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Artwork for Retronauts

Retronauts

Retronauts
Contra
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Christmas
Pac-Man
Zelda II
Sonic 3 and Knuckles
Pitfall!
David Crane
Bowser
Video Game Music
Nintendo
Mickey Mouse
Nintendo Direct
Dragon Quest
Metal Gear Solid
Castlevania
Daisuke Ishiwatari
Ninja Turtles
Falcom
Rpgs

The original classic gaming podcast continues its endless quest to explore the history of video games, one game at a time. Join hosts Jeremy Parish and Bob Mackey each week as they team up with a host of expert guests to chronicle the creations that have paved the way for today's hits. From forgotten black-and-white arcade machines to modern-day remakes, Retronauts spans more than four decades of ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes700Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Video GamesLeisureTechnology

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Artwork for Retronauts

Latest Episodes

You're listening to a free preview of Retronauts 739: Gaming in the Year 2006. To hear the rest, and get two exclusive extra episodes every month, access to our previous Patreon-exclusive episodes, and early access to ad-free podcasts, please visit t... more

Jeremy Parish, Diamond Feit, and Kevin Bunch take a moment to reflect on some of the most influential figures in video games who passed in 2025: how the work they created touched lives, and what their loss means for the medium. (This episode was reco... more

It's that time of the year again, so hang your stockings, haul home a coniferous tree, and pack the required survival gear for another harrowing trip to the Retronauts Holiday Cabin in Parts Unknown. And for this 15th outing, we'll be taking a long, ... more

It's the closest thing to the real thing! Kevin Bunch and expert guests Tom Boellstorff and Braxston Soderman talk about the Atari 2600’s chief rival, the Mattel Intellivision.

Retronauts is made possible by listener support through Patreon! Suppo... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Tom Boellstorff
Anthropologist from the University of California Irvine
University of California Irvine
Episode: 735: Intellivision
Braxton Soderman
Anthropologist from the University of California Irvine
University of California Irvine
Episode: 735: Intellivision
Christa Lee
Returning guest and self-proclaimed loudest Shadow Labyrinth defender.
Episode: 734: Shadow Labyrinth
John Lineman
Analyst and reviewer at Digital Foundry
Digital Foundry
Episode: 723: Tokyo Game Show 2025
Jimmy Cooney
Owner of Dice City Games and collector, speaker on Hudson Soft's history
Dice City Games
Episode: 721: Episode 721 Preview: Hudson's Road to TurboGrafx-16
Brendan James
Co-host and producer of Blowback
Blowback Podcast
Episode: 720: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Pedro Medeiros
Developer of Neverway, previously worked on Celeste and Towerfall
Cold Blood Inc.
Episode: 711: BitSummit the XIIIth
Yoshiro Kimura
Veteran game developer and founder of Onion Games
Onion Games
Episode: 711: BitSummit the XIIIth
John Linneman
Contributor at Digital Foundry
Digital Foundry
Episode: 710: Shinobi - Mission 2

Hosts

Jeremy Parish
Host known for his deep knowledge of video game history and strong communication skills, often focusing on topics related to classic gaming and its evolution.
Bob Mackey
Co-host known for his engaging discussions on game narratives and critiques, specifically in the realms of retro and nostalgic games.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2.9k ratings
  • Best Classic Gaming Historian Podcast Ever

    I have been a loyal listener for years, and have enjoyed the thousand or so hours of listening so much! This is my go-to podcast, and I’ve tried other ones, but this one is the one I always come back to. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this podcast to anyone who wants to learn the history of gaming.

    (can there be more console/ computer-focused episodes?)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EnderSage576
    United States2 months ago
  • Used to be good

    Not what it once was. Seems like every episode is a political diatribe. I recommend following Jeremy Parish YouTube.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Fledgl
    United States3 months ago
  • 5-stars to offset morons

    Love the podcast, hosts and topics, great reference material. Haven’t even noticed any Spin…so, you can ignore the negative reviewers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JMalAnthony
    United States6 months ago
  • Why Discuss Video Games When You Can Promote Marxism?

    The politics and politicking which occur in this podcast is beyond absurd. I have heard the worst takes ever from episodes of this show.

    People who spout, "Everything is politics" or "The personal is political," not that I have heard either specifically stated by guests of this show though the sentiments actually expressed align with that perspective, are people who want to be able to jam their fingers and opinions into every corner of your life. Shut these people down and out. Let them bark an... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jj_am_ess
    United States7 months ago
  • GREAT

    I love this podcast. Please do a hollow knight or Revita episode

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Catlover1898
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Longtime listeners appreciate the in-depth analysis and the expertise of the hosts and guests, often coming back for nostalgic topics.
Some listeners express dissatisfaction with perceived political discussions not being aligned with gaming topics, indicating a mixed reception of content focus.
Overall, the podcast is hailed as a comprehensive resource for retro gaming history, appealing to a wide audience, including both die-hard fans and newcomers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#20
United States/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#94
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#22
Canada/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#35
United Kingdom/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#119
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#144
United Kingdom/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

726: Final Fantasy Tactics Revisited
Q: What makes Final Fantasy Tactics different from Tactics Ogre?
The podcast discusses the different storytelling approaches, ethical complexities, and game mechanics, emphasizing that Final Fantasy Tactics offers a more straightforward narrative.
726: Final Fantasy Tactics Revisited
Q: How much do you love Final Fantasy Tactics?
Guests express their deep love for Final Fantasy Tactics, sharing their personal experiences and insights regarding its complexity and how their appreciation has grown over time.
680: Axiom Verge
Q: Where can people find you on the Internet?
People can find me on Blue Sky, Twitter, or visit the official Axiom Verge website for more updates.
680: Axiom Verge
Q: What changes have you made in Axiom Verge 2 compared to the original?
Axiom Verge 2 offers a different style of gameplay and storytelling, focusing on exploration while maintaining its connection to the original's themes.
672: Attack and Dethrone God, Book 1:1
Q: What is the connection between Japanese RPGs and Western religion?
The discussion centers on how God appears in Japanese RPGs, especially how Western religious figures are represented and treated within these narratives.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Retronauts

What is Retronauts about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the rich history and evolution of video games, the content consistently explores classic games and their impacts on modern gaming culture. Each episode typically features expert guests who share unique insights, nostalgic anecdotes, and detailed critiques of various titles from different eras. Noteworthy topics include significant gaming franchises, iconic systems, and comprehensive analyses of game mechanics that have shaped the industry from the black-and-white arcade era to contemporary remakes. The podcast also emphasizes a blend of nostalgia and contemporary relevance, making it appealing to both long-time gaming enthusiasts and newer audiences looking to understand video game history in depth.

Where can I find podcast stats for Retronauts?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Retronauts. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Retronauts and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Retronauts get?

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What are the audience demographics for Retronauts?

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How many subscribers and views does Retronauts have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Retronauts has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Retronauts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Retronauts:

1. Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast
2. Watch Out for Fireballs!
3. Remember The Game? Retro Gaming Podcast
4. Nintendo Voice Chat
5. Completely Unnecessary Podcast

How many episodes of Retronauts are there?

Retronauts launched 12 years ago and published 700 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Retronauts?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Retronauts?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Retronauts from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Retronauts?

Recent guests on Retronauts include:

1. Tom Boellstorff
2. Braxton Soderman
3. Christa Lee
4. John Lineman
5. Jimmy Cooney
6. Brendan James
7. Pedro Medeiros
8. Yoshiro Kimura

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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