Gaming in the AM

Metal Gear Solid's "Final Mix" didn't release in America for a while, but was that really a bad thing? Time codes: 0:00 - Brief History of Expanded Re-Releases 4:21 - What Was Changed 8:05 - What Was Added 10:47 - VR Missions 15:07 - Unlockables 16:57 - International & PC Releases 22:00 - Is It Wort

Ah, the "Chain of Memories" of the Klonoa franchise. Time codes: 0:00 - Game Basics 4:36 - Story & Level Design 8:09 - Final Thoughts Endcard Artwork by OcaRockaRina (Twitter) Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, Klonoa: Moonlight Museum, Klonoa: Empire of Dreams © 1997, 1999, 2001 Namco Super Mario Bros. ©

This WonderSwan iteration of the Digimon v-pets may not be remarkable on its own, but it stands as the last gasp of Digimon before the anime took over. Time codes: 0:00 - The Unexpected Obscurity of Digimon's Origins 3:20 - Digital Monster Ver. WonderSwan 10:35 - How the Anime Changed Digimon Foreve

Just because it never left Japan, don't think Nintendo wasn't worried about the WonderSwan. Time codes: 0:00 - Gaming Handhelds Before WonderSwan 4:14 - Specs & Launch Titles 9:26 - What Happened? 13:07 - Legacy Endcard Artwork by OcaRockaRina (Twitter) Pokémon Yellow Version © 1993, 1998 Nintendo,

The PS1 port of FFVI is one that people don't really talk about... for good reason. Time codes: 0:00 - What's Been Changed 3:49 - The Translation 5:32 - The Game is Still Good, Though 10:58 - What Makes This Version Stand Out 13:51 - Is It Really the Worst Version? Endcard Artwork by OcaRockaRina (T

Dr. Squaresoft, or "How I Learned to Stop Caring and Love Final Fantasy VIII" Special Thanks to my $20 Patreon Members! Redman Seraph Thorn Chemical_Buns Time codes: 0:00 - The State of Square in 1999 1:57 - FFVIII's Unique Systems 4:53 - Why People Struggled 9:11 - The Strategy Guide Design Model 1

They came out around the same time, but Sega's VMU was built alongside the Dreamcast, where PocketStation felt like an afterthought. Time codes: 0:00 - Brief History of Gaming Peripherals 3:34 - PocketStation vs. VMU 6:44 - Pocket Digimon World & Digimon World 2 9:04 - Final Fantasy VIII & Chocobo W

Resident Evil had a ton of copycats throughout the late-90s, but Silent Hill remembered what was important: actually being SCARY. Time codes: 0:00 - Introduction 2:59 - Why It Stands Out 8:33 - Silent Hill's Unique Look 11:24 - Customization & Unlockables 15:00 - Story & Themes 17:38 - Inspiration,

Not only was Digimon World greatly influential on Digimon specifically, but it also took open-world game design in bold, innovative (if sometimes questionable) directions. Time codes: 0:00 - Digimon as an Open-World Pioneer 2:18 - Digimon World Basics 4:47 - Time, Care & Evolution 6:57 - From Virtua

Mario. Pikachu. Link. Kirby. In 1999, Nintendo turned playground arguments into a video game and created one of the most influential multiplayer franchises of all time. Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64 may be rough around the edges, but its chaotic energy and unforgettable crossover concept stil

This isn't an Arin Hanson callout post but it can be if you want. This video is best viewed with headphones! Time codes: 0:00 - The Death of the Sega Saturn 2:41 - The Return of Sonic 4:37 - How the Game Tells Its Story 9:04 - The Reintroduction of Amy Rose 10:38 - E-102 Gamma 14:24 - Story in Gener

Thousand Arms is one of the strangest RPGs to come out of the late ‘90s, and one that’s largely been forgotten. Mixing dating sim elements with traditional turn-based combat, it’s a game full of bold ideas and surprising charm. In this retrospective, I discuss how sometimes a flawed experiment is mo

In case y'all were wondering why there was no post-credits stinger in the most recent video. I got to dip back into my AMV roots for this one...

In 1998, Suikoden II looked like a relic of the past. Today, it’s considered one of the greatest JRPGs ever made. So what changed? Time codes: 0:00 The State of Gaming in 1998 2:46 - Refinements & Improvements 7:48 - Battles & Minigames 15:26 - Story & Characters (SPOILERS!) 30:55 - Structure & Paci

In my most recent recording, my mic randomly decided I was no longer allowed to speak without peaking the audio.

Just a fun look into my writing process, where I'll leave little notes for myself to remember where to pick up the next day. (Cropped to avoid script spoilers.)

It wasn’t the most powerful handheld of its time, but the Game Boy Color might have been Nintendo’s smartest move. This video explores how a modest upgrade became a massive success, and why sometimes playing it safe is exactly what works. Time codes: 0:00 - History & Development 3:50 - Specs & Launc

Endcard Artwork by OcaRockaRina (Twitter) Footage from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" © 1998 Nintendo Music from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" Composed by Koji Kondo "Closing Time" © 1998 Semisonic, MCA Records This video exists for the sake of analysis and review and is thus protec

In 1998, Ocarina of Time showed the industry how 3D adventure games could work. This video essay looks at its gameplay systems, world design, music, and lasting impact to understand why it remains one of the most celebrated games ever made. Time codes: 0:00 - Why "Zelda 64" Was So Important 4:10 - O

I’m not even a huge fan of first-person shooters... so why did Half-Life completely win me over? In this retrospective, I break down how Valve’s design philosophy, seamless world-building, and player-driven storytelling reshaped the FPS genre, and where the cracks begin to show nearly three decades

Grim Fandango is often remembered as the last great point-and-click adventure game, a critical darling that arrived just as the genre was falling out of favor. This video explores how it blended film noir, dark comedy, and point-and-click design into something truly unique, and how its legacy came t

The Digimon anime may be the franchise’s most recognizable face, but its DNA Digivolved from somewhere else. This video looks at how the Digimon Pendulum influenced the anime’s structure, tone, and ideas, and why the franchise makes a lot more sense when viewed from that starting point. Time codes:

Pokémon Yellow was designed to bridge the gap between the games and the anime at the height of Pokémania, but in doing so, it may have also become the most redundant entry of Gen 1. This video looks back at Yellow’s anime-inspired changes, what it added, what it didn’t, and whether it ever truly jus

Spyro the Dragon arrived at a time when every 3D platformer was being measured against Super Mario 64. This video looks back at how Insomniac carved out a distinct identity for Spyro, balancing accessibility, exploration, and pure movement to create a 3D platformer that stood on its own during one o

End Card Artwork by OcaRockaRina (Twitter) Footage from "Metal Gear Solid" © 1998 Konami, Kojima Productions Music from "Metal Gear Solid" Composed by Kazuki Muraoka, Hiroyuki Togo, Takanari Ishiyama, Lee Jeon Myung, Gigi Meroni, Maki Kirioka This video exists for the sake of analysis and review and

Released in one of the most competitive years in gaming history, Metal Gear Solid arrived with blockbuster ambitions and an auteur’s voice. This video essay examines how it revived an obscure franchise, pushed the PlayStation to its limits, and blended cinematic storytelling with deeply mechanical d

For years, the DualShock Edition’s soundtrack has been the butt of every Resident Evil joke, but is it really the disaster everyone remembers? This video re-examines the music, the controversy behind it, and the strange story of the composer who wasn’t who he claimed to be. Time codes: 0:00 - The Ev

Parasite Eve raises an interesting question: Can RPGs -- a notably un-scary genre of video game -- manage to actually pull off horror? Time codes: 0:00 - How "Parasite Eve" Came to Be 3:34 - Game Basics 6:01 - Cinematic Approach (& Linearity) 8:45 - EX Game & the Chrysler Building 12:33 - Minor Issu

FFV wasn't initially released outside Japan, and when it finally was... it kinda sucked? Time codes: 0:00 - What's Been Improved 1:25 - ...and What's Gotten Worse 4:54 - The Translation 8:33 - The Game is Still Good, Though 12:05 - Is It Really the Worst Version? Endcard Artwork by OcaRockaRina (Twi

End Card Artwork by OcaRockaRina (Twitter) Footage from "Resident Evil 2" © 1998, 2019 Capcom Music from "Resident Evil 2" Composed by Masami Ueda, Shusaku Uchiyama, Syun Nishigaki This video exists for the sake of analysis and review and is thus protected under Fair Use.

A big-budget sequel that didn't sacrifice its integrity. Time codes: 0:00 - The Lost "Resident Evil 1.5" 3:28 - What's Changed and Improved (and What Hasn't) 6:56 - Presentation & Voice Acting 10:24 - Story & "Zapping" System 13:11 - Leon & Claire's Loadouts 15:07 - Rankings & Bonus Modes 16:50 - Di

"Mega Man but Zelda" was just the pitch I needed. Time codes: 0:00 - My History with Mega Man Legends 4:58 - Controls & Combat 8:26 - Dungeons, Arsenal, and Resources 13:15 - Life on Kattelox Island 15:52 - Story & Characters 21:17 - Voice Acting & Localization 26:02 - Cutscenes, Presentation, and T

Fifth gen was a golden age for platformers, which unfortunately means some greats went overlooked. Time codes: 0:00 - Klonoa, My Video Game White Whale 1:47 - Game Basics 4:51 - Story, Characters, Voice Acting, & Tone 8:28 - Klonoa's Deceptive Depth 11:58 - The Ending (SPOILERS) 15:29 - Music 19:03

Tails Doll wasn't the scariest part of Sonic R; the controls were. Time codes: 0:00 - The Return of Traveller's Tales 1:47 - Playable Characters 4:36 - Stages & Game Modes 6:39 - Balancing & A.I. 7:57 - Graphics & Performance 9:53 - Music 12:33 - Controls & E3 1997 15:19 - Critical Reception & PC Po

A game like Tomb Raider deserved a sequel that was more than just incremental improvements. Time codes: 0:00 - What's New in the Sequel 2:58 - Exhaustion 4:39 - Yep, Combat is Still Bad 7:17 - Death Traps 9:54 - Less Raiding Tombs, More Big Kabooms (idk im tired) 11:22 - Indiana Jones or James Bond?

Mega Man may have gotten top billing, but Zero's the real star here. Time codes: 0:00 - Introduction 0:45 - Graphics & Performance 2:59 - Playable Zero & Overall Difficulty 4:55 - Special Weapons 7:28 - Armor Upgrades 9:04 - Level Design 10:22 - The Story & Villains 13:06 - Repliforce & World-Buildi

1997 saw two updated re-releases of Resident Evil on two different consoles. Here are the pros and cons of each one. Time codes: 0:00 - Resident Evil 1's Replayability 2:10 - Sega Saturn Port 6:49 - Resident Evil Director's Cut 14:10 - RE2 Demo 16:37 - Verdict & Closing Thoughts Endcard Artwork by O

Digimon, the Tamagotchi spin-off mistaken for a Pokémon rip-off. Here's how it all began, and why Digimon is so much more than it appears. Time codes: 0:00 - LCD Toys in the '90s 3:24 - Why Tamagotchi Worked 5:54 - Monsters vs. Aliens 11:48 - Digimon as a Competitive Toy 14:42 - Digimon's Creation &

Sonic Jam rules, Mega Collection drools. Time codes: 0:00 - Sonic Team & "Project Sonic" 1:51 - The Games & Their New Features 4:23 - Improvements & Not-So-Improvements 9:43 - Sonic World 12:10 - Celebrating Sonic 14:45 - Why I Still Prefer Sonic Jam Endcard Artwork by OcaRockaRina (Twitter) Sonic t

1997 was the year Square tricked a bunch of us into becoming a bunch of nerds. Time codes: 0:00 - FFIV's PS1 Port 6:25 - Square & Quest 8:07 - Graphics & Music 11:10 - Battles & Job System 16:06 - Abilities & Game Balance 19:07 - Story 23:05 - Sidequests 29:54 - Conclusion Endcard Artwork by OcaRock

Final Fantasy VII's fingerprints can still be felt in gaming to this day. Time codes: 0:00 - The First Triple-A RPG 2:59 - Production Values & Marketing 6:01 - Battles, Materia, and Limit Breaks 11:04 - Visual & Game Design 15:01 - The Graphics 17:20 - The Music 22:15 - Cinematic Camera 24:11 - Mate

Mega Man's tenth anniversary was both a celebration and a send-off. Time codes: 0:00 - Mega Man X3's 32-bit Port 2:34 - Mega Man 8 6:41 - Robot Masters 10:22 - Snowboard? More Like Woe-Board 12:05 - Dr. Light's Lab 15:19 - Rush Adapters 17:25 - Low-Hanging Fruit (The Voice Acting) 21:32 - The Story

A look back at the days when DLC came in a cardboard sleeve. Time codes: 0:00 - NiGHTS Gets Into the Season 2:57 - Calendar Events 4:46 - Presents 8:55 - Cut Content, DLC... Same Difference 10:27 - Sonic Team's Good Ol' Days Endcard Artwork by OcaRockaRina (Twitter) Sonic & Knuckles, NiGHTS Into Dre

With the final Genesis and Game Gear games in this series, we truly reach the end of the 16-bit era of gaming. Time codes: 0:00 - SEGA's Legacy Circa 1996 2:44 - VectorMan 2: The Basics 5:29 - VectorMan 2: One Step Forward, Another One Back 9:44 - VectorMan 2: Reception & Legacy 11:34 - The Many Can

Let's compare the different versions of Sonic 3D Blast, while also lamenting the most infamous canceled Sonic game. "What Happened" episode on Sonic X-treme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5HS4Of1QlM&ab_channel=MattMcMuscles Time codes: 0:00 - SEGA's "Rough Transition Into 3D" 3:25 - Sonic 3D Blas

Tomb Raider paved the way for more games than you might think. Time codes: 0:00 - Introduction 1:22 - Tomb Raider Basics 4:59 - Establishing Third-Person 3D Gameplay 9:06 - In Defense of Limited Save Points 12:08 - Lara Croft and Sony 15:07 - Combat and Level Design 18:52 - Graphics and Art Design 2

The Saturn has gone down as one of the most contentious consoles in history. Is it worth all the discourse? Time codes: 0:00 - Development of the SEGA Saturn (and the 32X) 4:46 - Saturn's Successful Japanese Launch (and Disastrous US One) 9:29 - Early Reception 13:32 - Sonic Team Into Dreams 14:31 -

Super Mario 64 was the highest-selling title in gaming's fifth generation. So why did the N64 lose so much steam? Time codes: 0:00 - Nintendo Steps Up Their Game 3:38 - The Release of the Nintendo 64 5:26 - The Castle Courtyard: Movement in 3D 7:08 - Reinventing Mario for 3D 9:04 - Why the Changes W

People can't seem to make up their mind about Sonic the Fighters. Sonic the Fighters Documentary by Wusstunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZxaW9ma2MQ&ab_channel=wusstunes Time codes: 0:00 - Introduction 1:14 - SEGA AM2 2:39 - Roster 4:08 - Story & Arcade Mode 5:56 - The Fighting 8:25 - Payback

In 1996, Resident Evil reminded us that FMV games are still supposed to have that whole "game" part. Time codes: 0:00 - Mid-90s Doldrums: The FMV Virus 3:19 - Survival Horror: Resident Evil & Alone in the Dark 6:39 - Sweet Home & Resident Evil's Puzzle Box 9:12 - Bosses & Tank Controls 11:26 - Two C