Nerd OutCast Podcast

NOP finally tackles one of the largest media franchises of all time, along with it's very controversial author. Of course, we are talking about Harry Potter. Joining me for all things Hogwarts are Thom Brown, Nick Toussaint, and Victoria Montalbano. We travel back to 1997, and discuss the humble beginnings of the Potter franchise. We examine not the just heroic trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but also our favorite adults in the Wizarding World (we're looking at you, Snape.) We discuss why Potter caught on, and all address some harsh criticisms the books have received over the years.  Then we take a turn and discuss J.K. Rowling, and the future appeal of the Potter franchise in light of her recent comments. There's a lot of emotion in this one, so give it a listen! Music Selections from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Order of the Phoenix, and The Death Hallows, composed by John Williams and Nicholas Hopper, owned by Warner Bros. Records and is included under fair use protection.

We gather around the Bonfire and discuss the Darkness that is Dark Souls! Joining me for our discussion of Hallowed and Ashen are T Scott Ross and Mason Kale. This time around, I have special guest Matt Young (Usidore) from the Hello From the Magic Tavern Podcast step in as our Outcast. Matt is an accomplished gamer, but is on the fence about this renowned series of games. Is Dark Souls appropriately hard, or is it unfair? Which game in the series is the best, and which is the worst? How do other Souls-like games compare to the Dark Souls Trilogy? And what do we want from the future of this notoriously difficult franchise? We chat all this and more on this fatalistic episode. Music Selections from Dark Souls and Dark Souls 3, composed by Motoi Sakuraba, owned by Namco Bandai/From Software and is included under fair use protection.

It's time to GET TO THE CHOPPER as we discuss all things Predator! Joining NOP for this fantastic film series discussion are the minds behind the License to Watch Podcast (Matt McGregor, Colin Shaw, and Harris McCabe.) In Chicago we have the host of Body Counts and Beer Podcast (Mark Rosenthal) along with guest Robert Shumate. Rounding out our discussion is friend Peter Foos....who is definitely the outcast for our chat and has fallen out of love with the creature feature. We spend time discussing the origins of the first film, and whether the franchise needed Arnold to stick around or not. We chat about the sequels, and where they succeed and fail. Finally, we make our predictions for where the series should go, and who would be the best director for our favorite space faring hunter. It's a lot of sci-fi discussion on this epic episode. Enjoy! (But seriously, get to that chopper...) Music Selections from The Predator, composed by Alan Silvestri, owned by Varese Sarabande and is included under fair use protection.

It's been a few months since the ending of Season 2, so now it's time for our Mandalorian deep dive! Joining me to discuss all things Star Wars are experts Chris Lloyd, Kitten McCreary, DJ Fink, and Ryan Bond. My outcast for this episode is the wonderful Smyra Rady...a deeply knowledgeable Star Trek fan whom hasn't dabbled much in Star Wars. We spend some time trying to identify what it means to be a Dave Filoni show. Then we examine the various characters and episodes, and whether there might be too much fan service. We discuss Star Wars lore, and make our best guesses about the future of Mando and the expanding Star Wars universe. We also examine how Star Wars is different on TV vs the Big Screen! As with all things Star Wars, we have a lot to say, so sit down, and give us a listen. This is the way. Music Selections from The Mandalorian, composed by Ludwig Goransson, owned by Disney and is included under fair use protection.  

Late last year, Nintendo decided it was time to pull the plug on it's stalwart gaming handheld...the Nintendo 3DS. Therefore, we decided it was a great time to look back and do a deep dive on all things Nintendo DS and 3DS. Joining me for this retro discussion are Mason Kale, Christian Missonak, Dan Schiffmacher, and Bill Nielson. Mark Soloff returns as our outcast, having never really given the system a proper chance. We discuss the humble origins of the handheld as a "Third Pillar" to Nintendo's then current hardware divisions. We chart the evolution over time, and our reactions to dual screen technology...followed by glasses free 3D. We chat about the games we loved, and the games we never got to play. And then we end it all with the current state of the industry...and whether we will ever see another dedicated gaming handheld in the future. It's a lot of love, speculation, and nostalgia on this deep dive episode!Music Selections from New Super Mario Bros and Mario Kart 7, composed by Koji Kondo, owned by Nintendo and are included under fair use protection.

We end 2020 the way it began...with an obsession over the fantasy series, The Witcher. Joining me for all things Geralt are Pete Navis, Jake Ynzunza, Mark Soloff, and Sean Okerberg. We discuss the origins of the hit series, with an examination of the books and how they stack against other major franchises.  Then we discuss the games, with great focus on the groundbreaking third entry. Finally, we dovetail into the Netflix show...and Henry Cavill. It's a massive discussion, which seems quite appropriate for this massive world.  Enjoy, happy holidays, and we'll see ya in 2021!Music Selections from The Witcher 3 composed by Marcin Przybylowicz, owned by CD Project Red and are included under fair use protection.

After a bit of a hiatus, we are back and chatting perhaps one of the nerdiest inventions in a long time...Magic The Gathering. A pastime SO nerdy, it was intended to be played between DnD Sessions.  Joining me to discuss all things about this magical card game are T Scott Ross, Pete Navis, and Bill Nielsen (of So Many Bits). We review the history of Magic The Gathering, and it's interactions with DnD. We chat about how the game has changed over the years, and it's growth in popularity. More importantly, we touch on the competitive nature of the game...and it's strange stock and trade business. It's been described as "The Greatest form of Strategy Competition after Chess." Listen and see if that's true!

This year marks Super Mario's 35th anniversary, and Christian Missonak, T Scott Ross, Dan Schiffmacher, and myself do a deep dive into the OG gaming mascot that saved an industry and forged a path ahead. We take a look back at the original Super Mario Bros, and discuss whether the plucky plumber mascot was truly needed. We discuss his most influential games, his hardest levels, and his best power ups. We examine his jaunts into other types of gaming, from kart racing to tactical shooters. And eventually, we discuss his future.  It's a massive episode, covering a lot of ground between Super Mario Brothers and the most recent Odyssey, so sit back and enjoy!   Music Selections from Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Brothers 2, and Super Mario 3D World composed by Koji Kondo, owned by Nintendo and are included under fair use protection.

It's a big discussion on NOP today as we discuss George Lucas's much maligned Star Wars Prequels.  For this discussion, we change things up a bit and attempt to discuss what the Prequels do well.  And surprisingly enough, Ricky Galore, David Hernandez, Mark Rosenthal, and myself talk for an hour and a half about all things Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Midichlorians.  Which movie has the best story? Is Dexter Jettster the best new character? Which lightsaber is the coolest? And what, if anything, would we change about these movies?  Some of these questions are quickly answered...others turn into a deep dive.  But you know what, it's always a fun time discussing Star Wars! So give us a listen and enjoy. Music Selections from The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith, composed by John Williams, owned by 20th Century Fox and are included under fair use protection.

We tackle the entirety of the Legend of Zelda franchise in this deep dive episode! Zelda is a mainstay of the gaming industry, and joining me for the discussion on all things Hyrule are John Loos, Dan Schiffmacher, Jeremy Kanne, and Christian Missonak. We answer the big questions...who's the best character NOT named Link, Ganon, or Zelda? What weapon is the best? (NOT counting the Master Sword) Does the series work better in 2D or 3D? Which dungeons are the best...and which are the worst? And what's our top 5 games in the franchise?  We chat all this and more on this epic episode! Music Selections from A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, and Breath of the Wild, composed by Koji Kondo, owned by Nintendo and is included under fair use protection.

In this time of pandemic, we take a break and fly away to a relaxing discussion about all things Animal Crossing. Joining me for this discussion are Christian Missonak and Justin Harner. I serve double duty as both Host and Outcast since I've never played this series before. We chat about Animal Crossing's humble beginnings, and compare it to other "Living Life" games like the Sims, Harvest Moon, and Rune Factory. Which game in the series is the best? What was so special about the 3DS entry, New Leaf? If someone hasn't every play Animal Crossing before...where should they start? And finally...what expectations do we have about New Horizons?  We chat all this and more on this mini-vacation of an episode...so join us on an island far...far away! Music Selections from Animal Crossing and Animal Crossings: New Horizons, composed by Kazumi Tokata and Yasuaki Iwata, owned by Nintendo and is included under fair use protection.

We tackle not one but two major Star Wars shows in this great episode....Clone Wars and Rebels.  Joining me for this deep television dive are Pete Navis, Ryan Bond, and Patrick Sweetman. We discuss the evolution of both shows, and how they compare and contrast with each other. We talk Dave Filoni and what makes a show of his distinct. Is Ahsoka the best character, or are we more interested in Ezra and Kanan? Are we excited for the upcoming return of Clone Wars, or is The Mandalorian more our cup of tea? We even touch on Star Wars Resistance and chat about the newly announced High Republic.  SO there's a LOT to unpack in this massive episode...enjoy! Music Selections from Star Wars Clone Wars and Rebels, composed by Kevin Kiner, owned by Lucasfilm and Disney and is included under fair use protection.  

It's a massive episode today as we finally tackle the latest, and perhaps greatest Zelda game of them all...Breath of the Wild.  All hands are on deck as T Scott Ross, Christian Missonak, Matt Young, Gavin Donnellan, Jeremy Kanne, Bill Nielsen, and John Loos join me in this discussion. We look at the merits and flaws of Nintendo's latest Zelda game.  We chat characters, favorite shrines, best moments, favorite monsters, best music....SO much to unpack!  Did the game live up to expectations? Is there anything that needs to be fixed? And where does Nintendo go next? We chat all this and more on the spectacular episode. Music Selections from Breath of the Wild, composed by Koji Kondo, owned by Nintendo and is included under fair use protection.

Now that a few weeks have passed, its time for NOP to discuss our thoughts and feelings and finally examine the final chapter of the Star Wars Saga...Episode IX,  The Rise of Skywalker. Joining me for this big, beautiful, messy discussion are Jake Ynzunza, DJ Fink, and Crispy (Chris Lloyd.) What's starts as a review of the film, however, easily spins out into a bigger discussion about the state of Star Wars and its' fans, the future of the series, and the biggest mistakes and successes. We chat about Disney + and the potential of that service for the property, examine the Skywalker Saga as a whole, and wonder what's next for a Galaxy Far, Far Away. Much like The Rise of Skywalker, our discussion is a messy, referential tribute to Star Wars itself. Enjoy!   Music Selections from The Rise of Skywalker, composed by John Williams, owned by Walt Disney Company and is included under fair use protection.  

On this episode of NOP, we chat about the most recent addition to the Star Trek TV Universe...Star Trek Discovery. My experts this time around are Ryan Bond and Dylan Schaefer, whom are joined by outcasts Dominic Cianciolo and myself! We chat about the rights and wrongs of this newest version of Star Trek...and whether or not it carries on Gene Roddenberry's legacy. We talk about Star Trek conventions...and whether Trek itself is slowly dying. We discuss where should the series go....and what changes we would love to see in Discovery itself. We chat Vulcuns, starships, wormholes, Picard, and so much more! Music Selection from Star Trek Discovery, composed by Jeff Russo, owned by CBS and is included under fair use protection.

We finally tackle the collaborative effort of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman...Good Omens. My guests this time include Byron Hatfield, Rob Shumate, Zach Muhn, and Peter Foos. We have two outcasts for this discussion....myself (whom has never read the book) and Pete Navis....whom doesn't think very highly of it.  Needless to say, our discussion turns into passionate defensive of the novel and its writers as we dissect this benchmark book. We discuss which parts of the story best represent each writer....and what makes the story stand the test of time. We chat about what was gained in the translation to television...and what was lost.  Is this the best work of each author? We discuss all this and much more! Music Selections from Good Omens and Ladyhawke, composed by David Arnold and Andrew Powell respectively, owned by Amazon and La La Land Records and are included under fair use protection.  

Final Fantasy VIII just got a recent remaster, and next year we get the glorious looking Final Fantasy VII Remake...so we decided it was a great time to chat about Final Fantasy IX! My RPG lovers this time around are Gavin Donnellan, Andrew Babcock, John Loos, Jeremy Kanne, and T Scott Ross. The last entry in the original Playstation trilogy, Final Fantasy IX was heralded as a "return to form" for the famous franchise. But is the game really as good as we remember? Does it hold up, or are one of it's older siblings a better game? We chat about characters, summons, and villains on this classic focused episode! (We also seriously hate on Necron....like....seriously....) Music Selections from Final Fantasy IX, composed by Nobuo Uematsu, owned by Square Enix and are included under fair use protection.  

It's always a lengthy discussion when chatting about The Legend of Zelda, and on today's episode we discuss Skyward Sword. My guests this time around include Dan Schiffmacher, Christian Missonak, and Jeremy Kanne. Seen as the game that both proved the use of the Wiimote, and also served as the Wii's swan song, we take a deep dive into this most divisive of Zelda games. Does Skyward Sword hold up in a post Breath of the Wild world? Where does the game succeed, and where does it fall short? Was the exploration of old cast aside in exchange for storytelling? And where does this game fall in the grander designs of the Zelda franchise? We chat all this, plus dive a bit into Link's Awakening and Metroid, in this sky bound episode. Music Selections from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, composed by Koji Kondo, owned by Nintendo and are included under fair use protection.    

Winter has come and gone, and the war for the Iron Throne has ended...so it's time to discuss the massive show that captured TV for a generation...Game of Thrones. My experts (and outcasts) for this one are Kitten McCreery, Thom Brown, John Loos, Danielle Lebens, and Andrew Babcock. We discuss the final season of the show, and where everything landed. We discuss character turns, character deaths, dragon deaths, and production schedules. Then we take a step back, and look at both the show and the books and how George RR Martin potentially changed the game (pun intended.) Ultimately, it's a discussion with love for a series that certainly left a mark in both television and novels.  Music Selections from Game of Thrones, composed by Ramin Djawadi, owned by Varese Sarabande and is included under fair use protection.

It's a massive discussion today on NOP as we chat about the state of the recently finished Infinity Saga and where the MCU goes from here. Joining me for this huge discussion are Chris Lloyd, DJ Fink, Ricky Galore, Rob Shumate, and Briggs Hatton. We look back at the original Iron Man, and try to determine what critical decision led to the success of this shared multi-verse. We look at the highs and the lows of the 22 movie Infinity Saga. We chat about problematic casting choices, and which films soared and which films sunk. And then we talk about Avengers: Endgame....and whether they stuck the landing or not. We finish out our discussion with "Where does the MCU go from here?" And we also examine what effect these films have had on cinema as a whole. Needless to say, there's a lot to unpack. So stick around and enjoy this lengthy, truly epic discussion on Nerd Outcast Podcast. Music Selections from Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, composed by Alan Silvestri, owned by Hollywood Records and is included under fair use protection.

Nerd Outcast is back, and we are chatting about the video game series Fallout! Joining me for the post-apocalyptic discussion are Sean Okerberg, Zach Muhn, Peter Foos, and Andrew Babcock. Since I've never played this series, I happily step in as outcast. We discuss the history of the series, and what sets it apart from other major RPGs. We dive into the specific games, and try to glean which one is the best (its either Fallout 3 or New Vegas...we can't decide.) Then we chat about the missteps of Fallout 76, and where the games should go from here. It's a great discussion about a series certainly worth it. Give it a listen!   Music Selections from Fallout 3 and 4, composed by Inon Zur, owned by Betheseda Softworks and is included under fair use protection.    

Welcome back! Its been a few months since our host moved across the country, and we return with a fun episode. We previously had a discussion on our show about the Mega Man rock group, The Megas. After our episode, the band reached out and now we have them on mic with us! Sitting down with myself and Jeremy Kanne are Josh and Eric from the Megas! We chat about how they create their music, which songs are their favorite, and which were the hardest to create. We discuss the challenges they faced adapting chip tune music, and whether the original compositions hold up on their own. And of course, we get their opinions about the games themselves....hardest boss, coolest boss, worst stages, and much more.  Music Selections from Get Equipped, History Repeating Parts 1 and 2, and Mega Man 3, owned by The Megas and Capcom respectively and included under fair use protection. 

Its the final podcast of 2018! Christmas is just around the corner, and a new Smash Bros game has been released! We bring Nintendo Nerds together across the biggest cities in the US...Los Angeles and Chicago and New York...to discuss the game. This all star panel includes Scott Ross, Thom Brown, Jeremy Kanne, Gavin Donnellan, Christian Missonak, and Dan Schiffmacher. From East Coast to West Coast, we chat about the history of the Smash Bros franchise and how its changed along the way. We chat about our first experiences with Smash 64, to the Melee competitive scene, and the disappointment of Brawl. Then we talk about Ultimate...and where it stands in the grand pantheon. We discuss our favorite characters, stages, music, features, and so much more! So on your trip home for the holidays, stay safe, stay warm, and if you have time...give us a listen! Music Selections from Super Smash Bros Ultimate, owned by Nintendo and is included under fair use protection.  

A while back, we surpassed our 100th episode and totally FORGOT TO CELEBRATE.  So now, host Chris Bashen finally reconciles that problem. What happens when you get 17 nerds on 9 different mics across 3 stations with a TON of alcohol? A menagerie of ponderous nerd thoughts. We chat about so much: which Ninja turtle can die, which Bond is the best Bond, and who is the better leader...Adama or Picard? We discuss our favorite video game heroes, the best Miyazaki films, and finally figure out if the Star Wars prequels did anything right. There's a lot to unpack in this special episode, so enjoy and thank you for many great years, dear listeners! Music Selection from Super Mario Bros 3, composed by Koji Kondo, owned by Nintendo and is included under fair use protection.

NOP Host Chris Bashen recently relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles...but before leaving, he recorded a series of nerdy topics with some of his best guests and friends...... Jeremy Kanne joins me on the mic to chat about the video game rock group, The Megas! The Megas create rock albums based on the Capcom series Mega Man. We chat about the history of the band, and how their sound has changed over the years. We compare them to other game music artists, like The Black Mages and The Protomen.  Does the music hold up outside of the games it originates?  If they put out another album, what would we want them to tackle? And how does the music honor Mega Man? We chat all this and more! If you are a fan of Mega Man 2 or 3, then you'll want to check this episode out. And if you are a fan of Adele...then probably not so much. Music Selection from Get Equipped, History Repeating Blue and Red, are owned by The Megas and is included under fair use protection.

NOP Host Chris Bashen recently relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles...but before leaving, he recorded a series of nerdy topics with some of his best guests and friends...... Ryan Bond joins me on mic to talk about being a nerd...and a parent. I've recently become a father myself, and the two of us chat about the trials and tribulations of raising children in this new digital, social media age. How do we hope to pass on our favorite nerdy properties to our children? Are some of our favorite geeky properties too stuck in the past to be enjoyed today? How did our own parents influence our taste growing up? Can we expect to have the same influence, and if so, what nerdy things do we cherish most that we hope our chidlren will love? We chat all this, and being a woke parent in this increasingly digital age on this fantastic episode! Music Selection from Star Trek The Next Generation composed by Jerry Goldsmith, owned by Paramount Pictures and is included under fair use protection.Sound Selection from the GameCube Start Up Logo, owned by Nintendo and is included under fair use protection.

NOP Host Chris Bashen recently relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles...but before leaving, he recorded a series of nerdy topics with some of his best guests and friends...... Bill Nielsen (of So Many Bits) joins me on the mic to chat about Capcom's visual novel adventure...Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. I've never played this series, so its a chance for me to learn about dramatic Japanese laws, investigations, and prosecutions all carried out by defense attorney Phoenix Wright. Bill guides me on our discussion, as we talk about which game in the series is the best, where newcomers should start, and if the games are worth more than one play though. By the end of it, I certainly have...no objections. Give us a listen! Music Selections from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney OST composed by Masakazu Sugimori, owned by Capcom and is included under fair use protection.

NOP Host Chris Bashen recently relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles...but before leaving, he recorded a series of nerdy topics with some of his best guests and friends...... Stephan Scalabrino and DJ Fink join me on the mic to wax about the cartoons of the 80s: GI Joe, Transformers, and ThunderCats. We chat about which show had the best toys, which had the best heroes and villains, and which show holds up the best. Conveniently, we each LOVE one of these shows...so each cartoon gets time to shine! We also discuss how the shows rank to one another, and some of our favorite episodes. Needless to say...its a long but fun trip through the best animation of the 80s! Music Selection from the GI Joe the Movie, Transformers the Movie, and ThunderCats owned by Marvel Productions, Scotti Bros. Records, and Warner Bros Productions respectively, and are included under fair use protection.  

NOP Host Chris Bashen recently relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles...but before leaving, he recorded a series of nerdy topics with some of his best guests and friends...... Mark Soloff, host of Blastropodcast, joins me on the mic to chat about the TV series Westworld. Though we primarily focus on the show, we do chat about Michael Crichton as an author, his other works, and how he potentially copies himself. We discuss what themes run through the show, some of our favorite characters, and why the show is so important. Please note we mainly keep to Season 1, but DO dip a bit into Season 2. Mark has been a guest since the first episode of NOP, and as always, provides a great discussion!  Music Selection from the Westworld Main Theme composed by Ramin Djawadi owned by WaterTower Music and is included under fair use protection.