RetroBytes Neo: May 2026

RetroBytes Neo: May 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 May 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.

Retrotopia Talks Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

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 Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, a Game Boy game released in 1992 that takes Mario on one of his strangest and most imaginative adventures yet, as he battles his greedy rival Wario across bizarre themed worlds to reclaim his castle and recover the six golden coins needed to unlock the way home. Expanding far beyond the original Super Mario Land, the game introduced larger levels, hidden exits, memorable power-ups, and a more detailed overworld map, all while delivering classic platforming packed with giant enemies, surreal locations, and the debut of one of Nintendo’s most iconic anti-heroes. 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 Detective Pikachu

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 Detective Pikachu, a Nintendo 3DS game released in 2018 that blends mystery solving, exploration, and Pokémon adventure into a detective story unlike anything else in the series. Set in Ryme City, where humans and Pokémon live side by side, the game follows Tim Goodman and a wisecracking, coffee-loving Pikachu who can somehow speak to humans. Together, the unlikely duo investigates strange incidents, uncovers conspiracies, questions witnesses, gathers clues, and works to solve the mystery behind Tim’s missing father. Part visual novel, part adventure game, Detective Pikachu delivers a lighter noir-inspired story filled with humour, heart, and plenty of Pokémon charm. 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 3D Dot Game Heroes

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 3D Dot Game Heroes, a PlayStation 3 game released in 2009 that blends classic action-adventure gameplay with charming voxel-style visuals, parody humour, and a heartfelt love letter to retro fantasy games like The Legend of Zelda. From giant customizable heroes to dangerous dungeons packed with puzzles, secrets, and monsters, this cult classic delivers old-school adventure with a quirky modern twist. 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.