Pixels and Polygons

With the PlayStation 2, Sony experimented with all sorts of ways to bring new connectivity and interactivity to its games. With the iLink port, pressure sensitive controller buttons, and other features and devices many players may not have even known existed, there was no shortage of tech available to enhance your PS2 experience (and maybe even connect 3 PS2s and TVs together for some ultra widescreen Gran Turismo 3). In this episode, rather than focus on one specific game, Darren Hupke is joined by Gooey and Andrew Elmore for a more general question: what was some of the best and strangest tech of the PS2 era, and what games made the most of it? They also share stories about their favorite technologically ambitious PS2 games (including what Darren saw when he snuck his way into E3 as a teenager) and wonder why Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII is so underrated.

Questions or comments about this show? Feel free to reach out at [email protected].

Our 2000s-inspired theme music is by Duncan "PixelTea" Smith (https://duncansmith.carrd.co/), and our show art is by Andrew Elmore (https://bsky.app/profile/elmore.zone). You can also follow Andrew on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@MythicResonance

If you enjoyed this show, please consider following us in your podcast player and leaving a positive review. For any five-star reviews left with names, we will personally thank you on the show.

Millennium Edition is a Sound Stone Network original podcast. If you liked this show, we invite you to check out the rest of our lineup:

• Kirby Conversations: Air riding through over 30 years of Kirby and HAL Laboratory with Sean, Bridget, and WiKirby Editor-in-Chief Gigi

• Flashback 64: the chronological Nintendo 64 podcast with Gooey and McKenna

• Pixels and Polygons: a conversational video game podcast of short interviews from Darren Hupke

• ...and a weekly livestream on video game manuals from Nic McConnell, Instruction Derby

Our YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/@SoundStone-Network.

Welcome to Pixels and Paragraphs, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is the bonus show, where you get to hear me, Darren Hupke, interview some of the raddest writers behind the greatest gaming books. Each episode, you’ll get to hear from a new guest as they discuss their book, talk about their process, share some details from behind the keys, and more! Whether you’re a fan of the book already or want to find something new to read, I hope you’ll find something to enjoy about what we discuss today! This week’s guest is…

Joe Bourrie, author of the upcoming Beyond the NES: Rediscovering 8-bit on the Japanese Famicom.

Beyond the NES is an English-speaker's guide to enjoying the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom), the Japanese version of the NES. After introducing the hardware, we dive in head-first with reviews of hundreds of games that can be played with zero knowledge of the Japanese language. We then take a short detour into learning how to navigate menus and recognize commonly used elements in Japanese, allowing us to dive into even more games with only minor textual barriers. We then explore some highlights of the fan translation community to check out the best RPGs and adventure games that the Famicom has to offer.

JOE’S KICKSTARTER:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/syncoplay/beyond-the-nes

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo (I modified it) - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

I created the music.

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Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

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Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books digitally here: https://pixelsandpolygonsllc.gumroad.com

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Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for a paid tier for early access to new episodes, a Postcard-of-the-Month review, or the printed [timestamp] journal of my gameplay every month!

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See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

What is an underappreciated/average game you love? What about it do you enjoy? What keeps you thinking about it?

My guest this week is:

Emily Merritt from NoSmallGames! Emily also streams on Twitch when not talking about games on the podcast. Find her and follow her here: https://www.twitch.tv/aspecificegg. Find the podcast and follow here: www.nosmallgames.com

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from Grunn

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

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Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

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Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books digitally here: https://pixelsandpolygonsllc.gumroad.com

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for one of the paid tiers for early access to the podcast, a Postcard-of-the-Month review every month, or a printed edition of [timestamp] each month!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

What do video games mean to you? Why do you play the games you do? Do you have favorite genres or styles?

My guest this week is:

Christopher K.! Christopher is a gamer, and while he isn’t directly involved in the industry, he is a proud promoter of the fine folks over on the Insert Credit forum!

https://forums.insertcredit.com

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from beatmania

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books digitally here: https://pixelsandpolygonsllc.gumroad.com

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for one of the paid tiers for early access to the podcast, a Postcard-of-the-Month review every month, or a printed edition of [timestamp] each month!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

How do you play your games? Easy mode or the hardest challenge? What does difficulty mean to you? What is a proud gaming achievement you’ve accomplished?

My guest this week is:

Kate aka Katerblossom! Kate is the co-host of No Small Games, a Twitch streamer, radio host, and more!. You can find her on bsky as @katerblossom.bsky.social. Check out all about No Small Games over on https://nosmallgames.com.

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from Cult of the Lamb

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books digitally here: https://pixelsandpolygonsllc.gumroad.com

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for one of the paid tiers for early access to the podcast, a Postcard-of-the-Month review every month, or a printed edition of [timestamp] each month!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

Do you interact with games outside of playing them? What other ways do you stay involved with this hobby (reading, writing, talking, drawing, etc.)?

My guest this week is:

Gooey from Flashback 64, a podcast focused on chronologically discussing the Nintendo 64 library and what was happening around that time. Find out more about the show and give them a follow here: https://linktr.ee/flashback64

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from a library

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books digitally here: https://pixelsandpolygonsllc.gumroad.com

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for one of the paid tiers for early access to the podcast, a Postcard-of-the-Month review every month, or a printed edition of [timestamp] each month!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

When did you start playing video games? What are your earliest memories? What is your journey with the medium?

My guest this week is:

Nick aka PandaMonium! One of the internet’s finest documentarians on the history of the Sega Saturn lineup. Find his YouTube channel, PandaMonium Reviews Every NTSC-U Sega Saturn Game, and subscribe today! Follow on bsky: @pandamonium.bsky.social

https://www.youtube.com/user/scarper42

----------------

Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from Google

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books digitally here: https://pixelsandpolygonsllc.gumroad.com

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for one of the paid tiers for early access to the podcast, a Postcard-of-the-Month review every month, or a printed edition of [timestamp] each month!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Paragraphs, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is the bonus show, where you get to hear me, Darren Hupke, interview some of the raddest writers behind the greatest gaming books. Each episode, you’ll get to hear from a new guest as they discuss their book, talk about their process, share some details from behind the keys, and more! Whether you’re a fan of the book already or want to find something new to read, I hope you’ll find something to enjoy about what we discuss today! This week’s guest is…

Ashley Schofield, author of the upcoming VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works.

Produced in collaboration with Sukeban Games and Ysbryd, VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works is written by talented journalist and author Ashley Schofield (Polygon, EDGE, Unwinnable and VGC), you’ll hear how this world came to be and the cyberpunk touchstones that inspired it — all the while lending insight into the history of Venezuela, where the team is located, and the unique challenges of developing a game there. VA-11 Hall-A: Design Works will be a celebration of this beautiful indie masterpiece, and the people that made it all possible.

ASHLEY’S BOOK:

https://www.lostincult.co.uk/va11halla

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Unwinnable

Deleted Saves

Mothership

Into The Spine

Stop Caring

Critical Distance - https://www.critical-distance.com

----------------

Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo (I modified it) - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

I created the music.

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books digitally here: https://pixelsandpolygonsllc.gumroad.com

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for the paid tier for a Retro Game Zine Postcard-of-the-Month review every month!

Also, find all my digital books on the Patreon shop!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Polygons, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is a conversational podcast hosted by Darren Hupke. It features a rotating cast of guests each week and captures a conversation on a set gaming topic. Each episode starts with an introduction of the guest and an icebreaker; then, we answer a single gaming question. Short and sweet! It’s the perfect “podcast-between-podcasts!” This week’s topic is…

When has a game surprised or stunned you? Tell us about that moment. What games have impacted you beyond the entertainment value?

My guest this week is:

Andre from the wonderful Fine Time Podcast! An off-the-cuff video game podcast about the regular and the obscure. Follow along and listen right here: https://linktr.ee/FineTimePodcast

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

Background art from Trials of Mana

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch! Titles like the 32 Bit Library series, Pixels and Polygons Quarterly, and Beat ‘Em Up!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books digitally here: https://pixelsandpolygonsllc.gumroad.com

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for one of the paid tiers for early access to the podcast, a Postcard-of-the-Month review every month, or a printed edition of [timestamp] each month!

----------------

See all my links and projects right here: https://linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Welcome to Pixels and Paragraphs, part of the Sound Stone Network. This is the bonus show, where you get to hear me, Darren Hupke, interview some of the raddest writers behind the greatest gaming books. Each episode, you’ll get to hear from a new guest as they discuss their book, talk about their process, share some details from behind the keys, and more! Whether you’re a fan of the book already or want to find something new to read, I hope you’ll find something to enjoy about what we discuss today! This week’s guest is…

Mike Diver, author of the upcoming Aliens: The Video Games.

Aliens: The Video Games is the first complete history of interactive adventures based on the stunning sci-fi universe of the hit movie series and global multimedia franchise. From intense horror experiences pitting players against unkillable monsters to all-action affairs with armed marines facing off against swarms of acid-for-blood xenomorphs, every official video game version of Aliens is featured.

MIKE’S BOOKS:

Aliens: The Video Games

Retro Gaming

The Console

From Coin-Ops to Table-Tops

Indie Games

How to Be a Professional Gamer

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Waxheads

Curious Video Game Machines

Super Nintendo: The Game-Changing Company That Unlocked the Power of Play by Keza MacDonald

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Show credits:

Ry-Spirit designed the logo (I modified it) - Instagram - @ryspiritart - https://www.deviantart.com/ry-spirit

I created the music.

----------------

Find out more about the Sound Stone Network and discover more great podcasts at:

soundstone.network

----------------

Shop the Pixels and Polygons store to buy all my books and merch!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books digitally here: https://pixelsandpolygonsllc.gumroad.com

----------------

Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/darrenhupke

Follow along for FREE and read my retro gaming creations and behind-the-scenes posts. Sign up for the paid tier for a Retro Game Zine Postcard-of-the-Month review every month!