

The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)
The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)
Your weekly dose of retro gaming and technology news and interviews with industry veterans.
New episodes released every Friday!
New episodes released every Friday!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 17, 2023 • 1h 29min
391: From Dark Seed to True Crime: The Artistic Journey of Joby Otero - The Retro Hour EP391
This week we chat with industry luminary, Joby Otero. From his early artistic explorations on platforms like the TI99 and Atari 400 to groundbreaking titles like Darkseed and MDK, Joby's journey is a masterclass in evolution and innovation. Discover the stories behind unpublished gems like "Evolver", the artistic collaboration with H.R. Giger, and the creation of the expansive True Crime series.
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.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
Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Glen Milford, Dustin Matteson
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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/
Passione Amiga Day: https://passioneamigaday.it/en/home/
Show notes:
Quake 2 Remaster: https://tinyurl.com/49btewz8
Retro Receivers for PS5 Controllers on PS1/2: https://tinyurl.com/8n9f49zh
Self-aware Lara Croft Plays Tomb Raider: https://youtu.be/0wTf_bbkW2U
Twin Peaks: The PS1 Game: https://tinyurl.com/4juh3cxp

Aug 11, 2023 • 1h 38min
390: Reviving the Lost Art of Video Game Manuals - The Retro Hour EP390
The podcast discusses the decline of physical video game manuals and the efforts to revive them. They also cover topics such as teletext on the Amiga, the possibility of a canceled Sonic game being released, and the evolution of computer manuals. Additionally, they talk about the trend of creating homemade video game manuals and covers, and the community response towards their work.

Aug 3, 2023 • 1h 31min
389: From EA to Midway: Mortal Kombat, Madden & More With Michael Rubinelli
This week, we take a deep dive into the illustrious career of gaming industry veteran, Michael Rubinelli. From his early days as a producer at Electronic Arts to his influential roles at THQ, Midway Games, and Capcom, working on classics like Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, the John Madden series and GTA III.
Wave Game Studios: https://www.wavegamestudios.com/
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/
Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs
Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Scott Gomersall, Glen Milford
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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/
Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html
Show notes:
Evercade Reveals New Titles: https://tinyurl.com/ym83w7a9
8BitDo Unveils NES Style Keyboard: https://tinyurl.com/ydyktnt2
Classic Pokemon Games Ported to the SNES: https://youtu.be/e8SKOCk1FJg
Vintage Apple Trainers on Sale for $50K: https://tinyurl.com/yvmrkrda
Footage of Cancelled Mega Drive Indiana Jones Game Appears Online: https://tinyurl.com/29yekzkb

Jul 28, 2023 • 1h 25min
388: Reviving the Dream: Wave Game Studios' Dreamcast Journey - The Retro Hour EP388
This week, we're in conversation with Daniel Crocker from Wave Game Studios, the force behind some remarkable new titles for the Sega Dreamcast. Not only are they breathing new life into legendary games like Postal through porting, but they're also making waves with their innovative titles. Among these is Driving Strikers, a Rocket League-inspired game that marks the first Dreamcast game to support online play in over two decades. We'll also delve into Shadow Gangs, a beat 'em up game that draws inspiration from the classic Streets of Rage.
Wave Game Studios: https://www.wavegamestudios.com/
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.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
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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/
Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html
Show notes:
Space Invaders World Defense: https://tinyurl.com/2pwadkne
Half-Life 2 LEGO Edition: https://tinyurl.com/5d44k6s7
Atari Launches Reproduction Arcade PCBs: https://tinyurl.com/yvt6n3e5
New PS1/PS2 Memory Card: https://tinyurl.com/mrynkct7
MegaVision Software: https://www.megavision-software.com/

Jul 20, 2023 • 1h 34min
387: Cyberia: Revisiting The Cyber Cafe with Eva Pascoe - The Retro Hour EP387
We chat with Eva Pascoe, co-founder of Cyberia, Britain's first internet cafe. We explore the birth of Cyberia, a 1994 innovation that transformed the digital world. Cyberia wasn't just a tech hub; it was a hotspot for celebrities like David Bowie, Kylie Minogue and Mick Jagger, and it was famed for their Sunday morning post-rave LAN parties and gaming basement.
22 Ideas About The Future: https://tinyurl.com/yb8ayc8z
CybrSalon Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CybrSalon/videos
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/
Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs
Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Just Great Ideas Today, Dylan Sainsbury, John Lundy
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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/
Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html
Show notes:
Gex is back: https://tinyurl.com/2s35jwy8
Antstream coming to XBox: https://tinyurl.com/2z23z79z
Funfair Inc for Commodore 64: https://tinyurl.com/4sphkajc
Burn Master, Game Boy cart reader/writer: https://tinyurl.com/4etffk86

Jul 14, 2023 • 1h 23min
386: Bringing Konami Games To The West - The Retro Hour EP386
On this week's podcast, we chat with Jeremy Blaustein, an American translator and voice director known for his work in localising Japanese media into English. With notable contributions to games like 'Metal Gear Solid', 'Castlevania: Symphony of the Night' and Snatcher. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from the man who brought some of your favorite games to the English-speaking world!
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.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
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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/
Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html
Show notes:
87% of video games are not preserved: https://tinyurl.com/2p8v2as3
Power Shark USB-C for Amiga: https://retrousbpower.com/
Jordan Mechner's Karateka interactrive game: https://tinyurl.com/bdtn27dw
TMNT Sega Master System port: https://tinyurl.com/3vy5h42u
Crap Games competition: https://tinyurl.com/6rd9hzrm

Jul 7, 2023 • 1h 33min
385: First Person Shooters: Exploring 40 Years of History - The Retro Hour EP385
Join us in this episode as we chat with David L. Craddock and Richard Moss, the creators of 'First Person Shooter', the ultimate documentary tracing the evolution of FPS games. We'll explore industry secrets, personal favorites, and insights from their interviews with gaming legends. From the rudimentary wireframe graphics of Maze War and Spasim to the genre-defining classics like Doom and Half Life.
First Person Shooter Documentary: https://fpsdoc.com/
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/
Get 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retro
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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/
Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html
Show notes:
Sega 1990s brand review leak: https://tinyurl.com/y6hdbra2
Final Vendetta coming to Neo Geo: https://tinyurl.com/bdewn9va
CRT is still the king of gaming monitors: https://tinyurl.com/4x5axr8y
Double Dragon Gaiden: https://tinyurl.com/ycy3wjdp

Jun 30, 2023 • 1h 30min
384: Swordquest and Atari's Pac-Man with Tod Frye - The Retro Hour EP384
This week, we're joined by gaming icon Tod Frye, known for the Atari 2600's Pac-Man and the Swordquest series. We explore Pac-Man's controversial development story, its effects on Atari, and delve into the innovative, ambitious Swordquest series and the mysterious missing treasures.
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/
Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs
Get 3 issues of your favourite Future Publishing gaming mag (Play, Edge, Retro Gamer and PC Gamer) for just £1 each: https://www.magazinesdirect.com/retrotrial
Get 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retro
Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Joe, Lee Mintram
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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/
Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/
Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html
Show notes:
Nintendo announces remake of Super Mario RPG: https://tinyurl.com/36a7vd3u
Rare WHITE Sega Genesis spotted: https://tinyurl.com/3xfuh4pt
MicroBeast: https://tinyurl.com/52wtpjyx
Xbox has been losing the console wars since 2001: https://tinyurl.com/4nzzv6f5
Metroid Mega Mission for Sega Mega Drive: https://tinyurl.com/5n7xewvm

Jun 22, 2023 • 1h 28min
383: Age of Empires II and Xbox Live with Mark Terrano - The Retro Hour EP383
On this week's podcast, we journey into the heart of the classic strategy game, Age of Empires 2, with none other than its Lead Designer, Mark Terrano. Not stopping there, Mark also shares his unique insights from his time as the Technical Game Manager for Microsoft during the launch of the original Xbox, shedding light on the early days of Xbox Live.
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
Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Shane Goggin, Ross Murphy, James Hannigan
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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/
Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/
Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html
Show notes:
Dreamcast dev-kit shows up in a recycle shop: https://tinyurl.com/yvatu2uh
Help finish a c64 RPG: https://tinyurl.com/bdhx8ct3
Memcard pro for Game Cube: https://tinyurl.com/2p9w72ds
Atari release first 2600 cart in 30 years: https://tinyurl.com/mphvswzu

Jun 15, 2023 • 1h 33min
382: Back To The BBS with Al's Geek Lab - The Retro Hour EP382
We delve into the fascinating world of Bulletin Board Systems with Al's Geek Lab, the creator of the awesome YouTube series 'Back to the BBS'. We explore how BBSs laid the groundwork for today's Internet, the artistic flair of ANSI art, and the enduring allure of BBS games and mods and why the scene is thriving again today.
Back To The BBS Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/2ur5mwcs
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/
Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs
Get 3 issues of your favourite Future Publishing gaming mag (Play, Edge, Retro Gamer and PC Gamer) for just £1 each: https://www.magazinesdirect.com/retrotrial
Get 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retro
Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Andreas Sunna, Kev Sanders
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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/
Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html
Show notes:
Monkey Island Sea of Thieves crossover: https://youtu.be/DOWILvQGVz4
Capcom Town: https://captown.capcom.com/en
Iron Meat new contra type game: https://tinyurl.com/36d4c523
Croc HD is being worked on: https://retrododo.com/croc-hd/