Inside Bitmap Books: Preserving Retro Gaming History with Sam Dyer

Inside Bitmap Books: Preserving Retro Gaming History with Sam Dyer

In this episode of Retro Titans, Phil sits down with Sam Dyer, founder of Bitmap Books — the publisher behind some of the most beautifully crafted retro gaming books ever produced. From the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum to the NeoGeo and N64, Bitmap Books has become synonymous with premium retro gaming preservation, celebrating the art, culture and history of the games we grew up with. But Sam's journey started much like many of ours — with a beige computer under the TV and a lifelong fascination with games. Together, Phil and Sam explore how nostalgia, graphic design and a love of gaming history combined to create one of the most respected retro gaming publishers in the world today. In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ The origins of Bitmap Books How a passion project inspired by the Commodore 64 grew into a globally recognised retro gaming publisher. 2️⃣ Designing books for retro fans Why presentation, print quality and visual storytelling matter just as much as the words on the page. 3️⃣ Preserving gaming history From arcade classics and point-and-click adventures to SNK and Neo Geo, Sam explains why these games deserve to be documented and celebrated. 4️⃣ Nostalgia, community and modern retro culture Why retro gaming continues to resonate with new generations, and how the meaning of "retro" keeps evolving. Sam also shares stories about launching books through Kickstarter, working with legendary developers and publishers, creating collector's editions with built-in sound effects, and why games like Sensible Soccer, Monkey Island and Metal Slug still matter today. 🔗 Guest links – Sam Dyer / Bitmap Books Bitmap Books Website https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Bitmap Books on X/Twitter https://x.com/bitmap_books Bitmap Books on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bitmapbooks 🎙️ Credits Retro Titans is sponsored by Thalamus Digital Publishing Produced by Rocket Media, with voiceover from Mark Silk Music: "8 Bit Skyway" © Piotr Pacyna Used under license from shockwave-sound.com

Modern C64 Game Development & Retro Revival with Carleton Handley

In this episode of Retro Titans, Phil sits down with veteran game developer Carleton Handley to explore a career that spans the golden age of gaming right through to today's retro revival. Carleton started out as a self-taught bedroom coder on the C64, before going on to work across multiple generations of games — from 8-bit classics to console and mobile titles. But in recent years, he's returned to where it all began, creating brand new games for the C64, including the brilliant puzzle game Millie and Molly. Together, they explore what draws developers back to retro platforms, how constraints can fuel creativity, and why the C64 scene is still very much alive today. In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ From bedroom coder to professional developer Carleton's journey from learning to code as a teenager to working across Game Gear, PlayStation and early mobile games. 2️⃣ Why return to the C64? What brought him back to 8-bit development after years away from making games. 3️⃣ Designing Millie and Molly How thoughtful puzzle design and simple mechanics create a deeply rewarding experience. 4️⃣ The modern retro scene Why communities, tools and platforms are making it easier than ever to create for classic systems. Carleton also shares stories from his early career, his experiences working across different eras of the games industry, and how his passion for making games never really went away. 🔗 Guest links – Carleton Handley https://carletonhandley.itch.io/ 🎙️ Credits Retro Titans is sponsored by Thalamus Digital Publishing 🌐 www.thalamusdigital.co.uk Produced by Rocket Media, with voiceover from Mark Silk 🌐 www.marcsilk.com Music: "8 Bit Skyway" © Piotr Pacyna Used under license from shockwave-sound.com

Evercade Nexus Breakdown with Crazy Burger | Specs, Games and Expert Opinion

In this episode of Retro Titans, Phil is joined once again by returning guest and Evercade expert Crazy Burger for a deep dive into one of the most talked-about retro gaming announcements of the year: the Evercade Nexus. Positioned as a premium handheld upgrade, the Nexus introduces a larger screen, dual analog sticks, and new features like local wireless multiplayer. But does it deliver what fans have been asking for, or is it playing things a little too safe? Together, Phil and Crazy Burger break down everything we know so far, from hardware design and performance to pricing, game compatibility, and what this means for the future of the Evercade ecosystem. In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ What the Evercade Nexus actually is A new premium handheld with a larger display, dual analog controls, and full cartridge compatibility. 2️⃣ Safe upgrade or missed opportunity? Why the Nexus delivers many requested features, but may fall short of bigger expectations. 3️⃣ Hardware deep dive Screen size, resolution, weight, ergonomics, and how it compares to previous Evercade devices. 4️⃣ New features and functionality From Tate mode to EverSync local multiplayer, and what these additions mean in practice. 5️⃣ Banjo-Kazooie and the future of Evercade Why this release is a major moment for the platform, and what it could signal for upcoming games. Crazy Burger also shares insights from the Evercade community, reflects on Blaze's strategy, and gives an honest verdict on whether the Nexus is worth the investment. 🔗 Guest links – Crazy Burger YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CrazyBurger 🎙️ Credits Retro Titans is sponsored by Thalamus Digital Publishing 🌐 www.thalamusdigital.co.uk Produced by Rocket Media, with voiceover from Mark Silk 🌐 www.marcsilk.com Music: "8 Bit Skyway" © Piotr Pacyna Used under license from shockwave-sound.com

Inside Pico-8: Krystian Majewski - aka Krystman - on Game Development, Creativity and Getting Started

In this episode of Retro Titans, Phil kicks off Season 3 with a return to the world of Pico-8. It's a fantasy console with a growing reputation as one of the most exciting spaces in modern retro development. Joining the show is indie developer and educator Krystian Majewski, also known as Krystman. He is the creator of the popular Lazy Devs Academy YouTube channel and has helped thousands of aspiring developers take their first steps into game creation using Pico-8. Together, they explore what makes Pico-8 so compelling, from its creative constraints to its supportive community. Krystian also shares practical advice for anyone looking to get started with game development. In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ What Pico-8 actually is and why it matters A "fantasy console" focused on creativity, accessibility and design discipline. 2️⃣ Why limitations make better games How strict constraints on resolution, colour and size help developers focus on what matters. 3️⃣ Teaching game development through Pico-8 Inside Lazy Devs Academy, and how structured learning and community support help beginners succeed. 4️⃣ Getting started as a developer Practical advice for newcomers, from first ideas through to a finished game. Krystian also shares insights into his own games, the evolution of the Pico-8 scene, and why there has never been a better time to start making games yourself. 🔗 Guest links – Krystian Majewski YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LazyDevs Itch.io: https://krystman.itch.io/ Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@krystman 🎙️ Credits Retro Titans is sponsored by Thalamus Digital Publishing 🌐 www.thalamusdigital.co.uk Produced by Rocket Media, with voiceover from Mark Silk 🌐 www.marcsilk.com Music: "8 Bit Skyway" © Piotr Pacyna Used under license from shockwave-sound.com

Evercade Year in Review: Was 2025 Evercade's Best Ever Year? - with Crazy Burger

In this episode, we welcome back Crazy Burger, one of the most respected and entertaining voices in the Evercade community. Known for his in-depth reviews, thoughtful analysis, and trademark humour, Crazy Burger has become a go-to YouTuber for anyone following Blaze Entertainment's retro handheld journey. Together, Phil and Crazy Burger look back at a landmark year for Evercade with the first-ever Crazy Burger Awards — highlighting standout cartridges, surprise hits, and the odd disappointment along the way. From Rogecraft to the NeoGeo collections, they discuss the best gameplay experiences, evolving hardware, and how the Evercade scene continues to thrive thanks to an engaged and creative fanbase. Phil also reveals a potential anomoly on the Evercade releases of Bubble Bobble on cart and Super Pocket. To round it off, Crazy Burger shares his insights on being a retro gaming YouTuber and they reveal a few of their favourite Evercade content creators. 🔗 Links YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CrazyBurger [https://www.youtube.com/@CrazyBurger] 🎵 Music: Neon Gaming, by Dope Stuff Desert Island Disc theme tune, by Eric Coates and his orchestra Roguecraft DX - by Jogeir Liljedahl