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Holy Kryptonian catastrophe, comic crusaders! This week on Play Comics, we’re diving headfirst into the digital dumpster fire that is Superman: Countdown to Apokolips for the Game Boy Advance – because apparently someone thought the best way to honor Superman: The Animated Series was to trap the Man of Steel in a tiny screen prison with graphics that make MS Paint look like the Sistine Chapel.

Released in 2003 by the brave souls at Mistic Software (after poor Crawfish Interactive literally died during development – talk about your occupational hazards!), this isometric adventure promised to let players soar through Metropolis while battling Livewire, Metallo, and the fashion disaster known as Kalibak. What it actually delivered was a gaming experience so punishing that even Darkseid would file a complaint with customer service.

Joining us for this digital descent into madness is Adam Maresh from my local shop back when he lived by me – a man who’s seen more comic-to-game adaptations crash and burn than a rejected Justice League movie pitch. Together, we’ll explore how this GBA “gem” managed to score a whopping 45% on GameRankings and somehow convinced IGN to give it a 4.5/10 (which in retrospect feels generous).

So grab your emergency kryptonite antidote and prepare for an episode that’s more fun than actually playing the game – which, let’s face it, isn’t exactly setting the bar stratospheric. Will Superman’s portable adventure redeem itself through sheer nostalgic charm, or will it crash harder than a Daily Planet exclusive? Tune in to find out if this animated series tie-in belongs in the Fortress of Solitude… or the Phantom Zone!Continue Reading

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HULK SMASH… your expectations! This week on Play Comics, we’re going green with rage as we dive into 2005’s The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction – the game that asked the important question: “What if we gave players the power to literally punch a helicopter out of the sky and then use a bus as a baseball bat?”

Developed by Radical Entertainment for the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube, this comic book adaptation threw subtlety out the window faster than Banner throws a tantrum. Forget stealth missions or carefully planned strategies – this game was all about embracing your inner gamma-powered toddler and turning entire city blocks into your personal sandbox of destruction.

Joining us for this episode of controlled chaos is Matt Storm from the fantastic podcasts “Fun” and Games and Reignite! They’ll help us explore how this title managed to capture the pure, unadulterated joy of being an unstoppable force of nature with anger management issues. Together, we’ll discuss whether throwing cars at military helicopters counts as a valid combat strategy, and why sometimes the best solution to every problem is just… more smashing.

So strap in, podcast listeners – we’re about to go from zero to “HULK STRONGEST THERE IS!” faster than you can say “you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” Warning: No buildings, vehicles, or military installations were harmed in the making of this episode… but we can’t make the same promise about our gaming controllers.Continue Reading

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Strap on your jetpack and set your phasers to “mildly confused,” because this week on Play Comics we’re rocketing straight into the neon-lit chaos of Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday! That’s right—dust off your Sega Genesis and prepare for a wild ride through a universe where the future looks suspiciously like a 1990s living room.

Joining us for this cosmic caper is none other than Vasco Pickett, a local legend whose wisdom is as deep as the Martian canyons and whose internet presence is, well… let’s just say he’s more “boots on the ground” than “cloud in the cloud.” Vasco brings his real-world charm (and possibly a ray gun or two) to help us unravel the tangled web of Buck Rogers lore—from dice-rolling tabletop escapades to pixelated Genesis heroics.

So, whether you’re a die-hard fan of space operas, a retro gaming aficionado, or just here for the witty banter, grab your space helmet and tune in. It’s time to blast off with Play Comics, where the only countdown is to a good time!Continue Reading

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Gather ‘round, Dragon Ball devotees and gluttons for punishment! This week on Play Comics, we’re subjecting ourselves to the digital equivalent of getting hit by Frieza’s Death Beam repeatedly-Dragon Ball Z Taiketsu for the Game Boy Advance. Imagine taking the most explosive anime franchise in history and cramming it into a game with all the fiery intensity of a damp firecracker. Spoiler alert: This isn’t a battle for glory-it’s a battle for survival against one of the most bafflingly awful licensed games ever conceived.

Joining me in this masochistic quest is Andrew Young from Behold!, who’s agreed to lend his expertise (and his remaining sanity) to dissect this pixelated travesty. Together, we’ll answer the burning question: How did a game about planet-destroying superhumans end up feeling as thrilling as watching paint dry on Master Roshi’s houseboat? Hint: It involves more clipping issues than Yamcha’s career and combat mechanics flatter than Krillin’s scalp.

From animations that resemble a PowerPoint presentation gone rogue to a soundtrack that sounds like a kazoo orchestra trapped in a washing machine, Taiketsu doesn’t just drop the ball-it spikes it into the core of the Earth, unleashes a Spirit Bomb of disappointment, and then forgets to animate the explosion. Whether you’re here for the schadenfreude or just morbid curiosity, grab your Dragon Radar and a stiff drink. This episode’s gonna hurt. A lot.Continue Reading

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Prepare your beam sabers and polish your Zaku helmets-this episode of Play Comics is about to launch straight into the Universal Century! We’re diving headfirst into the PS2 classic Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs Zeon, where the only thing more intense than the space battles is trying to pronounce “RX-78-2” three times fast.

Joining the fray is none other than Derek Van Dyke from Super Deluxe GamesCast and Castle Bravo, who’s here to help us decide once and for all: Is it better to fight for the Federation, or is life just more fun in a mono-eyed mobile suit? Expect hot takes, cooler mobile suits, and at least one attempt to dodge a colony drop with nothing but sheer podcasting bravado.

So grab your joystick, pick a side, and get ready for a barrage of wit, wisdom, and way too many references to Newtypes. The One Year War has never sounded this entertaining.Continue Reading

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Get ready to tattoo the number XIII on your memory banks (preferably not on your collarbone) as Play Comics dives into the cel-shaded, amnesia-riddled world of XIII – the video game adaptation that brought Jean Van Hamme’s acclaimed French graphic novel series to life on PS2, Xbox, and GameCube. This first-person shooter might be the only game where waking up on a beach with complete memory loss is just the beginning of your problems, not the end result of a gaming convention afterparty.

This week, we’re joined by the phenomenally talented Rob Duenas from the Sketchcraft YouTube channel, whose artistic prowess has graced everything from the hellish battlegrounds of “Spawn Kills Every Spawn” to beloved video game franchises like Crash Bandicoot and Overwatch. When Rob isn’t busy making comic pages look absolutely stunning or designing characters for your favorite games, he’s dropping knowledge bombs about art and creativity on his channel that would make even the most amnesia-addled protagonist remember how to hold a pencil.

Together, we’ll untangle the conspiracy-laden plot that had gamers frantically searching for their own identity while taking down government agents with stylized comic book “BANG!” and “BOOM!” sound effects popping up on screen. Was this 2003 cel-shaded shooter as revolutionary as its artistic style suggested, or did it wash up on gaming shores only to be quickly forgotten? Does the console version you played actually matter, or were the loading time differences just another conspiracy to keep Xbox owners feeling superior? And most importantly, how does a game based on a graphic novel series about a character who can’t remember who he is manage to create such memorable gameplay?

Grab your favorite tattered map with cryptic clues, practice your best “I have no idea who I am but I can somehow expertly use military weapons” face, and join us for an episode more twisty-turny than XIII’s plot itself!Continue Reading

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Welcome, Earthlings and Cybertronians alike, to another episode of Play Comics-where the only thing more confusing than the continuity is trying to fold yourself into a PS2 disc case! This time, we’re rolling out (and occasionally transforming) into the wild world of the 2004 Transformers video game. Yes, the one that’s based on Transformers: Armada-even though the box art was too shy to admit it, and the plot zigzags harder than a Mini-Con on a caffeine rush.

Joining us for this electrifying adventure is none other than Charles Shelton from the TransMissions Podcast Network, a man who knows more about Autobots, Decepticons, and questionable voice acting than Unicron knows about planetary snacking. Together, we’ll dodge Decepticlones, collect Mini-Cons like they’re Pokémon, and ponder why Optimus Prime never just took a vacation in the Amazon (hint: robot allergies).

So buckle up, hit that triangle button to transform, and prepare for a journey through nostalgia, PS2 graphics, and more robot drama than a Cybertronian soap opera. Let’s see if we can save the universe-or at least get through the jungle level without rage-quitting.Continue Reading

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Hell hath no fury like a Hellspawn scorned, especially when that Hellspawn is leaping between platforms on your PlayStation 2! This week’s episode of Play Comics dives headfirst into the fiery pits of “Spawn Armageddon,” the video game that attempted to cram the first 99 issues of Todd McFarlane’s demonic anti-hero saga into button-mashing glory on PS2, Xbox, and GameCube. Chains will fly, capes will billow dramatically for no apparent reason, and we’ll answer the burning question: can any game truly capture the essence of a character who essentially told both Heaven and Hell to take a hike?

Joining us on this unholy quest is the supremely talented Rob Duenas from the Sketchcraft YouTube channel, whose pencil might actually be mightier than Spawn’s chains. When Rob isn’t dropping knowledge bombs about art techniques online, he’s busy creating jaw-dropping illustrations for comic books – including the mind-bending “Spawn Kills Every Spawn.” Yes folks, our guest has literally drawn Spawn murdering alternate versions of himself, which makes him uniquely qualified to judge a game where Spawn murders… well, pretty much everything else.

So grab your favorite necroplasm-infused beverage, wrap yourself in a sentient cape that definitely isn’t judging your choice of pajamas, and prepare for an episode more twisted than Violator’s family reunion. We’re diving deep into the 2003 gaming experience that asked the important question: “What if we gave the angriest character in comics a bunch of weapons and unleashed him in a world that looks suspiciously like the developer’s first attempt at a 3D environment?” The answer, dear listeners, involves a lot more jumping puzzles than anyone ever asked for.Continue Reading

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This week on Play Comics, we’re taking you on a high-speed tour through Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space, a PS2 classic that’s equal parts thrilling dogfight simulator and love letter to Universal Century lore. From piloting iconic mobile suits to reenacting pivotal battles from the One Year War, this game has everything a Gundam fan could ask for—except ground-based combat (but hey, who needs dirt when you’ve got asteroids?).

Joining us for this cosmic adventure is George from Shortbox Summary, who brings his signature wit and deep knowledge of pop culture to the discussion. Together, we’ll explore what makes Encounters in Space stand out among Gundam games, share our favorite moments from its sprawling story modes, and maybe even speculate about Zeon’s questionable interior design choices. Strap in—it’s going to be a bumpy ride through the stars!Continue Reading

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Yo Joe! Or should we say “Yo NES!” because this week on Play Comics, we’re tackling G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero—the video game adaptation of everyone’s favorite cartoon about freedom-loving heroes battling against Cobra’s endless supply of bad ideas. With explosive levels and a cast of characters straight out of your childhood toy box, this game promises big action… but does it deliver?

Chris teams up with SerpyMatt, an internet personality who probably knows more about G.I. Joe lore than Cobra Commander knows about losing battles. Together, they’ll uncover what makes this game tick—from its ambitious level design to its occasional moments of “Wait… what just happened?” Is it a victory for retro gaming or just another casualty in the war against bad licensed games? Tune in and find out!
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Welcome to another episode of Play Comics, where we volley between the pixelated world of video games and the ink-stained pages of comic strips! This week, we’re serving up a nostalgic slice of handheld gaming with Snoopy Tennis for the Game Boy Color—a game that lets you smash tennis balls as Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the gang while channeling the quirky humor of the Peanuts comic strip. But don’t let Snoopy’s “World Famous Tennis Player” persona fool you; his skills might be as questionable as his geography knowledge (Wimbledon in Kansas City, anyone?).

Joining us on this court-side adventure is Bill Pepper, host of It’s a Podcast, Charlie Brown and Atari Bytes. Bill brings his expertise in all things Peanuts and retro gaming to help us dissect whether Snoopy’s racket-wielding antics are a grand slam or just another double fault. Expect witty banter, deep dives into Snoopy’s many alter egos, and maybe even some tales about Crybaby Boobie or Molly Volley from the comic strip lore.

So grab your sweatbands, dodge those bugs mistaking the tennis court for a highway, and prepare for an episode that’s more fun than Snoopy getting tangled in the net. Game on!Continue Reading

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Attention, space cadets and retro gamers! Prepare to blast off into a pixelated adventure as Play Comics takes on Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom. We’re zooming through the 25th century faster than you can say “bidi-bidi-bidi,” exploring this cosmic classic that graced the Atari 2600, ColecoVision, Atari 5200, and Intellivision.

Joining us on this retro romp is none other than Andy Larson, one of the amazing hosts of The Last Comic Shop podcast. Together, we’ll navigate through space battles, questionable physics, and more bleeps and bloops than you can shake a joystick at.

So strap in, adjust your antenna, and get ready to explore whether this game does justice to the Buck Rogers comics and serialized adventures. Will it be a direct hit or a galactic miss? Tune in to find out if Buck’s digital escapades are as timeless as his 500-year nap!Continue Reading

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Greetings, cave dwellers and retro gaming enthusiasts! Prepare to be transported back to a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth and pixelated graphics were cutting-edge technology. This episode of Play Comics is about to take you on a wild ride through the prehistoric world of BC’s Quest for Tires and its bone-rattling sequel, BC II: Grog’s Revenge. These ColecoVision gems, inspired by Johnny Hart’s iconic newspaper strip BC, will have you pedaling your stone-wheeled unicycle faster than a Brontosaurus can say “Bronto-burger!”

But wait, don’t touch that dial (or scroll away from that podcast app)! We’ve got a special guest joining us on this Paleolithic adventure. It’s none other than DC Dave from The Monitor Tapes, who’s temporarily abandoned his own era to help us navigate through these Stone Age sidescrollers. Will we uncover the secrets of fire? Invent the wheel? Or just end up with calluses from furiously mashing those ColecoVision controller buttons?

From dodging lava pits to outsmarting saber-toothed tigers, we’ll explore every crevice and cave of these classic games. We might even answer burning questions like: “How does one steer a unicycle with square wheels?” and “Is collecting clams really the best use of a caveman’s time?” So grab your club, don your finest animal print, and join us for an episode that’s guaranteed to rock your world more than the invention of sliced mammoth!Continue Reading

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Prepare for takeoff, fellow gamers! This week on Play Comics, we’re blasting off into the world of Robotech: Battlecry, where you can pilot a Veritech fighter and save the universe while trying not to crash into your own nostalgia! Join us as we follow Jack Archer on his epic quest to defend Earth from those pesky Zentraedi, all while dodging missiles and mastering the art of transforming from jet to robot (and back again) without losing our lunch.

Joining the mission is none other than SP Rupert from The Gonna Geek Show, Legends of S.H.I.E.L.D. d Better Podcasting, and Artie’s Attic, bringing his signature wit and insight to help us navigate the skies of nostalgia and questionable early-2000s graphics. Will we earn our medals, or will the Zentraedi laugh us out of orbit? Tune in to find out! Or don’t, it’s not like you’re going to start an intergalactic space war or anything……..Continue Reading

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Attention, digital duelists and pixel-punching prodigies! Prepare to digivolve your eardrums as Play Comics takes a nostalgia-fueled dive into the arena of Digimon Rumble Arena on the PlayStation 1. This episode is more loaded than Agumon after a spicy curry feast!

Joining us in this byte-sized battle royale is none other than Derek B Gayle, the podcast polymath behind such hard hitting podcasts on the Glitterjaw Queer Podcast Collective such as Gimmicks, Walloping Websnappers, Lee Carvallo’s Podding Challenge, Skreeonk!, Falling with Style, and probably a few more shows he’s cooked up while you were reading this sentence. Together, we’ll explore how this fighting game adaptation captured the essence of the Digimon anime faster than you can say “Prodigious!”

So grab your Digivice, dust off that PS1 memory card, and get ready to rumble through this electrifying episode. Will Digimon Rumble Arena prove to be the champion of anime game adaptations, or will it get sent back to the Digital World? Tune in to find out – it’s time to digi-modify your podcast playlist!Continue Reading

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Grab your time-traveling bow and arrow, folks! It’s time to dive into the prehistoric playground of Turok: Evolution, the game that asked, “What if we took a beloved comic book series and cranked the dinosaur-blasting action up to 11?” Join us as we explore this Acclaim-produced, multi-console extravaganza that had gamers questioning whether they were playing as a noble warrior or just a really enthusiastic paleontologist with anger issues.

This episode features the talented Frank Martin, comic writer extraordinaire and master of crowdfunded creativity. He’ll help us navigate the treacherous terrain between comic panels and pixelated landscapes, all while dodging raptors and questioning the logic of futuristic weapons in a world where “cutting edge” usually refers to a particularly sharp rock.

So strap on your loincloth, polish your plasma rifle, and get ready to explore a game that’s part Jurassic Park, part quantum physics experiment gone wrong. Will Turok: Evolution stand the test of time, or will it go extinct faster than you can say “Cease and desist, dinosaur!”? Tune in to find out!Continue Reading

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Attention, mutant enthusiasts and digital adventurers! Prepare yourselves for a journey into the pixelated past as we dive headfirst into the treacherous depths of Murderworld. This week, we’re joined by the indomitable Austin Auclair from PatientRock to tackle the notorious X-Men: Madness in Murderworld, a game that’s been haunting players’ nightmares since 1989.

Get ready to dust off your DOS disks, fire up your Amigas, and polish those Commodore 64s as we explore this side-scrolling saga that pits our favorite mutants against the diabolical duo of Magneto and Arcade. Will we uncover the secrets of the demagnetizer? Can we navigate the labyrinthine levels without losing our sanity? And most importantly, will we finally beat this infamously challenging game after decades of collective frustration?

Tune in as we dissect the good, the bad, and the downright maddening aspects of this classic X-Men adventure. With Austin’s expertise and our unwavering determination, we might just crack the code and rescue Professor X from his digital prison. So grab your favorite mutant power-boosting snack and join us for an episode that’s sure to be more electrifying than Storm’s lightning bolts and sharper than Wolverine’s claws!Continue Reading

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Attention, pixel-pushing pals and manga maniacs! Prepare to embark on a thrilling journey through the digital pages of gaming history as we dive into the world of The Mafat Conspiracy, the NES sequel to Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode. This episode of Play Comics is locked and loaded with more action than Duke Togo’s sniper rifle!

We’re joined by the legendary Dean Guadagno from The Video Game Library, who’s here to help us unravel the mysteries of this 8-bit espionage extravaganza. Get ready to dodge bullets, navigate 3D mazes, and race Ferraris as we explore how the world’s deadliest assassin made his mark on Nintendo’s beloved console.

So grab your favorite controller, adjust your scope, and get ready to infiltrate the Mafat Revolutionary Group’s hideout. It’s time to discover if The Mafat Conspiracy lives up to its manga roots or if it’s just another case of pixel propaganda. Let’s dive in, agents!Continue Reading

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Hold onto your enchanted joysticks, pixel pilgrims! This week’s Play Comics episode is diving headfirst into the glorious chaos of SpellCaster—the Sega Master System gem that’s part Buddhist demon-hunting simulator, part side-scrolling magic blaster, and 100% “why is there a cybernetic samurai in medieval Japan?” energy.

Joining us in this dimension-hopping debacle is none other than SegaMasterTim, the human encyclopedia of 8-bit obscurities, here to help untangle a game so bizarre it makes Twin Peaks look like a PBS documentary.

Based on the Kujaku Ō manga (Peacock King for us non-manga scholars), SpellCaster serves up more genre mashups than a Sega CD compilation disc. Spoiler alert: There’s a first-person adventure segment where you’ll TAKE SWORD, TALK TO GHOST, and question every life choice that led you here.

Strap in for hot takes, FM synth jams, and Tim’s valiant attempt to explain why Sega thought “Let’s make Mystic Defender next!” was a logical sequel pitch. No sacred temples were harmed in the making of this podcast…probably.Continue Reading

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Attention, pixel pugilists and manga maniacs! Prepare to have your mind blown faster than you can say “Omae wa mou shindeiru” because Play Comics is about to unleash a Genesis gem that’ll make your thumbs twitch with nostalgia. We’re diving headfirst into the post-apocalyptic world of Last Battle, a game that’s more thinly veiled than a sumo wrestler in a tutu when it comes to its connection to Fist of the North Star.

Joining us on this journey through radioactive wastelands and questionable localization choices is none other than Chris Brown, animator extraordinaire and head of education at a cartoon museum. With his encyclopedic knowledge of all things animated, Chris will help us separate the wheat from the chaff, or in this case, the Kenshiro from the Aarzak.

So grab your favorite energy-restoring meat, practice your best “ATATATATATA!” battle cry, and get ready to press start on an episode that’s sure to leave you seeing pressure points. It’s time to explore a game where the only thing more explosive than the gameplay is the spontaneous combustion of your enemies!Continue Reading

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Krillin’ it softly, podcast lovers! It’s time to dust off your Game Boy Advance and charge up your Ki for an episode so epic, it’ll make Frieza cry for his momma! We’re diving into The Legacy of Goku 1 & 2, where pixels meet power levels and button mashing meets “But I haven’t even reached my final form!”

But wait, what’s that? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the legendary Troytle Power from TroytlePower Presents: The Power Play-Throughs Podcast, with TroytlePower and Too Young For This Trek, swooping in like Goku on a Flying Nimbus! He’s flying solo today, leaving his Too Young for this Trek co-pilots behind – probably stuck in a time chamber or something.

Get ready to laugh harder than Buu at a pie-eating contest as we dissect these Dragon Ball-inspired handheld adventures. Will Troytle’s power level be high enough to handle our intense scrutiny? Or will he need to fuse with the nearest inanimate object to survive our witty banter? Tune in to find out in this episode that’s more unpredictable than Vegeta’s mood swings!

So grab your favorite dragon radar, set your scouter to “fun,” and prepare for a podcast experience that’s more satisfying than finding all seven Dragon Balls. It’s Play Comics time, and we’re about to go full Kaio-ken on these Game Boy Advance classics!Continue Reading