Our one year anniversary...
One year ago this month (in September of 2015) we had a simple idea---to combine retro video game sounds with sports highlights and movies. We created a test video (NFL highlights with #TecmoBowl game sounds) that blew up beyond our wildest expectations. We knew then we were on to an idea that would resonate with many people.
We immediately scrambled to create an online identity. Getting these amazing mashups out of our heads and into the public became an obsession for us over the past year, and it has been fun watching our video ideas take shape and do so well! Countless hours of discussion, creation, love, laughter, and a desire for perfection, have been poured into each video.
But...
We immediately scrambled to create an online identity. Getting these amazing mashups out of our heads and into the public became an obsession for us over the past year, and it has been fun watching our video ideas take shape and do so well! Countless hours of discussion, creation, love, laughter, and a desire for perfection, have been poured into each video.
But...
Behind the scenes...
What you do not know is that behind the scenes, we are just two average guys with full time jobs, busy family lives and commitments of our own. You may also be surprised to know that we don't get paid for making these videos. In fact, we haven't received so much as a penny. So, with limited time to begin with, working on these videos has to occur late at night after kids are in bed and other duties are done. Staying up to work on videos until 1:30am is the norm… even as late as 5am on some occasions, with a full time job waiting for us the next morning. There has been much sacrifice to bring these videos to you.
A joy and a burden...
Making RetroSFX is mostly a complete joy, but it also a burden---a burden of little sleep, high expectations of quality, laughability, shareability, and even expectations to crank out one to two (sometimes more) high quality mashup videos per month.
We knew it couldn’t last forever...
Over time, it became clear to us both that due to the heavy demands of life, continuing to work late on these videos was slowly wearing us down. As fun as it has been, it just isn't sustainable long-term, and we quickly realized that we couldn’t keep making these mashup videos forever, nor did we intend to. If we were to continue making videos “past our prime”, the quality of our work would suffer, with each new video being compared to our previous viral classics.
Quality over quantity...
When it comes to our videos, we strongly favor quality over quantity. So instead we shifted our focus to cranking out the remaining quality “must have” mashups on our list, so that if the time ever came, we could be at peace walking away (for a time, or perhaps permanently) from creating mashup videos.
Well... the time has come...
Just recently, personal events (a new phase of life) has made it clear to us both that we need to put the production of our popular mashup videos on hold for an undetermined amount of time. Please don’t be sad! We have accomplished above and beyond everything we set out to do, and more! And with the 6 million Facebook video views that the Michael Phelps w/ Super Mario Bros mashup got (before the International Olympic Committee blocked it on Facebook), what a way to take a break on a high note!!
So instead of being sad with potential mashups currently left undone, celebrate with us the success of the timeless mashups we have all grown to love---like Rocky w/ PUNCHOUT, Predator w/ CONTRA, etc...
So instead of being sad with potential mashups currently left undone, celebrate with us the success of the timeless mashups we have all grown to love---like Rocky w/ PUNCHOUT, Predator w/ CONTRA, etc...
WE AREN'T GOING AWAY… so don’t leave us!
We still want to see our fanbase and video views grow. After all, we consider our existing mashups to be as timeless as the classic movies and video games they represent. We still plan on being active on all our social channels, taking time for occasional new posts, and to engage with our fans online.
We’ve also learned over time that many of our new fans have never seen our earlier mashups, so when relevant we’ll re-post classic mashups (likely for game, movie, or celebrity anniversaries, etc.).
We’ve also learned over time that many of our new fans have never seen our earlier mashups, so when relevant we’ll re-post classic mashups (likely for game, movie, or celebrity anniversaries, etc.).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When will you start making mashup videos again...?
Currently, we feel satisfied with the videos we have created thus far. We have no plans to make more at the present time. HOWEVER, we know from experience that when an amazing mashup idea comes along, that “itch” to create it can be pretty strong… and we do have a few strong “nice to have” mashup ideas on our list still… so don’t unsubscribe! Because if you stick with us, at some point down the road, we’ll surprise you with a new mashup every once in long while!!
How can I follow RetroSFX?
Here are our social media channels:
- YouTube: YouTube.com/c/retroSFXcom
- Facebook: FB.me/retroSFXcom
- Twitter: Twitter.com/retroSFXsports
- Instagram: Instagram.com/retrosfx
- Vine: Vine.co/RetroSFX
- Vimeo: Vimeo.com/retrosfx
- Website: RetroSFX.com
Are there any mashups you still hope to do someday...?
A Castlevania mashup and a Blades of Steel mashup are definitely at the top of our “nice to have” list. We will surprise you with these new mashups some day, so we hope you stick with us for the ride!
How much do you get paid for your videos?
We haven’t received a dime! In fact, we spent money to bring you better quality mashups! We do it for the love of the idea, the “double nostalgia” of the result, and for the fans who thankfully enjoyed them as much as we did! The growing fanbase, their reactions, the viralness of our videos, and the overwhelming support and positive feedback have been our “payment” thus far.
Maybe some day we'll get to do make videos for a living, but not today.
Maybe some day we'll get to do make videos for a living, but not today.
Are you two going to reveal yourselves to the world?
We are both private guys who like to make people laugh, but we don’t necessarily want the limelight or popularity. Nor do we want to be the public face for our videos. We feel our videos stand on their own. We don’t have plans to unveil ourselves to the world.
You may be interested to know that we were featured briefly on the local news (NBC, Phoenix Arizona) for a quick interview in August of 2016 due to the popularity of the Michael Phelps mashup video. We may consider posting the segment to the About page of our RetroSFX.com website.
You may be interested to know that we were featured briefly on the local news (NBC, Phoenix Arizona) for a quick interview in August of 2016 due to the popularity of the Michael Phelps mashup video. We may consider posting the segment to the About page of our RetroSFX.com website.
Ever consider a meet and greet with the fans...?
We do run into random fans from time to time, and it is a joy to hear from them how they enjoy our videos. Perhaps someday we'll consider doing a public meet and greet somewhere, so we can thank many of you in-person for your support. (a Kickstarter campaign to get us a booth at ComicCon perhaps?? ;)
How many views have your videos reached?
On Facebook alone (our largest online presence), our combined video views have surpassed TEN MILLION total video views (if we include Facebook copycatters, we have closer to 25 MILLION video views). More than 750 THOUSAND people have engaged (comments, likes, and/or shares) with our videos.
I’m new here, what mashup videos have you created...?
Here are links to our top 13 most popular mashup videos:
- SUPER MARIO BROS (1985, NES) sounds with Michael Phelps (2016, Olympics)
- MIKE TYSON’S PUNCH-OUT!! (1987, NES) sounds with Rocky IV (1985, movie)
- CONTRA (1987, NES) sounds with Predator (1987, movie)
- MEGA MAN 2 (1988, NES) sounds with Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, movie)
- TECMO SUPER BOWL (1991, NES) with NFL Super Bowl 50 (2016, sports)
- MORTAL KOMBAT (1992, arcade) sounds with The Way of the Dragon (1972, movie)
- METROID (1986, NES) sounds with Aliens (1986, movie)
- TOP GUN (1988, NES) sounds with Top Gun (1986, movie)
- KUNG FU (1985, NES) sounds with The Karate Kid (1984, movie)
- EXCITEBIKE (1984, NES) sounds with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989, movie)
- RUSH’N ATTACK (1985, NES) sounds with Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985, movie)
- DOUBLE DRAGON (1987, arcade) sounds with Transporter 3 (2008, movie)
- THE LEGEND OF ZELDA (1986, NES) sounds with The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003, movies)
Would you ever consider passing the torch to others...?
Not likely. But perhaps, if the right set of talented and self-motivated volunteers came along that shared the same passion and innovative ideas, we’d consider enlisting their help and overseeing perhaps a new generation of mashup videos.