CRITICAL!

CRITICAL! originally started as a podcast covering the history of pro wrestling video games. While wrestling games and wrestling is our bread and butter, we also cover our other interests such as video games expanding different genres and eras, movies, comic books and comic book related media, action figures and so much more!

Episode 97: Wax Nostalgia

As always, we discuss current topics such as UPW, AEW, figures, but we really get nostalgic for arcades, Degrassi Junior High, and department store built-in restaurants.

10-26
03:05:53

Episode 96: New York Comic Con/Basic Fun! WWE WrestleFest

There's quite a lot of stuff coming out of Comic Con, whether it's figures, TV or comics. There's also the disastrous release of Basic Fun's WWE WrestleFest, which should serve as an example for anyone hoping for ports of games featuring licensed characters.

10-12
02:40:53

Episode 95: WWF WrestleMania (NES)

WWF WrestleMania for the Nintendo Entertainment System is a very bad video game. Very bad. MARVEL Cosmic Invasion feels like it's going to be very good. Bust-A-Move rules!

10-05
02:49:46

Episode 94: Pro Wrestling (NES)/HAL Wrestling (GB)

Today, we look at Pro Wrestling on the NES, a game which would end up becoming very important to the history of the genre. Also, HAL Wrestling,a game that you may not know was developed by Human Entertainment. We also talk figure news, current wrestling and game news and Mongo reviews the new Nightmare on Elm St. 4K set.

09-28
02:18:11

Episode 93: Catching Up

We're back! Good thing nothing has happened for the past three weeks. Nothing at all. Just PPVs, UPW footage, the Acclaim showcase, WWE 2K25 DLC, Superhero Simulator tt, Jazzwares and AEW, Mattel reveals, etc.Note: There were some issues with Discord during this episode that I kept in for nondramatic effect. #superherosimulator #keymailer

09-21
02:56:20

Episode 92: Fire Pro Wrestling World

Fire Pro Wrestling World was a game we waited a long time for even if we didn't necessary know it existed. Did it live up to the high expectations of the Fire Pro series? Also, AEW held a bunch of shows at the 2300 Arena and teased EVIL CLONE HOLOGRAM.

08-31
02:46:24

Episode 91: AEW Walk Out

We've been gone for a bit so there's some stuff to catch up on. Such as Mongo's AEW Walk Out, UFC/Paramount, Powertown, Mattel, Raja Jackson, UPW Sam at Gamescom, AEW Forbidden Door and more. Rest in Peace, Jackie Boy

08-24
02:55:18

Episode 90: Fire Pro Wrestling Returns

I think it's safe to say this game introduced a lot of people to the Fire Pro series. We also go over (urgh)...Powertown, SummerSlam, Freddy vs Jason, and a bunch more!

08-03
02:53:53

Episode 89: San Diego Comic Con & Hulk Hogan

Well, it's been a newsworthy week. We start by covering a lot of news from San Diego Comic Con. We also talk about the trailer for the Mortal Kombat 2 movie. And of course, we have to provide our thoughts on the passing of Hulk Hogan and the reaction of others on social media.

07-27
03:30:27

Episode 88: WWE Day of Reckoning 2

The second Day of Reckoning installment features such luminaries as Heidenreich, Snitsky, & Eugene. A bold new era of WWE. Mongo reviews AEW All In (Got a MACHINEHEAD!) and I saw SUPERMAN!

07-13
02:44:39

Episode 87: WWE Day of Reckoning

We're back baby! Today, it's WWE Day of Reckoning! I also checked out Jaleco Sports: Goal! and Libritopia on Steam. Powertown continues to collapse, we give our thoughts on AEW All In and the greatness that is NWA MOUNTAIN STATE! #keymailer #libritopialibrariansimulator#Jalecosportsgoal

07-06
02:57:19

Episode 86: WWE WrestleMania XIX

We're back after two weeks! And we're here to talk WrestleMania XIX, an anti-union Gamecube game that has you murdering blue collar workers.

06-22
03:14:10

Episode 85: News of the Week

Back already?!? We have things to cover and Mongo isn't available next week! Summer Games Fest, State of Play, WWE Money in the Bank, figures and Mongo drowning in comic books!

06-08
02:52:54

Episode 84 with S.K. Stylez

S.K. Stylez joins us in the virtual studio to talk his history with the AKI modding community and projects that he's working on. We also get his opinions on various other games in the genre and the current wrestling scene. I once again praise the Pearl River Powerhouse, Ahmed Johnson. What if they give him a Swedish gimmick and he was Ahmed Johannsson? S.K. Stylez can be found onTwitter - (1) AKI Club (@AKIClub64) / XBlueSky - AKI Club (@akiclub64.bsky.social) — Bluesky

06-08
02:18:57

Episode 83: WWE WrestleMania X8 (GameCube)

WrestleMania X8 feels like a pretty inoffensive game but ended up causing a whole boatload of controversy. What's with horror games and their lack of originality? Did you know Mongo really loves Freddy's Nightmares? Rick Derringer Final Hoochie Koo

06-01
02:28:03

Episode 82: Toukon Club (Famicom) and Jump The Track (PC)

Hey homies! We're looking at Toukon Club, a neat Famicom wrestling game released in 1992. Also, an early look at Jump The Track, a visual novel pachinko game! We also discuss the MK 2 movie, Street Fighter casting and revisit Fight Forever.

05-25
02:22:42

Episode 81 with rey

Today, we're joined by the great rey to discuss the AKI modding scene, including his upcoming PRIDE FC project. We also talk about, well everything and anything like L.A. Par-K beating up fans, crappy fandoms and The Rock's mutated head.

05-18
03:53:32

Episode 80 with Melonbread

Today, we are joined by the esteemed @Melonbread1979 to share his insights on the AKI series. Additionally, we will delve into discussions on Ultra Pro Wrestling, AEW Fight Forever, Toukon Club, Mat Mania, and Appoooh!RIP Sabu & Steve "Mongo" McMichaelMelonbread can be found on X and BlueskyMelonbread (@Melonbread1979) / XMelonbread (@melonbread1979.bsky.social) — Bluesky

05-11
03:44:07

Episode 79: The Punisher (PS2/XBOX)

Today, we look at The Punisher. An incredibly fun game that led the way for Volition's Saints Row series. We also have Mongo trippin' and flippin', we're amazed by Retro Randy, NEW WCW PS2 STUFF, Powertown Wrestling's worthless statement and so much more. Oh my god there's so much! So much!

05-04
02:46:31

Episode 78: WrestleMania Week

It's WrestleMania week and honestly, there's quite a bit of negativity and hostility surrounding it. Thankfully, there's also positive things to talk about such as Star Wars Zero Company, figures, comics and crapping your pants to get out of school.

04-20
03:04:58

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