RetroBytes Neo: July 2026

RetroBytes Neo: July 2026

RetroBytes Neo has found its groove as a monthly hangout for gamers and pop-culture fans alike. Each month, Joe and Brian pull up a chair for an unscripted conversation that can go just about anywhere—from industry trends and gaming history to personal stories and the occasional completely unexpected tangent. For the July 2026 edition of RetroBytes Neo, Joe welcomes his cousin... Joe to the show for a deep dive into one of gaming's most powerful forces: nostalgia. Why do certain games stay with us decades later? Are we remembering the games themselves, or the time and place they represent in our lives? From childhood favorites and forgotten classics to the modern trend of remakes, remasters, and retro-inspired releases, the cousins explore how nostalgia shapes the way we play, collect, and talk about video games today. Along the way, they discuss the difference between healthy nostalgia and nostalgia that can cloud our judgment, the games that still hold up versus those best left in memory, and why revisiting old favorites can feel like reconnecting with an old friend. Whether you're dusting off a cartridge, booting up an emulator, or wondering if your favorite childhood game is really as good as you remember, this month's RetroBytes Neo is a thoughtful and personal conversation about gaming's past—and the lasting impact it continues to have on the present. You can join in on the fun FOR FREE over at patreon.com/retrotopia [https://patreon.com/retrotopia] where you can get this show 15 DAYS EARLY with a video bonus exclusive to Patreon. There, you can participate in the 9-Bit Banter Box, comment on the Game of the week, take part in polls, and listen to the Patreon exclusive Quick Play or get RetroBytes 15 days early with an exclusive Patreon topic. You can also join The Hero tier for $2 a month and choose a host to play and review a game for Quick Play and listen to Retrotopia After Dark, where we start each week with a little warm-up and chat. Find us on social media at linktr.ee/retrotopia [linktr.ee/retrotopia] Instagram, Twitter, BlueSky, YouTube, and a link to our Discord can all be found here. Direct Discord Link: https://discord.gg/Fn63vQ4CPc [https://discord.gg/Fn63vQ4CPc] Find Retrotopia Merchandise at https://retrotopia.dashery.com/ [https://retrotopia.dashery.com/] We offer a wide range of designs and continually add new ones. Get T-shirts, Hoodies, Mugs, Stickers, Magnets, Hats, and more.

Retrotopia Talks Final Fantasy VIII

Welcome to another episode of Retrotopia: Another Video Game Podcast. This is a show where we, Alan, Brian, and Sam, get together to discuss video games from years gone by. We like to look at video games from the perspective of lifelong gamers and how they hold up in the retro sphere. This week we are discussing Final Fantasy VIII, a PlayStation game released in 1999 that follows the story of Squall Leonhart, a young mercenary-in-training at the military academy known as Balamb Garden. What begins as a mission against a hostile nation soon evolves into an epic adventure involving sorceresses, time compression, lost memories, and the fate of the entire world. Known for its realistic art style, cinematic storytelling, memorable romance between Squall and Rinoa, and its unique Junction battle system, Final Fantasy VIII remains one of the most ambitious and divisive entries in the legendary RPG series. You can join in on the fun FOR FREE over at patreon.com/retrotopia [https://patreon.com/retrotopia] There, you can participate in the 9-Bit Banter Box, comment on the Game of the week, take part in polls, and listen to the Patreon exclusive Quick Play or get RetroBytes 15 days early with an exclusive Patreon topic. You can also join The Hero tier for $2 a month and choose a host to play and review a game for Quick Play and listen to Retrotopia After Dark, where we start each week with a little warm-up and chat. Find us on social media at linktr.ee/retrotopia [linktr.ee/retrotopia] Instagram, Twitter, BlueSky, YouTube, and a link to our Discord can all be found here. Direct Discord Link: https://discord.gg/Fn63vQ4CPc [https://discord.gg/Fn63vQ4CPc] Find Retrotopia Merchandise at https://retrotopia.dashery.com/ [https://retrotopia.dashery.com/] We have many designs and are continually adding more. Get T-Shirts, Hoodies, Mugs, Stickers, Magnets, Hats, and more.

Retrotopia Talks Tomb Raider

Welcome to another episode of Retrotopia: Another Video Game Podcast. This is a show where we, Alan, Brian, and Sam, get together to discuss video games from years gone by. We like to look at video games from the perspective of lifelong gamers and how they hold up in the retro sphere. This week we are discussing Tomb Raider, a PlayStation game released in 1996 that introduced players to the iconic adventurer Lara Croft as she embarked on a globe-trotting quest to recover the mysterious Scion artifact. Combining exploration, platforming, puzzle-solving, and action, Tomb Raider set a new standard for 3D adventure games with its massive tombs, ancient ruins, and cinematic presentation. Its innovative game play, atmospheric environments, and memorable heroine helped establish one of gaming's most successful franchises and made it one of the defining titles of the original PlayStation era. You can join in on the fun FOR FREE over at patreon.com/retrotopia [https://patreon.com/retrotopia] There, you can participate in the 9-Bit Banter Box, comment on the Game of the week, take part in polls, and listen to the Patreon exclusive Quick Play or get RetroBytes 15 days early with an exclusive Patreon topic. You can also join The Hero tier for $2 a month and choose a host to play and review a game for Quick Play and listen to Retrotopia After Dark, where we start each week with a little warm-up and chat. Find us on social media at linktr.ee/retrotopia [linktr.ee/retrotopia] Instagram, Twitter, BlueSky, YouTube, and a link to our Discord can all be found here. Direct Discord Link: https://discord.gg/Fn63vQ4CPc [https://discord.gg/Fn63vQ4CPc] Find Retrotopia Merchandise at https://retrotopia.dashery.com/ [https://retrotopia.dashery.com/] We have many designs and are continually adding more. Get T-Shirts, Hoodies, Mugs, Stickers, Magnets, Hats, and more.

RetroBytes Neo: June 2026

RetroBytes Neo has found its groove as a monthly hangout for gamers and pop-culture fans alike. Each month, Joe and Brian pull up a chair for an unscripted conversation that can go just about anywhere—from industry trends and gaming history to personal stories and the occasional completely unexpected tangent. For the June 2026 edition, the duo invites their friend THE_MCG to tackle one of gaming's biggest ongoing debates: Indie Games vs. AAA Games. From massive blockbuster productions and multi-million-dollar budgets to passionate indie projects built by small teams, Joe and Brian explore what makes each side of the industry special, where they succeed, where they stumble, and how both continue to shape the future of gaming. Expect thoughtful discussion, friendly debate, and plenty of detours along the way as they dive into one of the medium's most fascinating topics. You can join in on the fun FOR FREE over at patreon.com/retrotopia [https://patreon.com/retrotopia] where you can get this show 15 DAYS EARLY with a video bonus exclusive to Patreon. There, you can participate in the 9-Bit Banter Box, comment on the Game of the week, take part in polls, and listen to the Patreon exclusive Quick Play or get RetroBytes 15 days early with an exclusive Patreon topic. You can also join The Hero tier for $2 a month and choose a host to play and review a game for Quick Play and listen to Retrotopia After Dark, where we start each week with a little warm-up and chat. Find us on social media at linktr.ee/retrotopia [linktr.ee/retrotopia] Instagram, Twitter, BlueSky, YouTube, and a link to our Discord can all be found here. Direct Discord Link: https://discord.gg/Fn63vQ4CPc [https://discord.gg/Fn63vQ4CPc] Find Retrotopia Merchandise at https://retrotopia.dashery.com/ [https://retrotopia.dashery.com/] We offer a wide range of designs and continually add new ones. Get T-shirts, Hoodies, Mugs, Stickers, Magnets, Hats, and more.

Retrotopia Ranks the Mainline Assassin's Creed Games

Welcome to another episode of Retrotopia: Another Video Game Podcast. This is a show where we, Alan, Brian, and Sam, get together to discuss video games from years gone by. We like to look at video games from the perspective of lifelong gamers and how they hold up in the retro sphere. This week Brian is ranking the Assassin’s Creed franchise, a series that began on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC in 2007 and has since grown into one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. Blending historical settings, open-world exploration, stealth, parkour, and action-adventure gameplay, Assassin’s Creed follows the centuries-long conflict between the Assassins and Templars as players experience pivotal moments throughout human history. From the rooftops of the Holy Land and Renaissance Italy to the Caribbean, Ancient Egypt, Viking England, and feudal Japan, the series has continually reinvented itself while remaining rooted in its themes of freedom, power, and the hidden stories behind history’s greatest events. You can join in on the fun FOR FREE over at patreon.com/retrotopia [https://patreon.com/retrotopia] There, you can participate in the 9-Bit Banter Box, comment on the Game of the week, take part in polls, and listen to the Patreon exclusive Quick Play or get RetroBytes 15 days early with an exclusive Patreon topic. You can also join The Hero tier for $2 a month and choose a host to play and review a game for Quick Play and listen to Retrotopia After Dark, where we start each week with a little warm-up and chat. Find us on social media at linktr.ee/retrotopia [linktr.ee/retrotopia] Instagram, Twitter, BlueSky, YouTube, and a link to our Discord can all be found here. Direct Discord Link: https://discord.gg/Fn63vQ4CPc [https://discord.gg/Fn63vQ4CPc] Find Retrotopia Merchandise at https://retrotopia.dashery.com/ [https://retrotopia.dashery.com/] We have many designs and are continually adding more. Get T-Shirts, Hoodies, Mugs, Stickers, Magnets, Hats, and more.