The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)

This week we’re joined by Martin Webb, the programmer who brought Sega’s legendary OutRun to the Commodore 64 while still a teenager. From selling his first games as a schoolboy to landing the US Gold contract, Martin shares the story of recreating an arcade sensation with an OutRun cabinet in the family garage and a Christmas deadline looming. We hear about the coding tricks, last-minute demands and elusive bug that pushed him to his limits, alongside his work on RoadBlasters and a trip to Chicago to help with the American version of OutRun. Martin also speaks candidly about working with his father, why he eventually left the games industry, and the original backup discs still tucked away in his former girlfriend’s wardrobe.

Steve's Amiga Games: https://stevehiggins.itch.io/amiga-rescue
A Crazy Thing Called Life C16 Book: https://commodore16.com/

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
50:40 – Martin Webb Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!

Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9Yf

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

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X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
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Show notes

Alien 3 gets CD32 upgrade: https://lnk.ua/M84ZQUQgJ
Free Knightmare game coming: https://lnk.ua/78C15PgcU
Atari VCS support ending: https://lnk.ua/WMG9XRNyi
Sonic 3 Unlocked adds Encore: https://lnk.ua/6Ge05siDa
iPhone Duo emulates Nintendo DS: https://lnk.ua/rLfdftWoW
Ten spooky games for Halloween: https://lnk.ua/4poLfqFFF

This week, we’re joined by legendary artist Hitoshi Ariga to explore his work on Streets of Rage 2, his celebrated Mega Man manga, and a career packed with 16-bit classics. From drawing sprites by night to giving the Robot Masters their personalities, Hitoshi shares stories behind the artwork, explains why technical limitations sparked his creativity, and discusses collaborating with Toby Fox. Plus, memories of ActRaiser 2, Illusion of Gaia, and the influence of his wife and fellow artist Ayano Koshiro.

Kim Justice Rubber Keyed Wonder Kickstarter: https://lnk.ua/AbF4fVrVp

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
51:31 – Hitoshi Ariga Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!

Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9Yf

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/

Show notes

Ghostbusters II Amiga fan upgrade: https://lnk.ua/g91oEqIHa
Halo multiplayer comes to N64: https://lnk.ua/f0BtptbiR
ZX Spectrum ULA designs found: https://lnk.ua/u2QODD6Wh
Toki arcade conversions in development: https://lnk.ua/EQO2vIkR9
Wing Commander III remaster rumoured: https://lnk.ua/yR6BORUvF
Crash Bandicoot coming to iPod: https://lnk.ua/qrmTvWjTa
Sprout upgrades classic iPods: https://lnk.ua/OVEgZsVPt
Tenebris Somnia brings FMV horror: https://lnk.ua/xh4de3fN2

Gremlin Graphics is making a comeback, and this week we meet Alan Turvey, the lifelong fan helping bring it back through Gremlin Graphics Classics. Alan shares how a Monty Mole project led to a partnership with founder Ian Stewart, the plans to bring classic characters to new audiences, and the community of bedroom coders helping make it happen. We also explore his journey with Midnight Brew, the painstaking work to recreate Gremlin’s lost artwork for a new book, and why giving fans the chance to work with their heroes is at the heart of the revival.

https://open.spotify.com/show/0Rq9lZoWphzXvxkrETrWg0

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
1:00:03.549 – Gremlin Graphics Alan Turvey Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!

Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9Yf

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/
https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8
Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/

Show notes

Atari 800XL official details: https://lnk.ua/gEFrOJqZp
Classic games on VHS: https://lnk.ua/OSkrtc6Hr
SuperStation One gets new colours: https://lnk.ua/92rrYtHq5
Taki Udon teases FPGA SNES: https://lnk.ua/PsPhiAyoM
Mario Kart Game Boy demake: https://lnk.ua/iR3QLbQjv
Super Mario Kart goes fullscreen: https://lnk.ua/bxtKkIqhh
Doom gets the Vectrex treatment: https://lnk.ua/ZaNstWSNm
SuperAstra changes games with AI: https://lnk.ua/E0zOllC5n

GamesMaster legend Dominik Diamond joins us for a brand-new conversation recorded live at PLAY Expo in Blackpool. From landing the presenting job and meeting Patrick Moore just once to backstage rivalries, celebrity guests and the infamous Dave Perry fallout, Dominik shares hilarious and candid stories from the show that defined gaming TV in the ’90s. Plus, audience questions, his return to stand-up and an honest look at the pressures of overnight fame.

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
49:54 – Dominik Diamond Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!

Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9Yf

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

Show notes

Oliver Twins announce new Dizzy: https://lnk.ua/foh1kzQQA
New Dizzy game announcement video: https://lnk.ua/IAR5e7mU3
House of the Dead VR: https://lnk.ua/z4Nyg4K1v
Doom-style action on Commodore 64: https://lnk.ua/weBSRgtNS
Doom64 gameplay video: https://lnk.ua/1fEmPhS0S
Croc 2 remaster arrives soon: https://lnk.ua/hVVW7FEH0
RetroAchievements reach real PS2 hardware: https://lnk.ua/e640i6vy3

This week we’re joined by legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro, recorded live at Retromessa in Norway, for the story behind the iconic Streets of Rage soundtracks. From the club music that inspired those unforgettable beats to getting the most out of the Mega Drive, Yuzo shares how he helped shape the sound of Sega—and reveals his role designing moves and voicing characters in Streets of Rage 2! Plus, we talk Revenge of Shinobi, Sonic and his return to Mega Drive development with Earthion.

Plus, Modern Vintage Gamer joins us for the news!

MVG: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernVintageGamer/videos

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
50:27 – Yuzo Koshiro Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!

Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

Show notes

C64 and Spectrum handhelds delayed: https://lnk.ua/Y92W4t1J7
Super Mario 64 SNES port: https://lnk.ua/IzOyma94q
Amiga Addams Family backgrounds edition: https://lnk.ua/guzIbbISR
GoldenEye 007 goes third-person: https://lnk.ua/mPTCUlTqm
Binky launches on C64: https://lnk.ua/My9oxsebG
Lost SNES Railroad Tycoon footage: https://lnk.ua/hwttaGmyJ
Real coin slot for emulators: https://lnk.ua/fxCnlQe5C

This week, we’re joined by legendary game designer Warren Spector to explore the stories behind Ultima, Deus Ex and Epic Mickey. From the Dungeons & Dragons session that changed his life to John Romero’s offer to make his dream game, Warren shares how he championed player freedom, why Deus Ex almost became a Command & Conquer RPG, and what working with Mickey Mouse meant to him.

Paul Drury's The Arcade book: https://lnk.ua/vLieP7PVA

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
55:50 – Yuzo Koshiro Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

PlayEXPO Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

Show notes

Gun.Smoke Comes to Amiga: https://lnk.ua/9VVzy7Q1w
Pixar vs Nintendo: https://lnk.ua/gtcZcmiay
The Return of Motion Gaming: https://lnk.ua/jFAg9AEnd
Crazy Taxi Netflix Film Announced: https://lnk.ua/AhvVYnhYS
Matthew Smith Spectrum Collection: https://lnk.ua/0L1SD3zv3
Star Wars Trilogy on Dreamcast: https://lnk.ua/4KpQVGPUT

Recorded live at Retromessa in Norway, we sit down with legendary video game composer Yuzo Koshiro for part one of our conversation, exploring his Nintendo years. From his earliest piano lessons to the orchestral sounds of ActRaiser, the infectious grooves of Super Adventure Island and the worlds of Etrian Odyssey and Super Smash Bros., Yuzo shares the stories and influences behind his music. Plus, audience questions uncover his favourite games, the origins of his YK2 alias and a contribution to Terranigma he’d forgotten he made!

Slope's Book Kickstarter: https://lnk.ua/N6GM8pALm

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
54:46 – Yuzo Koshiro Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

PlayEXPO Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

Show notes

Neo Geo AES+ Delayed: https://lnk.ua/lorIBnZ5QNew Lotus Trilogy Remake: https://lnk.ua/NbvwYx8suRPCS3 Adds Physical Disc Support: https://lnk.ua/xkdGOKL4zRare’s Project Dream Leaks Online: https://lnk.ua/15LPiFgPBOcarina of Time Remake: https://lnk.ua/Z0YTZRr2ZMetal Slug Collection Hits Switch: https://lnk.ua/nXKpK6iQA

How do you turn a handful of pixels into one of gaming’s most recognisable characters? Recorded live at RetroMessa 2026, Dan and Joe meet illustrator Duncan Gutteridge, whose hand-painted artwork helped define Sonic’s European image during SEGA’s 16-bit glory years. Duncan recalls reimagining Sonic 2, creating artwork for Sonic 3 and Knuckles, working with airbrushes, phones and fax machines, and enjoying a level of creative freedom that would be almost unthinkable today. He also reveals the fate of his long-lost original Sonic paintings.

Amiga Bill Links: http://twitch.tv/AmigaBill
https://YouTube.com/@AmigaBill
https://AmigaBill.tv

http://Twitch.tv

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
1:06:00 – Duncan Gutteridge Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

PlayEXPO Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

Show notes

New Doom-Style Shooter for 3DO: https://lnk.ua/znInXLNwM
GTA Arrives on Amiga: https://lnk.ua/ERRtnHKLk
Portrait Ridge Racer Port: https://lnk.ua/m0xu68aPx
New 4:3 Retro Gaming Monitor: https://lnk.ua/PZX3RS7zK
LEGO PlayStation 1 Set Revealed: https://lnk.ua/fAPHMgWXi
Portal Demake Arrives on GBA: https://lnk.ua/QqQkLQGr5

It's Ravi's final episode of the podcast, we give him a good send off! Plus, we bring you our Best of British panel from RetroMessa, featuring Mike Dailly (DMA Design), Glen O'Connell (Psygnosis), Duncan Gutteridge (Sega UK) and Brian Watson (DMA Design) for a panel discussion about British gaming history, iconic games and the moments that helped shape an entire era.

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
1:05:50 – Best of British

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

PlayEXPO Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

Show notes

Sonic Demo Lands on Amiga: https://lnk.ua/Ifux6frxr
Terranigma Returns to Modern Hardware: https://lnk.ua/6ciLNoEyo
Cyberpunk 2077 C64 Coming Soon: https://lnk.ua/snpuA7Lj0
Fall From Space Features Arita: https://lnk.ua/6l5mCdvCs
Atari and Activision Reunite: https://lnk.ua/0V34uriWa
New Mega Drive Arcade Controller: https://lnk.ua/DAfat7AK3
Zool Collection Coming to Jaguar: https://lnk.ua/P4xQT4jFN
Pillow Fort Album Hits GBA: https://lnk.ua/zxB3hMk3R

Veteran game designer Richard Rouse III joins us to revisit his journey from Bungie’s early Macintosh games to Centipede 3D and The Suffering. He reveals how the horror classic found its prison setting, blended action with psychological storytelling, and remembered players’ moral choices, plus the stories behind its lost sequel and unmade movie.

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
39:42 – Richard Rouse III Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

PlayEXPO Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

Show notes

Alien Breed 35th Anniversary: https://lnk.ua/95kg65oJq
Golden Axe TV Trailer: https://youtu.be/sStbBtfGaLA
Car Park Capital Arrives: https://lnk.ua/4ctQBSKZh
Mr. Nutz Gets Physical Reissue: https://lnk.ua/GnfzOfOeK
Transformers-Style Fighting Game: https://lnk.ua/dDrswhf0C

Australia gave the world pioneering adventures, cult classics and global hits,but much of its gaming history has been left out of the story. This week, we're joined by Region Locked creative lead Michael Refalo and veteran game designer John Passfield-co-creator of Halloween Harry, Flight of the Amazon Queen and TY the Tasmanian Tiger, to explore bedroom coding, cassette-tape publishing, The Hobbit’s groundbreaking parser, Beam Software reverse-engineering the NES, the infamous Power Glove and the games you never realised were Australian. Plus, discover how the new Region Locked documentary series plans to preserve these stories before bit rot, and time, erase them for good.

Region Locked Kickstarter: https://lnk.ua/ueFZbW6cf

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
53:42 – Region Locked Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

PlayEXPO Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

CeX Revisits Retro-Only Stores: https://lnk.ua/LT8x2d9DI
Zeewolf Spiritual Successor Revealed: https://lnk.ua/vGAlWUAcE
Lara Croft Statue in Derby: https://lnk.ua/yBaKkiM3R
Fan-Made Donkey Kong Country 4: https://lnk.ua/0nxUrpxQ9
Multi-Mega Flash Cart Mod: https://lnk.ua/HsC93CDQr

This week, we’re coming to you from Amiga Kickstart in Derby, where we recorded a fascinating panel looking at what comes next for one of computing’s most iconic names. With the long-running legal battle between Hyperion Entertainment and Cloanto finally at an end, the Amiga company took to the stage to discuss the future, its plans for the platform and what this new chapter could mean for the wider Amiga community. After years of courtroom wrangling and uncertainty, could this finally be the fresh start Amiga fans have been waiting for?

Amiga: https://amiga.com/

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
57:17 - Amiga Announcements

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

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

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

London Gaming Market: https://www.londongamingmarket.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

Show notes

Commodore Joystick: https://lnk.ua/F8QM1EnLL
Cancelled Quake 4 Expansion: https://lnk.ua/nknP0xR0K
Atari ST Floppy Archive: https://lnk.ua/bewmRuiAr
DOOM Comes to Evercade: https://lnk.ua/hIDAqsUYx
Mario Kart 64 VR: https://lnk.ua/aeAmS9XiM
New Amiga Racer: https://lnk.ua/i3olxXWTM
Utopia Returns to SNES: https://lnk.ua/VY9P3ILvj

Patrons news

This week, we’re joined by Roel van Mastbergen of Senile Team to discover how a homemade MS-DOS tribute to Streets of Rage exploded to around a million players, crashed two servers and evolved into OpenBOR. Roel also reveals how the project led him into Dreamcast development, the fate of Age of the Beast and what’s next with Hypno Tiles.

Senile Team: https://www.senileteam.com/
Zoom Platform: https://www.zoom-platform.com/

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
45:17 - Beats of Rage Interview

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

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

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

London Gaming Market: https://www.londongamingmarket.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

Show notes

Hyperion and Amiga Corp Settle: https://lnk.ua/Vw6jkv8IW
Xbox 360 Games Hit PC: https://lnk.ua/XCLKsRbJK
Varta Goes Bust: https://lnk.ua/5ry9AQidd
New Amiga Bullet-Hell Shooter: https://lnk.ua/YLQhUYBU
SpeccyDate: https://lnk.ua/mFt16xLaI
Atari World Championship Announced: https://lnk.ua/MVLR87zko
Jaguar Doom Gets Improved: https://lnk.ua/X0cCtGX46

This week, we’re joined by Veronica from the brilliant YouTube channel Veronica Explains for a journey through a lifetime of tinkering with technology. Veronica shares stories of growing up in a family of programmers, exploring the early Internet through Prodigy and GeoCities, inheriting a 50-year-old COBOL codebase, her love of the Commodore 64 and Amiga, the lost art of the computer manual, and why older computers often encouraged us to understand, repair and truly own the technology we used.

Veronica Explains: https://veronicaexplains.net/
https://www.youtube.com/@VeronicaExplains

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
50:17 – Veronica Explains Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

PlayEXPO Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

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Show notes

Xbox Backwards Compatibility Expands: https://lnk.ua/TLKK3aUEz
Ruff ’n’ Tumble 2026: https://lnk.ua/mRTXvpXvM
3DO Classic Comes To Jaguar: https://lnk.ua/1usp847sO
Conker 64 Footage Surfaces: https://lnk.ua/9Lb4R3KoH
Sega Rally On Mega Drive: https://lnk.ua/NlQIztuNF
Rare Nintendo FamicomBox Discovered: https://lnk.ua/dD0ixsVqO
Homemade PS4 OLED Handheld: https://lnk.ua/qdxKaI6ME

This week's guest is Haz Dulull whose career has taken him from creating FMV and cinematics for games like Colin McRae Rally and Battalion Wars, to working on blockbuster films including The Dark Knight, Prince of Persia and The Chronicles of Narnia. He's returned to his gaming roots with his colourful new SNES style shoot ‘em up, AstroBurn.

Astroburn: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3810660/Astro_Burn/

Built to Fail: The Inside Story of Blockbuster's Inevitable Bust: https://lnk.ua/zrymFBq2V

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
50:36 – Haz Dulull Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

PlayEXPO Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

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Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour

Show notes

Monkey Ball Comes to Dreamcast: https://lnk.ua/ux2w9vqz0
Gloom Reforged Returns: https://lnk.ua/sVe6F0iTq
Super Mario 64 on 3DO: https://lnk.ua/D3uCVFFQo
The End of GAME: https://lnk.ua/EFsnZaDj6
Stains of Decay: https://lnk.ua/8Z1zOF5iX
Lemmings on Pico-8: https://lnk.ua/wqGRgWysw
Dungeon Lurker Interview: https://lnk.ua/U53TAZvj8

Patrons news

Blink-182 Team Up With Pac-Man For Arcade Collaboration: https://lnk.ua/B0qOtMAeh
Lemmings Reloaded Updates: https://lnk.ua/bfmMiD1BH

This week, we’re joined by former Blockbuster franchisee Alan Payne, author of Built to Fail, for the inside story of the video & game rental giant’s spectacular collapse. Alan reveals why Netflix and streaming weren’t really to blame, how Blockbuster disastrously mishandled the switch from VHS to DVD, and why decisions such as scrapping late fees helped destroy the business from within. We also revisit the glory days of Friday-night rentals, Blockbuster’s video game business, Game Rush, the PlayStation 2 DVD boom and the story of the final store.

Built to Fail: The Inside Story of Blockbuster's Inevitable Bust: https://lnk.ua/zrymFBq2V

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
40:08 – Blockbuster Alan Payne Interview

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

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

Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

PlayEXPO Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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Show notes

Ghostbusters C64 Remastered: https://lnk.ua/GFpHqvMaY
Original Version Comparison: https://youtu.be/VITLJsgXCUQ
Game Boy Camera Captures Jupiter: https://lnk.ua/3ar7dSylK
Doom Ported to Obscure Console: https://youtu.be/nDe06uY5C40
Johnny Castaway Comes to PS1: https://lnk.ua/AfZPCsfdN
Super Mario Maker GB: https://lnk.ua/QGBAQr7Fi
Agent 64 Launches Next Month: https://lnk.ua/mpbP6dcXG

Synth musician, performer and self-described “bleakwave” artist Paulee Alex Bow joins us. We explore dark ’80s music and an love for the Commodore Amiga. Paulee reveals how OctaMED became the heart of a modern hardware-synth setup, why original machines can't be replaced, and what it takes to perform live with two Amigas in tow. We also hear about the Arcade Dreams soundtrack, haunted synths, Amiga MIDI, car-boot retro discoveries and why the Amiga community can sometimes feel almost spiritual.

Magical Synth Adventure: https://www.youtube.com/@magicalsynthadventure3216
Sonic State: https://www.youtube.com/@sonicstate/videos

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
48:21 - Paulee Alex Bow Interview

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

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

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

London Gaming Market: https://www.londongamingmarket.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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Show notes

Worms Director’s Cut Expansion: https://lnk.ua/5kH00iGiR
Romero Praises id Developers: https://lnk.ua/k0IOBSZGO
PlayStation Ends Physical Releases: https://lnk.ua/lvs87s7yd
Germany’s Preservation Project Collapses: https://lnk.ua/VFJe5qL8S
Command & Conquer on Atari ST: https://lnk.ua/aQhG7CrtN
Empire Interactive Quits 3DO: https://lnk.ua/aBXtA0qb6
Android Becomes a Wii U: https://lnk.ua/7jYPe7vxJ
YouTube on Game Boy Color: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GlYnN9JK1k

This week, we’re joined by legendary documentary makers Ant and Nic Caulfield, the team behind From Bedrooms to Billions, The Amiga Years and The Rubber-Keyed Wonder, as they return to celebrate one of the most iconic home computers ever made: the Commodore 64.

Commodore 64: The Birth of a Cultural Icon on Kickstarter: https://lnk.ua/TRJ0cmHX1

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
56:23 – Commodore 64 Documentary Interview

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

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

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

PlayEXPO Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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Show notes

Commodore Phone Price Drop: https://lnk.ua/L9Jyk0HoH
Sonic Cartridges Return: https://lnk.ua/RbgJGWLAL
Ecco Remaster Physical Edition: https://lnk.ua/1R9OKXgHb
Neo Turbo Challenge Amiga: https://lnk.ua/Vl6vprJIb
Wolfenstein 3D On Lynx: https://lnk.ua/gaL5jitCm
3DO Returns?: https://lnk.ua/hCMaWHfX6
Meshtastic On Commodore 64: https://lnk.ua/XlABpzaBa

This week we’re joined by Brian Watson, formerly of DMA Design who worked on the Atari ST version of Lemmings 1 and 2, and porting it to the Atari Lynx. He later worked for Iguana Entertainment, Acclaim, working on Turok, N64 audio drivers and clever memory systems used across dozens of games. Brian shares brilliant stories from the trenches of 16-bit and 32-bit development, the challenge of making ambitious games work on limited hardware, and what it was really like behind the scenes at DMA and Acclaim.

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
43:31 - Brian Watson Interview

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

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

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

London Gaming Market: https://www.londongamingmarket.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

Show notes

Minecraft On PS2: https://lnk.ua/kNl3123pX
Game Boy GTA: https://lnk.ua/LQySSpMoN
Apidya Remake Pre-Orders: https://lnk.ua/23bg38SjW
Dreamcast USB Controller: https://lnk.ua/MUJ4zS3Jz
Retro Warehouse Haul: https://lnk.ua/Lbd1kmKIf
Discord Social SDK: https://lnk.ua/6Wfh1bNoy

Rob Landeros joins us to share the incredible story behind Trilobyte and The 7th Guest, from discovering the Amiga and working at Cinemaware and Virgin, to teaming up with Graeme Devine and helping ignite the CD-ROM revolution with one of the most iconic FMV horror puzzlers of the 1990s.

The 7th Guest Remake: https://the7thguestremake.com/
Diddly on Kickstarter: https://lnk.ua/9XeHAcgxM

Contents:

00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
47:15 - The 7th Guest Interview

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

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

Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs

London Gaming Market: https://www.londongamingmarket.com/

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

https://theretrohour.com/support/

https://www.patreon.com/retrohour

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

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

Show notes

Godzilla Remaster Challenges GTA: https://youtu.be/w-veMlH2L-A
PaulaNET Amiga Wi-Fi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhAg-fT83o8
Jet Set Radio Divides Fans: https://lnk.ua/tdyOdTeYH
N64 Controller Guitar Pedal: https://lnk.ua/9IWlFwXIz
Thief Remaster Announced: https://lnk.ua/XduraQixG
Castlevania Mega Drive Port: https://lnk.ua/tOaxHv6wa
Metro Siege Hits Kickstarter: https://lnk.ua/RyOFar6cK

Patrons news

Final Fight 64 Homebrew: https://lnk.ua/awxAjBPf5
Perfect Dark VR Port: https://lnk.ua/bKQAOFZqH