In this episode of the Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, we take a full nostalgia lap around the game that created the kart-racing genre. From Mode 7 madness and brutal AI rubber-banding to couch-co-op battles that ended friendships, we break down what made Super Mario Kart legendary — and why it still matters today.

🎮 What we cover:

How Super Mario Kart was created (and why it almost wasn’t a Mario game)

Character stats you never saw but definitely felt

The most rage-inducing tracks (looking at you, Rainbow Road)

Battle Mode chaos and sibling rivalries

Why the SNES AI absolutely cheats

The legacy that led to Mario Kart 64, Double Dash, and beyond

If you grew up drifting with your thumbs and yelling at the TV from the same couch, this one’s for you.

General / Podcast #TangentRetroGamingPodcast #RetroGamingPodcast #GamingPodcast #PodcastLife #RetroGames #VideoGamePodcast

Game-Specific #SuperMarioKart #MarioKartSNES #SNES #SuperNintendo #MarioKart #NintendoHistory

Nostalgia / Engagement #RetroGaming #90sGaming #ClassicGames #OldSchoolGaming #CouchCoOp #GamingNostalgia

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Step into the gothic halls of Dracula’s Castle as Toby takes you on a deep dive into Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — one of the most influential, stylish, and groundbreaking games ever created.

In this episode of the Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, we explore:

🦇 Why 1997 was the worst—and best—year to release a 2D game

⚔️ How Koji Igarashi reinvented Castlevania forever

👑 Alucard’s iconic design, movement, and legendary style

🏰 The brilliant layout of Dracula’s Castle and the mind-blowing Inverted Castle twist

🎵 Michiru Yamane’s timeless soundtrack that defined a generation

👹 The game’s unforgettable bosses, weapons, secrets, and wild hidden mechanics

📜 Trivia, development stories, and weird facts only true fans know

💬 Toby’s personal thoughts on why SOTN is still untouchable today

Whether you grew up with the PlayStation 1 or you’re discovering Symphony of the Night for the first time, this episode celebrates everything that makes the game a gothic masterpiece.

Stay retro. Stay curious. And watch out for upside-down castles.

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In this deep-dive, Toby from the Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast breaks down one of the most heated retro gaming rivalries of the ’90s: Twisted Metal vs. Vigilante 8.

We explore the origins of car-combat gaming, compare gameplay mechanics, character rosters, weapons, map design, music, developer history, and the cultural impact of both legendary franchises. From Sweet Tooth’s deranged legacy to Vigilante 8’s funky 70s Americana charm, this episode examines what made each game iconic — and which series truly deserves a modern comeback.

If you’re a fan of PS1 classics, N64 nostalgia, vehicular mayhem, or retro gaming history, this is a must-listen episode. Buckle up and dive into the chaos!

Topics Covered:

Rise of car-combat gaming in the ’90s

Twisted Metal origins, lore, and gameplay breakdown

Vigilante 8 characters, weapons, and unique mechanics

Side-by-side franchise comparison

Trivia, stories, and retro nostalgia

The final verdict: which series wins?

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In this episode, Toby carves through the icy madness of Sled Storm on the original PlayStation — the game that brought snowmobile racing into the extreme-sports spotlight before EA BIG became a thing.

Toby breaks down why this 1999 classic still hits today:

❄️ lightning-fast arcade racing

❄️ wild jumps and chaotic track designs

❄️ dynamic weather that keeps you guessing

❄️ that unmistakable late-90s EA attitude

From nostalgic memories to deep-dive analysis, Toby gives you the full blizzard of what made Sled Storm a standout in the PS1 library.

If you blasted through snowy forests at breakneck speed back in the day — or you’re discovering this frozen gem for the first time — this episode is the perfect ride.

Buckle up, throttle down, and let’s shred through one of EA’s earliest extreme-sports

experiments.

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In this episode of Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, Toby dives deep into the gritty, chainsaw-revving world of Gears of War — the Xbox 360 classic that redefined third-person shooters. From its jaw-dropping visuals and brutal cover-based combat to the unforgettable sound of a Lancer revving up, this episode breaks down what made Gears of War a generation-defining experience.

Toby explores the game’s intense atmosphere, the camaraderie of Delta Squad, and how it pushed the limits of storytelling and multiplayer action in 2006. Whether you fought through the Locust hordes back in the day or you’re just discovering this epic for the first time, this episode will take you right back to the dark corridors of Sera — where every reload mattered.

So grab your controller, reload your Lancer, and join Toby for a nostalgic look at one of Xbox’s most iconic franchises.

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With extreme across our TV's, a brand of gaming came to our gaming lineup as Electronic Arts brought us the series called EA Big where normal games produce big moves, large games and great heart pumping music. Starting in the early 2000's, the Big voice could be heard where these game were.

Tune in and see the art of arcade games meet MTV and X-Games.

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Remember when you’d pour a bowl of cereal and find a video game inside? In this episode of Tangent Retro Gaming Podcast, we’re digging into the wild era of free games packed into cereal boxes and gaming magazines.

From Chex Quest — the Doom clone that came with breakfast — to the demo disc craze of the ‘90s, we explore how companies turned breakfast and magazines into gaming treasure hunts. Expect nostalgia, laughs, and a few tangents about cereal dust and CD-ROMs that barely worked.

If you remember gaming before downloads, this one’s for you.

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PaRappa the Rapper wasn’t just another PlayStation game — he was PlayStation’s weirdest icon. In this episode, we dive into the paper-thin pup who taught us to “kick, punch, it’s all in the mind,” and explore how a rhythm game with rapping dogs, onion karate masters, and quirky cartoon charm became a cult classic. From its influence on rhythm games to its unforgettable soundtrack, we break down why PaRappa still stands out in PlayStation history.

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