What is up, retro hounds? Cartridge and Quest Season 2, Episode 26! This week, AverageTrav, Foodie Mike C, and AmanduhPlz88 are tearing into the ultimate 90s nostalgia trip for another legendary podcast session in the basement. We decode the legendary ABACABB Mortal Kombat blood code on the Sega Genesis before diving into the 1993 US Senate hearings that altered the video game industry forever. Plus, the crew debates 90s NFL fashion throwbacks, tests a citrusy local craft brew from Kansas, and vents about the Dallas Cowboys rough Week 1 showing on the gridiron. Grab your arcade tokens, fire up the CRT, crack open a cold beverage, and let's jump right in! Episode Breakdown 00:00 - 04:04 Whats on Tap: Unlocking the Genesis blood code and breaking down today's retro lineup for all the arcade kids out there. 04:04 - 17:14 Retro Rewind: Smelly bowling alleys, gray sweat fatalities, and how Nintendo and Sega battled the US Senate to create the ESRB. 17:14 - 24:24 Beer Review: Presented by Auburn Spirits. We crack open Dream On Fruited Sour from Walnut River Brewing and talk tangerine flavor profiles. 24:24 - 33:03 Channel Surfing: A 90s TV deep dive featuring Tiny Toon Adventures, Captain Planet, Step by Step, and Supernatural. 33:03 - 52:00 Gridiron Glow Up: Pixelated 90s NFL jerseys tested against modern Nike threads for the Cowboys, 49ers, Jaguars, Panthers, Buccaneers, and Ravens. 52:00 - 01:00:04 Mike's Mind: Cowboys Week 1 gridiron pain, Dak Prescott's performance, defensive struggles, and DraftKings sports betting updates with Big Poppy. 01:00:04 - 01:08:21 Cartridge Conundrum: Exposing the GameCube Memory Card 59 scam, massive Xbox file updates, and a final Dallas Cowboys defensive breakdown. CAQ Business Directory Auburn Spirits: Wichita's premier neighborhood craft hub. Stop in, mention Cartridge and Quest at the register, and lock down 10 percent off your purchase every single day. Text (316) 229-9222 to join the text club. The Regent Theater: Support local cinema down in Wellington! Pull up a seat in the air conditioning, say hello to Jerry, and check out the latest theater events. The Retro Detail Board 1993 Senate Hearings: The 1993 congressional hearings changed console gaming forever. When Sega and Nintendo realized the US government wanted to ban 16 bit pixelated blood from home ports like Mortal Kombat, the bitter rivals paused their console war to protect their profits. Instead of federal censorship, they created the Entertainment Software Rating Board, also known as the ESRB. We traded unrestricted game rentals for age ratings, ensuring 90s kids could still input the ABACABB code on Genesis to bypass Super Nintendo gray sweat edits. Trav's Take Insight: The evolution of console storage is an absolutely wild ride. In 2001, Nintendo forced GameCube players to buy a proprietary Memory Card 59 just to save exactly 59 blocks of data. Compare that legacy tech to today's massive 60 gigabyte digital Fortnite updates that stalled out local bandwidth for two full days. Gaming tech got sleeker and graphics became photorealistic, but storage headaches and crazy download times just evolved into a brand new digital problem for modern gamers. Join the Community! Grab the Merch: Secure your exclusive custom graphic apparel, grab a CQ DX shirt, and find more premium retro gear directly on our main storefront mall page at Cartridge and Quest. Custom Headwear: Whether you need snapbacks or fitted hats, browse the massive selection at Flex Cap Designs to get the freshest custom lids and cap off your retro fit for the weekend. Keep it rad, and peace. S2E26
