Podouken

What Sega faux pas led to this game being created? Have dad bods ever been used for character references besides this game? Is this game a beat 'em up, platformer, or something more sinister? We also explore our poor music tastes, get hooked on Wordle, discuss some very mild No Way Home spoilers, guffaw at unrealistic female beauty standards, and debate over what the best cracker is (which may lead to a podcast spinoff series!).

Editor's note: Stop trying to make Cracker Time happen. It's not going to happen.

It's a Giant-Size X-Men episode as we cover the best arcade game of all time (at least according to one host) in our longest show yet! What is it about this Konami beat 'em up that separates it from other greats like TMNT and the Simpsons? How did a failed pilot inspire this astonishing game? What is the point of a soundboard if you don't include the game's best sounds? Can you live comfortably within a 6 player X-Men cabinet? Along with exploring the hardcore history of this game we cover topics like the top songs of 1992, Earth-652975, Professor X's problematic past, RadioShack CueCats, and Australian Wolverine.

The Punisher, a game of pixels and violence. Where players mercilessly prey on all. Anytime, anywhere. The next game in the MCBU is Capcom's ode to grit and 90s machismo that started a longtime relationship between two huge companies. Is this the best Marvel-based beat 'em up of the 90s? How do you grow poppies in a cave? Why is white Nick Fury such a nag? Join us as we explore this fantastic game and talk about the horrors of sleep paralysis, our preferred in-game weapons, nelophobia, McDonalds food, space Civics, and Oldboy hallway fighting. We also have an on-air gift exchange and Pastblaster goes shopping for some balls.

An astonishing new miniseries begins as we explore the MCBU - Marvel Circuit Board Universe. We begin with the best licensing very little money could buy in the early 90s, Captain America and the Avengers. What is it about this beat 'em up that makes it so appealing? Why did Data East feature bargain basement Avengers instead of the big guns? Is a spoken word playthrough of the game good podcasting? Typical tangential talk ensues as Jarrod breaks the flat earth conspiracy wide open, Rob gets very upset discussing the worst version of the Juggernaut, Adam personifies the Scarlet Witch, and the crew gives their (totally sponsor free) recommendations for arcade and video game related gifts.

We answer Tyler's call to talk about the arcade game based on the animated show based on the Ghostbusters movie (but not the Ghost Busters TV show, and definitely not the animated show called Ghostbusters), Data East's The Real Ghostbusters. What existing game did Data East repurpose as The Real Ghostbusters? Do we ever come close to pronouncing it correctly? How does this game rank among the all-time best Ghostbusters video games? How many trees and/or robots did Jarrod kill to cover this game? We also go in depth with some pinball talk, give the scoop on the recent Free Play Florida gaming convention, give our choices for best Mario game, and start our restoration of a Sega classic.