Play Retro Show

By Scott JohnsonLeisure Video Games

Play Retro Show episodes

September 17, 2025 PLAY RETRO 184: Deus Ex
Deus Ex (2000) on PC, developed by Ion Storm and directed by Warren Spector, is a cyberpunk-themed immersive sim that combined first-person shooting with RPG systems, dialogue choices, and multiple paths through each mission. Players controlled JC Denton, a nano-augmented agent navigating a world of conspiracies, branching choices, and emergent gameplay.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 16 min
September 10, 2025 PLAY RETRO 183: Bubsy!
Bubsy the Bobcat debuted in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind (1993) on the SNES and Genesis, a colorful platformer built around speed and Bubsy’s glide ability. The series continued with Bubsy II (1994), adding hub-based level selection, multiplayer, and gadgets; Fractured Furry Tales (1994) on Atari Jaguar, which rethemed the action around fairy tales; and Bubsy 3D (1996) on PlayStation, which attempted early 3D platforming with exploration and collectibles.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 6 min
September 02, 2025 Play Retro Co-op: The Making of the Great Game Soundtracks
Today’s Play Retro is a special episode! Scott and Brian talking about the making of great soundtracks in games, retro or otherwise, and why it might just be the best source of music for anyone trying to find something that reaches them in a deeper way.

Video: https://youtu.be/2Pey9lj1xlE
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
35 min
August 27, 2025 PLAY RETRO 182: The Metal Slug Series
Metal Slug debuted in 1996 on SNK’s Neo Geo hardware, developed by Nazca Corporation. It quickly became known for its fluid hand-drawn animation, chaotic run-and-gun action, and humorous take on war. The original game introduced the iconic Metal Slug tank, prisoner rescues, and over-the-top boss battles that set the tone for the series.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 25 min
August 20, 2025 PLAY RETRO 181: Joe & Mac!
The Data East side-scrolling action-platformer where two cavemen battle rival tribes, dinosaurs, and prehistoric beasts to rescue kidnapped cavewomen. Known for its humor, colorful design, and 2-player co-op. The game was later ported to SNES, Genesis, and NES with varying changes to difficulty, level design, and presentation. The series continued with Joe & Mac Returns (1994, Arcade) and Joe & Mac 3: Lost in the Tropics (1994, SNES), while Congo’s Caper (1992, SNES) served as a spin-off.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 12 min
August 13, 2025 PLAY RETRO 180: Shadowrun
This week we discuss 90s era Shadowrunl; The SNES version (1993, Beam Software/Data East) presents an isometric action-adventure with a strong narrative focus, following protagonist Jake Armitage as he uncovers a conspiracy in a cyberpunk Seattle. The Genesis version (1994, BlueSky Software/Sega) takes an open-world approach with real-time combat, Matrix hacking, and more direct role-playing elements. We also briefly discuss Shadowrun for Sega CD, an unfinished and unreleased version in development by Compile.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 20 min
August 05, 2025 PLAY RETRO 179 : It Came from the Desert
A pulp-inspired action-adventure game paying homage to 1950s sci-fi horror, especially the film Them!. You play geologist Greg Bradley, investigating a meteor crash near the fictional town of Lizard Breath, only to discover an outbreak of giant radioactive ants. Gameplay blends point-and-click adventure, time-sensitive decision-making, and action minigames.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 9 min
July 29, 2025 PLAY RETRO 178: The Incredible Machine
The Incredible Machine, a series that turned complex cause-and-effect chain reactions into one of the most oddly satisfying puzzle experiences of the '90s and paid homage to the genius of Rube Goldberg and his machines.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 14 min
July 23, 2025 PLAY RETRO 177: Heroes of Might & Magic III
HoMM3 by New World Computing. The third entry in the series and the most beloved. A turn-based strategy game where you control heroes, build up towns, gather resources, and command fantasy armies on adventure maps and in tactical grid-based combat. The campaign follows Queen Catherine Ironfist as she fights to restore her father's kingdom.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 9 min
July 16, 2025 PLAY RETRO 176: No One Lives Forever
Monolith's The Operative: No One Lives Forever and its sequel. A pair of first-person shooters from the early 2000s. Combining stealth mechanics, innovative for the time AI, and a 60s spy aesthetic Cate Archer’s adventures delivered humor, gadgets disguised as everyday objects, and level design that combined gameplay and storytelling to keep it fresh throughout. Also, good luck finding a copy!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 11 min