Jennifer Miller Hammel, host of Classical California’s Arcade, is t-spinning her way in to discuss the titanic tuneful tetrad of Tetris (Game Boy, 1989), Tetris (NES, 1989), Tetris DX (Game Boy Color, 1998), and Tetris 99 (Nintendo Switch, 2018) with Mike and Jaymo as part of The Old SwitchAroo’s epic quest to research and review every retro game in Nintendo Switch Online’s Nintendo Classics catalog.In this episode, Jennifer shares her efforts to get video game music from game rooms to the concert hall, including how she’s brought video game music into both Classical California’s mornings and always streaming on Classical California’s Arcade featuring both video game music and the classical music that influenced it. Everyone shares some of their favorite video game soundtracks, from Street Fighter and Cruis’n USA to Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, and Jennifer gives her perspective on how video game music can follow the same trajectory that John Williams took film scores on to get the music integrated into modern classical music performances.Once they pick up the controllers, Jennifer helps contextualize the music attached to Tetris, from the now-iconic Tetris theme Korobeiniki and The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to the original music created for Tetris DX. We’ll also take a very big leap down the rabbit hole that has been the quest to beat Tetris on the NES, including discussing the Classic Tetris World Championship and how players have met every new challenge that has been found in Tetris over the last few years. And Mike will share one of the most unpredictable Tetris reviews he thinks you’ve ever heard.Thanks for listening, and a very special thanks to Kristal Fields of The Lazy Circles for our catchy theme song! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com, where you'll find links to our Discord, social media, and so much more!Game on, everyone.(0:00) Intro(0:59) Welcoming Jennifer Miller Hammel(16:45) Tetris (GB)(50:20) Tetris (NES)(1:11:53) Tetris DX (Game Boy Color)(1:19:28) Tetris 99 (Nintendo Switch)(1:28:53) NintenDO or NintenDON’T(1:36:25) OutroCatch Jennifer Miller Hammel in the mornings on Classical California or anytime by checking out the always-streaming Arcade: https://www.classicalcalifornia.org/arcadeTetris (NES) Manual: https://www.retrogames.cz/manualy/NES/Tetris_(Nintendo)_-_NES_-_Manual.pdfTetris DX Manual: https://www.thegameisafootarcade.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Tetris-DX-Game-Manual.pdfTetris Opera - Video Games Live (VGL) - Vocals by Jillian Aversa | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1yZEs-hBHoObjective Ministries Tetris Review: https://objectiveministries.org/zounds/gaming.htmlTetris Official Website - Fun Facts: https://tetris.com/news/fun-factsFirst person to play a videogame in space | Guinness World Records: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/109300-first-person-to-play-a-videogame-in-spaceJeopardy! messed up by taking a silly gaming meme at face value by Michael McWhertor | Polygon: https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/9/20906250/jeopardy-tetris-viral-photoshop-joke/World’s biggest game of Tetris played out on 2,000 drones by Anthony Cuthbertson | The Independent: https://www.the-independent.com/tech/worlds-biggest-game-of-tetris-drones-b2885283.htmlComplete History Of The Soviet Union, Arranged To The Melody Of Tetris | pigwiththefaceofaboy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWTFG3J1CP8Nintendo A Cappella by Redefined: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSBIAGCulDwThe History of Tetris World Records | Summoning Salt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOJlg8g8_yw

Blindfolded speedrunner BlazeingPhoenix is ready to barrel through Donkey Kong (NES, 1986) and Donkey Kong (Game Boy, 1994) with Mike and Jaymo as part of The Old SwitchAroo’s epic quest to research and review every retro game in Nintendo Switch Online’s Nintendo Classics catalog.In this episode, we talk about the impressive world of blindfolded speedruns and BlazeingPhoenix takes us on his journey into blindfolded speedrunning, including watching Ocarina of Time blindfolded as part of Games Done Quick and trying to beat Kingdom Hearts blindfolded before submitting the first blindfolded Donkey Kong speed run and speedrunning Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition for GDQ Hotfix. Along the way, we’ll also look at how Donkey Kong began design as a Popeye-themed game before evolving to the giant gorilla we all know in a decision that would see Nintendo and Universal Studios face off over the rights to King Kong, what causes the Donkey Kong kill screen, and how Donkey Kong on the Game Boy nearly had a level editor years before Mario Maker would make its debut.Thanks for listening, and a very special thanks to Kristal Fields of The Lazy Circles for our catchy theme song! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com, where you'll find links to our Discord, social media, and so much more!Game on, everyone.(0:00) Intro(1:10) BlazingPhoenix(10:30) Donkey Kong (NES)(38:05) NintenDis or Dat(41:58) Donkey Kong (Game Boy)(1:04:47) NintenDO or NintenDON’TWatch more of BlazeingPhoenix at https://www.twitch.tv/blazeingphoenix and https://www.youtube.com/@Blazeingphoenix.And if all this has you motivated to try some blindfolded speedrunning of your own, check out https://blindfoldedgaming.com/Donkey Kong (NES) manual: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clv/manuals/en/pdf/CLV-P-NAAEE.pdfDonkey Kong (Game Boy) manual: https://www.retrogames.cz/manualy/GameBoy/Donkey_Kong_-_GameBoy_-_Manual.pdfThe History of Blindfolded Punch-Out | Summoning Salt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZT6JEOC3D8  Mike Tyson's Punch-Out - 2 player 1 controller blindfolded speedrun w/ sinister1 @ AGDQ 2020 [23:39] | zallard1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4HnZ4-_HzI  Blindfolded Mike Tyson's Punch-Out in 15:57.76 (World Record) | Summoning Alt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eelj0jv-4u0  Super Mario 64 Relay by 70 Runners in 1:55:53 - Awesome Games Done Quick 2026: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-VFPEh59k4 (Mike got the number of stars wrong)  Games Done Blindfolded Day 1 - GDQ Hotfix Speedruns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9erTZ7jpvMk&t=6760s  My GDQ's Games Done Blindfolded Run | NWC NES Edition by Blazeingphoenix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmzwaoJ--YoAwesome Games Done Quick 2015 - Part 169 - Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Blindfolded) by Runnerguy2489: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhHMW_atNG4&t=807  Kingdom Hearts 1 Blindfolded Speedrun! World First Completion by Bubzia! | Bubzia - Blindfolded Speedruns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOTWE9aEmtc  Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World by David Sheff: https://www.amazon.com/Game-Over-Nintendo-Conquered-World/dp/0679736220/Mario Origins: How A Popeye Game Became Donkey Kong by "Critical Kate" Willaert | ACriticalHit: https://www.acriticalhit.com/hidden-influences-mario-how-popeye-game-became-donkey-kong/From UVA Law Student to Beloved Nintendo Character: The Story of John Kirby, Jr. by Ryan Moore | Virginia Law Weekly: https://www.lawweekly.org/col/2023/11/12/from-uva-law-student-to-beloved-nintendo-character-the-story-of-john-kirby-jrWorld's First | Blindfolded Donkey Kong (NES) | any% [2:23] | Blazeingphoenix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPqjc362XMs  Donkey Kong 1994 Wonder Life Special - APE Inc. Official Nintendo Guide: https://archive.org/details/donkey-kong-1994-ape-official-nintendo-guide/Donkey%20Kong%201994%20APE%20Official%20Nintendo%20Guide

Markivus Nious from 40 Something Gamers is ready to run and gun through Contra: Hard Corps (Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, 1994) with Mike and Jaymo as part of The Old SwitchAroo’s epic quest to research and review every retro game in Nintendo Switch Online’s Nintendo Classics catalog.In this episode, Markivus shares his perspective as a musician on video game music, we discuss how the American version of Contra: Hard Corps was much more difficult than the Japanese version of the game in order to stymie the American rental market, how the Contra franchise turned into Probotector in some parts of Europe, and the way a Castlevania cameo in Contra: Hard Corps stands in between the player and primate romance. We also get a bit more serious with a look at Contra’s roots in the Iran-Contra Affair and how games like Contra relate - or don’t relate - to violence in the real world.Thanks for listening, and a very special thanks to Kristal Fields of The Lazy Circles for our catchy theme song! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com, where you'll find links to our Discord, social media, and so much more!Game on, everyone.(0:00) Intro(1:10) Welcoming Markivus from 40 Something Gamers(5:30) Contra: Hard Corps(56:12) NintenDO or NintenDON’TCheck out Markivus Nious on 40 Something Gamers and his other projects at https://www.spreaker.com/user/nious-media--8222146 and on Youtube @markivus: https://youtube.com/@markivusContra Hard Corps manual: https://manuals.sega.com/genesismini/pdf/CONTRA_HARD_CORPS.pdfStrangest Thing Cinematic Instrumental by Markivus Nious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU0s4ItMip8Contra: Hard Corps by NickBGoHard in 18:04 - AGDQ2020 | Games Done Quick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5zpRvCwkZ8[ESA Winter 2023] Contra Hard Corps Speedrun in 18:19 (JP Browny - Lab/Surrender route) | Greenalink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJfbfaIhQ-oContra: Hard Corps – 1994 Developer Commentary | BEEP! Mega Drive, October 1994 via shmuplations: https://shmuplations.com/contrahc/

SPOILER WARNING: Today we’re joined once again by Kyle Ford (ByeDoom, Steam Team) and Instragram’s Bryan.S.Lee to present an in-depth review of Mortal Kombat 2, in theatres everywhere May 2026. We break down the theatrical poster, present some behind-the-scenes trivia from The Crypt (aka IMDB.com) and even play a game of “Choose Your Fighter” before breaking down the JoyPros and JoyCons of every fight and fatality!Thanks for listening, and big thanks to HubRobert for the incredible violin cover! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com, where you'll find links to our Discord, social media, and so much more!Game on, everyone.(0:00) Intro(1:00) Introducing Bryan(1:23) Introducing Kyle(3:25) Poster Breakdown(6:42) IMDB Behind-the-Scenes Trivia(10:48) Mini-Game Minute: Choose Your Fighter(30:13) JoyPros/JoyCons: Prologue(40:21) JoyPros/JoyCons: Round 1(54:00) Joy Pros/JoyCons: Round 2(59:05) JoyPros/JoyCons: Final Round(1:10:11) NintenDo or NintenDon’t(1:14:21) OutroTo check out the ByeDoom RSS Scrubber and Steam Team, visit www.HouseofKyle.comAnd to bask in the glory of Bryan’s cosplay & activism, visit https://www.instagram.com/bryan.s.lee/Hun Robert’s hype grooves can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@HunRobert

Steve Guntli from CinemArcade, Ultra 64, and Wii Universe takes a seat at the round table to discuss Zelda clone Quest for Camelot for the Game Boy Color (1998) - and the film of the same name - with Mike and Jaymo as part of The Old SwitchAroo’s epic quest to research and review every retro game in Nintendo Switch Online’s Nintendo Classics catalog.In this episode, we discuss how the Quest for Camelot movie was shaped (and dwarfed) by the Disney Renaissance, the struggles of Warner Brothers Feature Animation (and the underappreciated film that is Cats Don’t Dance), how not to rip off The Legend of Zelda games, the illustrious resume of Titus Interactive, and Jaymo and Steve pitch their ideas on how to make a good Quest for Camelot game.Thanks for listening, and a very special thanks to Kristal Fields of The Lazy Circles for our catchy theme song! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com, where you'll find links to our Discord, social media, and so much more!Game on, everyone.(0:00) Intro(1:20) Welcoming Steve Guntli(7:37) Quest for Camelot(10:55) Quest for Camelot, the movie(36:45) Quest for Camelot, the game(1:02:05) NintenDO or NintenDON’TCheck out Steve’s current movie and video game podcast CinemArcade at https://linktr.ee/cinemarcade  Or join Steve in the Full Moon cinematic catalog with Puppet Masters / Castle Freaks: https://linktr.ee/puppetmasterscastlefreaksFor Steve’s podcast that inspired Jaymo, check out the evergreen Ultra 64: Wii Universe: https://www.ultra64podcast.com/Quest for Camelot Manual: https://www.videogamemanual.com/gbc/Quest%20for%20Camelot%20(USA).pdfA Misguided ‘Quest’? By Jeffery Wells | The Record: https://web.archive.org/web/20250103182334/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-article-about-quest-for-came/60193384/Wayne's World by Ritzblues in 23:20 - Summer Games Done Quick 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96-Wye_2MA

Josh from Smashing Game Time and Star Wars cosplayer Bryan Lee hit the track with Jaymo in this special Lite Switch episode devoted to Star Wars Episode One: Racer, released for the Nintendo 64 in 1999. We begin our discussion by comparing the trilogy of Star Wars trilogies in our Mini-Game Minute: Marry, Force, Kill! From there, we blast our way through the unconventional box art, debate the problematic characterizations of Star Wars aliens, and even reveal the collectible card games that threaten total destruction of our wallets! Happy Early Star Wars Day, and May the Force Be With You, Always…Thanks for listening! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com, where you'll find links to our Discord, social media, and so much more!Game on, everyone.(0:00) Intro(1:30) Welcoming Bryan(2:12) Welcoming Josh(2:47) May the 4th Be With You(4:20) Mini-Game Minute: Marry, Force, Kill(14:36) Box Art Breakdown(19:34) Knowledge is Nintendo Power(32:07) JoyPros of Episode One: Racer(55:05) JoyCons of Episode One: Racer(1:15:11) NintenDo or NintenDon’t(1:18:20) OutroCheck out Josh at https://www.smashinggametime.com/Follow Bryan’s adventures in cosplay at https://www.instagram.com/bryan.s.lee/Star Wars Episode I: Racer [30s] TV Commercial 2 for Nintendo 64 - N64 - 1999: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoPLjWogaF8

Jaymo’s brothers are back from outer space to see who will survive Alien Storm (Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, 1991), joining Mike and Jaymo as part of The Old SwitchAroo’s epic quest to research and review every retro game in Nintendo Switch Online’s Nintendo Classics catalog!In this episode, Jaymo pulls back the curtain on Sega’s AM1 Division and Team Shinobi as the Amusement Machine behind Alien Storm, we compare this to its stylistic forebearer Golden Axe and speculate about how the continues could’ve been handled better, and we all try to figure out what it is about the Nintendo Switch Online games that leads to such inconsistent frame rate performance when playing online multiplayer. Then Jaymo hosts a Mini-Game Minute: AI for Detail.Thanks for listening, and a very special thanks to Kristal Fields of The Lazy Circles for our catchy theme song! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com, where you'll find links to our Discord, social media, and so much more!Game on, everyone.(0:00) Intro(1:05) Welcoming Justin and Jonathan(3:10) Alien Storm(27:25) Mini-Game Minute: AI for Detail(34:58) Alien Storm (cont’d)(47:30) NintenDO or NintenDON’TAlien Storm manual: https://dn710301.ca.archive.org/0/items/Alien_Storm_1991_Sega_US/Alien_Storm_Manual.pdf

You gotta catch this exclusive first-look at Jason Paige: The Game in an interview with The Voice of a Generation himself! As the original singer of the Pokémon theme song, Jason is beloved by fans around the globe, and his upcoming limited-run game (published by Ultra Dolphin Revolution) is a loving tribute to not only his career but the legacy of 8-bit handheld gaming and the emotional rollercoaster of collecting trading cards.If you’re looking for the inside scoop on one of the hottest upcoming collectibles, there’s no need to search far and wide! In this episode full of friendship and fun, Jason shares some of his favorite memories of "being the very best, like no one ever was" and reveals some cheeky secrets that fans will want to look out for after ordering the game at www.mysterypak.com. Plus, he spills the tea on the rare in-game achievement that will unlock a one-of-a-kind real-life collectible: a signed Jason Paige trading card available only in the limited-edition blind box!Thanks for listening, and a very special thanks to Kristal Fields of The Lazy Circles for our catchy theme song! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com, where you'll find links to our Discord, social media, and so much more!Game on, everyone.(0:00) Intro(0:58) Welcoming Jason Paige(2:53) Finding Inspiratio in Retro Collectibles(4:52) JP Trading Cards: The Rarest of the Rare!(8:00) Meeting Ultra Dolphin Revolution(9:30) Pokemon Go & Video Games Live(15:45) JP Fandom is the Greatest Fandom(17:58) JP: The Game!- Sneak Peek(21:50) Unlocking the Rarest Gaming Achievement/Collectible(27:03) Secrets, Easter Eggs, and Stories from Behind the Music(33:20) Outro & Upcoming PerformancesCheck out Jason Paige in his new video game at https://mysterypak.com/Find everything else that Jason Paige is up to at his web site https://jasonpaige.com/ or on YouTube at  @JasonPaige  Pokémon Go Theme "Catch The World With A Throw: A Tribute To Pokémon Go" by Jason Paige: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJEp0qMNivM It'll Always Be Me & You - Detective Pikachu Theme by Jason Paige: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxEN5J4aI2IVideo Games Live 2018 4K: Jason Paige sings “Pokémon!” (Full Song) 2023 revisit | Game Buffet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lLMbttl7YkLOVE IS THE FREQUENCY (Official Video) – Jason Paige & AIN0 | Directed by BSlade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR-wQ3lPFz0

SPOILER WARNING: Bryan and Lisa join Mike & Jaymo to discuss the blockbuster animated sequel, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” starring Chris Pratt, Brie Larson, and Donald Glover. Released April 1st, 2026 (no seriously), this colorful Illumination family-film has split the room, but whose hot-take will wind up on top? We break down the poster, the plot, and even play a quick round of trivia for our Mini-Game Minute. Let’s-a-go!Thanks for listening! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com, where you'll find links to our Discord, social media, and so much more!Game on, everyone.(0:00) Intro (1:00) Welcoming Bryan and Lisa (2:45) The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (6:38) Mini-Game Minute: Smartio Galaxy the Movie (14:24) The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (cont’d) (1:00:10) NintenDO or NintenDON’TBe sure to follow Bryan on Instagram for all his latest adventures in cosplay & activism @bryan.s.lee:https://www.instagram.com/bryan.s.lee/And don’t forget to check out Bryan and Lisa’s back-catalog of Geek Pop episodes!https://geekpoppodcast.wordpress.com/

Taylor Bartle from the Wild Mouse podcast is joining the party and taking a ride through the world of the legendary RPG EarthBound (SNES, 1994 and Mother2 in Japan) with Mike and Jaymo as part of The Old SwitchAroo’s epic quest to research and review every retro game in Nintendo Switch Online’s Nintendo Classics catalog!In this episode, we talk about some of the best examples of gamifying theme park rides, how EarthBound’s Onett borrows Los Angeles Superior Court’s Spring Street Courthouse as a police station, and the confusion of first being introduced to Ness in Super Smash Bros for the Nintendo 64. We’ll also go over the massive 135 page player’s guide that was produced instead of a manual, how pricey this game was to get hold of for years, and Mike and Taylor will go head-to-head trying to get to the truth of EarthBound in Mother Myth-Busters. Thanks for listening, and a very special thanks to Kristal Fields of The Lazy Circles for our catchy theme song! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com, where you'll find links to our Discord, social media, and so much more!Game on, everyone.(0:00) Intro(1:20) Welcoming Taylor from the Wild Mouse podcast(6:42) EarthBound(13:54) Mini-Game Minute: Mother Myth-Busters(27:10) Earthbound (cont’d)(1:05:40) NintenDO or NintenDON’TAll of Taylor’s theme park takes (and 3 Old SwitchAroo guest spots and counting) can be found on the Wild Mouse podcast: https://wildmousepodcast.com/Or check out Taylor of Terror’s spooky speakings with SkeleTony on the Grave Plot podcast: https://graveplotpodcast.com/EarthBound Player’s Guide: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clvs/manuals/common/pdf/CLV-P-SAAJE.pdfSouth Park Creators Cite Earthbound as a Major Inspiration for Their Own Game by Thomas Whitehead | Nintendo Life: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/07/south_park_creators_cite_earthbound_as_a_major_inspiration_for_their_own_gameOrigin Of The Mother Series' Title | MotherYouHadMe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAxDwc5S4bkOctopi! Spinal Tap! How Cult RPG EarthBound Came to America by John Meyer | Wired: https://www.wired.com/2013/07/marcus-lindblom-earthbound/Every musical reference in MOTHER2/EarthBound | Mary Stawberry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8aRgYyITao