Nerds Without Pants

After not one, but two special format shows with guests, it's high time for the main NWP crew to get together and talk some games. Like, a lot of games. Like, too many games.

Since we haven't done Consumption Junction in over six weeks, we all have a lot to talk about. Of course, we can't help but kick things off with PS4 talk, as both Patrick and Julian have been playing the new Sony box since launch day. They highlight some of their favorite interface features and talk about FIFA, Assassin's Creed IV, Knack, and Killzone: Shadowfall.

Angelo has been enjoying his PS3, Julian misses his Pooh bear, and Final Fantasy IX looks like garbage on an HD display. Julian has some choice words for Batman: Arkham Origins, and Patrick is neck deep in comic books.We all spent money we didn't need to at Black Friday.

Beyond that, we have a lot of general geekery for you this week. Let your mouth water as we talk sushi, be amazed at Angelo's train adventures, and weigh in on which Paranormal Activity movie is your favorite. All this and more await you in the latest Nerds Without Pants!

Featured Music:

"Weird" Al Yankovic- Lasagne

Batman Theme Song ('66)

Kenny Loggins- Return to Pooh Corner

Well, we're a bit late thanks to technical difficulties and busy schedules, but the Nerds Without Pants are back with another special format. Once again there is no time for the media we've been consuming, as we are joined by fan favorite John Gholson to talk all things comic books.

We begin by talking about the actual printed editions themselves. Everyone has their tale to tell about how they caught the comic book bug, with the exception of Angelo who explains how comics were just never his bag. We talk about first issues, traumatic content, the healing powers of comic books, and more before giving Angelo (and you listeners) a few recommendations.

In the second half of the show, we talk about some of the best and worst games that are based on comic books. We take things by time periods: The Golden Age (1977-1994), The Silver Age (1995-2004) and The Modern Age (2005-2013). John has a triumphant story about The Silver Surver for NES, Julian waxes nostalgic for the arcade brawlers, Angelo has a little bit of trivia about Spider-Man: Maximum Carnage, and Patrick has a crush on Oracle.

Next time, it's all Consumption Junction and plenty of PS4 talk. We hope you enjoy, and give us comic book suggestions in the comments!

FEATURED MUSIC:

Hans Zimmer- Aggressive Expansion (The Dark Knight)

Sparks- This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us (Kick Ass)

Alan Silvestri- The Avengers (The Avengers)

Let's get right to it, people. There's no time to talk about current media we've been consuming, because this episode of NWP is an epic look back at the seventh console generation and a bit of a look forward at the eighth generation. So sit back, strap in, and get comfy, folks!

We kick things off by looking way back into 2005 and explaining who we were and what we were doing. It's been almost a decade since this console cycle began, and we tell some interesting stories about ourselves and the launches of the big three machines.

Then we bring up how these launch things typically go, and what people should expect in case they've forgotten or just plain have never had to upgrade their consoles before. Angelo returns to the Sony fold after a twelve year absence and is itching to experience an entirely new backlog (which, if you follow Angelo on PixlBit you know is a very good thing).

We close things out by musing over what we believe to be some of the most important games of this generation, either on a personal level or to the industry as a whole. Let us know in the comments what games you would add to the discussion, and give Angelo suggestions for PS2 and PS3 games.

Oh, did you know The Transporter 2 came out in 2005? Statham Sighting (tm)!

FEATURED MUSIC:

The Black Eyed Peas- Don't Phunk With My Heart

The Gorrillaz- Feel Good, Inc.

Green Day- Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to listen to. Something like this extra-large edition of Nerds Without Pants, Halloween-style!

We kick things off with Consumption Junction. In this episode, Julian spends some quality time with his 3DS and tries to overcome his PTSD (Pokemon Traumatic Stress Disorder). Patrick joins the PC master race and attempts to enjoy Tolkien. Angelo gushes over Aliens and gets yet another awesome gift from his wife.

In the main topic, the Pantsless Ones discuss their first experiences with horror, try to understand why certain types of scary work on some people while failing with others, and answer a question from NWP superfan Michael117. Then they sign off by brainstorming some cool new horror video game ideas.

FEATURED MUSIC:

Killer Instinct- Tooth & Claw

Danny Elfman- Theme from Tales From the Crypt

Michael Jackson- Thriller

Aqua- Halloween

It's a shorter episode of Nerds Without Pants this week. That's either a blessing or a curse depending on your feelings on the Pantsless Ones. Life got in the way of our normal show format, but that's probably a good thing since you're all playing Grand Theft Auto V right now anyway.

We go all over the place, with talk of classic GameBoy games, the boycotting of Waluigi, cloning Angelo's awesome wife, and other things. This leads into Julian talking for far too long about his abject hatred of GTA V. Patrick tries to sway Julian's opinion, but Julian cannot be swayed. If you find it boring and heavy handed, congratulations! You know how Julian felt playing GTA V.

We close things out with some comics, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Angelo's failure with the Marvel Studios movies, and some love for Mel Brooks. See you in two weeks for our spooky Halloween extravaganza!

FEATURED MUSIC:

Mel Brooks- The Inquisition

Ranetki- O Tebe

The Pillows- Ride on Shooting Star

This week, the Pantsless Ones are joined by video games writer and rising YouTube star Erika Szabo. We each brought a topic to talk/preach/rant about from our soapboxes, but before that we of course have Consumption Junction.

Erika catches us up on the huge changes in her career since her first appearance on NWP. Then there's Tales of Xillia, the Biggest Sneeze Ever, Angelo's fear of extraterrestrials, and Patrick's love of evil. Julian shakes his head at Wal Mart's poor purchasing skills and rallies back from a week of little to no sleep.

Then the group takes to the soapbox. Julian has a lot to say about what a review should be, and urges readers to do their part to understand that reviews are a two way street. Patrick is fearful that bloated triple-A game budgets are stifling developer creativity. Angelo wants to be able to talk to people on the internet in a level headed and mature manner. Lastly, Erika tackles the dreaded "M" word (that's "misogyny" if you haven't been paying attention), and being a feminist that somehow ends up on the wrong side of both sexes.

Enjoy, comment, and share!

FEATURED MUSIC:

Madonna- Express Yourself

Gruppa Kino- Gruppa Krovi

Home Movies- Franz Kafka!

Michael Jackson- Man in the Mirror

Sarah Michelle Gellar- Going Through the Motions

The Avett Brothers- Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise

Wow, Nerds Without Pants turns 30! Funny, the show doesn't seem a day over 22. Aging is the topic of the day this time around, as Julian wonders what changes are in store for the modern geek. Before that, it's Consumption Junction time once again.

Angelo is positively beaming after his conquering of Etrian Odyssey IV. Patrick has moved out of the parental domain, and he feels right. Julian Kickstarted a game he doesn't want, and he and Angelo have an almost civilized debate over the merits of Mighty No. 9. 

In the main topic, Angelo and Patrick shake their heads in consternation at Julian's decent into self reflection. This is a weird one, folks. If you've ever been passionate about any aspect of geek culture (and you probably have if you're visiting this website) then getting older and still geeking out over things is something you should think about. Julian realizes that he's now in a situation where he has to keep his hobbies close to his vest, while Angelo has the luxury of geeking out with his kids. Patrick doesn't bother with this stuff, because he's SO MUCH YOUNGER THAN THE REST OF THE CREW.

FEATURED MUSIC:

Supertramp- Logical Song

Poe- Haunted

The Servant- Cells

Shaun Barrowes- Light of the Day/Dark of the Night

It's Friday, which means it's time to take your pants off and listen to another wonderful episode of NWP! The guys run the gamut of geekdom this week, with talk about anime, art books, Shin Megami Tensei IV, and the greatest Jason Statham move ever made: Saints Row IV.

After that, Patrick takes over to discuss ethics in the video game industry. How underhanded is it to lay off people right after a project is done? What about the unfortunately necessary evil that is the PR and game writer relationship? All of these topics and more are discussed at length in a rather thoughtful episode of Nerds Without Pants!

FEATURED MUSIC:

blur- Song 2

The Romantics- Talking in Your Sleep

Paula Abdul- Opposites Attract

Haddaway- What is Love

                                                  "Oy! I've got a Statham Sighting for ya!"

It's time for another excellent episode of Nerds Without Pants! Oh, you lucky, lucky people. This week, it's all about JRPGs for the main topic, but as always we begin with Consumption Junction.

Since Julian and Angelo bored the pants off of everyone last time, the lion's share of the opening segment is spent on Patrick's vacation to New York City. Museums were visited! Broadway shows were watched! Miis were Street Passed!

After that, Patrick talks about how easily he breezed through the ending of Fire Emblem, much to Julian's chagrin. This leads nicely into the topic de jour: JRPGs. The crew talks briefly about their origins with the genre, and then try to put their fingers on where they each started to diverge from this type of game. Julian is the most negative, but that may come from the burnout of playing over a hundred RPGs before reaching the current generation. The guys debate the idea that voice acting may have ruined the genre, discuss Lightning's boob job, and more. It's a discussion that's sure to leave you wanting to either high five or punch certain members of the podcast. Oh, and here's the article by Ethan Gach that Julian was quoted in.

THIS WEEK'S MUSIC:

Wild Arms- Lone Bird in the Shire

The Phantom of the Opera- Music of the Night

Secret of Mana- Kind Memories

Suikoden 2- A Peaceful Mountain Village

Bonus- White Rabbit

Hello again! Patrick is on vacation in New York City this week, so it's up to Julian and new third chair Angelo to hold down the fort. Somehow, they manage to ramble on for two hours about this, that, and the other thing.

What was supposed to be the shortest edition of Consumption Junction ever turns into a lengthy, meandering discussion. Angelo has a problem with huffing, and Julian has an aversion to the first person perspective. The guys talk about parental Final Fantasy bans, Treasure games, eradicating the word "shmup" from the gamer lexicon, and close out the section with Julian's best WWE Raw moment ever, Comic Con, and Pacific Rim. Whew!

Then the topic moves into summertime. The guys talk about favorite childhood summer memories, their favorite games to play on summer vacation, and roadtrip shenanigans. They also tackle the subject of game publishers missing out on the possible sales goldmine by not releasing mid-tier games in the summer. They wrap things out by highlighting some of their favorite summer jams.

FEATURED MUSIC:

The Lovin' Spoonful- Summer in the City

Seals and Croft- Summer Breeze

Zeale Rapz- Summer Time

No Doubt- Spiderwebs

Aqua- Good Morning, Sunshine

Will Smith- Summertime

Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Summer Vacation opening theme