Cocktail Mode: Retro Games, Cocktails and Banter

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are turning down the lights, loading their dual pistols, and stepping into a dark, dystopian cyberpunk underworld to tackle the 2000 PlayStation classic: Fear Effect!
We break down the game's groundbreaking use of cel-shaded anime graphics layered over streaming full-motion video backgrounds, creating a visual style unlike anything else on the block. We dive into the dark, supernatural storyline following mercenaries Hana, Glas, and Deke, the tense puzzle-solving, and the unique "Fear" meter that replaced traditional health bars with heart-pounding stress mechanics. To match the sleek, high-stakes Hong Kong noir atmosphere, we’ve shaken up a pair of sharp, dangerously smooth cocktails.
We debate the game's unforgiving tank controls, reminisce about the sheer scale of its multi-disc adventure, and see how the thing fairs in comparison to its sequel ‘Retro Helix’.
Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/29164/
Dave’s Cocktail: https://microdistillery.co.uk/store/negroni-cans
 
Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):
DiffordsGuide.co.uk
ConsoleMAD.co.uk
Antstream.com
retrocomputermuseum.co.uk
AmigaLive.com
 
#feareffect #playstation #ps1 #retrogaming #00sgaming #survivalhorror #cyberpunk #eidos #retrocollective #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory
 

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are locking onto their targets, blasting into deep space, and celebrating a massive milestone; the 30th anniversary of Taito's legendary 1996 polygon shmup masterwork: RayStorm!
We take on the spectacular vertical shooter that brought the iconic "Ray" trilogy into the third dimension. We’ll also break down the other games in the series RayForce (1994) and RayCrisis (1998). We reminisce about piloting the R-Gray ships, the sweeping cinematic camera angles and the massive fleet battles.
To celebrate three decades of arcade excellence, we’ve shaken up a pair of cocktails fit for the cockpit.
Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/20186/
Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/24145/
 
Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):
DiffordsGuide.co.uk
ConsoleMAD.co.uk
Antstream.com
retrocomputermuseum.co.uk
AmigaLive.com
#raystorm #taito #shmup #retrogaming #90sgaming #rayforce #raycrisis #rayz #zuntata #arcadeclassics #shootemup #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are cranking up the engines and taking a scenic, high-speed trip through racing history with Kaneko’s 1994 arcade classic: Mille Miglia: The Great 1000 Miles Rally!
We look back at this beautifully crafted isometric racer that pays homage to Italy's legendary open-road endurance race. We’ll celebrate the absolute joy of drifting vintage sports cars - from classic Alfa Romeos to iconic Ferraris - through tight Italian villages and winding mountain passes. We celebrate the game's gorgeous sprite artwork, the frantic checkpoint-chasing gameplay, and to match the sophisticated, vintage Italian spirit of the rally, we’ve mixed up a pair of our usual pun-based cocktails.
Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/17597/
Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/3972/
 
Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):
DiffordsGuide.co.uk
ConsoleMAD.co.uk
Antstream.com
retrocomputermuseum.co.uk
AmigaLive.com
https://bhd.itch.io/opposite-lock-rally
 
#millemiglia #thegreat1000milesrally #kaneko #retroarcade #retrogaming #90sgaming #arcaderacing #classiccars #vintageracing #racinggames #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #arcadeclassics
 

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are hitting the pitch and stepping back into the mid-90s to celebrate the dawn of a football gaming revolution: the International Superstar Soccer (ISS) games!
We are diving into Konami's legendary Super Nintendo and Mega Drive era, looking back at the original 1994 masterpiece and the iconic ISS Deluxe and then through the series' hay-day on the original PlayStation.
We reminisce about the glorious, fast-paced arcade gameplay, the unforgettable legends like Babangida, and the horrendous commentary that still echoes in our heads. To keep our energy up through extra time, we’ve mixed up a pair of stadium-ready cocktails.
Andy’s Cocktail: https://share.google/aimode/SdKoGyndvuMuiFyfw
Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/4311/
 
Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):
DiffordsGuide.co.uk
ConsoleMAD.co.uk
Antstream.com
retrocomputermuseum.co.uk
AmigaLive.com
 
#internationalsuperstarsoccer #iss #issdeluxe #konami #snes #supernintendo #megadrive #sega #retrogaming #90sgaming #sportsgaming #footballgames #retrofootball #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are flexing their mental muscles with the ultimate arcade block-dropper: Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo!
Capcom's genius 1996 spin-off took legendary fighters like Ryu, Chun-Li, and Morrigan, shrunk them down into adorable chibi sprites, and threw them into a viciously competitive puzzle matrix. 
We break down the absolute chaos of the counter-gem system, the tactical stress of building giant power gems, and debate our favourite character attack patterns.
To match the bright, high-energy arcade aesthetics, we’ve mixed up two vibrant, punchy cocktails to keep us sharp during our matches.
Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/3622/
Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/21145/
 
Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated): 
DiffordsGuide.co.uk
ConsoleMAD.co.uk
Antstream.com
retrocomputermuseum.co.uk
AmigaLive.com
 
#superpuzzlefighter #capcom #retroarcade #retrogaming #90sgaming #streetfighter #darkstalkers #puzzlefighter #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #arcadeclassics
 

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are hitting the virtual hardwood to look back at the 1999 Sega Dreamcast masterpiece: NBA 2K!
We are diving deep into the visual marvel that launched a legacy, celebrating the game that blew everyone away with its photorealistic graphics, smooth animations, and Allen Iverson crossing up defenders on the cover. We discuss how Visual Concepts completely changed the sports gaming landscape overnight.
To keep our energy up for four quarters of pure nostalgia, we’ve mixed up a premium pair of court-ready cocktails.
 
Andy’s Cocktail: https://youtu.be/H34mJGsDyxI
Dave’s Cocktail: https://fr.hennessy.com/en-int/cocktails/alley-oop-cocktail
 
Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated):
DiffordsGuide.co.uk
ConsoleMAD.co.uk
Antstream.com
retrocomputermuseum.co.uk
AmigaLive.com
 
#nba2k #segadreamcast #retrogaming #90sgaming #sportsgaming #visualconcepts #segasports #alleniverson #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #hoopshistory

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are revving their engines and bracing for the G-force as they revisit Geoff Crammond’s 1989 gravity-defying masterpiece: Stunt Car Racer!
We’re heading back to the high-altitude tracks to look at the game that turned 3D wireframe graphics into a nail-biting survival experience. We break down the sheer terror of hearing that "crack" in the chassis after a heavy landing, the precision required to keep your hot rod on the rails, and how those stomach-churning drops proved that you didn't need millions of colours to create a sense of speed. 
As usual, we’ve shaken up a pair of cocktails to help steady the nerves after a few sessions on the Stepping Stones.
We journey through the literal highs and lows of the arcade-sim hybrid, complete with Andy reminiscing about the glorious Amiga version, and Dave finally admitting that he still hasn't mastered the art of hitting the nitro without flying off into the void!
Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/39844/genuine-risk
Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/669/downhill-racer
 
Links:
Stunt Car Racer Remake: https://github.com/omenoidlab/stuntcarremake
Stunt Car Racer at Torinak: https://torinak.com/qaop/play/stuntcar
 
Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated): 
DiffordsGuide.co.uk
ConsoleMAD.co.uk
Antstream.com
retrocomputermuseum.co.uk
Amigalive.com
 
#stuntcarracer #stunttrackracer #geoffcrammond #amiga #atarist #commodore64 #zxspectrum #retrogaming #80sgaming #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #3dgaming #microsell
 

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave journey through the streets of America through a 1980s Japanese lens as they revisit the 1988 coin-op original: Shadow Warriors (AKA Ninja Gaiden)!
We’re heading back to the smoky arcades to look at the side-scrolling beat 'em up that feels worlds apart from its famous NES cousin. We break down the visceral joy of the "neck-flip" throw, the punishing difficulty of those hockey-mask-wearing goons, and the legendary (and terrifying) "circular saw" continue screen that haunted many a childhood. As usual, we’ve shaken up a pair of cocktails to celebrate the grit and grime of this arcade powerhouse.
 
Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/3965/
Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5ToSWJr94k/
 
Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated): 
DiffordsGuide.co.uk
ConsoleMAD.co.uk
Antstream.com
retrocomputermuseum.co.uk
amigalive.com
https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamingMixologist
https://tcrf.net/The_Cutting_Room_Floor
 
#shadowwarriors #ninjagaiden #tecmo #arcade #retrogaming #beatemup #80sgaming #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #ryuhayabusa #ninja #coinop
 

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are checking their G-diffusers and heading for Corneria to revisit the 1993 Super FX powerhouse: Star Wi... I mean Fox!We’re blasting off with Fox McCloud and his crew to look back at the polygon revolution that changed the SNES forever. We break down the chaotic joy of trying to keep Slippy Toad alive and why those flat-shaded shapes still hold more charm than a modern 4K render. 
As usual, we’ve shaken up a pair of cocktails to sip on while we do a barrel roll through gaming history.Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/40081Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/18098
 
Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated): DiffordsGuide.co.ukConsoleMAD.co.ukAntstream.comretrocomputermuseum.co.ukhttps://www.amigalive.com/
#starfox #nintendo #snes #retrogaming #superfx #90sgaming #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #foxmccloud #16bit #scifigaming

This week on the Cocktail Mode podcast, Andy and Dave are celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the game with the most beautifully animated carnage in arcade history: Metal Slug!
We’re diving into the legendary SNK pixel art that turned the run-and-gun genre into a hand-drawn masterpiece. We break down the frantic joy of the "HEAVY MACHINE GUN!", the slapstick charm of the bulging-eyed enemies, and how this Neo Geo crown jewel proved that a jumping tank is the ultimate gaming vehicle. As usual, we’ve shaken up a pair of cocktails to go alongside the high-octane chaos of this 1996 classic.
Andy’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/3630/
Dave’s Cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/2131/
 
Friends of the show (Not sponsored or affiliated): 
DiffordsGuide.co.uk 
ConsoleMAD.co.uk 
Antstream.com 
retrocomputermuseum.co.uk
#metalslug #retrogaming #snk #neogeo #arcadegaming #90sgaming #cocktailmode #videogamecocktails #nostalgiapodcast #gaminghistory #runandgun #pixelart