Cool, good to hear!
Incidentally, this week's episode is out:
Retronauts Volume III Ep. 24 - Intellivision
MP3 for convenience.
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Retronauts Podcast Thread
- Thread starter krae_man
- Start date
Cool, good to hear!
Incidentally, this week's episode is out:
Retronauts Volume III Ep. 24 - Intellivision
MP3 for convenience.
3DO show is up.
http://www.retronauts.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/3do.pdf
http://traffic.libsyn.com/retronauts/Retronauts_Special_3_-_TooManyGames_Live_2014.mp3
Sad Gex didn't make the top 8 cut.
http://www.retronauts.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/3do.pdf
http://traffic.libsyn.com/retronauts/Retronauts_Special_3_-_TooManyGames_Live_2014.mp3
Sad Gex didn't make the top 8 cut.
Listened to a lot more of these, as well as the older ones from 1up. I have trouble differentiating voices for whatever reason, so it took me a while to straighten out who was who. I think the older podcasts are way better, and I think I've figured out why I didn't love the new run right off the bat: I don't think I like Bob Mackey on the show very much. He has extremely limited knowledge of older games (basically the popular NES and SNES stuff) and is very quick to dismiss titles he's never even played. Yes, I know he's often hyperbolic and later apologizes or admits he was wrong. Still don't like it. When he called Enemy Zero a pile of garbage I almost shit my pants. My apologies to Jeremy Parish, whose presence I do enjoy even when I don't agree with what he says, Ray Barnholt, who is always great, and especially Shane Bettenhausen who is really knowledgeable about niche stuff and will get excited over and champion the games no one else does. Too bad he's never on anymore =[
They tend to be really good when there's a very specific topic and knowledgeable guests. Like someone mentioned, the Matsuno and Ivalice episodes were great because at least one person knew about and could discuss the topic in depth. Hell, the wrestling episode was great even though I don't care about wrestling at all.
I like to hear passionate people talk about the shit they care about, and if it's shit I care about then even better. If someone says "I never played this..." or has obviously done no research on the topic I lose interest in their input very quickly.
They tend to be really good when there's a very specific topic and knowledgeable guests. Like someone mentioned, the Matsuno and Ivalice episodes were great because at least one person knew about and could discuss the topic in depth. Hell, the wrestling episode was great even though I don't care about wrestling at all.
I like to hear passionate people talk about the shit they care about, and if it's shit I care about then even better. If someone says "I never played this..." or has obviously done no research on the topic I lose interest in their input very quickly.
The wrestling episode was one of the best ones they ever did. I think they even apologized for it in a future episode for whatever reason. The two guests on that were so into those games and just wrestling in general. They got me to buy Firepro for PS2 (though I admittedly haven't tried it yet). I've also been keeping an eye out for the GBA version of it.
But I think these new episodes are really good in general. The only one I truly couldn't make it through was the prog rock episode. I tried. I really did.
Amen. So glad I am not alone in this.
I have been listening to Retronauts since the beginning and I haven't liked Bob from day one. Last couple shows has been..."I never played one of these..." Followed by a dumb joke or some political tirade. Then maybe you shouldn't be on a retro gaming podcast? Or at least do your research. I relate the most with Jeremy due to my age (40), and sometimes I get disgusted hearing some of the poor wit coming out of Bob based on these older systems I used to play that aren't from his age bracket. Intellivision was my big system as a kid...and the past episode highlighting it kind of let me down a bit.
You are correct, the older shows were the best and had the best guests and hosts, passionate gamers who knew what to say.
Bottom line is I want to wax nostalgia with people who have the knowledge and experience while at the same time maybe even learn a thing or two as well. Guys like Ray at least take the time to want to learn and appreciate these systems...Bob just comes off as riding the coattails a bit in comparison and his humor sucks to boot. Ray and Jeremy speaking are my shining light these days since they are the last vestige of the old crew and any episode without them I don't even bother downloading (episodes like '90's nostalgia with Bob!' for example - I don't tune into Retronauts to discuss Ninja Turtles).
We need more Kohler too, I have missed him the most. The story about his father making those 2600 chips really hit me close to home because as a kid my uncle (a NASA contractor via GE) did the same thing. I was literally amazed to hear that.
oh come on that's so incredibly reductive
there are plenty of episodes where he has played the games too
you know who else has not played a lot of the games in recent episodes? jeremy parish. no one complains about him(oh who am i kidding someone will always complain about something/someone)
who cares? that's why they try to get guests on for episodes where not everyone has played the game
Have to disagree with both sides here.
First with the people saying Bob is the biggest offender of not preparing. This is nothing but selective perception. Jeremy and even Ray do this a LOT, as well. You can dislike the guy, of course, but let's be fair here.
I also have to disagree with mattp, though. Like I wrote on the last page, I think preparation is key and everyone should be familiar with the games discussed. Relying on the guests is not acceptable, imo. Obviously that knowledge doesn't have to go super deep everytime, but being completely unprepared is just such a waste. But anyway, like I wrote here, the weekly format is probably not ideal for them.
First with the people saying Bob is the biggest offender of not preparing. This is nothing but selective perception. Jeremy and even Ray do this a LOT, as well. You can dislike the guy, of course, but let's be fair here.
I also have to disagree with mattp, though. Like I wrote on the last page, I think preparation is key and everyone should be familiar with the games discussed. Relying on the guests is not acceptable, imo. Obviously that knowledge doesn't have to go super deep everytime, but being completely unprepared is just such a waste. But anyway, like I wrote here, the weekly format is probably not ideal for them.
I care, because I love Retronauts.
A perfect example of this happening in the past was with Jeremy in the C64 episode...the difference is though at least Jeremy is constructive with his lack of knowledge, and plus you had Scott Sharkey.
Sorry but this is just constructive criticism from a fan...the show just isn't what it used to be and Bob hasn't won me over whatsoever. :::shrugs:::
your first point is part what i was getting at only i didnt explain myself well enough haha
and your second point: yeah relying on a guest isnt ideal but sometimes what other option is there? the point of retronauts is talking about old games you experienced back when they were new. if one of them didnt have experience with a game they can't time travel. at least having a guest on helps out. also i think some of the issue here is that a portion of the episode topics were chosen by backers and not the guys. so if they have no experience with a topic they're still obligated to do an episode on it
edit: another random observation. it seems like for the most part, whoever is running the episode is, by far, the most prepared. which makes sense, but i bet a lot of the episodes anyone has issues with one of the guys not being prepared enough, it's not an episode they're hosting
It isn't a matter of disliking Bob so to speak (I mean as a person heh, just a host in this case), I just don't think he is knowledgeable enough to be on a podcast that discusses retro gaming. His overall broadness of subjects is lacking compared to guys like Ray and Jeremy...everyone has their strengths obviously...but Bob seems to have less.
Just have to agree to disagree.
well, id say i agree with you on the point that bob may be less knowledgeable than jeremy or ray(ray is like a fucking encyclopedia on gaming stuff)
but i still like bob's opinions and contributions to the show. i thought he was doing pretty good on his own, too. before the kickstarter
thats what made me like him in the first place
Hm, I never saw it that way (@ bolded), but you're not wrong, either. I still sustain that they should give themselves more time and prepare. I think the modern perspective is just as important, and I don't mind it if someone hasn't played the game ten or twenty years ago.
Sure. I'd just like to add that he also brings some much needed energy to the table a lot of the times which is just as important in a show context.
The weekly format is a big issue, it's easy to see that they don't have time to prepare for the topic in many of their episodes. A little more preparation and the quality would probably jump significantly. Why are there so many topics that none of them are familar with? It's difficult to listen to an episode when the three of them struggle to provide any sort of insight.
My own personal issue is that Jeremy doesn't talk more than a couple minutes in some of the reboot episodes. Compare that to the host who was the heart of the original show before suffering from podcast burnout. Makes me sad because I loved it when Jeremy was a snarky ass in the early 1UP episodes.
My own personal issue is that Jeremy doesn't talk more than a couple minutes in some of the reboot episodes. Compare that to the host who was the heart of the original show before suffering from podcast burnout. Makes me sad because I loved it when Jeremy was a snarky ass in the early 1UP episodes.
You're probably right.
Once they clear out all backer rewards, they really should go back to a biweekly show. And if they do another round of crowdfunding (the original pitch was for a year of shows and the first show was about a year ago), they probably should do Patreon instead, so they don't have to do rewards and backer requests.
turnbuckle
Member
I agree with this. I support a few shows on Pateron already and would love to do the same for Retronauts. Having the podcast is the reward. It's good to have merch available (the shirt they have available for sale is way better than the backer reward shirt) as another way to support the show.
I like all the hosts, but I think they're missing a bit of that old snark that Shane/Sharkey/Kohler provided. I wouldn't want anyone on to be removed, but would love to have any one of those guys become semi-regular.
Bi or tri-weekly would be good for me. Or bi-weekly with those random delays retronauts was always notorious for. Whatever works best for the hosts and allows them to prepare. I don't want them to start getting burned out or think of this cast as more of a chore than something they like to do.
I'd like them to revisit some old topics too. Part of what made the old episodes great was that they had more material to work with; every time they cover a new topic it's no longer available. The sequel to the music episode was one of my favorites.
Bob Mackey is really terrible on the show, definitely agree with that. He seems way to cynical most of the time, and doesnt seem like he does his homework for the episodes imo. He does sound like a great guy though, so its nothing personal against him, I just dont think he is very good at this. I like Ray Barnholt, but he seems a bit nervous when he hosts - or maybe its just his kind of humour? Anyways, Parish is amazing, and the reason this show is so great.
charlequin
Banned
These guys are all great because they pick fights, tbh.
Starwolf_UK
Member
The way I see the retronauts panel is a lot like sports commentary. You will have a knowledge guy and a funny guy and possibly a chair to keep the two in balance.
As for what retronauts should be? I remember a long time ago they said it was about exploring retro games.
The only episode where I felt let down by lack of knowledge was the Soul Blazer trilogy one as none of the panel had really played the last part (it never coming out in America and the timing of when it hit Europe and difficulties in getting European SNES games to work on a US SNES compared to the trivial SFC carts I think all contribute) but thankfully they quickly moved on.
As for what retronauts should be? I remember a long time ago they said it was about exploring retro games.
The only episode where I felt let down by lack of knowledge was the Soul Blazer trilogy one as none of the panel had really played the last part (it never coming out in America and the timing of when it hit Europe and difficulties in getting European SNES games to work on a US SNES compared to the trivial SFC carts I think all contribute) but thankfully they quickly moved on.
I like Bob, I like all the hosts, my problem with this generation of Retronauts is that a lot of the episodes are wikipedia readings, there is a lot of talk about things they don't have first hand experience with, I enjoyed Retronauts because I liked hearing other people's experiences with games/systems/eras not being read out wiki pages.
I have this problem with my own podcast, I know some of my co hosts would rather give a factual account, but I'd rather talk about my experience and others experiences, if I don't know much about a subject I'll sit out the episode as I know I can bring nothing to it otherwise.
I guess once all the backer requests are done they can get back to what they know.
The Ivalice episodes were great as were the Atari and Wrestling episodes.
I have this problem with my own podcast, I know some of my co hosts would rather give a factual account, but I'd rather talk about my experience and others experiences, if I don't know much about a subject I'll sit out the episode as I know I can bring nothing to it otherwise.
I guess once all the backer requests are done they can get back to what they know.
The Ivalice episodes were great as were the Atari and Wrestling episodes.
ShinoguTakeruKoeru
Member
I wonder how much the episodes being about stuff they didn't know/have experience with has to do with some topics being suggestions by the Kickstarter backers themselves. Then again, it's not like the backers could pluck the Retronauts' brains and instinctively know what they could best talk about. >_>
My recent favorites too have been the episodes where everybody on the panel had something to pitch in on with their personal history like Parappa and Ninja Gaiden.
Thinking back to the classics of the 1UP days, sure it was somewhat informative, but the real gems of the classics were the anecdotes of the folks on the show and them reliving their personal memories of the games. Richard Li's story about the roller rink and playing Street Fighter, Shane and Christian Nutt being the biggest Phantasy Star fans in existence on that episode, everybody banding together to the point of almost resurrecting the SEGA Saturn, Shane having to backtrack on allegedly hating Chrono Cross, Chris Kohler's amazing story about when he got Super Mario Bros. 3, Kathleen Sanders talking about playing System Shock 2, Jenn Frank talking about Sneak and Peek, oh god I'm rambling aren't I and now I'm about to cry
firehawk12
Subete no aware
Well, let's face it. They're also out of topics that they can really cover outside of super niche stuff anyway. I remember wanting a BBS episode, since that was the nascent days of online gaming, but I expect that none of them have any experience with it and other than say, getting Jeff Gerstmann to talk about running a BBS on Wildcat or whatever, they really wouldn't have anything to say about the topic. So even though it's important, I'd almost rather they didn't try.
Etrian Oddity
Member
Honestly I'd like if we got a redux version of classic Retronauts topics, considering those episodes have been lost to the annals of the web and are no longer easily accessible.
The lack of familiarity and love with (most) of the current topics is kind of sad.
The lack of familiarity and love with (most) of the current topics is kind of sad.
Honestly I'd like if we got a redux version of classic Retronauts topics, considering those episodes have been lost to the annals of the web and are no longer easily accessible.
The lack of familiarity and love with (most) of the current topics is kind of sad.
Oh, are they not? I remember last time I checked (not that long ago) they were all still accessible on 1UP, to my surprise.
I should have all of them dl'ed, anyway.
Everything seems to be working for me:
http://www.1up.com/do/minisite?cId=3156908
Edit: I just tried two random Retronauts episodes and they downloaded fine. I then tried two random 1up yours episodes and one downloaded and another didn't. So may be hit or miss, but there are torrents here:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=62293163&postcount=344
http://www.1up.com/do/minisite?cId=3156908
Edit: I just tried two random Retronauts episodes and they downloaded fine. I then tried two random 1up yours episodes and one downloaded and another didn't. So may be hit or miss, but there are torrents here:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=62293163&postcount=344
I've probably said this before, but I like all the guys, just that some of their styles for presenting the podcast aren't my favorite. Bob seems to do always do a more broad scope of a game. he may go through multiple games in a series or multiple topics rather then focus on one major topic like Jeremy will often do. Jeremy is by far the best host as he goes the most in depth, and episodes he hosts are the most like the original podcast. I also enjoy the topics he picks more so then the other two. Ray is just weird lol, I like Ray but his topics are just out there, and I prefer him much more in his sidekick contributing role to Jeremy then as a host. I think the Silent Hill podcast is one of Bob's best. It's a good combination of Bob doing his normal thing going through the Silent Hill series, but there is a lot of depth in discussing each game.
On the 1up website the oldest working podcast is episode 62, making Roberta Williams still relevant.
On the 1up website the oldest working podcast is episode 62, making Roberta Williams still relevant.
yeah agreed, that was a bit upsetting as Skyblazer was one of my favourite games on the super nintendo. It was nice to hear about it tough and remember it myself, i figure it never really sold that well but remains as one of my most cherished games on the SNES
Etrian Oddity
Member
The Bob Mackey-era episodes seem to be be accessible for the most part.
The classic era episodes aren't, though. Like Jarnet87 said, it cuts off at episode 62, which is after the GoAT episodes.
(I always feel bad for Bob when the classic Retronauts episodes and dynamics are discussed, because Bob is such a wonderful steward and has done such tremendous things for the show. Love you Bob!)
Nymphae
Banned
This was the single most annoying thing about Retronauts to me, and drove me away from the show.
I felt like I was taking a retro video game class taught exclusively by hipsters who sigh constantly, and bemoan the fact that they "have" to educate people. It used to drive me nuts that Parish seemed to hate making podcasts so much, he knows a lot but never made it fun to listen to him, imo.
Someone uploaded the old episodes to google drive.
I tried a few and they seem to work.
Holy shit. Now I want to listen to them again. Playing Retro-Retronauts, sounds good to me.
ShinoguTakeruKoeru
Member
I lost my digital file of the Bionic Commando Retronauts and I'm OCD about wanting a file that will just drop into the old iTunes Podcast field under the right banner so I've not listened to it for forever.
This is amazing, thanks for posting!!! Been downloading so many of these, can't wait till I get to hear Brandon and Jenn and Ray from 6 years ago. But the episode I'm listening to right now is unbelievable. A show where NichM and Parish chat about first person dungeon RPGs while Revelations
ersona music plays in the interludes is so ridiculously targeted to me that I can't believe it actually exists.charlequin
Banned
Same. There very much would not be Retronauts at all now without Bob. Plus he was a pretty chill guy to talk games with over a beer at the drink-up after the Kickstarter announcement panel.
turnbuckle
Member
Agree. I stopped listening to retronauts for awhile because the phone calls were annoying. I just assumed after a point that they were all going to be like that. Then I started listening again a few months before 1up went bye bye and found a lot of episodes Bob was doing to be very good. I do wish he had more hands-on experience with the games and series he's talked about, but overall I think he's been very good. And he kept the podcast alive when nobody else wanted to do it.
I think the hosts are getting too worried about offending people and are getting too easily offended though. I'd prefer they not give a damn about perceived bias or about what's going to make GAF and other listeners upset next. Again, the trio of Sharkey/Shane/Kohler were great in part because they were extremely knowledgeable...but I'd say they were even more an asset because they were relatively unfiltered and opinionated. Same kind of thing with Luke Smith back in the 1up Yours days.
Etrian Oddity
Member
Fuck, the entire 1up podcast network was built around that principle though. GFW Radio, 1up Yours, EGM Live and Retronauts were all terrific specifically because they flew off the handle.
Retronauts, become fierce again! >
Man, a friend of mine just linked me to Bob Mackey's Twitter and it is so whiny, good lord.
Calm down a little bit. A small number of people, myself included, feel that you're the weak link in Retronauts because you seem to have the least experience across the entire broad swath of thousands upon thousands of old video games. So what? Nobody's played them all. I don't know shit about a ton of games. Big deal. Maybe it's been bad luck and the backer topics just happen to hit your particular blind spots lately. Maybe you were a Nintendo kid that didn't branch out until you were forced to in the N64 era (like me!) but still hasn't gone back to see what he missed from the competition. Maybe a lot of things, who cares? It's not worth making it a big deal.
https://twitter.com/bobservo/status/487738012478894080
I'm going to take this tweet as tongue-in-cheek, since I don't think fulfilling the obligations of a Kickstarter counts as magnanimously doing things for the internet or somehow places you above mild criticism.
Calm down a little bit. A small number of people, myself included, feel that you're the weak link in Retronauts because you seem to have the least experience across the entire broad swath of thousands upon thousands of old video games. So what? Nobody's played them all. I don't know shit about a ton of games. Big deal. Maybe it's been bad luck and the backer topics just happen to hit your particular blind spots lately. Maybe you were a Nintendo kid that didn't branch out until you were forced to in the N64 era (like me!) but still hasn't gone back to see what he missed from the competition. Maybe a lot of things, who cares? It's not worth making it a big deal.
https://twitter.com/bobservo/status/487738012478894080
I'm going to take this tweet as tongue-in-cheek, since I don't think fulfilling the obligations of a Kickstarter counts as magnanimously doing things for the internet or somehow places you above mild criticism.
Vyse The Legend
Member
You guys are way too hard on Bob. It's starting to sound like you have a personal vendetta against him. Chill out.
I think he's great. He not only breathed new life into Retronauts, but also kept it alive when Jeremy was done with it. I've actually found Jeremy to be the most blasé on the recent episodes, which is probably partly cause he is over Skype and partly cause he has been doing this for a damn long time. His Matsuno ones were excellent, though.
I think he's great. He not only breathed new life into Retronauts, but also kept it alive when Jeremy was done with it. I've actually found Jeremy to be the most blasé on the recent episodes, which is probably partly cause he is over Skype and partly cause he has been doing this for a damn long time. His Matsuno ones were excellent, though.