February 14, 2026

The Last 8-Bit Episode - This Week In Retro 255

1 hour

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We're gonna need a bigger byte to hold future episodes of This Week in Retro, but the end of the 8-bit era leads off with an exploration of the innovative SCUMM adventure game engine. Originally created by Lucasarts Games for Maniac Mansion, the system went on to be used in major franchises including Sam and Max and Indiana Jones, and is the topic of an upcoming crowdfunded documentary. We also report on some major achievements for retro users of PowerPC Macs and ancient accounting packages, and sift through the 30 year legacy of Duke Nukem 3D and the origins of John Romero's Catacombs 3D.

00:00 - Show Opening

02:15 - Passport To Adventure

Story Link: https://adventuregamehotspot.com/announcement/5936/sign-up-available-for-passport-to-adventure-the-scumm-story

DevsQuest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq-am862uRg

15:11 - Herculean Efforts In Retro

Story Link: https://lowendmac.com/2026/finally-a-properly-modern-browser-for-powerpc-macs/

Additional Links:

https://dmitrybrant.com/2026/02/01/defeating-a-40-year-old-copy-protection-dongle

https://github.com/HarryR/z80ai

https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/ATARI_ST_MV16_Sound_Audio_Card_Cartridge_BAT_e1c2ad3a.html

34:03 - Housekeeping - News links found below

42:24 - Hail To The Catacombs Baby

Story Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70mZq8bUStw

Catacombs 3D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcUqwMf01pI

52:42 - Community Question of the Week

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This Week in Retro is a weekly roundup of the hottest stories from the world of retro gaming and computing, voted on by you, the listener! Hosted by Chris from 005 AGIMA, Jason from The Retro Adventurers and Dave. Edited by Duncan Styles.

News In Brief Links

https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/02/taitos-1987-outrun-clone-top-speed-makes-its-debut-on-modern-consoles-later-this-week

https://www.bcs.org/articles-opinion-and-research/sir-clive-sinclair-views-on-ai-and-super-intelligence/

https://www.gog.com/redeem/WELCOMEGIFT

https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/you-can-now-view-the-computer-history-museums-collection-from-the-comfort-of-your-own-home-and-its-full-of-retro-blasts-from-the-past/

https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/beige-is-back-remembering-the-bbc-micro-with-raspberry-pi-500-plus/

https://www.ukag.org.uk/index.php/2026/01/08/more-info-on-the-june-uk-amstrad-group-meet/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxuvEtgfbPU

...more

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By Chris from 005 AGIMA, Jason from The Retro Adventurers, Dave and Duncan Styles

4.9

2727 ratings