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- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
25,001 - 50,000 - Monthly Reach
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75,001 - 150,000 - Active Followers
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15,001 - 40,000
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Recent episodes
484 - Persona 5 Part II
Apr 23, 2026
1h 44m 57s
483 - Persona 5 Part I
Apr 9, 2026
1h 15m 15s
482 - Pentiment
Mar 26, 2026
1h 36m 01s
481 - Best Final Bosses
Mar 12, 2026
1h 32m 01s
480 - Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade Part II
Feb 26, 2026
1h 30m 32s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/23/26 |  484 - Persona 5 Part II✨ | Persona 5video game content+3 | Audra BowlingMichael Sollosi | RPGFan.comRPGFan+2 | — | Persona 5RPG+3 | — | 1h 44m 57s | |
| 4/9/26 |  483 - Persona 5 Part I | Looking cool, Retro Encounter.This week on Retro Encounter, we dive into the first half of Persona 5. We discuss the dazzling style, combat, and the sometimes less than dazzling structure. Who do we want to romance? Does the game still hold up? Does Morgana ever let us do anything but sleep? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Audra Bowling, Michael Sollosi; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 15m 15s | ||||||
| 3/26/26 |  482 - Pentiment | Retro Encounter is the only reason to do anything in this life.This week on Retro Encounter, we dive into the 2022 Obsidian masterpiece Pentiment, a game about murder, religion and the stories we tell about those things. Is there a right answer? Who do we accuse? Why are Socrates and God on the same screen? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Hilary Andreff, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 36m 01s | ||||||
| 3/12/26 |  481 - Best Final Bosses | The only thing we can believe in, with absolute certainty, is Retro Encounter, Jack.This week on Retro Encounter, we chat about bosses. But not just any bosses--no, we talk about final bosses. They're supposed to be a final challenge, but are they always? Do we even want a challenge at the end? How many bosses do we love that lose to the power of friendship? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Alana Hagues, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 32m 01s | ||||||
| 2/26/26 |  480 - Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade Part II | ...wrong. I am a podcast.This week on Retro Encounter we dive into the second half of Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. How much of the story do we actually get to experience? How much do we enjoy the late game maps? What are our favorite support conversations? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Audra Bowling, Ben Love, Lucas Greene; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 30m 32s | ||||||
| 2/12/26 |  479 - Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade Part I | For years, I've podcasted. Now, let those podcasts show their worth!This week on Retro Encounter we're discussing the first half of the first game localized to the West of that most famous SRPG series: Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. Does the host jive with the squares and the RNG? Do we even discuss the story? Who is the early game MVP? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Audra Bowling, Ben Love, Lucas Greene; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 28m 54s | ||||||
| 1/29/26 |  478 - RPGs That Deserve a Perfect Score | All you need to do is close your eyes and concentrate. Retro Encounter enfolds you.On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we discuss something that has only been awarded once at RPGFan: a perfect score. So, each panelist brings on one game they think deserves a perfect score and defend it against the panel. But there can be only one! Who will be our winner? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Matt Wardell, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 56m 53s | ||||||
| 1/15/26 |  477 - 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim - Part II | I love you, and that's why I gotta listen to Retro Encounter.On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we chat about the twisty, turny second half of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Do all the plot points land? Who was our favorite character? Is there actually a reason they're naked in the Sentinels? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 27m 29s | ||||||
| 1/8/26 |  476 - 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim - Part I | I don't trust much in this post-war world, but if there's one exception, it's my Retro Encounter.On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we're jumping through time and getting inside our mechs in the first half of Vanillaware's 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. We talk about our first impressions of the game, some frustrating encounters with crepes and cats, and the basic but addictive nature of Destruction Mode.Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 27m 31s | ||||||
| 12/18/25 |  475 - 1995 Year in Review | I sure hope this episode isn't BadBad.On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we cover the most interesting RPGs of the year, but this time, we flash it back to 1995. We discuss design decisions, varying localization quality, and those insane encounter rates. Does someone bring on a really bad RPG just for the fun of it? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Lucas Greene, Ben Love, Mike Salbato; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 59m 28s | ||||||
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| 12/4/25 |  474 - Dragon Quest Tier List | I hope there is something really amazing on top. If we dont find Dragon Quest V, it is all your fault.This week on Retro Encounter, we undertake a difficult endeavor yet again: making a tier list of one of the most popular RPG franchises. This time, it's Dragon Quest! Do things get heated? Who really loves a 100 hour game? Does anything finish in D tier? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Michael Sollosi; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 2h 05m 33s | ||||||
| 11/19/25 |  473 - Obsidian Encounter | Who is the greatest Western RPG developer?[Intelligence] “Obsidian”[Lie] “Not Obsidian”This week on Retro Encounter, we're discussing the legendary history and output of Obsidian Entertainment. Four Obsidian-heads form a party and break down the developer’s different eras, from their beginnings as part of Black Isle Studios to their current output as part of Microsoft, and everything in between. Are there any Alpha Protocol apologists on the panel? Which of us is morally bankrupt enough to enjoy Tyranny? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Aleks Franiczek, Wes Iliff, Jono Logan, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 2h 31m 35s | ||||||
| 11/6/25 |  472 - Final Fantasy Tactics Revisited | What we need is Retro Encounter and a way to listen.On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we revisit one of the host's favorites: Final Fantasy Tactics. Three veterans and one newcomer discuss the job system, combat, death sounds, and that excellent story. How does the new version stack up to previous versions? Is the game still as breakable all these years later? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Michael Sollosi, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 40m 47s | ||||||
| 10/23/25 |  471 - Star Ocean: The Second Story Part II | The Second Story, the second time around.On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we finish up the second half of Star Ocean: The Second Story. We become friends with an ancient psychic beast, gather up the last remaining party members, wast time in the aptly named Fun City, and finally take the fight to the Ten Wise Men threatening the universe. And saw so, so many endings.Featuring: Ben Love, Audra Bowling, Matt Wardell, Rob White, Steph Sybydlo; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 49m 26s | ||||||
| 10/9/25 |  470 - Star Ocean: The Second Story Part I | The Second Story, but first in our hearts!On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we got marooned on an underdeveloped planet called Expel and discussed Tri-Ace's western debut title Star Ocean: The Second Story. We compared the finer points of the PSX original with Second Evolution and Second Story R, which characters make the best party members, and how best to break the game using the special skill system!Featuring: Ben Love, Audra Bowling, Matt Wardell, Rob White, Steph Sybydlo; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 53m 33s | ||||||
| 9/25/25 |  469 - Yoko Taro Encounter | Women, children, the elderly...doesn't matter. If you listen to Retro Encounter, you're going to have a good time.On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we dive into the wild and wacky world of Yoko Taro, best known for his work on the NieR and Drakengard franchises. We discuss game design, themes, and just how many Taro games one person can play in a month without going insane. Can we make sense of Taro's madness? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Pat Gann; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 2h 24m 08s | ||||||
| 9/11/25 |  468 - Drakengard Part II | If you wish to live, choose only Retro Encounter!On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we finally finish Drakengard. We cry, we wail. Oh wait, that's the characters. Just how messed up are the additional endings? Can anyone ever truly be happy? Do rhythm games belong in an RPG? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Steph Sybydlo; Edited by Paul DennisOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 18m 00s | ||||||
| 8/28/25 |  467 - Drakengard Part I | Wise men choose Retro Encounter before war.In this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we are in pain. Wait, I mean we're playing Yoko Taro's first directorial effort: Drakengard. We discuss the first ending, the (purposely?) frustrating gameplay, all while trying to avoid going insane. Can a game that's not fun be good? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Steph Sybybldo; Edited by Paul DennisOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 23m 48s | ||||||
| 8/14/25 |  466 - RPG Confessional IV | What about podcasts? You guys got any podcasts?In this week's episode of Retro Encounter, the host re-opens the RPG confessional, a place where we admit to series that we've never played before, much to our shame. Don't worry, though, we're just here to encourage our friends to play good stuff! Who has never touched the Xenoblade Chronicles series? What about the most famous RPG franchise in the world? Sure everyone has played Dragon Quest, right? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Lucy Gray, Paul Skevington, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 48m 49s | ||||||
| 7/31/25 | 465 - Breath of Fire II Part II | You've got to jump into the podcast!This week on Retro Encounter, the panel is back to dig into the story-heavy second half of Breath of Fire II. Who can't stand the solo sections? Just how long can a final dungeon be? Is this the first time we killed God? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Mike Salbato, Matt Wardell; Edited by Paul DennisOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 59m 15s | ||||||
| 7/17/25 |  464 - Breath of Fire II Part I | It is podcasts.On this week's episode, two old veterans and one newcomer dive into the 1995 SNES RPG Breath of Fire II. A game known for its brutal grind and maybe even more brutal localization, some of the panelists still have a soft spot for it all these years later. Is the localization really that bad? How does the gameplay hold up? Do we ever get new dungeon music? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Mike Salbato, Matt Wardell; Edited by Paul DennisOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 27m 10s | ||||||
| 7/3/25 |  463 - Fallout: New Vegas Part II | You hear that? Richie Marcus likes Retro Encounter!In today's episode, the panel gets back together to discuss the second half of Fallout: New Vegas. Our conversation covers The Strip, the endgame, the DLC, and of course, Richie Marcus. Does The Strip live up to its name? Which ending did we pick? Who among us takes up cannibalism? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Audra Bowling, Aleks Franiczek, Jono Logan, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 53m 09s | ||||||
| 6/19/25 |  462 - Deus Ex RetroSpective | We always love to celebrate birthdays here at Retro Encounter, and one of our all-time favourite RPGs/immersive sims has a big one coming up! Deus Ex is turning 25 years old! In honour of this momentous occasion, we've assembled a panel of fans to chat about each entry in the series. Whether you're a fan of the original Deus Ex, the two more recent games Human Revolution or Mankind Divided, or maybe even Invisible War, we have you covered in this retrospective. Oh, and don't forget to check out the brand-new retro reviews of each game on RPGFan.com!Featuring: Jono Logan, Patrick Gann, Pete Leavitt, Matt Wardell, and Tom Naylor; Edited by Jono LoganOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 47m 35s | ||||||
| 6/5/25 |  461 - Fallout: New Vegas | You know, I tried to measure my charisma on Retro Encounter once. The microphone burst into flames.On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we're chatting about the opening hours of the 2010 Obsidian classic Fallout: New Vegas. Can the host finally get his head around a WRPG? Do any of us actually do the main quest? Is Fisto the greatest character in an RPG? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Audra Bowling, Aleks Franiczek, Jono Logan, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 1h 21m 19s | ||||||
| 5/22/25 |  460 - Top 10 90s RPGs | This podcast are sick.This week on Retro Encounter, we do the impossible: try to create a top 10 list for 90s RPGs. Does the best game finish at the top? Do we have anything except JRPGs on our list? Did we leave out your favorites? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Alana Hagues, Jimmy Turner; Edited by Zach WilkersonOpening and ending music by Miles MorkriGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom | 2h 07m 59s | ||||||
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Chart Positions
6 placements across 6 markets.
Chart Positions
6 placements across 6 markets.