8-4 Play

By 8-4, Ltd.

Technology Video Games

What's 8-4 Play about?

Every other week, tune into 8-4 Play for talk about Japan, video games, and Japanese video games, straight from the 8-4 offices in beautiful downtown Tokyo. Featuring the sultry voices of 8-4's own Mark MacDonald, John Ricciardi, Hiroko Minamoto, Justin "JJ" Epperson, and Roy Blakely.

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LAST EPISODE

8-4 Play 3/5/2021: UP IN SMOKE

03.05.2021

17-Bit’s Jake Kazdal returns to talk about his newly-announced VR title “Song in the Smoke,” Japan Studio’s closure, a bigger-screen Switch, PS5 VR, banana controllers, being Seth Rogen’s stunt double, and more! Time – Topic Discussed: 00:58 – Nicknames 10:59 ...

8-4 Play episodes:

03.05.2021 8-4 Play 3/5/2021: UP IN SMOKE 17-Bit’s Jake Kazdal returns to talk about his newly-announced VR title “Song in the Smoke,” Japan Studio’s closure, a bigger-screen Switch, PS5 VR, banana controllers, being Seth Rogen’s stunt double, and more! Time – Topic Discussed: 00:58 – Nicknames 10:59 ...
02.19.2021 8-4 Play 2/19/2021: DIRECT DE GO!! We gorge on Nintendo news along with 17-Bit's Jake Kazdal, topping it off with lots (and lots) of thoughts on Bowser's Fury and very, very little FFXIV updates. And the long-awaited reveal of exactly what time Gabe secured his PS5 ...
02.05.2021 8-4 Play 2/5/2021: MAIDEN VOYAGE What do the RE8 and Balan demos, Cyber Shadow, Evangelion, Xbox Live Pricing, Switch LTD Sales and Sega politics all have in common? We talk about them on this podcast. Duh. This is always a list of the stuff we ...
01.22.2021 8-4 Play 1/22/2021: RISE AND SLIME This week we give our expert (read: somewhat experienced) opinions of the Monster Hunter Rise demo. Then it's a mixed bag of games both new and old, with a side helping of anime and Sheila-E. Time – Topic Discussed: 01:06 ...
01.08.2021 8-4 Play 1/8/2021: 1-900-HOT-CURL First episode of 2021! This week we talk about our experiences in radio, the lifestyle that is Sasuke, the life of Saruman, and maybe some video games. Time – Topic Discussed: 02:31 - Nicknames 20:10 - The Lord of the ...
12.25.2020 8-4 Play 12/25/2020: THE SANTA KLAUSE 3: BASEMENT FANTASY Cozy up by the fire and join us for our annual holiday send-off, filled with tales of Christmas past, plans for winter break, and plenty more. Thanks as always for listening, and see you in 2021! Time – Topic Discussed: ...
12.11.2020 8-4 Play 12/11/2020: IT’S GREAT! LISTEN TO IT! This week we record before both The Game Awards AND the release of Cyberpunk 2077. But that doesn't stop us from ad-libbing some game award moments and re-visiting our Netflix corner.
11.27.2020 8-4 Play 11/27/2020: LIKE A TURKEY Thanksgiving might be a little different this year, but like Olaf famously put it in Frozen II "8-4 Play is always there for you." Brighten up your Black Friday with bawdy tales of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Hyrule Warriors: Age ...
11.13.2020 8-4 Play 11/13/2020: P.T. DAY This week we trace some rays and flop some...teras? Anyway, next-gen is finally here!
10.30.2020 8-4 Play 10/30/2020: NO! GO TO SHIBUYA! Halloween is nearly here, but there'll be no Shibuya parties for us. Instead, we'll settle for the excitement of next-gen!
10.16.2020 8-4 Play 10/16/2020: EXES AND OHS This week we get a little emotional about Paper Mario. Then we get MAD! About BUTTONS! Then we bring it all home with our hot takes on the Monster Hunter movie trailer.
10.02.2020 8-4 Play 10/2/2020: THEN CAME STEVE Time-travel back to the nostalgic past of Oct 1, 2020! Who's next in Smash? How does Super Mario Bros. 35 work? Is karma real? All these questions and more will not be answered!
09.18.2020 8-4 Play 9/18/2020: WEはSHOCK This week the crew is joined by 17-Bit head honcho Jake Kazdal to break down the latest news from the PlayStation 5 showcase and miss yet another suspiciously-timed Nintendo Direct.
09.04.2020 8-4 Play 9/4/2020: WE MISSED IT AGAIN We've done it again! Missing a monumentous Direct by mere minutes, listen to us speculate on what Nintendo might be up to, all the while knowing we'd all find out within an hour of recording.
08.21.2020 8-4 Play 8/21/2020: DERMS OF ENDEARMENT This week, with Mark out on vacation, the gang do their best to keep things on the rails. How did we do? Find out now!
08.07.2020 8-4 Play 8/7/2020: LLAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT This week, maple leaves rain down around us as we meditate on our experiences with Ghosts of Tsushima and the morality of the recent Nintendo leak.
07.24.2020 8-4 Play 7/24/2020: THE CAST OF US, TOO This week we dive deep on The Last of Us Part 2 in a special spoilercast!
07.10.2020 8-4 Play 7/10/2020: ALT.GAMES.JAPAN Author, localizer, and (most importantly) long-time friend of the show Matt Alt joins us to discuss his new book, Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World. Plus the usual news and other nonsense you've come to expect from ...
06.26.2020 8-4 Play 6/26/2020: XANA-DON’T This week we touch briefly on The Last of Us--or how it makes us feel things. Dark things. Then it's business as usual with talk of the latest Pokémon news, the joy of mining, and of course Strong Zero.
06.12.2020 8-4 Play 6/12/2020: HI, FIVE Big gaming news on a Friday again, huh? Guess it won't be in the latest 8-4 Play... WRONG. We went all out and recorded a special PS5 segment on Friday! Join us, as we gaze into the traceable rays and ...
05.29.2020 8-4 Play 5/29/2020: DOUBLE PINE STRASH ZERO It's here! The 8-4 Play FF7R Spoilercast! Stick around to the end of this week's episode to hear all our timely, spoilery takes.
05.15.2020 8-4 Play 5/15/2020: TGS RIP This week we talk about the big changes happening in civilization—Civilization 6, that is! We also check in on Animal Crossing and pour one out for TGS.
05.01.2020 8-4 Play 5/1/2020: MANA’S BEST FRIEND Brand new audio, same old cast. Well, besides Roy and Derm. So basically not the same old cast. Anyway, grab a beverage and saddle up (indoor) poolside as we celebrate Golden Week responsibly and put our new trial audio engineer's ...
04.17.2020 8-4 Play 4/17/2020: MATERIA GIRLS Strap on your nostalgia goggles-- Or wait, maybe take them off? I'm not sure! Because this week we dive deep on Final Fantasy VII Remake, in this spoiler-free spectacular.
04.03.2020 8-4 Play 4/3/2020: REMOTE PLAY This week we embrace the future of podcasting technology while gushing about Animal Crossing. Wash your hands.
03.20.2020 8-4 Play 3/20/2020: NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT We hunker down to discuss that PS5 presentation, the latest from Indie World, and our favorite gaming smells.
03.06.2020 8-4 Play 3/6/2020: TWERK FROM HOME The gang takes a break from scouring Tokyo for toilet paper to talk about the Final Fantasy VII Remake demo, Playstation VR, and reflect on the PS2's legacy.
02.21.2020 8-4 Play 2/21/2020: RAP ROCKIN' PROFESSOR OAK This week we struggle to pick the 9 games that define us, talk about corona conspiracy theories, and speculate about the latest Animal Crossing Direct.
02.07.2020 8-4 Play 2/07/2020: CAST A POD TO YOUR WITCHER This week we welcome a special guest to talk about a bevy of Nintendo news and sing that Witcher song.
01.24.2020 8-4 Play 1/24/2020: OH MY CAR It's delay season, folks, and everyone is sad. But we're playing the new Yakuza, so it's not all bad!
01.10.2020 8-4 Play 1/10/2020: SUPER PODCAST 2020 We're back from the holiday break, with stories to tell of video games, travel, and pants-wetting.
12.20.2019 8-4 Play 12/20/2019: XMAS SERIES X It's that time of year! We talk about our holiday memories, and of course the games and Japan and Japanese games of 2019.
12.06.2019 8-4 Play 12/06/2019: KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON This week we're joined by special guest and saver-of-bacon, Alan Averill! We talk about roads (a lot) and ponder what qualities define a burrito.
11.22.2019 8-4 Play 11/22/2019: GIGANTACAST Plug in your BB and grab a bowl of cryptobyte curry cuz this week we're talking about Death Stranding AND the next generation of Pokémon games!
11.08.2019 8-4 Play 11/8/2019: ONI LEMON This week we go goo-goo for Gooigi, prepare ourselves mentally for Death Stranding, and talk about a primordial VR experience.
10.25.2019 8-4 Play 10/25/2019: SHI-BOO-YA Special guest Alex Aniel joins us for a very spooooky almost-Halloween episode.
10.11.2019 8-4 Play 10/11/2019: FINGER OF GOD An epic typhoon looms over Tokyo, but there's still gaming news to cover! We grab some cans and discuss, while trying to not worry about the impending F5.
09.27.2019 8-4 Play 9/27/2019: LITE UP THE PIPE In the wake of TGS, a slime draws near—and a new Zelda, too!
09.13.2019 8-4 Play 9/13/2019: TOKYO GAME SHOW 2019 On this extra special (and rowdy) episode, a cavalcade of guests stop by the towers to share their TGS experiences.
09.06.2019 8-4 Play 9/6/2019: CHAIN OF CONTROL This week we put down our curry on rice to spoon-feed you all the announcements from the latest Nintendo Direct!
08.23.2019 8-4 Play 8/23/2019: HARD OFFERINGS Book Off. Hard Off. Hilarious names? Yes. Are they hiding a dark secret? Find out, in the latest 8-4 play. (Uh, we also talk about Death Stranding and some MMOs.)
08.09.2019 8-4 Play 8/9/2019: THE HOUSES ARE ON FIRE This week we heat things up with some Fire Emblem, and then cool off with some ice cream.
07.26.2019 8-4 Play 7/26/2019: PAPPY UNCORKED This week we are joined by bourbon smugglin', retro game playin' friend-of-the-show Rob Fox.
07.12.2019 8-4 Play 7/12/2019: LITE WEEK Join us as we talk making Marios, doctoring Marios, and Mario's new turquoise vacation home.
06.28.2019 8-4 Play 6/28/2019: CADENCE OF JUDGMENT VII: RITUAL OF DEXIT This week we talk about boogieing in Cadence of Hyrule, lawyering in Judgment, and sitting in Bloodstained. Who doesn't love a good sit?
06.14.2019 8-4 Play 6/14/2019: CYBERPUNKS 2019 This week we attempt to summarize the avalanche of news from E3 into a 2 hour podcast. Can we even come close? Find out now!
05.31.2019 8-4 Play 5/31/2019: TICKET TO RIDE ALL ABOOOOOOOOARD! The #E3HYPETRAIN is leaving the station!
05.17.2019 8-4 Play 5/17/2019: BETTER THAN THE BOOKS With BitSummit fast approaching, we invite John Davis on the show to talk shop and how he could probably use a nap.
05.03.2019 8-4 Play 5/03/2019: SUPER GOLDEN WEEK For a very casual Golden Week episode, we talk about what we've been playing, and reflect on the games that made Heisei great.
04.19.2019 8-4 Play 4/19/2019: THE NON-VEGAN ALL DIGITAL SPECIAL With the next gen looming overhead, special guest Justin Massongill of the Playstation Blog joins us to talk about easy modes and different ways to watch Game of Thrones abroad.

Older episodes

8-4 Play

What's 8-4 Play about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

8-4 Play episodes:

8-4 Play 3/5/2021: UP IN SMOKE

8-4 Play 2/19/2021: DIRECT DE GO!!

8-4 Play 2/5/2021: MAIDEN VOYAGE

8-4 Play 1/22/2021: RISE AND SLIME

8-4 Play 1/8/2021: 1-900-HOT-CURL

8-4 Play 12/25/2020: THE SANTA KLAUSE 3: BASEMENT FANTASY

8-4 Play 12/11/2020: IT’S GREAT! LISTEN TO IT!

8-4 Play 11/27/2020: LIKE A TURKEY

8-4 Play 11/13/2020: P.T. DAY

8-4 Play 10/30/2020: NO! GO TO SHIBUYA!

8-4 Play 10/16/2020: EXES AND OHS

8-4 Play 10/2/2020: THEN CAME STEVE

8-4 Play 9/18/2020: WEはSHOCK

8-4 Play 9/4/2020: WE MISSED IT AGAIN

8-4 Play 8/21/2020: DERMS OF ENDEARMENT

8-4 Play 8/7/2020: LLAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT

8-4 Play 7/24/2020: THE CAST OF US, TOO

8-4 Play 7/10/2020: ALT.GAMES.JAPAN

8-4 Play 6/26/2020: XANA-DON’T

8-4 Play 6/12/2020: HI, FIVE

8-4 Play 5/29/2020: DOUBLE PINE STRASH ZERO

8-4 Play 5/15/2020: TGS RIP

8-4 Play 5/1/2020: MANA’S BEST FRIEND

8-4 Play 4/17/2020: MATERIA GIRLS

8-4 Play 4/3/2020: REMOTE PLAY

8-4 Play 3/20/2020: NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT

8-4 Play 3/6/2020: TWERK FROM HOME

8-4 Play 2/21/2020: RAP ROCKIN' PROFESSOR OAK

8-4 Play 2/07/2020: CAST A POD TO YOUR WITCHER

8-4 Play 1/24/2020: OH MY CAR

8-4 Play 1/10/2020: SUPER PODCAST 2020

8-4 Play 12/20/2019: XMAS SERIES X

8-4 Play 12/06/2019: KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON

8-4 Play 11/22/2019: GIGANTACAST

8-4 Play 11/8/2019: ONI LEMON

8-4 Play 10/25/2019: SHI-BOO-YA

8-4 Play 10/11/2019: FINGER OF GOD

8-4 Play 9/27/2019: LITE UP THE PIPE

8-4 Play 9/13/2019: TOKYO GAME SHOW 2019

8-4 Play 9/6/2019: CHAIN OF CONTROL

8-4 Play 8/23/2019: HARD OFFERINGS

8-4 Play 8/9/2019: THE HOUSES ARE ON FIRE

8-4 Play 7/26/2019: PAPPY UNCORKED

8-4 Play 7/12/2019: LITE WEEK

8-4 Play 6/28/2019: CADENCE OF JUDGMENT VII: RITUAL OF DEXIT

8-4 Play 6/14/2019: CYBERPUNKS 2019

8-4 Play 5/31/2019: TICKET TO RIDE

8-4 Play 5/17/2019: BETTER THAN THE BOOKS

8-4 Play 5/03/2019: SUPER GOLDEN WEEK

8-4 Play 4/19/2019: THE NON-VEGAN ALL DIGITAL SPECIAL

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