In this episode of the Geek Fit Podcast, I sit down with Matt, also known as Retro Rat, to talk all things retro gaming, nostalgia and modern gaming experiences.
We talk about everything from Pokémon Yellow and Paper Mario on the GameCube to the rise of Grand Theft Auto and why Red Dead Redemption 2 is a must-play game.
Matt shares his thoughts on why the N64 is the ultimate nostalgia merchant and explains why supporting your local video game store is crucial to keeping the gaming community alive.
Along the way, we chat about our childhood toys like Power Rangers Megazords, WWE wrestling games, and how consoles like the Sega Saturn and PS Vita failed to live up to expectations, as great as they were.
Check out Matt’s work online and follow him for more retro gaming content:
Instagram - Retro Rat (retro_rat90)
Tik Tok - Retro Rat (retro_rat90)
Twitch - Retro Rat (retro_rat90)
Time Stamps:
00:00 - Introduction: Welcoming Matt (Retro Rat) and setting the stage for today’s conversation.
01:00 - Where 'Retro Rat' Comes From: Matt explains how he got his nickname and what led him into the world of retro game collecting.
01:30 - First Gaming Memories and the Sega Saturn: Matt shares his earliest gaming memories, including his love for the Sega Saturn.
02:30 - Pokémon Cards and Yellow: Reflecting on collecting Pokémon cards, swapping a very well-known card and playing Pokemon Yellow.
05:00 - GameCube and Rare Finds: Matt's experience collecting consoles and GameCube games as a teenager, including Paper Mario.
08:00 - N64 as the Ultimate Nostalgia Merchant: Discussing the iconic games on the N64, and how you remember your friends and not the game.
11:40 - Talking about Sega and Sega Saturn - Matt talks more about his memories of a Sega Saturn, and why it didn’t do as well as hoped!
15:08 - Nintendo and IP - Does Nintendo just bring out the same game again and again with less advanced graphics than the competition?
19:30 - PSP / PS Vita - Why is the Switch eventually going to be the best selling console of all time due to being handheld but the Vita failed?
22:00 - Grand Theft Auto’s Evolution: From GTA 3 to San Andreas, Matt talks about the GTA series, its humour, and its influence on story based open-world gaming.
32:00 - Power Rangers and Childhood Toys: A lighthearted tangent about the Power Rangers show, toy Megazords and toy weapons.
35:25 - Wrestling Games and WWE: Swapping stories about our favourite wrestlers, the stories, Matts experience with it, watching it growing up and also games like SmackDown 2.
43:40 - What Matts Playing Now - Talking about modern games, with a tangent into Final Fantasy and RPGs.
50:00 - Why Red Dead Redemption 2 Is a Must-Play: Matt shares why Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of his favourite games and why it’s a must-play experience for everyone.
60:00 - The Importance of Supporting Your Local Video Game Store: Matt explains why supporting your local gaming store is essential for building a thriving gaming community and keeping retro culture alive.
1:03:00 - Conclusion and Where to Find Matt Online: Wrapping up the episode with final reflections and how to connect with Matt online.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe or follow on your preferred platform and leave a review.
Sharing this episode with a friend is the best way to support the podcast and help it grow!
Connect with Me:
* Instagram: @harrydavis.coach
* Substack: Geek Fit
Call to Action:
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast platform and leave a review! Let us know your favourite retro game or thoughts on Red Dead Redemption 2 on social media.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit geekfit.substack.com
