The Hill Is Always Greener

Mario’s Rocky Transition Into 3D

Yes, folks. After a solid year of doing a Mario podcast, we're finally tackling what is easily his most controversial game, Super Mario 64. Mario's first true 3D outing was a rough one that made a lot of questionable choices, but it's hard to look back on it without being clouded by our own nostalgia. Is this "classic" truly deserving of its reputation, for good or for ill? Join us and find out!
(0:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Super Mario 64(0:15:17) ???(0:19:48) Okay, back to it(0:27:42) The music(0:32:47) The decompilation and ROMhacks(0:38:51) Super Mario 64 DS(0:41:45) Final thoughts (and some brief movie talk)(0:45:14) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
sm64pcbuilder2
Super Mario 64 Through The Ages
Kaze Emanuar on YouTube
Waluigi's Taco Stand 64

Love is in the air? WRONG, SQUID!

Well, we're here, reaching far across those new frontiers. It's time for us to take a long, VERY long look at Sonic's latest mainline outing and one of the most dramatic reinventions of the series to date, Sonic Frontiers. Was it worth the five year wait since Forces? Is this truly the foundation we hope to see future games built upon? And will we ever stop talking about how good the writing is? (Let's be honest, that last one's easily a no.) So walk forward through the cold dark, and join us for what is easily our biggest episode to date.
0:00:00 Intro/Main topic: Sonic Frontiers0:03:26 How did we get here?0:10:58 Game feel0:46:48 Minibosses and aesthetics1:05:30 Story (Kronos Island)1:45:00 Ares Island1:58:16 Chaos Island2:16:15 BIG and the Egg Memos2:27:00 Rhea Island2:37:37 Ouranos Island and final boss2:54:40 The ending3:07:05 The music!3:30:08 Final thoughts3:35:12 Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
Frontiers comic by JezMM - Twitter
Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence
Sonic Frontiers | Complete Story (Japanese, Translated)
Sonic Frontiers: Sonic's Back, Baby!

Tails, Your Jordans are Fake!

Once upon a time, there were four podcasters who desperately sought to recapture their youth. To do this, they gathered around to read the Sonic Golden Books, a trilogy of children’s storybooks from the early ‘90s. Their discussions of Sonic and his Freedom Fighter friends landed on many strange topics, from Tails eating literal garbage, to the perfect chili dog recipe, to Bunnie Rabbit’s art commissions. They even made a brief divergence into the Sonic Joke Book! Charmed by their pleasant simplicity, the four podcasters hoped all their listeners would tune in and read along with them, to enjoy a delightful trip back to yesteryear. The End.
(0:00:00) Intro/Our recent Sonic-y stuff(0:09:10) Main topic Sonic Golden Books(0:14:19) Sonic’s Shoes Blues(1:11:03) The Secret Admirer(1:50:08) Up Against The Wall(2:19:49) Final thoughts(2:22:10) Sonic the Hedgehog Joke Book(2:25:27) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
Sonic Forces Classic Sonic Improvement Mod (Chaos 0 Boss Fight)
Going Deep With Sonic The Hedgehog (John Michlig)
Sonic the Hedgehog: Sonic's Shoes Blues
Every Sonic game is blasphemous | Unraveled
Sonic the Hedgehog 2: The Secret Admirer
Sonic 2 Special Edition: Let's Play!
Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Up Against The Wall
The Sonic the Hedgehog Joke Book

Sonic Speed Dating (ft. Akaru)

On this belated Valentine's Day episode, love is in the air, and no Sega mandate is going to stop us from talking about it with special guest Akaru. Over the years, there have been multiple attempts to pair Sonic off with someone (let's be real, mostly in the pages of Archie). Some have come up time and time again, others were little more than a quick fling, and a few are probably best left forgotten. So we're taking a look back at each one to see if we think they're a good match for everyone's favorite speedster...or, quite frankly, whether he should be romantically involved at all.
(0:00:00) Intro/Our recent Sonic-y stuff(0:08:32) Main Topic: Sonic love interests(0:31:58) Madonna(0:37:45) Sally Acorn(0:53:28) Amy Rose(1:03:41) Breezie the Hedgehog(1:06:56) Mina Mongoose(1:12:54) Bunnie Rabbot/Fiona Fox/Rouge the Bat(1:17:06) Blaze the Cat(1:20:30) Princess Elise(1:33:12) Shahra(1:35:57) Lah(1:37:25) Knuckles/Shadow(1:43:32) Eggman(1:46:20) Final thoughts(1:53:20) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
Akaru on Twitter
Evan Stanley on Tumblr
Sega Mega Drive 1990 Tech Demo feat. Sonic and Madonna (Master System theme)

You Got Any Libs, Man? (ft. FreakZone Games)

The gang is joined by game developer and former fan game creator Sam Beddoes of FreakZone Games to talk about the long and storied history of Sonic fan games, and the profound effect they've had on the franchise over the years. From their humble beginnings using whatever assets and tools were available, to their massive expansion in scope and scale, to many creators going on to develop their own original games, we cover some of the most interesting and memorable examples that have stuck with us over the years. Expect splat sounds, flashing neon signs, Tenchi Muyo references, massive character rosters, and so much more in this jam-packed episode, by and for the fans!
(0:00:00) Intro/Main Topic: Sonic fan games(0:06:06) Sonic Boom, 1995, Martin Braid(0:19:24) Sonic Robo Blast, 1998, Johnathan Wallbank (Sonikku)(0:23:50) Sonic Chaos and its (many) sequels, 1999-2002, Kadir Aytaç Aksu (MagicgrafX)(0:31:44) Super Mario and Sonic, 1999, FreakZone Games(0:40:34) The Search for Knuckles, 1999, Johan Leion(0:49:21) When Tails Gets Bored, 2000, Sonic Vegemite(0:50:35) Tale of Two Sonics, 2001, Ashura Hedgehog(0:58:51) Retro Sonic, 2002-2008 (demo), Christian Whitehead (The Taxman)(1:01:30) Ultimate Flash Sonic, 2004, Dennis Gid(1:05:34) Sonic Before the Sequel + After the Sequel + Chrono Adventure, 2011-2013, Felipe Daneluz (LakeFeperd)(1:10:24) Sonic Utopia (demo), 2017, MrLange and Murusaki(1:18:34) Sonic World DX, 2014-present, Sonic World DX Team(1:21:42) Sonic GT, 2020, Gabriel Gonzalez(1:23:50) Sonic Smackdown, 2020, ArcForged(1:24:51) Sonic and the Fallen Star, 2022, StarDrop(1:27:43) Big's Big World, 2021, Michael Ropple(1:29:40) Sonic Dreams Collection, 2015, Arcane Kids(1:31:35) Final thoughts(1:37:48) Outro(1:41:10) Sonic Boom (remix) by Faulerro
Amie Waters on Twitter
FreakZone Games
Spectacular Sparky
Sonic Boom
François Lionet
ClickTeam
Super Mario Vs NWO World Tour
Bubba in the Turd Dimension
Sonic Robo Blast
Sonic Robo Blast 2
Sonic Chaos
Super Mario and Sonic
Super Mario and Sonic Return
Freddie The Frog
The Search for Knuckles - Internet Archive
Chaomega
When Tails Gets Bored
Tale of Two Sonics
Big Punch Studios
Retro Sonic
Ultimate Flash Sonic
Sonic Before the Sequel
Sonic After the Sequel
Sonic Chrono Adventure
Sonic Utopia
Sonic World DX
Sonic GT
Sonic Smackdown
Sonic and the Fallen Star
Big's Big World
Sonic Dreams Collection
Freedom Planet
Spark the Electric Jester
Project Rascal
Brock Crocodile
Advent NEON
Lightspeed Lina
Midi & Melody

Raised in a Test Tube with a Trumpet in his Hand

It's time for another listening party as the gang pick things up where they left off last episode with a look back at the dual soundtracks of Sonic 3D! On one side, a 16-bit sound team at the peak of their ability. On the other, rich CD-quality sound that feels right at home on the Saturn. Hear cartoon sound effects, robots raving, and even some surprising connections to future Sonic games, as we take a look back at some of the unsung great tracks of the classic Sonic era.
(0:00:00) Intro/Main topic: Sonic 3D listening party(0:11:00) Openings(0:17:21) Main Menu(0:20:00) Invincibility/Speed Up(0:24:00) 1-Up/Stage Clear(0:27:02) Special Stage(0:32:33) Boss Battle(0:38:14) Continue/Game Over(0:40:30) Green Grove(0:50:28) Rusty Ruin(1:01:30) Spring Stadium(1:11:46) Diamond Dust(1:21:25) Volcano Valley (1:29:13) Gene Gadget (1:37:20) Panic Puppet (1:48:09) The Final Fight(1:52:10) Unused tracks(1:58:43) Ending/Credits(2:06:05) Final thoughts(2:13:23) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
GameHut
Continue - 30th Sessions Version feat. Lyn
Sonic 3D Blast LOST BITS | Prototypes & Unused Content [TetraBitGaming]
Sonic 3D Blast OST || Panic Puppet Zone Act 2 || Metal cover by #ProgMuz

Don’t Ever Talk to Me or My Son or My Son or My Son or My Son...

Back in 1996, the Sonic series marked the end of one console generation and the start of another with Sonic 3D Blast/Flickies' Island, a radical and controversial departure from previous series entries. Now, some two and a half decades later, the gang decides to give this oddball adventure another fair shake and see if it's stood the test of time. Join us as we discuss its ties to an early Sega arcade game, the wild variation between its versions, and a definitive way to play the game born from 20 years of hindsight.
(0:00:00) Intro/Our recent Sonic-y stuff(0:06:10) Main topic: Sonic 3D(0:13:28) Sega Saturn version(0:19:50) Our personal histories(0:27:05) Visual and soundtrack differences(0:35:35) Special stages(0:39:58) The story(0:41:58) Green Grove Zone(0:46:46) Rusty Ruin Zone(0:50:18) Spring Stadium Zone(0:54:52) Diamond Dust Zone(0:56:32) Volcano Valley Zone(0:58:51) Gene Gadget Zone(1:01:03) Panic Puppet Zone(1:04:37) The Final Fight(1:11:28) The Director's Cut(1:19:32) Sonic 3D In 2D/Sonic Blast (Game Gear)(1:22:19) Final thoughts(1:28:06) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
SAGE 2022
Sonic Fan Game Bot
Sonic the Hedgeblog
Sonic Encore
Mekanikko
Seaside Fireflies
GameHut
Coding Secrets
Sonic 3D Director’s Cut
Sonic 3D in 2D

The Twelve Zones of Christmas

It's the last episode of the year, but we're not about to leave you out in the cold. Instead, the gang is pitting 12 ice-themed stages from across the Sonic series against one another to figure out how they rank. Which ones best use their winter theming? How much does their music leave an impact? And can any stage hope to dethrone the one everybody expects to take first place?
(0:00:00) Intro/Our recent Sonic-y stuff(0:11:48) Main topic: The Twelve Zones of Christmas(0:13:34) Icy Isle(0:16:57) Ice Cap(0:29:57) Robotnik Winter(0:36:40) Diamond Dust(0:42:53) Ice Paradise(0:51:07) White Acropolis(0:56:08) Blizzard Peaks(1:02:13) Cool Edge(1:09:31) White Park(1:15:44) Frozen Factory(1:21:32) Kodiak Frontier(1:27:08) Press Garden(1:34:09) Final ranking and thoughts(1:40:30) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit
Sonic and the Fallen Star
Unleashed Project
Sonic Lost World Improvement Mod

I Boo Your Cheers!

The holiday season is upon us, so the gang is curling up by the fire with mugs full of cocoa to revisit some festive Sonic content spanning 25 years. First up is "Sonic's Christmas Blast", where the coming of a new Santa Claus also marks the end of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. Next, they'll jump forward a few decades to watch the ball drop in the Sonic Boom episode "New Year's Retribution". Finally, it's a double dose of short, 2D animated goodness, with the Sonic Mania Adventures, Holiday Special and the "Chao in Space" short. So put your Chao and your Flickies to bed, enjoy the delicious slow-cooked roast, and join us in celebrating the festivities with everyone's favorite blue Santa stand-in.
(0:00:00) Intro/Sonic's Christmas Blast(0:37:40) Sonic Boom - New Year’s Retribution(0:56:44) Sonic Mania Adventures - Episode 6(1:02:54) Chao in Space(1:11:34) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
Sonic Christmas Blast | Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog - YouTube
Sonic Mania Adventures - Part 6 (Holiday Special) - YouTube
Sonic Presents: Chao In Space - Official Animation - YouTube
Chao World Extended

Time Curry

We're traveling through time yet again as the gang finally look at their first SatAM episode with the "Blast to the Past" two-parter! Our hosts join Sonic and Sally in going back in time to witness Robotnik's takeover of Mobius, with some surprising reveals along the way. Expect discussions of forgotten lore, Robotnik's lineage, the oh so dulcet tones of Tim Curry, and so much more!
(00:00:00) Intro/Main topic: "Blast to the Past"(00:20:07) Part 1(01:23:57) Part 2(01:49:59) Final thoughts(02:03:06) Outro
Amie Waters on Twitter
Ben Hurst Interviews
Colin Kintobor
One Man's Quest To Eradicate Every Goku In Dragon Ball FighterZ
Poo-Chi