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
4
Roller Coaster Tycoon

Roller Coaster Tycoon

March 23, 2023

Whether you're a true head and picked this up day one, or like the rest of us, you acquired this in your favourite cereal box, Chris Marker's Roller Coaster Tycoon is maybe one of the most perfect games ever made. Beautiful isometric graphics, insane amounts of customization, and with basically no bugs, this is a game that can be played by anyone, anywhere, all the time. Mike & Neil are joined by some friends of the show including Josh from the Still Loading podcast to talk about their memories of this title and of course the most efficient way to drown your guests. Sit back, relax, put on your panda costume, and enjoy the ride.

Episode
3
Luigi’s Mansion - Revisited

Luigi’s Mansion - Revisited

March 16, 2023

For today The GameCube Was Cool lives on in the form of our first revisited episode, looking back at one of the greatest launch titles ever, Luigi's Mansion. We first talked about this game all the way back in May 2020 in our second ever episode and it's time to do Mario's brother justice now that we've had three years to hone our craft. We reminisce about that second episode, talk about what's changed since, and bring on two extraordinary guests Kira @toonietwirls and enemy of the pod Ramon to discuss their memories first picking up this survival/horror title with a Nintendo spin. 

Episode
2
Weezer's The Blue Album

Weezer's The Blue Album

March 9, 2023

Thirty years ago Rivers Cuomo wrote the songs along with his fellow bandmates that would become their first self-titled record, later labeled The Blue Album by fans and critics alike because the decided to make about a dozen other coloured self titled albums. Present day Weezer may be a far cry from 90s Weezer and basically have evolved into full meme form at this point but that won't stop Mike & Neil from covering them in their first album retrospective for Unlocking What Was Cool. Hear us talk about Buddy Holly, Say It Ain't So, and how cringe No One Else is today. Whether you take your car or your board to work, we hope you enjoy this episode.

Episode
1
Kirby’s Return to Dreamland

Kirby’s Return to Dreamland

March 2, 2023

Ladies and Gentlemen, WE ARE BACK! After a much needed vacation it's time to dive into some non-GameCube related media, starting with Kirby's best outing on the Wii (which evidently was supposed to be a GameCube game). Going with the "returning" themes of the episode, this game felt right to be our first to cover with the new format, as well as the deluxe edition being released on switch this week! We also bring back friend of the show and Kirby enthusiast Jake to talk about his memories playing this game in college and why multiplayer is where this game shines the most. Thanks for tuning in and welcome to Unlocking What Was Cool!

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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