Episode 030 – Mega Man 2 (1989)

Episode 030 – Mega Man 2 (1989)
This week in Your Parents Basement, we are using our mega busters and mostly the metal blade to defeat evil robot masters! From 1989, we are playing Capcom’s Mega Man 2. We are also joined by special guest, friend of the show and one-time letter writer, Hawk Man 5000, a.k.a. Dave! He’s a master of the series, apparently being one of the five people left that owns a cartridge version.
You can manually download this week’s podcast that wiles your eardrums here or subscribe to the show via the iTunes store. To manually subscribe, use this link in the device / podcast player of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter, or ‘like’ us on Facebook.
As always, if you like the show, support us by buying from Amazon! You can use this link to go to Amazon, and any purchase you make will kick a couple bucks to the show, with no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win! Want to have an email or comment read on the air? Send us a message on the ole Twitter or Facebook, or, shoot that mail to parentsbasementpodcast@gmail.com.
TIMESTAMPS
- 0:00 – Intro, which is the buildup and classic crescendo of the Mega Man 2 main theme.
- 55:15 – Emails. The boys talk about their favorite games from 30 years ago, dinosaur-based games and the lack of emails in Todd’s box.
- 1:09:30 – Todd gets something off his chest.
- 1:13:45 – Snifferoo. Between this and the Mega Man 2 theme, we are sorry that 8-bit theme songs will haunt your dreams.
SHOW NOTES
– According to Price Charting, pretty much all of the NES Mega Man games are now worth some decent money, whether you have the box or not. Thanks to their popularity and scarcity, loose cart prices range from $20 for the third up to $96 for the fifth. Boxed prices range from $180 to $1,800. Even the press kit for the ninth installment, which is a sort of faux-NES game for modern systems, is $275 to $300.
– We picked Mega Man 2 because it is a bit more modern and easier than the first game, but really, any game of the main series or the X-series is worth playing. There are various collections and games available for purchase on pretty much every system and online stores.
– The good Den of Geek story on the fall of Capcom and Mega Man is by Ryan Lambie, and you can read it here. Mighty No. 9, the spiritual successor by series creator Keiji Inafune, is due out February 2016.
Episode 028 – StarCraft (1998)

Episode 028 – StarCraft (1998)
This week in Your Parents Basement, we’re locked up and good to go! From 1998, we’re playing StarCraft for the PC, because the third installment of StarCraft 2 is finally coming out this week!
You can manually download this week’s roughneck podcast here or subscribe to the show via the iTunes store. To manually subscribe, use this link in the device / podcast player of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter, or ‘like’ us on Facebook.
As always, if you like the show, support us by buying from Amazon! You can use this link to go to Amazon, and any purchase you make will kick a couple bucks to the show, with no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win! (Might I suggest the second expansion pack for StarCraft 2?) Want to have an email or comment read on the air? Send us a message on the ole Twitter or Facebook, or, shoot that mail to parentsbasementpodcast@gmail.com.
TIMESTAMPS
- 0:00 – Intro, which are various marine quotes from this wonderful YouTube collection.
- 51:30 – Emails. The best games from 27 years ago, and the best vehicles in video games.
- 1:10:15 – Snifferoo. We’re experiencing dinosaurs and classical music.
SHOW NOTES
– According to Price Charting, StarCraft 64 is very expensive, at $47 for a loose cart to around $100 for the box and manual included. It’s a console port of StarCraft that is seen as OK, but nothing special. The original PC game is sold in a slew of formats, typically with the expansion Brood War included, and ranges in price from $5 to $20.
– This news came out after the show recording, found by Brisket on a site: Blizzard is looking to hire staff for re-releases of its older games.
Episode 027 – Goldeneye (1997)
This week in Your Parents Basement, we’re loading up our PP7s, avoiding the Klobb at all costs and exposing double agents! From 1997, we’re playing Goldeneye for the Nintendo 64, in honor of Spectre coming out later this week.
You can manually download this week’s smooth and suave podcast here or subscribe to the show via the iTunes store. To manually subscribe, use this link in the device / podcast player of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter, or ‘like’ us on Facebook.
As always, if you like the show, support us by buying from Amazon! You can use this link to go to Amazon, and any purchase you make will kick a couple bucks to the show, with no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win! Want to have an email or comment read on the air? Send us a message on the ole Twitter or Facebook, or, shoot that mail to parentsbasementpodcast@gmail.com.
TIMESTAMPS
- 0:00 – Intro, which is from the Archives stage.
- 33:00 – We read letters and comments from readers on Goldeneye!
- 50:30 – Emails. The best games from 27 years ago, and the best vehicles in video games.
- 1:06:00 – Snifferoo. Standing by to play next week’s game! Who wants some???
SHOW NOTES
– According to Price Charting, loose carts of Goldeneye go for around $11, with the complete box and manual collections going for $22 to $45. Sealed new copies go for $60 to $150. And hey, if you’re going to buy anything Goldeneye related, buy a pal and buy from Amazon via our link.
– The good Guardian article on Rare’s making of the game is readable here, including some of the weird changes Nintendo and Miyamoto pitched.
Episode 026 – Castlevania (1987)
It’s the spoooookiest episode yet for our sweet baby boys, as this week in Your Parents Basement, the game is Castlevania from 1987! Not surprisingly, it’s very tough, but very fun.
You can manually download this week’s podcast here – whip it good – or subscribe to the show via the iTunes store. To manually subscribe, use this link in the device / podcast player of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter, or ‘like’ us on Facebook.
As always, if you like the show, support us by buying from Amazon! You can use this link to go to Amazon, and any purchase you make will kick a couple bucks to the show, with no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win! Want to have an email or comment read on the air? Send us a message on the ole Twitter or Facebook, or, shoot that mail to parentsbasementpodcast@gmail.com.
TIMESTAMPS
- 0:00 – Intro, which is The Miinibosses covering the main theme from ‘Vania. Their website is here, and they do a bunch of covers of old vidya game music.
- 43:15 – Emails. The boys talk about good games for kids, and more inappropriate things.
- 56:30 – Snifferoo. We are playing the absolute best licensed game of all-time, possibly, next week.
SHOW NOTES
– According to Price Charting, the original Castlevania has held its value very well. The loose cart goes for $21, which is high for a NES game. “Complete” sales (box and manual) average $76, and sealed new boxes range from $250 to $2,000, depending on when they go on sale. It is available on the Wii’s eShop. Symphony of the Night is on Sony’s online store. The other games in the range between $8 and $50 for the cart, up to several hundred for new copies.
– Various games of the Castlevania series have been fodder for the Angry Video Game Nerd, most famously, the second game. (Note: Very NSFW language.) He and his buddy Mike also played the Sega Genesis remake of the first game, Bloodlines. Also, past show subject Arino of Game Center CX played Castlevania 3.
– There are several Castlevania speedruns, but this one beats it in a little over 11 minutes.
– When it comes to the history of development in the Castlevania series, IGN has a good retrospective from February 2014 here. When it comes to the in-game canon history, the Castlevania Wiki is your best bet. Warning: It’s very tangled, as we mention on the show.
Episode 025 – Bases Loaded (1988)
This week, we morph into Your Parents Baseball, as we’re slingin’ pitches toward the plate and trying to strike out Paste, Norkus and Star! From 1988, we’re playing Bases Loaded, one of the two best early baseball games for the NES, along with R.B.I. Baseball, which we touch upon briefly. (And Base Wars.)
You can manually download this week’s ballistic podcast here, or subscribe to the show via the iTunes store. To manually subscribe, use this link in the device / podcast player of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter, or ‘like’ us on Facebook.
As always, if you like the show, support us by buying from Amazon! You can use this link to go to Amazon, and any purchase you make will kick a couple bucks to the show, with no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win! Want to have an email or comment read on the air? Send us a message on the ole Twitter or Facebook, or, shoot that mail to parentsbasementpodcast@gmail.com.
TIMESTAMPS
- 0:00 – Intro, which is a combination of the home run and bullpen music from Bases Loaded.
- 1:10 – A public service announcement, thanking our many YPB contributors.
- 47:30 – Emails. The guys talk Pokémon, vidya game weapons, and shows about vidya games.
- 1:11:00 – Snifferoo. We’re playing a spooookkkyyy game for next week.
SHOW NOTES
– According to Price Charting, most of the prices for the Bases Loaded series are pretty reasonable. The loose carts go for $2 to $8, whether we’re talking NES, SNES, PSX or Game Boy. The price of box and manual shoots it up to the $25 to $100 range, like most older games. The exception is Bases Loaded 4 for the NES though, which is $25 for a loose cart, since it came out late in that system’s lifespan (1993).
– Video Power was a somewhat deranged, public access (seemingly) version of Nickelodeon’s Arcade. You can see an example of it on YouTube here. And yes, the host was that insane and creepy all the time. However, it had a cool end-game feature of getting to run through a mall, snatching games. Arcade was more normal and kid-friendly, and it can be seen here.
– As usual, Wikipedia is a perfectly fine source for the Bases Loaded series, and what Jaleco is up to now.
– Base Wars isn’t nearly as cool as Steve made it seem on the show, since the actual baseball of the game is kind of bad. But here is a YouTube video showing some of the different player types and gameplay aspects. One thing Steve forgot to mention on the show – You can throw at players with low HP, and they will explode into pieces at the plate.
Episode 022 – The Oregon Trail I and II (1971-1996)
This week in Your Parents Basement, we are doing our best to survive snake bites, drowning, snake bites, cholera, snake bites, dysentery and snake bites! Originally released in 1971, and with many good re-releases culminating in a second installment in 1996, we’re playing The Oregon Trail and The Oregon Trail II!
You can manually download this week’s rugged podcast here, or subscribe to the show via the iTunes store. To manually subscribe, use this link in the device / podcast player of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter, or ‘like’ us on Facebook.
As always, if you like the show, support us by buying from Amazon! You can use this link to go to Amazon, and any purchase you make will kick a couple bucks to the show, with no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win!
Want to have an email or comment read on the air? Send us a message on the ole Twitter or Facebook, or, shoot that mail to parentsbasementpodcast@gmail.com.
TIMESTAMPS
- 0:00 – Intro, which is the main traveling theme from The Oregon Trail II. It varies depending on the condition of your group.
- 49:45 – Brisket has a new game that’s already sweeping the nation, getting fanfare and triumphant applause. It’s !
- 58:30 – Emails. We hear from an old friend, and talk about our favorite Mario accessories.
- 1:13:45 – Snifferoo. (It’s from here, not the actual game, unfortunately.)
SHOW NOTES
– Brisket’s Twitch account is available here, where you can see footage of him playing The Oregon Trail II and past YPB games.
– As mentioned on the show, you can play The Oregon Trail and its various incarnations online for free nowadays. If you’re looking for a specific hard copy, the price tends to range from $3.50 to $10 for the game itself. If you want the box and manuals, it ranges from $4 to $22, according to Price Charting.
– Rare has made a ton of games. Wikipedia has the full list here.
Episode 021 – Black Tiger (1987)
This week in Your Parents Basement, we are skulking about neon-lighted dungeons and whipping with our flail past zombies and Venus fly traps! From 1987, we’re playing Black Tiger, an arcade classic for special guest Paul, a.k.a. Pascal’s Pager. NOTE: This week’s episode contains some especially blue language, especially toward the end! You’ve been warned.
You can manually download this week’s zenny podcast here, or subscribe to the show via the iTunes store. To manually subscribe, use this link in the device / podcast player of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter, or ‘like’ us on Facebook.
As always, if you like the show, support us by buying from Amazon! You can use this link to go to Amazon, and any purchase you make will kick a couple bucks to the show, with no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win!
Want to have an email or comment read on the air? Send us a message on the ole Twitter or Facebook, or, shoot that mail to parentsbasementpodcast@gmail.com.
Today’s guest is the co-host of AfterPod, which is a daily podcast show that reviews The Adam Carolla Show and other podcasts. For more information, check out their website, and if you like Paul be sure to subscribe to AfterPod on iTunes as well!
TIMESTAMPS
- 0:00 – Intro, which consists of the triumphant ending music from the game.
- 58:00 – Emails. We hear from an old friend, and talk about our favorite Mario accessories.
- 1:20:45 – Snifferoo.
SHOW NOTES
– The main image comes from an old sales flyer for the game, from this site.
– Unfortunately, there are no arcade cabinets for Black Tiger on eBay currently. Another game that Paul mentioned, Rastan, is going for $300 and it doesn’t even work. As mentioned on the show though, it is available in the Capcom Classics Collection for the Xbox and Playstation 2. According to Price Charting, it goes for around $25 used, $40 new. If you’re fine with not having a physical copy, it is included in the Capcom Arcade Cabinet, which is downloadable for most systems.
– On the show, Steve mentioned the ridiculous outfit of the female lead in Tales of Hearts R. You can see it here. There are also alternate costumes like a swimsuit and schoolgirl outfit, if that’s not weird enough for you.
GUEST REQUEST
This week, we’re recording a show on The Oregon Trail. If you’re interested in taking part, either via comments or guesting, shoot us an email!
Episode 020 – River City Ransom (1989)
This week in Your Parents Basement, we are trying to rescue one of our girlfriend’s by fighting through hordes of high school gangs and potentially murdering them! From 1989, we’re playing River City Ransom by Technos Japan.
You can manually download this week’s weapon-fueled podcast here, or subscribe to the show via the iTunes store. To manually subscribe, use this link in the device / podcast player of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter, or ‘like’ us on Facebook.
As always, if you like the show, support us by buying from Amazon! You can use this link to go to Amazon, and any purchase you make will kick a couple bucks to the show, with no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win!
Want to have an email or comment read on the air? Send us a message on the ole Twitter or Facebook, or, shoot that mail to parentsbasementpodcast@gmail.com.
TIMESTAMPS
- 0:00 – Intro. This is a sweet cover of the “Boss Theme” from River City Ransom by Sergio Elisondo. He also does a cover of past YPB topics Contra. You can find our episode on that game here.
- 49:20 – Emails. The gang talks motion games (and mostly slags on them), and the past games from 20 years ago, in honor of Show #20.
- 1:05:00 – Snifferoo.
SHOW NOTES
– Todd Brisket mentioned that he does Twitch from time to time. You can find his account here, which has the benefit of providing some peeks at his play sessions for past and future YPB games.
– Patrick Klepek of Kotaku had the most recent update on the sequel, River City Ransom: Underground, in October. Although the status of the game was up in the air after Arc System Works acquired the rights for River City Ransom and Double Dragon, the only thing unknown now is when the sequel will actually release. Siliconera had the original article on Arc System Works acquiring the licenses.
– Juese Cutler submits a piece on Cultured Vultures about the demise of X-Strike Studios, which had planned video game adaptions of things like River City Ransom. It’s very… long, but hey, maybe you’ll find it interesting?
– River City Ransom is available for $4.99 on the Nintendo eShop for the 3DS, Wii and Wii U. At least according to most reviews, it’s faithful to the original NES version, and not the Game Boy Advance version that changed a few aspects here and there.
– According to Price Charting, actual carts for River City Ransom are fairly pricey. The game itself for NES runs between $25 to $40. The box and manual ups the price range, $60 to $80. The Game Boy Advance version, which isn’t held in such high esteem, goes for $15 to $25 for just the cart, but the box and manual only ups the range to $20 to $40.
– The list of prominent games from 20 years ago can be seen here on Wikipedia. There is also this REALLY long list here on IMDb.
Episode 019 – Tecmo Bowl (1989) and Tecmo Super Bowl (1991)
This week in Your Parents Basement, we’re getting ready for the start of the NFL season by fading back with classic signal callers like Boomer Esasion and QB Eagles! We’re playing Tecmo Bowl and Tecmo Super Bowl, both for the NES, from 1989 and 1991, respectively.
You can manually download this week’s sportsball podcast here, or subscribe to the show via the iTunes store. To manually subscribe, use this link in the device / podcast player of choice. You can also follow us on Twitter, or ‘like’ us on Facebook.
As always, if you like the show, support us by buying from Amazon! You can use this link to go to Amazon, and any purchase you make will kick a couple bucks to the show, with no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win!
Want to have an email or comment read on the air? Send us a message on the ole Twitter or Facebook, or, shoot that mail to parentsbasementpodcast@gmail.com.
TIMESTAMPS
- 0:00 – Intro. Going through a play and scorin’ a touchdown, from this YouTube video.
- 49:00 – Emails. The gang talks Crusader Kings 2 and their “favorite” movies from vidya games.
- 1:11:00 – Snifferoo.
SHOW NOTES
– For the version of Tecmo Super Bowl with updated rosters, check out the invaluable website resource for the game, TecmoBowl.org. Rosters for the 2015 season aren’t out quite yet, but it’ll probably be any day now, with the season about to start. This is also the site to go to if you’re looking for some online head-to-head, or anything else Tecmo Bowl-related.
– The mini-documentary on Tecmo Bowl and Tecmo Super Bowl is available to watch on YouTube. It’s a 25-minute film by ESPN2, the NFL Network and NFL Films, and has interviews with competitive players and the most well-known players from the game.
– ESPN covered Bo Jackson on their awesome documentary series, 30 for 30. The name of the documentary was You Don’t Know Bo. For more info, check out their website.
– The ESPN show on John Madden Football didn’t run for two years… It ran for four god damn years! Good lord. If you really want information on Madden Nation, Wikipedia has a rundown.
– There hasn’t been an especially exhaustive oral history on Tecmo Bowl or Tecmo Super Bowl yet. Uni Watch has an OK one here, which gets into the licensing issue with Randall Cunningham and Bernie Kosar a little bit.
– According to Price Charting, used carts for the original Tecmo Bowl are pretty affordable, at around $7. If you want the manual and box, the price increases, from $15 to $20. Tecmo Super Bowl is pricier, around $15 for just the car, and $25 to $30 for the box and manual. (It’s worth it, though.) The Genesis and SNES versions are more expensive, with the second one costing around $35 for the loose cart, and $60 to $100 for the box and manual. The second one only had a limited run, and isn’t really any better than the third, just rarer.
– The game Brisket mentions in the email segment, Crusader Kings II, is on sale at WinGameStore for $7.99. It’s also available in various collections on Steam for the full price, which is around $40.
– The Mega Man movie was first reporting by a site called the Tracking Board. Their news item on it is here. The site that reported a Golden Axe movie has since taken it down, and the Borderlands movie has been rumored on tons of places on the ole Internet.
GUEST REQUEST
For next week’s show, we’re covering River City Ransom! If you’re interested in guesting, shoot an email to parentsbasementpodcast@gmail.com.








