gobbos, Croc sets off on a crystal-collecting quest across floating islands, icy peaks, lava-filled caves, and more, using his tail whip, ground pou…

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PLAY RETRO 161: Rampage 1:09:23

9M ago1:09:23

1:09:23

On this week’s episode of Play Retro, Rampage, from 1986. The classic arcade destruction game developed by Bally Midway that puts players in control of giant, mutated monsters—George the gorilla, Lizzie the lizard, and Ralph the werewolf—as they wreak havoc on cities across the United States. Turns out, this thing holds up! Hosted on Acast. See aca…

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PLAY RETRO 160: Zaxxon 1:17:21

10M ago1:17:21

1:17:21

On this week’s Play Retro podcast with Scott Johnson and Brian Dunaway, ZAXXON! Sega’s revolutionary 1982 arcade game that introduced an isometric perspective to shoot-'em-ups, setting it apart from the top-down and side-scrolling shooters of its era. Its sequel, Super Zaxxon, amped up the difficulty with faster enemy movement and trickier level de…

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PLAY RETRO 159: The SSX Series 1:18:24

10M ago1:18:24

1:18:24

SSX, EA Sports BIG’s legendary snowboarding series that defined arcade-style extreme sports in the early 2000s. From the original SSX on the PS2 to the fan-favorite SSX Tricky and the open-world masterpiece SSX 3, these games combined fast-paced racing, gravity-defying tricks, and an unforgettable soundtrack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy …

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PLAY RETRO 158: Space Quest 1:24:50

10M ago1:24:50

1:24:50

Space Quest I: The Sarien Encounter, Space Quest II: Vohaul’s Revenge, and Space Quest III: The Pirates of Pestulon. These games, developed by Sierra’s "Two Guys from Andromeda" (Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy), combined comedy and science fiction in a way that few adventure games had done before. QUEST IN SPACE!!!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri…

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PLAY RETRO 157: Pole Position 1:19:13

10M ago1:19:13

1:19:13

Pole Position and Pole Position II, the classic arcade racing games that defined an entire genre. Developed by Namco and distributed by Atari in the US released in the early '80s, Pole Position introduced the world to realistic track-based racing with qualifying rounds, intense time-based competition, and scaling sprite graphics that made players f…

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Play Retro 156: Wario Land for Game Boy 1:14:25

10M ago1:14:25

1:14:25

Wario Land 1–4, the beloved side-scrolling platformer series that gave Mario’s greedy, garlic-loving rival a starring role. Beginning with Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 on the Game Boy, the series evolved into a creative and quirky take on platforming, replacing traditional power-ups with bizarre transformations, treasure-hunting mechanics, and Wa…

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Play Retro 155: Dino Crisis 1:29:10

11M ago1:29:10

1:29:10

Survival horror meets dinosaurs. Regina and her team are sent to a mysterious research facility where prehistoric creatures are on the loose. Capcom’s attempt to mix survival horror with dinosaurs. Released in 1999, Dino Crisis introduced players to a sci-fi thriller where Velociraptors and T-Rexes replaced zombies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p…

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PLAY RETRO 154: Fuzion Frenzy! 1:33:39

11M ago1:33:39

1:33:39

Microsoft throws everything at its launch titles to see what sticks for the Xbox original release in 2001 including this Party Game; Fuzion Frenzy with its host of fast paced mini games aimed at gamers of a certain drinking age and their 3 friends. Light and competitive and addicting as all get out. We discuss the Official Xbox Magazine launched th…

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PLAY RETRO 153: Wave Race 64 1:02:21

11M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

Wave Race 64: a showcase game for the Nintendo 64 showing off the power of the N64 with this early 3d game on water that challenges the player to control their vehicle while bouncing around on choppy water. Look at those waves! Produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and developed by Nintendo EAD players compete for 1st place by out racing and stunting their …

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PLAY RETRO 152: X-COM - UFO Defense 1:28:33

11M ago1:28:33

1:28:33

X-Com: UFO Defense (or UFO: Enemy Unknown outside North America) and its terrifying underwater sequel, X-Com: Terror from the Deep. Developed by MicroProse and released in the 1990s, these games combined base-building, resource management, and squad-based tactical combat to create a genre-defining experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy …

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PLAY RETRO 151: After Burner 1:21:42

12M ago1:21:42

1:21:42

After Burner is a high-speed, adrenaline-pumping arcade flight combat game developed by Sega and designed by the legendary Yu Suzuki. Released during Sega's golden age of arcade innovation, it introduced players to the thrill of piloting an F-14 Tomcat fighter jet in intense dogfights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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PLAY RETRO 150: Eternal Champions 1:18:40

12M ago1:18:40

1:18:40

Sega released Eternal Champions in hopes of capitalizing on the fighting game mania that the game industry was in the midst of following the massive success of Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat. The game tried to set itself apart with unique features such as a heavier emphasis on its story, characters pulled from different time periods, reflectab…