The Ringer-Verse

Viva New Vegas! Ben Lindbergh and Daniel Chin climb into their T-45 armor to analyze the fourth episode of the second season of 'Fallout,' "The Demon in the Snow." After sharing their overall takes on the episode, they check in on the Vault dwellers, Maximus and the Brotherhood, and Coop/the Ghoul and Lucy and examine how the show's core characters and factions are reacting to the stress of wasteland life. They also reflect on the Brotherhood's lax security, the deathclaw design, and 'Fallout' lore revelations before discussing what they'd like to see in the second half of the season. Finally, Ben talks to Joe Sanabria, the lead artist for 'Fallout: New Vegas,' about bringing the game's look to life, how the Strip translated to TV, and how 'New Vegas' would be different if it were made (or remade) today.Intro (0:00)‘Fallout’ Season 2, Episode 4 reactions (2:55)Vault dwellers recap (5:27)Maximus and the Brotherhood (19:45)Coop/the Ghoul and Lucy (33:58)Interview with Joe Sanabria (1:01:11)Outro (1:29:42)Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Daniel Chin and Joe SanabriaProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s 2026 and the Midnight Boys are back! The guys react to the Avengers: Doomsday teasers before getting into their predictions for the box office, critical success and more on all things fandom in 2026. Intro (0:00) Nerd News -  Avengers: Doomsday Teasers (03:15) Over/Unders of 2026 (13:41) Outro (01:47:11)Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve AhlmanProducers: Jon Jones and Jade WhaleyAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Matt James, and Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier start a new save file for 2026! First they sum up the subjects they think will define the year, from 'Grand Theft Auto VI' to the Steam Machine to rising prices to anti-AI sentiments. Then they select their most anticipated games of 2026 in several categories and wrap up with big-picture predictions. Intro (0:00)Big questions about the year (3:45)Most anticipated games (35:34)2026 predictions (1:29:12)Outro (1:41:42) Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Matt James and Jason SchreierProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hot dawg! Ben and Van Lathan suit up to discuss the lore-stuffed third episode of the second season of 'Fallout,' "The Profligate." After sharing their overall review, they check in on Lucy, Coop/The Ghoul, and Maximus, and examine how the episode's themes and plot lines tie together. They also reflect on the merits of talking to dogs, compare and contrast crucifixion methods, break down bathroom conversation etiquette, bemoan anti-ghoul discrimination, and more. Intro (0:00)‘Fallout’ Episode 3 recap (6:32)Outro (1:08:27) Host: Ben LindberghGuest: Van LathanProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back for their end-of-the-year review of all things nerd-verse and their Midnight Mulligans rankings! (10:13) 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' (13:56) 'Wicked' Part 1 (18:04) 'Captain America: Brave New World' (34:17) 'Daredevil: Born Again' (34:58) 'Sinners' (38:34) 'Thunderbolts*' (40:22) 'Andor' Season 2 (40:53) 'The Last of Us' Season 2 (55:43) 'Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning' (58:03) 'Ballerina' (59:58) 'Ironheart' (1:03:19) 'Jurassic World Rebirth' (1:05:37) 'F1' (1:08:15) 'Superman' (1:13:21) 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' (1:17:37) 'Alien: Earth' (1:18:59) 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' (1:25:36) 'One Battle After Another' (1:41:36) 'Peacemaker' Season 2 (1:41:43) 'Gen V' Season 2 (1:44:26) 'Predator: Badlands' (1:44:55) 'The Running Man' (1:45:04) 'Wicked: For Good' Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Chris Thomas, Jade Whaley, Aleya Zenieris, and Sarah Reddy Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With various hosts scattered or taking time off for the holidays, Ben Lindbergh and Van Lathan toss out the typical Recommends format for this month and devote the whole episode to one show that hasn't been covered on The Ringer-Verse or ‘House of R’: ‘Pluribus.’ Ben and Van explore what made Vince Gilligan's Apple TV series a challenging yet fulfilling watch, discuss what sets the series apart from other sci-fi fare, and look ahead to a (distant) second season. Happy New Year! Host: Ben LindberghGuest: Van LathanSenior Producer: Steve Ahlman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Daniel Chin patrol the Mojave and discuss the literally mind-blowing second episode of the second season of 'Fallout,' "The Golden Rule." After sharing their overall review, they assess each of the episode’s four main settings and story lines, point out the parallels between characters, and wrestle with this season’s accelerated world-building. They also consider whether becoming a ghoul is good, the Golden Rule vs. the Ghoul-den Rule, the likelihood of surviving a nuclear explosion by hiding in a fridge, aliens in 'Fallout' lore, and more. Intro (0:30) Overall review of the episode (03:32) Hank catch-up (06:20) What’s new with Norm (13:26) Lucy and the ghoul (18:30) Maximus and the Brotherhood (38:01) Fridge science, 'Fallout' lore, and more (50:00) Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest: Daniel Chin Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Matt, Steve, and Joshua Rivera recap an eventful year in video games by summing up the overall quantity and quality of games released in 2025, identifying both naughty and nice trends in the industry, and drafting their favorite titles across several categories. (00:00) Intro(3:35) Overall Quality of 2025 Games(8:35) Naughty and Nice Industry Trends(43:32) Games of the Year Draft Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Matt James, Steve Ahlman, and Joshua RiveraProducer: Isaiah BlakelyAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back to give you all of their thoughts on the newest installment of James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ universe: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash.’ (0:00) Intro (22:15) Spoilers Ahead (23:54) ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Reactions (1:25:06) Midnight Meter (1:27:32) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Chris Thomas, Devon Baroldi, Aleya Zenieris, and Sarah Reddy Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Lindbergh and Van Lathan return to the Wasteland for the first weekly Button Mash breakdown of ‘Fallout’ Season 2. First, they recap the premiere and discuss how it sets up the season. Then, Ben talks to Justin Theroux about joining the show in the role of Robert House. Finally, Ben brings on Polygon senior editor Chris Hayner for a primer on the game that inspired much of this season, ‘Fallout: New Vegas.’ Intro (0:00)'Fallout' Season 2 premiere recap (11:56)Interview with Justin Theroux (52:13)Inside 'Fallout: New Vegas'—the game behind the season (1:00:33) Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Van Lathan, Justin Theroux, and Chris HaynerProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Lindbergh and Matt James share their instant reactions to gaming's annual awards show/trailer fest! First they discuss the dominance of ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,’ Matt’s experience attending the show in person, and the award winners that made them happiest and saltiest. Then they count down their respective top 10 lists of exciting announcements about upcoming games. Intro (0:00)Reactions to the Game Awards (2:20)Top 10 highlights (18:36)Outro (1:01:26) Host: Ben LindberghGuest: Matt JamesProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back and here to bring you their very merry Christmas movies draft! Five categories of holly jolly fun, from Comedy to Wild Card! (0:00) Intro (7:44) Christmas Movies Draft (1:39:06) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jacob Cornett Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After stepping inside Samus’s visor for the first time in years, Ben and Polygon's Giovanni Colantonio compare notes on the much-anticipated ‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond,’ a great game grafted onto parts of other, less-good games. In their spoiler-lite chat, they puzzle over the game’s discordant elements, praise its strengths, and analyze how it fits into the franchise’s lineage before assessing the Switch 2's launch-window lineup now that Nintendo has released its last title of 2025. Then Jessica Clemons joins Ben to discuss their impressions of a new beat-'em-up brawler, ‘Marvel Cosmic Invasion,’ and a new video game movie that’s been beaten up by critics, ‘Five Nights at Freddy's 2.’ Intro (0:00)‘Metroid Prime 4’ Overview (3:00)'Marvel Cosmic Invasion' Review (1:06:34)Reactions to ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ (1:39:49)Outro (1:56:47) Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Giovanni Colantonio and Jess ClemonsProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back and they’re asking the Midnight Riders for their most burning questions about the nerd-verse! From Yoda to Jomi-cookie-gate, they’re here to give you all the answers. (0:00) Intro (9:04) Midnight Mailbag (1:39:09) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spoilers ahead! Jomi, Steve, and Jess dive into the long-awaited 'Zootopia 2,' sharing their full review and exploring how the sequel expands the world of the original. They discuss the franchise’s cultural impact and what Disney got right (and wrong) this time around and look ahead to a potential 'Zootopia 3,' discussing where Judy, Nick, and the rest of the city could go next. Finally, they zoom out for a broader conversation on Disney sequels, the hurdles they’ve faced, why some manage to shine, and why others fall short. Intro (0:00)'Zootopia 2' review (4:43)Disney sequels: hits, misses, and challenges (27:57)Outro (52:44) Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve AhlmanGuest: Jessica ClemonsProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, and they’re drafting white girl movies! From Meg Ryan to Lindsay Lohan, they draft in five categories: Fantasy/Action, Romantic Comedy, Musical, Drama, and Wild Card. (0:00) Intro (9:29) White Girl Movies Draft (1:27:05) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Devon Renaldo Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all pod down here. You'll pod, too. Recommends returns for a Thanksgiving feast! First, Ben brings on Zach Dionne to talk about 'It: Welcome to Derry,' Hollywood's obsession with Stephen King (including several new adaptations in 2025), the dos and don'ts of adapting King, the historical highs and lows, and the future of King's work on-screen. After that, other Ringer-Verse hosts and friends salute unsung releases to complete another expanded installment of the monthly roundup of fandom favorites from TV, anime, movies, video games, books, comics, and beyond that were released recently but not yet covered in-depth on a full-length episode. (00:00) Intro (02:38) 'It: Welcome to Derry' with Zach Dionne (19:17) Bigger Stephen King discussion (49:22) Van's recommendation (50:20) Steve's recommendation (51:30) Daniel's recommendation (53:58) Chuck's recommendation (54:30) Matt's recommendation (59:48) Jomi's recommendation (61:16) Listener recommendation Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Zach Dionne, Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Matt James, and Daniel Chin Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman Social: Jomi Adeniran Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben brings on Simon Carless of GameDiscoverCo and Morgan Park of PC Gamer to explain the success of some of the most popular games released this year that haven’t previously been discussed on the podcast: surprise Steam sensations ‘R.E.P.O.,’ ‘Schedule I,’ ‘Peak,’ ‘Megabonk,’ ‘Escape From Duckov,’ and ‘RV There Yet?’ They break down how unknown PC games go viral, how long their time in the spotlight usually lasts, and what these huge hits have to teach us about the gaming landscape in 2025. Intro (0:00)Steam sensations speedrun (11:52)Outro (1:17:15) Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Simon Carless and Morgan ParkProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back for good! They unpack all things ‘Wicked: For Good,’ including the highly anticipated musical numbers, the interweaving of the original ‘Wizard of Oz’ story, and the depiction of animals in the movie. (0:00) Intro (9:27) Spoilers ahead (11:11) ‘Wicked: For Good’ reactions (1:02:35) Midnight Meter (1:21:46) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben is joined by Kotaku’s Claire Jackson and Zack Zwiezen as they react to the just-announced nominations for the Game Awards (focusing on the Game of the Year candidates, the record number of nominations for ‘Clair Obscur,’ and the debate about the definition of “indie”) and then break down the industry implications, player considerations, and AI ramifications of the competition brewing among a trio of online-multiplayer powerhouse shooters: ‘Battlefield 6,’ ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 7,’ and ‘ARC Raiders.’ Intro (0:00) The Game Awards nominations (3:23) The first-person shooter showdown (22:10) Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Claire Jackson and Zack Zwiezen Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices