Unofficial Controller Podcast
- Episodes
- 345
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 8, 2026
About the podcast
Your number one weekly gaming podcast for all the latest Sony Playstation , Microsoft Xbox , Nintendo Switch and PC News. Retrospectives , Readers Mail and Industry Chat.
Episodes 345
From Cozy Point And Clicks To Ocarina Of Time Remake First Impressions
Send us Fan Mail£700 listings for a Zelda bonus box should make every gamer pause. We kick things off with what we’ve been playing, then spiral into the bigger question behind all of it: what makes gaming feel …
Show notes
£700 listings for a Zelda bonus box should make every gamer pause. We kick things off with what we’ve been playing, then spiral into the bigger question behind all of it: what makes gaming feel fun right now, and what’s quietly making it worse?
We talk point and click adventure games like Lucy Dreaming and Hair of the Dog, and why their pixel art charm isn’t the real hook. The real magic is “flow” and respect for your time: movement that doesn’t drag, puzzles that feel logical, and design choices that keep you curious instead of annoyed. From there we jump into retro gaming with Evercade, why good ports matter, and how modern conveniences can make old classics feel fresh again for players who just want to sit down and play.
Then it’s Switch 2 season. I share early thoughts on the Ocarina of Time remake: a stunning presentation, 60fps smoothness, standout music, and that Nintendo trick where you learn the game without feeling like you’re being hand-held. We also get into the limited edition chaos, with scalpers already flipping extras for absurd prices, and what that says about FOMO and collecting in 2026.
On the news side, we unpack the BioWare closure and the odd timing of a documentary send-off, plus what EA style acquisitions can do to studio identity. We also hit Kojima’s Physint for Xbox, Bill Skarsgård’s “new medium” comments, and why Kojima’s film-forward approach divides players.
If you enjoy honest gaming talk that connects the controller-level details to the industry-level stakes, subscribe, share the episode, and leave us a review so more players can find the community.Join our fantastic discord
https://discord.gg/v7RFSUcG
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or DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.
Cheers gamers!
Subscription Tiers
$3
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
$5
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
$8
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
$10
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
Yearly art merch t-shirt
Thanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.
Chapters (12)
Special: An Interview With Tom Hardwidge Of Tall Story Games
Send us Fan MailA lot of people talk about “making an indie game.” Far fewer talk about what happens after the hype, when you’re staring down a deadline, a Kickstarter budget, and a thousand tiny decisions that …
Show notes
A lot of people talk about “making an indie game.” Far fewer talk about what happens after the hype, when you’re staring down a deadline, a Kickstarter budget, and a thousand tiny decisions that decide whether the game actually ships. We’re joined by Tom Hardwidge from Tall Story Games to get the real story behind building narrative, puzzle-driven point and click adventure games like Lucy Dreaming and the newly released Heir of the Dog.
We start where we always do with what we’ve been playing, then rewind through Tom’s gaming DNA: ZX Spectrum beginnings, Sierra-era PC adventures, saving up for a Super Nintendo, and why classic 2D design still holds up today. From there, Tom connects the dots between a career in digital marketing, web design, and Flash creative coding and the surprisingly direct skills you need for indie game development: interface design, player flow, fast prototyping, and learning by shipping.
Then we get into the part most dev diaries skip. Tom explains how Kickstarter funding really works in practice, why that money isn’t “profit” until every reward and invoice is paid, and how stretch goals like localization, music, and voice acting can change the math fast. We also talk hiring contractors, choosing collaborators you actually gel with, navigating Steam publishing, and what console porting to platforms like Nintendo Switch takes behind the scenes. Finally, Tom breaks down Heir of the Dog’s Victorian comedy premise and its core mechanic: using a pocket watch to shift time and solve puzzles as different forms.
If you enjoy indie games, pixel art, retro comedy, and honest creative process talk, hit subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.Tall Story Games https://share.google/pZDOnjtCAuOax7emS
Join our fantastic discord
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Cheers gamers!
Subscription Tiers
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Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
$5
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
$8
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
$10
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
Yearly art merch t-shirt
Thanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.
Chapters (12)
Please Someone Save Mass Effect Already!
Send us Fan MailA studio can make a classic, get critical praise for years, and still end up fighting for its life when strategy changes at the top. We dig into the latest stories shaking up the gaming …
Show notes
A studio can make a classic, get critical praise for years, and still end up fighting for its life when strategy changes at the top. We dig into the latest stories shaking up the gaming industry, starting with Arkane Lyon’s deadline drama and what it says about Xbox’s shifting priorities, restructures, and the brutal math behind modern AAA development.
The conversation gets even heavier with BioWare’s closure and the wave of fans asking for someone, anyone, to save Mass Effect. We talk through why “just buy the IP” is not simple, how risk aversion grows when budgets balloon into the hundreds of millions, and why big publishers cling to franchises even when they stop investing in the teams that made them special. Along the way, we ask the uncomfortable question: are indies carrying creativity right now while the biggest studios retreat to safer formulas?
To balance the doom, we also share what we’re playing on Switch 2 and beyond, including a genuinely fun Steam demo (All Pigeons Must Die), JRPG remake impressions, and the eternal comfort of Farming Simulator. And we end on a high note with Shigeru Miyamoto becoming the first game developer to receive Japan’s prestigious culture award, plus what that recognition means for games as culture and collaborative art.
Subscribe for weekly gaming talk, share this with a friend who’s worried about the industry, and leave a review with your take: should old franchises be revived at any cost, or is it better to make something new?Join our fantastic discord
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Cheers gamers!
Subscription Tiers
$3
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
$5
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
$8
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
$10
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
Yearly art merch t-shirt
Thanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.
Chapters
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Gaming’s Shift From Discs To Devices
Send us Fan MailPlayStation’s rumored end date for disc-based games is a grenade with the pin already pulled, and we’re not surprised fans are angry. We talk through what’s really behind the backlash: not just …
Show notes
PlayStation’s rumored end date for disc-based games is a grenade with the pin already pulled, and we’re not surprised fans are angry. We talk through what’s really behind the backlash: not just plastic boxes, but trust, ownership, resale, preservation, and the creeping feeling that consoles are turning into locked-down content terminals. We also dig into why the way you announce a digital-only future matters as much as the decision itself, especially with PS6 expectations looming and backward compatibility still a sore spot across generations.
Then we lighten it up with pure nostalgia fuel: Stuntman Hollywood. Licensed stunt stages built around Knight Rider, Back to the Future, Miami Vice, Jurassic World, and Fast and the Furious sound like a dream, but only if the driving feels right. We break down what we need from an arcade stunt game in 2026 and beyond, what could make the add-on model fair, and why we still want a truly great Knight Rider game that lets you live the fantasy, not just drive the car.
We also look at where gaming is heading when even a former PlayStation executive is praising the Xbox ROG Ally X20 OLED as a favorite handheld gaming PC. That leads into Switch 2 hype, including 007 First Light finally locking in a Switch 2 release date and the fun GoldenEye suit pre-order nod. Add in what we’ve been playing lately, from Bayonetta and eFootball to GRID, Shadow of Mordor, and Farming Simulator, and it’s a full spread of old-school comfort plus next-gen change.
Subscribe for weekly gaming chat, share the episode with a friend who still buys discs, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Where do you land on digital-only gaming, and what device do you actually want to play on next?Join our fantastic discord
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Cheers gamers!
Subscription Tiers
$3
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
$5
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
$8
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
$10
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
Yearly art merch t-shirt
Thanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.
Chapters
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Pokemon Rumors, Physical Discs, And GTA 6 Radio Hype
Send us Fan MailOne tiny icon can kick off a whole wave of hype. We spot Pokémon Home adding a “GBA Games” section for FireRed and LeafGreen connectivity, and it instantly raises the obvious question: are …
Show notes
One tiny icon can kick off a whole wave of hype. We spot Pokémon Home adding a “GBA Games” section for FireRed and LeafGreen connectivity, and it instantly raises the obvious question: are Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire headed for a Switch release next? We talk through why those Game Boy Advance Pokémon games still work today, why pixel art has aged better than people expect, and what Nintendo and The Pokémon Company tend to do when they know fans will pay full price anyway.
Then we get into the bigger industry tug-of-war: physical media versus all-digital. A headline-grabbing stat claims 51% of Marvel’s Wolverine sales in Europe were on disc, and we use that to dig into collecting, ownership, and what it means when platform holders talk about ending boxed releases. That turns into a wider chat about where we actually want to play right now and why convenience is starting to beat “maximum power” for everyday gaming.
We also go full Rockstar mode with GTA 6 radio stations, the return of station identity, and the genuinely exciting twist: on-demand podcasts you can listen to on foot with in-game headphones. If Rockstar nails that, it could be a new benchmark for immersion in open-world games.
We finish with community bits, Discord play-alongs, and what we’re queuing up next. If you like smart gaming chat with a lot of personality, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find us.Join our fantastic discord
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If link has expired then message us at [email protected]
or DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.
Cheers gamers!
Subscription Tiers
$3
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
$5
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
$8
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
$10
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
Yearly art merch t-shirt
Thanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.
Chapters
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Uncharted Returns?
Send us Fan MailSony just dropped a late-generation curveball, and it could change how a lot of PS5 games look and run. We unpack QSSR, the refined AI upscaling tech coming to the base PlayStation 5, and why …
Show notes
Sony just dropped a late-generation curveball, and it could change how a lot of PS5 games look and run. We unpack QSSR, the refined AI upscaling tech coming to the base PlayStation 5, and why Digital Foundry’s early results (especially with Marvel’s Wolverine) have people asking a bigger question: is this a genuine performance boost for everyone, or a sign Sony wants to stretch the PS5 era longer while PS6 timing shifts?
From there, we get into the rumor we can’t stop thinking about: a new Uncharted game at Naughty Dog with Nathan Drake not leading the charge. We talk franchise endings that actually felt complete, the risk of running a beloved series into the ground, and why studios still lean on familiar IP when modern AAA budgets make “new ideas” feel like a gamble. If you’ve ever loved Uncharted and worried about the Halo effect, you’ll want to hear where we land.
Then we tackle the Xbox speculation straight on. Leadership says Xbox is not for sale, and we break down why that’s more believable than the rumor mill suggests, from Microsoft cloud infrastructure to Game Pass commitments and how hard it would be to untangle the brand. We also zoom out on where the console market is heading, with hardware like Project Helix sounding more like a PC-style platform play than the old box-war era.
We also hit what we’ve been playing on Switch 2, including Star Wars Outlaws, eFootball Kickoff, Witcher 3, and Shadow of Mordor, plus a quick heads-up on the Lottwick Hill giveaway. Subscribe, share the show with a gaming mate, and leave a review so more people can find us.Join our fantastic discord
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Cheers gamers!
Subscription Tiers
$3
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
$5
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
$8
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
$10
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
Yearly art merch t-shirt
Thanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.
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PS6 Stats Released!
Send us Fan MailA tiny settings menu can be the difference between “this port is rough” and “wait, this feels like I’m playing a Star Wars movie.” We start with what we’ve actually been playing on Switch 2 …
Show notes
A tiny settings menu can be the difference between “this port is rough” and “wait, this feels like I’m playing a Star Wars movie.” We start with what we’ve actually been playing on Switch 2, including Red Dead Redemption as a proof point for how good a well-tuned classic can feel on modern hardware. Then we get hands-on with Star Wars Outlaws, calling out the visual quirks that can ruin first impressions on a handheld and the simple changes that clean it up, especially film grain off and letterboxed film mode for a more cinematic look.
From there we zoom out to the bigger question: why are we all so angry about games lately? We talk about the gap between social media pile-ons and real playtime, and how “good for the money” is sometimes the most honest review category. Along the way we check in on what’s clicking (Wolverine’s pace and presentation) and what still needs time to land (Crimson Desert combat and deeper systems), plus the strangely relaxing pull of Farming Simulator once a proper British and Northern Ireland map shows up.
The news run brings the industry into focus: Obsidian shifting under the Bethesda group and what that might signal for future Fallout projects, the long silence around Elder Scrolls 6, and the uncomfortable reality of studio reshuffles. We also dig into PS6 rumors, from teraflops talk to ray tracing expectations, AI upscaling, a potential handheld companion, and the big one: price. We close with Nintendo news as Metroid Dread physical copies spike past $100 after Metroid Ravenous hype, raising the collector bubble question yet again.
If you enjoy sharp gaming takes with real player perspective, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the podcast.Join our fantastic discord
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or DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.
Cheers gamers!
Subscription Tiers
$3
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
$5
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
$8
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
$10
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
Yearly art merch t-shirt
Thanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.
Chapters
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Wolverine’s Back And The Internet’s Mad
Send us Fan MailSomebody finally said the quiet part out loud: modern AAA games can feel boring, not because the teams aren’t talented, but because the money and expectations push everyone toward safe choices …
Show notes
Somebody finally said the quiet part out loud: modern AAA games can feel boring, not because the teams aren’t talented, but because the money and expectations push everyone toward safe choices. We get into that claim and what it means for game design, innovation, and why so many big releases end up feeling like variations on the same template, even when they look unbelievable in 4K.
Before the news, we talk real playtime. RGT is deep into Red Dead Redemption on the Switch 2 and still amazed that a once “big console” Rockstar game now feels natural as a handheld experience. George checks back in on Star Wars Outlaws and then dives into Crimson Desert, which keeps throwing new mechanics at you every minute, from chopping trees to learning combat moves through experience. And then we hit the hot topic: Insomniac’s Wolverine. We push past the noise, judge the game on its own merits, and explain why it feels like a modern take on that PS2 and PS3 era of tight, action-forward, story-driven brawlers, even if a couple of sections don’t fully land.
On the news side, we react to Bruce Straley’s comments about risk-averse AAA development, unpack a rumor that Media Molecule may be building a social simulation inspired by Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, and then go deep on Xbox disc-to-digital. It’s a fascinating case study in how a decision made years ago can shape digital ownership today, and why library migration and game preservation are about to matter more than ever.
If you’re into PlayStation, Xbox, Switch 2, physical games, digital ownership, and where the industry goes next, hit subscribe, share the show with a gaming friend, and leave us a review with your take.Join our fantastic discord
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Cheers gamers!
Subscription Tiers
$3
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
$5
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
$8
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
$10
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
Yearly art merch t-shirt
Thanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.
Chapters
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Nintendo Direct....Our Picks
Send us Fan MailSony reportedly hits the brakes on a Kojima project, and the ripple effect is bigger than one canceled game. We talk through the Project Scient reporting, the mix of budget, deadlines, and …
Show notes
Sony reportedly hits the brakes on a Kojima project, and the ripple effect is bigger than one canceled game. We talk through the Project Scient reporting, the mix of budget, deadlines, and exclusivity that may have pushed Sony to step away, and why Xbox scooping it up feels like a marquee moment. Then we get honest about where PlayStation sits for us right now, why our PS5s are gathering dust, and how quickly the “what am I even turning this on for?” feeling can take hold when the release cadence slows.
From there, we shift into the games we can’t stop thinking about. Red Dead Redemption on Switch 2 sparks a surprisingly useful conversation about remasters, nostalgia, and how portability changes the value equation. We also jump into Cyberpunk 2077 as a full-on redemption arc, especially with modern updates that make the world feel smoother and more cinematic, plus a few quick hits on deal pickups and side-quest chaos that only Night City can deliver.
Then it’s Nintendo time, because the Nintendo Direct September 2026 presentation is packed. We run through the biggest announcements and release dates, react to the Ocarina of Time remake, and debate the real question hanging over Switch 2: are we already seeing the performance “glass ceiling” on ambitious ports, and can VRR and 120Hz support help? If you like smart gaming talk with real opinions and a lot of curiosity, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find us.Join our fantastic discord
https://discord.gg/v7RFSUcG
If link has expired then message us at [email protected]
or DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.
Cheers gamers!
Subscription Tiers
$3
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
$5
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
$8
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
$10
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
Yearly art merch t-shirt
Thanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.
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Nintendo Doubles Up On Directs And Gamers Take Notice
Send us Fan Mail“Play anywhere” sounds great until someone starts the stopwatch. We kick off with what we’ve been playing, from Splatoon Raiders and retro Evercade arcade nights to revisiting GTA IV The Lost …
Show notes
“Play anywhere” sounds great until someone starts the stopwatch. We kick off with what we’ve been playing, from Splatoon Raiders and retro Evercade arcade nights to revisiting GTA IV The Lost and Damned, soaking up the off-kilter Twin Peaks energy of Deadly Premonition, and squeezing Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker onto an increasingly crowded Switch 2 storage card. The throughline is simple: we love games, but we’re also feeling the pressure of how expensive and complicated the hobby can get.
Then we get into the big gaming news that has people arguing in comment sections. Xbox Cloud Gaming is reportedly adding monthly time limits by Game Pass tier, with Microsoft pointing to rising infrastructure costs and offering paid add-on hours. We talk about what that does to the “Xbox anywhere” pitch, who it hits hardest (especially TV and handheld streamers), and why even a small cap can change player behavior and trust.
On the PlayStation side, we unpack a key clarification around PS5 disc manufacturing capacity through 2028 and what it signals for physical media collectors, reorders, and the long runway toward a more digital future. We also debate what a PS6 without an internal disc drive could look like, and whether an external drive becomes the only realistic compromise for backwards compatibility.
We close on a brighter note with Nintendo announcing two Directs in the same week, including a Zelda 40th anniversary showcase, plus a Treehouse follow-up. If you’re hoping for an Ocarina of Time remake or just want a steady stream of good Switch 2 news, this is the kind of momentum we’ve been missing. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review, then tell us in the comments what you’re playing this week and which announcement would actually win you over.Join our fantastic discord
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Cheers gamers!
Subscription Tiers
$3
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
$5
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
$8
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
$10
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
Yearly art merch t-shirt
Thanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.
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GTA 6 Looks Like A Movie And That Changes Everything
Send us Fan MailGTA 6 looks like a movie, and that’s exactly why we can’t stop talking about it. We break down the Netflix extended look detail by detail, from Red Dead-style NPC interactions and a tougher …
Show notes
GTA 6 looks like a movie, and that’s exactly why we can’t stop talking about it. We break down the Netflix extended look detail by detail, from Red Dead-style NPC interactions and a tougher police system to six-star wanted levels, denser crowds, improved aiming, and even the quiet “hang out at home” moments that make a world feel real. Then we hit the argument every console player has had at least once: is 30 FPS a dealbreaker when the visuals and animation quality are this ambitious, or is chasing 60 FPS the point of buying new hardware in the first place?
We also dig into The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Remastered landing on Nintendo Switch 2, including what’s changing, why CD Projekt Red is still polishing a classic, and why a free upgrade for physical and digital owners matters when so many publishers charge for the same move. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to finally play Witcher 3 on handheld hardware without the old compromises, this is the moment worth watching.
To round it out, we talk about the industry shift that’s sitting behind everything: Xbox announcing a disc-to-digital program for thousands of games, the growing anxiety around physical media, and what “ownership” means when the future is clearly digital. If you care about game preservation, collecting, or just knowing your library won’t vanish, you’ll want to hear this one. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review with your take: Team Graphics or Team Frame Rate?Join our fantastic discord
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Cheers gamers!
Subscription Tiers
$3
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
$5
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
$8
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
$10
Name read out on every show
Access to unglorious chat section of discord
Quarterly Zoom meet up
A single item of yearly limited art merch
Yearly art merch mug
Yearly art merch t-shirt
Thanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.
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Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Drops Sunshine Plus More Big Gaming News
Send us Fan MailMario Sunshine popping up on Switch 2’s GameCube service should be simple news, but it turns into a bigger question we can’t stop poking at: why do some gaming subscriptions feel like a treat …
Show notes
Mario Sunshine popping up on Switch 2’s GameCube service should be simple news, but it turns into a bigger question we can’t stop poking at: why do some gaming subscriptions feel like a treat, while others feel like an endless shelf you never actually touch? We talk through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, the thrill of seeing new retro drops, and why having GameCube games portable can be more valuable than chasing original hardware, rising disc prices, and controller chaos. If you’re craving retro Nintendo, this one hits that nostalgic nerve in a practical way.
From there we jump to PlayStation and one of the juiciest tech claims of the week: Insomniac says Marvel’s Wolverine aims for 60 FPS with ray tracing enabled on the base PS5, with performance mode as the default. We break down why that matters, how it compares to the usual performance vs fidelity trade-off, and whether late-generation “wizardry” still delivers the kind of leap we remember from past console cycles. If smooth gameplay is your love language, you’ll have opinions here.
Then we get to the true wildcard for handheld performance: Crimson Desert on Switch 2. The developer says the port is already playable at a foundational level and is targeting the first half of 2027, but it still needs serious optimization to preserve the open world action adventure experience. We debate what an “impossible port” really means in 2026, what compromises show up first (pop-in, resolution, battery, frame rate), and why this could become the benchmark port everyone compares against.
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Switch 2 Becomes The Comfort Console
Send us Fan MailGTA 6 preorders are reportedly “exceptional,” Halo is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and Nintendo is quietly building the coziest escape hatch in modern gaming. We’re George …
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GTA 6 preorders are reportedly “exceptional,” Halo is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and Nintendo is quietly building the coziest escape hatch in modern gaming. We’re George and RGT, and we spend this week juggling two truths at once: we love this hobby, and we’re tired of how exhausting the industry conversation can feel. So we start where it actually matters, with the games in our hands, not the outrage on our feeds.
RGT runs through a packed playlist, from Death on the Nile’s satisfying mystery solving to Farlands, a Stardew Valley style farming sim set in space where fuel, travel time, and a ship you can sleep in turn cozy routines into real planning. We also shout out Rogue Flight, a slick on-rails shooter that scratches that Star Fox itch with modern speed and buttery controls. On George’s side, Donkey Kong Bonanza brings chaotic destruction and big Nintendo energy, while Starfield on PS5 delivers incredible sound and story potential but also raises real questions about loading screens, menus, and how “space exploration” should feel minute to minute.
Then we hit the big news: what it means when GTA 6 marketing ties into a Netflix gameplay reveal, why “external contractor shifts” can be a convenient phrase after Halo Campaign Evolved ships, and why the Switch 2 third-party lineup feels like a rare bright spot. We’re not pretending compromises don’t exist, but we are saying this: portability plus strong ports might be the most honest value in gaming right now, and it’s making us want to play more, not argue more.
If you’re burned out on negativity but still want smart takes, game recommendations, and a reason to stay excited, press play. Subscribe, share the show with a friend who needs a gaming reset, and leave us a review with the one platform that still feels fun to you right now.Join our fantastic discord
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Tom Holland Picks His Favorite Game And Xbox Bets On Four C’s
Send us Fan MailTom Holland just dropped a gaming take that genuinely made us stop and go, wait, what. He says The Last of Us Part 2 is his favorite video game of all time, and he’s avoided the HBO series …
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Tom Holland just dropped a gaming take that genuinely made us stop and go, wait, what. He says The Last of Us Part 2 is his favorite video game of all time, and he’s avoided the HBO series because he loves the game that much. We unpack why that actually makes sense for a performance-driven, narrative-heavy game, and we ask the bigger question: when a story hits you perfectly in game form, do you even want an adaptation messing with your headcanon?
From there we get into Xbox’s post-reset strategy, breaking down the “four C’s” priorities and what they could mean for console, Game Pass, and the push to stretch big IP across film, television, mobile, and live experiences. We translate the corporate language into gamer reality, including the parts that sound exciting and the parts that sound like the road to more monetization and more spin-offs.
Then we go straight into the messy stuff everyone’s feeling: physical vs digital games, the fear of losing access, and why storefront clarity matters if the industry expects us to go all-in on downloads. We also talk about rising console prices and the pressure AI chip demand puts on hardware supply, before ending on a more comforting note with Nintendo and the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 rating rumor. If you’ve got thoughts on ownership, subscriptions, or where console gaming goes next, subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more people can find us.Join our fantastic discord
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Find out why this retro console is back !
Send us Fan MailSony’s relationship with physical media is getting rockier, Xbox is experimenting with ad-supported cloud streaming, and the whole industry feels like it’s testing how much friction players will …
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Sony’s relationship with physical media is getting rockier, Xbox is experimenting with ad-supported cloud streaming, and the whole industry feels like it’s testing how much friction players will tolerate before they push back. I’m flying solo for Episode 329, so we move fast and cover a wider mix of stories, including a couple of retro detours that hit the nostalgia sweet spot without ignoring the messy realities of modern gaming.
I also kick things off with what I’ve been playing, finishing Xenoblade Chronicles on the Switch 2 version and sharing why it’s such an easy recommendation for JRPG fans and open-world adventure lovers alike. I’m a few hours into Futures Connected, and I talk about why this DLC is the rare one that actually keeps me invested. Then I pivot to our community Gen 7 playthrough pick, Heavenly Sword, plus a very real PS Vita problem while trying to play Jak 3 when the rear touchpad keeps triggering first-person mode.
On the news side, we dig into reports of Sony tightening social media rules for staff while staying silent on the disc backlash, and we unpack what that silence does to trust. We also break down Xbox’s test that puts ads before cloud streaming sessions and why “it won’t interrupt gameplay” might not calm anyone down. To round it out, we highlight Monolith Soft quietly helping Nintendo ship big titles, check in on Hyperkin’s Superboy SNES handheld revival, and react to Hasbro’s first wave of Legend of Zelda action figures and the collector chaos that can follow.
If you enjoy smart gaming talk that spans PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, retro hardware, and collector culture, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review. What do you think about ads in gaming and the shift away from discs?Join our fantastic discord
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We Break Down The PlayStation Boycott And What It Means For Everyone
Send us Fan MailPlayStation fans are so furious about the move away from physical discs that some are telling people to buy third-party and indie games anywhere but PS5, and it raises a messy question: when you …
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PlayStation fans are so furious about the move away from physical discs that some are telling people to buy third-party and indie games anywhere but PS5, and it raises a messy question: when you “vote with your wallet,” who actually feels it first? We dig into the disc debacle backlash, why comment sections have turned hostile, and why we think directing rage at small studios is the fastest way to miss the point while still doing real damage.
Before the news spiral, we keep it grounded with what we are playing. RGT is over 60 hours into Xenoblade Chronicles and staring down the final stretch, including the classic JRPG moment where you think you are done, then realize you are underleveled and happily disappear into side missions. George talks about saving Indiana Jones for an upcoming holiday, slowly picking through Final Fantasy VIII, and getting genuinely won over by Super Mario Bros Wonder. We also get nerdy about hardware and nostalgia, because the Switch N64 controller can instantly make Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye, and Jet Force Gemini feel “right” again.
On the Xbox side, we react to a batch of new console features like longer gamertags, improved library artwork, offline personalization, wish list shortcuts, and better cloud play prompts, all landing at a weird time for the industry. That kicks off a bigger, honest conversation about next-gen consoles, rumored PS6 pricing, broadband realities, and whether gaming is drifting toward an expensive, digital-only hobby built for the few instead of the many. If you have thoughts on discs, cloud gaming, or how you want to buy games in 2026 and beyond, share the episode, leave a review, and subscribe so you do not miss what comes next.Join our fantastic discord
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Brazil Challenges Sony Over Digital Game Ownership And Preservation
Send us Fan MailYou can feel the ground shifting under gaming right now, and not just because we’re playing more big-budget releases on handhelds. We start with what we’ve been obsessing over on Switch 2 …
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You can feel the ground shifting under gaming right now, and not just because we’re playing more big-budget releases on handhelds. We start with what we’ve been obsessing over on Switch 2, including Xenoblade Chronicles and why its real-time JRPG combat still feels tactical, modern, and weirdly addictive once it clicks. We also get into the little realities of “upgraded classics” like pop-in and frame stutter, plus whether you can mainline the story without turning your life into a grind.
From there, George makes the case for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle as one of the best licensed games in years. We talk first-person exploration, surprisingly weighty fistfights, smart camera shifts during traversal, and the film-level details that make it feel like you’re living inside an Indiana Jones story. Final Fantasy VIII Remastered also gets its moment, including the love-hate relationship with junctioning, unskippable summon animations, and the kind of enemy level scaling that forces you to learn systems instead of out-leveling problems.
Then the conversation turns into something bigger than any one game: digital game ownership and game preservation. Brazil is pushing consumer-rights rules inspired by Stop Killing Games, while Sony’s disc-less direction raises hard questions about resale, lending, and what happens when stores shut down. We cap it off with Xbox news on id Tech after layoff rumors, plus a real debate about whether Microsoft should protect its internal engines or risk deeper dependence on Unreal Engine.
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The Day Gaming Died with Two And A Half Gamers UK
Send us Fan MailThe future of gaming is starting to feel less like progress and more like a contract you can’t read. We’re joined by Two and a Half Gamers UK to talk through the current state of modern gaming …
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The future of gaming is starting to feel less like progress and more like a contract you can’t read. We’re joined by Two and a Half Gamers UK to talk through the current state of modern gaming, starting with the GTA 6 digital controversy and why preordering a digital game can feel like paying for hype instead of securing a copy. If downloads never run out, what are we really buying and why are companies pushing us to commit early?
From there, we get into the bigger fears behind the PS6 disc drive rumors and the gut punch of storefront shutdowns. When older stores close and licenses expire, “purchased” can turn into “unavailable” overnight, and that changes how collectors think about game ownership, game preservation, and backward compatibility. We also talk about remakes and remasters, and how easy it is for publishers to quietly remove original versions and steer everyone into rebuying the new one.
We round it out with the hard questions: why Game Pass and PS Plus style subscriptions don’t always work like Netflix, why the console upgrade jumps feel smaller while prices climb, and why retro gaming prices could spike if physical media keeps shrinking. Plus, we end on pure nostalgia with the one-item-you-save-from-a-fire debate and where you can find the guests’ streams and vlogs.
If you care about physical games, digital-only consoles, and what it means to truly own your library, hit play, then subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review.Two and a half gamers YouTube-
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Switch 2 Vs PS5 In Japan
Send us Fan MailNintendo is spending 121 billion yen on a brand-new R&D center in Kyoto, Sony is selling a Japan-only PS5 at a loss, and the Switch 2 is still running away with the market. That combo says a lot …
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Nintendo is spending 121 billion yen on a brand-new R&D center in Kyoto, Sony is selling a Japan-only PS5 at a loss, and the Switch 2 is still running away with the market. That combo says a lot about where gaming is headed, so we unpack it from the perspective that actually matters: how people live, how people play, and what they can realistically fit into a busy day.
We also get personal with the stuff you only hear when two longtime players are being honest. The Soulslike “rage fixation” loop, chasing lost XP, and realizing you’re wasting time just because you’re mad. The strange relief of stepping away from trophies and achievements, and how completionism can turn an amazing single-player game into a checklist. Plus the practical handheld angle: why Switch 2 ports can be “good enough” when the trade is gaming anywhere, anytime, without fighting the TV.
Then we zoom out to the bigger cultural shift: physical media, collector’s editions, and the slow death of the old ritual of saving up, buying a box, and actually owning what you paid for. Streaming and digital libraries are convenient, but the bill never ends and the licenses don’t love you back. If you’ve felt that tension between convenience and ownership, or between prestige consoles and real-life gaming time, you’ll feel seen here.
Subscribe for more weekly gaming talk, share this with a friend who’s stuck in trophy brain, and leave a review to help more players find the show. What’s winning your gaming time right now: power, portability, or pure comfort?Join our fantastic discord
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The gaming industry is imploding !?
Send us Fan MailXbox chaos, PS6 uncertainty, and a tiny handheld that keeps embarrassing the “power” conversation all collide in one week. We sit down and talk through the reports of major Xbox layoffs and …
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Xbox chaos, PS6 uncertainty, and a tiny handheld that keeps embarrassing the “power” conversation all collide in one week. We sit down and talk through the reports of major Xbox layoffs and studios potentially on the chopping block, and what that does to creativity when teams are building games under constant fear and shifting strategy. If you’ve ever wondered whether acquisitions and exclusives actually fix the core problem, we wrestle with that head-on.
From there we jump to the next-gen elephant in the room: PS6 timing. With component costs surging and analysts hinting at a 2027 or even 2028 launch, we ask what Sony can realistically ship without pricing normal players out. If consoles creep toward $1,000, do we still get the classic “new generation,” or do we end up with a set-top-box style future where ecosystems matter more than hardware leaps?
And then Switch 2 barges in with the most interesting twist: Unreal Engine’s lighting updates and smarter scaling suggest software might be the real next-gen. We debate ray tracing vs baked lighting, why the difference often doesn’t matter unless you’re doing side-by-side tests, and why portability changes what “great performance” feels like. Along the way, we get into trophy chasing burnout, pick-up-and-play gaming, and the weird power of nostalgia when old favorites hit just right.
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The Switch 2 Is Eating Everyone’s Lunch
Send us Fan MailThe Switch 2 is starting to feel less like a side console and more like the place where everything shows up, and that changes the whole mood of a gaming week. We’re coming in hot off our own …
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The Switch 2 is starting to feel less like a side console and more like the place where everything shows up, and that changes the whole mood of a gaming week. We’re coming in hot off our own playtime too: Forza Horizon 6 swallowing hours, Outbound delivering the kind of calm “camp, craft, and breathe” loop you can keep installed forever, plus early thoughts on 007 First Light and a surprisingly sticky return to Mass Effect Legendary Edition. On the nostalgia front, Donkey Kong 64 landing on Switch Online hits hard, even if modern button mapping reminds you the N64 era had its own kind of chaos.
Then we get into the main event: Nintendo Direct reactions with a wide-angle look at what Summer Games Fest season is really saying. We talk Switch 2 ports, performance trade-offs, and why day-and-date releases matter so much more than arguing about a few visual downgrades. If you’ve been waiting for the handheld to get “real console” support, this is the kind of lineup that makes people look twice, whether you’re Nintendo-only or you already own everything else.
We also pull on two threads that matter beyond hype. First, we finally explain why South Korea keeps “leaking” unannounced games: it’s largely GRAC and the Game Industry Promotion Act forcing ratings info into public view. Second, we react to Xbox leadership outlining five hard realities and a “next 100 days” business reset, from shrinking margins and rising hardware component costs to overextended studios and platform infrastructure problems, plus what that might mean for exclusives, Game Pass, and future hardware plans like Project Helix.
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PS5 State Of Play Reactions With Wolverine Hype And God Of War Alpha Debate
Send us Fan MailWolverine finally steps out of rumor land and into real gameplay, and it immediately raises the bar for what we expect from PS5 action. George is joined by returning Bobby and OG for a full …
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Wolverine finally steps out of rumor land and into real gameplay, and it immediately raises the bar for what we expect from PS5 action. George is joined by returning Bobby and OG for a full reaction to PlayStation’s State of Play June 2026, and we don’t just list trailers. We pull apart what looks finished, what feels like smoke and mirrors, and what actually sounds fun when the controller is in your hands.
God Of War Freya sparks a proper debate, from the “coming soon” messaging to the bigger question of whether Santa Monica is building a wider God of War universe through an afterlife setting. We also dig into Until Dawn 2 and why horror sequels keep happening even when nobody asked for a number on the box, plus Silent Hill Townfall’s first-person approach and the vibe shift that comes with it. On the hype side, Wolverine’s movement, healing, and cinematic pacing have us way more optimistic than we expected, especially after feeling a bit jaded by recent big sequels.
Then we zoom out to the business and the reality of modern gaming: PS5 pricing, Xbox Series X|S UK sales jumping with a Forza boost, and the uncomfortable truth that exclusives still sell hardware even in a multi-platform world. We close with Elden Ring Tarnished Edition landing on Switch 2, what “full price” means when DLC is included, and whether any of us would actually replay a masterpiece just because it’s portable.
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Modern Warfare 4 Hits Switch 2 As Steam Deck Prices Jump
Send us Fan MailCall of Duty Modern Warfare 4 on Switch 2, a Steam Deck price hike that makes your wallet flinch, and a fresh rumor that Witcher 3 is getting a full-blown expansion sized like Phantom Liberty …
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Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 on Switch 2, a Steam Deck price hike that makes your wallet flinch, and a fresh rumor that Witcher 3 is getting a full-blown expansion sized like Phantom Liberty. That is the kind of week that forces a real question: are we heading into a future where gaming gets better, or just more expensive?
We start with the stuff that actually fills our nights, from Ball X Pit on Switch 2 and why its speed and run loop gets dangerously addictive, to Hades 2 nearing the finish line, plus the surprise “why is this so good?” pull of Lego Batman. George then takes us on a story-time detour through Kingdom Come Deliverance, where one quest turns into a chaotic night out and the kind of consequences only an RPG can deliver. We also get into Knights of the Old Republic on Switch 2, including that endgame pressure where every door feels like it opens into another squad of enemies.
From there we hit the news: Modern Warfare 4 landing day-and-date on Switch 2 and what that signals for Nintendo players who want major franchises without feeling left behind. We debate the Steam Deck price increase, the weird reality of this console generation where prices go up instead of down, and whether graphics have basically peaked for most of us already. Finally, we dig into the Witcher 3 expansion talk and wrap with some old-school joy as Donkey Kong 64 joins Nintendo Switch Online.
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Ball’s to Xbox ?
Send us Fan MailA classic RPG throws us into court twice, Sony quietly trademarks a new PS5 name, and Embracer keeps rearranging the board like it’s playing 4D chess with the entire games industry. George and …
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A classic RPG throws us into court twice, Sony quietly trademarks a new PS5 name, and Embracer keeps rearranging the board like it’s playing 4D chess with the entire games industry. George and Bobby are back together and we start with the fun stuff: what we’re playing when time is tight. Bobby is grinding Hades 2 in bite-sized runs, sneaking in Nine Lives to Defend for that Vampire Survivors energy, and we both get pulled into the odd charm of Vampire Crawlers, a first-person deckbuilding dungeon crawler that feels like an old 80s maze with modern roguelike hooks.
Then George tells the latest chapter of his Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic journey, including the kind of legal “you’re under arrest” chaos only KOTOR would dare to spring on you after a totally reasonable amount of Sith-related explosions. From there we hit the headlines: Embracer Group’s plan to spin off Fellowship Entertainment and what that means for major IP like Lord of the Rings and Middle-earth, Tomb Raider, Kingdom Come Deliverance, and a long list of fan-favorite dormant series. We also build the ultimate wish list for a modern Lord of the Rings video game, aiming for a grounded open-world RPG that feels like a dangerous journey instead of a checklist.
On the platform side, we react to Sony’s PS5 trademark for Break In and talk frankly about PlayStation’s live service push, why Helldivers 2 hit, and why so many similar games bounce off players. We close by looking at Xbox hiring analyst Matthew Ball to strengthen the console business as Project Helix approaches, and why real competition still matters for prices, features, and exclusives.
If you’re into gaming news, industry strategy, PlayStation vs Xbox debates, and RPG war stories, you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review with your dream Lord of the Rings game pitch.Join our fantastic discord
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He’s Back: Bobby Returns | UCP Special
Send us Fan MailBobby’s back in the chair with the best kind of life update: he’s a new dad, and somehow he’s still finding time to game. We talk about what that really looks like in practice, from sleep …
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Bobby’s back in the chair with the best kind of life update: he’s a new dad, and somehow he’s still finding time to game. We talk about what that really looks like in practice, from sleep regressions and bedtime routines to the simple strategy that keeps his hobby alive: pick the right games for the right moments, and don’t pretend you’re still living in a pre-baby schedule.
From there we get straight into the backlog and the highlights. Bobby breaks down Reanimal vs Little Nightmares 3, celebrates his 400th platinum with Astro Bot, and explains why roguelikes have become his sweet spot. We also dig into Hades 2 and how the new character and magic-focused combat changes the flow, plus why the story structure keeps pulling you into “one more run.” If you’re curious about the PlayStation Portal, we revisit our original skepticism and admit the cloud streaming update changes the whole conversation, especially for PlayStation Plus Premium users with strong Wi-Fi.
Then we go where gaming podcasts are supposed to go: the hot takes. Sons Of Sparta gets a deep dive, Spider-Man 2 gets called out for losing momentum and undercutting its villains, and we wrestle with that bigger feeling a lot of PS5 players know too well: burnout, even when the graphics are stunning. We close with the Pragmata demo surprise, dream remakes like classic God of War and Manhunt, and a wild side chat about what modern media ratings allow. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review, what game recently made you feel that “magic” again?Join our fantastic discord
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Have Graphics Peaked Or Are We Just Finally Satisfied
Send us Fan MailA game gets a 10 out of 10 and the internet turns feral. We start with Mixtape, the “walking simulator” lightning rod, and talk through what it actually delivers: a nostalgic, music-led …
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A game gets a 10 out of 10 and the internet turns feral. We start with Mixtape, the “walking simulator” lightning rod, and talk through what it actually delivers: a nostalgic, music-led narrative with just enough interaction to keep you moving, plus a bigger point about why review scores get treated like verdicts instead of opinions. If you’ve ever looked at a rating and felt your blood pressure spike, you’ll recognize the whole cycle and maybe rethink what “perfect” even means for a genre.
Then we shift from vibes to systems with Pragmata Sketchbook, a demo that feels like a real vertical slice. Once the combat loop clicks, it becomes the kind of repeatable run that’s easy to boot up, experiment with, and obsess over. From there, George falls back into Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic on Switch, rediscovers why it’s legendary, and re-learns the oldest RPG lesson the hard way: save early, save often.
On the news front, Sony’s PS5 Welcome Hub beta is teasing Steam-like visibility with weekly player counts and trending surges, which leads to a debate about whether the home screen should be cleaner or more data-rich. We also unpack Ken Levine’s take on graphics diminishing returns, stylized art direction, and why chasing photorealism can be an expensive trap. And yes, we hit Hell Let Loose Vietnam, why Vietnam FPS games are oddly rare, and how jungle maps and riverboat chaos could make this one a clip machine.
If you enjoyed the ride, subscribe, share the show with a gaming friend, and leave a review so more people can find us. What game score has made you feel personally attacked?Join our fantastic discord
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Sony Burned HOW Much on This?!
Send us Fan MailMicrosoft Flight Simulator landing on PSVR2 is not just a curiosity, it’s a genuine “wait, why is this so good?” moment. We’re talking cockpit presence, Sense controller switch-flipping, 3D …
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Microsoft Flight Simulator landing on PSVR2 is not just a curiosity, it’s a genuine “wait, why is this so good?” moment. We’re talking cockpit presence, Sense controller switch-flipping, 3D audio, and that sweaty high-stakes feeling you only get when VR turns a small mistake into a full-body panic. I walk through the messy first impressions, the key settings tweaks, and why the career mode structure makes the whole thing addictive on PS5 Pro and still compelling flat-screen.
Before we hit the headlines, we swap hands-on thoughts on two demos with totally different vibes. Pragmata delivers sharp sci-fi action with a satisfying hacking grid that slows time and creates a clean combat rhythm, plus a real-world comparison of Switch 2 versus PS5 that surprised us with how close the experience feels. Outbound goes the other direction: a cozy camper-van road trip where the best moment might be sitting inside during the rain, and we can’t stop saying the same thing, this genre is begging for VR.
Then we dig into the big business question of the week: Bungie and Sony. We break down what an impairment loss actually signals, why live service strategy keeps blowing up, and what Marathon’s traction says about the risk of chasing the next forever game. We round it out with PlayStation’s preservation team spotlight and a Switch sales check-in as Nintendo inches toward the PS2 record while price hikes threaten the finish line.
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PlayStation Charges Players More, Xbox Struggles To Make Money
Send us Fan MailRefurbished PS5 consoles just got $100 more expensive, and that single move says a lot about where console gaming is headed. We (Georgie and RGT) kick things off with what we’ve been playing …
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Refurbished PS5 consoles just got $100 more expensive, and that single move says a lot about where console gaming is headed. We (Georgie and RGT) kick things off with what we’ve been playing, including Infamous Second Son not quite clicking, a surprisingly addictive budget zombie driving game, FIFA career mode obsession, and a first hour with Coral Island on PS Plus. If you’ve ever tried a new cozy farm and life sim and immediately felt the gravitational pull back to Stardew Valley, you’re not alone.
From there we dig into the big consumer story: rising PlayStation 5 prices and what it means when even “refurbished” stops being the affordable option. We talk digital vs physical games, how cloud saves and instant downloads change buying habits, and why these price jumps can push more players toward PC gaming and Steam libraries.
We also hit two headlines that capture the extremes of the industry. Final Fantasy VII’s director says he’s already completed over 40 full playthroughs of the third game, which is equal parts reassuring and slightly unhinged. Meanwhile, Microsoft says Xbox is recommitting to core fans as revenue falls, and we debate whether that’s real momentum, narrative management, or the start of a long rebuild.
If you enjoy gaming news with real talk, chaotic banter, and practical takes on price, value, and what to play next, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review. What’s your line in the sand: would you pay today’s prices for a refurbished PS5 or are you done?Join our fantastic discord
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Switch 2 already getting left behind
Send us Fan MailXbox rarely says the quiet part out loud, but this week they come close. George and RGT unpack a massive leadership statement that admits real pain points, from pricing fatigue to a fragmented …
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Xbox rarely says the quiet part out loud, but this week they come close. George and RGT unpack a massive leadership statement that admits real pain points, from pricing fatigue to a fragmented console experience, plus a sharper focus on PC, cloud gaming, and what “daily active players” means for the future of the Xbox platform and Game Pass. We talk about what sounds like genuine course correction, what still feels like corporate fog, and what we actually want to see if Xbox is serious about rebuilding trust.
Then we zoom back in to the games themselves, because the best way to judge any platform is how it feels in your hands. We dig into Switch 2 boost mode and how it can make older Nintendo Switch games feel newly playable, including Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag through the Rebel Collection. We also react to Ubisoft’s Black Flag Resync plans for 2026, the surprise confirmation that the original release will not be delisted, and the trade-offs of losing multiplayer and DLC in favor of a pure story-driven adventure.
To round it out, we do what we do best: swap honest “what we’ve been playing” notes and surface a proper hidden gem. RGT brings The Good Old Days, a retro Metroidvania with Goonies energy, quick restarts, and multiple endings. Along the way we hit Infamous Second Son impressions, a PS3 throwback with Turning Point, and a bit of Sega Universe speculation about reviving classics like OutRun and Streets of Rage.
If you like gaming podcasts that mix real-world platform strategy with grounded game talk, subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with a friend who still has a soft spot for the classics.Join our fantastic discord
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Lana del Ney ! - 007 First Light theme reveal
Send us Fan MailOLL 26 in Norwich hits that rare sweet spot where a retro gaming event feels both exciting and genuinely comfortable. We talk about why the Epic Studios venue gave off a GamesMaster-style studio …
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OLL 26 in Norwich hits that rare sweet spot where a retro gaming event feels both exciting and genuinely comfortable. We talk about why the Epic Studios venue gave off a GamesMaster-style studio vibe, how John and the team kept everything running smoothly, and what it’s like when listeners travel in just to hang out, talk games, and share a pint. We also break down the setups that drew the biggest crowds, including a live Challenge Accepted station built around Final Fantasy IX on a PS1 CRT, plus the on-stage Console Wars showdown and where you can watch the filmed version.
Then we get back to what we’re actually playing, bouncing between PS3, PS2, and modern oddities. RGT finishes Infamous 2 and explains why it’s a stronger sequel, then raves about Thank Goodness You’re Here as a sharply written British comedy game with Yorkshire flavor. George confesses to a Game Dev Story relapse, checks in on Clair Expedition 33, and falls hard for Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition after a bargain pickup, before giving a brutally honest update on the chaotic curiosity that is Seven Sins.
The news gets spicy: we unpack Samson’s roadmap and its 2026 console release window, debate the Neo Geo Plus AES and the red flags around preorders and value comparisons, and react to Lana Del Rey releasing the official theme for 007 First Light. If you care about retro gaming, gaming community, PS2 and PS3 recommendations, and consumer skepticism, you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves retro, and leave a review with the strangest game you’ve ever bought.Join our fantastic discord
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