It’s officially silly season, and this week we’re taking a beat to ask: What really drives your next game to play?
Is it FOMO? A glowing recommendation? The algorithm? Social pressure? Or just… vibes?

We’ve all got limited time and more games than ever — so how do we actually make that next pick? This week’s main topic is personal, chaotic, and maybe a bit too relatable.

We’re also reacting to the 007: State of Play Special, sharing our impressions of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, giving verdicts on Metal Gear Solid Delta and Gears Reloaded, and checking in on how we’re faring in the middle of the flood.

Plus: Silksong FOMO, review code chaos, and in this week’s Pixel Picks Showdown, we’re naming the Best Spy Game ever.

🎧 Got your own chaotic game-picking habits? Let us know on BlueSky or by email!

In this episode:

• State of Play 007 – shaken or stirred?
• Shinobi: Art of Vengeance first impressions
• Verdicts on MGSD & Gears Reloaded
• Silksong hype spiral continues
• Review code verdicts
• Main topic: What Drives Our Next Game to Play?
• Pixel Picks Showdown: Best Spy Game

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

This week we’re deep-diving into the world of remakes—what makes them feel right, and when do they just feel… off? With Metal Gear Solid Delta and Gears of War Reloaded hitting shelves, we’re asking the big questions: Should a remake preserve everything that worked back then? Or are there things—story, tone, even design—that should stay in the past?

We break down how modern remakes try to balance nostalgia with modern expectations, and whether it’s possible to truly update a classic without alienating the people who loved it in the first place.

Plus, in this week’s Pixel Picks Showdown, we’re crowning the Best Metroidvania Game

🎧 What’s your take on remakes—should they evolve with the player, or stick to the script?

In this episode:

• Remakes vs reboots: What’s the difference?
• Metal Gear Solid Delta & Gears Reloaded 
• Remakes: Fix the game or fix the player?
• Pixel Picks Showdown: Best Metroidvania Game

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

This week we’re fresh off Gamescom 2025 with our early reactions and a deeper look at what makes a stand-out games showcase.

With announcements like Resident Evil Requiem, Black Myth 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hell is Us, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and more, we’ll talk about what worked, what missed the mark, and what games we walk away excited for. 

We’ll also ask: what makes a great showcase? Is it surprises, pacing, tone, or just lots of big names in trailers?

And in this week’s Pixel Picks Showdown, we’re ranking the Best Art Style Game, because sometimes it's simply about doing things in style!

In this episode:

• Gamescom & Opening Night Live 2025 reactions and reveals
• What Makes A Great Games Showcase?
• Pixel Picks Showdown: Best Art Style Game
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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’re pulling back the curtain on our gaming backlogs—no more hiding behind those unfinished games. Scott and Liam are laying it all out there, revealing every game they’ve got on the backlog, the progress they’ve made (or haven’t made), and just how likely they are to finally finish them in the inaugural Year of the Log.

We’ll also dive into our thoughts on the highly anticipated Hell is Us, our thoughts on Battlefield 6, if Liam is still hyped after playing Shinobi Art of Vengeance and Scott’s ongoing quest in The Witcher 3. Are we making real progress or just adding to the pile?

Plus, we’ll go head-to-head in this week’s Pixel Picks Showdown, where we debate the Best Game You’ll Never 100%. Which games will you never fully complete, and why? Tune in for some candid and fun discussions.

🎧 Are you tackling your gaming backlog, or is it growing by the day? Let us know your backlogged games and if you think you’ll ever finish them!

In this episode:

• Big preview chat: Hell is Us, Battlefield 6, and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
• Scott and Liam expose their gaming backlogs for the Year of the Log
• Pixel Picks Showdown: Best Game You’ll Never 100%

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

Music and production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

It’s time to look forward – and backward. With PS6 specs allegedly leaking , we sit down to ask whether gamers are anywhere near ready for the next generation. We review the PS5 and Xbox Series X era, asking what delivered and what disappointed. Are seven‑year cycles still appropriate when PS6 and a PS6 handheld could release in late 2027 or early 2028?

We’ll also cover the upcoming games ready to assault our backlogs – from Mafia: The Old Country and Gears of War Reloaded to Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, Borderlands 4 and Silent Hill F – before going head‑to‑head in this week’s Pixel Picks Showdown to name the Best RPG Shooter game.

🎧 Are you ready to trade in the current gen? Let us know on social or in the comments below!

In this episode:

• Upcoming Releases & Backlog Assault
• Main topic: Are We Ready for the Next Generation? PS5/Xbox Series X in Review
• Pixel Picks Showdown: Best PlayStation 3 Game

Write to us: [email protected]

Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social

Music and production by Sean Murray – barehandsdesigns.com

We get real this week in what may be our most heartfelt main topic yet - asking if video games hit harder since becoming parents. Is it being more in touch with our emotions or simple sleep deprivation?

We also give final scores on Donkey Kong Bananza and Death Stranding 2, before catching up on how summertime has been the scourge of our efforts in the Year of the Log! 

Also, on this week’s Pixel Picks Showdown, we finally go large as we crown the best Open World Game!

🎧 Do games hit harder for you as a parent? Let us know on social or in the comments below!

In this episode:

• Donkey Kong Bananza Final Score
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Final Score
• Year of the Log: Summer Struggles
• Main topic: Do Games Hit Harder Since BecomingA Parent?
• Pixel Picks Showdown: Best Open World Game

Write to us: [email protected]

Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social

Music and production by Sean Murray - barehandsdesigns.com

This week on the Pixel Parents Podcast, Alex from The Mimic’s Veil returns to talk Donkey Kong Bananza — the bold new platformer swinging into the hearts of a new generation. Could this be their Mario 64 moment?

On our main topic, inspired by the new Fantastic Four: First Steps, we each unveil our Gaming Fantastic Four — the four games that define us. It’s personal. It’s chaotic. And it’s guaranteed to spark debate. And on the Pixel Picks Showdown, things can only get better as we name the Best Remake Game!

🎧 What’s in your Gaming Fantastic Four? Let us know on social or in the comments below!

In this episode:

• Donkey Kong Bananza
• The next generations Mario 64 moment?
• Pokemon Presents Reactions
• Xbox Pricing change reactions
• Main topic: Our Gaming Fantastic Four
• Pixel Picks Showdown: Best Remake Game

Write to us: [email protected]

Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social

Music and production by Sean Murray - barehandsdesigns.com

Check out Alex on The Mimic’s Veil - https://open.spotify.com/show/7hQ7STWDvH0RYWC7cVTWgX 

We’re more than halfway through the year, so it’s time to ask the big question: what’s our Game of the Year… so far? We break down the best games we’ve played in 2025 and predict who might take the crown by December.  

We’re also celebrating the return of skateboarding, reviewing our favourite delivery simulator, and going all-in on a nostalgic brawl to crown the Best Gamecube game in this week’s Pixel Picks Showdown. All this plus:

• THPS 3+4 
• Deliver at All Costs hands-on review
• Death Stranding 2 - Our Journey So Far
• Main topic: Game of The Year (so far)
• Pixel Picks Showdown: Best Gamecube Game

Write to us: [email protected]

Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social

Music and production by Sean Murray - barehandsdesigns.com

We sit down for a chat with legendary games composer, Grant Kirkhope and discuss his creative process, legacy and more! We also catch up on all things Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. And much more. Fellow gamers, WELCOME TO THE VIDEO ERA OF PIXEL PARENTS!

• Death Stranding 2 - Our Journey So Far
• Main topic: In Conversation with Grant Kirkhope
• Pixel Picks Showdown: Best Rhythm Game

Write to us: [email protected]

Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social

Subscribe to us on YouTube: @pixelparentspodcast

Music and production by Sean Murray - barehandsdesigns.com

Who really likes a follow quest? This week it’s all about getting the big scythe out as we name all the gaming tropes we’d banish forever! Scott also has yet another platformer review, and it’s one to keep an eye on! Strap in, it’s a bold one! All this plus:

• Ruffy and the Riverside review
• Death Stranding 2 initial thoughts
• Main topic: Video Game Tropes We Would End
• Pixel Picks Showdown: Best Rewarding Game

Write to us: [email protected]

Follow us on BlueSky: @pixelparents.bsky.social

Music and production by Sean Murray - barehandsdesigns.com