JK! Games!

Your favorite indie games wouldn't exist without the classics that came before the...so how did games like Harvest Moon, Chrono Trigger, EarthBound, and Zelda inspire a new generation of developers?

Josh and Kayla explore the retro games that helped shape some of today's most beloved indie games. They discuss the actual developer inspirations behind Stardew Valley, Sea of Stars, Hermit and Pig, and Tunic.

What did these indie developers use from the classics? Did they do better?

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Start
03:12 – Housekeeping & Upcoming Streams
07:53 – What We've Been Playing
17:13 – The Retro Games That Inspired Indies
21:15 – Harvest Moon → Stardew Valley
35:30 – Chrono Trigger → Sea of Stars
52:27 – EarthBound → Hermit and Pig
1:09:13 – The Legend of Zelda → Tunic
1:16:32 – Indies of the Future

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes. Currently Dave the Diver!

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

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In this week's episode, Josh and Kayla discuss the indie horror/spooky games they recommend from this year and what they are looking forward to!

00:00 - Start
3:01 - Housekeeping
7:37 - Easy Mode | What We’ve Been Playing 
33:35 - Main Topic | Recs
 
 Catch us live every Monday at 9 PM ET on Twitch!

JK! Games! Website: https://jkgamespodcast.com
Drop-In Drop-Out: https://dropindropoutpod.com

#DropInDropOut #DIDO #indiegames #indies #horror #horrorgames #GamingPodcast #OneMoreGame #JKGames #gaming

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes. Currently Dave the Diver!

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

Discord

Twitch 

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Insta

Bsky

Jerica and Kayla are catching up on the gaming news they actually care about and video games they are playing right now.

fyi Jerica has fallen hard for Splatoon Raiders and its dangerous...while Kayla shares her thoughts on Fishbowl, Beast of Reincarnation, and Leafy Corner!

TIMECODES

00:00 – Start
10:45 – Housekeeping
15:17 – Normal Mode: Gaming News
15:32 – Hideo Kojima Turns 63
22:54 – Is PlayStation 6 Going Handheld?
34:24 – Can the PlayStation Handheld Run GTA 6?
39:20 – Double Fine Is Independent Again
41:13 – Amnesia Fortnight Returns
47:53 – Expert Mode: What We’ve Been Playing
48:00 – Splatoon Raiders
57:10 – Fishbowl
1:02:27 – Beast of Reincarnation
1:06:13 – Leafy Corner
1:10:40 – Getting Ready for Control Resonant

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes. Currently Dave the Diver!

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

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Twitch 

Youtube

Insta

Bsky

We break down the biggest gaming news from D23, including Kingdom Hearts IV, the new Kingdom Hearts animated series, and Disney is making a Fortnite ride.

Then we discuss what are the best Disney video games of all time?

Do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Timecodes:
00:00 – Start
09:52 – Easy Mode: What We’ve Been Playing
10:40 – Spiritstead & Slots and Diapers
13:20 – Dimhaven
18:00 – Big Walk
26:43 – D23 Gaming News
29:30 – Star Wars: Smugglers Run Comes to Fortnite
35:00 – Kingdom Hearts
55:21 – Expert Mode: Our Favorite Disney Games

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes. Currently Dave the Diver!

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

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Bsky

In this week's episode, Josh and Kayla discuss how narratives are portrayed in books vs games and their love for both. 

They also take you through a journey of a bit of their gaming history, their reading history, and Kayla gives you a few recommendations of "if you like this game, read this book". 

Timecodes:
00:00 - Start
3:37 - Housekeeping
6:59 - Our Qualifications/Reading History
25:19 - “This or That pt.1”
41:50 - Our Favorite Narratives
1:08:55 - "This or That pt.2"
1:15:35 - Agency (Books vs. Games)
1:23:19 - Worldbuilding (Books vs. Games)

Catch us live every Monday at 9 PM ET on Twitch!

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes. Currently Dave the Diver!

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

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Bsky

The trial comes to an end.

Last week, the prosecution brought the first wave of evidence against Super Mario Sunshine, arguing that one of Nintendo's most beloved GameCube games is guilty of crimes against the player experience. This week, court is back in session as the prosecution presents new exhibits, surprise witness testimony, and one final argument before the jury reaches a verdict.

Can the defense convince the court that Sunshine deserves its place among Nintendo's classics, or will it be found guilty once and for all?

Along the way, we also talk about what we've been playing, including The Legend of Korra, The Quarry, Keyboard Warrior, Swan Song, and more.

Timecodes:
00:00 - Start
12:20 - Housekeeping
15:08 - Recap: The Trial So Far
17:17 - Housekeeping
19:26 - Easy Mode: What We've Been Playing
20:00 - Jerica Plays The Legend of Korra
24:15 - Josh's Indie Game Roundup
28:01 - Kayla Reviews The Quarry
34:27 - Why Swan Song Is So Underrated
36:56 - Court Is Back In Session
38:55 - The Charges Against Super Mario Sunshine
40:05 - The Defense's Opening Statement
42:45 - New Evidence Presented
47:30 - Andy Cortez Testifies Against Sunshine
52:30 - Witness Testimonies
55:05 - Crimes Against Mario's Fists
1:01:30 - The GameCube Controller Debate
1:04:00 - Closing Statements and Final Verdicts

Catch us live every Monday at 9 PM ET on Twitch!

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes. Currently Dave the Diver!

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

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Bsky

Super Mario Sunshine is officially on trial.
In Part 1, Jerica steps in as the prosecution, Kayla defends one of her favorite childhood games, and Josh serves as judge as we begin the case against one of Nintendo's most divisive Mario games.

The prosecution brings multiple charges against Super Mario Sunshine, including frustrating controls, questionable design decisions, and Nintendo's rushed development timeline. The defense argues that nostalgia isn't the only reason this game deserves its place as one of the best Mario games.
Will Sunshine be found guilty?

We'll deliver the final verdict in Part 2.


Timecodes
00:00 - Start
01:06 - Housekeeping
04:52 - Court Is Now in Session
10:56 - The Charges Against Super Mario Sunshine
13:24 - Crime #1: Crimes Against the Player Experience
18:20 - Exhibit A: Mario Doesn't Feel Like Mario
22:00 - Camera Controls & Confusing Objectives
32:02 - Nintendo Rushed Super Mario Sunshine?
38:39 - Court Recess: Technical Difficulties
39:29 - The Defense Takes the Stand
42:42 - Community Witness Testimony
44:58 - Defense Argument #1: The Vibes
50:04 - Defense Argument #2: Innovation
55:10 - Defense Argument #3: Mario's Community Service
58:57 - Defense Argument #4: The Hideo Kojima Defense

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes. Currently Dave the Diver!

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

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Bsky

This month on One More Game, we're revisiting Super Mario Sunshine to find out if one of our favorite Mario games still holds up over 20 years later.

Before diving back into Isle Delfino, we're looking back at our personal history with the GameCube classic, discussing its rushed 18-month development, the creation of FLUDD, and why Nintendo almost gave Mario a water gun. We also talk about the 2020 Super Mario 3D All-Stars release and whether nostalgia has clouded our memories of one of Nintendo's most divisive mainline Mario games.

Is Super Mario Sunshine still a masterpiece, or are we blinded by nostalgia? Join us as we kick off our July One More Game series.

00:00 - Intro
03:42 - Housekeeping
11:42 - Our History with Super Mario Sunshine
30:00 - The History of Super Mario Sunshine
40:18 - How FLUDD Was Created
45:00 - Reception & Miyamoto’s Thoughts
57:47 - Will Super Mario Sunshine Still Hold Up?

Listen to JK! Games!

* JKGamesPodcast.com
* DropInDropOutPod.com

Join our Discord and let us know: Are you replaying Super Mario Sunshine with us this month?

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes. Currently Dave the Diver!

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

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Bsky

This week on One More Game, Jerica finally rolls credits on Dave the Diver, while Josh experiences the game for the very first time—and neither of us can stop talking about it.

We break down what makes Dave the Diver one of the most surprising games we've ever played, why its progression constantly keeps you hooked, our favorite characters, gameplay systems, music, and the few criticisms we have after spending dozens of hours with it.

We also share our early impressions of Into the Jungle, discussing why it already feels like one of the best examples of meaningful DLC and why it might be the perfect reason to jump back into one of the best indie games ever made.

If you've been waiting for an excuse to play Dave the Diver... this is it.

00:00 Start
01:29 Why We're Revisiting Dave the Diver
04:08 Housekeeping
06:24 First Impressions
08:14 What Is Dave the Diver?
16:26 Why the Characters Work So Well
22:07 The Sea People & World Building
28:14 Gameplay That Never Stops Evolving
42:26 Restaurant Management & Building Your Staff
52:02 Music & Sound Design
57:52 Our Biggest Criticisms
01:04:10 The Surprisingly Great Photo Mode
01:08:32 Into the Jungle DLC Impressions
01:21:57 Could This Become Dave the Diver 2?
01:27:08 Final Scores

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes. Currently Dave the Diver!

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

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Bsky

This week on JK! Games!, Kayla shares her impressions of the new Dave the Diver: In the Jungle DLC before we dive into one of gaming's biggest conversations.

With the recently announced Steam Machine price, rumors about future hardware, rising console costs, and more games becoming available across multiple platforms, are console exclusives still worth it? We discuss whether we're reaching our limit on hardware prices, if graphical fidelity still matters, and what it would actually take for us to buy a PS6 or Steam machine.

Timecodes
00:00 – Episode Start
07:20 – Easy Mode: Dave the Diver: In the Jungle DLC
11:40 – Into the Jungle Review
19:24 – Normal Mode: Steam Machine & The Cost of Consoles
38:06 – Has Your Relationship with Consoles Changed?
40:39 – Are We Ready for the PS6?
43:37 – Are We Chasing Visual Fidelity Too Much?
48:14 – Do Console Exclusives Still Matter?
1:03:30 – If Every Console Had Every Game...

Support the show

JK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.

Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes. Currently Dave the Diver!

You can:
• Play at your own pace
• Stay spoiler-light
• Or dive deep with us

Whether you’re Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.

Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.

Want to show us some love? Click Me!

Discord

Twitch 

Youtube

Insta

Bsky