Backwards Compatible cover art

Backwards Compatible

Backwards Compatible

By: Dan Kemp
Listen for free

About this listen

Welcome to "Backwards Compatible: A Generation 'S' Podcast," your new go-to destination for diving deep into the golden era of video games. Formerly known as "Generation 'S'," we've honed our focus to bring you an even richer journey through the nostalgic lanes of gaming history.

From the pixelated adventures on the NES to the immersive, high-definition worlds of the PS3 and Xbox 360, we cover it all. Each episode is a deep dive into the games that shaped us, discussing not just the games themselves, but the stories behind them, their impact on culture, and how they've influenced the gaming landscape today.


And "Backwards Compatible" isn't just about the games. It's about reliving the pop culture of the '90s and early 2000s through the lens of retro gaming. Remember the excitement of flipping through a gaming magazine, the thrill of finally beating that level you were stuck on for weeks, or the camaraderie of playing with friends? We bring all that back and more.

Whether you're a long-time listener from the "Generation 'S'" days or a newcomer eager to explore the history of video games, "Backwards Compatible" promises a blend of nostalgia, insight, and fun. Join us as we revisit the classics, uncover hidden gems, and share our personal stories of gaming glory. "Backwards Compatible: A Generation 'S' Podcast" is your all-access pass to the past, celebrating the legacy of video games and their place in our hearts and culture.

Let's rewind and play!

© 2025 Backwards Compatible Art Relationships Science Fiction Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Backwards Compatible #48 - Comix Zone (Sega Genesis)

    Backwards Compatible #48 - Comix Zone (Sega Genesis)
    Apr 25 2025

    Want a shout out on the show? Shoot us a text and share your thoughts, game suggestions, etc.!

    This week on Backwards Compatible, we’re cracking open the panels of Comix Zone for the Sega Genesis—a visually striking, brutally difficult beat-’em-up that dropped in July 1995.

    Lou and I talk through the game’s unique comic book aesthetic, its place in mid-’90s gaming, and why it still stands out nearly 30 years later. We get into what made it so innovative, what held it back from getting a sequel, and whether it’s due for a modern-day revival.

    Plus: we talk broader ideas around reviving dead franchises, adapting comics into games, and how graphics evolution shaped the '90s. If you ever felt like you were literally inside a comic book, this one’s for you.

    Support the show

    We've got merch!

    Check out the site for some awesome Gen 'S' swag :)

    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • Backwards Compatible #47 - Wrestlemania The Arcade Game (Arcade, PS1, Genesis, SNES, 32X, Saturn, MS-DOS)

    Backwards Compatible #47 - Wrestlemania The Arcade Game (Arcade, PS1, Genesis, SNES, 32X, Saturn, MS-DOS)
    Apr 18 2025

    Want a shout out on the show? Shoot us a text and share your thoughts, game suggestions, etc.!

    This week, Lou and I jump off the top rope and into the wonderfully weird world of WrestleMania: The Arcade Game—Midway’s over-the-top, digitized brawler that mashed Mortal Kombat with the WWF’s New Generation Era.

    But that’s not all. This episode is a bit of a wrestling grab bag (hey, I’m still getting over a cold, cut me some slack!):

    🕹️ We review WrestleMania: The Arcade Game – Is it a legit classic or just a button-mashing curiosity?

    🎮 A quick look at WWF In Your House on PS1 – the weird, clearly inferior sequel you probably forgot existed.

    🤼 We also get into WrestleMania 41 hype, our thoughts on the New Generation Era of wrestling (hello neon and Lex Express!).

    It's chaotic, nostalgic, and full of bad Vince McMahon impressions.

    Support the show

    We've got merch!

    Check out the site for some awesome Gen 'S' swag :)

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • Backwards Compatible #46 - Batman Forever (SNES, Genesis)

    Backwards Compatible #46 - Batman Forever (SNES, Genesis)
    Apr 11 2025

    Want a shout out on the show? Shoot us a text and share your thoughts, game suggestions, etc.!

    No ne content this week because I’m out sick (boo!), but instead of leaving your podcast feed empty, we’re opening up the Backwards Compatible Vault and bringing you a segment from a past episode where Lou and I dug deep into Batman Forever—both the movie and the video game.

    This one’s got it all:
    🦇 Over-the-top Jim Carrey energy
    🦇 Neon chaos and rubber suits
    🦇 The weird, clunky SNES/Genesis Batman Forever game that tried to be Mortal Kombat but… wasn’t
    🦇 Lou having THOUGHTS about Val Kilmer’s Bat-performance

    It’s a fun flashback to a chaotic era of movie tie-ins, and a nice little slice of our podcast history. Thanks for bearing with us this week, and fingers crossed I’m back in full Bat-health for episode 47!

    Support the show

    We've got merch!

    Check out the site for some awesome Gen 'S' swag :)

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins

What listeners say about Backwards Compatible

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com.au reviews

Amazon Reviews
No Reviews are Available
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.