A Gamer Looks At 40

When A Gamer Looks at 40 first launched in May of 2021, my intention was for it be a year long project. To date, I've been at it for over two and half. So, it's time for a break! On this episode, I announce a three month hiatus from producing new episodes for the show. Give this quickie a listen to learn why the break, what to expect during the pause in new work, and what to look forward to when AGLA40 makes a triumphant return on March 4th, 2024. JOIN THE DISCORD!! --> https://discord.gg/PFd2xVbpEM My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

Another week, another chance to share even more videogame stories from the gaggle of lovely people I got to chat with over the last few months. Enjoy Side Quests Volume 8, Intros Part 2, etc, etc! STARRING (all handles from Twitter X) Brian aka @DayandKnightly Cat Blackard (@NeonFeline) of the Mother, She Wrote Podcast (@EarthBoundPod) Ian aka @teacherbloke85 Jodi aka @Bakuiel Lucas White aka @HokutoNoLucas Jonathan (@DaEgg123) and Katie (@earthbound64) J.R. Sommerfeldt (@sommerfeldt_r) Kyle VonKubik of Read Only Magazine (@obeykube) My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

Whenever I get the opportunity to chat with people about games, the conversation rarely stays on topic. Invariably, my guest and I start jibber-jabbering about all sorts of gaming related topics. In this action packed addition to my Side Quests series, we learn the backstories of a few of my favorite guests from the last four months of podcast interviews. Volume 8 is coming next week! STARRING (all handles from Twitter X) Dan aka Captain Gingerbeard (@ScurvyBay) Joe of SNES is Life Podcast (@SNES_is_Life) Matt of the Backlog Busters (@backlog_busters) Mustin, music producer (@Mustin) Rigney of the Reliving Retro Podcast (@Reliving_Retro) Robert P. Ottone, author of The Triangle (@RobertOttone) Ryan aka @Retro64__, Designer and artist for @SmashRemix, @Mother_Encore, @mother__squared, and @MotherForever Sam of the RetroLogic Podcast My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

Rather than swelter in the Austin sun listening to music or attending one of the many festivals in town, I decided to pony up a few bucks and fly to Oregon to attend the Portland Retro Gaming Expo. I expected a giant convention where I'd spend too much money on retro goodies, check out a panel or two and see my pals at Gamer's Week host a competition. What happened was infinitely more impactful and special. Join me as I share a full recap of the weekend that was including on-the-floor interviews, spicy hot takes and a surprisingly emotional conclusion I never expected. My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

While Madden was always a good time, EA's NHL Hockey was video game magic. As a starry eyed street hockey goalie in West Caldwell, New Jersey, NHL '94 was my escape. My opportunity to pretend I was Marty Brodeur, if only on the screen. A masterpiece of control, gameplay, and pure joy, the early NHL games set the gold standard for sports simulations, a mark that few games every reached. Join myself and executive producer Richard Hilleman as he shares story after fascinating story about the creation of this one of a kind experience. My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

With football season in full swing and hockey just getting started, my mind drifts to the games of yesteryear. And for my 11 year old money, there was no finer distraction than EA's Madden and NHL franchises. Join EA developers Troy Lyndon and Richard Hilleman as they discuss the birth of these classic games, the technological marvels that made them possible and their storied legacy. NOTE: In this episode, we look at Madden only. Next week, we'll focus on NHL! STARRING: Troy Lyndon: https://troylyndon.biz/ Richard Hilleman My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

Take it from somebody who appreciates every single one, there's nothing better than passionate fans. Gaming communities can run the gambit from welcoming to toxic, engaging to gatekeeping. Whenever people are around people, people will do people things. The community surrounding Earthbound is unique in both its welcoming nature and wide variety of people involved. Over 30 years worth of fans populate sites like starmen.net and mother4ever.net. And they all have one thing in common: an overflowing love for an incredible series. On this week's episode, I chat with three people representative of the community as a whole: a curator, a YouTube creator and a couple brought together by the power of an epic game franchise. STARRING (all handles from Twitter X) Cat Blackard (@NeonFeline) of the Mother, She Wrote Podcast (@EarthBoundPod) Mustin, music producer (@Mustin) Kody Nokolo (@KodyNOKOLO), webmaster of mother4ever.net (@MotherForever_) Ryan aka @Retro64__, Designer and artist for @SmashRemix, @Mother_Encore, @mother__squared, and @MotherForever Jonathan (@DaEgg123) and Katie (@earthbound64) SONG COVERS Earthbound - Home Sweet Home by Sam Griffin Guitar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR4bhLhTvns Onett - Earthbound Cover - Guitar and Mandolin by Box Monkey Studios - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En6Wu4a28jk Battle Vs. a Weak Opponent - Battle Theme 1 - EarthBound - Mother 2 by Jorge Fuentes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhlC3pbJYgA EarthBound - Eight Melodies (Music Box Cover) by Mr. Music Box - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72WsNIhp_MA My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show Support the show

Some say a game is only as good as its ending. While I think that's an inaccurate statement, if the adage is true, than Earthbound is a masterpiece. A culmination of theme, character arc, story and emotion, this game's final encounter and conclusion is among the best of the 16 bit era. Join myself and a joy filled crew of fellow adventurers as we discuss the final moments of Earthbound. STARRING (all handles from Twitter) Cat Blackard (@NeonFeline) of the Mother, She Wrote Podcast (@EarthBoundPod) Celeste (@faeriecrypt) of Another Zelda Podcast (@AnotherZeldaPod) Dan aka Captain Gingerbeard (@ScurvyBay) Ian aka @teacherbloke85 Kyle VonKubick (@obeykube) of Read Only Magazine Lucas White (@HokutoNoLucas) Michael K Hughes (@KaidanXain) of the Capes and Junk Podcast (@GamesAndJunk) Mustin, music producer (@Mustin) Rigney of the Reliving Retro Podcast (@Reliving_Retro) Robert P. Ottone, author of The Triangle (@RobertOttone) Sam of the RetroLogic Podcast SONG COVERS Earthbound Town Medley - Acoustic/Classical Guitar Cover by Super Guitar Bros - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX4XLkB5sY My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

A passing glance at a mid-90's Game Pro magazine would likely reveal an ad or two for Earthbound. Not a mention of deep themes, relatable characters and a story that crosses the ages. Nope! Master Belch and "This Game Stinks". Luckily, this wonderful SNES experience is more than the claims of its marketing and my cast of nine are here to tell you exactly why. STARRING (all handles from Twitter) Cat Blackard (@NeonFeline) of the Mother, She Wrote Podcast (@EarthBoundPod) Celeste (@faeriecrypt) of Another Zelda Podcast (@AnotherZeldaPod) Dan aka Captain Gingerbeard (@ScurvyBay) Kyle VonKubick (@obeykube) of Read Only Magazine Michael K Hughes (@KaidanXain) of the Capes and Junk Podcast (@GamesAndJunk) Mustin, music producer (@Mustin) Rigney of the Reliving Retro Podcast (@Reliving_Retro) Robert P. Ottone, author of The Triangle (@RobertOttone) Sam of the RetroLogic Podcast SONG COVERS Earthbound Town Medley - Acoustic/Classical Guitar Cover by Super Guitar Bros - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX4XLkB5sY EarthBound: Dusty Dunes Desert Tex Mex cover by Steven Morris - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMiHMEh6qUw My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

Fuzzy Pickles! The first time a diminutive photographer stopped my game to take a snapshot of my team, I felt two things: joy and minor annoyance. Joy because it was a charming moment of connection for my crew and annoyance because I'm a modern gamer dad who has precious seconds to spare. But regardless of where I land, it was a big moment. On Part 2 of our ongoing Earthbound saga, my friends and I discuss their favorite moments, the great (and not so great) in-your-hands play and some odd side diversions more than worth your time and attention. STARRING (all handles from Twitter) Celeste (@faeriecrypt) of Another Zelda Podcast (@AnotherZeldaPod) Dan aka Captain Gingerbeard (@ScurvyBay) Ian aka @teacherbloke85 Kyle VonKubick (@obeykube) of Read Only Magazine Lucas White (@HokutoNoLucas) Michael K Hughes (@KaidanXain) of the Capes and Junk Podcast (@GamesAndJunk) Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found (@mom_found) Mustin, music producer (@Mustin) Rigney of the Reliving Retro Podcast (@Reliving_Retro) Robert P. Ottone, author of The Triangle (@RobertOttone) Sam of the RetroLogic Podcast SONG COVERS Earthbound Town Medley - Acoustic/Classical Guitar Cover by Super Guitar Bros - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX4XLkB5sY Because I Love You: Earthbound [Tenor Sax Cover] by Sab Irene - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opoR2v6xoM0 My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

When Earthbound landed on American shores in 1995, nobody knew quite to make of it. In an RPG landscape where Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger ruled supreme, a silly game about farts and fuzzy pickles didn't garner much interest. At least according to the marketing. Fast forward nearly 30 years, and Earthbound has grown from 16 bit outcast to the stuff of legends. On this initial decent into the heart of Giygas, a cast of 12 intrepid explorers share their initial impressions of the game, the aforementioned marketing, and how the game hits us now as world weary adults. STARRING (all handles from Twitter) Cat Blackard (@NeonFeline) of the Mother, She Wrote Podcast (@EarthBoundPod) Celeste (@faeriecrypt) of Another Zelda Podcast (@AnotherZeldaPod) Dan aka Captain Gingerbeard (@ScurvyBay) Ian aka @teacherbloke85 Kyle VonKubick (@okaykube) of Read Only Magazine Lucas White (@HokutoNoLucas) Michael K Hughes (@KaidanXain) of the Capes and Junk Podcast (@GamesAndJunk) Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found (@mom_found) Mustin, music producer (@Mustin) Rigney of the Reliving Retro Podcast (@Reliving_Retro) Robert P. Ottone, author of The Triangle (@RobertOttone) Sam of the RetroLogic Podcast SONG COVERS Earthbound Town Medley - Acoustic/Classical Guitar Cover by Super Guitar Bros - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX4XLkB5sY My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

Hear ye, hear ye! Come hither and hear the latest going on's with the show, the schedule of upcoming episodes, a neat announcement and a wonderful AMA starring my charming wife. All sorts of frivolity on this week's episode. Thanks, as always, for listening! My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

How much do you know about Dick Tracy. If you're a person of my vintage, it's the campy 90's movie starring Al Pacino and Madonna and James Rolfe screaming about the video game adaptation. On this episode of Tales From the Bargain Bin, Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found fame talk about this strange, ill fated game, AVGN videos, the Sopranos, and the bizarre lengths Warren Beatty goes to maintain ownership of the Dick Tracy license. Enjoy! Support the show

Salutations lovers of the underworld! Doom 2016. A lightning blast of blistering gameplay, buckets of blood and an incomprehensible lore nobody cares about, this Bethesda backed splatterfest is a joy to experience. Join my brother and I as we talk potential TV series, make comparisons to the original Doom, and share the dangers of standing still in the bowels of Hell. LIKE THIS EPISODE? BECOME A PATRON! https://www.patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

In Part 2 of our exploration of rental houses and video stores, we talk about games. All. The. Games. From the love-at-first-play titles to the weekend ruining disappointments, we swap stories of purchases yore. And we conclude the conversation by thinking back to what it was like as a kid wandering the aisles of our favorite video shop searching for the perfect game. STARRING (all handles from Twitter) Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found Podcast (@mom_found) Brian aka @DayandKnightly Celeste of Another Zelda Podcast (@anotherzeldapod) Jodi aka @Bakuiel Lucas White aka @HokutoNoLucas Matt of the Backlog Busters (@backlog_busters) The Let's PLay Princess (@TheLPPrincess) Joe of SNES is Life Podcast (@SNES_is_Life) Ian aka @teacherbloke85 MUSIC: Blue Journey, Produced by Danya Vodovoz via Royalty Free Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABsaf1O9qzg My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

Remember your local video store? Maybe it was a mom and pop shop on the outskirts of town. Perhaps it was a big box chain in the corner of a strip mall. Regardless of where it was or what it was called, video stores were more than a weekly fix of random games. It was an oasis of exploration and discovery. A place where $4 could buy you a brand new favorite or a weekend of disappointment. Join myself and a gaggle of fellow travelers as we unpack the memories of rental shops: what we rented, where we did so, and everything in between. STARRING (all handles from Twitter) Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found Podcast (@mom_found) Brian aka @DayandKnightly Celeste of Another Zelda Podcast (@anotherzeldapod) Jodi aka @Bakuiel Lucas White aka @HokutoNoLucas Matt of the Backlog Busters (@backlog_busters) Kyle VonKubik of Read Only Magazine (@obeykube) The Let's PLay Princess (@TheLPPrincess) Joe of SNES is Life Podcast (@SNES_is_Life) Ian aka @teacherbloke85 MUSIC: Blue Journey, Produced by Danya Vodovoz via Royalty Free Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABsaf1O9qzg My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

Time to dip into the deep bowels of the Disney well and chat about a game we played to death because we - well - owned it. And the funny thing? This strange licensed piece of children's software isn't half bad. Join my brother and I as we discuss oddly fun mini games, why adults go to Disney World, Nintendo Power's Pak Watch and how standing in lines is a waste of our ever dwindling mortality. Fun times on this edition of Tales From the Bargain Bin! My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

Mario Paint. For a generation of kids in the early 90's, that title alone conjures up images of star studded music staffs, spraypaint drawings and one killer fly swatting game. A safe place where anyone could create, Mario Paint was the launchpad of imaginations, passions and in some cases careers for millions of people. On this episode, we share stories of pictures drawn, music composed, and dreams realized via this one-of-a-kind piece of creation software. STARRING (all handles from Twitter) J.R. Sommerfeldt (@sommerfeldt_r) Bobby Tucker Rigney of Reliving Retro Podcast (@Reliving_Retro) Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found Podcast (@mom_found) Trevor and Jeff of New Dad Gaming Podcast (@newdadgaming) Joe of the SNES Is Life Podcast (@SNES_is_Life) Ian (@teacherbloke85) Mustin (@Mustin) - check out his work at https://t.co/a2JniyIGKO SONG COVERS Africa - Toto - Mario Paint Composer by Alec Britt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_iaGf73Bq0 Linkin Park - Breaking The Habit (Mario Paint Composer) by Songs Mario Paint - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgfJGJy5aoQ Still Alive 3.0 by Geoff Klassen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVHsX8oBKIs&list=PL4IZq7fxXgMp702qe0LVqBXcG_12P6G7t&index=14 My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

Back in the mid 90's, there was nothing more exciting than getting a PC. That is, until, you realized it was purchased for homework and researching term papers on ancient Roman civilizations. And forget about asking mom and dad for PC games. That's what your SNES was for. For many young people of that era, myself included, the pack in software of our grey box PC's were the only entertainment we had until we got cash of our own. On this episode of Tales From the Bargain Bin, we chat about old computers, dive into a real Packard Bell software bundle, and discuss one of the weirdest games in my personal catalog. Starring Julian of Nerds Without Pants Podcast T: @NWPcast My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

When Marc Ericksen landed a gig to pen a box cover for a middling videogame franchise, he had limited information. What he didn't know was what that game would become legendary for all the right reasons and his art would become infamous for all the wrong ones. Join Marc and I as we discuss his road to creating the box art for Mega Man 2, a story that takes us from a military career in Vietnam, to Silicon Valley in the 1980's to a career that spawned over 150 pieces of videogame art. Starring: Marc Ericksen W: www.retrogameart.com My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjC My Twitter: @agamerlooksat40 My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40 My Insta: @agamerlooksat40 My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40 My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.com My Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show