In this episode of the Retro Pioneers Podcast, host Justin Hudson sits down with anime content creator Taylor (PrettyNerdBabex3) for a deep dive into one of the most iconic anime series of all time — Inuyasha.

Taylor breaks down what made Inuyasha special, why Naraku is one of the most underrated anime villains ever, and how the show balanced adventure, found family, romance, and long-term storytelling. We also get into anime hot takes, character pros and cons, and why certain sequels and spin-offs should’ve never happened.

💥 Topics covered in this episode:
• Why Naraku’s manipulation and longevity made him elite
• Inuyasha’s character growth vs his flaws
• Kagome vs Kikyo debates (and why the love triangle was frustrating)
• Sesshomaru’s development — and why the sequel missed the mark
• Naruto vs Naruto Shippuden — which is better and why
• Dragon Ball, Vegeta, Goku, and anime power scaling debates
• Why some anime don’t need remakes or sequels
• Taylor’s anime journey, content creation, and writing career

Taylor also shares her Top 5 anime, talks about her passion for storytelling, and gives insight into her work as an author with plans to eventually create her own manga.

🎧 If you love anime debates, deep character analysis, nostalgia, and real conversations, this episode is for you.

Follow Taylor on TikTok: @prettynerdbabex3
Listen, rate, and follow the Retro Pioneers Podcast for more anime, gaming, and culture discussions.

Pinball is more than a game — it’s a culture, a business, and a growing movement.

In Episode 30 of the Retro Pioneers Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Lanners, owner of Premier Pinball & Amusement, to talk about the world of pinball machines, how he turned passion into a business, and why pinball is experiencing a massive resurgence.

We dive into:

• 🎮 How Andrew fell in love with pinball
• 🏆 The business side of buying, selling, and restoring machines
• 🛠️ What first-time pinball owners need to know
• 💰 Costs, maintenance, and long-term value
• 🕹️ Retro vs modern pinball machines
• 🏠 Pinball in homes, barcades, and family spaces
• 🔮 The future of pinball culture

Whether you’re a retro gamer, collector, entrepreneur, or just love nostalgia — this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and join the Retro Pioneers community.

00:00 Introduction to the Retro Pioneers Podcast

01:09 Andrew Lanners: Journey into Pinball

04:52 Understanding the Pinball Buying Process

09:32 The Renaissance of Pinball in Commercial Spaces

12:38 Maintenance and Costs of Owning a Pinball Machine

17:00 The Mission Behind Premier Pinball and Amusement

21:24 Challenges in the Pinball Business

23:17 Getting Started in the Pinball Community

25:16 Unique Experiences in the Pinball World

26:40 Advice for Aspiring Pinball Entrepreneurs

28:40 Favorite Pinball Machines and Themes

31:11 Working in the Pinball Industry

34:31 The Role of Pinball in Social Gatherings

38:00 Competitive Pinball and Tournaments

41:04 The Future of Pinball Machines

44:29 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Andrew Lanners
Owner — Premier Pinball & Amusement

🌐 Website: https://ppamn.com
📍 Location: Minnesota (serving nationwide)

In this episode, Blackboijaye sits down with actor, gamer, and all-around creative talent Byron P. Jackson, known for his role as a marshal in Wild West Chronicles. Byron shares his journey from teaching karate in Maryland to pursuing acting full-time, training in theater, booking commercials, and eventually landing major roles.

We dive into his lifelong love of gaming—from NES and Super Nintendo classics to Halo, Red Dead Redemption 2, Dragon Age, and more. Byron opens up about how gaming shaped his imagination, how Red Dead influenced his Western acting, and how modern storytelling in games compares to cinematic acting today.

He also talks balancing gaming and acting, using games as creative inspiration, the responsibilities of voice actors and mocap performers, and the dream of one day creating his own sci-fi video game universe.

• Byron’s journey into acting & martial arts background
• Growing up with Atari, NES, SNES, Halo & open-world games
• How Red Dead Redemption 2 influenced his Western performances
• Top 3 favorite games of all time
• Storytelling in games vs. storytelling in film & TV
• Balancing gaming with acting prep & auditions
• Pulling creative inspiration from sci-fi & RPG titles
• Thoughts on voice acting, mocap, and future opportunities
• Memorable emotional gaming moments (Jedi: Survivor, etc.)
• Upcoming goals, new roles, and the games he’s excited for

Retro Pioneers dives into gaming past & present — creator stories, nostalgia, modern trends, and real conversations between gamers and artists.

In this episode, Blackboijaye and Byron P. Jackson take a deep dive into one of gaming’s biggest conversations — how far we’ve come from 8-bit classics to cinematic blockbusters. From Mario, Sonic, Street Fighter, and Pac-Man to modern giants like Elden Ring and The Last of Us Part II, we explore what gaming used to be, what it is now, and where it’s heading next.

We talk cartridge days, leaving consoles on overnight because there were no save files, the magic of couch co-op, and how 16-bit innovation changed everything. Byron shares memories of Street Fighter battles and blockbuster rentals, while Blackboijaye reflects on Sega vs. Nintendo days and the evolution of fighting games.

Then we jump into the present: massive budgets, unfinished launches, rushed publishers, character creators, representation in games, and AI-powered worlds. From VR futures to dynamic NPCs, we explore gaming’s next decade — and what needs to stay human in the process.

• Retro gaming simplicity: Mario, Sonic, Pac-Man & arcade culture
• Cartridge days, no save files & leaving consoles on overnight
• Street Fighter rivalries, Killer Instinct & early Mortal Kombat differences
• Sega vs. Nintendo households & console identity
• The jump from 8-bit → 16-bit → early polygon 3D
• Modern gaming: cinematic storytelling vs. rushed releases
• Why big publishers pressure devs — and how it hurts passion
• Character creators, Black representation & cliché hairstyles
• The role AI should play in future games (and what dangers to avoid)
• VR, AR & immersive worlds — fun or frightening?
• What the next decade of gaming could look like

Retro Pioneers is where nostalgia meets the future — real conversations about gaming, anime, technology, and community, hosted by Blackboijaye & Byron.

In this episode, we’re joined by RagedChris, a passionate lifelong gamer with deep insight into the past, present, and future of gaming. We talk Super Mario World memories, the Nintendo vs. Sega days, and why family gaming still hits different. Chris also shares his thoughts on the long-awaited Switch 2, piracy crackdowns, and why Nintendo continues to dominate without chasing raw power.

We dive into modern gaming issues like microtransactions, remasters, ownership, online-only gameplay, and whether the industry has lost focus on fun. From Call of Duty and Fortnite to Mario Kart nights with the kids, Chris brings honest takes every gamer can relate to.

• Childhood classics that still hold up today
• The Nintendo vs. Sega era & early console loyalty
• Switch 2 rumors, power upgrades & release predictions
• Piracy crackdowns and Nintendo’s strict IP protection
• How online-only gaming changed ownership forever
• Microtransactions, battle passes & subscription models
• Why Xbox Game Pass has changed the game
• The remaster fatigue hitting modern players
• Family gaming, Mario Kart battles & teaching kids to compete
• What Chris is playing today: COD, Rocket League & Fortnite
• What’s missing from today’s games compared to retro eras

Retro Pioneers brings real gamers together — celebrating retro classics, modern titles, anime culture, and honest conversations with creators and community voices. Hosted by Byron, and Justin aka Blackboijaye.

In this episode, we sit down with NaeT, a rising cozy-gaming creator whose personality, honesty, and passion for storytelling have quickly shaped her into a standout voice in the gaming community. From growing up on Halo and Mortal Kombat to finding her lane in life-sim games, NaeT shares how gaming has always been part of her life — and how content creation became the path where everything finally clicked.

She opens up about her early YouTube attempts, switching content styles, moving to a new city, and rediscovering her love for gaming through recording, community support, and staying true to who she is. We also dive into creator burnout, gatekeeping in gaming, her dream games, and why authenticity is her superpower.

• NaeT’s gaming origins: Halo, MK, Spyro & cozy classics
• Her YouTube journey and what made her reboot her channel
• The switch from FPS games to cozy gaming
• Indigo Park, Ooblets & story-driven gaming moments
• Community support, confidence, and avoiding imposter syndrome
• How she researches games & plans her content
• Favorite genres, PC gaming freedom & upcoming titles she loves
• Her goals for 2025: consistency, collabs & growth

Retro Pioneers brings gamers together — exploring retro classics, modern hits, creator journeys, anime culture, and real conversations from the community. Hosted by Byron, and Justin aka Blackboijaye.

In this episode, we sit down with JanyxGames — a growing TikTok and Threads creator whose gaming takes, reviews, and creative insights have quickly built him a loyal audience. From reviewing Cyberpunk 2077 professionally to navigating TikTok’s algorithm, Janyx shares how he turned his passion for gaming into a thriving content journey.

He opens up about the early grind, balancing consistency with burnout, and how platforms like Threads helped him discover his community. We also talk gaming culture, anime, creator inspiration, and the importance of networking your way into new opportunities.

• Janyx’s start in gaming journalism & writing Metacritic-certified reviews
• How TikTok & Threads helped him find his voice
• Creativity vs. burnout and why consistency matters
• The power of community in content creation
• His viral videos & how they happened
• His love for Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Chainsaw Man, and other anime
• Thoughts on the Game Awards, new releases, and gaming culture
• Future goals and dream collaborations

Retro Pioneers explores gaming past & present — from retro classics and anime culture to modern trends, creative journeys, and community stories. Hosted by Byron, Justin.

In this Retro Pioneers Podcast episode, we sit down with Blvck Bulmaa — one of the most passionate and respected Dragon Ball creators online. Bulmaa shares how anime shaped her early life, why Goku inspires her, and how she built a strong community through honest conversations and consistent content.

We cover:

• Her journey from anime fan to creator
• Goku as her favorite and what he represents
• How she views Goku & Vegeta’s growth
• The purpose of side characters in Dragon Ball
• Transformation overload and what modern anime is missing
• Fan service in anime and why certain boundaries matter
• The struggles of professionalism in collaborations
• Her goals for the future and what content truly means to her
• Important advice for new creators about patience, authenticity, and consistency

A must-listen for anyone who loves anime, Dragon Ball, or hearing honest creator stories.

In this powerful episode of the Retro Pioneers Podcast, BlackBoiJaye sits down with Tino Plus Ultra — indie game developer, Twitch creator, IT engineer, audio/video editor, PC builder, fitness advocate for nerds, and one of the realest voices in the creator community.

Tino shares his multidimensional journey: growing up overweight and anxious, finding escapism through Sega, Nintendo, and RPGs, and discovering his lifelong dream of making a video game after Final Fantasy VII emotionally shook him as a kid.

He talks about learning code from scratch, experimenting with early engines like BYOND, C++, Unity, and Unreal Engine — and how incomplete projects and life distractions shaped his discipline. He reveals the spark that brought him back: a friend learning Unreal publicly, the release of Forspoken with a Black woman protagonist, and realizing the industry still lacks representation for Black and Asian characters.

Tino opens up about the challenges of being a solo dev — asset limitations, representation issues, Steam’s unpredictable algorithms, “indie” studios with AAA budgets, and the soul-crushing reality of scope creep.

This episode also dives deep into the mental and emotional side of creation:
• Overcoming burnout
• Being overlooked in networking
• The difference between genuine creators and personas
• How his community supports him when he’s ready to quit
• Why family/friend support often feels different from community support

Then he introduces his upcoming game Shadowbreakers — an anime-inspired ARPG with Elden Ring–style combat, Zelda-style exploration, cute robot AI companions, domain-like boss areas, three protagonists, three islands, and a full narrative centered around representation and unique worldbuilding. He breaks down its mechanics, comedic robot moments, inspirations from Ghost of Tsushima, Mimir-style dialogue, boss keys, environmental puzzles, and Team Rocket–like antagonist faction “The Cursed.”

• Tino’s journey from unstable childhood → gaming escapism → game development
• Growing up out of shape & promoting fitness for nerds today
• ADHD as a creative superpower
• IT career, audio engineering, PC building & content creation
• BYOND, C++, early dev attempts & unfinished projects
• Forspoken & representation in gaming
• The difficulty of finding non-white asset bases in engines
• Steam wishlist system & indie game market reality
• “Indie” studios that aren’t actually indie
• Soul-crushing scope creep and how to avoid it
• Debugging, blueprint systems & problem-solving
• The importance of honest community feedback
• Building a Discord that feels like family
• Creator networking & dealing with people who ignore DMs
• Supporting each other in Black creator spaces
• Game reveal: Shadowbreakers story, bosses, mechanics & worldbuilding
• AI companions, humor, puzzles, and Elden Ring influences
• Creative philosophy: quality > quantity, compassion > ego
• Advice for new devs (start small, learn through doing, be patient)

Indie game developer • Twitch streamer • IT engineer • Audio/video editor • Fitness motivator
Creator of Shadowbreakers — wishlist coming to Steam.
Known for anime-inspired content, game dev livestreams, and uplifting nerd culture through fitness and positivity.

Follow him everywhere: @tinoplusultra

Gaming, anime, creator journeys, cultural discussions, and community building — hosted by BlackBoiJaye & Byron Jackson.

In Episode 9 of the Retro Pioneers Podcast, BlackBoiJaye and Byron sit down with Chris — better known as SSJ Blackarrot — creative director, longtime podcaster, Dragon Ball fanatic, VR advocate, and the man behind Atlanta’s rising creative platform Atlanta Press Play.

Chris breaks down the origin of the name SSJ Blackarrot: a riff on Goku’s Saiyan name “Kakarot,” fused with his own identity and love for the spirit, discipline, and positivity Goku represents.

He shares his journey as a creative director, coordinating Atlanta events for artists, actors, and creators, helping talent network, perform, and build community. We dive into how he started podcasting back in 2011, long before podcasting was mainstream — learning everything through “YouTube University,” building shows like Tech Guru, S-Rank, Should I Watch That?, and his long-running gaming podcast Should I Play That?

Chris opens up about the emotional impact of George Floyd’s death and why creators must sometimes pause entertainment to address real-world events, protect mental health, and speak on issues impacting Black communities. He breaks down how content creation kept him grounded through hard times and why “don’t let anyone dim your light” is his life philosophy.

The episode also goes deep into the state of the gaming industry:
• The myth that “no good games are out”
• Pop culture trends in 2024 gaming
• Helldivers 2 (500+ hours played!)
• Marvel Rivals dominating hero shooters
• AAA fatigue vs indie innovation
• Nintendo, PlayStation & Xbox next-gen timelines

And then we jump into virtual reality, where Chris explains how VRChat, Oculus, and Horizon Worlds let him meet people globally, build friendships, and experience games in ways that feel like Ready Player One.

Of course, we had to talk anime:
• Dragon Ball Daima hype
• Vegeta’s Super Saiyan 3 moment
• Dandadan impressions
• Watching Spanish-language Dragon Ball on Telemundo as a kid
• Anime’s rise from niche to mainstream pop culture

Plus a dose of retro gaming nostalgia — Sonic 3, N64, Mario Party, Destiny raids, and VR-only Resident Evil runs.

This episode is a masterclass in creativity, gaming culture, anime roots, personal growth, and building community as a creator.

• Origin story of the name SSJ Blackarrot
• Atlanta Press Play and creative director work
• Podcasts since 2011 (Tech Guru → S-Rank → Should I Watch/Play That?)
• Networking, building community & uplifting creators
• Mental health & the pressures of content creation
• George Floyd era and genuine conversations
• Gaming trends: Helldivers 2, Marvel Rivals, indie GOTY picks
• Nintendo, PS5, Xbox future roadmap
• VR evolution: Oculus, Horizon Worlds, social VR, puzzle AR
• Dragon Ball Daima discussion + Vegeta hype
• Old-school anime era: Telemundo DBZ, Toonami culture
• Retro gaming: N64, Sonic, Mario Party, Destiny
• VR gaming stories (Resident Evil 7)
• Work-life balance, burnout, and recharging socially
• Universal timing, creativity, and finding your niche

Creative Director • Anime fan • Veteran podcaster • VR enthusiast • Content creator
Founder of multiple shows including Should I Play That? and a lead figure at Atlanta Press Play.

Follow him everywhere: @ssjblackarrot

Retro Pioneers blends gaming nostalgia, anime culture, creator stories, Black voices, and unfiltered conversation — hosted by BlackBoiJaye & Byron Jackson.