Episode Twelve - Electronic Gaming Nintendo Pros

Prior to the internet's explosion in popularity, video game magazines were an indispensable part of gaming culture. From reviews to previews, cheat codes to reader mail, they helped foster a common language of video games and created awareness of a larger gaming community. In this episode, we focus on the gaming magazines that had an impact on us growing up, and also take a look at the future of the medium and its new wave of print-on-demand publications. Don't forget to subscribe now and save 70% off the newsstand price!

Podcast Available At:

http://mothershabooboo.com/ken/WVITC12.mp3  

Music Featured In This Episode:

Olga Breeze - Darius II - Arcade
Passing Breeze - OutRun - Arcade
Taneo Dance Fever - Incredible Crisis - PSOne
Jagajogo - Panic! (Switch) - Sega CD

Episode Eleven - Mana From Heaven

Formerly one of Square's flagship properties, the Mana/Seiken Densetsu series began on the Game Boy but is best known for the 1993 smash SNES hit Secret of Mana. Each subsequent game in the series has struggled in the shadow of that landmark title, but they admirably tried to do something different while creating a consistent "World of Mana" between them. Even the Square USA-developed and Mana-inspired Secret of Evermore managed to stand apart, thanks to smart writing and a presentation designed to appeal to Western audiences. In this episode, we take a look at each of the major entries in this revered-yet-divisive series and offer our thoughts on its enduring popularity.

Podcast Available At:

http://mothershabooboo.com/ken/WVITC11.mp3 

Music Featured In This Episode:

Rising Sun - Final Fantasy Adventure/Seiken Densetsu - GB
Tell a Strange Tale - Secret of Mana/Seiken Densetsu 2 - SNES
Meridian Child - Seiken Densetsu 3 - SFC
Podunk, 1995 - Secret of Evermore - SNES
Earth Painting - Legend of Mana - PSOne
Angel's Fear - Secret of Mana/Seiken Densetsu 2 - SNES

Episode Ten - Scared Silicon

In terms of delivering shocks, scares and suspense to audiences, electronic games have proven that they can be just as effective as whatever's playing at the local cineplex. In this episode, thrills and chills await as spooky game aficionado Ty drops by to help us discuss the games that go out of their way to make players as uncomfortable as possible, yet keep them coming back for more. Just be sure to keep your sanity meter topped up while you listen, or else who knows what might happen?       

Podcast Available At:

http://mothershabooboo.com/ken/WVITC10.mp3

Music Featured In This Episode:

Don't Cry Jennifer - Clock Tower - SFC
Engineering - System Shock 2 - PC

Special Episode - Live At The 2012 Midwest Gaming Classic

Held this past March 24th and 25th, the 2012 Midwest Gaming Classic was the biggest one yet. Naturally, the WVITC crew was in attendance and we even brought back a souvenir for those who couldn't make it: a special episode recorded live from the show floor/basement! The hallways at the show might have been narrow, but the range of discussion in this show is not! Plus, join us at the end for a special auditory journey back to 1986.

Podcast Available At:

http://mothershabooboo.com/ken/WVITCLiveAtMidwestGamingClassic2012.mp3

Music Featured In This Episode:

Captain Neo - Darius - Arcade
Pa.Ma.Di (On The Way Home With A Perm) - Cameltry - Arcade
Main Theme - Top Landing 

Episode Nine - Neo Geology

In this episode we take on the system that prided itself on being bigger, badder and better than the competition: SNK's Neo Geo. Although a common fixture in arcades due to the popularity of the Multi Video System cabinet's versatility, most of the Neo's mystique lies in its home console incarnation, which is host to some of the rarest and most expensive games around. Thanks to SNK's continuing efforts to port Neo Geo games to a variety of formats however, there are plenty of ways to experience what the system has to offer without having to take out a second mortgage to pay for it all. Whether it's a shooter, platformer, puzzle game or fighter, each Neo Geo game bears the mark of SNK's inimitable style. Even though SNK's hardware manufacturing days came to an end with the brilliant but short-lived Neo Geo Pocket portable system, the Neo Geo brand name continues to represent the legacy of a company dedicated to doing things its own way. 

Podcast Available At:

http://mothershabooboo.com/ken/WVITC9.mp3

Music Featured In This Episode:

Neo Geo Boot Screen
Dale of Evil Gods - Magician Lord
Code X - The Super Spy
Geese Howard's Theme - Fatal Fury
Wood Planet - Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy
Italy Stage - The King of Fighters '94
End Title - Metal Slug

PC Episode Six - Epic MegaGaming

The PC is not known as a platform for shooters (shmups) or fighting games, but in this episode we feature two shareware classics from Epic MegaGames that challenge that perception: Tyrian and One Must Fall: 2097. As if the chance to blast countless enemy ships in a frenzied firefight or reduce a friend's prized fighting robot to scrap wasn't incentive enough to try these games, both of them are available as freeware. If two great games for free sounds good to you, dial into your favorite BBS and get to it!

Episode Available At:

http://mothershabooboo.com/ken/WVITCPC6.mp3   

Music Featured in this Episode:

Menu (Main Theme) - One Must Fall: 2097
Power Plant - One Must Fall: 2097
Tyrian, The Song - Tyrian

Episode Eight - Compact Disc - interactivity

Is it an educational device masquerading as a game machine, or an early example of the do-everything set-top box concept now realized in the PS3 and Xbox 360? The Philips CD-i is an anomaly that would have quietly faded into obscurity if it weren't for its infamous games featuring beloved Nintendo characters, but there's more to it than that. In this episode, we seek out some of the more memorable and innovative titles for the system that still have the potential to entertain and possibly even educate. Now, get to the train and blow The Guardian's lights out! 

Podcast Available At:
http://mothershabooboo.com/ken/WVITC8.mp3               

Music Featured In This Episode:

Main Menu/Map Screen - Link: The Faces of Evil
Nortinka - Link: The Faces of Evil
Psychic Roulette - Burn:Cycle
System Software - Burn:Cycle