Ultra 64

Everybody do the worm! This week, we're taking on Team 17's classic turn-based strategy game WORMS ARMAGEDDON, and we're joined by none other than Doug McCambridge  of the excellent Good Time Great Movies podcast (@GTGMcast)! We look back into the history of invertebrate warfare, unearth the trove of weird and wacky weapons at our disposal, and discuss the game's status as a collector's item! Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli / Updated logo by Barry Shaw  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast  Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast  Next week's episode: Chameleon Twist / Chameleon Twist 2

It's Turok 2 Furious this week, as we revisit the classic series just in time for it's fancy new Switch remaster! Brendan Francis and first-time guest Natasha McPhaden join us this week as we cerebrally bore into the high-expectation sequel, find updates into the world of Turok, and go on a manic monkey hunt!  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli / Updated logo by Barry Shaw  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast  Next week's episode: Worms Armageddon

Who says you need limbs to have a good time? This week, we're playing RAYMAN 2: THE GREAT ESCAPE, Michel Ancel's critically-acclaimed 3D platformer, and we're asking the big questions, like: What exactly is a Rayman? Will BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL 2 ever come out? And just what is it with French developers and major downer endings?  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli / Updated logo by Barry Shaw  Theme song: "Truck" by the Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast  Check out JEST FRIENDS, now available on Apple Podcasts!  Next week's episode: Turok 2: Seeds of Evil 

This week we're lacing up our skates and taking on The Great One as we play two games starring Wayne Gretzky... and a third that's suspiciously similar. Hockey fan Jeff Nelson joins us to talk about all the fast-paced, arcade-y action of the N64's first-ever 4-player game- and then discuss why the developers seemed to make the exact same game three times.  ALSO! Out new podcast JEST FRIENDS is now available on iTunes! In this limited series, Steve, Woody, and Mikayla Nicholson are attempting to read through David Foster Wallace's daunting masterwork INFINITE JEST, 50 or so pages at a time. Read along with us and join in on the discussion! Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli / Updated logo by Barry Shaw  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com) ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast  Next week's episode: Rayman 2: The Great Escape

We're taking to the skies this week, so it's a good thing we have a Crow! Neal Crow returns to help us talk about two high-flying games that take two very different approaches to airplane games: the laid-back tech demo PILOTWINGS 64 and the dogfight-heavy oddity AERO FIGHTERS ASSAULT. Join us as we dig into the history of flight simulators search for hidden secrets in the Pilotwings map, and meet a talking dolphin wearing a hat!  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli / Updated logo by Barry Shaw  Theme song by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast.com  Next week's episode: Wayne Gretzky 3D Hockey / Wayne Gretzky 3D Hockey 98 / Olympic Hockey Nagano 98

Tango down! This week, we're refusing to let the terrorists win by playing TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX, the oft-forgotten N64 port of the classic tactical shooter. The game has some ambitious ideas, but can the N64 hardware keep up? Plus, we look into the hugely successful "Tom Clancy's" brand and search for other literary gaming adaptations.  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli / Updated logo by Barry Shaw  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast  Next week's episode: Pilotwings 64 / Aero Fighters Assault 

In honor of our badass women's national soccer team and their international victory, we're going for the gold with two more soccer games: the slick EA Sports joint WORLD CUP 98, and MIA HAMM SOCCER 64, the first (and maybe only!) female-exclusive sports video game. We're joined by the lovely Emma Delaney to talk ladies, soccer, and ladies soccer in a rowdy and lively conversation. Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli / Updated logo by Barry Shaw  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast  Next week's episode: Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 

The fur flies this week as we play an unusual but strangely perfect pairing of games: TOM AND JERRY FISTS OF FURRY and POWERPUFF GIRLS: CHEMICAL X-TRACTION are two arena fighting games a la POWER STONE, made by the same developer, but with wildly varying quality! The violence may be animated, but believe me, there will be blood: @SKELETON_BLOOD_! That's the Twitter handle for Blair Gorman, artist, musician, and all around cool person, who joins us to geek out about cartoons, concoct some new catchphrases, and bear witness to what might be our most contentious rankings ever!  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli (Updated logo by Barry Shaw)  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  Follow Blair Gorman on Twitter @SKELETON_BLOOD_, and on IG @mandalorian_armoir ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast Next week's episode: World Cup Soccer 98 / Mia Hamm Soccer 64  

Right about now it's time to talk about biggity-Buck Bumble! This week we're joined by Jeremy Hatfield to discuss the never-was mascot turned internet sensation Buck Bumble! Buck's one and only game ever produced some frustrating gameplay but that theme song sure is a banger.  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli; updated logo by Barry Shaw  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast  Next week's episode: Tom and Jerry in Fists of Furry / Powerpuff Girls: Chemical X-Traction

We put our cards on the table this week with GOLDEN NUGGET 64, the N64's one and only casino game! Card shark (or is it card sharp?) Nicole Vettese joins us as we play through 10 Vegas staples, from poker to craps, and see if there's any fun to be had from digital betting. Plus: obscure gaming laws! Inappropriate hand gestures! Murderous roulette wheels! And more gambling puns than you can shake a pair of dice at!  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli; updated logo by Barry Shaw (thanks Barry)  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast Next week's episode: Buck Bumble

Start yer engines, motorheads, because this week we're taking on the world of stock car racing! We played the Gran Turismo clone GT 64, and two NASCAR games; that's right, another block of generic racing games! Thank goodness we have some great discussion questions and letters from our lovely listeners to help us pass the time!  Also, we're now on Instagram! Follow us @ultra64podcast! Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski Logo by Steve Guntli  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast  Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast Next week's episode: Golden Nugget 

Everybody needs somebody to love, but does anyone love BLUES BROTHERS 2000? This week, we played the baffling adaptation of the flop 1998 movie, and as a bonus, we watched the flop 1998 movie with resident film expert Mikayla Nicholson! Join us as we explore the history of the Blues Brothers, meet infamous developers Titus, and try to think of a property LESS worthy of a video game than this movie.  And don't forget out contest for the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time vinyl soundtrack is on until June 22nd! To enter, retweet the pinned post on our Twitter page for one entry; leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcast or tag us with #ultra64 in your favorite Zelda memories for two entries; or come up with some creative way of promoting the show through music, art, or some other form for three entries.  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podc

Hey! Listen! We've got one of the biggest and best games of all time this week! We're joined by amateur Zelda historian Caleb Sanders to dig into the rich history, the confusing timelines, and the troubled production that lead to Ocarina of Time. It's a super-sized episode for a super-sized game. Plus, we're giving away a copy of the Ocarina of Time Soundtrack! It's a beautiful vinyl pressing from IAm8Bit and would make an excellent addition to anyone's collection. There are three ways to enter: retweet our pinned post @ultra64podcast on Twitter for one entry; give us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts for two entries; and find some other creative way to promote the show (art, videos, etc.) and you'll get three entries. Do all three, and that's six entries! Contest is open until June 22nd! Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski Logo by Steve Guntli  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com YouTub

We're delving deep into the dungeons of Castle Shadowgate for SHADOWGATE 64: TRIALS OF THE FOUR TOWERS, a puzzle/adventure/RPG hybrid that puts the "meh" in medieval! We look into the history of one of the most niche genres in gaming, the MacVenture, and explore a rich fantasy mythology that has had surprising staying power.  And don't miss next week, when we cover one of the biggest games of all time, LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME! We'll be giving away a beautiful copy of the soundtrack on vinyl, so don't forget to tune in for your chance to win! Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  YouTube: Ultra 64 Podcast  Next week's episode: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

As a special treat, here is the full-length interview with NBA HANGTIME secret character Dan Amrich! We talk about Dan's long career in games journalism, his experience voicing a character in THE SIMS, and having Mark Hamill as a fan! Thanks again to Dan for hanging out with us, and check out his Twitter at @DanAmrich!  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli  ultra64podcast.com  Next episode: Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers  

Boomshakalaka! This week, we're revisiting our long-lost episode, and we're doing it in style. We played the arcade-sports classic NBA HANGTIME and its sequel, the awkwardly-named NBA SHOWTIME: NBA ON NBC, but we're not in it alone: we're joined by gaming journalist/author/Palette-Swap Ninja lead singer/all-around good dude Dan Amrich, who tells the story of just how he came to be a hidden character in HANGTIME!  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Next week's episode: Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers 

Open up a box of Cheesy Poofs and get ready to respect our authori-tah, because this week we're talking about SOUTH PARK, the first-person shooter that was the must-have game for edgelords in 1998! Emily Aguila, friend of the show and host of WORLD OF TOMORROW and GOING CAST, joins us to work out our complicated feelings for the show, and our less-complicated feelings about the game.  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com Next week's episode: NBA Hangtime / NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC

Gather up your worms and head on down to the ol' fishin' hole, because this week we're going fishing! We played BASS HUNTER 64 and BASSMASTERS 2000, the two sport fishing games for the N64, and we had a hell of time doing it! Join us to discuss our personal fishing histories, argue over the best and worst fishing games, and generally gripe about how hard it is to catch bass!  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Next week's episode: South Park 

Spin that wheel and phrase all your answers in the form of a question, because we're playing the game versions of game show staples WHEEL OF FORTUNE and JEOPARDY! Tyler Detrick and Melanie Strickland, hosts of the Bard Alcohol Content podcast, and fan favorite Dan Reese are back to talk Trebek, game show history, and weird FMV game show hosts! Plus, the antics of Fungus and Jeff!  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  YouTube: Ultra 64 Podcast  Next week's episode: Bassmasters 2000 / Bass Hunter 64 

Get your kit on, ya hooligans, because this week we're talking about soccer for the first time! Jeremy Hatfield returns to help us kick our way through the three games in Konami's INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR SOCCER series on the N64! Plus, we discuss the worldwide popularity of the sport, why it's been slow to catch on in the states, and just who is the best country in the world: Mexico or Portugal?  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli  Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com)  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  YouTube: Ultra 64 Podcast  Next week's episode: Wheel of Fortune / Jeopardy!