Peter Willington is your guide on a short series of podcasts exploring video games and their relationship with music, spinning discs for audio nerds. This week, it’s the subject of soundtracks, the tracks that invoke memories and feelings for a game, or perhaps just the odd track that deserves to be heard again. The show contains the following tracks…

Lone Star from Superbrother: Sword & Sworcery EP – Suggested by @lee_bradley

Intro from Castle Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse – Suggested by @FrostieDee

Sion Barzhad’s Theme from The Bouncer – Suggested by @sayemisawesome

Room Of Angel from Silent Hill 4: The Room

Excerpt of Main Theme from Super Mario Bros.

All music tracks and sound effects featured are the intellectual property of the developer or artist and used by us to better convey the tone and feel of the game. If you like what you hear in the short excerpts used you should support the artists that created them by either buying the games, the soundtracks themselves or – better yet – both. At InRetroSpectPodcast.com we don’t make a single penny on the podcasts we produce, instead we’re passionate about the games we discuss and in ensuring that full credit is given to the fantastically talented people that make them.

Peter Willington is your guide on a short series of podcasts exploring video games and their relationship with music, spinning discs for audio nerds. This week, it’s the subject of covers, specifically chiptune interpretations of pop, rock and dance numbers. The show contains the following tracks, by the following artists.

Leeni covering Lana Del Ray’s “Video Games”

Spectraspectacle covering Keane’s “Spiralling” – Suggested by @foolishuk

ZellTheSick covering REM’s “End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” – Suggested by @kinectronic

TomGrus covering Hadouken’s “House Is Falling”

All music tracks and sound effects featured are the intellectual property of the developer or artist and used by us to better convey the tone and feel of the game. If you like what you hear in the short excerpts used you should support the artists that created them by either buying the games, the soundtracks themselves or – better yet – both. At InRetroSpectPodcast.com we don’t make a single penny on the podcasts we produce, instead we’re passionate about the games we discuss and in ensuring that full credit is given to the fantastically talented people that make them.

For the fourth and final episode of the third arc of Pause:Continue, Peter Willington speaks with freelance writer Mark Brown to talk about Broken Sword: Shadow Of The Templars.

Mark talks about early memories of gaming on the Game Boy and PlayStation, and why the first Broken Sword is his favourite game from childhood. Mark and Peter also discuss the finer points of the title, such as the hidden depths of characters and solid puzzle design.

This month’s links…

Mark’s Blog - http://infamousgoat.tumblr.com/

Mark on Twitter - http://twitter.com/britishgaming

All music tracks and sound effects featured are the intellectual property of the developer or artist and used by us to better convey the tone and feel of the game. If you like what you hear in the short excerpts used you should support the artists that created them by either buying the games, the soundtracks themselves or – better yet – both. At InRetroSpectPodcast.com we don’t make a single penny on the podcasts we produce, instead we’re passionate about the games we discuss and in ensuring that full credit is given to the fantastically talented people that make them.

In episode 3 of Peter Willington’s continued search for the games we most fondly remember growing up, he’s joined by Brendan Caldwell to talk demos.

Remarking on just how important these trial versions of full games were to him in his youth, Brendan reveals how they inadvertently got him into writing, why he was initially disappointed by Metal Gear Solid when it was released and how he knows the opening sequence of that title like the back of his hand.

This month’s links…

Brendan’s Blog - http://brendycaldwell.wordpress.com/

Brendan on Twitter - https://twitter.com/brendy_c

All music tracks and sound effects featured are the intellectual property of the developer or artist and used by us to better convey the tone and feel of the game. If you like what you hear in the short excerpts used you should support the artists that created them by either buying the games, the soundtracks themselves or – better yet – both. At InRetroSpectPodcast.com we don’t make a single penny on the podcasts we produce, instead we’re passionate about the games we discuss and in ensuring that full credit is given to the fantastically talented people that make them.

Continuing the third Arc of Pause:Continue, Peter Willington is joined by Kris Lipscombe from TheSixthAxis to talk Sonic The Hedgehog on the Master System.

They discuss the differences between 8-bit Sonic and his bigger brother on the Mega Drive, how the game was seen as a dumbed down port where in reality it was a far tougher, far more cerebral game than the Blast Processor powered offering. Kris also talks about his childhood and how games were “events”, yet highly personal, and how his father introduced him to the medium.

This month’s links…

TheSixthAxis - http://www.thesixthaxis.com/

Kris on Twitter - https://twitter.com/halbpro

All music tracks and sound effects featured are the intellectual property of the developer or artist and used by us to better convey the tone and feel of the game. If you like what you hear in the short excerpts used you should support the artists that created them by either buying the games, the soundtracks themselves or – better yet – both. At InRetroSpectPodcast.com we don’t make a single penny on the podcasts we produce, instead we’re passionate about the games we discuss and in ensuring that full credit is given to the fantastically talented people that make them.

Do the games we played as children affect us as we became older? Are we informed by the classics from our youth or are we held back by them? Do our tastes ever change that dramatically? Do we still love the games we played for hours on end before we grew up into the people we are today? InRetroSpect’s Peter Willington decides to find out in Arc 3 of Pause:Continue.

This month he’s joined by Mike Mason who brings along Bub and Bob for the ride, as they discuss Mike’s favourite childhood game: Bubble Bobble. They talk about both console and home PC gaming, some of his earliest memories of video games, and shares some pro tips on the title.

This month’s links…

Nintendo Life – http://www.nintendolife.com

Mike on Twitter – http://twitter.com/MikeDMason

Cevinius’ rendition of Bubble Bobble – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l6r8yk9cns

Beastman’s Bubble Bobble – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8C38JvZTEA

RazorDave’s Bubble Bobble Theme – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1QDPrzt-RE

All music tracks and sound effects featured are the intellectual property of the developer or artist and used by us to better convey the tone and feel of the game. If you like what you hear in the short excerpts used you should support the artists that created them by either buying the games, the soundtracks themselves or – better yet – both. At InRetroSpectPodcast.com we don’t make a single penny on the podcasts we produce, instead we’re passionate about the games we discuss and in ensuring that full credit is given to the fantastically talented people that make them.

Released in August of 2011, Trauma is ostensibly a point and click adventure, albeit one that attempts to present feeling and tone over a complex series of puzzles and conversations. In this month’s Pause:Continue, Peter Willington explores the title and interviews its creator Krystian Majewski. Krystian speaks to InRetroSpect about the evolution of the adventure genre and the process of creating one of the most fascinating releases of the year.

This month’s links…

Trauma - http://www.traumagame.com/

Trauma Soundtrack - http://soundtracks.martinstraka.de/album/trauma-soundtrack

Krystian Majewski’s Blog - http://gamedesignreviews.com/scrapbook/

Monster Hunter Podcast - http://monsterhunterpodcast.tumblr.com/

All music tracks and sound effects featured are the intellectual property of the developer and used by us to better convey the tone and feel of the game. If you like what you hear in the short excerpts used you should support the artists that created them by either buying the games, the soundtracks themselves or – better yet – both. At InRetroSpectPodcast.com we don’t make a single penny on the podcasts we produce, instead we’re passionate about the games we discuss and in ensuring that full credit is given to the fantastically talented people that make them.

Adventure games are all the same aren’t they? “Of course not!” shouts Peter Willington in this second episode of P:C Arc 2, examining some of the games in the genre that dare to stand out, that try something new within the rigidly traditional format of pointing and clicking. Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is this month’s title, a game which is best when it’s being a sequel, at its worst, when it’s being a game.

This month’s links…

Dreamfall: The Longest Journey’s Official Website - http://www.dreamfall.com/

Funcom’s Official Website - http://www.funcom.com/

Ragnar Tørnquist’s Blog - http://www.ragnartornquist.com/

Next Month’s Game: Trauma - http://www.traumagame.com

All music tracks and sound effects featured are the intellectual property of Funcom and used by us to better convey the tone and feel of the game. If you like what you hear in the short excerpts used you should support the artists that created them by either buying the games, the soundtracks themselves or – better yet – both. At InRetroSpectPodcast.com we don’t make a single penny on the podcasts we produce, instead we’re passionate about the games we discuss and in ensuring that full credit is given to the fantastically talented people that make them.

What is the true legacy of Lara Croft? Is the tomb raiding heroine of the world famous franchise just a sex symbol of a time gone by, a relic more outdated than the treasures she finds on her adventures? Or could it be that the changes Ms. Croft brought to the games industry – and the medium in general – are now so ingrained and subtle that we’ve forgotten which English explorer we have to thank for them? Peter Willington investigates.

Warning! Contains spoilers!

All music tracks and sound effects featured are the intellectual property of Square Enix and used by us to better convey the tone and feel of the series. If you like what you hear in the short excerpts used you should support the artists that created them by either buying the games, the soundtracks themselves or – better yet – both. You can purchase the games and music right here. At InRetroSpectPodcast.com we don’t make a single penny on the podcasts we produce or on the sale of items we link to, instead we’re passionate about the games we discuss and in ensuring that full credit is given to the fantastically talented people that make them.

A new Arc, a new topic and this time it’s left-of-centre adventure titles. Peter Willington begins his exploration of the unique and the less-discussed adventure games, beginning with talking to fellow InRetroSpect podcaster Sam Turner about their shared playthrough of Nelson Tethers: Puzzle Agent.

This month’s links…

Telltale Games - http://www.telltalegames.com

Official Nelson Tethers: Puzzle Agent Page - http://www.telltalegames.com/puzzleagent

For the finale of the first Pause:Continue Arc Peter Willington describes the process of grafting together his game “Soldiers Are Dreamers” using the Adventure Maker engine as well as his feelings of having now completed this mammoth task. Plus he speaks with Billy Vincent frontmen David and Bill regarding their incredible track “Feathers” which features in the game.

This month’s links…

Soldiers Are Dreamers – Play Now

Billy Vincent - http://www.billyvincent.co.uk/

Adventure Maker - http://www.adventuremaker.com/

On this month’s show, InRetroSpect’s Peter Willington creates the art and sound assets for his upcoming game, which also receives its title. Plus, he talks with voice actors Rina-chan and Kyle Richardson, who provide the dialogue for this project.

This month’s links…

Find out more about Rina-chan – http://suzumiya-haruhi.net/

Find out more about Kyle Richardson – http://twitter.com/ManaCrevice

Voice Acting Alliance – http://voiceactingalliance.com/

GNU Image Manipulation Program – http://www.gimp.org/

Xero begins the long process of creating his game by forming the script and general structure outline, detailing why ambiguity is key to the piece and highlighting several inspirational games that have affecting narratives. Plus, how Siegfried Sassoon’s 1918 poem Dreamers affected the development of the modern day script.

This month’s links…

Dreamers by Siegfried Sassoon

Dreamscapes by Strider

Marconi drops in to discuss finishing up the playthrough of Danger Close’s Medal Of Honor, comparing the title once again with Evan Wright’s Generation Kill. Plus an interview with ex-Army James Brooks of He Said She Said and Xero decides on the type of game he wants to have made by the end of the project.

This month’s links…

http://www.hesaidshesaidfm.com/

http://www.medalofhonor.com/

Xero begins his playthrough of 2010′s Medal Of Honor from EA and Danger Close and discusses the title up to Belly Of The Beast with Marconi, referencing Generation Kill by author Evan Wright. The charming folks from Boss Baddie pop in to discuss getting started in game development. Plus Xero makes some important first decisions about the creation of his upcoming war themed game.

This month’s links…

http://bossbaddie.co.uk/

http://www.mrpineappleband.com/

http://www.adventuremaker.com/

http://www.medalofhonor.com/

So just what is Pause:Continue? Episode Zero quickly explains the basic concept and we announce the first game we’ll be playing so that you can play along with us.

Is Raiden really such an unlikeable brat? Does Sons Of Liberty have a confusing storyline? Was Hideo Kojima wrong to try and fool his audience? Xero shouts a resolute ‘no’ and explains why the game’s many criticisms are illogical in their foundation.

Warning! May not be suitable for children!

Contains spoilers!

It’s the final episode of the InRetroSpect Review Show and Xero talks about why he put together the show and what he feels the show has tried to achieve, looking back on two years of retro games criticism.

Michel Ancel’s directorial debut is explored in this super special edition of the InRetroSpect Review Show. Xero explains his feelings towards the early 32 bit era platformer, bringing the decisive verdict on this fondly remembered title from Ubisoft.

Xero gets in a copy of this SEGA platformer for a few ‘Knights’ (see what we did there?) to see if it’s still a classic title, or should gamers take it out back and put a ‘Sword’ to it…? (we’re sorry)

Xero shifts into top gear for his latest review, leaping into a Team Hornet branded racing car and taking Daytona USA out for a spin.

Straight from the arcades of old comes Virtua Cop, an early light gun shooter. But is it worth a shot, or is it a misfire all over? Xero gives the definitive verdict on this SEGA classic.

It’s time for Sonic The Hedgehog to take a back seat for a moment as the chief mascot of SEGA, as the InRetroSpect Review Show dusts off Ristar from the collection to see whether you should be adding it to your games collection. Is this relatively forgotten SEGA platformer a shining star when reviewed 15 years later, or does it burn up on re-entry? Xero investigates.

Xero takes a look at this Super Nintendo Japanese Role Playing Game ‘classic’, trying incredibly hard to not make any bad time related puns. Is it just the same as any other JRPG? Does its focus on choice offer anything new? Tune in to find out!

Flying reptiles, lazer weapons, tribal warfare, it’s a weird world that Panzer Dragoon paints, but is it one you should spend any time in? Xero investigates this Sega Saturn classic.

The return to the world stage of the most beloved 2D fighter series of all time, but is this a superb addition to the Street Fighter stable or one one-on-one brawler to avoid? Xero investigates…

In this month’s episode of the InRetroSpect Review Show, Xero takes Air Combat for a spin. Is Namco’s port of the arcade title still a dream to play after 15 years? Listen now to find out!

Oh, what’s this? Another episode of InRetroSpect? Fantastic. This month, Xero looks at the unique little 3D platformer that is Jumping Flash, but the big question is, is it any good?

This month Xero dusts off Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island to see if it holds up some 15 years later. Is the sequel to one of Miyamoto’s finest works any good? Download and find out!

This month Xero reviews Wing Commander III.

Not just one of the first games to use FMV, but one of the first mediums to use full CGI backgrounds. It cast  a full cast of professional characters (although it was not the first game to do so) including Mark Hamill, Malcom Mcdowell, John-Rys-Davies, and Tom Wilson [Who played Biff from Back to the Future fact fans]. Wing Commander III didn’t just pionner with it’s use of CGI, it also had the highest budget of any game made to that date ($4m).

The movies may have been groundbreaking, but were they any better than other failed attempts at intergrating live-action FMV? More importantly although billed as an interactive movie, was the interactive part any good? Xero Investigates.

A true 3D racer on the Super Nintendo? It can’t be done surely? It certainly can, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good… Xero investigates this classic, but largely forgotten racer from 1994.

Final Fantasy 6 is one of those rare games that we hold up as a paragon of design, a title that we reminisce about fondly with friends. A perfect game then to take apart piece by piece to analyse whether it is still a classic RPG tale, or if its quality is now just a legend.

Streets Of Rage 3 was a side-scrolling brawler for the Mega Drive, how well has it held up after 15 years? Xero investigates…

Micro Machines was developed by Codemasters. Codemasters were most famous at the time for the Dizzy games, now they are more likely to be associated with racing games such as the Colin McRae franchise.

Micro Machines 2 Turbo Tournament was released 3 years after the original. It added hover boats and helicopters to franchise as well as a head to head mode. Codemasters developed the ‘J-Cart’ for the game which placed two controller ports on the cartridge allowing 4 people to play the game without the use of a 4 player adapter. The game would eventually be remade in the form of Micro Machines Turbo Tournament ‘96 exclusively for the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis).

Join us as Xero find out whether the game was a revolution in racing games leading to Codemasters future success in the genre, a fun distraction or a waste of time?

Sorry about the delay in service but here it is!

King of Fighters, an SNK classic that was originally released on the Neo Geo arcade and home console, bringing together charactors from Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting, as well as revised versions of characters from Ikari Warriors and Psycho Soldier, and original characters created specifically for the game.

Is the nostagia factor all that should bring you back to this game or is there more substance to it? Xero finds out.

As usual you can contact us via e-mail, Facebook or Twitter, dont forget to leave us comments or questions and even reviews.

In this month’s show, Xero reviews the last game to be released on the NES, Wario’s Woods. Was it a classic game for the system to go out on, or let down by the hardware limitations? Does it compare to other puzzle games like Dr. Mario or Dr Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine? Xero finds out.

Comments? Questions? Send them to xero@inretrospectpodcast.com, join in on the InRetroSpect Facebook group or follow us on twitter.

For links to any of our other content or just to have a look check out our website http://inretrospectpodcast.com and let us know what you think of it!

In this month’s show, Xero take a look at Virtua Racing. One of the best games ever? Certainly with some of the best named characters ever. Is the game easy to play, a hardcore gamers dream or neither? Xero finds out.

Comments? Questions? Send them to xero@inretrospectpodcast.com, join in on the InRetroSpect Facebook group or follow us on twitter.

For links to any of our other content or just to have a look check out our new website http://inretrospectpodcast.com and let us know what you think of it!

This month Xero reviews Street Fighter 2 Turbo, the things that made the series so popular and what’s changed for the better.

Comments? Questions? Send them to xero@inretrospectpodcast.com, join in on the InRetroSpect Facebook group or follow us on twitter.

In this months show, Xero looks at The Lion King A high budget movie tie-in, is it better than the movie tie-ins of today or even worse? Xero finds out. Comments? Questions? Send them to xero@inretrospectpodcast.com, join in on the InRetroSpect Facebook group or follow us on twitter.

In this months show, Xero looks at Ridge Racer a classic arcade racer. Comments? Questions? Send them to xero@inretrospectpodcast.com or join in on the new InRetroSpect Facebook group.