Still Loading

It seems like 2023 has been the year of authors here on the show! Joining me on this episode is James Batchelor, who is the Editor in Chief of GamesIndustry.biz and host of the Bond & Beyond Podcast. James joins me today to talk about a book he has recently written called "The Best Non-Violent Video Games". We discuss the ins and outs of working in games media, how it influenced his work on the book and so much more! Buy James' book HERE Follow James on Twitter HERE End Song: Mega Man 3 Snake Buster Artist: Shinray Album: N/A https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR03767 Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

Everyone's favorite cuddly firebreather is finally making his appearance on Still Loading. This episode dives into the first game in the Spyro serie, Spyro the Dragon. I'm joined by my good friend Chris (@britishbondaddict) to talk about Insomniac's landmark PS1 3D platformer. We discuss why this game was so important for sony, how it feels to control today and we debate over if the music is good (I may have some hot takes). End Song: Ice Ice Dragon Artist: RobKTA + Starstorm Album: N/A https://youtu.be/xNOpQvFFSrA?si=DRqn3Y3odP9jWyx2 Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

Its another not-so-mini mini episode! It is the penultimate episode of our Captain N series and we are covering episodes 5 and 6 of season 3! Dexter of course is back and we break down the episodes A Tale of Two Dogs  and Battle of the Basketball Know-it-Alls. This month we finally see the return of the entire N team being all together in an episode! And Mother Brain's crew is here too! End Song: Mega Man 3 Snake Buster Artist: Shinray Album: N/A https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR03767 Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

This episode has long been in the making. Back in August I shared on social media that I finally was having my mom on the show, though I kept it vague as to what she was coming on to talk about. This episode is a bit hard to describe what it's about, but at it's core it is a very personal episode for me. I'm joined by my Mom, my friend CJ and my friend Jamie to talk about the various memories of gaming growing up. And while this isn't focused solely on memories of a games, console or genre; it is focused on memories of gaming with friends.... kinda. In the episode I call it gaming in a social space, if that even makes sense. This episode is filled with stories of times when I would play games outside of the standard living room setup or the classic game night sleepover. It is about the times when video games were bigger than the worlds they inhabited on the TV. This episode is about Rocking Chairs, Halo 2 and LAN Parties.   Songs used: 1: Name: Donkey Kong 64: Jungle Japes (Vector U Remix) Artist: Vector U Al

Nostalgia, as they say, is one hell of a drug. This week on the show I'm revisiting a game I covered A LONG time ago, in fact this topic was originally covered in the 2nd episode ever of the podcast! But that episode, along with 5 or 6 others, is hidden away over on soundcloud; so I figured it was about damn time I cover it again. This week I am talking about one of my favorite childhood games, an obscure Mac game called Power Pete (later renamed to Mighty Mike). Joining me to help me break down this favorite of mine is Phil Salvador. Phil is the Library Director at the Video Game History Foundation and he also runs the website The Obscuritory, which is a blog about less known games and software. Phil and I talk about the highs and lows of the game, everything from the joy of exploding cakes to the horror of Little Miss Muffet. If you have ever wanted to learn more about an obscure Mac game than this is the episode for you! Follow Phil on Twitter HERE Check out The Obscuritory HERE Check out the Video Game Hi

October can't end without me at least TRYING to play a spooky game! I'm joined by my good friend Lukas Eggen from the LAN Parties Podcast to discuss the Tarsier Studios' puzzle platform horror adventure game Little Nightmares. I'm not normally a fan of horror games but it was a lot of fun getting to explore this little game. Lukas and I discuss the game's themes, mechanics and more. Does this game show the darkness hidden in all of us? Or is it a representation of how the world can wear us down? Listen and find out! Follow Lukas HERE Follow LAN Parties HERE End Song: Tonberry Takeout Artist: Chjolo Album: Haloween EP https://gamechops.com/halloween/ Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

Video game history has had a special place in my heart for quite some time. I've done a full episode on the topic with my Captain N co-host Dexter, I include history about all the games I cover in each episode and I interview people who write books on game history. It's a topic that I'm very passionate about. Joining me today on the show is Stephen Frost, who is the head of production at the game developer Digital Eclipse. Digital Eclipse is the studio responsible for the Atari 50 collection and more recently, The Making of Karateka and the Wizardry remake. This company is doing some of the most important work for game preservation and making it accessible to consumers and so I HAD to get someone from the company on the show to talk about it. Stephen was a wonderful guest and we have a great conversation about Digital Eclipse's work, his opinions on the game industry and so much more. Make sure you listen to this episode to learn about all the amazing work Digital Eclipse does! Check out Digital Eclipse's web

In this month's Captain N episode Dexter and I get to return to Castlevania and Tetris! The two episodes from season 3 that we cover are episodes 3 & 4, Return to Castlevania and Totally Terisized. Learn all about the Simon Belmont Awards, the confusion of names on gravestones and why this Tetris episode scared the crap outta Dexter when he was a kid! End Song: Vampire Killer Artist: James Landino Album: Smooth McGroove Remixed 2 https://gamechops.com/smooth-mcgroove-remixed-2/ Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

FRESH MEAT! This week on the show I am joined by Shane Koski from the Retro Hangover Podcast to discuss the first entry in the iconic Blizzard series Diablo. Shane and I go a little off the rails while somehow staying on topic? We discuss how the game's mechanics were super influential at the time, how the game's loot system is so unique and even we find some time to debate what having fun in a game really means.  Check out Retro Hangover HERE End Song: Diablo "Wet Grass Inspired" Artist: AmIEviL Album: N/A https://ocremix.org/remix/OCR00129 Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

It's been quite some time since I have covered an Uncharted game. I started a Naughty Dog series a long while ago and went through all the Uncharted games made by Naughty Dog and FINALLY I am rounding out my coverage of the game series with a wonderful discussion on Uncharted: Golden Abyss. Uncharted: Golden Abyss is a Vita title that helped shape more of the Vita than you know and featured a lot of new an unique mechanics because of it being on the Vita. I am joined by Bill Barber from the Gaming & Collecting Podcast and The 3DO Experience to discuss the only portable entry in the Uncharted series. Does the game hold up? Is it worth tracking down a Vita to play? Find out in this episode! End Song: Burnt Sienna Artist: DJ Cutman Album: Free to Stream https://djcutman.bandcamp.com/album/free-to-stream Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still

The final season of Captain N is HERE! Season 3 is a little different than 1 and 2 for a few reasons, but notably the episodes are only 10 minutes long now! So to compensate for that Dex and I are covering 2 episodes of season 3 for each episode of our ongoing look into the show. Not gonna lie either, these episodes have been the wildest yet... End Song: Born To Rave Artist: Graz and E*Tank Album: Super Standards https://gamechops.com/graz-and-etank-born-to-rave/ Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

Licensed games are interesting. Either they are phenomenal adaptations like GoldenEye and Spiderman 2, or they are absolute garbage like Superman 64 or (insert most Simpsons games here). This week on the show I had a chat with author Chris Carton, who has written a book all about games that are based on movie licenses. We talk about his research process, how many games he covers in the book, what movies he wish had games and so much more! Check out his book HERE Find Chris's other books HERE Follow Chris on Twitter HERE End Song: Rainbow Connection Artist: Button Masher Album: Super Standards https://gamechops.com/super/ Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

As with every decade, there are hobbies and activites that propell beyond just a temporary fad. Skateboarding had growing and waning periods of popularity but after the release of a small little game called Tony Hawk's Pro Skater it propelled into the stratosphere. I'm joined this week by Dave from Remember 64 and Jiggy from the YouTube channel Jiggy Lookback to discuss the iconic skateboarding video game. While it may not have been the first skating game it sure as hell set the standard for the genre. End Song: Split & Splat Artist: Rocketchip Album: N/A https://gamechops.com/split-splat/ Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

One of my favorite parts of podcasting is getting to meet some of the incredibly talented people that lend their voices to help our favorite characters come to live. Joining me this week on the show is actress, voice over artist and improvisor Elizabeth Saydah. We talk about her performance as Riley in the recently released Oxenfree 2, improv and we even find time to talk about what her favorite smell is. End Song: Star Festival Artist: Helynt Album: Super Lofi World 2 https://gamechops.com/super-lofi-world-2/ Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

It's BACK! Last year I released an episode called "Final Fantasy Fantasy Draft" which was a 2.5 hour long episode where 4 guests tried to "draft" their ideal Final Fantasy while competing with each other. It was basically what happens when Final Fantasy and fantasy sports mixed. Luckily, there is no knowledge of fantasy sports required to enjoy this episode! Just tune in and enjoy this celebration of all things Final Fantasy This time there are some new things added/changed! Ther are 4 new guests, a new draft category, new play abilities AND now you the listener will get to vote on who won this year's fantasy draft! Once you finish the episode click on the link below and tell me who you thought won this year's draft! Vote HERE: https://forms.gle/J7vkLE5e3LMmzMdb9 Check out Aidan's book "Fight, Magic, Items" on his website HERE! Or on his publisher's website HERE! Check out Sebastian's book "Final Fantasy VI" HERE! Follow Dan on Twitter HERE Follow Mick on Twitter HERE Follow Aidan on Twitter HERE Follow Seb

It's hard to believe but we have reached the finale of season 2 of the Captain N series. There is only one season (more like half a season) left of the show. Dexter Morrill and I break down episode 13 of season 2, Germ Wars. What is a video virus? Why does Kid Icarus have an arrow for everything and yet nothing? And apparently Kevin is actually the only human on the N team? Even though season 1's finale involved Mega Man becoming a real boy? Find out the answers to all of this and more in this month's Captain N episode! End Song: BLUENOISE! Artist: PROTODOME Album: BLUESCREEN https://protodome.bandcamp.com/album/bluescreen Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

It seems like more and more indie games are causing big waves in the gaming zeitgeist. One of the earlier examples of this is the game being covered in this episode. I am joined by Anthony from the Indie Diarist Podcast to discuss the acclaimed indie game To the Moon. We discuss some of the game's history, its thematic material and how it affected us personally. We discuss the morality explored in this game and how sometimes just one line can really affect you. It was an amazing discussion and I hope you all enjoy it! Check out the Indie Diarist HERE Follow the Indie Diarist on Twitter End Song: For River - Piano (Johnny's Version) Artist: TKan Gao ft. Laura Shigihara Album: To the Moon OST https://freebirdgames.bandcamp.com/album/to-the-moon-ost Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Donate to the Bit by Bit Foundation HERE Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcas

This episode has been a LONG time coming. I am joined by Kade from the Gaming Memories Podcast to talk about one of my personal favorite games, Medal of Honor. The original Medal Of Honor games holds a VERY special place in my heart as it was something my dad and I bonded over and sparked my interest in World War 2 history. Kade and I dive into the game's history, how it changed the FPS genre and much more! Check out Gaming Memories HERE End Song: Terra Artist: Tee Lopes Album: N/A https://gamechops.com/terra-tee-lopes/ Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Donate to the Bit by Bit Foundation HERE Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? https://www.teepublic.com/user/still-loading-podcast

What episode topic could POSSIBLY follow a full 2.5 hours retrospective on the Famicom? Of course it is a breakdown of basically the first Nintendo movie, The Wizard. I am joined by two wonderful returning guests to discuss this bizarre film. Jared from the Play Along Podcast and returning from last week and Stephan Reese also known as the Art of Nintendo Power. We discuss how carving your name into a tree could be a good business card, the logistics of twinkie truck delivery routes and we argue about who this movie really is for. Donate to the Interactive Art Collection HERE Or check out the website for the charity HERE Check out Jared and the rest of the Play Along Podcast crew HERE End Song: Polarity Shift Artist: Malmen Album: Fakebit World https://malmenmusic.bandcamp.com/album/fakebit-world Check out the Bit by Bit Foundation! https://www.bitbybitfoundation.org/ Donate to the Bit by Bit Foundation HERE Support the Podcast! https://www.patreon.com/stillloadingpod Want to buy some Still Loading merch? h

The Famicom, known as the Nintendo Entertainment System over here in North America, is arguably one of the most important systems of all time. Well it turns out this year is the 40th anniversary of the console's launch in Japan so it is WELL overdue for me to cover it here on Still Loading. To help me discuss this legendary system I am joined by Stephan Reese from the non-profit Interactive Art Collection (also known as The Art of Nintendo Power on Twitter), Try from the YouTube channel My Life in Gaming and Dave from the YouTube channel Game Dave. The four of us discuss the history of the system, what it has meant to us all personally and why this system seems to have such staying power in pop culture zeitgeist. Donate to the Interactive Art Collection HERE Or check out the website for the charity HERE Check out My Life in Gaming HERE Check out Game Dave HERE End Song: Shy Guy Mai Taii (“Athletic Theme” from Super Mario Bros 2) Artist: Dubtendo Album: Dubtendo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BPj3Ja3emg Ch