Codex History of Video Games with Mike Coletta and Tyler Ostby

Codex History of Video Games with Mike Coletta and Tyler Ostby

Author: Tyler Ostby and Mike Coletta Language: English Episodes: 50
Every Monday, Tyler Ostby and Mike Coletta open a new chapter in the sprawling, unexpected story of interactive entertainment on their Codex History of Video Games. This isn't just a dry recitation of dates and titles; it's a conversational deep dive into the people, technology, and cultural shifts that shaped the games we love. The journey spans from the mechanical origins of pinball machines to the digital revolutions of consoles like the PlayStation, exploring each era with a blend of thorough research and genuine enthusiasm. In each episode, you'll hear the hosts unpack the fascinating failures, legendary breakthroughs, and quirky anecdotes that textbook histories often miss. Their discussion makes the complex history of the medium feel accessible and alive, whether they're examining a forgotten arcade classic or a genre-defining blockbuster. For anyone who's ever wondered how we got from blinking lights on a screen to today's vast virtual worlds, this podcast serves as an essential and engaging guide. Tune in for a weekly dose of context and discovery, where the backstory of your favorite pastime becomes as compelling as the games themselves.
Episodes
Episode 375 - Frogger (1981) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:58
Mike and Tyler discuss the arcade classic Frogger. They discuss the different take on arcade games at the time and it's somewhat ambiguous development history. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani D…
Episode 374 - The Atari Lynx [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:20
Tyler and Mike discuss the Atari Lynx. They go into how and why the handheld struggled. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.
Episode 373 - Early Access: The Good, the Bad, and the Vapor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:21
Mike and Tyler talk about three separate cases of games in Early Access—Baldur's Gate 3, Godus, and Earth: Year 2066. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.
Episode 372 - Mailbag August 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:17
Mike and Tyler have a mailbag episode! They discuss listener mail regarding Diablo, cheese, and ChoroQ. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.
Episode 371 - Handhelds Part 2: It's the Games, Stupid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:42
Tyler and Mike talks about four influential Game Boy games that succeeded despite limitations. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.
Episode 370 - Diablo II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:47
Mike and Tyler talk about Diablo II and it's DLC Lord of Destruction. They go through it's plot, development, and Mike takes off his nostalgia goggles to talk about gameplay. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was cr…
Episode 369 - Diablo (1996) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:22
Mike and Tyler talk about Diablo from 1996 or 1997 depending on which article you believe. They discuss David Brevik, Condor, and how the game was originally turn-based, but was later pivoted to real-time, cementing it's…