Weekend Bonus Stage (October 2026)

Welcome to Weekend Bonus Stage! This is where you'll find the links to as well as Show Notes for the ROM hacks, other games and audiobooks featured in each episode during the month. If you have any comments, feedback, recommendations or suggestions for future episodes please leave all that in the comments section  below. Enjoy and thanks for checking it out.

You can support Weekend Bonus Stage and any of the other content that I do (Pokémon ROM hack walkthroughs, DJ sets, manga/comic audio series, Gaming History (Extended Mix) and more) from here https://mrtkallen.blogspot.com/2023/09/support.html

Weekend Bonus Stage archive: https://archive.org/details/weekend-bonus-stage

Previous posts:
Weekend Bonus Stage (March 2026) [Episodes 1 to 6]
Weekend Bonus Stage (April 2026) [Episodes 7 to 10]
Weekend Bonus Stage (May 2026) [Episodes 11 to 14]
Weekend Bonus Stage (June 2026) [Episodes 15 and 16]
Weekend Bonus Stage (July 2026) [Episodes 17 to 22]
Weekend Bonus Stage (August 2026) [Episodes 23 and 24]
**No Weekend Bonus Stage in September 2026**

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Gamplay footage: Pokémon Adventure Red Chapter Beta 15+ (Expansion Pass Update)
Source: https://www.pokecommunity.com/threads/pok%C3%A9mon-adventure-red-chapter-new-beta-expansion.298920/
Discord: https://discord.gg/FTs7BTrJnx

Audiobook: The Circle (2013) by Dave Eggers, narrated by Dion Graham
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Circle_(Eggers_novel)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Eggers

https://daveeggers.net/
https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Circle-Audiobook/B00FFDMOUG
https://www.amazon.com/The-Circle-Dave-Eggers-audiobook/dp/B00FGD5JZM
https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-circle-unabridged/id1417788029

Gamplay footage: Pokémon Team Rocket Edition (Dragonsden English Version) [12 June 2025 update]
Source: https://teamrocketedition.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/5EZ8RgJwu6

Audiobook: All the Presidents' Bankers: The Hidden Alliances that Drive American Power 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomi_Prins
http://www.nomiprins.com/

https://www.audible.com/pd/All-the-Presidents-Bankers-Audiobook/B00KO0CQ1C
https://us.amazon.com/All-Presidents-Bankers-audiobook/dp/B00KO150L4
https://www.audioeditions.com/all-the-presidents-bankers

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Episode 25 (Sunday 11 October 2026)

**Recorded on Saturday 10 October 2026

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- In Pokémon Adventure Red Chapter, our post-Kanto Saga adventures begin with this episode covering Bonus Chapters 25 (Secret of Joy), 28 (Battle Network), 29 (Goodbye Steve) and the Janine side event, which takes place inside the Fuchsia City Gym.

I had a prior engagement during the day yesterday and ended up recording and editing the episode last night. I'll try to get Episode 26 out tomorrow after work. 

- Book 2 of The Circle continues, this episode features the following parts:

- She was trying
- She needed to breathe
- Mae opened her eyes
- These practices
- Thank you
- When Mae returned
- The next day
- When their time was up

**Extra themes**
- New Island arrival [Drizzle - Pokémon Sapphire] - Mewtwo appearance [Drought - Pokémon Ruby] - New Island Part 2 [Mt. Chimney & Sky Pillar - Pokémon Ruby⁄Sapphire⁄Emerald] - Versus Mewtwo [Trainer Battle - Pokémon FireRed⁄LeafGreen] - Old Video [Mt. Coronet - Pokémon Diamond⁄Pearl⁄Platinum] - Versus Mewtwo Part 2 [Deep Within Team Galactic HQ!! - Pokémon Diamond⁄Pearl⁄Platinum] - Mew appearance [Mewtwo Battle - Pokémon FireRed⁄LeafGreen] - Versus Mewtwo Ending [Lake Crater - Pokémon Diamond⁄Pearl⁄Platinum] - Back on Cinnabar Island [Cinnabar Island - Pokémon FireRed⁄LeafGreen]

For the YouTube version, because of lack of time and because I wanted to try something different, I included audio from Grand Theft Auto III's Chatterbox radio station (hosted by Lazlow Jones), several radio commercials and the first 13 minutes of Grand Theft Auto's K-Chat radio station (hosted by Amy Sheckenhausen). You can let me know if this is better than featuring songs from various Pokémon game soundtracks or if I should continue with the songs instead. I don't mind the songs, it's just that adding them takes time since I make the effort of selecting songs that can fit with the gameplay footage. But this other idea of featuring different kinds of audio is fun and worth testing out.  

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Episode 26 (Monday 19 October 2026

**Recorded on Sunday 18 October 2026

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- In Pokémon Team Rocket Edition, we resume the mission to get back Two Island's Joyful Game Corner from a crew of troublemakers. 

**Extra themes**
- Three Island Gym Wild Battles [Battle! Vs Wild Pokémon (Pokémon Saiph 2)]
- Three Island Gym [Filuse Volcano (Pokémon Saiph 2)]

- Chapter 13 (The Early to Mid-1970s - Corruption, Gold, Oil, and Bankruptcies) of All the Presidents' Bankers is covered.

For the YouTube version, the audio comes from a channel called Uncover History which I first became aware of as another channel that was called Economy Rewind. The same voice over for the Uncover History videos was in the Economy Rewind videos. Those of you who still make time for what's left of the genuine independent, alternative media might know of Richard Grove and Scott Armstrong's weekly show Grand Theft World and if you do, then you might remember a few videos of Economy Rewind being featured on previous episodes of GTW. I liked the videos and thought they presented solid information related to history and finance. But at some point the channel started posting Spanish-language news videos instead of the usual content and it seemed like perhaps the channel got hijacked. A few months ago Uncover History popped up and has basically picked up from where Economy Rewind left off. The bad news is I believe the voice over is a well-polished AI voice over because there have been points in some videos where "he" mispronounces some names here and there as well as a few words (like pronouncing the word Row in the British style in sentence which is talking about a row and not a fight) and "he" spells out acronyms letter by letter instead of reading the acronym as it is. Just little strange stuff like that. But the good news is, this doesn't take away from the information that's being presented and I thought it's still worth checking out, even though the videos don't come with any Show Notes, linked sources, etc. Just like in the previous episode, I'm trying out other kinds of audio for the YouTube version but you can let me know if you like this format or prefer I stick with using songs from Pokémon game soundtracks. 

Since the book that's being explored on Sunday edition WBS covers history and finance, I thought the audio from Uncover History fits quite well.

Music theme: Lumiose City (Night) theme (Pokémon Legends Z-A)

01 The True Origin of WWII: What Historians Get Wrong!
02 The Bankers Who Funded Hitler — And Were Never Punished ( WWII )
03 -20 Minutes- The Bank of England's Secret Role in Starting WWII - The Hidden History!

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Episode 27 (Saturday 24 October 2026)

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- In Pokémon Adventure Red Chapter, we wrap up the Kanto Saga by covering Bonus Chapters 30 (Relic Beast), 31 (Instinct), 32 (Mystic), 33 (Valor) before kicking off the Orange Archipelago Saga with Chapter 1 (Thrill Ride). 

**Extra Notes**
- Swimmer Nedina is the Double Battler in the blimp who has a Poliwrath and a Politoed. You get Politoed by using a Link Stone on Poliwhirl.
- Fisherman Luis had an Anchorage on his team. It is a Water/Steel-type that evolves from Water-type Sunmola at Level 35.
- In the Team Rocket battle, James used a Gauntrebel while Jessie used a Lickylick. Gauntrebel is a Grass/Fighting-type that evolves from Weepingbell via Sun Stone. Lickylick is a Normal/Psychic-type that evolves from Lickitung when levelled up while knowing a Psychic move.

**Extra themes**
- Red vs Team Rocket [Fierce Competition (Pokémon Sors)]

- We conclude The Circle by covering the remaining parts of Book 2 and the very brief Book 3.

- You did a very brave thing
- Mae drew her hand down
- Well, Mae said
- For a long few minutes
- You doing OK today
- As they walked
- Victor, Bailey said
- Now for the last piece
- In the bathroom stall
- I want you to connect these dots

A big Thank You to those of you who have been following Saturday's edition of Weekend Bonus Stage for The Circle, I hope you enjoyed it. If you are able to support Dave Eggers by purchasing the book then please check the links at the top of this post. Before we dive into The Every, the sequel to The Circle, I've got something lined up which will serve as a short break in between the two audiobooks. This "detour" is just over 5 hours long (which should be enough for a few episodes of WBS) and we'll start on that next weekend. For next Friday I'd like to put together Episode 27.5, which will feature an interview(s) or a podcast(s) with Dave Eggers or about The Circle.  

YouTube Version intro & ending: Theme from Vice City by Lex Horton [Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]

The K-Chat audio continues from the Jezz Torrent interview and also covers:

- Michaela Carapadis interview
- Pat "Mr. Zoo" Flannerdy interview
- Gethsemanee Starhawk Moonmaker interview
- BJ Smith interview
- Claude Maginot interview
- Thor interview (first 4 minutes)

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Episode 27.5 (Friday 30 October 2026)

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Gameplay footage: Pokémon GS Chronicles Beta 2.7.6 (20 June 2024 update)
Creator: Ruki Studios a.k.a Dr. Seuss
Sources: Ruki Studios
PokeCommunity
Discord

01 The Circle Official Trailer 1 (2017) - Emma Watson Movie [Rotten Tomatoes Trailers]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCOXARv6J9k

02 The Circle by Dave Eggers [1book1review]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o24uigp_Jk

03 On Message with Paul Argenti: The Circle by Dave Eggers [Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isEfS66DjLs

04 The Circle (Book + Movie): Surveillance Dystopia Brought to the 2010s [Technology & Societies]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CITShTE43EE

05 -Intro (First 3 Minutes) then 7min8sec in (10 Minutes)- Creative Magic
BETWEEN THE SEASONS BOOK: The Circle - Dave Eggers
https://shows.acast.com/creative-magic/episodes/between-the-seasons-book-the-circle-dave-eggers

06 -26 Minutes- “The Circle”: One Button For Your Life Online (Media Monarchy with @G3RD3R - Tuesday 25 April 2017)
https://mediamonarchy.com/the-circle/

07 The Circle Trailer #2 (2017) | Movieclips Trailer [Rotten Tomatoes Trailers]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C9tKfl8t0Y

The Circle (2017 Film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Circle_(2017_film)

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Episode 28 (Sunday 25 October 2026)

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- In Pokémon Team Rocket Edition, we take on the Three Island Gym challenge and face off against Ex-Leader Morfeo. 

It took a couple of tries (and returning to HQ for some more training) but eventually I got through him 😂. So this was the first battle featuring a final evolution Pokémon that had "evolved" further, that was a nice surprise. I'm guessing it retained its base Typing only and not gained a second Typing? Or maybe it had a second Typing? Interesting feature. I've seen a bit of gameplay from the current update of the original Spanish version and it looks like Pokémon levels go beyond Level 100. It does make sense given how big the game is, and it reminds me of Pokémon Adventure Red Chapter having the same thing later on during the Orange Archipelago Saga (or when you started the final Beta by skipping the Kanto Saga and you'll have Red's main team at Level 160). 

- Chapter 14 (The Late 1970s - Inflation, Hostages, and Bankers) of All the Presidents' Bankers is covered.

**YouTube Version**

Audio from Uncover History

Music theme: Lumiose City (Night) theme (Pokémon Legends Z-A)

01 -Remaining 9 Minutes- The Bank of England's Secret Role in Starting WWII - The Hidden History!
02 Winston Churchill Was Bought By Bankers in 1938 — The DEAL That Started WWII
03 -First 13 Minutes- The True Origin of WWII The Lie You Were Taught About World War 2

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Episode 29 (Saturday 31 October 2026)

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**Links loading**

- In Pokémon Adventure Red Chapter, we cover Orange Archipelago Saga Chapter 2 (Professor Ivy) which sees Red and his friends arrive on Valencia Island and seek out one of Prof. Oak's famous colleagues. A new place, new faces and new Pokémon - here we go.

**Extra Notes**
- We encountered a few Orangean variants in this episode, here are their Typings:
Orangean Pidgey (and its evolved forms) - Flying/Dark
Orangean Ekans - Poison/Water
Orangean Sharpedo - Water/Ground (evolves from Orangean Carvanha, same typing, at Level 30)

Bram Stoker's Dracula (Audible 2026 adaptation)
https://www.audible.com/pd/Bram-Stokers-Dracula-Audiobook/B0H956N76W

Written by Robyn Ahern
Directed by Mary Lambert
Original Score by Ilan Eshkeri

Cast:
Ella Purnell - Mina
Jonathan Bailey - Dracula
Louis Partridge - Jonathan
David Jonsson - Dr. Seward
Aimee Lou Wood - Lucy
Johnny Flynn - Renfield
Lesley Manville - Mrs. Westenra
Maggie Gyllenhaal - Professor Van Helsing

- Part 1 of Dracula is covered in this episode. Generally I take a lot of modern remakes, reboots, reimaginings with a bag of fine salt because many times these versions have changes in them which just seem so unnecessary and they turn out to be less-than the originals. A current example would be the upcoming Harry Potter TV series for HBO. I had that bag of salt ready for this Dracula project and sure enough there is one major change which is hard to ignore - having Professor Van Helsing turn out to be a woman. It's just one of those changes that has you think "Really? What was wrong with the original character?" and you just roll your eyes and shake your head. Maybe it would've been too much if Dracula had been the one who got a sex change, eh? In the end, I still thought Maggie did a decent job and I warmed up to this version of Val Helsing. I've accepted that this just something to expect in Western media now, characters being changed or the casting of actors that look nothing like the characters they are potraying and so on. Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this audiobook while we take a short break from Dave Eggers. Great timing too with today being Halloween of course.

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