Retro Titans - the giants of retro and indie gaming in conversation

Phil Szomszor
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  • Biweekly

Retro Titans: the podcast dedicated to the epic world of retro and indie gaming. Interviews with the people who brought us the games, computers and consoles we love - and those who are bringing it all back.

  1. 1d ago

    Return to Blacktooth: The Head over Heels Sequel 37 Years in the Making with Colin Porch

    Colin Porch began work on a sequel to Head Over Heels in 1989. Thirty-seven years later, Return to Blacktooth: A Head Over Heels Adventure has finally been released. Colin joins Phil to tell the extraordinary story behind the game, from designing its puzzles on squared paper and developing it on an Atari ST to reviving the project decades later and securing permission to release it. The conversation also looks back at Colin's career with Imagine Software, Software Projects and Ocean Software, where his credits included the Commodore 64 versions of Head Over Heels, Operation Wolf and Gryzor. In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ An unlikely route into game development How an expensive programmable cartridge introduced Colin to machine code and led to his first published Commodore 64 game. 2️⃣ Life inside the 1980s games industry Colin recalls working at Imagine, Software Projects and Ocean during one of the most exciting periods in British gaming. 3️⃣ Bringing Head Over Heels to the Commodore 64 Why other programmers believed the conversion could not be done, and how Colin translated Jon Ritman's carefully documented code to different hardware. 4️⃣ The 37-year journey back to Blacktooth How a sequel begun on the Atari ST in 1989 was shelved, revived after an Ocean reunion and eventually released for a new generation. 5️⃣ Designing puzzles that players refuse to abandon Colin explains how he maps rooms, tests ideas and makes Return to Blacktooth more challenging than the original without making it impossible. 🔗 Guest links Return to Blacktooth: thalamusdigital.co.uk Amiga version: thalamusdigital.itch.io/return-to-blacktooth-amiga Atari ST version: thalamusdigital.itch.io/return-to-blacktooth-atarist 🎙️ Credits Sponsored by Thalamus Digital Publishing, publisher of indie and retro games. Production: Rocket Media Voiceover: Mark Silk Music: "8 Bit Skyway" © Piotr Pacyna

    Return to Blacktooth: The Head over Heels Sequel 37 Years in the Making with Colin Porch

  2. Oct 18

    Why the Amstrad CPC Still Matters: Preserving an 8-Bit Icon with UK Amstrad Group Co-Founder Chris Green

    Chris Green is co-founder of the UK Amstrad Group and co-founder and chair of the Kickstart Amiga Group, for a long-overdue celebration of the Amstrad CPC. In this episode, Chris recalls buying a CPC 464 at launch in 1984, learning to program with Locomotive BASIC and writing for Amstrad Action. He also explains why the Amstrad became the overlooked sibling of the British 8-bit computer scene, despite selling millions of machines and offering impressive hardware, software and build quality. We explore the community keeping the CPC alive today, from user-group meetings and new games to Wi-Fi expansions, modern storage and some extremely rare hardware. In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ Growing up with the Amstrad CPC From buying a CPC 464 with a green-screen monitor to discovering Amsoft, Mastertronic, Dizzy, Gryzor and RoboCop. 2️⃣ Why the Amstrad gets overlooked How its late arrival and Amstrad's "cheap and cheerful" reputation affected the way the CPC was perceived alongside the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64. 3️⃣ Keeping 40-year-old computers alive What happens at UK Amstrad Group meetings, and how enthusiasts are adding Wi-Fi, modern storage and other upgrades to their machines. 4️⃣ Collecting rare Amstrad hardware Chris introduces the elusive CPC 664, the Spanish CPC 472, the GX4000 and the prototype machine known as Arnold. 5️⃣ Old hardware for a modern audience Why recreated computers, FPGA systems and mini consoles can provide a route back into retro computing, and whether the time has come for an Amstrad CPC Mini. 🔗 Guest links UK Amstrad Group: ukag.org.uk 🎙️ Credits Sponsored by Thalamus Digital Publishing, publisher of indie and retro games. Production: Rocket Media Voiceover: Mark Silk Music: "8 Bit Skyway" © Piotr Pacyna

    Why the Amstrad CPC Still Matters: Preserving an 8-Bit Icon with UK Amstrad Group Co-Founder Chris Green

  3. Oct 4

    Evercade Community Day: Event interviews and Nexus reaction

    This episode is a bit different from the norm, in that Phil recorded it live on location at the inaugural Evercade Community and Creator Day, held in London on 10th September 2026. This was the first time Blaze invited creators and fans together to play with devices and discuss the wonderful world of retro gaming on Evercade. This episode is based on quick vox-pop interviews with Blaze's head of communications, Sean Cleaver, and head of marketing, Ben Grunbaum, plus Evercade Gaming Club's Matt Upton, Retro Asylum's Jim Middleton and, of course, Crazy Burger. Just to flag, the sound levels on this episode are a bit variable, especially during Crazy Burger's section, but I hope you agree it's well worth a listen. As always, our thanks go to our sponsors, Thalamus Digital. This one wasn't edited by Rocket Media, as I'm sure you'll guess within about one minute!   🔗 Guest links Evercade.co.uk EverCade Gaming Club Retro Asylum Crazy Burger  ...and buy the Nexux and Banjo Kazooie pack on Funstock   🎙️ Credits Sponsored by Thalamus Digital Publishing, publisher of indie and retro games. Production: Phil 🙃 Voiceover: Mark Silk Music: "8 Bit Skyway" © Piotr Pacyna

    Evercade Community Day: Event interviews and Nexus reaction

  4. Sep 20

    From Evercade to WOLF: Making Modern Game Boy Games with Shane McCafferty

    *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:b9612fae-dba8-4109-a21b-21836b678fb1-9" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:b9612fae-dba8-4109-a21b-21836b678fb1-9" data-testid= "conversation-turn-20" data-turn="assistant"> Rocketship Park co-owner and game developer Shane McCafferty returns to Retro Titans to discuss his latest work for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, including Hero GP, Roguecraft GB and WOLF. Shane explains how burnout led him back to game development through PICO-8 and the Game Boy, and why working within the limitations of Nintendo's handheld has proved so creatively rewarding. We also explore his growing connection with Evercade, the challenge of recreating Roguecraft for different hardware, and the technical tricks behind bringing a Wolfenstein-inspired first-person game to the Game Boy Color. In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ Rediscovering game development How PICO-8, an Analogue Pocket and a love of the Game Boy helped Shane recover from creative burnout. 2️⃣ Hero GP comes to Evercade Shane reacts to seeing his racing game appear as an Evercade Game of the Month and looks forward to its physical release on Indie Heroes Collection 5. 3️⃣ Bringing Roguecraft to Game Boy Color How Shane rebuilt the Amiga game in C, redrew its artwork and preserved the distinctive feel of the original. 4️⃣ Making WOLF work on Game Boy The raycasting techniques, hardware limitations and design decisions behind Shane's tense Wolfenstein-inspired FPS. 5️⃣ From Cave Dave to ZERO A physical release for Cave Dave, the evolution of the Starseed series and Shane's attempt to create an F-Zero-style racer for Game Boy Color. Plus, Shane takes on our Games of Your Life, with choices including Tetris, Sensible Soccer, Spelunky and What Remains of Edith Finch. If you enjoyed this interview, check out episode 8 of season 2 to hear Shane's first intereview.  🔗 Guest links Shane McCafferty on X: x.com/EGVroom Rocketship Park games: rocketshippark.itch.io 🎙️ Credits Sponsored by Thalamus Digital Publishing, publisher of indie and retro games. Production: Rocket Media Voiceover: Mark Silk Music: "8 Bit Skyway" © Piotr Pacyna   _:empty]:hidden">

    From Evercade to WOLF: Making Modern Game Boy Games with Shane McCafferty

  5. Sep 6

    Banjo-Kazooie, Doom & What's Next for Evercade? - Q&A with Crazy Burger

    Crazy Burger returns for another Q&A, as we take turns asking each other questions about Evercade, retro gaming and the games and hardware we love. In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ Our Evercade holiday picks Which carts deserve a place in the suitcase, and what makes a great game for playing on the move? 2️⃣ The future of Evercade We discuss new hardware, dual thumbsticks, native games and where the platform could go next. 3️⃣ Neo Geo, Banjo-Kazooie and gaming favourites Some of the games, franchises and systems we'd love to see more of. 4️⃣ Growing the retro gaming audience We talk marketing, retail and how retro gaming companies can reach beyond their existing communities. 5️⃣ Creating retro gaming content Crazy Burger shares his perspective on YouTube, the retro community and making content around the games and hardware we love. 🔗 Guest links Crazy Burger on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CrazyBurger 🎙️ Credits Sponsored by Thalamus Digital Publishing, publisher of indie and retro games. Production: Rocket Media Voiceover: Mark Silk Music: "8 Bit Skyway" © Piotr Pacyna

    Banjo-Kazooie, Doom & What's Next for Evercade? - Q&A with Crazy Burger

  6. Aug 23

    Antstream Arcade: Streaming, Preservation and the Future of Retro Gaming with Steve Cottam

    Phil is joined by Steve Cottam, CEO and founder of Antstream Arcade, the service offering instant access to more than 1,300 officially licensed retro games. Steve shares the story behind Antstream, his ambition to create a kind of "Spotify for retro games", and the challenges of licensing titles whose ownership can stretch back decades. The conversation also tackles physical versus digital preservation, introducing classic games to new generations, and why Antstream is looking beyond the past to indie and modern-retro games. In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ The story behind Antstream Arcade How Steve turned an ambitious idea into a major retro game streaming service. 2️⃣ Physical vs digital What does preservation really mean when cartridges, discs and hardware won't last forever? 3️⃣ The licensing puzzle Why securing the rights to decades-old games can be surprisingly complicated. 4️⃣ Making old games feel new How challenges and tournaments give classic titles a different way to be played. 5️⃣ Where retro gaming goes next Antstream's plans for indie and modern-retro games – and bringing the classics to new generations. Plus, Steve takes on our Games of Your Life, our regular feature where guests share the most influential games of their lives.  🔗 Guest links Antstream Arcade – antstream.com 🎙️ Credits Sponsored by Thalamus Digital Publishing Production: Rocket Media Voiceover: Mark Silk Music: "8 Bit Skyway" © Piotr Pacyna

    Antstream Arcade: Streaming, Preservation and the Future of Retro Gaming with Steve Cottam

  7. Aug 9

    From Arcades to Evercade: A Lifelong Love of Gaming with YouTuber Andrew Bender

    In this episode of Retro Titans, we head across the Atlantic to talk retro gaming, arcades, Evercade and the journey from lifelong gamer to YouTube creator. Phil is joined by Andrew Bender, one half of the Ronnie and Andrew YouTube channel, which has built up a huge library of videos covering retro and modern gaming. Andrew talks about how the channel developed, what he has learned along the way, and why sharing his passion for games has become such an important part of the hobby. Andrew's gaming story goes much further back. We explore his love of Falcom games, his experiences with the American arcade scene, collecting arcade hardware, and why the social experience of playing games in an arcade still has a magic that is difficult to recreate at home. There's plenty of Evercade discussion too, including Andrew's approach to reviewing cartridges and discovering games he might otherwise never have played. In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ From gamer to YouTuber How Andrew and his wife started creating gaming content, and the learning curve involved in building a channel with more than 600 videos. 2️⃣ Growing up with games and discovering the arcade Andrew shares his gaming history and why arcades became such an important part of his passion for the hobby. 3️⃣ The magic of arcade hardware From cabinets and fighting games to Neo Geo and pinball, we discuss what makes playing on original or dedicated hardware such a different experience. 4️⃣ Evercade, collecting and discovering old games Why physical cartridges and curated collections appeal to Andrew, and how reviewing Evercade releases has introduced him to games from across gaming history. 5️⃣ Why retro gaming still matters Andrew and Phil discuss nostalgia, collecting and the communities that continue to celebrate classic games and hardware.   🔗 Links Roni and Andrew on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GameOverRandA  Andrew's arcade tour (mentioned in the interview) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naT_bFW2a_0    🎙️ Credits Sponsored by Thalamus Digital Publishing  Produced by Rocket Media Voiceover by Mark Silk Music: "8 Bit Skyway" © Piotr Pacyna

    From Arcades to Evercade: A Lifelong Love of Gaming with YouTuber Andrew Bender

  8. Jul 26

    Rebroadcast - E1 Crazy Burger's introduction to Evercade

    Today's episode is a replay of Season 1, Episode 1 with YouTuber Crazy Burger - recorded back in February 2024. So much has changed since we started Retro Titans. From resurgence of retro gaming and the evolution of Evercade to my own rediscovery of the games I loved. Looking back, I recorded this episode only four weeks into my Evercade journey. I'm slighly suprised by my bold brass to think I could make a podcast about something I knew barely anywayhing about. Hey ho, thankfully Crazy Burger made it easy for me. Since then, I've discovered so much more in retro and indie gaming, recorded over 50 episodes of Retro Titans, and made a load of friends in the process. So, while we wait for the fresh new episodes, thanks to everyone who's listened and supported Retro Titans so far.  Are you ready to play...? Thanks Phil  July 2026

    Rebroadcast - E1 Crazy Burger's introduction to Evercade
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Retro Titans: the podcast dedicated to the epic world of retro and indie gaming. Interviews with the people who brought us the games, computers and consoles we love - and those who are bringing it all back.

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