The Talking Place

Nintendo Direct-ly Into My Wallet!

Alright here we go! It's that time of year where Nintendo with zero consent reaches into my pants, yanks out my wallet, and just takes whatever they want. And boy, they struck with the swiftness too! They saw GTA6 on the calendar and Sony digging themselves into an early grave, dropped in, and were like....

Ok ok ok, I have to stop myself because I'll just keep going and the notes will be like 20 minutes long.

I'll be sure to list everything out here, buuuuuuuuuut remember to get over to this episode's post on my blog - which you can find right here - where the show notes for this show will be full of photos and more detailed everything. Full on blog post with more of my thoughts and such. 

Anyway, what did I cover this week? Let's see....

So much to go over, so much excitement! Maybe next show I'll have good news about nabbing a pre-order. 

Adios until next time!

Links and Info Discussed on this Episode

General Information

Where to Find Me & What I'm Up To

Contact The Talking Place

If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below! 

How Los-a got his groove back!

Alright, new episode here for your listening pleasure! We are post Nintendo Direct so there is much to discuss! Buuuuuuuuuut not quite yet. I know, it's not my fault, listen...

I had every intention of this being a show dedicated to the September Nintendo Directs where The Legend of Zelda's 40th Anniversary was celebrated, and where many other games were announced for the system. But... I got distracted. Like I do. I can't help it, I had a lot to catch up with! 

What did I talk about this episode?

I feel like I got a lot off my chest so now I can be more focused to talk about the Direct on the next show. See, it's almost like I planned this out!

Be sure to get over to this episode's post on my blog - which you can find right here - where the show notes for this show will be full of photos and more detailed info pertaining to the things I talked about! 

Adios until next time!

Links and Info Discussed on this Episode

General Information

Where to Find Me & What I'm Up To

Contact The Talking Place

If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below! 

Episode three of Retro World Order is here for your listening pleasure! Not disclosed in this installment is how many new handheld systems Mike now owns. Be a good, faithful listener and heed the warning of red flags when you see them. Send him help as he may be held captive in his basement by sentient game consoles. 

Onto the show! This week, Mike and Los discuss what they’ve been up to in the world of retro gaming and high tech handhelds. The conversations range fairly widely! As you can probably tell…

Links and Info Discussed

Games discussed in this episode, give or take a few: Various XBOX OG and 360 games, Blur, Marvel Tokon, Octopath Traveler I & II, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator, PICKLE PETE, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and more!

SO what are you waiting for?! Stop reading this and go listen to the show!

RETRO COMMUNITY CLUB GAME:

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - 1997 -  PlayStation

This is the first installment of the Retro Community Club! This is a game that either Mike or Los recommends and we make it a point to check it out and play it. Love it, hate it, finish it, play for 15 minutes and delete it, whatever! Next episode, we’ll discuss what we thought and then choose another game for the next time. 

This is a great opportunity to call upon the glorious community here! I know, I know, there are thousands of you and it would be impossible to hear from you all. But don’t let that stop you! So if you want to partake and play along with us, then go find your dark and brooding trench coat, grab your favorite weapon, and let’s go hunt some vampires! 

This is a game that neither Mike nor Los have ever played! So it should be fun. If you played it along with us, or if you have any thoughts about it, be sure to get in contact and we’ll share your thoughts on the show with ours! 

How to contact, you ask? Well there are a few ways!

Episode two of Retro World Order is here! It’s been a while, so place your bets on how many new handhelds Mike is now holding captive in his basement!

They’re catching up with a bunch of stuff that’s been going on over the summer. Los has been hard at work trying to maintain his sanity, while Mike keeps tabs on the developing hellscape that is the gaming industry. SO once they gain our bearings, they acknowledge the elephant in the room that is Sony and all their ruinous ways as of late. Yes, this is a retro show - and Mike will be going more in depth with it on On Second Thought with Mike & Matt - but it all ties up at the end, so stick through it!

Once all the negativity is off our chests, they get into the good stuff. Los brags about living in his Steam Deck era, all thanks to the Steam Deck Mini, a.k.a. The AYN Thor. He’s been picking up a few retro games here and there but it’s mostly been playing Steam games on the Thor thanks to GameNative. He’s been digging into Mina the Hollower and Game Boy Color inspired visuals make it the absolute perfect device to play it on! 

Mike holds back and only talks about two devices this week! The ANBERNIC RG Rotate, and the AYANEO Pocket AIR Mini x Arcade Home Limited Edition. You can listen to Mike go into details on both devices, and of course, per usual, Los is now interested in buying both. The RG Rotate has such a small for factor, it is perfect for taking on the go, and the Pocket AIR MINI feels premium at a more affordable price. 

They continue to gush over Pico-8 gaming in hopes someone would listen, and tease upcoming devices in the Anbernic RG 55G1 and the Retroid Pocket Nova. 

And the first community challenge has been cast! If you’re listening to us, find a way to communicate back - whether it be Discords, show notes comments, carrier pigeons, whatever - and let us know what old school game should we play as our first community game? 

Until next time!

Links and Info Discussed

Where to Find This Week's Guest

If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for

If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place,

Wondering what I’m currently reading?

Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing?

Check me out on Backlogged! 

Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise! 

I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com

Contact The Talking Place

If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below! 

If you're looking to join me for an episode,

Remember when I said last episode was the official first episode? Yeah, well, I lied. THIS is the first episode! So welcome to the Retro World Order!

Mike (On Second Thought with Mike & Matt), and Los (The Talking Place), are hyper focused this week! They only get distracted for about 20 minutes! But after trying to figure out why Los is the way he is with customizing his handhelds, and then talking up his Etsy shop where he’s selling skins, they get into the meat and potatoes of this episode.

The AYN Thor is now officially owned by both Mike and Los! Well, Mike had his for a few months, but Los just received his a few weeks ago. After a few days of having way too much fun customizing, his new handheld is finally set up. And spoiler alert: it is AMAZING. 

Listen to the show to hear all about Los & Mike’s impressions of the Thor, what Mike thinks is the best handheld of them all (shhhh don’t tell the others!), and even a hands on impression of the brand new Steam Controller! 

All of this, and more, so enjoy! 

Links and Info Discussed

Where to Find This Week's Guest

If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for

If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place,

Wondering what I’m currently reading?

Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing?

Check me out on Backlogged! 

Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise! 

I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com

Contact The Talking Place

If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below! 

If you're looking to join me for an episode,

When the world is bananas, count on seeing some monkeys!

It's finally happened! The joining of two powerhouses has occurred after YEARS! Literally years, I had no idea it was so long! But here we are, The Future Monkeys back together again! It might be for one night only but eh, I'll take what I could get.

Los is joined by his retired partner in crime, Beardy McWhiskey! They catch up on old times, like old people do. And get mad at social media, like old people do. And talk retro games... like old people do. Good time to bring up this week's sponsor: 

Metamucil Fiber Supplement! Made with 100% psyllium husk, now you too can use the bathroom like normal humans who eat healthy for every meal. Take it regular, to keep you regular!

Topics up for discussion (links below contain affiliate links where I receive a kickback if you wind up using them, thank yoooooou!):

The woes of keeping up with social media

And more! Come for the conversation, and stay to see how crazy Los' cat is.

Adios until next time!

Links and Info Discussed

If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for

If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place,

Wondering what I’m currently reading?

Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing?

Check me out on Backlogged! 

Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise! 

I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com

Contact The Talking Place

If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below! 

If you're looking to join me for an episode,

AMAZE AMAZE AMAZE!

Time to warm up those jazz hands and give a big 👎🏽 because we're talking Project Hail Mary! The movie was... well, I guess I'll leave that for you to listen to. Something I will say is that this review is coming from someone who considers Project Hail Mary to be his favorite book since the day he first read it back in 2022! That he is me, you know, in case that got confusing. But whatever! I'm excited! Finally getting to talk about this and having it documented somewhere! 

I've mentioned in my most recent blog post how much I fall behind when it comes to getting stuff posted on the blog. And it stinks because if anything deserved to be on there written in stone, is how much I adore Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. And just to add to that, it is also the top spot for my favorite audiobook thanks to the world class narration by Ray Porter. I know, I know, nothing to do with the movie, but it's not like I'm going to tell you everything I thought here! That's what the show is for! So get to it!

Remember! These are the bare bone show notes. Go check out the official show notes on my blog where this post will be much more detailed with videos and pictures. So go check it out!

LASTLY! Check out my sticker shop on Etsy! I have some Project Hail Mary stickers and bookmarks that I had a blast creating and recreating! 

Adios until next time!

Links and Info Discussed

If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for

If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place,

Wondering what I’m currently reading?

Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing?

Check me out on Backlogged! 

Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise! 

I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com

Contact The Talking Place

If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below! 

If you're looking to join me for an episode,

Where have I been?? WHAT DAY IS IT?!

It's been a minute! But here I am, once again, sitting in the chair and hitting record! This is my traditional getting back on the horse show. So instead of it being something substantial to listen to, it's really just a 20 minute warm up to get my sea legs back. I have to get used to talking to myself on the mic, seeing as how I typically just do it under my breath to myself. 

I recently did the same exact thing for my blog, where I jumped on and just typed out whatever it was that was going on in my head. I gave an update on what I've been up to that was completely generalized and had zero details, but still, it was an update nonetheless. 

So this show is basically the accompaniment to that blog post. So enjoy! 

NEXT WEEK! Much more focused and detailed! I go on for 30 minutes talking all about Project Hail Mary, which is long overdue!

Adios until next time!

Links and Info Discussed

If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for

If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place,

Wondering what I’m currently reading?

Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing?

Check me out on Backlogged! 

Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise! 

I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com

Contact The Talking Place

If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below! 

If you're looking to join me for an episode,

Welcome to the first episode of Retro World Order! 

This is a joint endeavor featuring CapnMikeM from On Second Thought with Mike & Matt, and Los from The Talking Place! Their love for tinkering, shiny new handheld devices, and talking games brought them to this station, so we'll see how far the train goes!

This first episode has them introducing what the Retro World Order is. 

Spoiler: it's something we all need. The gaming world today has become such a clouded and messy space with indie games releasing to more praise and adoration than most AAA titles. It's obvious a lot of us have lost our way, clinging to the hope that whatever the next big thing they're throwing at us doesn't flop into the mud, but it’s been happening more often than not. On top of that, this hobby of ours that we hold so near and dear is meant to be an escape. The world is a terrible, horrible place these days and sometimes the current gaming scape is not enough to keep our worried minds at bay. Hyper-realism, paywalled progression, more bugs than a swamp at sunset. Sometimes, we need the comfort and warmth that only a nice warm mug of nostalgia can provide to keep us happy and level headed. Or maybe it’s not even nostalgia, and you’re experiencing things for the first time. Either way, a simple, easy to pick up and play 30 year old game is enough to put a smile on your face. 

Anyway, there will be plenty of rambling in the coming episodes! Many opportunities to explain and show why this is the way for times like this. 

Until next time! 

Links and Info Discussed

Where to Find This Week's Guest

If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for

If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place,

Wondering what I’m currently reading?

Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing?

Check me out on Backlogged! 

Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise! 

I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com

Contact The Talking Place

If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below! 

If you're looking to join me for an episode,

Oh, Black Friday, where art thou?!

Here is my walk down memory lane. Where my feet are being guided by fond recollections of the past and pure discontent for the present. 

Seriously, what in the coal-filled stocking has happened to Black Friday?! It used to mean something! You were proud to give someone a gift if you went out and fought someone's grandmother for it. It made it mean even more!

In this episode I get into my thoughts on what has happened to this shopping holiday, and why it's a month long event compared to the two day spree it used to be. 

I also get into some memories and good times we used to have breaking night and trying to get good deals on things! Sacrificing a night of sleep for $5 movies was a no-brainer and no one from this day and age will understand that if they weren't there. 

Also, apologies for the background noise! I was working on shop stuff while recording. If you're curious, here's the thank you note I put in every order I get. Is it excessive? My wife thinks so! But I get nothing but compliments on my packaging so maybe she's just jealous! Bwahaha

Adios until next time!

Links and Info Discussed

If you're looking for the show notes for this particular episode, or for

If you're wondering everywhere you can subscribe and download The Talking Place,

Wondering what I’m currently reading?

Want to know what game I’m currently neglecti-uh, I mean, playing?

Check me out on Backlogged! 

Here is everywhere to find me, gaming wise! 

I opened up an Etsy Shop! Check it out and help support everything I do! https://designingbyknight.etsy.com

Contact The Talking Place

If you'd like to contact the show, say hi, all that jazz, you can do so below! 

If you're looking to join me for an episode,