Play Retro Show

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Scott Johnson and Brian Dunaway talk about retro video games!

Scott Johnson


    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 20m AVG DURATION
    • 172 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Play Retro Show

    PLAY RETRO 170: Ridge Racer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 80:34


    Namco's Ridge Racer series. Beginning with its 1993 arcade debut and stretching through its early PlayStation-era dominance, the series was defined by speed, style, and corner-sliding gameplay that favored flair over realism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 169: Doom 1 & 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 98:47


    Doom (1993) and Doom II (1994). Developed by id Software, these games introduced the fast-paced, visceral FPS gameplay that would shape the industry for decades. With tight level design, explosive weapons, and iconic monsters, Doom wasn't just a game—it was a movement. And while we're at it, we'll mention Doom 64, the 1997 N64 follow-up that carved out its own identity in the shadows of its PC predecessors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 168: Driver and Driver 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 92:23


    Driver and Driver 2, the PlayStation titles that turned 1970s car chases into fully playable, open-world missions—well before “open world” was a buzzword. Developed by Reflections Interactive, these games combined tight driving physics, cinematic storytelling, and a now-legendary difficulty curve. Driver put you in the seat as an undercover cop posing as a getaway driver, while Driver 2 expanded the formula with new cities, the ability to exit your vehicle, and a heavier dose of crime drama. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 167: Disney's Illusion Series

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 74:01


    The Illusion platformers developed by Sega in the early to mid-1990s, built around original stories starring Mickey Mouse. While each game differs by platform and style, they share common traits: smooth controls, layered level design, strong animation, and soundtracks tailored to the hardware. The series covers both 16-bit showpieces and surprisingly deep 8-bit platformers, with a nod to the often-overlooked Legend of Illusion and the co-op-focused World of Illusion. Play Retro goes deep! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 166: Drill Dozer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 75:08


    Let's talk about ‘Drill Dozer', the 2006 Game Boy Advance title from Game Freak that stars Jill and her drill-powered mech in a punchy, gear-driven platformer complete with some unique game mechanics and features, including a built in rumble pack for the cart. This game still drills! Or something like that. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 165: Thief

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 77:12


    Thief: The Dark Project and Thief II: The Metal Age, two of the most influential stealth games ever made. Developed by Looking Glass Studios, these immersive sims dropped players into a dark, steampunk-inspired world where silence and shadows were more powerful than any sword. With open-ended level design, sound-based detection, and a story full of mystery and betrayal, the Thief series set the standard for the stealth genre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 165: Hydro, Offroad, and Arctic Thunder!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 81:46


    Hydro Thunder, Offroad Thunder, and Arctic Thunder—a trio of fast, loud, and wild arcade racers from Midway. At the arcade and at home. We are Racing Rocket boats, 4 Wheel Off-road vehicles in arenas, and snowblasting through frozen highways with missile-equipped snowmobiles. From arcades to Dreamcast and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 163: Questprobe featuring Marvel Comics

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 73:29


    The Questprobe Text Adventure series featuring Marvel Comic Characters —an early collaboration between Marvel Comics and Adventure International. Designed by Scott Adams (not the cartoonist!), these graphic/text hybrid adventures dropped Marvel's most iconic heroes into classic parser-based puzzlers. From The Hulk trying to control his rage, to Spider-Man climbing walls in text form, and Torch and Thing bickering their way through puzzles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 162: Croc

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 70:47


    An early 3D platformer from Argonaut Games where players control Croc, a courageous baby crocodile with a backpack raised by the Gobbos—a tribe of fuzzy creatures. When the evil Baron Dante kidnaps the Gobbos, Croc sets off on a crystal-collecting quest across floating islands, icy peaks, lava-filled caves, and more, using his tail whip, ground pound, and platforming skills to save his adoptive family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 161: Rampage

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 69:23


    On this week's episode of Play Retro, Rampage, from 1986. The classic arcade destruction game developed by Bally Midway that puts players in control of giant, mutated monsters—George the gorilla, Lizzie the lizard, and Ralph the werewolf—as they wreak havoc on cities across the United States. Turns out, this thing holds up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 160: Zaxxon

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 77:21


    On this week's Play Retro podcast with Scott Johnson and Brian Dunaway, ZAXXON! Sega's revolutionary 1982 arcade game that introduced an isometric perspective to shoot-'em-ups, setting it apart from the top-down and side-scrolling shooters of its era. Its sequel, Super Zaxxon, amped up the difficulty with faster enemy movement and trickier level designs. We'll also briefly mention Future Spy, a lesser-known Sega shooter that borrowed elements from Zaxxon while adding a military espionage theme. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 159: The SSX Series

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 78:24


    SSX, EA Sports BIG's legendary snowboarding series that defined arcade-style extreme sports in the early 2000s. From the original SSX on the PS2 to the fan-favorite SSX Tricky and the open-world masterpiece SSX 3, these games combined fast-paced racing, gravity-defying tricks, and an unforgettable soundtrack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 158: Space Quest

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 84:50


    Space Quest I: The Sarien Encounter, Space Quest II: Vohaul's Revenge, and Space Quest III: The Pirates of Pestulon. These games, developed by Sierra's "Two Guys from Andromeda" (Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy), combined comedy and science fiction in a way that few adventure games had done before. QUEST IN SPACE!!!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 157: Pole Position

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 79:13


    Pole Position and Pole Position II, the classic arcade racing games that defined an entire genre. Developed by Namco and distributed by Atari in the US released in the early '80s, Pole Position introduced the world to realistic track-based racing with qualifying rounds, intense time-based competition, and scaling sprite graphics that made players feel like they were truly behind the wheel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Play Retro 156: Wario Land for Game Boy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 74:25


    Wario Land 1–4, the beloved side-scrolling platformer series that gave Mario's greedy, garlic-loving rival a starring role. Beginning with Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 on the Game Boy, the series evolved into a creative and quirky take on platforming, replacing traditional power-ups with bizarre transformations, treasure-hunting mechanics, and Wario's signature brute force. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    acast retro gameboy wario wario land wario land super mario land
    Play Retro 155: Dino Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 89:10


    Survival horror meets dinosaurs. Regina and her team are sent to a mysterious research facility where prehistoric creatures are on the loose. Capcom's attempt to mix survival horror with dinosaurs. Released in 1999, Dino Crisis introduced players to a sci-fi thriller where Velociraptors and T-Rexes replaced zombies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 154: Fuzion Frenzy!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 93:39


    Microsoft throws everything at its launch titles to see what sticks for the Xbox original release in 2001 including this Party Game; Fuzion Frenzy with its host of fast paced mini games aimed at gamers of a certain drinking age and their 3 friends. Light and competitive and addicting as all get out. We discuss the Official Xbox Magazine launched that alongside and gave Fuzion Frenzy a fairly positive score. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 153: Wave Race 64

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2025 62:21


    Wave Race 64: a showcase game for the Nintendo 64 showing off the power of the N64 with this early 3d game on water that challenges the player to control their vehicle while bouncing around on choppy water. Look at those waves! Produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and developed by Nintendo EAD players compete for 1st place by out racing and stunting their way past their opponents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 152: X-COM - UFO Defense

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 88:33


    X-Com: UFO Defense (or UFO: Enemy Unknown outside North America) and its terrifying underwater sequel, X-Com: Terror from the Deep. Developed by MicroProse and released in the 1990s, these games combined base-building, resource management, and squad-based tactical combat to create a genre-defining experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 151: After Burner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2025 81:42


    After Burner is a high-speed, adrenaline-pumping arcade flight combat game developed by Sega and designed by the legendary Yu Suzuki. Released during Sega's golden age of arcade innovation, it introduced players to the thrill of piloting an F-14 Tomcat fighter jet in intense dogfights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 150: Eternal Champions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 78:40


    Sega released Eternal Champions in hopes of capitalizing on the fighting game mania that the game industry was in the midst of following the massive success of Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat. The game tried to set itself apart with unique features such as a heavier emphasis on its story, characters pulled from different time periods, reflectable projectiles, force fields, fighters that carried weapons, a training mode where players had to defend themselves against robotic traps, a novel method of executing moves, and elaborate stage-specific finishing moves called "Overkills". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 149: Commander Keen

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 77:17


    The iconic MS-DOS platformer from early Id Software that introduced PC gamers to console smooth scrolling, console-style platforming, 90s era Id Software humor, and the adventures of Billy Blaze, aka Commander Keen. From the first Keen Epsiode to the Keen finale; Aliens Ate My Babysitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 148: Worms!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 76:54


    The Play Retro show is here, and we are talking about the long running Tactical turn-based strategy series, developed by Andy Davidson and Team17 in the 90s that went on to defined the genre with their wacky humor, destructible environments, and an arsenal of bizarre weapons. Worth a mention: Worms: Director's Cut and Worms Pinball. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 147: Maniac Mansion

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 86:09


    Time to go way back on the Play Retro Podcast, for a Mansion full of Maniacs! Maniac Mansion is a 1987 graphic adventure video game where players control a character named Dave Miller, who must rescue his girlfriend from a mad scientist in a creepy mansion. The game features a point-and-click interface, multiple playable characters, and non-linear gameplay with various puzzles to solve. Let's see how the classic holds up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 146: MediEvil

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 77:21


    This week on the Play Retro podcast, Brian and Scott look at MediEvil (1998) and MediEvil 2 (2000), action-adventure games for the PlayStation, blending gothic aesthetics, humor, and hack-and-slash gameplay. Players control Sir Daniel Fortesque, a skeletal knight seeking redemption after his accidental heroism in life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 145: Vectorman

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2024 77:52


    Let's do podcast about the history of a side-scrolling action platformer for the Sega Genesis, set in a dystopian future where Earth is overrun by rogue robots. Players control Vectorman, an Orbot janitor-turned-hero, as he battles through diverse levels to stop the evil Warhead. Featuring innovative pre-rendered 3D graphics, fluid animations, and a techno-inspired soundtrack, Vectorman pushed the Genesis to its limits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 144: Donkey Kong Country

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 85:43


    A groundbreaking pre-rendered 3d sprite platformer for the Super Nintendo developed by Rare. Players control Donkey Kong and his sidekick Diddy as they journey through the jungle to reclaim their stolen banana hoard from the villainous King K. Rool! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 143: Golden Axe

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2024 80:50


    A classic side-scrolling beat 'em up arcade game set in the medieval fantasy land of Yuria. Players choose from three heroes—Ax Battler the Barbarian, Tyris Flare the Amazon, and Gilius Thunderhead the Dwarf—each with unique magic abilities. Together, they battle through hordes of enemies, ride mythical creatures, and face the evil Death Adder, who has kidnapped the royal family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 142: GhostBusters

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 73:23


    On this really big Twinkie of an episode, we're covering some of the classic Ghostbusters games, starting with the original 1984 Ghostbusters Business Sim game by Pitfall creator David Crane, Ghostbusters II's questionably fun version of the movie, The New Ghostbusters II game that Japan and Europe got that was surprisingly good and Ghostbusters for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis that was doing its own thing. Plus, we'll give a quick mention to The Real Ghostbusters arcade game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO Postal: Postal

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024 63:03


    A top-down isometric shooter where players take control of "The Postal Dude" as he embarks on a violent rampage against hostile civilians, military forces, and law enforcement. Known for its dark tone, extreme violence, and controversial themes, Postal shocked audiences and earned a cult following for its raw, chaotic gameplay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 140: Cho Aniki

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 69:08


    Cho Aniki is a Japanese video game series originally developed by Masaya and published by NCS Corp. The first game was released in 1992 for the PC Engine system. The game's sequels and spin-offs later appeared on the Super Famicom, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, WonderSwan, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. Best known for its homoerotic overtones, wacky humor and vivid, surreal imagery. Most of the games have never seen release outside Japan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 139: Super Mario Bros 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 69:55


    SMB2: Known for its dreamlike setting and gameplay changes from the original Super Mario Bros. Players can choose between Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and Toad, each with different abilities, as they navigate the world of Subcon to defeat the villain Wart. Unlike other Mario games, this installment focuses on picking up and throwing objects at enemies rather than stomping on them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 138: Shining Force on the Genesis

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024 74:06


    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.

    PLAY RETRO 137: BeetleJuice, the NES Game!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2024 71:07


    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.

    PLAY RETRO 136: Sunset Riders

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2024 62:05


    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.

    PLAY RETRO 135: Dune II

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 75:51


    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.

    PLAY RETRO 134: Skies of Arcadia

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 68:44


    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.

    PLAY RETRO 133: Flashback: The Quest for Identity

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 72:20


    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.

    identity players acast retro delphine software flashback the quest
    PLAY RETRO 132: Theme Hospital

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2024 75:32


    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.

    PLAY RETRO 131: StarTropics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 74:44


    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.

    PLAY RETRO 130: Gradius

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 74:29


    On this week's Play Retro podcast, Gradius is a series of shooter video games, introduced in 1985, developed and published by Konami for a variety of portable, console and arcade platforms. In many games in the series, the player controls a ship known as the Vic Viper. It's good, and you should play it. At least up to III. IV is weird. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    PLAY RETRO 129: Jet Set Radio

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 88:31


    Popular culture come to life in this unique blend of inline skating, graffiti art, and an eclectic soundtrack of funk, hip hop and rock. Set in a vibrant, cel-shaded world, the series focuses on the adventures of a gang of rebellious skaters called the GG fighting against oppressive authorities by tagging graffiti and grinding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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