The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)

This week we’re joined by Martin Webb, the programmer who brought Sega’s legendary OutRun to the Commodore 64 while still a teenager. From selling his first games as a schoolboy to landing the US Gold contract, Martin shares the story of recreating an arcade sensation with an OutRun cabinet in the family garage and a Christmas deadline looming. We hear about the coding tricks, last-minute demands and elusive bug that pushed him to his limits, alongside his work on RoadBlasters and a trip to Chicago to help with the American version of OutRun. Martin also speaks candidly about working with his father, why he eventually left the games industry, and the original backup discs still tucked away in his former girlfriend’s wardrobe.
Steve's Amiga Games: https://stevehiggins.itch.io/amiga-rescue
A Crazy Thing Called Life C16 Book: https://commodore16.com/
Contents:
00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
50:40 – Martin Webb Interview
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com
Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!
Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9Yf
Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs
We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:
https://theretrohour.com/support/
https://www.patreon.com/retrohour
Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8
Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Show notes
Alien 3 gets CD32 upgrade: https://lnk.ua/M84ZQUQgJ
Free Knightmare game coming: https://lnk.ua/78C15PgcU
Atari VCS support ending: https://lnk.ua/WMG9XRNyi
Sonic 3 Unlocked adds Encore: https://lnk.ua/6Ge05siDa
iPhone Duo emulates Nintendo DS: https://lnk.ua/rLfdftWoW
Ten spooky games for Halloween: https://lnk.ua/4poLfqFFF

This week, we’re joined by legendary artist Hitoshi Ariga to explore his work on Streets of Rage 2, his celebrated Mega Man manga, and a career packed with 16-bit classics. From drawing sprites by night to giving the Robot Masters their personalities, Hitoshi shares stories behind the artwork, explains why technical limitations sparked his creativity, and discusses collaborating with Toby Fox. Plus, memories of ActRaiser 2, Illusion of Gaia, and the influence of his wife and fellow artist Ayano Koshiro.
Kim Justice Rubber Keyed Wonder Kickstarter: https://lnk.ua/AbF4fVrVp
Contents:
00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
51:31 – Hitoshi Ariga Interview
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com
Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!
Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9Yf
Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs
We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:
https://theretrohour.com/support/
https://www.patreon.com/retrohour
Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8
Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Show notes
Ghostbusters II Amiga fan upgrade: https://lnk.ua/g91oEqIHa
Halo multiplayer comes to N64: https://lnk.ua/f0BtptbiR
ZX Spectrum ULA designs found: https://lnk.ua/u2QODD6Wh
Toki arcade conversions in development: https://lnk.ua/EQO2vIkR9
Wing Commander III remaster rumoured: https://lnk.ua/yR6BORUvF
Crash Bandicoot coming to iPod: https://lnk.ua/qrmTvWjTa
Sprout upgrades classic iPods: https://lnk.ua/OVEgZsVPt
Tenebris Somnia brings FMV horror: https://lnk.ua/xh4de3fN2

Gremlin Graphics is making a comeback, and this week we meet Alan Turvey, the lifelong fan helping bring it back through Gremlin Graphics Classics. Alan shares how a Monty Mole project led to a partnership with founder Ian Stewart, the plans to bring classic characters to new audiences, and the community of bedroom coders helping make it happen. We also explore his journey with Midnight Brew, the painstaking work to recreate Gremlin’s lost artwork for a new book, and why giving fans the chance to work with their heroes is at the heart of the revival.
https://open.spotify.com/show/0Rq9lZoWphzXvxkrETrWg0
Contents:
00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
1:00:03.549 – Gremlin Graphics Alan Turvey Interview
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com
Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!
Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9Yf
Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs
We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:
https://theretrohour.com/support/
https://www.patreon.com/retrohour
Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8
Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Show notes
Atari 800XL official details: https://lnk.ua/gEFrOJqZp
Classic games on VHS: https://lnk.ua/OSkrtc6Hr
SuperStation One gets new colours: https://lnk.ua/92rrYtHq5
Taki Udon teases FPGA SNES: https://lnk.ua/PsPhiAyoM
Mario Kart Game Boy demake: https://lnk.ua/iR3QLbQjv
Super Mario Kart goes fullscreen: https://lnk.ua/bxtKkIqhh
Doom gets the Vectrex treatment: https://lnk.ua/ZaNstWSNm
SuperAstra changes games with AI: https://lnk.ua/E0zOllC5n

GamesMaster legend Dominik Diamond joins us for a brand-new conversation recorded live at PLAY Expo in Blackpool. From landing the presenting job and meeting Patrick Moore just once to backstage rivalries, celebrity guests and the infamous Dave Perry fallout, Dominik shares hilarious and candid stories from the show that defined gaming TV in the ’90s. Plus, audience questions, his return to stand-up and an honest look at the pressures of overnight fame.
Contents:
00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
49:54 – Dominik Diamond Interview
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com
Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!
Glasgow Gaming Market: https://lnk.ua/qa16qr9Yf
Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs
We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:
https://theretrohour.com/support/
https://www.patreon.com/retrohour
Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8
Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Show notes
Oliver Twins announce new Dizzy: https://lnk.ua/foh1kzQQA
New Dizzy game announcement video: https://lnk.ua/IAR5e7mU3
House of the Dead VR: https://lnk.ua/z4Nyg4K1v
Doom-style action on Commodore 64: https://lnk.ua/weBSRgtNS
Doom64 gameplay video: https://lnk.ua/1fEmPhS0S
Croc 2 remaster arrives soon: https://lnk.ua/hVVW7FEH0
RetroAchievements reach real PS2 hardware: https://lnk.ua/e640i6vy3

This week we’re joined by legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro, recorded live at Retromessa in Norway, for the story behind the iconic Streets of Rage soundtracks. From the club music that inspired those unforgettable beats to getting the most out of the Mega Drive, Yuzo shares how he helped shape the sound of Sega—and reveals his role designing moves and voicing characters in Streets of Rage 2! Plus, we talk Revenge of Shinobi, Sonic and his return to Mega Drive development with Earthion.
Plus, Modern Vintage Gamer joins us for the news!
MVG: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernVintageGamer/videos
Contents:
00:00 – The Week’s Retro News Stories
50:27 – Yuzo Koshiro Interview
Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show:
Bitmap Books – https://www.bitmapbooks.com
Go to https://surfshark.com/retrohour or use code RETROHOUR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark!
Play Expo Blackpool: https://www.playexpoblackpool.com/
Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs
We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you’d like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon:
https://theretrohour.com/support/
https://www.patreon.com/retrohour
Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8
Website: http://theretrohour.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/
X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour
Show notes
C64 and Spectrum handhelds delayed: https://lnk.ua/Y92W4t1J7
Super Mario 64 SNES port: https://lnk.ua/IzOyma94q
Amiga Addams Family backgrounds edition: https://lnk.ua/guzIbbISR
GoldenEye 007 goes third-person: https://lnk.ua/mPTCUlTqm
Binky launches on C64: https://lnk.ua/My9oxsebG
Lost SNES Railroad Tycoon footage: https://lnk.ua/hwttaGmyJ
Real coin slot for emulators: https://lnk.ua/fxCnlQe5C