Pixels and Polygons

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 improvement would you make to one of your favorite games? Is there an improvement you could make that would make an average game you enjoy a 10/10?

My guest this week is:

IdolismJ! Writer for SuperCombo.gg, a longstanding member of the FGC, having run a number of games over the years. He also creates YouTube content on his channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK0Z6sTXuf70AMBqx6b3hSA

Find him on bsky at @idolismj.yase.world

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Show credits:

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

Background art from Skies of Arcadia

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 and Retro Game Zine!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Digitally buy the books and zines here: patreon.com/darrenhupke/shop

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

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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 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…

What is a “wow” moment you had with a game? What was it that impressed you?

My guest this week is:

Dave Jackson! He is the host of Tales from the Backlog, a podcast that analyzes and deep dives into a single game from his backlog. Check out the podcast here: talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm Support his Patreon here: Patreon.com/realdavejackson

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Show credits:

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

Background art from Outer Wilds

I created the music.

Edited by Me

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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 and Retro Game Zine!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Digitally buy the books and zines here: patreon.com/darrenhupke/shop

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

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

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…

HOT TAKE! What’s that hot take opinion you have that you know goes against the popular consensus?

My guest this week is:

Jason Dvorak is a gaming collector, archivist, and online personality who runs GameRaveTV on YouTube and PlaystationLibrary.com. You can find him on bsky as @gameravetv.bsky.social. He has also contributed to my 32 Bit Library books since Volume 1!

Join his Discord here: https://discord.com/invite/qukE55y

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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 and Retro Game Zine!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Digitally buy the books and zines here: patreon.com/darrenhupke/shop

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

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

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…

What is an average game (or below) that you love that doesn’t get enough attention?

My guest this week is:

Maddie aka @ohthatsraspberry! She is an artist and community manager and makes rad stuff. Check out her Patreon: patreon.com/othatsraspberry, Website: othatsraspberry.com, and follow on bsky at @othatsraspberry.com

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Show credits:

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

Background art from Okage

I created the music.

Edited by me (this time)

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

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 and Retro Game Zine!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Digitally buy the books and zines here: patreon.com/darrenhupke/shop

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

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

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 The Association Simulation Series. This show fuses the minds of Nic McConnell (Instruction Derby) and Darren Hupke (Pixels and Polygons), as they bring together both NBA Basketball and electronic video games! Each episode takes a look at a specific real-life season of the NBA, the winners and losers, the all-stars, and the champions, and compares it against a basketball video game from the same year. We run it through a simulation to see how close, or how far, the game gets to predicting that same season. This episode takes a look at…

The 1999-2000 NBA Season and NBA 2K for the Sega Dreamcast!

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Find Nic on bsky at:

@mcconnell.bsky.social & @instructionderby.bsky.social

Watch Instruction Derby on Twitch every Wednesday at Noon Pacific here:

twitch.tv/nicmcconnell

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Find Darren on bsky at:

@darrenhupke.bsky.social & @pixelsandpolygons.net

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

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Digitally buy the books and zines here: patreon.com/darrenhupke/shop

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…

Who are some of your favorite gaming artists and designers?

My guest this week is:

Andrew Elmore! He is a visual (+ui/ux) designer & composer of video games. Find his portfolio here: elmore.design, and follow him on bsky here: @elmore.zone

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Show credits:

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

Background art from Atari 50

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 and Retro Game Zine!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Digitally buy the books and zines here: patreon.com/darrenhupke/shop

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

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

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…

What is a memorable challenge or accomplishment you had with a game? Did you have to invest extra time or effort? Tell us the story.

My guest this week is:

Sean Douglass! One of the hosts of the Kirby Conversations podcast, and a fellow Sound Stone Network head! Find his podcast at: https://www.soundstone.network/kirby-conversations

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Show credits:

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

Background art from Banjo Tooie

I created the music.

Edited by Gooey Fame

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RETRO GAME ZINE Kickstarter! Check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darrenhupke/retro-game-zine-issue-011-012-and-2025-annual?ref=dryw22

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

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 and Retro Game Zine!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Digitally buy the books and zines here: patreon.com/darrenhupke/shop

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

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

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…

Do you have a favorite “Collector's Edition” or deluxe edition of a game? Do you collect other memorabilia from your favorite games?

My guest this week is:

Mike Drucker! The Emmy-nominated TV writer and comedian, and author of the new book, "Good Game, No Rematch," joins the show! Subscribe to his newsletter here: tinyurl.com/ytjvhjsb and go buy the book (or audio book!) wherever you prefer to buy that kind of thing!

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Show credits:

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

Background art from King's Quest

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 and Retro Game Zine!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Digitally buy the books and zines here: patreon.com/darrenhupke/shop

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

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

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…

What is one of your LEAST favorite games from one of your favorite gaming franchises?

My guest this week is:

Nic McConnell works in the game biz at Riot as an Age Ratings Manager and hosts his own weekly show, Instruction Derby, on Twitch. Follow him on bsky.app at @mcconnell.bsky.social + @instructionderby.bsky.social

Instruction Derby - Wednesdays at noon Pacific - twitch.tv/nicmcconnell

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Show credits:

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

Background art from Super Mario World

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, Retro Game Zine, Beat 'Em Up Vol 1, T-shirts, and more!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

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

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…

Presentation! What’s your favorite console look? Controller design? Case and box style? Anything!

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 X-Men Next Dimension

I created the music.

Edited by Me (for this one)

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

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 and Retro Game Zine!

Head over to pixelsandpolygons.net

Digitally buy the books and zines here: patreon.com/darrenhupke/shop

Buy my books from Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/bIMY8

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

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