The Video Wizards Podcast

VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 7: August 1990

In episode number 7 of the Video Wizards Podcast we travel to August in the first year of the 90s. It’s a new decade, filled with the hope to wrestle itself from under the looming nuclear threat of the 1980s, but a war that’s far from cold is about to kick off in the Gulf and Atari Games gets gritty with the hyper violent and (for the time) hyper realistic looking underground prize fighting simulator Pit-Fighter. Also, brand new solo rapper Ice Cube defies the idealistic view of America as Hip-Hop as a whole looks for more boundaries to break, Metal music resists both lawsuits and the attack of acoustics and the power ballad groups… and somewhat disturbing pictures like Roald Dahl’s The Witches and Sam Raimi’s Darkman hit movie theaters.

But don’t despair! Michael Jackson’s megalomaniac Moonwalker arcade game aside, there is much lighter material as well. Marvel at water balloon chucking platypii in Liquid Kids, engage in shooty sci-fi fun in Out Zone and storm a massive tower in Magic Sword, next to the home gaming fun of the day. We say this every time, but this might be our best podcast yet!

Out Zone

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62025013

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

By The Arcade Flyer Archive [1]., https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12965758

Liquid Kids

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63997681

Magic Sword

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19092184 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 7, L-R: Out Zone, Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker, Liquid Kids, Magic Sword

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Select – by John Paul for Pit-Fighter, 1990
Match 3 – by John Paul for Pit-Fighter, 1990
To the Earth – by Tatsuya Uemura for Out Zone, 1990
Smooth Criminal (Moonwalker Arcade Game Version) – by Michael Jackson for Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker, 1990
Let’s Get On! We’re Friends!! – by Kazuko Umino & Hisayoshi Ogura for Liquid Kids, 1990
The Road to the Tower – by Manami Matsumae for Magic Sword, 1990
An Aimed Town – by Shiro Imaoka, Hiroshige Tonomura, Norihiro Furukawa & Pinch Punch for The Ninja Kids, 1990
Mission 2: At the Heli Port – by Kazunaka Yamane for Double Dragon II: The Revenge, 1990
Amerikkka’s Most Wanted – by Ice Cube, 1990
Untouchable (Instrumental) – by Cold 187um for Above the Law, 1990
911 is a Joke – by Public Enemy, 1990
Me and the Biz – by Masta Ace, 1990
Hangar 18 – by Megadeth, 1990
Get the Funk Out – by Extreme, 1990
More Than Words – by Extreme, 1990
King of Wishful Thinking – by Go West, 1990
Dirty Cash – by Adventures of Stevie V, 1990
Hold On (Instrumental) – by Denzil Foster & Thomas McElroy for En Vogue, 1990
Olympic (Euro Bass Mix) / “The Word” Theme Tune – by 808 State, 1990

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 6: July 1985

In the 6th episode of the Video Wizards Podcast we travel all the way back to July in the year 1985. In this month, Yu Suzuki and SEGA go “full body” and unleash the Super Scaler revolution on arcade goers with the legendary superbike racer Hang-On. Namco show their quirkier side with the autorunner inspiring Metro-Cross and the cutesy-yet-slightly-disturbing alien shooter Baraduke, while Konami are all about stabbing Soviet saps in Green Beret. And then there is Atari’s Peter Pack Rat.

As Queen and Freddy Mercury rock Live Aid in Wembley, Madonna and a host of 1980s R&B artists get party people into the groove. Marty McFly aims to travel through time in a direction opposite to ours in what might be the quintessential 1980s Hollywood flick, while Roger Moore delivers his final role as James Stock, er, James Bond. Join us on this wild ride through the mid-point of the mid-eighties!

Baraduke

Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16472689

Metro-Cross

Peter Pack-Rat

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23691874

Green Beret

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21028584 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 6, L-R: Baraduke, Metro-Cross, Peter Pack Rat, Green Beret

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Title – by ??? for Hang-On, 1985
Main Theme – by ??? for Hang-On, 1985
Name Resist – by ??? for Baraduke, 1985
BGM – by Nobuyuki Onogi for Metro-Cross, 1985
Stage 1 Medley – by Brad Fuller for Peter Pack Rat, 1985
Death/Game Over – by ??? for Green Beret, 1985
BGM 1 – by Tamayo Kawamoto for Commando, 1985
Title – by ??? for Doki Doki Penguin Land, 1985
Human Beat Box (Part II) – by Fat Boys, 1985
Hangin’ on a String (Contemplating) – by Loose Ends, 1985
P.S.K. What Does It Mean? – by Schoolly D, 1985
Ready to Strike – by King Kobra, 1985
Mechanix – by Megadeth, 1985
Into the Groove – by Madonna, 1985
In My House – Mary Jane Girls, 1984
All Fall Down – by Five Star, 1985
Josephine – by Chris Rea, 1985
A View to a Kill – by Duran Duran, 1985
Toppop Tune – by Tonny Eyk, 1970

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 5: June 1993

In this fifth episode of the Video Wizards Podcast we travel back to June 1993, where Midway releases the final revision of the digitised live actor driven fighting fantasy Mortal Kombat II. There is summertime amusement aplenty as well, with the thrill ride-like cabs of Lucky & Wild and Alien 3: The Gun, by Namco and SEGA respectively. And Technos and Data East were bringing some new and exciting twists to the beat ’em up genre.

Meanwhile, the Unabomber is still on the loose and Hulk Hogan gets defeated by a James Bond gadget-like photo camera. Also, Jurassic Park’s roaringly successful release is the mark of a new era in blockbuster cinema, Star Fox (or Starwing) pushes polygons on PAL SNESes and Hip-Hop music by credible artists invades mainstream-inclined homes everywhere. And will Michiel’s winning streak in the Video Wizards Quiz finally be broken?

Alien 3: The Gun

Shadow Force

Lucky & Wild

Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16564635

Night Slashers

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21028584 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 5, L-R: Alien 3: The Gun, Shadow Force, Lucky & Wild, Night Slashers

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Story Intro – by Dan Forden for Mortal Kombat II, 1993
The Living Forest – by Dan Forden for Mortal Kombat II, 1993
BGM 2 – by ??? for Alien 3: The Gun, 1993
Secret Forest – by Kazunaka Yamane for Shadow Force, 1993
Stage 1 & 4 – by Etsuo Ishii for Lucky & Wild, 1993
BGM 3 – by Tatsuya Kiuchi & Tomoyoshi Sato for Night Slashers, 1993
Town Stage – by Masaki Izutani & Kouji Murata for Sengoku Ace, 1993
Corneria – by Hajime Hirasawa for Star Fox, 1993
Chief Rocka – by Lords of the Underground, 1993
Deeper (Instrumental) – by Def Jef for Bo$$, 1993
Dre Day – by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg, 1993
I Get Around – by 2pac, 1993
The Unforgiven (Live in Milton Keynes ’93) – by Metallica, 1993
Tease Me – by Chaka Demus & Pliers, 1993
From Despair to Where – Manic Street Preachers, 1993
That’s The Way Love Goes – by Janet Jackson, 1993
Where the Hell Have I – by Alice in Chains, 1993
Fawlty Towers Theme – by Dennis Wilson, 1975

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 4: May 1994

In the fourth episode of the Video Wizards Podcast we find ourselves in May 1994, where Capcom made a powerful statement in that they were still not done with making “belt scrolling” beat ’em ups, with both Alien vs. Predator and Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom making their mark. In this time period, their fellow Osakan rivals SNK were showing their quirkier side with the goofy Top Hunter, while also – antagonistically – publishing Data East’s Karnov’s Revenge, the follow up to a fighter that Capcom fought a court case over, both on their Neo-Geo platform. And SEGA’s Daytona USA had made a rolling start in becoming one of their most popular and enduring arcade games of all time.

We also are confronted with the deaths of F1 phenomenon Ayrton Senna and actor Brandon Lee, as the latter’s movie The Crow sees a theatrical release. And after the death of Kurt Cobain, bands like Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and the Stone Temple Pilots keep Grunge quaking. Do you possess the Mental Stamina to listen to almost 5 more hours of Video Wizards podcasting goodness?

Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60986947

Daytona USA

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16765604

Karnov's Revenge

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60987609

Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19084549 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 4, L-R: Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy, Daytona USA, Karnov’s Revenge, Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Opening – by Hideki Okugawa for Alien vs. Predator, 1994
Round 3 – by Hideki Okugawa for Alien vs. Predator, 1994
Wood Planet (Theme 1) – by Yoko Osaka, Yoshihiko Kitamura, Shiba Pooh, Akihiro Uchida, Masahiko Hataya & Toshio Shimizu for Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy, 1994
Sky High – by Takenobu Mitsuyoshi for Daytona USA, 1994
Karnov’s Theme – by Seiichi Hamada, Tomoyoshi Sato, Mihoko Ando, Masaaki Iwasaki & Shōgo Sakai for Karnov’s Revenge, 1994
BGM 3 – by Isao Abe, Takayuki Iwai & Hideki Okugawa for Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom, 1994
Shooot! – by Seiichi Hamada, Tomoyoshi Sato & Masaaki Iwasaki for Windjammers, 1994
Prelude to Glory – by Yasumasa Yamada, Yoshihiko Kitamura, Mariko & Yasuhiro Naka for Art of Fighting 2, 1994
Mental Stamina – by Jeru the Damaja featuring Afu-Ra, 1994
NY State of Mind – by Nas, 1994
Black Hole Sun – by Soundgarden, 1994
Big Empty – by Stone Temple Pilots, 1994
Under the Bridge – by Red Hot Chili Peppers, 1994
Love is All Around – by Wet Wet Wet, 1994
Sweet Lullaby – by Deep Forest, 1992
Theme of Wipeout with Paul Daniels – by David Arch, 1994

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 3: April 1986

In the third episode of the Video Wizards Podcast we’re traveling a bit further back again, to April 1986, and enter the Fantasy Zone for some unique shoot ’em up stylings by SEGA. Japanese developers continue making their mark as we also look at a string of Capcom hitters like Trojan, Gun.Smoke and Section Z and Konami’s oddly similar looking Double Dribble and Jail Break. And SEGA doesn’t just leave it at releasing a cute shooter, but also publishes the delightful and ubiquitous Wonder Boy.

Under the shadow of the Chernobyl disaster and the ever present 1980s threat of a nuclear apocalypse, two shape shifting alien bounty hunters use the Power of the Night to lay waste to a small rural town in the U.S.A., when on the lookout for sharp toothed extraterrestrial vermin, and Rakim, with help of Eric B, changes the face of rap music with a single song.

Slap Fight

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62370551

Wonder Boy

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21665481

Double Dribble

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21625008

Trojan

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23611324 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 3, L-R: Slap Fight, Wonder Boy, Double Dribble, Trojan

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Opa Opa – by Noah Toku for Fantasy Zone, 1986
Keep on the Beat – by Noah Toku for Fantasy Zone, 1986
Area 1 to 10 – by ??? for Slap Fight, 1986
Main Theme – by ??? for Wonder Boy, 1986
U.S.A. National Anthem – by ??? for Double Dribble, 1986
Stage 3 – by Ayako Mori for Trojan, 1986
Theme of Terra Cresta – by ??? for Terra Cresta, 1985
Section A to E – by Tamayo Kawamoto for Section Z, 1985
Eric B is President – by Eric B & Rakim, 1986
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going – by Billy Ocean, 1985
Why Can’t This Be Love – by Van Halen, 1986
(Nothing Serious) Just Buggin’ – by Whistle, 1986
Living Doll (Comic Relief) – by Cliff Richard and The Young Ones, 1986
Don’t Waste My Time – by Paul Hardcastle featuring Carol Kenyon, 1986
Just Say No – by The Cast of Grange Hill, 1986
Power of the Night – by “Johnny Steele”, 1986
Jossy’s Giants Theme – by Mike Amatt, 1986

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 2: March 1991

This second episode of the Video Wizards Podcast is huge! We’re traveling back to March 1991 and look at how Street Fighter II: The World Warrior changed the (arcade) gaming landscape… and we get to reminisce about colourful cartoony games like The Simpsons, Caveman Ninja and Bells & Whistles a.k.a. Detana!! TwinBee.

We also marvel at Jeff Speakman’s Kenpo skills and his laissez-faire approach to deadly combat, avoid the Ninja Turtles populated dance floor at a Vanilla Ice show and brace ourselves for the Grunge quake. And will Michiel break his impressive streak of giving the exact wrong answer during any given 50/50 toss up quiz situation?

The Simpsons

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14164423

Caveman Ninja

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14982501

King of the Monsters

By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58922343

Detana!! TwinBee — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 2, L-R: The Simpsons, Caveman Ninja, King of the Monsters, Detana!! TwinBee

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Title – by Yoko Shimomura for Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, 1991
Player Select – by Yoko Shimomura for Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, 1991
Brazil (Blanka’s Theme) – by Yoko Shimomura for Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, 1991
Downtown Springfield (Stage 1) – by Norio Hanzawa for The Simpsons, 1991
BGM 2 – by Hiroaki Yoshida, Seiichi Hamada, Takafumi Miura & Yusuke Takahama for Caveman Ninja, 1991
Prayer of Madness (Theme of Woo) – by Toshikazu Tanaka, Kazuhiro Nishida & Ten6 Jaguars for King of the Monsters, 1991
Gift of the Wind – by Hidenori Maezawa, Michiru Yamane & Masae Nakashima for Detana!! TwinBee, 1991
Match 2 (Southside Jim) – by John Paul for Pit-Fighter, 1990
Paean of Body – by Hiroaki Yoshida & Akira Takemoto for Mutant Fighter, 1991
Sea of Sorrow – by Alice in Chains, 1991
Losing my Religion – by R.E.M., 1991
Re-Educating Rita – by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, 1991
A Rollerskating Jam Named Saturdays – by De La Soul, 1991
The One and Only – by Chesney Hawkes, 1991
I Wanna Sex You Up – by Color Me Badd, 1991
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) – by C+C Music Factory, 1991
Falling (Instrumental) – by Angelo Badalamenti, 1990
Night Life in Twin Peaks – by Angelo Badalamenti, 1990
Theme of Fort Boyard – by Paul Koulak, 1990

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 1: February 1989

In the first offical episode of the Video Wizards Podcast, we’re traveling back to February 1989 and look at a surprisingly horror-inducing selection of arcade games like Splatterhouse, Ghouls’n Ghosts and Hard Drivin’.

We also give an update on our home gaming situation of the day, catch the wave of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, find ourselves in the midst of Hip Hop’s golden era and are confronted with the horrors of war via Metallica. Of course, Ben pulls out another quiz for Michiel and we share some brilliant correspondence from the listeners as well!

Turbo Outrun arcade flyer - By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31768906

Dynamite Düx arcade flyer - By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32167808

Ghouls'n Ghosts arcade flyer, By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19085295

Hard Drivin' arcade flyer, By Source, Fair use, By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12469585 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 1, L-R: Turbo Outrun, Dynamite Düx, Ghouls’n Ghosts, Hard Drivin’

Other music used in this episode:

TV Theme Style (The Winner) – by Colin Thomson, 2018
Opening – by Katsuro Tajima & Yoshinori Kawamoto for Splatterhouse, 1988
Ending – by Katsuro Tajima & Yoshinori Kawamoto for Splatterhouse, 1988
Shake the Street – by Hiroshi Kawaguchi & Yasuhiro Takagi for Turbo Outrun, 1989
Downtown – by Hiroshi Kawaguchi for Dynamite Düx, 1988
Stage 2 (Village of Decay) – by Tamayo Kawamoto for Ghouls’n Ghosts, 1988
Instant Replay – by Don Diekneite for Hard Drivin’, 1989
Powermeter – by Motoaki Furukawa for The Final Round, 1988
Stage 1 – by Toshikazu Tanaka, Yoko Osaka & Kazuhiro Nishida for P.O.W.: Prisoners of War, 1988
Countdown to Armageddon – by Public Enemy, 1988
Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos – by Public Enemy, 1988
The Ruler’s Back – by Slick Rick, 1988
Eye Know – by De La Soul, 1989
One – by Metallica, 1989
Can U Dig It? – by Pop Will Eat Itself, 1989
Say a Little Prayer – by Bomb the Bass featuring Maureen, 1988
Rocket – by Def Leppard, 1987
EastEnders theme tune – by Simon May & Leslie Osborne, 1985

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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VIDEO WIZARDS PODCAST – Episode 0: January 1987

In this pilot episode of the Video Wizards Podcast, we’re traveling back to January 1987 and look at arcade games like Alien Syndrome, Rolling Thunder, and 720º.

We also check out the European, pre-console, home computer scene, Eddie Murphy’s performance in The Golden Child and music from The Beastie Boys, Guns N’ Roses and Cameo… and did you know just how crucial bicycle side wheel reflectors really are?

Sky Fox arcade flyer - By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35482752

Rolling Thunder arcade flyer - By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15349796

Salamander arcade flyer, By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15134207

720 Degrees arcade flyer, By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21995292 — Other top billing arcade games of the era we discuss on Episode 0, L-R: Sky Fox, Rolling Thunder, Salamander, 720°

Other music used in this episode:

Dooms Day – by Tohru Nakabayashi for Alien Syndrome, 1987
Killer Instinct – by Tohru Nakabayashi for Alien Syndrome, 1987
BGM 1 – by ??? for Exerizer / Sky Fox, 1987
In-Game Theme One – by Junko Ozawa for Rolling Thunder, 1986
Power of Anger – by Miki Higashino, Hidenori Maezawa, Shinya Sakamoto, Satoe Terashima & Atsushi Fujio for Salamander, 1986
Ramp – by Hal Canon & Earl Vickers for 720º, 1986
Main Theme – by Tadashi Kimijima for Bubble Bobble, 1986
Goal 3 – by Hal Canon for Super Sprint, 1986
The New Style/Fight for Your Right – by The Beastie Boys, 1986
Welcome to the Jungle – by Guns N’ Roses, 1987
Cold Gettin’ Dumb – by Just-Ice, 1986
Candy – by Cameo, 1986
Suburbia – by The Pet Shop Boys, 1986
Shake You Down – by Gregory Abbott, 1986
Robin (The Hooded Man) – by Clannad, 1984
Thundercats Opening Theme – by Kevin Kliesch, 1985

And finally: our special thanks to Andy Hofle.

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