
Game Crimes Episode 6 - Gold Medal Games: Sonic Mania ft. Sid Menon
Description: Part 2 of our 3-part series on video game communities, the criminals are joined by Sid Menon of the We Thought About Games podcast as we examine 2017's retro-platformer throwback Sonic Mania. How did the Sonic fangame community go from a loose collection of gaming nerds to the creative forefront of the franchise? We stretch our legs in this extra-length episode to tell the story of romhackers going legit and how communities can wrestle back history from the forces of corporate-fueled nostalgia.
GAME CRIMES is a history project by Mike Bachmann (Greetings Adventures Podcast, Roll for Streetwise) and Jay (now June) Munford (SHU Podcast, Poor Skeleton Games) detailing the black market history of video games. Each podcast covers a single topic, provides some historical context and reviews a few games related to the topic. On the GAME CRIMES interactive streams, Mike and Jay answer questions, give how-to demonstrations and play these games for the first time.
Games Reviewed:
Sonic Mania (Xbox One, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows) by PagodaWest, Headcannon and Sega of America
Music:
Unused Song 1 from Knuckles Chaotix by Junko Shiratsu and Mariko Nanba (Sega 32X)
Spring Yard Zone Re-Imagined by Tee Lopes
Haunted Heights Zone from Sonic Robo Blast 2 by DrTapeworm (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Quick Escape from SegaSonic the Hedgehog by Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Keitaro Hanada and Naoki Tokiwa (Arcade)
Shield of Discovery from Sonic X-treme by Chris Senn (Sega Saturn, cancelled)
Sunset Town (unused) from Sonic the Fighters by Maki Morrow and Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (Arcade)
Shield of Discovery from Sonic X-treme by Chris Senn (Sega Saturn, cancelled)
For more info on GAME CRIMES or to contact the podcast, check us out here -
Website: www.gamecrimespod.com/
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/gamecrimes
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gamecrimespod
BIG THANKS to Steph, our (brave & intrepid) editor. You can hire her to edit your stuff @StephOKingston
0:00
A note from June - that's poorskeletongames.com :)
0:49
1993 Sonic Mania Day Commercial
1:03
Unused Song 1 from Knuckles Chaotix by Junko Shiratsu and Mariko Nanba (Sega 32X)
1:22
Introducing Sonic Mania and Sid Menon (@beamsplashx)!
11:42
Spring Yard Zone Re-Imagined by Tee Lopes
12:17
A Brief History of Romhacking, Fangames and The Sonic Community
29:48
Haunted Heights Zone from Sonic Robo Blast 2 by DrTapeworm (Windows, Mac, Linux)
30:14
Reading Series - Excerpts from "Pocket-Sized Archives: Classic Consoles, Consumed Nostalgia, and Corporate Rememory" by James K. Harris, The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 0, No. 0, 2021
51:55
Quick Escape from SegaSonic the Hedgehog by Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Keitaro Hanada and Naoki Tokiwa (Arcade)
52:28
Why does Sonic as a "brand" attract such passionate communities?
1:10:56
Shield of Discovery from Sonic X-treme by Chris Senn (Sega Saturn, cancelled)
1:11:12
How much of retro gaming is just marketing? How do we distinguish corporate history from communal history?
1:35:09
Sunset Town (unused) from Sonic the Fighters by Maki Morrow and Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (Arcade)
1:35:41
REVIEW: Sonic Mania (Xbox One, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows) by PagodaWest, Headcannon and Sega of America
1:45:39
Signoff
1:49:58
Shield of Discovery from Sonic X-treme by Chris Senn (Sega Saturn, cancelled)
Jun 11, 2021
1 hr 50 min

Episode 5 - Fan Translations
Description: Part 1 of our new 3-part series on video game communities, we explore the wild world of fan translations. What motivates someone to hack a video game into another language when it may not be legal to do so and how do game companies benefit from the exhaustive labor of fandom?
GAME CRIMES is a history project by Mike Bachmann (Greetings Adventures Podcast, Roll for Streetwise) and Jay Munford (SHU Podcast, Poor Skeleton Games) detailing the black market history of video games. Each podcast covers a single topic, provides some historical context and reviews a few games related to the topic. On the GAME CRIMES interactive streams, Mike and Jay answer questions, give how-to demonstrations and play these games for the first time.
Games Reviewed:
Garage: Bad Dream Adventure (Windows) by Kinotrope
LSD: Dream Emulator (Playstation) by Asmik Ace
Music:
First Step Towards Wars from Ys I + II by Yuzo Koshiro (NEC PC Engine CD-ROM)
Nostalgia from Final Fantasy V by Nobuo Uematsu, interpreted by Orchestral Fantasy (SNES)
Final Climax of the Fighting Queen & Magic Girl Part 3 from Madou Monogatari 1-2-3 by Toshiaki Sakodo, Masanobu Tsukamoto (MSX)
Gallant Battle (Guitar Version) from Valkyria Chronicles III by Hitoshi Sakimoto (Sony PSP)
Mimiga Town from Cave Story by Pixel (Windows)
A Miracle is Coming from Tobal No. 2 by Takayuki Nakamura (PS1)
Battle #58 from Ys IV: Dawn of Ys by Atsushi Shirakawa, Naoki Kaneda, Takahiro Tsunashima, Masaru Nakajima (NEC PC Engine CD-ROM)
For more info on GAME CRIMES or to contact the podcast, check us out here -
Website: www.gamecrimespod.com/
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/gamecrimes
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gamecrimespod
BIG THANKS to Steph, our (brave & intrepid) editor. You can find her at @StephOKingston
0:00
First Step Towards Wars from Ys I + II by Yuzo Koshiro (NEC PC Engine CD-ROM)
0:28
Introduction!
2:27
Nostalgia from Final Fantasy V by Nobuo Uematsu, interpreted by Orchestral Fantasy (SNES)
2:49
A Brief History of Fan Translations
10:52
Final Climax of the Fighting Queen & Magic Girl Part 3 from Madou Monogatari 1-2-3 by Toshiaki Sakodo, Masanobu Tsukamoto (MSX)
11:19
Are Fan Translations Legal?
18:18
Gallant Battle (Guitar Version) from Valkyria Chronicles III by Hitoshi Sakimoto (Sony PSP)
18:44
Reading Series - Excerpts from "A Peek into the Underground World of Fan-Translated Games" by Alexa Ray Corriea, available at https://www.polygon.com/2014/5/14/5335288/fan-translations-japanese-western-localization-translation-games
30:21
Gallant Battle (Guitar Version) from Valkyria Chronicles III by Hitoshi Sakimoto (Sony PSP)
30:55
Why is Fan Translation Necessary? Notes from Woosley
39:00
Mimiga Town from Cave Story by Pixel (Windows)
39:20
How to Access Fan Translations
46:43
A Miracle's Coming from Tobal No. 2 by Takayuki Nakamura (PS1)
47:06
REVIEW: Garage: Bad Dream Adventure (Windows) by Kinotrope
58:30
REVIEW: LSD: Dream Emulator (Playstation) by Asmik Ace
1:07:25
Signoff
1:09:15
Battle #58 from Ys IV: Dawn of Ys by Atsushi Shirakawa, Naoki Kaneda, Takahiro Tsunashima, Masaru Nakajima (NEC PC Engine CD-ROM)
Apr 16, 2021
1 hr 9 min

Episode 4 - Heroes of Games: Danielle Bunten Berry
Description: In this episode, we turn our microscope lens to influential transwoman game designer Danielle Bunten Berry. Berry's games laid the foundation for much of what we know about modern multiplayer games and exploring her notes provides us a broader window to discuss queer erasure in video game history.
CONTENT WARNING: Telling Danielle's story requires us to discuss some of the extreme transphobia she encountered in her life.
GAME CRIMES is a history project by Mike Bachmann (Greetings Adventures Podcast, Roll for Streetwise) and Jay Munford (SHU Podcast, Poor Skeleton Games) detailing the black market history of video games. Each podcast covers a single topic, provides some historical context and reviews a few games related to the topic. On the GAME CRIMES interactive streams, Mike and Jay answer questions, give how-to demonstrations and play these games for the first time.
Games Reviewed:
M.U.L.E. (Windows 10) by Turborilla
Seven Cities of Gold (Windows) by Sega
Music:
Theme from M.U.L.E. by Roy Glover & Nick Eastridge (NES)
Theme from Heart of Africa by Roy Glover (C64)
Theme from Robot Rascals by Dave Warhol (C64)
Theme from M.U.L.E. 1996 Clone by Unknown (DOS)
Theme from The Seven Cities of Gold (C64) by Roy Glover
Theme from M.U.L.E. by Roy Glover & Nick Eastridge (C64)
For more info on GAME CRIMES or to contact the podcast, check us out here -
Website: www.gamecrimespod.com/
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/gamecrimes
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gamecrimespod
BIG THANKS to Steph, our (brave & intrepid) editor. You can find her at @StephOKingston
0:36
Theme from M.U.L.E. by Roy Glover & Nick Eastridge (NES)
0:30
Introduction!
3:55
Theme from Heart of Africa by Roy Glover (C64)
4:22
Danielle's Biography
22:08
Theme from M.U.L.E. by Roy Glover & Nick Eastridge (NES)
12:18
The Influence of M.U.L.E.
21:01
Theme from Robot Rascals by Dave Warhol (C64)
21:34
Queer Erasure in History (Jay Monologue)
26:30
Theme from M.U.L.E. (1996 Clone) by Unknown (DOS)
26:55
Danielle's Game Design Philosophy
41:24
Theme from The Seven Cities of Gold (C64) by Roy Glover
41:55
Reading Danielle's Games in Light of Her Personal History
50:12
Theme from The Seven Cities of Gold (C64) by Roy Glover
50:37
REVIEW: M.U.L.E. (Windows 10) by Turborilla
56:26
REVIEW: Seven Cities of Gold (Windows) by Sega
1:05:22
Signoff
1:07:00
Theme from M.U.L.E. by Roy Glover & Nick Eastridge (C64)
Dec 28, 2020
1 hr 7 min

Episode 3 - The Life & Afterlife of the Sega Dreamcast
Description: On the anniversary of 9.9.99, we commune with the spirit of the Sega Dreamcast. We mourn together, celebrate its history and examine its corpse. It shouldn't have existed but its disciples won't let it die! Blue Skies Forever!
GAME CRIMES is a history project by Mike Bachmann (Greetings Adventures Podcast, Roll for Streetwise) and Jay Munford (SHU Podcast, Poor Skeleton Games) detailing the black market history of video games. Each podcast covers a single topic, provides some historical context and reviews a few games related to the topic. On the GAME CRIMES interactive streams, Mike and Jay answer questions, give how-to demonstrations and play these games for the first time.
Games Reviewed:
Napple Tale (Sega Dreamcast) by Sega
Xenocrisis (Sega Dreamcast) by Bitmap Bureau
Music:
Sega Dreamcast Commercial - It's Thinking!
Capcom vs SNK 2: Millionaire Fighting 2001 - This is True Love Makin' (Dreamcast) by Satoshi Ise.
Last Blade 2 - Vortex (Neo-Geo) by Shinsekai Gakkyoku Zatsugidan. Arrangement by Ayumi Yasui.
Metropolis Street Racer - Time (Dreamcast) by Richard Jacques.
Space Channel 5 - Spaceport Introducting Ulala!! (Dreamcast) by Naofumi Hataya & Kenichi Tokoi.
Roommania 203 - Am I Only Dreaming? (Dreamcast) by Richard Jacques.
Xeno Crisis - Ending (Dreamcast) by Savaged Regime.
Napple Tale 妖精図鑑 - ほうせんか (Dreamcast) by Yoko Kanno.
Phantasy Star Online - A Song for Eternal Story (Dreamcast) by Hideaki Kobayashi & Fumie Kumatani.
For more info on GAME CRIMES or to contact the podcast, check us out here -
Website: http://www.gamecrimespod.com/
Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/gamecrimes
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/gamecrimespod
BIG THANKS to Steph, our (brave & intrepid) editor. She didn't edit this episode, so don't get mad at her. In fact, don't get mad at her at all.
0:00
Sega Dreamcast Commercial - It's Thinking!
0:30
Introduction!
1:53
Capcom vs SNK 2: Millionaire Fighting 2001 - This is True Love Makin' (Dreamcast) by Satoshi Ise.
2:37
THE LIFE
22:08
Last Blade 2 - Vortex (Neo-Geo) by Shinsekai Gakkyoku Zatsugidan. Arrangement by Ayumi Yasui.
22:38
5 Games to Tell A Story
35:20
Last Blade 2 - Vortex (Neo-Geo) by Shinsekai Gakkyoku Zatsugidan. Arrangement by Ayumi Yasui.
35:57
THE DEATH
43:10
Metropolis Street Racer - Time (Dreamcast) by Richard Jacques.
43:41
GAME CRIMES READING SERIES: "In Memorial: Isao Okawa Remembered" by Steven Kent. Next Generation 78, June 2001.
51:47
Space Channel 5 - Spaceport Introducting Ulala!! (Dreamcast) by Naofumi Hataya & Kenichi Tokoi.
52:21
THE AFTERLIFE
1:02:56
Roommania 203 - Am I Only Dreaming? (Dreamcast) by Richard Jacques.
1:03:25
MIND PALACE: 'Blue Sky Zone'
1:09:11
Xeno Crisis - Ending (Dreamcast) by Savaged Regime.
1:09:47
REVIEW: Xeno Crisis (2020) for the Sega Dreamcast
1:15:55
Napple Tale 妖精図鑑 - ほうせんか (Dreamcast) by Yoko Kanno.
1:16:26
REVIEW: Napple Tale (2000) for the Sega Dreamcast
1:22:20
Signoff
1:24:18
Phantasy Star Online - A Song for Eternal Story (Dreamcast) by Hideaki Kobayashi & Fumie Kumatani.
Sep 10, 2020
1 hr 24 min

Episode 2 - Mr. Gameboy's Bootleg Handheld Buyer's Guide
Description: Bachmann takes us on a trip through the wild west of black market video game consoles. Do you want to play Dreamcast games on the subway? Are you curious if you can install linux on a gameboy? Is there really a black market version of the App Store? Find out here.
GAME CRIMES is a history project by Mike Bachmann (Greetings Adventures Podcast, Roll for Streetwise) and Jay Munford (SHU Podcast, Poor Skeleton Games) detailing the black market history of video games. Each podcast covers a single topic, provides some historical context and reviews a few games related to the topic. On the GAME CRIMES interactive streams, Mike and Jay answer questions, give how-to demonstrations and play these games for the first time.
Games Reviewed:
Donkey Kong '94 (Nintendo Gameboy)
Avenging Spirit (Nintendo Gameboy)
Music:
Unreleased Wu-Tang Clan Super Game Boy commercial ft. RZA & Ol' Dirty Bastard.
Robocop - Title Theme (Gameboy) by Johnathan Dunn.
Megaman V - Venus (Gameboy) by Kouji Murata. Arrangement by HatredElemental.
Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance - Successor of Fate (Gameboy Advance), by Michiru Yamane & Soshio Hokkai. YM2612 Cover by Savaged Regime.
Donkey Kong '94 - Shodown at the Tower (Gameboy) by Taisuke Araki. Piano arrangement by Eleventh Floor.
Avenging Spirit - 7th Underground (Arcade) by STUDIO O.K. Arranged by Masaki Kase.
SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters Clash 2 Expand Edition - Battle Theme by SNK New World Music Performance Team.
For more info on GAME CRIMES or to contact the podcast, check us out here -
Website: http://www.gamecrimespod.com/
Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/gamecrimes
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/gamecrimespod
BIG THANKS to Steph, our (brave & intrepid) editor.
0:00
Unreleased Wu-Tang Clan Super Game Boy commercial ft. RZA & Ol' Dirty Bastard.
0:40
What are bootleg handhelds
6:54
Robocop - Title Theme (Gameboy) by Johnathan Dunn.
7:42
A brief history of bootleg consoles
20:12
Megaman V - Venus (Gameboy) by Kouji Murata. Arrangement by HatredElemental.
20:44
Mr. Gameboy's Bootleg Handheld Buyer's Guide (from the GAME CRIMES stream)
44:10
Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance - Successor of Fate (Gameboy Advance), by Michiru Yamane & Soshio Hokkai. YM2612 Cover by Savaged Regime.
44:40
GAME CRIMES Reading Series: excerpts from "Fake It Till You Make It: How 1990s Polish Kids Discovered Nintendo Through Piracy" by Patryk Grabowski
49:00
Donkey Kong '94 - Shodown at the Tower (Gameboy) by Taisuke Araki. Piano arrangement by Eleventh Floor.
49:34
REVIEW: Donkey Kong '94 (Gameboy)
1:01:14
Avenging Spirit - 7th Underground (Arcade) by STUDIO O.K. Arranged by Masaki Kase.
1:01:48
REVIEW: Avenging Spirit (Gameboy)
1:06:50
Signoff
1:08:40
SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters Clash 2 Expand Edition - Battle Theme by SNK New World Music Performance Team.
Jul 27, 2020
1 hr 9 min

FREE GAMES CLICK HERE
Why can you be arrested for downloading a 30 year old computer game? Why do librarians, archivists and piracy rings have to break the law to preserve our history? And what does Mike have to do to get his valuable 'theories' into the Library of Congress?
GAME CRIMES is a history project by Mike Bachmann (Greetings Adventures Podcast, Roll for Streetwise) and Jay Munford (SHU Podcast, Poor Skeleton Games) detailing the black market history of video games. Each podcast covers a single topic, provides some historical context and reviews a few games related to the topic. On the GAME CRIMES interactive streams, Mike and Jay answer questions, give how-to demonstrations and play these games for the first time.
Games Reviewed:
Ken's Labyrinth (DOS)
ZZT (DOS)
Timecodes:
0:00 - What is GAME CRIMES?
6:21 - A brief history of patent law & video games
25:34 - What is abandonware and is it legal?
37:18 - How can YOU get ahold of abandonware?
49:30 - THE GAME CRIMES READING SERIES - The Underdog Manifesto
53:04 - THE GAUNTLET - Mike describes various software distribution models, at gunpoint
1:00:21 - REVIEW: Ken's Labyrinth
1:14:57 - REVIEW: ZZT
1:27:16 - Signoff
Music:
Hit Vibes by Saint Pepsi
Don't Copy That Floppy 1 by...some multinational software company propagandist, kiss my ass
Commander Keen 8 - Robotic Keenery (PC) by ZidaneA
Jazz Jackrabbit - Orbitus (PC) by Robert A. Allen & Alexander Brandon
4D Driving - Race Lost (FM Towns) by Michael J. Sokyrka, Kris Hatlelid & Brian Plank
Ken's Labyrinth - Level 4 (PC) by Ken Silverman
ZZT - Frost 1; Tower (PC) by Zenith Nadir
Don't Copy That Floppy 2 by...you got it, kiss my ass again
Website: http://www.gamecrimespod.com/
Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/gamecrimes
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/gamecrimespod
BIG THANKS to Steph, our (brave & intrepid) editor.
Jul 7, 2020
1 hr 28 min
