The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)

Smash Bros-style battles on a Commodore 64? This week, Chris from Games You Loved joins us to talk about a stunning free C64 brawler that brings two-player chaos to the classic machine. We also check out the kit turning a LEGO PlayStation into a playable console, Resident Evil Outbreak running in your browser, and an ambitious SNES demake of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Plus, rare N64 games return to cartridge, and we debate the growing backlash against AI-assisted retro gaming projects.Games You Loved: https://linktr.ee/gamesyoulovedPlease visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.comGo to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needsWe 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/retrohourJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Show notesModRetro reissues rare N64 ClayFighter: https://lnk.ua/uJkuFol4dAI retro recreations in doubt: https://lnk.ua/zf8MSxEhEHumanbrew launches AI-free homebrew community: https://lnk.ua/Uh8KK0MztBrickStation makes LEGO PlayStation playable: https://lnk.ua/uO3Uo62hVSmash Bros. clone hits C64: https://lnk.ua/7bpO9p8ENResident Evil Outbreak hits browsers: https://lnk.ua/jjdZghoQCCastlevania gets AI-free SNES demake: https://lnk.ua/ymIofKofw

This week we’re joined by Martin Webb, the programmer who brought Sega’s legendary OutRun to the Commodore 64 while still a teenager. From selling his first games as a schoolboy to landing the US Gold contract, Martin shares the story of recreating an arcade sensation with an OutRun cabinet in the family garage and a Christmas deadline looming. We hear about the coding tricks, last-minute demands and elusive bug that pushed him to his limits, alongside his work on RoadBlasters and a trip to Chicago to help with the American version of OutRun. Martin also speaks candidly about working with his father, why he eventually left the games industry, and the original backup discs still tucked away in his former girlfriend’s wardrobe.Steve's Amiga Games: https://stevehiggins.itch.io/amiga-rescueA Crazy Thing Called Life C16 Book: https://commodore16.com/Contents:00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories50:40 – Martin Webb InterviewPlease visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.comGo to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9YfCheck out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needsWe 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/retrohourJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Show notesAlien 3 gets CD32 upgrade: https://lnk.ua/M84ZQUQgJFree Knightmare game coming: https://lnk.ua/78C15PgcUAtari VCS support ending: https://lnk.ua/WMG9XRNyiSonic 3 Unlocked adds Encore: https://lnk.ua/6Ge05siDaiPhone Duo emulates Nintendo DS: https://lnk.ua/rLfdftWoWTen spooky games for Halloween: https://lnk.ua/4poLfqFFF

This week, we’re joined by legendary artist Hitoshi Ariga to explore his work on Streets of Rage 2, his celebrated Mega Man manga, and a career packed with 16-bit classics. From drawing sprites by night to giving the Robot Masters their personalities, Hitoshi shares stories behind the artwork, explains why technical limitations sparked his creativity, and discusses collaborating with Toby Fox. Plus, memories of ActRaiser 2, Illusion of Gaia, and the influence of his wife and fellow artist Ayano Koshiro.Kim Justice Rubber Keyed Wonder Kickstarter: https://lnk.ua/AbF4fVrVpContents:00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories51:31 – Hitoshi Ariga InterviewPlease visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.comGo to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9YfCheck out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needsWe 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/retrohourJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Show notesGhostbusters II Amiga fan upgrade: https://lnk.ua/g91oEqIHaHalo multiplayer comes to N64: https://lnk.ua/f0BtptbiRZX Spectrum ULA designs found: https://lnk.ua/u2QODD6WhToki arcade conversions in development: https://lnk.ua/EQO2vIkR9Wing Commander III remaster rumoured: https://lnk.ua/yR6BORUvFCrash Bandicoot coming to iPod: https://lnk.ua/qrmTvWjTaSprout upgrades classic iPods: https://lnk.ua/OVEgZsVPtTenebris Somnia brings FMV horror: https://lnk.ua/xh4de3fN2

Gremlin Graphics is making a comeback, and this week we meet Alan Turvey, the lifelong fan helping bring it back through Gremlin Graphics Classics. Alan shares how a Monty Mole project led to a partnership with founder Ian Stewart, the plans to bring classic characters to new audiences, and the community of bedroom coders helping make it happen. We also explore his journey with Midnight Brew, the painstaking work to recreate Gremlin’s lost artwork for a new book, and why giving fans the chance to work with their heroes is at the heart of the revival.https://open.spotify.com/show/0Rq9lZoWphzXvxkrETrWg0Contents:00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories1:00:03.549 – Gremlin Graphics Alan Turvey InterviewPlease visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.comGo to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9YfCheck out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needsWe 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/retrohourJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: http://theretrohour.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/X: https://twitter.com/retrohourukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/Show notesAtari 800XL official details: https://lnk.ua/gEFrOJqZpClassic games on VHS: https://lnk.ua/OSkrtc6HrSuperStation One gets new colours: https://lnk.ua/92rrYtHq5Taki Udon teases FPGA SNES: https://lnk.ua/PsPhiAyoMMario Kart Game Boy demake: https://lnk.ua/iR3QLbQjvSuper Mario Kart goes fullscreen: https://lnk.ua/bxtKkIqhhDoom gets the Vectrex treatment: https://lnk.ua/ZaNstWSNmSuperAstra changes games with AI: https://lnk.ua/E0zOllC5n

GamesMaster legend Dominik Diamond joins us for a brand-new conversation recorded live at PLAY Expo in Blackpool. From landing the presenting job and meeting Patrick Moore just once to backstage rivalries, celebrity guests and the infamous Dave Perry fallout, Dominik shares hilarious and candid stories from the show that defined gaming TV in the ’90s. Plus, audience questions, his return to stand-up and an honest look at the pressures of overnight fame.Contents:00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories49:54 – Dominik Diamond InterviewPlease visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.comGo to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9YfCheck out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needsWe 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/retrohourJoin our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8Website: 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/theretrohourShow notesOliver Twins announce new Dizzy: https://lnk.ua/foh1kzQQANew Dizzy game announcement video: https://lnk.ua/IAR5e7mU3House of the Dead VR: https://lnk.ua/z4Nyg4K1vDoom-style action on Commodore 64: https://lnk.ua/weBSRgtNSDoom64 gameplay video: https://lnk.ua/1fEmPhS0SCroc 2 remaster arrives soon: https://lnk.ua/hVVW7FEH0RetroAchievements reach real PS2 hardware: https://lnk.ua/e640i6vy3