The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)

Latest Episodes:

450: Strategic Simulations & Saints Row - The Retro Hour EP450 Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

This week, we chat with the amazing Dan Cermak, whose remarkable career has spanned key roles at Strategic Simulations Inc., Westwood Studios, and Volition. Dan takes us through his early days as a self-taught programmer, his love for military history, and the challenges of developing iconic strategy games like Silent Hunter for the C64 and other classic systems. We also delve into his time at Volition, discussing how Saints Row stood out from the crowd, the evolution of online multiplayer, and its lasting impact on the open-world genre.
Contents:
00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
42:08 - Dan Cermak Interview
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
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
Show notes:
Bleem is back: https://tinyurl.com/yc7cttry
Fake PS1 discs flood the market: https://tinyurl.com/csueseuz
BBC found in dump ends up in museum: https://tinyurl.com/2xs8c95s
Atom Controller: https://tinyurl.com/ydbw6fcw
Unreal Tournament 99 Intro reimagined: https://tinyurl.com/mrckwf4r

449: System 3: The Last Ninja Story with Mark Cale - The Retro Hour EP449 Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

This week, we’re honoured to welcome Mark Cale, founder and CEO of System 3, one of the longest-running British software houses. Mark takes us back to the early days of the UK gaming scene, revealing how System 3 pushed the technical limits of classic platforms like the Commodore 64 with hits like International Karate and The Last Ninja, which is back for 2024 with an amazing new collection!
Back The Last Ninja Collection on Kickstarter: https://tinyurl.com/3pk2fr8a
Contents:
00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
43:44 - Mark Cale System 3 Interview
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
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
Show notes:
AI powered light gun: https://tinyurl.com/p84r4m7k
Rocky Horror the game: https://youtu.be/M4ORgvYXHxM
Game Boy Advance Cube Prototype: https://tinyurl.com/yc4n7538
Lethal Wedding: https://tinyurl.com/25x7786c
Retro pirates ring smashed in Italy: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1k7387pmrpo

448: Gadget Show Legend Jason Bradbury: Can Retro Gamers Stop a Rogue AI? - The Retro Hour EP448 Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

This week, we catch up with Jason Bradbury, long-time host of The Gadget Show and self-confessed retro tech lover. We reflect on 20 years of The Gadget Show and how the industry has changed in that time, his love for cassette tapes, gadgets that should have changed the world—but didn’t, and we hear all about his latest project, Ctrl A.I Delete, a thrilling new film where retro gamers are humanity’s last line of defence against a rogue AI!
Cntrl A.I Delete: https://www.ctrlaidelete.net/
The Gadget Show Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGadgetShow/videos
Contents:
00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
46:33 - Jason Bradbury Interview
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
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
Show notes:
PS5 PS1 version: https://tinyurl.com/2p9wn5ds
Sega Saturn Slim: https://tinyurl.com/uxc6hswz
DID is back: https://tinyurl.com/yskpve37
Sega are hiring an official archivist: https://tinyurl.com/23hcw2bz
Top 10 greatest innovations in video game history: https://tinyurl.com/2hfw7uh3

447: Chris Huelsbeck: Turrican 2, R-Type & The Great Giana Sisters - The Retro Hour EP447 Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

This week, we catch up with one of the most influential video game music composers of all time, Chris Huelsbeck! Chris takes us back to his early days with the Commodore 64 and Amiga, his groundbreaking work on classic games like Turrican, The Great Giana Sisters, and R-Type, and his innovative techniques that pushed the boundaries of game audio.
Recorded live at Retromessa in Norway.
Contents:
00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
43:04 - Chris Huelsbeck Panel
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 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
Show notes:
Sonic Ultra Saturn: Fan-made 2D Sonic game: https://tinyurl.com/45dufpkt
C64 Games on YouTube: Transmitting games at 30 bits per second: https://tinyurl.com/ysxs7cpx
PS2 Gold Mine: Rare game drops in value: https://tinyurl.com/2xxzjexy
Jason Bradbury Film: Retro gamers vs AI: https://tinyurl.com/5n98b649
Spelunky C64: Official port for the Commodore 64: https://tinyurl.com/ysbxx52y

446: Core Design and Rare Ltd - The 90's 3D Gaming Revolution - The Retro Hour EP445 Sep 13, 2024

Show notes

This week, we bring you an all star panel with legends from Rare Ltd and Core Design! Hear first-hand accounts from Heather Stevens, Kev Bayliss, Chris Marlow, and Paul Machacek as they reveal how the industry transitioned from 2D to 3D graphics and worlds in the mid 90s, resulting in classics like Tomb Raider and Golden Eye 007 for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Discover how they tackled challenges, learned new skills, and designed unforgettable worlds that set the stage for the future of gaming.
Contents:
00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
43:52 - Rare & Core Design Panel
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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Show notes:
Dreamcast 25 merchandise: https://tinyurl.com/5n9369vn
Duke Nukem 3D on Dreamcast: https://tinyurl.com/yce65djc
Golden Axe Debug Menu Found 29 Years Later: https://tinyurl.com/2xr5hmce
The Last Job PS2 Game Found: https://tinyurl.com/3jkut5p4
PlayStation celebrates its 30th anniversary: https://tinyurl.com/mv7rbmfd

445: Sierra Stories with Metal Jesus Rocks - The Retro Hour EP445 Sep 05, 2024

Show notes

We catch up with Jason Lindsey, better known as 'Metal Jesus Rocks' – a YouTube sensation and former Sierra On-Line employee. We hear about his recent reunion with the legendary Sierra team, reminiscing about the glory days of one of the most iconic companies in PC gaming history. Jason shares behind-the-scenes stories from his time at Sierra, from wild office parties to the transition from accounting to game testing, and his passion for big-box PC games. Plus, we get the inside scoop on his memorable retro road trips, favourite game room treasures, and what's next for his channel as it nears a million subscribers!
MetalJesusRocks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEFymXY4eFCo_AchSpxwyrg
Contents:
00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
43:59 - Metal Jesus Interview
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 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
Show notes:
Croc is back: https://youtu.be/dQ2lPC8Hu-0
Dreamconn S controller: https://tinyurl.com/4etsp2xs
Mech boomer shooter: https://tinyurl.com/msf2vfsu
EmuDeck retro emulation box: https://tinyurl.com/3pzzrx6k
Restless Anima: https://tinyurl.com/bdder4fw

444: Yoko Shimomura: The Music of Street Fighter II & Kingdom Hearts - The Retro Hour EP444 Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

This week, we’re honoured to be joined by the legendary Japanese composer Yoko Shimomura, the musical genius behind some of the most iconic video game soundtracks of all time including Street Fighter II, and the enchanting melodies of Kingdom Hearts. We explore her incredible career and the creative process behind these timeless scores. Recorded live at RetroMessa in Norway.
Contents:
00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
42:31 - Yoko Shimomura 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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Show notes:
The Spectrum: https://tinyurl.com/y97brnzv
Sonic CD ported to Mega Drive: https://youtu.be/uXDfIk3h-8g
Computer Café archived: https://tinyurl.com/2p8sxrzj
King's Quest VI demake: https://tinyurl.com/yc3p4hkk
Retro-Bit Sega Saturn fighting stick: https://tinyurl.com/3s9483bw

443: Waterworld: Peter Scott on the Cancelled 3DO Game at Software Creations - The Retro Hour EP443 Aug 23, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we sit down with the Peter Scott, a developer who has left his mark on some of the most intriguing projects in gaming history. From his early days coding on the VIC-20 and BBC Micro to his groundbreaking work at TierTex and Psygnosis. We hear the story behind the cancelled Waterworld game for the 3DO and PlayStation, and the impact of working on a game tied to such a polarising movie.
00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
47:41 - Pete Scott Interview
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
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
Show notes:
Atari 7800+ announced: https://tinyurl.com/4ksfr64r
New Final Fight comic book: https://tinyurl.com/3833zsk3
Nintendo Museum Direct: https://tinyurl.com/4f6mz38k
Console Wars sneakers: https://tinyurl.com/2p9zrm37
Masters of Albion: https://tinyurl.com/36dv99uv

442: Arcade Decades: Kim Justice’s Ultimate 80s Gaming Tribute - The Retro Hour EP442 Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

This week, we welcome the awesome Kim Justice back to the podcast, as she reveals her latest passion project – Arcade Decades: 80s Edition. Known for her love of the Amiga, Kim also has a deep-rooted passion for the 80s arcade scene, which many argue was the golden age of gaming. In this episode, Kim takes us on a nostalgic journey through her new book, offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of this ultimate 80s arcade tribute. Contents:
Arcade Decades - 80s Edition - A Coffee Table Book: https://tinyurl.com/3t5nkzdv
00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
37:49 - Kim Justice Interview
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
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
Our Upcoming Events:
RetroMessa, Sandefjord, Norway 17-18th August: https://www.retromessa.no/
Passione Amiga Day, Spoleto, Italy: https://passioneamigaday.it/en/home/
Show notes:
SNES Satellaview is back: https://tinyurl.com/yyudvvt4
Landstalker builder: https://tinyurl.com/3vrv6hu3
WordStar archives: https://tinyurl.com/4znud26u
Thumby Color: https://tinyurl.com/2v892avh
New retro Evil Dead and Halloween games: https://tinyurl.com/4zh3wazw

441: The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers - The Retro Hour EP441 Aug 08, 2024

Show notes

This week on the podcast, we chat with John Szczepaniak, author of ‘The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers.’ John shares his journey documenting previously untold these stories, interviewing legends like Ryuichi Nishizawa and Kouichi Yotsui. And some insights from developers behind classics like Streets of Rage 2, Illusion of Gaia, and Metal Gear Solid.
Contents:
00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
32:47 - John Szczepaniak Interview
The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Untold-History-Japanese-Game-Developers/dp/0992926025
Buy The Retro Hour Book: https://retrohour.myshopify.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
Our Upcoming Events:
RetroMessa, Sandefjord, Norway 17-18th August:
https://www.retromessa.no/
Passione Amiga Day, Spoleto, Italy:
https://passioneamigaday.it/en/home/
Show notes:
Bitmap Brothers Collection 2 for Evercade: https://tinyurl.com/558tr4wv
Nintendo’s Gashapon toys can be used as controller replacement parts: https://tinyurl.com/3ptxra8t
Access the bad ending on Streets of Rage on one player: https://tinyurl.com/4d3ujn48
Lemmings arcade recreated: https://tinyurl.com/4frcvx5p
Hoonigans for Game Boy: https://tinyurl.com/bdfbhawr

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