Lumines Arise is finally here, and Brad delivers his full review—explaining why this entry may be the definitive Lumines experience. He’s also been deep into Anno 117: Pax Romana and shares his thoughts on how this historic city-builder stacks up. Valve has announced an exciting slate of new hardware set to release next year. We break down the lineup and which devices Brad plans to pick up on day one. We take a look at The Game Awards 2025 nominees and discuss whether Expedition 33 is receiving more praise than it may deserve. Meanwhile, Tim Sweeney made headlines for publicly embarrassing himself while reacting to Eurogamer’s Arc Raiders review, and even Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 appears to be dipping into generative AI for its development. We touch on the strange situation surrounding Ubisoft suspending share trading and what it might signal. We also give our impressions of the leaked set photos from the upcoming Legend of Zelda movie. To wrap things up, we evaluate IGN and Nintendo Life’s rankings of the greatest Nintendo games of all time—and where we agree, disagree, and outright question their picks.

Brad and Terrence have successfully dragged Micah into the BallXPit, but the real question is—how much is he actually enjoying it? Square Enix reveals plans to use AI for quality assurance testing by 2027, raising serious questions about whether buggy code can really fix buggy code. We break down what this shift means for developers, players, and the future of game testing. Rockstar Games is once again under fire after firing over 30 employees, with reports suggesting that union-busting may be the real motive behind the mass layoffs. We discuss the implications this has for worker rights across the gaming industry. In a wide-ranging Post Office segment, we chat about diving into PC building for the first time, the realities of fatherhood, and a fun detour into Nicholas Cage.

Brad takes a break from run-based games and discovers Chained Echoes, a phenomenal old-school-style RPG that blends nostalgic charm with modern design. He shares what makes it one of the most rewarding hidden gems in the genre. Carrie gives a spoiler-free discussion about Hades II, highlighting the smart changes Supergiant Games made to the game’s ending and how it improves on the original's flaws. Micah and Terrence share their disappointment with The Outer Worlds 2, sparking a broader conversation about why Obsidian Entertainment is one of the most polarizing developers in gaming. We also dive into Rockstar Games’ blatant case of union-busting, examining how the company’s actions contradict its public stance on labor rights and developer treatment. Finally, a free-flowing Post Office segment takes us through discussions on the frustrations with sports media rights, WWE’s confusing current strategy, and which foods keep fast food chains alive.

Carrie gives her full review of Pokémon Legends: Z to A after finishing the game, breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and why it might be one of the most ambitious Pokémon titles yet. Terrence delivers his in-depth Ninja Gaiden 4 review, diving into how it compares to previous entries in the series and whether it lives up to the legacy of Team Ninja’s classic action franchise. We discuss Microsoft’s latest questionable strategic moves after revelations that Xbox is chasing an unrealistic 30% profit margin — and what this means for players and developers alike. Meanwhile, the Trump administration and ICE have co-opted yet another beloved video game property for propaganda purposes to advance their racist aims. Ubisoft is asking employees to voluntarily leave before upcoming layoffs, and Nintendo surprises fans with a long-awaited move — releasing a vinyl soundtrack that has collectors buzzing.

Brad and Terrence are completely hooked on BallXPit and dive into why it’s their latest gaming obsession. They also share their impressions of Absolum and Hades 2, discussing what makes each title stand out. Carrie is deep into her creature-collecting era, splitting time between Digimon Story: Time Stranger and Pokémon Legends: ZtoA. She explains why both games are delivering exactly what fans of the genre have been waiting for. In gaming news, Ubisoft has reportedly canceled a planned Assassin’s Creed game set during the Reconstruction era. We discuss why this decision feels cowardly, the industry’s reluctance to handle meaningful historical topics, and whether Ubisoft could have been trusted to do it justice in the first place. We also remember legendary developer Tomonobu Itagaki following his passing, discuss concerning Nintendo and Discord hacks shaking the industry, and ask the hard-hitting question: why can’t America get Street Fighter-themed burgers?

Micah has been completely consumed by Ghost of Yotei and breaks down how it improves on its predecessor. He explains what’s new, what’s changed, and why this follow-up has him more hooked than ever. Brad has a public service announcement for gamers: stay away from Megabonk if you value your free time! He explains why this deceptively addictive game might derail your entire gaming schedule. We also dive into the biggest news of the week — Xbox’s shocking 50% price hike for Game Pass Ultimate. We analyze what’s behind Microsoft’s strategy, how it impacts players, and whether this could alienate their most loyal fan base. Finally, Capcom manages to fumble with a major misstep as they plan to charge pay-per-view rates for major tournaments — a move so controversial that even Street Fighter 6’s director is publicly criticizing it.

We’re once again packed with fresh game impressions, including Metroid Prime Remastered, Deep Rock Galactic Survivor, and Borderlands 4. The spotlight shines on Hades 2, as Carrie shares her thoughts after rolling credits and why this sequel is dominating the conversation. The biggest bombshell of the week: the Saudi Arabian government, alongside Jared Kushner, has purchased Electronic Arts for $55 billion. We dive into what this means for EA’s immediate outlook—and why it could spell serious trouble for the publisher’s long-term future. Microsoft has raised hardware prices yet again, fueling frustrations about gaming affordability. Meanwhile, Doug Bowser is officially retiring from Nintendo - was he really there for only 6 years? We also break down the latest news in entertainment and gaming, including the casting of the next James Bond and why Monster Hunter Wilds has us stepping back—for now.

This week we break down the massive Nintendo Direct, packed with major announcements including a Super Mario Galaxy series re-release, Mario Tennis Fever, Hades 2’s 1.0 release, a Dragon Quest VII remake, and the long-awaited release date for Metroid Prime 4 Beyond. Oh, and yes—the Virtual Boy is back in some form. Steam has added new restrictions after pressure from payment processors, now banning early access games with adult content. We discuss why this is another step toward broader video game censorship. Fortnite has introduced a big change to how players purchase V-Bucks, and it’s a consumer-friendly move we hope more publishers adopt. Meanwhile, Sega is caught in one of the strangest stories of the year—using the London Police Department to harass a random individual after their own corporate screw-up. We wrap up with a fun Post Office segment where we talk about our favorite video game side quests, along with our favorite video game books.

This week we’re loaded with game impressions, covering everything from Touhou Farming ~ Minoriko’s Homestead Harvest and Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots to Donkey Kong Bananza, Timberborn, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, Metal Gear Solid 3 Delta, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Hollow Knight: Silksong has been the biggest talking point in gaming, and Terrence shares his hands-on impressions. We dive into the massive player counts at launch and debate whether Silksong’s incredible value might actually be hurting other indie developers. In a surprising move, the Saudi government has acquired a controlling stake in the EVO tournament. We discuss what this means for the fighting game community and future competition. Nintendo has won a lawsuit against a modder who chose to represent themselves in court, leading to disastrous results. Finally, Micah and Brad break down the extended gameplay reveal for 007: First Light.

Micah’s Donkey Kong Bananza adventure has hit a roadblock—his son has now taken over the game, leaving him stuck early on in the journey. Brad is attempting to use Beat Saber as an alternative way into fitness after a long battle with disinterest in exercise. Can VR rhythm gaming actually help build healthy habits? The crew breaks down last week’s Gamescom event, which left them feeling underwhelmed by most announcements. Has the AAA industry drifted too far from what we actually want? The biggest headline of the week came from the long-awaited reveal of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release date, and it’s arriving sooner than expected. Sony has finally raised the price of the PlayStation 5 in the U.S., citing tariff pressures. We explore what this means for consumers and the broader console market. We also cover weeks of upheaval at Cloud Chamber, the current Bioshock developer, and the addition of Rod Fergusson to steady the project. This sparks a deeper conversation about why so few games strive to deliver meaningful narratives despite the medium’s storytelling potential. In the Post Office, we dive into legendary gaming myths and the shocking ringside behavior of Raja Jackson at a recent wrestling show.