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PLAY RETRO 188: Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
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Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1990) and Elvira II: The Jaws of Cerberus (1991) from HorrorSoft — two Amiga and DOS adventure titles that combined RPG elements, point-and-click mechanics, and horror themes under the Accolade label. We also review Elvira: The Arcade Game (1991), a platform-action title from Flair Software, and briefly discuss the licensed pinball machines Elvira and the Party Monsters (1989) and Scared Stiff (1996).
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PLAY RETRO 218: Jet Force Gemini
01:17:40|Jet Force Gemini, one of Rare’s final original IPs for the N64, brought cinematic sci-fi action together with run-and-gun combat, exploration, puzzle solving, collect-a-thon progression, and split-screen multiplayer in a surprisingly large and ambitious package. The game follows a pair of space twins and their dog, Lupus, as they battle giant ant-like drones while trying to avoid collateral damage to the local cute, bear-like inhabitants.
PLAY RETRO 217: Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
01:18:36|Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker (1990) brought the King of Pop to arcades and home consoles with two completely different takes on the same concepts - an isometric co-op arcade experience and a side-scrolling Genesis version built around exploration and music-driven combat. We also take a look at the earlier European computer adaptation, showing how differently the Moonwalker license was interpreted across platforms.
PLAY RETRO 216: Rastan
01:08:24|Taito’s Rastan (1987) brought sword-and-sorcery fantasy to the arcade with giant monsters, brutal platforming, and a barbarian hero straight out of a Conan paperback. We follow that path through Nastar (1989), released in Japan as Rastan Saga II, and briefly look at Warrior Blade, the rare triple-screen arcade finale that closed out the series in oversized style.
PLAY RETRO 215: Tobal No. 1
01:13:09|Tobal No. 1 (1996) brought Square into the 3D fighting game arena with fast 60 FPS combat, full arena movement, and character designs by Akira Toriyama. Known both for its innovative Quest Mode and for including the famous Final Fantasy VII demo disc, it became one of PlayStation’s most memorable cult fighters.
PLAY RETRO 214: Neverwinter Nights (2002)
01:12:05|Neverwinter Nights (2002) brought Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition to PC with character-driven storytelling, multiplayer persistent worlds, and the powerful Aurora Toolset. We also explore the 2003 expansions Shadows of Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark, which expanded the campaign, raised level caps, and pushed the game into epic-level D&D adventures.
PLAY RETRO 213: PaRappa The Rapper
01:10:00|PaRappa The Rapper (1996) introduced call-and-response rap gameplay, memorable instructors, and stylized visuals that helped define the rhythm genre. We also look at Um Jammer Lammy (1999), the guitar-driven spiritual successor that expanded the formula with jam sessions, effects, and multiplayer rhythm gameplay.
PLAY RETRO 212: Chibi-Robo!
59:34|A small household robot helps a struggling family by cleaning, solving problems, and exploring a home where everyday objects become towering environments. With limited battery life, unlockable tools, and a day-night cycle. Chibi-Robo!Plug into Adventure for the Gamecube blends exploration, light puzzles, and character-driven storytelling into a quiet, unconventional adventure from Skip Ltd.
PLAY RETRO 211: Sam & Max Hit the Road
01:13:59|Sam & Max Hit the Road (1993) follows freelance police Sam and Max as they investigate a missing Bigfoot, leading them on a cross-country adventure through bizarre tourist attractions and absurd encounters. Using classic point-and-click gameplay, players gather clues, solve puzzles, and unlock new locations while navigating the game’s signature humor and mini-games in classic LucasArts fashion.
PLAY RETRO 210: Blade Runner
01:37:46|An investigation through rain-soaked Los Angeles as a Blade Runner tracks replicants, gathers evidence, and navigates shifting loyalties in Westwood’s 1997 adventure. Featuring branching outcomes, randomized character roles, and systems built around player choice, Blade Runner stands apart from traditional point-and-click games