Press Start Select Podcast

Valve just shook the gaming industry. In this episode of Press Start Select, we break down the newly announced Steam Machine, a $500–$700 console-style PC targeting early 2026. With PS5-level performance, full access to the Steam library, and potential hardware upgrades, this device could disrupt the entire console market—and put real pressure on Xbox’s long-term strategy.

We also dive into broader industry stories, including:

Why Arc Raiders found success after a rough start

The real reason live-service games fail

How bad netcode kills fighting games

Sony’s confusing approach to a Horizon MMO

Marvel Rivals expanding with Gambit and Rogue

Nintendo’s rushed gaming-movie plans

Plus: our full Game Awards 2025 predictions—from Best Fighting Game to Game of the Year—and a reality check on Kingdom Hearts 4.

Whether you're interested in hardware, live-service trends, fighting games, or industry strategy, this episode covers one of the biggest potential shifts in gaming’s future.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:46 Arc Raiders Success

08:40 Live Service Longevity

13:29 What Kills Fighting Games

17:47 Sony’s Horizon MMO Problem

37:25 Marvel Rivals: Gambit & Rogue

49:34 Nintendo’s Movie Problems

01:00:00 Steam Machine Announced

01:16:25 Steam Machine Success Factors

01:27:09 Best Fighting Game – Predictions

01:41:05 Best RPG – Predictions

01:56:59 Game of the Year Predictions

02:11:41 Surprise Trailer Predictions

02:18:05 Kingdom Hearts 4 Reality Check

What are the 10 games that define you as a gamer? In this episode, Antonius (DaGamer) walks through the titles that shaped his tastes, values, and expectations—from the timeless adventure of Pokémon Silver to the peak fighting game design of Ultra Street Fighter IV.

This is more than nostalgia. It’s the blueprint of why older gamers expect so much from modern titles. Antonius breaks down how:

Pokémon Silver taught strategy and worldbuilding

Super Smash Bros. brought childhood imagination to life

Final Fantasy VII proved games could deliver A-tier storytelling

NBA Street Vol. 2 redefined sports games with style and creativity

Batman: Arkham City set a standard for perfect action-adventure design

We explore genre-defining sequels, unforgettable soundtracks, and why the late ’90s to mid-2000s era set expectations that still shape gaming discussions today. Whether you grew up in gaming’s golden age or want to understand why older gamers are so critical of modern releases, this episode lays out the foundation.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:11 Pokémon Silver

04:30 Super Smash Bros.

07:58 Final Fantasy VII

12:46 Kingdom Hearts II

19:08 NBA Street Vol. 2

25:03 Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3

29:20 Batman: Arkham City

33:12 Def Jam: Fight for New York

36:03 Marvel vs. Capcom

39:29 Ultra Street Fighter IV

44:05 Why These Games Matter

46:01 Outro

What are the 10 games that define you as a gamer? In this Super SSS Rank episode of Press Start Select, Jorry breaks down the titles that shaped his identity—from the competitive chaos of Super Smash Bros. to the cinematic impact of Metal Gear Solid 4 and the emotional weight of Mass Effect 2.

We explore legendary action games, iconic shooters, and unforgettable RPG moments, including:

- Precision mastery in Ninja Gaiden

- Weapon-based combat depth in Soulcalibur II

- Why Gears of War changed co-op gaming

- How story, mechanics, and nostalgia shape lifelong gaming tastes

This episode is a celebration of the games that mold us: the ones we return to, learn from, and carry with us as players.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:02 Super Smash Bros.

05:08 Devil May Cry 3

15:17 Halo: Combat Evolved

26:19 Ninja Gaiden

31:08 Soulcalibur II

36:52 Mass Effect 2

40:58 Metal Gear Solid 4

47:12 Zelda: Ocarina of Time

50:29 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

52:45 Gears of War

55:12 Summary

GTA 6 has been pushed to November 2026 — but the delay isn’t the real story. In this episode of Press Start Select, we dig into what’s actually happening inside Rockstar Games, why the gaming industry is shifting in 2025, and how GTA 6 is facing expectations no studio can realistically deliver on.

We break down how the modern gaming landscape has changed since GTA 5, the rise of massive player backlogs, the economics behind $70 releases, and the pressure studios face as development timelines stretch longer than ever. From union concerns at Rockstar to widespread industry layoffs, we explore why this GTA delay signals something much bigger.

We also shift to anime news and discuss the Chainsaw Man movie (Reze Arc), the growing animation quality crisis, the disappointing rollout of One Punch Man Season 3, and why top studios like MAPPA are setting impossible production standards. Plus: how “the Dragon Ball Z effect” impacts modern anime, why some manga struggle in adaptation, and what Demon Slayer continues to get right.

Topics Covered:

• GTA 6 delay & industry fallout

• Gaming backlog problem in 2025

• Nintendo Switch 2 sales trends

• Palworld lawsuit updates

• Square Enix layoffs & development issues

• Chainsaw Man movie breakdown

• Anime production challenges in 2025

• OPM Season 3 concerns & manga vs. anime quality

Follow & Rate Press Start Select for weekly deep dives into gaming and anime culture.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:39 GTA 6 Delayed to 2026

02:00 GTA 6 Delay Reaction

03:02 Gaming Industry Problems 2025

04:31 Nintendo Switch 2 Sales

06:38 Pokemon News

08:06 Palworld Nintendo Lawsuit Update

09:38 Will GTA 6 Be Good

12:15 Gaming Backlog Problem

16:26 Video Game Development Issues

20:28 Square Enix Layoffs

24:16 FF7 Rebirth Combat

26:46 Crash Bandicoot on Netflix

29:35 Captain America Black Panther Game Delayed

36:15 Marvel Games 2025

38:03 Chainsaw Man Movie

44:02 My Hero Academia Final Season

50:54 Anime Animation Quality

52:01 One Punch Man Season 3

54:12 Manga vs Anime

55:48 Outro

Halo is officially coming to PlayStation — and Xbox fans are losing it. In this episode of Press Start Select Podcast, we break down why Microsoft is putting Halo on PS5, what it means for Xbox exclusives, and if this marks the end of the console war as we know it.

We also get into Pokémon Legends Z-A’s surprising 5 million sales, One Piece going seasonal, and the wild Smash JT vs. Colin Moriarty debate that had gaming Twitter buzzing.

Topics include:

• Halo’s PlayStation debut and Xbox’s “gaming everywhere” plan

• The emotional weight of Master Chief leaving home

• Why Xbox exclusives don’t matter anymore

• Pokémon’s unstoppable success despite criticism

• One Piece’s new seasonal format

• Smash JT’s failed debate moment

🎮 Tune in for unfiltered gaming talk, anime takes, and sharp humor — all from the Press Start Select Podcast.

#Halo #Xbox #PlayStation #GamingPodcast #PressStartSelectPodcast #Pokémon #OnePiece

Pokémon Legends Z-A is shaping up to be yet another low-effort, bare-minimum entry from Game Freak—and we’re officially fed up. From cut content to weak visuals, this series is running purely on nostalgia fumes.

In Episode 68 of the Press Start Select Podcast, we also break down whether Tekken 8 has completely lost its identity, debate if Ghost of Yotei really needed a four-year development cycle, and celebrate Battlefield 6’s massive comeback.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Intro & Podcast Kickoff

02:45 – Tekken 8’s Miary Zo Reveal

04:32 – “Gods and Monsters” Era: Is Tekken 8 Changing Too Much?

08:33 – Has Soulcalibur Been Absorbed Into Tekken?

12:19 – Should Tekken 9 Reboot the Entire Lore?

23:29 – Ghost of Yotei Launch Success & Tsushima Comparisons

24:07 – Did Ghost of Yote Really Need a 4-Year Development Cycle?

29:39 – Are Modern Sequels Taking Too Long for Too Little?

35:38 – The Cancelled Assassin’s Creed Civil War/Klan Uprising Game

40:59 – Why Are Nazis Acceptable Villains but the KKK Isn’t?

49:48 – Battlefield 6 Sells 7 Million Copies in One Week

59:42 – Ninja Gaiden 4 Discussion After Tomonobu Itagaki’s Passing

01:19:46 – Ally Xbox Handheld Critique

01:32:07 – Pokémon Legends Z-A

01:50:00 – Is Z-A Just a Test Run for a Live Service Pokémon Game?

02:01:44 – The Rumored Pokémon Roadmap: Winds, Waves & Future Legends

02:06:02 – How Spin-Offs Like Snap & Mystery Dungeon Could Fix Pokémon

02:25:28 – Closing Thoughts & Episode Wrap-Up

In this week’s episode of the Press Start Select Podcast, Antonius DaGamer and Mykale Smith dive deep into the chaos shaking up the gaming world. From Xbox’s $30 Game Pass price hike and its fading console identity, to Mortal Kombat 2’s movie missteps, the guys don’t hold back.

They also unpack why Digimon might finally be stepping out of Pokémon’s shadow, and celebrate Sucker Punch’s success with Ghost of Tsushima and its well-earned sequel.

A mix of spicy takes, real gamer insight, and nostalgic deep dives—perfect for listeners who live and breathe gaming culture.

🎮 Topics include: Xbox’s future, Mortal Kombat 2’s downfall, Digimon vs. Pokémon, Sucker Punch’s evolution, and what’s next for PlayStation.

Timestamp Chapters:

00:00 – Xbox’s $30 Game Pass Problem

The crew reacts to the Xbox Game Pass and console price hike — is Microsoft’s gaming model falling apart?

06:45 – Xbox’s Identity Crisis & Future of Consoles

Why Xbox feels lost in its own ecosystem, and what happens if they pivot away from hardware entirely.

17:55 – Mortal Kombat 2 Movie & Fighting Game Woes

Mortal Kombat 2 delays, Tekken 8 backlash, and why Virtua Fighter might secretly be the comeback king.

34:30 – Digimon vs. Pokémon: The Comeback No One Saw Coming

Digimon’s revival across games and anime—and why Pokémon fatigue might finally be real.

54:00 – Ghost of Tsushima 2 & Sucker Punch’s Winning Formula

Celebrating Sucker Punch’s rise, open-world polish, and why Ghost’s sequel proves PlayStation still gets it right.

1:02:30 – Should Infamous Make a Comeback?

Would Infamous work in today’s superhero-saturated gaming world, or should Sucker Punch leave it in the past?

1:08:00 – Wrap-Up & Future of the Industry

Final thoughts on the next era of gaming — sequels, reboots, and which studios still have that creative spark.

#GamingPodcast #XboxGamePass #PlayStation #MortalKombat #Digimon #GhostOfTsushima #PressStartSelectPodcast

Xbox raised Game Pass prices to $30/month with minimal new content, and we're watching the brand collapse in real time. After years of believing in the comeback, we're officially retiring our Xbox consoles.

In this episode, we break down Sony's State of Play, discuss the incredible Wolverine gameplay reveal, and explain why Xbox's recent decisions might be the final nail in the coffin for the console brand.

TOPICS COVERED:

- Sony State of Play highlights and new announcements

- Marvel's Wolverine gameplay breakdown and casting discussion

- Why Wolverine's character model is a problem

- Xbox's $30 Game Pass disaster explained

- How Xbox lost its brand identity

- Why we're switching to PC gaming

- The rise and fall of Xbox in one generation

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction

00:34 - Sony State of Play Impressions

15:28 - Marvel's Wolverine Gameplay

47:46 - Xbox is Destroying Xbox

1:07:56 - We're Retiring Xbox

1:29:38 - Closing Thoughts

This is Press Start Select - your weekly gaming podcast covering news, drama, and the hot takes you need to hear.

Follow us for new episodes every week!

Antonius DaGamer, Mykale Smith, and Super SSS rank return after an unexpected hiatus with a packed episode 66! We apologize for the break and dive into Nintendo's 2025 villain era—analyzing their strategic Direct timing, the pricey Super Mario Galaxy ports, and the 2026 Mario movie tease. We debate Nintendo's disconnect, overpricing history, and Mario Tennis Fever concerns, while exploring digital ownership woes, Xbox's decline, and Metroid Prime 4’s open-world potential.

Plus, nostalgia marketing, parenting battles, Pokémon controversies, and hot takes on Hollow Knight, Sega, and Demon Slayer.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome & Apology for Hiatus

02:41 - Nintendo’s Heel Turn and Direct Timing Strategy

04:13 - Mario Galaxy Re-release & Pricing Debate

06:56 - Is Nintendo Out of Touch? Port vs. Remaster Discussion

08:38 - Nintendo’s History of Overpricing

11:50 - Digital Ownership & Consumer Frustration

16:18 - Mario Tennis Fever & Spinoff Problems

19:38 - Marketing Nostalgia to Parents

23:51 - Metroid Prime 4: Open World Concerns

32:40 - Yoshi and the Mysterious Book

40:18 - Virtual Boy Attachment Returns

44:32 - Pokémon Pokopia Discussion

49:51 - Pokémon Legends: Z-A DLC Backlash

51:51 - One City Setting & Regression Concerns

1:04:57 - Nintendo’s Summoning Patent

1:15:21 - Hollow Knight: Silk Song’s Fair Pricing

1:28:37 - Ghost of Tsushima Dev Fallout

1:48:55 - Is Sega Back?

2:12:22 - One Piece Live Action Casting

2:16:06 - Minority Hunter Zoro Discussion

2:23:44 - Demon Slayer Breaks Pokémon’s Record

2:29:26 - Demon Slayer Flashbacks Debate

Nintendo blocked a charity speedrun event (57:35), Fortnite brought back Mighty Morphin Power Rangers again (00:37), and Sony is taking Tencent to court over a Horizon Zero Dawn clone (51:30).

We break down why Nintendo keeps stepping on its own goodwill, whether Fortnite’s MMPR collab is peak nostalgia or peak laziness, and how Sony’s lawsuit could set a big precedent in gaming.

Plus, we dig into Lost Souls Aside finally going gold (15:30), Mafia: The Old Country’s mixed reception (23:29), Ninja Gaiden 4’s new protagonist (37:16), Warner Bros.’ live service addiction (1:08:25), and more anime/game news from Demon Slayer: Hinokami 2 (1:26:57), Marvel Rivals adding Blade (1:41:19), Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hype (1:53:42), and Gundam Wing’s 30th Anniversary (2:07:39