

Play Retro Show
Scott Johnson
Scott Johnson and Brian Dunaway talk about retro video games! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 19, 2026 • 1h 13min
PLAY RETRO 206: Return to Zork
Return to Zork (1993): Replacing Infocom’s classic text parser with a first-person point-and-click interface, full-motion video performances, and voice acting. Set across Port Foozle and beyond, the game blends exploration, inventory puzzles, and frequent failure states in a design that retains the series’ unforgiving roots while embracing early 1990s multimedia presentation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 12, 2026 • 1h 18min
PLAY RETRO 205: Bad Mojo
Bad Mojo (1996) - A PC adventure game that places players in the role of a man transformed into a cockroach, navigating a decaying apartment through environmental interaction and exploration rather than traditional puzzles. The game emphasizes atmosphere, symbolism, and survival, using pre-rendered environments, ambient sound design, and fragmented narration to convey its themes. ROACHES! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 5, 2026 • 1h 13min
PLAY RETRO 204: Kirby's Dream Course
Kirby’s Dream Course (1994) is an isometric action-puzzle golf game developed by HAL Laboratory for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Combining miniature-golf mechanics with Kirby’s signature copy abilities, the game challenges players to defeat enemies and reach the goal cup using precision shots, physics, and strategic power-ups rather than traditional platforming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 13min
PLAY RETRO 203: GORF
GORF (1981) A fixed shooter developed by Midway that combines multiple space-combat styles into a single arcade experience. Across five distinct missions ranging from Space Invaders-style formations to Galaga-inspired flagship battles. The game escalates difficulty through faster enemies, tighter patterns, and increasingly aggressive attacks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 22, 2026 • 1h 13min
PLAY RETRO 202: Sega Rally Championship
Sega Rally Championship (1995) established arcade rally racing with distinct surface physics, short technical stages, and licensed cars tuned for specific terrain types. The original Model 2 arcade release and its Sega Saturn conversion feature classic courses like Desert, Forest, and Mountain, along with cars such as the Toyota Celica GT-Four and Lancia Delta HF Integrale, emphasizing precision driving over pure speed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 16, 2026 • 56min
Play Retro Special: Warren Davis & The Creation of Q*Bert
Scott sits down with Warren Davis for a deep look at the creation of one of the great arcade games of all time, Q*Bert, as well as his direct impact on everything from the Joust series to Mortal Kombat to Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Check out his book: ‘Creating Q*bert and Other Classic Video Arcade Games’! Some amazing insight in this episode with Warren, and we hope enjoy it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 15, 2026 • 1h 12min
PLAY RETRO 201: Astro Boy
Astro Boy: Omega Factor (2003) for the Game Boy Advance and Astro Boy (2004) for the PlayStation 2. Both titles were released during the franchise’s early-2000s resurgence and offer different approaches to action gameplay, platform strengths, and adaptation of the Astro Boy property. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 15, 2026 • 31min
Play Retro Preshow FREEBIE!
Here's what we do on pre-shows for supporters! A free one this month! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 19min
PLAY RETRO 200: Pinball on the Sega Saturn
Episode 200!! Pinball on the Sega Saturn - Digital Pinball: Last Gladiators, Digital Pinball: Necronomicon, Hyper 3-D Pinball (Tilt!), Pinball Graffiti and more bringing pinball table flipping action to our living rooms during the 90s. SEGA! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 31, 2025 • 1h 37min
PLAY RETRO 199: The Forgotten Realms Gold Box Series
The Forgotten Realms Gold Box series is a set of AD&D computer role-playing games developed by SSI using the Gold Box engine. Beginning with Pool of Radiance in 1988, the series allowed players to carry a single party of characters across four connected adventures set in the Forgotten Realms. These games established many conventions of computer RPGs, including turn-based tactical combat, party management, and faithful implementations of tabletop Dungeons & Dragons rules. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


