Last week, Nintendo aired what is likely their final Direct of 2023 and possibly the final Direct without mention of the Switch 2. Before Nintendo enters its next era in 2024, the brothers diagnose Nintendo and their massive post-Wii U comeback. They discuss Nintendo’s incredible success throughout the Switch’s lifecycle, its upcoming slate of games, and more!
Xbox Wellness Check
Starfield is Xbox’s biggest game of the year, Bethesda’s first new IP in 25 years, and the supposed "starting gun" for first-party Xbox games. What does its launch and reception mean for the future of Xbox? The brothers diagnose Xbox’s success in the industry this year, the state of Game Pass, its upcoming slate of games, and more.
Question Block: Why Are Modern Games So Big?
With massive games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Tears of the Kingdom out, and Starfield releasing this week, video games keep getting bigger. Even franchises that were once 10 hours are now 25-hour adventures. Jake and Sam discuss why the industry is trending toward larger games, what games justify their length, and which ones should have scaled down.
Best and Worst Franchise Comebacks
Armored Core VI: Fires Of Rubicon marks the grand return of the Armored Core franchise, so in honor of the series’ revival, Jake and Sam break down gaming’s best and worst comebacks. They debate what qualifies as a comeback and run down their favorite examples, including Doom, Crash Bandicoot, Tomb Raider, and more.
Remnant: From the Ashes Mini-Review
Jake shares his opinion on a much-overlooked third-person shooter in a mini-review of Remnant: From the Ashes.
The Thriving Trend of Indie Torchbearers
This week, Jake and Sam invent a new gaming term. “Indie torchbearers” are indie games that carry the torch of beloved older titles. In honor of the upcoming releases of Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (inspired by Jet Set Radio) and Sea of Stars (inspired by Chrono Trigger), the brothers discuss these passion projects, their favorite examples (Shovel Knight, Stardew Valley, and more), why many torchbearers seek crowdfunding, and their dream indie spiritual successor.
2017 Video Game Draft
2023 is one of the best years in video game history, so Jake and Sam travel back in time six years to look at another fantastic year - 2017. They draft their elite lineup of games and compete to see who can build the better team!
“Barbenheimer” Review
The boys ran long this week because they had so much to say about this summer’s movie blockbuster trifecta – Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Listen to their reviews here, as well as Jake’s takedown of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
The “Barbenheimer” of Video Games (2013-2023)
Everyone is talking about “Barbenheimer” – the shared release date of two of the year’s biggest movies, Barbie and Oppenheimer. So what are the Barbenheimers in video game history? The brothers run down the biggest shared release dates from the last ten years, including “Doom Crossing: Eternal Horizons” and “Dark Ratchet & Dark Clank 3.”
Most Anticipated Games for the Rest of 2023
The boys move out of the past and into the future with their most anticipated games for the second half of 2023. With a five-team draft and a good ol’ round of OpenCritic predictions, Jake and Sam break down the second half of one of the best years in video games.
Ultimate E3 Bracket Finale
The boys bring their five-part ultimate E3 bracket series to a close by selecting the all-time best year for the gaming showcase extravaganza. They also discuss the juiciest headlines from the FTC v. Microsoft trial, their favorite reveals from the latest Nintendo Direct, and what they should play on vacation.
Ultimate E3 Bracket (Part 4) and GQ Top 100 Video Game List Review
Happy 100th episode! To celebrate the podcast’s first relevant milestone, the brothers tackle the 2023 GQ Top 100 Video Game List, dissecting its best choices and dreadful misses. In the second half of the episode, they pick their last Final Four contender for the best E3!
Ultimate E3 Bracket (Part 3) and Ubisoft Forward 2023 Review
It’s a jam-packed summer showcase episode, as the boys close out Summer Game Fest with their Ubisoft Forward review, favorite games from SGF, and predictions results. Then, they look back at the summer showcases of E3, including the launch years of the PS4 and Wii, with part 3 of their best E3 bracket series.
Xbox Games Showcase and Summer Game Fest 2023 Review
Was this the best Summer Game Fest yet? Did Xbox deliver and convince us of a bright future? The Mosher brothers answer all of this and more during their reviews of 2023’s Xbox Games Showcase and Summer Game Fest!
Summer Game Fest 2023 Predictions
The summer showcase season is officially here! To kick it off, the brothers review last week’s PlayStation Showcase and predict 2023’s Summer Game Fest, Xbox Games Showcase, Ubisoft Forward, and more.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Impressions
Jake explores Hyrule alone while Sam is sick and shares impressions of 2023’s most anticipated title, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. He discusses the groundbreaking new abilities, if Breath of the Wild’s sense of discovery is still intact, and what makes this and its predecessor stand out amongst its competition.
Ultimate E3 Bracket (Part 2)
Sam and Jake continue their E3 bracket series to pick the best year of the beloved (and maligned) gaming conference. This week, they cover the first E3, the Nintendo Switch’s first E3, PlayStation’s incredible 2016 showcase, and more!
Ultimate E3 Bracket (Part 1)
E3 2023 is canceled, but Jake and Sam aren’t done with gaming’s classic summer tradition. This week, they kick off the “Ultimate E3 Bracket” - a deep-dive series devoted to picking the very best year of E3. E3 might be dead, but its spirit will always live on! As if that isn’t enough, the brothers react in real time to Redfall’s review embargo lift.
One Month with the Steam Deck
Jake and Sam are now Deck Boys, so after one month with the hit portable PC, it’s time for them to share their impressions of the Steam Deck. They discuss the hardware, games played so far, Steam sales, and why other gamers should consider becoming Deck Boys too.
Our Dream PlayStation Showcase
PlayStation has been quiet for quite a while, so Jake and Sam take it upon themselves to end their silence. With rumors swirling of an upcoming showcase, the brothers each create their dream PlayStation Showcase, inspired by a recent episode of Kinda Funny’s PSILY show (with rules that were created by Jake)!