The Retro Wildlands - A Gaming Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

A game like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past doesn't really need an introduction. It's widely considered one of retro-gaming's elite, and contains an adventure that still resonates with us today. In it, we all get a chance to answer the call to adventure and become the hero we've always dreamed to be.

Join us by the campfire as we journey into the unforgettable opening moments of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. From the thunderstorm that sets the tone to Link’s midnight rescue mission at Hyrule Castle, we break down how the game masterfully introduces its world, mechanics, and narrative stakes within minutes. We’ll examine the atmosphere, music, and design choices that pull players in from the start, and discuss why this prologue remains one of the most iconic and effective in gaming history.

Intro - 0:00 Campfire Catchup - 5:53 A Link to the Past - 30:38 Closing Gratitude - 1:32:22

The Retro Wildlands is part of the SuperPod Network of gaming podcasts and content! Check us out! https://superpodnetwork.com/

Join the SuperPod Lounge Discord Server! https://discord.com/invite/7zXbMvVQks

Follow the Retro Wildlands on Social Media! https://linktr.ee/retrowildlands

Check out the Retro Wildlands on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@retrowildlands

Check out my guest appearance on The Waffling Taylors podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/4FGq88C3CMJwUDvCxtJRGq

Check out my guest appearance on What Are Your Three? A Channel 3 Podcast! https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JoErKS9K2tpA8aNJDiwyq?si=-vouFnbzRnmrmlzCJzArKw https://channel3.gg/whatareyourthree/

They say you have to walk before you run. Whenever I hear that phrase, I sometimes think about the video games that pioneered genres and unique ideas.  And the game we're covering today always comes to mind. Considered the granddaddy of first-person shooters, Wolfenstein 3D is the game where you, as an angry square-jawed spy, escape captivity while single-handedly taking on an entire army, because subtlety is for cowards. 

Join us by the campfire as I take you through an iconic FPS experience. There is a simplicity to Wolfenstein 3D that I never really appreciated, and in a time where complicated game mechanics and convoluted stories seem to rule the space, sometimes the simplest experiences are the best. Even if the edges are a little rough.

Intro - 0:00 Campfire Catchup - 7:02 Wolfenstein 3D - 25:35 Closing Gratitude - 1:14:48

The Retro Wildlands is part of the SuperPod Network of gaming podcasts and content! Check us out! https://superpodnetwork.com/

Join the SuperPod Lounge Discord Server! https://discord.com/invite/7zXbMvVQks

Follow the Retro Wildlands on Social Media! https://linktr.ee/retrowildlands

Check out the Retro Wildlands on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@retrowildlands

Check out my guest appearance on The 3DO Experience Podcast! https://superpodnetwork.com/podcast/the-3do-experience-with-bill-and-thrak/episode/the-3do-experience-episode-81-wolfenstein-3d-the-classic-fps-brought-to-3do-ft-nomad-of-the-retro-wildlands

I stumbled across Cat Quest one day and through it looked interesting. Until I played it... What followed was a whimsical journey full of monsters, loot and... cats! Check out my in-depth review of Cat Quest. Who knows? Maybe it'll scratch your itch for a competent Action RPG.

Opening - 0:00 Intro - 1:56 Game Summary - 3:59 Story - 5:20 Presentation - 7:10 Gameplay - 9:13 Conclusion - 15:46 Closing Gratitude - 17:09

The Retro Wildlands is part of the SuperPod Network! https://superpodnetwork.com/ Join the Discord Server! https://discord.com/invite/7zXbMvVQks Follow the Retro Wildlands on Social Media!

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/retrowildlands Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retrowildlands/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrowildlands/ X: https://x.com/retrowildlands Threads: https://www.threads.net/@retrowildlands Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/retrowildlands.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@retrowildlands

The original Resident Evil on the Sony Playstation was one of the most iconic and influential games to come out in 1996. While the GameCube remake is considered the definitive way to play this survival horror classic, the original will always have a spooky charm about it. From the B-Movie plot to the terrible voice acting, there's a lot to love. And it's the perfect game to revisit this Halloween!

Join me by the campfire as we revisit the very first game I ever featured on the podcast. Using game music and sound, let's dive into this classic together as I recall my very first time playing this game with my step-father and share some of my favorite gaming memories. If you only listen to one episode of this podcast, let it be this one.

Intro - 0:00 Campfire Catch-up - 5:53 Resident Evil - 20:19 Mild Spoilers Start Here - 1:23:45 Closing Gratitude - 1:37:02

The Retro Wildlands is part of the SuperPod Network! https://superpodnetwork.com/

Join the Discord Server! https://discord.com/invite/7zXbMvVQks

Follow the Retro Wildlands on Social Media! LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/retrowildlands Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retrowildlands/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrowildlands/ X: https://x.com/retrowildlands Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/retrowildlands.bsky.social

*SPOLIER WARNING: I discuss the plot of Resident Evil with mild detail, but I specifically talk about the end of the game in my discussion. See above timestamp.

Some news I wanted to share. The Retro Wildlands is going to the next level.

https://superpodnetwork.com/podcast/the-retro-wildlands-a-gaming-podcast

The Super Nintendo has its fair share of unique games and Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts is pretty high on that list. While this game is known for the dark creatures you'll be battling and how you may sometimes find yourself fighting in your underwear, it was always the game's unforgiving difficulty that stuck with me. Is this game as hard as people say and is this game a worthy one for spooky season? Will I be screaming into a pillow in sheer frustration as I die repeatedly on the first level?  Spoiler alert: Yes.

Join me by the campfire as you and I play Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts!

Intro - 0:00 Campfire Catch-Up: 6:48 Super Ghouls and Ghosts: 23:33 Closing Gratitude: 1:13:06

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I livestream sometimes!

https://www.twitch.tv/nomadsretrowildlands 

To celebrate the Retro Wildlands podcast turning 2 years old, it felt like a good time to throw together another Question and Answer episode where members of the community asked me questions about whatever they wanted! In the show today, I'll answer questions like, what console generation is the cut off for Retro? What's my favorite genre of music? Where do I stand with the Sega/Nintendo console war? Just to name a few!

So come join me by the campfire, my friends! Let's relax and talk about some games and share some stories and maybe a few hot takes as we celebrate 2 years of a middle aged man puking his love for video games into a microphone.

Intro - 0:00 Question 1 - 4:52 Question 2 - 9:08 Question 3 - 12:51 Question 4 - 17:36 Question 5 - 23:06 Question 6 - 28:36 Question 7 - 32:19 Question 8 - 37:21 Question 9 - 44:28 Rapid Fire Round - 49:51 Closing Gratitude - 1:01:02

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Of all the games I've played so far on my retro journey, none have been more divisive, polarizing, and thought provoking. Often times referred to as the "black sheep" of the franchise, Zelda 2's side-scrolling approach to action role-playing certainly stands out. But even through much of this game wasn't carried forward, does that mean what's here isn't worth your time? With RPG elements, decent combat, great music and a world teeming with secrets to discover, this game has all the makings of something great. Or so you would think.

Join me as we check out Zelda 2 together, all while I share my thoughts and experiences with you. If there's one thing I know for sure about my time with this game, it's that I'll never forget it. For better, or for worse...

Intro - 0:00 Campfire Catchup - 11:37 Community Comments - 24:35 Zelda II - 41:24 Closing Gratitude - 1:46:37

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Video games can be very immersive and find creative ways through gameplay and storytelling to pull the player into a one of a kind experience. But not all games have deep mechanics or a story that sticks with you long after you experience it. Some games are just dumb fun and give you nothing more than a simple task to focus on. And in the case of Rush'n Attack, that task is to get to the end of each stage, stabbing your enemies in the stomach along the way. Oh, and save the world while you're at it. 

Come join our wildlands expedition as we check out a retro game that keeps it simple and engaging. I don't know about you, but in a world of complicated and deep gameplay experiences cooked to perfection like a fine steak, sometimes you're just hungry for a cheeseburger.

Intro - 0:00 Campfire Catchup - 8:08 Rush'n Attack - 24:12 Closing Gratitude - 1:03:17

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Linktree: https://linktr.ee/retrowildlands Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retrowildlands/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrowildlands/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/retrowildlands YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@retrowildlands

Considered by some to be the best old school Resident Evil experience while considered by others to be the absolute worst. Code Veronica has always been a game in the RE series that I've found fascinating. For the time, it was the most graphically impressive and it came with a pretty involved story. But there was just something about it that never really clicked with me. With talks of more Resident Evil remakes on the horizon, it felt like it was time to discuss this entry into the series. Is Code Veronica worthy of standing with the Resident Evil greats? Or is this just a side story better left alone? Well my friends, it's time to journey to Rockfort Island and discover the answer to those questions.

Intro - 0:00 Campfire Catchup - 7:55 Resident Evil Code Veronica - 21:40 Spoilers - 1:29:57 Closing Gratitude - 2:00:57

Check out the book Itchy, Tasty: The Unofficial History of Resident Evil by Alex Aniel! (Alex did not sponsor the show. I just love this book!!) https://www.amazon.com/Itchy-Tasty-Unofficial-History-Resident/dp/1783529482

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Linktree - https://linktr.ee/retrowildlands Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/retrowildlands/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/retrowildlands/ Twitter/X - https://x.com/retrowildlands Threads - https://www.threads.net/@retrowildlands Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/retrowildlands.bsky.social YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@retrowildlands