In this Bonus Round we break down Evo Japan 2025. We chat about incredible third strike comebacks during the Cooperation Cup, along with the diversity of playstyles in both Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8. Along with the highs came some lows, particularly those technical difficulties that interrupted several matches. We also take issue with organizers sticking with PS5 consoles despite their well-documented overheating problems, making the case that competitive fighting game tournaments should really transition to PC setups to ensure fair play across the board.

Episode URL: [episode_short_url]

Hosts:

Andres Mirandes
twitter.com/CrashtagVS

Jeremiah Ward
twitter.com/mezzafgc

Gabriel Medina
twitter.com/StaticGorilla

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Bonus Round we discuss the rich and often overlooked lore of fighting games. Joined by Ambie Award-winner Aaron David Harris, we explore the narrative power behind iconic characters from Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tekken, and Guilty Gear. From family drama to mysterious origins, discover how story, design, and personal connection shape who we choose on the character select screen. Whether you're a casual fan or a hardcore FGC lore buff, this episode validates the storytelling genius hidden in every fighter.

Timestamps

04:04 Design and Story of Characters
11:08 Narrative Elements in Fighting Game Stories
18:21 Favorite Characters
22:57 Characters with Hidden Depth
30:15 Father FIgures in FIghting Games
34:34 Fighting Game Crossovers
40:58 World Building in Fighting Games
44:45 Joke Characters
51:20 Boss Characters and Villians

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3nv

Hosts:

Andres Mirandes
twitter.com/CrashtagVS

Jeremiah Ward
twitter.com/mezzafgc

Gabriel Medina
twitter.com/StaticGorilla

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lots happening in the FGC right now. We have Evo Japan registration numbers rolling in and showing another huge turnout for Street Fighter 6. We discuss why that could be, and also talk registration numbers for other games. We dig into the character showcase for City of the Wolves, and also discuss the current community feelings around the game and its characters. In the last 2 weeks Tekken 8 has been in turmoil. The season 2 patch seems to be killing interested in the game. Finally, we discuss Elena's World Tour trailer.

Timestamps

01:03 Evo Japan Entry Numbers
15:02 Is CotW the Strive of SNK?
17:21 City of the Wolves Character Showcase
24:18 Community Reaction to SNK Decisions
32:26 Tekken 8 in Shambles
40:30 Feelings on 2XKO Launch Status
45:37 SF6 Elena World Tour Reveal

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3ni

Hosts:

Andres Mirandes
twitter.com/CrashtagVS

Jeremiah Ward
twitter.com/mezzafgc

Gabriel Medina
twitter.com/StaticGorilla

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lots has happened over the last 2 weeks! We talk about the 2xKO Alpha Lab 2 coming over Easter weekend, featuring new characters and mechanics, and debate the pros and cons of launching with just ten characters. We recap our experience with CotW Beta 2, and discuss Ronaldo as a guest characters. We break down the intricacies of Venom in Guilty Gear Strive, discussing his playstyle and viability. We wrap up by recapping Ark World Tour 2024, including the final matches and the controversial decisions that impacted the competition.

Timestamps

00:01:35 2XKO Update
00:17:34 2XKO Alpha Lab 2 and Roster Size
00:41:11 CotW Beta 2 and Ronaldo
01:00:52 Guilty Gear Strive Venom
01:16:25 AWT 2024 Results

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3na

Hosts:

Andres Mirandes
twitter.com/CrashtagVS

Jeremiah Ward
twitter.com/mezzafgc

Gabriel Medina
twitter.com/StaticGorilla

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Bonus Round we welcome back Aaron David Harris to discuss what makes these fighting games we love so much special. We discuss what actually is a fighting game, the music and art of fighting games, and the unique fighting game community.

Timestamps

00:03:47 Defining Fighting Games
00:12:33 Music in Fighting Games
00:18:09 Competitive Spirit in Fighting Games
00:25:52 Unique Community
00:29:33 Challenge and Appeal of Difficulty
00:33:09 Complexity vs Accessibility
00:44:43 Lack of Originality and Diversity
00:57:13 Modern Trends in Fighting Games
01:12:13 Why FIghting Games will Endure

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3n6

Hosts:

Andres Mirandes
twitter.com/CrashtagVS

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Evo 2025 early registration reveals there might be a shake up in the big 3, with City of the Wolves taking 3rd place behind Street Fighter 6, and Tekken 8. We also talk about the cost of going to Evo 2025 and what would make it worth it. We move into some Guilty Gear Strive updates around Venom, Dual Rulers, and AWT finals. We talk about the T-1000 Kombat Kast and updates coming to other MK1 characters. Finally we get into changes coming to Capcom Cup 12.

Timestamps

01:20 Evo Registration Leaderboards
11:51 Evo 2025 Costs
34:47 T-1000 Kombat Kast
48:04 New Mechanics in MK1
59:21 Capcom Cup 12 Changes

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3n2

Hosts:

Andres Mirandes
twitter.com/CrashtagVS

Jeremiah Ward
twitter.com/mezzafgc

Gabriel Medina
twitter.com/StaticGorilla

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss the highlights and analysis of Capcom Cup 11, celebrating the triumphs and failures of the best Street Fighter 6 has to offer. We cover everything from the Grand Final's intense matchup between Blaz and Kakaru, to the controversial tournament format and the production elements; notably the shift to using PCs. Insights about specific matches, the variety of character picks, and the surprising performances from both seasoned veterans and new challengers like Blaz, a 15-year-old Ryu player. We discuss the tournament's success and its implications for the future of Street Fighter competition.

Timestamps

02:01 Event and Production
11:55 Tournament Format and Player Management
15:46 Group Stages
25:28 Group Stage Favorites
29:43 Top 16 and Grand Finals
41:00 Grand Finals
43:25 Final Thoughts

Episode URL: [episode_short_url]

Hosts:

Andres Mirandes
twitter.com/CrashtagVS

Gabriel Medina
twitter.com/StaticGorilla

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

City of the Wolves beta wrapped up, so we give our thoughts on the good and what needs to be addressed before launch. We discuss what's coming in Tekken 8 season 2 along with Anna Williams. We dig into new info from MK1 for T-1000 and Madam Bo as a kameo. Finally, Capcom Cup XI is this week, so we discuss our final predictions before the event.

Timestamps

01:22 CotW Beta Impressions
20:47 Tekken 8 Season 2
31:07 MK1 T-1000 and Madam Bo
40:48 Capcom Cup XI

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3mu

Hosts:

Andres Mirandes
twitter.com/CrashtagVS

Gabriel Medina
twitter.com/StaticGorilla

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off the EVO Awards, we talk our thoughts on the event. From the category selections and nominations to the most memorable exhibition matches and player performances, while also touching on areas we think could use some improvement next time around. We talk about the show's announcements, including the reveal of new City of the Wolves characters. We also share our hands-on experience with Street Fighter 6's latest addition, Mai, who dropped since our previous episode. We wrap things up by breaking down the Capcom Cup XI group assignments and offer our predictions on which competitors will advance to the next stage.

Timestamps

00:59 Evo Awards
18:49 How Would You Change Multiversus (QotW Responses)
21:07 Evo Awards Exhibitions
30:06 Evo Awards Game Announcements
41:55 Thoughts on SF6 Mai
52:06 Capcom Cup XI Groups

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3mn

Hosts:

Jeremiah Ward
twitter.com/mezzafgc

Gabriel Medina
twitter.com/StaticGorilla

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We break down everything from the latest on Mai in Street Fighter 6's to the Multiversus shutdown that nobody saw coming (at least, not this early). We discuss how players banded together to uncover Mortal Kombat's secret fighter Floyd, plus some news about City of the Wolves' beta test around the corner, and talk a little Virtua Fighter.

Timestamps

01:22 Street Fighter 6 Mai Character Guide Impressions
16:45 SF6 Ranked Improvements
22:17 SF6 Replay System
25:16 What Went Wrong with Multiversus
53:03 City of the Wolves Open Beta
56:43 MK1 Pink Floyd

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3ma

Hosts:

Andres Mirandes
twitter.com/CrashtagVS

Jeremiah Ward
twitter.com/mezzafgc

Gabriel Medina
twitter.com/StaticGorilla

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices