The Video Wizards Podcast

VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 17: Summer 1996

In this episode of Video Wizards, we ambitiously travel back to 3 months in one single episode: June, July and August, all in the year 1996. In this Olympic summer, arcade floors are dominated by 3D fighting games like Last Bronx, Star Gladiator and errr… Fighters’ Impact by Taito. SNK, meanwhile, represent two dimensions with the fantastic The King of Fighters ’96 and SEGA take the beat ’em up genre into 3D for Die Hard Arcade. And then there is Konami, riding the current events wave with the happy button mashy athletics mini game fest Hyper Athlete, which nicely derives from their lineage of Track & Field games.

While the Nintendo 64 and its killer app Super Mario 64 see a release in Japan, SEGA is already fighting a losing battle against Sony’s PlayStation monster, over here in Europe. This while the seismic Quake finds its way to those that play games on their personal computers.

With some exceptionally trashy chart music assaulting our ears, we find refuge in the import record shops, where one great Hip Hop album after another can be lifted from the crates. Heltah Skeltah and Jay-Z make their debut and OutKast release their confident and unapologetically eclectic sophomore joint. Meanwhile, 2pac drops the extra inflammatory diss record Hit ‘Em Up, which unfortunately does not help to lead him off his destructive path.

And then there are 2 major summer block busting movies we’re looking at, namely Independence Day and The Rock, as well as the more slow burning, but more enduring Matilda and The Cable Guy. Plus there is all the Local Dutch News, Trash from the Classifieds and Video Wizards Quiz material you’re used to from us.

Follow Ben and Michiel on this enormous marathon of a Video Wizards podcast episode and warm yourself in the sunrays of the 1996 summer!

Star Gladiator

Hyper Athlete

Last Bronx

By http://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=587&image=1, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18913027

The King of Fighters '96

By SNK - https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=4879, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62790012

Dynamite Deka

Fighters Impact — The top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 17, L-R-T-B: Star Gladiator, Hyper Athlete, Last Bronx, The King of Fighters ’96, Dynamite Deka/Die Hard Arcade, Fighters’ Impact

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Federal Headquarters (Elevator) – by Isao Abe, Yūko Takehara & Michio Sakurai (XTC) for Star Gladiator, 1996
Score Board – by Kosuke Soeda for Hyper Athlete, 1996
Lust Subway (Yoko’s Stage) – by Tomoyuki Kawamura for Last Bronx, 1996
Arashi no Saxophone 2 – by Hideki Asanaka, Kazuhiro Nishida, Masahiko Hataya, Toshio Shimizu, Yasumasa Yamada, Yasuo Yamate, Brother-Hige, Akihiro Uchida & Miwa for The King of Fighters ’96, 1996
Track 3 – by Howard Drossin for Dynamite Deka, 1996
Be Cool (Sanson’s Stage) – by Yasuhisa Watanabe for Fighters’ Impact, 1996
Street (TJ Combo’s Theme) – by Robin Beanland for Killer Instinct 2, 1996
Main Theme – by Kōji Kondō for Super Mario 64, 1996
Drop a Gem on ‘Em – by Mobb Deep, 1996
Music Makes Me High – by Lost Boyz, 1996
8 Steps to Perfection – by Company Flow, 1996
My Kinda N***a – by Heather B (featuring M.O.P.), 1996
Undastand – by Heltah Skeltah, 1996
Dead Presidents – by Jay-Z, 1996
Stakes is High – by De La Soul, 1996
Get a Hold – by A Tribe Called Quest, 1996
Ridin’ Dirty – by UGK, 1996
Elevators (Me & You) – by OutKast, 1996
Hit ‘Em Up – by 2Pac (featuring Outlawz), 1996
Mama Said – by Metallica, 1996
Nancy Boy – by Placebo, 1996
Call It in the Air – by Jimmy Eat World, 1996
Got me Wrong (Unplugged) – by Alice in Chains, 1996
3 Lions – by Skinner, Baddiel & Lightning Seeds, 1996
Born Slippy – by Underworld, 1996
Trash – by Suede, 1996
Fu-Gee-La – by The Fugees, 1996
Fastlove – by George Michael, 1996
Twisted – by Keith Sweat (featuring Kut Klose), 1996
Return of the Mack – by Mark Morrison, 1996

And finally: our special thanks to テクノワールド奥州.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 16: May 1987

The hits keep on coming as the Video Wizards travel back to the heydays of ninja related crimes in May 1987 and discuss monumental arcade games like Double Dragon, Taito’s Rastan Saga and Super Hang-On. But there is also Konami’s Combat School, which failed to prepare Ben and Michiel for its final level in the White House, and the rather anticlimactic The Real Ghostbusters by Data East to delve into, as well as talk of Karnov, Contra and Bionic Commando.

European home gaming in May 1987 is all about the micros as remarkable games like The Sentinel, Saboteur 2 and Ranarama see a release, whereas Nintendo’s 8-bit hitter is still a would-be import gamer’s dream. In the world of music Guns’N Roses are about to change Metal forever and in the world of cinema Axel Foley makes his return for more sun drenched action and comedy in Beverly Hills, while Michael Dudikoff and Steve James bring it all the way back with the silly shinobi stylings of American Ninja 2.

Brace yourself for more than 5 hours of new Video Wizards podcast content and listen out for the announcement at the end to get the lowdown on what’s next for the show!

Rastan Saga

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21618006

Super Hang-On

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27913139

Combat School

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15373069

The Real Ghostbusters — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 16, L-R: Rastan Saga, Super Hang-On, Combat School, The Real Ghostbusters

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Opening – by Kazunaka Yamane for Double Dragon, 1987
Mission 2: Industrial Area Riot – by Kazunaka Yamane for Double Dragon, 1987
Overworld Theme – by Naoto Yagishita & Masahiko Takaki for Rastan Saga, 1987
Outride a Crisis – by Katsuhiro Hayashi & Kouichi Namiki for Super Hang-On, 1987
Main Theme – by ??? & Ray Parker Jr. for The Real Ghostbusters, 1987
Demo Theme – by Shinichi Sakamoto for Psychic 5, 1987
Main Theme – by Rob Hubbard for Shockway Rider, 1987
Sign O’ The Times – by Prince, 1987
Don’t Disturb This Groove – by The System, 1987
Head to Toe – by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, 1987
Nightmares – by Dana Dane, 1987
Girls, Girls, Girls – by Mötley Crüe, 1987
Twilight of the Gods – by Helloween, 1987
Deadly Peril – by Defender, 1987
Big Love – by Fleetwood Mac, 1987
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – by Starship, 1987
If You Let Me Stay – by Terence Trent D’Arby, 1987
Crockett’s Theme – by Jan Hammer, 1987
Lean on Me – by Club Nouveau, 1987
Respectable – by Mel & Kim, 1987
Right on Track – by The Breakfast Club, 1987
Kleine Jodeljongen – by Manke Nelis, 1987
The DJ Kat Show Theme Song – by ??? for The DJ Kat Show, 1986

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 15: April 1992

In this episode of the Video Wizards Podcast we’re traveling back to April 1992 to an arcade landscape that differs wildly from the one we left in the last episode. In the wake of 1991’s Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, we find the scene reinvigorated, with big budget games and showy machines occupying the floors and the 6-player, double screen behemoth cabinet of Konami’s X-men taking center stage. Meanwhile, the first named revision of Capcom’s Street Fighter II keeps rivalries and competitions heated and Konami introduce another licensed machine with G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. More niche video game experiences come in ADK’s bizarre hilarious Ninja Commando and the prickly-yet-explosive Bubble Bobble-like Saboten Bombers by NMK.

In the home, all eyes are on that 16-bit powerhouse called the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, which sees its launch in the UK this month. In other geographically pinpointed goings on, John Woo releases his action fest master piece Hard Boiled to Hong Kong movie theaters and across the Atlantic Ocean, the music genre of Hip-Hop is deeply impacted by the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

All that and your monthly dose of Local Dutch News, Trash from the Classifieds and Video Wizards Quizzing is here for you, with more than 5 hours of audio goodness to indulge in.

Street Fighter II: Champion Edition

Saboten Bombers

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41425168

G.I. Joe

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24701778

Ninja Commando

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61298339 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 15, L-R: Street Fighter II: Champion Edition, Saboten Bombers, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Ninja Commando

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
All That X-men – by Seiichi Fukami for X-men, 1992
Boss – by Seiichi Fukami for X-men, 1992
U.S.A. (Balrog’s Theme) – by Yoko Shimomura for Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, 1991
Title Theme – by ??? for Saboten Bombers, 1992
Player Select – by Tsutomu Ogura & Kenichiro Fukui for G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, 1992
Japan (Civil War Era) – by ??? for Ninja Commando, 1992
Red & Yellow – by Zuntata for Metal Black, 1991
Title Theme – by Koji Kondo for Super Mario World, 1990
Mic Checka – by DAS EFX, 1992
Cop Killer – by Body Count, 1992
In my Neighborhood – by Spice 1, 1992
That Sickness – by X-Raided (featuring Brotha Lynch Hung, Big-O, Kaos, CYCO), 1992
They Want EFX – by DAS EFX, 1992
Deep Cover – by Dr. Dre (featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg), 1984
La Schmoove – by Fu-Schnickens, 1992
Duck Down – by BDP, 1992
T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You) – by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, 1992
Come As You Are – by Nirvana, 1992
Monster – by L7, 1992
The Dark War Has Begun – by Bestial Summoning, 1992
Be Quick or Be Dead – by Iron Maiden, 1992
I Love Your Smile – by Shanice, 1991
Under the Bridge – by Red Hot Chili Peppers, 1992
We Got a Love Thang – by CeCe Peniston, 1992
O.P.P. – by Naughty by Nature, 1991
Red Car Boogie – by Joo Rita for the motion picture Hard Boiled, 1992
Heartbeat – by Nick Berry, 1992

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 14: March 1984

In this episode, the Video Wizards find themselves in March 1984, where they are confronted with the wreckage left by Atari on the North American video game market and its effect on releases in European arcades. It’s nothing but obscure coin-ops this month as SNK quietly introduce the now little known sequel to Vanguard, Coreland and SEGA put out the bizarre and misleadingly named SWAT, Data East try their hands at a vertical shoot ’em up that’s been lost to time… and then there is Dynamic Ski by the far from prolific Taiyo System. To Ben and Michiel’s surprise there is actually a lot to enjoy there! Plus they also dig out some hits released in the months prior to March, such as Pole Position II, Punch-Out!! and Tapper.

While it’s quiet on the home gaming front, there is never a shortage of Trash from the Classifieds to dive into. And where the gaming industry struggles, there is a lot going on in the world of music, with Run-DMC showing fellow Hip-Hop artists how to make an album and give shape to the music in its recorded form, and a torrent of Local Dutch Metal being released by Roadrunner Records. And what exactly is the story behind that familiar voice on the chorus of Rockwell’s paranoid R&B hit Somebody’s Watching Me?

Musical strengths continue into cinema as the lads discuss the pioneering mockumentary This is Spinal Tap, before being slightly shocked by the original Police Academy and its contents. You’ll find all this and much more in one of the most interesting Video Wizards episodes up until now. Get involved with the choppiest and sockiest podcast around!

SWAT

Hunchback Olympics

Zaviga

Dynamic Ski — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 14, L-R: SWAT, Hunchback Olympics/Herbie at the Olympics, Zaviga, Dynamic Ski

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Main Theme – by ??? for SWAT, 1984
Rock Box – by Run-DMC, 1984
Encore – by Cheryl Lynn, 1984
Somebody’s Watching Me – by Rockwell, 1984
Jam On It – by Newcleus, 1984
It’s Yours – by T La Rock & Jazzy Jay, 1984
Round and Round – by Ratt, 1984
Far Beyond the Sun – by Yngwie Malmsteen, 1984
Mercenary – by Vortex, 1984
99 Red Balloons – by Nena, 1984
What Difference Does It Make? – by The Smiths, 1984
Radio Ga Ga – by Queen, 1984
Jump – by Van Halen, 1983
Hello – by Lionel Richie, 1984
Love is a Battlefield – by Pat Benatar, 1983
Yah Mo B There – by James Ingram (featuring Michael McDonald), 1983
Girls Just Want to Have Fun – by Cyndi Lauper, 1983
When the Lady Smiles – by Golden Earring, 1984

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 13: February 1982

In this episode, the Video Wizards travel back further in time than they ever have, all the way to February 1982. In this month, SEGA make a splash with the visually striking axonometric space shooter Zaxxon while Atari revisits Asteroids in a tethered fashion for Space Duel. Gaming’s first diva appears in the form of a yellow orb with a red bow and a beauty mark and chef Peter Pepper has ingredients coming after him in Burger Time by Data East. And then there is the pioneering, but rather mad Jump Bug by the fledgling Alpha Denshi.

Much like Video Wizard Ben in 1982, both gaming at home and the Hip-Hop genre of music in its recorded form are still in their relative infancy, with gaming consoles not being a widely adopted commodity in Europe yet and the home computer boom just barely waiting around the corner in the former’s case and record labels adopting a wait-and-see kind of attitude in the latter’s case. But the music charts bring the goods this time, with a lot of diversity and musicianship on full display. And movie theaters are blessed by the well performing cult flicks Swamp Thing and Death Wish 2.

All this, some shocking memories of gruesome accidents and much, much more is what you’ll find in this new episode of the Video Wizards podcast!

Burger Time

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21709338

Ms. Pac-Man

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64460943

Space Duel

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35592843

Jump Bug

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20610710 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 13, L-R: Burger Time, Ms. Pac-Man, Space Duel, Jump Bug

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Main Theme – by ??? for Burger Time, 1982
Act 1: They Meet – by Chris Rode for Ms. Pac-Man, 1982
Level 2 Mid-Point – by ??? for Jump Bug, 1981
That Girl – by Stevie Wonder, 1981
Call Me – by Skyy, 1981
Simon Says – by The Sequence, 1982
Run to the Hills – by Iron Maiden, 1982
Screaming for Vengeance – by Judas Priest, 1982
Town Called Malice – by The Jam, 1982
The Model – by Kraftwerk, 1978
Golden Brown – by The Stranglers, 1981
Senses Working Overtime – by XTC, 1982
Poison Arrow – by ABC, 1982
Cambodia – by Kim Wilde, 1981
I Won’t Let You Down – by Ph.D., 1981
Don’t You Want Me – by The Human League, 1981
Spirits in the Material World – by The Police, 1981
I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do) – by Hall & Oates, 1981
Theme for The Equalizer, by Stuart Copeland, 1985
Intro (AVRO’s Kinderbios), by Clous van Mechelen (featuring Jody Pijper), 1981

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 12: January 1997

In this episode of Video Wizards, we travel to January 1997 to witness the sad slow demise of the arcades in Western Europe, with cabinets getting replaced by slot machines in all but the last remaining dedicated gaming halls. But in these bright and colourful sanctuaries, there’s still a lot of video game fun to be had, with head to head combat and driving being the running themes. Capcom and Arika’s first 3D entry in their leading fighting franchise, Street Fighter EX, is presented to the masses, while the Osaka giants also get a bit experimental with their first CPSIII game: Red Earth. This is set off by Sunsoft’s oddball parody fighting game Waku Waku 7 and the crowd pleasing, jaw dropping spectacle cab of Model 3 powerhouse SCUD Race. And then there is Cruis’n World by Midway.

With home gaming becoming the more emphasised side of our hobby, Sony’s PlayStation is going especially strong, with Cool Boarders, Destruction Derby 2 and the Japanese release of the seismic Final Fantasy 7, while Europe is gearing up for the release of the Nintendo 64. In the world of Metal, acts like Marilyn Manson and Limp Bizkit carve new paths, where Hip-Hop artists find themselves at a crossroads. And the beginning of the year in cinema is lit up with the theatrical release of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope – Special Edition. You want more? How about titanic local Dutch skating tours? A new instalment of the Video Wizards Quiz? The Dan Clark Baller of the Month Award?

This near 6 hour throwback audio experience contains way too much content to detail here, so get very comfortable indeed and enjoy the first Video Wizards podcast episode of the new year!

Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 12, L-R: SCUD Race, Red Earth, Waku Waku 7, Cruis’n World

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Straight Outta Compton – by N.W.A, 1988
Character Select – by Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Sasou & Takayuki Aihara for Street Fighter EX, 1996
Strange Sunset (Guile’s Theme) – by Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Sasou & Takayuki Aihara for Street Fighter EX, 1996
Groovin’ Daylight – by Hideaki Miyamoto, Kaoru Ohori & Fumio Ito for SCUD Race, 1996
Advent of the Supreme Ruler – by Takayuki Iwai for Red Earth, 1996
The Sun Also Sets (Dandy J’s Theme) – by Masato Araikawa for Waku Waku 7, 1996
Title Theme – by Vincent Pontarelli for Cruis’n World, 1996
Rowdy (Opening Theme) – by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, Fumio Ito & Hidenori Shoji for Virtua Fighter 3, 1996
Break Out (SEGA Saturn Arrangement) – by Hideaki Miyamoto for Virtua Cop 2, 1996
Krystal Karrington – by Camp Lo, 1997
Beyond Real – by Jigmastas, 1996
Tried by 12 – by East Flatbush Projects, 1996
Third Degree – by Dilated Peoples (featuring Defari), 1997
High Drama – by Mike Zoot (featuring Mos Def), 1997
Universal Magnetic – by Mos Def, 1997
Dead Bent – by MF DOOM, 1997
Tragedy – by The RZA, 1997
Faith – by Limp Bizkit, 1997
The Beautiful People (Live at Bizarre Festival 1997) – by Marilyn Manson, 1997
Cosmic Girl – by Jamiroquai, 1996
In Your Car – by Kenickie, 1996
Your Woman – by White Town, 1997
Hakke & Zage – by Gabber Piet, 1996
No Diggity – by Blackstreet (featuring Dr. Dre & Queen Pen), 1996
Paparazzi – by Xzibit, 1996

And finally: our special thanks to テクノワールド奥州.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 11: December 1989

In this final Video Wizards Podcast episode of 2020, we travel back 31 years, to the month of December 1989. With the last holiday season of the 1980s upon us, we are visited by Santa Haggar, backed up by Cody and Guy, for Capcom’s genre redefining Final Fight. Konami, meanwhile, set out their own brawling path with their first arcade beat ’em up carrying an animated series license, while simultaneously unleashing the terrors of Gradius III on unsuspecting arcade goers and Mitchell and SNK keep things varied with Pang and Beast Busters respectively.

At home, European NES owners might just receive the first Mega Man in their stockings, as Master System owning kids are hopeful to receive a copy of Psycho Fox. And while Hip Hop’s golden era is winding down to the sounds of Biz Markie, the Geto Boys’ Willie D and 3rd Bass, the UK and Dutch charts are bombarded with tacky Christmas pop songs, blaring out the speakers of Chris Rea’s car radio. In cinemas, the police brutality of Tango & Cash shares the spotlight with the holiday brutality of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and in global politics, Bush senior and Gorbachev keep things extra festive by jointly announcing the end of the Cold War.

We hope you enjoy this mammoth podcast about the past and wish you a happy future in 2021!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62727312

Gradius III

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62727312

Pang

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65272265

Beast Busters

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22854834 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 11, L-R: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Gradius III, Pang/Buster Bros., Beast Busters

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Opening – by Yoshihiro Sakaguchi, Michiru Yamane & Yoko Shimomura for Final Fight, 1989
Slum – by Yoshihiro Sakaguchi, Michiru Yamane & Yoko Shimomura for Final Fight, 1989
Title Theme – by Sebastian Evans for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1989
Sand Storm – by Junichiro Kaneda, Seiichi Fukami, Miki Higashino, Kozo Nakamura & Mutsuhiko Izumi for Gradius III, 1989
Mt. Fuji – by Tamayo Kawamoto for Pang, 1989
Oh My Buddha! – by Toshikazu Tanaka & Masahiko Hataya for Beast Busters, 1989
Crossroads – by Takashi Tateishi for Willow, 1989
Elec Man – by Manami Matsumae & Yoshihiro Sakaguchi, 1989
Just a Friend – by Biz Markie, 1989
I Need Some Pussy – by Willie D, 1989
Bald Headed Hoes – by Willie D, 1989
Fuck the KKK – by Willie D, 1989
Oval Office – by 3rd Bass, 1989
Power Metal – by Pantera, 1988
Cowboys from Hell – by Pantera, 1990
Do They Know It’s Christmas? – by Band Aid II, 1989
Driving Home for Christmas (Instrumental) – by Chris Rea, 1989
The Message is Love – by Arthur Baker and the Backbeat Disciples (featuring Al Green), 1989
Christmas Vacation – by Mavis Staples for the motion picture National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 1989
Doctor Who Opening Theme – by Dominick Glynn, 1986

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 10: November 1992

In the 10th numbered episode of the Video Wizards Podcast, the stage for November 1992 is set by U.S. president George H.W. Bush smoothly transfering power to the political face of the ’90s, Bill Clinton, as SEGA brings about a revolution with their introduction of Virtua Racing to the arcade market. Toaplan enlist “mangaka” Joker JUN to make an impression with their unapologetic vertically scrolling shooter Dogyuun, whereas Irem spin off from their premiere horizontally scrolling shoot ’em up series with R-Type Leo and Konami license another odd anthropomorphic-centric cartoon property, for the Sunset Riders-like C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa. But what exactly are Incredible Technologies playing at with the completely horrifically botched attempt at a fighting game called Time Killers? Meanwhile, movie goers are spoilt for choice for the upcoming holiday season, with blockbusters like Home Alone 2, Disney’s Aladdin and Bram Stoker’s Dracula hitting the theaters.

In the European home gaming market, Nintendo’s SNES is gaining momentum with a slew of instantly classic titles in the face of SEGA releasing the mighty sequel to their smash hit Sonic the Hedgehog on Sonic 2sday. And you might not think of 1992 as being an especially prolific year for Hip-Hop, until you realise that Dr. Dre made clear that it was Nuthin’ But A G Thang, Redman dropped his explosive solo album and Rage Against the Machine crossed over to fans of the genre, straight from the world of Metal, all around this moment in time. Here’s more than 4 and a half hours of fresh new Video Wizards content for you, filled with a plethora of more fun topics too varied to detail here. Would we lie to you?

Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 10, L-R: Dogyuun, Wild West: C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, R-Type Leo, Time Killers

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Course Select – by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi for Virtua Racing, 1992
Time Extend 2 – by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi for Virtua Racing, 1992
Time Extend 3 – by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi for Virtua Racing, 1992
Dogyuun Magic – by Tatsuya Uemura for Dogyuun, 1992
Title – by Michiru Yamane for Wild West: C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, 1992
Red Hot Desert – by Hiroshi Kimura for R-Type Leo, 1992
Rancid Theme – by ??? for Time Killers, 1992
Choose your Fighter – by Dan Forden for Mortal Kombat, 1992
Chemical Plant Zone – by Masato Nakamura for Sonic the Hedgehog 2, 1992
If I Were President (Skit) – by The Pharcyde, 1992
Nuthin’ But A G Thang – by Dr. Dre (featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg), 1992
Passing Me By – by The Pharcyde, 1992
Time 4 Sum Aksion – by Redman, 1992
Soul Flower – by The Brand New Heavies (featuring The Pharcyde), 1992
Killing in the Name – by Rage Against The Machine, 1992
Symphony of Destruction – by Megadeth, 1992
Little Baby Nothing – by Manic Street Preachers (featuring Traci Lords), 1992
Super Mario Land – by Ambassadors of Funk, 1992
Just Another Day (Instrumental) – by Jon Secada & Miguel Morejon, 1992
No Ordinary Love – by Sade, 1992
Love Song for a Vampire (Instrumental) – by Annie Lennox, 1992
Friend Like Me (Instrumental) – by Alan Menken, 1992
This Wheel’s on Fire – by Julie Driscoll & Adrian Edmondson, 1992

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 9: October 1988

Episode number 9 of the Video Wizards Podcast sees us travel back to October 1988, where things are about to get all sorts of horrifying! In the arcades, werewolves are fighting zombies, vile monsters and a dark sorcerer in SEGA’s legendarily oddball autoscrolling beat ’em up Altered Beast. Also, Ryu Hayabusa ends up in his buzzsaw filled personal hell when the player runs out of lives in Ninja Gaiden/Shadow Warriors and the maniacal blue and red clad mercenaries of Cabal find themselves facing the horrors of war once again. Meanwhile, cinema goers are exposed to the now cult creepfest of Pumpkinhead and the most terrifying movie Stanley Kubrick has ever seen: local Dutch film production The Vanishing.

Apart from that, we cover the usual broad variety of topics related to the time, extending to the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the Western version of Super Mario Bros. 2, the cute-but-deranged antics of Tiki the Kiwi in The New Zealand Story, the Ultramagnetic MCs’ debut album and other boundary pushing going on in the world of Hip-Hop, Milli friggin’ Vanilli, Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker (the movie, this time around), nunchuks, a pitbull terrier called Dutch, flip glasses and taco nazis. It’s business as usual then, in the month of October and there’s absolutely no further spookiness going on, we promise!

Scramble Spirits

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51031524

Ninja Gaiden

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15356816

Cabal

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33734694

The New Zealand Story

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29656736 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 9, L-R: Scramble Spirits, Ninja Gaiden, Cabal, The New Zealand Story

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Rise from your Grave – by Toru Nakabayashi for Altered Beast, 1988
Haum Germer – by Toru Nakabayashi for Altered Beast, 1988
BGM 1 – by Toru Nakabayashi & Yasuhiro Kawakami for Scramble Spirits, 1988
BGM 2 – by Mikio Saitou, Ichiro Nakagawa, Ryuichi Nitta & Tamotsu Ebisawa for Ninja Gaiden, 1988
Level Theme – by ??? for Cabal, 1988
Main Theme – by Hisayoshi Ogura, Yasuko Yamada & Yasuhisa Watanabe for The New Zealand Story, 1988
Mid Boss A Outside – by Tamayo Kawamoto & Yoshihiro Sakaguchi for Forgotten Worlds, 1988
Title – by Jeroen Tel for Cybernoid 2, 1988
Break North – by Ultramagnetic MCs, 1988
The Symphony – by Marley Marl, 1988
Roses are Red – by Mac Band, 1988
Everything I Miss At Home – by Cherrelle, 1988
Flower – by Soundgarden, 1988
Daydream Nation album medley – by Prolefeed101, original recordings by Sonic Youth, 1988
Pour Some Sugar on Me – by Def Leppard, 1988
Girl You Know It’s True – by Milli Vanilli, 1988
Wonderful Tonight – by Eric Clapton, 1988
Theme from Spoorloos – by Henny Vrienten for the motion picture Spoorloos, 1988
This Morning Theme – by David Pringle, 1988

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 8: September 1995

The 8th episode of the Video Wizards Podcast is a huge one: we travel to a little bit over the middle of the mid 90s, namely the month of September in the year 1995. This is a real moment of transition, where 3D polygons start eclipsing 2D graphics in popularity, both in the arcades and in home gaming. Tekken 2 makes people take closer notice of painful looking grapples captured via different camera angles and the European launch of Sony’s PlayStation broadens the audience for video games considerably around these parts. But 2D games are still impressing arcade goers, as The King of Fighters ’95 by SNK and Guardians – perhaps the greatest scrolling beat ’em up of its decade – by the legendary Winkysoft, pull no punches and are very much alive and kicking. Meanwhile, Puzzle Bobble 2 is poppin’ like Orville Redenbacher and ex-employees of the by then defunct Toaplan find their way to Taito, Cave and Gazelle, for Gekirindan, Donpachi and Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon respectively.

With the early beginnings of internet at home as the backdrop, Oasis drop their insanely succesful sophomore album, while in the Hip-Hop world a chain of events is set in motion that would eventually result in the violent deaths of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G.. We find more grim violence in crime cinema highlights like Seven, The Usual Suspects and Clockers, whereas Showgirls is better described as a crime AGAINST cinema. How about them apples?

Puzzle Bobble 2

By Taito - https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=829, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64553527

Gekirindan

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=628977938

The King of Fighters '95

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61410910

Guardians

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39452213 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 8, L-R: Puzzle Bobble 2, Gekirindan, The King of Fighters ’95, Guardians (Denjin Makai II)

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Fighter Select – by Yoshie Arakawa & Yoshie Takayanagi for Tekken 2, 1995
Wild Beast Priest – by Yoshie Arakawa & Yoshie Takayanagi for Tekken 2, 1995
Let’s Go to Pao Pao Island – by Kazuko Umino, Norihiro Furukawa & Shuichiro Nakazawa for Puzzle Bobble 2, 1995
Pure Spirit – by Kazuko Umino & Koji Sakurai for Gekirindan, 1995
Club M (Flute in the Blue Sky) – by Akihiro Uchida, Masahiko Hataya & Pearl Sibakiti for The King of Fighters ’95, 1995
Stage 2 – by ??? for Guardians, 1995
Gale Force – by Ryūichi Yabuki for DonPachi, 1995
Messij – by CoLD SToRAGE for WipEout, 1995
New York, New York (Instrumental) – by Daz Dillinger for Tha Dogg Pound, 1995
Danger – by Blahzay Blahzay, 1995
Last Dayz – by Onyx, 1995
Ice Cream – by Raekwon, 1995
More Human Than Human – by White Zombie, 1995
(What’s the Story) Morning Glory – by Oasis, 1995
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me – by U2, 1995
Kiss From a Rose – by Seal, 1995
Shy Guy – by Diana King, 1995
Gluttony – by Howard Shore for the motion picture Seven, 1995
Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers (Instrumental) – by DJ Premier for The Crooklyn Dodgers ’95, 1995
I’ll Be There for You – by The Rembrandts, 1995

And finally: our special thanks to テクノワールド奥州.

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