The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)

This week, we chat with Andy Davidson, the creator of the legendary game Worms. Andy shares how a quirky artillery game made on a school Amiga evolved into one of the most recognisable franchises in gaming history. From ripping sprites out of Lemmings for a laugh, to a five-minute pitch that landed him a publishing deal with Team17, plus some updates on the upcoming Worms Director's Cut 1.5 for the Amiga!  Andy Davidson on X: https://x.com/totalwormage Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  35:31 - Andy Davidson Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Crawley Gaming Market: https://www.crawleygamingmarket.com/ Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com 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 Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd 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 Rare's 40th Anniversary Blue Plaque: https://tinyurl.com/yfvut7sc Rare Evercade Collection: https://tinyurl.com/bdd3emcb Rare Vinyl Set: https://tinyurl.com/4puzktvw Rick Dangerous Mega Drive Port: https://tinyurl.com/ydr25k9f Zelda Homage NES-Style Spin-Off: https://tinyurl.com/4ahudfru Groundbreaking Game Descent’s Anniversary: https://tinyurl.com/tddfybfa

This week we’re joined by Matt Porter, former programmer at Argonaut Software and one of the key developers behind Croc: Legend of the Gobbos. Matt shares inside stories from the development of titles like Creature Shock, Scooby-Doo Mysteries, and SWAT: Global Strike Team, delves into the challenges of porting games across wildly different platforms, and teases some fascinating lost betas and unreleased gems he’s been finding on 30-year-old hard drives. Dovetail Games: https://dovetailgames.com/ Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  37:40 - Matt Porter Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Sheffield Gaming Market: https://www.sheffieldgamingmarket.com/ Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com 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 Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd 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 James Pond Revival and AI Campaign: https://tinyurl.com/9wafa3zx Bitmap Bureau Terminator Game Delay: https://tinyurl.com/yry357hp Game Gear Camera Mod Using GBC Hardware: https://tinyurl.com/msrus64r Rare 3DO M2 Console Withdrawn from Sale: https://tinyurl.com/4z6hv5h7 Super Mario Bros. Remastered Coming to PC: https://tinyurl.com/4dmy62vk

This week’s guest is Rob Smith: the mad‑scientist of the retro scene. Rob takes us on a tour of his wild inventions—from a disco‑themed floppy‑disk cleaning workstation that actually plays tunes, to a full‑scale whack‑a‑mole game controlled by an Amiga via Arduino and AMOS, and his glowing levitating Boing Ball built with magnets and LEDs. He also talks about the Retro Directory, disc backup stations, and his journey from VIC 20 BASIC to making modern retro PD titles. Rob Smith's website: https://robsmithdev.co.uk/ Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  47:48 - Dave Isherwood Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Sheffield Gaming Market: https://www.sheffieldgamingmarket.com/ Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com 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 Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd 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 Atari Classics in Volkswagen Vehicles: https://tinyurl.com/wfner8j2 Paprium Flash Cart Release: https://tinyurl.com/2ucerftm Metro’s Top 20 Amiga Games: https://tinyurl.com/ftz5y86h Grant Sinclair Gamercard: https://tinyurl.com/nzc9uuem Atari x Pac-Man Collection – Limited Edition 2600+: https://tinyurl.com/47ar835w Atari 50 Namco DLC: https://tinyurl.com/bd8xczzs Modern SNES Handheld in Development: https://tinyurl.com/45c8u3jn

his week, we go behind the scenes of ’90s game testing with QA veteran Dave Isherwood! From the chaos of Virgin Interactive’s wild office parties to uncovering show-stopping bugs just hours before launch. Hear about the day Virgin fell apart, the mystery of the deadly red screen, and why he had to fake losing video game tournaments.  Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  37:37 - Dave Isherwood Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com 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 Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd 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 Commodore 64 Ultimate Edition: https://www.commodore.net/ Rare Sega Genesis Re-Release: https://tinyurl.com/5n6ftw5a Worms Forever Game Boy Mod: https://tinyurl.com/8j86zb7b Beat ’Em Up Collection – QUByte Classics: https://tinyurl.com/mr4nuuxk YouTuber Copyright Lawsuit: https://tinyurl.com/jbdjdmr5

This week, we’re joined by John from the awesome YouTube channel RetroBytes - a creator who dives into the obscure corners of computing history. From his childhood memories of a flaming Spectrum, to restoring Unix workstations, the beauty of operating systems that time forgot, and why Gopher might’ve beaten the web, if not for one fatal mistake.  RetroBytes on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetroBytesUK Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  40:03 - RetroBytes Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com 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 Events: The Amiga at 40: https://tinyurl.com/4wu2866h NottsVGE: https://www.nottsvge.com/ RetroMessa: https://www.retromessa.no/ Show notes Xbox Mass Lay Offs: https://tinyurl.com/47t45sum New Jazz Mag: https://www.supercellphonegamer.com/ GameCube to Switch 2 Dock: https://tinyurl.com/5k32x59t Flipping Good Game: https://tinyurl.com/bddecmvz 3D Print with Accuracy: https://tinyurl.com/37t6zwsz

This week, we’re joined by Darren Melbourne and Mark Greenshields to unravel the untold story of British software house Enigma Variations. From bargain licensing deals for Postman Pat and Bugs Bunny to cold-calling Nintendo after a few ciders. Plus, their recent efforts to preserved lost classics, the truth behind NES Lion King, and why some of their best work never saw the light of day... until now. Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  32:53 - Darren Melbourne and Mark Greenshields Interview Games That Weren't: https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/ Antstream: https://www.antstream.com/ Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com 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 Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd 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 Animaniacs for GBA: https://tinyurl.com/y3u3ahsk Postal 2 Redux: https://tinyurl.com/32f4f54x Game Boy Camera on Switch 2: https://tinyurl.com/y5t7phw3 Playdate FMV Game: https://tinyurl.com/vtacmh6e Windows 95 on PS2: https://tinyurl.com/2nttad7w

We’re joined by Allen Anderson, a veteran SNES coder, and one of the key programmers behind Rock n’ Roll Racing. Starting as a teenage game cracker in Arkansas, he shares how hacking games led him into the industry, the chaos of SNES development with homemade dev kits, and how he programmed the Game Genie under insane deadlines, and the story behind the legendary cancelled Sega Saturn title, Propaganda.  Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  38:20 - Allen Anderson Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com 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 Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd 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: Switch 2 Emulation Issues: https://youtu.be/A3ylCAr0dbs Maplin Returns: https://tinyurl.com/23w9xy5p Duke Nukem Netflix Project: https://tinyurl.com/yc8euk4h Turrican CPC Remaster: https://tinyurl.com/mr3se7jp Linux Format Closes: https://tinyurl.com/5e9dhzcx

This week, we chat with game developer and producer Phil Gaskell, whose career spans from typing BASIC on a ZX81 to shaping titles at Psygnosis, Sony Playstation and Warthog. Phil shares behind-the-scenes tales of early PlayStation days, cancelled games, missed payrolls and mafia connections at Gizmondo, and rebooting iconic games like Lemmings and Super Stardust HD.  Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  36:41 - Phil Gaskell Interview Our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroHourPodcast/videos Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com 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 Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd 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: Atari beats ChatGPT: https://tinyurl.com/54pr4bxw PS1 custom motherboards: https://tinyurl.com/mtrdfb3j Head Over Heels sequel: https://tinyurl.com/4whtcrnn Mario Kart 64 on Dreamcast: https://tinyurl.com/jjk8uhyt Discord on Windows 95: https://youtu.be/wxdn30G2LE8

This week we hear about the turbulent post-Commodore years with former Amiga Technologies President, Petro Tyschtschenko. From scrambling to find buyers after Commodore’s collapse to selling Amiga 1200s out of a warehouse in India, Petro shares his story, from the courtroom battles, the backroom deals, and the community spirit that refused to let the Amiga die.  Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  41:51 - Petro Tyschtschenko Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com 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 Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd 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 Story Behind Resident Evil 2 Cover Art: https://tinyurl.com/muhvzmz4 The G'aime: https://tinyurl.com/bkspfsbw Let’s Buy Commodore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN8r4LRcOXc MK Collection: https://tinyurl.com/226ty4tj

This week we welcome Cos Lazouras, a true veteran with over three decades in the games industry. From blagging his way into Bits Studios to working with Vin Diesel on The Chronicles of Riddick, Cos shares incredible stories from working on Spider-Man, The Simpsons, Wolverine and Last Action Hero including why that one remains his most ‘disastrous’ game. And his incredible new 80's themed point & click adventure. VICE Undercover: https://tinyurl.com/476ucjzb Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  32:47 - Cos Lazouras Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com 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 Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd 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 Bagman for Mega Drive: https://tinyurl.com/8scuchxj Game Boy Camera Manager: https://tinyurl.com/5n78v92s Atari ST turns 40: https://tinyurl.com/mwbzf2v2 Azaran Island: https://tinyurl.com/msphwu2h New Contra arcade: https://youtu.be/5FX6HJl9uZ8