Retro/Classic Feed

Power Button - Episode 390: The Second Time Around

Power ButtonSome video games are better the second time around when you know the plot twists and most effective strategies.  On this week's episode we're discussing games so nice, we played them twice (or three times, or four, or ten...). Download this week's episode directly from PTB, listen with the player below, subscribe via iTunes, Amazon Music Podcasts, and toss this RSS feed into your podcast aggregation software of choice, and be sure to catch up on past episodes if you're joining us late. Remember that you can reach us via , you can leave a message on the Power Button hotline by calling (720) 722-2781, and you can even follow us social media like Bluesky and Mastodon. We also have a tip jar if you'd like to kick a dollar or two of support our way.


Power Button - Episode 389: Even More Grab Bag Goodies

Power ButtonWe're back after an extended medical hiatus!  Join us as we discuss what we've played during our time away such as Little Kitty, Big City, the re-released Aero the Acro-bat, Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, and much more.  Download this week's episode directly from PTB, listen with the player below, subscribe via iTunes, Amazon Music Podcasts, and toss this RSS feed into your podcast aggregation software of choice, and be sure to catch up on past episodes if you're joining us late. Remember that you can reach us via , you can leave a message on the Power Button hotline by calling (720) 722-2781, and you can even follow us social media like Bluesky and Mastodon. We also have a tip jar if you'd like to kick a dollar or two of support our way.


Power Button - Episode 388: Red And Black Virtual Boy Attack (Part 2)

Power ButtonWe wrap up our Virtual Boy discussion with the games you can't play and a few finished games that have leaked out over the years. Join us! Download this week's episode directly from PTB, listen with the player below, subscribe via iTunes, Amazon Music Podcasts, and toss this RSS feed into your podcast aggregation software of choice, and be sure to catch up on past episodes if you're joining us late. Remember that you can reach us via , you can leave a message on the Power Button hotline by calling (720) 722-2781, and you can even follow us social media like Bluesky and Mastodon. We also have a tip jar if you'd like to kick a dollar or two of support our way.


Reintroducing The Mega Man Killers

Mega Man KillersEnker. Punk. Ballade. To long-time Mega Man players who have fond or frustrating memories of the Game Boy line of blue bomber adventures, the names of Dr. Wily's special Robot Masters designed specifically to eliminate Mega Man are not easily forgotten. Newer fans of the franchise probably have little idea who these characters are or from where they come now that the original five Mega Man games for the Game Boy have landed on Nintendo Switch Online's Game Boy app, so it's time for a little Robot Master 101 introduction course in the form of a video created by PTB reader Guy Perfect in which these three bosses are reviewed in all their monochromatic glory. You'll learn their moves, weapon capabilities, and even a little backstory where applicable. We last saw them returning for Mega Man 10 back in 2010 (for which this video was produced), but that may as well be a lifetime ago for younger players out there. It's time to reintroduce the Mega Man Killers.


Power Button - Episode 387: Red And Black Virtual Boy Attack (Part 1)

Power ButtonWhen Blake Grundman visited me in April he finally had the chance to play a real live Nintendo Virtual Boy from 1995 and my collection of sixteen games, so on this week's episode of the podcast we go game by game to get Blake's takes on the experience.  Did Galactic Pinball live up to expectations?  How bare bones is Mario Clash really?  Does he want to flog Golf?   And is Nester's bowling really so funky?  Join us and find out! Download this week's episode directly from PTB, listen with the player below, subscribe via iTunes, Amazon Music Podcasts, and toss this RSS feed into your podcast aggregation software of choice, and be sure to catch up on past episodes if you're joining us late. Remember that you can reach us via , you can leave a message on the Power Button hotline by calling (720) 722-2781, and you can even follow us social media like Bluesky and Mastodon. We also have a tip jar if you'd like to kick a dollar or two of support our way. Next Time: The fun continues as we discuss canceled and unreleased Virtual Boy titles and even a few that have leaked out over the years.


Flashback To GameCube With Paper Mario Printout

Paper Mario cover

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is making a splash on the Nintendo Switch, but those of us who remember it from twenty years ago as a GameCube game can add some nostalgic fun with a printable slipcover for the Switch game that rebrands it as a GameCube release.  Pop over to the My Nintendo loyalty program, spend thirty platinum points, and download the PDF to print, fold, and enjoy.  It's not as slick as the free preorder bonus version given away internationally on professional glossy stock, but at least it's something.


Power Button - Episode 386: Emulation Nation

Power ButtonThanks to some new legal requirements from the European Union, Apple is now required to allow emulators in its walled garden of an App Store worldwide.  This opened the door for retro console emulation to the masses spanning the Atari 2600 and Commodore 64 through Nintendo's iconic hardware and beyond up to the Sony PlayStation Portable.  On this week's podcast we're discussing what this means, what your options are, and why it'll be a long time before you can fire up a PlayStation 3 game natively on your iPad.  Please emulate responsibly! Download this week's episode directly from PTB, listen with the player below, subscribe via iTunes, Amazon Music Podcasts, and toss this RSS feed into your podcast aggregation software of choice, and be sure to catch up on past episodes if you're joining us late. Remember that you can reach us via , you can leave a message on the Power Button hotline by calling (720) 722-2781, and you can even follow us social media like Bluesky and Mastodon. We also have a tip jar if you'd like to kick a dollar or two of support our way. 


Fill Your Life With Miniature Game Paks

Lithos3DI recently went on a bit of an eBay binge to soothe the sting of some bad news, and while searching around for keywords of interest I came across these cute little Nintendo Entertainment System game paks printed up in miniature with familiar, nostalgic labels.  They are not functional games , but displayable artwork.  I bought a few to decorate my themed collectibles on shelves — Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Ghostbusters, and Darkwing Duck — and they really add some unique flare.  Go check out Lithos3D's eBay page and see what's on offer.  There's also miniature Atari 2600 cartridges for sale, plus keychains and magnets.  You can even make special requests so long as the cartridge label is in the database.  I know I'll be back for more over the summer.  This is not paid promotion; I'm just a fan.  If Super NES or Game Boy paks are ever added to the listing, I'm going to be in expensive trouble!


Power Button - Episode 385: May The Fourth Be With You On The Sixth

Power ButtonHeld over for one more weekend, it's Blake Grundman live and in person with me at the microphone, and this episode we have some more shopping purchases to share before we tear into a topic near and dear to Blake's heart: Star Wars.  Kick back with us for a while and let's have some fun. Download this week's episode directly from PTB, listen with the player below, subscribe via iTunes, Amazon Music Podcasts, and toss this RSS feed into your podcast aggregation software of choice, and be sure to catch up on past episodes if you're joining us late. Remember that you can reach us via , you can leave a message on the Power Button hotline by calling (720) 722-2781, and you can even follow us social media like Bluesky and Mastodon. We also have a tip jar if you'd like to kick a dollar or two of support our way. 


Power Button - Episode 384: Super Shopping Spree

Power ButtonWe have an extra special episode this week! Usually Blake Grundman and I record the show from our respective secretive lairs at opposite ends of the United States, but we're celebrating the end of my twelve long chemotherapy treatments for cancer, so the time was beyond right for Blake to jump in his car and come speeding across the nation to hang out at the Press The Buttons Compound for a few days.  For years I've told Blake about the amazing retro indie toy, video game, and comic shops in Florida, so I took him on a series of day trips to do a little damage, engage in retail therapy, and eat some really big pizza.  Follow along with us as we acquire all kinds of fun memories and rare items.  We're wheeling and dealing amazing bargains, and we even give you the store locations so you can retrace our path next time you visit Florida.  Let's go shopping!  Download this week's episode directly from PTB, listen with the player below, subscribe via iTunes, Amazon Music Podcasts, and toss this RSS feed into your podcast aggregation software of choice, and be sure to catch up on past episodes if you're joining us late. Remember that you can reach us via , you can leave a message on the Power Button hotline by calling (720) 722-2781, and you can even follow us social media like Bluesky and Mastodon. We also have a tip jar if you'd like to kick a dollar or two of support our way.