One’s imagination is precious--it's the tool one uses to visualize the spoken, the inferred, the otherwise unseen. But do modern games, what with their HD photorealism...rob people of this fundamental, very human ability? Maybe games don't need to be quite so...on the nose.Visit www.lostnostalgia.com for more old-school goodness.Thanks to Decktonic for the tune.

Nintendo loves remaking and remastering its ancient games, including the 2024 rerelease of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. But with all the reboots and redos, why doesn't the Big N bring back the ape's best--the Game Boy's phenomenal Donkey Kong '94? Isn't it time to revisit this tragically neglected classic?Please visit www.lostnostalgia.com for more critical thought and retrospection on all things vintage.Thanks to Decktonic for the music.

For nearly 29 years, Charles Martinet had provided Nintendo's Super Mario with his iconic voice. All the "wahoos" and "mama mias" came courtesy of the actor's style and invention. In a very real sense, Martinet was Mario; he'd become the face of the world-recognized star. And that, perhaps, was exactly the problem. In 2023, The Big N "retired" Martinet in favor of an unknown performer with little experience...leaving fans sad and plenty baffled. Why did Nintendo drop its long-running celebrity? The reasons are one of jealousy and money; as this episode explores, no servant shall rise above his master.Please visit www.lostnostalgia.com for more critical thought and retrospection on all things vintage.Thanks to Decktonic for the music.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a huge hit, but the fans must decide--does it support, or subvert, the character's lore and legacy? Mr. Pacario compares the film with Mario's (once?) accepted origin, examining the complements and contradictions between the classic canon and its big-screen counterpart. The fairy tale versus the blockbuster, essentially...Swing by www.lostnostalgia.com for more thoughtful perspectives and retrospectives on the world of popular art and lost media, the niche and nostalgic, plus everything in-between!Thanks to decktonic.com for the opening/closing tune!

The illustrious Studio Ghibli is one of the industry's preeminent leaders in theatrical anime, and standing at its center is the legendary animator and director, Hayao Miyazaki. Indeed, his name is almost synonymous with the studio itself thanks to his many mesmerizing films, from the whimsical My Neighbor Totoro to the sometimes grim and violent Princess Mononoke. But one work stands apart from his others--not because it's the best, but because it's the weirdest. And most inexplicable. And maybe...just maybe...a little bit flawed. For this podcast, we examine the beautifully rendered but often nonsensical, Ponyo. Does it honor the Ghibli brand? Or is this film just too fishy for its own good?Please visit www.lostnostalgia.com for more anime, gaming, and retro goodness!Thanks to decktonic.com for the bumper music

Not known for its shooters, the Super Nintendo still hosted one of the greatest shoot 'em ups of the 16-bit age--the inimitable Pocky and Rocky. The game's obscure status, however, meant that millions missed experiencing this sublime romp...until now, that is. Thanks to developer Natsume, the series returns as Pocky and Rocky Reshrined, a remake/sequel hybrid ready to be played by a new generation of gamers. But, is it still good? That's, hmmm, a complicated question.

Early anime lovers from decades ago know of Project A-KO--it was one of the 1980's great anime films, serving as both an introduction for new fans of the medium, and a brave, farcical sendup for those already well-acquainted with the art form. But, years later, does this brash fantasy of beautiful, superpowered school girls raining destruction across a picturesque cityscape still entertain? Still hold relevancy? Still make sense? Pacario provides his own analysis, deciding whether Project A-KO is a-ok!

After Sonic the Hedgehog's first film became a big hit with the movie-going public, the Blue Blur returns for the inevitable sequel. Does it surpass its predecessor...or does it sink like so many sequels before? (If only Sonic could swim!)Thanks to decktonic.com for the theme music.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial for the Atari 2600...is it really the worst game of all time? Did it really spark the downfall of Atari? Should its creator, Howard Scott Warshaw, be blamed for almost tanking an entire industry? Here, Mr. Pacario explores these very questions, analyzing the tricky particulars--the arguments for and against--Mr. Warshaw's role in what is now deigned The Great Video Game Crash of 1983. It's a fascinating story, a potent thought experiment, and a sinking look into the human heart and mind...

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