The Joy of Gaming Podcast

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Thirty The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Early-Game Impressions On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we are traveling to Post-Upheaval Hyrule to explore the surface, the sky and the unfathomable depths of what is quite possibly the most anticipated game release in recent memory. Because after 6 years of waiting, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is finally here, and we couldn't be more excited to discuss our early-game impressions in this episode.  We start our discussion relatively spoiler-free, by looking at all of the new features of TOTK, including the completely reworked new arsenal of abilities - Ultrahand, Fuse, Ascend and Recall - and the three expansive biomes, including the reworked surface, as well as the brand new sky islands and the underground depths. Then we head into full spoilers, including the story beats and characters we've encountered, some important tips and tricks, and the weapons, abilities, shrines, temples and quests we've each experienced thus far.  Also on this episode: we cover the latest physical game releases - including some new announcements from Limited Run Games and Super Rare Games - and all of the latest games coming to Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus between now and the end of May. Run of Show: 00:01 - Podcast Primer 01:13 - Intro and “What're you buying?”  18:59 - Brandon's Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Super Rare Games) 34:34 - Rich's Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus) 52:04 - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Early-Game Impressions Spoiler-Free Impressions Initial thoughts (and how far are we, what have we done so far) What's the same, what's different? Major New Mechanics (Ultrahand, Ascend, Fuse, Recall) New Biomes (Surface, Sky, Depths) --SPOILERS START AT 1:34:35-- Story impressions so far Quests and Strategies Final Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Nine The Top 10 Best Games for the Nintendo GameCube On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we continue our journey to select “The Top 10 Best Games (for Every Console)”. This time, we're celebrating the Nintendo GameCube - a misunderstood masterpiece of a console that was once derided as a huge misstep for Nintendo, but has now become one of the most beloved and popular consoles to collect for (with sky-high software prices to prove it).  And while the console itself had a fun and childlike vibe - classically sporting a purple color scheme, a cute handle on the back, and tiny little mini-DVDs to house its games - very few consoles can boast such a concise, impressive library of true classics. From Luigi's Mansion and Super Mario Sunshine, to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Resident Evil 4, Metroid Prime, Pikmin and so many more - the GameCube either birthed or reinvented some of the world's greatest franchises, and these days its finally getting its due.  Our job for this episode is to create the Ultimate Top 10 list of Nintendo GameCube Games that we'd recommend - to gamers both new and old - who want to experience the absolute best that the console has to offer. So if you haven't experienced the GameCube for yourself, we're here to recommend the 10 best places to start. And if you are already well-versed, join us for this wonderful trip down memory lane.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction  How do we choose the Top 10? 02:44 - The History of the Nintendo GameCube History of the GameCube (Project Dolphin!) The GameCube Controller (and the WaveBird!) Notable GameCube Peripherals (Donkey Kong Bongos! GameBoy Player!) Our Histories with the GameCube  36:09 - The Best GameCube Games: #6-10 1:05:08 - The Best GameCube Games: #1-5 1:37:58 - Honorable Mentions and Final Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Eight Xbox's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week - Redfall Impressions, Phil Spencer Interview, CMA Blocks Acquisition & More On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss the biggest news story in gaming: Xbox's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week. From the semi-disastrous release of Redfall on Game Pass and PC, to the CMA's blocking of the Activision/Blizzard/King acquisition, to Phil “Cranky Phil” Spencer's surprisingly candid interview on KindaFunny about the future of the Xbox brand - this is a week that the game industry will be talking about for many years to come. We look back on this past week from a variety of angles, analyzing some of Phil Spencer's most candid and revealing quotes, and even offering our own, unbiased review impressions of Redfall - the game at the center of the firestorm. Spoiler: it may not be quite as bad as you've heard. Also on this episode, we discuss our early impressions of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Trinity Trigger, the latest digital releases on Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, and the most interesting physical games releases and announcements from Limited Run Games, Super Rare, IAm8Bit and PlayAsia. It's a jam-packed 2.5 hours, and we're really glad you're here. Run of Show: 00:01 - Podcast Trailer 01:35 - Intro and “What're you buying?”  17:02 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Phil Spencer's Interview on Kinda Funny CMA Blocks Activision Blizzard Acquisition Sony is Breaking Records with PS5 Sales PixelOpus Studio is Closing The Worst Zelda Game Gets New Life…on GameBoy? 01:22:05 - Brandon's Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Super Rare Games) 01:32:52  Rich's Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus) 01:51:05 - What We've Been Playing Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Early Impressions) Redfall (Impressions After 10 Hours) Trinity Trigger 02:27:24 - What We're Playing Next / Outro    

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Seven The Legend of Zelda: Retrospective and Complete Series Chronology (Preparing for Tears of the Kingdom) --- On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we are getting ready for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in the most complete way we could think of: by looking back and tracing the entire chronology of The Legend of Zelda series. We track the series' origins on the NES all the way through Breath of the Wild on Switch, discussing each game in release order and also exploring its place in the overall series chronology. So if you have always wondered how the various mainline Zelda titles are connected, this episode has the answers. After all, in 2013, two years after the release of Skyward Sword, Nintendo released the Hyrule Historia, from Dark Horse Books - an epic tome that finally revealed the official order of events for every game in the Zelda franchise. So for our journey, we start with this book, first walking through the three branching paths of the timeline at a high-level before zooming-in to see where each mainline game fits into the overarching narrative.  And once we understand the chronology at a high-level, we travel back to 1986 and the original The Legend of Zelda to begin our complete series retrospective, game-by-game and memory-by-memory. So join us, as we celebrate one of the most storied franchises in all of gaming, and prepare for the next epic chapter in Link and Zelda's adventures.  Run of Show: 00:00 - Introductions / Our History with the Series  10:39 - Background - The Legend of Zelda Chronology Explained (Hyrule Historia) Legend of the Gods and the Hero of TimeThe Hero is SuccessfulAdult Era / Ganondorf Sealed Child Era / The Sacred Realm Protected The Hero is Defeated  21:58 - The Legend of Zelda - Series Retrospective  Mainline Series in Release Order:  The Legend of Zelda (JP - Famicom Disk System - The Hyrule Fantasy: Zelda no Densetsu - 1986; NA & PAL - NES - 1987; Battery save version in Japan - Famicom - 1994) NES Classic Series (Gameboy Advance; JP, NA, PAL - 2004) Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (JP - Famicom Disk System - 1987; NA & PAL - NES - 1988) NES Classic Series (Gameboy Advance; JP & NA - 2004; PAL - 2005) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES; JP - 1991; NA & EU - 1992) Gameboy Advance w/ Four Swords (NA - 2002; JP & EU - 2003); Four Swords Re-released on DSiWare (Four Swords Anniversary Ed. - 2011) The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Gameboy; JP, NA, EU - 1993) The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (Gameboy Color; JP & NA - 1998; EU - 1999) The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Remake for Switch - 2019) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64 - 1998; iQue Player (CHN) - 2003) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest (GameCube; JP - 2002; NA, EU & AU - 2003) - Two-Game Bonus Disc! The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS - 2011) The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64 - 2000) The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (3DS - 2015) The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons & Oracle of Ages (Gameboy Color - 2001) The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GameCube; JP - 2002; NA, EU & AU - 2003) The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Wii U - 2013) The Legend of Zelda Collector's Edition - Promotional Disc (GameCube - 2003) Includes 4 Classic Games! (The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II, Ocarina of Time, and Majora's Mask) The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (GameCube; JP & NA - 2004; EU & AU - 2005) The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (Gameboy Advance; JP & EU - 2004; NA & AU - 2005) The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii - Nov. 2006; GameCube - Dec. 2006; Nvidia Shield TV (CHN) - 2017) The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Wii U - 2016) The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS - 2007) The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS - 2009) The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii - 2011) The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (Switch - 2021) The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS - 2013) The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (3DS - 2015) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U & Switch - 2017) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch - May 12, 2023) 02:22:30 - The Legend of Zelda - Spin Off Titles 02:26:50 - Final Questions and Thoughts When did Nintendo Really Start Thinking about the Official Timeline? Recommended Games to Play First What a Journey  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Six Final Fantasy XVI State of Play, Nintendo Indie World, Redfall Hype Check, RE4 Remake Final Thoughts On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we're in that “in-between period” - just after Resident Evil 4 Remake, and just before Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Tears of the Kingdom - but there is still a lot of exciting happenings in the gaming world. Case in point: Redfall is launching next week (though the pre-release hype is a bit underwhelming). We also got a brand new Sony State of Play for Final Fantasy XVI, and Nintendo held their latest IndieWorld Showcase which included some cool new info about Oxenfree 2, Blasphemous 2, and many more interesting titles.  And speaking of RE4 Remake, we still have more to say about this incredible GOTY contender, especially the final third of the game set on the Ganados-and-Krauser-infested island. We also talk about some of the other games we've been playing, like Super Paper Mario, Paper Mario Color Splash, Syberia, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, and more. And as always, our bi-weekly segments - Brandon's Physical Games Corner and Rich's Digital Picks - are here to keep you up to speed on what's new and exciting across the industry.  Run of Show: 00:01 - Podcast Trailer 01:35 - Intro and “What're you buying?” (GameStop's “Hidden Retro List”) 22:48 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Nintendo IndieWorld Showcase  Sony Acquires a New AAA Studio Support Ending for Media Molecule's Dreams Rumored Remakes (Jet Set Radio, Persona 3, Paper Mario: TTYD, more) State of Play: Final Fantasy XVI Impressions Nintendo Reveals where Tears of the Kingdom Will Begin   01:26:11 - Brandon's Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Super Rare Games) 01:45:56  Rich's Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus) 02:04:35 - What We've Been Playing Resident Evil 4 Remake (The Island and Final Impressions) Super Paper Mario and Paper Mario: Color Splash Syberia Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp   02:46:28 - What We're Playing Next / Outro

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Five The Top 10 Best Games for the Nintendo 64  On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we continue our journey to select “The Top 10 Best Games (for Every Console)”, and this time we're turning our gaze to the Nintendo 64 - a beloved but also controversial console that revolutionized the gaming space and provided the definitive roadmap for what 3D gaming could be. But along with its bona fides as a groundbreaking piece of tech, the N64 was unfortunately held back by a weird controller, a lack of 3rd-party support, and the baffling decision to stick with game cartridges over optical media. But regardless, the N64 is a system that has endured, and that's thanks in large part to games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, GoldenEye 007, and many, many more. Our goal for this episode is to create the ultimate list of N64 games that we'd recommend to gamers - both new and old - who want to experience the absolute best that the console has to offer. And although the N64 doesn't have a huge library, there were still more than enough amazing experiences for us to have trouble narrowing things down. So if you haven't experienced the N64 for yourself, we're here to recommend the 10 best places to start. And if you are already well-versed, join us for this wonderful trip down memory lane. Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction and History of the N64 How does this series work? Personal Histories with the N64 History of the N64 Notable N64 Peripherals 33:10 - The Top 10 Best Games for The Nintendo 64 01:18:23 - Honorable Mentions and Stories Behind the Games 01:33:40 - Closing Words and Social Media  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Four Resident Evil 4 Remake Review, Tears of the Kingdom Gameplay Reveal Breakdown On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we review Capcom's new reimagining of one of the greatest games ever made in any genre - Resident Evil 4 Remake. We wade deep into the Village, the Castle and the Island, discussing our overall thoughts on the game, talking about the new and returning game mechanics, breaking down the various differences from the original, and weighing in on whether or not this remake is now the definitive way to experience RE4.  We also discuss Nintendo's recent Tears of the Kingdom gameplay reveal, including our thoughts on each of the various new game mechanics that were shown - like Fuse, Ascend, Ultrahand and Recall - and our overall takeaways and theories on how this new game will take the Breath of the Wild formula to grand new heights (quite literally). And as always, our bi-weekly segments - Brandon's Physical Games Corner and Rich's Digital Picks - are here to keep you up to speed on what's new and exciting across the industry.  Run of Show: 00:01 - Podcast Introduction 01:35 - Welcome and Latest Pick-ups (“What're you buying?”) 23:13 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup New TMNT Game Based on “The Last Ronin” Atari Buys NightDive Studios E3 is Canceled (the End of an Era?)  Tears of the Kingdom Gameplay Reveal Breakdown 54:49 - Brandon's Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Special Reserve, More) 1:11:30  Rich's Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus) 1:24:33 - Resident Evil 4 Remake - Review, Part 1 (Spoiler-Free) 1:43:40 - Resident Evil 4 Remake - Review, Part 2 (Full Spoilers) 2:25:47 - What We're Playing Next / Outro  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Three The Top 10 Best Games for the SNES  On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we continue our journey to select “The Top 10 Best Games (for Every Console)”, and this time we're turning our gaze to Nintendo's sophomore release in the home console market, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, or SNES. Our job as always is to create the ultimate list of games that we'd recommend to gamers new and old who want to experience the absolute best that the console has to offer, but choosing just 10 games from the SNES library just may prove an impossible task. After all, these are some of the greatest games ever made. From The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, to Super Metroid, to Super Mario World and so many more - it's difficult to overstate the impact, legacy and historical significance of the SNES library. And although the console and its library hold a crucial place in gaming history, all of these games also hold up tremendously well today. So if you haven't experienced the joy of the SNES for yourself, we're here to recommend the 10 best places to start. And if you are already well-versed in the SNES's catalog, join us for the celebration, and then let us know what games you would recommend that we have missed or simply didn't make the excruciating cut.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction / History of the SNES 28:15 - The Top 10 Best Games for The SNES  Sharing our individual Top 10 Lists Honorable Mentions and Stories Assembling the TJOG Official Top 10 List 01:38:49 - The Final List is Revealed (after all deliberations)  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Two Resident Evil Retrospective: Resident Evil (PS1) to Resident Evil 4 Remake (PS5/XSX) On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we prepare for Resident Evil 4 Remake in the only way that seemed fitting: by taking a look back at the entire Resident Evil franchise and celebrating the massive impact this game has had. After all, Capcom's series brought the term “survival horror” into existence, creating a brand new game genre and then evolving their own formula with each and every subsequent entry. It's quite a legacy, and one that remains stronger than ever. We discuss the entire game series - from the first entry on Playstation (Resident Evil), through the many sequels, re-releases and remakes on Gamecube and PS2 (Resident Evil GC Remake, Resident Evil 4, etc.), to the most recent modern entries, including the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 3, and the move to first-person with RE7: Biohazard and RE Village - and it's a heck of a journey. We even take time to acknowledge Sweet Home - an obscure Famicom horror title never released in the US that nonetheless played a crucial role in inspiring the Resident Evil series. Run of Show: 00:01 - Intro / Editor's Note 01:04 - Resident Evil Retrospective Resident Evil (PS1 - 1996; PC, Sega Saturn - 1997) Resident Evil: Director's Cut (PS1 - 1997) Resident Evil: Director's Cut (Greatest Hits Dual Shock Version, PS1 - 1998) Resident Evil REmake (GameCube - 2002; Remaster: PS3, PS4, Win, X360, XBO - 2015; Switch - 2019) Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil (Wii - 2009) Resident Evil: Deadly Silence (DS - 2006) Resident Evil 2 (PS1 - 1998; N64, PC - 1999; Dreamcast - 2000, GameCube - 2003) Resident Evil 2 Remake (PS4, XBO, PC - 2019; PS5, XBSX|S, Switch, Amazon Luna - 2022) Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (PS1 - 1999; Dreamcast, PC - 2000, GameCube - 2003) Resident Evil 3 Remake (PS4, XBO, PC - 2020; PS5, XBSX|S, Switch, Amazon Luna - 2022) Resident Evil –  Code: Veronica (Dreamcast - 2000) Resident Evil: Code Veronica X (PS2 - 2001; Gamecube - 2003; PS3, X360 - 2011) Resident Evil 0 (GameCube - 2002; Remaster: PS3, PS4, X360, XBO, PC - 2016, Switch - 2019) Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil 0 (Wii - 2009) Resident Evil 4 (GameCube - Jan, 2005; PS2 - October, 2005; PC, Wii - 2007; iOS, Zeebo (BR) - 2009; PS3, X360 - 2011; Android - 2013; PS4, XBO - 2016; Switch - 2019; Oculus Quest 2 (VR) - 2021) Resident Evil 4 Remake (PS4, PS5, XBSX|S, PC - 2023) Resident Evil 5 (PS3, X360, PC - 2009 / Gold Edition - 2010; PS4, XBO, Shield Android TV - 2016; Switch - 2019) Resident Evil Revelations (3DS - 2012; PS3, X360, PC, WiiU - 2013; PS4, XBO, Switch - 2017) Resident Evil 6 (PS3, X360 - 2012; PC - 2013; PS4, XBO - 2016; Switch - 2019) Resident Evil Revelations 2 (Episodes 1-4: PS3, PS4, X360, XBO, PC - Feb-Mar 2015, Retail version: PS3, PS4, Vita, X360, XBO, PC - 2015; Switch - 2017) Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (PS4, XBO, PC - 2017; Amazon Luna - 2020; Stadia - 2021; PS5, XBSX|S, Switch - 2022) Resident Evil VIllage (PS4, PS5, XBO, XBSX|S, PC, Stadia - 2021; macOS, Switch - 2022) Spin-offs 03:02:09 - Conclusion / What's Coming Next  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-One Sea of Stars Demo, Resident Evil 4 Remake Reviews, Preparing for the Nintendo eShop Closing, and Remembering Lance Reddick On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we try to keep our anticipation for Resident Evil 4 Remake in check a bit longer as we discuss the latest gaming news, including RE4 reviews, our preparations for the closing of the Nintendo eShop for Wii U and 3DS, rumors of a potential new Castlevania game from Konami (thanks Dead Cells) and the incredibly sad passing of actor Lance Reddick, an absolute giant of the games industry. We also discuss the stellar Sea of Stars Demo, Brandon's continuing adventures in Octopath Traveler 2, Rich's not-so-triumphant return to Final Fantasy XIV, our thoughts on Metroid Prime Remastered, and the latest release announcements for Game Pass, Playstation Plus and from Limited Run Games.   Run of Show: 00:01 - Podcast Trailer 01:35 - Intro Segment (RE4 Remake Hype) 09:40 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Dead Cells helps Konami Wake Up RE: Castlevania New Gameboy and NES Games coming to Switch Online Nintendo eShop Closing March 27 - Our Preparations and Recommendations Lance Reddick's Passing   29:19 - Brandon's Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Special Reserve, More) 39:40  Rich's Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus) 50:39 - What We've Been Playing Sea of Stars Demo Octopath Traveler II Final Fantasy XIV: Online Metroid Prime Remastered 01:43:22 - What We're Playing Next / Outro    

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Final Fantasy XVI, Resident Evil 4: Chainsaw Demo & more On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss some of the biggest bombshells dropped on the gaming world in the past few weeks, including our insane disappointment in the live-service/looter-shooter nature of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the news that Final Fantasy XVI has dropped the series' turn-based roots entirely in favor of Devil-May-Cry-5-esque action, the announcement of Elden Ring story DLC “Shadow of the Erdtree” and so much more.  We also talk about some of the games we've been playing recently, including Octopath Traveler II, Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Atomic Heart, the new Resident Evil 4: Chainsaw Demo, and round out the proceedings with a look at all the newest releases for Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, and a rundown of everything new and notable coming from Limited Run Games, Fangamer, Super Rare Games and iam8bit. Whew! This is a mega-sized episode, and it's filled to bursting with video games and strong opinions.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction  06:16 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Hitman Developer IO Making a Fantasy Game Shinji Mikami Leaves His Own Company Beyond Good and Evil 2: More Turmoil Forspoken Developer Luminous Merged Into Square Enix Elden Ring DLC “Shadow of the Erdtree” Announced Sony State of Play February 2023: Everything Announced Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Reveal Impressions Final Fantasy XVI Gameplay Reveal Impressions   02:07:34 - Brandon's Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Special Reserve, More) 02:21:57  Rich's Digital Picks (Xbox GWG and PS Plus Releases) 02:43:02 - What We've Been Playing Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line Octopath Traveler II Final Fantasy IX Final Fantasy XIV: Online Atomic Heart Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Resident Evil 4: Chainsaw Demo 03:48:32 - What We're Playing Next / Outro    

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Nineteen The Top 10 Best Games for the NES On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we kick off a brand new series called “The Top 10 Best Games (for Every Console)” and the name kind of says it all. In each episode, we will pick a classic video game console and work together to assemble a definitive list of the 10 Best - and most essential - games that we think everyone should play in order to appreciate what that console was all about. And of course, we're starting with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): the console that started it all for video games as a mainstream medium.  From The Legend of Zelda, to Super Mario Bros. to Contra and so many more - the amazing collection of games released for the NES ignited our life-long passion for the medium, and many of these games still hold up to this day. So if you haven't experienced the joy of the NES for yourself, we're here to recommend the 10 best places to start. And if you are already well-versed in the NES's catalog, join us for the celebration, and then let us know what games you would recommend as absolute essentials. Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction / History of the NES 26:25 - The Top 10 Best Games for The NES  Individual Top 10 Lists Honorable Mentions Assembling the TJOG Official Top 10 List 01:42:19 - The Final List is Revealed! (after all deliberations)  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Eighteen February Nintendo Direct and Hogwarts Legacy On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we take a swim through the ocean of gaming riches presented by Nintendo at this month's February Nintendo Direct. From the announcement of Metroid Prime Remastered, to Pikmin 4, to the latest trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and trailers for so many exciting indie games, there's A LOT to talk about. We also discuss Rich's early impressions of the gaming phenomenon that is Hogwarts Legacy, cover Brandon's final thoughts on Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, and conduct our usual tour of all the latest games coming to Game Pass, PS Plus and from various limited physical media publishers including Limited Run Games, Super Rare Game, PlayAsia, and more.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction  03:36 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Ghost Story Games' Judas is coming…by March 2025 Nintendo Switch Passes PS4 and GameBoy in Lifetime Sales 27:27 - February Nintendo Direct: News, New Releases, Trailers and More 01:37:13 - Brandon's Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Special Reserve, More) 01:50:39 - Rich's Digital Picks (Xbox GWG and PS Plus Releases) 02:12:05 - What We've Been Playing Hogwarts Legacy (First ⅓) Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VI Reunion (Completed) 03:03:48 - What We're Playing Next / Outro

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Seventeen Dead Space Remake, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, and The Last of Us: Part 1 On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we're back after the winter break and our GOTY episode, and a lot has happened in the game industry since our last regular episode. There's been some interesting news about this year's E3 Expo - as well as the Resident Evil 4 Remake and its lack of QTEs - but probably the biggest story of the past few weeks was the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase, where Microsoft shared news on Starfield and Redfall, among other titles. We also discuss the latest releases from Limited Run Games, the newest additions to Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, and some of the notable games we've been playing lately, including the Dead Space remake, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, TLOU: Part 1 and more.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction  04:06 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Rumor: Amazon pays 2x for Tomb Raider Ubisoft Cancels 3 Games, Skull & Bones Delayed AGAIN! Marvel's Avengers to be Delisted Resident Evil 4 Remake Drops QTEs Game Industry Layoffs 343 Will Keep Developing Halo Xbox and Bethesda Direct Announcements E3 Won't Include the Big 3 01:01:23 - Brandon's Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Special Reserve Games, PlayAsia, More) 01:25:38 - Rich's Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus Releases) 01:44:02 - What We've Been Playing Dead Space Remake The Last of Us: Part 1 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VI Reunion 02:08:40 - What We're Playing Next / Outro

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Sixteen The 2022 Game of the Year Awards (GOTY 2022) On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we celebrate the best video games of 2022 by sharing our individual favorite games of the year, as well as some honorable mentions, a few disappointments, and our overall thoughts on the year in gaming. We then combine our lists together like Voltron to create the definitive TJOG list of the Top Ten Best Games of 2022. And in the process, we take a few deep dives into games we both played this past year, including Horizon: Forbidden West, Sam Barlow's Immortality, and much more.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction / How we Make the List 05:50 - The Best Games of 2022 / Discussion Begins 17:30 - Deep Dive 1: Sam Barlow's Immortality 43:27 - Deep Dive 2: Horizon: Forbidden West  01:52:43 - Honorable Mentions 02:08:54 - The Final List: TJOG's Top Ten Best Games of 2022

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Fifteen The Callisto Protocol, Telling Lies and God of War: Ragnarök (Late-Game Impressions) On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss some of the biggest releases of the season, including one of the most anticipated new games of the year, The Callisto Protocol. As the early reviews have indicated, this is not a perfect game, but Rich has rolled credits and we have a discussion about what this game actually is - and what it's not. Quick Spoiler: It's not Dead Space. We also discuss the much lauded FMV title Telling Lies from Sam Barlog, and offer our late-game impressions of God of War: Ragnarök in advance of our final review discussion next year. And as always, we run down the latest releases on Game Pass and PS Plus, discuss what's new in limited-edition physical media, and cover recent gaming news from around the industry.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 05:00 - Recent Gaming News James Gunn and Peter Safran take over DC Cinematic Universe The Ziff Davis layoffs Impact IGN Microsoft Raising Prices on First-Party Titles Microsoft vows to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo for 10 Years The FTC is suing Microsoft over Activision Merger 30:11 - Brandon Presents: #ForeverPhysical 44:47 - Rich's Digital Picks (Game Pass and PS Plus) 1:02:38 - What We've Been Playing The Callisto Protocol Telling Lies God of War: Ragnarök (Late-Game Impressions) 1:57:50 Closing Thoughts / What We're Playing Next…  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Fourteen The Game Awards 2022 Post-Show: Reactions to the Winners, World Premieres and Announcements On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we recap gaming's biggest night - The Game Awards 2022 - with a complete post-show wrap-up. We start by talking about our thoughts on the event in general, including the various game developers, actors, musicians and other awesome people from around the video games industry that were a part of the show. Next, we discuss the winners of the 25 biggest awards, and see who won our predictions competition from last week. And finally, we walk through the unbelievable list of world premieres and announcements we experienced throughout the night, including Judas, Hades 2, Death Stranding 2, Armored Core VI, Bayonetta Origins, Earthblade, and so many more.    Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction / Overall Thoughts on The Game Awards 2022 16:50 - The Winners in Each Major Category (and who won our predictions competition?) 55:43 - World Premieres and Announcements  02:01:33 - BONUS: Every Game Releasing in 2023 (that we know of) 02:08:48 - Closing / Social Media  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Thirteen The Game Awards 2022 Preview - Predicting the Winners and World Premieres On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss gaming's biggest night - The Game Awards 2022 - previewing each of the event's major categories and nominees, and making predictions on who will win, who will lose, and what big surprises and upsets could be in store. We also talk about some of the notable snubs among this year's categories, and lay odds on which big announcements and “World Premieres” we might see throughout the night. After all, Geoff Keighley did say that he “hasn't felt this good about a show in a while” so expectations are high, and we'll be back on our next episode to discuss everything that happens.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 03:14 - Quick Hits - The Callisto Protocol and Analog Pocket 25:14 - The Game Awards 2022 Preview Categories, Nominees and Predictions GOTY Best Game Direction Best Narrative Best Art Direction Best Score/Music Best Audio Design Best Performance Games for Impact Best Ongoing Game Best Indie Game Best Debut Indie Game Best Mobile Game Best Community Support Best VR/AR Game Innovation in Accessibility Best Action Game Best Action/Adventure Game Best RPG Best Fighting Game Best Family Game Best Sports/Racing Game Best SIM/Strategy Game Best Multiplayer Game Best Adaptation Most Anticipated Game Potential Announcements and “World Premieres” 02:13:21 - Closing Thoughts / What's Next on the Podcast

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twelve God of War Franchise Retrospective (2005-2022) On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we continue our God of War: Ragnarok Celebration, this time taking a trip down memory lane with Kratos as he murdered his way through hordes of Greek and Norse Gods, and somehow found his way into our hearts. From its introduction in 2005 with God of War on PS2, through three console generations (including PSP, PS3 and PS4), and up to the present day with God of War: Ragnarök on PS5, we trace this franchise's storied history, and discuss the various changes - both in-game and behind the scenes - that made this franchise one of the most fascinating epics in all of gaming. Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 01:16 - God of War Retrospective First Era (Greek Mythology) God of War (PS2) - 2005 (Dir. David Jaffe) God of War II (PS2) - 2007 (Dir. Cory Barlog & David Jaffe) God of War: Betrayal (Mobile) - 2007 God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP) - 2008 (Ready at Dawn) God of War Collection (PS3) - 2009 (Remastered Collection of God of War I & II, later ported to Vita in 2014) God of War III (PS3) - 2010 (Dir. Stig Asmussen); Remastered on PS4 in 2015  God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP) - 2010 (Ready at Dawn) God of War: Origins Collection (PS3) - 2011 (Remastered Collection of PSP games) God of War Saga - 2012 (Remastered Collection of God of War I, II & III, and digital codes for the PSP games) God of War: Ascension (PS3) - 2013 (Dir. Todd Papy) (Prequel to entire series) Second Era (Norse Mythology) God of War: A Call from the Wilds (text-based game playable through Facebook Messenger) - 2018 God of War (PS4, 2018) (Dir. Cory Barlog) God of War Ragnarök (PS4, PS5) - 2022 (Dir. Eric Williams) 01:34:11 - Closing Thoughts / What's Next on the Podcast

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Eleven God of War: Ragnarok Celebration - Game Review, Part 1 On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we kick off our God of War: Ragnarok Celebration, which will span three episodes and feature a multi-part review of the game, as well as a complete retrospective of the God of War franchise. For this first episode, we discuss the early sections of the game, and offer our impressions of what's changed, what has stayed the same, and how it feels to re-join Kratos and Atreus in the Nine Realms in an effort to avert Ragnarok. We will also go into very early story spoilers, but there will be a clear SPOILER WARNING to stop listening at that point if you aren't as far along yet in your journey. PLUS: The latest video game news, Brandon's Physical Games Corner, Rich's Digital Picks, and more.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 019:01 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Remedy Announces Control 2 Nintendo Switch IndieWorld Showcase Announcements More Drama Surrounding Disco Elysium Developer ZA/UM The Game Awards 2022 Award Nominees 58:05 - Brandon's Physical Games Corner 1:13:57 - Rich's Digital Picks  Game Pass and GWG Playstation Plus 1:39:48 - God of War: Ragnarok Review (Part 1) 2:50:29 Closing Thoughts / What We're Playing Next…

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Ten The Top 10 Best Open-World Video Games On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we set out to create the next entry in our growing series of Top Ten lists, and this time we turn our attention to the most epic of all genres - Open-World Video Games. And the timing is certainly appropriate - this year, games like Elden Ring, Horizon: Forbidden West, Gotham Knights, and Sonic Frontiers have consumed much of the gaming discourse, and for good reason. Open-world games give players a sense of freedom, exploration and discovery that few (if any) genres can rival. The rules of the episode are simple: we each start the discussion with our own personal top ten lists, and by way of a (supposedly) mathematically-sound process, we combine our individual lists into one definitive TJOG Top Ten List. Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 07:10 - The Top Ten Best Open-World Video Games Introduction Individual Top Tens The Merge and Tie-Breakers The Final List 1:56:35 - Closing Thoughts / Contact

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Nine God of War: Ragnarok Hype, PSVR 2, Gotham Knights Review, Silent Hill 2 On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss the latest news and game releases here at the start of November, including the incredible anticipation for God of War: Ragnarok's release, the release date and games announcement for Playstation VR 2, rumors surrounding Hideo Kojima's next few games, what's next for The Witcher franchise and more. Meanwhile, Rich has finished Gotham Knights and has some harsh criticisms (but also some surprising praise) for the divisive title, and Brandon is diving back into the original Silent Hill 2 in honor of the Halloween season. Plus: we cover the latest physical media announcements, the latest releases on Game Pass and PS Plus, and more. Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 010:56 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup New Studio from Playstation and Naughty Dog EA Lands 3-Game deal with Marvel and Disney Rocksteady Games Co-Founders Leave the Studio Hideo Kojima News Block (Overdose, New Game = New Medium) Playstation VR 2 Release Date and Games List The Original The Witcher is Getting a Remake Cliff Bleszinski Releases ‘Control Freak' (A Memoir) 1:06:56 - Brandon's Physical Games Corner 1:14:05 - Rich's Digital Picks (Game Pass and PS Plus) 1:34:43 - What We've Been Playing Gotham Knights (Review) Silent Hill 2 Five Dates 2:19:32 Closing Thoughts / What We're Playing Next…  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Eight Batman in Video Games Retrospective (Batman: The Video Game - Gotham Knights) On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we look back at Batman's history in video games, from the original NES game Batman: The Video Game (1989), up through the release  of Gotham Knights this past month. To do this, we follow the dark knight through a wide array of gaming adventures, including some super-high highs and some crushingly-low lows, but most notably, we discuss the Rocksteady Games (Arkham Asylum, Arkham City and Arkham Knights), the LEGO Batman games, the NetherRealm games (like Injustice: Gods Among Us and MK vs. DC Universe), and Batman: The Telltale Series, to name a few.    Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 013:52 - Batman in Video Games Retrospective Sunsoft Games Batman: The Video Game (NES, Sunsoft, 1990) Batman: Return of the Joker (NES, Sunsoft, 1991) Batman the Animated Series The Adventures of Batman & Robin (SNES, 1994/Genesis, 1995) Licensed Games (Comics, Animated Series & Movies) LEGO Batman Lego Batman: The Video Game (2008) Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (2012) Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (2014) Lego Dimensions (2015) Lego DC Supervillains (2018) TelltaleGames Batman: The Telltale Series (2016) Batman: The Enemy Within (2017-2018) NetherRealm Games Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2008) Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013) / Injustice 2 (2017) Batman Arkham Series Arkham Asylum (2009) Arkham City (2011) + Armored Edition (WiiU, 2012) Arkham Origins (2013) Arkham Origins: Blackgate (2013) Arkham Knight (2015) Batman: Arkham VR (2016) Batman: Return to Arkham (2016) The Current Era Gotham Knights (2022) & Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2023) 1:19:26 Closing Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Seven Gotham Knights, Paradise Killer and Return to Monkey Island On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss one of the biggest, most anticipated, and controversial game releases of the year - Gotham Knights - and give initial impressions after the first 6 hours. Is 30 FPS on consoles enough to ground this open-world action game to a halt? Will the just-announced 4-player mode make an impact post-launch? We bat-dive into the details and share some strong opinions. We also discuss Paradise Killer, the game that asks the question, “What if Ace Attorney…but with the imagination turned up to eleven”, and offer final thoughts on the recently-released and much-lauded Return to Monkey Island. PLUS: the most important new releases in physical media and on PS Plus and Game Pass, and the most interesting gaming news of the past few weeks.  Show Notes: 00:10 - Introduction 05:08 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Hellena Taylor and the Bayonetta 3 Voice Actor Drama Resident Evil 4 and More at the RE Showcase Silent Hill 2 and the Silent Hill Transmission  Sony May Cancel its Playstation Showcase…Because of Xbox?!? 1:28:25 - Brandon Presents: #ForeverPhysical 1:40:46 - Rich's Digital Picks (GamePass and PS Plus) 2:00:02 - What We've Been Playing Return to Monkey Island Paradise Killer F.E.A.R. 2 Gotham Knights 3:03:41 Closing Thoughts / What We're Playing Next…

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Six The Top 10 Best Stories in Video Games On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we create our official TJOG Top 10 List of the best stories in video games, and along the way, explore the many unique ways that storytellers weave their tales of triumph, despair, joy and redemption through the games that we love to play. We also discuss recent video game news, the latest Physical Game releases from Limited Run, Special Reserve Games. Iam8bit, Super Rare Games and PlayAsia, all of the latest announcements for October's Xbox Games With Gold, Game Pass and Playstation Plus lineups, and the games we've been playing lately, including The Quarry, Live A Live and Return to Monkey Island.   Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 08:37 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Google Finally Announces the End of Stadia US Labor Board Rules Against Activision Blizzard Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster for PS5 (rumor for now) First Trailer for Super Mario Bros. Movie 1:00:02 - Brandon Presents: #ForeverPhysical  1:23:27 - Rich's Digital Picks (GamePass and PS Plus) 1:42:22 - What We've Been Playing Nobody Saves The World (Finished) The Quarry Live A Live (Finished) Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (Trial) Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX Return to Monkey Island 2:15:38 Main Topic: The Top 10 Best Stories in Video Games Chapter 1: What Makes a Great Video Game Story? Chapter 2: Individual Picks for Best Stories Chapter 3: The Big Finish Chapter 4: Compromises Must Be Made Chapter 5: The Official List 4:13:12 Closing Thoughts / What We're Playing Next…  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Five E3 in September (Nintendo Direct, State of Play, Ubisoft Forward, TGS, DMGS) On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we take on the challenge of discussing every big announcement from ALL FIVE of the major gaming events held this past month - Nintendo Direct, Playstation State of Play, Ubisoft Forward, the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase and the Tokyo Game Show. Together, this crazy concurrence of gaming events has been dubbed “E3 in September,” and we have a lot of opinions to share and final grades to award to each event. And as per tradition, we also discuss the latest additions to the Game Pass and PS Plus libraries for September, the newest releases in the world of limited-edition physical media, some of the games we've been playing recently and more.     Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 06:06 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup GTA 6 Leak Babylon's (actual) Fall New Witcher Trilogy Xbox Exec Wants to Show us Fable (but can't) Halo's Continued Woes Splinter Cell Remake will be “Updated” Iron Man Game Announced by EA Motive 0:51:58 - Brandon Presents: #ForeverPhysical  1:18:58 - Rich's Digital Picks (GamePass and PS Plus) 1:44:48 - What We've Been Playing Dying Light Shovel Knight Dig Live A Live Nobody Saves the World 2:30:20 “E3 in September”  Disney and Marvel Games Showcase (Marvel's Midnight Sons, Untitled Cap/Black Panther game, etc.) Ubisoft Forward (Assassin's Creed: Infinity, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope DLC, etc.) Nintendo Direct (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4, etc.) Playstation State of Play (God of War: Ragnarok, Tekken 8, etc.) Tokyo Game Show (Like a Dragon 8, Suikoden HD, etc.) 4:07:34 Closing Thoughts / What We're Playing Next…

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Four Xbox Live Summer of Arcade Retrospective On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we take a journey back to the halcyon days of Xbox Live's Summer of Arcade, when indie games weren't as plentiful, but you knew there were at least 4-5 titles you could count on for quality each summer. In a retrospective format, we discuss the numerous masterpiece-level games Summer of Arcade gave us, including Limbo, Braid, Castle Crashers, Shadow Complex, and so many more. We also cover some recent gaming news highlights, run down the latest in Limited Edition Physical Media, Game Pass and PS Plus releases, and share a bit of what we've been playing.  Run of Show: 00:06 - Introduction 08:31 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Quantic Dream Acquisition by NetEase Wild Arms/Shadow Hearts Dual Kickstarter Assassin's Creed Rumors pre-Ubisoft Livestream Konami Teasing a game from “World-Loved” Franchise Nintendo Direct Hopes and Predictions  1:00:39 - Brandon Presents: #ForeverPhysical  1:18:20 - Rich's Digital Picks (GamePass and PS Plus) 1:33:21 - What We've Been Playing Deathloop Cult of the Lamb 2:01:55 Xbox Live Summer of Arcade Retrospective  2008 - Braid, Castle Crashers, etc. 2009 - Shadow Complex, Trials HD, etc. 2010 - Limbo, Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, etc.  2011 - Bastion, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, etc. 2012 - Dust: An Elysian Tale, Deadlight, etc. 2013 - Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Charlie Murder, etc. 3:15:40 Closing Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Three The Top 10 2D Platformers of All-Time On this mega-sized episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we celebrate one of the most classic and enjoyable video game genres - 2D Platformers - by constructing our definitive “The Joy of Gaming Top 10” list. We also discuss the recent Embracer Group acquisitions and Gamescom 2022 announcements in our gaming news segment, cover the latest releases in the worlds of Physical Media, Game Pass and PS Plus, and talk about the games we've been playing recently - including Cult of the Lamb, Live A Live and more.    Run of Show: 00:06 - Introduction 05:13 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup PlayStation 5 Price Increase Sega Genesis Mini 2 Games List Revealed Alone in the Dark Reboot Announced First Gameplay Look at XIII Re-Remaster Revealed Crash Bandicoot Developer Seemingly Teases New Game Resident Evil 7 Was Almost a Live Service Game Embracer Group Buys Up Everything, including LOTR IP Troubled Star Wars Video Game Remake Shifts to New Studio Gamescom 2022 Announcements 1:30:36 - Brandon Presents: #ForeverPhysical  1:45:05 - Rich's Digital Picks 2:00:08 - What We've Been Playing Deathloop (Revisited) Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (Replay) Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series As Dusk Falls Call of Cthulhu Cult of the Lamb Live A Live 2:51:10 Top 10 2D Platformers of All-Time (we create the definitive TJOG Top Ten List) 4:04:56 Closing Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Two Narrative Adventure Games: A Brief History (from Point-and-Click to As Dusk Falls) On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss two recently-released Narrative Adventure Games - As Dusk Falls and The Quarry - and attempt to trace the origins of this relatively new genre, from its point-and-click adventure roots through to the modern day. We also discuss some recent gaming news, offer our thoughts on the best new physical media, Game Pass and PS Plus releases, and talk about the games we've been playing recently.    Run of Show: 00:06 - Introduction 01:26 - Recent Gaming News Marvel's Midnight Suns delayed Square Enix may want to sell off some of its studios Eidos Montreal wants to make Deus Ex again Beyond Good and Evil 2 gets a lead writer (no, for real) 38:12 - #ForeverPhysical Segment w/Brandon 1:08:15 - Rich's Digital Picks 1:29:57 - What We've Been Playing Batman: Arkham Asylum (Return to Arkham edition) Assassin's Creed: Syndicate Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (Replay) Stray 2:03:40 A Brief History of Narrative Adventure Games (including The Quarry, As Dusk Falls early impressions) 3:01:12 Closing Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode One The Top 5 Gaming Franchises of All-Time On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we take on the formidable task of choosing our Top 5 Favorite Gaming Franchises - past and present. We also discuss recent gaming news, discuss some notable new releases in our #ForeverPhysical and Rich's Digital Picks segments, and talk about some of the games we've been playing recently.  Run of Show: 00:06 - Introduction 04:03 - Recent Gaming News Forspoken delayed God of War: Ragnarok release date Skull & Bones gameplay & release date Bayonetta 3 release date Inscryption coming to Playstation Cuphead DLC Mass Effect 5 gets awesome Senior Narrative Director Bruce Straley opens new studio Bad news for Star Wars: KOTOR Remake Assassin's Creed Liberation delisted Former EA CEO John Riccitiello shows his hand 48:15 - Brandon's #ForeverPhysical Segment 1:15:43 - Rich's Digital Picks 1:25:47 - What We've Been Playing Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Revisited) Olli Olli World The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe Titanfall 2 The Quarry Stray Fist: Forged in Shadow Torch 2:09:14 Top 5 Favorite Gaming Franchises  3:16:38 Closing Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Zero A New Start, Summer Game Fest and a Primer on Limited Physical Gaming Media  On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we introduce the new show, welcome a new co-host, discuss the recent announcements and gameplay we saw at Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest 2022, and celebrate the resurgence of physical gaming media with an in-depth primer on Limited Run Games, Special Reserve Games, Iam8Bit and some of the other biggest players.  Run of Show: 00:06 - Intro and Origin Story  19:41 - Recent Gaming News and Summer Game Fest   E3 vs. Keigh-3 Final Fantasy VII Everything Resident Evil 4 Remake The Callisto Protocol Gotham Knights Starfield EA makes fun of single player games Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase Bonus: Players on Paramount+ 1:45:02 - Limited Run and the Resurgence of Physical Media (A Primer) 2:21:00 - This Week in Physical Gaming Media 2:40:21 - What We've Been Playing Guardians of the Galaxy Horizon: Forbidden West Deathloop Kirby and the Forgotten Land 3:31:51 Closing Thoughts

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 78: Next-Gen Console Chat and The Game Awards 2020 On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich and Jordan) emerge once more from the COVID void with a brand new episode and A LOT of great stuff to talk about. That's because 2020 has gifted us with brand new gaming consoles - Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X|S - and nothing will ever be the same again...or will it? Either way, we have played each of the new consoles, and have lots of opinions about their super fast load times, the veritable trickle of high-quality new games, and our hopes for the very near gaming future.  But new consoles aren't the only thing the end of 2020 has gifted us with. That's because Geoff Keighley's annual celebration of all things gaming - The Game Awards 2020 - has aired, and with it, we got a number of new game announcements, glossy trailers, and hit-or-miss awards in various categories to discuss. From the sweeping (though controversial) award dominance of The Last of Us: Part 2, to the unending clamor for this year's massive hit Hades to get even more praise, and the many games that found themselves somewhere in the middle, there is a lot to discuss here, and we're happy to be the ones to do it.  So join us, as we rejoin forces to celebrate a medium that has only become more important this past year of quarantine, and continues to evolve in exciting and surprising ways. This...is the Joy of Gaming!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 79: The Best Indie Comic Adaptations, DC Fandome, Celebrating C.B.'s Life --- On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich, Jordan and Kevin) regroup in the midst of this crazy pandemic to discuss our favorite indie comic book adaptations. To qualify, the adaptation could NOT be based on a mainline Marvel/DC Superhero property (though sub-imprints like Vertigo and Icon were fair game), and the adaptations could be to any form of media, including film, television, video games, etc. With those parameters in mind, we came out with some pretty interesting “best of” lists, including quite a few surprise picks. But before turning our attention to Image, Dark Horse, Vertigo and the like, we discuss some of the biggest mainstream geek culture news of recent weeks, including a look at all the biggest trailers and announcements coming out of DC Fandome - The Batman, The Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman 1984, and Justice League: The Snyder Cut to name a few. We also take some time to celebrate the life of Chadwick Boseman, and the amazing impact he has had on both the world of media, and more importantly, the world at large. So join us, as we take a journey limited only by the imaginations of independent comics creators everywhere, delve into a discussion of Todd Snyder and contemplate the unlikely possibility that he's secretly a genius, and celebrate a man who seemed to really understand the meaning of life. This…is the Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 77: GOTY: The Best Video Games of 2019 On this episode of the Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich and Jordan), return after a year-long hiatus to celebrate the best video games of 2019. It was a year that gave us so much to love - including Resident Evil 2, Untitled Goose Game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Control - as well as some mediocre titles like Crackdown 3, and some pretty astounding disappointments as well (of which Anthem and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order spring quickly to mind). But when it's time for our annual GOTY conversations, a wide range of quality leads to a nice colorful array of categories, where the best and worst of the year are discussed, celebrated, and lambasted in appropriate measure.  Keeping with TJOG tradition, the categories include: -Top 3 Best Games (and HMs)- -Best Character- -Best Story- -Worst Game- -Most Disappointing Game- -Most Surprising Game- -Best “New to Me” Game- …and some surprises along the way! So join us, as we turn back the clock a few months, and celebrate the art of immersion, fantasy, escape, realism and so much more. This…is the Joy of Gaming!  

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 78: The Best in Film 2019 On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich, Kevin and Jordan) return with our second episode recorded during the Covid-19 quarantine, and we're making up for lost time and bringing you our “Best in Film 2019” episode. And although these “year in review” episodes are generally recorded in the December/January timeframe, the extra few months have given us all time to catch up on many of last year's best movies. In other words, we're ready to GO. And what a year 2019 was for film, right? From highly-lauded masterpieces like Parasite and 1917, to blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, to artistic experiments like The Lighthouse, and far, far beyond, there were a lot of notable movies released last year – some very good and some very, very disappointing. We'll run through our regular categories to discuss the best and worst that 2019 had to offer, and hopefully run into some cool surprises along the way. So join us, as we celebrate the joy of cinema, and pine for the good old days when we could sit in an actual movie theater and be taken on an amazing journey. And hopefully (with a little luck) we'll all be back to the movies soon. This…is the Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 77: Reunion Special and Bloodshot Review On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich, Kevin and Jordan) return for a reunion special, here in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. We'll be discussing where we've been for the past year (or so), why the podcast has been on hiatus, and perhaps most importantly, what we've been watching, reading and playing over the past few months. We also discuss Bloodshot, the new comic-book-inspired “Blockbuster” from Sony Pictures and Valiant Entertainment, starring Vin Diesel, Guy Pearce, Eiza Gonzalez and Lamorne Morris. This was supposed to be the film that launched Valiant into the mainstream, but Covid19 closed movie theaters only days after its release, and the film was quickly sent to VOD. That didn't stop us however, and we'll give you our recap and review. So join us, as we make up for lost time, stay inside to wait out the pandemic, and discuss everything from Animal Crossing: New Horizons, to Devs, to The Black Cauldron. This…is the Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 76: The Best TV of 2018 On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we get the full band back together - Rich, Kevin and Jordan - for the first of our "Best of 2018" episodes. And where better to start than with Television, and our look at the very finest network, cable and streaming entertainment this past year had to offer. From new shows like The Haunting at Hill House, Titans and Homecoming, to brilliant returning favorites like The Good Place, American Vandal and Westworld - we each watched over 500+ scripted shows this past year to bring you this list. Okay, okay, that's clearly not true, but we do watch a lot of TV. This year's categories include: Most Surprising Show Worst Show Best Character Best Actor/Actress Best First Season Best Episode Top 3 Best Shows ...and more! So join us, as we attempt to bring some semblance of order to the chaos of the modern TV landscape, and sum up one heck of a year for entertainment's most crowded and varied medium. This...is the Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 75: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Review and SpoilerCast On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich and Kevin) review one of the biggest, most anticipated films of the year, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. And to do so, we welcome Harry Potter expert / Pottermore scholar Jacob Deal, to help us discuss the film and explore all of its fascinating secrets. And since this is a SpoilerCast, Jacob also shares his stunning theory about the film's ending and the true nature of Grindelwald's plan, and it's a pretty airtight case. But before we tear J.K. Rowling's plot to shreds in search of the truth, we've got some other  geek culture news to discuss, including: the passing of the legendary Stan Lee, the casting of Pedro Pascal in The Mandalorian, the behind-the-scenes origins of Poe Dameron, and more. We also discuss what we've been watching and reading, including Doctor Who's Eleventh Series and Jodie Whittaker, Star Trek: Discovery, The Creepy Line, Titans, Young Justice, DC Daily and much, much more. So join us, as we reveal Credence's true identity, debate J.K. Rowling's competence as a world-builder, recast the role of Grindelwald, and discover the hidden secret of Pottermore - all in one, jam-packed episode. This...is The Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 76: Revisiting GOTY 2015, Diablo Immortal, Final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich and Jordan) go back in time to 2015 to discuss our favorite games from year brought us The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Fallout 4, Until Dawn, Life is Strange, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 and so much more. We actually missed our chance to record this episode three years ago, but since then we've had a lot more time to play and reflect on 2015's crop of titles, and we're ready to fill in this gap with the added benefit of hindsight. Our 2015 GOTY Awards Include: Most Surprising Game Most Disappointing Game Worst Game Best Character ​ Honorable Mentions ...and the Top 3 Best Games of 2015! We also keep one foot firmly pla​nted in the present to discuss two big news stories in the gaming world: The backlash over the Diablo Immortal announcement at BlizzCon, and the final Nintendo Direct for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. And as always, we talk about some of the games we've been playing recently, including Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the opening hours of Red Dead Redemption 2, Grim Fandango on Switch, Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters, Dead Space 3 Co-op and more. So join us, as we fill in a conspicuous hole in our episode library, and answer the age-old question: "Just how long does it take to finish The Witcher 3?" This...is the Joy of Gaming!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 74: The Haunting of Hill House, Halloween (2018), Daredevil S3 and Titans On this decidedly spooky episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich and Kevin) discuss two of the biggest hits of the Halloween season: Netflix's The Haunting of Hill House and Blumhouse's Halloween (2018). Aside from their genre, Hill House and Halloween have something else in common: they are both semi-reboots of classic properties, re-imagined to appeal to a new audience. We'll weigh in on the success of each, and discuss their overall significance in the modern media landscape. In addition to horror offerings, this season has given us two bold new superhero series to sink our teeth into - Daredevil Season 3 and Titans on the DC Universe app - and we've got a lot to say about each. We also discuss some recent news, including: a swath of Netflix series cancellations including Iron Fist and Luke Cage, other cancellations throughout TV, a release date and director announcement for DC's Birds of Prey film, Ewan McGregor (possibly) playing Black Mask, A Flash Gordon reboot, and much, much more. So join us, as we meet the Doom Patrol for the first time, turn into a green tiger and then show up at Netflix's HQ to complain about the recent cancellation of American Vandal. This...is the Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 75: Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, Super Mario Party and Our Multiplayer Gaming History On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich and Jordan) discuss two of the most anticipated Fall gaming releases - Assassin's Creed: Odyssey and Super Mario Party for Nintendo Switch - and take a nostalgia-fueled look back at the multiplayer games that had the greatest impact on us, from the NES/Genesis era until today. We also discuss two of the biggest stories in gaming right now - the unfortunate and unexpected shuttering of Telltale Games, and the recent comments made by Rockstar Games CEO Dan Houser about 100-hour work weeks. Both of these stories inevitably lead us to the topic of crunch and overwork, as well as workers rights within the gaming industry. So join us, as we celebrate yet another incredible Fall gaming season, and do our best to remember that it's people and passion that make these games possible. This...is the Joy of Gaming!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 73: Venom Review, Titans Episode 1 and a Tour of the DC Universe Streaming App On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich and Kevin) discuss two big new entries in the superhero media landscape - Marvel's new film Venom starring Tom Hardy, and DC's mature-rated take on Titans which just launched on their DC Universe streaming service. Both Venom and Titans faced serious skepticism from critics and fans in the lead-up to release, and both have been performed far better than anyone expected. We offer our in-depth thoughts on both properties, and take a whirlwind tour of the shows, movies and comics currently available on the DC Universe app. So join us, as we learn the true story behind the “F**k Batman” quote, join forces with a symbiote for a tour of San Francisco, and wonder why The Dark Knight Rises isn't on the DC Universe app yet. This...is the Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 72: The Best of Spider-Man (in Movies, TV and Comics) On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich and Kevin) continue our celebration of the release of Insomniac's Spider-Man for PS4 with a look back at the very best movies, TV shows and comics starring the famous web-slinger. From the Sam Raimi Trilogy to Homecoming, and from Spider-Man: The Animated Series to Spider-Island, we discuss the broader Spider-Man universe and choose our absolute favorites. But first, we talk about what we've been watching and reading lately, including: American Vandal Season 2, The Dragon Prince, A Simple Favor, Shadowman and Grass Kings by Matt Kindt, and more. We also discuss the new Captain Marvel trailer, Henry Cavill's indecipherable Superman tweet, a live-action remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender, pics of Joaquin Phoenix as The Joker, and much more. So join us, as we swing across New York in search of thugs to web up, and celebrate the recent history of Marvel's most relatable character. This...is The Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Special Edition: Frontier Interview with Filmmaker Elliot Brady On this Special Edition episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich and Kevin) interview Elliot Brady, the screenwriter of a new short film premiering at the Charlotte Film Festival this weekend. Frontier is the story of a young girl, known only as little, who is inspired by her favorite comic book western to leave her home and family behind to seek adventure - and ultimately danger - in the wilderness. We discuss the 2+ year journey this film took from page to screen, and the seemingly insurmountable challenges its creators had to overcome in the pursuit of art. So join us, as we take a whirlwind tour through the world of independent film, where industry speak about RED Digital Cameras and Color Correction is commonplace, and the struggle is most certainly real. This...is the Joy of Geek! ***Frontier will premiere this Saturday at Charlotte Film Festival (details here). Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a sample of the film's soundtrack.***

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 74: Insomniac's Spider-Man Review and SpoilerCast and September Nintendo Direct On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich and Jordan) discuss one of the most anticipated PS4 games of the year, Insomniac's Spider-Man. With a story that picks up 8 years into the career of everybody's favorite web-slinger, Spider-Man is an epic, open-world adventure full of side quests, colorful characters, and satisfying combat, and it's already a massive hit with players and critics alike. We've both played the game from start to finish, and offer our SPOILER-FILLED thoughts on its overall success - both as the latest entry in a long line of Spider-Man games, and as the possible heir-apparent to the superhero video game throne. In other words, is this the Arkham Asylum of the Spider-Man universe? We'll let you know what we think. But first, we discuss the recent and momentous September Nintendo Direct, which was absolutely jam-packed with new trailers and announcements, including Animal Crossing on Switch, Luigi's Mansion 3, A new character in Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Katamari Damacy Reroll, Yoshi's Crafted World, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Gamefreak's new RPG Town, Nintendo Switch Online details, and much more. We also discuss some of the other games we've been playing lately, including Shadow of the Tomb Raider, The Messenger, and Into the Breach. So join us, as we celebrate a spectacular new superhero game, a Nintendo Direct full of surprises, and the un-beatable news that the creators of Danganronpa and Zero Escape just started a new studio together. This...is the Joy of Gaming!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 71: Fall Film Season 2018 Preview On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich and Kevin) bring you our epic, 2018 Fall Film Season Preview. And although this fall's lineup doesn't include new releases from the MCU, Pixar or Star Wars universes, its still shaping up to be an awesome season for moviegoers. We'll discuss the most exciting and significant films - from Mortal Engines and Bad Times a the El Royale, to Aquaman, Venom, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and beyond - and offer our thoughts on which ones look most jaw-dropping, epic, surprising and/or dramatically promising. But first, we discuss some of the latest geek culture news, and wax poetic about the TV shows, movies and comics we've been enjoying recently. Our topics include: new Doom Patrol and Star Wars: Episode IX casting announcements, A Quiet Place sequel news, the new Cormoran Strike novel Lethal White, Jack Ryan on Amazon, BBC America's Killing Eve, The Good Place, Sons of Anarchy, Babyteeth, Prom of the Dead and more. So join us, as we discuss a number of would-be nominees for the Most Popular Film Oscar, that will now just have to settle for making fans really, really happy. This...is the Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 73: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Finally), Plagiarism at IGN, and Nintendo Smash Direct On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich and Jordan) discuss the recent Nintendo Direct and all the exciting new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate news, before diving headlong into the crazy and unprecedented IGN plagiarism scandal involving Filip Miucin. We also finally get around to talking about one of the biggest and best games of this generation, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. And after some quality time chasing down the Wild Hunt, what better to cleanse your 80-hour open-world RPG palatte than with a discussion of the games we've been playing recently on Nintendo Switch and 3DS. They include: WarioWare Gold, Mario and Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, Splatoon 2, Toad's Treasure Tracker, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. So join us, as we marvel at the sheer vastness of Velen (and the intimidating list of Witcher contracts and sidequests contained therein), and then fall in love with Nintendo Switch all over again. This...is the Joy of Gaming!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 70: Mission: Impossible - Fallout Review and Series Retrospective On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich, Kevin and Young) are geared-up and ready for action with a review of Mission: Impossible - Fallout, the latest in the sense-shattering spy-action franchise that somehow keeps raising the stakes with each new entry. Fallout is actually the sixth film in the series (and the second directed by Christopher McQuarrie) and it has proved to be an explosive hit with audiences and critics alike. In our Joy of Geek Review, we look at all aspects of the film, including the narrative, plot twists, cast of characters, action set-pieces, stunts, cinematography, fight choreography, soundtrack and more, and decide how well Fallout fares in the modern movie landscape. We also look back at the previous five Mission: Impossible films - from M:I 1 through Rogue Nation - tracing the lineage of the series and offering our thoughts on the quality of each entry. And since this is an episode of TJOG, we also take time to discuss the latest geek culture news, and recap what we've been watching and reading lately. This week's topics include: Sharp Objects on HBO, Sons of Anarchy, new pseudo-reality series Castaways, Bloodshot: Salvation, a visit to Blerdcon, Star Trek 4 without Pine and Hemsworth, Ruby Rose as Batwoman, The Oscars' new "Popular Film" category, and more.  So join us, as we avoid danger (and a number of double-crosses and mask-pulls) to get the perfect review and save the world from certain destruction. This...is The Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 69: San Diego Comic-Con 2018 - Featuring Aquaman, Shazam, Glass, and Titans  On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich and Kevin) discuss the largest and most important geek-culture convention of the year, San Diego Comic-Con 2018. And while this year's SDCC was typically light on comic-book-specific news, it offered a cavalcade of new movie and TV trailers, and some really exciting announcements. Our discussion includes: new trailers for Aquaman, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Glass, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Shazam!, some Star Wars Episode IX news, Disney's acquisition of Fox, new and disturbing details about the DC Universe streaming service, and more. And as a SPECIAL BONUS, we watch the Titans trailer Live! on the podcast, and share our, um, decidedly strong reactions. So join us, as we marvel at vast undersea cities, question why Eleven from Stranger Things is in almost every scene of the Godzilla trailer, and try really hard to understand why Robin is so angry at Batman. This...is the Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Geek Podcast, Episode 68: Ant-Man and The Wasp Review On this episode of The Joy of Geek Podcast, we (Rich and Kevin) review Ant-Man and The Wasp, the newest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly and directed by Peyton Reed. Ant-Man and the Wasp actually takes place before the events of this past summer's Avengers: Infinity War, and its stylish brand of action-comedy offers a welcome reprieve from that film's brutal intensity. We weigh in on all aspects of the film, including the cast of characters, overall narrative, action setpieces, humor and more, and discuss how it compares to its predecessor - 2015's Ant-Man - as well as the rest of the MCU. Also on this episode, we discuss some recent news, including: the multiple new Joker films planned for the DCEU, the announcement of a standalone Black Widow film, Steve Ditko, the “Wedding Issue” charade of Batman 50, The Purge TV show, and more. And no episode of the podcast would be complete without a rundown of what we've been watching and reading lately, including: Southern Bastards Vol. 4, Doctor Strange by Donny Cates, Batman: White Knight, The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring, HBO's Sharp Objects, and Take-Two on ABC, to name a few. So join us, as we take a perilous journey to the quantum realm to acquire quantum energy and save our friend Ghost. Nothing bad could possibly happen, right? Snap. This...is the Joy of Geek!

The Joy of Gaming Podcast, Episode 72: E3 2018 Press Conference Round-up and Hollow Knight Review On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we (Rich and Jordan) dive headlong into E3 2018 to discuss all of the biggest games and announcements from this year's convention - including Cyberpunk 2077, Resident Evil 2 Remake, Kingdom Hearts III, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and so much more. We also discuss each of the major E3 press conferences - from Microsoft, Sony, Bethesda, Ubisoft, Nintendo, EA and Square Enix - and offer our thoughts on who had the best showing this year. And if that wasn't enough, we round out the festivities with our review of Hollow Knight: a game that was surprise-launched during Nintendo's E3 Briefing and has completely stolen our hearts in the days since. This is a Metroidvania of the first order, set in the beautifully desolate world of Hallownest and it offers 30-40 hours of side-scrolling / hack-n-slash / platforming action with a bit of Dark Souls thrown in for good measure. In other words, this game is pretty special, so carve out some space in your list of favorite games and check out our review. So join us, as we offer one-stop shopping for all of your “I wonder what happened at E3 this year” needs. This...is the Joy of Gaming!