We’re joined by Allen Anderson, a veteran SNES coder, and one of the key programmers behind Rock n’ Roll Racing. Starting as a teenage game cracker in Arkansas, he shares how hacking games led him into the industry, the chaos of SNES development with homemade dev kits, and how he programmed the Game Genie under insane deadlines, and the story behind the legendary cancelled Sega Saturn title, Propaganda. 

Contents:

00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 
38:20 - Allen Anderson Interview

Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:

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Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour

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Show notes:

Switch 2 Emulation Issues: https://youtu.be/A3ylCAr0dbs
Maplin Returns: https://tinyurl.com/23w9xy5p
Duke Nukem Netflix Project: https://tinyurl.com/yc8euk4h
Turrican CPC Remaster: https://tinyurl.com/mr3se7jp
Linux Format Closes: https://tinyurl.com/5e9dhzcx

This week, we chat with game developer and producer Phil Gaskell, whose career spans from typing BASIC on a ZX81 to shaping titles at Psygnosis, Sony Playstation and Warthog. Phil shares behind-the-scenes tales of early PlayStation days, cancelled games, missed payrolls and mafia connections at Gizmondo, and rebooting iconic games like Lemmings and Super Stardust HD. 

Contents:

00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 
36:41 - Phil Gaskell Interview

Our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroHourPodcast/videos

Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:

Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com

Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour

We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd

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Website: http://theretrohour.com
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Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour

Show notes:

Atari beats ChatGPT: https://tinyurl.com/54pr4bxw
PS1 custom motherboards: https://tinyurl.com/mtrdfb3j
Head Over Heels sequel: https://tinyurl.com/4whtcrnn
Mario Kart 64 on Dreamcast: https://tinyurl.com/jjk8uhyt
Discord on Windows 95: https://youtu.be/wxdn30G2LE8

This week we hear about the turbulent post-Commodore years with former Amiga Technologies President, Petro Tyschtschenko. From scrambling to find buyers after Commodore’s collapse to selling Amiga 1200s out of a warehouse in India, Petro shares his story, from the courtroom battles, the backroom deals, and the community spirit that refused to let the Amiga die. 

Contents:

00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 
41:51 - Petro Tyschtschenko Interview

Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:

Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com

Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour

We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd

Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8

Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour

Show notes:

The Story Behind Resident Evil 2 Cover Art: https://tinyurl.com/muhvzmz4
The G'aime: https://tinyurl.com/bkspfsbw
Let’s Buy Commodore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN8r4LRcOXc
MK Collection: https://tinyurl.com/226ty4tj

This week we welcome Cos Lazouras, a true veteran with over three decades in the games industry. From blagging his way into Bits Studios to working with Vin Diesel on The Chronicles of Riddick, Cos shares incredible stories from working on Spider-Man, The Simpsons, Wolverine and Last Action Hero including why that one remains his most ‘disastrous’ game. And his incredible new 80's themed point & click adventure.

VICE Undercover: https://tinyurl.com/476ucjzb

Contents:

00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 
32:47 - Cos Lazouras Interview

Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:

Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com

Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour

We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd

Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8

Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour

Show notes

The Bagman for Mega Drive: https://tinyurl.com/8scuchxj
Game Boy Camera Manager: https://tinyurl.com/5n78v92s
Atari ST turns 40: https://tinyurl.com/mwbzf2v2
Azaran Island: https://tinyurl.com/msphwu2h
New Contra arcade: https://youtu.be/5FX6HJl9uZ8

This week we’re joined by Chris Cross, the original lead designer of Medal of Honor, who cut his teeth at Blizzard on Warcraft II and Diablo, worked on Small Soldiers: Squad Commander, survived Trespasser: The Lost World, and brought us gritty realism in Homefront. Chris shares some amazing behind-the-scenes stories, from Spielberg’s influence and arcade obsessions, to why he loved PS1 development and what went wrong (and right) on some of the most ambitious projects of the '90s and early 2000s. 


Brain Arcade Podcast: https://coffeewithcross.com/brainarcade

Contents:

00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 
38:59 - Chris Cross Interview

Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:

Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com

Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour

We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd

Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8

Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour

Show notes

Wii U Game Pad replacement:  https://tinyurl.com/264vu8rn
OutRun on Game Boy Colour:  https://tinyurl.com/4z7mdtbe
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun - Words of Vengeance:  ttps://tinyurl.com/3v2b4t36
Retro ruler:  https://tinyurl.com/yvp8vbu3
AROS Live USB: https://tinyurl.com/2b2bu3ae

This week, we chat with two legends of the British gaming scene, Tony Warriner (Revolution Software) and Stoo Cambridge (Sensible Software),  who’ve teamed up to create UrbX Warriors, an incredible new title for the ZX Spectrum Next. 

UrbX Warriors Kickstarter: https://tinyurl.com/yvhw43et

Contents:

00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 
32:29 - Tony Warriner & Stoo Cambridge Interview

Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:

Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com

Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour

We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd

Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8

Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour

Show notes

Mario 64 Trigger Found: https://tinyurl.com/52ffytrb
Metal Gear for Mega Drive: https://tinyurl.com/47fdc9uw
Microsoft Revives Edit: https://tinyurl.com/3z56yt3b
Visit 1975 Microsoft: https://tinyurl.com/58nupxu4
Sega Saturn New Fighter: https://tinyurl.com/2wpf4cxs

This week we hear about the incredible career of game designer Stieg Hedlund! From his early days tinkering with BASIC on a Bally Astrocade to shaping some of the most iconic titles of the '90s like Comiz Zone, The Ooze, and the legendary Diablo.  

Contents:

00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 
42:26 - Stieg Hedlund Interview

Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:

Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com

Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour

We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd

Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8

Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour

Show notes

Ecco The Dolphin Remastered: https://tinyurl.com/37hdwzw3
Lost Lynx game is revived: https://tinyurl.com/58nav3y3
Fallout 1 and 2 Lost Source Code Found: https://tinyurl.com/297mzhec
Batman on the Sinclair QL: https://tinyurl.com/2wttffa4
Bubsy The Purrfect Collection: https://tinyurl.com/5n98dbxy

This week, we’re joined by game designer and author Stuart Maine, whose 28-year career spans iconic titles like Theme Hospital, Dungeon Keeper, and G-Police: Weapons of Justice. Stuart shares stories from the heyday of Bullfrog and Psygnosis, reflects on the golden era of first-person shooters, and reveals the wild behind-the-scenes of cancelled games and dev kit coffee tables. Plus, we dive into his latest book Hurt Me Plenty which explores the blockbuster FPS era of 2003–2010.

Contents:

00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories
37:15 - Stuart Maine Interview

Pre-order Hurt Me Plenty: The Ultimate Guide to First-Person Shooters 2003–2010: https://tinyurl.com/mwtf8juz

Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:

Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com

Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour

The Retro Hour Book: https://retrohour.myshopify.com/

We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd

Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8

Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour

Show notes

Sega opens first shop: https://tinyurl.com/44mb6amr
Sega HQ relocating: https://tinyurl.com/38eyzs3t
New Vectrex shooter from Alan Wake dev: https://tinyurl.com/buup3kwp
WavePhoenix revives classic controller: https://tinyurl.com/ra7a8y9c
Fan remake of Altered Beast: https://tinyurl.com/5n8kn8rs

This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Tobias Kopka—aka Melkor of Haujobb—as we explore the importance of the demo scene. We explore how this underground digital art movement went from C64 crack intros to global recognition through the ‘Art of Coding’ UNESCO initiative. From the days of 2,000 sweaty kids attending events like The Gathering to international cultural bids, Tobias shares some amazing stories, including running demos on ATMs and sending them into space! 

Contents:

00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 
39:49 - Tobias Kopka Interview

Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:

Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com

Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour

The Retro Hour Book: https://retrohour.myshopify.com/

We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd

Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8

Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour

Show notes

Wii Homebrew Channel closes: https://tinyurl.com/yy32spc4
Frontier Force: https://tinyurl.com/53uy5u54
Breakspace Spectrum magazine – Issue 1 released: https://breakspace.itch.io/issue-1
Toys R Us – the movie: https://tinyurl.com/48trvmhm
Linecraft for Pico-8: https://tinyurl.com/5cbyrynu

We’re joined by legendary game developer American McGee, who takes us on a journey from his humble beginnings on the Timex Sinclair and Commodore 64 to designing iconic levels for Doom II and Quake. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from iD Software, reveals how a Ferrari-driving neighbour turned out to be John Carmack, and discusses the gothic inspirations behind American McGee’s Alice. Plus, we hear about his time at EA, and why being fired from iD turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to him!

Contents:

00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 
35:28 - American McGee Interview

Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:

Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com

Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour

The Retro Hour Book: https://retrohour.myshopify.com/

We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd

Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8

Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour

Show notes

YouTube Turns 20: https://tinyurl.com/mrx88ybs
Windows on Game Boy: https://tinyurl.com/25mkwpdp
OutRun the Movie: https://tinyurl.com/5n6r8ntk
Neon Hearts City: https://tinyurl.com/yvezebcn

Upcoming events

RetCon 2025 – https://retconfestival.co.uk/
PT1210 – https://www.ptweekender.com/
RetroMessa – https://www.retromessa.no/