The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)

This week, we’re joined by John Mathieson, the hardware designer best known as the father of the Atari Jaguar. John takes us through an extraordinary career that began at Sinclair Research on the ZX Spectrum, before moving through ambitious and often misunderstood projects including Loki, the Konix Multisystem, Atari’s Panther and Jaguar, and later the Nuon. Along the way, he shares brilliant behind-the-scenes stories about working with Clive Sinclair, Jeff Minter and the Tramiel-era Atari team, and reflects on the technical ideas, challenges and missed opportunities behind some of gaming’s most fascinating machines.  Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories 53:08 – John Mathieson Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Nottingham Gaming Market: https://www.nottinghamgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Stunt Car Racer 60FPS Update: https://tinyurl.com/48auryjz Stunt Car Racer Multiplayer: https://tinyurl.com/4juw2a99 Pokémon Adventure Demo: https://tinyurl.com/2bcntp4u Crystian And The Lost Crystals: https://tinyurl.com/4ju936w9 DS And PSP Screen Fix: https://tinyurl.com/4mphcth5 SuperSega Creator Returns: https://tinyurl.com/5eezr29v Sega RPG Returns: https://tinyurl.com/nw8jupxa

On this week’s podcast, we celebrate 42 years of the Amstrad CPC with special guest Jo Cook, who takes us deep inside the Amstrad scene of the late 80s and 90s. From growing up with a CPC 464 and helping run the legendary King Arthur’s Domain PD library and Merlin-Serve, to writing for Amstrad Action and seeing the community evolve into the modern day, Jo shares a warm, funny and fascinating insider’s view of one of Britain’s most beloved computer scenes. UK Amstrad Group: https://www.ukag.org.uk/ Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories 49:16 – Amstrad Group Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Nottingham Gaming Market: https://www.nottinghamgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes New Neo Geo Hardware?: https://tinyurl.com/n8eheyw9 Mac OS X on Wii: https://tinyurl.com/4rzxpk76 Eclipse Blade Emerges: https://tinyurl.com/23eewcua Miracle Boy on Atari ST: https://tinyurl.com/453duhke Ground Zero Terror: https://tinyurl.com/42me5wh8 Mario on Master System: https://tinyurl.com/4bn4zzpx

On this week’s podcast, we’re joined by Galloping Ghost Arcade owner Doc Mack and filmmaker Craig Bass to explore the story behind one of the most legendary arcades on the planet. From Doc’s earliest memories of Pong and the golden age of the arcade, to rare prototypes like Primal Rage 2 and the making of Craig’s upcoming documentary Ghostlord and the Quest for Dark Presence, this is a fascinating look at arcade history, preservation, and the passion that keeps these classic games alive. Ghostlord movie: https://www.ghostlordsquest.com/ Galloping Ghost arcade: https://www.gallopingghostarcade.com/ Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories 46:30 – Galloping Ghost Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes DVD on Dreamcast: https://youtu.be/ntj_tUHKAaE Castle Adventure for Amstrad: https://tinyurl.com/29dt5k46 PS1 Emulator Adds VR: https://tinyurl.com/2hzn7e6x Pond Versus Bond: https://tinyurl.com/yau26n3j C64 Impossible Mission Sequel Announced: https://youtu.be/lMvGh1azQ7o Dolphin Adds Game Boy Player: https://tinyurl.com/ycy3rdnp

On this week’s podcast, we’re joined by Alexander Danielian, the Electronics Boutique retail manager whose Sunset Galleria store became Sega’s official US Dreamcast launch location on the legendary 9/9/99 release day. Alexander takes us inside one of the wildest retail events in gaming history, from building Dreamcast hype against all odds and working directly with Sega and Bernie Stolar, to the midnight queues, tournament atmosphere, sell-out crowds and the chaos caused by faulty launch copies of Sonic Adventure. It’s a brilliant insider story from the shop floor at the exact moment Sega made its last great hardware stand. Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories 55:09 – Alexander Danielian Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Evercade Nexus Revealed: https://tinyurl.com/yut6zatr Alien Breed On Speccy: https://tinyurl.com/mrxhf5hw Lost Dreamcast Game Returns: https://tinyurl.com/5ac8wmhu Unreleased GBC Platformer: https://tinyurl.com/2fsj9rcc Prince Of Persia Flipper: https://tinyurl.com/27nrue37 GTA IV Beta Found: https://tinyurl.com/3rwpyxvx

Step back into the underground world of 90s dial-up piracy as we’re joined by Beast of Quartex, SysOp of Arcadia, once the largest pirate bulletin board system in the UK. From trading disks in the post to running a five-line elite BBS packed with the latest cracked Amiga games, Beast shares how the scene really worked: the hierarchy, the rivalries, and the race to release first. Plus, the secret world of crackers and couriers, and the moment it all came crashing down when FAST raided his operation. Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories 50:08 – Beast of Quartex Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Sega 32X Elite-Style Game: https://youtu.be/rR-arrDKu3s Double Baboon Ninja: https://tinyurl.com/3fb748tm Xbox 360 PS3 Wii U Retro: https://tinyurl.com/yeyn8w6p Final Fantasy IX Animated Series: https://tinyurl.com/4fsm7b22 PS2 Emulator iOS: https://tinyurl.com/4kefxjpp New Steve Jobs Video: https://youtu.be/EoM2Y2KO6kU

Alex Sulman joins us to share his journey from typing in code on the ZX Spectrum to designing major titles at Sony, Blizzard, DICE and beyond. We hear about his early days in QA at Sony Cambridge, working on classics like Medievil, Frogger and Primal, and hear behind-the-scenes stories from PlayStation’s golden era, the launch of the PS2 and PS3. Alex also discusses developing 24: The Game, contributing to God of War 3, and bringing his experience to Diablo 3, along with insights into how games were really made during the 90s and early 2000s—and how a simple fanzine helped launch his career.  Dev to Dev podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ro/podcast/dev-to-dev/id1836754572 Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories 57:56 – Alex Sulman Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Ex-Xbox Icon Joins Commodore: https://tinyurl.com/3mn8m48b Lost Star Wars Xbox Game: https://tinyurl.com/2s3sz3w6 New Atari Jaguar Racer: https://tinyurl.com/bdfhdpke Nightdive Sin Remaster Update: https://youtu.be/Tw5DMMTfk5o Monkey Island C64 Port: https://tinyurl.com/msct5wnn Mega CD Dev Kit Milestone: https://tinyurl.com/mry7m64s Defender Of The Crown Remake: https://tinyurl.com/2rzj577c

This week we’re joined by Vincent Bitetti, former CEO of TDK Mediactive, for a fascinating look at one of gaming’s most unusual industry journeys. Starting in the early days of BBS networks and sound-effect licensing, including iconic properties like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Babylon 5, Vincent helped pioneer digital media distribution before leading TDK’s push into video games during the CD-ROM boom. We discuss how TDK evolved from an audio hardware giant into a multimedia powerhouse, their links to Nintendo and the GameCube era, and the art of spotting market opportunities before they explode. Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories 49:14 – TDK Mediactive Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Nintendo PlayStation Prototype Found: https://tinyurl.com/yz2u7yh5 Street Fighter 2 Amazing New Spectrum Version: https://tinyurl.com/ra7f3m4 Mad Dog McCree In ScummVM: https://tinyurl.com/3zsx2xhs Game Boy Camera Phone Transfer: https://tinyurl.com/uktvuhtn Saturn’s Last Mystery Revealed: https://tinyurl.com/2u9wde5b

This week we’re joined by David Oghia, the man behind the upcoming Vectrex Mini. We explore his journey from discovering the ZX81 in the early 80s to working on official Star Wars publications and visiting Skywalker Ranch, before diving into the revival of one of gaming’s most unique consoles. David explains why the original vector-display Vectrex remains so special, the challenges of recreating it with modern hardware, and how the Kickstarter campaign unexpectedly smashed its funding goal. We also discuss games, overlays, controllers and what the future might hold for the reborn Vectrex brand. Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories 46:05 – Vectrex Mini Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Triforce Arcade Emulation: https://tinyurl.com/ycxwe6hw Rave Racer On Consoles: https://tinyurl.com/38mbt8pu Remote Vintage Mainframes: https://tinyurl.com/mryykp8k Evercade Wireless Controller: https://tinyurl.com/5bjmj36x Unreal Tournament 2004 Patch: https://tinyurl.com/4cutcc3d Hyper Sentinel Fusion: https://tinyurl.com/mrdeupdt

This week, we’re joined by Core Design artist and animator Billy Allison, whose incredible career spans hand-drawn children’s TV classics like SuperTed and The Forgotten Toys through to iconic 16-bit games including Chuck Rock, Wonder Dog, Bubba 'n' Stix and more. Billy shares how he went from experimenting with animation on a ZX Spectrum and Deluxe Paint to pushing early 3D on Shadow Man and revisiting Alien Breed years later. From sneaking into film school rostrum rooms to pioneering full-screen Amiga cutscenes. Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories 51:34 – Billy Allison Core Design Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes N64 & PS2 Mario Co-Op Mod: https://youtu.be/gCza2KrstxE Amiga Mario Kart Clone: https://tinyurl.com/2s4y92d4 Minecraft On Sega Saturn: https://tinyurl.com/fwcr2d3d Best Way To Play Fan Translations: https://tinyurl.com/378jn4r2 Castlevania Silent Planet: https://tinyurl.com/bdhdn5z3 New bsnes Build Adds Multitap: https://tinyurl.com/yt4nwvj4

This week we’re joined by Hilary Goldstein and Dave Clayman, two of the voices behind IGN’s legendary Three Red Lights podcast, the loud, chaotic and gloriously irreverent Xbox 360 show that helped define mid-2000s gaming culture. From sleeping on office couches and playing Halo 2 before anyone else, to Don King promos, 50 Cent interviews and the early days of podcasting when you had to manually download episodes onto an MP3 player, they share wild behind-the-scenes stories from the golden age of online gaming media. Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories 50:46 – Three Red Lights Podcast Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Rogue 7800 Roguelike: https://tinyurl.com/yc5dzbp6 Rayman 30th Anniversary: https://tinyurl.com/y9vufpyn Super Mario 64 PDF: https://youtu.be/a0F08py5Z4M Kula World 32X Port: https://tinyurl.com/4t957hxw Computer History Collection Online: https://tinyurl.com/438nvhxw Castlevania Belmont’s Curse: https://tinyurl.com/4s9abvum Patrons news Metal Gear Solid Collection: https://tinyurl.com/27458dp7 Wheeze Game Boy Release: https://tinyurl.com/bdchv5zn

This week we’re joined by Todd Hayes, original US CEO of GameShark, the device that changed how a generation played games. From arcade beginnings to building a $252 million video game empire, Todd shares the story of bringing Action Replay to America, battling Sony in court, navigating Nintendo’s lockout chips, and launching the ambitious SharkWire online service for the N64. We also hear aboutthe return of GameShark for the modern era and his new GameShark Cheat Code Compendium, preserving the secrets behind gaming’s most legendary cheats. GameShark Kickstarter: https://tinyurl.com/4t6a96jb Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 52:48 - GameShark Todd Hayes Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes The Simpsons: Hit & Run Dreamcast Port: https://tinyurl.com/ystdsvx3 Dark Sci-Fi SNES Shooter: https://tinyurl.com/2smj37y5 Amiga Addams Family Secrets: https://tinyurl.com/3j356rep New Wii Game Announced: https://tinyurl.com/4u4f2haz ReStory: Console Repair Game: https://tinyurl.com/39a95ctm Apple iPod Comeback Rumours: https://tinyurl.com/7u3xpd2p New ScummVM Documentary: https://www.scummdoc.com/

This week we’re catching up with Andy Robert of the legendary Thalamus Software, for a chat about one of the most fascinating careers of the 8-bit era. From discovering computers via library games and typing in listings, to writing for Zzap!64 and Commodore Format, Andy shares incredible stories from the golden age of the Commodore 64. We dig into Creatures, Mayhem in Monsterland and that infamous 100% review score, the realities of magazine bias, late-night map drawing, and the risks of going indie before “indie” was a thing. Plus, we fast-forward to the modern Thalamus revival, deluxe boxed releases, Amiga hits like Roguecraft, and why nostalgia still needs to be done properly. Thalamus: https://www.thalamus.shop/ Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 41:26 - Andy Roberts Thalamus Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Leeds Gaming Market: https://leedsgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Sonic R Platformer Mod: https://tinyurl.com/mu6e538j Lemmings Reloaded On C64: https://tinyurl.com/hh856em2 Lost Beavis & Butt-Head Game: https://tinyurl.com/h8wt9um9 The Last Of Us Demake: https://tinyurl.com/2abjtn6c Gamebox For Classic Mac: https://manticore.nz/gamebox

This week on The Retro Hour, we’re getting hands-on with the unsung heroes of gaming: video game controllers! We’re joined by Christian Wenk, author of Trigger Happy, a stunning visual celebration of over 200 iconic (and sometimes downright bizarre) controllers from gaming history. From mushy Commodore joysticks to the ergonomic oddities of the N64 and beyond, Christian shares the nostalgic stories, design quirks, and sheer passion that fuelled his epic project. Trigger Happy: https://tinyurl.com/2s4nyfpc Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 59:11 - Christian Wenk Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Leeds Gaming Market: https://leedsgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes PS3 Mod Breaks Limits: https://tinyurl.com/339xt3ky Escape 2049 Hits Mega Drive: https://tinyurl.com/5n7n7npe Atari ST Mini Teased: https://tinyurl.com/3af6pxhx Yakuza Arcade Game Ported: https://tinyurl.com/dzx7neps Atari Hotel Scaled Down: https://tinyurl.com/3j9atphj New Saturn Console Successor: https://tinyurl.com/3nzbfn78 Artist Makes Wi-Fi Visible: https://youtu.be/moBCOEiqiPs

What makes a truly great gaming community? Sean Baptiste, who helped grow Harmonix’s forum from a dozen diehards to hundreds of thousands of fans, shares what it really takes. From the secret struggles behind QA on Karaoke Revolution, to rocking out with the stars at the Grammys, Sean reflects on how fan feedback shaped Rock Band, how social media changed the game, and why authentic engagement still matters more than ever. Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 52:18 - Sean Baptiste Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Leeds Gaming Market: https://leedsgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Mario 64 Dreamcast Port Impresses: https://tinyurl.com/chayc96w Combo Portable TV Demo: https://tinyurl.com/mp5fy7ck Lost PS2-Style RPG Revealed: https://tinyurl.com/4rb98wfn Commodore Drive Turned PC: https://tinyurl.com/4b79jdnz 7-Day Dark Souls Demake: https://tinyurl.com/2sp2bc57 Yie Ar Kung-Fu Genesis Port: https://tinyurl.com/yc7y5pmx

This week we welcome Fatboy Slim, aka Norman Cook, for a chat about the retro tech behind his biggest hits. From discovering MIDI to refusing upgrades for decades, Norman explains how the Atari ST became the backbone of his workflow, powering Beats International, Freak Power and every Fatboy Slim track right up to Eat Sleep Rave Repeat. We talk step-time sequencing, floppy disks, crashing STs, pirate radio, bedroom studios and how a track made 25 years ago on an Atari is still charting today. Fatboy Slim: https://www.fatboyslim.net/ Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 47:59 - Fatboy Slim Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Make this the year you finally learn a new language and save up to 60% while you’re at it by heading to https://babbel.com/RETRO and getting started today Leeds Gaming Market: https://leedsgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes My Arcade Mini Sega Arcades: https://tinyurl.com/bderxanv Road Rash Gets a Spiritual Successor: https://tinyurl.com/yc266zz7 Final Build of Cancelled Resident Evil Game Boy Color Port Discovered: https://tinyurl.com/2rfetz22 Roguecraft DX Comes to Retro Platforms: https://tinyurl.com/4pa8nc8j Long-Lost Mega Drive Sequel to Pit Fighter Found: https://tinyurl.com/3knexpjd The Sega Saturn Gets a New Miami Vice-Style Game in 2026: https://tinyurl.com/53nc55jj

This week we’re joined by Mike Tucker and Quang DX from Bitmap Bureau to talk about the making of Terminator 2D: No Fate. We hear how their lifelong love of Terminator 2 turned into a three-year obsession, why so many classic T2 games missed the mark, and how this project set out to put that right. From painstakingly recreating iconic film moments in pixel art, to difficulty balancing, licensing hurdles, hidden Easter eggs, and expanding the Future War beyond the film, this is the story of how the Terminator game fans always wanted finally became reality.  Powerhoof games: https://www.powerhoof.com/ Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 55:33 - Terminator 2D: No Fate Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Leeds Gaming Market: https://leedsgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Sonic Lands on the Amiga: https://tinyurl.com/4rckwhvw Celebrate 50 Years of Jaws: https://tinyurl.com/348uw48e CES Retro Tech: https://tinyurl.com/3fwpynyh Modder Creates Switch-Style Dock for the Nintendo 3DS: https://youtu.be/Kqn9QqYMQOM The Iconic QuickShot II Joystick Returns in 2026: https://tinyurl.com/2p9pr8k9 Support for the Sega Dreamcast Web Browser Ends After 25 Years: https://tinyurl.com/4c9ppapc Streets of Rage 2 New Era v3 Out Now: https://tinyurl.com/3xd8jrx3

Happy New Year! As we kick off 2026, we’re treating everyone to something special: a FREE episode of The Retro Hour: After Hours, our podcast that’s usually exclusive to our Patreon supporters. After Hours is where Dan, Ravi, and Joe loosen the ties a bit and go deeper into retro gaming and technology. Longer chats, more personal opinions, and plenty of nostalgia that doesn’t always fit into the main show. This episode is a taste of what you get by joining our Patreon: • Loads of extra perks • A great way to support the podcast • Gold members get instant access to 50+ After Hours episodes, with new episodes every month 👉 To sign up, head to theretrohour.com In this episode: Dan, Ravi, and Joe look back over the last three decades of gaming and tech, sharing their personal top 5 innovations that truly changed the game forever. Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com PLAY Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ The Retro Hour Book: https://retrohour.myshopify.com/ We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com

It’s our absolute favourite episode of the year once again, the Retro Hour Christmas Quiz is back! 🎄🎮 This year, Paul Drury and Oliver Wilmot are taking on hosting duties, armed with festive cheer and plenty of tricky questions. Meanwhile, Dan, Ravi and Joe have each drafted in some of our wonderful Patrons to join their teams, because what’s Christmas without a bit of friendly competition and chaos? Expect laughs, questionable answers, retro knowledge put to the test, and the all-important bragging rights as everyone battles it out to be crowned this year’s Retro Hour Christmas Super Quiz champions. So grab a mince pie, pour yourself something festive, and settle in for a proper Christmas treat with the Retro Hour gang. Merry Christmas to all our amazing listeners, we'll see you in 2026! Paul Drury co-hosts The Ted Dabney Experience podcast – interviews with the leading lights and supporting cast of the Golden Age of Arcades: https://www.teddabneyexperience.com/ Check out Oliver Wilmot’s regular Yet Another Video Games Quiz at: https://www.facebook.com/anotherquiz Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com PLAY Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ The Retro Hour Book: https://retrohour.myshopify.com/ We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com

We go Down Under with Powerhoof’s David Lloyd, the brain behind award-winning indie hits like The Drifter and Crawl. From hiding DOS games as a kid to creating their own game engine and scooping Game of the Year at the Australian Game Developer Awards. From swapping floppies in the schoolyard to creating retro-inspired adventures, and why the Sierra era still casts a long shadow over indie devs today. Powerhoof games: https://www.powerhoof.com/ Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 1:00:00 - Powerhoof Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Leeds Gaming Market: https://leedsgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes My UFO Youth Book: https://tinyurl.com/42wdhyy7 Retrobrighting Causes More Harm Than Good?: https://youtu.be/_n_WpjseCXA New Robin Hood Game for the C64 Impresses: https://tinyurl.com/rb7nj3ts Rare Sonic Arcade Machine Goes to Auction: https://tinyurl.com/mfmd8c8f Spectrum Gets a New FPS: https://tinyurl.com/wha2ztrd M64 – A 4K FPGA Nintendo 64 Clone: https://tinyurl.com/5hcwhadn Acorn RiscOS Classic Returns on Steam: https://tinyurl.com/4akjdct5 Windows 3.x Hotdog Stand Colour Scheme Origins: https://tinyurl.com/39x9nr7e

This week, we catch up with the legendary H0ffman to hear some tales from the demo scene trenches, Amiga wizardry, and porting classic arcade titles. From brigning Metal Gear and Knightmare from the MSX to the Amiga, to pushing Neo Geo boundaries with Sega classics, and how he accidentally created a global DJ community with a bit of Amiga code. h0ffman Website: https://hoffman.home.blog/ h0ffman Itch: https://h0ffman.itch.io/ Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 57:27 - h0ffman Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Leeds Gaming Market: https://leedsgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes NES Blunder Spotted in Stranger Things: https://tinyurl.com/4m3yu3bu Turrican & Taito Hit Evercade: https://tinyurl.com/3mjkfe8e Dreamcast VMU Pro Preorders: https://tinyurl.com/59t5nwvy Mighty Final Fight Drops This Christmas: https://tinyurl.com/3nhs6835 DSpico – Open-Source DS Flash Cart Lands: https://tinyurl.com/mwv6fzbp New Dead Rising in the Works?: https://tinyurl.com/jx7m6t36 Stab N Dash Returns on Plus/4: https://tinyurl.com/mweuj6nv