The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)

We're joined by BAFTA-nominated composer and sound designer Ross Tregenza. From his early days of falling in love with the Commodore 64's SID chip to lending his audio magic to legendary games like TimeSplitters, Crysis, and Team Sonic Racing, Ross has crafted audio experiences that resonate with gamers worldwide. In this episode, we unravel Ross's journey, explore his inspirations, and get a glimpse into the magic that brings video games to life. https://www.rosstregenza.com/ Leave us a Voicemail for episode 400: https://www.speakpipe.com/retrohour Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 37:17 - Ross Tregenza Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Get 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retro We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes: Lost 2600 Game Re-release: https://tinyurl.com/2s3fu93s Saturn Pro Controller: https://tinyurl.com/2fdnjh6s The Last Exterminator: https://tinyurl.com/33ndudas  PS1s Turned into CD Players: https://tinyurl.com/5yd8t3tw

12 Okt 20231h 27min

In this episode, we chat with artist Wil Overton, famed for his manga-style covers on Super Play magazine in the early '90s. Wil's journey led him from N64 Magazine, where his Perfect Dark cover caught the eye of Rare, to working at the esteemed gaming company itself. Leave us a Voicemail for episode 400: https://www.speakpipe.com/retrohour Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 38:12 - Wil Overton Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Get 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retro We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes: Raspberry Pi 5: https://tinyurl.com/3nrr6xuk Crash vs Spyro Demo Found: https://youtu.be/Uli-uWxsI3M Dance Dance Revolution Mini: https://tinyurl.com/ycxb4pab Tomb Raider Anime: https://tinyurl.com/3adumenm The Smiths Now Have Their Own Game: https://tinyurl.com/25bzuhcw

6 Okt 20231h 37min

In this episode, we chat with Matthew Fassberg, producer from Rocket Science Games, a groundbreaking venture blending Hollywood production values with top-tier game design. We explore the classic adventure Obsidian, a 1997 masterpiece believed by its ardent fans to be as monumental as Myst.  Obsidian on Zoom Platform: https://www.zoom-platform.com/product/obsidian Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 32:08 - Matthew Fassberg 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 Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Pete Clark and Richard We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes: Tomb Raider Remaster: https://tinyurl.com/5xchh2tn New Giana Sisters C64 Game: https://tinyurl.com/3brx5bcb F-Zero 99: https://tinyurl.com/5xyepsuz MicroDrive Replacement: https://tinyurl.com/jzn79rht 32 Player AVP: https://tinyurl.com/5c3xwr66

28 Sep 20231h 20min

We chat with Richie Shoemaker, the former deputy editor of the iconic PC gaming magazine, PC Zone. Delving into the magazine's rich history, Richie shares behind-the-scenes tales from its heyday and offers insights into its influential role in shaping the PC gaming landscape. We also touch upon the early days of renowned writer and 'Black Mirror' creator, Charlie Brooker, who once graced the pages of PC Zone with his witty and incisive commentary.  Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 35:22 - PC Zone Interview PC Zone Lives: https://pczone.substack.com/ Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Show notes: Metal Gear Ported to Mega Drive:  https://tinyurl.com/mrybvxmz Salvaging CD-i Zelda Games: https://tinyurl.com/5echkeww Rockstar Pirates Its Own Game: https://tinyurl.com/44c368r4 How to Play Command and Conquer Red Alert 2 in Browser: https://tinyurl.com/2jc8x6am

21 Sep 20231h 26min

We catch up with Rare's Paul Machacek to share the story of Stop ‘n’ Swop, a cancelled feature which aimed to allow elements in one game to unlock features in another, giving players a unique interconnected experience. Despite its ambitious scope that would have spanned across six Rare titles, the feature remained shrouded in mystery for years. We get the full story of one of gaming's most intriguing legends. Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories 45:45 - Paul Machacek 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 We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Passione Amiga Day: https://passioneamigaday.it/en/home/ Show notes: Atari buys Atari Age: https://tinyurl.com/47yj2c69 Build your own Xbox 360: https://tinyurl.com/3zuvr5hk New Wii U homebrew servers: https://pretendo.network/ Triple Jump NES: https://tinyurl.com/5h2uwzra Portal de-Make for N64: https://tinyurl.com/3kedanpf

14 Sep 20231h 17min

This week, we dive into the enduring legacy of the Commodore 64, the iconic home computer that revolutionised personal computing. We chat with Jeff Schaap, the creator of "I Adore My 64," a new documentary that pays homage to this technological marvel, the passionate global community that keeps its spirit alive, and a real heartfelt tribute to a machine that was truly ahead of its time.  Support "I Adore My 64": https://tinyurl.com/5n6dwkyd 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 Get 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retro Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Mark Hill, Ramon We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Passione Amiga Day: https://passioneamigaday.it/en/home/ Show notes: New Vectrex Controller: https://tinyurl.com/ynkch9m2 Rugrats Adventure in Gameland: https://tinyurl.com/2p8uhj9k Super A'Can on eBay: https://tinyurl.com/3cup97jx  https://youtu.be/Ycy861t9m_A?si=9O0LA5dXIYKd3Vlt DIY Retro CRT Cable TV Channel: https://youtu.be/luxFdsAkG80?si=vpEOR1ijVfpaGeMD Demon Claw Game Release: https://tinyurl.com/3n38mh97

8 Sep 20231h 33min

We chat with Grant Kirkhope and David Wise, iconic video game composers from Rare. Dive deep into their creative process, challenges, and legacy in the world of video game music, from 'Banjo-Kazooie' to 'Donkey Kong Country'.  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 Try Notion AI for free - Work faster. Write better. Think bigger: https://notion.com/retro Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Giro-lamo Castaldo, Håkon Puntervold, Daniel Louks We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Passione Amiga Day: https://passioneamigaday.it/en/home/ Show notes: Microsoft to Close Xbox 360 Store: https://tinyurl.com/4yx88fym Broken Sword is Back: https://tinyurl.com/4pewmpbd Time Crisis Deluxe: https://tinyurl.com/yhpkb3mk Stunt Car Racer for Commodore Plus/4: https://tinyurl.com/4z4w5jud GeekyFab Announces USB-C Adapter For Sega Saturn 3D Control Pad: Run Linux on Commodore 64: https://tinyurl.com/4ayrjux5

31 Aug 20231h 30min

We chat to the legendary Chris Hinsley, one of the lead programmers at Mikro-Gen, a pioneering software house in the 1980s that produced games such as Pyjamarama, Everyone’s a Wally, and Equinox. Chris shared his memories of Mikro-Gen and his time on the groundbreaking TaOS, which almost became the next operating system for the Amiga. ChrysaLisp:  https://github.com/vygr/ChrysaLisp 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 Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Steve Q, Michal Klimek We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Passione Amiga Day: https://passioneamigaday.it/en/home/ Show notes: The Return of the Atari 2600: https://tinyurl.com/ykjhb56r Turok 3 Remaster in the Works: https://tinyurl.com/yrdtjuxt Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster: https://tinyurl.com/4jxthddm The 7th Guest VR: https://youtu.be/OQt0EPl3kT0?si=FDdtucoLf5IFEgDV DuckTales Ported to the SNES: https://tinyurl.com/4jmxjssr

24 Aug 20231h 34min