Two years ago, we visited the sprawling world of Final Fantasy XIV as it hit its 10th anniversary. Since then, the Endwalker expansion released, and we spend four and a half hours going through the last expansion in the current FFXIV storyline. Ep S11E5

We shine a spotlight on a genre of video game that has old roots, but has found a second life in the indie scene: the classic Metroidvania. From its beginnings with Metroid and Castlevania to new classics like Hollow Knight, Ori, and Bloodstained, we find that there's still a desire for these kinds of games. What are some of your favorites? Ep S11E4 

In this episode, it's a Free Play, an open discussion where the panel talks about anything and everything related to video games. Here, we cover big video game acquisitions, the upcoming Chrono Cross remaster, the silly notion that certain game design decisions somehow shouldn't be subject to criticism, digital board games, and tons more. Ep S11E3

In this episode, we talk about the video game industry's new lovers: crypto, blockchain, and NFTs, and why the big developers are pushing ahead with this terrible marriage despite near universal outcry from fans. Ep S11E2

Apparently we just couldn't stay away. It's a fresh start, and a fresh format. DLC is now a live monthly Twitch show! Be sure to follow us on Twitch to get notified when we go live! The audio only versions of our shows will be made available on the usual places as well as our website. To kick things off, Brian, Ron, and Ronny take a deep dive into Final Fantasy IV and reflect on its legacy 30 years after release. Ep S11E1

After a wonderful run of 10 years and a total of 183 episodes, Downloadable Content comes to an end. On this final episode, we end it in the traditional way: with a Free Play. In Part 2, we chat about favorite modern game soundtracks, speedrunning, memorable endings, and plenty more as we bring this podcast to a close. Ep S10E14B

After a wonderful run of 10 years and a total of 183 episodes, Downloadable Content comes to an end. On this final episode, we end it in the traditional way: with a Free Play. Part 1 sees us covering a range of topics from Sephiroth in Smash, to game replay-ability, to emulation, and plenty more. Ep S10E14A

On our 8th episode of DLC, we did our very first retrospective episode, talking about Sonic the Hedgehog as the franchise turned 20. It seems only fitting that as DLC nears its end, we do our final retrospective on our favorite speedy blue mascot and see what he's been up to as he turns 30. Ep S10E13

  It's an undisputed fact that Nintendo is king of the handheld consoles. On this episode, we take a fond look at the Nintendo 3DS, a plucky little handheld that stumbled out of the gate in 2011 but ultimately became well-loved in its own right well before it was discontinued in September 2020. Ep S10E12

Final Fantasy IX released twenty years ago, and with it, returned the series back to its roots. We continue our discussion in Part 2. Ep S10E11B

Final Fantasy IX released twenty years ago, and with it, returned the series back to its roots. In Part 1 of our two-part episode, we dive back into this love letter to the franchise and revisit the worlds of Terra and Gaia. Ep S10E11A

In our second Free Play of 2020, we talk PS5, Persona 5, A Link Between Worlds, re-classifying video games, and how season/battle passes are replacing lootcrates and lootboxes. Needless to say, we've all got a lot of thoughts. Ep S10E10

With the PS5 and Xbox Series X releasing in two weeks, we take a side-by-side look and see what we got right and wrong in our prognosticating, and give some thoughts about the launch games as well. Ep S10E9

On our 2nd half of our FF7R chat, we traipse through the rest of the game and dive into some plot speculation and thoughts for the remaining installments. Ep S10E8B

It's Part 1 of our Final Fantasy VII Remake discussion! With our biggest DLC panel ever, we head back to Midgar, over two decades since we first got off the train and began one of our greatest gaming adventures. Ep S10E8A

On our second and final part of our Final Fantasy XIV 10-year anniversary episode, we talk about the different expansions and favorite moments. The panel does a pretty good job selling Brian on buying it. Ep S10E7B 

It's been 10 years since Final Fantasy XIV launched, its second major MMO in the flagship franchise. It wasn't without its problems, though, and opened to such dismal reviews, forcing Square Enix to shut it down and go back to the drawing board. Re-releasing as A Realm Reborn, it proved to be exactly what the game needed, and it shows no signs of stopping. Ep S10E7A

Once upon a time, video games used to be included with a purchase of a new console, giving players an opportunity to use their systems right out of the box, which had the added bonus of driving sales and widespread early adoption. We take a look at this old practice and talk about how it's evolved today. Ep S10E6

On the nearly 3-hour long and final part of our Resident Evil 4 15th Anniversary episode, we have EVEN MOAR WORDS TO SAY. Well, Spencer and Ronny do, at least. Ep S10E5C

No, seriously, it turns out we had a lot to say. Part 2 of RE4 15th Anniversary episode has us giving our thoughts on the game as we take a huge dive into madness. We cover the start of the game to partially through the castle. Ep S10E5B

It is without question that Resident Evil 4 marked a drastic change for the franchise, dropping its formula of puzzle solving, conserving ammo, and Raccoon City, shedding many of its own created survival horror tropes. Fifteen years later, we take a look back and revisit this divisive game. Turns out we had a lot to say, so here is Part 1. Ep S10E5A

On the first Free Play episode of Season 10, we cover a lot of ground--games we're playing, games we have a love/hate relationship with, games we'd love to see get a full-on remake, and plenty more. Dive in and enjoy! Ep S10E4

There are many nuances and facets of video games that are open to constant debate. On this episode, however, we put aside debates and focus on a single one: graphics. We go through the generations of consoles and come up with our own personal lists of purely beautiful games. Ep S10E3

Twenty years ago, the Playstation 2 was released, boasting full backwards compatibility with the entire PS1 library, and a DVD player to boot, marking the first major console to make a serious push at being a multi-functional entertainment center. It left its competition in the dust to become the top-selling console of all time. On this episode, we look back with fond nostalgia at some of our favorite games for this beloved system. Ep S10E2

Kicking off Season 10 is the news of the upcoming new consoles from Sony and Microsoft, the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X. With these due for release later in 2020, it gives us time to a little prognosticating. To begin this series of DLC, we talk about what we currently know of the two consoles and speculate on what we'd like to see, both from a physical and a games standpoint. Ep S10E1 

On our season finale, we do a third and final Free Play, talking about our best games played this year, our most disappointing ones, a little dive into Red Dead Redemption 2, some games of the decade, and more. Happy New Year, all! See you in 2020. Ep S9E11

The Super Nintendo era of Final Fantasy was so good that many long-time fans of the series often see those games as the best in the series. Their amazing stories, memorable characters, and wonderful music make them worthy of being viewed in such a light. On this episode, we’re going to take a deeper look into Final Fantasy 6, and how its influence is still felt in JRPGs 25 years later. Ep S9E10

It's a sparse panel this time, and we shoot the metaphorical shit for 2 hours in this Free Play, covering topics like: yet more things that video game developers do that piss us off, the possibility of selling your digitally-purchased games and the court case in the EU that could be huge in that regard, and devoting the entire second half to Team Cherry's amazing game, Hollow Knight. Ep S9E9

Reviews are probably the only direct way a consumer has to voice their enjoyment or displeasure regarding a product. In the world of video games, though, coordinated efforts to quickly bombard a game's page with (mostly) negative reviews to address a perceived wrong either with the developer or the game itself leads us to ask: is this practice a good way to try to effect change, or are these review bombs just complaints by whiny and seemingly-entitled gamers? Ep S9E8

It has been a brutal year for developers in the video game industry. Massive layoffs from Activision Blizzard, EA, and ArenaNet, the collapse of Telltale Studios…well over a thousand people suddenly out of work. Then we have the phenomenon known as "crunch." It is pervasive, with developers working 14-hour days for weeks and months on end to meet the unrealistic deadlines of publishers and shareholders. Is there anything that we as gamers can do, or that the industry at large can do? Ep S9E7

Twenty years ago, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan put out just its second-ever game. It ended up an underrated gem: The Legend of Dragoon. Released almost 3 years after the much-beloved Final Fantasy 7, it sort of got swept under the rug. We dive in to the land of Endiness on this episode, and talk about why we still love it two decades later. Ep S9E6

Now that the dust is settling on E3 2019, we take a deep dive into all the conferences, big announcements, surprises in our annual recap. Part 1 covers Microsoft, EA, Bethesda, Google Stadia, Limited Run, and the PC Gaming Show. Part 2 covers Devolver Digital, Ubisoft, Kinda Funny, Square Enix, and Nintendo. Ep S9E5B

Now that the dust is settling on E3 2019, we take a deep dive into all the conferences, big announcements, surprises in our annual recap. Part 1 covers Microsoft, EA, Bethesda, Google Stadia, Limited Run, and the PC Gaming Show. Part 2 covers Devolver Digital, Ubisoft, Kinda Funny, Square Enix, and Nintendo. Ep S9E5A

After a few months off, we're back--this time, rolling out the first of our Free Plays for the year. We talk PAX East, the latest in eSports, gamers behaving badly, and the top 20 games of the Heisei era as voted on by Japan. Ep S9E4

Five years ago, we did some episodes talking about where the video game industry was regarding inclusivity and representation of women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, etc. On this episode, we check in to see what strides have been made, and what we feel the industry could do more of. Ep S9E3

More and more companies are going the way of digital distribution only, and some companies are getting into business models where you can stream a video game, removing the idea of ownership completely and having the player pay a certain amount to rent a game to play. While the idea of offering video games as a service is not new, streaming now certainly appeals to the developers and publishers. How does that affect the gaming landscape for players? Ep S9E2

From its humble beginnings on the Nintendo 64, this madcap insanity we know as Super Smash Bros. has kept us gleefully entertained, with something for just about everybody, whether you're a casual player to a hardcore tournament player. And with the latest incarnation on Nintendo Switch, this series shows no signs of letting up. How has this craziness kept going for twenty years and several console generations? Dive in as we open Series 9 with a love letter to this great series. Ep S9E1

On the final episode of our 8th season of DLC, it's our third and final Free Play episode. This open discussion has us talking a variety of things: what games we're playing, VR games, recommendations for the Switch, FF15, the new Epic Games store, and a ton more as we go nearly 3 hours to close out 2018. Ep S8E17

When a developer creates a game and decides to take a multimedia approach to the game's narrative, what does that do for the player's experience? If a player has to go beyond the game in order to fully appreciate its narrative, does it become a chore? An expensive money grab? An acknowledgement that the developer can't contain the game's narrative in its own media? Inspired by an opinion article in Game Informer, we take a look at the idea of having to work for a story in this episode. Ep S8E16

Squaresoft director Tetsuya Takahashi began writing a scenario for a game that was to begin development. Finding it too dark to be a Final Fantasy title, it became Xenogears. Several years of planning, creating backstory, and development ensued, and in February 1998, Xenogears was released. Critically acclaimed then despite its obvious lack of polish or completeness, does it hold up 20 years later? Ep S8E15

What makes speedrunners tick? These gamers devote countless hours to their craft: completing a game so quickly and so thoroughly that it boggles the mind. Whether for fun, for charity, or both, speedrunners give life to games decades old, broadcasting their conquests and giving new fans a glimpse into the titles we played as kids. There's truly an art to it, and we explore it on this episode. Ep S8E14

November 1998 saw the release of the 5th major installment in the Legend of Zelda series: Ocarina of Time. It proved to be a groundbreaking entry in the franchise, and is widely considered one of the greatest games ever made. Twenty years later, it continues to delight fans the world over. Why? Listen in as we dive into Hyrule once again. Ep S8E13

It's the 3rd official entry in the Metal Gear canon, but in 1998, Konami released Metal Gear Solid on the PS1 to universal acclaim. Widely considered to be one of the greatest video games of all time, it combines stealth and confusing narrative, as well as an unforgettable cast of characters. Listen in as we take a deep dive into this amazing classic. Ep S8E12

With Nintendo's current crusade against ROM-hosting websites, now seems a good time to talk about forced and planned obsolescence in video games. What happens when developers pull the plug on a game that is still enjoyed by many? What ways do we have to preserve games? With few legal ways to do so, is emulation and piracy the solution to preservation, or do we need to re-examine how we see games as part of our culture? Ep S8E11

With Resident Evil 2 bursting onto the scene in January 1998, survival horror became firmly established on the PlayStation. Not to be outdone, Square created a game that blended the styles of RPGs, action, science fiction, and survival horror to create Parasite Eve, based on the novel of the same name. We look back at this underrated classic on its 20th anniversary. Ep S8E10

In our 3rd and final part of our E3 2018 recap, we cover the highlights and game announcements from the PC Gaming Show, Sony, and Nintendo. Ep S8E9C

In Part 2 of our E3 2018 recap, we cover the highlights and game announcements from Square Enix, Limited Run Games, and Ubisoft. Ep S8E9B

E3 has wrapped up and there is a lot to digest. Lots of press conferences, lots of announcements of games, and lots of emotion. What stood out? What are we looking forward to? Who do we shit all over? What games do we think will not see the light of day for decades? On Part 1, we break down EA, Microsoft, and Bethesda's showings. Ep S8E9A

On the second Free Play of the year, we talk about some pre-E3 news, some games we're currently playing, talk about Nintendo a little bit, and plenty more in this open-discussion format episode. Ep S8E8

It's been 8 years since the last numbered Mega Man game; for its 30-year anniversary of the franchise, they announced Mega Man 11. On this episode, we prognosticate and speculate about it, and talk about what else is going on in Capcom-land as well. Ep S8E7

This year's incarnation of PAX East 2018 in Boston, MA, had to be expanded to 4 days because 3 just wasn't cutting it anymore. Joined by some of the fine folks at Sprites and Dice, we give our thoughts, opinions, and personal experiences about all the games (both video and tabletop) we sampled, concerts, panels, tournaments, and plenty more! Ep S8E6

On the first of our Free Play episodes this year, Tanya makes her first appearance in over a year, joining our great big panel to take part in discussion of a wide range of topics: Chrono Trigger on PC, more lootbox stuff, the Switch turning one, and plenty more in this 2.5-hour episode. Ep S8E5

What if we all could play our entire personal libraries of games on a single device, and no longer need to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars on separate consoles or a PC build? Or, at the very least, make it so that if two people have the same game but for different consoles, have the ability to still play with each other? We have the technology, and we're already starting to see games implement cross-platform play. How can this next step in gaming grow, and what's holding it back? Ep S8E4

We look back on a topic we discussed back in Season 1, looking once again at the idea of pay-to-play in video games now in light of the lootbox mess games like Star Wars Battlefront 2 have wrought, where we have to ask ourselves: is this actually gambling? And what can developers do to try to get more money without resorting to slimy tactics? Ep S8E3

Just in time for Valentines' Day--we take a look at romance in video games, whether it's games that feature a romantic plot or subplot as part of the overall narrative, or whether it's something that you as the player character can initiate and control. What are some of your favorite romantic storylines in games? Ep S8E2

To kick off Season 8, we take an extra-long look at one of the most critically-acclaimed indie titles in recent memory: UNDERTALE. We give our thoughts and opinions on the game, talk about its appeal, and its polarizing nature. We are FILLED WITH DETERMINATION as we begin year number eight of DLC. Ep S8E1

On the season finale, we come full circle on the Switch. Having started 2017 talking about it, we take a look at how Nintendo's latest console has fared 9 months in, talk about our favorite games thus far, and look ahead to 2018. Ep S7E18

In all the video games we've ever played, chances are there are some from your childhood you could never beat until you tackled them as adults. Some of those games you probably still can't beat, no matter how hard you try. On this episode, we give our own personal struggles: games we conquered after many years, and others who laugh at our torment. Ep S7E17

On the 20th anniversary of Fallout, our guest-host through the wastelands, Gabriel, takes us through a dust-filled, nuclear dystopia. Listen in as the panel talks about their experiences and memories playing this franchise, hopping from one Vault to the next. Ep S7E16

On the final Free Play episode of the year, we cover such topics like The Technomancer, upcoming indie games for the Nintendo Switch, the importance of game narrative, and plenty more! Shenanigans abound. Ep S7E15

Ten years ago, we got into a bathysphere and headed to the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean. There, we found a beautiful city, an underwater metropolis covered in Art Deco excess that hid a collapsed and ruined utopia. We talk about the three games in the BioShock franchise...would you kindly listen in? Ep S7E14 

Even though summer tends to be slow for video game news and releases, it certainly did not mean we stopped playing. Brian, Nick, and Gabriel talk about all the games they played during the summer: from walking simulators, RPGs, platformers, and more. Ep S7E13

On our 2nd Free Play episode of the year, we answer some listener feedback, talk about underrated PS1 gems, and plenty more. Ep S7E12

A sizable chunk of gamers feel that current trends by developers of making games that heavily rely on nostalgia is holding back the medium. Rather than devote resources to making new games, new IPs, and new experiences, they feel that the industry would rather be lazy and churn out games that are low-risk, high-reward. Do you agree? Is nostalgia the enemy of video games? Ep S7E11

It's the 3rd and final part (the 3rd half) of our Final Fantasy 7 20th anniversary episode, because, as Ron said, we like to give 150%. We stumble our way through discs 2 and 3, and offer our overall commentary on the game itself, and why it's still so memorable after 20 years. Ep S7E9C

We take a look at the E3 that was, and we got some answers to some questions we had going into this year's show: what's Project Scorpio? What will we see with at the Switch's first E3 showing? What games will we see complete and on sale years from now, if at all? On this episode, we give you our takeaways and Ron goes on a rampage or two. Ep S7E10

In Part 2 of our FF7 20th Anniversary episode, the panel continues onward as our heroes leave Midgar. More commentary awaits as we go through to the end of Disc 1. Hope you have all your Materia ready. Ep S7E9B

Depending on your perspective, Final Fantasy VII is one of the greatest, most overrated, or most loathed video game of all time. Whatever your opinion, we can all agree that for whatever the reason, it is certainly one of the most iconic. Turning 20 this year, we recorded an anniversary episode so long that it's been broken up into 3 parts. In Part 1, we talk about the game from the beginning to leaving Midgar. Ep S7E9A

On the first Free Play of DLC Season 7, we cover a wide range of topics: Horizon: Zero Dawn, the new New 2DS XL, digital card games, and plenty more. Brian is joined by Wyatt from Sprites and Dice, and Reid from deep inside the Internet. Ep S7E8

Two months in, and the Nintendo Switch is selling like hotcakes. It's all looking very good for Nintendo right now, with over 3 million units sold and climbing rapidly. We give our first impressions on the new console and some of the games currently released for it. Ep S7E7

Finally no longer considered vaporware, Final Fantasy XV has had a long road from initial announcement over a decade ago as Final Fantasy Versus XIII to the released game on PS4. On this episode, Ron takes over in the host's chair, and his panel cover at length the latest installment in this 30-years-running franchise. Ep S7E6

Ahh, for the days when the strongest item in Mario Kart was a lightning bolt. Now it's endless blue shells on top of those bolts, but in the ensuing 25 years, Mario Kart has become one of Nintendo's biggest franchises. With the advent of online multiplayer, its popularity has only grown. We take a look at this classic series on this episode. Ep S7E5

Now in its 8th year, PAX East descended on Boston, giving gamers of all stripes something for everyone: video games both indie and triple-A, tabletop, board, along with myriad panels, cosplay, and concerts. Brian, Wyatt (from Sprites & Dice), and Shanna talk about their experiences at this year's event. Ep S7E4

In 1992, a round pink cream puff set out on a journey to take back all the food that was stolen by the gluttonous King DeDeDe and return it to the inhabitants of Dream Land. In the ensuing 25 years, Kirby has become one of Nintendo’s major franchise characters, appearing in nearly two dozen of his own games. We get sucked into nostalgia as we look back at 25 years of Kirby. Ep S7E3

In the realm of video games, the concept of vaporware comes in form of major announcements of games, and then not seeing those games for years, if at all. Some games do finally see the light of day after many years and some are still waiting for a release. Why is this an issue for the consumer? And why do we allow the industry to use it as a marketing tactic? Ep S7E2

In little more than a month, Nintendo's next major console comes out. Only announced this past fall, we don't know yet what to make of it: a console that mixes traditional TV device and portable gaming. Are we looking forward to the Switch, or do we have reservations? Find out on our Season 7 opener. Ep S7E1

We've discussed how video games have translated into a variety of media, and how tabletop games like D&D influence video games even today. On our season finale, we talk about how video games influence board/tabletop games, a marriage that brings the games loop full circle. Ep S6E19

Fifteen years ago, the Nintendo GameCube arrived on the scene, giving us classics like Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Super Smash Bros. Melee, a host of Mario-themed sports titles, along with some decent third-party games like Eternal Darkness and Resident Evil 4. Where does it rank in video game history? Listen to our thoughts as we wax more nostalgia on this retrospective. Ep S6E18

The final Free Play episode of this season--recorded over the summer, it's another wide-ranging episode full of varied topics, such as the overblown hype that No Man's Sky brought, or extolling the virtues of Deus Ex, and a good ol' rant or two. Ep S6E17

We break down the reveal of the Nintendo Switch and go into full-on speculation about it: the little we do know, plus what we hope we'll see on it as long-suffering Nintendo fans...most of which will probably be dead wrong by January. Regardless, we're all on the hype train! Ep S6E16

Even though the Nintendo Switch has captivated our Nintendo fanboy hearts again, we have to bring down the enthusiasm just a touch. There are many issues we have with Nintendo in recent years: threatening legal action and shutting down any fan projects as well as neglecting major franchises, for starters. We ask: what the hell, Nintendo? Ep S6E15

Just in time for Halloween, we talk about our favorite survival horror games. From classics like Sweet Home and Clock Tower, to current favorites like Five Nights at Freddy's, we take a in-depth look at this niche genre. What are some of your favorites? Ep S6E14

On our second Free Play of the season, it's just Brian and Tanya as they talk about nostalgia, the fact that major developers have taken notice, the problem of online bullying, sports games, and plenty more. Ep S6E13

Even though they don't get the same attention and press that some franchises do, puzzle games remain a steady genre. Here, we talk about classics like Tetris and newer titles that blend genres such as Portal. What are some of your favorites? Ep S6E12

It's the first of three Free Play for this season: episodes where we talk about anything and everything game-related. On this episode: we rant about Mighty No. 9 and Final Fantasy 15, discuss the idea of playing a video game blind, and much more. Joined by Tanya from Kisareth Studios. Ep S6E11

The dust has settled on another E3, and so with it, we take a look at this year's offerings. What stuck out, for better or worse? Are we looking forward to anything? We break it all down for you here, alongside with Joshie, here on his annual appearance. Ep S6E10

We spend 2 hours going down the warp pipe of nostalgia to talk about the 20th anniversary of the Nintendo 64, bringing up our most memorable games from the well-known to the obscure, and discussing the console's place in gaming history. Ep S6E9

In Season 1, we looked at six classic franchises celebrating milestone anniversaries: Sonic, Dragon Quest, Zelda, Metroid, Donkey Kong, and Resident Evil. Now, five years later, we look back and see what new entries each franchise have given us. Ep S6E8

Part 2 of our PAX East 2016 recap covers the second and third day of the convention. Day 2 concerts, excessive tabletop gaming and more indie games await! Ep S6E7B

It's our longest PAX East recap episode yet, so it's being broken down into two parts. Brian, Shanna, Wyatt (from Sprites and Dice), Reid, and Jonathan (making his DLC debut) talk about their experiences--all the amazing indie games they demoed, the concerts, and PAX overall. Part 1 covers the first day. Ep S6E7A

What started off as sarcastic commentary on PC gamers became something said PC gaming community embraced, but why do we feel a need to further divide gamers based on how and what they play their games on? Ep S6E6

Wyatt from the gaming site Sprites and Dice returns to guest-host this episode, moderating a discussion about the influences that the long-running tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons have had on video games past and present, from classics like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, to more modern games like Dragon Age and Skyrim. Ep S6E5

In Part 2 of our Pokemon 20th Anniversary episode, we pick up where we left off in the first half--from the 3rd generation (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald and going all the way through to now. It's 2 more hours of Pokemon chat! Ep S6E4B

Do you want to be the very best, like no one ever was? On the first part of what ended up being a 2-part episode, we dive back into the nostalgia pool to talk about Pokemon, celebrating 20 years of catching, training, and battling to become the Pokemon Champion. Ep S6E4A

We look at shoot 'em up games, a genre of game that has fallen out of favor in recent years. Challenging, maddening, and fun (depending on who you ask), these games still manage to appeal to gamers seeking a challenge. Ep S6E3

Developers are starting to utilize storylines and plot elements not typically found in games: depression, anxiety, LGBT issues, death, racism, among others. Some feel that such divisive and controversial subjects have no place in games--should they? What's the aim? Ep S6E2

To kick off our 6th year of DLC, Brian and Ron talk about the retro revival that's taken gaming by storm: who would've thought that 20 or so years after the NES and SNES that we'd still be playing games that look like those we grew up on? Why are we still drawn to such games? Ep S6E1

On this bonus DLC, it's our Season 5 outtake reel containing some bloopers, funny moments, and off-air shenanigans that happened during 2015. Hope you enjoy it! Ep S5EP

It began with Mario, and we'll end with Mario. We talk about many of the offshoot Mario games including Mario Kart, Mario Party, and the myriad sports titles as we wrap up both our 30th anniversary celebration of Super Mario and our 5th season of DLC. Ep S5E23

Wyatt from the gaming blog Sprites and Dice takes over the host's chair and engages the panel in a wide-ranging discussion about many aspects of gaming journalism: reviews (and the bias therein), opinion pieces, writing about experiences, and more. All music used belongs to their respective games/developers/composers/studios/etc. Ep S5E22

The final episode of our 20th anniversary celebration of the original PlayStation highlights some of the genres that the system was known for, particularly RPGs. We throw some more survival horror, action, fighting, and even sports titles to our list of recollected games. All music used belongs to their respective games/studios/composers/developers/inc. Ep S5E21

Brian and Ron take a look through this year's lineup of holiday releases, talk about them, and also look ahead to what's due in 2016. Brian also goes on a bit of a Square Enix rant in the second half. All music belongs to their respective games/composers/studios/developers/etc. No copyright infringement intended. Ep S5E20

DLC reaches its 100th episode, and for it, we go back to the nostalgia well to talk about games that we feel have aged well, as well as games that have failed the test of time. All music used belongs to their respective games/composers/studios/developers/etc. Ep S5E19

In Season 1, we devoted an episode to movies based on video games and their abysmal track record. But what about adapting games to other media, such as comic books, graphic novels, full-length novelizations, and even TV shows? On episode 99 of DLC, we take a look at these other adaptations and see how they fare. All music used belongs to their respective games/studios/publishers/developers/composers/etc. No copyright infringement is intended. Ep S5E18

On the final Free Play episode of 2015, three panelists making their DLC debuts give us some new topics of open discussion: from the fate of the Metal Gear Solid series now without Kojima, to Pokemon, a look at the state of eSports, first-person exploration games, and much more. It's a packed 2+ hours. All music used belongs to their respective games/composers/studios/developers/etc. Ep S5E17

On part 3 of our 30th anniversary celebration of the Super Mario franchise, we delve into the most recent releases: New Super Mario Bros on the DS, 3DS, Wii, and Wii U, Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, 3D World and 3D Land. We also speculate about the future, and talk about Super Mario Maker as well. All music used belongs to their respective games/studios/developers/composers/etc. Ep S5E16

In response to a fan's request, we decided to sit down with a few of the awesome people over at indie game developer Kisareth Studios. We talk about they came to be, their Chronicles of a Dark Lord series, and their plans for the future. All music used belongs to their respective games/composers/studios/developers/etc. Ep S5E15

Summer rolls on, and with it, comes out second Free Play episode of the year. On it, we bat around such topics as China ending its 15-year old ban on game consoles, professional gaming instituting a drug-testing policy, speculating on Nintendo's NX, and more. Ep S5E14

We talk about the late Satoru Iwata, 4th president of Nintendo, who died suddenly in July 2015. On this episode, we discuss his contributions not just to Nintendo, but to gaming as a whole. Ep S5E13

Ron, Ryan, Nick, and Brian have an open discussion and give their thoughts on a variety of gaming topics in the first of this season's Free Play episodes--what they're currently playing, 3D gaming, the final numbers of the Steam summer sale, and more! All music used belongs to their respective games/composers/developers/studios/etc. Ep S5E12

Now that we've had a few weeks to take it all in, we look at all the highlights from this year's E3 and give you our thoughts on the reveals, announcements, and news. What are we looking forward to? Find out here. All music used belongs to their respective games/studios/publishers/composers/etc. No copyright infringement is intended. Ep S5E11

On this episode, we discuss the current dispute going on between the EFF and the ESA: should video games be legally allowed to be preserved and played after the companies who host these games shut down those servers, or should they forever be consigned to history in the name of anti-piracy? All music used belongs to their respective games/studios/developers/composers/etc. Ep S5E10

Part 2 of our PlayStation 20th Anniversary series rolls on, with more nostalgia and fond recollections from the PS1 era. All music used belongs to their respective games/developers/composers/studios/etc. Ep S5E9

Just 3 weeks before the PlayStation launched in the US, a game was released for the SNES that to this day remains one of the greatest games of all time. For many, it is considered the perfect game: the perfect balance of story, characters, gameplay, and music. And we couldn't agree more. On this episode, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Chrono Trigger. All music used belongs to their respective games/studios/composers/developers/etc. Ep S538

On the second episode of our yearlong celebration of 30 years of Super Mario Bros, Brian and Ron talk and reminisce over the 5 major games released over the SNES, N64 and Gamecube: Super Mario World 1 & 2, Super Mario RPG, Mario 64, and Mario Sunshine. All music used belongs to their respective games/composers/studios/developers/etc. Ep S5E7

Too often gamers associate cost of a video game to a game's length, feeling that if you pay $60 for a game, you should get a ton of play out of it. Sometimes, though, quality of a game trumps quantity, which can sometimes be an unpopular opinion. Agree or not? Ep S5E6

The result of a relationship where Sony ended up spurned and betrayed by Nintendo, the PlayStation marked Sony's entrance into the video game world. No longer was it just Nintendo and Sega fighting for gamers' dollars. And with it, Sony generated massive success. With much improved graphical capabilities over its competitors, disc-based games, and an incredible library, Sony proved it was playing for keeps. On the first of a multi-part series, we go down memory lane again, celebrating the 20th anniversary of PlayStation's US release. Ep S5E5

At the 6th Penny Arcade Expo (East) in Boston, MA., it was another 3-day weekend of relentless stimulation. Developers from triple-A to indie all showed off their latest, the concerts were great, and much swag was gained. But between all the caffeine-binging and shininess of it all, some new things came to PAX: the addition of an e-sports arena and a lounge devoted entirely to cosplayers, to name a couple of things. On this episode, the five of us recap our own personal sights, sounds, and experiences of another 3-day romp known as PAX East. All music belongs to their respective games/composers/developers/studios/etc. Ep S5E4

Wyatt and Ron join Brian and they discuss the growing trend of broken video games. Games are being sold to consumers that are loaded with glitches or just outright incomplete, often requiring a myriad of patches that must be downloaded as soon as the game is popped in for the first time. How can the industry address that? All music used belongs to their respective games/developers/composers/studios/etc. Ep S5E3

What is it about video game developers that grind our gears? Is it the fact that many keep using the same mechanics that frequently annoy us, like not being able to pause or skip really long cut scenes? Is it tacked-on multiplayer to artificially inflate a game's length? What about DRM? On this episode, we rant about the things that developers frequently do that piss us off. All music used belongs to their respective games/developers/composers/studios/etc. Ep S5E2

It began 30 years ago, when the character known as Jumpman from Donkey Kong got his own game, and was given a brother decked in green. The Brothers Mario still are going strong three decades later, and show no signs of stopping. It's how we'll begin Season 5 of DLC, celebrating this fun franchise that'll continue all year long. Naturally, one must start at the beginning. It's the start of the ultimate nostalgia trip for many of us. Let's go down the warp pipe. All music belongs to their respective games/studios/developers/composers/etc. Ep S5E1

It's the season finale! We round up 2014 in video gaming, give you our thoughts on the most memorable games and events of the year, and also give you what we're looking forward to in 2015. All music belongs to their respective games/studios/developers/composers/etc. Ep S4E23

With more and more games taking advantage of the internet, online multiplayer is on the rise. However, more and more developers are deciding to put more of their resources into multiplayer experiences and as a result, devoting less time and/or dropping the single-player experience from games altogether. Does this herald the beginning of the end for single-player games? All music used belongs to their respective games/developers/composers/studios/etc. No copyright infringement is intended. Ep S4E22

We take a look at the funny in this episode, examining the role of humor in video games. Is it needed? What's the purpose? What are some games that are noted for their humor? All music used belongs to their respective games/studios/developers/composers/etc. Ep S4E21

What makes western RPGs so different from JRPGs? Why are JRPGs no longer the big console sellers they once were? Western RPGs seem to have filled the void left by JRPGs, but what is it about these genres that keep us coming back to them time and time again? All music used belongs to their respective games/developers/studios/composers/etc. Ep S4E20

In light of the horrible mess that is GamerGate, we talk on this episode why, perhaps more than ever, video games need feminism. The terrible threats and vitriol spewed at critics like Anita Sarkeesian, Zoe Quinn, and others, are unacceptable, and we all must do our part, as gamers and human beings, to get rid of this idea that video games are a "guys-only" club. All music used belongs to their respective games/composers/developers/studios/etc. Ep S4E19

It's just Ron and Brian as they give you the third and final Free Play episode of this season. They talk about Twitch's acquisition, what's going on in e-sports, and more. All music belongs to their respective games/developers/composers/studios/etc. Ep S4E18

Villains of video games are often times just as memorable, if not more so, than a game's hero. They have their unique personality traits that give them a lasting impression in a gamer's memory. On this episode, we give our thoughts on gaming's greatest villains and give them some love. Brian is joined by Ben and Tanya on this episode. All music used belongs to their respective games/developers/composers/studios/etc. Ep S4E17

It's another Free Play episode, and another set of interesting topics are up for debate--in this episode, we discuss the rampant sexism and harassment in the gaming community, the merits of physical vs. digital distribution, an indie game renaissance, and plenty more. All music belongs to their respective games/developers/composers/studios/etc. No copyright infringement is intended. Ep S4E16

It didn't go over well when it was released 20 years ago, but since then, EarthBound has become a cult classic. What's the appeal of this weird, quirky, odd, yet hilarious game? Doug joins Brian on another nostalgia-fueled episode as they discuss the Super Nintendo game that gave us Ness. All music used belongs to their respective games/studios/developers/composers/etc. Ep S4E15

Twenty years ago, Bethesda introduced us to the massively open-world RPG series known as The Elder Scrolls. From its beginnings as a PC staple to a global phenomenon available on consoles as well, millions of gamers have sunk millions of hours into each game, eager to do everything that can be done with each expansive world. We reminisce our experiences of this great series here. All music used in this episode belongs to Jeremy Soule, composer of the Elder Scrolls games. The cover of "The Dragonborn Comes" at the end is performed by Malukah. No copyright infringement is intended. Ep S4E14

Fifteen years ago, Konami gave us their answer to Capcom's Resident Evil franchise. Rather than zombies, bio-organic weapons, and viruses, Silent Hill gave us psychological chills. Supernatural elements, satanic cults, drugs, inner demons, and Pyramid Head gave us good old-fashioned nightmare fuel. We celebrate and reminisce this classic survival horror franchise on this episode. All music belongs to their respective games/studios/developers/composers/etc. Ep S4E13

Ron and Ryan join Brian on the first of the Free Play episodes for Season 4. Even though summertime is usually the quiet period of the video gaming year, there's still plenty to talk about. What news and opinions from the gaming world have we thoughts on? Listen and find out. All music belongs to their respective games/developers/studios/composers/etc. Ep S4E12

It's our annual E3 recap episode. Joined by Ron, Ben, Joshie, and Cat, we give you our take on the highlights, games, and controversies surrounding this year's event. All music used belongs to their respective games/studios/developers/composers/etc. Ep S4E11

What does it mean to be a "gamer"? On this episode, we take a look at the definition, and debate as to whether we should retire the term or figure out ways to give the label a more positive, all-inclusive attachment. Apologies for the drop in audio quality in the 2nd half--Skype occasionally takes issues with large panels. All music used belongs to their respective games/developers/studios/composers/etc. Ep S4E10

It's a love letter to platform games, a genre of games that has fallen out of favor in recent console generations as gamers prefer much more nuanced, story-driven, feature-loaded experiences. Yet it's this down-but-not-out style of game, where you grind level by level, which is largely to thank for what we play today. Ronny and Brian talk about platforming games and why they're still relevant today. All music used belongs to their respective games/studios/developers/composers/etc. Ep S4E9

In 1989, Nintendo was enjoying wide-ranging success. A new challenger appeared that year in the US, and shortly after, a blue hedgehog sought to do battle with a mustachioed plumber. So began the console wars of the 1990s. While Nintendo eventually won the war, the Sega Genesis left a profound mark on video gaming. Brian and Shanna look back at the Genesis with fond nostalgia on this episode of DLC. All music used belongs to their respective games/studios/developers/composers/etc. Ep S4E8

It's our annual PAX East recap episode! We bring to you our experiences from the 3-day gaming convention, from the games we played, panels we saw, concerts we experienced, and more. Listen to our stories from a fun-filled weekend. We're joined by Doug from AnimeCons TV, Wyatt and Jon from Sprites And Dice, also appearing once again are Ben and Shanna. All music belongs to their respective games/developers/studios/composers/inc. Ep S4E7

In 1989, Nintendo launched a product that would change the face of handheld gaming forever. While the Game Boy wasn't the first handheld device to play games, it was the first to receive massive critical acclaim and appeal. Even now, 25 years later, Nintendo is still the runaway leader in the handheld market. On this episode, we look back at some of our greatest (and worst) memories of the original gray brick. All music used belongs to their respective games/developers/composers/studios/etc. Ep S4E6

Video games, like any art, have to undergo some growing pains. In an effort to try to gain legitimacy and mainstream recognition and not be seen as simply a kid's toy, some games may take on the look and feel of Hollywood-style movies. Others argue that video games should not try to be something else, but instead should stand on its own merits. Agree or disagree? We give our thoughts on this episode. All music used belongs to their games/developers/composers/studios/etc. Ep S4E5

Joshie joins DLC for the first time this season, and brings with him his two cents on the currently-being-developed Steam Machines. With Valve wanting to get in on the console and PC market, we talk about the devices themselves and speculate on how successful we think Valve might be. All music used belongs to their respective games/developers/studios/composers. Ep S4E4

In light of the recent announcement of Irrational Games shutting down, the reaction has ranged from wishing Ken Levine well to Rage Quitting everything. Yet, he's certainly not the first big-name developer who's left behind their AAA franchises to pursue making other games (usually indie). What effects on the video game industry does this have when such talent leave behind their blockbuster franchises to pursue other creative interests? That's what we aim to discuss here. All music belongs to their respective games/developers/studios/composers/etc. Ep S4E3

In the 40+ years since the first video game console, these devices have gone from a living room accessory to multi-functional, all-in-one machines capable of doing far more than simply play video games. We take a look at the evolution of video game consoles and wonder just how far we can go. All music used belongs to their respective games, developers, studios, composers, etc. Ep S4E2

We begin Season 4 of Downloadable Content with a glimpse into the 8th Generation: the newly-launched PS4 and Xbox One. How are they faring little more than 2 months after their release? Now that the honeymoon is over, what games are we looking forward to in order to justify those expensive toys? And what is up with Nintendo and its floundering Wii U? All music used belongs to their respective games/composers/studios/developers/etc. Ep S4E1

It's the Series 3 outtake reel: what you're about to hear are some outtakes from this season of DLC, moments that got cut from finished episodes, and in some cases, left in the finished episode and re-lived here because they're just too funny. All music used belongs to their respective games/developers/studios/composers/etc. No copyright infringement is intended. Ep S3EB

We've come to the end of another level! It's our season finale--Ron, Ronny, and Brian recap the bests and worsts of 2013: video games, gaming industry moments, etc. The panel also has a bit of open discussion and give you what they look forward to in 2014. A massive thank-you to all our panelists this year, and another massive thanks to all our listeners! All music used belongs to their respective games, developers, studios, composers, etc. Episode S3E24

We touch upon a serious topic in this episode: the LGBT community, and how they are represented and portrayed in video games. How do we as a community be more progressive, tolerant, and respectful? What can the industry do to follow suit? Catherine returns to DLC on this episode, and she brings with her two newcomers: Tanya, head of indie game developer Kisareth Studios, and Sam, head of his website Gamers Against Bigotry. All music used belongs to their respective games, developers, studios, composers, etc. Episode S3E23

By fan request, we've added a 5th episode to our mini-series celebrating Final Fantasy! We break down and romp through the offshoots and spinoffs--the non-numbered Final Fantasy games like Tactics, Crisis Core, and Dissidia (to name a few), and traipse through the FF media like Unlimited and the two major movies. Ron guest-hosts a 5-person panel in our final episode celebrating this great franchise. All music belongs to their respective games, composers, developers, studios, etc. Episode S3E22

The holiday season is upon us, and with it, a bunch of new games and some major new consoles come rushing in. Listen in as Bem and Wyatt join Brian and break down the lineup. NOTE: this was recorded the day before Ubisoft announced the delay for Watch Dogs, so while the commentary is good, the release info is inaccurate. All music used belongs to their respective games, developers, composers, studios, etc. Episode S3E21

Fresh off his debut episode last time, Reid joins Grendel and I as we delve into our final Free Play episode of 2013. In this open discussion, we give our thoughts on a variety of video game-related subjects: video games and their alleged relationships to shootings, how games can help to make better surgeons and also to improve child literacy. We also thrown in a couple of rants because, well, why not? Listen in and give us your two cents on what we have to say, should you be so inclined. Episode S3E20