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Episode 136: Remembrance of Things Past

by Jonathan Metts - March 10, 2009, 2:47 pm EDT
Total comments: 28

Billy joins us for a happy walk down memory lane on the website's 10th anniversary.

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Yeah, I went there with the Proust reference.




You may have heard that our site is relaunching for the 10th anniversary of Nintendo World Report (a.k.a. Planet GameCube, a.k.a. Planet N2000). Lindy was too busy with the relaunch to record with us, so we looked all the way back to the beginning for a substitute. You may have heard of Billy Berghammer at some point. He's at G4 now, so you might even see him on TV soon. And he created our little website sometime in the previous millennium.

Before we wax nostalgic, Billy gives us a bit of New Business, most notably the new Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles game for Wii and DS. There's also a news pit stop to cover the announcement of A Boy and His Blob for Wii.

Most of this episode is comprised of the retrospective, though. Billy talks about how the site got started, and Jonny soon jumps in with his side of the early days. They're both a little embarrassed at some early content, which can still be found at the Internet Archive. James and Greg are along for the ride here; they were both avid readers of the site from the early days, but the veterans are mostly interested in sharing behind-the-scenes memories. We get into E3s, Spaceworld, videotapes and DVDs, domain sniping, secret vacations, experiences at Nintendo headquarters, our favorite swag, and a lot more. We hope you enjoy this bucket of memories, and write in to tell us about your own!

NOTE: The RetroActive discussion of Eternal Darkness will begin next week; we didn't want to start without Jon, and we couldn't have fit it into this special episode. Be sure to leave your comments about the game in the RetroActive forum thread!

Credits:

This podcast was edited by Greg Leahy.

Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can purchase their new album, Rocket Number 9, directly from the record label, or download it from iTunes, or call your local record store and ask for it!

The closing music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo, "SuperBuckJazz" composed by Estradasphere for OCRemix, is included to make owners of a certain 2002 DVD smile.

Talkback

StratosMarch 11, 2009

I just finished D/Ling it. I am freakin' excited to hear it.
Thanks for all your hard work guys.

I'm in the middle of this podcast right now. It's my new favorite. Of course, the nostalgia factor is through the roof for me.... Many people lived the Japanese GC launch through Billy.

Anyway, awesome job, guys!

StratosMarch 11, 2009

I loved all the stories and it was great to hear from teh Billy and I'm glad to hear that Louie is still kicking.
I enjoyed hearing about the behind the scenes struggles you guys went through. Hearing E-3 stories make me happy. I'm looking forward to it this year. I remember almost dropping the money to go one year to E3 and GDC when I was aspiring to be a game developer.

Good stories and good memories, guys. I enjoyed it greatly.

MikeHruseckyMike Hrusecky, Staff AlumnusMarch 11, 2009

Ah, this episode is overflowing with win.

The early years, 2000/2001 was a crazy time. I STILL have the E3 2001 CD set and the VHS tapes that Max sent me to make the CDs out of. LOL... I also still have the Japan CDs too. Classic stuff, so many memories, unforgettable times. I'm having a blast looking through the footage again.

Jeez, this past week has dug up all kinds of old memories, back to 1995. Trippy!

This episode is making me miss the old RFN crew.  You should get them on another episode one of these days.  It's been too long since I've heard the silky smooth tones of The Sklens.

BlueStormMarch 11, 2009


Nice podcast this week.  I remember some of the antics from various stories.  Thanks again for all the hard work (play):) It's hard to believe it's been 10 years, but then marriage and a kid tend to make one forgetful.

Thanks to all past and present members of the staff of the various iterations of the site.

-D

TJ SpykeMarch 11, 2009

I loved hearing Billy and was really hoping he would be on this weeks show.

You guys talked about the mailbag, when are you gonna do a new one? The last mailbag was back in October and July before that. You guys used to do one at least once a week or once every 2 weeks, then you started going months between mailbags.

StratosMarch 11, 2009

Quote from: TJ

I loved hearing Billy and was really hoping he would be on this weeks show.

You guys talked about the mailbag, when are you gonna do a new one? The last mailbag was back in October and July before that. You guys used to do one at least once a week or once every 2 weeks, then you started going months between mailbags.

I'm pretty sure they've done mailbags pretty often on the podcats, or dod you mean as a feature on the site? I actually like hearing the questions answered on the podcast better.

TJ SpykeMarch 11, 2009

On the site.

I like hearing them on the podcast too, maybe they could answer some on the site and others on the podcast (or provide a short answer on the site and more detailed on the podcast).

StratosMarch 11, 2009

Quote from: TJ

On the site.

I like hearing them on the podcast too, maybe they could answer some on the site and others on the podcast (or provide a short answer on the site and more detailed on the podcast).

Are there enough letters for them to do both? Maybe we should send more in so they can do both.

TofuFuryMarch 12, 2009

I really enjoyed listening to this episode. I only started coming to this site a few months ago, but this makes me wish I discovered NWR/PGC years ago. It's great hearing all about the history of the site.

ShyGuyMarch 12, 2009

Wait, how many NWR people are going to E3 this year?

Berto2KMarch 13, 2009

I'm in the middle of listening to this one right now. Its great to hear Billy and reliving everything from back then. I still have the "Japan Experience" cds and the E3 DVD. The DVD production and the easter eggs are still great to this day.

Hahaha, I remember being part of the irc trivia days with Ty. Ugh I was horrible. I think I got maybe 1 point ever? No wait, that was for the music trivia.

I think the E3 roster for this year is going to be:

Aaron Kaluszka
Neal Ronaghan
Jonny Metts
James Jones
Zach Miller
Chuck Jose
Jared Rosenberg
Nick DiMola
Francesca DiMola

I'm pretty sure that's the final list.  So nine deep, I think.

StratosMarch 15, 2009

Quote from: Lindy

I think the E3 roster for this year is going to be:

Aaron Kaluszka
Neal Ronaghan
Jonny Metts
James Jones
Zach Miller
Chuck Jose
Jared Rosenberg
Nick DiMola
Francesca DiMola
Stratos

I'm pretty sure that's the final list.  So nine deep, I think.

... :rolleyes: ;D...
... :'(...

DAaaMan64March 15, 2009

Who's at GDC this year?

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorMarch 17, 2009

Just finished listening to the episode and wanted to chime in with this...

http://mikegamin.com/temp/layton.jpg

I still have it!

BeautifulShyMarch 21, 2009

Quote from: DAaaMan64

Who's at GDC this year?

Aaron Kaluszka and Chuck Jose

BeautifulShyMarch 21, 2009

I'm currently listing to this.Currently the staff is talking about A Boy and a Blob.

NovaQApril 05, 2009

I'm playing catch-up with the podcasts and thought I'd leave some late comments:

The Alien Soldier bit was great (and I loves me some boss rushes, so now I'm considering picking it up).

The retrospective was fantastic. It was really cool to hear stories of the website's early life. Thanks to everyone that has put so much into the site over time, and here's to many more years of quality content from PN2k/PGC/NWR/whatever-name-it-takes-on-next!

One reason we chose the NWR name was its timelessness.  Unless Nintendo changes its own corporate identity, I don't think we'll be getting a new name.

vuduApril 18, 2009

Quote from: Lindy

I think the E3 roster for this year is going to be:

...

I'm pretty sure that's the final list.  So nine deep, I think.

You're not attending?

He's afraid of the schoolin' I'd level on him.

Lindy will be on his honeymoon during E3.

Quote from: Jonnyboy117

Lindy will be on his honeymoon during E3.

That too, but mostly the schoolin'

TJ SpykeApril 19, 2009

Somebody else mentioned it before, but maybe he should just honeymoon in LA, haha. I got a e-mail for some reason about registering for E3 (though I think anyone can get signed up for these e-mails). If I had any way financially to get to Los Angeles, I would probably try and get in some way. It doesn't seem that hard really, just set up a basic gaming website (can be pretty crappy) and apply for a press pass.

Does NWR get as many passes as you guys ask for, or did the ESA tell you how many you could get?

vuduApril 21, 2009

Quote from: Jonnyboy117

Lindy will be on his honeymoon during E3.

That's a good excuse.  :)

On the other hand, Matt Casamassina had a kid a couple years ago right around E3 and I don't remember that stopping him.  ;)

StratosApril 22, 2009

People go to Disney Land for their honeymoon, so I don't see anything wrong with going to E3 instead.  ;D

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