Daily Daze: Too Many Games Podcast

Video games are often loved as much for their sweet music as their (hopefully) engaging gameplay, a truth this particular episode is anxious to illustrate! 22 amazing tunes await the avid listener in what might be the most ambitious Great Gamer's Quiz yet! In 20 seconds (more-or-less), gamers will try to identify some legendary melodies. Or...they can simply kick back and enjoy the beautiful ballet at hand. And expect a few surprises...a certain a capella star might just pop up with a couple of his own scintillating renditions!Thanks to decktonic.com for the theme music.And thank you, Mr. Smooth McGroove, for providing the Net with such righteous renditions of everything retro! Check him out here: https://smoothmcgroove.bandcamp.com

Once again, portable gaming systems are becoming all the rage, and the Arduboy FX might be the most unique among the current deluge of handheld entertainment. The size of a credit card--yet packing over 200 games and apps!--this little device pays tribute to Nintendo's Game Boy, yet fully embraces the can-do spirit of the modern gaming scene. So, is it worth a purchase? Mr. Pacario provides his answer in this candid review.

Limited Run Games, or LRG, became celebrated for converting rare and digital-only games into physical editions, then selling them in "limited" quantities to anxious collectors. At least, that's how it was supposed to go. But now, as LRG grows bloated on the goodwill, and cash, of a swarming fanbase, some are questioning the company's manipulative methods and marketing practices. Could this noble enterprise not be so pristine as originally believed? Mr. Pacario devotes the show to discussing just how far the company has strayed from its original ideals.

The legendary arcade game comes home in miniature form courtesy of Numskull, the UK-based company specializing in everything retro. It's a slick-looking machine, too, but how well does it play? Is it worth the premium price? Mr. Pacario discusses the machine and the game within, then ponders the company itself--will Numskull keep producing these tiny replicas, or is it likely to leave this niche industry behind?Pics of the Bubble Bobble machine can be seen here: https://www.destructoid.com/--624156.phtml#postThanks to YouTube's DJMykah and Miles' Games for the excellent Bubble Bobble remixes. And lastly, kudos to Decktonic.com for the great opening/closing chiptune!

For this brief but no less spiffy entry, Mr. Pacario reviews Super Mario Manga Mania, the first official Western adaptation of the long-running comic series. Perhaps even more exciting, however, is Pac-Man's own celebratory book--Pac-Man: Birth of an Icon--coming soon from www.cookandbecker.com. And lastly, thanks to the U.K.-based company Numskull, the classic arcade game Bubble Bobble is gracing homes again in a glorious new form. For collectors and avid fans of the series, this jaw-dropping showpiece could be the game's ultimate release!Thanks to Decktonic.com for the groovy opening/closing tune!

When it comes to talking classic games, few shows can match the renowned Retronauts podcast, a production that has long celebrated the gaming pastime’s colorful history. But with the show’s host and founder, Jeremy Parish, now moonlighting over at publishing house Limited Run Games in various capacities, is the show still as pure and transparent as before? Or is the production now being subverted, subtly or not, into an LRG marketing tool? Mr. Pacario analyzes what’s becoming an obvious conflict-of-interest.

At long last, Nintendo has graced us with a new mini...but it's not quite the Game Boy Classic many wanted. Rather, it's the rebirth of the old Game and Watch line, with Super Mario Bros. its showcase piece. The gadget's a nifty callback to the past...but is it worth the modern asking price? Mr. Pacario drops some thoughts in this quickie, bite-sized review.Thanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

Death comes for everyone, and the 3DS is no exception--the dual-screened device has officially been abandoned, sort of, by the ever practical Big N. Mr. Pacario gives the system a fitting eulogy before tackling a more controversial matter--Nintendo's Super Mario 3D All-Stars, released in decidedly uninspired form. Is this really the company's best? (Note: I apologize for the minor audio issues a few minutes in...the sound will correct itself after a couple moments.)Thanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

After Nintendo and Sega took their turns, it was only fitting the TurboGrafx-16 also receive the mini treatment. A system both overlooked and underappreciated during the 8 and 16-bit eras, Konami has seen fit to give it an extra life with this tinier edition. Indeed, it's a sweet box of "what ifs"...a compilation of obscure but no less engaging games deserving of another chance. And so, as promised, here is the exhaustively in-depth review of not only the Turbo Mini itself, but every one of its 57 games. It's the longest show in Daily Daze history!Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Pacario Thanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

What's better than the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation Vita? It might just be the Analogue Pocket, a slick, Game Boy-like device capable of playing an assortment of history's greatest gaming relics. With the device soon up for preorder, Mr. Pacario lists the system's many frills, features, and incredible options...along with one or two unfortunate drawbacks. Indeed, is this mighty handheld really worth the asking price? That is the pointed question...Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/PacarioThanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

Sega is back with another miniature snack! After the nifty Mega Drive Mini and the loco Game Gear Micro, the company is going for a three-for-all with its Astro City machine, a cute all-in-one console with an assortment of rarely seen arcade games! Although little has been revealed, Mr. Pacario divulges the scants facts before proceeding with a "mini" Great Gamer's Quiz. Indeed, ace this test to prove your worthiness for what could be Sega's bestest system yet!Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/PacarioThanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

Along with countless movies, shows, and video games to consume, people must also choose between thousands of new podcasts appearing on a rapid-fire, weekly basis. And guess what? Most of these shows are junk! Luckily, Mr. Pacario is here to recommend six sublime shows of true worth and fun--from the cinephile's Now Playing to the sometimes creepy Extraterrestrial. In other words, these are podcasts for all those who love gaming, movies, retro nostalgia...and just a touch of weird.Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/PacarioThanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

Gamers complain about a lot of things...the most ironic, perhaps, is having too much content. In other words--too many games releasing every week! It's a weird problem that others of a different time would have loved to share, but there's truth to the complaint. Gamers are drowning in freebies, indies, Twitch streams, and cheap DLC without a proper way to escape...or keep up. But is this "problem" really such a bad thing? Maybe, maybe not, but it wasn't always this way. Welcome to the "gamer glut."Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/PacarioThanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

For those who love the more audible side of gaming, this episode will draw them into that illustrious past while also highlighting the occasional modern day masterpiece. Indeed, music--especially that of the gaming persuasion--has always possessed the unique quality of making even the darkest days seem brighter. This quiz might challenge one's memory...but more importantly, may it bring everyone a sense of needed peace.Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/PacarioThanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

Don't say mini, say micro! Yep, Sega actually goes there with its tinier than dinky line of miniature Game Gears...while on the larger side of things, Arcade1UP unveils its next slate of home arcade machines, including the oft-sought Ms. Pac-Man. But whether teeny or supreme, are any of these machines really worth the money? Mr. Pacario gives his best early impressions.Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/PacarioThanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

Was 1980 really that long ago? Indeed, the year 2020 marks the 40th anniversary (or birthday) of gaming's greatest icon--the titular Pac-Man. For a time, the globular marble dominated pop culture in a way no mascot--even the almighty Mario--has ever achieved since. But beyond his command of the cultural zeitgeist, Pac-Man essentially gave birth to the modern gaming scene, granting the medium its first relatable hero. For this podcast, Mr. Pacario reflects upon what makes the character both so timeless and important...and what keeps him relevant today.Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Pacario Thanks to Buckner and Garcia for their amazing music!Thanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

Turbo trumps virus! Indeed, after being delayed by the infamous plague, the TurboGrafx-16 Mini finally takes the West. Question is...was it worth the wait? Mr. Pacario provides his initial impressions regarding the almost mythical system and its generous trove of jubilant gems.Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/PacarioThanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

After a slight delay, the next Great Gamer's Quiz is ready to be played! This one's a hodgepodge of trivia taken from the entirety of the hobby - only the most well-versed gaming acolytes will survive! So whether carpooling to work or trapped at home, let this quiz prove, once and for all, you are indeed a gaming maven.Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/PacarioThanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

Limited Run Games prides itself on the "preservation" of digital titles, and for a while, collectors adored it. But times change, and the LRG of today seems more bent on manipulating gamers than truly serving the art form. Indeed, the company's recent stumble with its "exclusive" Streets of Rage 4 preorder has left many feeling burned. As always, Mr. Pacario is happy to investigate the matter.Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/PacarioThanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music

Collecting video games is time-consuming. Collecting video games is expensive. And for hunters desperate to own a complete set of a particular system, the going is often impossible. But all is not lost! In this episode, Mr. Pacario suggests different ways one might achieve a "full" set, while also pointing out the remaining consoles in which procuring a perfect library is still even remotely possible.Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/PacarioThanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic.com) for the cover music