We put our heads together to determine the definitive best game soundtracks of 2021. If it's not here, it wasn't music!

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro/Drunktacular hype

(7:28) - Fantasian

(9:05) - Later Alligator

(17:13) - ElecHead

(25:00) - Death’s Door

(35:12) - Chicory

(47:51) - Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

(1:01:47) - Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139...

(1:13:59) - Masayoshi Soken/FFXIV tribute

(1:17:13) - Outro

D.J. gets caught up in repainting the entire world in Chicory: A Colorful Tale. Meanwhile, Randy embraces his inner big blue angry sword guy in Grindstone.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro/Extra Life

(3:46) - Drunktacular hype

(5:57) - Corrections and Regrets

(10:26) - Chicory: A Colorful Tale

(35:09) - Grindstone

(53:25) - Outro

As huge fans of the series, we can't wait to see what Mr. Halo is up to in his new game, Halo Infinite. Also: Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, and another look at Pikmin Bloom.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro/Extra Life

(6:20) - Drunktacular hype

(9:57) - Pikmin Bloom

(22:17) - Halo Infinite

(43:48) - Battlefield 2042 minute

(47:45) - Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

(1:05:38) - Outro

Randy gets in touch with all the aspects of his personality (and his tie) in Disco Elysium. Meanwhile, D.J. struggles to adapt to rural English living (plus £30,000,000 of debt) in SWERY’s The Good Life. Also: The hit video game, Grand Theft Auto!

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(1:09) - Extra Life

(4:17) - Drunktacular hype

(7:57) - Grand Theft Auto content

(12:43) - The Good Life

(42:08) - Disco Elysium

(1:05:40) - Outro

We emerge from Extra Life weekend with a recap of all the games we played, including: It Takes Two, Back 4 Blood, The Artful Escape, Super Metroid, and a look at the big Animal Crossing: New Horizons update.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro/Extra Life wrap-up

(10:51) - FFXIV Endwalker delayed!

(18:19) - Spelunky/Slay the Spire

(25:08) - Super Metroid

(29:13) - The Artful Escape

(38:51) - It Takes Two

(47:22) - Animal Crossing: New Horizons

(1:04:23) - Faith

(1:07:42) - Back 4 Blood

(1:14:57) - Outro

Randy discovers a wide world of sentient plants just outside his door in Pikmin Bloom. Meanwhile, D.J. enjoys the low-budget thrills of Dungeon Encounters. Also: Throwing metaphorical but also literal baggage into a fire in Bonfire Peaks.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(5:25) - Extra Life

(10:41) - Pikmin Bloom

(25:56) - Dungeon Encounters

(57:42) - Bonfire Peaks

(1:09:55) - Outro

OooOOOOooOooooOoo it's Halloween and we've played a frightening assortment of terrifying games, including Inscryption, Spookware, Back in 1995, and moooOooOOore!

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(06:58) - Extra Life

(11:43) - Mayor Bones Proudly Presents: Ghost Town's 1000th Annual Pumpkin Festival

(21:36) - Spookware

(35:37) - The Night that Speaks

(39:47) - Back in 1995

(53:20) - Inscryption

(1:08:04) - Devotion

(1:13:06) - Outro

At long last, Randy enters the "Deathloop." Meanwhile, D.J. tries to forget all about Metroid Dread with some delightful puzzle-platforming in ElecHead. And, at long last, Randy enters the "Deathloop."

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro/Animal Crossing

(5:31) - Extra Life

(11:02) - Metroid Dread

(24:43) - Ibb & Obb

(30:26) - ElecHead

(41:48) - Pocket Card Jockey

(45:03) - Deathloop

(1:16:05)  - Outro

We've got a double (or triple?) dose of Metroid discussion with a quick detour through Metroid Fusion before arriving at the long-awaited Metroid Dread. Also: a robotic dog disaster in Battlefield 2042.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro/Federation Force

(9:16) - Extra Life

(11:47) - Metroid Fusion

(25:30) - Metroid Dread

(52:20) - Battlefield 2042

(1:11:40)  - Outro

D.J. cracks open the Castlevania Advance Collection and sees Castlevania: Circle of the Moon in a whole new light. Also, Dracula X is there. Meanwhile, Randy cracks open some monsters in Beast Breaker.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro/Psychonauts 2

(9:00) - Ratchet and Clank

(14:03) - ExtraLife hype

(16:49) - Castlevania Advance Collection

(39:31) - Castlevania: Dracula X

(46:53) - Beast Breaker

(1:03:49)  - Outro

Despite some disturbing news out of the Nintendo Direct, D.J. miraculously manages to enjoy Actraiser Renaissance. Also, after months of struggle, Randy finally gets his hands on Astro's Playroom. Hironobu Sakaguchi guest stars.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro/Chris Pratt is Mario

(4:06) - Nintendo Direct

(11:04) - Sakaguchi Direct

(13:08) - Fantasian revisited

(16:25) - Actraiser Renaissance

(32:28) - Astro’s Playroom/PS5

(1:05:12) - Outro

Randy, a fan of games like A Short Hike and Animal Crossing, attempts to revitalize the campgrounds of Haven Park. D.J. gets into Fantasian, finally. And Angry Birds makes its long-awaited VGH debut.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro/Angry Birds Journey

(10:53) - Fantasian

(41:02) - Haven Park

(1:02:07) - Outro

D.J. travels the galaxy in pinball adventure World Flipper, then tries to make sense of a supernatural London in Last Stop. Meanwhile, after abandoning his Animal Crossing island, Randy returns to Earth for one last tee time in Golf Club: Wasteland.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(9:13) - World Flipper

(30:17) - Golf Club: Wasteland

(46:13) - Last Stop

(1:07:35) - Outro

Randy becomes a super secret psychic soldier in Schafer’s sorely sought sequel, Psychonauts 2. And, D.J. delivers mail in Lake.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(5:15) - Backlog Attack

(15:58) - Psychonauts 2

(47:54) - Lake

(1:07:22) - Outro

This year's Backlog Attack concludes with Hollow Knight and the much-anticipated Stardew Valley. Will Randy be willing to trade his carefree island life for life on a farm?

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(4:13) - Backlog Attack contest

(5:43) - Stardew Valley

(37:55) - The Hollow Knight

(1:02:32) - Outro

Randy goes for a Backlog Attack double play with Burly Men at Sea and John Wick Hex. Meanwhile, D.J. winds up with more questions than answers in Again. Also, controllers: Are they OK?

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro/Star Trek

(6:11) - A PS5?

(21:14) - Backlog Attack

(22:32) - Burly Men at Sea

(29:44) - John Wix Hecks

(46:47) - Again

(1:05:19) - Outro

The Backlog Attack continues as D.J. brushes up on his wiimote technique in Dragon Quest Swords. Meanwhile, Randy makes up for lost time with an exhaustive first look at Mass Effect: Andromeda.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(05:08) - Mountain Dew showdown

(13:12) - Backlog Attack contest

(15:49) - Mass Effect: Andromeda

(50:12) - Dragon Quest Swords

(1:11:12) - Outro

The 10th annual Backlog Attack begins, and we're getting right into it with Ittle Dew 2 and Quake! Also: A preview of the backlog games we'll be playing for the rest of the month, and find out how you can win a new game!

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(4:19) - Backlog Attack!

(15:47) - Ittle Dew 2

(38:26) - Quake

(1:03:51) - Outro

To celebrate 10 years of Groove Coaster, we're featuring an hour of our favorite tracks from its first decade. Let's groove!

Randy absorbs souls to become more powerful in Death's Door. D.J. ventures into the wai wai world of Groove Coaster Wai Wai Party!!!!, then beats up punks on the Street of Rage... 4.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(5:53) - Wow man bad

(11:00) - Groove Coaster Wai Wai Party!!!!

(28:26) - Death’s Door

(46:06) - Streets of Rage 4

(1:01:06) - Outro

Switch OLED vs. Steam Deck vs. Switch Pro (Believe!) — which will be the one hybrid console to reign supreme? Meanwhile, Randy gets lost in Labyrinth City, and D.J. subjects himself to more cruel and unusual punishment via Resident Evil 6.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(2:54) - Switch OLED vs. Steam Deck vs. Switch Pro

(38:55) - Resident Evil 6

(50:25) - Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective

(1:05:27) - Outro

Randy once again gets into some monster-hunting hubbub in Monster Hunter Stories 2. D.J. hangs out with sad high-schoolers in NEO: The World Ends with You, then laments that they'll let just anyone into his favorite game these days.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(2:37) - New music by HEAVYVIPER

(4:23) - Mini golf

(10:16) - D.J. reacts!!!!!!!!!!! Asmongold plays FFXIV

(25:17) - Monster Hunter Stories 2

(50:48) - NEO: The World Ends with You

(1:06:31) - Outro

Randy plays a few rounds of Nintendo's new, full-contact approach to golf in Mario Golf: Super Rush. Meanwhile, D.J. emerges from Resident Evil 5 only to find himself in the warpath of the River City Girls.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(2:33) - Resident Evil 5

(13:28) - Mario Golf: Super Rush

(38:45) - River City Girls

(57:57) - Outro

Randy and D.J. reminisce over 500 episodes of games that kept them up at night, then finally battle to the death over custody of their favorite video game, Grand Theft Auto V.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(10:44) - Subtle like a paper shredder to the face

(25:14) - Martha Washington was my prom date

(33:51) - I’ve got a history with milk crates

(40:39) - Zed’s dead

(42:28) - You don’t know Zangief

(51:35) - Calls calls calls

(1:17:38) - Outro

On his way to play Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, D.J. gets distracted by the new Taiko no Tatsujin game on Apple Arcade. But then, he plays Alba: A Wildlife Adventure.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro/Biomutant

(12:43) - Episode 500

(15:51) - Taiko no Tatsujin: Pop Tap Beat

(36:26) - Alba: A Wildlife Adventure

(1:01:20) - Outro

CHAOS!

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(3:33) - Episode 500

(5:03) - Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

(12:23) - Metroid Dread

(19:27) - Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda

(26:15) - SacriFire

(30:07) - Dragon Quest III

(33:41) - Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster

(37:18) - 12 Minutes

(38:57) - Somerville

(41:48) - Inscryption

(44:06) - Wholesome Direct/Pekoe

(46:40) - Lake

(48:53) - Hot Pot for One/Soup Pot

(51:19) - Psychonauts 2

(53:51) - The Outer Worlds 2

(56:25) - Far Cry 6

(59:59) - Immortality

(1:02:32) - Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

(1:05:03) - Final Fantasy XVI

(1:06:04) - Outro

It's the JRPG event of the season: Randy gives his much anticipated impressions of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne. (And a few impressions on Rise of the Slime.) Meanwhile, D.J. learns how to get away with murder on the fly in Overboard!

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Retro Intro

(3:29) - Episode 500 HD Remaster

(6:15) - Rise of the Slime: Nocturne HD

(17:24) - Shin Overboard Megami Tensei!

(38:08) - Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster

(1:05:31) - Retro Outro

Randy comes to terms with the new age of critters in Biomutant. Meanwhile, D.J. appreciates the little things, like not falling off stairs, in Odallus: The Dark Call. Also, you won't believe what Bear Grylls is eating this week!

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(1:14) - The number 500

(7:40) - Operation: Tango update

(11:13) - Biomutant

(46:16) - Odallus: The Dark Call

(1:02:17) - Outro

Randy and D.J. return to that co-op espionage life in Operation: Tango. Also, the wrong Resident Evil, and Golf that is merely OK.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(1:28) - 500

(5:31) - Cicadapalooza

(13:28) - Resident Evil Village minute

(15:13) - Operation: Tango

(32:03) - OK Golf

(40:58) - Resident Evil 5

(1:03:13) - Outro

Randy visits some spooky neighborhood attractions in Little Nightmares II. Meanwhile, D.J. deals with a Sneaky Sasquatch and reports back from his virtual weekend at Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2021.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(2:15) - Additional hot news

(5:19) - FFXIV Fan Festival 2021

(28:28) - Little Nightmares II

(54:33) - Sneaky Sasquatch

(1:03:20) - Outro

Randy gets all up in people's unfinished business in Speed Dating for Ghosts. Meanwhile, D.J. explores Miitopia in a post-Mii world. Also, eating hexagonal food at a new time of day.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(5:27) - Big news

(13:41) - Nier Minute

(16:45) - Miitopia

(40:27) - Speed Dating for Ghosts

(57:17) - Outro

D.J. has an utterly baffling time with SaGa Frontier Remastered. Meanwhile, Randy gets all semiotic in The Pedestrian, then takes a detour to save the time crystals in Elli.

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(08:36) - SaGa Frontier Remastered

(42:14) - The Pedestrian

(57:13) - Elli

(1:05:03) - Outro

Randy finds himself on the run from a sketchy mayor and vegetarian snails in Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion. Meanwhile, D.J. is on the run from his own poor decisions in NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139..., the latest video game thing from Yoko Taro.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro/500

(5:56) - NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139...

(34:39) - Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion

(1:01:08) - Outro

D.J. gets way into the throwback atmosphere of Blaster Master Zero, but at the same time isn't quite feeling it. Meanwhile, Randy takes on a big commitment in The Longing, then explains why Aerial_Knight's Never Yield.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro

(9:25) - Blaster Master Zero

(34:12) - The Longing

(55:09) - Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield

(1:04:52) - Outro

Randy tears himself away from his Animal Crossing island to investigate Cozy Grove, where the animals are ghosts and also bears, somehow. Meanwhile, D.J. wonders whether he ever knew how to play Pac-Man at all after trying Pac-Man 99.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro

(18:24) - Cozy Grove

(41:23) - Pac-Man 99

(1:00:02) - Outro

Randy gives contrarianism a try after playing Say No! More. Meanwhile, D.J. returns from the weird world of Anodyne 2 and plays More! Monster Hunter.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro/Joy-Con saga update

(5:44) - Animal Crossing: New Horizons

(11:32) - Anodyne 2

(29:36) - Say No! More

(49:19) - Monster Hunter Rise

(59:11) - Outro

Monster Hunter Rise is here and we're deep into mochi and wirebugs. Also, Randy experiences the bleak future of Outriders, and D.J. makes more raid progress in Final Fantasy XIV.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro/The Joy-Con saga continues

(13:46) - Outriders

(35:23) - Final Fantasy XIV

(40:19) - Monster Hunter Rise

(1:09:27) - Outro

Randy finishes off the Link's Awakening remake then immediately leaves for Alligator New York in Later Alligator. Meanwhile, D.J. puts his social strand skills to use by planning the first Viking interstate highway in Valheim.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro/Link’s Awakening

(26:32) - Valheim

(46:58) - Later Alligator

(1:00:29) - Outro

The unexplained prevalence of cats in Super Mario 3D World drives Randy to all-out cat warfare in Kitty Letter. Meanwhile, D.J. ignores his primal-slaying duties in Valheim to build a quiet forest house. Also, centipedes.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro/Animal Crossing

(9:25) - Devotion

(14:41) - Waluigi: The disturbing truth

(20:56) - Super Mario 3D World

(36:03) - Valheim

(53:13) - Kitty Letter

(1:03:05) - Outro

Project Triangle Strategy vs. Unsung Story: We pit two upcoming tactical RPGs against each other. Plus: Is the Link's Awakening remake actually good?

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro

(9:01) - Project Triangle Strategy

(33:17) - Unsung Story

(51:05) - Link’s Awakening

(1:11:31) - Outro

Randy enjoys some party chat (and fermentend fruit beverages) between battles in Haven while D.J. finally escapes from FFXIV raid hell. Also, the last word on Final Fantasy VII Remake. (Seriously, we don't want to talk about it anymore.)

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro/Tacobringers

(4:19) - Final Fantasy XIV

(13:02) - Final Fantasy VII Remake

(41:19) - Haven

(1:03:36) - Outro

We live life ten minutes of a Star Trek episode at a time in The Captain Is Dead, then take a whimsical trip to Norway in Embracelet. Also, our thoughts on the latest Nintendo Direct and the questionable titles therein.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro/Nintendo Direct

(26:49) - The Captain Is Dead

(48:45) - Embracelet

(1:01:26) - Outro

Randy gets deep into kaiju and cat costumes in the Super Mario 3D World spin-off, Bowser's Fury. Meanwhile, D.J. struggles to adjust to the Bravely Default II demo and wonders if everyone would quiet down if he just paid them lots of money.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro/Doug

(10:01) - I'm not a whale

(27:54) - Bowser’s Fury

(51:59) - Bravely Default II

(1:16:00) - Outro

We played games that answer two of the Metroidvaniaverse's biggest questions: Y can't Metroid throw a harpoon (Olija), and y can't Metroid be Spider-man (Mable and the Wood)? Also, Final Fantasy XIV heads to the moon in Endwalker.

Episode Timeline:

(0:23) - Intro/Star Wars

(11:21) - Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

(31:12) - Olija

(46:24) - Mable and the Wood

(1:00:55) - Outro

Randy learns to cope with 1000 deaths in Pikmin 3 Deluxe. Meanwhile, D.J. plays Final Fantasy VII Remake and Bravely Default simultaneously and somehow still has time to see what the cast of Persona 5 is doing in Dragalia Lost.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro/Yakuza: Like a Dragon

(9:59) - FFXIV announcement showcase announcement

(15:42) - Dragalia Lost x Persona 5

(33:24) - Dragon Quest minute

(34:16) - Pikmin 3 Deluxe

(50:36) - Bravely Default

(57:51) - Final Fantasy VII Remake

(1:01:26) - Outro

Randy searches for vacation alternatives and finds himself Down in Bermuda. Meanwhile, D.J. finally plays Final Fantasy VII Remake and has some Thoughts about it.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro/Gaming vacations

(16:37) - Down in Bermuda

(34:17) - Final Fantasy VII Remake

(1:07:35) - Outro

We're getting shot down over and over by aliens in Everspace, then trying to escape our spinning nightmare house in Darq. Also: felyng fancy in Immortals.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro

(01:55) - Remember video game stores?

(11:21) - Immortals Fenyx Dressing

(21:24) - Everspace

(43:22) - Darq

(59:46) - Outro

We're braving the wild in Immortals Fenyx Rising, grinding through Yakuza: Like a Dragon's finale, and discovering just how much hunting is in the new Monster Hunter Rise.

Episode Timeline

(0:23) - Intro

(3:47) - New music by Felikitty!

(6:03) - Immortals Fenyx Rising

(31:37) - Monster Hunter Rise

(1:01:38) - Yakuza: Like a Dragon

(1:11:44) - Outro

We take a look at the games that made it a little easier to stay home during the last 100 months of 2020.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(4:06) - Animal Crossing: New Horizons

(10:47) - 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim/Yakuza: Like a Dragon

(13:50) - What the Golf?

(18:12) - Spelunky 2

(21:27) - The Last Campfire

(23:34) - The Last of Us Part II

(25:40) - Fall Guys/Among Us

(30:36) - Immortals: Fenix Rising

(37:59) - Hades

(40:09) - Judgment

(43:15) - Paper Mario: The Origami King

(46:58) - Wavelength

(51:52) - Sackboy: A Big Adventure

(57:18) - Honorable/dishonorable mention

(1:06:42) - Outro

Randy's here with a playlist to help usher out 2020 once and for all.

Enjoy this wholesome playlist of some of gaming's first towns. Just make sure you finish listening to it before the village brat gets back from that mysterious shrine.

This year's Drunktacular tackles life's biggest mysteries: death, religion, and when are we getting a Switch Pro?

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Part 1

(1:06:26) - Part 2

It's our biggest music show yet! Take a listen to our favorite tracks from 2020, including Spelunky 2, Paper Mario: The Origami King, 13 Sentinels, and, of course, Animal Crossing.

Episode Timeline

(1:58) - Intro/Drunktacular hype 

(6:48) - 13 Sentinels

(19:18) - Ministry of Broadcast

(25:16) - Paper Mario: The Origami King

(32:04) - Spelunky 2

(43:13) - Animal Crossing: New Horizons

(52:11) - Super Mario RPG

(1:02:36) - Ikenfell

(1:08:44) - Sackboy: A Big Adventure

(1:16:16) - Outro/Bugsnax

We get deep into the first few hours of Yakuza: Like a Dragon as Randy tries to make sense of his first Yakuza game ever. Also, D.J. is unqualified to operate heavy machinery in Hardspace: Shipbreaker.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(2:24) - Drunktacular hype

(7:52) - Cyber Thanksgiving

(11:49) - Yakuza: Like a Dragon

(59:45) - Hardspace: Shipbreaker

(1:01:14) - Outro

Randy acquires a mysterious artifact that both tells the time and plays Super Mario Bros. Also, getting all London-y in Watch Dogs: Legion, and a deeper take on 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro/Drunktacular hype

(8:48) - 13 Sentinels

(20:56) - Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.

(41:11) - Watch Dogs: Legion

(1:06:26) - Outro

Nobody got a PS5 or Xbox but we're finally, FINALLY talking 'bout Bugsnax. Also, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, and, as always, Piffle.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(5:12) - Extra Life update

(6:54) - Drunktacular is coming

(8:30) - Piffle

(22:53) - Bugsnax

(36:15) - Sackboy: A Big Adventure

(57:02) - Obligatory next-gen console chat

(1:00:58) - Outro

We're recovering from our Extra Life haze and trying to remember the games we played, including Among Us, We Were Here Too, Sea of Thieves, The Walking Fish 2, and Penko Park.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro/Extra Life

(7:02) - Among Us

(16:50) - Obligatory FFXIV/Animal Crossing chat

(18:57) - Spelunky 2/Slay the Spire

(22:49) - We Were Here Too

(39:19) - Sea of Thieves

(46:20) - The Walking Fish 2: Final Frontier

(52:18) - Penko Park

(1:02:38) - Outro

We're solving problems with the power of maps in Carto, ninja-slicing millions of bokoblins in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and getting in way over our heads in Minecraft.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(2:22) - Extra Life

(7:21) - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

(28:44) - Carto

(39:04) - Minecraft

(1:00:26) - Outro

[extremely Halloween voice] We played some spooOOoky games this week, like Home, Until Dawn, and the dreaded The Walking Fish. Also Pixel Puzzle Makeout League, which is not spooky at aAAAaaaLLLllllLL oOoOOoOOoooOooooooo

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(04:22) - Extra Life

(08:23) - Spooky games

(13:01) - Until Dawn

(27:01) - The Walking Fish

(36:18) - Home

(50:35) - Pixel Puzzle Makeout League (it is not spooky)

(1:07:02) - Outro

Randy casts spells indiscriminately in Ikenfell, then learns what happens when all the knights are on vacation in Micro RPG. Meanwhile, D.J. balances high school life and a kaiju invasion in 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Also, Final Fantasy XIV goes to war.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(2:27) - Extra Life

(08:45) - FFXIV: The Bozjan Southern Front

(18:35) - Micro RPG

(27:46) - Ikenfell

(46:28) - 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

(1:01:35) - Outro

D.J. finds himself in over his head after playing Super Marios Sunshine, RPG, and 35. Meanwhile, Randy wonders how many wire puzzles it takes to fix a spaceship in Filament, then terrorizes his neighbor.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro/Crazy neighbor Randy

(10:16) - Extra Life

(14:06) - Super Mario Sunshine

(21:18) - Super Mario RPG

(32:42) - Super Mario Bros. 35

(47:43) - Filament

(1:01:28) - Outro

We're exploring the strangely familiar world of Genshin Impact, while doing our best to avoid Paimon. Also, revisiting Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine on the Switch.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(12:23) - Super Mario 64

(29:39) - Super Mario Sunshine

(40:29) - Genshin Impact

(1:10:36) - Outro

We're escaping the underworld in Hades, worrying about ravenous bears in The Long Dark, and chilling out with some relaxing Worm Jazz. Also, the secret to procuring an enormous amount of crushed clams.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(9:17) - Animal Crossing: New Horizons

(21:06) - Worm Jazz

(28:09) - Hades

(53:11) - The Long Dark

(1:10:14) - Outro

VGH REACTS!!!! to the PlayStation 5 price reveal!! Also: Rediscovering dying in Spelunky 2, losing our marbles in Skully, planet hopping in Super Mario Galaxy, and some brief thoughts on Final Fantasy XVI.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro/PlayStation 5

(8:33) - Final Fantasy XVI

(24:22) - Spelunky 2

(50:18) - Skully

(1:03:39) - Super Mario Galaxy

(1:16:19) - Outro

Randy begins his new life as an ember in search of The Last Campfire. Meanwhile, D.J. wraps up chapters 2 and 3 of Tell Me Why, then makes poor time management choices in Moon: Remix RPG Adventure.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(4:15) - 2020, 9th ascension

(11:58) - The Last Campfire

(30:44) - Tell Me Why, chapters 2 and 3

(51:44) - Moon: Remix RPG Adventure

(1:07:16) - Outro

Put your headphones on for our latest game music playlist—featuring the breezy sounds of fall, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, NieR: Automata, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, and more!

Episode Timeline

(3:53) - Intro

(5:41) - Fall Playlist

(13:26) - Super Mario 3D All-Stars

(23:08) - NieR: Automata unMixed

(36:49) - Chip Tanaka

(52:22) - Listener Selections

(1:04:48) - Outro

(1:07:17) - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

We're revisiting mysterious memories in Dontnod's Tell Me Why and trying to figure out absolutely anything about Manifold Garden. Also, Randy finishes a game, and D.J. doesn't play the new Final Fantasy.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(11:05) - Animal Crossing: New Horizons

(18:07) - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

(31:21) - What is Nintendo doing?

(34:08) - Manifold Garden

(48:36) - Tell Me Why

(1:01:16) - Paper Mario: The Origami King

(1:17:43) - Outro

We're cooped up indoors in Rainy Season and doing errands all over the afterlife in Spiritfarer. Also, for some reason, SpongeBob.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(5:24) - SGDQ

(12:52) - Rainy Season

(28:56) - Spongebob

(42:04) - Spiritfarer

(1:00:16) - Outro

Heads will be mouth as Randy guides a terrifying tentacle beast to freedom in Carrion. Meanwhile, D.J. learns about the surprising responsibilities of a Norwegian dairy farmer in Milkmaid of the Milky Way. Also, a brief discussion of sentient watermelons.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(5:45) - The cutthroat melon market of Final Fantasy XIV

(17:07) - It’s Nookazon

(26:11) - Carrion

(42:20) - Milkmaid of the Milky Way

(53:16) - Outro

We're making mushroomy new friends in Paper Mario: The Origami King and learning to pick ourselves up again... and again... and again, in Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. Also, a Joy Con mishap puts Randy's entire Animal Crossing island in jeopardy.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(5:14) - Randy’s Joy Con ordeal

(24:19) - 2020 vs. Final Fantasy XIV

(35:01) - Paper Mario: The Origami King

(58:43) - Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

(1:13:02) - Outro

This year's Backlog Attack concludes with Wolfenstein: Youngblood and a deep dive back to Super Mario RPG. Also, gettin' roguish in RogueJack, and we announce the winner of the Backlog Attack contest!

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(5:55) - RogueJack

(24:44) - Wolfenstein: Youngblood

(43:24) - Super Mario RPG

(1:05:41) - Backlog Contest

(1:11:11) - Outro

The Backlog Attack continues as we revisit the Gamecube maybe-classic Killer7 and explore the true meaning of Knights and Bikes. Also, a whimsical detour into Yarntown.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(5:00) - Knights and Bikes

(24:12) - Killer 7

(45:17) - Yarntown

(53:33) - Viewer Mail/Backlog Contest

(1:02:49) - Outro

Randy finds himself face-to-face with 100 billion more guns in Borderlands 3. Meanwhile, D.J. sacrifices 100 billion gallons of blood (probably) in the hopes of becoming a Bloodborne expert. Also: The Muppets play Shin Megami Tensei, or something.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(16:14) - Bloodborne

(42:10) - Borderlands 3

(1:03:19) - Backlog Contest

(1:07:49) - Outro

We get a fresh, new perspective on being cooped up at home in Catlateral Damage. Also, the Backlog Attack continues with Thimbleweed Park and some musings on classic adventure games, plus some good, old-fashioned B&E in Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(09:20) - Catlateral Damage

(21:49) - Thimbleweed Park

(43:33) - Deus Ex

(1:02:47) - Backlog Contest

(1:06:04) - Outro

We take golfing to the final frontier in Golf on Mars, get all introspective in The Almost Gone, and enjoy not only the latest Animal Crossing update, but future, nonexistent Animal Crossing updates. Also: This year's Backlog Attack begins!

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro

(06:11) - Correction

(08:55) - Backlog Attack

(28:37) - Golf on Mars

(49:25) - The Almost Gone

(55:29) - Animal Crossing: New Horizons

(1:10:24) - Outro

Take a musical summer vacation with our playlist of video game summer jams, plus some extras! Featuring songs from Animal Crossing, Final Fantasy, Monster Hunter, Dragalia Lost, and of course, Sly 2: Band of Thieves!

Episode Timeline

(0:00) - Intro

(03:21) - Summer at the Beach

(11:19) - Spooky Summer

(18:46) - Summer on the Sea

(29:04) - Community picks

(38:06) - Summer at the Funk

(48:07) - Summer at the Beach Remake

(57:14) - Outro

The Last of Us Part II is here, and boy, are our arms tired! Randy gives spoiler-free impressions while D.J. realizes he played Uncharted 4 by mistake. Also: Keeping social composure in Hot Pot Panic, and saving the forest from mean-looking robots in Sai.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro

(6:37) - The Last of Us Part II (feat. Uncharted 4)

(48:28) - Hot Pot Panic

(58:45) - Sai

(1:05:35) - Outro

We got our first glimpse of the PlayStation 5 and some of its games — but most importantly, Bugsnax. Also: Playing 17 million indie games, starting with Hidden Folks and Hatch, plus revisiting Bioshock in a post-Bioshock world.

Episode Timeline

(0:29) - Intro/Meal Prep

(9:09) - PlayStation 5 REVEALED

(20:31) - PlayStation 5 games REVEALED (feat. Bugsnax)

(35:16) - Bioshocks

(48:33) - Hidden Folks

(1:00:38) - Hatch

(1:09:59) - Outro

Randy finally catches Minecraft fever thanks to Minecraft Dungeons. D.J. ventures into uncharted territory in Final Fantasy XIV's Baldesion Arsenal. Also: More Phantasy Star Online 2, not spoiling The Last of Us Part II, and A Solitary Spacecraft.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro

(2:47) - Spoiler-free Last of Us Part II

(9:36) - Phantasy Star Online 2

(18:42) - Minecraft Dungeons

(40:22) - Final Fantasy XIV: The Baldesion Arsenal

(57:21) - A Solitary Spacecraft

(1:03:01) - Outro

It's 2020 and it's finally time for Phantasy Star Online 2... or is it? Meanwhile, Randy experiences the wacky world of What the Golf?, and D.J. gives an update on his island-wide landscaping in Animal Crossing.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro/Horrible games

(10:50) - Counter-E3

(14:04) - What the Golf?

(31:02) - Phantasy Star Online 2

(50:16) - Animal Crossing

(1:06:08) - Outro

D.J. logs back into Grand Theft Auto V to see if anything's changed. Similarly, Randy returns to Ministry of Broadcast to check if the piranhas are still there. Also: Different ways to deal with demons in Darksiders Genesis and Helltaker.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro/Ministry of Broadcast

(15:11) - Grand Theft Auto V

(42:21) - Darksiders Genesis

(57:00) - Helltaker

(1:09:03) - Outro

Randy goes on a disgusting seaside vacation in Dishonored 2, then a much more pleasant, albeit still lethal, trip to the hills in Lonely Mountains: Downhill. D.J. is again baffled by Panzer Dragoon, then makes a big decision about Animal Crossing.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro

(13:52) - Dishonored 2

(37:43) - Lonely Mountains: Downhill

(51:07) - Panzer Dragoon 1.3 update

(54:41) - Animal Crossing

(1:16:14) - Outro

D.J. returns to Fake Tokyo to solve crime things in Judgment, while Randy faces difficult moral choices in Ministry of Broadcast. Also: correcting a grievous regret from last week's show, and the tyranny of Animal Crossing continues.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro

(09:56) - Judgment

(31:19) - Ministry of Broadcast

(52:21) - Corrections and regrets

(53:42) - Outro

After sharing some personal quarantine achievements, it's time for... The Adventure Pals! Spooky space adventures in Deliver Us the Moon! And Final Fantasy VII, but it's the old one!

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro

(12:46) - Sampling and dabbling

(19:15) - The Adventure Pals

(30:55) - Deliver Us the Moon

(43:11) - Final Fantasy VII

(1:00:25) - Outro

We're getting in shape (or at least out of breath) with Ring Fit Adventure's rhythm game. D.J. admires retro cars in Auto Museum 64 and takes some unexpected detours in Wheels of Aurelia. And Randy meets some surreal characters in The Procession to Calvary.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro

(07:45) - Talking turnips

(15:49) - Ring Fit Adventure

(35:07) - Auto Museum 64

(44:15) - Wheels of Aurelia

(52:10) - The Procession to Calvary

(1:02:38) - Outro

Randy takes the skiff out in Gears 5. D.J. travels to strange lands to sweep up dust in Anodyne. And we deal with the mean teens of... (checks notes) ...Wide Ocean, Big Jacket.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro

(08:24) - Anodyne

(23:37) - Gears 5

(54:09) - Wide Ocean, Big Jacket

(1:08:48) - Outro

Putting the trauma of Bunny Day behind him, Randy expores strange new, uh, worlds in The Outer Worlds. Meanwhile, D.J. digs into that long-awaited remake of a beloved 32-bit classic. That's right: Panzer Dragoon.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro

(12:15) - The Outer Worlds

(42:38) - Panzer Dragoon

(57:40) - Outro

Randy makes some extreme new career moves in Good Job! At the same time, D.J. isn't sure about his career path in Autobahn Police Simulator. Also: Revisiting old friends in The Last of Us; finally, the end of Death Stranding; and, unfortunately: Bunny Day.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro/Bunny Day

(15:38) - Autobahn Police Simulator

(32:04) - Good Job!

(45:57) - The Last of Us

(1:03:38) - Death Stranding

(1:18:36) - Outro

Randy and D.J. compare Animal Crossing routines, discuss the ordeal of catching rare fish, and air grievances about all the balloons. Also, Randy seeks an escape in Days Gone but finds only video games.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro

(1:22) - Immediately Animal Crossing

(32:40) - Days Gone

(56:33) - Outro

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is here! We get deep into our new island vacation package. Also: D.J. tries to make something of himself in Final Fantasy XIV, then escapes our weird new reality with some Resident Evil 3.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro

(5:59) - D.J. VS Final Fantasy XIV

(17:38) - Animal Crossing: New Horizons

(54:47) - Resident Evil 3

(1:06:07) - Outro

Now that we have plenty of time on our hands, we settle in to discuss the subtle joys of MMO living, and how Animal Crossing could take a few notes. (Or maybe it already has?) Also, picross procedural Murder by Numbers, and corgi-clicker Rescue Pets.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro

(9:10) - Final Fantasy XIV VS Animal Crossing

(32:15) - Murder by Numbers

(43:29) - Rescue Pets

(50:10) - Outro

We played Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo and have some thoughts. But don't worry, there's also: Florence! PC Building Simulator! And, of course, Good Pizza, Great Pizza!

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro/Slay the Spire

(7:33) - Final Fantasy VII Remake

(35:28) - PC Building Simulator

(43:23) - Florence

(52:28) - Good Pizza, Great Pizza

(1:06:39) - Outro

Randy and special guest Erik made it out of PAX East 2020 and seem mostly virus-free. But more importantly: They played the new Animal Crossing and are here to tell you about it. (Also: Other games that are not Animal Crossing.)

Randy contends with a meat buddy in Journey to the Savage Planet. D.J. gets decadent for Star Trek Online's 10th anniversary. Also, Death Stranding keeps getting in the way of D.J. trying to play Death Stranding.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro/How to avoid diseases at PAX East

(11:57) - Journey to the Savage Planet

(26:35) - Death Stranding

(43:21) - Star Trek Online

(56:46) - Outro

Randy gets hopped up on FEVER MODE in Lapis x Labyrinth. D.J. meditates over canceling Apple Arcade while he disassembles some junk in Assemble with Care, then plays a game he's wanted to try for 25 years. Also, Kentucky Route Zero ends well, but not without a few bumps in the road.

Episode Timeline:

(0:29) - Intro/RIPHQ

(6:56) - Randy’s Entertainment Minute

(14:15) - Norman Reedus is a real guy

(16:04) - Apple Arcade/Assemble with Care

(30:18) - Kentucky Route Zero

(40:29) - Trials of Mana

(51:06) - Lapis x Labyrinth

(1:05:00) - Outro

Randy continues to bide his time until March, this week by sealing himself inside one of those sci-fi cube mazes in The Turing Test. D.J. presses X X X then Y Y Y and X X and Y Y Y again in Persona 5 Scramble. Also, revisiting Kentucky Route Zero.

Episode Timeline:

(0:28) - Intro

(6:22) - Love is in the air

(9:41) - Persona 5 Scramble

(31:56) - The Turing Test

(45:59) - Kentucky Route Zero

(56:36) - Outro

The seven-year wait for us to talk about Kentucky Route Zero comes to an end. Meanwhile, D.J. presses on in Life Is Strange 2, even as the game tries to undo all his hard work. Also, Monster Hunter everywhere.

Episode Timeline:

(0:28) - Intro

(2:36) - PAX East hype

(11:40) - Kentucky Route Zero

(27:05) - Life Is Strange 2, Episode 3

(42:14) - Monster Hunter World

(49:31) - Outro

D.J. trades name-brand RPGs for something more generic in Minimal Dungeon RPG, in addition to jumping back into Life Is Strange 2. Randy can't decide how to bide his time until March and decides to put another 60 hours into Persona 5. Also: Luigi's Mansion 3, and Dragon Quest Builders 2.

Episode Timeline:

(0:28) - Intro/New music by DESK

(3:54) - Biding our time

(11:01) - Luigi’s Mansion 3

(17:58) - Life Is Strange 2, episode 2 (contains episode 1 spoilers)

(36:19) - Minimal Dungeon RPG

(43:46) - Persona 5

(56:40) - Dragon Quest Builders 2

(1:03:15) - Outro

After some self-reassessment, D.J. finally allows himself to enjoy Wattam, the new game from Katamari Damacy creator, Keita Takahashi, Randy revisits that time he went on vacation but ended up solving a bunch of mysteries in The Touryst. And, BLOCK U!

Episode Timeline:

(00:40) - Intro/Delays

(11:41) - The Switch shelf in the sky

(15:35) - BlockuDoku

(23:46) - Lumines, the game everyone* hates

(29:30) - Wattam

(48:41) - The Touryst

(1:05:06) - Outro

Part two of our 2019 game of the year round-up, featuring our absolute favorites, forbidden indies, and our most shamefully overlooked games.

Episode Timeline:

(00:40) - Intro

(04:13) - The Outer Wilds

(09:23) - The Touryst

(13:19) - Untitled Goose Game

(14:39) - Tetris 99

(16:39) - Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair

(20:52) - Devotion

(25:05) - Cadence of Hyrule

(29:19) - Afterparty

(33:01) - Dragon Quest Builders 2

(39:31) - Control

(46:15) - Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers

(55:26) - Luigi's Mansion 3

(1:03:29) - The list of shame

(1:06:21) - Discord GotY

(1:09:47) - Outro