Episode 640: How History Shaped the Games, Pt. I (Patreon)

Jeremy: Retronauts is about video game history, sure, but with this episode we finally take the "history" part seriously. If you watch my weekly NES Works (etc.) videos, you know that I always like to start each episode with a little clip of music, film, TV, or news reports from the month the games in question debuted. Well, this episode is the first of a two-parter that expands that premise into a more elaborate exploration of some of the key events of the 1970s and ’80s and the direct impact they had on video games.

It was supposed to be a single episode covering everything, but when you get this collection of motormouths and game history buffs into a single room, you know damn well brevity isn't top of mind for the crew. And that's OK! There's a lot to say about the real world! From economic crashes to political scandals to harrowing international crises, the events of the era directly shaped the games biz—both economically and in terms of content. Truly, an episode ripped from the headlines, in which the headlines happened 40-50 years ago.

Bonus feature: A rather strident jazz band playing video game music on the other size of a thin conference room door! Special thanks to Ryan Shapiro for setting up the recording space for us.

Art by Nick Wanserski. Edits by Greg Leahy.

08:30 - The Omen (1976): Ave Satani

23:14 - The Conversation (1974): Main Theme

34:23 - Three Days of the Condor: Sing Along with the C.I.A.

45:38 - Choplifter (Arcade): Mission 1

54:44 - 1979 Revolution: Staff Credits | David Hasselhoff: "Looking for Freedom"

1:11:41 - Tetris (NES, NCL): BGM 1

1:25:06 - Vectorman: Options

1:34:46 - Machete (2010): Ave Maria

1:47:22 - Nicholas Schnier: "Theme from Video & Arcade Top 10"

1:57:14 - Ghosts 'n Goblins (NES): Stage 5

Closing - Genesis: "Land of Confusion"