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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In this episode of Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, we dive into the unlikely partnership between Sega and Microsoft and how Sega’s experience with the Dreamcast helped shape the original Xbox. From online gaming lessons learned through the Dreamcast, to Xbox exclusives like Jet Set Radio Future, Panzer Dragoon Orta, and Shenmue II, this collaboration quietly changed gaming history.

We break down:

Why Sega exited the console business after the Dreamcast

How Microsoft convinced Sega to support the Xbox

The Dreamcast DNA hidden inside the original Xbox

Xbox Live’s roots in Sega’s early online experiments

Why many fans still call the Xbox the “spiritual successor” to the Dreamcast

This isn’t just a Sega story.

It’s not just an Xbox story.

It’s a turning point that reshaped modern gaming.

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What if every video game you played was built specifically for you?

In this episode of Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, we explore a future where artificial intelligence doesn’t just assist game developers — it actually designs and adapts games based on how you play.

From AI-driven difficulty systems to fully personalized worlds, quests, enemies, and stories, we break down how close we really are to games that learn your habits, preferences, and skills in real time.

We also dive into the darker side of personalized gaming — including manipulation, addiction, loss of human creativity, and what happens when algorithms understand players better than they understand themselves.

Is this the next evolution of gaming… or a dangerous turning point?

Let us know what you think in the comments!

🎮 Topics Covered:

What “personalized gaming” really means

Current examples of adaptive AI in games

How AI-generated content could work

The benefits and risks of AI-built experiences

The future of human creativity in game development

Subscribe for more retro gaming discussions, deep dives, and gaming history every week!

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In the mid-1990s, Sega quietly launched one of the most ambitious ideas in gaming history — The Sega Channel. A subscription service that allowed players to download Sega Genesis games directly through their cable TV line, long before digital storefronts, cloud gaming, or online consoles became the norm.

In this episode, we break down exactly how the Sega Channel worked, what made it so revolutionary, and the exclusive games and features that made it special. We also explore the many reasons the service struggled, including high costs, limited availability, cable company resistance, confusing marketing, and Sega’s shifting focus toward new hardware.

Was the Sega Channel a failure… or simply a brilliant idea released at the wrong time?

If you love retro gaming, lost tech, and stories about companies that were ahead of the curve, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, we throw on the headbands and hit the streets to break down one of the most iconic beat ’em ups of all time—Double Dragon.

We dive into the origins of Billy and Jimmy Lee, the rise of side-scrolling brawlers in the late ’80s, and how Double Dragon helped define the co-op arcade experience before making its legendary leap to home consoles like the NES. From brutal difficulty and memorable music to controversial ports and sequels, we explore what the game got right, what didn’t age so well, and why it still holds a special place in gaming history.

Whether you grew up pumping quarters into the arcade cabinet or mastering the NES version at home, this episode is a full-on nostalgia trip packed with facts, stories, and plenty of tangents along the way.

#DoubleDragon

#RetroGaming

#BeatEmUp

#ArcadeClassics

#NES

#ClassicGaming

#GamingPodcast

#RetroGamingPodcast

#PodcastLife

#YouTubePodcast

#GamingHistory

#80sGaming

#90sGaming

#ArcadeNostalgia

#OldSchoolGaming

#PixelArt

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THQ was once one of the biggest names in video games, dominating the late ’90s and 2000s with iconic franchises like WWE SmackDown!, Saints Row, Destroy All Humans!, Darksiders, and countless licensed hits. But just as fast as THQ rose to the top, it came crashing down.

In this episode, we dive deep into the incredible rise of THQ, how smart licensing deals and bold ideas turned it into a powerhouse, and what ultimately led to its shocking bankruptcy in 2012. From risky investments and overspending to the changing gaming landscape, this is the full story of how one of gaming’s most recognizable publishers lost it all.

Whether you grew up playing THQ classics or you’re curious how major gaming companies can fail, this is a fascinating look at ambition, success, and the brutal reality of the video game industry.

🎮 What was your favorite THQ game?

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In this episode of Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, we dive deep into Micro Machines for the Nintendo Entertainment System — one of the most intense and addictive top-down racing games of the 8-bit era.

From kitchen tables and bathtubs to razor-thin tracks and ruthless screen control, Micro Machines proved that you didn’t need realism to create unforgettable gameplay. This game was fast, unforgiving, and legendary—especially in multiplayer.

🎮 In this episode, we cover:

The origins of Micro Machines on NES

Why the top-down camera worked so well

Brutal difficulty and precision gameplay

Multiplayer chaos that ended friendships

Why this game still holds up today

Whether you played it growing up or missed it entirely, this is one NES racer that deserves respect.

👉 Did you survive Micro Machines multiplayer, or did the screen claim you first? Let us know in the comments!

#MicroMachines #NES #RetroGaming #NintendoEntertainmentSystem

#ClassicGames #RetroRacing #8BitGaming

#TangentRetroGamingPodcast

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In this episode of the Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, we take a full nostalgia lap around the game that created the kart-racing genre. From Mode 7 madness and brutal AI rubber-banding to couch-co-op battles that ended friendships, we break down what made Super Mario Kart legendary — and why it still matters today.

🎮 What we cover:

How Super Mario Kart was created (and why it almost wasn’t a Mario game)

Character stats you never saw but definitely felt

The most rage-inducing tracks (looking at you, Rainbow Road)

Battle Mode chaos and sibling rivalries

Why the SNES AI absolutely cheats

The legacy that led to Mario Kart 64, Double Dash, and beyond

If you grew up drifting with your thumbs and yelling at the TV from the same couch, this one’s for you.

General / Podcast #TangentRetroGamingPodcast #RetroGamingPodcast #GamingPodcast #PodcastLife #RetroGames #VideoGamePodcast

Game-Specific #SuperMarioKart #MarioKartSNES #SNES #SuperNintendo #MarioKart #NintendoHistory

Nostalgia / Engagement #RetroGaming #90sGaming #ClassicGames #OldSchoolGaming #CouchCoOp #GamingNostalgia

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