Classic Gaming Today: A Retro Gaming Podcast

Join me in a world-spanning adventure to battle an ancient Voodoo cult, as we talk about the classic point and click adventure title, Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers!  Learn how the game was made, discover why it was a pretty risky move for Sierra in the early 90s, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to grab your magical Schatenjagger talisman and explore the supernatural underbelly of New Orleans, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me on a miniature-sized Zelda adventure, as we tackle The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap!  Learn how the game was made, discover why Nintendo entrusted one of its most prized mascots to a third party development team, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to travel the world of Hyrule in mini-Link form, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Lace up your boots and return with me to the Attitude Era of professional wrestling, as we discuss the Nintendo 64 multiplayer classic, WWF No Mercy!  Learn about the history of wrestling games, discover how WWF No Mercy's pedigree led directly to its creation, and listen in as we discuss whether it still makes sense to leap off of the top turnbuckle with a flying elbow drop onto an unsuspecting opponent, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Let's spend some "quality time" together as we discuss the controversial, over the top, and some would say completely lacking in taste point and click adventure title, Harvester!  Learn why the game was made, discover how controversial it really was when it first released, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to explore the town of Harvest in all of its gory glory, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our latest deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those games.  In today's episode, we'll look at a cross-section of games comparing Sierra Online and LucasArts, two industry behemoths of the 80s and 90s, as I pick some of my favorite, and most personally significant, tracks from those two companies' titles. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!  

Join me in exploring a strange and exotic world, as we discuss the classic first person adventure title, Myst!  Learn how the game was made, discover why Myst became such a pop cultural phenomenon, and listen in as we determine whether it still makes sense to click around an island with a ton of different contraptions to hopefully figure out, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

It's time to unify the Three Kingdoms, as we take part in huge battles in the hopes of conquering Dynasty Warriors 2!  Learn about the history...of history, discover why Dynasty Warriors 2 represented a dramatic shift for game publisher Koei in comparison to prior titles, and listen in as we discuss whether you really want to try facing Lu Bu on the battlefield, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Grab your sword, and dust off your cape, as we explore the gothic confines of Dracula's castle in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night!  Learn about the evolution of the Castlevania series, discover why Symphony of the Night altered the Castlevania formula to create an experience unlike what had come before it, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to defeat hordes of evil monsters en route to a confrontation with Alucard's dear old dad, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

If you've ever felt the need to drive around a series of dangerous race tracks at speeds that would make Anakin Skywalker blush, then look no further than Wipeout!  Learn why the game was made, discover how the lineage of Psygnosis, the company, led directly to the creation of Wipeout, the game, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to rack up leaderboard points in the hopes of securing a championship victory, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Dust off your leisure suit and grab some minty breath spray, as we cruise the strip looking for a (hopefully) sure thing in Leisure Suit Larry!  Learn about the history behind the game, discover why Al Lowe was the perfect choice to bring Larry Laffer to life, and listen in as we discuss whether looking for love in all the wrong places is still worth your time, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me in an adventure into the depths of hell, as we explore the action role playing game, Diablo!  Learn about the history behind the game, discover why Diablo was almost a very different game than it eventually became, and listen in as we discuss whether cleaving the denizens of the underworld in two is still worth your time, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Did you ever want to take a road trip across the USA with a wisecracking dog and a highly sociopathic rabbit?  If so, you don't want to miss this one, as we discuss the LucasArts "buddy cop" classic, Sam & Max: Hit the Road!  Learn about Sam & Max's origins, discover how the game was made, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to go on a whirlwind adventure with a couple of anthropomorphic wisecracking detectives, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Glory to the Empire!  Join me as we discuss one of the most critically acclaimed releases in the entire Star Wars saga. Star Wars: Tie Fighter.  Learn how the game was made, discover why the game was so unique in comparison to other Star Wars titles, and listen in as we discuss whether it still feels good...to be bad...even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

It's time to tackle another fairytale adventure, as we tackle the classic Sierra On-Line point and click title, King's Quest V!  Learn how the game, discover why King's Quest V represented a shift in Sierra's adventure game design process, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to listen to Cedric the Owl drone on about "POOIIISSONOUS Snakes!"...even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday! OneShortEye's YouTube channel, for all of your adventure game speedrunning needs:  https://www.youtube.com/@OneShortEye

For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our latest deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those games.  In today's episode, we'll look at a cross-section of games from across the landscape of the Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game, or MMORPG, genre, as I pick some of my favorite, and most personally significant, tracks from that particular genre of gaming.   Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!  

It's time to eradicate an alien menace, as we take to the streets to save the small town of El Cadron in the Sega CD FMV title, Ground Zero: Texas!  Learn about the history of full motion video in gaming, discover why Digital Pictures believed its second generation of FMV titles were lightyears beyond their earlier efforts, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to shoot a bunch of FMV aliens in the face, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me on a jungle adventure as we explore the Atari 2600 classic, Pitfall!  Learn how the game was made, discover why David Crane achieved what many thought to be impossible, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to swing on a vine across a crocodile infested pool of water, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Marvin Acme is dead...his will is missing...Toontown's fate hangs in the balance!  There's only one question to answer...Who Framed Roger Rabbit?  Join me as we discuss how the game was made, the history behind the film on which the game is based on, and whether it's still worth your time to save the denizens of Toontown from certain Doom, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Grab your badge, holster your gun, and put on your leather jacket, as we dive into the seedy underbelly of New York City in Remedy Entertainment's third person action title, Max Payne!  Learn how Remedy evolved from humble beginnings into one of the premier game developers in the world, discover why Max Payne was the title that launched them into superstardom, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to unleash a slow motion fueled ballet of destruction on your enemies, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

It's time to hit the links as we discuss the golf resort simulation title, Sid Meier's Sim Golf!  Learn about Sid Meier's career, discover what made him want to design a golf title in the first place, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to dust off your set of irons to shank your way to victory, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

I feel like we've been here before...and maybe we have, as we discuss the early Macintosh point and click adventure title, Deja Vu!  Learn how the game was made, discover how its creator, ICOM Simulations, got its start in the industry, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to dive into the seedy underbelly of a noir styled, point and click detective adventure, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me in an adventure into the early days of Mac gaming, as we explore the classic arcade platforming title, Dark Castle!  Learn how the game was made, discover what features made it so revolutionary for the time it was released, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to fling stones at a bunch of rats, bats, and gargoyles, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me on a fantasy epic adventure roleplaying experience, as we tackle the Bioware classic, Baldur's Gate!  Learn how the game, discover why it was such a big deal for Bioware to have the opportunity to use the Dungeons & Dragons license in a computer roleplaying game, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to stand ready with Minsc and Boo, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Put on your uniform, holster your gun, and grab your badge, as we discuss the 1987 original police procedure title, Police Quest!  Learn how the game was made, discover why its creator, Jim Walls, brought a unique perspective to adventure game design, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to patrol the EGA streets of Lytton to bring criminals to justice, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is our latest deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those games.  In today's episode, we'll look at a cross-section of games from across the landscape of First Person Shooter titles, as I pick some of my favorite, and most personally significant, tracks from that particular genre of gaming.   Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!  

Explore a post-apocalyptic wasteland with me as we discuss the classic computer roleplaying game, Fallout!  Learn about how Interplay as a company evolved over time, discover just how tumultuous the development of the game would end up being, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to take some Rad-X and brave the perils of super mutant infested ruins, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Happy Holidays everyone! In the spirit of the holidays, I thought it might be fun to "gift" everyone with an episode of the podcast that was previously only available to our Patreon members.  I hope you all enjoy! ------- Original Patreon show notes below: Join me as I recover from an alcohol-fueled self-destructive bender, as we discuss the modern RPG classic, Disco Elysium! Discover how the socio-political climate of Eastern Europe influenced the creation of the game, learn why the world of Disco Elysium took almost 20 years to come to life, and listen in as I give my thoughts as to whether this is a true modern classic that deserves your attention. Disco, baby! ------- Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

I hope you like White Zombie, and off-brand Mortal Kombat wannabes, because today, we're going to look at Way of the Warrior!  Learn how developer Naughty Dog was founded, discover why it seemed like a really good idea to make a tournament fighting title as their first game on the 3DO home console, and listen in as we discuss whether Way of the Warrior is still worth your time to play, even today... Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Don't forget to fill out your job application, as we discuss the Sierra puzzle-adventure title, The Castle of Dr. Brain!  Learn how the game was made, discover why Sierra decided to enter the edutainment industry in the first place, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to puzzle your way through the eclectic castle of a genius inventor, even today... Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Danger's like Jell-O, there's always room for more... Join me as we discuss the quintessential full motion video early 90s detective adventure game, Under a Killing Moon!  Learn how the game was made, discover the origins of the Tex Murphy character, and listen in as we discuss whether it's worth your time to put on your trench coat, adjust your fedora, and attempt to prevent an apocalyptic catastrophe, even today... Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Before Resident Evil introduced the world to the phrase "survival horror", there was Alone in the Dark!  Learn how the game was made, discover why its influences are still felt throughout the industry, and listen in as we discuss whether this particular jaunt through a haunted mansion is still worth your time, even today... Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

If you ever wanted to play the game Mousetrap, or recreate the beginning of Peewee's Big Adventure, but in video game form, then look no further than The Incredible Machine, a physics puzzle title released in 1992!  Learn how the game was made, discover why it's creators had to put it on the shelf for years before it eventually released on the market, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to attach a pulley to a conveyor belt powered by a monkey riding a bicycle, even today... Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!  

Gotta catch'em all!  Grab your favorite Poke-pal and join me as we discuss the very first Pokemon adventure ever made, Pokemon Red / Blue.  Learn what real-life hobby inspired the creation of the game, discover how the game evolved from an idea into a worldwide, pop cultural phenomenon, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to fill out your Pokedex, even today!

Grab a few of your closest friends and join me on an 80s inspired adventure as we discuss the Nintendo Entertainment System title, The Goonies II!  Learn how the game was made, discover how...and if...it ties into the popular film from 1985, and listen in as we determine whether "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough", even today... Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

For me, music is one of the core components that contributes to the enjoyment, and engagement, of a video game title, and this episode is yet another deep dive into some of the classic soundtracks from those games.  Today's episode, though, is unique, as it is our first Patreon sponsored Sounds of the Classics episode!  Listen in as Wendell Jr (Filmkid on Discord) and I select various songs from the expansive Square Enix music catalog, as we collectively discuss why these songs, and the games that they belong to, mean something special to each of us! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!  

Before there was Sonic the Hedgehog, there was Alex Kidd, one of several attempts by Sega to create a mascot to compete with Nintendo's ultra-popular mustachioed plumber, Mario.  Learn how the character of Alex Kidd was conceptualized, discover why the team at Sega believed they had a hit on their hands with the very first Alex Kidd release, and find out whether you should take the time to dust off your Sega Master System and fire up Alex Kidd in Miracle World, even today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Have you ever wondered what it's like to play a fighting game that eschews nearly every standard fighting game convention?  Well, if so, listen in as we discuss Rise of the Robots!  Learn how the game was made, discover whether its much touted artificial intelligence is truly groundbreaking, and find out how much pain and suffering I went through to deliver this episode to all of you.  This one is special...you won't want to miss it! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me as we discuss one of the most important adventure games ever created, Sierra On-Line's King's Quest!  Learn how the game was made, discover why Roberta Williams decided to get into game design in the first place, and find out whether the very first King's Quest adventure, in its original form, is still worth your time today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me as we look at one of the most infamous games we've ever covered on this podcast, as we tackle the Philips CD-i "classic" Link: The Faces of Evil!  Learn how the game was made, discover why Nintendo allowed one of its famed mascots to appear on what many consider to be a subpar video game console, and find out whether Link: The Faces of Evil is as bad as most of the internet would lead you to believe. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me as we discuss one of the most Japanese games to ever be released outside of Japan, the Nintendo 64 platformer, Goemon's Great Adventure (or Mystical Ninja 2 Starring Goemon, depending on where you live).  Learn about the legend of Goemon, discover how that legend was translated into a digital, video game form, and find out whether it's still worth your time to run, jump, and attack your way through various temples, forests, and caverns, even today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

What do you get when you take a company like Bungie and ask them to develop a martial arts infused, 3D action extravaganza?  If you guessed Oni, you'd be right!  Learn why Bungie came to be, discover how Oni was made, and listen in as we determine whether it's worth your time to punch and kick a bunch of bad guys in the face using fully free-form 3D movement, even today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Grab your nearest mech suit, install a couple of upgradable weapons, and join me as we discuss one of the best titles on the Neo Geo Pocket Color, Biomotor Unitron!  Learn how the game was made, discover why another pop culture fad from the 90s heavily inspired its creation, and find out whether it's still worth your time to attempt to become the Unitron Master of Masters, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

It's time to get strategic as we tackle the real-time strategy classic, Command & Conquer!  Learn how the game was made, discover why a sci-fi novel from the 1960s directly contributed to the eventual creation of the game, and listen in as we determine whether it's still worth your time to micromanage a crew of dedicated soldiers on a futuristic battlefield, even today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

What do you get when you take some of the most diverse gameplay mechanics to ever exist in an 8-bit title, sprinkle it with some product merchandising wishful thinking, and turn the difficulty up to 11?  The answer to that question is Battletoads, one of the more famous, and some would say infamous, games ever released for the Nintendo Entertainment System.  Learn how the game was made, discover why it was designed to be so brutally difficult, and listen in as we figure out whether it's still worth your time to take on the game's challenges, even today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me as we celebrate our two year anniversary of the podcast, with a definitive, at least as of today, ranking of our top 10 Pantheon entries from the past year!  It's been a heck of a year, and I've loved making this podcast - I can't wait to see what the future has in store! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me as we boomer shooter our way through endless hordes of alien beings, as we discuss Serious Sam: The First Encounter.  Learn about the founding of its creator, Croteam, discover what inspired that group of developers to create Serious Sam, and listen in as we discuss whether it's still worth your time to mow down a ton of bad guys inhabiting ancient Egypt, even today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me on an intergalactic adventure transporting...camels, as we dive into the FMV on-rails shooter, Loadstar: The Legend of Tully Bodine!  Learn how the game was made, discover what modern mega billionaire contributed to its development, and listen in as we determine whether it's worth your time to fight the law and blast off into space with a trailer full of contraband camel, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

It's time to destroy everything in sight, as we tackle the hard hitting destruction derby classic, Blast Corps!  Learn how the game was made, discover why destroying buildings is simply fun, and find out whether playing around in a sandbox of wanton mayhem is still worth your time, even today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Dust off your adventuring mouse, limber up your point-and-click finger, and prepare for a swashbuckling experience as we dive into the world of Flight of the Amazon Queen!  Learn why the game was made, discover how LucasArts inspired nearly every aspect of the experience, and find out whether you should join Joe King on an Amazonian adventure, even today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

It's time for another simian adventure as we tackle the second game in the Donkey Kong Country series, Diddy's Kong Quest!  Discover how the game was made, learn why Rare believed it could make a better game than its predecessor, and find out whether it's still worth your time to jump, roll, and spin your way through the jungle, even today! Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!

Join me on a trip into an alternate dimension dreamworld, as we explore the Sega Saturn classic, NiGHTS Into Dreams!  Learn how the game was made, why it can trace its lineage to the very first Sonic the Hedgehog title, and discover whether flying through nightmares and dreamscapes is still worth your time, even today. Join the discussion on Discord! Want more Classic Gaming Today?  Sign up as a patron at Patreon.com/ClassicGamingToday!