Play Retro Show

Dive into the dreamlike world of Super Mario Bros. 2, where character choices significantly alter gameplay. Explore its unique mechanics focusing on tossing objects at enemies, a departure from previous titles. The discussion reveals how Doki Doki Panic was transformed into this iconic game for Western audiences. Listen as the hosts reminisce about childhood memories while dissecting gameplay differences, enemy designs, and the nostalgic charm of retro audio. Plus, get tips for gameplay and a lively segment guessing retro game sounds!

The Shining Force series blends traditional RPG storytelling with tactical, grid-based combat. In Shining Force I (1992), players guide Max and his diverse team of warriors in defending the kingdom of Guardiana from the Dark Dragon. Shining Force II (1993) follows Bowie, who must rally heroes to face the malevolent forces of Zeon, offering a more open-world experience and refined strategy elements. Shining in the Darkness (1991), a precursor to these, is a first-person dungeon crawler where players explore mazes, solve puzzles, and battle monsters, laying the groundwork for the later games' storytelling and world-building. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Based on Tim Burton's 1988 film, Beetlejuice for the NES is a platforming adventure game developed by Rare and published by LJN. Players control Beetlejuice as he navigates different areas in an attempt to scare humans out of a house he wants to claim as his own. Players use Beetlejuice’s unique abilities, such as summoning skeletons and transforming into different creatures, to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. The game features side-scrolling levels with a mix of combat and platforming elements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on podcast, Sunset Riders is a classic side-scrolling run-and-gun arcade game developed and published by Konami in 1991. Set in the American Wild West, the game became a fan-favorite for its colorful graphics, fast-paced action, and engaging cooperative gameplay. Players assume the roles of bounty hunters as they chase down notorious outlaws across a series of challenging levels, all while dodging bullets, obstacles, and other hazards typical of the Western frontier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Play Retro today, we talk about the impact of Dune II! Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (titled Dune II: Battle for Arrakis in Europe and Dune: The Battle for Arrakis for the North American Mega Drive/Genesis port, respectively) is a 1992 real-time strategy game developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Games. It serves as the sequel to Dune, following a more traditional adventure strategy game format, that came out earlier the same year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Skies of Arcadia is a classic role-playing game developed by Overworks and originally released for the Sega Dreamcast in 2000. The game was later ported to the Nintendo GameCube as Skies of Arcadia Legends in 2002. Set in a world of floating islands and vast skies, the game follows the adventures of Vyse, a young air pirate, and his friends Aika and Fina as they strive to stop the evil Valuan Empire from awakening ancient weapons of mass destruction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flashback: The Quest for Identity, developed by Delphine Software and released in 1992, is a cinematic platformer known for its groundbreaking rotoscoped animation and engaging story. Players control Conrad B. Hart, an amnesiac scientist who uncovers an alien plot while trying to recover his lost memories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The followup to Theme Park and the 2nd in Bullfrog's Designer Series - Theme Hospital is a business simulation game that puts players in the role of a hospital administrator, tasked with building and managing a hospital, diagnosing and treating patients, and dealing with various humorous and wacky medical conditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Players control Mike Jones in this NES classic, a young boy armed with a yo-yo, as he explores various islands to rescue his kidnapped uncle. The game combines exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. How does it hold up? How was II? Tune in and find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the iconic Gradius series, launched in 1985, with fascinating insights about the Vic Viper ship and its legacy. Discover the gameplay mechanics, like the notorious 'Gradius Syndrome,' and hear praise for the visuals and soundtrack of Gradius II. The hosts debate the highs and lows of Gradius III and IV, discussing its 3D missteps. Also, get a glimpse into the origins of the Konami code from the NES version. They even engage listeners with a fun 'Guess Our Game' segment, wrapping up with retro news and community feedback!