Pandemic Studios ran a promotion for Mercenaries 2 in 2008 where they offered free fuel to gamers. It was an absolute disaster. With oil prices at record highs, the queues were massive and the whole thing descended into chaos. One of the most ill-timed and shambolic gaming promotions ever.

https://boingboing.net/2026/03/19/the-first-recording-of-computer-music-was-playing-at-the-wrong-pitch-for-decades.html The very first recording of computer music, made on Alan Turing's computer in 1951, had been playing at the wrong pitch for decades.

Does anybody remember G-Mantle, SNK's mascot? He was a very strange character and looked a lot like something out of V for Vendetta.

Will you be at Play Expo this year? The whole Retro Hour crew will be there in full effect, looking forward to hosting some panels and getting hands on with some amazing arcades at the UK's biggest retro gaming show. See you there! https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/

One video game soundtrack I cannot get out of my head is Buck Bumble on the N64. Speed garage as a genre choice is pretty sick, but did you know it was released on vinyl? https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/24594779 https://youtu.be/-YkFMdq1hpw?si=G67dBwYlVU2rxiYd

One area of gaming music that doesn't get nearly enough attention is the keygen music era. Cracktros were awesome but some of these tracks are absolute bangers. Did you have a favourite? https://hackaday.com/2025/07/20/remembering-chiptunes-the-demoscene-and-the-illegal-music-of-keygens/

We loved having Dara on the show. Check out the behind the scenes link below and let us know - do you think we'll ever see another mainstream TV show like Go 8 Bit? https://www.channel4.com/programmes/dara-o-briains-go-8-bit-behind-the-scenes

We hear a lot about Manic Miner but what about some love for Dynamite Dan? An absolute classic that deserves way more attention.

Did anybody ever get to experience the Sega Mega Jet on an actual plane? We'd love to know!

We don't talk about SimCity 2000 nearly enough. Maxis absolute masterpiece. What are your memories of it?

https://amigang.com/amiga-boxs/ How cool is this? Long term Amiga fansite AmigaNG has put together a selection of original boxes and bundles you can print out yourself. A brilliant little project for any Amiga fan.

Before the smartphone, before the mobile, there was the beep. Motorola's Pageboy I launched 62 years ago this month. No screen, no message, just a tone. Did you ever carry a pager?

It event season again and Dan's heading across the pond to VCF East 2026 as both host and guest. If you're going, come and say hello, we'd love to meet some of our American listeners! https://postly.click/QWAJ

Apple turns 50 this month. Half a century since Jobs, Woz and Wayne changed everything. If you want to mark the occasion properly, Bitmap Books' Secret History of Mac Gaming is well worth a look https://www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/all-books/products/the-secret-history-of-mac-gaming-expanded-edit

https://postly.click/m6j So the Duke Nukem movie with John Cena and Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes was announced back in 2018 and it's still stuck in development hell. Would you actually want to see this happen?

Did you grow up on Newgrounds? Drop a comment below with your most-played game from the era.

https://postly.click/N8e Which consoles and computers do you classify as retro, and how modern can you go?

Any trackball users out there?

I had totally forgotten about this Aphex Twin PacMan banger. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnURWFxwmk0

The Treamcast is a pretty cool looking Dreamcast mod from Hong Kong with a built-in LCD screen. Even though people call it a clone, it actually used original Sega parts, could play games from any region, and even worked online!

Have you ever tried to create your own game? How far did you get?

Enemy of the State (1998) made me want to buy an NEC TurboExpress. Which is funny, because they never even turn the thing on

Back in the day, GameWinners.com was where we got our cheats. After gaming magazines, where did you find them online?

Did any of you ever own a PlayStation mouse?

A common fault with some BBC Micros was the power supply letting go, often due to a capacitor popping. Did anyone else ever have a console or computer just blow up on them? Sudden pop, smoke, dead silence, never to boot again.

Tony Fadell wants Apple to bring back the iPod. Be honest: if Apple shipped a new one tomorrow, would you be in? https://postly.click/yfn

Shake it baby! Duke Nukem 3D was released 30 years ago today on January 29, 1996.

Old Amiga Swag

I loved the design of the PSone LCD screen. Did you ever have one, and were they any good?

We absolutely loved doing this interview with Sean Baptiste. We talk about rhythm games and Rock Band and Harmonix. . Joe was in his element. A really fun interview with a proper dude who not only highlights the game but also how important dedicated gaming communities and fan bases are. https://yout

Today 32 years ago on January 26, 1994, Sega 32X was released by Sega.

Today on January 24th 1984 the Apple Macintosh was released. 42 Years ago

Trigger Happy: A Visual Celebration of Video Game Controllers puts the hardware first. From the Atari CX40 and NES pad to the Mega Drive six-button controller, DualShock, and oddities like the Resident Evil chainsaw controller, it shines a light on an often overlooked part of gaming history.

After listening to the brilliant episode of @theretrohour.com have got Terminator 2D No Fate - so much fun, definitely challenging in places & just so many cool T2 references!

I didn't know you guys have Bluesky, but I am glad that I found you! I really enjoy listening your podcasts! 🎮🏆

Today marks 25 years since Wikipedia first went live. I still miss getting an encyclopedia on a CD-ROM and being amazed by the videos.

In January 1995 Kevin Mitnick Became the FBI’s most wanted computer criminal. Mitnick served his time, rebuilt his life, and went on to work openly in security. Rest in peace Kevin

We just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s been part of this. 2025 was a brilliant year for the podcast, with the show and the page both growing and passing 2 million views in just 90 days. As we head into 2026, we really appreciate the listeners and commenters.

We just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s been part of this. 2025 was a brilliant year for the podcast, with the show and the page both growing and passing 2 million views in just 90 days. As we head into 2026, we really appreciate the listeners and commenters.

An original Atari Star Wars Arcade cockpit has appeared, and for the cost of a small car you too can roleplay being an X Wing pilot every time you pop to the garage.

The Altair 8800 appeared on the January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics, changing the world of computing and catching the eye of certain Bill Gates and many others.

One of the reasons Bitmap Books stands out is in the details. Paper stock, binding, and print choices are revisited between editions based on reader feedback, not budget pressure. That kind of decision making is rare, and it shows in the finished books. https://postly.click/NMR @bitmapbooks

For a brief moment, bleem! let PlayStation games run on PC and even on the Sega Dreamcast, turning console loyalty into a technicality.

We’ve always had a soft spot for Indiana Jones style games. Rick Dangerous gets plenty of love, but QuackShot Starring Donald Duck somehow keeps getting left behind, despite doing the whole globe trotting adventure thing brilliantly.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heix... The Video Version of this years quiz. Thank you so much to the hosts Paul and Olly and the Patrons who joined us! Thanks to everybody who listened this year and hope you have a fantastic holiday season.

25 years ago today Phantasy Star Online hit the Dreamcast

This makes me feel old! 25 years ago today Hitman: Codename 47 came out on the PC

I'm listening to @theretrohour.com (#Retro #Gaming Podcast) | 510: “We Hid Gabe Newell in Our Game!” – Powerhoof - Making Retro Point & Click Adventures – The #RetroHour Podcast EP510 www.podbean.com/ea/dir-8dk7m...

PS1 Demo Disc 1 - Hours of entertainment... Dino, Manta, Crash Bandicoot, Destruction Derby 2, Wipeout 2097, Monster Trucks, F1, Tekken 2, Ridge Racer Revolution, Power Soccer, BattleArena Toshinden 2, Die Hard Trilogy, Descent, Actua Golf. https://postly.click/Z2U

I'm listening to @theretrohour.com (#Retro #Gaming Podcast) | 509: “This Shouldn’t Be Possible on an Amiga 500!” – H0ffman - Demoscene and Game Ports – The #RetroHour Podcast EP509 www.podbean.com/ea/dir-i5v7q...