

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

Dec 8, 2023 • 1h 39min
407: Cinemaware and MicroProse Reflections with Ed Magnin - The Retro Hour EP407
In this fascinating episode, we chat with Ed Magnin. From his first encounter with video games to pioneering developments on the Apple II, Ed shares his unique insights and experiences. We explore the early days of online services in 1979, his involvement with iconic companies like Cinemaware and MicroProse, and the intricacies of porting games across platforms like the Amiga, Apple II, and GameBoy. Ed's passion for 1950s sci-fi and its influence on his work, the dynamic culture at Cinemaware, and his journey through the evolving gaming landscape from the SNES to mobile gaming are all on the table.Contents:00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories38:34 - Ed Magnin InterviewPlease 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/retroWe 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/retrohourGet your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKdJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohourShow notes:Atari 50 gets free updates: https://tinyurl.com/2t6p2x2tTurok 3 is remastered: https://tinyurl.com/587t2f5dCyborg force comes to neo geo, dreamcast, and PSP: https://tinyurl.com/mwpdv4sfSEGA Partners With Anicorn To Launch $800 Mega Drive/Genesis Watches: https://tinyurl.com/3cv23rfhA new Commodore console?: https://tinyurl.com/yc6a8svb

Dec 1, 2023 • 1h 22min
406: Developing for the Atari Jaguar and The Love of Lisp - The Retro Hour EP406
We chat with the fascinating Conrad Barski, creator of "FlipOut!" for the Atari Jaguar. He discusses the game's development, reflecting on the Jaguar's unique hardware and the creative challenges he faced. He also delves into his work on the unreleased "Dante's Inferno," his love for Lisp programming, and his current projects like the Lisperati1000, an Amstrad inspired computer and developing for the Playdate console.
Contents:
00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
39:23 - Conrad Barski 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
Try Notion AI for free - Work faster. Write better. Think bigger: https://notion.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:
Virtua fighter 3 gets online mode after 25 years: https://tinyurl.com/45cv3fr2
Virtua fighter robot: https://tinyurl.com/65f88587
Amiga Christmas Tree: https://tinyurl.com/mr3z8j6s
Crimbo AGA - Unofficial ZX Spectrum to Amiga conversion: https://tinyurl.com/bdeuzcdx
Sega Neptune fan made project: https://youtu.be/oz_8-sqxLjs?si=msOATiyHDy8aV3i-
The Fallout TV trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ADY30Awz6Q
BBC Basic is back: https://tinyurl.com/4kk5mrfn

Nov 24, 2023 • 1h 21min
405: Shaping the Sounds of Fallout and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - The Retro Hour EP405
This week, we delve into the creative mind of Douglas Rapport, the renowned Speech Designer and Senior Producer whose work has shaped some of the most iconic video games of our time. Douglas opens up about his journey in the gaming industry, from his early days at Interplay to his groundbreaking work on classics like Fallout, Fallout 2, and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.Contents:00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories40:30 - Douglas Rapport InterviewPlease 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/retrohourGet your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKdJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohourShow notes:Half Life 25th Anniversary Update: https://tinyurl.com/m5vr4438Gears Of Rage: https://tinyurl.com/4863rxnxIBrowse 3.0 Released: https://tinyurl.com/ya8raf75Sonic Roll Board Game: https://tinyurl.com/3s2z92eeBioFury: https://tinyurl.com/3rzzpse5BioFury Gameplay: https://youtu.be/19fUZOMrT58?si=SkYS96K0I9aAZL1j 3DO Tempest: https://youtu.be/_OLBXDVbULM?si=gUw56zcTgs7CPqVL

Nov 17, 2023 • 1h 42min
404: Celebrating 90's Gaming & Computer Magazines - The Retro Hour EP404
We chat with retro gaming magazine historian (and all round nice chap!) Paul Monahan to re-live the days of classic console and computer magazines, cover disk demos and those amazing bumper Christmas issues. Join us for a delightful rewind to those pre-Internet days when these magazines were the heart of the gaming community.Amiga Addict: https://www.amiga-addict.com/Pixel Addict: https://www.pixel.addict.media/Maximum Power Up Podcast: https://maximumpowerup.com/Contents:00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories40:25 - Paul Monahan InterviewPlease 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/retrohourThanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Fabio, David Le Brocq, Jay San, John GillotteWe 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/retrohourGet your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKdJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohourShow notes:Live Action Zelda Movie Announced: https://tinyurl.com/4c3hsmp2New Retro Mini PC AM01 Perfect For Emulation: https://youtu.be/jPhpVzbUNSEFlip DS Handheld Windows PC Revealed: https://tinyurl.com/yjnsrcy2Marvel Super Heroes Runs on Mega Drive: https://tinyurl.com/2dh4afvaBeyond Sunset: Cyberpunk Mix of Classic Doom and Deus Ex: https://tinyurl.com/muvfwv76Dark Chambers for Atari 2600+: https://tinyurl.com/5yz2v4mb

Nov 10, 2023 • 1h 45min
403: TerrorBytes: The Evolution of Horror Video Games - The Retro Hour EP403
We dive into the history of horror games with Dan Richardson, the producer of 'TerrorBytes,' a new documentary that charts the rise of horror in video games from the flickering screens of the '70s to the immersive experiences of the mid-2000s. Tune in for a journey through the golden age of chills and remember the games that turned our playtime into fright time.TerrorBytes: https://www.creatorvc.com/terrorbytesDan Drambles Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanDramblesContents:00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories43:39 - TerrorBytes InterviewPlease 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 needsGet 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retroTry Notion AI for free - Work faster. Write better. Think bigger: https://notion.com/retroWe 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/retrohourGet your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKdJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohourShow notes:A new full-size Amiga console set for 2024 release: https://tinyurl.com/bddfedwfJohn Romero to release new Doom episode, Sigil II: https://tinyurl.com/2d8twj5hThe first dog speedrunner to debut at AGDQ 2024: https://tinyurl.com/bdhjpuarTZXCassette: A 'Universal Cassette Emulator' for retro computers: https://tinyurl.com/44uys9abFanmade Jaguar Port of Mortal Kombat announced: https://youtu.be/Qqo4xKq2Fnc

Nov 3, 2023 • 1h 30min
402: The Italian Amiga Demo Scene & Darkage Software - The Retro Hour EP402
In week's show, dive deep into the 1990s Italian Amiga scene with Paolo D'Urso. From his days as a demo coder and cloning Super Mario 64 with the late Amiga classic 'Tales of Heaven', to the publication of 'Passione Amiga' magazine. Now, Paolo's reigniting his Amiga passion, collaborating with his childhood hero and music maestro, Allister Brimble, on a new game and reviving those iconic Amiga parties. Darkage Software: https://www.darkagesoftware.it/Contents:00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories37:05 - Paolo D'Urso InterviewPlease 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/retrohourGet your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKdJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohourShow notes:Cold Case - New Sega Saturn Horror Game: https://tinyurl.com/yc6rwsjpGive Your Game Gear An Audio Boost: https://tinyurl.com/38vptj57Voyager Probe Computers Patched: https://tinyurl.com/7p4bk2t6Anbernic - New Handheld: https://tinyurl.com/ax7sw5nkNight Slashers - Getting A Remake: https://youtu.be/QTPaUOMAiSE

Oct 26, 2023 • 1h 42min
401: Classic LucasArts Adventures: The SCUMM Engine's Development Pt 2 - The Retro Hour EP401
In part two of our epic interview with the SCUMM Engine's co-creator Aric Wilmunder, we venture further into its evolution through the lens of iconic titles. Aric reminisces on the technical and collaborative strides from 'Monkey Island 2', 'Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis', and shares intriguing insights on the friendly rivalry with Sierra. We explore the auditory dimension added by Skywalker Sounds, the engine shuffle in 'The Dig', and how the INSANE video engine accelerated 'Full Throttle's development. As 'The Curse of Monkey Island' marks the engine’s finale, Aric reflects on SCUMM’s legacy, the ScummVM project, and his current endeavours in the gaming arena.Contents:00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories43:03 - Aric Wilmunder Interview Pt 2Please 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 needsWe 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/retrohourGet your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKdJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohourShow notes:Show Notes:Atari Jaguar Welcomes Classic FPS Revivals: https://tinyurl.com/bp9dhbm9 Two Decades of N-Gage: https://tinyurl.com/2bd9xjhwPreservation of Nuon's Rarest Title: https://tinyurl.com/57x6es37 PiStorm Integration with Atari STe: https://youtu.be/xtQSo7G3DBo?si=HL7hb4PeiBSZ00G1Terrorbytes’ Horrific Journey Through Gaming History: https://www.creatorvc.com/terrorbytesEnjoying the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcast and join our Patreon for exclusive content!

Oct 19, 2023 • 1h 40min
400: The SCUMM Engine: From Maniac Mansion to Monkey Island - The Retro Hour EP400
Aric Wilmunder, co-creator of the SCUMM Engine, discusses his role in developing legendary adventure games like Monkey Island. They explore the challenges of programming and share memories of working at Lucasfilm. Listeners express gratitude for reaching 400 episodes.

Oct 12, 2023 • 1h 28min
399: From Commodore 64 to BAFTA Nominee: The Sonic Boom of Ross Tregenza - The Retro Hour EP399
We're joined by BAFTA-nominated composer and sound designer Ross Tregenza. From his early days of falling in love with the Commodore 64's SID chip to lending his audio magic to legendary games like TimeSplitters, Crysis, and Team Sonic Racing, Ross has crafted audio experiences that resonate with gamers worldwide. In this episode, we unravel Ross's journey, explore his inspirations, and get a glimpse into the magic that brings video games to life.https://www.rosstregenza.com/Leave us a Voicemail for episode 400: https://www.speakpipe.com/retrohourContents:00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories37:17 - Ross Tregenza InterviewPlease 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/retroWe 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/retrohourGet your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKdJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohourShow notes:Lost 2600 Game Re-release: https://tinyurl.com/2s3fu93sSaturn Pro Controller: https://tinyurl.com/2fdnjh6sThe Last Exterminator: https://tinyurl.com/33ndudas PS1s Turned into CD Players: https://tinyurl.com/5yd8t3tw

Oct 6, 2023 • 1h 37min
398: Super Play: The British SNES Magazine with a Japanese Twist - The Retro Hour EP398
In this episode, we chat with artist Wil Overton, famed for his manga-style covers on Super Play magazine in the early '90s. Wil's journey led him from N64 Magazine, where his Perfect Dark cover caught the eye of Rare, to working at the esteemed gaming company itself. Leave us a Voicemail for episode 400: https://www.speakpipe.com/retrohourContents:00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories38:12 - Wil Overton InterviewPlease 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/retroWe 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/retrohourGet your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKdJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohourShow notes:Raspberry Pi 5: https://tinyurl.com/3nrr6xukCrash vs Spyro Demo Found: https://youtu.be/Uli-uWxsI3MDance Dance Revolution Mini: https://tinyurl.com/ycxb4pabTomb Raider Anime: https://tinyurl.com/3adumenmThe Smiths Now Have Their Own Game: https://tinyurl.com/25bzuhcw


