Does using a Game Genie actually destroy your NES console, or were we just blowing into cartridges for no reason? From the gritty truth behind 90s tech lore to the absolute chaos of the infamous WWE Plane Ride From Hell, we are breaking down the blueprint of our childhoods. We are looking back at the exact moments that shaped our generation and unpacking the wild history behind the video games, music, and wrestling that defined the greatest decade. Welcome back to another episode of Cartridge and Quest! We have a split connection this week. Averagetrav is dialing in remotely from a hotel in Napa, California, sipping on a Cutwater Tequila Paloma. Meanwhile, Foodie Mike C is holding it down back home in the Midwest, kicking back with a White Crow "Apple of My Pie" cider. Even with Trav on the road, the retro vibes are stronger than ever. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and let's hang out as we dive deep into the vault. Today we are diving into May 1990 to look back at the release of the Galoob Game Genie. This device changed gaming forever by letting us alter the code, but we unpack the bitter lawsuit between Galoob and Nintendo and the reality of how it actually bent the connectors inside the console. We are also celebrating the massive May 1994 release of Weezer's Blue Album, a record that became permanently etched in our brains when the "Buddy Holly" music video was bundled on the Windows 95 installation CD ROM. Next, we look back at the insane 1995 Electronic Entertainment Expo where Sony executed the greatest mic drop in gaming history. Right after Sega announced the Saturn would cost $399, Sony executive Steve Race walked up to the podium, simply said "$299," and walked off, completely destroying Sega's launch momentum. We also explore the bitter legal battle where the World Wildlife Fund forced the World Wrestling Federation to become the WWE, saving the pandas but changing wrestling forever. Plus, we look back at the 1999 blockbuster hit The Mummy and the inescapable radio dominance of Smash Mouth's All Star. Taking the nostalgia goggles off reveals some truly unhinged madness, especially when we discuss the infamous 2002 WWE Plane Ride From Hell. Imagine a chartered flight featuring Brock Lesnar, Mr. Perfect, and a fully unhinged roster causing absolute chaos at 30,000 feet. We also debut a hilarious new trivia game: Silicon Valley Suit or Squared Circle Jabroni? Trav tests Mike to see if he can figure out whether names like Barry Horowitz, Jim Barksdale, and Steve Lombardi (aka The Brooklyn Brawler) belong in a tech startup boardroom or taking bumps in a wrestling ring. Later, Mike shares his recent culinary adventures cooking for the band The Home Team and Bilmuri, plus an epic Magic the Gathering card drop. We are laughing through the gritty, unregulated reality of growing up retro right here in the Midwest, whether we are fueling our road trips with Cocoa Dolce espresso chocolate, grabbing a fresh pint at Berryessa Brewing, or catching classic movies at the Regent Theater in Wellington. Join the Community! Did you ever permanently damage an NES with a Game Genie? Who was your favorite Attitude Era wrestler? Let us know in the comments below! Shop The Stash: Grab your new 1985 Otto Trucker Hat and gear at CartridgeandQuest.com. Catch a Movie: See what is playing at the Regent Theater in Wellington. Grab a Drink: Check out what is on tap locally at White Crow Cider Company and Berryessa Brewing Co.. Canned Cocktails: Grab a Tequila Paloma from Cutwater Spirits. Get Some Sweets: Grab the espresso chocolate bar from Cocoa Dolce. Keep it rad, and peace. SEO/GEO Tags Retro gaming podcast, 1985 kids, 90s pop culture, Game Genie destroyed NES, Galoob lawsuit Nintendo, WWE Plane Ride From Hell 2002, Weezer Blue Album Windows 95, Sony 299 E3 mic drop, Barry Horowitz, Brooklyn Brawler, 90s kid nostalgia, Wichita Kansas retro, White Crow Cider, Cocoa Dolce chocolate, Berryessa Brewing, Cutwater Spirits
