We're officially past the halfway point of 2026.

So what is Game of the Year... so far?

This week we're building our current GOTY shortlist, debating the biggest contenders, and asking which games still have a realistic chance of being in the conversation when The Game Awards roll around in December.

Will Resident Evil Requiem still be standing? Can Mixtape go all the way? And have we already played this year's winner?

A celebration of a brilliant year for games, with a reality check on where the industry finds itself.

In this episode:

• Scott returns to Dragon's Dogma 2
• Liam falls even deeper into Balatro
• Tetris Effect Pixel Replay check-in
• Main Topic: Best Games of 2026 so far
• Discussion on Xbox studio closures and what it could mean for the future

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Have We Already Played Game Of The Year?

00:38 Intro

05:28 Housekeeping

06:07 What We're Playing

06:31 Dragon's Dogma 2 Revisited

08:00 Capcom Fighting Collection

09:28 Returning To Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

12:05 Octopath Traveler Zero

13:22 Tetris Effect Addiction

14:02 Balatro Returns

15:06 Halo Infinite & Black Ops 7

20:37 Xbox Layoff Concerns

34:08 Main Topic - Game Of The Year So Far

35:29 Has 2026 Been A Great Year For Games?

40:22 Our GOTY Shortlists

42:25 Best Game Nobody Is Talking About

44:20 Most Disappointing Game

48:58 Best Indie Game

50:49 Biggest Surprise

51:58 Game Of The Year So Far

54:31 Can Anything Beat It?

01:03:13 Pixel Replay Update

01:04:20 Breaking Xbox Studio Closure News

01:09:38 Final Thoughts

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

September and October are absolutely stacked.

Publishers are racing to launch before GTA 6 arrives, and the result is one of the most crowded release windows we’ve seen in years.

So how do we decide what actually deserves our time?

Which games are day-one priorities?Which ones can wait for a sale?And how do we avoid destroying both our wallets and our backlogs?

This week we draft our must-plays, predict surprise hits, and name the games most likely to be abandoned.

In this episode:

• Nintendo Direct reactions (Ocarina of Time remake is real)
• Our top games from Summer Game Fest week
• Scott returns to Dragon’s Dogma 2
• More thoughts on 007 First Light
• Main topic: Vice Boys: Surviving the Game Avalanche with limited time and money

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

CHAPTERS

00:00 How Do We Survive Gaming's Busiest Month?

01:25 Welcome Back

04:50 Nintendo Direct Reactions

09:15 Ocarina of Time Remake & Kingdom Hearts 4

11:24 Summer Game Fest Top 5 Games

19:22 What We're Playing

20:05 007 First Light Review Chat

21:21 Lego Batman Fatigue

24:13 Octopath Traveler Zero

28:06 Main Topic - Surviving September

30:14 Why Is September So Stacked?

38:06 Our September Game Draft

46:54 Our October Game Draft

54:48 The Rule Of Three

58:18 Zelda Movie Discussion

01:05:41 If We Could Only Pick One Game

01:14:54 Pixel Replay Update

01:15:04 Breaking Xbox Layoff News

01:18:57 Final Thoughts

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

This week on Pixel Reacts, we're breaking down everything announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 and the Gears of War: E-Day Direct.

From Gears of War and Fable to Persona 6, Spyro, Clockwork Revolution and more, Xbox delivered one of its strongest showcases in years.

But the biggest talking point wasn't a single game.

It was the feeling that Xbox finally has a direction again.

We discuss:

🎮 Gears of War: E-Day

⚔️ Fable

🟢 Halo Combat Evolved

🎭 Persona 6

🐉 Spyro: A Realm Beyond

🕰️ Clockwork Revolution

🔥 Doom: The Dark Ages DLC

🎮 What Asha Sharma's Xbox could look like

Plus our thoughts on exclusivity, Game Pass, Play Anywhere and whether Xbox finally feels like a platform worth investing in again.

New episodes every Friday.

🎧 Listen on Spotify

[https://open.spotify.com/show/2JE8TeviD5XXuiqVYxj63Q?_reload_cause=banner-auto-reload]

🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts

[https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pixel-parents-video-game-podcast/id1740836394]

💖 Join the FREE Patreon

[https://www.patreon.com/pixelparents]

🦋 Follow us on Bluesky

[https://bsky.app/profile/pixelparents.bsky.social]

📺 Subscribe on YouTube

[https://www.youtube.com/@PixelParentsPodcast/S]

✉️ Email the show

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

—

CHAPTERS

00:00 Xbox Finally Looks Like Xbox Again

00:36 Initial Showcase Verdict

04:58 Gears of War E-Day

14:21 Xbox Exclusivity Discussion

15:34 Fable

17:37 Halo Combat Evolved

20:08 Resonance A Plague Tale Legacy

21:20 Persona 4 Revival

22:55 State of Decay 3

24:14 Sea of Thieves & Metro 2039

24:59 Bad Magpie

25:26 Wo Long 2

26:54 The Blood of Dawnwalker

27:16 Senua Returns

29:22 Doom The Dark Ages DLC

31:32 Crazy Taxi World Tour

35:03 Magician The Devil's Deal

39:38 Castlevania Belmont's Curse

40:46 Vivarium

42:40 Persona 6

44:01 Spyro A Realm Beyond

45:26 Clockwork Revolution

49:38 Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4

53:54 Gears of War E-Day Direct

55:59 Final Thoughts & Scores

—

🎧 Listen on Spotify

[https://open.spotify.com/show/2JE8TeviD5XXuiqVYxj63Q?_reload_cause=banner-auto-reload]

🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts

[https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pixel-parents-video-game-podcast/id1740836394]

💖 Join the FREE Patreon

[https://www.patreon.com/pixelparents]

🦋 Follow us on Bluesky

[https://bsky.app/profile/pixelparents.bsky.social]

📺 Subscribe on YouTube

[https://www.youtube.com/@PixelParentsPodcast/S]

✉️ Email the show

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Write to us: [email protected]
Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social

Support us: Patreon.com/PixelParents
Music & production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

This week on Pixel Reacts, we're breaking down Summer Game Fest 2026.

Or at least we're trying to.

After more than two hours, dozens of trailers, endless announcements and a whole lot of games we struggled to care about, we came away with one big question.

Has Summer Game Fest become too bloated?

We discuss:

• Resident Evil Requiem
• Cuphead announcements
• TMNT The Last Ronin
• Control Resonance
• Final Fantasy VII Revelation
• The future of Summer Game Fest
• Why modern showcases feel exhausting

Plus our honest thoughts on Geoff Keighley's flagship gaming event and whether the format still works in 2026.

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

New episodes every Friday.

Write to us: [email protected]Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social

Support us: Patreon.com/PixelParents
Music & production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

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.

🎧 Listen on Spotify

[https://open.spotify.com/show/2JE8TeviD5XXuiqVYxj63Q?_reload_cause=banner-auto-reload]

🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts

[https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pixel-parents-video-game-podcast/id1740836394]

💖 Join the FREE Patreon

[https://www.patreon.com/pixelparents]

🦋 Follow us on Bluesky

[https://bsky.app/profile/pixelparents.bsky.social]

📺 Subscribe on YouTube

[https://www.youtube.com/@PixelParentsPodcast/S]

✉️ Email the show

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Write to us: [email protected]
Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social

Support us: Patreon.com/PixelParents
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?)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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