Wario’s been adventuring solo for nearly twenty years, though Nintendo’s evil answer to Mario is mostly known for his micro-game legacy. Join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and Kat Bailey as they peer back a bit further into this character’s past to examine his highly revolutionary and subversive series of Game Boy platformers.

Retronauts Vol. III Episode 2: Wario Land

We look back into the hazy early days of video games by exploring the history of Atari, from beginning to sad end. Retronauts alum Scott Sharkey joins Jeremy, Bob, and Ray to lament a giant's passing.

Retronauts Vol. III Episode 4 - Atari

At the request of Kickstarter backer David Epp: Jeremy, Bob, Ray, and Sharkey talk about Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar and how games have been influenced by (but have never quite matched) its morality system.

Retronauts Pocket Episode 4 - Ultima IV

Retronauts backer James Eldred of LostTurntable.com joins Jeremy, Bob, and Ray to talk about the highs and lows of the history of video game music in this nearly two-hour ramblefest.

Retronauts Vol. III Episode 7 - Game Music Redux

IGN's Sam Claiborn joins Jeremy, Bob, and Ray to explore more of the roots of classic games by discussing the influence of Star Wars (if any!) on the medium.

Retronauts Pocket Episode 10 - Roots - Star Wars

We enter the new year by talking about -- what else? -- very old years. IGN's Sam Claiborn joins Jeremy, Bob, and Ray for a discussion of the golden era of the American arcade. Digressions abound!

Retronauts Episode 13: The Golden Age of the Arcade

For over 15 years, the Harvest Moon series has been teaching sickly indoor kids the virtues of tilling the land, petting the chickens, and having low-wage serfs do most of the dirty work. Join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and special guest backer Adam Fitch as the Retronauts explore this prolific farming sim series, and maybe -- just maybe -- raise each other's affection levels in the process.

Retronauts Vol. III Episode 14 - Harvest Moon

In 1998, Bioware changed the face of RPGs with Baldur's Gate, which did an amazing job of translating the complex mechanics of Dungeons and Dragons into video game form--and not just the dungeon crawly stuff. Join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt and Jason Wilson as they discuss one of BioWare's best and gather their party before venturing forth.

Retronauts Pocket Episode 14: Baldur's Gate

Yes, even retro collections can be retro. We discuss the highlights and lowlights of classic game packs of the past 20 years, like Namco Museum, Sega Ages, and more.

Retronauts Vol. III Episode 15: Retro Compilations

By request of supporter Hugh Franck, we delve into the complex, earth-tone world of Yasumi Matsuno, covering everything from his early days at Quest to the recent Unsung Story Kickstarter. 

Retronauts Vol. III Episode 16 - Yasumi Matsuno

In those oh-so optimistic ’90s, Parappa the Rapper taught an entire generation  there’s no shame in playing a game about a paper-thin puppy who raps about pooping. But when the end of the decade saw a sequel about a guitar-playing lamb, our love affair with musically adept cartoon animals was over. Join Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, Jeremy Parish, and Gamasutra’s Christian Nutt as the Retronauts discuss the Parappa the Rapper series and get cocky, even in the face of potential rockiness.

Retronauts Vol. III Episode 17 - Parappa The Rapper Series

GamePro? EGM? Next Generation? Household names — if you were a household of game nerds, that is. We flip through the pages of a particular part of game magazines and websites in their best and most formative years. 

Retronauts Vol. III Episode 18: Video Game Media

The Retronauts holiday tradition continues with a fourth trip to our cabin in Parts Unknown, and, due to popular demand, this year's special marks a return to the Movie Month style of episodes we did a few years ago! Join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and Laser Time's Chris Antista for a long, painful look at 2009's Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, a box office bomb that's mostly been forgotten (and with good reason).

Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 29 - Street Fighter: The Legend Of Chun - Li

What is "retro"? This week, we test the limits by talking about a 10-year-old system whose games you can still buy at retail. But in fairness, the Nintendo DS was pretty much retro from the moment of its conception. Featuring Games Radar's Henry Gilbert and USgamer's Kat Bailey.

Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 31: All Hail The DS

A brief journey into the music of a band that had an incredible influence on the direction and style of game music in the '80s and '90s: Japan's New Wave-tinged synth rockers Yellow Magic Orchestra. Featuring lots of music by, yes, Yellow Magic Orchestra.

Retronauts Micro 005: Yellow Magic Orchestra

Have you ever wanted to like a classic game, but something about it just didn't jive with you? Well, the Retronauts are no different. On this bite-sized episode, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Shane Bettenhausen, and Christian Nutt as the gang discusses those retro games they wish they could love. 

Retronauts Micro Episode 6: Retro Games We Want To Like

Jeremy looks back at the dark counterpart to Konami spinoff Ultra Games: Atari spinoff Tengen, who didn't so much bend the rules of NES publishing as shatter them into a million tiny pieces.

Retronauts Micro Episode 015: A Tengen Tale

Sing it with us, now: Link! He come to town! Come to save, the Princess Zelda! We're all familiar with the mythic exploits of Nintendo's elfin hero, but this latest episode of Retronauts dives deep into one of his greatest adventures of all time. Sure, A Link to the Past is a beloved classic, but on this episode of Retronauts, we partake on a journey to truly discover WHY. Join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and special guests Henry Gilbert and Brett Elston for a thorough exploration of what makes this particular Legend of Zelda so undeniably great. And if you're out there, Chris Houlihan, your mark on Hyrule won't soon be forgotten.

Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 46: The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past

In Japan, RPGs are synonymous with Dragon Quest. But in the States, this series amounted to an also-ran, outclassed by the likes of Final Fantasy and other popular brands. Even if this extremely traditional RPG experience has one foot in the past, it's still generated hundreds of hours of memorable moments. On the cusp of Dragon Quest Heroes' US release, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and Henry Gilbert as the Retronauts crew looks back on a Japanese institution that never quite got a fair shake in America.

Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 49: Dragon Quest

Almost 20 years ago, Nintendo showed the world how 3D games should be done with the phenomenal Super Mario 64. But in the passing decades, have the charms of this Nintendo 64 launch game faded out of existence? Leave it to the Retronauts to investigate! On this episode, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Polygon's Danielle Riendeau, and the Laser Time Podcast Network's Henry Gilbert for a thorough discussion of this early 3D classic. (Note: No pickles were wolfed during the recording of this episode.)

Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 54: Super Mario 64

It's the Yuletide season once again, and if you're a Retronauts fan, you know what that means: Braving the elements for an annual trip to our Holiday Cabin in Parts Unknown. And while the inclement weather, prowling wolves, and sensitive sentry guns make each journey a perilous one, I think we can all agree putting your life on the line is more than worth it for a little more than an hour of quality podcast entertainment. On this year's Holiday Extravaganza, join host Bob Mackey as he welcomes guests Dave Rudden, Ray Barnholt, and Henry Gilbert for a rousing and festive chat about the execrable 1996 holiday special, "Sonic Christmas Blast." Oh yeah, and be sure to have a Merry Whatever It Is You Do This Time of Year!

Retronauts Vol. IV Episode 55: Holiday 2015 Extravaganza

What is there left to say about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time? A heck of a lot, actually. Back in the days of awkward polygonal gaming, Nintendo borrowed a bit of A Link to the Past’s magic and successfully brought their fantasy series to the next era of gaming. But has this bold experiment aged well over the last 18 years? On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and Henry Gilbert as the crew dives into one the earliest classics of 3D gaming.

Retronauts Episode 61: The Legend Of Zelda  Ocarina Of Time

Dan Adelman joins Jeremy and Bob to discuss one of the true treasures of the '90s: The Castlevania series' transformative duology, Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night. Enough talk, have at you!

Retronauts Episode #64: Dracula X

Sorry to make you feel old, but Resident Evil turns 20 this year. And since we games journalists can't help but be obsessed with anniversaries that end with a 0 or a 5, it's only natural that we record a Retronauts retrospective on this rich subject. On this episode, listen in as Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and guest Dave Rudden explore the first three Resident Evil games and their surprisingly convoluted histories. (And we at least make an effort to keep the regurgitation of tired memes to a minimum.)

Retronauts Episode 65: Resident Evil

The SNES RPG EarthBound might be considered a true cult classic, but its rise from critical flop to beloved masterpiece didn't happen overnight. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Ray Barnholt, Michael Grimm, and Andrew Goldfarb as the crew tries to pin down what makes this Japanese take on Boomer-friendly Americana so special. OK desu ka?

Retronauts Episode 69: EarthBound

Five years after making his hosting debut in Retronauts Live episode 17, Bob returns to the topic of the Super Nintendo to find out if there's anything new to say. Thankfully, a half-decade later, we're all a little older, and a little wiser--but mostly a little older. On this celebration of the SNES' 25th birthday, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and Capcom's Tim Turi tag along to sing the praises of Nintendo's wonderful 16-bit console.

Retronauts

Retronauts Episode 73: Super Nintendo Entertainment System

If you lived through the NES era, the words "Fester's Quest" likely make you break into a cold sweat. (Sorry about that.) A few years before Raul Julia and Christopher Lloyd danced the Mamushka, kids of the '80s mostly knew The Addams Family via Sunsoft's 8-bit hit and its absolutely unforgiving difficulty. On this episode of Retronauts Micro, join Bob Mackey, Chris Antista, and Henry Gilbert as the crew works through their shared trauma, and uncovers the fascinating history of this odd little game.

Retronauts Micro 050: Fester's Quest

The original Power Trio — Bob, Ray, and Jeremy — follow up their recent look at Wonder Boy to take on the next needlessly convoluted franchise: Taito's Bubble Bobble (et al.). Confusion guaranteed for all!

Be sure to visit our blog at retronauts.com, now updated daily! This show is an entirely independent and a self-sustaining concern for 2017. Please help support our livelihoods at patreon.com/retronauts

Retronauts Episode 82: Bubble Bobble & Family

Having survived the Bubble Bobble episode, Jeremy mops up the franchise with a look at its most popular (or at least most imitated) branch: The iconic color-match puzzler Bust-A-Move... more sensibly known as "Puzzle Bobble."

Retronauts Micro 054: Puzzle Bobble/Bust-A-Move

It's an all-music episode of Retronauts as Jeremy looks at recent classic game soundtrack releases of note. Includes looks at Panzer Dragoon, symphonic Final Fantasy, Castlevania: Dracula X, Metroid, and more!

Retronauts Episode 83: Panzer Dragoon, Final Fantasy, Dracula X | Retronauts Radio Trial Episode

When The Simpsons took off like a rocket in its first few years, it was only a matter of time before someone scooped up the video game rights. And that "someone" in this case turned out to be Acclaim, those notable purveyors of trash that introduced the concept of "buyer's remorse" to generations of gamers. On this special Talking Simpsons crossover episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Henry Gilbert, and Chris Antista as the crew thoroughly explores Bart vs. the Space Mutants, the strangely ambitious but all-around bad production that taught us all to be forever suspicious of Simpsons games.

Retronauts Micro 055: Bart vs. the Space Mutants

It's hard to believe, but the Wii celebrated its tenth birthday last year, putting it within our extremely loose definition of "retro." And thankfully, it's a topic worthy of the Retronauts treatment. Not only does the Wii amount to Nintendo's biggest success, it's also unlikely any subsequent system will ever sell more than this underpowered little box that made our motion-control dreams come true... when we still had them. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Brett Elston, and Mikel Reparaz as the crew looks back on a not-too-distant past full of Wiis and waggle.

Retronauts Episode 84: Wii

Steve Lin and Jaz Rignall join Jeremy and Bob again to look back at one of the most important game creators of all time: Activision, the company that established the concept of third parties.

Retronauts Episode 85: Activision, the original third party

Our second Retronauts Radio looks at notable retro-themed game music releases for February: Castlevania II, a Final Fantasy Tactics tribute, Revenge of Shinobi, Etrian Odyssey remixes, and a ton of SEGA jams! Art by Jon Stachewicz.

Be sure to visit our site, which includes a complete listing of this episode's musical selections and where to find them, at Retronauts.com. And if you'd like to send a few bucks our way to help support this weekly show, please head on over to our Patreon page!

Retronauts Episode 86: The music of Castlevania II, Final Fantasy Tactics, Etrian Odyssey & more

It's the debut of Retronauts East as East Coast gaming experts Benj Edwards and Ben Elgin join Jeremy to discuss the Apple II computer platform: Its origins, its games, and its legacy.

Be sure to visit our site, which includes a complete listing of this episode's musical selections and where to find them, at www.retronauts.com. And if you'd like to send a few bucks our way to help support this weekly show, please head on over to our Patreon page (www.patreon.com/retronauts)!

Retronauts Episode 87: A history of the Apple II

Following his debut in 1990's Super Mario World, Yoshi quickly evolved from a glorified power-up to a star that could carry games with his name alone. And in the character's nearly 30 years of existence, Yoshi-based experiences have taken many forms--including one that stands as possibly the greatest platformer of all time. On this episode of Retronauts, join Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, Ray Barnholt, and Henry Gilbert as the crew tries to pin down Yoshi's appeal and whether or not we should worry that he suddenly grew opposable thumbs.

Retronauts Episode 88: Yoshi Games

Hey! Listen! The Retronauts podcast has partnered with the PodcastOne network, so if you've just downloaded this episode, head on over to http://www.podcastone.com/retronauts to subscribe to our new feed. You can also pick up our PodcastOne feed through iTunes, or any other podcast program or app. And if you're having trouble, try unsubscribing and re-subscribing. Thanks for listening, and I hope you stick with us!

RETRONAUTS HAS A BRAND-NEW PODCAST FEED!

We're back! By the power of crowdfunding! Retronauts launches a new season by marking the 30th anniversary of three crucial Japanese consoles: Famicom, SG-1000, and MSX. Featuring the voice of Chrontendo's Dr. Sparkle and a lovely new musical theme.

Retronauts Vol. III Episode 1

Everybody's favorite classic video games podcast. Well, almost everybody's. But we're plucky and likable. Episodes every Monday! Plus other stuff — videos, articles, you name it. Close personal friends of USgamer.net.

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