Cocktail Mode: Retro Games, Cocktails and Banter

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave journey through the streets of America through a 1980s Japanese lens as they revisit the 1988 coin-op original: Shadow Warriors (AKA Ninja Gaiden)!

We’re heading back to the smoky arcades to look at the side-scrolling beat 'em up that feels worlds apart from its famous NES cousin. We break down the visceral joy of the "neck-flip" throw, the punishing difficulty of those hockey-mask-wearing goons, and the legendary (and terrifying) "circular saw" continue screen that haunted many a childhood. As usual, we’ve shaken up a pair of cocktails to celebrate the grit and grime of this arcade powerhouse.

Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/3965/

Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5ToSWJr94k/

Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated): 

DiffordsGuide.co.uk

ConsoleMAD.co.uk

Antstream.com

retrocomputermuseum.co.uk

amigalive.com

https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamingMixologist

https://tcrf.net/The_Cutting_Room_Floor

#shadowwarriors #ninjagaiden #tecmo #arcade #retrogaming #beatemup #80sgaming #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #ryuhayabusa #ninja #coinop

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are checking their G-diffusers and heading for Corneria to revisit the 1993 Super FX powerhouse: Star Wi... I mean Fox!

Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated): 

#starfox #nintendo #snes #retrogaming #superfx #90sgaming #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #foxmccloud #16bit #scifigaming

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the game with the most beautifully animated carnage in arcade history: Metal Slug!

We’re diving into the legendary SNK pixel art that turned the run-and-gun genre into a hand-drawn masterpiece. We break down the frantic joy of the "HEAVY MACHINE GUN!", the slapstick charm of the bulging-eyed enemies, and how this Neo Geo crown jewel proved that a jumping tank is the ultimate gaming vehicle. As usual, we’ve shaken up a pair of cocktails to go alongside the high-octane chaos of this 1996 classic.

Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/3630/

Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/2131/

Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated): 

DiffordsGuide.co.uk 

ConsoleMAD.co.uk 

Antstream.com 

retrocomputermuseum.co.uk

#metalslug #retrogaming #snk #neogeo #arcadegaming #90sgaming #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #runandgun #pixelart

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave leave the shakers at home to  travel back through the decades to unlock the ultimate retro gaming library with the CEO and founder of Antstream Arcade, Steve Cottam!

This free-wheeling chat covers cloud gaming, latency, AI, Spectrum vs Amstrad vs MSX, IP frustrations, and exploring how Antstream is bringing thousands of classic titles - from the 2600 to the PlayStation - directly to modern screens.

Why Streaming? Why not Steam? What’s next for Antstream? Is AI going to take over the world? Is the MSX better than the ZX Spectrum? Listen in for a fascinating discussion on game preservation, cloud technology, the future of retro gaming and a whole lot of random stuff besides.

Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):

DiffordsGuide.co.uk

ConsoleMAD.co.uk

Anstream.com

https://retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/

#AntstreamArcade #RetroGaming #CloudGaming #GamePreservation #SteveCottam #CocktailMode #VideoGameCocktails #NostalgiaPodcast #GamingHistory #ArcadeClassics #TechIndustry #ZXSpectrum

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are shrinking down to tabletop size to revisit the absolute mayhem of 1991 with the Codemasters classic: Micro Machines!

We’re taking a pint sized roadtrip through the series that turned breakfast tables, bathtubs, and pool tables into high-stakes racetracks. We break down the frantic joy of the "screen-elimination" mechanic, and how this charming franchise proved that big fun really does come in small packages. As usual, we’ve shaken up a pair of cocktails to go alongside the miniature chaos of this gaming masterpiece.

We journey through the ultimate sofa-multiplayer experience, complete with Andy actually saying something nice about the N64!

Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/32632/

Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/18790/

Friends of the show (Not affiliated):

DiffordsGuide.co.uk

ConsoleMAD.co.uk

Anstream.com

https://retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/

#MicroMachines #RetroGaming #Codemasters #NES #SegaGenesis #90sGaming #CocktailMode #VideoGameCocktails #NostalgiaPodcast #GamingHistory #TabletopRacing #MultiplayerGaming

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are taking to the skies to earn their flight licenses in the 1990 SNES classic: Pilotwings!

We’re diving into the game that served as the ultimate showcase for Nintendo’s Mode 7 technology, transforming flat 2D maps into a pseudo-3D playground that blew minds at the SNES launch. We discuss the Zen-like calm of the hang glider, the high-altitude tension of the skydiving targets, and why the rocket belt (jetpack) remains one of the most satisfying mechanics in 16-bit history. We also pay tribute to the iconic instructors like Big Al and Shirley and the smooth, jazz-fusion soundtrack that makes every crash-landing feel a little more sophisticated.

Obviously there’ll also be two "high-altitude" cocktails to help you clear the landing strip!

Andy’s Cocktail

Dave’s Cocktail

Friends of the show (not affiliated):

www.diffordsguide.com

www.consoleMAD.co.uk

https://retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/

#Pilotwings #SNES #Nintendo #Mode7 #RetroGaming #GamingHistory #90sGaming #CocktailMode #VideoGameCocktails #NostalgiaPodcast #FlightSim #SoyoOka #16Bit

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are heading to the "World Center of Racing" to talk about the legendary Daytona USA in celebration of its real-world inspiration, the Daytona 500!

We’re revving up the engines on Sega’s arcade titan, discussing everything from the accuracy of the track layout to how and why the high-pitched "DAYTONAAAAA!" vocals of Takenobu Mitsuyoshi still live rent-free in our heads. 

Tune in for a love letter to Daytona’s 60fps arcade perfection, some classic Sega Saturn port-chat, and two high-performance cocktails selected to keep you on the lead lap!

Andy’s Cocktail

Dave’s Cocktail

Friends of the show (not affiliated):

www.diffordsguide.com

www.ConsoleMAD.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/thenarrowsbaralaska

#DaytonaUSA #Sega #ArcadeRacing #Daytona500 #NASCAR #RetroGaming #SegaModel2 #CocktailMode #VideoGameCocktails #RacingHistory #BlueBlueSkies #GamingPodcast

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are blasting off into the Sega-blue skies of 1985 to revisit a true arcade behemoth: Space Harrier!

We’re taking a deep dive into Yu Suzuki’s psychedelic masterpiece, discussing the thrill of the hydraulic motion cabinet, remembering the iconic music and sound design, and chatting about why this game remains one of THE all time great arcade experiences.

Tune in for nostalgia, development stories, general banter, and the perfect drinks to accompany your trip to the Fantasy Zone!

Andy’s Cocktail

Dave’s Cocktail 

#SpaceHarrier #RetroGaming #Sega #ArcadeClassic #YuSuzuki #SuperScaler #80sGaming #CocktailMode #VideoGameCocktails #NostalgiaPodcast #GamingHistory #FantasyZone #SegaAM2

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are warping back to the golden age of 8-bit vector graphics to sit down with a true legend: Ian Oliver, the coding mastermind behind iconic games from the era including 3D Starstrike and Carrier Command!

We chat about how Ian and the Realtime Games team managed to squeeze lightning-fast, wireframe 3D out of the ZX Spectrum, effectively bringing the Star Wars arcade experience into our living rooms. There’s insight into the high-stakes pressure of 1980s software development, and the legacy of a game catalogue that proved the "speccy" could handle the third dimension with style.

As usual, we’ve also selected a cocktail each to match the theme of the episode.

Tune in for a break-neck journey through the ̶t̷r̷e̷n̷c̷h̷e̷s̷ equatorial duct of the ̶D̷e̷a̷t̷h̷ ̷S̷t̷a̷r̷ a hollowed-out moon!... or at least the closest thing that 1984 (and fear of litigation) could offer!

Andy’s Cocktail

Dave’s Cocktail

Spectaculator

Diffords Guide

#3DStarstrike #ZXSpectrum #RetroGaming #CocktailMode #IanOliver #RealtimeGames #VectorGraphics #80sGaming

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are hitting the high-gloss streets of the year 2000 to revisit the Dreamcast’s definitive urban racer: Metropolis Street Racer (MSR)!

We’re diving deep into the game that famously prioritized "style over speed" and paved the way for the Project Gotham Racing series. We break down the revolutionary (and occasionally brutal) Kudos system, the technical feat of recreating London, Tokyo, and San Francisco with pinpoint accuracy.

And as usual we attempt to pair a sophisticated, city-inspired drink that perfectly captures the vibe of this fantastic game.

Tune in for a nostalgic journey through one of the Dreamcast’s most stylish exports, complete with expert pairing, retro banter, and a few "joker" laps along the way!

Andy’s Cocktail

Dave’s Cocktail

Farewell of Bizarre Studios

#MetropolisStreetRacer #Dreamcast #RetroGaming #CocktailMode #Kudos #BizarreCreations #PGR