Codex: History of Video Games

Tyler Ostby and Mike Coletta dive into the history of video games from the beginning. From pinball to PlayStation, Tyler and Mike cover it all! Check out new episodes every Monday!

Episode 358 - Marathon (1994) 03/30/2026

Episode 358 - Marathon (1994) 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. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/40662520

Episode 357 - Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor and the Nemesis System 03/23/2026

Episode 357 - Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor and the Nemesis System Mike and Tyler talk about Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor. They dive into the gameplay and discuss the Nemesis System. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/40582460

Episode 356 - Mailbag March 2026 03/16/2026

Episode 356 - Mailbag March 2026 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 Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/40489240

Episode 355 - The Origins of the Battle Royale Genre 03/09/2026

Episode 355 - The Origins of the Battle Royale Genre 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 by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/40361670

Episode 354.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 48 - The History of the Nintendo DS 03/02/2026

Episode 354.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 48 - The History of the Nintendo DS Mike and Tyler talk about the history of the Nintendo DS. They also go over some of the Wii U games they missed thanks to Matt and Eric! The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/40275230

Episode 354 - Zelda Turns 40! 02/23/2026

Episode 354 - Zelda Turns 40! 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/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/40194355

Episode 353 - Gearbox Software's Mercenary Days 02/16/2026

Episode 353 - Gearbox Software's Mercenary Days 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 created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/40119290

Episode 352 - Swordquest 02/09/2026

Episode 352 - Swordquest 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. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/40040050

Episode 351 - February 2026 Mailbag 02/02/2026

Episode 351 - February 2026 Mailbag Mike and Tyler read listener emails and Discord messages! They talk about Metal Gear Solid and the Muppets! The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39958065

Episode 350.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 47 - Wii U Games 01/26/2026

Episode 350.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 47 - Wii U Games Mike and Tyler are on vacation! Enjoy this previous episode on Wii U games! Mostly how some of these are amazing but only available on Wii U and that is a travesty! The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39820600

Episode 350 - Champions of Norrath (2004) (PS2) 01/19/2026

Episode 350 - Champions of Norrath (2004) (PS2) Mike and Tyler talk about Champions of Norrath. This action RPG from the PS2 is a nostalgic gem. Mike played it and talks about his experience. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39776735

Episode 349.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 46 - History of the Wii U 01/12/2026

Episode 349.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 46 - History of the Wii U Mike is sick so there is no new episode this week. Please enjoy this talk about the history of the Wii U! This includes development, launch, spec talk, and why they think this console is so underrated! The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39691195

Episode 349 - Our 2025 Games of the Year 01/05/2026

Episode 349 - Our 2025 Games of the Year Tyler and Mike talk about games they played in 2025—slowly counting down until they each pick a game of the year. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39608065

Episode 348.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 45 - The History of the Wii Part 2 and Wii Games 12/29/2025

Episode 348.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 45 - The History of the Wii Part 2 and Wii Games Mike and Tyler continue to talk about the history of the Wii including sales figures and lawsuits. They also go through the Wii games they remember most and talk about the fun memories they had with the console. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39535655

Episode 348 - Mike Won't Stop Talking About the Muppet Treasure Island Game 12/22/2025

Episode 348 - Mike Won't Stop Talking About the Muppet Treasure Island Game The title says it all. Mike got obsessed with the point and click adventure game for Muppet Treasure Island from 1996. So now we're here. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39486470

Episode 347 - December 2025 Mailbag! 12/15/2025

Episode 347 - December 2025 Mailbag! Tyler and Mike read listener email and discord messages! They discuss VR, the 3DS, and a AAA Oregon Trail. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39405615

Episode 346 - Donkey Kong 1994 12/08/2025

Episode 346 - Donkey Kong 1994 Tyler and Mike talk about the hidden gem, Donkey Kong 1994. DK 1994 took the formula of arcade Donkey Kong and flipped it on its head! The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39318490

Episode 345 - MECC and the Oregon Trail 12/01/2025

Episode 345 - MECC and the Oregon Trail Mike and Tyler discuss the Minnesota Education Computer Consortium (MECC) and the game that helped launch them to the top, the Oregon Trail! The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39215955

Episode 344.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 44 - The History of the Wii Part 1 11/24/2025

Episode 344.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 44 - The History of the Wii Part 1 Mike and Tyler are on Thanksgiving break. Please enjoy this rerelease! In part one Tyler and Mike talk about the Wii, what it meant for gaming, how Nintendo created a new market for themselves, the Wii Remote, and the Wii's online services. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39146305

Episode 344 - Xbox 360 Turns 20! 11/17/2025

Episode 344 - Xbox 360 Turns 20! Mike and Tyler talk about the legacy of the Xbox 360 as it turns twenty years old on November 22nd! The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/39053495

Episode 343 - November 2025 Mailbag 11/10/2025

Episode 343 - November 2025 Mailbag Mike and Tyler read listener mail! Mike is reminded of a game from his past. Tyler gets to talk about Final Fantasy AND Apple Arcade. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/38972080

Episode 342 - Until Dawn Movie Commentary 11/03/2025

Episode 342 - Until Dawn Movie Commentary Mike and Tyler watch the 2025 movie Until Dawn! They provide commentary you can listen to while you watch the movie. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/38876070

Episode 341 - Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong 3 10/27/2025

Episode 341 - Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong 3 Tyler and Mike continue their foray into the Donkey Kong universe with Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong 3. Tyler gets into some big ideas about how these two games had an effect on Nintendo as a whole. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/38785710

Episode 340 - Until Dawn 10/20/2025

Episode 340 - Until Dawn Mike and Tyler discuss Until Dawn. They go into the development and legacy of the playable horror movie...NO SPOILERS. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/38640930

Episode 339 - Splatterhouse 10/13/2025

Episode 339 - Splatterhouse Mike and Tyler start spooky season by talking about the 1988 arcade game Splatterhouse. The game did a lot for an arcade game in the late 1980s. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/38557245

Episode 338 - Mailbag October 2025 10/06/2025

Episode 338 - Mailbag October 2025 Tyler and Mike read listener mail and talk Mass Effect spoilers. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/38467245

Episode 337- Donkey Kong Origins 09/29/2025

Episode 337- Donkey Kong Origins Tyler and Mike go over the history of the first Donkey Kong and the commercial failure that prompted it. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/38386250

Episode 336.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 43 - PlayStation 3 Exclusives 09/22/2025

Episode 336.5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 43 - PlayStation 3 Exclusives Mike is having all sorts of technical issues next week. We'll be back next week. Until then, please enjoy this remaster where Tyler and Mike talk about the Yellow Light of Death and some Playstation 3 exclusive games. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/38301555

Episode 336 - History of GTA: Jacked Part 9 (Finale) 09/15/2025

Episode 336 - History of GTA: Jacked Part 9 (Finale) Mike and Tyler discuss the last two chapters of Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto by David Kushner. They go over the legacy and production of GTA IV. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/38216300

Episode 335.5 - Episode 42 - The History of the PlayStation 3 09/08/2025

Episode 335.5 - Episode 42 - The History of the PlayStation 3 Life happened this week. Please enjoy this remaster as Tyler and Mike go through the history of the PlayStation 3. They talk about weird controllers, OtherOS, and PlayStation Network. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge. /episode/index/show/codexhistoryofvideogames/id/38122580

Codex: History of Video Games

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