Remember The Game? Retro Gaming Podcast

I consider myself fairly well traveled when it comes to the NES. I've played MOST of the big titles in some capacity, and I know most of the origin stories when it comes to Nintendo's mainstream franchises. But one that's always eluded me was Metroid. So while I was on holidays in July, I decided to break out my Switch and see where Samus came from. And while I'm glad I've experienced her first game, I can confidently say that I never want to play it again, haha. 

 

This game is innovative, creative, easy to look at, and pretty damned fun. But it's also hard. NES hard. And if you know NES hard, you know that I resisted the urge to throw my Switch in the ocean on a few occasions. I had to look up a map, and I'm not even ashamed of it.

 

My buddy Daniel is the biggest Metroid fan I know, but he missed this one back in the day, too. So we both just finished our first run through Metroid on the NES, and we got together to talk about the years it took off both of our lives. Holy fuck, why does it have to be so hard????

 

And before we talk Samus, I toss together another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!

 

This week, we talked about how I pick my guests for the show. If I could go drinking with one gaming character, who would it be? And why the hell is RTG not on TikTok??

 

Plus we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', too! This one features 3 "NES Tough" games: Blaster Master, Fester's Quest, and Battletoads.

 

Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us! 

 

Twitter: @MemberTheGame

Instagram: @MemberTheGame

Twitch.tv/MemberTheGame

 

And if you want access to over 250 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month, and 5% of our patreon income every month will be donated to our 24 hour Extra-Life charity stream at the end of the year!

 

Patreon.com/RememberTheGame

I don't think I've ever ragequit/returned/ragequit/returned a video game as many times as I did Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee. This game is clever, very easy on the eyes, creative as fuck, and TOUGH AS NAILS. The controls are weird, the checkpoints suck, and your margin for error is practically non-existent. I spent the entire playthrough getting angry. But when I finally finished the game, I wanted to go back and play it again. This game is so fucked.

 

One of our listeners by the online handle of 'Blaine the Hoagie Man' sponsored this episode, tolerated my repeated ragequitting, and managed to convince me that Oddworld belongs up there with Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII, and Resident Evil as one of the defining games in the original PlayStation's library. He swung by the show this week to explain why he thought I'd enjoy this game, and why it didn't break him back in the 90's. 

 

And after I chat with Blaine, I give my buddy Tyler a call to break down the good, the bad, and the odd that makes up Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee. 

 

And before we talk farts and stuff, I toss together another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!

 

This week, we talked about whether or not mobile gaming is a threat to handhelds like the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck. How do I determine the value of a game when I think about buying it? And what's the best retro compilation available on modern consoles these days?

 

Plus we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', too! This one features 3 games that contain farts (yes, seriously): Conker's Bad Fur Day, Fable, and Boogeyman.

 

Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us! 

 

Twitter: @MemberTheGame

Instagram: @MemberTheGame

Twitch.tv/MemberTheGame

 

And if you want access to over 250 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month, and 5% of our patreon income every month will be donated to our 24 hour Extra-Life charity stream at the end of the year!

 

Patreon.com/RememberTheGame

 

And you can check out Tyler's short film, 'Quiet Enable', at:

 

YouTube.com/s762official

It took 212 episodes, but we're finally talking Silent Hill. Silent Hill 3, to be exact. People have been asking for us to show this franchise some love since the early days of RTG, and the only reason it took this long is because, well, I'm a bitch when it comes to scary stuff. 

 

But one of our listeners by the name of Ryan finally kicked me in the ass and told me to suck it up by sponsoring an episode of the show about how favourite game in the series, Silent Hill 3. So I played it. I sent hours getting freaked out by the sound of static while trying to open locked doors, and now that I've finally rolled the credits on a Silent Hill game, I get why y'all pushed for this so much. This is a pretty damned good video game.

 

Ryan pops by the show to explain why Silent Hill 3 was his poison, and then my buddy Patrick makes his return to the show to help me break down the good, the bad, and the gruesome of the third entry in the Silent Hill series. 

 

(And no, I haven't played Silent Hill 2 yet. But I will.)

 

And before we silence hills, I roll out another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!

 

This week, someone asks if I regret selling my video game collection? When do we think the next Nintendo console will drop? And why do I refuse to use walkthroughs for my games??

 

Plus we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', too! This one features 3 niche horror classics: Clock Tower, System Shock 2, and ManHunt.

 

Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us! 

 

Twitter: @MemberTheGame

Instagram: @MemberTheGame

Twitch.tv/MemberTheGame

 

And if you want access to over 250 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month, and 5% of our patreon income every month will be donated to our 24 hour Extra-Life charity stream at the end of the year!

 

Patreon.com/RememberTheGame

 

And you can check out Patrick's handywork at:

 

https://linktr.ee/burgerfinger

 

Or on Instagram:

@burgerfinger

@discount.lion.safari

Wave Race 64 was added to the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack library last week, and I figured it'll probably never be this topical again, so let's strike while the iron's wet. I've been looking for an excuse to cover this one on the podcast anyway. I remember playing it back when I got my 64 and thinking the water physics were incredible, and the game itself was really fun. 

 

I've been playing it over the past couple days to get ready for the show, and even after all these years, those statements hold true. The water is STILL incredible, and the game is STILL really fun! I was actually surprised by just how well this mofo has aged, to tell you the truth.

 

My younger brother, Josh, is my guest again this week, and it was a real trip going back to 1996 and talking about a game we used to play together as kids (and as much as I hate to admit it, a game he used to be able to kick my ass at). Wave Race 64 hold up, and hopefully this week's podcast convinces you to give it a spin.

 

And before we race on waves, I CRUSH another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!

 

This week, someone asks how I deal with haters and negative listeners online. How does Yoshi's Island stack up against Super Mario World? And do I think I'll ever stop buying new consoles and games?

 

Plus we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', too! This one features 3 N64 racers: Excitebike 64, Star Wars Episode I: Racer, and Ridge Racer 64 

 

Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us! 

 

Twitter: @MemberTheGame

Instagram: @MemberTheGame

Twitch.tv/MemberTheGame

 

And if you want access to over 250 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month, and 5% of our patreon income every month will be donated to our 24 hour Extra-Life charity stream at the end of the year!

 

Patreon.com/RememberTheGame

I think most of our listeners know I'm a Mario fan-boy. We've covered most of his games from the old days, with Super Mario All-Stars  being a rare exception. I know this is a phenomenal collection of games, and you probably know it, too. But we've already covered all the included games in greater detail on their own episodes of the podcast. I wasn't sold there was enough meat on the bone to justify talking about them all again. 

 

But then I started replaying it, and remembered just how incredible this collection is. Better graphics, better music, save files, a never before released (in North America) Mario game. Super Mario All-Stars is phenomenal, and dammit, it's time to give it its due on RTG.

 

David Rae makes his triumphant return to the show this week. He was my guest for the Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros 2, and Super Mario Bros episodes, and we talked about what made this collection special, what other NES games would have benefitted from the All-Stars treatment, and whether or not these games are the greatest remasters of all-time...

 

And before we star is all the way up, I stumble through another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!

 

This week, I answer a bunch of "will this game ever get an episode of the podcast?' questions. Why do I hate Assassin's Creed? (I don't.) And what games have let me down and surprised me the most over the years?

 

Plus we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', too! This one features 3 SNES platforming greats: Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario World, and SMW2: Yoshi's Island. 

 

Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us! 

 

Twitter: @MemberTheGame

Instagram: @MemberTheGame

Twitch.tv/MemberTheGame

 

And if you want access to over 200 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month, and 5% of our patreon income every month will be donated to our 24 hour Extra-Life charity stream at the end of the year!

 

Patreon.com/RememberTheGame

 

And you can find David and his podcast 'Quantum Kickflip' at:

www.quantumkickflip.com

Twitter: @quantumkickflip

Instagram: @quantumkickflip

Splinter Cell is a tough episode for me. I was once a secret agent that snuck into Government agencies to steal briefcases full of data sticks, and it isn't something I like to talk about.

 

Also, it's a really impressive game, but it's a stealth game, and as an impatient dipshit, I fucking hate stealth games. 

 

So this is one of those episodes where I'm trying to walk the line and explain why I don't really like it, but why there's not really a lot wrong with it, either. It's not perfect, but it's revolutionary as hell. And honestly, I think it has a better game engine than it's stealthy opposition, Metal Gear. 

 

My buddy, Bradley McCue, returns to the show this week. He's a big Metal Gear fan, I don't particularly like stealth games, and I thought we'd be the perfect duo to review a stealth game that isn't Metal Gear.

 

And before we anger all you Splinter Cell junkies, I sneak in (see what I did there?) another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!

 

This week, we get into our most satisfying gaming moments. A listener asks me what I would have done differently if I could go back in time and call the shots at Sega. And will physical copies of modern video games be sought after like NES cartridges are in thirty years?

 

Plus we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', too! This one features 3 Xbox badasees: Hitman 2, Max Payne, and Thief: Deadly Shadows. 

 

Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us! 

 

Twitter: @MemberTheGame

Instagram: @MemberTheGame

Twitch.tv/MemberTheGame

 

And if you want access to over 200 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month, and 5% of our patreon income every month will be donated to our 24 hour Extra-Life charity stream at the end of the year!

 

Patreon.com/RememberTheGame

 

And you can check out Bradley's Instagram at:

 

@thegamingodyssey

I feel like every time I try a PlayStation 2 game I missed out on back in the day, I talk about how much I regret sleeping on that damned console. That theme continues this week, because we're talking about June's Patreon Poll winner: Ratchet & Clank. And this game charmed the hell out of me. The PS2 really was a beast.

 

I've played the modern 2 R&C games on the PS4 & PS5, but this was my first time checking out the origins of the franchise. The controllers and camera and stuff are a little wonky by today's standards, but the game is still fire. The voice acting, graphics, weapons, characters, gameplay; all great. I get why people that started with this game stuck with the franchise over the last couple decades now. I'm a fan. 

 

Especially when it comes to Clank. Love that little bastard!

 

My buddy Darren, who happens to be a Ratchet & Clank super-fan, returns to the show this week, and we spent a solid hour talking about what makes this game, and series, so damned charming.

 

And before we talk about clanking ratchets, I serve up another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!

 

This week, we talk about female gamers, and whether or not I know many of them. Someone throws a BRUTAL play one/remake one/erase one at me. And which major console has the proper button layout on their controller?

 

Plus we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', too! This one features 3 of the highest rated games of 2002: GTA: Vice City, Metroid Prime, and Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4. 

 

Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us! 

 

Twitter: @MemberTheGame

Instagram: @MemberTheGame

Twitch.tv/MemberTheGame

 

And if you want access to over 200 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month, and 5% of our patreon income every month will be donated to our 24 hour Extra-Life charity stream at the end of the year!

 

Patreon.com/RememberTheGame

 

And you can check out Darren's Twitch streams over at:

 

Twitch.tv/AdjectiveandNoun

Pokemon episodes make me nervous. I love the passion, but you pokemaniacs are hardcore, and sometimes my limited pocket monster knowledge ends up getting me a little heat, because I just don't know that franchise well enough. And Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal is easily the generation of Pokemon games we've had the most requests for. So the pressure is on. 

 

I put over 45 hours into my first ever play-through of Pokemon Gold just to prepare for this episode, and while I don't know everything about these games, I know why so many people consider Gen II to be top tier in the world of Pokemon. So does my buddy Miklos. He's a diehard Pokemon junkie, and he joined me on the show this week to talk about what makes Gen II so special. 

 

AND this episode was sponsored by longtime community member, Deendonian, who swung by to talk about what these games mean to him, and we get into his hobby of speed running them, as well! 

 

You can check his Pokemon streams out at twitch.tv/deendonian

 

And before we talk about trapping animals in little balls, we serve up another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!

 

This week, we talk about whether or not indie games can overtake AAA games for top spot on the gaming food chain. Which games are better story tellers; retro titles, or modern games? And who's my favourite Ninja Turtles villain?

 

Plus we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', too! This one features 3 complete console libraries: The Game Boy Color, The Game Boy Advance, and The Nintendo DS.

 

Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us! 

 

Twitter: @MemberTheGame

Instagram: @MemberTheGame

Twitch.tv/MemberTheGame

 

And if you want access to over 200 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month, and 5% of our patreon income every month will be donated to our 24 hour Extra-Life charity stream at the end of the year!

 

Patreon.com/RememberTheGame

I've been away on holidays, and to kill two birds with one stone, I've handed the keys to the S.S. RTG to someone else for the first time in our 4+ year history. FORMER RTG Hall of Fame Mark McCue and his bro Bradley are covering me this week, and talking about a game that I've had so many requests for I hear them in my sleep - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. 

 

I hate this God damned game, I refuse to talk about it, and so the guys are covering me while I'm away AND crossing a game off my backlog at the same time. For all of you that have ben asking a Mask episode for years, this is it. This is the one. I hope you like it because that damned game is never getting another chance to be on my show. 

 

And before the guys get into some weirdo named Majora and their freaky mask, the serve up another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!

 

This week, I don't remember what they talk about because we recorded this episode over a month ago.

 

BUT, the blow in some cartridges. And we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', too! This one features 3 N64 heavyweights: xi, Super Mario 64, and Banjo-Kazooie.

 

Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us! 

 

Twitter: @MemberTheGame

Instagram: @MemberTheGame

Twitch.tv/MemberTheGame

 

And if you want access to over 200 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month, and 5% of our patreon income every month will be donated to our 24 hour Extra-Life charity stream at the end of the year!

 

Patreon.com/RememberTheGame

 

And don't forget to check out Mark McCue's debut comedy album, Son of a Drama Teacher, on BandCamp! Thanks again for the cover, boys!

 

You're both banned from the Hall, though.

I'm away on holidays this week, so I thought I'd give everyone a free bump and release a previously Patreon exclusive episode of Expansion Pass. This time, it's Expansion Pass #26 - Gamer Confessions. One of the most popular episodes of XP we've ever done. Listeners confess their darkest gaming secrets, and I judge them accordingly. 

This originally went live in September of 2020, and it was such a hit, we published a second edition last September. And Gamer Confessions III will show up this Fall. 

I hope you enjoy the extra episode, and if you do, consider supporting us on Patreon for $2/month. You'll get instant access to over 200 bonus podcasts, and get 2 additional episodes every week!

Patreon.com/RememberTheGame