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Cartridge Chronicles

Cartridge Chronicles

By: Cartridge Chronicles - Jeff Krause and PJ Lukasewski
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About this listen

Dive back into the golden age of gaming with Cartridge Chronicles, a show dedicated to exploring the most memorable and overlooked titles from the 1990s to 2010. Each episode, we spotlight a different retro video game, unraveling its story, gameplay mechanics, and the history behind its development. Whether it’s a beloved classic or a hidden gem, we take a nostalgic journey through the pixels and polygons that defined our childhoods.


Join us as we relive the magic of these games through personal anecdotes, researched insights, and guest appearances from fellow gamers who share their own memories. Whether you’re a seasoned retro gamer or discovering these classics for the first time, Cartridge Chronicles is your time capsule to the past, bringing the best of yesterday’s gaming to life today.

© 2025 Cartridge Chronicles
Science Fiction
Episodes
  • Gex 2: Channel Surfing, Gecko-Style
    Aug 11 2025

    Join Jeff and PJ as they dive tail-first into Gex 2: Enter the Gecko, the witty, pop-culture-packed platformer released by Crystal Dynamics in 1998 for PlayStation 1. Originally inspired by groundbreaking 3D platformers like Mario 64, Gex returns—this time in full 3D glory—bringing attitude, humor, and a barrage of quirky one-liners voiced by comedian Dana Gould.

    In this episode of Cartridge Chronicles, the guys explore Gex’s adventures through television-themed worlds, discuss the game's unique voiceovers, and highlight the updates made in the recent remastered trilogy. From wrestling finicky camera controls to reliving the hilarious pop-culture references (Austin Powers, anyone?), discover why this game left such a nostalgic mark. Plus, Jeff and PJ unpack regional voiceover differences, share childhood memories, and discuss the ambitious (and bizarre) N64 and Game Boy Color ports.

    Grab your remote and buckle up—because as Gex would say, “It’s tail time!”

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    30 mins
  • Driver: Undercover Cops and Parking Garage Nightmares
    Jul 27 2025

    Get behind the wheel with Jeff and PJ in this episode of Cartridge Chronicles, as they revisit Driver, the groundbreaking 1999 PlayStation classic from Reflections Interactive. You play Tanner, an ex-race car driver turned undercover cop, infiltrating criminal gangs and navigating gritty cities like Miami, San Francisco, LA, and New York. Along the way, you'll uncover corrupt cops, dodge relentless police chases, and (if you’re lucky) foil an assassination plot against the president.

    From realistic car physics and impressive graphics to the notoriously brutal opening "parking garage" tutorial mission, Jeff and PJ explore why Driver still matters today—cheat codes highly recommended! Discover how Driver influenced future games, laugh at their frustrations over merciless AI cops, and reminisce about how far gaming has come since those early polygon days.

    Buckle up and join us—just don't forget your cheat codes for that first mission!

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    23 mins
  • Twisted Metal - Chaos, Cars, and Calypso’s Curse
    May 26 2025

    Rev your engines and load up your missiles—it's time for vehicular mayhem! In the fifth full episode of Cartridge Chronicles, Jeff and PJ dive headfirst into the explosive world of Twisted Metal, the iconic car-combat classic released in 1995 for the original PlayStation. From darkly humorous origins (thanks to traffic-jam frustrations) to its lasting impact as a pioneering 3D action game, we explore the twisted genius behind Calypso's chaotic contest.

    Join us as we reminisce about sleepless nights fueled by multiplayer madness, debate the best characters (Sweet Tooth fans, represent!), and uncover surprising connections—including developer SingleTrac’s origins in military flight simulators. Plus, hear about the lost video endings deemed too extreme for release and the unexpected local ties to Salt Lake City.

    Buckle up for nostalgia, laughs, and the ruthless battle for Calypso’s prize—this episode is one wild ride you won't want to miss!

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    31 mins
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