DuckTales for the NES still holds up as one of Capcom’s greatest licensed games, thanks to its tight controls, clever level design, unforgettable soundtrack, and undeniable charm. Launchpad McTalk and Gary Gearloose revisit the classic platformer, discussing the Amazon, Moon, and Transylvania stages, the ingenious pogo mechanic, hidden treasures, secret warps, speedrunning glitches, multiple endings, and the frustrating moments that made them reach for a guide. They also explore how DuckTales connects to Capcom’s Mega Man-era design philosophy, why Disney’s 1990s games were so memorable, and why the original NES version remains worth playing over the remaster.

Fable still knows how to charm, and it still knows how to annoy you. Two decades after its debut, Alex, Tony, and George return to Albion to test whether Peter Molyneux’s Xbox RPG really holds up or if nostalgia is doing the heavy lifting.
This conversation gets into the stuff that made Fable unforgettable in the first place: a morality system that actually makes you feel your choices, a world that reacts to your reputation, and why certain systems still feel ahead of their time while others are stuck in 2004.
They also dig into the game’s funniest and most memorable details, from chicken kicking and farting in front of NPCs to the stained-glass story scenes that still look gorgeous. Along the way, they compare the original release to Anniversary, talk through character builds, glitches, economy exploits, and why the game’s combat and UI can feel wildly mismatched.
If you played Fable back in the day, this episode is a nostalgia trip with honest criticism. If you never did, it is a sharp look at one of Xbox’s most important non-Halo exclusives and why fans still argue about it. Essential listening if you love any game that lets you be heroic, villainous, and ridiculous all at once.

In the crossover event of the summer, the miniplayables meets the unplayables with the game Yaris, the bizarre free Xbox 360 racing game that tried to turn a compact Toyota into a full-fledged gaming experience—and failed spectacularly. They discuss discovering the game as poor college students, its strange Sonic-inspired courses, awkward controls, ridiculous power-ups, brutal achievements, and the feeling that it was less a game than a giant interactive advertisement. Was Yaris worth the unbeatable price of zero dollars, or was it so bad that it actually cost players their time? Join the conversation for a nostalgic, sarcastic look at one of the strangest examples of video game product placement and the lasting lesson that free does not always mean worth playing.

Spider-Man is not just a great superhero game - it made New York feel alive, turned web-swinging into pure power fantasy, and set a new bar for what a licensed game can be. Alex, George, and Randy break down why Insomniac’s 2018 hit still matters, what it borrowed from Arkham Asylum, and why it may be the most important comic book game of the modern era.
The conversation traces the evolution of superhero games from clunky NES and Genesis experiments to the Spider-Man titles that finally got movement right. They explore how Insomniac fused what it learned from Sunset Overdrive, Ratchet & Clank, and open-world design into a game that feels effortless, while diving into the story, combat, suits, collectibles, voice acting, and the beautifully detailed New York City.
The hosts also discuss the original PS4 Peter Parker face, Aunt May, Miles Morales, the game’s fake social media feed, and why its in-game podcast remains one of the best examples of worldbuilding in modern games. Come swing around this podcast city as we explore Insomniac's Spider-Man.

The second Miniplayables focuses on Sonic Spinball, Sega’s strange but ambitious mashup of Sonic platforming and classic pinball. They revisit renting and owning the game, repeatedly getting crushed by its difficult levels, and debating whether its speed, music, and tilt mechanics make it a hidden gem or a bargain-bin frustration.

Join us as we take some time to discuss Mega Man 3, in addition to a few detours about box art and Magic the Gathering. Mega Man 3 feels rushed, but it also still feels so good to play. You will hear whether we think Mega Man 3 competes with 2, and if the bosses and weapons are still awesome. We also debate how the doc robot levels have aged and where MM3 fits in the Mega Man standings. Come join us, our little blue boy, and Rush as we chat about the iconic music, the addition of the doggie, Proto Man, and the slide ability!

#gaming #megaman #megaman2 #megaman3 #nes #nintendo #retrogaming

Welcome to the first episode of the Miniplayables. This short episode is a discussion about the Rumble Pak accessory for the Nintendo 64. Released in 1997, the Rumble Pak became the first vibrating peripheral for many gamers. Tony, George, and Alex talk about their relationships with the Rumble Pak, highlighting their experiences with games like Ocarina of Time, Goldeneye, and Smash Bros. Like Nakamura, this podcast has good vibrations.

#gaming #nintendo #nintendo64 #rumblepak #link #zelda #mario #ocarinaoftime

Alex is joined by Tony and Gary for a deep dive into Mega Man 1 and 2 for the NES. You’ll hear why Mega Man 1 was such a daring foundation, and how Mega Man 2 turned that formula into a masterpiece. We break down the stage select innovation, the rock-paper-scissors weapon logic, the resource management that made these games feel almost tactical, and the moments where the series started to feel bigger than a simple run-and-gun platformer.
You’ll also discover what still holds up decades later and what absolutely doesn’t - from brutal boss runs and punishing platforming to legendary tracks like Crash Man, Bubble Man, and the Wily castle themes. Along the way, the crew gets into the strange power of box art, the insanity of NES difficulty, the weird joy of password notebooks, and the kind of memories that only come from renting games on a weekend and hoping they were worth it.
If Mega Man 2 was your childhood obsession, this conversation is a must-listen. It’s funny, nostalgic, and full of the kind of deep-cut retro game talk that makes you want to fire up your Famicon.

#gaming #megaman #megaman2 #nes #nintendo #retrogaming

This episode kicks off the first installment of the Unplayables, a cheeky deep dive into Quest 64 and why it became one of the most infamous RPGs on the Nintendo 64. The conversation traces how the game was marketed as a promising fantasy adventure, only to leave players with a rushed, thinly realized experience that felt more like homework than fun. Along the way, the hosts revisit the era of Nintendo Power, Blockbuster rentals, and the overwhelming wave of legendary 1998 releases that made Quest 64 feel even more disappointing by comparison.

The hosts break down the elements that were actually interesting, like the unique enemy designs and elemental battle system, while also calling out the game’s empty world, weak story, repetitive music, and strange lack of RPG staples like party members, money, and meaningful progression. It’s part retrospective, part roast, and part love letter to a weird era when games could be ambitious, broken, and still somehow unforgettable.

By the end, the episode lands on a surprisingly fair conclusion: Quest 64 wasn’t an abomination so much as a game that missed the mark at every possible turn. It had the bones of something better, but it needed more time, more care, and a lot more RPG essentials to really work. If you grew up renting bad games, reading gaming magazines, and hoping the next cart would be the one, this conversation will feel instantly familiar.

#gaming #quest64 #nintendo64 #rpg #squareenix #retrogaming #finalfantasy

This episode takes a deep dive into one of the most important games ever made: Wii Sports. We break down why Nintendo’s pack-in hit did so much more than launch a console; it helped redefine who video games were for, turning motion controls into something intuitive, social, and instantly fun.
From the first time handling the Wii Remote to late-night multiplayer sessions in college, we talk about how Wii Sports became the perfect gateway into the Wii era. We also explore the game’s role in Nintendo’s comeback, why it worked so well as a bundle, and how it made gaming feel accessible to everyone from hardcore players to complete newcomers.
If you grew up with a Wii and remember bowling with friends, this one is packed with memories, hot takes, and plenty of appreciation for a game that still holds up. Wii Sports wasn’t just a launch title...it was a cultural moment, and this episode explains exactly why it mattered.

#gaming #wii #nintendowii #wiisports #wiimote #retrogaming #mario #zelda