This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are putting the top down, tuning the radio, and hitting the gas to tackle the 1986 arcade classic: OutRun!

We break down the game's ground-breaking use of Super Scaler technology, creating a high-speed sense of scale and motion unlike anything else on the block. We dive into the breezy, sun-drenched coastal atmosphere following your driver and passenger in the iconic red Ferrari, the branching highway routes, and the legendary soundtrack that defined an entire era of Sega blue-sky gaming. To match the effortless, summer-ready beach vibe, we’ve shaken up a pair of sharp, dangerously smooth cocktails.

Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/13236/

Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/1939/

Get Outrun for the Game Boy Color from Rocketship Park on itch.io

https://rocketshippark.itch.io/what-if-outrun

Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):

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#outrun #sega #arcade #retrogaming #80sgaming #racinggames #synthwave #yusuzuki #retrocollective #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are turning down the lights, loading their dual pistols, and stepping into a dark, dystopian cyberpunk underworld to tackle the 2000 PlayStation classic: Fear Effect!

We break down the game's groundbreaking use of cel-shaded anime graphics layered over streaming full-motion video backgrounds, creating a visual style unlike anything else on the block. We dive into the dark, supernatural storyline following mercenaries Hana, Glas, and Deke, the tense puzzle-solving, and the unique "Fear" meter that replaced traditional health bars with heart-pounding stress mechanics. To match the sleek, high-stakes Hong Kong noir atmosphere, we’ve shaken up a pair of sharp, dangerously smooth cocktails.

We debate the game's unforgiving tank controls, reminisce about the sheer scale of its multi-disc adventure, and see how the thing fairs in comparison to its sequel ‘Retro Helix’.

Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/29164/

Dave’s Cocktail: https://microdistillery.co.uk/store/negroni-cans

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#feareffect #playstation #ps1 #retrogaming #00sgaming #survivalhorror #cyberpunk #eidos #retrocollective #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are locking onto their targets, blasting into deep space, and celebrating a massive milestone; the 30th anniversary of Taito's legendary 1996 polygon shmup masterwork: RayStorm!

We take on the spectacular vertical shooter that brought the iconic "Ray" trilogy into the third dimension. We’ll also break down the other games in the series RayForce (1994) and RayCrisis (1998). We reminisce about piloting the R-Gray ships, the sweeping cinematic camera angles and the massive fleet battles.

To celebrate three decades of arcade excellence, we’ve shaken up a pair of cocktails fit for the cockpit.

Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/20186/

Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/24145/

Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):

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#raystorm #taito #shmup #retrogaming #90sgaming #rayforce #raycrisis #rayz #zuntata #arcadeclassics #shootemup #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are cranking up the engines and taking a scenic, high-speed trip through racing history with Kaneko’s 1994 arcade classic: Mille Miglia: The Great 1000 Miles Rally!

We look back at this beautifully crafted isometric racer that pays homage to Italy's legendary open-road endurance race. We’ll celebrate the absolute joy of drifting vintage sports cars - from classic Alfa Romeos to iconic Ferraris - through tight Italian villages and winding mountain passes. We celebrate the game's gorgeous sprite artwork, the frantic checkpoint-chasing gameplay, and to match the sophisticated, vintage Italian spirit of the rally, we’ve mixed up a pair of our usual pun-based cocktails.

Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/17597/

Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/3972/

Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):

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https://bhd.itch.io/opposite-lock-rally

#millemiglia #thegreat1000milesrally #kaneko #retroarcade #retrogaming #90sgaming #arcaderacing #classiccars #vintageracing #racinggames #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #arcadeclassics

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are hitting the pitch and stepping back into the mid-90s to celebrate the dawn of a football gaming revolution: the International Superstar Soccer (ISS) games!

We are diving into Konami's legendary Super Nintendo and Mega Drive era, looking back at the original 1994 masterpiece and the iconic ISS Deluxe and then through the series' hay-day on the original PlayStation.

We reminisce about the glorious, fast-paced arcade gameplay, the unforgettable legends like Babangida, and the horrendous commentary that still echoes in our heads. To keep our energy up through extra time, we’ve mixed up a pair of stadium-ready cocktails.

Andy’s Cocktail: https://share.google/aimode/SdKoGyndvuMuiFyfw

Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/4311/

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#internationalsuperstarsoccer #iss #issdeluxe #konami #snes #supernintendo #megadrive #sega #retrogaming #90sgaming #sportsgaming #footballgames #retrofootball #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are flexing their mental muscles with the ultimate arcade block-dropper: Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo!

Capcom's genius 1996 spin-off took legendary fighters like Ryu, Chun-Li, and Morrigan, shrunk them down into adorable chibi sprites, and threw them into a viciously competitive puzzle matrix.

We break down the absolute chaos of the counter-gem system, the tactical stress of building giant power gems, and debate our favourite character attack patterns.

To match the bright, high-energy arcade aesthetics, we’ve mixed up two vibrant, punchy cocktails to keep us sharp during our matches.

Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/3622/

Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/21145/

Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):

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#superpuzzlefighter #capcom #retroarcade #retrogaming #90sgaming #streetfighter #darkstalkers #puzzlefighter #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #arcadeclassics

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are hitting the virtual hardwood to look back at the 1999 Sega Dreamcast masterpiece: NBA 2K!

We are diving deep into the visual marvel that launched a legacy, celebrating the game that blew everyone away with its photorealistic graphics, smooth animations, and Allen Iverson crossing up defenders on the cover. We discuss how Visual Concepts completely changed the sports gaming landscape overnight.

To keep our energy up for four quarters of pure nostalgia, we’ve mixed up a premium pair of court-ready cocktails.

Andy’s Cocktail: https://youtu.be/H34mJGsDyxI

Dave’s Cocktail: https://fr.hennessy.com/en-int/cocktails/alley-oop-cocktail

Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):

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#nba2k #segadreamcast #retrogaming #90sgaming #sportsgaming #visualconcepts #segasports #alleniverson #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #hoopshistory

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are revving their engines and bracing for the G-force as they revisit Geoff Crammond’s 1989 gravity-defying masterpiece: Stunt Car Racer!

We’re heading back to the high-altitude tracks to look at the game that turned 3D wireframe graphics into a nail-biting survival experience. We break down the sheer terror of hearing that "crack" in the chassis after a heavy landing, the precision required to keep your hot rod on the rails, and how those stomach-churning drops proved that you didn't need millions of colours to create a sense of speed.

As usual, we’ve shaken up a pair of cocktails to help steady the nerves after a few sessions on the Stepping Stones.

We journey through the literal highs and lows of the arcade-sim hybrid, complete with Andy reminiscing about the glorious Amiga version, and Dave finally admitting that he still hasn't mastered the art of hitting the nitro without flying off into the void!

Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/39844/genuine-risk

Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/669/downhill-racer

Links:

Stunt Car Racer Remake: https://github.com/omenoidlab/stuntcarremake

Stunt Car Racer at Torinak: https://torinak.com/qaop/play/stuntcar

Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):

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#stuntcarracer #stunttrackracer #geoffcrammond #amiga #atarist #commodore64 #zxspectrum #retrogaming #80sgaming #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #3dgaming #microsell