Brothers and Boss Battles

Three PlayStation classics enter the brodown arena this time! Which 2.5D Platformer will come out on top - Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, Tomba!, or Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back?Ant hopes Crash's iconic character status can bolster his argument for the game. Tom dusts off an old, obscure reference to defend his take on why Klonoa's boss battles were the best. Pete makes his case for Tomba's sound and music and encourages listeners to check out the songs on YouTube.Let us know which of these three games is your favorite by voting and commenting on any of our social platforms.Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesYouTube @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Along with last week's release of the Switch 2, gamers received access to the Nintendo GameCube Classics collection. We decided to take a stroll down memory lane and discuss what games we hope are eventually included in the collection - there are some no-brainers and some longshots. Let us know what GameCube games you'd like to see by commenting on any of our social platforms.Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesYouTube @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

We wrap up our 2.5D platformer category with Sony's iconic mascot. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back was developed by Naughty Dog and released on November 6, 1997 for the PlayStation.The brothers have a hard time realizing that they are actually agreeing with each other when talking about the 2.5D elements of the game. Ant issues a warning about the responsiveness of 30 year old PlayStation controllers and the safety of your TV. Pete reveals that he went on YouTube to watch the game's loading screens.This week the brothers ask which vehicle from the game would you rather ride to get to where you needed to go? A jetpack, a water jetboard, or a polar bear.Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesYouTube @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Our next 2.5D platformer is another classic PlayStation adventure. We're talking about Tomba! which was developed by Whoopee Camp and released in North America on July 16, 1998. Leap, bite, and throw your way across stunning 2.5D landscapes on a quest to overcome a deplorable cadre of nefarious pigs.The brothers enjoyed the unique event system which brought RPG and Metroidvania elements to the 2.5D genre, but did acknowledge that it was easy to get lost at times. Pete and Tom have vastly different opinions on the music of Bacchus Village, but do agree that the inventory system was brutal. Ant references the classic brothers Eli Manning inside joke when talking about the evil pig boss battles.For this week's poll, the brothers are asking which event from the game would you rather do? a) Assist in healing Baron the dog to gain teleportation abilities.b) Help your monkey friend Charles find his pants to acquire the parasol and learn to swim.c) Do all of the pump rock tasks to restore the tree of knowledge and learn the answers to all your questions.Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesYouTube @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Rising to peak popularity in the 1990s, 2.5D platformer games were a defining genre of consoles like the original PlayStation. The first one we will be discussing is Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, developed by Namco and released in North America on March 10th, 1998. Join Klonoa on a fantastic journey in the land of Phantomile, where the mysterious crash of a flying ship starts an epic quest through colorful worlds of thrills and danger.The brothers enjoyed the nostalgic feeling of the game and offered praise for the unique boss battles (ding ding ding). Ant liked that there were consequences for not playing well enough while taking some shots at modern games. Tom compares Door to Phantomile to one of the biggest and most successful Triple A games ever made and offers a scorching hot take.This week instead of a poll the brothers are asking a trivia question. What animal do you think Klonoa is? Cat, fox, or rabbit?Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesYouTube @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

The Nintendo RPG court is now in session! A cult classic and two iconic franchises enter the courtroom. Which game will be declared the winner - Earthbound, Super Mario RPG, or Pokemon Red & Blue?Ant is able to relate to the psychic wielding characters of Earthbound. Pete can't help but mention more glitches in his defense of Pokemon Red & Blue. Tom argues that Super Mario RPG can be enjoyed by all, even gamers who can't read.Let us know which of these three games is your favorite by voting and commenting on any of our social platforms.Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

In light of the recent announcement that some Switch 2 games will be costing gamers $80, we thought we'd share some games that we'd be willing to pay that price for. These could be games for any console and even games that have a very slim chance of actually existing someday. Let us know what games you'd instantly pay $80 for by commenting on any of our social platforms.Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

The final game in the Nintendo RPG category comes from one of the Big N's most iconic franchises. Pokemon Red and Blue were released in North America on September 28th, 1998 for the Game Boy. Set off on an adventure to become a Pokemon master and catch 'em all.Join the brothers for a deep dive into many of the lesser known aspects of these classic games. Pete discusses many of the games' glitches and exploitable programming bugs. Ant gives an overview of the games' amazing music and just how impressive it was to create with such limited resources. Tom mentions some of the hoaxes and fan theories that were popular on the internet in the late 90s.This week the brothers ask who is your go-to Gen 1 starter Pokemon? Charmander, Bulbasaur, or Squirtle.X @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

We're back with another episode in our Nintendo RPG category, this time featuring Nintendo's iconic mascot, Mario! Super Mario RPG was released initially in 1996 for the Super Nintendo with a full remake released in 2023 for the Nintendo Switch. Team up with a party of unlikely allies on a quest to repair Star Road and defeat the troublemaking Smithy Gang.The brothers agree that the characters are a major highlight of the game and also offer praise at the offering of side content. They also agree on the game's difficulty (or lack thereof) and ponder what can possibly change to make things easier in the game's Breezy mode. Ant recalls playing the SNES version and draws comparisons to the remake. Another reference to Super Smash Bros is made, as is tradition when discussing Nintendo games on Brothers & Boss Battles.This week the brothers ask which character would you take with you on a mission to defeat Smithy and his gang? Geno, Peach, or Bowser.Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

It's another Brothers and Boss Battles DLC episode! This time the brothers are discussing MLB The Show 25, developed by San Diego Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment and MLB Advanced Media. It is officially licensed with the MLB Players Association, bringing players of the past, present, and future into the game and on your teams.Ant and Pete give their initial reactions and discuss all the differences from last year's game. Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

From turn-based battles to epic storylines, Nintendo has delivered some unforgettable RPG experiences over the years. Today we're diving into the first game of our Nintendo RPG category with Earthbound, which released in North America on June 5th, 1995 for the Super Nintendo.None of the brothers had played Earthbound in the past but were all looking forward to their first playthrough. The brothers praise the game for its uniqueness and good humor but had some issues with the outdated inventory management and menus.One of Ant's favorite parts of the game is the same part hated by Pete and Tom. Pete reveals some cool tidbits about the game's localization and rarest items; and brings to light how music from the game has been immortalized through an internet meme.Let us know what you thought of Earthbound by leaving a comment on any of our social platforms!Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

We're wrapping up our first category of 2025 with an all new Brodown format featuring a courtroom style debate with each of us defending one of the three games we previously discussed in the category. Which of these games that we spent the most hours on will come out on top - SMITE, Super Smash Bros., or Madden NFL?The brothers argue about which game has the best cast of characters and the most in-depth gameplay, among other key categories. Pete lobbies for a sponsorship deal with EA Sports. Tom surprises Ant with his defense of a certain category causing him to temporarily break character.Let us know which of these three games is your favorite by voting and commenting on any of our social platforms.Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

We've discussed three great games in our "Most Hours Played" category. But aside from SMITE, Super Smash Bros., and Madden, what other games have we dedicated a ton of time to? Listen to our honorable mentions in this episode and let us know what are some of your most played games on our socials!Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Since the 1988 release of John Madden Football, the Madden franchise has been one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. It had spent over 20 years as the only American football video game licensed by the National Football League. The latest edition was developed by EA Orlando and published by EA Sports. If it's in the games, it's in the game.The brothers talk a lot about the history of the early years of Madden, their prime years of playing in the early to mid 2000s, and what the game is like now.Pete recalls winning a game and running up and down the hall in celebration. Tom boasts the most Super Bowl rings in the many franchises played by the brothers. They also discuss how each of their play styles were quite different from one another. Madden not only provided hundreds of hours of fun and frustration for the brothers, but also taught them about football.For this episode's poll question, let us know what is your favorite Big Game snack? Nachos, buffalo wings, or pizza?Follow us onX @BrosBossBattlesInstagram @BrosBossBattleshttps://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Continuing on with our most hours played category, we move the discussion to Nintendo's iconic Super Smash Bros. series. We have poured countless hours into all of the mainline games and cover aspects of all of them in this episode including how the series evolved over time and what changes we felt were the best and worst. Pete discusses the “Forbidden Seven” characters that didn't make the final cut into one of the Smash Bros. games.  Tom recollects the official Super Smash Bros. Brawl reveal website and Pete urges everyone to watch the original Super Smash Bros. commercial.  The brothers explain the “league” they created when playing these games and also reminisce about attending a demo event and midnight releases throughout the years. No Super Smash Bros. episode would be complete without the brothers discussing their favorite characters, stages, and items. If you listen carefully, the brothers drop some hints about a couple of games they will cover in the near future. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

We're kicking off the new year with a category that we're referring to as "most hours played". These are games that we have poured a ton of hours into over the course of many years. We begin the discussion with SMITE, which was developed and published by Hi-Rez Studios with its initial PC release on March 25, 2014, with console releases following in subsequent years. The brothers take a lot of digs at each other as they reminiscent about their thousands of hours playing this game. They discuss all the things they love about this game, including their favorite gods to play, and also some of the pitfalls, such as the ever-changing meta.   Ant reveals how he “mastered” almost every god in the game. Pete explains the best part of this game is finding an opponent's twitch stream of a match they played (and won). Tom recollects fond memories of watching the detailed patch notes shows and the Smite Pro League.  Subscribe to the BrosBossBattles official Twitch page to get notified when they stream their SMITE matches. There is sure to be a lot of complaining, finger pointing, and they just might throw in a few victories too. This week the brothers ponder what SMITE themed activity would you prefer to do? Party with Bacchus, play with cats with Bastet, or go fishing with Poseidon. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Its time for another brodown. Which of these games that initially released on the Sega Dreamcast will come out on top? Shenmue is arguably the console's most ambitious game and has accumulated a loyal and passionate fanbase. Resident Evil Code: Veronica is a fan favorite of the most popular survival horror series in gaming. Sonic Adventure is the Dreamcast's best selling game and features Sega's iconic mascot. Give us your ranking of these three games on one of our social platforms! Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Marvel Rivals is the latest super hero game taking the world by storm and it got us thinking about other Marvel games from gaming history. Join the brothers as they recount their experiences with Marvel games new and old. Follow our socials and let us know some of your favorite Marvel games. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

We're rounding out our Dreamcast category with the console's best selling and most popular title, Sonic Adventure, which released in Japan on December 23rd, 1998 and North America on September 9th, 1999. What did we think of Sega's mascot's first foray into the world of 3D? The brothers appreciate the diverse cast of playable characters and the inclusion of unique gameplay elements for each of them. They have positive things to say about the game's music and graphics but disagree about the quality of some of the voice acting. The brothers spend some time discussing their favorite and least favorite characters to play, some of which may shock you. Let us know what you thought of this classic Dreamcast game by dropping a comment on one of our social media platforms. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Marvel Rivals has been taking the online gaming community by storm since its official release last week. Join Ant and Tom as they give their initial impressions of this brand new team based PvP hero shooter in our latest DLC episode. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

We continue our deep dive into Sega's final console with the biggest name in survival horror. We're talking about Resident Evil Code: Veronica, which initially launched on the Dreamcast on February 3rd, 2000 in Japan and March 28th, 2000 in North America. Claire and Chris Redfield's nightmare continues as the siblings fight to survive within Umbrella's deadly facilities. Explore the mysterious Rockfort Island facility and the freezing Antarctic Base for clues exposing the Umbrella Corporation's sordid goals. The fourth main installment in the storied series brought some new innovations but the brothers question whether these technical achievements added much to the gameplay. Tom and Ant agree on what puzzle was their favorite while Tom and Pete are in agreement on one of the lamest puzzles. The brothers poke some fun at one of the most infamous characters in the series, Steve Burnside. Tom and Ant discuss how the game fits into the Resident Evil universe and how it nicely ties the games together. Pete mentions what the rare limited edition Dreamcasts, that you probably never knew existed, are selling for on the resale market. This week the brothers ask which of these creatures would be your least favorite to run into? Moths that can lays eggs and poison you, a flock of bats, giant spiders Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

The Dreamcast may have been a commercial failure, but here at Brothers & Boss Battles, we are celebrating its launch with our next category - games that were initially released on Sega's final console. This week we'll be discussing Shenmue, which released in December 1999. Pete can't remember any of the characters' names. Tom describes the losing ending to this game that most players don't get to see or even know exists.  Ant loves the realism of getting to explore a town and participate in a pre work game of forklift racing. The brothers get a kick out of some of the dialogue and voice acting . Pete makes a bold claim about Shenmue and its role in the fate of the Dreamcast. This week the brothers ask if you needed to kill time before looking for the Mad Angels what activity in Dobuita would you choose? Play some games at the arcade, grab a drink at the bar, or get a tattoo. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Halloween season has come and gone but we're keeping the spirit alive with our Survival Horror brodown! The Evil Within, The Callisto Protocol, and Resident Evil 2 Remake enter the battleground this time. Which game will come out on top? Give us your ranking of these three games on one of our social platforms! Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

The latest entry of Capcom's wildly popular Monster Hunter Series is set to release in early 2025. Ant and Tom took advantage of their PlayStation Plus memberships to check out the Monster Hunter Wilds open beta test. In this DLC episode they give their initial thoughts on the brief, but encouraging beta from unique perspectives of one series veteran and one series newbie. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

In this Bonus Level episode, the brothers draft their top 9 Nintendo 64 games. Check out our social media accounts and let us know who you think drafted the best set of games! Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

The final game of our survival horror category is a remake of a Capcom classic. We're talking about Resident Evil 2 Remake, initially released on January 25, 2019. Ant and Tom love the Resident Evil series and Pete surprisingly has a very strong compliment for the first part of this game. However, the brothers have their share of criticisms as well. Ant unsuccessfully tries to limit the comparisons of this remake to the original while Pete and Tom argue about the effect the robust map system has on the game. Tom teaches Ant a new vocabulary word and Ant revives a classic jab at Pete. This week the brothers ask what setting would you like to see in a future Resident Evil game? A mall, a school, or an amusement park. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

The survival horror category continues with The Callisto Protocol, developed by Striking Distance Studios and published by Krafton, released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on December 2, 2022. Prepare yourself to survive the horrors stalking the halls of Black Iron Prison and discover the secrets that lie beneath. The brothers agree that the visuals and audio presented in the game are top notch, but are critical of the game's pacing and lack of puzzles. As a veteran player of the Dead Space series, Tom was excited to play this "spiritual successor". But did it live up to the hype? Pete is flabbergasted by a certain boss battle... or boss battles? Ant and Pete debate whether or not Jacob deserved to imprisoned at Black Iron. This week the brothers ask what farfetched skill that every survival horror protagonist seems to have would you prefer to have - firearms proficiency without training, the ability to fly an aircraft, the ability to mix herbs and potions to create healing items. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

With spooky season right around the corner, the brothers start the celebration by delving into the survival horror genre. First up is The Evil Within, directed by Shinji Mikami and released in October 2014 for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. This is one of the longest games the brothers have reviewed to date so there is much to discuss.  Tom and Pete complain about what the brothers have dubbed “the Scooby-Doo battle”. Ant and Tom are pretty sure they know what a phonograph is and Pete gets confused about what might cause explosions of flammable material.  Ant and Tom impress with their death totals, but in different ways. In the latter half of the episode, the brothers discuss the confusing story behind the game and Ant rattles off all the survival horror cliches that were jammed into this game.  This week the brothers ask what upgrade would you choose to be your first if you were in your own personal survival horror experience? Run further without losing your breath, hold more ammunition, health upgrade to take more hits from enemies. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Three games based on 90's cartoons enter the brodown battleground this week. Which one will come out on top? The brothers agree that all three of these games did many things well, especially with capturing the essence of the cartoons they're based on. Things started to diverge when the discussion shifted to gameplay, leading to a lively debate about one game in particular. Give us your ranking of these three games on one of our social platforms! Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Welcome to the first installment of Bonus Levels! In these episodes, we take a lighter look at video games and do a bunch of fun stuff including rankings, lists, and broad discussions about games in fun scenarios. This week we're talking about our top 10 games we find synonymous with the Sony PlayStation. These are not necessarily our favorite games, nor the best games, but rather the ones we personally associate with the console. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

A 90s cartoon category cannot be complete without a classic Nicktoon! This week the brothers get nostalgic with The Ren & Stimpy Show: Stimpy's Invention which released on the Sega Genesis in 1993. While they are not huge fans of the cartoon, the brothers had a lot of positive things to say about this game. Pete and Tom recount their experiences playing the game's co-op mode while Ant does impressions of all the characters. This week the brothers want to know what was your favorite 90s era Nicktoon - Doug, Rugrats, or Rocko's Modern Life. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

This week the brothers discuss a classic game based off one of the most iconic cartoons in history. The Simpsons: Hit & Run was released on September 16, 2003 for the Playstation 2, Xbox, and GameCube. Play as the Simpsons family and Apu to uncover the secret behind a mysterious new craze sweeping the town of Springfield. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Join the brothers as they travel back in time for the start of a new category - video games based off of 90s cartoons. Kicking off the discussion is South Park: The Stick of Truth, which was initially released on March 4th, 2014 for Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. From the perilous battlefields of the fourth-grade playground, a young hero will rise, destined to be South Park's savior. The brothers agree that the game nailed the aesthetic and essence of the cartoon, but also that the game was probably a bit too easy. Pete and Tom found it difficult to learn fart, while Ant confuses Jimmy and Timmy. Comedy is at the forefront in this game, and the brothers take some time to share their favorite jokes. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Three wildly different Pokemon spinoff games enter the brodown arena this week.  The brothers have a heated disagreement about whether a mobile Pokemon Snap game would have been more successful than Pokemon Go.  Pokemon Go is often touted to be revolutionary, but the brothers wonder how many users who were not video game or Pokemon fans actually stuck with the game or consumed Pokemon in any other fashion. They also wonder if the Pokemon Trading Card Game taught any bit of the card collecting population the rules of the card game or led anyone to the card playing scene. Give us your ranking of these three Pokemon spinoff games on one of our social platforms! Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

The Pokemon Spinoff category wraps up with something a little different. Pokemon Go was released on July 6, 2016 for iOS and Android, and is the first mobile game covered on the pod. The brothers go through the timeline of Pokemon Go and discuss a lot of things about the game you may have forgotten about. They also discuss the different circumstances that surrounded the game including topics of safety, legal, marketing (Pete urges everyone to rewatch the original commercial with the Mewtwo raid) and how it transcended far beyond video games. Pete discussed his wide search for regionals and Tom explains the time he got a soft ban.  Ant starts playing as the brothers are recording and starts describing everything he's seeing on his screen.  Ant's nephews join the extended mid episode filler to give the perspective of the younger player, a discussion that bleeds into the animated series and mainline games. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

The discussion of Pokemon Spinoffs continues with Pokemon Trading Card Game, released for the Game Boy Color in Japan in 1998, and the rest of the world in 2000. Build your deck and take on the top players to inherit the legendary Pokemon cards! It took Ant three times more time than Pete and Tom to complete this game, but he still had fun with it.  Ant argues that the coin flips and card draws seemed to defy probability… in his opponent's favor, of course.  Pete discusses the game's glitches including a huge mistake by the developers rendering it impossible to obtain one of the cards in the game. Tom explains times where the AI isn't so intelligent and also talks about the current Pokemon TCG Live and how that can be considered a sequel to the original game.  This week, the brothers ask what is your favorite trading card game - Pokemon Trading Card Game, Yu-Gi-Oh, or Magic: The Gathering. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Pokemania arrives as the brothers begin their next category, spinoff Pokemon games. These games won't include the mainline RPG games, but rather some of the "offshoots" that built on the Pokemon fandom. The first game up for debate is Pokemon Snap, released in 1999 for the Nintendo 64. Gotta catch 'em all, this time with your camera. Pete and Tom reminisce about being young Pokemon fanatics in the late 90s. The brothers were impressed with the visuals but agree that the sounds didn't capture the essence of the Pokemon universe. Pete discusses some secrets of the game, resulting in a rousing game of "Who's That Pokemon?". This week the brothers want to know what is your favorite offshoot Pokemon game. Let us know on one of our social media channels. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Time for another brodown! This time, Stray, Grim Fandango, and The Cave enter the arena. Which adventure puzzler will come out on top? There is a lot of disagreement between the brothers in their final rankings of these three games. Pete compares Stray to Game of Thrones and Grim Fandango to homework (but not math homework). The brothers enjoyed some of the sound effects in these games. Tom particularly liked the squelching sausage sound in The Cave and Ant praises the sound of rubbing balloons in Grim Fandango. Will these sound effects be enough to to propel them to victory?  Give us your ranking of these three puzzlers on one of our social platforms! Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

The brothers round out the Adventure Puzzler category with Ron Gilbert's The Cave, developed by Double Fine Productions and published by Sega in January 2013 for the PlayStation 3, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Steam. Pete and Tom were pleasantly surprised at Ant's recommendation this week. Ant enjoyed the cave's corny narration and Pete revealed his favorite puzzles were the ones where he had to be patient and do math. Pete also lists off some characters that didn't make it into the final game and continually refers to a sequel that was never made and almost certainly never will be.  Director Ron Gilbert was also the co-founder of another game development studio, Humongous Entertainment, which focused on educational games geared towards kids in the 1990s. What was your favorite game from the studio? Putt-Putt, Freddi Fish, Pajama Sam, Spy Fox, or the Backyard Sports Series. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

It's another Brothers and Boss Battles DLC episode! In these quick dlc episodes, the brothers will discuss spoiler free reviews of new games near launch and give their thoughts. SMITE, developed by Titan Forge Games and published by Hi-Rez Studios, is one of the brothers' consensus favorite games, so naturally there is lots of excitement around the sequel, SMITE 2. After playing through the first closed alpha weekend of SMITE 2, the brothers give their initial reactions to the improved engine, as well as their concerns and optimism around new gameplay mechanics, like strength and intelligence stats replacing physical and magical attributes, the elimination of character classes, and the new (and improved?) item shop system. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles brothersandbossbattles.com

The Adventure Puzzler category continues with the cult classic, Grim Fandango, released originally by LucasArts in 1998 for the PC, with remastered versions being released by Double Fine for various consoles throughout the 2010s.  Things get heated in this episode as the brothers have vastly different opinions about the gameplay in this hardcore puzzler. Pete is offended by the unnecessarily loud sounds and nitpicks the details of seemingly every puzzle the game has to offer. Ant explains to the world what sound indicates “I'm about to fall.”  The characters, storytelling, and music were all high points, but the controls were not so much. Pete and Tom award a specific part of this game as the worst controls in any video game ever made. This week the brothers ask which colorful character from the game would you rather be friends with? Glottis, the fun loving, rambunctious friend who is a bit of a simpleton but always has your back. Salvador Limones, dutiful and faithful to the cause; serious and focused. Chepito, hardworking and gruff, but will tell you interesting war stories. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

On the heels of the first brodown episode, the brothers switch gears and start to explore the realm of Adventure Puzzlers. The first game up is Stray, the winner of The Game Awards Best Indie Game in 2022. Play as a stray cat and untangle an ancient mystery to escape a long-forgotten city. The brothers hope you don't find this episode lazy and stale, like Pete found some of the puzzles in Stray. Ant and Tom love this game, particularly the story elements and the varied gameplay. Ant brags about his platinum trophy. Tom expects to be replaying this game annually. If Pete wants a story, he'll read a book; and if you want a good video game discussion, you should listen to this podcast! The brothers ask you this week, would you rather have a Zurks infestation in your house, live in a city with no sunshine, or have your consciousness transferred into a robot body? Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

Here it is—the very first brodown episode, where the three 3D platformers we discussed will battle it out for the top spot. We previously reviewed Donkey Kong 64, Banjo-Kazooie, and Conker's Bad Fur Day and now we'll see how the brothers rank these classic N64 3D platformers. Ant complains about the controls of all three games but also emphasizes how much fun he had playing Donkey Kong 64. To Pete, it sounds like most of Ant's reasoning boils down to DK being the easiest game of the three games. Tom comes to the realization that Conker is one of his favorite games after his last play through. Pete searches for a tangible reason why the brothers have so much praise for DK64, but not as much for Banjo-Kazooie. Give us your ranking of these three classic 3D platformers on one of our social platforms! Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

It's the first Brothers and Boss Battles DLC episode! In these quick dlc episodes, the brothers will discuss spoiler free reviews of new games near launch and give their thoughts. MLB The Show 24, developed by San Diego Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment and MLB Advanced Media, is the premier baseball simulation game. It is officially licensed with the MLB Players Association, bringing players of the past, present, and future into the game and on your teams. As huge baseball fans and MLB The Show veterans, Ant and Pete give their initial reactions to this year's game. They briefly discuss the different game modes they started playing, the differences in this year's game to previous editions, and Pete brags about his 2-0 record in Diamond Dynasty.  Check out the brothers' top 5 baseball video games of all time video on instagram and youtube and follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

To round out the 3D Platformer category, the brothers turn their sights on Conker's Bad Fur Day.  This game was released for the N64 in 2001 by Rare, making this somewhat unofficially a Rare Studios category as well.  The brothers also discuss the remake, Conker: Live and Reloaded.  Help greedy, foul-mouthed, binge drinking, Conker the squirrel, tell the tale of his begrudging ascent to the throne of the Panther King.  This is one of the most unique and comedic games you'll ever play, but Ant wasn't laughing at the poor controls and camera angles. Tom loved the music so much that he wakes up to the sounds of Conker's Bad Fur Day every morning. The brothers laud Conker's basic move set and lack of items to collect. They also lament that the sequel was canceled, but Pete reports all the known information about the lost sequel and discusses the history of the original game's tumultuous development. The brothers ask you this week, which movie parody would you most want to see in a Conker sequel? Toy Story 4 where you search for an old cartridge of Conker's Bad Fur Day, Avengers: Endgame where you must collect stones for the infinity diaper, or Top Gun: Maverick where you reunite with the Squirrel High Command to engage in air combat.  Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

On the second episodes of Brothers and Boss Battles: A Video Game Showdown, the brothers discuss the second entry of the 3D platformer category—Banjo Kazooie. This fan favorite game was released in 1998 on the Nintendo 64 by Rare. Guide Banjo and Kazooie to face the evil witch Gruntilda and rescue Banjo's sister. The brothers complain a lot about this N64 classic, including the maze that is Gruntilda's Lair, the resetting musical notes, and the frustrating controls; but maybe they just need to practice more. The brothers do have good things to say too. They discuss what they liked about the level design and laud the game for the unique pre final boss battle. Tom has to explain to Ant that bears don't lay eggs, while Pete discusses a lot of the history behind the stop ‘n' swop feature and the secrets of the ice key! The brothers ask you this week, would you rather drink an entire camel spit milkshake, sleep in a dumpster for a night, or spend a day bursting people's boils? Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/

On the inaugural episode of Brothers and Boss Battles: A Video Game Showdown, the brothers discuss Donkey Kong 64 as the first entry in the 3D platformer category. This Nintendo 64 classic was released in 1999 by Rare studios and takes the player through a journey to save DK Isles. Take control of Donkey, Diddy, Lanky, Tiny and Chunky Kong to collect your way through multiple levels in their attempt to foil King K. Rool's dastardly plans. Pete and Tom shared a file back in the day and 101 percented the game, a feat that the brothers feel is near impossible now (looking at you Beaver Bother). Pete even gets choked up discussing how much he loved this game. Ant is playing for the first time. Did he enjoy it without the nostalgia factor and despite having to suffer through Diddy's jet pack? Pete discusses some secrets about the game that you probably didn't know and reveals the real story behind the expansion pak. The brothers ask you this week, would you rather have the ability to Rocketbarrel Boost like Diddy, Gorilla Gone like Chunky, or Monkeyport like Tiny. Follow us on X @BrosBossBattles Instagram @BrosBossBattles https://brothersandbossbattles.com/