The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)

The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)
  • 4.8 (129)
  • VIDEO GAMES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Your weekly dose of retro gaming and technology news and interviews with industry veterans. New episodes released every Friday!

  1. The Story Behind the Vectrex Mini - The Retro Hour EP521

    16H AGO

    The Story Behind the Vectrex Mini - The Retro Hour EP521

    This week we’re joined by David Oghia, the man behind the upcoming Vectrex Mini. We explore his journey from discovering the ZX81 in the early 80s to working on official Star Wars publications and visiting Skywalker Ranch, before diving into the revival of one of gaming’s most unique consoles. David explains why the original vector-display Vectrex remains so special, the challenges of recreating it with modern hardware, and how the Kickstarter campaign unexpectedly smashed its funding goal. We also discuss games, overlays, controllers and what the future might hold for the reborn Vectrex brand. Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories46:05 – Vectrex Mini Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.comTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Triforce Arcade Emulation: https://tinyurl.com/ycxwe6hwRave Racer On Consoles: https://tinyurl.com/38mbt8puRemote Vintage Mainframes: https://tinyurl.com/mryykp8kEvercade Wireless Controller: https://tinyurl.com/5bjmj36xUnreal Tournament 2004 Patch: https://tinyurl.com/4cutcc3dHyper Sentinel Fusion: https://tinyurl.com/mrdeupdt

    1h 44m
  2. The Graphics of Core Design - The Retro Hour EP520

    FEB 27

    The Graphics of Core Design - The Retro Hour EP520

    This week, we’re joined by Core Design artist and animator Billy Allison, whose incredible career spans hand-drawn children’s TV classics like SuperTed and The Forgotten Toys through to iconic 16-bit games including Chuck Rock, Wonder Dog, Bubba 'n' Stix and more. Billy shares how he went from experimenting with animation on a ZX Spectrum and Deluxe Paint to pushing early 3D on Shadow Man and revisiting Alien Breed years later. From sneaking into film school rostrum rooms to pioneering full-screen Amiga cutscenes. Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories51:34 – Billy Allison Core Design Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.comTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes N64 & PS2 Mario Co-Op Mod: https://youtu.be/gCza2KrstxEAmiga Mario Kart Clone: https://tinyurl.com/2s4y92d4Minecraft On Sega Saturn: https://tinyurl.com/fwcr2d3dBest Way To Play Fan Translations: https://tinyurl.com/378jn4r2Castlevania Silent Planet: https://tinyurl.com/bdhdn5z3New bsnes Build Adds Multitap: https://tinyurl.com/yt4nwvj4

    1h 44m
  3. Three Red Lights: The Wild Story of IGN’s Xbox 360 Podcast - The Retro Hour EP519

    FEB 20

    Three Red Lights: The Wild Story of IGN’s Xbox 360 Podcast - The Retro Hour EP519

    This week we’re joined by Hilary Goldstein and Dave Clayman, two of the voices behind IGN’s legendary Three Red Lights podcast, the loud, chaotic and gloriously irreverent Xbox 360 show that helped define mid-2000s gaming culture. From sleeping on office couches and playing Halo 2 before anyone else, to Don King promos, 50 Cent interviews and the early days of podcasting when you had to manually download episodes onto an MP3 player, they share wild behind-the-scenes stories from the golden age of online gaming media.  Contents: 00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories50:46 – Three Red Lights Podcast Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.comTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Rogue 7800 Roguelike: https://tinyurl.com/yc5dzbp6Rayman 30th Anniversary: https://tinyurl.com/y9vufpynSuper Mario 64 PDF: https://youtu.be/a0F08py5Z4MKula World 32X Port: https://tinyurl.com/4t957hxwComputer History Collection Online: https://tinyurl.com/438nvhxwCastlevania Belmont’s Curse: https://tinyurl.com/4s9abvum Patrons news Metal Gear Solid Collection: https://tinyurl.com/27458dp7Wheeze Game Boy Release: https://tinyurl.com/bdchv5zn

    1h 55m
  4. GameShark: The Rise, Fall & Return with Todd Hayes – The Retro Hour EP518

    FEB 13

    GameShark: The Rise, Fall & Return with Todd Hayes – The Retro Hour EP518

    This week we’re joined by Todd Hayes, original US CEO of GameShark, the device that changed how a generation played games. From arcade beginnings to building a $252 million video game empire, Todd shares the story of bringing Action Replay to America, battling Sony in court, navigating Nintendo’s lockout chips, and launching the ambitious SharkWire online service for the N64. We also hear aboutthe return of GameShark for the modern era and his new GameShark Cheat Code Compendium, preserving the secrets behind gaming’s most legendary cheats. GameShark Kickstarter: https://tinyurl.com/4t6a96jb Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 52:48 - GameShark Todd Hayes Interview  Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.comTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes The Simpsons: Hit & Run Dreamcast Port: https://tinyurl.com/ystdsvx3Dark Sci-Fi SNES Shooter: https://tinyurl.com/2smj37y5Amiga Addams Family Secrets: https://tinyurl.com/3j356repNew Wii Game Announced: https://tinyurl.com/4u4f2hazReStory: Console Repair Game: https://tinyurl.com/39a95ctmApple iPod Comeback Rumours: https://tinyurl.com/7u3xpd2pNew ScummVM Documentary: https://www.scummdoc.com/

    1h 48m
  5. From Zzap!64 to Thalamus: How a C64 Legend Came Back - The Retro Hour EP517

    FEB 6

    From Zzap!64 to Thalamus: How a C64 Legend Came Back - The Retro Hour EP517

    This week we’re catching up with Andy Robert of the legendary Thalamus Software, for a chat about one of the most fascinating careers of the 8-bit era. From discovering computers via library games and typing in listings, to writing for Zzap!64 and Commodore Format, Andy shares incredible stories from the golden age of the Commodore 64. We dig into Creatures, Mayhem in Monsterland and that infamous 100% review score, the realities of magazine bias, late-night map drawing, and the risks of going indie before “indie” was a thing. Plus, we fast-forward to the modern Thalamus revival, deluxe boxed releases, Amiga hits like Roguecraft, and why nostalgia still needs to be done properly. Thalamus: https://www.thalamus.shop/ Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 41:26 - Andy Roberts Thalamus Interview  Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Leeds Gaming Market: https://leedsgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.comTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Sonic R Platformer Mod: https://tinyurl.com/mu6e538jLemmings Reloaded On C64: https://tinyurl.com/hh856em2Lost Beavis & Butt-Head Game: https://tinyurl.com/h8wt9um9The Last Of Us Demake: https://tinyurl.com/2abjtn6cGamebox For Classic Mac: https://manticore.nz/gamebox

    1h 53m
  6. Celebrating the Best (and Worst) Video Game Controllers - The Retro Hour EP516

    JAN 30

    Celebrating the Best (and Worst) Video Game Controllers - The Retro Hour EP516

    This week on The Retro Hour, we’re getting hands-on with the unsung heroes of gaming: video game controllers! We’re joined by Christian Wenk, author of Trigger Happy, a stunning visual celebration of over 200 iconic (and sometimes downright bizarre) controllers from gaming history. From mushy Commodore joysticks to the ergonomic oddities of the N64 and beyond, Christian shares the nostalgic stories, design quirks, and sheer passion that fuelled his epic project.  Trigger Happy: https://tinyurl.com/2s4nyfpc Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 59:11 - Christian Wenk Interview  Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Leeds Gaming Market: https://leedsgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.comTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes PS3 Mod Breaks Limits: https://tinyurl.com/339xt3kyEscape 2049 Hits Mega Drive: https://tinyurl.com/5n7n7npeAtari ST Mini Teased: https://tinyurl.com/3af6pxhxYakuza Arcade Game Ported: https://tinyurl.com/dzx7nepsAtari Hotel Scaled Down: https://tinyurl.com/3j9atphjNew Saturn Console Successor: https://tinyurl.com/3nzbfn78Artist Makes Wi-Fi Visible: https://youtu.be/moBCOEiqiPs

    1h 48m
  7. "We Felt Like Part of the Beatles" - Rock Band with Sean Baptiste - The Retro Hour EP515

    JAN 23

    "We Felt Like Part of the Beatles" - Rock Band with Sean Baptiste - The Retro Hour EP515

    What makes a truly great gaming community? Sean Baptiste, who helped grow Harmonix’s forum from a dozen diehards to hundreds of thousands of fans, shares what it really takes. From the secret struggles behind QA on Karaoke Revolution, to rocking out with the stars at the Grammys, Sean reflects on how fan feedback shaped Rock Band, how social media changed the game, and why authentic engagement still matters more than ever. Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 52:18 - Sean Baptiste Interview  Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Leeds Gaming Market: https://leedsgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.comTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes Dan's Escapist Column: https://tinyurl.com/35srz7e8Mario 64 Dreamcast Port Impresses: https://tinyurl.com/chayc96wCombo Portable TV Demo: https://tinyurl.com/mp5fy7ckLost PS2-Style RPG Revealed: https://tinyurl.com/4rb98wfnCommodore Drive Turned PC: https://youtu.be/6loDwvG4CP87-Day Dark Souls Demake: https://tinyurl.com/2sp2bc57Yie Ar Kung-Fu Genesis Port: https://tinyurl.com/yc7y5pmx

    1h 56m
  8. Fatboy Slim and the Atari ST: How a 1980s Computer Made Chart History – The Retro Hour Podcast EP514

    JAN 16

    Fatboy Slim and the Atari ST: How a 1980s Computer Made Chart History – The Retro Hour Podcast EP514

    This week we welcome Fatboy Slim, aka Norman Cook, for a chat about the retro tech behind his biggest hits. From discovering MIDI to refusing upgrades for decades, Norman explains how the Atari ST became the backbone of his workflow, powering Beats International, Freak Power and every Fatboy Slim track right up to Eat Sleep Rave Repeat. We talk step-time sequencing, floppy disks, crashing STs, pirate radio, bedroom studios and how a track made 25 years ago on an Atari is still charting today.  Fatboy Slim: https://www.fatboyslim.net/ Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 47:59 - Fatboy Slim Interview  Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com Make this the year you finally learn a new language and save up to 60% while you’re at it by heading to https://babbel.com/RETRO and getting started today   Leeds Gaming Market: https://leedsgamingmarket.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.comTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes My Arcade Mini Sega Arcades: https://tinyurl.com/bderxanvRoad Rash Gets a Spiritual Successor: https://tinyurl.com/yc266zz7Final Build of Cancelled Resident Evil Game Boy Color Port Discovered: https://tinyurl.com/2rfetz22Roguecraft DX Comes to Retro Platforms: https://tinyurl.com/4pa8nc8jLong-Lost Mega Drive Sequel to Pit Fighter Found: https://tinyurl.com/3knexpjdThe Sega Saturn Gets a New Miami Vice-Style Game in 2026: https://tinyurl.com/53nc55jj

    1h 45m
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Your weekly dose of retro gaming and technology news and interviews with industry veterans. New episodes released every Friday!

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