In this adventurous episode of the Popzara Podcast our own Hyrulian warriors Cory Galliher, Herman Exum, and Nathan Evans unite to talk and gab about the Nintendo Switch, the latest console from the legendary Japanese game developer attempting to change the way we play games.

From the Switch’s ability to transform from home console to mobile (and back again) in seconds, the guys talk all about the versatile hybrid, how it stacks up to the competition (including Nintendo’s own 3DS), whether reports of Joy-Con connectivity are overblown, and the most important aspect of any new gaming machine – the games! Or in this case, the lack thereof.

And speaking of legendary, most of the game talk goes to the new console’s premier launch title, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which earns the distinction of being not just one of the best launch games ever, but one of the best games of all-time. Honorable mentions to other standout Switch launch titles Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, Super Bomberman R, and 1-2 Switch, the last a standout for all the wrong reasons. But who cares? Go play Zelda!

In this undaunted episode of the Popzara Podcast our spirited warriors Cory Galliher and Nathan Evans level up to talk Horizon Zero Dawn, a massive open-world action adventure starring Aloy, Sony’s bow-slinging heroine fighting to learn not just about her mysterious past, but against robot dinosaurs. Huge robot dinosaurs.

The guys discuss the latest PS4 exclusive from developer Guerrilla Games (Killzone), and they don’t hold back. From the game’s striking similarities to other open-world epics, (largely overblown) criticisms of its presentation, its unique presentation of feminism and diversity, and how 2017 is shaping up to be one hell of a good year for gaming. Hey, it couldn’t be worse than last year, right?

Also on tap is the unavoidable: the ill-timing of being released in the same week as another ‘wildly’ anticipated open-world epic, Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Listen now to see whether this AAA PlayStation blockbuster is worth your attention – and money (spoiler: it is!).

On today’s contemplative episode of the Popzara Podcast our own chief executive Nathan Evans speaks with veteran games journalist Dean Takahashi, author of a recent VentureBeat op-ed entitled “Should You Bring Up Trump’s Travel Ban Politics at a Video Game Award Event?”

On today’s contemplative episode of the Popzara Podcast our own chief executive Nathan Evans speaks with veteran games journalist Dean Takahashi, author of a recent VentureBeat op-ed entitled “Should You Bring Up Trump’s Travel Ban Politics at a Video Game Award Event?” Takahashi posited – and seemed to answer – the question whether it was permissible, even desirable, for industry insiders to voice dissent over President Donald Trump’s controversial Executive Order 13769, which limited immigration and travel from seven Muslim-dominant countries at award shows like the 2017 DICE Awards.

The talk, which took place, appropriately, just prior to the 89th Academy Awards, the film industry’s annual celebration of itself – and frequent platform for encouraging dissent from its podium. Takahashi makes the case the gaming industry should make similar outreach efforts against those actions they find troubling, while Nathan cautions against encouraging the uninformed and the vital importance of responsible reporting.

It’s a lively discussion that strikes balance between political activism and responsible journalism, and how some developers are tackling sensitive subject matter head-on via efforts like Bury Me, my love and We Are Chicago. Also referenced is Takahashi’s heartfelt missive detailing how his family was personally affected by the actions of President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, which led to the internment of innocent Americans.

Regardless where you stand politically, thoughtful and engaging conversation is always appropriate – and welcome here.

In this rearing edition of the Popzara Podcast our own editorial patriarch Nathan Evans talks with Eric Winebrenner and Ryan Huggins, proud parents of indie developer Sundae Month, about their latest digital bundle of joy, Dad Quest, a side-scrolling retro themed platformer that blends traditional 2D skills with weaponized children. The game even charmed our own Nia Bothwell into saying it has “a surprising level of depth and emotion to go along with its message of parental support and pigeon-wacking.”

From its genesis as a Flash-based roguelike to the 2D, pixel-powered platformer it became, there’s more to Dad Quest than its unique child-chucking mechanic. It’s an intriguing story about how a few students from Vermont went on to live the dream of indie game development (often while still being students), and how the power of the Dad Spirit can be strong with everyone. But please: don’t actually toss the children. That wouldn’t be good.

The first taste of what’s shaking up retail shelves across the country is here, thanks to the NPD Group’s monthly reports for the month of January 2017. In this ghoulish edition of the Popzara Podcast our own stalwart industry watchdogs, Cory Galliher and Nathan Evans are at the ready to dish out what’s what, who’s leading and what’s hot.

So how is the new year shaping up for the gaming industry as a whole? As the first snapshot demonstrate, a lot like last year, unfortunately.

Cumulative sales of new hardware, software, and accessories were down a slight 4 percent from last year ($610.7 million from $636.7 million). Taken as a whole, that doesn’t sound terrible, but much of the industry’s downward slide was stifled by a strong showing in new gaming software, led by a certain ghoulish franchise enjoying its own resurrection.

Total sales of new gaming hardware is down a troubling 19 percent ($127 million from $157 million). Once again, the best-selling new hardware was Sony’s PlayStation 4, buoyed by the Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Bundle PS4 Slim Bundle. Curiously, there’s no info about how the 4K-enhanced PS4 Pro hardware is selling, but Microsoft did mention their console, the Xbox One (specifically, their own 4K player, the Xbox One S) had the best January yet. However, reduced prices are clearly hitting respective console makers bottom line’s hard.

On the software side, sales of new console games were actually up a surprising 14 percent ($312.5 million from $273.9 million), thanks primarily to a strong showing of Capcom’s Resident Evil 7 biohazard and a string of notable holdovers. Sales of new PC games, however, couldn’t stop the slippage, falling a slight 12 percent over last year ($16.1 million from $18.3 million).

Worse still, sales of game accessories, which include controllers, plastic figures, and other bonus goodies, fell a distressing 17 percent over last year ($155 million from $187.5 million). Seems like the collectable craze might officially be over.

Top Ten Software: Dig In!

The month’s best-seller was Capcom’s survival-horror reinvention, Resident Evil 7 biohazard, which was the first time the developer/publisher topped the list since – wait for it – Resident Evil 5 back in 2009. We won’t even talk about RE6… Coming in second is Activison’s Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, which should be a familiar presence on the list until, say, the next one. Speaking of familiar presences, Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V is nearing its fourth year (!) on the list, while EA’s own FPS blockbuster, Battlefield 1 is fourth. Rounding out the top five is 2K Sports’ generational-blending of all-time favorites, NBA 2K17.

Coming in at number sixth is Square-Enix’s tongue-twisting Disney crossover Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, EA Sports’ Madden NFL 17 at seventh, Ubisoft’s hack-tastic Watch Dogs 2 at eighth, and Blizzard’s latest creation, Overwatch...

In this rearing edition of the Popzara Podcast our own editorial patriarch Nathan Evans talks with Eric Winebrenner and Ryan Huggins, proud parents of indie developer Sundae Month, about their latest digital bundle of joy, Dad Quest, a side-scrolling retro themed platformer that blends traditional 2D skills with weaponized children.

In this stimulating episode of the Popzara Podcast Nia Bothwell talks with French game developer Pierre Corbinais, writer of the upcoming mobile game Bury me, my Love: A Story of Love, Hope and Migration, a unique interactive narrative due later this year for iOS and Android.

While stories of the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis may dominate international headlines, few outside mainstream media have attempted to present the challenges facing those people fleeing their home country for what they hope is a better life elsewhere.

In this stimulating episode of the Popzara Podcast Nia Bothwell talks with French game developer Pierre Corbinais, writer of the upcoming mobile game Bury me, my Love: A Story of Love, Hope and Migration, a unique interactive narrative due later this year for iOS and Android.

Nia and Pierre discuss the difficulties of translating sensitive material to a playable storyline, as well as the difficulties facing those indie developers attempting to expand narrative possibilities of the gaming industry. All this and what curious players can expect when the game launches later this year await sympathetic listening ears.

For more information on Bury me, my Love: A Story of Love, Hope and Migration check out the official site right HERE!

In an episode of the Popzara Podcast absolutely bubbling over with je ne sais quoi, Nia Bothwell says enchanté with Accidental Queens co-founder Elizabeth Maler, the indie development team behind the new “lost phone” game A Normal Lost Phone.