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Greetings, fellow arcade archaeologists and button-mashing historians! This week on Play Comics, we’re diving headfirst into the delightfully bizarre world of Mazin Saga: Mutant Fighter for the Sega Genesis – that wonderfully weird 1993 hybrid that somehow convinced an entire development team that what the world really needed was a game where you could punch mutant biobeasts in the face AND grow to kaiju size for boss battles. Based on Go Nagai’s MazinSaga manga (which itself was a mashup of his Mazinger and Devilman universes), this Almanic Corporation creation proved that sometimes the best way to adapt source material is to throw it in a blender with some Streets of Rage DNA and see what emerges from the primordial gaming ooze.

We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Stik Braxton from Together We Anime, Too Tall Boyz, and Clueless Vino to help us navigate this mecha-infused madness. Stik brings his signature blend of pop culture expertise and comedic timing to help us answer the eternal question: does turning Koji Kabuto into a beat-’em-up protagonist while God Kaiser Hell destroys civilization make for faithful adaptation, or just really entertaining chaos? Armed with his Mazinger Z armor and an inexplicable ability to size-shift for dramatic effect, our hero must save humanity from an underground bunker situation that makes your average zombie apocalypse look like a casual Tuesday.

So dust off your Genesis controllers, prepare for some seriously chunky sprite animation, and join us as we explore whether this genre-bending fever dream successfully captured the essence of its manga source material or just created something gloriously unhinged in the process. We’ll examine how faithful giant robot fights translate to 16-bit glory, why boss battles needed their own fighting game engine, and whether any of this actually makes sense when you’re having this much fun pressing buttons.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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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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Welcome to another spine-tingling, joystick-wiggling episode of Play Comics, where the pixels meet the page and the game controllers are always at risk of being thrown in excitement or frustration. This week we’re diving into the dark cobwebbed corners of the gaming world to unearth the 1992 classic The Addams Family, a game that dared to ask “What if we took a beloved, macabre family and turned their life into a platforming adventure?” Based on the 1991 film of the same name, this game sprawled across the NES, SNES, Genesis, Master System, Game Gear, and Game Boy, proving that no console was safe from its kooky, spooky charm.

In this episode we’re thrilled to welcome back the illustrious Adam Williamson, a man whose knowledge of games is only rivaled by his ability to survive encounters with the supernatural—or at least supernatural-themed video games. Adam, who last graced us with his presence in a bodyslammin’ discussion on WWF No Mercy, returns from the depths of the gaming archives to help us navigate the twisted halls of the Addams’ mansion.

Prepare for a journey where every jump is a leap of faith (into a pit of who-knows-what), every enemy is as bizarre as an Addams family member, and the only thing scarier than the game’s difficulty is the thought of turning it off before finishing. Will Gomez find his beloved family members, or will he be doomed to wander the pixelated corridors forever? Join us as we explore the mystery, the humor, and the sheer Addams-ness of The Addams Family game.

So tighten your seatbelts, adjust your monocles, and make sure your hand (Thing, is that you?) is firmly attached to your wrist. It’s going to be a wild ride through the Addams Family estate, where the only guarantee is laughter, nostalgia, and maybe, just maybe, a newfound appreciation for games that make you want to pull your hair out—in the most delightful way possible.Continue Reading

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Get ready to dive into the pixelated mystique of the Sega Genesis era as we unleash the power of Mystic Defender on this episode of Play Comics!

In this electrifying installment, we team up with the dynamic Phil Keeling from Pixel Lit to unravel the secrets and thrills behind the classic Sega Genesis game Mystic Defender. Brace yourselves for a riveting conversation that delves into the captivating world of gaming nostalgia, where pixels come to life, and wizards wield unimaginable powers.

Phil Keeling, a connoisseur of gaming narratives and pixelated wonders, brings his expertise to the forefront as we explore the enchanting realm of Mystic Defender. From spellbinding visuals to the mesmerizing hold this had on his childhood despite not having a single clue as to where it came from, we’ll dissect many aspects that makes this Sega Genesis game one that you probably want to go check out. Because most likely, you didn’t check it out back in the day.

Whether you’re a seasoned Mystic Defender veteran or a curious gamer looking to step into the past, this episode promises insights, anecdotes, and a touch of nostalgia that will transport you to the golden age of 16-bit gaming. So plug in those headphones, hit play, and prepare for a journey through pixels, magic, and the unforgettable legacy of Mystic Defender!Continue Reading

Dinosaurs for Hire episode cover art

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Dinosaurs. Guns. If you’re a 90s kid then you’re probably already sold on this one. Throw in the fact that the first Jurassic Park movie came out the same year and holy crap were dinosaurs the cool thing. 

So naturally I got Steven Ray Morris from See Jurassic Right to come help us take a look at these totally irreverent dinosaurs who might enjoy their toys a bit too much.Continue Reading

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Every super hero story has to eventually end. Maybe not in our world, but in the comic world as long as timelines don’t get reset or just stop progressing then all the heroes will eventually get old. Except The Phantom, who just straight up hasn’t died. Because he can’t.

Listen in as Karrington Martin from Real Dudes Podcast comes to talk about Phantom 2040 and how it relates to the Phantom comics, and of course the SNES and Genesis games that came out with it.Continue Reading

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In the far far future of 2055 the world has somehow survived World War III. Except with all of the nuclear explosions and toxins in the environment and stuff like that the world’s population has all turned into mutants. Let’s ignore that the science doesn’t work there at all. But one scientist found a way to turn mutants back into humans! And yes, we’re ignoring that science there as well.Listen in as Karrington Martin from Real Dudes Podcast comes on to talk about this little known comic (at least to everyone I talked to) that someone has a game that is pretty well known game, at least in the Retro Gaming circles.Continue Reading

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A lot of you (and by that I mean at least 1 person) has asked if I’d ever look at the Alien franchise. This is as close as I’ll get since the movie clearly came first and didn’t get made with the comic in mind. But you asked for it, and there are comics. So why not?Keith Gawla from Pop Up Film Cast comes by to continue ridiculing me for my horrible appearance on his show. Continue Reading

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In the “fictional” future a single person gets to be judge, jury, and executioner. Well, a bunch of single people but you get the idea. This is the world of instant justice. This is the faaaaar far future of 2080.

Drew Hallum from Reel Feels and CritStorm Cast comes by the show to take a look at the 1995 Sylvester Stallone classic Judge Dredd. Just make sure you follow the law while you’re doing it so you don’t get judged!Continue Reading

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Imagine if you thought so much of yourself that you truly believed that you could take on Death itself, and that you’re right. Do you really think that Death would let you win, even if you won?Ed Annunziata from Playchemy (and conveniently a developer on this game) comes by the show to talk Chakan the Forever Man, and how his story makes that from The Devil Went Down to Georgia look like a tale from Muppet Babies.Continue Reading

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Garfield is everywhere and there’s nothing we can do about it. From toys to newspapers to school book fairs there’s no escaping the universe tat Jim Davis has brought upon us with this pesky feline and all of his other animal friends.But what happens when he and Odie accidentally create a robot monster? Listen in as Jessie Cooper from the Alphabet Flight and Creepy Critters podcasts comes to talk about this lasagna eating and marketing juggernaut.Continue Reading

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Batman the Animated Series is apparently a huge part of a ton of childhoods. Except mine, because I somehow kept missing it. But from giving characters much better back stories to creating a few characters that we couldn’t imagine not having today to just being objectively awesome, it’s an important part of today’s Batman culture.So of course it had a game to go with it. You know, besides the Gameboy title that it actually shared a name with the series. Listen in as Chris Sims from War Rocket Ajax, The ISB, and writer of some Marvel things comes to talk about a wonderful pair of Batman games, and a few others that exist.Continue Reading

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Remember back in the 1990s when Wolverine was everywhere and you couldn’t get away from him? When if there was ever going to be a game focusing on just a single member of the X-Men that it would unquestionably be him? And how we already got that once? Well guess what, it’s time for round two!

Listen in as Chris Baker from SuperHero.vg and author of WRONG! Retro Games, You Messed Up Our Comic Book Heroes! comes by to look at the 16 bit entry. Or is it entries? Just listen, I’m sure we’ll figure it out along the way.Continue Reading

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The X-Men Return in the sequel to the classic Genesis game. This time around they actually get to leave the mansion and head out into the world. But can they defeat the Phalanx when they come to destroy all mutants?

Listen in as Brandon Cruz from Apathetic Enthusiasm, or is it Intergalactic RSS, or maybe it’s Submitted For Your Approval, aww crap I think we might have a clone problem…Continue Reading

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In the 1990s Batman was everything. A comic movie franchise, cartoons, you name it. And then things started to fall off the rails. Tim Burton gets pushed out the door and we get this. But will the game be worth it despite the movie? Or will we get yet another example of a weak game that exists only because of a movie tie in?
Listen as Alex Whiteley from Thors-Kin joins the show to talk Batman Forever.Continue Reading

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Spider-Man makes another appearance and this time time it’s based on the 1994 animated series. So with such an iconic part of my childhood as the basis, this game has to be good? Right? 

Listen in as Matt Gardner from Floating Hands Studios and writer of the comic Alabaster Shadows comes on the show to take a look at this SNES and Genesis take on our favorite wall crawler.Continue Reading

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So we’ve seen Superman games before, and we know how I feel about them. But maybe, just maybe, we’ve found one that actually does Superman justice.

Listen in as Michael Bailey from The Fortress of Baileytude Podcast Network (including From Crisis to Crisis) joins the show to talk Death and Return of Superman.Continue Reading

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We finally get to one of my favorite characters, The Hulk. He’s the strongest around, except when he’s not. And you better hope that you don’t have to spend much time as Bruce while playing because, well, then he’s not Hulk.

Listen in as Phil Primeau of Semi Intellectual Musings joins the show to take a look at one of Marvel’s most misunderstood characters.Continue Reading