Pixel Parents | A Video Game Podcast

The Nintendo Switch 2 is officially one year old.

So… was it worth it?

This week we look back at our first year with Nintendo’s latest console. What surprised us, what disappointed us, and whether it has truly earned a permanent place in our gaming lives.

We break down:

• The standout games
• The surprises (and letdowns)
• Docked vs handheld reality
• What year two needs to deliver

Elsewhere this week:

• More thoughts on 007 First Light
• May’s Pixel Replay catch-up: Bayonetta
• June’s Pixel Replay pick revealed

Is Switch 2 the best launch platform of the generation… or just the most convenient?

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Music & production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

PlayStation came out swinging.

This latest State of Play gave us our best look yet at Marvel's Wolverine, a surprise reveal for God of War: Laufey, Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, Until Dawn 2 and a whole lot more.

In this special episode of Pixel REACTS, we break down the biggest announcements, our favourite moments, and whether Sony delivered one of its strongest State of Play showcases in years.

Featuring discussion on:

• God of War: Laufey
• Marvel's Wolverine
• Onimusha: Way of the Sword
• Silent Hill: Townfall
• Tomb Raider: Legacy of AtlantiS
• Control Resonance
• Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls
• Until Dawn 2

Pixel Reacts is our special event series where we react to the biggest gaming showcases, announcements and industry moments.

New episodes every Friday.

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Music & production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

Showcase season is here.

This week, we’re making bold predictions for: Summer Game Fest, Sony’s State of Play, and Xbox Game Showcase

What must show up?What surprise reveals are we calling now?And which platform holder has the most to prove?

Plus, we have our impressions of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight... and whether it might send parents to Arkham Asylum.

And we discuss our impressions of 007 First Light... a GOTY contender?

In this episode:

• LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
• 007 First Light
• Main topic: Summer Game Fest Predictions (who needs a win?)

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Music & production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

This week, we’re going to ask the big question: has the world outgrown GTA? In our main topic, Vice Boys, we take a look back at our own history with Grand Theft Auto, from sneaking sessions as kids to watching the series evolve into a cultural juggernaut.

Then we look ahead. What do we actually want from GTA VI? And how will Rockstar’s anticipated game land in a changed games media landscape?
Can it possibly live up to expectations?
And will Rockstar land differently in a games media landscape that has changed dramatically since GTA V launched?

Plus, we preview Mina the Hollower ahead of review, give our thoughts on Forza Horizon 6 and more!

In this episode:

• Forza Horizon 6
• Mina the Hollower
• Tethergeist
• Bubsy 4D
• Main topic: Vice Boys: Our Grand Theft Auto past and hopes for VI

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Write to us: [email protected]Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social
Music & production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

Gaming time feels harder to come by than ever. This week we’re checking in on the hotly anticipated Mixtape, one of May’s most talked-about releases. Does it live up to the buzz?

Scott also gives his verdict on Constance after spending time with its slick tether mechanics and early platforming ideas. Then we get honest!

We expose the gaming habits quietly sabotaging our limited time. The distractions. The over-optimising. The “just one more” mindset. The habits that make finishing games harder than it needs to be.

If time is precious, why do we make it harder for ourselves?

In this episode:

• Mixtape review
• Constance review
• Saros verdict
• Main topic: Our worst gaming habits

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Write to us: [email protected]Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social
Music & production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

This week, we take a step back from the release cycle. In 2026, what does it actually mean to cover games?

The pressure to move fast is real. Day one reactions. Early impressions. Staying in the conversation. But is faster coverage actually better coverage?

We talk about chasing the moment versus taking time with the games that matter. What works. What feels forced. And how smaller shows like ours decide where to place our energy.

Is slow, thoughtful coverage more valuable now? Or does keeping up still matter?

Plus, Scott shares his thoughts on Saros to answer the question... is the PS5 exclusive worth your time?

And we catch up on Vampire Survivors, which is still ruining lives!

Finally, we introduce Pixel Picks Replay, our monthly video game book club where we select our first monthly game from our Top 100 Video Games

In this episode:

• Fast v Slow Games Coverage
• Saros Review (so far)
• Vampire Survivors
• Pixel Picks Replay: May 2026 selection

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Write to us: [email protected]Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social
Music & production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

Star Fox is back. We went live the second it dropped.

This is Pixel Reacts. Our raw reaction to the first reveal of Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2, launching June 25 2026.

No script. No polish. Just real takes from Liam and Scott as it happened. The highs, the doubts, and what this comeback needs to land.

Full Pixel Parents Podcast every Friday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
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Subscribe, leave a 5 star review, and share it with someone who still remembers Star Fox at its best.

We’re already deep into 2026, so it’s time to check in.

What are we still genuinely excited for this year?What’s climbed the list?What’s cooled off?

This week, we’re taking stock of our most anticipated games of 2026 so far and seeing where our hype levels really sit.

Then the harder question follows: even if we’re excited… how are we actually fitting these games in?

Big releases. Limited time. Real life schedules an adult gamer. 

We also catch up on what we’ve been playing: Scott remains locked in on Days Gone, Saros hype and is once again campaigning for a new Tomodachi Life. Meanwhile, Liam has a confession to make about his current obsession with Vampire Survivors…

No Pixel Picks this week... we’re preparing the next chapter of the segment! 

In this episode:

• Most Anticipated Games of 2026 (so far)
• Saros hype check
• Days Gone Revised and Reviewed
• Tomodachi Life… Did Scott do it?
• Vampire Survivors Confessional

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Write to us: [email protected]Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social
Music & production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

This is it.

After two years of weekly Pixel Picks, the list of the top 100 video games we pass on to the next generation is complete. Now every single one enters the arena.

Welcome to the Pixel Picks Top 100 Games Showdown.

No safe seeding. No protected favourites. Just chaos, debate and survival. One by one, the games face off until only one remains… crowned the greatest game of all time.

There will be shocks. There will be heartbreak. There will be controversial eliminations.

And at the end, there can only be one.

In this episode:

• Pixel Picks Top 100 Video Game Showdown
• The full 100 video games bracket
• Round-by-round debate
• Shock exits and Giant killers
• The Greatest Game of All Time Crowned

GET BONUS SHOWS AND MORE BY JOINING OUR ALWAYS FREE PATREON (www.patreon.com/pixelparents)

Write to us: [email protected]Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social
Music & production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

We’re going back to the drawing board.

In a previous episode, we asked how to make Xbox great again. Now, with Asha Sharma stepping into the CEO role at Xbox, we’re revisiting those takes and asking the bigger question:

Can she actually fix the brand?

We also catch up on what we’ve been playing this week, including Liam’s continued obsession with Crimson Desert, Scott's ongoing journey through the Legend of Zelda series, our early thoughts on Replaced, and Pragmata... including whether Scott might finally be tempted.

And in this week’s Pixel Picks Showdown, we crown our 100th entry with the ultimate addition:
The Best Game Everyone Should Play At Least Once in Their Life.

In this episode:

• Crimson Desert: How to approach its review now
• Scott's Zelda Playthrough continues
• Replaced impressions
• Pragmata
• Main Topic: How We'd Fix Xbox as Asha Sharma
• Pixel Picks Showdown: The One Game Everyone Should Play At Least Once

GET BONUS SHOWS AND MORE BY JOINING OUR ALWAYS FREE PATREON! (www.patreon.com/pixelparents)

Write to us: [email protected]Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social
Music & production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com