A Gamer Looks At 40

Bill Tucker

An exploration of the history of video games told through the stories of the every day people who lived it. Join me along with a rotating cast of friends, family, gaming journalists, and industry types as we share personal recollections from the last thirty years of gaming, one story at a time.

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Episodes

Ep 103: Final Fantasy 4 (Part 3) - All The Things We Didn't Talk About Yet
2d ago
Ep 103: Final Fantasy 4 (Part 3) - All The Things We Didn't Talk About Yet
As we put a bow on our virtual round table regarding Final Fantasy 4, there's still so much to discuss. In this, the third and final installment on FF4, we take a shotgun approach to the stories by sharing - well - all the things we didn't on the previous episodes. We talk themes, story, logos, sound effects, and one particularly nasty wall in this omnibus episode. STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Barry Carenza of Premium Edition Games (@HawkHellfire)Greg Sewart of the Player One Podcast and Generation 16 (@sewart)John Trenbeath (@crazyjohnt)Julian Titus (@julian_titus) of The Stage Select Podcast (@StageSelectPod)Mekel Kasanova (@MekelKasanova)Mike of the Distorted Illuminations YouTube channel (@MadMonarch_DI)Mike aka MageORage on Twitch and YouTube (@mageorage)Moses aka @thewellredmage of the-pixels.com and Gamelogica on YouTubeMustin, music producer (@Mustin)Ryan Lindsay of KISS 105.3 in Ottawa (THERyanLindsay)Trevor and Jeff of New Dad Gaming Podcast (@NewDadGaming)SONG COVERSMain Theme of FINAL FANTASY IV (Piano Cover) by Animalisa Keys - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlUFeCJ7T5cFinal Fantasy 4 / IV Guitar Cover - Theme of Love by Sam Griffin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-79Ntl3pyHcMy Website: agamerlooksat40.comMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My TikTok: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D  Support the Show.
Ep 102: Final Fantasy 4 (Part 2) - Moments and Characters
May 20 2024
Ep 102: Final Fantasy 4 (Part 2) - Moments and Characters
Last week, we started the FF4 fire by documenting our initial impressions. On this week's episode, we go deeper into the big (and small) moments that left an impact along with the  characters that made this SNES launch title a game to remember. STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Barry Carenza of Premium Edition Games (@HawkHellfire)Greg Sewart of the Player One Podcast and Generation 16 (@sewart)John Trenbeath (@crazyjohnt)Julian Titus (@julian_titus) of The Stage Select Podcast (@StageSelectPod)Mekel Kasanova (@MekelKasanova) Mike of the Distorted Illuminations YouTube channel (@MadMonarch_DI)Mike aka MageORage on Twitch and YouTube (@mageorage)Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found Podcast (@mom_found)Moses aka @thewellredmage of the-pixels.com and Gamelogica on YouTubeRyan Lindsay of KISS 105.3 in Ottawa (THERyanLindsay)Trevor and Jeff of New Dad Gaming Podcast (@NewDadGaming)SONG COVERSFinal Fantasy IV - Overworld Main Theme - Classical Guitar Cover by Atomix - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hux9iMPdYkQFinal Fantasy 4 Celtic Moon Track 5 Main Theme by Ozzylifeson Soundtracks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX2vIjZgxuY&list=PLBCFB68C388EC836D&index=5FINAL FANTASY IV: 'Rydia's Theme' | Classical Guitar | John Oeth by John Oeth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgsyimjKsxkMy Website: agamerlooksat40.comMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My TikTok: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D  Support the Show.
Ep 101: Final Fantasy 4 (Part 1) - Introductions Into a Brave, New World
May 13 2024
Ep 101: Final Fantasy 4 (Part 1) - Introductions Into a Brave, New World
In the winter of 1991, Final Fantasy 2 stormed onto North American shores as an SNES launch title and was met with middling enthusiasm. US gamers were too busy stomping Goombas and driving hovercrafts  to worry about turn based combat and wandering in circles.But for those who took the plunge, they discovered not only a love for the series but a new genre to adore. Join myself and a host of  fans as we share our earliest recollections and memories of Final Fantasy 2 - I mean, 4. STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Barry Carenza of Premium Edition Games (@HawkHellfire)Greg Sewart of the Player One Podcast and Generation 16 (@sewart) John Trenbeath (@crazyjohnt)Julian Titus (@julian_titus) of The Stage Select Podcast (@StageSelectPod)Mekel Kasanova (@MekelKasanova)Mike of the Distorted Illuminations YouTube channel (@MadMonarch_DI)Mike aka MageORage on Twitch and YouTube (@mageorage)Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found Podcast (@mom_found)Moses aka @thewellredmage of the-pixels.com and Gamelogica on YouTubeMustin, music producer (@Mustin)Ryan Lindsay of KISS 105.3 in Ottawa (THERyanLindsay) Wade aka (@ProfNoctis)SONG COVERSFinal Fantasy IV - Welcome to Our Town (Harp Solo) by Harpsibored - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvnWlk5OyO0Main Theme of FINAL FANTASY IV (Piano Cover) by Animalisa Keys - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlUFeCJ7T5cFINAL FANTASY IV: 'Rydia's Theme' | Classical Guitar | John Oeth by John Oeth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgsyimjKsxkMy Website: agamerlooksat40.comMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My TikTok: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D  Support the Show.
Ep 100: The Birth of Nintendo Power w/ Gail Tilden
Apr 29 2024
Ep 100: The Birth of Nintendo Power w/ Gail Tilden
When Mario's Claymation visage first landed in my mailbox in the summer of 1988, I was a Nintendo fan. After tearing into that inaugural issue of Nintendo Power, I was a devotee. On this episode of A Gamer Looks at 40, I chat with the architect of this incredible periodical, Gail Tilden. During our conversation, we discuss her beginnings in the industry, the creation / curation of the magazine, and the unique culture that allowed Nintendo Power to become a window to a world of games I'd never experience otherwise.SONG COVERS:Super Mario Bros. Main Theme - Can I play ALL the parts on 1 guitar?? by TV on Guitar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWqD-bjjR14MARIO 2 on CLASSICAL GUITAR - Basically the hardest thing I've ever played by Sam Griffin Guitar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hASvFH3w1IkSuper Mario Bros Theme - Overworld (Nintendo New Acoustic Classical Fingerstyle Guitar Cover) by Jonas Lefvert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33uaug_BV7gFinal Fantasy 1 - Town Theme (Nes Acoustic Classical Guitar Fingerstyle Music Tabs Cover) by Jonas Lefvert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpJ7j8M6dtw My Website: agamerlooksat40.comMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My TikTok: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D  Support the Show.
Ep 99: Final Fantasy 2 and 3: The Forgotten 8-Bit Adventures
Apr 15 2024
Ep 99: Final Fantasy 2 and 3: The Forgotten 8-Bit Adventures
While we were stomping Goombas and hunting ducks, Japanese gamers were embarking on epic NES adventures. When the missing Final Fantasy 2 and 3 were finally released to the West, fans were excited. Finally, we could try those missing 8-bit epics without downloading sketchy emulators and learning Japanese. While the reality never lived up to the hype, the NES sequels earned the respect of the community, even if they didn't quite live up to the loft standards of 1 and 4. On this edition of A Gamer Looks at 40, we explore this JRPG two-some and do some memory mining of our very own.STARRING (All handles from Twitter)Aiden Moher (@adribbleofink)Barry Carenza of Premium Edition Games (@HawkHellfire)@DancarnateGreg Sewart of the Player One Podcast and Generation 16 (@sewart) John Trenbeath (@crazyjohnt)Mekel Kasanova (@MekelKasanova) Mike of the Distorted Illuminations YouTube channel (@MadMonarch_DI) Moses aka @thewellredmage of the-pixels.com and Gamelogica on YouTubeNate McLellan (@natedoescomedy79 on TikTok)Ryan aka @GameswCoffeeSONG COVERSFINAL FANTASY II: 'Town' | Classical Guitar by John Oeth Guitar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZwJ-Ap82FoFinal Fantasy II - Tower of the Magi (Harp Solo) by Harpsibored - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdMwNDcl1Bs My Website: agamerlooksat40.comMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My TikTok: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D  Support the Show.
Ep 98 - Final Fantasy 1: An Enduring Saga (Part 2)
Apr 8 2024
Ep 98 - Final Fantasy 1: An Enduring Saga (Part 2)
On Part 1 of our two part exploration of the original Final Fantasy, we talked intros and first impressions. For Part 2, we start by talking about the game's many inspirations and the amazing moments that blew our 10 year old minds. A mixed bag of topics that somehow ties into the overall theme of this series: Final Fantasy 1 is a classic for a reason, warts and all. Oh, and we talk about Warmech. Lots and lots of Warmech. STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Barry Carenza of Premium Edition Games (@HawkHellfire)@DancarnateGreg Sewart of the Player One Podcast and Generation 16 (@sewart) John Trenbeath (@crazyjohnt)Julian Titus (@julian_titus) of The Stage Select Podcast (@StageSelectPod)Matt of the Backlog Busters (@skinnymattk)Mike aka MageORage on Twitch and YouTube (@mageorage)Nate McLellan (@natedoescomedy79 on TikTok)Ryan aka @GameswCoffeeSONG COVERSFinal Fantasy: Main Theme (String Quartet) - ft. Israfelcello by Patti Rudisill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii3IEp4UiL8Let The Battle Begin | Final Fantasy VII | MES by Mariachi Entertainment System - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRvwScxf1KwMy Website: agamerlooksat40.comMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My TikTok: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D  Support the Show.
Ep 97 - Final Fantasy 1: An Enduring Saga (Part 1)
Apr 1 2024
Ep 97 - Final Fantasy 1: An Enduring Saga (Part 1)
When Final Fantasy hit North American shores in 1990, it sparked an RPG revolution in the West. Gamers like myself and many of my friends fell in love with the interesting mechanics, player expression, and overarching story.These days, Final Fantasy 1 feels like a relic of an era gone by. As a cultural artifact, it's significant but whether it's worth playing, even on the spiffy new re-masters, is under debate. But not on this podcast. Join over a dozen of my friends and fellow Final Fantasy fans and I as we discuss our first time playing the title, the mechanics, and the lasting legacy of a game that's more than worth visiting, even if it's for the first time. STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Aiden Moher (@adribbleofink)Barry Carenza of Premium Edition Games (@HawkHellfire)@DancarnateGreg Sewart of the Player One Podcast and Generation 16 (@sewart) J.R. Sommerfeldt (@sommerfeldt_r)Jody aka (@bakuiel)John Trenbeath (@crazyjohnt)Julian Titus (@julian_titus) of The Stage Select Podcast (@StageSelectPod)Kyle of the The RPG Podcast (@TheRPGPodcast)Matt of the Backlog Busters (@skinnymattk)Mekel Kasanova (@MekelKasanova)Mike aka MageORage on Twitch and YouTube (@mageorage)Nate McLellan (@natedoescomedy79 on TikTok)Ryan aka @GameswCoffeeWade aka (@ProfNoctis)SONG COVERSFinal Fantasy 1 - Town Theme (Nes Acoustic Classical Guitar Fingerstyle Music Tabs Cover) by Jonas Lefvert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpJ7j8M6dtwFinal Fantasy 1 - Chaos Temple (Acoustic Classical Fingerstyle Guitar Cover Music Theme Tabs) by Jonas Lefvert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9jZXqPPbt0Final Fantasy - "Opening Theme" 【Metal Guitar Cover] by Ferdk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5-T3nPBG3YFinal Fantasy: Main Theme (String Quartet) - ft. Israfelcello by Patti Rudisill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii3IEp4UiL8My Website: agamerlooksat40.comMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My TikTok: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D  Support the Show.
Ep 95 - A Survey Course Into the Final Fantasy Franchise (Part 2): Connections, Community, and Why We Keep Coming Back
Mar 11 2024
Ep 95 - A Survey Course Into the Final Fantasy Franchise (Part 2): Connections, Community, and Why We Keep Coming Back
Last week, we looked at the various nuts and bolts of the Final Fantasy franchise to see what it structurally needed to be a member of the family. On this week's episode, we explore personal stories, connections made, and communities built over this landmark series of games.STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Aiden Moher (@adribbleofink)Carson Clark (@DesireeKorrupt)Josh of Still Loading Podcast (@StillLoadingPod)Julian Titus (@julian_titus) of The Stage Select Podcast (@StageSelectPod)Kyle of the The RPG Podcast (@TheRPGPodcast)The Let's Play Princess (@TheLPPrincess)Mekel Kasanova (@MekelKasanova)Mike of the Distorted Illuminations YouTube channel (@MadMonarch_DI)Nate McLellan (@natedoescomedy79 on TikTok)Ryan aka @GameswCoffeeWade aka (@ProfNoctis)SONG COVERSFinal Fantasy VII: Prelude (Harp Cover) + Pedal Harp Sheet Music by HarpistKT (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZLJRVl8-HI)Final Fantasy X - Sight of Spira - Acoustic/Classical Guitar Cover - Super Guitar Bros by Super Guitar Bros (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QeRS-DnC_8)My Website: agamerlooksat40.comMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My TikTok: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-D  Support the Show.
Ep 94 - A Survey Course Into the Final Fantasy Franchise (Part 1): Intros and Elements
Mar 4 2024
Ep 94 - A Survey Course Into the Final Fantasy Franchise (Part 1): Intros and Elements
From its humble beginnings as a "last gasp" for a fledgling game designer to the billion dollar monolith it is today, Final Fantasy's rise from niche to mainstream mirrors videogames as a whole. On this episode of A Gamer Looks at 40, we launch our multi-month deep dive into the world of this storied franchise, meet some of its super fans and try to answer the unanswerable: what makes Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy.STARRING (all handles from Twitter)Aiden Moher (@adribbleofink)@GameswCoffee@DancarnateJames and JJ of RetroFits on YouTube (@retrofits7618)Josh of Still Loading Podcast (@StillLoadingPod)Julian Titus (@julian_titus) of The Stage Select Podcast (@StageSelectPod)Kyle of the The RPG Podcast (@TheRPGPodcast)The Let's Play Princess (@TheLPPrincess)Mekel Kasanova (@MekelKasanova)Nate McLellan (@natedoescomedy79 on TikTok)Wade aka (@ProfNoctis)SONG COVERSFINAL FANTASY SERIES: 'Prelude' | Classical Guitar | John Oeth by John Oeth Guitar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyBNW_-MpTI)Final Fantasy I - Battle Scene & Victory Fanfare | Live Cover by EXTRA LIVES (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch0t14NCKbU)Final Fantasy IV - Melody of Lute (Harp Solo) by Harpsibored (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVvwUzdJQeE)Calm Before the Storm from Final Fantasy X - Nobuo Uematsu (Renaissance Lute Cover) by Lute Game Covers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S40iFMeARTw)My Website: agamerlooksat40.comMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My TikTok: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the Show.
Ep 88 - Earthbound Part Five-ish: The Curator, the Creator and The Couple
Oct 2 2023
Ep 88 - Earthbound Part Five-ish: The Curator, the Creator and The Couple
Take it from somebody who appreciates every single one, there's nothing better than passionate fans. Gaming communities can run the gambit from welcoming to toxic, engaging to gatekeeping. Whenever people are around people, people will do people things. The community surrounding Earthbound is unique in both its welcoming nature and wide variety of people involved. Over 30 years worth of fans populate sites like starmen.net and mother4ever.net. And they all have one thing in common: an overflowing love for an incredible series. On this week's episode, I chat with three people representative of the community as a whole: a curator, a YouTube creator and a couple brought together by the power of an epic game franchise. STARRING (all handles from Twitter X)Cat Blackard (@NeonFeline) of the Mother, She Wrote Podcast (@EarthBoundPod)Mustin, music producer (@Mustin)Kody Nokolo (@KodyNOKOLO), webmaster of mother4ever.net (@MotherForever_)Ryan aka @Retro64__, Designer and artist for @SmashRemix, @Mother_Encore, @mother__squared, and @MotherForeverJonathan (@DaEgg123) and Katie (@earthbound64)SONG COVERSEarthbound - Home Sweet Home by Sam Griffin Guitar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR4bhLhTvnsOnett - Earthbound Cover - Guitar and Mandolin by Box Monkey Studios - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En6Wu4a28jkBattle Vs. a Weak Opponent - Battle Theme 1 - EarthBound - Mother 2 by Jorge Fuentes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhlC3pbJYgAEarthBound - Eight Melodies (Music Box Cover) by Mr. Music Box - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72WsNIhp_MAMy Discord: https://discord.com/invite/SdaE4atGjCMy Twitter: @agamerlooksat40My Facebook: facebook.com/agamerlooksat40My Insta: @agamerlooksat40My Patreon: patreon.com/agamerlooksat40My Email: agamerlooksat40@gmail.comMy Phone Number: Ehhhhh, not gonna happen. :-DSupport the showSupport the Show.