Episode 575: The Making of The Making of Karateka / Double Dragon Gaiden (Patreon)

Stuart:Kick, punch, it’s all in the mind. No, obviously that’s a different thing, though kicks and punches to the head could obscurely be described as a blow to the mind. And speaking of mindblowing, this episode of (checks notes)Retronauts packs in two interviews about two very different fighting games. First, there’s a chat with Chris Kohler of Digital Eclipse about the tremendous The Making of Karateka, then an interview with Raymond Teo of Secret Base, director of Double Dragon Gaiden. Worrr! Eh?

Of course, the Double Dragon Gaiden bit was recorded a while ago – prior to the game’s release in fact, so it may seem as though it’s coming a bit late to the party. That’s understandable, but I feel as though it’s a game that hasn’t been as appreciated as it deserves, so I’m happy to give it the co-spotight with a very different but still pugilism-focused title in The Making of Karateka.

Digital Eclipse’s Gold Master Series is an incredibly exciting new frontier for re-releases, with The Making of Karateka’s development having been threaded through that of Atari 50, as you’ll hear in this podcast. The second volume in said series will be announced fairly soon, as I’ve been reliably informed I’ll love it, so I’m bleedin’ excited and you should be too.

Anyroad, give it a listen! I’ve got some more really great interviews coming down the pipe about some cracking upcoming games too exciting to reveal here. Seriously, you’d lose control of your bladder and bowels if you knew. Simultaneously. It would be a scene. And on that note, please enjoy this episode.

Edits by Greg Leahy. Art by Nick Wanserski.

• 01:59 - Karateka (C64): Introduction
• 14:52 - Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration: Neo Breakout High Score
• 28:05 - The Making of Karateka: Timeline BGM
• 38:28 - Prince of Persia (DOS): Introduction
• 51:01 - Karateka Remastered (2023): Ending | Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons: Opening
• 1:00:43 - Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons: Killers' Fortress Sector 1 (Token Shop ver.)
• 1:12:16 - Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons: Character Select
• 1:25:25 - Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons: Ending B
• Closing - Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons: Ending B (continued)