Retro Radio Memories Podcast – The Retroist

Back to the Future Part II had a lot to live up to. The first movie was already huge, and by the time the sequel showed up people were ready to see Marty and Doc again. This was not just another follow up. It felt like an event. Audiences had been waiting to find out what happened next, and the movie gave them a future full of flying cars, weird gadgets, and, most importantly to a lot of us, hoverboards. Support the Retroist on Patreon On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk about Back to the Future Part II, starting with the fact that my friends and I really believed hoverboards were real. Or at least that they had been real for a minute and adults had ruined it for everybody. It did not help that Robert Zemeckis was willing to play along. When you are a kid, that kind of thing gets in your head fast, and this movie knew exactly how to make that future feel real enough to believe. From there I get into the movie itself, its release, and why it hit people the way it did. Part II did not just try to do the first movie again. It went bigger, more complex, and a little darker. You got the shiny future, the nightmare version of 1985, and that great trick where the movie loops back into the first film from a different angle. I also talk about the cast, the making of the sequel, the music, and how this became one of those movies people kept revisiting. Even if the first film is the one most people call perfect, Part II is one that really fired up your imagination and I believe might have been more influential to other filmmakers. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 360th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 9 of Season 18. I can tell I have more patience for this movie now than I did when I was younger. I used to hold it against the first film too much. Now I give it more credit for trying to do something bigger. I spent a lot of time on the production history, maybe because with this movie it really does change how you see the finished thing. I kept circling back to how complicated Part II is, and I think that is probably why I like talking about it now more than I did years ago. The Crispin Glover situation is fascinating and a little uncomfortable. It is one of those behind the scenes stories that changes the whole feel of the movie once you know about it. I probably could have gone even longer on the future predictions. That is one of those subjects where you start with the hoverboard but they also got flat screens, video calls, and a few other things right We got the fake hoverboard name, but not the actual hoverboard anyone wanted. I spent a while on the soundtrack, and I still think the score was the right way to go, even if part of me wanted some giant 1989 pop tie in album just to see what that would have looked like. This movie is darker and more mechanical than the first one, and I still think that is true, but I am less bothered by it than I used to be. I keep coming back to the idea that Part II works better for me now because it is a little messy. It is not as clean as the first film, but it has more strange corners to poke around in. I could probably come back and do more with the music, the merch, or just the whole late 1989 backdrop around the release. This turned out to be one of those movies where every section feels like it could open into another episode. Bonus clippings can be found over on Patreon for Supporters. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Support the Retroist on Patreon I don’t know if you knew this, but Back to the Future is kind of a big deal. Its known as a big hit, but that wasn’t a forgone conclusion. Robert Zemeckis was not yet a household name, and while Michael J. Fox was a TV star, translating that to movie stardom was far from guaranteed. Many studios had already passed on the project, and time travel comedies weren’t exactly in demand. But sometimes a movie arrives at exactly the right moment, and this was one of those times. It became one of the highest-grossing films of the year and launched one of the most cherished franchises Hollywood has ever produced. On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk all about Back to the Future. I start off talking about what its like returning to your hometown after some time has passed. There’s something genuinely disorienting about walking streets you know by heart but finding them subtly wrong. The layout is familiar but the details have shifted. You catch yourself navigating toward a store that closed a decade ago, or slowing down in front of a building that used to mean something. Your feet are in the present but your memory keeps insisting otherwise. It’s about as close to time travel as most of us are ever going to get. From there I dig into the film itself, starting with how Bob Gale cooked up the idea after stumbling across his father’s old high school yearbook. Seeing it, he wondered whether the two of them would have even gotten along back then. It’s a surprisingly simple premise for a story that became so sprawling. After that I cover the development, the casting situation that saw Eric Stoltz replaced by Fox after weeks of actual filming, the production, the release, and the reception. Which was pretty positive. The music deserves its own podcast. Alan Silvestri’s score is one of those rare things that makes you feel the emotion of a scene before the actors do anything. And then there’s Huey Lewis and the News, whose contribution to the soundtrack sent “The Power of Love” to number one and functioned almost like an advertisement for the movie playing on every radio station in the country. The two things fed each other in a way that felt effortless but was almost certainly not. For a while there, the film was a mania. It wasn’t just a movie people saw and enjoyed. It was something they returned to at the theaters, then on home video, then on television. Each new viewing of it reminded people why they loved it in the first place. On this episode I try to trace how that happened. I first covered the movie on a podcast way back in 2011. This is a re-recorded version that has new material and better equipment. It is also the start of a larger visit to the franchise. I hope you enjoy it. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 359th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 8 of Season 18. Not only is this album one of my top 5, but the soundtrack and the score are also in that grouping. Longish episode, but it was actually much longer. I needed to separate that stuff because I will be re-using it in upcoming episodes. I might revisit the movie in a few bonus tracks on Patreon. I had a more details look at the soundtrack, but without playing all the songs I don’t think it works. Was able to keep the retro audio small. I had a bunch of other stuff I wanted to play, but will save it for the future. The format of this episode is a bit of a hybrid. I wanted it to bridge my older format and newer format. The older version of the show will be disappearing. Still amazed we haven’t seen a reboot attempt. Its going to happen eventually, but I don’t want it to. Hold! Bonus clippings can be found over on Patreon for Supporters. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Grease as a studio movie in the late 1970s was a big swing. Sure it had two big stars in it, but its success entering a crowded summer of movies was not a foregone conclusion. But it turns out it was just what people were craving at the time and the film, much like the stage musical it was based on, was a huge success. On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk all about Grease. Starting with my first interactions with the film. Like many, I found the songs in the films hard to resist and re-listened to the soundtrack until I had memorized my favorite song, Greased Lightnin’. What I didn’t know about the song, was that it had some adult themes that I was too young too understand. How did my family react, with laughter, of course. Then I move onto the film going all the way back to its origins as a stage musical. After that, I discuss its development, casting, production, release, reception, and much more. This is a film that not only was big at the box office, but managed to find success in related media. Notably the soundtrack. The soundtrack for the movie was a big seller and was a major reason for its snowballing success. The movie made you want to buy this infections soundtrack, but then after listening to it, you wanted to re-watch the movie and the studio obliged. Re-releasing the film in theaters, making it an early title on VHS, and getting it on television on a regular basis. Grease ended up being more than a hit movie. It became something people lived with. It moved easily from theaters to records to home video and television, and each stop fed the next. Over time it stopped feeling like a release and started feeling like a fixture. On this episode, I look at how that happened, how a movie built on nostalgia became part of everyday life, and how a song you could sing without thinking ended up revealing more than you expected when you finally slowed down and listened. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 358th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 7 of Season 18. I don’t think I have ever sang Grease Lightning again. Longish episode, but it was actually much longer. Cut a mini-episode within the episode about Grease 2. Maybe that would eventually become its down podcast? Had a breakdown of each song, but that deviated from the movie too much and I am not great talking about music in detail. Watching lots of Sha Na Na really put Grease back into my head. The Grease record my family owned was one of the most played and was being played long after the family had moved to cassette tapes. I had to cut a commercial I found about the musical, the audio was difficult to tame. I am surprised that they don’t re-release the sing-a-long version or that it hasn’t become a Rocky Horror style midnight movie. Bonus clippings can be found over on Patreon for Supporters. Some fun retro audio in this one. I want to include double what I did, but it was getting too long. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In the late 1960s, the pop culture of the 1950s was still well-remembered, but the United States was going through some major changes. A counter-culture was going mainstream and with it came a rejection of things associated with older generations. Emblematic of this era was Woodstock. This music festival was filled with bands and artists that defined the era. But another act, took to the stage during the festival that didn’t quite fit in, Sha Na Na. Started as a college performance act, Sha Na Na came to the attention of Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix liked their energy and with his urging, the organizers of Woodstock went to see them and invited them for perform. You can see their performance in the Woodstock documentary and some members of the audience look confused, but in the end, Sha Na Na wins them over and you can see why. Their energy and talent was relentless. The music? Timeless. The group would go onto tour successfully, star in their own TV show, and have a memorable turn in Grease. So they were on the stage, the radio, the small screen and the big screen. Yet now, they are not often talked about, and if they are, its often as a punchline, which is all sorts of wrong. On this episode, I started talking about how both my parents enjoyed the show and how I remember watching it with them. Then I move onto the group, discussing their creation, membership, rise, and slow fade. I also compare the band to another band I enjoy, DEVO. Its a fun ride about a great act, so I hope after you give this a listen, you revisit or check them out for the first time. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 357th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 6 of Season 18. Watch Sha Na Na perform at Woodstock. Watch The Ramones appearance on Sha Na Na. Longish episode. I had to cut out a section about John Lennon’s brush with Sha Na Na. I completely flubbed the section and mingled with some other stuff that I had to edit out. Maybe if I revisit I can add it back in. I think you can tell that I do not think of Sha Na Na as a joke. I think people who say that have not watched their early performances or given them much of a chance. Bowser’s cartoon-like behavior probably made him beloved by most young people, but it didn’t sit well with me as a kid. Now I admire his commitment to the character. I had opportunities to the band over the years and I regret it never happened. Can you imagine going to see Sha Na Na and the opening act is this kid named Bruce Springsteen? Bonus clippings can be found over on Patreon for Supporters. Some fun retro audio in this one. I want to include double what I did, but it was getting too long. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to the Retroist Christmas Commercials III Podcast. Christmas is almost here. You know what that means? Time to buy stuff! That’s why this week’s show is all about the Christmas commercials that we love. I have done this format twice before and people liked it. So be warned, this show has a bit of a different format from the regular podcast. It is dedicated solely to holiday commercials. I hope you enjoy it. I tried to break it down in little themes and also tried to not repeat what I have shared in past specials. I can also be limited by existing audio. A few commercials I found just had unsalvageable audio. Here are how I organized the show. Atari Music Other Newspapers and Magazines Foods Cameras Beverages Colognes Stores Fast Food Toys Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 356th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 6 of Season 18. I have said a few times that I wouldn’t do another one these specials. They are a challenge for me to choose, clean-up, and balance. But a few fans of the show really seem to enjoy them. So I started work on it last year after Christmas. I think this might be my last one of these special, but keep emailing me and I will probably change my mind. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. Thanks for reading The Retroist! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In 1965, Christmas television in the United States changed forever when, A Charlie Brown Christmas, premiered. Nothing about its creation and tone said it was going to be a success, but it touched people and was a huge hit. A hit that has continued to deliver Christmas Magic year after year for decades. I start the episode talking about something that became important in the eighties. That’s when it wasn’t enough to just watch the special. Now with VCRs, you could own the special. Sure, you could eventually buy or rent a copy, but with a blank tape, you could make your own copy. So I discuss what that was like in my home at the time. Then I dive into the special itself. I discuss the people in front of and behind the camera, its production, music, and much more. I also reference some newspaper articles, and I will share my clippings over on Patreon, so if you are a support, make sure to check them out. It isn’t Christmas for me unless I watch, A Charlie Brown Christmas. It is a special that not just enhances my holiday mood, but helped to define it. Many of us who grew up watching it, when we try and think about what the season is really about, will hear Linus’ speech in our head. Its a message that is presented in an earnest way that doesn’t feel preachy, and for network programming, that is pretty amazing. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 355th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 5 of Season 18. I know what you are thinking, didn’t you already do this special? Weird, I have not. It was supposed to be one of my first Christmas-themed episodes, but when I recorded it during my first year, I disliked how it turned out. So now a decade and a half later, I have revisited it and I think this one is much better. Longish episode. I spend some time talking about the 4 main people behind this special. I hope that is okay. How many of you had the Charlie Brown Xmas tree? Have you ever seen an aluminum tree? I like a lot of Peanuts animation, but this and The Great Pumpkin are peak. Everything else pages in comparison. I originally did the whole Linus speech during the show, but cut it out. It was indulgent on my part. Linus does it better. My two favorite Peanuts characters are Snoopy and Linus. Although I am probably most like Charlie Brown. Bonus clippings can be found over on Patreon for Supporters. Some fun retro audio in this one. I want to include double what I did, but it was getting too long. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. Thanks for reading The Retroist! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In 1967 Hanna-Barbera had a new show on Saturday Mornings, The Herculoids. This was before my time, but the show’s concept and characters were so enduring that nearly a decade and a half later they would be revived for a new show and I would be introduced to the great characters. Between and since then the have shown up in reruns, comic books, and more modern shows where they often appear for laughs. The design of the characters was by the great Alex Toth, who I haven’t really talk enough about on the show. So I start this episode with a bio of Toth after talking about my experience discovering and learning about the show over the years. Then I move onto thee show itself. I discuss the people in front of and behind the camera, the studio who made it, its release, the music, and much more. While the show combined elements of science fiction and fantasy, it was very easy to understand. A family of people and creatures come together to protect their home against anything that throw at them. Combine that simple and repeatable idea with great design and straightforward, but compelling animation and you have a memorable show that is still worth remembering today. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 354th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 4 of Season 18. I am glad to finally get to talk more in depth about Alex Toth. I intended to do that during the Thundarr episode I did, but for some reason that didn’t happen. Not sure why? User error? Like most people, I like the creatures more that the people. They are so perfectly designed and each one appealing in their own way. If I was to criticize one thing about the show, it would be the modern sound mix on releases. The creature noises are way too turned up. I have enjoyed the new comic book by Dynamite and hope they decide to keep revisiting the characters in the future. Who is your favorite creature? Is it the same one you had as a kid? I love that they don’t explain the name Herculoids (as far as a I can tell). A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia is a game you should try if you have not. Bonus clippings can be found over on Patreon for Supporters. Some fun retro audio in this one. I want to include double what I did, but it was getting too long. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. Thanks for reading The Retroist! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In 1983, the first wave of arcade madness was still at a highpoint. We had a slew of classic games filled with classic characters that had become household names. Still, only one had made the leap off the gaming screen and onto the small screen, Pac-Man (and his family.) With everyone being so crazed for games, TV networks were wondering, how do I get my own Pac-Man type show? That is where we get the Saturday Supercade. Because why have a show with just one character when you can pick up a slew of video game stars. On today show I want to tell you all about the Saturday Supercade. I start by talking about my own viewing habits as a kid. I was very much the target demographic for this show and I did not let the network down. Then I move onto each segment of the show, talking a little about its run, voice talent, and more. I conclude by summarizing the Supercade, how long it was on, when it ran, and its long-term influence. The show was so meaningful to me that this was actually the second episode of the Retroist Podcast. Over the years I have wanted to redo it to modernize the audio and bring a little extra to what I had done the first time. Ultimately I decided to keep a lot of what was original even though the format is a bit different from episodes that would follow. I did that just so people could still see how the show evolved, plus it was fun for me to go back and redo it this way. Like so many kids, I was a major fan of cartoons, and the cartoons of the Supercade were high on my list of new shows that September and I am happy to say I was not disappointed. While the show might not have last long, it was a smart step in the strategy of cross-promotion. More importantly, for an all too brief time it gave new life and stories to some video game characters who to this day only had their moment of the sun during the Saturday Supercade. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 353rd episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 3 of Season 18. This is a redo of episode 2 of the show. I hope you like it, the old version is being retired, but you can hear a little of it at the end of this one. In a perfect world, we would have had many more years and other video games brought into the Supercade. I would have loved to see a couple more Atari 2600 games get a season of segment. Maybe Haunted House? Yar’s Revenge? What would you have liked to see? I wondered if the segments were too kid-oriented? A lot of gamers were already pushing into the tween years. Maybe edgier cartoons (within reason) would have boosted ratings? Not sure that was possible at this time. I redid the Saturday Supercade logo to run as a promo image for the show and I am happy how it turned out. A lot of what is out there is very pixelated coming from screencaps. I did try and keep it slight retro looking. Pretty sure no one will notice it outside of the proud note readers. The old version of this show had some non-Peachy background music, that is all gone. Bonus clippings can be found over on Patreon for Supporters. Some fun retro audio in this one. I want to include double what I did, but it was getting too long. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. Thanks for reading The Retroist! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Prom Night, starry Jamie Curtis, is a movie that is often overshadowed by her more memorable turn in Halloween. While it might not be a classic, like Halloween, it is a film well-worth your time. A fun, low-budget slasher film, it is also has a nice whodunit, and a time-capsule of the late 1970s with its disco dancing and music. I begin the episode by discussing my own prom. It wasn’t memorable like all the proms I saw in the movies, but my friends and I did eventually manage to have some fun. Could our prom have used more disco? Probably, but all proms could use more disco. After discussing the prom, I move onto the film itself. Talking about how it got made, who made it, the actors, music, reception and much more. Prom Night is interesting as a bridge between the Halloween era and the more graphic slashers that followed. Its kills are relatively low-key compared to what came after, but its focus on teenage drama, secrets, and revenge foreshadowed many later films. Why should you watch it? Curtis’s performance, its place in slasher history, and its splendid mix of disco, high school nonsense, and a masked killer that makes it feel very much of its time. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 352nd episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 2 of Season 18. This is a new episode for a new season. It was not how I planned to start it, but it is happening. Might have a few missteps, but episodes will flow like spice again. Jamie Lee Curtis is the best actor in the lot of “teenagers.” But the adults are all pretty decent. That isn’t always the case with these types of films. Dancing is great! Feels so "featured,” like they knew the choreography before they knew the plot of the rest of the film. If you know any disco music, try and listen to the sound-a-likes and see if you can tell which songs they are replacing. Some are very obvious. I will keep looking for those pillows. Someone must have one or a photo of one. Still think they must be generic. The scenes with the kids being all murderous are a bit scarier than the scenes with the actual murderer. Soundtrack and songs are all over YouTube, if you are interested. Not sure where this sits in my 80s horror list. I enjoy it when I watch it, but I would like it more if they focused a bit more on the background of the characters and how they feel and less on the weird love triangle. Bonus clippings can be found over on Patreon for Supporters. Some fun retro audio in this one. I want to include double what I did, but it was getting too long. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Heavy Metal Music and Horror Films are a potent combination, so I am always surprised that heavy crossover isn’t as a common as one could expect. Still a few movies have done it in different ways. On the newest episode of the Retroist Podcast, I want to talk about a movie that integrates it fully and completely, Trick or Treat. This movie didn’t do great when it was first released back in 1986, but it has since gone on to have a cult status. I begin the episode by discussing seeing this movie with my friends. They had wholeheartedly embraced metal music, while I was more of a tourist at this point. So there most movie chats about it went mostly over my head. Still, I did find the movie enjoyable and even more so when it was available on VHS. It is my time of horror, a little weird, creepy, but the violence is toned-down. I then discuss the film itself. Talking about how it got made, who made it, the actors, music, cameos and much more. Trick or Treat is one of those movies that feels like it could only have been made when it was made. It takes all the fears parents had about heavy metal music, mixes them with teenage alienation, and turns it into a great horror story. The music and the fan culture of metal is as the center of the story, which was rare at the time. It is campy, but it has a surprising amount of heart, which is why it still stands out today. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 351st episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 1 of Season 18. This is a new episode for a new season. It was not how I planned to start it, but it is happening. Might have a few missteps, but episodes will flow like spice again. Gene Simmons is surprising subtle in his role. Its not ground-breaking, but I am always impressed when I see him here compared to some other films he has done. Marc Price is also good in this film. Hard to separate him from his Skippy role, but this was a good role for him. The Orange and Yellow Flowers Paper Cup makes an appearance in this movie. Can you spot it!? This film might be the best horror film for looking at 80s stereo equipment up close. I wonder why they didn’t use a Technics Cassette Player in the film? I cringe when they destroy the stereo system in the film, but I love when the system starts glowing from the inside. I wish mine did that. Bonus clippings can be found over on Patreon for Supporters. Some fun retro audio in this one. I want to include double what I did, but it was getting too long. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

1999 was a great year for movies. Almost too great. It didn’t help that I found myself so busy with work that my focus on film couldn’t be what it used to be. So while I am a big fan of “The Iron Giant,” I was also one of those people who didn’t go to see it in the theater and contributed to its “flop” status. That summer was stacked with films like “The Sixth Sense” and “The Blair Witch Project,” and it was easy for something quieter and more thoughtful to get lost. While that is bad, the good news is that I was also one of the people who took to it on home video and picked it up on DVD as soon as it was available. I can still remember watching it for the first time at home and being floored by how much heart it had. I start the episode talking about my experiences with the film before moving onto the film itself. I discuss the people who made the film, its source material, other adaptations, the people who lent their voices to the film, its reception, music, and much more. It’s worth noting that the director, Brad Bird, would later go on to make “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille,” which shows just how much talent was already on display in this debut. Unfortunately, Warner Bros. had no idea how to market the film at the time, which didn’t help its chances at the box office. The Iron Giant has become a cult hit and is well loved, but it’s not enough. A surprising number of people have never seen the film, and I think that’s a shame. It’s a thoughtful film, filled with wonder and spectacle, that will capture the imagination of kids and adults alike. Its story of fear, empathy, and the power of choice feels even more relevant today. So if you haven’t seen it, prepare to fall in love with a giant robot. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 350th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 24 of the new season. This is the final episode of season 17! Vin Diesel’s voice was made for this character. I think he is great as Groot, but this voice work will also be my favorite of his. I got into a great discussion with a former co-worker who also liked this film about how it might have been more successful if this film had been made later in the Pixar age at that studio. I am not sure they could have done the style correctly, but I would have like to see them try. Bonus clippings can be found over on Patreon for Supporters. Not a ton of retro audio in this episode, but I was able to add the major release tv spots to the show. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Already planning the next season of the show. And in the meantime I will continue to release episodes for supporters. You can get them by supporting the Retroist here on Substack or on Patreon. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Welcome to my final episode I plan to do about the Jaws franchise. Originally I planned on doing just a podcast about the Jaws NES Game, but as I started working on it, I thought it might be more enjoyable to throw a wider net. So on today’s show, I am going to talk about a few topics related to the film. Mainly, the board games, video games, theme park rides, and trading cards. The format is a little different, I hope not too disruptive. I started the show talking about when I first got my hands on the Jaws Game by ideal. I inherited it and lots of toys from my sister. Them being older has a lot of perks. This was one of them. My toys were normally rooted in the 80s, but as my sisters got older, I had access to all these amazing older toys that I still think of as “my toys” to this day. After I tell my story, I move onto to covering a few topics. Instead of my normal format, I just sort of talk a bit about each topic for a few minutes. This is not a comprehensive coverage of the subject, but really about the Jaws stuff I am most familiar with. You will notices that I do not cover the novelty hit, Mr. Jaws from 1975. I originally recorded a short segment about it, but I didn’t like the way it turned out, but I didn’t want to ignore the “song.” So I included some of it as a bumper. I am very surprised that the Jaws franchise is pretty dead right now. In out franchise obsessed world, it seems like a natural fit. One day, I hope a good director decides to take on the story of killer sharks again. When they do, I will be there. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 349th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 23 of the new season. One more episode left in the season This is a sequel to my Retroist Jaws, Jaws 2, Jaws 3D, and Jaws: The Revenge podcasts and it will be helpful if you listen to the others (sorta). A few times over the years, I attempted to rebuy the Jaws game but was outbid. I would like the shark, but I would really like that box. If you would to listen to Mr. Jaws in its entirety. Real regret how I didn’t go to Universal Studio. I was just such a Disney fan that the idea of wasting any time at another park was challenging. No bonus clippings for this episode. I did try and find some locally that fit well, but it was just too messy. Maybe I will come up with something in the future and post them on Patreon. I had a section about the Jaws promo documentaries, but since I covered them in the other podcasts, I didn’t think they were all that interesting here. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Fond farewell, Jaws. Fond farewell. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

I have very mixed feeling about Jaws: The Revenge. On the one hand, I found it disappointing when compared to earlier films, on the other hand I am fascinated that it was made and audiences reaction or lack of reaction to it. It is the last of the Jaws film, but was it the killer of the franchise or was the franchise already dying and this was just the last gasp? I saw most of Jaws: The Revenge by myself. I don’t think I had a critical eye at the time, because even though I wanted it to be better, I was entertained enough by it, especially once it started. The FX did stand out as bad, but I liked the change in setting and the silliness of the shark seeking revenge. On this episode of the show, I will talk about the road to making the sequel, the writers, the director, the music, its reception and much more. Its a messy film that might not be critically great, but that doesn’t mean its not interesting. This was a weird movie for me to cover in that I don’t think its a great film. That is not something I usually do. The thing is, the more I started watching it, thinking about it, and reading the novelization, the more interesting I found it. As you move further along in the Jaws sequels, fewer and fewer people see them. With this one, things have flatlined. Its reputation precedes it so much that people have avoided it like a shark plagued Amity beach. So will you think the movie is great after listening to this? Probably not, and I am not trying to convince you, but I do hope it makes you think about the movie. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 348th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 22 of the new season. This is a sequel to my Retroist Jaws, Jaws 2, and Jaws 3D podcast and it will be helpful if you listen to the others. The movie theater in my town was a hub for activity for so many years. A surprising amount of drama and just growing up experiences revolved around it. Communities need more spaces like this. I had a lot of retro audio I wanted to add, but I limited myself. I think at least 2.5 minutes were cut there. Its hard to say a movie is “Bad.” The expectations for this movie are higher than other films that get called “bad.” A lot more films are worse. The tone of the film jumps around a lot. I think most of the Bahama shifts work well enough, but the scenes in “Amity” are not a great way to start the film. They feel more like TV movie reactions and drama. I remember sitting on the steps of the theater, it had 3 small steps or so. Waiting for my friends and watching people come in and out of the theater. I could smell the popcorn. Not John Williams, but a really nice soundtrack. Shame Murray Hamilton passed away, I love the idea that after all that happened, he is still somehow the mayor of Amity. Bonus Clipping should be up at the same time the episode comes out and see if people prefer it that way. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Like many people at the time, I was really into the early 80s 3D revival. With interesting 3D offerings on TV and on the big screen, it was fun time to be watching stuff. Not many of these entertainment events were well-reviewed at the time, and because of the limitations of home 3D viewing, not many of them have managed to find modern fandom. I saw Jaws 3D at the theater with my best friend at the time. We were both enthusiastic about the prospect and unlike some critics, we were wow’d by the 3D effects. So much so that we completely ignored everything else about the movie and needed to see it again. Even then I am not sure, we weren’t just anticipating the FX and not paying attention to the plot or the acting. On today’s show I will discuss Jaws 3D. I will talk about the road to making the sequel, the writers, the director, the music, its reception and much more. While filming Jaws 3D wasn’t easy, you don’t hear the same horror stories about production that you hear about the first two films. Still, pre-production was messy with producers leaving and at least one writer very unhappy with how the film turned out. I might come across like I am defending Jaws 3D and I am. I am aware that it is not a great film. It is imperfect, but it also is interesting. Not only because it opted to use 3D technology, but because it took a big chance trying to change the formula of the first two Jaws’ films. Not all these decisions were good ones, but I think in retrospect especially they make the film watching or rewatching at least once. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Instagram Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 347th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 22 of the new season. This is a sequel to my Retroist Jaws and Jaws 2 podcast and it will be helpful if you listen to them both. I had a lot of retro audio I wanted to add, but I limited myself. I think at least 4 minutes were cut there. My 3D glasses are long gone, but at least I got to enjoy them for a while after the movie. I thought I looked pretty cool in them. Riding my bike to the theater was one of my great joys of the summer and I remember retrieving them from our hiding place and riding home talking about each special effect we could remember. Not John Williams, but a really nice soundtrack. I will repeat, they could have done a lot with Jaws toys. I owned a few plastic and robber sharks as a kid. I think some might have even been branded (in a rip-off way) as Jaws. While they did make some Jaws merchandise, they should have leaned into some monstrous toys. Watch The Making of 'Jaws 3-D': Sharks Don't Die (TV Movie 1983) online. Bonus Clipping should be up at the same time the episode comes out and see if people prefer it that way. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

My family was very excited to see Jaws whenever it came on television, but never mustered the same enthusiasm for its first sequel. Because of this, I had an opportunity to read a copy of the Jaws 2 novelization before I saw the film. I really enjoyed the book and was hopeful that the film would match it, but I was surprised to find they were different. While many times after this it would happen, this was the first instance of where I found a book more enjoyable than a film. On today’s show I will discuss Jaws 2. I will talk about the road to making the sequel, the change of directors, the novelization, the music, its reception and much more. As you might remember if you listened to my Jaws podcast, it was fraught with problems. So it probably won’t surprise you to learn that the sequel might have had just as many. Over the years I have come to enjoy Jaws 2 for what it is, a lighter more over the top sequel to a much better film. As directed it is a great film to watch during any summer and I am pleased to finally be able to discuss it here on the podcast. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Instagram Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Production NotesThis is the 346th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 21 of the new season. This is a sequel to my Retroist Jaws podcast and it will be helpful if you listen to that episode first. Like with my Jaw’s podcast, I had a lot of retro audio I wanted to add, but I limited myself. Jaws 3 Podcast? I like film novelizations, but only a handful did I enjoy more than the movie. This one is near the top of my list. It does a lot with the subject, moves at a nice pace, and I think is better than the original Jaws novel. The novelization has an interesting quirk. It hints at stuff from the original novel as opposed to just the original movie. Really fun soundtrack. They could have done a lot with Jaws toys. I owned a few plastic and robber sharks as a kid. I think some might have even been branded (in a rip-off way) as Jaws. While they did make some Jaws merchandise, they should have leaned into some monstrous toys. Bonus Clipping should be up at the same time the episode comes out and see if people prefer it that way. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The first time I saw Jaws was on television and I found it terrifying and compelling. After seeing it, I needed to see it again and again. It was one of the first video tapes my family rented and an early purchase of mine once I started getting a discount at Suncoast Motion Picture Company as an employee. That tape was used so often its slip cover was shredded and the tracking on the tape became impossible. I guess what I want to say is, I love this movie. So I am very happy to redo my original Jaws podcast for the 50th anniversary of the film’s release. On the show, I talk about one of my early encounters with what might have been a shark at the Jersey shore. Then I move onto the movie itself. I discuss its troubled production, the people in front of and behind the camera, alternate casting, its music, reception, and much much more. Jaws changed the movies. While it might have come out in the 70s and I didn’t get to see it in theaters until much later. Every movie I saw in my childhood was different because this film existed. So if you haven’t seen Jaws, please check out out and if you have seen it, I think its time you return to it. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Instagram Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Subscribe now Production NotesThis is the 345th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 20 of the new season. This is a redo of episode 40 of the Retroist Podcast. I have wanted to get this one redone for a while. The old version of that episode has officially been retired. I had a lot of retro audio I wanted to add, but I limited myself. Some of it might show up in a follow-up episode. (Just when you thought it was safe to listen to podcasts again). This Jersey Shore trip meant a lot to me. I spent a lot of time alone walking along the water and hanging out at the boardwalk. It was great, our place wasn’t big or fancy, required some cleaning when we moved in, but we could have our dogs and the whole family could fit (slightly cramped). Sad when we had to head home. I tried to match up as much of my original episode as possible, but then add some new stuff and streamline some of the presentation I didn’t like. In an early apartment I lived in with roommates we had a little shrine to Robert Shaw in the corner. We has images of him cut out and tapes to the wall. Whenever we would watch Jaws we lit a candle under it. Bonus Clipping should be up at the same time the episode comes out and see if people prefer it that way. Promotional image used in this post was provided by Christopher Tupa. This was art that Christopher provided all the way back in 2010 and its nice to see it back on the front page of the site again. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The first time I saw Jaws was on television and I found it terrifying and compelling. After seeing it, I needed to see it again and again. It was one of the first video tapes my family rented and an early purchase of mine once I started getting a discount at Suncoast Motion Picture Company as an employee. That tape was used so often its slip cover was shredded and the tracking on the tape became impossible. I guess what I want to say is, I love this movie. So I am very happy to redo my original Jaws podcast for the 50th anniversary of the film’s release. On the show, I talk about one of my early encounters with what might have been a shark at the Jersey shore. Then I move onto the movie itself. I discuss its troubled production, the people in front of and behind the camera, alternate casting, its music, reception, and much much more. Jaws changed the movies. While it might have come out in the 70s and I didn’t get to see it in theaters until much later. Every movie I saw in my childhood was different because this film existed. So if you haven’t seen Jaws, please check out out and if you have seen it, I think its time you return to it. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Instagram Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Subscribe now Production NotesThis is the 345th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 20 of the new season. This is a redo of episode 40 of the Retroist Podcast. I have wanted to get this one redone for a while. The old version of that episode has officially been retired. I had a lot of retro audio I wanted to add, but I limited myself. Some of it might show up in a follow-up episode. (Just when you thought it was safe to listen to podcasts again). This Jersey Shore trip meant a lot to me. I spent a lot of time alone walking along the water and hanging out at the boardwalk. It was great, our place wasn’t big or fancy, required some cleaning when we moved in, but we could have our dogs and the whole family could fit (slightly cramped). Sad when we had to head home. I tried to match up as much of my original episode as possible, but then add some new stuff and streamline some of the presentation I didn’t like. In an early apartment I lived in with roommates we had a little shrine to Robert Shaw in the corner. We has images of him cut out and tapes to the wall. Whenever we would watch Jaws we lit a candle under it. Bonus Clipping should be up at the same time the episode comes out and see if people prefer it that way. Promotional image used in this post was provided by Christopher Tupa. This was art that Christopher provided all the way back in 2010 and its nice to see it back on the front page of the site again. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Over the years, I have been slowly trying to cover all of Atari’s console releases. The first one I talked about, the Atari 5200, was way back in 2009. Well, I am happy to announce that I have finally covered all of the released consoles now with this podcast about the Atari XEGS. This console was interesting in that it combined a computer and gaming console in an attractive and cohesive packages. Unfortunately for Atari, releasing it in 1987, was just too little too late. And while there was some initial enthusiasm for the system, it quickly faded, buried under the efforts of Nintendo and to a lesser extent Sega. Still, while it might have failed, it was an interesting effort and worth discussing. On today’s show, I talk all about the Atari XEGS. Discussing its designer, the company who made it, its reception, release, and much more. This being an Atari release, I found some great retro audio to include that I hope you enjoy. Many consoles have been released that didn’t set the world on fire. That doesn’t mean they should be forgotten. Atari was trying something that certainly had been attempted before, but I think you could argue that they did it best up to this point. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Instagram Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Subscribe now Production NotesThis is the 344th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 19 of the new season. I got to spend some quality time with an XEGS around 2015 and I was really smitten. Something about its design really won me over. Sad I didn’t pick one up when they first came out. I could have made some nice memories on this machine. Some fun retro audio in this one, but I wanted to include even more. Atari might not have had a big advertising budget for the system, but they did some nice stuff. I originally had a section about their advertising and budget, but I butchered it and it was awkward, so I cut it out. I had some cuts about people who worked at Atari and more about Commodore. Edited out close to 90 seconds by removing it. The XEGS has become collectible, but not as much I would have thought. I just don’t think enough people know about it or more likely didn’t build up enough memories to want to collect the system. Still, there are some people out there. I had pre-recorded some episodes in anticipation of some issues with my jaw. This is a newer episode and I think that it sounds okay. If you had and XEGS, I would like to know why you got one and what you thought about it. Bonus Clipping should be up at the same time the episode comes out and see if people prefer it that way. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Arcades in the early half the 80s had a constant flow of new machines. Some were food, you would play them a few times and forget about the, but other’s attracted a crowd. Robotron 2084 attracted a crowd. I can still remember trying to catch glimpse of the screen while adult after adult kept playing the game. Eventually I made my way to the screen and put my quarter in. The experience was intense, but I was hooked. On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I am going to discuss this arcade classic. I start off talking about what an incredible workout the game could be before moving onto the game itself. Then I go over the games evolution, the company and people who made it, its reception, scoring, the world record, and much more. The thing about Robotron that makes it so good is that it's a lot of fun when you start out and you're just shooting everywhere. But the game is at its best when it is completely out of control. When you do not expect to survive, and you sometimes do. So the challenge of making this game is to funnel and control the chaos, giving the player of the game just amount of agency to win. But it's always a tightrope that they're walking. And they do it so well with colorful graphics, amazing sound, wonderful level design in a great package. So if you haven't played Robotron in a while, never played it before, go find a way to do so. It's one of the great games of the early 80s, and it's worth your time. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Instagram Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Subscribe now Production NotesThis is the 343rd episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 18 of the new season. Here is the promotional video they did the game. It is something. This podcast was supposed to come out last month and I didn’t plan on releasing it back to back with Golden Axe, but here I am going just that. I had a section where I talked about a kid who tore open and arcade version of Robotron by the joysticks. It was going to be my story, but opted for another one. Try playing the game 2 player with one person shooting and the other controlling movement. Its wild. Had about 90 seconds more about the creators and a minute more about the companies. Cut that all down. Not much self-contained retro audio for this one, so I needed to feature some other robots. I hope you like my choices. I got to play Robotron 2084 on a recent arcade outing in NJ. It had been a while and while I did better than I usually do, the high scores at this arcade, Billy’s Midway were out of this world. I did mention the world record. I don’t often do that because it changes and I don’t want to have to go back and edit it. Still, I always want to include it and I decided to do it. I cut out 15 seconds of me explaining that decision. Maker sure you play this game with the sound on, it adds a lot to the game. Bonus Clipping should be up at the same time the episode comes out and see if people prefer it that way. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. Thanks for reading The Retroist! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In the late 1980s, a new multiplayer beat-em-up hit arcades, Golden Axe. It took what other games had done and added new depth to combat, a healthy dose of magic, and wrapped it all in Conan-style sword & sorcery. It wasn’t just a hit with me and my friends, but an international success that spawned multiple ports and sequels, each adding something to the franchise and the brawler genre as whole. I loved playing this game in the arcade, but one of my best memories of it was wrapped up in the Sega Genesis version. So I start the show discussing how a game rental turned into the last all-night game sessions I ever had with a childhood friend. Then I move onto the game itself. I talk about the company and people who made it, its release, reception, and technology. While I might not be a Golden Axe master, I have played it through several times, so I also share some of my strategies for the game. Golden Axe remains significant for its role in shaping the beat 'em up genre. So significant that it looks like we might be getting a TV show based on it. One can hope that this will lead to future sequels or reimaginations of the original. And why not? With its blend of action, fantasy, and cooperative play, it helped set a new standard and one of its sequels was arguably even better. This is an important title in the history of video games, so I hope you give the show a listen and then go check out the game for yourself. If you can bring a friend, the experience will be all the better. Support the ShowYou can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page. Support the Retroist on Patreon If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated. Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape. 🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒 Follow on your favorite platformApple Podcasts Podbean Spotify RSS Follow on Social MediaBluesky Twitter Instagram Subscribe to the Retroist NewsletterIf you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox. Subscribe now Production NotesThis is the 342nd episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 17 of the new season. While I might like the Genesis version of the game, whenever I emulate it, I still prefer the arcade version. I think it all the time, but not sure I have ever said it, but video games can use more dwarves. Maker sure you play this game with the sound on, it adds a lot to the game. If you clear the original, jump straight to Revenge of Death Adder. I no longer buy game consoles, but if Sega got back into the mix, I would consider it. No bonus clippings for this episode, I did try to find some local flavor, but they just weren’t covering the game in a significant enough way to anchor a segment. Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy. Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend. Thanks for reading The Retroist! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.