Explore every episode of the podcast Reel Game Vault

Welcome to the very first episode of Reel Game Vault!

I’m Andy, and in this new series I’m opening up the Vault and taking a trip back through the retro games that have passed through my collection — the games I remember, the games I loved, and sometimes the games I’m discovering all over again.

For Episode 1, we’re heading back to the Commodore 64 for two very different games that recently left the Vault together.

First up is Paradroid, the 1985 C64 classic from legendary programmer Andrew Braybrook and Graftgold. We’ll look at the fascinating story behind its development, the ideas and influences that helped shape it, the ingenious robot-transfer mechanic, and why Paradroid became such a beloved C64 game.

Then we head to Planet X for Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters — originally an Atari arcade game before making its way onto the C64. I’ll look back at the arcade original, the C64 conversion, the strange and wonderful sci-fi B-movie inspiration, and my own memories of playing it.

Two games. Two very different approaches to retro gaming.

And both have now left the Vault.

So grab your joystick, load up that C64, and join me for the very first trip inside the Reel Game Vault.

Games discussed:
• Paradroid – Commodore 64
• Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters – Arcade & Commodore 64

Welcome to the Vault…