536: The 7th Guest: The Inside Story with Trilobyte's Rob Landeros - The Retro Hour EP536

538: Commodore 64: The Birth of a Cultural Icon - The Retro Hour EP538

Jul 3, 20261h 54mSummary

In this episode of The Retro Hour, the hosts dive into a mix of modern tech news and the rich history of classic computing. A major highlight is their interview with the creators of the documentary project, Commodore 64: The Birth of a Cultural Icon. The discussion explores the lasting legacy of the C64, reflecting on how it served as an accessible creative hub for music and graphics, and the hosts share some delightful, lesser-known trivia about the machine, including the existence of a 1985 C64 rap song. The podcast also tackles the controversial announcement of the new Commodore flip phone. The hosts analyze the device’s unique positioning as a "digital detox" tool that restricts social media and web browsing, weighing its high price point and polarizing reception against its premium audio features. Additionally, the conversation turns to the recent release of premium anniversary Sonic the Hedgehog cartridges for original hardware. While acknowledging the appeal for display-focused collectors, the hosts debate the value proposition of such products, noting the tension between niche nostalgia and mainstream accessibility in the current retro gaming market.

537: The Man Who Made Lemmings Work On Atari ST: DMA Design's Brian Watson - The Retro Hour EP537

Jun 26, 20261h 31mSummary

In episode 537 of The Retro Hour, hosts Dan Wood and Joe Fox sit down with veteran developer Brian Watson to discuss his storied career, most notably his time at DMA Design. The conversation centers on the technical hurdles of porting the iconic game Lemmings to over 32 systems, with a specific focus on the development process for the Atari ST and the Atari Lynx versions. The discussion provides a rare look at the constraints of late-era development and how these challenges shaped the industry at the time. Beyond his work on Lemmings, Watson recounts his transition into N64 development with Iguana Games and Acclaim, highlighting the technical trials of working with cartridge limitations for titles like Turok. The hosts also explore his experience on the PlayStation 2 classic Area 51, shedding light on a forgotten favorite that utilized advanced rendering techniques for its era. The episode also features an update on the impressive fan-made optimization of Minecraft for the PlayStation 2, a discussion on the retro-styled Game Boy title Land of the Free, and a look at the upcoming remake of the classic Amiga shoot-'em-up Apidya.

535: The Game That Took 37 Years to Finish: Ocean Software's Colin Porch - The Retro Hour EP535

Jun 11, 20261h 49mSummary

In this episode of The Retro Hour, the hosts dive into a fascinating mix of industry news and a spotlight on a legendary programmer. The featured guest is Colin Porch, a veteran of the iconic Ocean Software and Imagine Software, who recently made headlines for finally finishing a project started 37 years ago. Porch discusses the development of a sequel to the classic isometric game Head Over Heels, titled Return to Blacktooth. Originally shelved in the late eighties, the project was revived after a suggestion from former colleague Gary Bracey. The hosts highlight the impressive nature of this feat, noting that Porch programmed the game using his original Atari ST hardware rather than modern emulation. Beyond the interview, the podcast covers current developments in the retro gaming world. The hosts discuss the latest teasers for the Retro Games Limited A1200, debating its interface and potential capabilities. Additionally, they explore recent announcements from Sega regarding the Crazy Taxi reboot, addressing the community backlash surrounding the use of generative AI in its background assets. The episode also touches on Atari’s upcoming collection of classic Toy Story games.

534: How Games Like Wipeout and Tony Hawk Changed the Music Industry - The Retro Hour EP534

Jun 5, 20261h 40mSummary

In episode 534 of The Retro Hour, hosts Dan Wood, Ravi Abbott, and Joe Fox dive into the intersection of technology and gaming culture. A primary focus of this episode is the world of video game music, featuring an interview with Matt Ombla, head of music and gaming partnerships at Laced Records. The conversation explores the history of game soundtracks, the evolution of modern interactive music in platforms like Fortnite and Roblox, and the resurgence of video game vinyl as a collector’s medium. Beyond the musical deep dive, the hosts discuss the latest technical advancements in the retro community. They highlight an impressive ongoing project porting the classic Sonic the Hedgehog to the ZX Spectrum Next, demonstrating the modern potential of retro hardware. Additionally, they examine the OmniDrive project, which allows for the legal ripping of game discs for preservation, and discuss the Virtual OS Museum, a monumental digital archive that simplifies access to hundreds of historic operating systems. The episode balances these technical milestones with personal reflections on the preservation of digital history and the joy of keeping vintage technology alive.

533: cyber.cafe: The 90s TV Show That Exposed the Internet's Wild Side - The Retro Hour EP533

May 29, 20261h 46mSummary

In episode 533 of The Retro Hour, hosts Dan Wood and Joe Fox dive into the fascinating history of the 1990s television program Cyber Cafe. They are joined by Wingham Rowan, who hosted the show during its original run from 1995 to 2000. During the discussion, they explore how the series stood out by presenting a raw, human-focused look at early internet culture, often featuring controversial guests and cutting-edge topics—such as the world’s first life-vloggers—that contrasted sharply with the more formal, academic technology programming offered by the BBC at the time. Beyond the interview, the hosts provide their weekly roundup of retro gaming news. They discuss a new Kickstarter project, the Mega WiFi add-on, which aims to bring online multiplayer to the Sega Mega Drive. Additionally, they highlight a promising new JRPG currently in development for the Amiga, titled The Adventure of Node, and touch upon a fan-made project bringing an Elden Ring-style experience to the Nintendo 64. The episode offers a deep dive into how these vintage systems continue to evolve through the dedication of modern enthusiasts and homebrew developers.