This episode features a panel discussion recorded live at the 2018 Midwest Gaming Classic in the Guys, Games, and Beers room, with members representing the Cartridge Club community — one of the most enduring and welcoming online communities in gaming. For more than a decade, Cartridge Club has brought together gamers and collectors of all ages through their monthly Game of the Month discussions, long-running podcast, and active Discord community.In this episode, Cartridge Club members share what they’ve learned about building and sustaining a positive, inclusive space — from encouraging meaningful conversation to creating shared experiences that keep people coming back. Whether you’re a longtime member or discovering Cartridge Club for the first time, this episode highlights why gaming communities are ultimately about the people who show up to play together.Original Panel Date: April 15, 2018Filming Location: Baird Center | 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI Listen on the Platforms Below:YOUTUBE PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpdA0-1vpLQjpokGTTg0T5F7R_sgZLKOITWITCH: https://www.twitch.tv/tvmgcSPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DKUBoR95qU2CnBZM7T3Dg?si=079961f5a0304ffbAPPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midwest-gaming-classic-podcast/id1723653911WEBSITE: https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MGCgaming/TWITCH: https://www.twitch.tv/tvmgcYOUTUBE VIDEO: @midwestgamingclassic INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/midwest_gaming_classic/© Jason C. Gares, Dan Loosen, 249 Studios & the Midwest Gaming Classic. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode, we revisit one of gaming’s most infamous moments: the North American video game crash of 1983. Was Atari really to blame, or is the story more complicated?Recorded live at the 2018 Midwest Gaming Classic, this special segment features the Retronauts Podcast team of Jeremy Parish and Bob Mackey, alongside Atari historians Martin Goldberg and Kevin Bunch. Together, they challenge the myths surrounding the crash, examine the market forces that led to the industry’s collapse, and highlight overlooked Atari innovations that were lost in the fallout.Settle in and press start on a deeper, more nuanced look at a pivotal chapter in video game history.Original Panel Date: April 14, 2018Filming Location: Baird Center | 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI TICKETS: https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/attend/WHEN: April 24-26, 2026WHERE: Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203© Jason C. Gares, Dan Loosen, 249 Studios & the Midwest Gaming Classic. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into what it means when your career — and your life — become forever tied to an iconic video game character.We’re joined by two legends from opposite sides of game culture. Jon St. John, one of gaming’s first true rock-star voice actors, is best known as the unmistakable voice of Duke Nukem, a role he’s defined since the 1990s. Sonic fans will also recognize him as Big the Cat and E-123 Omega.On the musical front, vocalist Johnny Gioeli brings a legacy just as iconic. As the lead singer of Crush 40 and longtime collaborator with Sega composer Jun Senoue, Johnny’s voice powers some of the most beloved Sonic the Hedgehog themes — from Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 to Sonic Heroes, Shadow the Hedgehog, and more.Together, we explore what it means to be permanently linked to a character: how Jon brings a hard-edged action hero to life in the booth, how Johnny channels Sonic’s energy onstage and in the studio, and the similarities and differences in performing for a character with voice acting versus music. We also look at how fan expectations shape their work and what it feels like when a single performance becomes defining for an entire generation.Join us as we go behind the voices, behind the music, and into the reality of living in the shadow of iconic characters with Jon St. John and Johnny Gioeli.Original Panel Date: April 14, 2018Filming Location: Baird Center | 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI TICKETS: https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/attend/WHEN: April 24-26, 2026WHERE: Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203© Jason C. Gares, Dan Loosen, 249 Studios & the Midwest Gaming Classic. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode, we sit down with one of the most dynamic creators in the tabletop scene: writer, game designer, and longtime RPG veteran Rob Wieland.Rob leads us on an energetic journey through the realm of role-playing games — covering updates in the newest edition of Dungeons & Dragons, and exploring the many legendary franchises he’s contributed to, from Star Wars to Firefly and beyond. Whether you’ve been rolling dice for years, you’re a devoted Critter, or you’re just curious about the hobby, there’s something here for everyone.Dungeon Masters, you’re in for a treat as well. Rob tackles familiar GM hurdles, shares practical advice for crafting narratives and encounters, and offers insights drawn from decades of shaping memorable adventures.So grab your dice and get comfortable — Rob Wieland is ready to lead you deep into the world of tabletop role-playing!Original Panel Date: April 14, 2018Filming Location: Baird Center | 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI TICKETS: https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/attend/WHEN: April 24-26, 2026WHERE: Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203© Jason C. Gares, Dan Loosen, 249 Studios & the Midwest Gaming Classic. All Rights Reserved.

Last week we wrapped up our final 2017 panels—now it’s time to jump into 2018. In this week's podcast episode, author and historian Dr. Ken Horowitz (founder of Sega-16.com) explores the rise, legacy, and lasting impact of SEGA.From its 1960s arcade roots to the Genesis/Mega Drive boom and experimental hardware like the Sega CD, 32X, Game Gear, and Dreamcast, SEGA’s history is packed with innovation and bold ideas. Dr. Horowitz also breaks down the research behind his books—From Pinballs to Pixels, Playing at the Next Level, and The SEGA Arcade Revolution—and explains why preserving gaming history matters now more than ever.Join us as we dive into SEGA’s past and discover why documenting these stories is essential to keeping gaming’s legacy alive.Original Panel Date: April 14, 2018Filming Location: Baird Center | 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI TICKETS: https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/attend/WHEN: April 24-26, 2026WHERE: Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203© Jason C. Gares, Dan Loosen, 249 Studios & the Midwest Gaming Classic. All Rights Reserved.

In the season five premiere episode, we kick things off with a true milestone in gaming history. In 2016, Terry and Dan Diebold unveiled the legendary Nintendo PlayStation prototype at the Midwest Gaming Classic — the first time it was ever shown publicly in the United States. The following year, they returned with hardware wizard Ben Heck to update us on the prototype’s travels, discoveries, and the surprising new twists in its extraordinary story.In the second half of the episode, we team up with our friends from the Watch Out for Fireballs! podcast as hosts Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross dive into the Super Nintendo classic Pilotwings. For the MGC audience, they break down what makes this launch title such a soothing yet quietly demanding standout in Nintendo’s early 16-bit lineup.Original Panel Date: Sunday, April 9, 2017Filming Location: Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel | 375 S Moorland Rd, Brookfield, WI TICKETS: https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/attend/WHEN: April 24-26, 2026WHERE: Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203© Jason C. Gares, Dan Loosen, 249 Studios & the Midwest Gaming Classic. All Rights Reserved.

In the last podcast episode of the season, the Nostalgia Critic Crew returns to the Midwest Gaming Classic to discuss the good, bad, and ugly of arcade game film and series adaptations! What makes an adaptation good or bad? Which ones are the Crew’s favorites and why? Which ones are their least favorite? And why did the movie ‘Mean Girls’ get a video game adaptation? (Seriously, they might not be able to answer that one. We can’t either.)TICKETS: https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/attend/WHEN: April 24-26, 2026WHERE: Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203© Jason C. Gares, Dan Loosen, 249 Studios & the Midwest Gaming Classic. All Rights Reserved.

Join the man known as the “Father of Adventure Games” Scott Adams, as well as David A. Rodriguez, an associate narrative director for one of today’s biggest adventure games, Diablo IV! Historian Martin Goldberg will moderate this journey exploring the differences in how early games were made compared to the games of today.TICKETS: https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/attend/WHEN: April 24-26, 2026WHERE: Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203© Jason C. Gares, Dan Loosen, 249 Studios & the Midwest Gaming Classic. All Rights Reserved.

Your voice is more than a sound you make, and no one can share that message better than actors Carolina Ravassa (Sombra in Overwatch) and Christopher Sean (Ultraman/Ken Sato in Netflix’s Ultraman: Rising). Join them as they talk about how they got their roles, as well as how to juggle personal health and well-being.TICKETS: https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/attend/WHEN: April 24-26, 2026WHERE: Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203© Jason C. Gares, Dan Loosen, 249 Studios & the Midwest Gaming Classic. All Rights Reserved.

Think you’ve got what it takes to become a voice actor? Enter the mines with the people behind the voices of Zane, Kim, and Pierce the Sheep from the Aphmau channel on YouTube! Select audience members will read scripts, and this awesome voice acting crew will provide fun feedback!TICKETS: https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/attend/WHEN: April 24-26, 2026WHERE: Baird Center, 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203© Jason C. Gares, Dan Loosen, 249 Studios & the Midwest Gaming Classic. All Rights Reserved.