The GameCola Podcast

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A podcast about videogames that most other sites don't talk about—all the indie games, foreign games, weird games, and forgotten classics you've been missing.

GameCola


    • Jun 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 12m AVG DURATION
    • 288 EPISODES

    5 from 22 ratings Listeners of The GameCola Podcast that love the show mention: flip, drama, games, gamecola.


    Ivy Insights

    The GameCola Podcast is a staple in my life, a podcast that I have been listening to for years. It has been with me through thick and thin, providing entertainment and insights into the world of gaming and beyond. I cannot express enough gratitude to the dedicated staff at GameCola for continuously creating engaging content that keeps me hooked episode after episode.

    One of the best aspects of The GameCola Podcast is the chemistry between the hosts. They have a natural rapport that makes it feel like you're sitting down with friends, discussing your favorite games and geeking out over pop culture references. Their banter is witty, their discussions are insightful, and their humor never fails to bring a smile to my face. It's like being part of a fun conversation that you never want to end.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is its variety. The hosts cover a wide range of topics, from reviewing the latest video games to analyzing classic titles from years past. They also delve into other forms of media, such as movies and TV shows, offering unique perspectives on these subjects. This diversity keeps the podcast fresh and engaging, ensuring there's always something new and interesting to listen to.

    While The GameCola Podcast has so many positive aspects, it does have its flaws as well. One potential downside is that episodes can sometimes run long. While this may be great for diehard fans who can't get enough content, it might be intimidating for new listeners or those with limited time on their hands. A more concise format could make the podcast more accessible to a wider audience.

    In conclusion, The GameCola Podcast is an incredible show that has stood the test of time. Its knowledgeable hosts, entertaining discussions, and diverse range of topics make it a must-listen for any gaming enthusiast or pop culture lover. While there may be minor drawbacks in terms of episode length, they pale in comparison to all the positives this podcast brings. Thank you, GameCola staff, for continuing to illuminate the internet and provide endless hours of enjoyment.



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    Latest episodes from The GameCola Podcast

    GC Podcast #190: The Canonical Sonic Mainline

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 73:23


    Welcome to the Mainline GameCola Podcast! This is the real deal you guys, not one of those weird spin-off episodes. Featuring your Very Mainline Cast of Anna Bryniarski, James Pelster, Joseph Martin, and Blu Ryder, we're here to tell you all about what videogames deserve the honor of being part of their Mainline series, and what videogame topics deserve to be part of our Mainline podcast. - What factors do we consider important for determining a “mainline” videogame? - There seems to be an exception to every rule - Can a videogame become un-mainline? - What Mario games does Anna consider to be mainline? - Some of our and our fans' favorite mainline edge cases. - The people who make superhero videogames sure do have it out for Blu - What videogames have we been playing in recent mainlines? [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #189: The True Cost of Videogames

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 86:26


    The price of videogames is going up, and your GameCola Podcast friends Joseph Martin, Blu Ryder, and James Pelster are here to guide you through these tumultuous times for your wallet. And don't worry, this one's on the house! - How do you feel about $80 Mario Kart? - Some theories as to why games are getting more expensive now - Is it tariffs? It's probably tariffs. - Expensive videogames are like long movies. I'm sure Joe has a point. - Things you can do instead of spending money on videogames (cry) - The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy has a lot of endings and a lot of Not Dying Forever [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #188: Virtual Podcast Card

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 74:20


    Never before could a podcast be shared with friends digitally, but now it can! Join Joseph Martin, James Pelster, and John Rizzi as they discuss this and other technological marvels such as: - Trying to figure out Nintendo's Virtual Game Card - Digital games don't have limited supply - Mario Party 3 controls on Nintendo Switch Online are inscrutable - How do different controllers' reliabilities hold up over time? - James flies an airplane in Minecraft - We are in a new golden era of videogame movies [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 is Average" by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast 187: Blu vs Warner Bros.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 76:14


    A battle of the titans! Join Joseph Martin and James Pelster as they witness the colossal battle between Blu Ryder and the fiend responsible for the destruction of so many DC superhero games! Pay no attention to the 3rd discussion in a row about the Nintendo Switch 2... there are plenty of other topics like: - The new Pokémon Presents shows us who are Z-A ChamPions - Blu's eternal battle with the new Warner Bros. and DC Comics videogames - The PS6 and the NeXtbox - Your Favorite RPG is not something James wants to play - Marvel Rivals and Rank Inflation - James' return to No Man's Sky - Joseph's frustration with Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team on Nintendo Switch Online [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast 186: Now There are Two of Them!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 77:05


    We tried to warn you! After talking about our Nintendo Switch 2 predictions, we got the Nintendo Switch 2! Join Joseph Martin, Blu Ryder, Alex Jedraszczak, and John Rizzi as they discuss Nintendo's latest successor and what that means for videos and games. - The Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer - Generative AI has taken over indie game storefronts - We try to figure out which Marvel Rivals would be good at soccer - We celebrate the long lasting friendship of Canada and the United States - Jeddy is once again playing a videogame he does not like - Joe is still struggling with Golden Sun - John made a cool list of (not) videogame movies [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #185: New Year Plus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 75:07


    It's a New Year, and a New Switch! Well, hopefully not a "New Switch" in the way we had a "New 3DS." Look, just listen to the podcast and you'll understand what I mean. Anna Bryniarski, James Pelster, Blu Ryder, and Joseph Martin have all the details on the upcoming year, up-to-and-including: - Last call for theories, hopes and dreams for the upcoming Nintendo Switch Successor - Joe talks about the Mega Man episode of the Secret Level animation anthology - Blu and Anna unsuccessfully play Rock Paper Scissors - Public Domain Mickey Mouse gives James a licensed therapy session - What videogames not-of-the-future have we been playing in recent times? [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    Kingdom Hearts RPGCast – Part 1: Grandpa Ex Machina

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 110:44


    Welcome to Blu's premiere as GM for this brand new GameCola RPG adventure! Join as he guides GameCola members you love in the roles of characters you know on an epic journey across multiple videogame worlds. This ragtag group of players consists of James Pelster as Samus Aran (from Metroid), John Rizzi as Obi-Wan Kenobi (from Star Wars) and Leaf as Grandpa (from Stardew Valley). - This raucous episode promises to leave you on the edge of your seat, with such exciting events as: - James losing all his items at the start of the game - Leaf traumatizing a poor old man at least once, but almost certainly less than 12 times. - John using awesome force powers and a lightsaber (obviously) - Complaining about how weird Mega Man world-building has been over the decades - Uh oh, a Final Boss battle already!!?? - Blu pulling a bunch of mean tricks on the unsuspecting players because their dice told him to - A handful of original musical pieces and rearrangements of classic videogame themes, all done by Blu just for this series …and much, much more! The game played is Interstitial: Our Hearts Intertwined 1st Edition, available for purchase here: https://revryebread.itch.io/interstitial-our-hearts-intertwined The Apparition playbook used for Grandpa was made by Little Winky and features art by scribbles_and_dragons. Get the Apparition playbook here: https://little-winky.itch.io/ and follow the artist here: https://www.instagram.com/scribbles_and_dragons/

    GC Podcast #184: Playing Videogames Incorrectly

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 62:21


    No goody-two-shoes allowed, this time we're breaking all the rules! Join Joseph Martin, Blu Ryder, and John Rizzi as they discuss all the ways you can do videogames in ways that aren't the ways people think videogames should be done by people who do videogames for fun. These incorrect ways of videogames include - Playing videogames too fast - It sucks when someone plays a videogame wrong but then complains about it - Playing videogames for sport even when the developers don't want you to - Using achievements to encourage people to play videogames wrong - Using hacking to play videogames wrong - What videogames have we been playing incorrectly in recent times? [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #183: The Dragon Quarrior of the Near West

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 87:09


    Long ago in a distant land, one Quarrior set out Questerdly  to achieve heroics of great repute. His legacy is documented in this very podcast, by Questern Questorians Quoseph Quartin (Joseph Martin), Quohn Quizzi (John Rizzi), and Quames Queslster (James Pelster). Join us on this very special episode of the QuameQuola QuodQuast including such topics as: - John doesn't know where Japan is - The Dragon Quarrior playthrough has got Joe's brain in RPG mode - A brief summary of RPG history and tropes - Joe tells of his early impressions of Golden Sun - James recounts his adventures with Dragon Quarrior - John compares and contrasts Kingdom Hearts - James tells us about the next great chess game: Ace Attorney Investigations 2

    GC Podcast #182: Patently Absurd

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 101:46


    You've been served! On this session of the GameCola Podcast, we deliberate upon many trials and tribulations facing crimes in the videogame community. Join Chief Prosecutor Blu Ryder, Primary Council James Pelster, and The Honorable Judge Joseph Martin Presiding as they argue their cases on the following topics: - Nintendo is taking Palworld to court over Patent Infringement - Why do people feel differently about patents and copyright? - No one knows what they are talking about (except Joseph obviously) - The last Nintendo Switch emulator has been taken offline - The inconsistencies of ethics in emulation, preservation, and piracy - What even happened with Concord? - Games we've been playing in recent times [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #181: Sun Tzu's Art of Tactical Videogames

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2024 91:04


    Sun Tzu said: "On this episode of the GameCola Podcast, we spend a significant amount of time discussing the subject of "tactics" games. Follow along with Joseph Martin, Alex Jedraszczak, John Rizzi, and Blu Ryder as they discuss their experiences with the genre and more!" Historians have been baffled by the meaning of this passage UNTIL TODAY. - Uh-oh, Jeddy played a videogame and didn't like it again! - Front Mission displays a lot of the major issues with tactics games - Most tactics games we have enjoyed have had significant departures from the standard formula - Mega Man Battle Network 4 is still frustrating for all the same reasons - The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer was very tactical - Tactical videogames we've been playing in recent times [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #180: Mario and Sonic at the NOlympic Games

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2024 60:36


    Where are all the videogames? Did the Olympics steal them? Join Joseph Martin, John Rizzi, and Blu Ryder as they investigate this mystery and others including: - The conversation immediately turns to Mega Man - Waiting for Big Game Season - Do people care enough about Star Wars now to play a videogame? - Will Marvel Rivals be the one to finally supplant Overwatch? - Esports at the Olympics? - Mario and Sonic will not be returning to the Olympics - We're in our fan games arc - Games we've been playing in recent times (we found them) [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #179: Your Most Anticipated Game Will Be Terrible

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 92:05


    Excited about videogames? Too bad! On this month's episode of The GameCola Podcast, John Rizzi, Joseph Martin, Blu Ryder, James Pelster, and Alex Jedraszczak all tell you why each and every videogame you want to play will be terrible. These subjects are included but not limited to: - Why Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be terrible - Why Mario & Luigi: Brothership will be terrible - Why Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake will be terrible - Why The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will be terrible - Why Marvel Rivals won't be terrible (sorry Blu) - Why every game Jeddy plays first is terrible - Why Make a Good Mega Man Level 3 isn't terrible (Jeddy hasn't played it yet) [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 is Average" by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #178: What if Zelda was a Girl?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 89:37


    By popular demand, it's the Gay-meCola podcast! Join Joseph Martin, Anna Bryniarski, Blu Ryder, and Leaf as they discuss all things gay in videogames! This includes such prideful topics as: - How The Sims is gay - How Paper Mario is gay - How various other Mario characters are gay - What the HECK is going on with Peachette???? - How Mega Man is gay - What if Zelda was a Girl? - How Palia is gay - How Marvel Rivals is gay - How The Sims is gay, for a second time [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    girl average heck leaf gc podcast peachette
    GC Podcast #177: Nueva San Nuevo Fran Mumbattokyork

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 88:19


    GameCola enters the city of dreams! Join Joseph Martin, James Pelster, Blu Ryder, and John Rizzi as they explore all the videogame world has to offer neatly combined into one megaopolis by some sort of multiple timeline shinanigans. Reality breaking, mixing and mashing topics include: - Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is an interesting throwback to the early years of Mario RPGs - Why are almost all RPGs two different videogames? - How games combine genre different from movies - The new Fallout show is another W for the videogames -> film pipeline of the modern era - Various possible videogame adaptations and what could succeed and fail - How plausible is Nueva San Nuevo Fran Mumbattokyork? - Are DVDs videogames? - Finals and Fantasies [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #J4: Pizza Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 27:18


    That's right everyone. The J-Cast is BACK! And this time John Rizzi is taking the reins to talk about whatever he can. With no interruptions or setbacks whatsoever. Especially not by our very own Blu Ryder. Listen to a wide variety of filler topics such as… - Pizza - Secret Wars - More Pizza - Doctor Doom Character Study - Deep Dish Pizza - Spider-Man saving the multiverse with a hamburger - Max Payne 3 having the best looking Pizza in a video game [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier] "Pizza Time" theme from Spider-Man 2 (the videogame)

    Space Quest AdventureCast - Part 3: Explosive Finale

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 76:35


    Greetings, carbon-based lifeforms! The Space Quest Adventurecast has reached its exciting conclusion, but we hope you've enjoyed it! In this episode you'll be treated to: - Droole trying desperately to befriend a water buffalo - The crew eliminating the remaining Sequel Policeman in spectacular fashion - Roger and Cliffy abusing the ability to "save" and "load" the game - Significant amounts of death ...and then they finish the adventure, or something! Music from spacequest.net, and The Space Quest Historian.

    GC Podcast #176: Decide Thine Own Journey

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2024 85:37


    This episode of the GameCola Podcast is up to you! Select any one of our fabulous hosts as your companion, Joseph Martin, Blu Ryder, John Rizzi, or James Pelster. Then, turn to the page with your favorite topic! - Joe had a 12.5% beverage and no plan - The gang learns to decide their own paths in life - We could get so much great stuff if we could just get a good Mega Man show/movie - The gang's best attempt at a Mega Man movie script - The death of Maria is Sonic the Hedgehog's only Canon Event - Videogames we have been playing in recent times - Wait we almost forgot! Pokémon Legends: Z(ed)-A! [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier] Pokémon from Pokemon.com Mega Man from Wikipedia.net All other images from GameCola.net

    GC Podcast #175: Palgorithmically Generated

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2024 74:55


    Hey, Pals! It's time for GameCola to wade into the latest Gaming Controversy and settle things once and for all! Note: Things will most likely continue to be unsettled indefinitely. Join Joseph Martin, Alex Jedraszczak, James Pelster, and Blu Ryder as they cement their palship by discussing such topics as: - Man, folks are really worked up about this Palword game, huh? - Will lawsuits fly or will the controversy die? - Pokémon Gen 10 is going to reignite the flames of passion for sure - A fan requests we discuss the prevalence of Remake+ videogames - The wacky world of Sonic Adventure hacking - Legacy game engines are becoming a problem - Jeddy's back on his Picross grind - What times have we been recent in playing videogames? [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 is Average" by Meteo Xavier] Pals from palworld.fandom.com Pokémon from Bulbapedia and Serebii

    Space Quest Adventurecast - Part 2: Eventual Ingenuity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 55:49


    We're back, spacefarers, with another zany episode of the Space Quest Adventurecast! The journey continues as the crew of the debris field formerly known as the S.C.S. Goliath (and S.C.S. Eureka) search the strange and wacky halls of this strange water-based... museum? Aquarium? Research facility? Whatever the heck it is, the crew certainly isn't going to leave the place unscathed before they find their way out. In this action-packed installment, you'll witness: - Insights into Cliffy's television preferences - The crew instilling fear and confusion into the cores of the various maintenance robots - A tactical use for shaken-up soda - Roger poking a tentacle with a stick, and the predictable consequences ...and much more! Music from spacequest.net, and The Space Quest Historian.

    GC Podcast #174: The Canonical Mario Timeline

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2024 89:08


    Everyone always says "It's-a Mario Time!", but when exactly is that? In order to solve this conundrum as well as many other temporal challenges throughout videogames, we gathered Joseph Martin, Blu Ryder, James Pelster, Dan the Leaf, Anna Bryniarski, and Alex Jedraszczak to discuss this and many other topics including: - What is the Canonical Mario Timeline? - What is the Canonical Mega Man Timeline? - What is the Canonical The Sims Timeline? - What is the Canonical Yu-Gi-Oh! Timeline? - What videogames have we been lining in recent times? [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 is Average" by Meteo Xavier] Thumbnail art based on various images uploaded to the Super Mario Wiki

    Space Quest AdventureCast - Part 1: Marooned Morons

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2024 59:15


    What's this?! A new GameCola RPGcast? Nay, I say! This...is something a bit different. Join me, James Pelster, as the narrator, and fellow GameCola staff, alumni, and superfans as the player characters: John Rizzi as Roger Wilco, Nathaniel Hoover as Beatrice Wankmeister, Leaf as Rumproast Droole, Alex Jedraszczak as Flo, Blu Ryder as W-D40, and Joseph Martin as Cliffy, as they participate in the most open-ended and nonsensical GameCola odyssey to date! In this part, you can expect to witness: - James getting small Space Quest lore details wrong and it bothers Nathaniel - A robot failing at basic math - Beatrice apologizing with peanuts - Cliffy being the victim of a whoopee cushion prank - The party deliberating for several minutes over buying refreshments ...and much more! Music from spacequest.net.

    GC Podcast #173: Polished Garbage

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2023 71:31


    Gotta admit folks, the energy on this one is a little weird. Nevertheless! Join Joseph Martin, Bly Ryder, and Dana Dan the Leaf as they explore some of gaming's best polished-glass-in-garbage-can metaphors on this month's episode of the GCPC, featuring such discussions as - Remember, we're not doing the videogames awards yet - Leaf gives us the Paralives scoop - The many ways The Sims 4 is a bad videogame yet people still play it - Blu's taste in videogames makes it hard to come up with recommendations - Joe lists his least favorite Mega Man game of each series - From strategy guides to GameFAQs to wikis, what's next for how to figure out a videogame? - Joe can't finish a Zelda game - Blu is somehow the only one who played a videogame despite having a broken finger [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #172: Alan Reality Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2023 72:14


    It's Alan Wake, and there's two of him! Or maybe three? Come untangle this mystery with Dana "Leaf" Cohen, Blu "Red Passenger" Ryder, and Joseph "Very Confused" Martin as they attempt to resolve many of gaming's most confusing conundrums, including: - Alan Wake II is a videogame and that's about all Joe can piece together over the course of 20 minutes - Spider-Man 2 has more New York, less good gameplay, but then more good story - The free MMORPG Palia has been farming up the online spaces, but hasn't quite hit the fish - The the linguistic puzzles of Chants of Sennaar have been calling out to Leaf - Viewfinder has us finding views of cats and voiceovers - Pokémon Sleep has been keeping Joe Pokémon Awake too much [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #171: Unity Grr Cry

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2023 78:53


    Unity has made us upset. #grr #cry. Join Joseph Martin, John Rizzi, Alex Jedraszczak, and Blu Ryder as they lament their woes thrust upon the gaming industry and also make social media posts on the Tamagotchi Tamaverse. Two very related things. Some other related things include: - Unity wants to charge per game install. Most people have considered this to be a Bad Move - What do other game engines have to offer? - Jeddy has been exploring the hip fad of the Tamagotchi Uni - Jeddy seems to only upgrade his tech when a company forces him to - John has been playing Mortal Kombat I, the much anticipated prequel to Mortal II: Kombat - Blu has been enjoying the Steam Deck - Joseph has been Pokémon Sleeping [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 is Average" by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #170: Live from New York

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2023 87:05


    Live from New York, it's The GameCola Podcast! On this locally themed episode, Joseph Martin, James, Pelster, John Rizzi, and Blu Ryder discuss such geographically sourced topics as: - Joseph Martin is in New York - How do videogames use real locations? - The evolution of New York City in Spider-Man videogames - The Big Games of The Big Game Season - Joe is finally getting sleep thanks to Pokémon Sleep - Blu bought a Steam Deck! - John's getting swole with Wii Fit U - James' quest for a financially reasonable copy of Silent Hill [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 is Average" by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #169: Pulling a Fast One on Ya

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2023 61:30


    Quick, we don't have much time! On this speedy podcast with Joseph Martin, James Pelster, John Rizzi, and Blu Ryder, we talk about these things: - Joe's continued experiences with Mega Man Battle Network 1-3 - Don't sleep on Pokémon Sleep (or do, I'm not your dad) - James' adventures at the Vintage Computer Festival West - How does Spacewar! hold up after 61 years? - Don't you guys have phoooooooooones???? - The continued exploits of Nicholas Cage in Dead by Daylight - Blu's contributions to the resurrection of Marvel Avengers Alliance - Is it the Switch 2 for real this time? - What does backward compatibility look like in the era of digital game libraries? [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 is Average" by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #168: My Horse Boyfriend Mario

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2023 89:53


    Wow, Mario is looking better than ever in Super Mario Wonder! But could he look... even BETTER THAN BETTER THAN EVER? Join Joseph Martin, Blu Ryder, Anna Bryniarski, Dana Dan Leaf, and GameCola's Editor Emeritus Paul Franzen as they discuss exactly sort-of that! There's also a bunch of other vaguely videogame themed topics covered this month, some of which include - Just about everyone at GameCola has an alter-ego at this point - What animals should Mario turn into next? - It's finally time for Daisy to shine! (Also what's her deal?) - The Sims 4 has horses and is a also a bad videogame - Maybe The Sims 5 will come out? Maybe?? - Blu played an escape room and videogames helped - Games we've play beening in recent times

    GC Podcast #167: GameCola's Next Arc

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 86:22


    The London Arc is over, and now we must determine what is in store for us in this new era of GameCola. Join Joseph Martin, James Pelster, John Rizzi, and Blu Ryder as they forge ahead into the unknown future. They also talk about videogames. I thought that was a given. - We will not be talking about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom yet - What arc will follow the concluded London Arc? - How have different RPGs used and abused experience and leveling up systems? - How do you define the canon events of a videogame with multiple possible outcomes? - Why *did* the chicken cross the road? - Nicholas Cage will enter the world of Dead by Daylight - What videogames have we been playing in recent times? [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #166: Mario and the Future of Videogame Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 77:08


    It's-a Mario Time! And also Podcast Time! Podcast Commander Joseph Martin sits down with Guy Who is Employed in the Film Industry John Rizzi to talk about the past, present, and future of videogame movie adaptations. Of course, the bulk of the discussion covers the recent release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, but let's break down a synopsis for ya anyway: - The videogame movies of yesteryear, and how we got here - Breaking down the success of the Mario movie - The three key issues with the film, and why they are so prevalent - More Mario movie talk. Seriously it is like, most of the podcast lol - What's next for Nintendo and the film industry? - What other videogame companies might throw their hats in the ring? - What videogames have you been playing in recent times (as opposed to watching them on the silver screen?) [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #J3: The JamesCola PelsterCast

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2023 75:34


    And now, for something completely different. This month on the GameCola Podcast, staff member James Pelster takes charge of a solo episode! He's got a lot of things to talk about, and plenty of time to do so. Sit back and take a listen to everything he's been dying to discuss, including (but not limited to): - What the heck happened to the Danganronpa V3 and The Great Ace Attorney playthroughs on YouTube? - What's next for the YouTube channel in the future? - James is writing an actual article for the website after six and a half years! - Kerbal Space Program 2 is out in Early Access, and it's pretty busted, but has the potential to be awesome! - Forza Horizon 4 and 5 are the first racing games he enjoys. - Fire Emblem Engage recently released, and he's really bad at it. - Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero challenge James to not repeat the word "immersive" over and over. - Does the Mega Man Battle Network series fit into the card game genre? - Metroid Prime Remastered has complex controls. - Ghost Trick is finally getting a modern port! - Drawing maps for dungeon-crawling games, like early Shin Megami Tensei games, is surprisingly fun! - James is trying to play Resident Evil games beyond the first one on PlayStation. - The Spyro the Dragon games on PS1 still hold up well! - Secret of Mana and Secret of Evermore don't hold up so well, but are still fun. - Dragon Quest VIII is still a wonderful game, fun to play as a family activity! - Do ROM hacks hurt the creative integrity of games? [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #165: Newt Game Plus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2023 88:27


    It's a right of passage for all gamers: Defeat the Newt. All of them. Do not leave the starting area until you do. To aid you on your quest, you have Joseph Martin, Dan the Leaf, Blu Ryder, and Alex Jedraszczak to guide you with a plethora of gaming flavored advice. A brief sample is included below: - Videogames that are Dead and-slash-or Alive - Sticking around too long in the starting area - How to beat the creep of meta gaming - The evolution of wayfinding in The Legend of Zelda series - Blu kills some paradises - Playing along with the The Last of Us tv show - 10 Miles Outta Boston [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #164: No Leg to Kickstand On

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2023 70:12


    Alex Jedraszczak, Anna Bryniarski, Blu Ryder, and Joseph Martin as they gather together for a good ol' Podcast. Such topics of discussion include: - Anna's OLED Switch mishaps prompt a discussion on how we use the system - Pokémon Legends: Arceus joins a long list of games Jeddy plays a lot but isn't sure he actually likes - Modern RPGs and how their fundamentals inform the current state of the genre - Jeddy wants to make a game as bad as Super Hydlide - Super Mario Party but you Don't Try to Win - Joe has more Pokémon Showdown Brain Rot - Various videogame themed tabletop RPGs for some reason [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #163: Kratos Wins the Piston Cup

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2023 82:28


    Congratulations on winning the Piston Cup Voice Actor of Kratos Christopher Judge! And many other videogame things won many other videogame awards at The Game Awards! Join Joseph Martin, Blu Ryder, and James Pelster as they discuss such award winning topics this month, like - The Very Long Speech by Christopher Judge - New game announcments like Hades II and more - What old games with local multiplayer would we like to have online multiplayer added? - Blu explains the paradoxes of Marvel's Midnight Suns - James gives us the full context on Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Joseph updates us on the competitive scene of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet - Other games we've been playing in recent times [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #162: Why do we enjoy broken games?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2022 72:21


    Sometimes these things we call videogames just aren't very good, and by some pretty objective metrics. And yet, we and a lot of other folks still seem to manage to have a great time. How can this be? Join Joseph Martin, Anna Bryniarski, John Rizzi, and Blu Ryder as they attempt to address this question and other topics such as: - Those new Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games are pretty rough, huh? - How do we reconcile games that have huge flaws yet are still popular? - We're gonna watch The Game Awards on the Discord! - Anna gives us her top 5 favorite The Sims 4 lores - John has acquired GameCube - Blu has played a videogame that they *actually like* !!! - Hitmonlee [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #161: Your Favorite RPG is Terrifying

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2022 76:01


    It's the spookiest day of the year... November 7th! What horrors await, and what do they have to do with various RPGs? Find out all about the terrifying videogame experiences of Joseph Martin, Alex Jedraszczak, Anna Bryniarski, and Blu Ryder on this edition of the GameCola Podcast! Various horrible topics include: - Anna becomes a "surprise guest" in a very literal sense - Jeddy has been enjoying the Halloween Content of Ooblets - Anna has been playing multiplayer Skyrim and it breaks even more than you'd expect. - Silent Hill had a lackluster showcase - Resident Evil had a showcase with a lot of luster instead - Jeddy is enjoying Super Hydlide despite the fact that it is objectively terrible - Anna's favorite videogame this month has been causing her physical pain - ... I think we may have an unhealthy relationship with videogames you guys [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier] [Super Hydlide Sprite Originally Ripped by Ryan914]

    GC Podcast #160: Return to Monke (Island)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2022 76:41


    Yaar! Shiver me timbers and walk the plank. Ye be here for the tale of the Cola'd Games and how they returned to their primal monke origins, be ye? What's that? Ya say you wanted to know about the videogame Return to Monkey Island? Yaar, that be the gibberish of unknown forces to this 'ere pirate, but perhaps ye best be listenin' to Joseph Martin, Anna Bryniarski, John Rizzi, and Blu Ryder as they regale you the tales of their exploits, which be the followin': - Anna and John give us the details about Return to Monkey Island - Joe is confused about what passes for a speedrun these days - Everyone is ready to pet the cows of all the farming games coming out these days - The Fire Emblem Engage protagonist has Joycon hair and there may be gacha?? - How will The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom follow up the series? - Street Fighter 6 takes inspiration from the Chaotic TV show - Many other videogame presentations occurred - Games have we been playing in recent times, what? [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 is Average" by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #159: Yelling About Minecraft Reports

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2022 96:40


    YARG. ON THIS PODCAST WE ARE ANGRY. INCLUDING ABOUT MINECRAFT. WHY? YOU WILL HAVE TO LISTEN TO FIND OUT! JOIN JAMES PELSTER ANGRY ABOUT MINECRAFT, ANNA BRYNIARSKI ANGRY ABOUT THE SIMS, JOHN RIZZI ANGRY ABOUT NO E3, BLU RYDER ANGRY ABOUT WEREWOLVES, AND ALEX JEDRASZCZAK ANGRY ABOUT JOSEPH MARTIN NOT BEING ON THIS PODCAST. I WILL NOW WRITE THE TOPICS NORMALLY BECAUSE IF YOU ARE LIKE ME IT IS VERY HARD TO READ WHEN EVERYTHING IS IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. - Joseph Martin is In The Sky - Minecraft updated with new global reporting features and no one likes it - James gushes about Xenoblade - The Sims 4 added pronouns and werewolves, and you'll never guess which one they did better - John goes through all the E-ish 3-ish announcements from this summer - More topics that make more sense if you realize we recorded this episode in July whoops - Games we've been playing in times recent [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 is Average" by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #158: Gaming Outside the Binary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2022 82:52


    Looking for bonus points this Pride Month, the GameCola gang find TWO binaries to be outside of. Just one more and we can be outside the binary binary. Join Alex "The Jeddy" Jedraszczak, Blu "The False Commander" Rider, Dana "Dan" Cohen, and Joseph "Joseph Martin" Martin as they explore a wide spectrum of topics including... - Everyone's favorite GCdotnet Community Polls - The gang investigates Hexadecimal  - Lawing mowing in videogames - Jeddy's adventures in Indie Games with Similar Art Styles - What makes something a roguelike? - It's Morbin' Time - What great or terrible licensed games would we want to see? - The Sims 4 finally adds custom pronouns - Games having been played in recent times [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #157: Sonc 2 and Dune II Too

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2022 98:50


    Sonc Hejeg has done it again! And by "it", I mean made a feature film. But I guess by "it" I also mean that he made a piece of media with that title? What a cool and good blue guy. Also why is he surfing across the planet in that Dune book/videogames anyway? You'll have to join Joseph Martin, John Rizzi, and Alex Jedraszczak to find out as they discuss: - John's Objective Film Buff Opinions on Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (the movie one) - Where does our favorite hedgehog go from here? - Raiding Tombs wherever and however with OpenLara - An extended tangent on the Dune media franchise (it includes videogames its fine) - Play Snake on the Google! Future! - Fears on online videogame storefront closures - Rampant videogame market speculation - Chess is a videogame, probably [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    The Paul & Jeddy Show: 20th Anniversary Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2022 77:42


    The Paul & Jeddy Show is back for this special 20th Anniversary Edition podcast! Take a fun trip down memory lane as the Jedditors-in-Chief talk about: - How GameCola got started - The Top 5 Games of 1994—#1 will surprise you! - An introspective discussion of the downward spiral of our Actual Internet Website - The "Video Walkthrough" - GameCola's Worst Christmas Ever and the loss of Shannon's Phantasy Star review - The secret identity of Myrtle T. Blinke—revealed! - The Random Article widget - GameCola's first game: Mr. Face - What the Internet was like in 1998 - Paul and Jeddy don't know how to use the modern Internet - Tricks of the trade from Paul Franzen

    GC Podcast #156: Escaping Unbearable Pokémon News

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 59:38


    We got it all this month! Pokémon, Escape Rooms, Ghost Bears and Associated Bear Puns! Yep, that's all the things I incorporated into the title. But rest assured, Joseph Martin, Anna Bryniarski, and Blu Ryder have much more to talk to you about, like such as: - Joe and Blu give their thoughts on Legends: A-R-C-E-U-S - Spain and Portugal rejoice at being the setting inspiration of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet - That Grass Cat needs to keep all four feet on the GROUND - Anna's adventures in escape rooms and escape room games - Fixing Game Boys but not fixing marriages because that's Not Our Job - Carby - Ghost Bears and Associated Bear Puns - Joe really needs to play a new videogame, like for real. [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #155: The Elder Scrolls 6: Skyrim 2: Pinball

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 73:03


    A bit of an eclectic one this month. In an effort to break our topic rut, Joseph Martin, Anna Bryniarski, Alex Jedrasczcak, John Rizzi, and Blue Ryder bounce around wild and wide variety of topics vaguely and or tangently related to videogames. We end up at pinball for quite a while. It's a time. Here's a sampling of what you're in for! - The Elder Scrolls 6: Skyrim 2 - Anna has Pinball to Talk About - Wacky things you can do with cartridge games - Someone livestreamed *to* their GameBoy! - The Classic Tamagotchi Kid - Sonic the Hedgehog 2 & Knuckles - Games in Recent Times [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #154: Using Motorcycles to Explain Why Pokémon is Bad Now

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 87:53


    Could there possibly be a better metaphor for the state of Pokémon? Probably. Nevertheless! Join Joseph Martin, Alex Jedraszczak, and Blu Ryder as they discuss RPGs both great and small and give you all the insider details on why the Pokémon franchise Is The Way That It Is. Such relatably related topics include: - Why is Pokémon changing now, instead of earlier? - Jeddy gives a great motorcycle metaphor - Joe breaks down his conspiracy theory about the State of Pokémon - The gang talks about various other RPGs  - Blu is very excited that Sora is the last DLC fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Multiversus is real and brings Cartoon Talk back to #theGCPC - Games we have been playing in times (recent) [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #153: Star2 Valley - Haunted Chocolatier

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 64:18


    What's spookier than chocolate? Perhaps us finally getting our come-uppance for our running gag about indie game developers without follow-ups. Join Joseph Martin, Blu Ryder, and Alex Jedraszczak in this post-Halloween dissection of games both spookly and spookless. This includes such topics as... - ConcernedApe's Haunted Chocolatier is here to follow up Stardew Valley - Blu gives us the scoop on his hype for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy  - Infinity from Incube8 Games is a GameBoy Color game 20 years in the making - Some additional musings on modern game development on retro hardware - Warner Bros. is going to try to make an IP platform fighter, can they and others be successful? - Joe made his own Picross game - Blu played a bunch of Mega Man and Joe made him talk about it [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #152: Martin Joeseph Takes Over

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 85:37


    HAHAHAHA! It is I, Martin Joeseph, here to take over hashtag the G-C-P-C in Joseph Martin's absence! While you plebeians try to listen about your "videos game," I will be bringing some actual CULTURE to this program. Ignore Alex Jedraszczak, Matt Breslau, and Blu Ryder and pay attention to ME. Oh, and I'm contractually obligated to inform you that those weirdoes talked about these topics on this episode: - Martin Joeseph has taken over the podcast - Light Pong is the newest 1D console to challenge God Himself - Reactions to the Mario movie cast were... mixed... - What would a Super Smash Bros. movie look like? - Our suspicions, hopes, and dreams for the final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC character - Some musings on the release of Deltarune Chapter 2 - Recent games we have been playing in times [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #151: Pokémon - Because of the Episode Number

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2021 95:41


    I mean, look at what number episode it is. We had to talk about all the new Pokémon news! But if you like other videogames, Joseph Martin, Blu Ryder, John Rizzi, and Anna Bryniarski have a diversity of gaming news and discussion to talk to you about this month, including like such as the following voila here it is: - Our hopes and concerns for Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and the Pokémon remakes in general. - Musings on the scope and state of the Pokémon franchise as a whole - Tentative anticipation for Pokémon Legends: Arceus - Anna gives us two unequal Sims 4 controversies - Blu and John give us the update on Gamescom games - Anna and John give first impressions on the newly localized Great Ace Attorney games. - Joe is still playing Pokémon and everyone is shocked - Blu hated a boyfriend so much he broke Boyfriend Dungeon

    GC Podcast #150: The London Arc Begins

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2021 82:29


    Coming to you partially from "across the pond" (as everyone keeps telling me to say), the GameCola Podcast celebrates its 150th episode with Host and Podcast Commander Joseph Martin relocating to jolly ol' London. Will this affect videogames? Probably not much! But 150 also brings us new beginnings in the form of new staff member Blu Ryder to share his thoughts on both videos and games! And if you're craving some consistiency, Alex Jedraszczak is also here to talk about the two videogames he likes, so hopefully that will ground you as you here everyone discuss such topics as... - We are cautiously skeptical about the Steam Deck portable console - Many RPGs refuse to abandon outdated legacy mechanics - Jeddy's frustrated that other "roguelike" games aren't as good as Hades - Blu mourns the loss of good RPG mechanics in Marvel games - Joseph muses on the mechanics of Pokémon games and Nuzlockes. - What videogames have we been playing in recent timezones? [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #149: Game Changes That Changed the Game

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2021 67:20


    This month on the GCPC, we're looking at games that seek to improve themselves, whether it be by adding basic functionality years after release or continuing to update at the expense of newer games. Join Joseph Martin, Anna Bryniarski, and Alex Jedraszczak as they discuss these games and more, including such topics as... - Multiplayer Super Mario Party, but two years too late - Indie games that keep updating instead of making a sequel - What games would we want updates for? - Game remasters and collections - What games have we been playing in times recent? - Anna's adventures in Wandersong - Joseph's trying out some NES/SNES classic games - Jeddy's being a detective in Return of the Obra Dinn - Anna's potato-themed dating sim [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 is Average" by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #148: The Death of Mario

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2021 80:19


    On this very somber episode of The GameCola Podcast, we mourn the loss of a gaming icon. Join Joseph Martin, Alex Jedraszczak, John Rizzi, and James Pelster as they reflect on Mario's passing and how it came to be. Also, some less depressing stuff too. Can't all be bummers. - The death of Mario "Jumpman" Mario - What makes a videogame expensive in the resale market? - What do we think about the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes? - What dangers await in the historical allegory of Pokémon Legends: Arceus? - Joe found a long lost videogame from his troubled past - John has played All Tomb Raider - Jeddy dives into some overlooked RPGs - James gushes about 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

    GC Podcast #147: Nintendo Directly to Hades

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 60:26


    Maybe it's not the best marketing strategy to imply that anyone who listens to our podcast will go directly to The Underworld, but sacrifices must be made for relevant podcast titles. Join Joseph Martin, Anna Bryniarski, and Alex Jedraszczak on this month's edition of the GameCola Podcast as they discuss such relevant topics as: - Names are hard - Joe recaps some highlights of the most recent Nintendo Direct - Anna and Jeddy really like the videogame Hades - Joe and Jeddy discuss the history of the development studio Inti Creates - Anna's "Depression Game" of the month is Spiritfarer - Joe is still playing Mega Man games and has A Lot of Opinions - Jeddy has been dipping back into game development in recent times! [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

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