Retro Encounter tackles the 2003 GBA classic Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga this week, and the panel is divided on whether the game's timed-hits combat, silly humor, and early-aughts dungeon puzzles have aged well or poorly. The panel is unanimous on Superstar Saga's treatment of coffee and condiments. 

So is Superstar Saga a classic coffee grind, or just a grind? Listen to find out! 

Featuring: Peter Triezenberg, Pete Leavitt, Jo Padilla, Michael Sollosi

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RPGFan Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga 3DS review

Retro Encounter's journey to unite the Valerian isles, expel the manipulative Knights Loslorien, and stave off invasion from a hell dimension comes to a close, with the messy conclusion to Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together.  Collectivist vs. Individualist ideals, how characters are treated in different ending paths, and Yasumi Matsuno's love of obscure content all feature heavily. 

What endings did we get?  Is it worth it diving into the post-game?  Listen and find out!   

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Nilson Carroll, Jo Padilla, Zach Wilkerson

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RPGFan Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together PSP review

Five years after podcasting about Final Fantasy Tactics, Retro Encounter tackles Yasumi Matsuno's prior magnum opus, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together!  We discuss the Super Famicom classic's multi-layered, politics-heavy story, fascinating class system, and key differences between the PS1 and PSP versions before speculating on which Queen songs would make the best subtitles for a future Ogre Saga game. 

Is Canopus the most dominant birdman since Tony Hawk? 

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Nilson Carroll, Jo Padilla, Zach Wilkerson

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RPGFan Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together PSP review

Two Trials of Mana scholars from 2019's Retro Encounter episodes return for a revisitation on the 1995 classic, specifically in the context of its 2020 remake.  We talk visual upgrades, new classes, and some questionable English-language voice acting in a 1-year podcast anniversary all about a 25-year video game anniversary.  

Which is worse, Kevin's caveman accent or Charlotte's trouble with consonants?  Listen and learn!    

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Greg Delmage

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We here at Retro Encounter are taking a short break from talking about classic RPGs to play a party game.  Four Retro Encounter panelists take turns to divulge facts both true and false, with the others guessing the lies.  We learned a little about each other, all thanks to July having a fifth Thursday nestled in the month.  

Listen to the episode, and also congratulate RPGFan's new Editor-in-Chief!  

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Mike Salbato, Peter Triezenberg, Zach Wilkerson

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Pokey Minch is a major villain both Earthbound and Mother 3, and somehow reminds you of every kid you ever hated in grade school as well as billionaire fascists of both fiction and history.  In this episode we dive deep into Pokey Minch's journey, motivations, and unusual traits.  This is RPG Villains. 

Does Pokey Minch bear some resemblance to modern world leaders?  Maybe!  Listen to the episode! 

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Hilary Andreff, Jo Padilla

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Our panel has reached the end of Yakuza 0, and with it comes new beginnings for Dragon of Dojima and the Mad Dog of Shimano.  Four panelists discuss Yakuza 0 for another full episode, and there is enough drama for two games and foreshadowing for six more in the crime story's dramatic conclusion. 

What metaphor is represented on your gangster back tattoo?  All of this and more on the latest Retro Encounter! 

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Jonathan Logan, Jo Padilla, Rob Steinman

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RPGFan Yakuza 0 review

Yakuza 0 is a game about violence. And honor. And... real estate? Yakuza 0 tells a compelling crime drama about the intertwining tales of series hero Kazuma Kiryu and fan favorite villain Goro Majima in 1988, 17 years before the story of the first Yakuza game, but you're forgiven if you can't be bothered to complete more story missions with all the distractions that 1980s Kamurocho and Sotenbori have to offer.  Four Retro Encounter panelists discuss the wealth of content and absurd tone of Yakuza 0 to the best of their ability, but only get so far. 

It's real estate moguls, cabaret club kings, and shy dominatrices in the latest episode of Retro Encounter! 

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Jonathan Logan, Jo Padilla, Rob Steinman

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RPGFan Yakuza 0 review

Retro Encounter's Tournament of Consoles continues, whittling down a list of eight to a single champion.  Three PlayStations, three Nintendo handhelds, one Super 90s machine, and whatever the hell you're supposed to call the Switch are our final eight gladiators in our console colosseum, but only one outlives and outlasts this cast of celebrated consoles. 

Listen to the end to discover Retro Encounter's official Favorite Console to Play RPGs! 

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues, Stephanie Sybydlo, Nicholas Whaley, Zach Wilkerson

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Retro Encounter's host misses being able to watch sporting events while playing RPGs on a 3DS or Vita, so he gathered a panel of five panelists to hold a replacement tournament.  Seventeen video game consoles are considered for the title of Retro Encounter's Favorite Console On Which to Play RPGs, but only one wins.  In part 1 of 2, the panelists condense the Starting Seventeen to an Essential Eight.  

What consoles reign supreme in round 1?  Listen and find out!  

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues, Stephanie Sybydlo, Nicholas Whaley, Zach Wilkerson

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