Retronauts Episode 347: Years In Review Revue: 1971 & '81
Take a drink every time you hear the name "Nutting"
Here's a fact about me you might have picked up on if you read my This Week In Retro column (available to all $5 Patreon supporters): I love tracking anniversaries. Each new year, I always start to do math in my head to figure out what was happening 10, 20, or 30 (and so on) years ago. Did you know Rodney Dangerfield's 100th birthday is coming soon? You do now!
This week's episode of Retronauts is likewise dedicated to recounting significant video games released in 1971 and 1981, 50 and 40 years ago. The list of titles for 1971 is relatively short, as Computer Space was the first commercial video game as we know it, but its significance is such that guest Benj Edwards had a lot to say about it (you might also enjoy his in-depth article about the game). Benj shares so much that our other guests Ben Elgin and Chris Sims hardly speak. 1981 has a lot more going for it though, with an assortment of monumental arcade hits and a few notable computer games as well, leading to more mic time for Jeremy and Ben (Chris remains largely silent other than taking a controversial stance on Defender).
1981 is also the year the world got Softporn Adventure which might be the first "adult" video game ever made. Can you believe it took ten whole years for video games to get from outer space to sex? Then again, there's no proof the pilots in Computer Space were not completely nude. WHOOPS, I've casually inferred that there is sexual content in Computer Space so it's clearly time for me to Log Off but before I go, let me assure you that future episodes will cover 1991, 2001, and even 2011 because yes, "10 years = retro" is always true and your hate mail only makes us stronger.
Description: Because you demanded it! The Retronauts East team reconvenes (virtually) after a long time apart for the New Year's tradition of looking back across the decades. Despite our best-laid plans, we only get halfway through. In short, a classic episode.
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MP3, 42 MB | 1:29:43 Direct download Retronauts on iTunes Retronauts at Libsyn
Artwork for this episode by Shaan Khan and editing thanks go to Greg Leahy.
