Video Game Hangover (general)

GET HYPE! As the summer drought comes to an end, the VGH crew looks into the back half of 2011 for that one game (or two, or three) that seems most worthy of our hard-earned burrito money.

Episode Timeline

Intro: 0:00
Hangover: 2:20
Get Hype: 21:20
Last Call: 57:28
Outro: 64:00
???:??? 

 

Direct download: VGH_18_-_Attack_on_Your_Wallet.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:48am PDT

A huge enemy is approaching fast! This week, the VGH crew takes on boss battles: Do they still have a place in modern gaming or are they relics of an almost forgotten age? We've also got groovy coasters and secondhand shooters. I hit it with my axe!

Episode Timeline

Intro: 0:00
Viewer Mail: 1:40
Hangover: 4:57
Boss Battles: 24:50
Outro: 66:10
???:??? 

Direct download: VGH_17_-_A_Giant_Bottle.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:01am PDT

With only 10 minutes on the clock, the VGH team will weigh in on two recent gaming headlines: the demise of the Red Faction series and the big Nintendo 3DS price drop. We've also got Viewer Mail, the Hangover, Last Call, and lightsabers. Time's up!

Episode Timeline:

Intro: 0:00
Viewer Mail:  1:15
Hangover: 4:35
Death of Red Faction: 21:50
3DS Price Drop: 36:50
Last Call:  51:10
Outro: 60:20
???:??? 

Direct download: VGH_16_-_A_Hard_Road_to_Hoe.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

Ding! Achievement unlocked! In this week's show, we discuss the allure of trophies and achievements in video games. Feedback is read, "retractments" are issued, and the Last Call offers some sage advice for managing your backlogs.

Episode Timeline

Intro & Listener Feedback: 1:07
Hangover: 9:45
Achievements & Trophies: 29:45
Last Call: 68:48
Outro: 75:45
???:??? 

Direct download: VGH_15_Very_Menu_Heavy.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

Why can't we have nice things? Critics loved some of June's big new releases but gamers were mostly indifferent. In this week's show, the VGH crew weigh in on this disturbing--but not terribly surprising--trend.

Episode Timeline

Intro: 0:47
Hangover: 3:15 
Great games, poor sales: 28:02
Last Call: 65:00
Outro: 71:00
???: ???

Direct download: VGH_14_-_Top_Shelf_Very_Classy.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:47am PDT

On this week's show: Gaming in the Digital Age! The crew wax poetic about how evolution in the gaming distribution landscape is a total GAME CHANGER. Guest stars this week include: Vegan Nuclear Bombs, Uncharted 3, Navi and someone named Steve???

Episode Timeline

Intro: 0:50
Hangover: 4:15
Gaming in the Digital Age: 35:28 

Direct download: VGH_13_The_Nuclear_Option.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:24am PDT

On this week's show: games! Specifically, the guilty pleasures and bargain-bin treasures that keep us entertained between all of those Big Important Games we play. We've scoured our collections for the titles that we'd categorize as "so bad it's good" or "too cheap to suck" and included our favorites here. We've also got sweat, dude-bros, James Bond and swanky new music by Brother Android. So good it burns!

Episode Timeline:

Intro: 0:56
Hangover:  4:14
Guilty Pleasures: 31:55

Direct download: VGH_12_-_Flong.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:32am PDT

We're back and dreaming of a world where a Scrubs-inspired Kinect game is Microsoft's next big triple-A title. It could happen, right? In this episode, we obsess over great movies, TV shows and books that beg to be turned into video games.

Episode Timeline

Intro: 0:43
Hangover: 3:28
Dream Games Part 1: 25:10
VGCT Sam & Max: 46:35
Dream Games Part 2: 47:22 

Direct download: VGH_11_Cartoon_Animal_Abuse.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:30pm PDT

The VGH crew offer their fascinating insight and biting commentary on the big announcements from E3 2011.

Episode Timeline

Intro: 1:05
Microsoft Conference: 3:05
Sony Conference: 24:55
Nintendo Conference: 43:09 

Direct download: VGH_Bonus_Round_-_E3_2011.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:45pm PDT

M-M-Multikill! The crew discuss their unhealthy obsession with multiplayer gaming, including a certain game starring ostriches on Mars. Also: We put on our robes and wizard hats, Randy says something inappropriate, and VGCT bids farewell to an old friend.

Episode Timeline

Intro: 0:00
Hangover: 2:15
Multiplayer and Red Faction Guerrilla: 22:10
VGCT - Resident Evil: 39:45
Favorite Multiplayer Games: 41:02 

Direct download: VGH_10_Honk_the_Horn.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:51pm PDT

Here there be spoilers! In this bite-sized episode of Video Game Hangover, the hosts discuss only one game: Portal 2.

Direct download: VGH_9.5_Portalable.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:28pm PDT

Modern Warfare 9?! We love our gaming sequels... or do we? In this week's episode the VGH crew talk about what they think makes a great sequel. In our Hangover Segment, D.J. impresses with his encyclopedic knowledge of the Godfather films. We also dive into a discussion on some of our personal favourite, and not so favourite gaming sequels.

In this episode's installment of Video Game Community Theatre, we try our hand at Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. The results? Well, listen for yourself! In the second part of our show, we play "The Sequel Game" which we blatantly stole from Kotaku. Thanks Kotaku! Also, one lucky listener wins the AWARD OF THE WEEK!

Episode Timeline:

Intro: 0:00
Hangover: 5:15
Game Sequels: 20:20
VGCT - Uncharted: 57:55
The Sequel Game: 59:05 

Direct download: VGH_9_Big_Revelations_or_Whatever.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:16pm PDT

Toe tappin' and neck snappin'! While the PlayStation Network is down, the hosts find time to indulge one of their second-favorite loves: video game music. Rather than just about their faves, you'll hear excerpts from classic scores and modern tracks with color commentary from the VGH crew.

In the final moments of the show, listen closely for directions on how you can enter our newest contest and win a copy of the Video Games Live DVD. It's "nuawesome"!

Episode Timeline:
Intro: 0:00
Hangover: 2:15
Game Music, Part 1: 20:30
VGCT - Dead Rising: 49:30
Game Music, Part 2: 51:00
 

Direct download: VGH_8_Blips_and_Bloops.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:14pm PDT

Backloggery! A less-than-inspiring collection of recent releases has given the VGH hosts an opportunity to dig into their gaming backlogs a bit, which inspires a conversation about memorable moments in games and the crew gets a bit worked up about morality as a gameplay device. Plus: We've picked a winner our "Free Ramen" PAX/Amazon contest.

Episode Timeline:
Intro: 0:00
Hangover: 5:15
Memorable Moments: 33:15
VGCT - Psychonauts: 56:15
Tough Decisions: 59:00 

Direct download: VGH_7_The_Bad_Ending.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:49am PDT

Metacritic: Is it the devil? Probably not, but on this week’s show we talk about that and the world of video game criticism, in general. We also weigh in with our early impressions of the Nintendo 3DS and our 3D gaming wishlists, the new leaderboard-centric Need for Speed, and an inaccurately named not-quite-sequel to Contra. Plus, we announce our next big contest and there's yet another installment of Community Theater. Finish him!

Episode Timeline:

Intro: 0:00
3DS Chat: 4:30
What We've Been Playing: 16:15
3DS Games We'd Like to See: 29:45
VGCT - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: 37:00
Reviewing Game Reviews: 38:45

Direct download: VGH_6_Freakzeeky_Is_Better_than_You.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:30pm PDT

An outbreak of the T-virus (or something) at VGH headquarters delayed production of the new episode for over a week! We're back now, in better health and clamoring to share our thoughts on Dragon Age 2, Bulletstorm, Pixeljunk Shooter and more. Randy's experiences at Volition Community Day and PAX East lead to a discussion about our favorite video game developers, past and present. Paul's love for Bioware and D.J.'s love for fine Mexican cuisine all factor in, somehow. Put it in your ears!

Direct download: VGH_5_You_Dont_Know_Zangief.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:49pm PDT

The VGH crew discusses the unofficially unannounced state of video game DLC and a conversation about the Xperia Play phone turns into something else entirely. Also, our listeners weigh in on their earliest gaming memories and Paul dreams of a world that more closely resembles Canada. Lastly, a new installment of Video Game Community Theater gets all "Buster Wolf" on your ass.

Direct download: VGH_4_Zeds_Dead_Baby.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:43pm PDT

The VGH crew reflect on tales from their gaming "careers," Randy wins a contest, and the Video Game Community Theater gets bionic. Warning: This podcast contains multiple references to male tumescence, illegal narcotics and the 3DO. Also, games!

Direct download: VGH_3_Ive_Got_a_History_with_Milk_Crates.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

In this "emergency" episode, the crew discuss the recently announced Sony NGP (aka, "not the PSP2"), PlayStation Suite. Also: An ERROR.

Direct download: VGH_2.5_Weve_Got_a_PlayStation_Emergency.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00pm PDT

The VGH crew chat about the games they're looking forward to in 2011. Plus, D.J. probably doesn't have world exclusive news about the next Soulcalibur. Addictive substances and legendary 80's frontmen both somehow play a part. Also, the 3DS!

Direct download: VGH_Episode_2_Martha_Washington_Was_My_Prom_Date.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:45pm PDT

In their first episode, the VGH crew discuss their favorite games from 2010.  Plus:  Tom Clancy, peanut butter, and Paul really really likes Mass Effect.  Really.  Also: the premiere of Video Game Community Theater.


In this short introductory episode we say hello, talk about the future of the VGH podcast, and address one of the great gaming questions of all time. Put it in your ears!

Direct download: VGH_Episode_Zero.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am PDT