Expansion Pass #15 - The Last Of Part II SpoilerCast

I think one of the hottest debates among retro gamers is "which console had the better RPG library? The SNES or the original PlayStation?" And frankly, I don't think I'm knowledgable enough to offer a serious opinion. (But the SNES is the correct answer.) I don't play a ton of JRPGs these days, but I used to. And I've played a bunch of the SNES's best, such as Earthbound, Final Fantasy II & III, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG. But one that always seemed to fall off my radar was Secret of Mana. It won our Patreon Poll in January, though. So I finally sat down and gave this bad boy a play-through. And it left me very...conflicted.  I don't know if I've ever liked a game that annoyed me more than this. The menu navigation, collision detection, lack of navigation, subpar story, and stupid inventory system all grinder my gears. But despite all of that, I still had a great time playing it. I say it all the time, but if a game is fun, I can look passed a lot of problem.  My buddy Keegs makes his return to the show this week, and it was a weird episode, because we probably spent more time talking about the stuff we didn't like than the stuff that we did, but at the end of the podcast, came around and slapped a pretty good score on this game. Secret of Mana is a funky title, and if you haven't played it yet, maybe we can convince you to give it a shot (just make sure you look up a walkthrough before you do). And before we talk about Mana secrets, I drop another steaming edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro' on ya! This week, we talk about games we're reminded of when we hear retro console load-up chimes. Are indie games proving that a game doesn't have to look like a blockbuster movie to be considered a work of art? And how do you avoid seeing gameplay of an upcoming game when it's embargo lifts a week (or longer) before it's release date?? PLUS, we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', featuring three of the SNES's best RPGs: Final Fantasy III, Chrono Trigger, and EarthBound.  Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us!  Twitter: @MemberTheGameInstagram: @MemberTheGameTwitch.tv/MemberTheGame If you want access to over 200 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month! Patreon.com/RememberTheGame1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

23 Feb 20221h 40min

I'm tossing a disclaimer into the very beginning of this description - If you're looking for a podcast that breaks down the strategies, intricacies, and fine details of Pokemon Red & Blue, you might want to keep looking. That's not us. But if you're just looking for a big fat syringe of nostalgia, and a couple of nerds talking about a pair of games they grew up adoring? C'mon in! I put Super Mario Bros. on the pedestal of all pedestals around here, due to the impact it had on gaming, and one of the largest franchises in the industry. And I don't think it's an exaggeration to put Pokemon Red & Blue on that same level. I think everyone that grew up in the late 90's had Pokemon fever. And yeah, the movies, toys, TV shows, and future video games are all great. But we wouldn't have any of them with the OGs: Red & Blue.  My buddy Andre and I took a trip down memory lane this week, and had a HELL of a time talking about our experiences with Pokemon from back in the day. I defend Bulbasaur, we talk about how everyone SHOULD hate Nintendo for the way they monetize these series (but we don't), and we get into our favourite, and least favourite, Pokemon from the original 150.  And yes, it's 150. Mew sucks. And before we talk about 'em all, I host another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!  This week, we ponder the future of gaming and whether or not "consoles" as we know them will keep releasing forever. Someone asks what gaming would look like today if SEGA had won the console wars instead of Nintendo. And if I could DE-make one modern game into an SNES iteration, which would it be? PLUS, we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', featuring three Pokemon spinoffs: Pokemon Puzzle League, Pokemon Stadium, and The Pokemon Trading Card Game.  Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us!  Twitter: @MemberTheGameInstagram: @MemberTheGameTwitch.tv/MemberTheGame If you want access to over 200 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month! Patreon.com/RememberTheGame Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 Feb 20221h 48min

What can we say about Mass Effect 2 that hasn't already been said? It's probably the best game in one of the best trilogies in the history of this industry. The story telling, characters, combat, graphics, voice-acting; all top shelf. It might not be perfect, but if it isn't, it's damned close.  But you've probably already heard all this. We've realized there isn't anything new we can say about Mass Effect 2. So we're just gonna say the same stuff everyone else has been saying about it for over a decade, but we're gonna splash some hot dog water on top of it to give it that unique RTG flavour. This episode of the show was sponsored by a member of our community, Zach Shepard, on Patreon. We spend a few minutes chatting about why Mass Effect 2 means so much to Zach, and get his official score (along with his picks for best party members), before my buddy Chris and I geek out all over the place and explain why we both think this is simply one of the greatest video games ever made.  And before we get to gushing, I host another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!  This week, I explain the origin of my anti-PC gaming stance. We talk about pre-ordering games, and if it's necessary, or worthwhile, in 2022. And who would I rather go on a road trip with; Ashley from Resident Evil 4, Tidus from FFX, or Navi from Ocarina of Time? (None, BTW) PLUS, we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', featuring three BioWare RPGs: Jade Empire, Star Wars KOTOR, and Dragon Age: Origins.  Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us!  Twitter: @MemberTheGameInstagram: @MemberTheGameTwitch.tv/MemberTheGame If you want access to over 200 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month! Patreon.com/RememberTheGame And check out Zach's friend Jason May's information here: Jason May is an illustrator out of Rhode Island, USA. He has a YouTube show, Jason May Draws, where he and Chris Gugliotti, another illustrator, draw audience suggestions. Family friendly with a lot of retro references, a lot of Remember the Game audience members would enjoy the show. Jason has worked on tons of original works while recently doing a few Lego holiday books. His newest book “I love you to pieces” is out on bookshelves now. Chris has worked on DC’s Teen Titans and Wonder Woman and is currently working on his new mini series “Into the Emberdoham” Check them out at youtube.com/c/JasonMayDraw every Wednesday night, 7pm EST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Feb 20222h 8min

Sonic Adventure 2 won our Patreon Poll in December, and I gotta be honest, I was excited. The original Sonic Adventure wasn't perfect, but it was fun enough. And the consensus seemed to be that the sequel was better. I was told there'd be no Big the Cat. Shadow's kinda cool. Fucking eh, let's go.  But then I played it. And I have to be honest. This is one of the worst game I've ever played of the podcast. The Sonic and Shadow levels are pretty dope. It's too bad that they're only about 25% of the fucking game. Everything else is mashing B with Tails/Eggman, or the most tedious, obnoxious, boring scavenger hunts I've ever experienced with Knuckles/Rouge. This game should have been called "crappy spin-off levels with occasional appearances by the two characters on the cover". What a joke.  "Well, the best part of the game is the Chao Garden." Oh, the mini game that has nothing to do with SONIC?? The guy I bought the game to play as!?!?? Unacceptable.  Angry Adam is in his final form on the show this week, and my friend Kait (who likes this game a lot) tries to calm him down, to minimal success. Kait explains why she likes this game, and I yell about why I hate it. And make no mistake - I fucking HATE it. Fortunately, it isn't all angry. Because before I crap all over your childhood, I host another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!  This week, we talk about which Rare titles we want to see make the leap over to the Switch's Nintendo 64 Online service. When are we gonna get our hands on Metroid Prime 4? And I toss around my long standing idea of hosting an indie game podcast. PLUS, we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', featuring three of RTG's worst - Virtual Bart, Ecco the Dolphin, and Mario is Missing. Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us!  Twitter: @MemberTheGameInstagram: @MemberTheGameTwitch.tv/MemberTheGame And if you want access to over 200 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month! Patreon.com/RememberTheGame Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2 Feb 20221h 44min

**I'm away this week, so there's no episode of RTG. But I hope you enjoy this spoiler-free review of Metroid Dread**For this week's episode, I'm sharing my thoughts on Metroid Dread for the Nintendo Switch. Is it too difficult? Is it worth all the hype? Can I get away from an E.M.M.I? Listen and find out!And like all my review podcasts, the review portion is spoiler-free, but I have added a short spoiler cast to the end of the show (I'll warn you several times before the spoilers start!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26 Jan 202256min

The following podcast is intended for mature audiences. It may contain opinions and comments about Castlevania: Symphony of the Night that some might find offensive. Listener discretion is advised. Symphony of the Night is considered by many to be one of the greatest video games of all-time. It's one of the pioneers of the Metroidvania genre (hence the name), and it's easily one of the games I've been asked to review the most over the years. I'd never played it before, so when it won our Patreon poll, I was excited. I love metroidvanias, I love retro games, this should be a lay-up, right?? Well, not exactly. I gotta be honest - I didn't love this game. Truth be told, I didn't like it very much at all. It looks great, it sounds nice. I respect what it did for a genre I love so much. But I found it, kinda boring. Tedious. And "the best part of the game" is hidden in the most obnoxious fashion possible. I, I just don't get why this game is so popular.  But my guest, Bradley McCue, does. He loves this game, which is why he was the perfect ying to my yang this week. I had no choice but to agree with some of the stuff he loved, and he had no choice but to come along with a few mechanics that I hated.  And I want to be clear. There's no Angry Adam this week. I don't rip SotN a new ass or anything. I respect its legacy, and I tried my best to show as much. But I don't like this game, and this week, I'm gonna tell you why. And of course, before I completely ruin my reputation and RTG comes crashing down all around me, I run through another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!  This week, we talk about how damned good Sega Genesis soundtracks are. Were we better gamers when we were kids? And what's the best controller for the Nintendo Switch? PLUS, we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', featuring three pre-SotN Castlevania games - Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, Super Castlevania IV, and Castlevania: Bloodlines. Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us!  Twitter: @MemberTheGameInstagram: @MemberTheGameTwitch.tv/MemberTheGame And if you want access to over 200 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month! Patreon.com/RememberTheGame Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Jan 20221h 49min

I thought I had played all the best games that the SNES had to offer. Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts never jumped out at me as a must-play title. But I finally got around to playing it last year, and realized the error of my ways.  Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts IS a must-play title, and it's absolutely one of the best games on the SNES. Consider my stance corrected.  This game is tough as fuck, but it rarely feels unfair. Practice pays off, and it clearly subscribes to the old school logic of "get good" or die trying. And you will die. A lot. I'm not ashamed to admit that I can't quite beat this game, but as you'll hear on this week's show, it doesn't stop me from loving it anyway. The SNES isa till the gold standard for retro gaming in my eye(s), and Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts is a prime example of why.  My buddy Tyler returns to the show this week. He didn't play much of the SNES version of the game, but he sunk a ton of time into Ghouls 'N Ghosts in the arcade. So we're kinda going over both games this week and talking about how they're very hard not to love, despite the fact that it doesn't really feel like they love you back.  And of course, before we talk about fighting ghouls in your underwear, I run through another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!  This week, we talk about resellers, and whether or not they're as bad as society thinks they are. If you're new to the Xbox universe, is the Series S and GamePass all you need? And would you rather EVERY game in the future be open-world, or none of them? PLUS, we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', featuring three Capcom SNES  games - Final Fight 2, X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse, and Demon's Crest. Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us!  Twitter: @MemberTheGameInstagram: @MemberTheGameTwitch.tv/MemberTheGame And if you want access to over 200 bonus podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $2/month! Patreon.com/RememberTheGame Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 Jan 20221h 39min

I've never hidden the fact that I'm a card carrying Mega Man fanboy. I love that little blue bastard so much. And we've reviewed of a few of his games on the podcast over the years, but his debut title has slipped under the radar. Admittedly, that might be because it just isn't as good as most of his other games, but it's a still a really fun, solid (and tough) NES platformer. It's also where the Blue Bomber started, and it's time to give it it's due.  I'm rolling solo this week, not because I couldn't get anyone to talk Mega Man, but because I didn't want to bug any of my friends to record a podcast over the holidays. And I'm so damned passionate about this game (and franchise) that I had no problem carrying a conversation on with myself.  I get that Mega Man isn't for everyone, but if I turn even one more person onto the greatness that is the Mega Man series with this episode, I'll sleep easy knowing I made the world a better place. And before I go down on that Mega Man meat, I stumble through another edition of the 'Remember The Game? Infamous Intro'!  This week, I talk about the way female characters are portrayed in video games. Someone asks what advice I would offer myself if I go back to the launch of this podcast. And does anyone else feel pressure to get to the end of a game that seems to be taking too long? PLUS, we have another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', featuring three Capcom NES  games - Ghosts N Goblins, Bionic Commando, and Little Nemo: The Dream Master. Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us!  Twitter: @MemberTheGameInstagram: @MemberTheGameTwitch.tv/MemberTheGame Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Jan 20221h 30min