

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

Jul 20, 2023 • 1h 34min
387: Cyberia: Revisiting The Cyber Cafe with Eva Pascoe - The Retro Hour EP387
We chat with Eva Pascoe, co-founder of Cyberia, Britain's first internet cafe. We explore the birth of Cyberia, a 1994 innovation that transformed the digital world. Cyberia wasn't just a tech hub; it was a hotspot for celebrities like David Bowie, Kylie Minogue and Mick Jagger, and it was famed for their Sunday morning post-rave LAN parties and gaming basement.
22 Ideas About The Future: https://tinyurl.com/yb8ayc8z
CybrSalon Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CybrSalon/videos
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
Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Just Great Ideas Today, Dylan Sainsbury, John Lundy
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
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/
Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html
Show notes:
Gex is back: https://tinyurl.com/2s35jwy8
Antstream coming to XBox: https://tinyurl.com/2z23z79z
Funfair Inc for Commodore 64: https://tinyurl.com/4sphkajc
Burn Master, Game Boy cart reader/writer: https://tinyurl.com/4etffk86

Jul 14, 2023 • 1h 23min
386: Bringing Konami Games To The West - The Retro Hour EP386
On this week's podcast, we chat with Jeremy Blaustein, an American translator and voice director known for his work in localising Japanese media into English. With notable contributions to games like 'Metal Gear Solid', 'Castlevania: Symphony of the Night' and Snatcher. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from the man who brought some of your favorite games to the English-speaking world!Please 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/theretrohourUpcoming events we'll be at:Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.htmlShow notes:87% of video games are not preserved: https://tinyurl.com/2p8v2as3Power Shark USB-C for Amiga: https://retrousbpower.com/ Jordan Mechner's Karateka interactrive game: https://tinyurl.com/bdtn27dwTMNT Sega Master System port: https://tinyurl.com/3vy5h42u Crap Games competition: https://tinyurl.com/6rd9hzrm

Jul 7, 2023 • 1h 33min
385: First Person Shooters: Exploring 40 Years of History - The Retro Hour EP385
Join us in this episode as we chat with David L. Craddock and Richard Moss, the creators of 'First Person Shooter', the ultimate documentary tracing the evolution of FPS games. We'll explore industry secrets, personal favorites, and insights from their interviews with gaming legends. From the rudimentary wireframe graphics of Maze War and Spasim to the genre-defining classics like Doom and Half Life.First Person Shooter Documentary: https://fpsdoc.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/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/theretrohourUpcoming events we'll be at:Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.htmlShow notes:Sega 1990s brand review leak: https://tinyurl.com/y6hdbra2 Final Vendetta coming to Neo Geo: https://tinyurl.com/bdewn9va CRT is still the king of gaming monitors: https://tinyurl.com/4x5axr8y Double Dragon Gaiden: https://tinyurl.com/ycy3wjdp

Jun 30, 2023 • 1h 30min
384: Swordquest and Atari's Pac-Man with Tod Frye - The Retro Hour EP384
This week, we're joined by gaming icon Tod Frye, known for the Atari 2600's Pac-Man and the Swordquest series. We explore Pac-Man's controversial development story, its effects on Atari, and delve into the innovative, ambitious Swordquest series and the mysterious missing treasures.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 needsGet 3 issues of your favourite Future Publishing gaming mag (Play, Edge, Retro Gamer and PC Gamer) for just £1 each: https://www.magazinesdirect.com/retrotrial Get 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retroThanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Joe, Lee MintramWe 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/theretrohourUpcoming events we'll be at:Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/ Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.htmlShow notes:Nintendo announces remake of Super Mario RPG: https://tinyurl.com/36a7vd3uRare WHITE Sega Genesis spotted: https://tinyurl.com/3xfuh4pt MicroBeast: https://tinyurl.com/52wtpjyx Xbox has been losing the console wars since 2001: https://tinyurl.com/4nzzv6f5 Metroid Mega Mission for Sega Mega Drive: https://tinyurl.com/5n7xewvm

Jun 22, 2023 • 1h 28min
383: Age of Empires II and Xbox Live with Mark Terrano - The Retro Hour EP383
On this week's podcast, we journey into the heart of the classic strategy game, Age of Empires 2, with none other than its Lead Designer, Mark Terrano. Not stopping there, Mark also shares his unique insights from his time as the Technical Game Manager for Microsoft during the launch of the original Xbox, shedding light on the early days of Xbox Live. 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/retrohourThanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Shane Goggin, Ross Murphy, James HanniganWe 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/theretrohourUpcoming events we'll be at:Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/ Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.htmlShow notes:Dreamcast dev-kit shows up in a recycle shop: https://tinyurl.com/yvatu2uhHelp finish a c64 RPG: https://tinyurl.com/bdhx8ct3 Memcard pro for Game Cube: https://tinyurl.com/2p9w72dsAtari release first 2600 cart in 30 years: https://tinyurl.com/mphvswzu

Jun 15, 2023 • 1h 33min
382: Back To The BBS with Al's Geek Lab - The Retro Hour EP382
We delve into the fascinating world of Bulletin Board Systems with Al's Geek Lab, the creator of the awesome YouTube series 'Back to the BBS'. We explore how BBSs laid the groundwork for today's Internet, the artistic flair of ANSI art, and the enduring allure of BBS games and mods and why the scene is thriving again today.Back To The BBS Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/2ur5mwcsPlease 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 issues of your favourite Future Publishing gaming mag (Play, Edge, Retro Gamer and PC Gamer) for just £1 each: https://www.magazinesdirect.com/retrotrial Get 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retroThanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Andreas Sunna, Kev SandersWe 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/theretrohourUpcoming events we'll be at:Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/ Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.htmlShow notes:Monkey Island Sea of Thieves crossover: https://youtu.be/DOWILvQGVz4Capcom Town: https://captown.capcom.com/enIron Meat new contra type game: https://tinyurl.com/36d4c523Croc HD is being worked on: https://retrododo.com/croc-hd/

Jun 8, 2023 • 1h 33min
381: Montezuma's Revenge with Rob Jaeger - The Retro Hour EP381
Join us for a deep dive into the iconic 1984 video game "Montezuma's Revenge" with its creator, Rob Jaeger. Delve into the mind of a then 16-year-old game designer and discover the untold stories of this gaming masterpiece, including features that didn't make it to the final cut.
Montezuma's Revenge on Steam: https://tinyurl.com/2s3hswhh
Please 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/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
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/
Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html
Show notes:
Mega Drive game sells for almost £8000: https://tinyurl.com/yzxrn6pn
Wii XL: https://youtu.be/fdk9Ka8_YtY
Immortal Joysticks Kickstarter: https://tinyurl.com/bdzxkum6
Zara is selling Sega Saturn merch: https://tinyurl.com/yc2m9hw7
TMNT quarter arcade: https://youtu.be/-Rc9dOCt10g

Jun 1, 2023 • 1h 25min
380: The Intellivision Amico with Slope's Game Room - The Retro Hour EP380
We have a long-overdue catch up with Daniel Ibbertson AKA Slope's Game Room, including breaking down the ill-fated Intellivision Amico. Promising to bring back the classic brand, the Amico's repeated delays, leadership changes, and potential cancellation have left it shrouded in uncertainty. DJ Slope, renowned for his comprehensive gaming history content, brings his insight into this saga, discussing the console's initial vision, the issues it faced, the intriguing lineup of games that were slated for release, and what the Amico's journey means for the wider retro gaming industry.
Slope's Game Room - The Intellivision Amico Scandal: https://youtu.be/8BgAarlzVD4
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 6 months of Retro Gamer Magazine, with Space invaders plug and play controller and 4 specials absolutely free at: https://www.magazinesdirect.com/retropod
Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Andreas Sunna, Kev Sanders
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
Upcoming events we'll be at:
Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/
Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html
Show notes:
Metal Gear Solid 3 remake: https://tinyurl.com/j887z6nc
McDonalds launches Tetris handheld: https://tinyurl.com/mv9chnfa
Windows XP activation algorithm hacked: https://tinyurl.com/2rfmeeaj
Screwball Scramble in web browser: https://tinyurl.com/bdenfxm6
Marathon returns: https://tinyurl.com/4uhuhwkk

May 25, 2023 • 1h 18min
379: Retro Edutainment: Unpacking the Classic Arthur Games with Marc Brown - The Retro Hour EP379
We chat to the creator of the beloved kid's TV and book series, Arthur. From TV to PC, we'll explore how Marc and the team at Living Books crafted an engaging, fun, and educational experience for kids back in the 90s. If you're a retro gaming enthusiast or an Arthur fan, you won't want to miss this nostalgic journey back to Elwood City's digital domain.Arthur games on Zoom Platform: https://snip.ly/f1yflmPlease 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/theretrohourUpcoming events we'll be at:Format - The Ultimate Gaming Social: https://bit.ly/4233upC - Get 25% off tickets by using code FRM_MCR25 at checkoutPixel Heaven - Warsaw, Poland: https://pixelheavenfest.com/en/Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/ Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.htmlShow notes:EON XBHD plug-and-play HD adapter: https://snip.ly/ul56am Tim Stamper has the 1997 Space World Zelda demo: https://snip.ly/yd8lrx SNES mod to improve visual and audio: https://snip.ly/m49fsbForrest of Illusion for Amiga: https://youtu.be/66WqbNgJMWs

May 19, 2023 • 1h 19min
378: Midway Magic and Strategic Simulations: Brian Lowe's Game-Changing Career - The Retro Hour EP378
We sit down with Brian Lowe, a veteran in the gaming industry, known for his work at Strategic Simulations and Midway. We explore his early gaming experiences, his shift from testing to production, and his unique perspective on the evolution of the industry. Lowe shares his experiences on working on legendary titles like Pools of Darkness, Eye of the Beholder 2, and the challenges of porting games like NBA Hangtime from console to PC, and the pressures of handling high-profile titles like "Mortal Kombat Trilogy." We also hear his perspective on early network gaming, his experiences with systems like the Sega Saturn, and his thoughts on underrated 90's gaming mascots.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 needsTake 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: James Stewart 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/theretrohourUpcoming events we'll be at:Birmingham Gaming Market: https://www.birminghamgamingmarket.com/Format - The Ultimate Gaming Social: https://bit.ly/4233upC - Get 25% off tickets by using code FRM_MCR25 at checkoutPixel Heaven - Warsaw, Poland: https://pixelheavenfest.com/en/Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/ Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.htmlShow notes:Gran Turismo movie trailer: https://youtu.be/CGboRbiJYjU Mouse, Noir retro shooter in development: https://bit.ly/3MmSNXY Golden Axe hack for 32x: https://bit.ly/45hfXHS 386 handheld: https://bit.ly/3IqXbE6


