Between The Joysticks

In this episode, we discuss the closure of BioWare. We look at how we got to this point while celebrating the impact this top-tier RPG studio had on us and the broader gaming landscape. We also touch on the leaked Mass Effect trailer and where the franchise can go from here—if anywhere. Next, Freddy gives us an update on the League of Legends World Championships, where things are looking dire for Team Liquid. Finally, Nick shares his full review of Star Wars Zero Company and returns to Night City in the latest update for Cyberpunk 2077. Thanks for listening!

Intro: Mass Effect 2

5 Things:

- Email!

- BioWare Closes

- League of Legends World Championship Update

- Star Wars Zero Company

- Cyberpunk 2077 2.5 Edgerunner’s Update

Questions or comments? Please send emails to [email protected].

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Another week brings you another discovered audio log in the ruins of the once-beautiful utopia, Rapture. Freddy and Nick break down the iconic 2007 video game in a long-form discussion. We also dive into this week’s news with an update from the League of Legends World Championship and unpack the new launch trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI and its incredible original track. Finally, Nick reviews the Street Fighter movie, we talk about our current and future thoughts around the PlayStation Portal, and Freddy gives the highest recommendation for the TV show Slow Horses. All this and much more! Thanks for listening.

Intro: Bioshock

6 Things:

- Grand Theft Auto VI Launch Trailer & The Making of Grand Theft Auto VI by Jason Schreier

- League of Legend’s World Championship Breakdown

- Street Fighter Movie Review

- PlayStation Portal

- Bioshock

- Slow Horses

Questions or comments? Please send emails to [email protected].

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This episode isn't as long as our last supersized show, but it’s just as meaty and packed with game-fueled discussion!

First up, we tackle a massive mailbag covering a wide range of community topics:

Is physical media officially dead?

How do you tackle a massive backlog of video games?

Which game is truly worthy of being your 100th Platinum (or Mythic) trophy?

Next, Freddy breaks down the US Finals for League of Legends, which delivered plenty of wild, failed strategies and postseason controversy. Then Nick reviews Control Resonant—can Remedy save him from his recent sequel slump? Freddy also brings a surprise out of left field with SWORN, the Hades-inspired 4-player co-op action roguelike. Finally, we close out by discussing AI in game development and the radio beats you’ll be listening to while tearing through Vice City in GTA 6. Thanks for listening!

Intro: Control Resonant

6 Things:

- Email!

- League of Legend’s LCS Finals Breakdown

- Control Resonant

- Sworn

- AI Mashups and PlayStation Running Locally on PC

- Rockstar Teases Grand Theft Auto VI Radio Stations

Questions or comments? Please send emails to [email protected].

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Can somebody stop us?! In a massive, nearly 3-hour episode, we dive deep into all things video games.

Freddy has accumulated quite a few Platinum trophies lately, and we dive deep into his trophy list and what it says about him. We also discover he's secretly deep into the League of Legends competitive scene, so he breaks down all the action and storylines heading into the LCS Finals this weekend.

Plus, we unpack the latest Naughty Dog news and rumors, react to IGN's updated Top 25 PS5 Games list, and Nick gives his hands-on impressions of Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse. All this and much more in our biggest episode yet! Thanks for listening.

Intro: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

6 Things:

- Freddy’s Platinum Trophy Breakdown

- Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse [Demo]

- League of Legends LCS Summer Finals

- Naughty Dog: The Last of Us Day + Uncharted Sequel Rumors + Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

- ARC Raiders & Marathon Move to PvE (or PvPvE)

- IGN’s Top 25 PS5 Games

Questions or comments? Please send emails to [email protected].

Follow us on Twitter @JoysticksPod

Subscribe to us on Youtube @BetweenTheJoysticks

We outdid ourselves again! In an even longer, supersized episode, Nick gives his early impressions of the hot new release, Control Resonant. Is Remedy's latest action title enough to get the lingering bad taste of Marvel’s Wolverine out of his mouth?

We also dive into the biggest industry news of the week: Xbox continues its massive internal reset, shuffling studios across divisions and making the shocking move to transfer the Halo franchise over to Activision.

Then, we tackle two major discussion topics:

Is physical media officially dead for video games?

What is the perfect timeline from game announcement to launch day?

Finally, we wrap up the show by reading YOUR listener emails about backlog strategies and community impressions of Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Thanks for listening!

Intro: Control Resonant

6 Things:

- XBOX Reset Continues

- Control Resonant

- Is Physical Dead?

- Perfect Video Game Timeline

- Resident Evil (2026 Movie)

- Email!

Questions or comments? Please send emails to [email protected].

Follow us on Twitter @JoysticksPod

Subscribe to us on Youtube @BetweenTheJoysticks

We went even longer than last week in this supersized episode! That's what happens when we sharpen our claws and fangs with Nick’s review of Marvel’s Wolverine and Freddy’s deep impressions of The Blood of Dawnwalker.

We also dive into the biggest industry news of the week: Hideo Kojima's PHYSINT casts its lead, Bungie opens up the Disney Content Vault to bring back original campaign content and expansions, and Tokyo Game Show 2026 comes to a close.

We talked for so long we actually had to cut topics from the show! Thanks for listening!

Intro: Marvel’s Wolverine

5 Things:

- Tokyo Game Show 2026

- PHYSINT Casts Bill Skarsgård

- Bungie Continuing Development on Marathon & Destiny 2

- Marvel’s Wolverine

- The Blood of Dawnwalker

Questions or comments? Please send emails to [email protected].

Follow us on Twitter @JoysticksPod

Subscribe to us on Youtube @BetweenTheJoysticks

A new week means even more games coming out and a stacked lineup of showcases to cover! In this episode, we break down both of the dual Nintendo Directs and dive into all the big news out of BlizzCon.

We also discuss our strategies for tackling our ever-increasing video game backlogs and answer YOUR listener emails. Plus, in disappointing PlayStation news, we react to the latest updates on Marvel's Wolverine and discuss Hideo Kojima’s next project heading to Xbox.

Finally, we wrap up with what we’ve been playing lately, including Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, Sifu, and Hades II. Thanks for listening!

Intro: The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct

6 Things:

- Backlogs & YOUR Emails!

- September 2026 Nintendo Direct

- Blizzcon

- PlayStation Woes: Wolverine Review Round-Up & PHYSINT published by XBOX

- Hades II & Sifu

- Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

Questions or comments? Please send emails to [email protected].

Follow us on Twitter @JoysticksPod

Subscribe to us on Youtube @BetweenTheJoysticks

Welcome to a new era of Between The Joysticks! A brand-new co-host joins the show to help bring you the absolute best gaming commentary in the galaxy. And the help is much needed, because showcase season is in full swing.

PlayStation and Nintendo are doubling down with simultaneous presentation news. We break down the latest State of Play / Japan State of Play highlights and lay out our predictions for the upcoming dual Nintendo Directs.

Plus, Nick gives his early hands-on impressions of Star Wars Zero Company, while our new co-host shares some serious concerns about the future of Guerrilla Games. A must-listen episode!

Thanks for listening!

Intro: Mass Effect 2

6 Things:

- Interviewing the New Co-Host

- Our Favorite Gamescom ONL Highlights

- September 2026 State of Play Breakdown

- Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary & Nintendo Direct Predictions

- Star Wars Zero Company Impressions

- Horizon Hunters Gathering & The Future of Guerrilla Games

Questions or comments? Please send emails to [email protected].

Follow us on Twitter @JoysticksPod

Subscribe to us on Youtube @BetweenTheJoysticks

In this special episode, I spend the entire show breaking down what I saw and heard about the Grand Theft Auto VI Extended Look. I break down the changes and influence of Red Dead Redemption 2 including the morality system, being hunted by the cops and the relationship between Lucia and Jason. This is a special moment and I am excited to share it with you. Thanks for listening.

Intro: Grand Theft Auto VI

1 BIG Thing:

- Grand Theft Auto VI Extended Look

Questions or comments? Please send emails to [email protected].

Follow us on Twitter @JoysticksPod

Subscribe to us on Youtube @BetweenTheJoysticks

In this marathon of an episode, I talk for over an hour about all things video games! We are right in the thick of showcase season, with massive titles dropping and the gaming world on the edge of its seat for an extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI. However, this episode is focused on one massive event: Gamescom 2026 and its opening showcase, Opening Night Live. What are my thoughts on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past, Mariachi Legends, Ananta, Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons, and more? Tune in to find out!

Intro: Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026

1 BIG Things:

- Gamescom Opening Night Live

Questions or comments? Please send emails to [email protected].

Follow us on Twitter @JoysticksPod

Subscribe to us on Youtube @BetweenTheJoysticks