Dragon Warrior (Part 2) (NES) - August 1989

So it turns out there CAN be great video games made from an existing IP. Join us as we talk about Disney and how it put it's trust in Capcom to make one of the most successful and beloved games on the NES. Discord: https://discord.gg/27VmktSf8N

Join us this week as we talk about our game play experience of Altered Beast here in 2024! Discord: https://discord.gg/fyaAGY7Cqu

It's the Genesis for Sega in North America. Join us as we talk about the new 16-bit system that's about to give Nintendo a run for their money. Originally packaged with that new console was Altered Beast, hoping to raise Sega from it's grave. We talk about all of it on this week's episode. Welcome to your doom!

Grinding - The act of repeating an action or set of actions, including non-repetitive tasks to achieve a desired result at a level of certain difficulty, typically for an extended period of time, such as earning experience points, in-game loot and currency, or to improve a character's stats. Also known as farming, treadmilling, and pushing the bar.

In the States, Dragon Warrior may be a sleeper hit. But in Japan it's a monumental part of pop culture. Join us as we dive into just how important this game is, not only for Japan, but for the development of future JRPGs. All the building blocks for them start right here and in ways you might not expect.

Super Mario Land is an oddity. The game itself is definitely a different vibe and aesthetic than the Mario we know and love but the things it spawned can only be described as outright eccentric. Join us as we dig into the weird and wacky world of Super Mario Land. It isn't just a game. There's an entire 90's experience hiding underneath this unassuming pocket Mario adventure. Discord - https://discord.gg/HTsnEYPz2N

It's easy to think of Tetris as JUST a puzzle game but the impact this simple puzzle game had is truly remarkable. Not only is it important to the initial success of the Game Boy but it infiltrated culture in a way we haven't really seen up to this point. There are even studies that point to Tetris tapping into a fundamental part of the human brain. The story of Tetris is a story of perseverance and passion. It's a story of how simple ideas can sometimes be the most impactful. This episode takes us down rabbit holes we weren't expecting and we share it all. Discord - https://discord.gg/QgJFYWUjcB

Navigate sewers, city streets, sky scraper roofs, and underwater mine fields as your favorite Ninja Turtle! Which, let's be honest, should be Donatello in this game. Donnie's the real MVP here. In this nostalgic trip into one of the 80's biggest pop culture phenomenons we talk about the UK's aversion to Ninja's, the licensing issues that held this game back, our experience playing the game here in 2023, and whatever else comes to mind. Join us as Splinter teaches us how to be n̶i̶n̶j̶a̶ fighting teens! Discord - https://discord.gg/QgJFYWUjcB

Finally a sequel got it right! Mega Man 2 took what made the first game great and improved it in almost every way. Join us as we explore how the legacy of this game reaches well beyond the gaming industry, how passion projects lead to greatness, the mystery of the Metal Blade, and so much more. We couldn't shut up about this game and there's plenty of good reasons why. Don't miss it!

From its colossal soundtrack to its diverse settings to its in-depth story told through its revolutionary Tecmo Theater (which we call cut scenes nowadays), Ninja Gaiden is a clear step in the evolution of video games. It wears its influences on its sleeve and creates something completely new and breathtaking for its time. This episode is packed with news about the gaming industry in 1989 as well as our love for this game. You won't want to miss this one! Discord - https://discord.gg/QgJFYWUjcB