Opening Stage VGH

Through the magic of teleconferencing, Dean and Meredith are joined by Chicago artist Joseph Ramski to discuss counterculture scientist John C. Lilly and the effect he had on forming the iconic Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game, Ecco the Dolphin. Be forewarned, this is one of the crazier episodes we've done, so you may want to skip this one unless you're comfortable hearing about federally-funded dolphin hand jobs.

Dean and Meredith discuss the creation of Nintendo's crossover fighter, Super Smash Bros., and the series' creator, Masahiro Sakurai. Dean attempts to give Meredith a Japanese-sounding alias, and Meredith laments Shigeru Miymoto's legal inability to bike to work.

Dean and Meredith are joined by the latter's mother, Kris Lyons, to discuss the creation of the Metroid series and it's iconic heroine, interstellar bounty hunter Samus Aran. Kris learns the secret of Samus' identity because Dean forgot to remove a pronoun, and we discuss what constitutes a "bird person."

Dean and Meredith are join by Dean's older brother, Gene Beever to discuss the 1994 hit/flop, "Street Fighter: The Movie." Meredith is sleep deprived and filling up on Triscuits, while Dean and Gene do what they do best: say quotes from things at each other and laugh at themselves.

Dean and Meredith are joined this time by Vanderbilt University Law student and environmental advocate Patti Moore to discuss the creation of arcade hit Final Fight and one of its more controversial figures, Poison. 

Dean and Meredith are joined by horror-enthusiast Haley Stocker to discuss the history of Sierra Entertainment (formerly Sierra Online), developers of the Kings Quest, Space Quest, and Leisure Suit Larry games, among other classics. We also discuss self-imposed challenges in The Sims 4 and a dark secret from Dean's past.

Dean and Meredith are joined by technological consultant and neighbor Ryan Brisentine to discuss the life and achievements of one of Nintendo's forefathers, visionary designer Gunpei Yokoi.

Dean and Meredith are joined by Bigg of Big Sports Talk & Entertainment to discuss the career of heavyweight boxing champion Mike "Kid Dynamite" Tyson and the effect he had on video gaming in the late 80's and early 90's. We meander a bit at the end, delving briefly into Star Wars and whether or not Dean's mom is cool.

Dean and Meredith are back to briefly discuss roving gambler Setzer Gabbiani of Final Fantasy VI and the mysterious circumstances behind his bandana.

Dean is joined by his wife, Meredith Lyons, to discuss the history, events, and rumors surrounding Pokemon's earliest spooky city, Lavender Town. 

*Please note that the original title of this show, "Level One," is used. Turns out, there's another podcast that uses that name. Please go and listen to them, too!