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Codex History of Video Games with Mike Coletta and Tyler Ostby artwork

Codex History of Video Games with Mike Coletta and Tyler Ostby

Tyler Ostby and Mike Coletta·421 episodes

EducationLeisureGamesVideo 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!

Episodes

58 minVideo
Jun 1, 2026
Mailbag June 2026

Mike and Tyler read listener mail and explain the power of AM radio signals at night. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

44 min
May 25, 2026Episode 363
5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 51 - History of the PSP Part 2

Mike and Tyler go through the second part of their history of the PSP! They talk about Sony's weird marketing choices, homebrew, and what PSP models were the best. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

50 min
May 18, 2026Episode 363
Star Fox Adventures

Tyler and Mike talk about Star Fox Adventures. They discuss how it started as Dinosaur Planet and how Rare took Star Fox and made it into a Zelda-esque game. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

1 hr 5 min
May 11, 2026Episode 362
Star Fox

Mike does an episode on Star Fox (1993) and Star Fox 64 WHILE Tyler plays Star Fox 64. Who will finish first? The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

40 min
May 4, 2026Episode 361
5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 50 - Nintendo DS Games Continued and the PSP History Part 1

Tyler and Mike are sick. Please enjoy this rerelease as they go over some Nintendo DS games they missed (thanks Matt in Japan). Then they start the first part of their history of the PSP! The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

49 min
Apr 27, 2026Episode 361
Mailbag April 2026

Mike and Tyler talk their FPS tier list, Mike makes some corrections, and they discuss TV/Movies as video games. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

48 min
Apr 20, 2026Episode 360
Top 20 FPS Games Tier List

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.

51 min
Apr 13, 2026Episode 259
5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 49 - Nintendo DS Games

Tyler and Mike go over games on the Nintendo DS! If we left something out, email us at [email protected]. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

39 min
Apr 6, 2026Episode 359
Army Men: Sarge's Heroes

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.

51 min
Mar 30, 2026Episode 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.

46 min
Mar 23, 2026Episode 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.

42 min
Mar 16, 2026Episode 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.

34 min
Mar 9, 2026Episode 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.

42 min
Mar 2, 2026Episode 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.

37 min
Feb 23, 2026Episode 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.

57 min
Feb 16, 2026Episode 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.

40 min
Feb 9, 2026Episode 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.

39 min
Feb 2, 2026Episode 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.

38 min
Jan 26, 2026Episode 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.

51 min
Jan 19, 2026Episode 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.

47 min
Jan 12, 2026Episode 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.

1 hr 3 min
Jan 5, 2026Episode 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.

1 hr 2 min
Dec 29, 2025Episode 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.

29 min
Dec 22, 2025Episode 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.

45 min
Dec 15, 2025Episode 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.

42 min
Dec 8, 2025Episode 346
Donkey Kong '94

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.

47 min
Dec 1, 2025Episode 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

42 min
Nov 24, 2025Episode 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

48 min
Nov 17, 2025Episode 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.

45 min
Nov 10, 2025Episode 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.

1 hr 46 min
Nov 3, 2025Episode 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.

58 min
Oct 27, 2025Episode 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.

39 min
Oct 20, 2025Episode 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.

49 min
Oct 13, 2025Episode 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.

41 min
Oct 6, 2025Episode 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.

52 min
Sep 29, 2025Episode 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.

1 hr 15 min
Sep 22, 2025Episode 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.

45 min
Sep 15, 2025Episode 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.

44 min
Sep 8, 2025Episode 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.

1 hr 15 min
Sep 1, 2025Episode 335
The History of GTA Part 8: Hot Coffee Aftermath

Tyler and Mike discuss the aftermath of the Hot Coffee scandal in their eighth episode of their book club series about Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto by David Kushner. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

42 min
Aug 25, 2025Episode 334
Sidequest: Mailbag August 2025

Mike and Tyler finally get answers about erosion control! They also discuss more slang terms and fun uses for the Xbox Kinect. If you'd like to send us questions, you can do so at codexpodcast.net or email [email protected]. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

1 hr 17 min
Aug 18, 2025Episode 333
75 - Codex Remastered: Episode 41 - Xbox 360 Exclusives

Tyler and Mike talk about some of the best exclusives for the Xbox 360! So many Halos! The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

1 hr 1 min
Aug 11, 2025Episode 333
5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 40 - The History of the Xbox 360

Tyler and Mike go through the history of the Xbox 360! Plenty of talk about the notorious Red Ring of Death and how Xbox Live changed everything. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

39 min
Aug 4, 2025Episode 333
History of GTA: Jacked Part 7

Tyler and Mike make it to the Hot Coffee scandal in their seventh episode of their book club series about Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto by David Kushner. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

37 min
Jul 28, 2025Episode 332
Jacked Part 6: Something's Brewing with San Andreas

Tyler and Mike talk about the development and rating process of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in their sixth part of their book club about Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto by David Kushner. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

33 min
Jul 21, 2025
331.85 - Codex Remastered: Episode 39 - Sega Game Gear and Other Random Early '90s Handhelds

This is the final week of Mike and Tyler's summer vacation. We will be back to our regularly scheduled programming next week. Tyler and Mike talk about the Sega Game Gear and some other random handheld systems that came out in the early '90s. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

1 hr 1 min
Jul 14, 2025Episode 331
75 - Codex Remastered: Episode 38 - GameBoy Advance Games

Tyler and Mike are officially taking a mini-summer vacation! For now, enjoy this episode where they go through a lot of games for the GameBoy Advance! Not all of them -- there's so many! Tyler and Mike both go through their personal favorite games as well as other well-known and critically acclaimed titles. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

58 min
Jul 7, 2025Episode 331
5 - Codex Remastered: Episode 37 - GameCube Games Continued and the History of the Game Boy Advance

Mike is continuing his vacation so please enjoy this remastered episode! Mike and Tyler, with help from Matt in Japan, go through some GameCube games they can't believe they missed last episode! They also dive into the history of the Game Boy Advance! The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

44 min
Jun 30, 2025Episode 331
Jacked Part 5: Crunch Time

Mike and Tyler continue their book club series on Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto by David Kushner. They discuss chapters fifteen and sixteen. At the release of GTA: Vice City, crunch time begins to hinder the team at Rockstar Games. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

40 min
Jun 23, 2025Episode 330
Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto Part 4

Mike and Tyler continue their book club series on Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto by David Kushner. They discuss chapters thirteen and fourteen. The theme music is by RoccoW. The logo was created by Dani Dodge.

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