Ever wondered if those “55,000 Games Included” emulator consoles are actually worth buying… or complete junk?

In this episode of the Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, we dive deep into the world of cheap retro emulator handhelds, HDMI game sticks, and premium portable gaming systems. From ultra-budget $10 devices found on Temu and AliExpress to powerful handhelds capable of running PS2 and GameCube games, we break down what’s legit, what’s misleading, and what retro gamers should actually spend their money on.

We cover:

Cheap emulator handhelds under $20

The best value retro gaming systems

Premium handheld emulation devices

Fake game counts and scam marketing

Hidden gems in the emulator scene

Pros and cons of each price tier

Why retro gamers are obsessed with these devices

Whether you’re brand new to emulation or already deep into the retro handheld rabbit hole, this episode is packed with nostalgia, laughs, and honest opinions on the gaming devices flooding the internet right now.

What’s the BEST emulator handheld you’ve ever owned?

Let us know in the comments!

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Remember when gaming meant standing shoulder-to-shoulder, fighting over quarters, and yelling at your friends to STOP DYING?

In this episode of the Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, we’re diving into the absolute madness of 4-player arcade machines—the loudest, most chaotic, and most unforgettable era in gaming history.

From the legendary Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (arcade game) to the hilarious brawls of The Simpsons (arcade game), these games weren’t just about winning… they were about surviving the chaos together.

We break down: 🔥 Why 4-player arcades felt so different

💰 How these games were designed to eat your quarters

🎮 The best (and most chaotic) moments from the arcade era

🧠 Trivia you probably didn’t know

⚡ And why nothing today quite matches that feeling

Whether you grew up shouting “COWABUNGA!” or just love retro gaming history, this episode is pure nostalgia fuel.

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Which retro hockey game truly holds up today?

In this episode of Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, we hit the ice and break down three classic hockey titles that defined a generation: Ice Hockey, Blades of Steel, and NHL 92.

From the chaotic fun of fat players in Ice Hockey, to the legendary fights in Blades of Steel, to the realism shift that started with NHL 92 — we’re asking the big question…

👉 Which one is STILL the best today?

We break down:

What aged well (and what didn’t)

Which game is the most fun in 2026

Which one changed hockey games forever

Drop your pick in the comments — and don’t say “all of them”… we know you have a favorite.

🎧 New episodes of Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast

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BBuy your copy today with Power Up Gaming https://collabs.shop/m34hcp (affiliate link)

Did you know there’s a retro game where you defend your teeth from junk food and plaque?

In this episode of the Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, Toby dives into the bizarre and surprisingly fun Atari classic Plaque Attack.

Released on the legendary Atari 2600, this strange arcade-style shooter puts you in control of a toothbrush blasting toothpaste at waves of attacking burgers, pizza, candy, and plaque monsters.

Yes… it’s exactly as weird as it sounds.

We explore:

🦷 The strange concept behind the game

🎮 How the gameplay actually works

👾 The developer who created it

📺 Why Atari made a dental hygiene game

🏆 Whether it still holds up today

Plus we drop some retro gaming trivia you might not know about this unusual title.

If you love discovering weird forgotten retro games, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, Toby dives into one of the strangest early NES shooters ever made — MAGMAX.

Originally an arcade game from 1985, MAGMAX featured a unique mechanic where players collected robot parts to transform their ship into a giant mech. It was weird, experimental, and very much a product of the early Nintendo era.

Was MAGMAX a hidden gem… or a forgotten oddball?

Let’s find out.

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What if one of the most creative multiplayer games on the original PlayStation… was also one of the most forgotten?

In this episode of the Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, Toby dives into the chaotic and wildly unique world of Team Buddies, a 1999 PlayStation game developed by Psygnosis.

Unlike most games of its time, Team Buddies introduced a bizarre but brilliant mechanic: weapon crafting using cardboard boxes. Stack them in different patterns and you could create everything from machine guns and rocket launchers to tanks and helicopters.

So why did a game this creative disappear from the spotlight?

In this episode we explore:

The strange and innovative box crafting system

Why multiplayer matches became absolute chaos

The story behind Psygnosis and their experimental design

Why the game struggled to succeed in 1999

How Team Buddies eventually became a retro cult classic

If you love forgotten PlayStation games, retro multiplayer chaos, and gaming history, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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What really happened to Crash Bandicoot?

In this deep-dive episode, we explore the wild rise, shocking fall, and unexpected comeback of gaming’s favorite marsupial, Crash Bandicoot. From his explosive debut on the original PlayStation to the behind-the-scenes studio changes, corporate shake-ups, and years of silence that nearly erased him from gaming history, this episode uncovers the full story fans never got to hear.

We break down:

How Naughty Dog created a mascot icon

Why ownership battles changed his destiny

The era when Crash almost disappeared completely

And how remakes like Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy brought him back from extinction

Whether you grew up spinning through crates or are just discovering retro gaming history, this episode is packed with nostalgia, trivia, and surprising industry secrets.

🎮 Press play and relive the legend.

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Before open worlds, quest logs, and massive RPG maps, there was Adventure — a groundbreaking title that quietly changed gaming history. In this episode, we dive into the story behind the tiny square hero, the dragons guarding a magical chalice, and the revolutionary ideas that made this simple game one of the most influential releases of all time.

You’ll hear the wild development story of creator Warren Robinett, learn how the first video game Easter egg was secretly hidden, and discover why this minimalist classic still shapes modern game design decades later.

Grab a drink for our special Drinks With Josh segment, test your retro knowledge with trivia, and join the debate:

Is Adventure still fun today — or just legendary?

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