Episode 358 - Marathon (1994)

Episode 358 - Marathon (1994)

Author: Tyler Ostby and Mike Coletta March 30, 2026 Duration: 51:26

Mike and Tyler talk about the first Marathon game in 1994. They discuss the story and the game's legacy among first person shooters. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.


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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Codex History of Video Games with Mike Coletta and Tyler Ostby
Podcast Episodes
Episode 360 - Top 20 FPS Games Tier List [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:09
Tyler and Mike make tier list of the top twenty first person shooter games according to their metascore on Metacritic. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.
Episode 359 - Army Men: Sarge's Heroes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:35
Mike and Tyler talk about Army Men: Sarge's Heroes. Mike talks his Army Men nostalgia, the game, and what ended up killing Army Men as a franchise. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.
Episode 356 - Mailbag March 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:43
Mike and Tyler read listener mail. They talk Tron, Commander Keen turning 35, and Mike reads an email that makes him so giddy he could hardly contain himself. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Do…
Episode 355 - The Origins of the Battle Royale Genre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:55
Mike and Tyler ask the question "How did we get Battle Royale as a genre?" They go into the different influences and talk about three games that show the genre's roots. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created…
Episode 354 - Zelda Turns 40! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:58
Mike and Tyler take a moment to talk about the influence the Legend of Zelda series has had on video games as a whole. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.
Episode 353 - Gearbox Software's Mercenary Days [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:08
Tyler and Mike talk about Gearbox before Borderlands. They discuss Gearbox's work on the Half-Life Expansions, 007 Nightfire's PC port, and Halo: Combat Evolved's PC port. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was creat…
Episode 352 - Swordquest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:54
Mike and Tyler talk about Swordquest. The Atari 2600 game series that was also a contest for real life treasure! The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.