The Dive Down

By The Dive DownLeisure Games

The Dive Down episodes

September 26, 2025Episode 339: Considering Cards & Katsu
On this week's show, we kick off with some of our favorite autumn traditions and morning routines. Then we delve into the enduring appeal of cards as a medium for games, collectibles, and artifacts that connect us to our past. We look up some prices of original Garbage Pail Kids, chat about fine dining etiquette, and try to convince Shane to buy video games in Japan. We wrap with a chat about the future of Tik Tok and how it might resemble the social media lifecycle we've witnessed over the last 20 years.
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
0:01 - Autumnal food traditions, and leaving your home
12:40 - This week's episode/housekeeping
16:10 - Our first trading cards
23:53 - Why the card?
36:09 - The etiquette of fine dining
43:35 - Eating in Japan
50:00 - More fall content
55:35 - The TikTok
1:01:15 - Wrapping up
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 3 min
September 19, 2025Episode 338: The (Spider-)Boys Are Back in Town
This week we're going back to our roots. Stan and Dave invite Devon back to talk about Magic's latest Spider-Set. We go through and pick all our favorite heroes, villains, and bagels from our beloved game's first foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thwip. Thwip.
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
0:00: The Metrognome
0:50: What if… NFL?
3:58: Intro
6:00: Housekeeping + d00mwake is back!
7:00: What’s Devon Playing?
10:15: Standard Bans?
13:26: A Rules Change?
16:05: We promise to talk about the Modern Pro Tour
17:00: Do you like Spider-Man as a character?
21:10: Card reviews start
23:06: Anti-Venom, Horrifying Healer
27:10: The Soul Stone
31:24: Jackal, Genius Geneticist
34:15 City Pigeon
36:42: Hydroman, Fluid Felon
40:34: Hide on the Ceiling
43:54: Lady Octopus, Inspired Inventor
49:05: Rent is Due
52:48: Masked Meower
54:45: Multiversal Passage
56:58: The Ultimate Green Goblin
59:46: Spider-Manifestation
1:03:15: Heroes’ Hangout
1:05:10: Scarlet Spider, Ben Reilly
1:06:45: Short Takes
1:07:40: Electro, Assaulting Battery
1:09:05: Web of Life and Destiny
1:11:20: Wrapping Up
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 16 min
September 12, 2025Episode 337: Silksong is Easy
On this week's show, Shane and Stan talk about their latest videogame obsessions. Shane slashes through a maze of bugs in Silksong while Stan takes pictures of planes for Sky Cards. We also read off some our recent Perplexity prompts, review a new attachment for handheld gaming, and go over router extenders to stream games in bed.
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
0:01 - Stan did a punch
2:35 - The economics of movies
9:31 - This week's episode
13:35 - Silksong first impressions, the glory of the Steam Deck, and our relationships with Metroidvanias
28:53 - Hard games
35:06 - SkyCards: The Millennial urge to collect them all
46:35 - A Perplexity digression
50:21 - Handheld hardware - The Retroid Dual-Screen add-on, the Odin 3, and the PS Portal
1:04:12 - Wrapping up
Links from this week's episode:
https://skycards.app/
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 7 min
September 05, 2025Episode 336: The Dudes Abide
On this week's show, we get cozy with some of our comfort watches. We chat about Great British Bake Off, The Big Lebowski, and space simulations on SimulaVerse. We wrap with a walk down memory lane and the best indie rock albums of 2005.
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
0:01 - Hot dogs. Costco. Weird milks.
7:34 - This week's episode
11:22 - The Great British Bake-Off returns, and the cozy reality show
24:09 - The Big Lebowski's enduring legacy
41:08 - The comfort of space
49:34 - Can we name the top 10 indie albums from 2005?
1:03:04 - Wrapping up
Links from this week's episode:
https://www.youtube.com/@SimulaVerse/shorts
https://www.watchmojo.com/articles/top-10-albums-of-2005
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 6 min
August 29, 2025Episode 335: Weapons & Wings
On this week's show, Stan watches the newest kids movie sweeping the nation, Dave plays the newest robot card game sweeping the world, and Shane visits another amusement park sweeping Ohio.
We chat about Weapons (sort of a kids movie), the Gundam Card Game, and Kings Island. Then we find some time to dust off an original iPod video and Mario Bros.
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
3:05 - This week's episode
6:18 - Weapons, and horror
24:55 - The new Gundam TCG
47:50 - Kings Island
53:10 - Revisiting Super Mario Bros 1 and Metal Gear Solid
57:16 - The iPod video, and internet reminiscing
1:09:41 - Wrapping up
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 12 min
August 22, 2025Episode 334: Warm Water Toothbrush
On this week's show, Stan walks a mile in RoboCop's shoes, Shane gets hyped over dual screen technology, and Dave tries to understand K-Pop Demon Hunters. We also talk about exciting new ways to brush teeth and pickle.
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
5:51 - This week's episode
10:35 - CardMill - get yours!
13:29 - RoboCop in your pocket
32:15 - Silksong is almost here
36:36 - Shane's Hardware Corner - The era of dual screens is here
45:04 - K-Pop Demon Hunters
52:20 - The Legend of Ochi
58:48 - Lightning Round: Sorting legos, brushing teeth, pickles
1:06:44 - Wrapping up
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 9 min
August 15, 2025Episode 333: Shouldn't You Be Working?
On this week's show, we finally hear about the trials and tribulations of a roller coaster tycoon at Cedar Point. We also relive the dreams of a non-rotating format with Pioneer on Arena, relive the nightmare of 4 AA batteries on a giant Game Boy, and sort some cards with a 3D printed Card Slinger.
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2024 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
0:01 - Do you know what your kids are commenting on?
9:00 - On this week's show...
10:09 - CardMill - The Kickstarter is still going!
14:30 - Stanislav Updates Magic: Arena
19:43 - Shane is a Game Boy
29:57 - Stan rides some indie waves
34:22 - 3D printing the Card Slinger
39:30 - WW2 themed kids movies
46:18 - Dave's lost Cedar Point girlfriends
59:26 - Wrapping up
Links from this week's episode:
https://cardmill.com/thedivedown
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 1 min
August 07, 2025Episode 332: Happy Birthday, You Little Freak: 15 Years of Limbo
On this week's show, we force Dave to play a video game and discuss the seminal puzzle platformer, Limbo, for the game's 15 year anniversary. We chat about the history of the game's development, try to interpret its artistic meaning, and laugh at some of the gruesome ways the shadowy little boy meets his untimely demise.
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
5:58 - Shane's housing lamentations
10:10 - Housekeeping
14:50 - Cardmill doesn't need us, but you need Cardmill
17:57 - Dying and Trying: Limbo at 15 years
18:45 - The history of Limbo
28:28 - The secret sauce of Limbo
55:10 - What is this game about?
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 11 min
August 02, 2025Episode 331: Magic Escapes to the One Space Capitalism Hasn't Corrupted
On this week's show, Stan and Dave catch up on Magic's newest sets. Stan shares his first impressions of Edge of Eternities draft and sealed, then we discuss our spiritual reactions to the first spoilers from Spider-man. Then we wrap with a quick chat about the 100 best(?) podcasts of all time.
Timecodes:
0:20 — Shane's not here, man
4:10 — CardMill did it! The dream is alive.
6:54 — Magic escapes to the one place capitalism hasn't corrupted yet — SPACE!
10:00 — Stan's impressions from the Edge of Eternity streamer's preview event
27:35 — What it felt like coming back to "core" MTG
40:34 — Do you want to talk about Spider-Man?
47:56 — The Time Magazine 100 Best Podcasts of all time
59:12 — Closing
Check out CardMill's (fully-funded) Kickstarter for a TCG scanner and sorter for players/collectors: http://www.cardmill.com/thedivedown
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Links from this week's episode:
https://time.com/collections/100-best-podcasts/
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 3 min
July 24, 2025Episode 330: Summer Vacation 3: Look Up — It's the Smurfs
On this week's show, we clean up our cords and cables, Shane takes Donkey Kong out on a punching spree, then Stan and Dave double feature two of the hottest movies in theaters right now - Superman and Smurfs!
Check out our newest sponsor, CardMill—the first automated scanner and sorter built for everyday trading card players. Visit https://CardMill.com/thedivedown to learn more!
Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation: https://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Save 50% on your first subscription of Mental Performance shots at https://magicmind.com/dive50
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/
Timestamps:
3:15 - Old men shout at cloud (based apps)
6:11 - This week's episode
10:54 - CardMill - It's here, and it's popular!
12:44 - The myth of minimalism: cable management
20:22 - What's That In Your Pocket - Donkey Kong Bananza
33:27 - Magic Mind: What's your superpower?
36:02 - Superman - It was fun, fun, fun
52:56 - Smurfs, Lies, and Videotape
1:08:27 - Wrapping up
Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?
email us: [email protected]
Support The Dive Down
1 hr 11 min

About The Dive Down

From the publisher's feed

The Dive Down is a weekly podcast for people who love Magic: The Gathering but like talking about other things too. From videogames, to parenting, to 3D printing, and beyond. Each week hosts Dave,…