RetroActive Podcast
A podcast examining the culture of retro video games. Each episode provides an in depth analysis on a specific title, developer, series, or topic and examines the influences on the history of gaming. As a variety show, additional mini sections are dedicated to topics like hardware, modifications, or other interesting factors of contemporary retro gaming. Hosted by Fred Rojas of gaminghistory101.com and featuring guest co-hosts, it's a new look at an old topic.
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Episodes
Dec 24, 2025
Dec 24, 2025
1hr 25 min
This week Fred celebrates Christmas gaming.
Intro with Listener Mail - 00:30
Christmas Games - 24:22
One More Thing: We Bury The Dead - 01:19:36
Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GbSBCQfncw
Dec 17, 2025
Dec 17, 2025
1hr 46 min
This week Fred delays the Holiday Special to focus on more modern items.
40:00 - The Game Awards Historical Context
1:10:30 - Meta Quest 2 Update
1:19:10 - Ending PS Plus
1:22:30 - Donkey Kong Bananza
1:30:00 - Cronos: The New Dawn
1:38:43 - One More Thing
Dec 10, 2025
Dec 10, 2025
3hr 11 min
This week is another long one as Fred tackles multiple listener mails, announces the livestream date of December 20th, and pays homage to the soon to sunset Anthem.
0:00 - Intro
55:28 - Anthem
2:03:09 - Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa and 1995's Mortal Kombat movie
2:17:36 - Neigh
3:05:40 - Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair
The referenced Mark Darrah video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_QY8F8z_4c
Dec 3, 2025
Dec 3, 2025
3hr 1 min
This week Fred delves into the games of his Thanksgiving past in a glorious CD-Rom based 6-pack.Thanksgiving CD Gaming - 24:19The Adventures of Willy Bemish (Sega CD/PC -> GoG) - 35:20Ground Zero Texas (Sega CD -> PS4/PC) - 55:14Kids on Site (Sega CD -> PS4/PC) - 1:23:54Corpse Killer (Sega CD/32X CD/3DO/Saturn -> PS4/Windows/Switch) - 1:38:17Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties (3DO -> PC/PS4/PS5/XB Series/Switch) - 2:12:20American Hero (Canceled Jaguar CD -> PC/Xbox) - 2:49:35
Nov 26, 2025
Nov 19, 2025
Nov 19, 2025
1hr 24 min
This week Fred has been sick, so we push the 360 Anniversary to next week and discuss a few modern news topics. In addition he also discusses Cronos: The New Dawn and for one more thing, The Running Man (both 1987 and 2025 versions). No timecodes this week, they will return next week.Retronauts Ep 211: https://retronauts.com/article/1167/episode-211-explores-the-career-of-rebecca-heinemanCosmicScale's PSBBN Install video: https://youtu.be/O5ZvJoW4oNw?si=XJdYPa4gUq0OrAcL
Nov 12, 2025
Nov 12, 2025
2hr 49 min
This week Fred is humbled by listener donations, Guitar Hero turns 20 years old, and he has a major disconnect with modern games.0:00 - Intro22:25 - Guitar Hero1:47:35 - Silent Hill f2:15:53 - Ninja Gaiden 42:35:35 - One More Thing: Clue (1985)
Nov 5, 2025
Nov 5, 2025
1hr 42 min
This week Fred discusses some changes happening to the show, including timestamps for sections!00:00 - Intro19:30 - Listener Mail24:43 - Changes to RetroActive Podcast1:00:40 - Tormented Souls II1:21:15 - Dead Cells (w/Castlevania DLC)1:27:00 - Fortnite (Simpsons season)1:31:35 - Upcoming ShowsUpcoming Episode Topics: 11/12/2025 - Guitar Hero 20th Anniversary11/19/2025 - Xbox 360 20th Anniversary11/26/2025 - Classic CD-ROM games on Modern Platforms
Oct 29, 2025
Oct 29, 2025
2hr 9 min
This week Fred is joined by Matt to discuss Arkane Studios' 2017 sci-fi immersive sim Prey. They discuss the origins of the franchise, Arkane's legacy, and of course much about the game itself. NoClip's Prey Documentary: https://youtu.be/kXLxaKrcFZ0?si=o1nYTYkpHN3FiNcu
Oct 22, 2025
Oct 22, 2025
1hr 36 min
This week Fred tackles listener questions about AI, retro gaming cost, and his thoughts on Crow Country and other games trying to capture that mid-90s Resident Evil vibe.