Unlocking What Was Cool

The Number One Podcast On the Internet hosted by people named Mike & Neil.

Formerly The GameCube Was Cool. Hosts Mike Laine & Neil Gilbert continue to memorialize the 90s and early 2000s media, including movies, video games, albums, and yes, even the Nintendo GameCube. Tune in every Thursday to hear us talk with some of our favourite people and learn new things.

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Unlocking What Was Cool

Recent Episodes

Episode
29
Super Mario World

Super Mario World

September 14, 2023

Super Mario World is consistently ranked as one of the greatest video games of all time and frankly, who could argue that? The map, the cape, the design, the enemies, the accessibility, the secrets, the boos, star road, dinosaurs, yoshi! This game literally has it all, a complete masterpiece of exploration and platforming, Neil and Mike go back 33 years to talk about one of their favourite games of all time. Joining them is friend of the show Jed and @luigisapartment to discuss their memories, their favourite (or least favourite) secrets, and of course how Rip Van Fish is basically the Mr. X of the mario world. We hope this episode is "Just what I needed!".

Episode
28
Semi-Pro

Semi-Pro

September 7, 2023

EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY. There've been some classic Will Ferrell movies over the years: Step Brothers, Anchorman, Talledega Nights, The Other Guys. But one movie that often gets overlooked is Semi-Pro, the "semi" true story of the ABA merging with the NBA in the late 70s. Mike & Neil are excited to talk about one of their favourite comedies of all time and one that they saw in a nearly empty theatre together over spring break in 2008. 15 years later the boys agrees it still holds up although it certainly has it's issues. Nonetheless this comedy featuring the likes of Woody Harrelson, Will Arnett and yes even Andre 3000 of Outkast boasts a great soundtrack, hilarious scenes, and even a few dunks. SOMEBODY HIT SOMEBODY!

Episode
27
Leap from GBA to DS

Leap from GBA to DS

August 31, 2023

The mid 2000s were an interesting time for Nintendo. A failing home console, a slowly to adopt handheld console, and new competition with Sony's PSP. To counter all this, the Nintendo DS is revealed as a "third pillar" in their console arsenal. Well it turns out that the DS was far more than a third pillar and ended up going on to be the highest selling console in Nintendo's history. From Nintendogs to the touch screen stylus to Pictochat and so much more, the DS captured the hearts of over 150 million people and remains a mainstay for many today. Neil and Mike dive into this patreon topic, talk about their memories with the GBA and DS and predict what Nintendo's next big leap will be.

Episode
26
Japanese GameCube Games

Japanese GameCube Games

August 24, 2023

Mike and Neil have covered 555 GameCube games and this week they are adding to that number by covering five exclusive Japanese GameCube games. Nintendo Puzzle Collection - a colourful set of Yoshi's Cookie, Dr. Mario and Panel De Pon games, Kukurin Smash - a sequel to the GBA game that's currently on Switch Online services, Robocop - That's right, a Robocop game that is made by the same developers as Superman 64 so take that as you will, DreamMix World Fighters - an insane crossover featuring characters like Optimus Prime, Bomberman, and Simon Belmont, and finally Homeland - a online RPG game resembling a mix of Animal Crossing Cubivore and Doshin the Giant. The boys are joined by Marcelo from the fantastic YouTube channel @gamecubegalaxy to discuss these games in depth and lament why we never were able to get North American ports of them.

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From the Archives

Our Podcasts

Unlocking What Was Cool
Unlocking What Was Cool Logo

March 2023 - Present

Explore the Episodes

Our new podcast! Same basic format, same release date, but now a focus on one thing per episode (no more 12x12s thankully). We’ll be diving into some of our favourite media from at least 10 years ago while also fielding some patreon suggested topics once a month and of course re-covering some titles from the GameCube that we feel we need to do justice to.

The GameCube Was Cool
The GameCube Was Cool Logo

May 2020 - December 2022

Explore the Episodes

After reading 555 backs of cases we have completed the GameCube library and now can easily go to a video game store and explain any GameCube game on the shelf, even Darkened Syke. We’re thrilled to have accomplished this feat without missing a week and a huge thanks to everyone who made this possible. Explore 2.5 years of GameCube here!

Reviews! Reviews! Reviews!

What people say about us sometimes.

Like us? Don’t like us?  Wanna just shoot us a message and say hey what’s up? Drop a line on instagram, join our discord server, or review us on Apple Podcasts! We may just read it on the show or post it here. Or if you’re really feeling it, send us an email!

Contact Us

★★★★★

So picture this you are at work and you are bored of listening to your coworkers jokes that are not even funny well that was my situation a few weeks ago until I found the GameCube was cool podcast. So when I found the podcast I started listening to it every day (about 4 to 5 episodes a day) and that helped me to have fun at my job so thank you guys for all you have done.

Lucas aka Nice Young Man - Apple Podcasts

★★★★★

The GameCube was cool podcast is one of my favorites. I did not grow up with the GameCube but this podcast is the reason why I bought a GameCube and I’ve been listening pretty much each week since the shrek episode. I loved the reviews for Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, and hit and run but there are so many good ones here. I have Mike and Neil to thank for pushing me to get a Gamecube by their awesome experiences and interviews with others on the show and interesting and sometimes random facts about all these games.

tristancon - Apple Podcasts

★★★★★

Started from Episode 1! Recently found this podcast and started from the beginning. I’m now on episode 22, and I’m loving it. Informative, funny, with enjoyable guests when they can. I’m excited to keep listening and see how it grows.PS, Animal Crossing was my favorite childhood GC game, glad it got covered in the first 20 episodes!

PS, Animal Crossing was my favorite childhood GC game, glad it got covered in the first 20 episodes!

BintendoMan89 - Apple Podcasts

★★★★★

Funny, nostalgic, and thoughtful; what nice young men indeed. I thoroughly enjoy the vibe and content of these guys. I grew up on GameCube so it’s so fun to connect and reminisce with the memories that Mike and Neil, as well as their guests, share, and delightfully surprising to hear others remember specific moments in these games that Overall it’s a really quality experience that can get surprisingly emotional and heartfelt while being equally balanced with casual humor and banter that only two lifelong friends could have.

ben the whale - Apple Podcasts

★★★★★

Happy Leif Erikson Day!
Hinga dinga durgen!

hisinfernalmajesty785689 - Apple Podcasts

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