Some say a game is only as good as its ending. While I think that's an inaccurate statement, if the adage is true, than Earthbound is a masterpiece. A culmination of theme, character arc, story and emotion, this game's final encounter and conclusion is among the best of the 16 bit era. Join myself and a joy filled crew of fellow adventurers as we discuss the final moments of Earthbound. STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Cat Blackard (@NeonFeline) of the Mother, She Wrote Podcast (@EarthBoundPod)Celeste (@faeriecrypt) of Another Zelda Podcast (@AnotherZeldaPod)Dan aka Captain Gingerbeard (@ScurvyBay)Ian aka @teacherbloke85Kyle VonKubick (@obeykube) of Read Only MagazineLucas White (@HokutoNoLucas)Michael K Hughes (@KaidanXain) of the Capes and Junk Podcast (@GamesAndJunk)Mustin, music producer (@Mustin)Rigney of the Reliving Retro Podcast (@Reliving_Retro)Robert P. Ottone, author of The Triangle (@RobertOttone)Sam of the RetroLogic PodcastSONG COVERSEarthbound Town Medley - Acoustic/Classical Guitar Cover by Super Guitar Bros - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX4XLkB5sYMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

A passing glance at a mid-90's Game Pro magazine would likely reveal an ad or two for Earthbound. Not a mention of deep themes, relatable characters and a story that crosses the ages. Nope! Master Belch and "This Game Stinks". Luckily, this wonderful SNES experience is more than the claims of its marketing and my cast of nine are here to tell you exactly why. STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Cat Blackard (@NeonFeline) of the Mother, She Wrote Podcast (@EarthBoundPod)Celeste (@faeriecrypt) of Another Zelda Podcast (@AnotherZeldaPod)Dan aka Captain Gingerbeard (@ScurvyBay)Kyle VonKubick (@obeykube) of Read Only MagazineMichael K Hughes (@KaidanXain) of the Capes and Junk Podcast (@GamesAndJunk)Mustin, music producer (@Mustin)Rigney of the Reliving Retro Podcast (@Reliving_Retro)Robert P. Ottone, author of The Triangle (@RobertOttone)Sam of the RetroLogic PodcastSONG COVERSEarthbound Town Medley - Acoustic/Classical Guitar Cover by Super Guitar Bros - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX4XLkB5sYEarthBound: Dusty Dunes Desert Tex Mex cover by Steven Morris - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMiHMEh6qUwMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

Fuzzy Pickles! The first time a diminutive photographer stopped my game to take a snapshot of my team, I felt two things: joy and minor annoyance. Joy because it was a charming moment of connection for my crew and annoyance because I'm a modern gamer dad who has precious seconds to spare. But regardless of where I land, it was a big moment.On Part 2 of our ongoing Earthbound saga, my friends and I discuss their favorite moments, the great (and not so great) in-your-hands play and some odd side diversions more than worth your time and attention. STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Celeste (@faeriecrypt) of Another Zelda Podcast (@AnotherZeldaPod)Dan aka Captain Gingerbeard (@ScurvyBay)Ian aka @teacherbloke85Kyle VonKubick (@obeykube) of Read Only MagazineLucas White (@HokutoNoLucas)Michael K Hughes (@KaidanXain) of the Capes and Junk Podcast (@GamesAndJunk)Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found (@mom_found)Mustin, music producer (@Mustin)Rigney of the Reliving Retro Podcast (@Reliving_Retro)Robert P. Ottone, author of The Triangle (@RobertOttone)Sam of the RetroLogic PodcastSONG COVERSEarthbound Town Medley - Acoustic/Classical Guitar Cover by Super Guitar Bros - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX4XLkB5sYBecause I Love You: Earthbound [Tenor Sax Cover] by Sab Irene - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opoR2v6xoM0My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

When Earthbound landed on American shores in 1995, nobody knew quite to make of it. In an RPG landscape where Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger ruled supreme, a silly game about farts and fuzzy pickles didn't garner much interest. At least according to the marketing. Fast forward nearly 30 years, and Earthbound has grown from 16 bit outcast to the stuff of legends. On this initial decent into the heart of Giygas, a cast of 12 intrepid explorers share their initial impressions of the game, the aforementioned marketing, and how the game hits us now as world weary adults.  STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Cat Blackard (@NeonFeline) of the Mother, She Wrote Podcast (@EarthBoundPod)Celeste (@faeriecrypt) of Another Zelda Podcast (@AnotherZeldaPod)Dan aka Captain Gingerbeard (@ScurvyBay)Ian aka @teacherbloke85Kyle VonKubick (@okaykube) of Read Only MagazineLucas White (@HokutoNoLucas)Michael K Hughes (@KaidanXain) of the Capes and Junk Podcast (@GamesAndJunk)Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found (@mom_found)Mustin, music producer (@Mustin)Rigney of the Reliving Retro Podcast (@Reliving_Retro)Robert P. Ottone, author of The Triangle (@RobertOttone)Sam of the RetroLogic PodcastSONG COVERSEarthbound Town Medley - Acoustic/Classical Guitar Cover by Super Guitar Bros - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koX4XLkB5sYMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

Hear ye, hear ye! Come hither and hear the latest going on's with the show, the schedule of upcoming episodes, a neat announcement and a wonderful AMA starring my charming wife. All sorts of frivolity on this week's episode. Thanks, as always, for listening!My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

How much do you know about Dick Tracy. If you're a person of my vintage, it's the campy 90's movie starring Al Pacino and Madonna and James Rolfe screaming about the video game adaptation.  On this episode of Tales From the Bargain Bin, Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found fame talk about this strange, ill fated game, AVGN videos, the Sopranos, and the bizarre lengths Warren Beatty goes to maintain  ownership of the Dick Tracy license. Enjoy!Support the show

Salutations lovers of the underworld! Doom 2016. A lightning blast of blistering gameplay, buckets of blood and an incomprehensible lore nobody cares about, this Bethesda backed splatterfest is a joy to experience. Join my brother and I as we talk potential TV series, make comparisons to the original Doom, and share the dangers of standing still in the bowels of Hell.LIKE THIS EPISODE? BECOME A PATRON! https://www.patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

In Part 2 of our exploration of rental houses and video stores, we talk about games. All. The. Games. From the love-at-first-play titles to the weekend ruining disappointments, we swap stories of purchases yore. And we conclude the conversation by thinking back to what it was like as a kid wandering the aisles of our favorite video shop searching for the perfect game.STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found Podcast (@mom_found)Brian aka @DayandKnightlyCeleste of Another Zelda Podcast (@anotherzeldapod)Jodi aka @BakuielLucas White aka @HokutoNoLucasMatt of the Backlog Busters (@backlog_busters)The Let's PLay Princess (@TheLPPrincess)Joe of SNES is Life Podcast (@SNES_is_Life)Ian aka @teacherbloke85MUSIC:Blue Journey, Produced by Danya Vodovoz via Royalty Free Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABsaf1O9qzgMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

Remember your local video store? Maybe it was a mom and pop shop on the outskirts of town. Perhaps it was a big box chain in the corner of a strip mall. Regardless of where it was or what it was called, video stores were more than a weekly fix of random games. It was an oasis of exploration and discovery. A place where $4 could buy you a brand new favorite or a weekend of disappointment. Join myself and a gaggle of fellow travelers as we unpack the memories of rental shops: what we rented, where we did so, and everything in between.STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found Podcast (@mom_found)Brian aka @DayandKnightlyCeleste of Another Zelda Podcast (@anotherzeldapod)Jodi aka @BakuielLucas White aka @HokutoNoLucasMatt of the Backlog Busters (@backlog_busters)Kyle VonKubik of Read Only Magazine (@obeykube)The Let's PLay Princess (@TheLPPrincess)Joe of SNES is Life Podcast (@SNES_is_Life)Ian aka @teacherbloke85MUSIC:Blue Journey, Produced by Danya Vodovoz via Royalty Free Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABsaf1O9qzgMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

Time to dip into the deep bowels of the Disney well and chat about a game we played to death because we - well - owned it. And the funny thing? This strange licensed piece of children's software isn't half bad. Join my brother and I as we discuss oddly fun mini games, why adults go to Disney World, Nintendo Power's Pak Watch and how standing in lines is a waste of our ever dwindling mortality. Fun times on this edition of Tales From the Bargain Bin!My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

Mario Paint. For a generation of kids in the early 90's, that title alone conjures up images of star studded music staffs, spraypaint drawings and one killer fly swatting game. A safe place where anyone could create, Mario Paint was the launchpad of imaginations, passions and in some cases careers for millions of people. On this episode, we share stories of pictures drawn, music composed, and dreams realized via this one-of-a-kind piece of creation software.STARRING (all handles from Twitter)J.R. Sommerfeldt (@sommerfeldt_r)Bobby TuckerRigney of Reliving Retro Podcast (@Reliving_Retro)Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found Podcast (@mom_found)Trevor and Jeff of New Dad Gaming Podcast (@newdadgaming)Joe of the SNES Is Life Podcast (@SNES_is_Life)Ian (@teacherbloke85)Mustin (@Mustin) - check out his work at https://t.co/a2JniyIGKOSONG COVERSAfrica - Toto - Mario Paint Composer by Alec Britt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_iaGf73Bq0Linkin Park - Breaking The Habit (Mario Paint Composer) by Songs Mario Paint - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgfJGJy5aoQStill Alive 3.0 by Geoff Klassen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVHsX8oBKIs&list=PL4IZq7fxXgMp702qe0LVqBXcG_12P6G7t&index=14My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

Back in the mid 90's, there was nothing more exciting than getting a PC. That is, until, you realized it was purchased for homework and researching term papers on ancient Roman civilizations. And forget about asking mom and dad for PC games. That's what your SNES was for.For many young people of that era, myself included, the pack in software of our grey box PC's were the only entertainment we had until we got cash of our own. On this episode of Tales  From the Bargain Bin, we chat about old computers, dive into a real Packard Bell software bundle, and discuss one of the weirdest games in my personal catalog.Starring Julian of Nerds Without Pants PodcastT: @NWPcastMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

When Marc Ericksen landed a gig to pen a box cover for a middling videogame franchise, he had limited information. What he didn't know was what that game would become legendary for all the right reasons and his art would become infamous for all the wrong ones. Join Marc and I as we discuss his road to creating the box art for Mega Man 2, a story that takes us from a military career in Vietnam, to Silicon Valley in the 1980's to a career that spawned over 150 pieces of videogame art.Starring: Marc EricksenW: www.retrogameart.com My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

Six months ago, I asked Greg, CJ (from the Player One Podcast) and Dan "Shoe" Hsu to join me for an E3 episode. Swap stories of the conference and celebrate the return of an in person event. Two months later, the conference was cancelled. Undeterred, the trio kept the appointment and joined me for an E3 retrospective. Rather than craft a eulogy, the crew shares their favorite moments, life at the show from a press perspective and where, if anywhere, E3 can go from here. Starring (all handles from Twitter): Greg Sewart (@sewart from the @p1podcast)CJ Johnston (@superpac from the @p1podcast)Dan "Shoe" Hsu (@DanShoeHsu)My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

Ready for a massive smorgasbord? Prepare to dive in forks first as we present a summer barbeque's worth of random thoughts, opinions and recollections culled from months worth of interviews. Zelda (again), light guns and gaming with kids highlight this fun, random episode.Starring (all handles from Twitter)Celeste (@faeriecrypt) of @AnotherZeldaPodGreg Sewart of the Player One Podcast (@p1podcast) and Generation 16 video series.Jim of Drink a Beer, Play a Game (@ABeerAndAGame)Justin of Killer Quail Studios @KQSKillerQuailMike Albertin of Games My Mom Found (@momfound)Moses (@thewellredmage) of www.the-pixels.comTrevor and Jeff of the New Dad Gaming Podcast (@NewDadGaming)Phoebe aka The Lets Play Princess (@TheLPPrincess)Sam of the Retro Logic Podcast.Seth Sturgill of the (@allnpodcast)Joe of the SNES is Life Podcast (@SNES_is_Life)My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

Ever have a conversation that goes delightfully off the rails? One minute you're talking about the NHL playoffs, the next you're debating theology and the nature of creation. That's the sort of conversation Mike Fallek and I had back in November of 2022. What was intended as a recording about Ocarina of Time quickly morphed into topics like art history, the plight of the struggling artist, and the adversarial relationship between the creative and critic. Join Mike and I on this fascinating yet unconventional AGLA40 episode.Starring: Mike FallekWebsite: bigweasellilweasel.clubTwitter: @BigLilWeaselMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

Over the course of nearly two and a half years of recording for this show, I've chatted with a wide swath of lovely people. Early in my explorations, I chatted with Shaan Shirazi, a man of the moment and retro gamer extraordinaire. On this week's episode, we discuss videogame competitions in the era of quarters and arcades, Revolution X, and Taylor Swift Guitar Hero.NOTE: This episode, normally reserved for my beloved patrons, is intended to give the public feed a taste of what membership offers along with a cracking good series of stories. My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

When I first met Brett Weiss during Classic Games Fest 2022, I knew he would be a required guest. With nearly 40 years of gaming experience, Brett's covered the medium in every possible way. From his 13 published books to his YouTube channel to an impressive collection of games and consoles, Brett is a foremost authority on all things retro. Join us as we discuss the perils of being an author, buying games during the Crash of 1983 and the amazing, incredible retro gaming community.Starring:Brett Weiss: W: brettweisswords.comT: @BrettWeissCHVGYT: youtube.com/@BrettWeissRetroGamerMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show

Sunlight streaked onto Ace's face Monday morning, the aftereffects of Sunday Funday still on his breath. The smell of bad whiskey and worse cigars lingered in the air. Bleary eyed, Ace glanced at his Samsung and noticed a series of notifications. Past due credit cards, ads for hair gel and a three day old text from his Aunt Mildred. But in the midst of this sea of digital distractions, Ace spied a new episode of Tales From the Bargain Bin perched in his pod player, waiting to be opened. A smile cracked his parched lips. Deju Vu on the NES. Good morning, indeed.Starring Michael K Hughes (@KaidanXain on Twitter)My Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D Support the show

Unlike any game in the Zelda canon, Majora's Mask brought out deep emotions and touching stories. So much so, I think it's worthwhile to take one more trip through Clock Town with two people whose lives were irrevocably touched by this uniquely personal experience. Join Seth Sturgill of the All N Podcast, Helena (@hellhathfury on TikTok), and I as they share their final thoughts on Majora's Mask.Starring (all handles from Twitter unless otherwise noted)Helena aka @hellhathfury on TikTokSeth Sturgill (@twodollarhero) from @allnpodcastSong CoversTitle Theme - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask on Guitar by Isac Saleh - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_rWHIt95goMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the show