Composers Vincent Diamante and ThorHighHeels join Tim in covering modern video game news sources, mysterious games, and excellent yacht names. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Vincent Diamante, and ThorHighHeels. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: Here and now in 2023, how do you get video game news? (08:59) What qualifies a game as mysterious? (14:39) Tell me about a project that you really believed in at one point, but couldn’t find a way to make it come together. (18:46) What subject could you give an unprepared GDC talk on? (28:29) From Kyle: What’s the newest game genre, excluding overt combinations of established genres? (36:36) Are YouTube audiences more interested in hearing about bad video games than good ones? (48:26) Why do you think people like what you do? (54:17) LIGHTNING ROUND: Pull Quotes (59:32) Recommendations and Outro (01:09:39) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: The Witcher series S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Assassin’s Creed series Phonopath Elden Ring Christa Lee Shadow the Hedgehog Cyberpunk 2077 Starfield Germs: Nerawareta Machi Bullet Witch NieR

Video game journalist Jeff Gerstmann sits down at the Insert Credit table to cover video game history, AI, and the return of Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Jeff Gerstmann. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: Have any of you seen the news lately? (09:58) Let’s examine the evolution of the endless runner. (21:53) Wrestling games. Glorified character creators, or is there something there gameplay-wise? (28:22) Definitively rank tank, healer, and DPS from best to worst. (35:52) Kyle asks: Form a musical super group composed of video game characters. (43:38) Are AI programs like ChatGPT good for video games? (50:44) LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island (01:03:50) Recommendations and Outro (01:23:49) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Yakuza / Ryū ga Gotoku series GDC James Austin Johnson The Jeff Gerstmann Show Service Discontinuation: Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS EU’s Microsoft-Activision Deadline Delay Puts UK in Driving Seat Detroit: Become Human Final Fantasy Creator On Why He Thinks ‘Quality’ Japanese Games Saw A Brief Drop Square En

Insert Credit Scottish Correspondent Mathew Kumar sits with the panel just before the March 27, 2023 closing of the Nintendo 3DS eShop to cover the console’s legacy, hardware innovations, and games worth playing. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Mathew Kumar. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Segments: How was the 3DS hardware used? (08:37) What 3DS games need to be brought to another console? (25:04) 3DS Recommendations (38:25) LIGHTNING ROUND: Ranking the 3DS Recommendations (01:17:55) THE INSERT CREDIT RANKED RECOMMENDATION LIST FOR NINTENDO 3DS: Attack of the Friday Monsters! Shin Megami Tensei IV The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars Gotta Protectors Kokuga Sega 3D Classics Collection Super Mario 3D Land Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia Etrian Odyssey IV Etrian Odyssey Nexus Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball Persona Q (Series) Culdcept Revolt Picross Pocket Card Jockey Ridge Racer 3D Recommendations and Outro (01:29:42) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Nintendo 3DS The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Satoru Iwata Reggie Fils-Aimé Sega 3D Classics Collection Picross 3D Avatar: The Way of Water (2023)

Guest host and frequent dirtbag Colin AKA MoxBagel keeps the panel in order as they discuss the definition of “visual novel,” fighting games, and, finally, Fortnite. Questions this week: What is your “The Last Starfighter” game? (05:20) How would you redesign pinball to be more of a 30 minute experience than a five minute experience?(11:25) What fighting game has the most creative single player campaign?(18:57) If Capcom made a Mega Man Legends every year since 1997, what would it be like now? (24:43) What game would have flourished with the amount of post-release support that No Man’s Sky has? (32:26) What is your favorite novel gameplay mechanic or moment in an otherwise unremarkable game? (40:23) What is the best video game to play in fifteen minute sessions? (47:17) LIGHTNING ROUND: World of Lords (54:22) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: INSERT CREDIT EPISODE 276 ULTIMATE PAIN DICEGAME UCHIHA BONE ROLLER MIX, a free noise album by dicegame uchiha based on Episode 276 of Insert Credit Show Colin AKA MoxBagel √Letter The Cat in the Hat Understanding Comics Hotel Dusk: Room 215 Ace Attorney series Tokimeki Memorial Memories Off The Last Starfighter (1984) Space Jam (1996)

Brandon Sheffield and Frank Cifaldi report from Las Vegas, where they supposedly attended the 2023 DICE Summit, but mostly ran into used game stores and friends of Insert Credit. Featuring Alex Jaffe, Brandon Sheffield, Frank Cifaldi, Chris Kohler, Ally McLean, Mathew Kumar, and Kris Graft. SEGMENTS Retro City Games shopping with Chris Kohler (00:51) Retro City Games shopping with Ally McLean (10:48) Driving with Chris Kohler, Ally McLean and Frank Cifaldi from Retro City Games to another used game store (16:09) Brandon discusses the plot of The $cheme (2003) with Ally McLean (25:18) Getting lost in the car after Retro City Games #2 (27:08) A miserable situation involving accoustic covers of popular music (38:15) In the Circus Circus hotel room (39:17) Walking through Circus Circus (42:15) 6 AM stories with Kris Graft (44:00) Post-show thoughts from Brandon and Frank (58:56) Discuss this episode in the forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: D.I.C.E. Summit Retro City Games Chris Kohler King’s Quest series How To Draw Gex & The Gang Space Quest: Chapter I - The Sarien Encounter Leisure Suit Larry series Phantasmagoria series The 7th Guest Jet Force Gemini Demon Destroyer Gunn

A single episode could never hope to contain all the video games of 2022 played by Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield. Get comfortable and sit down for a hang out with some of the rest of last year’s best. Hosted by Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Games Discussed: Square-Enix HD-2D Games (Live A Live, Triangle Strategy, Bravely Default II, Diofield Chronicles) (07:42) Valkyrie Elysium (26:40) Star Ocean: Divine Force (30:52) Voice of Cards (42:45) Babylon’s Fall (46:22) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge (54:35) Gran Turismo 7 (58:07) Shin chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation - The Endless Seven-Day Journey (59:20) Sifu (01:05:12) Rollerdrome (01:10:05) Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator (01:11:16) NORCO (01:12:24) Chained Echoes (01:13:38) Cult of the Lamb (01:18:25) The Quarry (01:18:42) PowerWash Simulator (01:19:07) Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - Reunion (01:21:19) NeverAwake (01:25:45) Final Vendetta (01:26:39) Weird West (01:27:30) Evil West (01:29:59) Horizon II: Forbidden West (01:33:18) A Plague Tale: Requiem (01:41:16) The Callisto Protocol (01:45:21) Gungrave: G.O.R.E (01:50:45) Splatoon 3 (01:54:38) Pokemon Scarlet & Violet (01:58:18) Pokemon Legends: Arceus (02:00:51) Judgment (02:02:42) A Few More From Brandon (02:03:51) 2023 Predictions (02:11:05) Recommendations and Outro (02:14:34) Visit the forums to discuss this episode A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Final Fantasy series Yakuza / Ryū ga Gotoku series New York Knicks He Got Game (1998) Live A Live

Our panel debates the rankings greatest video games of 2022, and devises cryptic inscriptions for each one so that others may follow their path. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman. NOMINATIONS: Frank Round 1 (08:37) Tim Round 1 (12:35) Brandon Round 1 (17:46) Frank Round 2 (28:29) Tim Round 2 (33:55) Brandon Round 2 (36:49) Frank Round 3 (44:22) Tim Round 3 (57:18) Brandon Round 3 (01:04:08) Frank Round 4 (01:11:09) Tim Round 4 (01:17:20) Brandon Round 4 (01:24:33) Frank Round 5 (01:33:50) Tim Round 5 (01:47:03) Brandon Round 5 (01:54:16) Frank Round 6 (02:02:43) Tim Round 6 (02:05:34) Brandon Round 6 (02:10:14) Frank Round 7 (02:15:14) Tim Round 7 (02:19:30) Brandon Round 7 (02:25:14) Wrap-up (02:36:25) Visit our forum thread to see the finalized list A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Top Gun: Maverick (2022) The Deal Guy Nope (2022) Fry’s Electronics Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) Game Dude Five Fingers for Marseilles (2017) They Live (1988) Them! (1954) Capriotti’s

Insert Credit returns to once again rank the best games of all time. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman. NOMINATIONS: Brandon, Round 1 (05:35) Frank, Round 1 (10:24) Tim, Round 1 (13:58) Brandon, Round 2 (19:15) Frank, Round 2 (24:45) Tim, Round 2 (31:41) Brandon, Round 3 (39:59) Frank, Round 3 (46:58) Tim, Round 3 (51:59) Brandon, Round 4 (58:44) Frank, Round 4 (01:04:21) Tim, Round 4 (01:09:11) Brandon, Round 5 (01:16:35) Frank, Round 5 (01:19:46) Tim, Round 5 (01:22:44) Brandon, Round 6 (01:29:16) Frank, Round 6 (01:34:01) Tim, Round 6 (01:36:07) Brandon, Round 7 (01:39:27) Tim choosing on Frank’s behalf, Round 7 (01:41:28) Tim, Round 7 (01:44:16) View the finalized list at forums.insertcredit.com A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Ep. 27 - Insert Credit Annual #1, with Kris Graft Super Mario Bros. 3 Ep. 74 - Insert Credit Annual #2 Panzer Dragoon II: Zwei Ep. 166 - Insert Credit Annual #3 DOOM Bonk’s Revenge Dragon Quest III Ninja Spirit Pong Crash ’N

Ep. 272 - New Donk, Michigan Our beloved panel covers big game worlds, big game choices, and big twin Tallaricos. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by goop lord, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: Jason Schreier asks: Which Mario stage/level/kingdom/board would you want to live in and why? (04:02) How do you trick a player into feeling like your video game world is big? (10:23) What do people mean when they say that choices you make in a video game should matter? (17:40) Dirtbag Dusting - Sam: What game emotionally resonated with you most as a teen? Vermont Boy: What games are most improved by listening to something else? Anonymous: What game has the longest time between setup and payoff? (24:58) Alex Jaffe asks: Is there any reason for a game with a controllable character to not have a jump button? (38:40) Which video games have caused industry-wide shifts in graphical aesthetics? (45:52) What video game characters do you think would most overuse emojis? (50:09) Review the Rubik’s Cube. (53:57) LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design (58:50) Recommendations and Outro (01:05:13) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Kirby 10-Yard Fight Batman: Arkham series Super Mario series E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Assassin’s Creed series Prince of Persia series Spyro the Dragon series

Bloomberg Game Journalist and Author Jason Schreier joins the panel to cover Wizards of the Coast, the greatest story in video games, and whether or not buying games is ethical. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Jason Schreier. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: Cliff Bleszinski asks: What food do you associate with your best gaming memory? (07:16) Why is everybody so mad about Dungeons & Dragons? (15:22) What is the greatest story in video games? (20:59) How do you break news no one else has yet as a game journalist? (28:26) You have an investor meeting in 6 minutes to pitch them a new social media network for Gamers. What’s your presentation? (34:51) Spencer Gifts asks: which game console libraries boxes have the best graphic design? (40:49) Under what circumstances is it unethical to buy a video game? (49:26) LIGHTNING ROUND: MobyCritic (55:30) Recommendations and Outro (58:50) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Stadia exclusive saved by sneaking it into the Steam version of its sequel Frosted Flakes Final Fantasy III Final Fight series Dairy Queen Dragon Quest series White Castle Wing Commander series Death Line (1972) Dragon Force

Game Designer and Broadway Producer Cliff “CliffyB” Bleszinski joins a very sensual episode to cover what makes good third person shooters, Avatar 2, and disrespecting Hitman. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Cliff Bleszinski. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: From Brandon Sheffield: What makes a good third person shooter? (06:18) Who has more power, a game director, or a game producer? (14:44) Design a video game around the Aroma Shooter. (23:27) Design a sequel to Frank Cifaldi’s Super Sherlock Holmes. (31:25) Improv Zone: Guess the COG Squadron (37:04) Seth asks: What is the best sound related to video games that is not from a video game? (43:26) If you could design a level for an existing video game series, which would it be and what would you do? (49:58) What was Fortnite supposed to be? (55:03) LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design – Gears of War Achievements (01:00:53) Recommendations and Outro (01:07:14) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Time.is The Menu (2022) Jazz Jackrabbit series NFL 2K Assault Street Fighter series Unreal Tournament series Gears of War series Hadestown Robotron: 2084 Tokyo Wars Phoenix

Console modification expert Christa Lee joins Brandon and Tim on the panel to cover raytracing in 4K at 120 fps, the things players care about that developers don’t, and the return of Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Christa Lee. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: From Ash Parrish: What video game would you swear into Congress on? (01:59) What can you tell about a video game cartridge from its circuit board? (09:41) Is raytracing just a graphical enhancement, or can it be gameplay? (15:02) What do players think about a lot more than game developers? (20:33) What is the best dead video game company? (26:32) Spencergifs asks: When did video games become mainstream? (29:51) Violence Island (36:57) How should games signal that a “point of no return” is coming? (46:57) LIGHTNING ROUND: Pokedexperts (01:02:41) Recommendations and Outro (01:09:37) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Bonk series Canceled Duke Nukem 3D remake is the latest Duke project to leak They Live (1988) Robert Garcia (D-CA) sworn into Congress on Superman #1 Bible The Witness Sneak King Disaster Report / Zettai Zetsumei Toshi series Xevious Darius Gradius

The original panel reunites for Frank Cifaldi’s two point-and-click adventure game recommendations, the best kind of game for Tim Rogers right now, and Brandon Sheffield’s selection as the Whitney Houston of video games. Plus, Bennett Foddy designs a new game for the Steel Battalion controller. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: What’s your favorite tribute to a video game in another video game? (WARNING: This question features minor Death Stranding spoilers) (04:58) Categorize every type of mission in a video game. (10:01) Narratively, what is happening to a video game character when they lose a life? (13:10) What video game should get a new remake every year? (19:58) Design a new game for the Steel Battalion controller. (25:50) Design a new game for the Steel Battalion controller, Bennett Foddy. (31:27) Soup’um asks: What is the absolute minimum length a game has to be to no longer be considered ‘short’? (36:48) What is the Whitney Houston’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” for the soundtrack of the film The Bodyguard of video games? (50:18) LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As – Fortnite (55:47) Recommendations and Outro (59:36) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Vampire Hunter D Robert Wilson IV NieR series From Tokyo with Brandon Sheffield, Part I and Part II Lupin the 3rd licensees Galaga Namco Museum series Dragon Quest series

A grand cast of holiday favorites are subjected to a gauntlet of questions. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, Ash Parrish, Patrick Miller, Topher Florence, Esper Quinn, Andrés Velasco y Coll, Azurelore Korrigan, Liz Ryerson, K Thor Jensen and Fūnk-é Joseph. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: What are the worst trends, currently or historically, in video game character design? (w/Ash Parrish) (06:38) Design a unique custom rule set for a fighting game tournament. (w/Patrick Miller) (11:33) Which three video game characters would you ask to help you move? (w/Topher Florence) (14:59) What do you do when you’re working on a game and your funding gets cut? (18:17) What’s the best time you ever had with a bad game? (w/Esper Quinn) (21:25) Which video game voice actors deserve wider recognition? (w/Andrés Velasco y Coll) (27:30) What’s the best answer that someone in the game industry has given you to a question you asked them? (w/Azurelore Korrigan) (31:17) How would you remake Indie Game: The Movie today? (w/Liz Ryerson) (37:13) Which modern video game would be the best introduction to video games for a child? (w/K Thor Jensen) (43:21) What’s the difference between a good video game and a cool video game? (w/Fūnk-é Joseph) (45:55) LIGHTNING ROUND: Recommendations and Outro (47:59) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Last Of Us Showrunner Says Original Game Is ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told In Video Games’ Hyper Gunsport now available on Steam, Switch and Xbox Demonschool now wishlistable on Steam Baldur’s Gate III Characters entering public domain in 2023

Our standard party of panelists covers the newly announced God of War and Death Stranding adaptations, what they’d teach in game design school, hangout flavors, and Christopher Lambert. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: Who were the kings of the lost art of video game packaging? (05:40) Which games make the weird controllers they were designed for worth using? (12:57) Other than fatherhood, what types of interpersonal relationships should games explore? (19:59) What’s the worst flavor text in video games? (26:04) In the Death Stranding movie, who should play Sam Porter Bridges? (31:17) What questions would you put on a written exam in a game design class? (39:15) What would you change about the last video game you played? (44:25) How would you describe your unique perspective and how would you put that in a video game? (51:42) How would you break down the first screen of Super Mario Bros.? (56:34) LIGHTNING ROUND: The Price is Sprite (from Yeso) (01:04:56) Recommendations and Outro (01:12:38) Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums! A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Batman: The Animated Series Guillermo del Toro The incredible boxes of Hock Wah Yeo Prince of Persia series Spectre Gabriel Knight series Worms series Westworld Rome Deadwood

The panel is ill-prepared for these questions, but unites once more to cover The Game Awards 2022, cool ladies, and the greatest game of all time no one is talking about yet. Brandon Sheffield reviews the first four episodes of Bleach and One Piece. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: Do we want to talk about the FTC suing to block Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard? (06:37) From Ash Parrish: if you could lock Geoff Keighley in a room and make him reveal the video game industry’s biggest secret, what would you ask him? (09:13) Let’s try to have a sincere discussion about The Game Awards (11:43) Let’s predict The Game Awards (20:48) How have video games influenced our vocabulary? (37:24) Does a video game protagonist have to be likable? (42:47) Insert Credit Anime Review: Bleach vs. One Piece (48:32) Mek asks: has there ever been a good boss fight in a first person shooter? (54:54) Which fighting game has the coolest lady? (01:00:37) What is the Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles of video games? (01:05:24) LIGHTNING ROUND: Improv Zone - Introducing the Nominees (01:16:20) Recommendations and Outro (01:22:02) A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Michigan J. Frog - “Hello My Baby” Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan / Elite Beat Agents series Dragon Quest series The Sopranos Dororo Parasite Eve Gungrave series

Video Game Reporter Ash Parrish joins the panel to cover unfinished games, Mario’s origins, and the friendship-building return of Violence Island. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Brandon Sheffield, and Ash Parrish. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: Is Mario Italian? (04:22) From Esper Quinn: If a game offers you a starting class of Warrior, Wizard, Rogue or Cleric, which do you choose and why? (09:30) With Sonic Frontiers and the new Pokemon games we must ask, what does it mean for a game to be finished? (13:15) Do you have any questions for Alex Jaffe? (24:33) Spencer’s Gifts asks: What is the best game with the worst graphics, and what is the worst game with the best graphics? (30:55) Violence Island (36:37) Who or what is the Gritty of video games? (53:06) LIGHTNING ROUND: Dirtbag Diving (55:08) Recommendations and Outro (58:57) A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Gunhouse Mr. Hooper Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper The Super Mario Bros. Movie Official Trailer Bob Hoskins The Sopranos Pod Yourself A Gun Yume Kōjō: Dokidoki Panic Diablo series The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Cadash Pokémon Sonic Frontiers Gunsport

Editor Esper Quinn joins the table to give thanks for a feast of listener submitted questions. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Esper Quinn. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: Max asks: What is the most fun or interesting scoring mechanic in a shooting game? (10:59) Malcove asks: How would you reintroduce vampires to modern video games? (14:44) A Most Handsome Boy asks: Thoughts on a good steam? (16:56) ColdPie asks: what type of tourism opportunities would you take advantage of if you were visiting the Republic of Gamers? (20:37) BreadyToDie asks: Have you ever played the sequel of a game before playing the original? (22:53) Pannekoeken asks: What happened to rhythm games? (26:32) Dilson asks: Which cooking games aren’t boring? (33:56) Ripley Rose proposes an Improv Zone – Sonic’s Dad Got Arrested (38:19) Gaagaagiins asks: When has a video game adaptation been objectively better than the source material? (43:33) Anonymous asks: What singleplayer game should have gotten a competitive multiplayer mode? (48:49) Ross Hamrick asks: Which arcade racing game has the best manual transmission? (52:01) Cole asks: are Japanese video game scores better for a reason? (56:32) Kiko B asks: Which two video game franchises would be improved by swapping protagonists? (01:04:28) Terrace asks: What was the Secret of Evermore?(01:06:52) LIGHTNING ROUND: Crumbling Zero asks to Rank the Metacritic Top 10 (01:07:50) Recommendations and Outro (01:32:22) A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Klonoa series The Club Battlefield 1942 Ikaruga Star Soldier Unreal Tournament series Bulletstorm

Journalist Gita Jackson joins the full panel to decide how much video games should cost, share research tips, and reveal Barbies in the garbies. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Tim Rogers, Brandon Sheffield, and Gita Jackson. Featuring Harper Jay, Azurelore Korrigan, and Vincent Diamante, with writing by Mark Cerny. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: From Andrés Velasco y Coll: Has there been a speedrun that particularly impressed you? Or, how would you ruin Sony Computer Entertainment? (06:16) Now that every issue of Nintendo Power is uploaded to the Internet Archive, what should we do with it? (13:09) What should it cost to buy a video game? (19:46) What can we say about the legacy of Rieko Kodama? (34:39) Insert Credit contributors share memories of Rieko Kodama (48:31) Kiko asks: is it ever worthwhile to play all the way through a game you hate? (01:02:15) LIGHTNING ROUND: Localization Station (01:11:55) Recommendations and Outro (01:18:25) A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: F-Zero GX Twisted Metal series Mario Kart series PlayStation VR2 launches on February 22nd for $549.99 PlayStation Vita Recording Kendrick with a Vita Battlefield series PlayStation TV Jak & Daxter series The Walking Dead (franchise) The Last of Us series 28 Days Later (2002)

EVO tournament organizer Andrés Velasco y Coll and PC Gamer editor Fūnk-é Joseph join Frank and Jaffe for the new Sonic game, predatory publisher tactics, and Nickelodeon’s Fortnite. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Andrés Velasco y Coll, and Fūnk-é Joseph. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Questions this week: Are 3D Sonic games a failed experiment? (04:17) How do games best emulate being able to fly? (10:03) What precautions should developers take to avoid being taken advantage of by publishers? (14:11) How do you curate a video game zine? (18:37) The Adaptation Game: Turn a video game into a daytime game show (24:00) Bearcabin asks: What kinds of developers would video game magazines end up being? (29:44) Are there any good video game ads? (35:45) What is more difficult to do in video games than in real life? (42:32) What is the Avatar: The Way of Water of video games? (46:56) LIGHTNING ROUND: Major Arcana (54:52) Recommendations and Outro (59:48) A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Donkey Kong Country The King of Fighters ’98: The Slugfest Portal series Sonic the Hedgehog universe SEGA Bass Fishing Super Mario World Batman: Arkham series Pilotwings Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn Minecraft Def