The Retrograde: A Video Game Podcast

Ante up, D-Pads! This week we can't resist the call of what might be the hottest game on the market right now: Balatro! We've taken some time to learn the ropes and really get a sense of what this Poker Inspired Deck Building Roguelike is all about. Is Balatro really as great as everyone says? Or is it just a band-aid as we wait for Slay the Spire 2? Check out our full gameplay segment on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/b2DX8eLZBDc Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetrogradePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/balatro-review

It's time for an add-on to our episode about add-ons, D-Pads! This week we're wrapping up our look at some of the most iconic gaming peripherals of all time. Sure, no one should set foot on a Tony Hawk Ride skateboard, but that doesn't mean we should toss out every hunk of plastic we've hooked up to our consoles. From the Nintendo Zapper and the Playstation Multitap to the Wii Fit Balance board and the Xbox Kinect, we try to find a tiered slot for a whole new slew of items. Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetrogradePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/greatest-gaming-peripherals-of-all-time-part-2

Time to get a little bit more, D-Pads! What's better than your favourite game? The peripherals which make your favourite game EVEN better! We've all held a giant chunk of plastic in our hands and either felt self conscious, or felt like gaming couldn't get any better. This week we sit down to rank the most iconic Gaming Peripherals of all time! Is the NES Zapper truly S-Tier even though most of us only used it for one game? Is the N64 Rumble Pack worth holding on to when every new controller comes standard with that technology now? Plus: More thoughts on Disco Elysium and Baldur's Gate 3! Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetrogradePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/greatest-gaming-peripherals-of-all-time-part-1

Do the Mario, D-Pads! This week we took a trip back to the Mushroom Kingdom to check out one of the most infamous Super Mario properties of all time: The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! It only aired for one season and featured the likes of "Captain" Lou Albano as Mario and Danny Wells as Luigi, but in that short time it amassed a cult following and contributed to countless memes. But after so much time removed from the original airing, is it even possible to watch it with fresh eyes? We aim to find out if this confounding children's show is worth watching in the modern day. Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetrogradePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/super-mario-bros-super-show-review-episode-1

May your blades chip and shatter, D-Pads! This week we ride the hype train all the way to Arrakis as we look back at the game that laid the groundwork for all Real Time Strategy games to come: Dune 2 Battle for Arrakis! It's also known as Dune 2: The Building of a Dynasty, but we're here to find out if it's still just as revolutionary as the day it was released. Check out our full gameplay segment here before jumping into the episde: https://youtu.be/wdpJeJTmrI8 Before we dig into our thoughts and impressions on the game, we also take some time to review the recent movie Dune: Part 2, and Mikey gives his thoughts on Disco Elysium. Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetrogradePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/dune-2-battle-for-arrakis-review

Turn off those consoles, D-Pads. We've been spending too long talking about "the best," and "our favourites." It's about time we grind things to a halt and talk about our least favourite video games of all time. Are these the worst video games of all time? Not necessarily. In fact: more often than not, not at all! Instead, these are the games which for one reason or another really bothered us. Maybe they didn't live up to a promise? Maybe they ruined our favourite franchise? Maybe everyone else loved them and we simply couldn't see why? Plus: The Last of Us: No Return, the Silent Hill 2 Trailer, and Dune 2 impressions Let us know your least favourite games of all time! Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetrogradePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/least-favourite-video-games-of-all-time

Find a partner and mash your medallions together, D-Pads! You asked, and we watched: this week we finally take a look at the heavily requested film adaptation of Double Dragon (1994) featuring the likes of Scott Wolf, Robert Patrick, and... Alyssa Milano's brother? With all the conversation surrounding the success of video game adaptations, from 2023's Super Mario Bros. and The Last of Us, to 2024's announcement of Borderlands, and season 2 of Halo, we figured we'd revisit the roots of these vague remakes! This was truly one of the most baffling films we've ever seen, but believe it or not there was actually a pretty interesting movie buried somewhere in there! It's available on Prime Video, so you might want to give it a watch before you give us a listen! Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetrogradePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/double-dragon-movie-review

Call your dads, D-Pads! It's time to boot up that old grey PC in your basement, click on over to Start - Program Files - Games, and see what you've got! If you were lucky enough to be born 30 or so years ago, you'll know what this is all about, and you'll likely have some opinions on what were some of the best Windows Based and Microsoft Entertainment Pack games! Is Solitaire better than Minesweeper? Does Jezzball deserve to be higher than B tier? What even is Jezzball? Plus: our final thoughts on Prince of Persia The Lost Crown. Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetrogradePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/microsoft-entertainment-pack-tier-ranking

Time for a pit-stop, D-Pads! As gamers we're still early enough into the lifecycle of our favourite medium to have been blessed with more fantastic years than bad ones. After the gaming crash of the 1980s, it looked like the sky was the limit! That is, until 1995. While no year is without a few stand-out games, some years brought more misery than excitement. Join us as we draft some of the best AND worst games from 1995. Does the glory of Earthbound outweigh the shame of Penn and Teller's Smoke and Mirrors? Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetrogradePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/worst-year-in-gaming-history-1995

Time to dust off that Blockbuster card, D-Pads! This week we sit down side by side on a sofa built for two to discuss a style of gaming which just doesn't seem to exist anymore. While the introduction of online multiplayer games felt promising, the unforeseen casualty was the tried and true practice of couch co-op! We wanted to relive some of our best memories playing videogames side by side with our buddies by drafting a team of 6 of our favourites! Whether it's a strict co-op game, split screen multiplayer, or just a classic single player game which is well suited to passing the controller back and forth, it's all on the table (or, in this case, the couch). Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/theretrogradepodcast Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/best-couch-co-op-games

We've been feeling the love since our 300th episode, so we wanted to give back to the listeners! This week we decided to open up the mail bag again and answer some of your burning questions. Why isn't there more sex in video games? What are our least favourite peripherals of all time? What makes a mediocre game worth playing? And more! Plus, we break down some of the biggest moments from last week's Sony State of Play, and catch up on our recent gaming habits like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and Dave the Diver! Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/theretrogradepodcast Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/sex-in-video-games-listener-questions-3

It's our 300th Episode, D-Pads! When we first started this podcast roughly 6 years ago, the world had no idea what it was in for: a few weeks of poorly produced banter before the feed went silent? A forgotten corner of the internet where two friends catch one another up about their gaming habits? Mikey's ultimate manifesto? Regardless, we've made it to 300 episodes and we couldn't have done it without the massive support of our listeners (and the modest YouTube viewership). To celebrate where we are, we wanted to look back on where it all started with Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Largely credited with saving console gaming after the crash of 1983, this game would live on as one of Nintendo's crowning achievements, and one of the most memorable games of all time. ...but is it still worth playing in the modern day? Join us to find out! You can find the full gameplay segment for today's game here: https://youtu.be/pjdrcek0-tA Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/theretrogradepodcast Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/super-mario-bros-nes-episode-300

Kick, Push, D-Pads! This week we strap on the elbow pads, slip into the knee pads, throw on a helmet, and take to the streets! Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is one of the original franchises which inspired this podcast, and as we get closer to episode 300 we wanted to take a week to play a game which is near and dear to our heart: it's Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2! We easily remember this game being near perfect, but how does a version of the franchise without classic mechanics like Reverts and Modifiers hold up in the modern day? Join us as we run down the history of the franchise, and our history of enjoying it. Make sure to check out the gameplay segment for this episode here: https://youtu.be/f8CrHYXs4Vo Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/theretrogradepodcast Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/tony-hawks-pro-skater-2-retro-review

This week we party like it's 1999! All this talk about how great 2023 was for gaming stirred our ongoing debate over which years have been the best in gaming history. So far on the show we've done deep dives into 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2007, but somehow we missed one of the most fruitful years of all time: 1999! From Silent Hill and Legacy of Kain, to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and Super Smash Bros., the onslaught of great games is almost unmatched! Join us as we wade through the launch window of Dreamcast, and the heart of pokemania while we each draft a team of 7 games to see who can put together the best lineup. Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/theretrogradepodcast Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/best-year-in-gaming-1999

Happy New Year, D-Pads! This week we look forward to some of the year's biggest and most interesting releases. 2023 was an absolute powerhouse, but is it even possible to consider that 2024 might have just as much to offer? From The Plucky Squire, to Hades 2, to Star Wars: Outlaws, there are still plenty of games to keep us geared up for what's in store. Plus: we look at how our 2023 most anticipated lists compared to the year's best releases. Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/theretrogradepodcast Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/most-anticipated-games-2024

Happy New Year, D-Pads! This week we decided to release a very special episode a bit earlier than our typical Tuesday release. If you're looking for something to do this New Year's Eve, we've got your covered! Join us as we take part in a 60 minute "Power Hour" where we drink a shot of beer every minute while trying to recap 2023, and give predictions as to what is in store for us in 2024. We talk games, movies, TV, and even get a little bit personal. The 60 minute countdown starts at 7:45! However you decide to enjoy your New Year celebration, we hope it's an absolute blast. Just a heads up that this means we will NOT have a new episode posted this Tuesday. THIS IS that episode. Don't be greedy. Thanks for being the best group of listeners we ever could have asked for! Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/theretrogradepodcast Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/new-years-eve-power-hour-2023

Well, D-Pads, another year has come and gone, and now we find ourselves looking back on one of the greatest years in not just GAMING history, but TV and Movies as well. Was it the delays of our COVID years pushing everything to the same release window, or just dumb luck? We don't know... but what we DO know is that there were too many great releases across all mediums to limit ourselves to just video games. On this special recap episode we've opened up our top 10 list to all mediums so that we can truly celebrate one of the best years in video games, movies, TV, and more! Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/theretrogradepodcast Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/top-10-games-movies-tv-shows-of-2023

You thought you've already heard all there is to know about the new Grand Theft Auto: 6 trailer? Think again. We've had this on our minds since the trailer first launched, so we wanted to take another look to see if there were any points the other media outlets missed. This week we go in depth on the GTA 6 trailer, offering some never before seen insights and some of our best predictions of mechanics which we think will be newly incorporated into Rockstar's most anticipated game. Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/theretrogradepodcast Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/gta-6-trailer-more-secrets-and-predictions

Well, D-Pads, we finally know which games won big at The Game Awards amid one of gaming's greatest years of all time! As promised, we've compared all the winners to our predictions in order to gauge which of us knows more about video games, and is ultimately a better human being. No spoilers, but by this measure Mikey isn't a great human being. But it wouldn't be Gaming's Biggest Night (TM) if they didn't give us a plethora of new announcements and trailers to break down as well! Plus: Andrew has spent the last week exploring Hell-A in Dead Island 2, and Mikey has some promising news about Alan Wake 2! Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/theretrogradepodcast Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/the-game-awards-reaction-and-breakdown

There are some games you want to forget ALL about... ...but maybe not for the reason you're thinking. This week we think back to some games which we'd love to play again for the very first time. Whether it's the unforgettable story reveal of Bioshock, the confounding puzzles of Portal, or the childhood whimsy a game like Super Mario 64, we reminisce on what some of our favourite games felt like when they first entered out lives. Let us know which games we missed! Watch our gameplay segments and full video episodes over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/theretrogradepodcast Join us on Twitter: @RetrogradePod, @RetrogradeAndy, @RetrogradeMikey TikTok: @RetrogradePod Or on Instagram: @theretrogradepodcast Or visit our website at www.theretrogradepod.com/ Questions, Comments, and business inquiries can be sent to theretrogradepodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: https://www.theretrogradepod.com/episodes/games-we-want-to-forget