BoxTrick: A Retro Gaming Podcast · Video Games

Boxtrick: Ep 94 - Retro Game Collecting with Age_of_Retro

·58 min·5 clips

Kyle's Backyard Baseball streams went viral on TikTok, despite him having zero nostalgia for the game.

This episode of BoxTrick features host Matt Brady interviewing Kyle from the Age of Retro channel about retro game collecting and content creation. Kyle is a prominent TikTok creator known for his nostalgic gaming streams and extensive physical game collection. Kyle's channel saw significant growth after he began live-streaming *Backyard Baseball*, a game he had no personal nostalgia for but that resonated widely with viewers. He discusses how the game's characters, like Pablo Sanchez, and its recent re-release on Steam fueled its popularity. The conversation shifts to other sports titles, with both hosts praising the *NBA Jam* reboot from the PS3/Wii era and lamenting its absence today. Kyle explains he started collecting around 2010 when stores like Hollywood Video's GameCrazy were liquidating retro stock, buying games like *Super Metroid* for low prices. His largest collections are for the NES and SNES, and he initially collected loose cartridges before pursuing complete-in-box items, especially for systems with durable plastic cases like the Sega Genesis. A major insight is Kyle's preference for playing on original CRT televisions, which he feels delivers an irreplaceable nostalgic experience that modern filters cannot replicate. He describes driving hours to acquire a Sony Trinitron PVM monitor and setting up a complex RGB-switched system for his consoles. The hosts also discuss the upcoming Analogue 3D N64 console, with Kyle expressing skepticism as a purist who prefers original hardware. They explore the challenges of N64 emulation and the potential resurgence of physical media like VHS for nostalgic releases. Kyle reveals he now primarily collects physical games only for the Nintendo Switch, citing recent pickups like *Turok 3* from Limited Run Games. He shares his struggle with a large gaming backlog, having recently finished *Hogwarts Legacy* and *Red Dead Redemption* after abandoning them for years. The conversation touches on achievement systems, with Matt noting how PlayStation trophies influence his play habits, while Kyle recalls chasing Xbox 360 achievements. They bond over their shared history as Nintendo loyalists during the "console wars" and their experiences with the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. A memorable anecdote involves Kyle borrowing a PS3 and rushing to finish *Metal Gear Solid 4* before his wedding, returning it to a Blockbuster drop box in the early morning hours. The hosts debate the *Metal Gear Solid* series, with Kyle favoring *MGS2* and *MGS5*, while Matt argues *MGS3* is the best. Kyle highlights *EarthBound* as a game he didn't appreciate as a child but now loves for its coming-of-age story and music, despite its high collector's value. He uses the PriceCharting app to organize his collection, which is now alphabetized and separated by console generation partly for ease during live streams. The tone is casual and conversational, filled with friendly banter and shared enthusiasm between two knowledgeable collectors. This episode is ideal for retro gaming enthusiasts interested in collection strategies, hardware like CRTs, and the intersection of gaming nostalgia with modern content creation. Listeners seeking highly structured, debate-focused content or discussions solely about brand-new games might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

A collector-to-collector chat that turns setup envy into a relaxed retro-gaming hangout.

This episode pairs Box Trick with Age of Retro in a familiar retro-gaming rhythm, moving from shared online history into pickups, stream habits, and the hardware choices that can easily claim an afternoon.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

For when you want retro-game collecting talk that starts with TikTok and ends at CRT temptation.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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