Send us a text

The gaming industry faces significant price adjustments as PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox respond to economic pressures and market competition with new strategies and hardware offerings.

• PlayStation 5 prices in the US increasing by $50 across all models effective August 21st
• Sony cites "challenging economic environment" and tariffs as reasons for the price hike
• Nintendo Switch original model price increased from $299 to $339, with Switch Lite up by $30
• Xbox entering the handheld market with the "Ally" device, capable of playing PC games on the go
• Xbox Ally facing criticism for limited Xbox game compatibility, with most console games requiring cloud streaming
• Superhero movies showing signs of diminished box office performance, with recent releases failing to hit billion-dollar marks
• Ghost of Yōtei facing online backlash over character representation and inclusivity

Like and subscribe to Game of Traffic! We're working on launching our YouTube channel soon, initially without face cams but stay tuned for more updates.

Support the show

Send us a text

Sony's job posting for a "senior director of multi-platform and account management" sparks heated debate about which PlayStation exclusives might come to Xbox, with Spider-Man emerging as the most likely candidate despite overall skepticism.

• PlayStation games rumored to come to Xbox following Sony job posting seeking someone to manage games "beyond PlayStation hardware"
• Game Pass profitability questioned, with both hosts arguing the model isn't sustainable and damages the industry
• Former Arcane Studios president describes Game Pass as "increasingly damaging the industry for a decade"
• Sony suing Tencent for "Motor Ram," an alleged Horizon Zero Dawn ripoff featuring similar post-apocalyptic setting and robot dinosaurs
• Mortal Kombat 2 movie trailer receives positive reactions, focusing more on Johnny Cage than the previous film
• Nintendo Switch 2 breaks Japanese sales records with 1.5 million units sold in first month, surpassing PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance

Support the show

Send us a text

Gaming Traffic breaks down the ultimate top ten summer games for 2025, featuring both new releases and all-time classics. We debate different approaches to defining summer gaming, explore PlayStation's surprising move to bring Helldivers 2 to Xbox, and review the upcoming Running Man movie remake.

• Call of Duty Black Ops 6 offers comprehensive entertainment with campaign, multiplayer, and zombies mode
• Nintendo dominates summer gaming with Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Banzai, and Super Mario Party Jumboree
• Sports games like MLB The Show 2025 and College Football 2026 perfectly complement summer's major sporting events
• Fortnite remains a free-to-play phenomenon with cross-platform play and endless content updates
• Street Fighter 6 enters its third season with new fighters and accessibility options for all skill levels
• The Running Man movie remake combines elements of John Q, Squid Game, and John Wick, releasing November 7th
• PlayStation's Helldivers 2 surprisingly comes to Xbox on August 26th, marking a significant shift in platform strategy

Mike has accepted a Tekken challenge from listener Mike Basil - the battle is on!

Send us a text

Capcom dominates gaming news with Resident Evil Requiem and Street Fighter Season 3 announcements while Microsoft shakes the industry with massive layoffs across Xbox studios.

• Resident Evil Requiem revealed for February 2026, starring a new FBI analyst character set 30 years after Raccoon City
• Street Fighter Season 3 bringing Sagat, C. Viper, Alex, and Ingrid to the roster through 2026
• Arc System Works showcase highlights Double Dragon Revive with environmental combat mechanics
• Nintendo Switch 2 sees strong first-party game sales but third-party publishers report disappointing numbers
• Microsoft implements major cuts across Xbox division including studio closures and game cancellations
• Perfect Dark reboot canceled along with several other titles including ZeniMax's "Blackboard" MMO
• "I Know What You Did Last Summer" reboot trailer shows returning cast members in familiar formula
• Trump plans UFC fight at White House lawn to celebrate America's 250th anniversary
• Chuck E. Cheese launching adult-focused "Chuck's Arcade" with alcohol service

Send us a text

We dive into the major gaming announcements from PlayStation's State of Play and Xbox's Showcase events, comparing the different strategies each platform is taking and highlighting the most exciting upcoming games and hardware.

• PlayStation VR is making a comeback with the upcoming game "Thief" featuring a new protagonist
• Mortal Kombat Legacy Collection includes 20 games spanning multiple platforms for $69.99
• Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater remaster and Astro Bot DLC announcements generated significant excitement
• PlayStation revealed their first official fight stick with wireless capabilities and mechanical switches
• Xbox partnered with ASUS ROG and MSI to create Windows-powered gaming handhelds estimated to cost $600-800
• Gears of War Reloaded and other Xbox games will come to PlayStation with physical releases while remaining digital-only on Xbox
• Final Fantasy games are finally coming to Xbox but with disappointing early sales figures
• Clockwork Revolution emerged as the standout game from the Xbox showcase
• The "Megan 2" movie trailer shows a shift from horror to more sci-fi action
• Gaming is increasingly incorporating political themes, raising questions about appropriate boundaries

Send us a text

The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally arrived after an eight-year wait, and we're breaking down everything about Nintendo's newest console. Mike managed to secure a pre-order at a GameStop location that wasn't on most people's radar, giving us the chance to experience this highly anticipated system first-hand.

• First impressions reveal a noticeably larger screen compared to the original Switch, with the same slim profile
• The magnetic Joy-Con controllers slide on smoothly and feel sturdier than the original controllers
• Screen resolution is 1080p in handheld mode with 4K support when docked
• UI feels smoother and faster than the original Switch with improved accessibility options
• The Pro Controller has a comfortable feel similar to an Xbox controller but lighter
• Initial game experience with Mario Kart shows impressive track sizes with multiple pathways
• System has sold 3.5 million units in its first four days, exceeding PlayStation 5's launch numbers
• Upcoming games include Donkey Kong Bonanza, Metroid Prime 4, and third-party titles
• Some GameStop locations had issues with employees accidentally damaging consoles by stapling receipts to boxes
• Battery life held up well during testing with no overheating issues after several hours of play

We'll continue testing the Switch 2 and give more detailed impressions in our future podcasts as we try out more games and features.

Send us a text

Mike and Taze tackle gaming's hottest topics including GTA 6's year-long delay, Xbox's confusing handheld strategy, and Nintendo's strict new anti-piracy measures.

• Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed until May/2026, proving Mr. Amazing  earlier predictions correct
• Rockstar likely knew about this delay long before announcing it, frustrating many fans who bought consoles specifically for GTA 6
• Xbox has two different handheld strategies in play: a collaboration with ASUS  and a rumored standalone device for 2027
• The hosts believe Microsoft's plan to release a Switch-like device years after Nintendo's Switch 2 makes little strategic sense
• Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders caused website crashes and order cancellations, with restocks expected in the coming weeks
• The new Superman movie trailer looks promising but may fall short of billion-dollar box office expectations
• Virtua Fighter is making a comeback with both a remastered Virtua Fighter 5 and a new Virtua Fighter 6 in development
• Nintendo's updated account agreement warns that unauthorized modifications could result in permanently disabled consoles
• The New York Knicks reached the conference finals for the first time in 25 years, creating citywide celebrations

Like and subscribe to the Game of Traffic Show for the most honest takes on gaming and entertainment with no filters!

Send us a text

Microsoft's aggressive price hikes across its gaming ecosystem signal potential industry-wide shifts, with first-party games jumping to $80 and console prices increasing by up to $130. These moves coincide with Xbox's surprising strategy pivot as Gears of War heads to PlayStation, raising questions about the future of exclusive titles and traditional console competition.

• First-party Xbox games including Gears of War, Halo, and Forza will now cost $80, following Nintendo's lead with similar pricing
• Xbox console prices have dramatically increased: Series S by 25% to $380, Series X to $600, and Galaxy Black Edition to $730
• Game Pass subscription price increases are likely coming, with hosts predicting Ultimate could jump from $19 to $25
• Gaming as a hobby is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many players, especially students and younger gamers
• Gears of War Reloaded is coming to PlayStation 5, featuring 4K/60fps campaign and 120fps multiplayer
• This cross-platform strategy suggests Microsoft may be shifting toward becoming a third-party publisher
• If Halo ever comes to PlayStation, hosts agree it would effectively end the traditional console wars

Hit the like and subscribe buttons to join us for more discussions on the latest gaming industry trends and news. We're considering launching a YouTube channel so you can see our faces while we break down these topics.

Send us a text

Nintendo's Switch 2 officially begins pre-orders April 24th with a June 5th release date, keeping prices at $450 for the base model and $500 for the Mario Kart World bundle.

• Nintendo keeping price "for now" with potential changes after Fall 2025
• Mario Kart World introduces flying, underwater racing, day/night cycles, and new weapons
• New game chat feature eliminates need for separate communication apps
• GameStop offers trade-in values: $175 for OLED Switch, $125 for original Switch, $100 for Switch Lite
• LeBron James Ken doll released for $75, immediately sold out on Amazon
• Sony raising PlayStation Plus subscription prices in Canada and console prices in several regions
• "28 Years Later" horror film trailer promising summer release, continuing the zombie franchise
• Minecraft movie breaks box office records with $162 million opening week

Send us a text

The Game of Traffic Show dives into Nintendo's freshly announced Switch 2 console, breaking down the specs, games, and controversial pricing strategy that's ignited heated debate throughout the gaming community.

• $450 base console price point ($500 with Mario Kart World Tour bundle) makes this Nintendo's most expensive system ever
• New hardware features including magnetic Joy-Cons, mouse functionality, and 4K/60fps capability when docked
• Expanded storage with 256GB internal memory and support for 1TB microSD express cards
• Mario Kart World Tour's $80 price tag potentially setting a dangerous precedent for game pricing industry-wide
• Strong third-party support including Elden Ring, Hitman, and Street Fighter 6
• New voice chat feature free for the first year, then requiring subscription
• Backward compatibility for 95% of first-party Switch games but only 20% of third-party titles
• Global tariffs threatening to increase North American pricing and potentially delay pre-orders
• Host ratings of 7/10 and 8.5/10 for the system based on what's been revealed so far