Podcasts about button mash

In this Mint Edition and Button Mash crossover, the guys talk all things Nintendo Switch 2! Later, the guys get into the latest video game to movie adaptation, 'Until Dawn' and more (31:00). Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Guest: Ben Lindbergh Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did Sunday's major moment compare to the video game version? Did [redacted] hit as hard the second time around? And what might some significant changes from ‘The Last of Us Part II' portend for the rest of the season? Ben and Daniel break down the big twist and the consequential second episode's other developments from a ‘TLOU' player's perspective. Hosts: Ben Lindbergh and Daniel Chin Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Daniel Chin begin their weekly Button Mash breakdowns of 'The Last of Us' Season 2 from the perspective of longtime 'The Last of Us' players. First, they describe their experiences with the games, recap the biggest changes Season 1 made to the original 'The Last of Us,' and discuss why 'The Last of Us Part II' poses a greater adaptation challenge. Then they analyze the most significant changes to the story and structure of 'TLOU2' in the first episode of the show's second season, before speculating about what those differences might signify for Episode 2 and beyond. WARNING: spoilers for 'The Last of Us Part II.' Hosts: Ben Lindbergh and Daniel Chin Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben brings on Steve Ahlman and Jomi Adeniran to break down the box office phenomenon that is 'A Minecraft Movie': the memes, the theatrical experience, and, yes, the movie itself. Then, after Ben and Jomi rant about being betrayed by the Season 4 finale of 'Mythic Quest' (00:52), Van Lathan and Jessica Clemons come on to discuss the new Deep South–set Xbox adventure 'South of Midnight' (45:47). Finally, Matt James joins to rave about (but not spoil!) the new best-reviewed game of 2025: indie darling 'Blue Prince' (1:18:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Steve Ahlman, Jomi Adeniran, Jessica Clemons, Van Lathan, and Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Matt James dissect all the news from Nintendo's long-awaited full unveiling of the Switch 2, from the announcements on the Nintendo Direct livestream to the in-person, hands-on event that Ben attended. First, they give their verdicts on whether the much-hyped Nintendo Direct fulfilled expectations. Then, they list their likes and dislikes from the day of reveals and demos, in addition to discussing some lingering unknowns. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Jessica Clemons, and Arjuna Ramgopal get their 16th-century stealth on as they share their spoiler-free impressions of the highly anticipated, high-stakes sequel that brings the ‘Assassin's Creed' franchise to feudal Japan. They discuss what's new, what's not, what works, and what flops about the long-awaited title, as well as why its success is so vital to the future of beleaguered developer/publisher Ubisoft. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jessica Clemons and Arjuna Ramgopal Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Matt James, and Steve Ahlman step into their simulators and share their spoiler-free reviews of Hazelight's latest co-op opus, ‘Split Fiction.' After discussing the highs and lows of the genre-bending adventure, they name their all-time favorite local co-op games (01:28). Finally, Ben talks to Hazelight founder and ‘Split Fiction' director Josef Fares about the new game's development, the keys to co-op success, the future of gaming, and more (01:00:29). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Josef Fares, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James Producer: Jessie Lopez Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Matt discuss Matt's spoiler-free impressions of ‘Avowed,' the ‘Elden Ring Nightreign' network test, and news about layoffs and closures affecting ‘Marvel Rivals' and ‘Wonder Woman' (10:00). Then Ben looks for love in the latest installments of long-running video game franchises that he's never previously played—‘Dynasty Warriors,' ‘Sniper Elite,' ‘Civilization,' ‘Like a Dragon,' and ‘Monster Hunter'—by “speed-dating” each of their newly released sequels and deciding whether the series deserves a second digital date (30:30). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Addition Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James banter about whether the console wars are over and whether 'Marvel Rivals' will keep the crown that 'Overwatch' once wore. Then (19:50) they give their spoiler-free reviews of the immense, fascinating, and frustrating action RPG 'Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.' After that, Julianna Ress and Khal Davenport join Ben to reminisce about 'The Sims' and reflect on the franchise's legacy on its 25th anniversary (48:30). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Steve Ahlman, Matt James, Julianna Ress, and Khal Davenport Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Jomi discuss their mutual affection for the Apple TV+ comedy ‘Mythic Quest,' examine what makes the series stand out, and react to its return for a fourth season. Then they name their top five movies, TV shows, and novels about video games, game development, or gaming culture (1:20). After that, they talk to Ashly Burch, a prominent video game voice actor, ‘Mythic Quest' costar, and writer/director/producer of ‘Mythic Quest' and spinoff ‘Side Quest,' about making both series, her prolific career, and the evolution of the games industry (1:09:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jomi Adeniran and Ashly Burch Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Jessica Clemons, and Matt James press reset on the gaming calendar and place hype-thetical preorders for the most intriguing releases of the coming year. First they look back at last year's most anticipated titles to examine how predictable good games actually are. Then they discuss this year's two biggest tentpoles, ‘Grand Theft Auto VI' and Nintendo's Switch successor, assessing their excitement for each and the odds of ‘GTA VI' avoiding a delay (8:30). After that, they preview a stacked February (40:00), select their most anticipated games of 2025 in several categories (29:30), and wrap up with big-picture predictions (1:16:20). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jessica Clemons and Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Steve Ahlman, Matt James, and Justin Charity wrap a podcast present and put it under the tree. First, they name “naughty” and “nice” trends in gaming this year, from high-profile, live-service flops to the decline of console exclusivity (08:55). Then, they celebrate the most unforgettable titles of 2024 by drafting their favorite releases across several categories, including sprawling RPGs, riveting action adventures, and indie darlings (39:20). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Steve Ahlman, Matt James, and Justin Charity Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Jomi, and Arjuna begin by discussing the success of the free-to-play hero shooter ‘Marvel Rivals.' Then they whip through a discussion of ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle' (2:40), touching on Indy's checkered history in gaming and how his new adventure improves upon past titles and nails the tone of the franchise. After that, they provide their impressions of Prime Video's new video game adaptation anthology series, ‘Secret Level' (48:40), before reconvening to talk about the biggest news and announcements at the Game Awards (1:09:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jomi Adeniran and Arjuna Ramgopal Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even after 30 years, 'Button Mash' is still not underestimating the power of PlayStation. Join Ben Lindbergh, Steve Ahlman, Matt James, and Rob Mahoney as they assess the legacy and influence of Sony's first game console, reminisce about their personal PlayStation experiences, and then draft the best games from the classic system across several categories (33:17). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Steve Ahlman, Matt James, and Rob Mahoney Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is that Jason Concepcion's music?! Jason joins Ben to discuss the recent nominations for Game of the Year at the Game Awards (5:00) and then celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of the most momentous months in gaming history, November 2004 (17:40). Specifically, they reminisce about and analyze the legacies of two classic first-person shooters—'Halo 2' and 'Half-Life 2'—highlighting how they were made, how they improved upon their predecessors, and how they broke creative and technological boundaries in ways that changed gaming forever. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Jason Concepcion Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From 'Like a Dragon' to 'Dragon Age,' settle in for a supersized ‘Button Mash' blowout! First, Ben, Brian Phillips, and Matt James discuss which games they would stream to enhance their appeal if they were running for office. Then, they break down Prime Video's latest TV adaptation of a video game franchise, 'Like a Dragon: Yakuza' (14:00), before Ben and Matt recommend several recent releases that are easy to consume, including the latest 'Call of Duty' and a 'Pokémon' mobile sensation (52:00). Then Ben and Joshua Rivera discuss 'Mario & Luigi: Brothership,' comedic Mario, weird Nintendo, the swan song of the Switch, whether 'Dragon Age: The Veilguard' is BioWare's big comeback, and the pros and cons of the industry's franchise reliance (1:20:00. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Brian Phillips, Matt James, and Joshua Rivera Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Arcane' is back and Steve and Jomi are joined by ‘Button Mash' host Ben Lindbergh to prepare you guys for Season 2 with a recap of Season 1 and a discussion concerning what they loved about the first season (8:03). Then the trio move on to a show they've waited a long time to cover, ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks'! They go over their thoughts about the beginning of the fifth and final season, as well as what they've loved about the show over the years. Hosts: Steve Ahlman and Jomi Adeniran Guest: Ben Lindbergh Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Justin Charity tiptoe through the halls of Sevastopol to discuss the 10-year anniversary of ‘Alien: Isolation' and their experiences with the cult classic. Then they bring on Andy Kelly, author of ‘Perfect Organism: An Alien: Isolation Companion,' to discuss the game's legacy, horror credentials, innovative AI system, and impact on ‘Alien,' as well as what they hope to see from the newly announced ‘Isolation' sequel (15:49). After that, Ben and Charity talk about Netflix and Amazon's big bets on a ‘Tomb Raider' revival, the history of the franchise, and Ben's impressions of the new Netflix series ‘Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft' (56:58). Finally, Steve Ahlman and Matt James pop in to give their impressions of ‘Silent Hill 2' and ‘Metaphor: ReFantazio' (84:32). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Justin Charity, Andy Kelly, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James Producers: Devon Renaldo and Eduardo Ocampo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben summons Justin Charity for a spoiler-free but in-depth discussion about Nintendo's new ‘The Legend of Zelda' release for Switch, ‘Echoes of Wisdom.' After they give their high-level capsule reviews of the game, they catch up on some recent news, including the teaser for ‘The Last of Us' Season 2, the announcement of (and trailer for) ‘Ghost of Yotei,' the delay of ‘Assassin's Creed Shadows,' and Nintendo's lawsuit against ‘Palworld' maker Pocket Pair (6:00). After that, they describe their experiences with ‘Echoes,' explore how it synthesizes aspects of its open-world and top-down predecessors, examine the contrast between playing as Zelda and playing as Link, and share their hopes for the future of the franchise (33:40). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Justin Charity Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do we make of Poltergeist and Button Mash closing? Was The LA Times out of line in writing about chef-driven optimism during the tough times restaurants are facing? And why does it matter that yet another LA chef has earned a place on Food & Wine's vaunted list of Best New Chefs? Father Sal's with us to discuss all of the above plus, why Taste waited until now to post one of the best think pieces on The Bear, why Netflix is giving David Chang's Dinner Time Live a season 2, and whether pickles belong on pizza.  In Part 2, we're joined by Chef Brandon Boudet of Little Dom's in Los Feliz for a sneak peek of two exciting concepts he's opening in Montecito and Ojai this Fall. Helpful links: Our free newsletter LA FOODSTACK, where you'll find most of the articles we referenced today https://thelacountdown.substack.com/ Little Dom's https://www.littledoms.com/ Bar Lou Montecito https://www.instagram.com/barloumontecito/?hl=en Hotel El Roblar Ojai https://www.elroblarhotel.co/ The LA Food Podcast is produced with the help of: Adam Skaggs Tiffany Perez Tim Bertolini -- Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods -- Get 10% off on your first purchase of wagyu beef at First Light Farms using code "LAFOOD10" https://www.firstlight.farm/us/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thelafoodpodcast/support

Button Mash becomes Bot-ton Mash as Ben, Jess, and Steve celebrate the release of near-perfect PlayStation platformer ‘Astro Bot' and explain why the game is both a bold leap forward and a relic of an earlier era. Then they break down what the record sales success of ‘Black Myth: Wukong' and the flop of ‘Concord' (49:00) say about the industry, assess their appetites for the PS5 Pro and mid-generation console upgrades (1:09:55), and share takeaways from several trailers for upcoming video game movies and TV shows (1:15:25), before finishing with a fond farewell to the late, great James Earl Jones (1:32:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jess Clemons and Steve Ahlman Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Jomi, and Arjuna discuss their experiences with Ubisoft's ‘Star Wars: Outlaws.' They break down the big-budget title's gameplay, graphics, and performance, as well as its open-world structure, and its portrayal of the ‘Star Wars' universe. They then critique the broad strokes of the story (6:40), before dipping briefly (and with warnings!) into spoiler territory (1:11:20). After the spoiler section, they reflect on lessons learned from ‘Outlaws,' assess where it ranks among ‘Star Wars' games, and share their hopes for future ‘Star Wars' releases (1:35:40). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jomi Adeniran and Arjuna Ramgopal Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Haven't seen ‘Borderlands,' the latest video game movie? You have chosen wisely. Ben, Rob Mahoney, and Matt James chose poorly, and they're here to report on the brand-new box office flop. They begin by bantering about the demise of Game Informer and the end of the era of video game magazines (6:00). Then they review ‘Borderlands' (16:00) and discuss how it got made (36:00) and why it became a debacle that snapped a streak of strong game adaptations (44:24). They conclude by weighing whether ‘Borderlands' is the worst movie to feature multiple Oscar winners (52:00), comparing it to previous video game movie misfires (53:00), fantasy-casting their own improbably star-studded video game movies (59:00, and picking the upcoming adaptations they're most anticipating (1:05:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Rob Mahoney and Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Jomi form a found family for a spoiler-free preview of one of the biggest games of the rest of the year: Ubisoft's ‘Star Wars Outlaws.' First they discuss the strengths of 'Star Wars' games, the state of the 'Star Wars' gaming landscape, and the interactive future of the franchise. (3:57) Then they share their impressions after four hours with ‘Outlaws,' including what they liked, what concerned them, and what they're looking forward to finding out (27:22). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Jomi Adeniran Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal and Devon Baroldi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Van Lathan, Diante Lee, and Steven Ruiz form a huddle to discuss the highly anticipated return of EA's college football franchise. First, they recount the history of the 'NCAA Football' series, what set it apart from 'Madden,' and why it was gone so long (00:52) before sharing their impressions of the new edition of the game (21:41). Then, they break down the consolidation of the sports gaming landscape (42:15), debate which sport translates best to video games (01:07:00, and name the top five sports games in each of their personal pantheons (01:14:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Van Lathan, Diante Lee, and Steven Ruiz Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Steve Ahlman, Matt James, and Justin Charity banter (sans spoilers) about their ongoing adventures in the Land of Shadow in 'Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree' and how they've handled the popular DLC's difficulty. Then, they share their big-picture takeaways from the year in gaming so far (25:00), collaboratively (and only semi-contentiously) construct a top 10 GotFHotY (games of the first half of the year) list (34:50), and pick the upcoming releases that they hope will make their year-end GotY draft (01:29:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Steve Ahlman, Justin Charity, and Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James discuss the biggest news from this week's Nintendo Direct (including a 'Legend of Zelda' with playable Zelda and proof of life for 'Metroid Prime 4'), gaming's suddenly stacked release schedule for the rest of 2024, and what the Switch 2's launch lineup could look like. Then they reflect on the legacy of 'Elden Ring' and share their spoiler-free early impressions of its acclaimed new expansion, 'Shadow of the Erdtree.' Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Steve Ahlman and Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Jessica Clemons, and Justin Charity react to a slew of big gaming news by ranking their big-picture takeaways and top 10 most exciting announcements, trailers, and reveals from Summer Game Fest, the Xbox Games Showcase, Ubisoft Forward, Sony State of Play, and other recent presentations. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jessica Clemons and Justin Charity Producer: Devon Renaldo  Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us for a special episode of our podcast featuring a dynamic panel discussion that took place during the StarChefs Rising Stars event in Los Angeles. Today, we dive into the heart of the LA food scene with some of its most innovative culinary leaders: Chef Sandra Cordero at Xuntos, Pastry Chef Sherry Yard, Mixologist Ramsey Musk at Accomplice Bar, Chef Matt Schaler at Birdie G's, and Chef Diego Argoti at Poltergeist at Button Mash.In this episode, you'll explore the diverse cultural backgrounds of these LA-based chefs and learn how their unique upbringings led them to culinary careers. They share personal stories of working in the industry, discuss how they gather inspiration, and highlight what makes the LA food scene distinct from other major city scenes. Get insider tips on where to eat in LA and hear some of the best and worst advice for those embarking on a career in the kitchen or behind the bar. What you'll learn from this LA Food Scene Innovation Panel Sandra Cordero's background and culinary inspiration (2:45)Sherry Yard's basement pastry lair (4:29)Why Sherry calls herself “the fixer” (5:04)Ramsey Musk's Italian roots (5:47)Matt Schaler's industry upbringing (6:48)What Diego Argoti learned growing up in a grocery store (8:01)Growing up in a tourist economy (9:35)The freedom of being behind the bar (10:29)Understanding the whole of a restaurant (12:44)Control freaks in the kitchen (13:52)Sherry's early industry experience at Rainbow Room (14:39)A pastry book recommendation to learn the basics (17:04)The moment that inspired Diego's love for food (18:37)A boost of culinary confidence (21:17)How a tragedy affected Diego's will to continue the path (23:24)White lies on a resume and opening doors (25:28)How cooking has changed (26:59)The day Sherry got a call from Wolfgang Puck (29:04)How Diego fell back in love with LA (34:13)Describing the LA food scene (36:12)A recent trend shift in dining out (37:00)Restaurants shutting their doors (38:12)Why change is good (40:13)Craving traditional, comforting foods (42:38)The thing that will keep the restaurant industry going (44:52)How chefs and farmers collaborate in LA (47:28)Why LA is more fearless than other culinary cities (49:22)How Birdie's embraces creativity (51:17)Focusing on simplicity when things feel too complicated (53:22)Finding inspiration in collaboration (56:02)Cocktails based on archetypes (57:16)The importance of sharing ideas (1:02:09)Cultivating an intimate knowledge of your products (1:08:49)Perseverance through the pandemic (1:14:01)A culinary tour of LA (1:18:21)The good and the bad: industry advice (1:22:59)Women in the industry (1:28:23)How to support women in the industry (1:29:47)Tune in to get a deeper understanding of the LA food scene, its fearless innovators, and their contributions to the culinary world. I'd like to share a potential educational resource, "Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door", my new book that features dialogues with accomplished culinary leaders from various backgrounds and cultures. It delves into the future of culinary creativity and the hospitality industry, drawing from insights of a restaurant-industry-focused podcast, ‘flavors unknown”. It includes perspectives from renowned chefs and local professionals, making it a valuable resource for those interested in building a career in the culinary industry.Get the book here! Links to other episodes with chefs talking about LA Food Scene Don't miss out on the chance to hear from these talented chefs and gain insight into the world of culinary techniques. Check out the links below for more conversations with other LA chefs:Interview with Chef Suzanne GoinConversation with Chef Elizabeth Falkner Conversation with Coffee Roaster Zayde NaquibInterview with Chef Tim HollingsworthConversation with Chef Brad Miller – Food Truck NationInterview with Chef Alison Trent Links to most downloaded episodes (click on any picture ...

Ben, Jessica Clemons, Justin Charity, and Rob Mahoney break down news about the release date of 'GTA VI,' Phoebe Waller-Bridge writing a 'Tomb Raider' show, and the next 'Assassin's Creed.' They then compare and contrast recent releases 'Animal Well' and 'Senua's Saga: Hellblade II' (24:00), and later competitively put together lineups (31:00) of the games they most want to see remade. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jessica Clemons, Justin Charity, and Rob Mahoney Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Steve Ahlman, Matt James, and Justin Charity react to rumors about the Nintendo Switch 2 and a ‘Kingdom Hearts' film adaptation (2:35), discuss the significance of the latest in a string of surprise Steam sensations, talk of ‘Manor Lords,' and name their top five games developed by a single creator (23:43). They then draft rosters of the best titles from the great gaming year of 2004 (30:41). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Steve Ahlman, Matt James, and Justin Charity Producer: Mike Wargon Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Social: Jomi Adeniran Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Lindbergh and Jessica Clemons banter about the anniversary of Thanos's fateful ‘Fortnite' appearance, the most popular crossover characters in ‘Fortnite' history, and whether to play ‘Hades 2' in Early Access or wait for the finished game (2:00), then discuss the full first season of ‘Sonic the Hedgehog' spinoff ‘Knuckles' on Paramount+ and the future of the ‘Sonic' franchise (14:20) before breaking down (in a spoiler-free manner) new PlayStation 5 release ‘Stellar Blade,' both as a game (43:37) and as a flashpoint in the gaming culture wars (57:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Jessica Clemons Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Lindbergh and Van Lathan leave the Vault to discuss the entire first season of the latest hit TV video-game adaptation, Prime Video's ‘Fallout.' After they give their high-level reviews of the series, they react to the story trailer for ‘Star Wars Outlaws' (9:00) and then dive deep into how ‘Fallout' functions as both a game adaptation and a standalone show, how it is and isn't like ‘The Last of Us,' and their lingering questions and sources of excitement for a probable Season 2 (21:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Van Lathan Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Jessica Clemons, and Matt James react to the trailer for ‘Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra,' the news that Larian Studios will not be making more ‘Baldur's Gate,' and a report that Sony has paused production of the PSVR2. Then they break down three big new games that came out on the same day (‘Dragon's Dogma 2,' ‘Rise of the Ronin,' and ‘Princess Peach: Showtime!') in a spoiler-free discussion to determine which one won the day (22:23) Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jessica Clemons and Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you ready, Helldivers?! Ben, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James discuss how online co-op shooter ‘Helldivers 2' became a surprise sensation and feel-good gaming story by building a new model for live-service storytelling and community (to go with great gameplay). Then they offer five rapid-fire recommendations for recently released, lower-profile games to play between blockbusters (58:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Steve Ahlman and Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Words aren't the only thing that tell people what you're thinking … but Ben, Matt James, and Justin Charity use words to give their spoiler-free thoughts on the sensational second installment in Square Enix's ‘Final Fantasy VII' remake/sequel trilogy. Tap into the lifestream as the three-person podcast party breaks down the game's open-world structure, combat, music, mini-games, and more. They close with their hopes for the final act of the trilogy and nominations for future remakes. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Justin Charity and Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Matt James, Justin Charity, and Rob Mahoney party up for a pre-‘Rebirth' draft of ‘Final Fantasy' favorites. First they discuss an amazing month for remakes and remasters (4:00), followed by three pressing questions prompted by ‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth' (9:40). Then they recap their histories with the ‘Final Fantasy' franchise (31:12), explain the draft rules (39:17), and assemble their all-time-great rosters of ‘Final Fantasy' characters (42:40). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Matt James, Justin Charity, and Rob Mahoney Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jomi and Steve are joined by Button Mash's Ben Lindbergh to sift through the pool of nonsense of the Super Bowl LVIII commercials, then discuss their initial thoughts on the first trailer for ‘Deadpool and Wolverine' (11:15). Later, they take a look at plenty of the other movie trailers that snagged a Super Bowl commercial spot, including ‘Twisters,' ‘Wicked,' and more! Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Guest: Ben Lindbergh Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Jessica Clemons, and Matt James discuss rumors about Xbox games appearing on PlayStation, Disney infiltrating ‘Fortnite,' and the ‘Knuckles' trailer. Then they share bite-sized reviews of ‘Tekken 8' and ‘Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth' and Matt's takeaway from a hands-on preview of ‘Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth.' Then Charles Holmes joins Ben and Jess to discuss ‘Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League' and the future of live service and superhero games (28:16), before Ben and Jess give their impressions of ‘Halo' Season 2 (51:36). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jessica Clemons, Matt James, and Charles Holmes Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Ben, Matt James, and Justin Charity as they delve into the biggest gaming phenomenon of the year: ‘Palworld.' They ask and answer 10 questions raised by the game's success, including how ‘Palworld' became so popular (06:05), whether it's more than just “‘Pokémon' with guns,” the controversies it has caused, whether ‘Palworld' will be a mainstay or a flash in the pan (62:33), and more. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Matt James and Justin Charity Producer: Eduardo Ocampo Additional Production: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Matt James react to the reveal of ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle'; share their spoiler-free reviews of 2024's first great game, ‘Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown' (8:15); pick their all-time top five Metroidvania games (33:48); have a spoiler-free discussion of what's new and worthwhile in ‘The Last of Us Part II Remastered' (44:01); and then finish up in spoiler territory by breaking down the 'Last of Us' casting news and what it might mean for Season 2 of the HBO show (1:05:01). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Matt James Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get ready for a thrilling journey into the gaming future with the 2024 hype pod! Join Ben, Matt James, and Justin Charity as they dive into the most anticipated games of the year. Reflecting on the gaming greatness of 2023, they question whether 2024 will generate the same excitement (7:00). Then the trio delves into discussions about highly awaited sequels, originals, adaptations, and more, featuring titles such as ‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth,' ‘Star Wars Outlaws,' ‘Hades II,' and beyond (14:00). Later on, they share their hopes for unconfirmed games and systems (1:10:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Justin Charity and Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Lindbergh is joined by Jessica Clemons, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James to commemorate a great gaming year. First, they name “naughty” and “nice” industry trends, from massive hacks to surprise releases (0:00). Then they celebrate the highlights of the year in gaming by drafting the most unforgettable titles of 2023 across several categories, including epic RPGs, sprawling action adventures, and indie gems (33:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Steve Ahlman, Jessica Clemons, and Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recorded in October of 2023 at the Taragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, the entire Ringer Verse crew joins together for a live show highlighting all of your favorite shows including House of R (04:41), Mint Edition (32:18), Button Mash (45:06), and The Midnight Boys (1:02:04). Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Steve Ahlman, Jonathan Kermah, Chia Hao Tat, Victoria Valencia Social: Keith Fujimoto, Jomi Adeniran Additional Production Supervision: Elizabeth Fierman, Cory McConnell, Alexa Coubal, Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Ben and Matt James as they chat about whether the Game Awards should be about awards, the most exciting announcements from the show (0:00), and their anticipation for the ‘Fallout' TV adaptation (16:00). Then they take a spoiler-free journey through the immersive world of the Naʼvi as they delve into ‘Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora' (20:45). Finally, they discuss the evolution of movie-based games and name their all-time top five movie tie-ins (47:00). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Matt James Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben is joined by Khal Davenport and Daniel Chin to discuss the long-awaited first trailer for 'GTA VI'. They discuss their initial thoughts when the trailer dropped, what stuck out to them about the gameplay and other features, predictions for when the game comes out, and more. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Khal Davenport and Daniel Chin Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Jess are joined by Matt James to discuss some games that you may have missed this month, including 'Cocoon,' 'Slay the Princess,' and 'Jusant' (15:38). Hosts: Ben Lindbergh and Jessica Clemons Guest: Matt James Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman Additional Production: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Jess react to the news of a live-action ‘Legend of Zelda' movie (2:54), the confusing release of the PlayStation Portal (9:40), and the Game Awards' GotY nominees (18:40). Then, they discuss the backlash to (and their own impressions of) the latest ‘Call of Duty' game, ‘Modern Warfare III' (29:29). After that, they talk to Van Lathan about his history with ‘CoD,' the evolution of first-person shooters, playing online multiplayer games as you age, and more (54:28). Hosts: Ben Lindbergh and Jessica Clemons Guest: Van Lathan Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's spooky season, and Ben and Jess are getting into the spirit by giving their spoiler-free reactions to the survival-horror game sequel 'Alan Wake 2' (10:21). Then, they pivot and give another spoiler-free review of one of Jess's favorite franchises and the newest video game adaptation: 'Five Nights at Freddy's.'(34:59) Hosts: Ben Lindbergh and Jessica Clemons Producer: Isaiah Blakely Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Down the pipe and into the Flower Kingdom, Ben and Jess are talking all things Mario today with the release of ‘Super Mario Bros. Wonder.' They begin by discussing their histories with the ‘Super Mario Bros.' franchise (0:00) and its evolution in 2D/3D gameplay (12:00). Later on, they chat about their likes and dislikes of the game (30:00) before producer Devon Renaldo joins to deliver a hot take on Nintendo's direction, the company's upcoming releases, and the successor to the Switch (1:09:00). Hosts: Ben Lindbergh and Jessica Clemons Producer: Devon Renaldo Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices