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Artwork for Zapped to the Past

Zapped to the Past

zappedtothepast
Commodore 64
Zzap!64
Zzap!64 Magazine
Video Games
Christmas
Cj's Elephant Antics
June 1992
The Addams Family
Retro Gaming
Game Development
January 1992
Chuck Rock
Moonshadow
UK Singles Chart
1980s Gaming
Total Recall
Music Charts March 1991
Supremacy
Steg the Slug
Steiger

The Commodore 64 had lots of games. Not all of them are good. In Zapped to the Past, we cast a retrospective eye over those games reviewed in each issue of Zzap!64 magazine. Hosted by two lifelong C64 fans, we throw off those rose tinted specs and see if those games are still worth playing today.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes264Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureVideo Games

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Artwork for Zapped to the Past

Latest Episodes

Over 1993 and 1994, some games were released for the Commodore 64 and reviewed in the magazine Commodore Force. In episode Two-Hundred-and-Twenty-Nine of Zapped to the Past, we look at some of those games, including the wet egg filled Alien 3, the ja... more

This week we take a look at one of the strangest, visually arresting and most enduring science-fiction franchises from the 1980s, Tron. We explore the process of disintegrating oranges and Space Paranoids, the arcade games, the cartoons, the subseque... more

Once again we venture to the retro fueled C64 adventureland of ZZAP! Live ... We bump into some of our amazing Patreons, have some chats and some drinks with them, check out all the brilliant warez on offer including t-shirts, mugs, books, magazines,... more

Over 1993 and 1994, some games were released for the Commodore 64 and reviewed in the magazine Commodore Force. In episode Two-Hundred-and-Twenty-Six of Zapped to the Past, we look at some of those games, including the magical Mayhem in Monsterland, ... more

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Number of Listeners
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People also subscribe to these shows.

The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)
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This Week in Retro
This Week in RetroChris from 005 AGIMA, Jason from The Retro Adventurers, Dave and Duncan Styles

Recent Guests

Mike VintageTech
Winner of a Christmas Clacker Keyboard Competition
Mike's Vintage Tech
Episode: Zapped to the Past Episode 227 - ZZAP! Live 2026
Niall (Dr. Goggles)
Retro enthusiast, wears Yusaku Yajimbo T-shirt
Dr. Goggles
Episode: Zapped to the Past Episode 227 - ZZAP! Live 2026
Nick James
A patron who joined the hosts to discuss their 200th episode
Episode: Zapped to the Past Episode 200 January 1992
Steve Erickson
Guest from the Retro Asylum podcast who shared his thoughts on Toki
Retro Asylum
Episode: Zapped to the Past Episode 200 January 1992
Andrew Fisher
Author and retro gaming expert who shared his views on Sleepwalker
C64 Books, Zzap!64
Episode: Zapped to the Past Episode 200 January 1992
Gary Wilson
Guest on the podcast sharing festive stories and insights
Episode: Zapped to the Past - Christmas Cracker 2024

Hosts

Adrian Mills
Co-host and guide for episode discussions; long-running host of the show.
Graham Raddings
Co-host providing analysis and commentary across episodes.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 82 ratings
  • Mostly miserable but always entertaining!

    I’m pretty sure if either of these two going a fiver they’d moan it wasn’t a tenner, but it’s party of their charm I suppose! Great series I’ve been tuning in to for a couple of years now and I realised I hadn’t reviewed it, which is unfair, even as the Statler and Waldorf of Commodore games reach the end of their first quest. I’m now looking forward to their next project, which I can only surmise is writing the first series of “Eddie Thumper”; undoubtedly available on Amazon Prime by 2028.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Majikal Mike
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Excellent show!

    Well done Adrian and Graham for reaching the end of your quest. I’m looking forward to what you do next! (Derren Brown sent me here…)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pete H
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Fantastic episode as ever. I don't know how you both find the time, but really pleased you do. Thank you

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Rob
    4 months ago
  • Mandatory Listening for any C64 Fan!!

    The format for this show is pretty straight forward, two long time friends going back over Commodore 64 games they played back in the day day the timeline of the greatest games magazine of all time, Zzap64! There’s two things from my childhood I will always have an affection for, Zzap64 and the Commodore 64, so I’m amazed it took so long for me to become aware of this podcast. The presenters are just regular guys, but are wholly qualified to present this as they clearly lived and breathed the ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shiznitz74
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • awesome podcast

    always good, occasionally brilliant.

    if you were a child with a c64 in the 80s, you will love this. So many poor games but some great gems and diamonds in the rough. Often hilarious, lots of cringey puns and dad jokes, with a sprinkle of scatological humour.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    drmwoz
    Australia3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show's nostalgia-rich yet unflinching look at retro games.
Production value and consistent format are frequently praised by fans.
New listeners often discover a love for older mags and games through these episodes.
The humor and candid critiques resonate with long-time C64 enthusiasts.
The dynamic between hosts is repeatedly highlighted as entertaining and insightful.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Zapped to the Past Episode 193 October 1991
Q: How did you feel about Swap?
Swap is just a bright looking but dull game; it lacks challenge.
Zapped to the Past Episode 193 October 1991
Q: What did you think of Dragon's Kingdom?
It's just really hard and unplayable; the controls are stiff and the enemies are frustrating.
Zapped to the Past - Ask the Podcast 8
Q: Does the C64 make you appreciate game development as an art form?
Both Adrian and Graham agree that growing up with the C64 helped them recognize the creativity and artistry involved in game development, understanding the limitations that developers worked within.
Zapped to the Past - Ask the Podcast 8
Q: What was your favorite Doctor Who companion during the Peter Davidson era?
Graham was unsure, but named Perry as a notable companion, while Adrian recalled not liking the character Adric.
Zapped to the Past - Ask the Podcast 8
Q: Do you guys have time to play modern video games?
Graham doesn't play modern games much, while Adrian does play a variety of systems and games, keeping up with current titles.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Zapped to the Past

What is Zapped to the Past about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners get a nostalgic deep-dive into Commodore 64 gaming, with two longtime fans revisiting titles from Zzap!64 magazine and the era's pop culture. Episodes mix candid game critiques with personal memories, humor, and playful banter, offering both sharp assessments of older releases and affectionate reminiscence about the era's hardware, magazines, and community. The show stands out for its consistent, witty dynamic between hosts and its commitment to evaluating classic games for today's players, often weighing nostalgia against genuine gameplay quality.

A strong draw for retro gamers and tech history fans, this program combines accessible reviews, behind-the-scenes podcast news, and live-event chatter, making it engaging for listeners... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Zapped to the Past?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Zapped to the Past:

1. The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)
2. Retro Gaming Discussion Show
3. Retro Asylum - The UK's No.1 Retro Gaming Podcast
4. Ten Pence Arcade Podcast V2.0
5. This Week in Retro

How many episodes of Zapped to the Past are there?

Zapped to the Past launched 5 years ago and published 264 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Zapped to the Past?

Recent guests on Zapped to the Past include:

1. Mike VintageTech
2. Niall (Dr. Goggles)
3. Nick James
4. Steve Erickson
5. Andrew Fisher
6. Gary Wilson

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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