Post Games is an NPR-style podcast about video games.

Each week, games media veteran Chris Plante (co-founder of Polygon, co-host of The Besties) tackles a new topic with the help of guest experts. This episode is a tasting menu: four conversations with four very different experts.

YouTuber AnyAustin reflects on growing old as a gaming YouTuber. Author Keza MacDonald gives us a hint of Nintendo's future. Philosopher C. Thi Nguyen explains how metrics and optimization have infected our favorite games. And critic and game designer Tim Rogers recommends the perfect starting point for Dragon Quest.

This is the perfect entry point for newcomers and a taste of what's available for paid subscribers on the Patreon!

Love the show? Please consider supporting Post Games (and getting tons of bonus segments and episodes) at Patreon.com.postgames

This Week on Post Games:

• Act 1: Getting Old as a Professional Gaming YouTuber
• Act 2: Nintendo’s Future
•  Act 3: How Metrics Infected Video Games
•  Bonus Act: Tim Rogers Recommends You Play This Dragon Quest First

Show Notes:

• Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games

Sponsors:

• Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames
• Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)
• Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

• Any Austin: Gaming YouTuber
• Keza MacDonald: Journalist and author of Super Nintendo: The Game-Changing Company That Unlocked the Power of Play
• C. Thi Nguyen: Philosopher, educator, and author. His latest book is The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else’s Game
• Tim Rogers: Critic and designer at Action Button

Art & Music:

• Logo and Show Art: James Bareham
• Theme: Mark Sparling
• Additional music: Epidemic Sound

All interviews are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

• Act 1: Why Game Criticism Is a Kindness
• Act 2: What a Game Review Can and Can’t Do
• Patreon Bonus: The Reason Review Scores Make People So Mad

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

• Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games
• Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

• Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames
• Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)
• Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

• Harper Jay: Critic and Writer

Art & Music:

• Logo and Show Art: James Bareham
• Theme: Mark Sparling
• Additional music: Epidemic Sound

All interviews are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

• Act 1: Defining ‘Weird Nintendo’
• Act 2: Weird Nintendo, #10-6
• Act 3: Weird Nintendo, #5-1
• Patreon Bonus: The Nintendo Story I Could Never Tell

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

• Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games
• Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

• Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames
• Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)
• Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guest:

• Jeremy Parish: host and author of Video Works, co-host and co-founder of Retronauts

Art & Music:

• Logo and Show Art: James Bareham
• Theme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

• Act 1: The Primordial Ooze of the Modern Game Industry
• Act 2: No Time Like the Present
• Act 3: How to Get People to See a Game in 2026
• Patreon Bonus: The Two Big Bets That Led to Xbox's Current Problems

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

• Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games
• Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

• Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames
• Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details.)
• Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

• Rob Pardo: CEO of Bonfire Studios, former CCO of Blizzard Entertainment
• Jason Schreier: reporter at Bloomberg News, co-host of Triple Click

Art & Music:

• Logo and Show Art: James Bareham
• Theme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

• The EGOTYs: 50 critics, directors, designers, reporters, authors, and comedians share their favorite games of 2026
• Patreon Bonus: I share my Top 10 Games of 2026, and consider why they stuck to my heart, brain, and gut

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

• Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games
• Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

• Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames
• Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).
• Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

• See the full guest list at www.Post.Games

Art & Music:

• Logo and Show Art: James Bareham
• Theme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

• Patreon Bonus: The Rules of Persona Summer
• Act 1: Persona, Explained!
• Act 2: Where to Start (or Continue) with Persona
• Act 3: Why Tribeca Film Fest Includes Video Games

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

• Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games
• Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

• Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames
• Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).
• Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

• Brendon Bigley and Stephen Hilger: co-hosts of Into the Aether
• Leigh Alexander: narrative designer, writer, and former games journalist
• Casey Baron: Senior Programmer of the Tribeca Film Festival
• Closing Song: “Aria of the Soul” by The Blueshift Big Band (The Persona 30th Anniversary Jazz Album)

Art & Music:

• Logo and Show Art: James Bareham
• Theme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

• Act 1: Everything You Need to Know about Bond
• Act 2: Why Bond Games and Movies Have Become So Tough to Make
• Patreon Bonus: A History of Bond Games in Five Titles
• Act 3: 007 First Light’s Narrative Director on Creating a New Bond

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

• Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games
• Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

• Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames
• Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).
• Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

• Matt Gourley: co-host of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, James Bondings, With Gourley & Rust, and many other great podcasts
• Martin Emborg: Narrative and Cinematic Director, 007 First Light

Art & Music:

• Logo and Show Art: James Bareham
• Theme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

• Act 1: Try Not to Lose 100 Followers
• Act 2: How to Look Closely at Gaming’s Little Details
• Patreon Bonus: Getting Old as a Professional YouTuber

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

• Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games
• Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

• Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames
• Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).
• Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

• Any Austin: Gaming YouTuber
• Closing Song: “He’s Out There” (Screaming Savage Blood Death)

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Post Games:

• Act 1: The History of Bubsy 2D
• Act 1.5: The Case for Bubsy 3D
• Act 2: The Making of Bubsy 4D
• Patreon Bonus: The Bubsy Parody About Loving Modern Art
• Act 3: The News of the Week

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

• Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games
• Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

• Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames
• Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).
• Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

• Fabian Rastorfer and Ben Miller: co-leads of Fabraz, Bubsy 4D
• Ben Esposito: Designer on Neon White, Donut County, and Bubsy 3D: Bubsy in
• Evan Minsker: Proprietor, critic, and reporter at see/saw

Closing Song:

• “Techno Syndrome 2026” by Benjamin Wallfisch from Mortal Kombat 2: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Art & Music:

• Logo and Show Art: James Bareham
• Theme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Editor's Note:

Hey Post Games listeners! It's Post Games' first anniversary. To celebrate, and to give myself some time to prep the summer episodes, I'm sharing one of the monthly Patreon-exclusive episodes. This is the history of the original The Legend of Zelda, featuring one of the series' foremost experts and historians.

If you like this episode, you'll enjoy the rest of Past Games. Each month, I talk with a different expert about a game or moment celebrating an anniversary this year. Previous episodes include L.A. Noire with Tim Rogers, along with histories of Dark Souls and Animal Crossing with people who wrote the books on each.

Subscribe at Patreon.com/PostGames for $5 to get all that and more.

This Week on Post Games:

• Act 1: The Making of The Legend of Zelda
• Act 2: The 30-Year Evolution of Zelda Games
• Act 3: A History of the Zelda Fan Community

Show Notes and Bonus Episodes:

• Want full show notes for free, including links to everything we mention? Visit www.post.games
• Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5

Sponsors:

• Incogni Deal: To get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan, go to incogni.com/postgames
• Factor Deal: Head to Factormeals.com/postgames50off and use code postgames50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with a new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).
• Quince Deal: Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com/POSTGAMES for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Guests:

• Max Nichols: Game designer, educator, and operator of Hyrule Interviews
• Closing Song: “Boléro” Maurice Ravel. Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Parism. Conducted by Manuel Rosenthal

Art & Music:

• Logo and Show Art: James Bareham
• Theme: Mark Sparling

All interviews on Post Games are edited for concision and clarity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.