Arcade Couch

Arcade Couch

By Explosion NetworkLeisureVideo Games
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Arcade Couch episodes

  • Mixtape and Subnautica 2 Impressions | Arcade Couch

    Join Ashley and Ciaran as they share their initial impressions of Mixtape, Subnautica 2 and Wax Head, as well as Ashley’s thoughts on the video game movie Mortal Kombat II.

    YOUR HOSTS

    🎙️ Ashley Hobley
    🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

    EPISODE TIMECODES

    00:00:00 - Intro

    00:01:51 - Mortal Kombat II Movie Impressions
    00:06:00 - Mixtape Impressions
    00:18:58 - Subnautica 2 Impressions
    00:23:11 - Wax Heads Impressions
    00:25:14 - Cozy Game Restoration Impressions
    00:30:57 - Goodbye

    CREDITS
    • 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
    • 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
    • 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
    • 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

      • 👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK

      Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

      32 min
    • Stranger Than Heaven Breakdown, GTA 6 Marketing & Star Fox Remake | Arcade Couch

      We discuss the latest gaming news, focusing on the marketing strategy for GTA 6 and its emphasis on console releases over PC. We also delve into the upcoming game 'Stranger Than Heaven,' highlighting its narrative depth, celebrity cameos, and unique gameplay mechanics that involve sound recording and music composition.

      YOUR HOSTS

      🎙️ Dylan Blight
      🎙️ Ashley Hobley

      RESOURCES
      • GTA 6 lands PlayStation 5 marketing deal, as Take-Two head implies PC is not Rockstar's "core" audience | Eurogamer.net
      •  Xbox Presents: A Special Look at Stranger Than Heaven – Everything We Learned (Including Snoop Dogg’s Role!)
      • Asha Sharma admits "Xbox needs to move faster", as new CEO begins "winding down Copilot on mobile" and ceases its development on consoles | Eurogamer.net
      • Star Fox Has Been Revealed And It's A Star Fox 64 Remake
        • CREDITS
        • 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
        • 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
        • 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
        • 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

          • 👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK

          Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

          42 min
        • Saros Impressions, Resident Evil Movie News & Blood of Dawnwalker Release Date | Arcade Couch

          Dylan shares his impressions of Saros so far and discusses the latest gaming news and upcoming releases for May 2026 with Ashley.

          SHOW DOT POINTS

          • Saros is a follow-up to Returnal with new gameplay mechanics.
          • The game features a mix of story and exploration.
          • Boss fights in Saros have multiple stages that increase in complexity.
          • The pacing of Saros allows for breaks and upgrades between runs.
          • Comparisons to Returnal highlight differences in difficulty and structure.
          • The Resident Evil movie aims to tell a new story within the franchise.
          • Audience expectations can impact their enjoyment of adaptations.
          • Creative freedom in adaptations can lead to unique storytelling.
          • The film's release is generating positive buzz among fans.
          • Fast production turnaround shows the director's commitment. Blood of Dawnwalker is set to release on September 3rd.
          • The game features a unique hybrid gameplay mechanic.
          • Players can choose to complete the plot or explore romance options.
          • The game is developed by a team with a strong pedigree from CD Projekt Red.
          • The setting of Blood of Dawnwalker is distinct from The Witcher.
          • The hosts express excitement about the upcoming May game releases.
          • There is a competitive landscape with titles like Fable and Grand Theft Auto 6.
          • The gameplay allows for distinct player experiences based on choices.
          • Community engagement is encouraged for feedback on anticipated games.
          • The hosts are cautiously optimistic about the upcoming releases.

            • YOUR HOSTS

            🎙️ Dylan Blight
            🎙️ Ashley Hobley 

            RESOURCES
            • Dark fantasy vampire RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker gets a release date and an autumn showdown with Fable | Eurogamer.net
            • https://press-start.com.au/news/2026/05/01/the-first-trailer-for-zach-creggers-resident-evil-movie-is-here/
            • Games Coming Out In May 2026 That You Should Be Excited For
              • CREDITS
              • 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
              • 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
              • 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
              • 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

                • 👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK

                Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

                41 min
              • Tides of Tomorrow Review, Elden Ring Movie Cast & Black Flag Remake News | Arcade Couch

                We discuss the Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake, Tides of Tomorrow, and Vampire Crawlers.

                • SHOW DOT POINTS
                  • The remake of Assassin's Creed Black Flag is highly anticipated.
                • Black Flag was a turning point for the Assassin's Creed franchise.
                • Shuhei Yoshida's departure reflects a shift in PlayStation's direction.
                • Xbox Game Pass is undergoing significant changes, including a price drop.
                • Nintendo is adjusting its pricing strategy for digital games.
                • Splatoon Raiders is set to release as a single-player-focused game.
                • The gaming industry is seeing a resurgence of interest in remakes.
                • The future of Xbox exclusives remains uncertain under new leadership.
                • The Elden Ring film is generating excitement among fans.
                • The hosts emphasise the importance of storytelling in games. A24 is investing heavily in the Elden Ring adaptation.
                • The cast for the Elden Ring film is impressive and diverse.
                • Adapting video game lore into film presents unique challenges.
                • Vampire Crawlers offers addictive gameplay reminiscent of its predecessor.
                • Tides of Tomorrow explores interconnected narratives and player choices.
                • The mechanics of Tides of Tomorrow reflect real-world issues.
                • Player decisions in Tides of Tomorrow impact future gameplay experiences.
                • Vampire Crawlers introduces card-based mechanics to dungeon crawling.
                • The hosts express excitement for the upcoming game releases.
                • The conversation highlights the evolving relationship between games and film.

                  • YOUR HOSTS

                  🎙️ Dylan Blight
                  🎙️ Ashley Hobley
                  🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

                  EPISODE TIMECODES
                  • 00:00:00 - Intro
                  • 00:00:36 - Assassin's Creed Black Flag - Resynced
                  • 00:10:14 - Shuhei Yoshida Says He Was Fired
                  • 00:15:30 - Xbox Lowers Price of Game Pass Ultimate
                  • 00:21:35 - Splatoon Raiders Release Date
                  • 00:24:20 - Elden Ring Movie Begins Shooting
                  • 00:31:50 - Vampire Crawlers Impressions
                  • 00:40:50 - Tides Of Tomorrow Review
                  • 00:49:45 - Outro
                    • RESOURCES
                      • We've officially seen "ground-up remake" Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced in action | Eurogamer.net
                        • "I want to make the right decision, not the fastest decision" - Xbox's new boss Asha Sharma refuses to rule out the return of exclusive games
                          • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Just Got A Massive Price Drop And Here's The New Aussie Pricing
                            • Splatoon Raiders Just Got A Release Date And 3 New Amiibo Are Coming Too
                            • Elden Ring movie cast announced, with Alien: Romulus, The Last of Us and Ex Machina actors all on board | Eurogamer.net
                              • CREDITS
                              • 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
                              • 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
                              • 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
                              • 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

                                • 👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK

                                Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

                                51 min
                              • Is Gaming Too Obsessed With Remakes? + Metro 2039 & Street Fighter Movie News | Arcade Couch

                                We debate whether video game remakes/remasters are killing the industry and holding it back from bigger things.

                                SHOW DOT POINTS

                                • Nostalgia can hinder innovation in gaming.
                                • Remakes are often more financially viable for publishers.
                                • There are still many original games being released.
                                • The gaming industry is risk-averse, favouring known properties.
                                • Development timelines have become excessively long.
                                • Creative direction is crucial for timely game production.
                                • Hiring more staff could alleviate development bottlenecks.
                                • The gaming community is still young and evolving.
                                • Stories in games are often retold, similar to other media.
                                • Metro 2039 reflects real-world issues and challenges. Metro Exodus introduces a new protagonist named Artem.
                                • The Street Fighter film aims to capture the essence of the game.
                                • The trailer for the Street Fighter film received positive feedback.
                                • Lana Del Rey will perform the title song for the Bond game.
                                • The return of composer David Arnold adds credibility to the Bond game.
                                • Wind Rose offers a unique pirate adventure experience.
                                • The game allows for both single-player and co-op gameplay.
                                • Community reactions to games can vary widely.
                                • The importance of character development in video games is emphasized.
                                • The hosts reflect on their different methods of discovering new games.

                                  • YOUR HOSTS

                                  🎙️ Dylan Blight
                                  🎙️ Ashley Hobley
                                  🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

                                  RESOURCES
                                  • Metro 2039 Is A Brand New Metro Game Influenced By Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine
                                  • Street Fighter film gets new trailer full of roundhouses and explosions, plus a spot of mournful karaoke | Eurogamer.net
                                    • 007 First Light title song will be performed by Lana Del Rey, while Bond film composer David Arnold returns to franchise after almost two decades | Eurogamer.net
                                      CREDITS
                                      • 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
                                      • 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
                                      • 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
                                      • 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

                                        • 👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK

                                        Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

                                        49 min
                                      • Disney & Epic Games Team-Up, Gran Turismo 7 Player Scans & Pokémon Champions Impressions | Arcade Couch Podcast

                                        Dylan and Ashley discuss the news surrounding Disney and Epic Games teaming up for a new crossover, in addition to the current Fortnite one. 

                                        Plus, Dylan dives into Pokémon Champions, gives his wrap-up thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem, and talks to Ashley about the latest idea from PlayStation—adding scans of real people to their games.

                                        SHOW DOT POINTS

                                        • Dylan expresses frustration over being called the 'Easter Grinch' for missing a podcast.
                                        • Ashley finds the idea of a Disney IP-based extraction shooter to be bizarre.
                                        • Dylan recalls the combat mechanics of Disney Infinity as a precedent for how Disney characters fight.
                                        • The duo discusses the potential revenue impact of Disney's partnership with Epic Games.
                                        • Dylan criticises Epic Games for laying off employees despite upcoming collaborations with Disney.
                                        • Ashley highlights the importance of vetting participants in Sony's new player engagement initiative.
                                        • Dylan questions the motivations behind Sony's player base initiative.
                                        • Ashley suggests that the initiative could be a way to promote Gran Turismo 7.
                                        • Dylan and Ashley joke about the absurdity of interview answers for the player base initiative.
                                        • The conversation reflects on the evolving landscape of gaming and corporate strategies. The film Exit 8 has received critical acclaim, achieving a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
                                        • Resident Evil's gameplay effectively balances action and survival horror elements.
                                        • The pacing between characters in Resident Evil enhances the overall experience.
                                        • Pokémon Champions allows for extensive customisation of Pokémon stats and moves.
                                        • The game introduces a new competitive format for Pokémon battles.
                                        • Players can bring their Pokémon from previous games into Pokémon Champions.
                                        • The game features a unique mechanic where players can see their opponent's team before battle.
                                        • Pokémon Champions aims to be the new standard for competitive Pokémon play.
                                        • The meta in competitive Pokémon will evolve with new game releases.
                                        • The launch of Pokémon Champions has faced some technical issues, but it shows promise.

                                          • YOUR HOSTS

                                          🎙️ Dylan Blight
                                          🎙️ Ashley Hobley

                                          RESOURCES
                                          • Fortnite's Toy Story Crossover Is Taking Things To Infinity And Beyond
                                          • A Disney-Themed Extraction Shooter Is Reportedly In Development
                                          • PlayStation Fans Can Now Be Scanned Into Games
                                          • Exit 8 Is Now The Highest Rated Video Game Film Adaptation Ever
                                          • Exit 8 Review [MIFF 2025] - Explosion Network
                                            • CREDITS
                                            • 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
                                            • 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
                                            • 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
                                            • 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

                                              • 👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK

                                              Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

                                              47 min
                                            • The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Splits Internet & New The Lord of The Rings Games In Development

                                              The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is already proving to be a big success at the box office, but its quality is splitting the internet. Embracer may have 2 prominent studios working on The Lord of the Rings games, and Ciaran shares his impressions of Screamer

                                              YOUR HOSTS

                                              🎙️ Ashley Hobley
                                              🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

                                              CONTENT MENTIONED

                                              The Super Mario Galaxy Movie - Starts Better & Then Ends Worse | Animated Wonders

                                              EPISODE TIMECODES

                                              00:00:00 - Intro

                                              00:01:41 - The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Makes Money Despite Reviews
                                              00:07:59 - Amazon want Mass Effect TV Series rewritten to appeal to non- gamers
                                              00:12:39 - Embracer May Have 2 Lord of the Rings games in the works
                                              00:25:12 - 2025 Xbox Games Showcase Date Has Been Locked In
                                              00:33:39 - Xbox FanFest Is Coming to Sydney in 2026
                                              00:36:44 - Peak Devs Say 'Any Update Is a Bonus, Not a Right.'
                                              00:40:19 - Mass Layoffs at Eidos Montreal After Game Cancellation
                                              00:44:36 - Ciaran’s Screamer Impressions
                                              00:50:45 - outro

                                              RESOURCES
                                                • The Super Mario Galaxy Movie breaks records with $34m opening despite "unfavourable" reviews
                                                • Mass Effect TV show ordered to rewrite scripts and make them "more appealing to non-gamers"
                                                  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance Devs Working on LOTR Game, It's Claimed 
                                                    • Following rumours of Warhorse Studios visiting Middle-earth, Tomb Raider developer 
                                                      • EXCLUSIVE: Veteran Studio Working On New Lord of the Rings Game 
                                                        • The 2026 Xbox Games Showcase Has Been Dated Alongside A Direct For Gears Of War: E-Day
                                                        •  Xbox FanFest is coming to Australia later in 2026 | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and Games
                                                        • Peak devs remind players that 'any update is a bonus not a right'
                                                        • Eidos Montreal To Lay Off 124 Employees
                                                        • EXCLUSIVE: Eidos Montreal Cancels 7+ Year In-Development Title That Cost Hundreds of Millions
                                                          CREDITS
                                                          • 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
                                                          • 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
                                                          • 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
                                                          • 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

                                                            • 👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK

                                                            Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

                                                            52 min
                                                          • Life is Strange: Reunion Impressions, PS5 Price Increase & Xbox Partner Preview Breakdown

                                                            We discuss Life is Strange: Reunion, impressions, and its lack of marketing, go over the recent PlayStation console price increase, and break down the Xbox Partner Preview.

                                                            SHOW DOT POINTS

                                                            • PlayStation has increased the prices of its consoles due to global economic pressures.
                                                            • Early adopters of gaming consoles benefit from price increases for new buyers.
                                                            • Nintendo's pricing strategy for digital vs physical games may influence consumer choices.
                                                            • The Xbox showcase featured several new game announcements, but overall reactions were mixed.
                                                            • The Super Mario Bros Galaxy movie is set to release soon, generating excitement among fans.
                                                            • Digital games often provide a cost advantage over physical copies, especially for Nintendo titles.
                                                            • The gaming industry is adapting to economic challenges by adjusting pricing strategies.
                                                            • Collectors value physical copies of games, particularly for Nintendo consoles.
                                                            • Marketing strategies for game releases are evolving, with teasers and character reveals becoming common.
                                                            • The potential for a Smash Bros-style movie is a topic of speculation among fans. Nintendo and Illumination could create a cinematic universe.
                                                            • Excitement for the new animated movie is palpable.
                                                            • Concerns about the upcoming film having too many characters.
                                                            • Yoshi's presence in the movie is a highlight for fans.
                                                            • Star Fox's return is a significant topic in gaming news.
                                                            • The gaming industry is facing major layoffs and closures.
                                                            • Ocarina of Time remake could be a big deal for fans.
                                                            • The future of live service games is uncertain.
                                                            • The impact of Fortnite's decline on the gaming industry is concerning.
                                                            • Upcoming releases like Pokémon Champions are generating buzz.

                                                              • YOUR HOSTS

                                                              🎙️ Dylan Blight
                                                              🎙️ Ashley Hobley

                                                              EPISODE TIMECODES

                                                              00:00:00 - Intro

                                                              00:01:10 - Console Price Increases
                                                              00:14:25 - Xbox Partner Showcase: March 2026
                                                              00:28:25 - Fox McLoud is in Mario Galaxy Movie
                                                              00:34:20 - New StarFox & Ocarina of Time Remake Rumours
                                                              00:42:25 - Studio Clorsures & Layoffs
                                                              00:52:10 - Life is Strange: Reunion Impressions

                                                              RESOURCES
                                                              • Here's The New Aussie Prices For The PS5, PS5 Pro And PlayStation Portal
                                                              • Nintendo Switch 2 Game Prices Are Changing With Digital Games To Be Cheaper
                                                              • Everything Announced At The March 2026 Xbox Partner Preview
                                                              • All-new Star Fox and Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake reportedly set for Switch 2 release this year | Eurogamer.net
                                                              • Glen Powell is voicing Starfox's Fox McCloud in the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy movie | Eurogamer.net
                                                              • Wanderstop studio Ivy Road to close after funding for second game "didn't come to fruition" | Eurogamer.net
                                                              • Krafton cancels F2P PUBG spin-off PUBG: Blindspot after just 2 months | Eurogamer.net
                                                              • Fortnite-maker Epic Games lays off another 1,000 staff
                                                                • CREDITS
                                                                • 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
                                                                • 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
                                                                • 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
                                                                • 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

                                                                  • 👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK

                                                                  Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

                                                                  1 hr 6 min
                                                                • Are We Playing Real Games Anymore? DLSS 5 Discussion

                                                                  We discuss DLSS 5 and how it's adding to the AI slopness of the game industry.

                                                                  SHOW DOT POINTS

                                                                  • The introduction of DLSS5 has sparked significant backlash from gamers.
                                                                  • AI technology in gaming can alter the original artistic intent of games.
                                                                  • NVIDIA's DLSS5 aims to enhance graphics but raises concerns about photorealism.
                                                                  • The gaming industry is experiencing a wave of layoffs and restructuring.
                                                                  • Ubisoft's Red Storm Entertainment has shifted focus to tech support roles.
                                                                  • Crystal Dynamics has faced multiple rounds of layoffs in a year.
                                                                  • Leadership indecisiveness can lead to repeated layoffs and restructuring.
                                                                  • The gaming community is critical of unnecessary technological advancements.
                                                                  • There is a call for better management practices in gaming studios.
                                                                  • The future of beloved franchises like Splinter Cell remains uncertain. The wealthy elite often rely on bonuses to maintain their lifestyle.
                                                                  • Japanese publisher Atlas is raising salaries and reducing overtime.
                                                                  • Staff retention is crucial for efficient game development.
                                                                  • The rapid release of games in Japan contrasts with Western studios.
                                                                  • Anticipation for Persona Six is high among fans.
                                                                  • Starfield is set to release on PS5 soon.
                                                                  • Nintendo Switch 2 has received a notable update.
                                                                  • Refunding games on Steam can be a necessary choice.
                                                                  • Supporting indie developers is important for the gaming ecosystem.
                                                                  • April is packed with exciting game releases.

                                                                    • YOUR HOSTS

                                                                    🎙️ Dylan Blight
                                                                    🎙️ Ashley Hobley
                                                                    🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

                                                                    CREDITS
                                                                    • 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
                                                                    • 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
                                                                    • 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
                                                                    • 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

                                                                      • 👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK

                                                                      Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

                                                                      47 min
                                                                    • What Is Xbox's Plan For The Future?

                                                                      We discuss the future of Xbox with their upcoming hybrid PC/Console and what that means for their games.

                                                                      YOUR HOSTS

                                                                      🎙️ Dylan Blight
                                                                      🎙️ Ashley Hobley

                                                                      RESOURCES
                                                                      • The First Xbox Project Helix Details Have Been Revealed And Xbox Mode Is Coming To All PCs
                                                                      • Yoshi And The Mysterious Book's Release Date Has Been Revealed Alongside A Gorgeous New Trailer
                                                                      • South of Midnight debuts on PS5 and Switch 2 later this month | Eurogamer.net
                                                                        • CREDITS
                                                                        • 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
                                                                        • 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
                                                                        • 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
                                                                        • 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

                                                                          • 👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK

                                                                          Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

                                                                          36 min

                                                                        About Arcade Couch

                                                                        From the publisher's feed

                                                                        Arcade Couch — News, reviews & spicy takes on the week in games.

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