The Atari Jaguar Game by Game Podcast

Who says you can't teach an old cat new tricks? Probably nobody. That's not a thing. But what is a thing, a very cool thing, is the Jaguar GameDrive from RetroHQ: a custom cartridge that lets you load games, demos, and homebrew from a microSD card. And speaking of homebrew, we also talk about homebrew, including detailed coverage of not one, not two, but eleven games and demos, all made available from RetroHQ. As if that weren't enough, we also have some top-quality feedback from Louis, Sloth Machine, and Editorb! All that plus storytime and maybe Jesse Eisenberg in this special episode of the Atari Jaguar Game by Game Podcast.

Full episode show notes are available at https://forums.atariage.com/blogs/entry/18459-s02-retrohqs-jaguar-gamedrive-11-homebrews-demos

Next Episode: Special coverage of  Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration 

Use slick animation, vibrant colors, and a complete lack of limbs to defeat the evil Mr. Dark in Rayman! In this giant-spiky-fruit-sized episode, we learn the history of Ubisoft as well as Rayman's platform-hopping path to production. We then walk through the game, compare the different ports, find a Portuguese typo, and cover more previews and reviews than you can shake an Electoon at. But don't shake Electoons, kids, they're our friends. Also included is feedback from Clinton, Roberth, Bill Kendrick, Greg, JB, Weird and Retro, cubanismo, RollOut, DoctorClu, tripled79, Justin, Sabertooth, TrekMD, SuperRetro64, Arethius, and Brian in Albuquerque!

Full show notes can be found at https://atariage.com/forums/blogs/entry/18173-32-rayman/

Next up: JaguarCD and Virtual Light Machine

Set your cybernetic sights on world domination in Syndicate! Get a handle on the controls, concoct an unofficial overlay, peruse reviews from around the world, and question the ESRB rating in this episode about Bullfrog's cyberpunk classic.

Oh, yeah, and check out several previously-undisclosed cheat codes.

Also included is feedback from RJ, the Lost Dragon, PFG 9000, tripled79, MightyFrog, cubanismo, Kyle, Louis, and Bobby Tribble! Woohoo!

All that plus storytime involving out-of-context Atari, and nerds makin' noise in the computer lab.

Full show notes can be found at https://atariage.com/forums/blogs/entry/17232-31-syndicate/

Next up: Rayman!

KEEP ON THINKING

Blisteringly-fast arcade-style motorcycle racing hits the Atari Jaguar with Super Burnout. In this episode, we figure out if "super" really is better, Bishop wreaks pre-programmed havoc on a national anthem, we track down the real-life inspiration behind each of the game's courses, hunt for the optimal audio balance, and create crazy glitches with a cheat code.

We're also packed with feedback from Randal, Björn, Lestat, Roberth, Olivier Nallet (really!), Rhett, Derek, Peter, atarilbc, Doctor Clu, RJ, Louis, TrekMD, Steve Clinton from London, and Kyle!

Throughout the episode, check out snippets from the underrated soundtrack, including the entirety of Shen's Theme at the very end, following Storytime, which includes my COVID-19 update.

Full show notes are available at https://atariage.com/forums/blogs/entry/16882-30-super-burnout/

Next episode: Syndicate!

This episode has been modified since its original publication. Changes applied on 2021-03-06:

The Advisor recommends you check out Theme Park! In this Ferris wheel-sized episode, we look at the histories of two storied UK video game companies, learn about the development of the Jaguar version straight from the source (whose name I hope I pronounced correctly), check out all the rides and attractions, and find out that M. Thatcher is actually a dude.  Act surprised at the unexpected musical number, and if you want, stick around for storytime at the end.

Also included is feedback from Derek, Trevor, Randal, Chris, Gary, Mark, Zeus09998580, atarilbc, Patrick, TrekMD, and Adam!

Full show notes are available at https://atariage.com/forums/blogs/entry/16392-29-theme-park/

In the next episode, we're covering Super Burnout! Send in feedback to jaguar@gamebygamepodcast.com for this or any prior game.

Feel the textures beneath your animated, dirt-chewing tires in Supercross 3D! Learn about how the tournament actually works (hint: don't read the manual), check out some of the hidden references in the list of competitor names, and learn what the heck a "nac nac" is in this dirty, dirty episode.

Also included are a couple curious song similarities, storytime segments featuring carbonated beverages and open-source operating systems, plus feedback from Rhett, RD, Björn, Roberth, Liam, Atarilbc, Arethius, Hakuzo, and JagMod! One of those may or may not correct a recurring mistake on my part.

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-15965-28-supercross-3d/

Next episode: Theme Park!

Find out who you really are and then foil the alien conspiracy in Flashback: The Quest for Identity. Learn about the companies involved in bringing this game to the Jaguar, what it took to make the cutscenes, and how to recover your teleport receiver with one weird trick.

Along the way, we uncover a previously-unknown cheat code, dig into all the various ports and their differences, and argue about whether the Titan in this game is a planet or a moon.

Also included is feedback, lots of feedback, from Bryce, Andrew, Derek, Hugh, TrekMD, Ben, Mike, Arethius, Rhett, and Hugues! Plus storytime.

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-15790-27-flashback-the-quest-for-identity/

Next up: Supercross 3D!

Only a weapons-laden antivirus craft can save the I-Way, and only you can drive it. This heavy-tank-sized episode will give you all you need to know to defeat Override, including the little-known history of the game I-War, a complete catalog of weapons, a list of enemies and hazards, and tons of tips. We find a close connection between I-War and Defender 2000, dig deep for hidden messages, and solve the mystery of the missing level music.

All this plus a dramatic re-enactment and a yelling Klingon are available on this side of the podcast Datalink.

Stick around for feedback from Derek, Randal, Chad, Björn, Arethius, Roberth, and Chris, plus Jaguar stories from LehtMojo and Ben! Also, a Retro League eulogy.

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-15466-26-i-war/

Next episode: Flashback: The Quest for Identity!

Hop in your favorite (better make that "favourite") European rally car and "terra up de firma" in Power Drive Rally! We explore company histories and the development of the game, dig into the game modes, and marvel at the attention to detail. In the co-driver's seat we've got sound effects and music, reviews from around the world, and Betteridge's Law of Headlines.

As if that weren't enough, there's also feedback from Björn, Trevor, Roberth, Keith, Randal, Derek, Lee, Gummy Bear, doctorclu, TrekMD, and Arethius!

All that and more, including storytime, can be found in this long yet info-packed episode.

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-15228-25-power-drive-rally/

Next episode: I-War!

Enter the Great Tile Flipping Festival to challenge King Fluffy and the citizens of the planet Phromaj in the Jaguar puzzle game FlipOut! Game designer Dr. Conrad Barski provides valuable historical context as we learn about the game's development, then explore the levels, dig into the depths of alien mischief, and check out numerous magazine reviews.

Also included is feedback from Roberth, Derek, Randal, Björn, RD, Dr. Clu, Arethius, and TrekMD!

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-14980-24-flipout/

Coming up in the next episode: Power Drive Rally

Form a line at the bottom of Boot Hill and wait to be waved in to the disturbing fun of Cannon Fodder! In this episode, we learn a bit about Sensible Software, how this game ended up on the Jaguar, and how this version differs from the many other ports. We check out numerous reviews from both sides of the Atlantic, propose an alternate control scheme (with the benefit of hindsight), ponder the highly-questionable ESRB rating, and analyze the infamous theme song.

Also included is feedback from Gerald, Philip the Whovian, Derek, Roberth Anthony Martinez Rivero, RD, Bryce, Simon, Arethius, Lost Dragon, and TrekMD!

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-14706-23-cannon-fodder/

Next episode: Flip Out!

We're blasting space pirates and naming planets with Hover Strike! Learn about the game's roots, the development staff, the many cheat codes, and the Jaguar Development Standards in this action-packed and texture-mapped episode.

Stick around for some awesome feedback from Björn, Arethius, Christopher (aka MightyFrog), and TrekMD!

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-14622-22-hover-strike/

Coming up next episode: Cannon Fodder!

You could say it's the best American football game on the Jaguar, but is that saying much? Find out in this episode, along with the id Software connection, a Super Bowl prediction, and what the heck this game has to do with a distant-future generational starship.

Also included is feedback from Kevin, some storytime, and a couple surprises. Hopefully not the terrible kind of surprises.

Full show notes are available at https://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-14557-21-troy-aikman-nfl-football/

The next episode returns to Jaguar first-party titles with Hover Strike!

Experience "the real simulator" with Pinball Fantasies on the Atari Jaguar. In this episode, you'll hear company histories, rules of the four pinball tables, lots of tunes, highly contradictory reviews, some questionable adjective use, and the surprising high score holder for the Stones 'n' Bones table on Shinto's cartridge. Also in this episode is feedback from Randal, Louis, and Janitor Sean!

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-14511-20-pinball-fantasies/

Coming up next episode: Troy Aikman NFL Football!

Double the dragons, double the fun? Find out in this episode, where we go through the inspiration and history behind the one-on-one fighting game Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls. We analyze the characters, find surprising gameplay factors, and go off in search of the elusive Shadow Master Code.

Also included is feedback from Lost Dragon, Lee, Randal, Matt, and Kevin Manne, plus a BBC Breakfast surprise from Philip the Whovian!

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-14311-19-double-dragon-v-the-shadow-falls/

Coming up next episode: Pinball Fantasies!

Visit the violent future of faux football in this fierce battle which is best against your buddies. Learn about the game's surprising evolution, company histories, and the rules of the game (or lack thereof). Get some wisdom from John Madden, a bizarre audio glitch, and practical use of the word "fisticuffs." Also included is feedback from BTB, Björn, Michael, Doctor Clu, Lost Dragon, Arethius, Liam, and Gray Defender!

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-14204-18-brutal-sports-football/

Coming up next episode: Double Dragon V!

It's modern-day old-school rock blasting in this special homebrew episode of the Atari Jaguar Game by Game Podcast. Rebooteroids is an AtariAge-exclusive title by the Jaguar wizards at Reboot, a lovingly-crafted update to an Atari arcade classic. Learn about the game's lengthy development, dig into all the gameplay details, check out the music, and figure out how to pronounce the '#' symbol in this brief but exciting departure from the usual chronological game coverage. Also included is feedback from arcadegeek23, Protestari, and Troff!

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-13928-h01-rebooteroids/

Next episode: Brutal Sports Football!

Bundle up in your brightest mismatching colors and take on the picturesque mountains of Val d'Isère in Skiing and Snowboarding for the Atari Jaguar.

As I test the limits of my grasp of the French language (probably with embarrassing results), we learn about the developer, the game modes, obstacles, powerups (yeah, powerups!), music, the various endings, the subtleties of timberline in the French Alps, and some questionable physics.

Also included is feedback from Louis, Randal, Derik, Ryan, BTB, and Björn, with submissions from Doctor Clu, Lost Dragon, and Arethius!

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-13692-17-val-disere-skiing-and-snowboarding/

In the next episode, we mix things up a bit with our first homebrew episode, Rebooteroids!

Serious ninjas in a cruel Krool world: play as Zool or Zooz to banish Krool's shape-shifting henchman Mental Block from six crazy worlds in this challenging and cartoony platform game on the Jaguar. In this episode, I cover a little history of Gremlin Interactive, describe the colorful levels and inventive enemies, list some amusing instrument names from the .mod file metadata, and gush about cheat codes.

Also included in this episode is some excellent feedback from Lost Dragon, Wade, Jon, and Doctor Clu!

Stick around after the Zool 2 coverage for an announcement, a couple barely-related stories, and a surprise mash-up, which is made slightly less surprising by being mentioned here.

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-13511-16-zool-2/

Next episode: Val d'Isère Skiing and Snowboarding

Everybody was kung-fu fighting in this video game adaptation of the 1993 Bruce Lee biographical film. Learn the moves, listen to (most of) the music, and hear about the different ports of Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story in this episode of the Atari Jaguar Game by Game Podcast.

Also included is feedback from Björn, Doctor Clu, Lost Dragon, bmx, Trooper Galactus, and Jagosaurus!

Stay tuned to the very end for Storytime in Hong Kong, plus a Jaguar Halloween greeting!

Full show notes are available at: http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-13380-15-dragon-the-bruce-lee-story/

Coming up next episode: the fast-paced platform game Zool 2

Take on the evil denizens of the underworld in this notable port of the seminal first-person shooter! In this episode, I continue the history of id Software through the release of DOOM (and a little beyond), go over the development of the Jaguar version, cover the competing ports of the game, test out the networking, and play a lot of the Jaguar version's music. Yes, music!

This is easily the biggest episode of the podcast so far, but that's OK, because after all, we're talking about DOOM here.

There are personal stories galore, plus feedback from DoctorClu, Lost Dragon, Louis, Arethius, and BTB!

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-13302-14-doom/

Join me next time for Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.

Step behind your chaingun and face down the Nazi horde in this pioneering first-person shooter. In this episode, you'll hear about id Software's early history, comparisons of Wolfenstein 3D on different platforms, detailed analysis of the Jaguar version, and plenty of music from the game.

Also included is feedback from Zach, Jagosaurus, Hugh, and Liam!

Full show notes can be found at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-13215-13-wolfenstein-3d/

Coming up next episode is id Software's follow-up FPS, Doom!

Thank you for listening.

Stomp tanks and bash buildings as you pilot a towering robot in Iron Soldier! Game development history, weapons, enemies, levels, controls, reviews, memories, and regrettable singing, it's all here in this episode.

There's also feedback from Arethius, The Requiem, and GRay Defender!

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-13141-12-iron-soldier/

Coming up in the next episode: Wolfenstein 3D

This episode has been modified since its original publication.

Changes applied on 2021-07-04:

Jump and glide and die (and die some more) in the colorful platformer Bubsy in: Fractured Furry Tales! Learn about the development history, get full detail on the various worlds and enemies, listen to the music, hear the contemporary interviews, and get my personal experience with the game.

Also included is feedback from jeremiahjt, Troff, Guillaume, Wade, and Ferg!

Oh, and there's also a special surprise guest.

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-13043-11-bubsy-in-fractured-furry-tales/

Coming up next: Iron Soldier

Please send text or audio feedback to jaguar@gamebygamepodcast.com All show information and links can be found at http://jaguar.gamebygamepodcast.com

Strap on your headband and show no mercy in this notorious over-the-top tournament fighting game. This episode contains development history, information on all the fighters, the missing labyrinth, the announcer voice, cheat codes, and maybe even a musical number.

Also included is feedback from doctorclu, Troff, and Trooper Galactus!

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-12747-10-kasumi-ninja/

Coming up next: Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales!

Light up the webs in the critically-acclaimed abstract shooter Tempest 2000 by Llamasoft. This ox-sized episode features plentiful music, a detailed analysis, an overview of sequels and derivative games, several personal stories, and music. Did I mention the music?

Also included is feedback from doctorclu, Trooper Galactus, Louis, Bill Kendrick, and The Requiem!

Complete show notes can be found at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-12655-09-tempest-2000/

This episode has been modified since its original publication. Changes applied on 2021-07-04:

Next episode: Kasumi Ninja!

Join Shinto for four short tales of Atari Christmas past in this special edition of the Atari Jaguar Game by Game Podcast. Full show notes are available at https://atariage.com/forums/blogs/entry/17085-s01-four-tales-of-atari-christmas-past/

This episode has changed since its original release:

You can be the Alien, you can be the Predator, or you can be lunch in this ambitious first-person shooter/survival-horror game based off two major motion picture franchises.

Enjoy detailed history, personal experiences, a dramatic re-creation, and jokes only a Predator would laugh at.

Also included is feedback from doctorclu, The Requiem, ARETHIUS, JeremiahJT, and Troff!

You can view complete show notes at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-12558-08-alien-vs-predator/

Coming up next time: abstract shooter Tempest 2000!

Pilot your personalized polygonal performance machine, if you can, through ten twisting tracks with Checkered Flag.

This episode also includes feedback from AtariAge users DoctorClu and Gunstar, plus an audio submission from Wade of InverseATASCII fame!

You can view complete show notes at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-12497-07-checkered-flag/

Next up: Alien vs Predator

Guide your tribe of hairy humans through the anachronistic dangers of pre-history in Evolution: Dino Dudes, Jaguar cartridge part number J9006.

Also included in this episode is feedback from AtariAge users save2600, Jagosaurus, JeremiahJT, and Gunstar!

You can view complete show notes on the blog at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-12456-06-evolution-dino-dudes/

Coming up next time: polygon racing game Checkered Flag!

Grab a friend and blast some aliens, because they've invaded and they need blastin', in the Jaguar port of the arcade shooter Raiden. # General Links Podcast Episode Guide Michael Current's Awesome Atari History Timelines # Game Links Game on AtariAge Arcade game on KLOV Arcade flier # Developer, Distributor, and Development Saibu Kaihatsu Saibu Kaihatsu's Arcade Games Fabtek Atari Lynx Game by Game Podcast Ad for Sega Genesis Raiden Trad Imagitec profile on Retro Gamer Magazine Viking Child for the Lynx Rampart for the 7800 Nigel Conroy Raiden on Gaming History 101 Raiden Wiki Atari asked Imagitec to port Raiden and Humans to Panther Raiden for Genesis in June, 1991 Raiden in EGM December 1993 Next Wave Artist interview Mitsubishi J2M Raiden # Music 1999 article about tracker music Scream Tracker Fading Twilight Raiden on Fading Twilight SunVox U4IA's mod music AtariAge High Score Club # Comparing Raiden Raiden "Let's Compare" Digital Press comparison Shmups Forum comparison AtariAge comparison thread # Tips Jaguar Raiden walkthrough # Reviews EGM December, 1991: TG16 review, Genesis ad Summary of Genesis review from EGM October, 1991 EGM March, 1994: Jaguar review EGM Review Archive (.xls file) Atari Explorer Online review (.zip file) # Gameplay Videos Austin's Raiden Longplay for Jaguar Mastery of Raiden arcade (3 stages) Shienryu on PSN # Movie references Leave the puce! Need to have a memorable laugh # Listener Feedback Danny Galaga's controller mod

Mix up the driving genre with Club Drive, a game where the ideas are big and biggest fans may be little, a game with tunes on the radio and cheese on the floor.

Full show notes are available at https://atariage.com/forums/blogs/entry/12345-04-club-drive/

Next up: Raiden!

This episode has been modified since its original publication.

Changes applied on 2021-07-13:

The Circle Reserves needs you!  In this episode, we dig deep into the colorful side-scrolling shooter Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy.

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-12306-03-trevor-mcfur-in-the-crescent-galaxy/

We're talking about the original Jaguar pack-in, Cybermorph!  Learn about its history, gameplay, historical reviews, and what listeners think about the game today.  You may even get your fill of Skylar quotes.

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-12295-02-cybermorph/

Next episode: Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy

This episode has been modified since its original publication. Changes applied on 2018-07-31:

Changes applied on 2021-07-04:

In this unexpectedly-massive episode, I talk about how the Atari Jaguar came to exist, include a bunch of magazine and newspaper references, and describe the console both inside and out. There are a lot of stories and a ton of great user submissions.  And maybe a spider.

Full show notes are available at http://atariage.com/forums/blog/615/entry-12226-01-the-jaguar-story-inception-to-launch/

Next episode: Cybermorph!

This episode has been modified since its original publication. Changes applied on 2018-07-31:

In this special introductory episode, I talk about the show, its inspiration, its objectives, and even a little bit about me.  Very little. Find all pertinent links for this show at jaguar.gamebygamepodcast.com. Thank you for listening. Sites referenced this episode: Retroist Podcast The Atari 2600 Game by Game Podcast The Atari 7800 Game by Game Podcast The Atari 5200 Super Podcast The Retrobits Podcast Inverse ATASCII Podcast Player/Missile Podcast

Futurama Reference JaguSounds Cybermorph Meme Now You Know

This episode has been modified since its original publication. Changes applied on 2018-07-31: