Cheesy Controller Podcast

In this episode of the Cheesy Controller Podcast, the crew dives into a packed week of gaming news and what they’ve been playing. They start by discussing the unfortunate layoffs at the studio behind EA’s revival of Skate, and what it could mean for the future of the long-awaited skating comeback. From there, they react to the first look at the upcoming God of War show—and let’s just say the early impressions leave them with… concerns.

The conversation shifts to the Pokémon Presents celebrating the Pokémon 30th anniversary, breaking down the announcements, surprises, and what it might mean for the franchise moving forward. Chris also checks in with his early impressions of Resident Evil Requiem, sharing his thoughts now that he’s reached the halfway point of the game.

Meanwhile, Anton talks about jumping into the Marathon Server Slam ahead of launch week and whether the experience has him excited or cautious about Bungie’s upcoming shooter. The hosts also attempt to start their nostalgic journey through Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen, though their busy gaming schedules mean progress has been… limited. Finally, they wrap things up with a discussion about Monster Hunter Wilds and some of the brutal endgame challenges that might be the toughest content the series has seen yet.

It’s a news-heavy episode full of reactions, early impressions, and the usual chaotic backlog struggles from the Cheesy Controller crew. 🧀🎮

On this week’s episode of The Cheesy Controller Podcast, the crew reacts to a seismic shake-up in the industry as Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond officially depart Xbox. What does this mean for the future of the brand, Game Pass, and Microsoft’s overall gaming strategy? The conversation gets even wilder as they break down PlayStation Studios surprisingly shutting down Bluepoint Games—a move that no one saw coming. Is this a pivot in Sony’s remake strategy, or a bigger restructuring behind the scenes?

The industry talk continues with a deep dive into Wildlight Interactive and the implications of their backing from Tencent. Is this just smart funding in a tough economy, or another sign of global consolidation in gaming?

On a more nostalgic note, the hosts share their genuine excitement over Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen potentially making their way to the Nintendo Switch, reliving Kanto memories and debating how these classics hold up today. Then it’s all about the future with the new trailer for Slay the Spire 2—new mechanics, new characters, and what the sequel needs to do to surpass the original indie darling.

Finally, they celebrate a massive milestone: NieR: Automata hitting 10 million copies sold over the last decade. The team reflects on its legacy, its unexpected staying power, and what these numbers could mean for the future of the franchise.

Big departures, shocking shutdowns, nostalgic ports, and hopeful sequels—this episode has a little bit of everything. Tune in and press start. 🧀🎮

In this episode of The Cheesy Controller, we dive deep into the massive February 2026 PlayStation State of Play, where Sony and its partners unveiled a ton of exciting titles and updates for PS5 and beyond. We kick things off discussing the gorgeous new adventure Kena: Scars of Kosmora and break down what makes its expanded world and mechanics so compelling. From ambitious PC ports like Death Stranding 2: On The Beach to fresh looks at co-op shooter 4:LOOP and the mysterious Pragmata gameplay, we cover the trailers and reveals that have fans buzzing. There’s nostalgia on the menu too, with highlights like Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered and the Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition, along with strategy RPG Brigandine Abyss and the revamped Dead or Alive 6: Last Round free-to-play version. We also chat about inventive newcomers like Crimson Moon and Beast of Reincarnation, the wild surprises from Konami including Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse and Silent Hill: Townfall, plus updates on co-op and stealth titles such as Yakoh Shinobi Ops and Project Windless. With a packed lineup of indie gems, remasters, big-budget adventures, and intriguing surprises, this episode breaks down all the biggest takeaways from one of the most jam-packed State of Play shows yet. 🧀🎮

The Cheesy Controller Podcast is back this week with a packed news episode full of surprises, leaks, and plenty of hype. The crew dives straight into the February 2026 Nintendo Partner Direct, breaking down all the biggest reveals and the games that caught them off guard the most. One of the standout announcements was Monster Hunter Stories 3, which immediately sparked speculation about new monsters, battle systems, and how deep the RPG mechanics might go this time around.

They also share hands-on impressions of the Pragmata demo on both PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch 2, comparing performance, visuals, and controller feel between the two platforms. The excitement ramps up even more with the confirmation that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is arriving on Switch 2 this June, leading to a passionate discussion about portability versus performance and whether this version could become the definitive way to play.

Not all the news is celebratory though, as the hosts react to the recent PlayStation ROM key leaks and what it could mean for digital ownership and security going forward. They also talk about the newly announced State of Play airing Thursday and speculate on potential reveals, while briefly celebrating Pokémon turning 30 and the wave of nostalgia that comes with it.

Outside of gaming, the conversation veers into pop culture with predictions for Super Bowl 2026, curiosity around the mysterious title Orbitals, and the long-awaited reveal of new Resident Evil amiibo figures. The episode wraps up with quick hits on the current state of Overwatch, the growing importance of Discord verification, and how online communities are continuing to evolve alongside the games themselves. It’s a fast-moving, info-packed episode filled with speculation, excitement, and just the right amount of cheesy banter. 🧀🎮

This week on the Cheesy Controller Podcast, the crew gathers to crown their Game of the Year for 2025, break down their personal Top 3 lists, and debate which titles truly defined their year in gaming. Before diving into the big awards, they also take time to celebrate the Best Old Games they played in 2025 — shout-outs go to Spider-Man 2, Mega Man 11, Fortnite, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Stardew Valley, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, Marvel Rivals, and Slay the Spire — proving that great games never really age. The hosts also run through a stacked list of Honorable Mentions including Lumines Arise, Hades 2, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Sword of the Sea, Chronos, Ghost of Yōtei, Sworn, and even a nostalgic nod to Oblivion.

From there, the competition heats up as everyone reveals their personal rankings. Anton’s Top 3 features Pokémon Legends ZA in the top spot, followed by Death Stranding 2 and Monster Hunter Wilds. Chris champions horror and atmosphere with Silent Hill f, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and South of Midnight. Madrid doubles down on Expedition 33 as his number one, with Hades 2 and Rematch rounding things out, while Jalen leads with Digimon Story: Time Stranger, backed by MegaBonk and Hades 2. After tallying the community point system, the final results reveal Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 taking the overall crown with 5 points, followed closely by Hades 2, Pokémon Legends ZA, Digimon Story: Time Stranger, and Silent Hill f all tying strong at 3 points each. It’s a packed episode full of passionate debates, surprising overlaps, and a clear reminder that 2025 was an incredible year to be a gamer. 🧀🎮

On this episode of the Cheesy Controller Podcast, the crew dives into the surprisingly smooth performance of Final Fantasy VII Remake on the Nintendo Switch 2, breaking down how well it runs, how it feels in handheld versus docked mode, and why it may be one of the most impressive ports yet. Madrid finally unboxes and sets up the Switch 2 he bought at launch eight months ago, sharing first impressions, setup struggles, and whether the wait made the experience sweeter or more painful. Meanwhile, Jalen gives early thoughts after spending the free weekend with No Rest for the Wicked on Steam, discussing gameplay feel, difficulty, and whether it’s earned a spot on their must-play list. 🧀🎮

On this episode of The Cheesy Controller Podcast, Anton does the unthinkable and blasts through Marvel Cosmic Invasion in one sitting, sharing what kept him locked in and whether the ride was worth the marathon session. Chris breaks down everything revealed in the January 2026 Resident Evil Showcase, reacting to the announcements, surprises, and what the future of the franchise is shaping up to look like.

The crew also checks in on what they’ve been playing lately, with Anton spinning up Kirby Air Riders and Chris revisiting the classic vibes of Pokémon Black & White. Everyone weighs in on the price and design of the newly revealed Pokémon LEGO sets, debating whether they’re must-buys or wallet nightmares.

To round things out, Madrid dives into One Piece card game hype and shares thoughts on Deadpool’s presence in Marvel Rivals, leading to plenty of laughs and spicy takes. It’s a packed episode full of impressions, reactions, and classic Cheesy Controller chaos 🧀🎮

This week on The Cheesy Controller Podcast, the crew is looking way ahead and locking in their most anticipated games of 2026 👀🎮

The episode kicks off with Anton unloading an absolutely stacked list, ranging from heavy hitters like Grand Theft Auto VI, Forza Horizon 6, Wolverine, and Pragmata, to Nintendo Switch 2 hype with Animal Crossing and Final Fantasy VII. He also dives deep into anime fighters, stylish action games, Pokémon’s future with Pokémon Champions and Generation 10, cozy vibes like Witchbrook, and plenty of wildcards that have him buzzing.

Next up, Madrid keeps things tight but spicy, spotlighting sleek action titles like Saros and Phantom Blade Zero, licensed surprises like a new Avatar fighting game and Star Wars: Galactic Racer, plus some intriguing wild picks that spark plenty of debate around the table.

Chris brings a mix of nostalgia, horror, and indie love, with excitement for Resident Evil Requiem, Fable, Scott Pilgrim EX, Haunted Chocolatier, and a bunch of quirky standouts like Mouse: P.I. For Hire and Felt That: Boxing. His list opens up some great conversations about tone, creativity, and why smaller games can steal the spotlight.

Finally, Jalen rounds things out with cinematic adventures and sci-fi hype, highlighting James Bond: First Light, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, The Expanse, and more Star Wars racing goodness, while backing a couple of indie favorites shared across the crew.

It’s a packed episode full of bold predictions, friendly arguments, shared hype, and a whole lot of 2026 optimism—so plug in, press play, and start building that future backlog 🧀🎮

On this episode of The Cheesy Controller Podcast, the crew dives back into Pokémon Legends: Z-A, sharing fresh thoughts, theories, and where their excitement levels are landing as the game continues to reveal more of itself. Anton also breaks down his experience upgrading his Switch 2 with a Micro SD Express card, talking storage speeds, practicality, and whether it’s worth the jump for early adopters.

Outside of games, the conversation shifts to anime with hype building around Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, including expectations, favorite arcs, and how the series continues to raise the bar. The crew also checks in on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, discussing its standout style, combat ideas, and why it keeps popping up in gaming conversations. To wrap things up, they somehow spiral into a surprisingly passionate discussion about 2026 wall calendars—from gaming themes to organization habits and why a good calendar still matters in a digital world. 🧀🎮

In this episode of The Cheesy Controller Podcast, Anton and Madrid dive back into the world of Pokémon Legends ZA, spending more time breaking down the Mega Dimension DLC, what it adds to the experience, and how it could shape the future of the game. From new mechanics to wild speculation, they dig into what’s working and what they’re still unsure about. The conversation then pivots to tech as the two compare different iPad models, weighing the pros and cons of each—performance, price, accessories, and who each model actually makes sense for. It’s a laid-back mix of gaming deep dives and real-world tech talk you won’t want to miss. 🧀🎮