Episode 636: The 8-Bit Mascot Ranking Hootenanny
Added 2024-09-02 11:00:08 +0000 UTCJeremy: I regret to inform you that... our Retro World Expo panel a weekend was one of the best we've ever presented! Regret, because only a few dozen people got to experience it live and participate in the experience with me, Diamond, and Nadia. But wait—perhaps not regret, because... I recorded it? And it sounds excellent?! And the energy and engagement of the whole thing comes through perfectly!?!
Maybe you couldn't be there (though—big thanks to those who could!)... but this episode is the next best thing. Easily one of our strongest live recordings ever. OK, I'll stop talking it up, it's that I'm really happy with how the panel went and how the podcast turned out.
Edits by Greg Leahy.
12:49 - Alex Kidd: High-Tech World: Castle
23:30 - City Connection: Stage 1
34:25 - Donkey Konga: All the Small Things
45:47 - Konami Wai Wai World: Konami Man's Theme
52:13 - Jethro Tull: "...And the Mouse Police Never Sleeps" | Super Mario Bros. Deluxe: Credits
1:01:59 - Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES): Ending
1:09:34 - Mega Man (NES): Wily's Fortress Stage 1
1:19:32 - Mega Man 4 (NES): Dr. Cossack Stage 1
1:31:00 - Fantasy Zone (Arcade): Opa-Opa!
1:38:32 - William Leymergie: "La chanson de Pac Man"
1:49:29 - Dragon Quest III (FC): Battle Theme
Closing - Vicky Leandros: "L'amour est bleu"
Comments
This was surprisingly entertaining, but I must admit I was disappointed to find that Goemon wasn’t included in this hootenanny even though we arguably know as much about the real Ishikawa Goemon as we do about the Moai statues.
David
2024-09-26 10:30:49 +0000 UTCNadia, Bentley had a recentish role in Atari Mania (an unpolshed NES Remix-esque package that dragged a bit). While I can't wholeheartedly recommend the game, I think you'd get a kick out of a Let's Play
Jordan Davis
2024-09-12 10:13:54 +0000 UTC2 years back my bestie got a hankering for some BOF: Dragon Quarter, I had just moved and the only PS2 controller I could find was the dragon quest slime controller. It was... serviceable. Great game, though!
Nuno Amaral
2024-09-09 14:53:57 +0000 UTCYou would think by default loving Moai would make you a "face"
Nuno Amaral
2024-09-09 14:20:47 +0000 UTCThis is a top-tier episode for all the reasons everyone has mentioned. The crowd participation was a deciding factor. The sum of Mega Man's rankings was 10 and the sum of Slime's was 9. So, based on the panelists' votes alone, Slime wins. But, when you factor in the crowd, Mega Man ties Slime because Mega Man's 100.1 decibels tops Slime's 95.4. That gap of 4.7 decibels between two rankings is the largest difference until you get to Opa-Opa and Master Higgins (10th and 11th place), which shows how much of a pop the crowd gave the Blue Bomber.
Tall Rob
2024-09-08 21:53:44 +0000 UTCif loving Moai makes me a heel, I don't want to be a face
Diamond Feit
2024-09-07 04:50:03 +0000 UTC"That's not Pac-Man's fault" is gonna stick in my head now.
Michael Castleberry
2024-09-06 19:59:02 +0000 UTCFeit’s really out here saying “ACAB” when he ranks Mappy at the bottom, and we are here for it. ✊
James Ryall
2024-09-06 16:59:26 +0000 UTCA fantastic episode overall, especially for a live show. The audio balance was nearly perfect, the energy was high, the jokes were great, and the interactive ranking from the audience was an inspired choice. I really enjoyed Diamond’s heel turn and Jeremy trying to push the case for some of the lower tier mascots. Thanks for the laughs!
Jeff Peterson
2024-09-06 16:18:10 +0000 UTCDizzy is a 14 but I would eat him.
littleterr0r
2024-09-06 01:43:09 +0000 UTCCity Connection rules so Cigarette Smoking Guy is my number one.
littleterr0r
2024-09-06 01:35:34 +0000 UTCOther favourite video game Moai of mine beyond those mentioned: The Easton Kingdom in Super Mario Land had Moai in the background and those stubby hopping Moai enemies. Super Mario Odyssey had the sunglasses-wearing Moe-Eye that Mario could capture and use to see invisible platforms. And who could forget the Moai Doo-Wop from Rhythm Heaven?
TheLupineOne
2024-09-05 14:23:51 +0000 UTCDiamond with some real Stuart energy in this one (complimentary) Also, the decibel meter was an inspired choice. Hope to participate in one someday!
Jason Lee
2024-09-05 04:17:01 +0000 UTCI’m not sure peak db was the best way to measure Bentley Bear enthusiasm
Gabriel Schray
2024-09-04 17:54:06 +0000 UTCperhaps a Game Boy Mascot Ranking is in order... (DF)
Retronauts
2024-09-03 22:13:04 +0000 UTCDoes Pikachu count as an 8-bit mascot? Because I feel like maybe he’s the best one if so, simply in terms of recognizability.
Jeremy Mele
2024-09-03 18:29:57 +0000 UTCA simply delightful episode - it warms my heart that DQ Slime took its rightful place atop the ranking.
Jeff Fanning
2024-09-03 11:00:14 +0000 UTCJeremy, keep speaking up for Opa-Opa. Someday people will listen.
Julian
2024-09-02 22:23:09 +0000 UTCTeacup Man
Craig
2024-09-02 18:22:47 +0000 UTC:fingers crossed: Come on Wall Street Kid
Craig
2024-09-02 17:55:25 +0000 UTCTop 3: Opa Opa, Slime, Donkey Kong
Miguel Torres
2024-09-02 15:44:50 +0000 UTC👍👍👍
Normallyretro
2024-09-02 11:28:08 +0000 UTC
