Ultra 64

We're digging deeper than ever before with this special, Patreon-funded episode! Superstar-tier Patron Scott Burger joins us to discuss DWARF FORTRESS, the esoteric underground hit that's often cited as a direct influence on MINECRAFT! Fellow DF enthusiast Dan Reese is on hand, as well, and we need all the backup we can get: this game is famous for it's high difficulty, prohibitive complexity, and often confusing visual style that uses ASCII symbols instead of graphics. It's our greatest challenge yet!  Be sure to check out the Superstar tier over at Patreon.com/ultra64pod if YOU want to join us to talk about any game of your choice! 

Your mission, should you choose to accept it: check out our latest episode on MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, the third-person stealth action game based on the smash-hit 1996 movie! This week we're joined by Andy Bowman from the Monkey Off My Backlog podcast, who has been attempting to set the speed run world record on this game! We'll hear all about Andy's speed running methods, plus a history of the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise and the troubled production history behind this potentially-cool game!  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod Next week's episode: San Francisco Rush / Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA / San Francisco Rush 2049

Hello there, children! We're reassembling the MARIO PARTY crew for one last party, as we dig in to the trivia/party game hybrid SOUTH PARK: CHEF'S LUV SHACK! Dan Reese, Rosie Crow, and Nicole Vettese help us answer a barrage of vaguely scatological trivia questions and play SOUTH PARK riffs on classic arcade games. Plus, we look into the history of Chef/Isaac Hayes, and answer the burning question: birthright or buttwipe?  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod Next week's episode: Mission: Impossible 

It's a momentous day here on Ultra 64: after three years, we're finally finished with sports games on the Nintendo 64! This week, we play our last two ice hockey games, EA's NHL '99 and Konami's NHL BLADES OF STEEL '99! We look back on the hockey highlights of 1999, say goodbye to the digitized representation of the Great One, and have another suite of awesome listener letters!  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: South Park: Chef's Luv Shack 

We're saying goodbye to the Nintendo64's few RPGs, and we're sending it off in style. AIDYN CHRONICLES: THE FIRST MAGE is an epic fantasy that came out late in the N64's lifecycle, with a huge world and an eclectic cast of characters. Can this one rise to PAPER MARIO / OGRE BATTLE status or is this just another wannabe QUEST 64?  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: NHL '99 / NHL Blades of Steel '99

We have a special bonus episode this week, courtesy of our Superstar-tier Patreon supporters Elliot Jay O'Neill and BT Calloway! The guys join us this time to discuss the fascinating cult smash THE BINDING OF ISAAC, which mixes Biblical mythology with scatological humor to create one of the oddest games you'll ever get addicted to!  If you want to join us to talk about a game of your choice, sign up for the Superstar tier over at Patreon.com/ultra64pod! Slots are available!  Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski  Logo by Steve Guntli / Updated logo by Barry Shaw  ultra64podcast.com  Twitter: @ultra64podcast  Email: ultra64podcast@gmail.com  Instagram: @ultra64podcast  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod 

This week, we're inadvertently celebrating the works of Acclaim Studios London as we're following up on last week's busted cart and moving forward into the... future? We played RE-VOLT, an R/C car racing gaming that surprisingly still has a vibrant fan community, and ARMORINES: PROJECT S.W.A.R.M, a first-person shooter based on one of the most obscure comic book properties ever. Plus, twists! Turns! Thrills! Cliffhangers!  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  Patreon: Patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage 

Farfegnugen! This week, we're playing BEETLE ADVENTURE RACING and STUNT RACER 64, two fun, light, goofy racers! We look at the history of the VW Beetle, celebrate the last of the Blockbuster rental exclusives, and try to find as many secret routes as we can. Plus, our first unofficial two-parter: RE-VOLT, the third game we meant to play this week, broke down, so it will be attached to our episode next week!  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod Next week's episode: Re-Volt / Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M.

Kooloo Limpah! Holy hell, we've got a massive, moon-sized episode bearing down on you this week. We're talking about LEGEND OF ZELDA: MAJORA'S MASK, a game so huge and divisive and complex that we needed to assemble a whole Travelling Wilburys of podcasters just to cover it! We're joined once again by ZELDA superfan Caleb Sanders, and all three hosts of the amazing Vidjagame Apocalypse podcast: Mikel Reparaz, Chris Antista, and Matthew Allen!  In addition to our huge discussion, we also have some very exciting new about the future of the show, and a whole suite of awesome letters from listeners. Don't miss this one!  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: Beetle Adventure Racing / Re-Volt / Stunt Racer 64 

It's a wet and wild episode as we attempt to allay our election night anxieties with some booze and boatercycles. This week, we played the N64 classic WAVE RACE 64, the arcade stalwart HYDRO THUNDER, and POLARIS SNOCROSS, one of the few snowmobile racing games, period! Our favorite Lynsey Pennington is on hand to help us talk water physics and generally be slap-happy and silly.  ALSO! Next week's episode is going to be a big one; not only have we lined up some amazing guests, but we're discussing LEGEND OF ZELDA: MAJORA'S MASK, and we're making a big announcement about the future of the show! Don't miss it! 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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 

Just in time for Halloween, we're playing Acclaim's SHADOW MAN. Based on the hit Valiant Comic, it's the story of a man who can move between the worlds of the living and the dead, and it comes with some of the most elaborate and rich backstory of any N64 game. Take a walk on the Deadside with us as we discuss magical teddy bears, snakes with top hats, and maybe the worst marketing decision ever made by a video game company.  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: Wave Race 64 / Hydro Thunder / Polaris SnoCross

We're pulling on our driving gloves once again to play yet another round of racing games! This time, we're covering the weirdly prolific TOP GEAR series, which offers four very different racing experiences, all of which are somehow completely unrelated to the popular TV show. Whether it's hyperactive motorcycles or cars with teeth, we've got you covered! Plus, some amazing discussion questions from listeners!  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: Shadow Man

This week, we're more than prepared to rumble as we're taking on the sweet science, boxing! We played three boxing games this week: EA's more realistic KNOCKOUT KINGS 2000, and two games in Midway's goofball arcade series READY 2 RUMBLE BOXING! Of course, this means plenty of fascinating history, no small amount of PUNCH-OUT talk, and everyone's favorite: a Michael Buffer minigame.  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod Next week's episode: Top Gear Rally / Top Gear Overdrive / Top Gear Rally 2 / Top Gear Hyperbike 

Surprise! In honor of my favorite time of year, we're making our latest Patreon episode available to the public for free! If you like this, be sure to check out more than 30 other bonus episodes at patreon.com/ultra64pod!  For this month's Beyond 64, we asked our Patrons to put forward some spooky games for us to play for October, and the voters selected FATAL FRAME II: CRIMSON BUTTERFLY! This unique spin on survival horror is considered by some to be the scariest game of all time; does this ghostly shutter-shooter live up to it's reputation?

It's all about Nintendo's adorable, insatiable pink puffball this week, as Maddie Copp (@othatsraspberry) joins us to play KIRBY 64: THE CRYSTAL SHARDS. The character makes his 3D debut in a big way, offering dozens of new powers and some cute new friends, but does the game itself hold up? Also, we look at the rich, and surprisingly seedy, history of the character, reveal the amazing history behind Kirby's namesake, and ponder the most important question: what does Kirby feel like?  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod Next week's episode: Knockout Kings 2000 / Ready 2 Rumble Boxing / Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 

We're closing out our series on soccer this week with the big daddy of all football games, EA's blockbuster FIFA series! We look at three games from the N64 era that represent a transitional period for the series. Plus, we look at the history of FIFA games, dig into some player histories, and offer a masterclass on how to tell the perfect joke.  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards 

GOLDENEYE shook (not stirred) the world when it was released in 1997; so how does the slick, EA-produced sequel stack up? Let's find out! This week, we're playing 007: THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, and as has become tradition, we watched the corresponding movie as well! Join us to talk confusing multiplayer modes and discuss the fascinating enigma that is Dr. Christmas Jones.  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: FIFA Soccer 64 / FIFA 98: Road to the World Cup / FIFA 99

We fought through global pandemics and skies choked with ash, but we still managed to squeeze out a socially-distanced four-player session of MARIO PARTY 3! Take that! We're joined once again by our favorite party people Dan Reese, Rosie Crow, and Nicole Vettese as we play through one of the series' most divisive titles, a game that made a lot of big changes that haven't returned since. Plus, Nicole takes us through the clever new Dual Mode, and we discuss the overwhelming cuteness of a little guy named Tumble.  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 Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: 007: The World Is Not Enough

This week we're taking a trip to the island of misfit N64 games to play three games that don't really fit in anywhere. First, there's the leak-plugging puzzle game WETRIX, followed by the grappling-hook racer IGGY'S RECKIN' BALLS, and then RAT ATTACK, which... also exists. It's the weirdest and wildest selection of games we've encountered so far!  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: Mario Party 3 

We bid a fond farewell to our dinosaur hunting days as we play the last two games in the storied TUROK series on Nintendo 64! First, it's the surprisingly cinematic TUROK 3 brings Lovecraftian horror (and a pretty rad grappling hook) to the TUROK universe. Then, we play the fast, fun, and goofy arena shooter TUROK: RAGE WARS, with it's cache of amazingly weird weapons.  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  Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod  Next week's episode: Wetrix / Rat Attack / Iggy's Reckin' Balls