The Joy of Gaming Podcast

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Thirty The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Early-Game Impressions On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we are traveling to Post-Upheaval Hyrule to explore the surface, the sky and the unfathomable depths of what is quite possibly the most anticipated game release in recent memory. Because after 6 years of waiting, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is finally here, and we couldn’t be more excited to discuss our early-game impressions in this episode.  We start our discussion relatively spoiler-free, by looking at all of the new features of TOTK, including the completely reworked new arsenal of abilities - Ultrahand, Fuse, Ascend and Recall - and the three expansive biomes, including the reworked surface, as well as the brand new sky islands and the underground depths. Then we head into full spoilers, including the story beats and characters we’ve encountered, some important tips and tricks, and the weapons, abilities, shrines, temples and quests we’ve each experienced thus far.  Also on this episode: we cover the latest physical game releases - including some new announcements from Limited Run Games and Super Rare Games - and all of the latest games coming to Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus between now and the end of May. Run of Show: 00:01 - Podcast Primer 01:13 - Intro and “What’re you buying?”  18:59 - Brandon’s Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Super Rare Games) 34:34 - Rich’s Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus) 52:04 - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Early-Game Impressions Spoiler-Free Impressions Initial thoughts (and how far are we, what have we done so far) What’s the same, what’s different? Major New Mechanics (Ultrahand, Ascend, Fuse, Recall) New Biomes (Surface, Sky, Depths) --SPOILERS START AT 1:34:35-- Story impressions so far Quests and Strategies Final Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Nine The Top 10 Best Games for the Nintendo GameCube On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we continue our journey to select “The Top 10 Best Games (for Every Console)”. This time, we’re celebrating the Nintendo GameCube - a misunderstood masterpiece of a console that was once derided as a huge misstep for Nintendo, but has now become one of the most beloved and popular consoles to collect for (with sky-high software prices to prove it).  And while the console itself had a fun and childlike vibe - classically sporting a purple color scheme, a cute handle on the back, and tiny little mini-DVDs to house its games - very few consoles can boast such a concise, impressive library of true classics. From Luigi’s Mansion and Super Mario Sunshine, to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Resident Evil 4, Metroid Prime, Pikmin and so many more - the GameCube either birthed or reinvented some of the world’s greatest franchises, and these days its finally getting its due.  Our job for this episode is to create the Ultimate Top 10 list of Nintendo GameCube Games that we’d recommend - to gamers both new and old - who want to experience the absolute best that the console has to offer. So if you haven’t experienced the GameCube for yourself, we’re here to recommend the 10 best places to start. And if you are already well-versed, join us for this wonderful trip down memory lane.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction  How do we choose the Top 10? 02:44 - The History of the Nintendo GameCube History of the GameCube (Project Dolphin!) The GameCube Controller (and the WaveBird!) Notable GameCube Peripherals (Donkey Kong Bongos! GameBoy Player!) Our Histories with the GameCube  36:09 - The Best GameCube Games: #6-10 1:05:08 - The Best GameCube Games: #1-5 1:37:58 - Honorable Mentions and Final Thoughts

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Eight Xbox’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week - Redfall Impressions, Phil Spencer Interview, CMA Blocks Acquisition & More On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss the biggest news story in gaming: Xbox’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week. From the semi-disastrous release of Redfall on Game Pass and PC, to the CMA’s blocking of the Activision/Blizzard/King acquisition, to Phil “Cranky Phil” Spencer’s surprisingly candid interview on KindaFunny about the future of the Xbox brand - this is a week that the game industry will be talking about for many years to come. We look back on this past week from a variety of angles, analyzing some of Phil Spencer’s most candid and revealing quotes, and even offering our own, unbiased review impressions of Redfall - the game at the center of the firestorm. Spoiler: it may not be quite as bad as you’ve heard. Also on this episode, we discuss our early impressions of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Trinity Trigger, the latest digital releases on Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, and the most interesting physical games releases and announcements from Limited Run Games, Super Rare, IAm8Bit and PlayAsia. It’s a jam-packed 2.5 hours, and we’re really glad you’re here. Run of Show: 00:01 - Podcast Trailer 01:35 - Intro and “What’re you buying?”  17:02 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Phil Spencer’s Interview on Kinda Funny CMA Blocks Activision Blizzard Acquisition Sony is Breaking Records with PS5 Sales PixelOpus Studio is Closing The Worst Zelda Game Gets New Life…on GameBoy? 01:22:05 - Brandon’s Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Super Rare Games) 01:32:52  Rich’s Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus) 01:51:05 - What We’ve Been Playing Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Early Impressions) Redfall (Impressions After 10 Hours) Trinity Trigger 02:27:24 - What We’re Playing Next / Outro    

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Seven The Legend of Zelda: Retrospective and Complete Series Chronology (Preparing for Tears of the Kingdom) --- On this episode of The Joy of Gaming Podcast, we are getting ready for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in the most complete way we could think of: by looking back and tracing the entire chronology of The Legend of Zelda series. We track the series’ origins on the NES all the way through Breath of the Wild on Switch, discussing each game in release order and also exploring its place in the overall series chronology. So if you have always wondered how the various mainline Zelda titles are connected, this episode has the answers. After all, in 2013, two years after the release of Skyward Sword, Nintendo released the Hyrule Historia, from Dark Horse Books - an epic tome that finally revealed the official order of events for every game in the Zelda franchise. So for our journey, we start with this book, first walking through the three branching paths of the timeline at a high-level before zooming-in to see where each mainline game fits into the overarching narrative.  And once we understand the chronology at a high-level, we travel back to 1986 and the original The Legend of Zelda to begin our complete series retrospective, game-by-game and memory-by-memory. So join us, as we celebrate one of the most storied franchises in all of gaming, and prepare for the next epic chapter in Link and Zelda’s adventures.  Run of Show: 00:00 - Introductions / Our History with the Series  10:39 - Background - The Legend of Zelda Chronology Explained (Hyrule Historia) Legend of the Gods and the Hero of TimeThe Hero is SuccessfulAdult Era / Ganondorf Sealed Child Era / The Sacred Realm Protected The Hero is Defeated  21:58 - The Legend of Zelda - Series Retrospective  Mainline Series in Release Order:  The Legend of Zelda (JP - Famicom Disk System - The Hyrule Fantasy: Zelda no Densetsu - 1986; NA & PAL - NES - 1987; Battery save version in Japan - Famicom - 1994) NES Classic Series (Gameboy Advance; JP, NA, PAL - 2004) Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (JP - Famicom Disk System - 1987; NA & PAL - NES - 1988) NES Classic Series (Gameboy Advance; JP & NA - 2004; PAL - 2005) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES; JP - 1991; NA & EU - 1992) Gameboy Advance w/ Four Swords (NA - 2002; JP & EU - 2003); Four Swords Re-released on DSiWare (Four Swords Anniversary Ed. - 2011) The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Gameboy; JP, NA, EU - 1993) The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX (Gameboy Color; JP & NA - 1998; EU - 1999) The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Remake for Switch - 2019) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64 - 1998; iQue Player (CHN) - 2003) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest (GameCube; JP - 2002; NA, EU & AU - 2003) - Two-Game Bonus Disc! The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS - 2011) The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (N64 - 2000) The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D (3DS - 2015) The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons & Oracle of Ages (Gameboy Color - 2001) The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GameCube; JP - 2002; NA, EU & AU - 2003) The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Wii U - 2013) The Legend of Zelda Collector’s Edition - Promotional Disc (GameCube - 2003) Includes 4 Classic Games! (The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II, Ocarina of Time, and Majora’s Mask) The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (GameCube; JP & NA - 2004; EU & AU - 2005) The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (Gameboy Advance; JP & EU - 2004; NA & AU - 2005) The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii - Nov. 2006; GameCube - Dec. 2006; Nvidia Shield TV (CHN) - 2017) The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Wii U - 2016) The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS - 2007) The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS - 2009) The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii - 2011) The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (Switch - 2021) The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS - 2013) The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (3DS - 2015) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U & Switch - 2017) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch - May 12, 2023) 02:22:30 - The Legend of Zelda - Spin Off Titles 02:26:50 - Final Questions and Thoughts When did Nintendo Really Start Thinking about the Official Timeline? Recommended Games to Play First What a Journey  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Six Final Fantasy XVI State of Play, Nintendo Indie World, Redfall Hype Check, RE4 Remake Final Thoughts On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we’re in that “in-between period” - just after Resident Evil 4 Remake, and just before Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Tears of the Kingdom - but there is still a lot of exciting happenings in the gaming world. Case in point: Redfall is launching next week (though the pre-release hype is a bit underwhelming). We also got a brand new Sony State of Play for Final Fantasy XVI, and Nintendo held their latest IndieWorld Showcase which included some cool new info about Oxenfree 2, Blasphemous 2, and many more interesting titles.  And speaking of RE4 Remake, we still have more to say about this incredible GOTY contender, especially the final third of the game set on the Ganados-and-Krauser-infested island. We also talk about some of the other games we’ve been playing, like Super Paper Mario, Paper Mario Color Splash, Syberia, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, and more. And as always, our bi-weekly segments - Brandon’s Physical Games Corner and Rich’s Digital Picks - are here to keep you up to speed on what’s new and exciting across the industry.  Run of Show: 00:01 - Podcast Trailer 01:35 - Intro and “What’re you buying?” (GameStop’s “Hidden Retro List”) 22:48 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Nintendo IndieWorld Showcase  Sony Acquires a New AAA Studio Support Ending for Media Molecule’s Dreams Rumored Remakes (Jet Set Radio, Persona 3, Paper Mario: TTYD, more) State of Play: Final Fantasy XVI Impressions Nintendo Reveals where Tears of the Kingdom Will Begin   01:26:11 - Brandon’s Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Super Rare Games) 01:45:56  Rich’s Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus) 02:04:35 - What We’ve Been Playing Resident Evil 4 Remake (The Island and Final Impressions) Super Paper Mario and Paper Mario: Color Splash Syberia Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp   02:46:28 - What We’re Playing Next / Outro

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Five The Top 10 Best Games for the Nintendo 64  On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we continue our journey to select “The Top 10 Best Games (for Every Console)”, and this time we’re turning our gaze to the Nintendo 64 - a beloved but also controversial console that revolutionized the gaming space and provided the definitive roadmap for what 3D gaming could be. But along with its bona fides as a groundbreaking piece of tech, the N64 was unfortunately held back by a weird controller, a lack of 3rd-party support, and the baffling decision to stick with game cartridges over optical media. But regardless, the N64 is a system that has endured, and that’s thanks in large part to games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, GoldenEye 007, and many, many more. Our goal for this episode is to create the ultimate list of N64 games that we’d recommend to gamers - both new and old - who want to experience the absolute best that the console has to offer. And although the N64 doesn’t have a huge library, there were still more than enough amazing experiences for us to have trouble narrowing things down. So if you haven’t experienced the N64 for yourself, we’re here to recommend the 10 best places to start. And if you are already well-versed, join us for this wonderful trip down memory lane. Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction and History of the N64 How does this series work? Personal Histories with the N64 History of the N64 Notable N64 Peripherals 33:10 - The Top 10 Best Games for The Nintendo 64 01:18:23 - Honorable Mentions and Stories Behind the Games 01:33:40 - Closing Words and Social Media  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Four Resident Evil 4 Remake Review, Tears of the Kingdom Gameplay Reveal Breakdown On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we review Capcom’s new reimagining of one of the greatest games ever made in any genre - Resident Evil 4 Remake. We wade deep into the Village, the Castle and the Island, discussing our overall thoughts on the game, talking about the new and returning game mechanics, breaking down the various differences from the original, and weighing in on whether or not this remake is now the definitive way to experience RE4.  We also discuss Nintendo’s recent Tears of the Kingdom gameplay reveal, including our thoughts on each of the various new game mechanics that were shown - like Fuse, Ascend, Ultrahand and Recall - and our overall takeaways and theories on how this new game will take the Breath of the Wild formula to grand new heights (quite literally). And as always, our bi-weekly segments - Brandon’s Physical Games Corner and Rich’s Digital Picks - are here to keep you up to speed on what’s new and exciting across the industry.  Run of Show: 00:01 - Podcast Introduction 01:35 - Welcome and Latest Pick-ups (“What’re you buying?”) 23:13 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup New TMNT Game Based on “The Last Ronin” Atari Buys NightDive Studios E3 is Canceled (the End of an Era?)  Tears of the Kingdom Gameplay Reveal Breakdown 54:49 - Brandon’s Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Special Reserve, More) 1:11:30  Rich’s Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus) 1:24:33 - Resident Evil 4 Remake - Review, Part 1 (Spoiler-Free) 1:43:40 - Resident Evil 4 Remake - Review, Part 2 (Full Spoilers) 2:25:47 - What We’re Playing Next / Outro  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Three The Top 10 Best Games for the SNES  On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we continue our journey to select “The Top 10 Best Games (for Every Console)”, and this time we’re turning our gaze to Nintendo’s sophomore release in the home console market, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, or SNES. Our job as always is to create the ultimate list of games that we’d recommend to gamers new and old who want to experience the absolute best that the console has to offer, but choosing just 10 games from the SNES library just may prove an impossible task. After all, these are some of the greatest games ever made. From The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, to Super Metroid, to Super Mario World and so many more - it’s difficult to overstate the impact, legacy and historical significance of the SNES library. And although the console and its library hold a crucial place in gaming history, all of these games also hold up tremendously well today. So if you haven’t experienced the joy of the SNES for yourself, we’re here to recommend the 10 best places to start. And if you are already well-versed in the SNES’s catalog, join us for the celebration, and then let us know what games you would recommend that we have missed or simply didn’t make the excruciating cut.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction / History of the SNES 28:15 - The Top 10 Best Games for The SNES  Sharing our individual Top 10 Lists Honorable Mentions and Stories Assembling the TJOG Official Top 10 List 01:38:49 - The Final List is Revealed (after all deliberations)  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-Two Resident Evil Retrospective: Resident Evil (PS1) to Resident Evil 4 Remake (PS5/XSX) On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we prepare for Resident Evil 4 Remake in the only way that seemed fitting: by taking a look back at the entire Resident Evil franchise and celebrating the massive impact this game has had. After all, Capcom’s series brought the term “survival horror” into existence, creating a brand new game genre and then evolving their own formula with each and every subsequent entry. It’s quite a legacy, and one that remains stronger than ever. We discuss the entire game series - from the first entry on Playstation (Resident Evil), through the many sequels, re-releases and remakes on Gamecube and PS2 (Resident Evil GC Remake, Resident Evil 4, etc.), to the most recent modern entries, including the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 3, and the move to first-person with RE7: Biohazard and RE Village - and it’s a heck of a journey. We even take time to acknowledge Sweet Home - an obscure Famicom horror title never released in the US that nonetheless played a crucial role in inspiring the Resident Evil series. Run of Show: 00:01 - Intro / Editor’s Note 01:04 - Resident Evil Retrospective Resident Evil (PS1 - 1996; PC, Sega Saturn - 1997) Resident Evil: Director’s Cut (PS1 - 1997) Resident Evil: Director’s Cut (Greatest Hits Dual Shock Version, PS1 - 1998) Resident Evil REmake (GameCube - 2002; Remaster: PS3, PS4, Win, X360, XBO - 2015; Switch - 2019) Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil (Wii - 2009) Resident Evil: Deadly Silence (DS - 2006) Resident Evil 2 (PS1 - 1998; N64, PC - 1999; Dreamcast - 2000, GameCube - 2003) Resident Evil 2 Remake (PS4, XBO, PC - 2019; PS5, XBSX|S, Switch, Amazon Luna - 2022) Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (PS1 - 1999; Dreamcast, PC - 2000, GameCube - 2003) Resident Evil 3 Remake (PS4, XBO, PC - 2020; PS5, XBSX|S, Switch, Amazon Luna - 2022) Resident Evil –  Code: Veronica (Dreamcast - 2000) Resident Evil: Code Veronica X (PS2 - 2001; Gamecube - 2003; PS3, X360 - 2011) Resident Evil 0 (GameCube - 2002; Remaster: PS3, PS4, X360, XBO, PC - 2016, Switch - 2019) Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil 0 (Wii - 2009) Resident Evil 4 (GameCube - Jan, 2005; PS2 - October, 2005; PC, Wii - 2007; iOS, Zeebo (BR) - 2009; PS3, X360 - 2011; Android - 2013; PS4, XBO - 2016; Switch - 2019; Oculus Quest 2 (VR) - 2021) Resident Evil 4 Remake (PS4, PS5, XBSX|S, PC - 2023) Resident Evil 5 (PS3, X360, PC - 2009 / Gold Edition - 2010; PS4, XBO, Shield Android TV - 2016; Switch - 2019) Resident Evil Revelations (3DS - 2012; PS3, X360, PC, WiiU - 2013; PS4, XBO, Switch - 2017) Resident Evil 6 (PS3, X360 - 2012; PC - 2013; PS4, XBO - 2016; Switch - 2019) Resident Evil Revelations 2 (Episodes 1-4: PS3, PS4, X360, XBO, PC - Feb-Mar 2015, Retail version: PS3, PS4, Vita, X360, XBO, PC - 2015; Switch - 2017) Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (PS4, XBO, PC - 2017; Amazon Luna - 2020; Stadia - 2021; PS5, XBSX|S, Switch - 2022) Resident Evil VIllage (PS4, PS5, XBO, XBSX|S, PC, Stadia - 2021; macOS, Switch - 2022) Spin-offs 03:02:09 - Conclusion / What's Coming Next  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty-One Sea of Stars Demo, Resident Evil 4 Remake Reviews, Preparing for the Nintendo eShop Closing, and Remembering Lance Reddick On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we try to keep our anticipation for Resident Evil 4 Remake in check a bit longer as we discuss the latest gaming news, including RE4 reviews, our preparations for the closing of the Nintendo eShop for Wii U and 3DS, rumors of a potential new Castlevania game from Konami (thanks Dead Cells) and the incredibly sad passing of actor Lance Reddick, an absolute giant of the games industry. We also discuss the stellar Sea of Stars Demo, Brandon’s continuing adventures in Octopath Traveler 2, Rich’s not-so-triumphant return to Final Fantasy XIV, our thoughts on Metroid Prime Remastered, and the latest release announcements for Game Pass, Playstation Plus and from Limited Run Games.   Run of Show: 00:01 - Podcast Trailer 01:35 - Intro Segment (RE4 Remake Hype) 09:40 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Dead Cells helps Konami Wake Up RE: Castlevania New Gameboy and NES Games coming to Switch Online Nintendo eShop Closing March 27 - Our Preparations and Recommendations Lance Reddick’s Passing   29:19 - Brandon’s Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Special Reserve, More) 39:40  Rich’s Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus) 50:39 - What We’ve Been Playing Sea of Stars Demo Octopath Traveler II Final Fantasy XIV: Online Metroid Prime Remastered 01:43:22 - What We’re Playing Next / Outro    

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twenty Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Final Fantasy XVI, Resident Evil 4: Chainsaw Demo & more On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss some of the biggest bombshells dropped on the gaming world in the past few weeks, including our insane disappointment in the live-service/looter-shooter nature of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the news that Final Fantasy XVI has dropped the series’ turn-based roots entirely in favor of Devil-May-Cry-5-esque action, the announcement of Elden Ring story DLC “Shadow of the Erdtree” and so much more.  We also talk about some of the games we’ve been playing recently, including Octopath Traveler II, Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Atomic Heart, the new Resident Evil 4: Chainsaw Demo, and round out the proceedings with a look at all the newest releases for Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, and a rundown of everything new and notable coming from Limited Run Games, Fangamer, Super Rare Games and iam8bit. Whew! This is a mega-sized episode, and it’s filled to bursting with video games and strong opinions.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction  06:16 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Hitman Developer IO Making a Fantasy Game Shinji Mikami Leaves His Own Company Beyond Good and Evil 2: More Turmoil Forspoken Developer Luminous Merged Into Square Enix Elden Ring DLC “Shadow of the Erdtree” Announced Sony State of Play February 2023: Everything Announced Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Reveal Impressions Final Fantasy XVI Gameplay Reveal Impressions   02:07:34 - Brandon’s Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Special Reserve, More) 02:21:57  Rich’s Digital Picks (Xbox GWG and PS Plus Releases) 02:43:02 - What We’ve Been Playing Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line Octopath Traveler II Final Fantasy IX Final Fantasy XIV: Online Atomic Heart Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Resident Evil 4: Chainsaw Demo 03:48:32 - What We’re Playing Next / Outro    

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Nineteen The Top 10 Best Games for the NES On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we kick off a brand new series called “The Top 10 Best Games (for Every Console)” and the name kind of says it all. In each episode, we will pick a classic video game console and work together to assemble a definitive list of the 10 Best - and most essential - games that we think everyone should play in order to appreciate what that console was all about. And of course, we’re starting with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): the console that started it all for video games as a mainstream medium.  From The Legend of Zelda, to Super Mario Bros. to Contra and so many more - the amazing collection of games released for the NES ignited our life-long passion for the medium, and many of these games still hold up to this day. So if you haven’t experienced the joy of the NES for yourself, we’re here to recommend the 10 best places to start. And if you are already well-versed in the NES’s catalog, join us for the celebration, and then let us know what games you would recommend as absolute essentials. Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction / History of the NES 26:25 - The Top 10 Best Games for The NES  Individual Top 10 Lists Honorable Mentions Assembling the TJOG Official Top 10 List 01:42:19 - The Final List is Revealed! (after all deliberations)  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Eighteen February Nintendo Direct and Hogwarts Legacy On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we take a swim through the ocean of gaming riches presented by Nintendo at this month’s February Nintendo Direct. From the announcement of Metroid Prime Remastered, to Pikmin 4, to the latest trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and trailers for so many exciting indie games, there’s A LOT to talk about. We also discuss Rich’s early impressions of the gaming phenomenon that is Hogwarts Legacy, cover Brandon’s final thoughts on Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, and conduct our usual tour of all the latest games coming to Game Pass, PS Plus and from various limited physical media publishers including Limited Run Games, Super Rare Game, PlayAsia, and more.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction  03:36 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Ghost Story Games’ Judas is coming…by March 2025 Nintendo Switch Passes PS4 and GameBoy in Lifetime Sales 27:27 - February Nintendo Direct: News, New Releases, Trailers and More 01:37:13 - Brandon’s Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Special Reserve, More) 01:50:39 - Rich’s Digital Picks (Xbox GWG and PS Plus Releases) 02:12:05 - What We’ve Been Playing Hogwarts Legacy (First ⅓) Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VI Reunion (Completed) 03:03:48 - What We’re Playing Next / Outro

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Seventeen Dead Space Remake, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, and The Last of Us: Part 1 On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we’re back after the winter break and our GOTY episode, and a lot has happened in the game industry since our last regular episode. There’s been some interesting news about this year’s E3 Expo - as well as the Resident Evil 4 Remake and its lack of QTEs - but probably the biggest story of the past few weeks was the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase, where Microsoft shared news on Starfield and Redfall, among other titles. We also discuss the latest releases from Limited Run Games, the newest additions to Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, and some of the notable games we’ve been playing lately, including the Dead Space remake, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, TLOU: Part 1 and more.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction  04:06 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Rumor: Amazon pays 2x for Tomb Raider Ubisoft Cancels 3 Games, Skull & Bones Delayed AGAIN! Marvel’s Avengers to be Delisted Resident Evil 4 Remake Drops QTEs Game Industry Layoffs 343 Will Keep Developing Halo Xbox and Bethesda Direct Announcements E3 Won’t Include the Big 3 01:01:23 - Brandon’s Physical Games Corner (Limited Run Games, Special Reserve Games, PlayAsia, More) 01:25:38 - Rich’s Digital Picks (Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus Releases) 01:44:02 - What We’ve Been Playing Dead Space Remake The Last of Us: Part 1 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VI Reunion 02:08:40 - What We’re Playing Next / Outro

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Sixteen The 2022 Game of the Year Awards (GOTY 2022) On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we celebrate the best video games of 2022 by sharing our individual favorite games of the year, as well as some honorable mentions, a few disappointments, and our overall thoughts on the year in gaming. We then combine our lists together like Voltron to create the definitive TJOG list of the Top Ten Best Games of 2022. And in the process, we take a few deep dives into games we both played this past year, including Horizon: Forbidden West, Sam Barlow’s Immortality, and much more.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction / How we Make the List 05:50 - The Best Games of 2022 / Discussion Begins 17:30 - Deep Dive 1: Sam Barlow’s Immortality 43:27 - Deep Dive 2: Horizon: Forbidden West  01:52:43 - Honorable Mentions 02:08:54 - The Final List: TJOG’s Top Ten Best Games of 2022

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Fifteen The Callisto Protocol, Telling Lies and God of War: Ragnarök (Late-Game Impressions) On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss some of the biggest releases of the season, including one of the most anticipated new games of the year, The Callisto Protocol. As the early reviews have indicated, this is not a perfect game, but Rich has rolled credits and we have a discussion about what this game actually is - and what it’s not. Quick Spoiler: It’s not Dead Space. We also discuss the much lauded FMV title Telling Lies from Sam Barlog, and offer our late-game impressions of God of War: Ragnarök in advance of our final review discussion next year. And as always, we run down the latest releases on Game Pass and PS Plus, discuss what’s new in limited-edition physical media, and cover recent gaming news from around the industry.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 05:00 - Recent Gaming News James Gunn and Peter Safran take over DC Cinematic Universe The Ziff Davis layoffs Impact IGN Microsoft Raising Prices on First-Party Titles Microsoft vows to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo for 10 Years The FTC is suing Microsoft over Activision Merger 30:11 - Brandon Presents: #ForeverPhysical 44:47 - Rich’s Digital Picks (Game Pass and PS Plus) 1:02:38 - What We’ve Been Playing The Callisto Protocol Telling Lies God of War: Ragnarök (Late-Game Impressions) 1:57:50 Closing Thoughts / What We’re Playing Next…  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Fourteen The Game Awards 2022 Post-Show: Reactions to the Winners, World Premieres and Announcements On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we recap gaming’s biggest night - The Game Awards 2022 - with a complete post-show wrap-up. We start by talking about our thoughts on the event in general, including the various game developers, actors, musicians and other awesome people from around the video games industry that were a part of the show. Next, we discuss the winners of the 25 biggest awards, and see who won our predictions competition from last week. And finally, we walk through the unbelievable list of world premieres and announcements we experienced throughout the night, including Judas, Hades 2, Death Stranding 2, Armored Core VI, Bayonetta Origins, Earthblade, and so many more.    Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction / Overall Thoughts on The Game Awards 2022 16:50 - The Winners in Each Major Category (and who won our predictions competition?) 55:43 - World Premieres and Announcements  02:01:33 - BONUS: Every Game Releasing in 2023 (that we know of) 02:08:48 - Closing / Social Media  

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Thirteen The Game Awards 2022 Preview - Predicting the Winners and World Premieres On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we discuss gaming’s biggest night - The Game Awards 2022 - previewing each of the event’s major categories and nominees, and making predictions on who will win, who will lose, and what big surprises and upsets could be in store. We also talk about some of the notable snubs among this year’s categories, and lay odds on which big announcements and “World Premieres” we might see throughout the night. After all, Geoff Keighley did say that he “hasn’t felt this good about a show in a while” so expectations are high, and we’ll be back on our next episode to discuss everything that happens.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 03:14 - Quick Hits - The Callisto Protocol and Analog Pocket 25:14 - The Game Awards 2022 Preview Categories, Nominees and Predictions GOTY Best Game Direction Best Narrative Best Art Direction Best Score/Music Best Audio Design Best Performance Games for Impact Best Ongoing Game Best Indie Game Best Debut Indie Game Best Mobile Game Best Community Support Best VR/AR Game Innovation in Accessibility Best Action Game Best Action/Adventure Game Best RPG Best Fighting Game Best Family Game Best Sports/Racing Game Best SIM/Strategy Game Best Multiplayer Game Best Adaptation Most Anticipated Game Potential Announcements and “World Premieres” 02:13:21 - Closing Thoughts / What’s Next on the Podcast

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Twelve God of War Franchise Retrospective (2005-2022) On this episode of The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we continue our God of War: Ragnarok Celebration, this time taking a trip down memory lane with Kratos as he murdered his way through hordes of Greek and Norse Gods, and somehow found his way into our hearts. From its introduction in 2005 with God of War on PS2, through three console generations (including PSP, PS3 and PS4), and up to the present day with God of War: Ragnarök on PS5, we trace this franchise’s storied history, and discuss the various changes - both in-game and behind the scenes - that made this franchise one of the most fascinating epics in all of gaming. Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 01:16 - God of War Retrospective First Era (Greek Mythology) God of War (PS2) - 2005 (Dir. David Jaffe) God of War II (PS2) - 2007 (Dir. Cory Barlog & David Jaffe) God of War: Betrayal (Mobile) - 2007 God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP) - 2008 (Ready at Dawn) God of War Collection (PS3) - 2009 (Remastered Collection of God of War I & II, later ported to Vita in 2014) God of War III (PS3) - 2010 (Dir. Stig Asmussen); Remastered on PS4 in 2015  God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP) - 2010 (Ready at Dawn) God of War: Origins Collection (PS3) - 2011 (Remastered Collection of PSP games) God of War Saga - 2012 (Remastered Collection of God of War I, II & III, and digital codes for the PSP games) God of War: Ascension (PS3) - 2013 (Dir. Todd Papy) (Prequel to entire series) Second Era (Norse Mythology) God of War: A Call from the Wilds (text-based game playable through Facebook Messenger) - 2018 God of War (PS4, 2018) (Dir. Cory Barlog) God of War Ragnarök (PS4, PS5) - 2022 (Dir. Eric Williams) 01:34:11 - Closing Thoughts / What’s Next on the Podcast

The (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast - Episode Eleven God of War: Ragnarok Celebration - Game Review, Part 1 On this episode of the (New) Joy of Gaming Podcast, we kick off our God of War: Ragnarok Celebration, which will span three episodes and feature a multi-part review of the game, as well as a complete retrospective of the God of War franchise. For this first episode, we discuss the early sections of the game, and offer our impressions of what’s changed, what has stayed the same, and how it feels to re-join Kratos and Atreus in the Nine Realms in an effort to avert Ragnarok. We will also go into very early story spoilers, but there will be a clear SPOILER WARNING to stop listening at that point if you aren’t as far along yet in your journey. PLUS: The latest video game news, Brandon’s Physical Games Corner, Rich’s Digital Picks, and more.  Run of Show: 00:10 - Introduction 019:01 - Recent Gaming News Release Date Roundup Remedy Announces Control 2 Nintendo Switch IndieWorld Showcase Announcements More Drama Surrounding Disco Elysium Developer ZA/UM The Game Awards 2022 Award Nominees 58:05 - Brandon’s Physical Games Corner 1:13:57 - Rich’s Digital Picks  Game Pass and GWG Playstation Plus 1:39:48 - God of War: Ragnarok Review (Part 1) 2:50:29 Closing Thoughts / What We’re Playing Next…