ARGcast - Another Retro Gaming Podcast

Latest Episodes:

ARGcast #145: Cult Classic Games and Studios with Patrick Hickey Jr. Jan 18, 2019

Show notes

Acclaimed author Patrick Hickey Jr. joins us to look back on our favorite cult classic video games and the studios that made them.

Let's get weird, ARGonauts! Patrick Hickey Jr. joins us to celebrate the unsung heroes in gaming. Come along with us as we discuss cult classic games and the amazing studios that made them. Patrick also tells us about his book The Minds Behind The Games that ties it all together.

In this week's news, Soulja Boy looks like he's at it again! Only this time he's ripping off Sony with PlayStation Vita knockoffs. That's followed by the leaked release date for Metroid Prime 4, Resident Evil 2 Remake going retro, and Dragon's Lair coming to Nintendo Switch.

The Stage of History covers cult classic favorites Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord and Skies of Arcadia. Robert then turns to the Genesis for Beyond Oasis in Obscura. Be sure to nab our game code giveaways for Party Hard Tycoon and R-Type Dimensions EX. Then stick around for another crazy round of Random Select! Who could Robert be this time?

Got a question, comment, or suggestion for the show? Email us or send a tweet! Also, join our Discord room to chat all things retro gaming!

Follow David | Follow Robert

We are partnered with Don't Feed The Gamers! Be sure to check them out for fan-focused gaming content.

ARGcast #144: The History of Video Game Publisher LJN Jan 11, 2019

Show notes

David and Robert taste the rainbow as they look back on infamous video game publisher LJN and the number of awful licensed titles they released.

As if we didn't start the new year bad enough! Join us as we take a look back on the rainbow that the Angry Video Game Nerd loves to hate. We discuss the history of video game publisher LJN and look through their atrocious game catalog to find the best ones in the heap. There's no gold at the end of this rainbow!

We first hit the news talking about the latest retro gaming products shown at CES 2019. That's followed by the discovery of a Minus World in The Legend of Zelda, and a Darkwing Duck game prototype made by the Sonic Mania team.

The Stage of History gets us ready for our main topic with the atrocious Back to the Future for NES and the comic book beat 'em up Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage. Robert then locks and loads one of the more decent LJN titles Alien 3 in Obscura. Don't forget to grab hold of our game code giveaways also!

There's no Random Select this week, but next week we should have our long awaited episode on cult classic game studios and titles with a very special guest. Until then, keep it retro!

Got a question, comment, or suggestion for the show? Email us or send a tweet! Also, join our Discord room to chat all things retro gaming!

Follow David | Follow Robert

We are partnered with Don't Feed The Gamers! Be sure to check them out for fan-focused gaming content.

ARGcast #143: Hopes and Predictions for 2019 with Evan Bourgault Jan 05, 2019

Show notes

We kick off 2019 with our hopes and predictions for the new year in gaming with the Boston Bastard Brigade's own Evan Bourgault!

It's a new year for retro gaming, ARGonauts! We welcome back on friend of the show Evan Bourgault of the Boston Bastard Brigade to talk about our hopes and predictions for 2019. Join us in a discussion on what we think is going to happen as well as the long shots we wish to see. The return of Capcom? Yes, please!

The first news of 2019 has us first talking about a recently discovered NES port of SimCity. That's followed by a possible Sonic Adventure remake, some NES love from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and the end of Soulja Boy making his quick cash grab in retro gaming.

This week's Stage of History welcomes the Disney infused adventure Kingdom Hearts and Nero's debut in Devil May Cry 4. Robert then memorializes the late "Mean" Gene Okerlund with WWF Wrestlefest during Obscura. Be sure to nab our game code giveaways, then stick around for another round of Random Select. Does David actually stump the band to start off the new year?

Got a question, comment, or suggestion for the show? Email us or send a tweet! Also, join our Discord room to chat all things retro gaming!

Follow David | Follow Robert

We are partnered with Don't Feed The Gamers! Be sure to check them out for fan-focused gaming content.

Click for all ARGcast episodes and homepage

ARGcast #142: Arcade Sports with Tim Kitzrow and Michael Mendheim Dec 21, 2018

Show notes

BOOMSHAKALAKA! NBA Jam announcer Tim Kitzrow and Mutant Football League creator Michael Mendheim join us to talk arcade sports games in history.

Go up for the big slam, ARGonauts! We're closing 2018 in a boom (and shakalaka) with returning guests Tim Kitzrow and Michael Mendheim. They provide their experiences with arcade sports games and how much they love the genre. Plus Tim gives us the NBA Jam treatment in our introduction! Kaboom!

There's no news this week, so instead, we get into the holiday spirit and give away game codes galore! Listen up for a chance to win copies of Sega Genesis Classics, R-Type Dimensions EX, Horizon Shift 81, and Michael's game Mutant Football League. There are even details on how you can win a physical copy of Mutant Football League for Nintendo Switch!

The Stage of History adds in games that Tim and Michael have worked in with Mutant League Hockey and NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC. Robert then clobbers us with Super High Impact during Obscura. There's no Random Select, but we more than make up for it with off-the-wall shenanigans that only the NBA Jam guy can provide.

We will be taking next week off for the holidays. Please have a safe and fun holiday break. See you next year for more retro gaming!

Got a question, comment, or suggestion for the show? Email us or send a tweet! Also, join our Discord room to chat all things retro gaming!

Follow David | Follow Robert

We are partnered with Don't Feed The Gamers! Be sure to check them out for fan-focused gaming content.

ARGcast Mini #18: Video Game Music and Rare with Grant Kirkhope Dec 18, 2018

Show notes

Video game composer extraordinaire Grant Kirkhope chats with David about the state of music in the industry, the good ol' Rare days, and more!

Music makes the world go 'round, and that's doubly so in video games! So what better person to talk about music within the gaming industry than former Rare composer Grant Kirkhope?

As if cementing his legacy with Banjo-Kazooie, Viva Pinata, GoldenEye 007, and more weren't enough, Grant is also a voice for music composers everywhere. Hear what he has to say on the highest of highs that lead to the lowest of lows at Rare. He also revisits previous quotes made on his anger towards Microsoft and game composers versus movie composers.

During the conversation, please enjoy samples of music by Grant Kirkhope that play throughout the episode. This includes some of his personal favorites and award-nominated pieces. There's even some Game Boy music from Grant's first project working for Rare!

Got a question, comment, or suggestion for the show? Email us or send a tweet! Also, join our Discord room to chat all things retro gaming!

Follow David | Follow Robert

We are partnered with Don't Feed The Gamers! Be sure to check them out for fan-focused gaming content.

ARGcast #141: Celebrating DOOM and Dusk with Dave Oshry Dec 15, 2018

Show notes

Rip and tear with us and returning guest Dave Oshry of New Blood to talk about the release of his retro FPS Dusk and celebrate 25 years of DOOM!

Merry Dusk-mas, ARGonauts! We welcome New Blood head honcho Dave Oshry back on the show to celebrate the release of his retro first-person shooter Dusk. We also look back on the DOOM franchise in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Prepare to rip and tear!

The show kicks off with us catching up on what happened during The Game Awards. Then we hit the news on Soulja Boy selling his own game consoles, Panzer Dragoon making a comeback, and our thoughts on those strange Sonic the Hedgehog movie posters.

This week's Stage of History brings the gore with Final Doom and Doom 3. Then Robert continues the carnage with Blood in Obscura. Be sure to also grab our game code giveaways for Mutant Football League and Dusk. See you next week for our final show of the year!

Got a question, comment, or suggestion for the show? Email us or send a tweet! Also, join our Discord room to chat all things retro gaming!

Follow David | Follow Robert

We are partnered with Don't Feed The Gamers! Be sure to check them out for fan-focused gaming content.

ARGcast #140: The Best and Worst of 2018 with Tony Polanco Dec 09, 2018

Show notes

Our end of year special has us look back on some of the best and worst games and gaming moments of 2018 with our good buddy Tony Polanco!

2018 is coming to a close, ARGonauts! Tony Polanco of The Koalition, Geek.com, and The Throwdown joins us to chat about the best and worst of the past year. All the games and gaming moments we loved and hated are covered here, including our thoughts on the PlayStation Classic. Spoiler alert, they're not flattering.

Our news talk this week has us cover Epic Games forming their own Steam competitor, and what that means for developers and fans alike. We then discuss the latest NES games coming to Nintendo Switch Online, Capcom working on a mysterious title, and the release date for Toejam & Earl: Back in the Groove.

The Stage of History has us welcome more modern classics with Spider-Man 2 and God of War II. Robert then puzzles us with the unique Intelligent Qube in Obscura. Be sure to grab our game code giveaways for Overwatch and the first of many codes for Mutant Football League: Dynasty Edition. Then stick around for another game of Random Select! Who could Robert be this time?

Got a question, comment, or suggestion for the show? Email us or send a tweet! Also, join our Discord room to chat all things retro gaming!

Follow David | Follow Robert

We are partnered with Don't Feed The Gamers! Be sure to check them out for fan-focused gaming content.

ARGcast #139: Gaming With Siblings with Ross and Elaine Jaynes Dec 01, 2018

Show notes

It's a sibling rivalry, ARGonauts! Returning guest Ross Jaynes joins us along with his sister and Nerd and Needle owner Elaine Jaynes to discuss the brother and sister dynamic when playing video games. Everyone who grew up with siblings can relate to some of the stories told here!

This week's news has us ponder over the over 10 new game announcements that will happen during The Game Awards. We also look into the PlayStation 5 possibly using cartridges, Parasite Eve potentially making a comeback, and game studio Nicalis teasing us with their idea for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game.

The Stage of History has us seeing double vision with Double Dragon II: The Revenge and ToeJam & Earl. Robert then keeps our pulses running with the Sega Channel exclusive Pulseman in Obscura. Be sure to grab our game giveaways, then stick with us for another round of Random Select. Who could David be this time?

Got a question, comment, or suggestion for the show? Email us or send a tweet! Also, join our Discord room to chat all things retro gaming!

Follow David | Follow Robert

We are partnered with Don't Feed The Gamers! Be sure to check them out for fan-focused gaming content.

ARGcast #138: Video Game Marketing in History with Mike Futter Nov 25, 2018

Show notes

Join us along with The GameDev Business Handbook author Mike Futter as we chat about all things marketing in the world of video games! Hear about what went down with old-school magazine ads, how bad advertising can topple even gaming's greats, and more.

In the news, we talk about a story about Sega reportedly approaching Microsoft to keep the Dreamcast legacy alive. That's followed by word on a PC Classic being made, hacker Ben Heck improving on the NEOGEO Mini, and the "Ultimate" amiibo collection for Smash Bros. fans.

The Stage of History welcomes on Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and the infamous Daikatana. Robert then reaches in the darkness with Shadow Man in Obscura. Don't forget to grab our game giveaways for Pankapu and Overwatch, then stick around for a quick Random Select! Who could Robert be this time?

Got a question, comment, or suggestion for the show? Email us or send a tweet! Also, join our Discord room to chat all things retro gaming!

Follow David | Follow Robert

We are partnered with Don't Feed The Gamers! Be sure to check them out for fan-focused gaming content.

Another Retro Gaming Podcast, or ARGcast for short, is a celebration of the video games we grew up with. Listen up for the latest in retro gaming related news, an onslaught of amazing guests, loads of game code giveaways, and more. Subscribe and become an ARGonaut today!

ARGcast #137: All Things SNK in Retro Gaming History Nov 17, 2018

Show notes

The future is now, ARGonauts! David and Robert discuss everything they know and love about SNK. That includes The King of Fighters, Metal Slug, Samurai Shodown, and more of the titles that made the company so beloved. We also reminisce about their consoles, including the criminally overlooked Neo Geo Pocket Color. Long live the clicky stick!

The news this week has our reactions to the Detective Pikachu movie trailer. That's followed by Shigeru Miyamoto helping with the animated Super Mario Bros. movie, the announced nominees for The Game Awards, and Command & Conquer getting remastered.

The Stage of History has us cover SNK classics Athena and The King of Fighters '98. Robert rounds us out with Time Soldiers in Obscura. Don't forget to nab our game code giveaways for Perception and Orange Moon. The end of the show also has us cover the passing of comics legend Stan Lee as well as get into an introspective conversation on nostalgia as a whole.