Astro Bot – Cane and Rinse No.680

Our Shinobi podcast. “DESTROY THE ENEMY NINJA GROUP” Heavily inspired by Namco’s Rolling Thunder, SEGA launched its cool, ninja-based response 35 years ago, in 1987. Leon, Michiel, Rich and returning guest Ben Cartlidge shimmy to the Shinobi groove, examining AM1’s walk and slice platforming action. The panel also discusses the differences between the original coin-op and the official Master System conversion, and takes a quick look at the other versions and conversions released from 1988 to 2020. The perfect accompaniment to SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance! Links in bio.

Our Metal Gear Solid 3 podcast. Leon, Tony, Darren, Josh and Paul Rooney are inserted into the Soviet jungle via HALO jump to talk turkey, tree frog and several taxa of fungi. Is 2004’s Bond-tinged, 60s-set Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater the green sheep of the Metal Gear family or The Big Boss? Links in bio.

New podcast out now (early access): Sonic 3D Blast (Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island) Our latest Sonic series show sees us arrive in 1996, and the azure Erinaceidae's final outing on the Mega Drive/Genesis - Sonic 3D Blast (also known as Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island). Leon, Darren, Leah, Ryan and community correspondents ponder whether this Traveller's Tales tilt into isometric suited SEGA's speedy mascot. There's also a little conversation around Sonic's previous isometric outings (SegaSonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Labyrinth), as well as the not 3D Game Gear counterpart Sonic Blast. Please support the podcast for US $2 per month to get each new show early! Links in bio.

Our Chibi-Robo podcast! Leon is joined by a trio of diminutive automaton helpers, Jeff Cork, Susan Marmito and Simon Cole to dissect every element of this unusual and quirky third-person adventure. Get your earbuds out and Plug Into Adventure! Lins in bio.

New podcast: EarthBound (Mother 2: : Gīgu no Gyakushū) A notable cult classic, an idiosyncratic game, a commercial failure and a fan favourite. Landing at a formative time for the JRPG genre in the west, EarthBound (Mother 2: Gīgu no Gyakushū / Giygas Strikes Back) loomed very large over the gaming landscape sliding between Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger, two of SquareSoft's biggest hitters from a relatively unknown studio. Join host Rich with Jon, Leah and guest Eddie Inzauto of the Smashing Bricks Podcast as we get to the bottom of this beloved title, from its peculiar launch, divisive marketing campaign, and underwhelming sales to what has become a darling title for Nintendo and SNES fans. Links in bio.

New early access podcast: Metroid: Samus Returns Our third podcast on the second Metroid game, sort of. On this occasion, it's MercurySteam's official 2017 remake, Metroid: Samus Returns, that sees us to head back to SR388 once more for another round of vermin eradication. Leon, Brian, Darren and Rich lock 3D sliders to full, and - along with contributions from the Cane and Rinse listenership - consider what this version of Metroid II: Return of Samus brings to - or steals from - the pest-popping party. Support Cane and Rinse for just US$2 (or equiv.) and get every podcast early! Links in bio.

New monthly podcast: Steamboy / Leviathan 28 Years Later Jurassic World: Rebirth Safe Ironheart Light & Magic S2 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Donkey Kong Bananza Gradius Origins With Leon and Jay. Support Cane and Rinse for just $2 per month! Links in bio.

New podcast: Chrono Cross Time jumping, legendary dragons, and an arsenal of playable characters. Join Brian, Chris Worthington, Leah and Rich as they dissect Chrono Cross, the much discussed sequel/follow-up to legendary JRPG Chrono Trigger. Does it provide a satisfying next chapter or are the Chrono Trigger sized shoes too large to fill? Available now, for free, from the usual podcast places (unless Pocket Casts is playing up yet again), our website and evil Spotify. Links in bio.

New early access podcast: Contra: The Hard Corps Our latest Contra (or Probotector) series show is here, and this time we're all-in on the SEGA Mega Drive (or Genesis) instalment; Contra: (The) Hard Corps (or Probotector). Leon, Dan and Sean - along with the usual, excellent contributions from the listenership - tackle this uncompromising and relentless 16-bit run and gunner, taking in and on its myriad characters, weapons, stages and - ultimately - endings. Support the podcast for $2 per month and get every new show four weeks early. Links in bio.

New podcast: Pikmin 3 Leon, Chris O’Regan and Darren – along with community contributors – once again round up the little creatures, consider this game’s changes and refinements (across the two versions), as well as indulge in a little speculation about the ‘science’ that lead to their existence. Darwin or Dandori awards all around? Available now for free from wherever you get your podcasts. Links in bio.

New early-access podcast: Astro Bot Joy, creativity, and PlayStation memories abound in Team Asobi’s post-Playroom tour de force. Join Tom, Chris O'Regan and Karl as they laser-jump their way through the riotous robotic antics of Astro and his 300+ friends. Support Cane and Rinse for just $2 per month to get every new edition four weeks early.

New podcast: Pseudoregalia “Not really the kind of person you wanna hang out with, right?” Caprine capers with Sybil in rittzler’s love-letter to the fifth generation of games that popularised third-person character action in three dimensions. Leon, Brian, Ryan and Sean – along with community contributors – get figuratively and literally lost in the dreamlike world of Pseudoregalia. Can the game’s celebrated flexible character control and versatile locomotion help our panel find their way through this largely unguided adventure? Out now for free on podcast platforms. Links in bio.