The Basement

The "Wild Boys" (Albert, Mike, and the main host of Bad Gamers Anonymous, Bad Gamer Crowley) start the first of THREE episodes dedicated to Chapter 0003 of Ready Player One! Join us for a fun trip down memory lane where we talk about really weird things like videophiles, Vulcans, and Duran Duran! We then hit the classic coin ops like Contra, Ikari Warriors, Golden Axe, and the "Zeppo Marx" of the bunch, Heavy Barrel. We kind of end on Tron but see the show notes below for the full list damage done:

News from the front lines!

• Ernie Cline will NOT be at Classic Game Fest this year
• Albert is unwavered (lies) and still going

Betamax (1975 - 2002) and Laserdisc (1978 - 2001)

• VHS vs Betamax vs Laserdisc
• Videophiles in the 80's and 90's were weird
• Who lets their kid watch Conan the Barbarian??
• Any guesses on who still owns a VHS player?

Dragon Magazine (1976 - 2007)

• Tabletop gamers > Athletes
• Tabletop gamers > Sk8ters

Capture the Flag (CTF) and DeathMatch (DM)

• Origins and Bannercatch (1984)
• LAN parties and early online gaming
• The Pentium Club or "The P-Club" or How-to-lose-your-girlfriend-in-one-weekend Club

Vulcans and Dark Elves

• 30 Seconds to Vulcan
• Prime vs. Kelvin (NOT Transformers)
• GVOAT: Greatest Vulcan of All Time
• Drizzt Do'Urden and Forgotten Realms
• Like Dungeon and Dragons? Wanna be a Podcaster? Call me.

"Wild Boys" by Duran Duran (1984)

• Duran Duran is one of the greatest bands of the 80's (Albert)
• Great song, terrible video?
• The ulterior motives of the music video

Cassette Tapes

• The importance of Scotch® tape
• The importance of the pencil
• Saving video games to cassette tapes or how to drive yourself to the brink of suicide

Contra (1987), Golden Axe (1989), Heavy Barrel (1987), Smash TV (1990), and Ikari Warriors (1986)

• Albert can't get over the horrible background stories

Hosts:

• Albert "Ax Battler" Padilla
• Mike "Gilius Thunderhead" Rondeau
• Bad Gamer "Tyris Flare" Crowley

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Be kind, rewind!

In Episode 0002, we break down chapter 0002 and Albert is joined by long time friend, former World of Warcraft guild-mate, and all around great looking guy, Bill Alewine. We're talking Princess Leia, Monty Python, The Terminator, World of Warcraft and of course, "The John Hughes Blues": Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Full show notes here:

News from the front lines!

• Ready Player One DOES break $500 million worldwide!
• The Art of Ready Player One is out!

Wade's Locker

• Princess Leia pinup
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) cast photo

Time Magazine

• Still a big deal?
• We talk memorable covers

World of Warcraft (2004)

• Shoutout to all the homies still over at Netherguard!
• Similarities between The OASIS and MMO's in general
• Being a n00b sucks!

The Terminators

• "I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle"
• The T800 (1984), T1000 (1991), and the franchise legacy
• Ready Player One movie Easter Egg

Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) (1978 - 1990s)

• The Hatchery
• How well do we remember the golden age of 300 baud?
• "LEEEEEEEEROY JENKINS!!!!"

McGuffins

• NOT a breakfast sandwich from McDonalds
• We list our movie favorites!

Dorky Girl Fantasties

• Sixteen Candles (1984)
• Pretty In Pink (1986)
• Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

Dorky Boy Fantasies

• The Breakfast Club (1985)
• Weird Science (1985)
• Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Final thoughts on 80's movies and the John Hughes influence…

Hosts:

• Albert "Sindril" Padilla
• Bill "Nycterun" Alewine

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Be kind, rewind!

Episode 0001: We Die!

Our powers have doubled (recording time) since the last time we met so get ready! Albert and Mike return along with help from Cantina Cast co-host Jonesy and Cantina Cast Discord's Veteran Joe to cover the woolly mammoth that is Chapter 1! There's a crap ton of stuff to cover so stop reading this and just jump on in:

News from the front lines!

• Ready Player One should break $500 million worldwide!
• Host reactions to the movie adaption
• Armada is a GO!

Galaga (1981)

• It has a lot of sequels
• New Retro Arcade: Neon version seems to be the way to go
• Jonesy plays a LOT of Galaga

Defender (1981)

• Fun game, crazy controls, not for the feint of heart
• Choplifter comparison
• Defender 2 (Stargate)

Asteroids (1979)

• Flipping game scores - this is not a thing
• Albert is NOT good at everything…trust me
• Vector graphics, simplistic game play, but boring?!

Robotron 2084 (1982)

• Eugene Jarvis was behind this one as well as Defender
• Twin sticks, fast paced, lots of action
• Joe liked this one…he's going back for more

Family Ties (1982 - 1989)

• Every season is on Amazon Prime
• Alex Keaton was a fashion inspiration
• Feel good family of the early 80's
• Horny Hippie Parents or just crazy in love?
• "Say Uncle" with Tom Hanks
• Episodes covered a lot of sensitive and controversial topics for its time

The Amazing Spiderman (1962)

• Who was the best? Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, or Tom Holland?
• Answer: Neil Patrick Harris
• The Ramones' cover

X-Men (1963 - present)

• Favorite X-Man (or woman)?
• Least favorite?

Green Lantern (1940)

• Who was your favorite Green Lantern?
• We love The Justice League cartoon and now you can too!

Sesame Street (1969)

• Favorite character?
• "Hey, Bert!"
• Mr. Snuffleeupaugus, Mr. Hooper, Yip Yip Martians

Cosmos (1980)

• "Billions of billions of billions…"
• Nova vs . Cosmos
• "Professor Wear"
• Mike wakes up around this point…

Donkey Kong (1981)

• Cut scenes were cool but more on the game later in later episode
• Billy Mitchell was stripped??

BurgerTime (1982)

• Mr. Hot Dog, Mr. Pickle, and Mr. Egg

Pitfall (1982)

• Released by Activision
• Editor's Note: We should have spent more time here

"Jedi building his first lightsaber"

• Jonesy built his own lightsaber - and it works!
• Return of the Jedi deleted scene
• Right of passage for anyone

The Bat Cave (1942)

• NOT where Batman goes to the bathroom
• Ben Batfleck vs. Adam West

Fortress of Solitude (1958?)

• Didn't originate with Superman
• Visually synonymous with Reeves movies

Fruity Pebbles (1971) vs. Off Brands

• Fruity Pebbles VS. Cocoa Pebbles!
• Fruity Milk VS. Cocoa Milk!
• The Redemption of Mr. Post
• The People (Barney and Fred) vs. Hulk Hogan

Lunch Boxes

• Plastic vs. Metal
• Our favorites growing up
• Ninja Rap is a good rap

The Last Starfighter (1984)

• Does the CG hold up?
• Anyone can be a hero storyline resonates
• Parallels between TLS and RPO
• Wil Wheaton cameo!
• "Video Game Available from Atari Inc."
• Final thoughts on the FUN that is TLS
• "We Die."

Hosts:

• Albert "Hey, Bert!" Padilla
• Mike "Get Of My Lawn" Rondeau
• Jonesy aka "Mr. Cocoa Pebbles"
• Joe "Dystopia" Kane

Like us, follow us, pay us here:

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Be kind, rewind!

We're back! Albert, Mike, and Will pick up right where we left off in the prologue and bring you more talk on the pop culture references you love and some you may have missed! Here's what we have lined up:

News from the front lines!

• Who bought tickets and are you excited about the movie?
• Is Albert stalking Ernie?
• Star Wars will be in RPO…but to what extent?
• SXSW reviews are in and they're (were) great!
• "Oasis" title track is out…thoughts?
• Bonus Stage episode is in the works

Clash of the Titans (1981)

• Insert Coin to cross the river Styx
• Mrs. Will and her petition to get this classic released on DVD
• Mike "misremembers" The Beastmaster

Heathers (1988)

• Intriguing or weird?
• Christian Slater vs. Jack Nicholson
• Parallels between Wade Watts and Veronica Sawyer
• Heathers is coming as television series…maybe

SSI (1979 - 1994)

• GGS and SSI
• SSI, the Apple IIe, TRS-80, NES, and their gaming legacy
• Other old skool software companies

You Can't Take It With You (1938)

• Albert and Will acted a scene from this years ago (Ahem, NOT in 1938)
• That 70's Movie
• Okay, so maybe this was a stretch as a pop culture reference…

Muppets (1976 - 1981)

• Mike goes straight to the Luke
• Does it hold up?
• Who is/was our favorite character?
• How does it stack up against other variety shows at the time?
• The Barbara Mandrell show was lit at one time.
• Favorite segments from the show
• Sequels, The Muppet Babies, and The Muppets legacy

That 70's House (70's)

• Burnt orange carpet…sign of the times or ode to The University of Texas? HOOK 'EM HORNS!
• Corduroy pants, Hush Puppies, and a sweet iron on shirt
• Zenith…where are they now?

Atari 2600 (Part 1)

• When did we get our first 2600?
• What were our favorite games growing up?
• Fast Eddie: GOAT
• The changing of cartridge types
• 2600 cover art and The Art of Atari
• Starshipcover art

Adventure (1979)

• Did we ever play this game back in the day?
• Did you find the Easter Egg?
• RTFM, man
• The Easter Egg and the first Hunt
• Warren Robinett: Where is he now?

80's Fashion (80's)

• We didn't have any.
• Spiked hair, acid and stone wash jeans, shredded clothing, bandanas around the neck and legs, and rolled up jeans
• Feathered clips…WHY?!
• Feathered haircuts and Ralph Macchio
• Product branded clothing…again, WHY?!
• Members Only Jacket and 80's textiles

Hosts:

• Albert "Lew Zealand" Padilla
• Mike "Breaking News" Rondeau
• Will "80's Fasionista" Wilkins

Like us, follow us, pay us here:

• Instagram: @TheBasementRPO
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Be kind, rewind!

Welcome to the premiere episode of The Basement, a Ready Player One podcast for people who love things!

In this episode, Albert, Mike, and Will come together like the REAL Ghostbusters (sans Ernie Hudson) to discuss the first half of the prologue and break down the following pop culture references:

Ghostbusters (1984)

• Too many great lines to count
• The Dream Team of comedy
• Visual effects
• Huey Lewis vs. Ray Parker Jr.

Corn Flakes (1894)

• The Godfather of Breakfast Cereals or Crap Cereal King?
• Kellogg vs Post and the significance of sanitariums
• Greatest Cereal Of All Time (GCOAT): Boo Berry
• "I pity the fool who don't eat my cereal!"
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOptQ0Ye1NU

Zapruder Film (1963)

• A brief history of the footage
• Why was it so painstakingly analyzed?
• Secret Word of the Day: Model 414 PD Bell & Howell Zoomatic Director Series Camera

Space Invaders (1978)

• THE arcade game of '78
• Japanese School Children
• Santa Claus
• Space Aliens

80's Dance Moves (Duh, the 80s)

• Break Dancing, Backspins, Windmills, Ozone, and Turbo
• Poppin' and Lockin' and Pantomime
• Moonwalk, The Worm, The Robot, The Prep, The Cabbage Patch, and Lenny Kravitz
• Dance Party USA, American Bandstand, Solid Gold, and FAME

Dead Man's Party, Oingo Boingo (1985)

• ALBERT LOVES OINGO BOINGO
• Mike and Will do NOT
• (Halliday loves them too)
• Danny Elfman, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, and his soundtrack legacy
• Jenna Elfman is Danny Elman's niece?! (ANSWER: Yes, through marriage)

Hosts and Gentlemen:

• Albert "Ready One Player" Padilla
• Mike "I Can Read" Rondeau
• Will "Ongo Bongo" Wilkins

Like us, follow us, pay us here:

• Instagram: @TheBasementRPO
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