Brett Medlock, Author at Destructoid

What we want from Pokemon in 2023

Brett Medlock — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 00:00:05 +0000

Pokemon 2023 hopes and dreams

Welcome back! It’s time for a new episode of the Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight we’ll be talking all about the upcoming Pokemon Presents. Along with that, a war still wages between Sony and Microsoft regarding acquiring Activision-Blizzard. A deal that will have huge ramifications across the industry, even for Nintendo. As Microsoft has signed an agreement with Nintendo to release Call of Duty and other "Xbox games" on Nintendo platforms. So much to talk about!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G44xNUznQS4&ab_channel=Destructoid

There's a high chance we get our first look at the next major Pokemon game during this week's Pokemon Presents. One area I really hope the following games are improved in is the performance. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are still riddled with bugs and performance issues which is a shame, as they're great games to their core. Lastly, Pokemon titles are sorely missing from the latest Nintendo Switch Online announcement regarding Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games coming to the service. Tonight on Spot Dodge we'll talk all about Pokemon in 2023.

Spot Dodge is a weekly Nintendo-focused Podcast here at Destructoid where we dedicate an hour or two to go over the latest Nintendo news and discuss the games we’re playing. If you’re a fan of Nintendo Switch, RPGs, or having a good time, Spot Dodge will be a great addition to your podcast rotation. So be sure to subscribe!

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Twitch channel. ICYMI: We now have a dedicated Spot Dodge YouTube channel for our archived streams! All future episodes will be uploaded there.

Afterward, the show will be available on-demand for audio listeners via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. The live video version will remain on Twitch until (don’t forget to follow and subscribe). So many options!

The post What we want from Pokemon in 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.

Even game studios are defining remakes/remasters differently

Brett Medlock — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:30:56 +0000

Inconsistent definitions

Welcome back! It’s time for a new episode of the Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight we’ll be talking all about the magnificent and recently stealth-released Metroid Prime Remastered. Along with that, the team discusses the difference between a remaster and a remake -- And how even game devs are split on the meaning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdkaKidkq7A&ab_channel=Destructoid

I know what you're thinking, the difference between a remaster and a remake is clear. A game like Wind Waker HD is a remaster and Resident Evil 2 (2019) is a remake. Wind Waker retained the same skeleton as the original but overhauled the graphics. Essentially being 90% the same game. Whereas Resident Evil 2 was a full reimagining of the original game. With new gameplay, dialogue, characters, sound, and more.

Boom. It's that simple. Or is it? Because PlayStation is dead set on The Last of Us Part I being a from-the-ground-up "remake". Not a remaster. Despite retaining the same skeleton as the original and featuring the exact combat, sound, voice acting, and gameplay mechanics. With subtle tweaks to the enemy AI and additional accessibility options. Should this not be categorized as a remaster? Being that the only substantial upgrade was the visuals?

Compare that to a game like the newly-released Metroid Prime Remastered. This "remaster" not only overhauled the visuals but even added modernized controls and enhanced sound. But Nintendo is clearly going with "remastered" verbiage for the game and its title.

Finally, there's a game like Final Fantasy VII Remake which is not really a remake at all, but more of a reimaging of the first 3 hours of FFVII, and even somewhat of a sequel to the original. And that game literally has "remake" in the title! It's such a messy topic I can't wait to discuss.

Afterward, the show will be available on-demand for audio listeners via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. The live video version will remain on both YouTube and Twitch (don’t forget to follow and subscribe). So many options!

The post Even game studios are defining remakes/remasters differently appeared first on Destructoid.

Nintendo Direct aftershow live roundtable discussion

Brett Medlock — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:00:55 +0000

Nintendo Direct live roundtable reactions!

Welcome back! It's time for a new episode of the Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight we'll be discussing and reacting to everything we saw in the Nintendo Direct from earlier today! Metroid Prime Remastered, new Tears of the Kingdom footage. So much to talk about!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebgYnzgODfU&ab_channel=Destructoid

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, Gamurs’ Eric Weichhart is live-editing this week’s show.

The post Nintendo Direct aftershow live roundtable discussion appeared first on Destructoid.

Why are short games being criticized still?

Brett Medlock — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 01:00:54 +0000

In a sea of mediocre and padded games, a well-paced experience is welcomed

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of the Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: After the explosive shadow drop of HI-FI Rush, a trending topic across socials has been short video games. I thought this would be a great opening topic after the recent releases of High on Life, The Callisto Protocol, Evil West, along with HI-FI Rush. All of which have caught some flak for their lengths. Along with this topic, the Spot Dodge crew discusses Nintendo's 2023 and the games they're playing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvhr6PVsIFY&ab_channel=SpotDodge

Over time the expectation of video game length has gotten way out of hand. To the point of excruciatingly long development cycles and video games that are poorly paced, bug-filled, and sometimes just blatantly unfinished. The question is, why are gamers still equating time with value in an industry full of so many soulless, overly-padded games? This question comes from someone whose favorite genre is JRPGs. Games that tend to take 60-100 hours to complete. The fact is, not all games need to be that long. Or anywhere near it.

The game-length criticism across the internet is also strange to me considering some of the most beloved titles of all time are under ten hours long. One thing is for sure, the years of AAA games like BioShock, Portal 2, and Metal Gear Rising being a mainstay in the industry are long gone. Because nowadays releasing a game under twenty hours is bound to come with some scrutiny. Let's discuss it all in the latest episode of Spot Dodge!

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Twitch channel. ICYMI: We now have a dedicated Spot Dodge YouTube channel! All future episodes will be live-streamed and uploaded there.

The post Why are short games being criticized still? appeared first on Destructoid.

Fire Emblem Engage is almost perfect

Brett Medlock — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 00:00:15 +0000

Fire Emblem Engage is great but lacks story depth

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of the Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: The Spot Dodge crew discusses the latest entry in the Fire Emblem series, Fire Emblem Engage. The team also predicts when the next Nintendo Direct will happen. Because there has to be one just around the corner, right? Right..!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7hJdcfLPUE&ab_channel=SpotDodge

I'm loving Fire Emblem Engage so far. The combat is intense, the visuals are solid, and the pacing is damn near perfect. However, Fire Emblem Engage is lacking in a few important areas, story and characters. A key area previous Fire Emblem games thrived in.

Fire Emblem Engage ramps up quickly, it spends a lot less time on building up the world and characters than other recent Fire Emblem titles. Which has its ups and downs. On one hand, you're thrust right into learning the strategic combat Fire Emblem Engage offers. Yay! On the other hand, the game doesn't give you much of a reason to care about its huge cast of characters or their motivations.

To add to that, socializing with characters takes a backseat in Fire Emblem Engage. Getting into thought-provoking conversations has been a rarity for me so far. This is a pretty big letdown. Three Houses offered intriguing backstories and lore for most of its characters, along with a fantastic main narrative. Character conversations in Fire Emblem Engage are much less appealing or interesting.

I won't judge the main story too harshly yet, as I'm midway through the game, but so far it's just completely "fine". Nothing exceptional but also not the worst thing on earth. It's really easy to follow which is perfect for newcomers, but I'm hoping it ramps up a bit more in the second half. Now let's discuss it more thoroughly on Spot Dodge!

The post Fire Emblem Engage is almost perfect appeared first on Destructoid.

What would we want to see at a rumored Xbox showcase?

Brett Medlock — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 23:30:16 +0000

If there is an Xbox showcase, I hope it copies Nintendo Direct's formula

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of the Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight the crew discusses the heavily rumored "Xbox Developer Direct". Will Xbox finally lean into smaller Nintendo Direct-style presentations? What would we want to see during it? The team also goes over Fire Emblem Engage specs, GameCube controller return, and the future of physical games media!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMgfbh7IzP0&ab_channel=SpotDodge

ICYMI: According to Windows Central, Xbox has a new show titled "Xbox Developer Direct" set for January 25 at 12 PM Pacific Time. The show is rumored to give us deep dives into three major first-party titles from Xbox. Minecraft Legends, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport. Along with that, it's also said to cover some ZeniMax Online content.

The Xbox Developer Direct is rumored to be Microsoft's first attempt at a more transparent marketing initiative starting in 2023. Lastly, Starfield might be absent from the show because Xbox and Microsoft have bigger marketing plans for a later date.

I hope Xbox has produced a new show format more akin to Nintendo Directs and PlayStation's State of Play events. The long-form structure of previous shows like Inside Xbox were hard to sit through. Not only that but they were never amped up like a Nintendo Direct. Inside Xbox would drop with very little fanfare. This new show has the chance to change the perception of Xbox's smaller shows.

The post What would we want to see at a rumored Xbox showcase? appeared first on Destructoid.

Check out Destructoid’s Nintendo Podcast, Spot Dodge!

Brett Medlock — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 23:30:25 +0000

A little something for everyone

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of the Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: The crew discusses their favorite games of 2022 and what their most anticipated 2023 games are. That's not all -- Persona 3 is getting a full remake(!?), Square Enix is teasing something big, Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Switch OLED may have leaked, and more!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTW_P0IBv_Y&ab_channel=SpotDodge

Spot Dodge is a weekly Nintendo Podcast here at Destructoid where we dedicate an hour or two to go over the latest Nintendo news and discuss the games we’re playing. If you’re a fan of Nintendo Switch, RPGs, or having a good time, Spot Dodge will be a great addition to your podcast rotation. So be sure to subscribe!

Mary is obsessed with RPGs, John is the Yakuza master, Greg Bargas is our live-service fanatic, and Brett Larsen never stops playing Nindies. As for me, I just think Resident Evil 4 is the best game ever made. Spot Dodge is a Nintendo Podcast with a little something for everyone!

Where to find us

Afterward, the show will be available on-demand for audio listeners via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. The live video version will remain on both YouTube and Twitch (did I mention you should subscribe?) So many options!

For more from Destructoid's video team, you can also find us on TikTok and YouTube!

The post Check out Destructoid’s Nintendo Podcast, Spot Dodge! appeared first on Destructoid.

New 2D Mario rumored, let’s hope it leaves behind ‘New Super Mario’ art style

Brett Medlock — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 23:30:22 +0000

Rumor: New online 2D Mario in the works

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of the Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight the crew discusses Mortal Shell launching on Switch, Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters coming to most consoles, and a new rumored 2D Mario game in the works!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiulZ6q9Aw0&ab_channel=SpotDodge

Zippo claimed last August that a new 2D Mario game is in the works and it'll have an art style that will “surprise” people. They also claimed it will feature online multiplayer. Lastly, this alleged new 2D Mario game will not be a part of the "New Super Mario Bros." series.

Fast-forward to now, Zippo returns with some new info about the alleged 2D Mario game. Apparently, Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad are all playable characters -- the exact same lineup as in Super Mario Bros. 2 for NES.

One thing is for sure, I really hope this claim about an art style that will "surprise" people is true. We've gotten four mainline 2D Mario games and one major expansion that used the "New Super Mario Bros." art direction and it has been bland from the start. It's time for something new and exciting for 2D Mario, and a stylish new art direction is exactly what the series needs to spice things up. Hell, something along the lines of the fan-made Super Mario Flashback would be nice.

The post New 2D Mario rumored, let’s hope it leaves behind ‘New Super Mario’ art style appeared first on Destructoid.

Xbox skipping The Game Awards could be a good thing

Brett Medlock — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 23:30:21 +0000

Xbox Direct?

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of the Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight the crew discusses all those crazy announcements from The Game Awards. From Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon to Ken Levine's long-awaited return with "Judas". Let's get into it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGnrilMK59k&ab_channel=SpotDodge

One thing that can't go untalked about is Xbox's absence from The Game Awards. This is really surprising considering the company is coming off of an extremely lackluster year of first-party content. Not only that, but Xbox has three major AAA games launching in the first half of 2023. With Starfield, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport on the horizon.

Sure, Game Pass definitely delivered the goods throughout the year, but the first-party waiting game is getting a bit redundant. I'm truly hoping Xbox has something special up its sleeve after having such a quiet year. Aaron Greenberg hinted the publisher has 'something' coming soon. But that doesn't change the fact that Xbox's presence at The Game Awards was sorely needed.

My hope is that Microsoft has an "Xbox Direct"-style digital presentation planned for early next year. A new showcase following the likes of Nintendo's Directs and PlayStation's State of Play events. A one-stop-shop for all things Xbox, Xbox Game Studios, and Game Pass. If this is the case, then that's a-okay with me. I've been longing for Xbox to follow the leader in this department. If not, well damn.

https://twitter.com/aarongreenberg/status/1601117207173308416

The post Xbox skipping The Game Awards could be a good thing appeared first on Destructoid.

The Game Awards might be worth watching this year

Brett Medlock — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 23:30:26 +0000

More killer less filler

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of the Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Geoff Keighley's Game Awards event is right around the corner. So I thought it'd be fun for everyone to bring their predictions for the show to the table. Along with that, we dive into what we're playing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8mFf9xuL8M&ab_channel=SpotDodge

Geoff Keighley confirmed that The Game Awards will be significantly shorter this year due to feedback from previous years. While I've always enjoyed watching The Game Awards, it's no secret that the show was excruciatingly padded in length to filter in dozens of advertisements. It's great to see the TGAs may be pivoting away from that and offering a more streamlined showcase. TGA never fails to give us some awesome announcements, it just sucks you usually have to trudge through three hours of nonsense to see them.

Lastly, I'm still worried that the actual "awards" will continue to be an afterthought during the presentation. Which is a bummer, considering this is the "Game Awards". I love watching nervous devs give awards speeches for the game they worked tirelessly on for years. It's cringey, adorable, and easily one of the best parts of Geoff Keighley's Game Awards.

The post The Game Awards might be worth watching this year appeared first on Destructoid.

We were wrong about Chris Pratt as Mario

Brett Medlock — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 23:30:19 +0000

He isn't so bad

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of the Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: The crew reacts to the new Super Mario Bros. Movie trailer. Aside from that, the team discusses recent releases like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, God of War Ragnarok, Somerville, and more!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3ck0Nuh_3A&ab_channel=SpotDodge

Today we finally got a longer look at The Super Mario Bros. Movie and it did not disappoint. The CG looks breathtaking, the writing seems charming and witty, and it looks to be a celebration of the Super Mario franchise as a whole.

One thing many people were upset with from the first teaser trailer was the brief snippet we heard of Chris Pratt’s Mario voice. It just didn’t have the same personality and familiarity as Charles Martinet, so it was hard to accept. That said, I tried not to judge it too harshly, as it was extremely brief. Turns out, Chris Pratt’s Mario voice isn’t so bad after all. Now that we have all the context of what’s going on with Mario in this film, Chris Pratt’s Mario seems like a totally competent iteration of everyone’s favorite plumber.

He’s no Charles Martinet, but Nintendo is obviously aiming for star power with this movie, and with such a star-studded cast, it’s hard to imagine the film doing anything less than great at the box office. One thing is for sure, Jack Black as Bowser was the best choice they could’ve made for a Mario movie. Pure perfection!

The post We were wrong about Chris Pratt as Mario appeared first on Destructoid.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are a new technical low for Game Freak

Brett Medlock — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 23:30:16 +0000

Did they think no one would notice..?

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: The crew discusses Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's extremely poor performance and optimization. Aside from that, we wanted to have a dedicated episode to talk about the games we're playing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE-mPMwJO6U&ab_channel=SpotDodge

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet finally hit the market last week. In the time since then, gamers everywhere have been experiencing the first true open-world Pokemon games. Unfortunately, that's not the only thing fans are experiencing. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are riddled with bugs and glitches. Not only that, but the games look several generations behind in the graphics department, and the performance is abysmal. All culminating into an ugly, bizarre, and somewhat hilarious experience.

There are several things that could have caused this. But the likely answer is that Game Freak and The Pokemon Company didn't want to miss this holiday season with new games in the series. Opting to rush out blatantly unfinished products. It's a shame, really. The state of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is unacceptable.

Thankfully, I'm noticing way more fan backlash than usual with these releases. My hope is that these valid criticisms force Game Freak and TPC to reevaluate the short time between Pokemon releases. Maybe even expand the studio or partner with a developer more capable of creating a well-performing open-world title.

The post Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are a new technical low for Game Freak appeared first on Destructoid.

Five huge games still coming out in 2022

Brett Medlock — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 23:30:43 +0000

It's going to be a packed Holiday season

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: The crew discusses the major titles that are still slated to release this year. The team also reacts to Geoff Keighley's Game Awards nominations (Xenoblade didn't get snubbed!?), Sega wants Sonic's universe to be more "meaningful and connected", and so much more!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmTIAH_Cd_E&ab_channel=SpotDodge

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are launching later this week on November 18 -- introducing a brand new open-world direction for the series. However, December is when things really start heating up. On December 2 we'll see the launch of XCOM developer's Marvel's Midnight Suns. A Marvel tactics game featuring a card system and dynamic relationships with popular Marvel characters. On that same day, the long-awaited spiritual successor to Dead Space drops. Glen Schofield and Striking Distance Studios will surely melt our faces off with Callisto Protocol.

Later in the month, Rick & Morty creator Justin Roiland's new project High on Life will launch straight into Xbox Game Pass. High on Life is surely Squanch Games' most ambitious project yet, and looks to be shaping up nicely. Lastly, the iconic Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is launching that same day on all platforms. A must-play classic for any FFVII fan, now with a facelift!

EDIT: Wow, I completely spaced Evil West, which looks like an awesome traditional action title. Another game worth looking into before the year ends. Make that six games!

The post Five huge games still coming out in 2022 appeared first on Destructoid.

Long-awaited mediocre games hurt even more now

Brett Medlock — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 23:30:11 +0000

Longer the wait, the more it hurts

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: It's been quite the year of disappointing video games. From CrossfireX to Babylon's Fall, in tonight's opening topic we discuss the worst games of the year. The crew also discusses the recent Pokemon Scarlet and Violet leaks and Square Enix's major NFT blunder. All of that and so much more on Spot Dodge!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WgbNB6SYnA&ab_channel=SpotDodge

Video game development cycles are getting longer. The days of receiving three Uncharted games in the span of five years are over. So when a highly anticipated game ends up being aggressively mediocre, it hurts, even more, knowing you won't see the studio's next effort until five to ten years later. The most recent example that comes to mind is Gotham Knights.

WB Montreal's last game was Arkham Origins. A severely underrated Batman game I adore. So of course, I was extremely eager to play Gotham Knights. Unfortunately, it was not worth the ten-year wait. Let's talk about it!

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Twitch channel. PSA: We now have a dedicated Spot Dodge YouTube channel! All future episodes will be live-streamed and uploaded there. What do you think are the worst games of the year? Don’t be afraid to join the chat and be part of the show!

The post Long-awaited mediocre games hurt even more now appeared first on Destructoid.

Bayonetta 3 is the win PlatinumGames needed

Brett Medlock — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 22:30:57 +0000

Bayonetta 3 was worth the wait

Welcome back! It's another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Bayonetta 3 is here! The crew shares their thoughts on the highly anticipated action title. That’s not all -- Liam Hemsworth is replacing Henry Cavill in The Witcher season 4, SEGA talks about its “super game”, and Call of Duty could be Switch-bound. A Bayonetta 3 win is a pretty easy thing to talk about for one! All of that and so much more on Spot Dodge!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHsu39pdqi8&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=SpotDodge

I haven’t completed Bayonetta 3 yet, but it’s already everything I hoped it would be and so much more. The action is bat-shit crazy, the new characters are intriguing and well-acted, and the game is so damn fun it helps me look past its performance woes. I’ve played very few games where it’s so abundantly clear it was crafted with truckloads of tender love and care -- and in this instance, a pinch of perfume and gunpowder. Bayonetta 3 is the win PlatinumGames has needed in recent years. There's so much to discuss!

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Destructoid’s YouTube and Twitch channels. Don’t be afraid to join the chat and be part of the show! Note: This week we're only streaming on the Twitch. Next week we'll have a dedicated Spot Dodge YouTube channel!

The post Bayonetta 3 is the win PlatinumGames needed appeared first on Destructoid.

Resident Evil 4 remake first-look lacks what made the original special

Brett Medlock — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 22:30:34 +0000

Your right hand comes off?

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: The crew discusses the recent showcases for the Resident Evil and Silent Hill franchises. Resident Evil Village Gold Edition looks excellent and Capcom finally shows off a ton of Resident Evil 4 remake. Bloober Team has been tasked with a considerable job remaking Silent Hill 2 -- Can they pull it off? We're also getting a lot more new Silent Hill experiences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUbzX_RqeRI&ab_channel=Destructoid

Resident Evil 4 remake looks to be shaping up nicely in many ways. First, it's absolutely jaw-dropping. Second, I'm so glad they're bringing back Leon's acrobatic follow-up attacks in the combat. And third, Leon's hair is perfect.

However, one negative thing that stood out to me was the lack of camp and comedic undertones in the footage we saw. It looks so damn serious. And while the original had its serious moments, it was all wrapped in corny yet lovable dialogue and characters. The original Resident Evil 4 has so many memorable characters from Leon, Ada, and Luis, to whacky bosses like Bitores "the big cheese" Mendez, Salazar, and the big bad himself Roman Sadler. All came equipped with cheesy dialogue, hilarious one-liners, and all-around charming personalities.

The dialogue in RE4 perfectly toed the line between corny and cringey and brought to life a cast of characters that have stuck with so many gamers to this day. With any luck, Capcom is simply keeping things grounded for the marketing, but in the actual game, things are batshit insane like OG Resident Evil 4.

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Destructoid’s YouTube and Twitch channels. Don’t be afraid to join the chat and be part of the show!

The post Resident Evil 4 remake first-look lacks what made the original special appeared first on Destructoid.

What’s going on with PlatinumGames?

Brett Medlock — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 22:30:46 +0000

Platinum Games really needs a win

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: The crew discusses the recent controversy regarding PlatinumGames' "insulting" pay offer of $4,000 USD to veteran Bayonetta voice actress Hellena Taylor for the third installment. Brett M and Brett L also share their thoughts on A Plague Tale: Requiem. Spoilers: It's one of the best games of the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-KaasBoLBs&ab_channel=Destructoid

There's a lot of missing information regarding Hellena Taylor and her recent trending Twitter videos calling on fans to boycott Bayonetta 3. With that said, Jason Schreier's report from earlier today paints the situation in a totally different light. Either way, we don't know all the facts and it's very likely PlatinumGames will never make a statement. If the low offer of $4,000 is in fact valid, that's just one more thing added to the pile of weirdness going on with Platinum lately.

PlatinumGames has had an odd few years. From creating a Kickstarter for the already-completed game Wonderful 101 (which ended up being successful) to the very flagrant and open statements about being acquired or wanting to bring back Scalebound. Not only that, but the company put out one of this year's worst-reviewed games Babylon's Fall (which has already been shut down). Now, this Hellena Taylor controversy is just more signs that things aren't going too well at Platinum. Although I'd love to be wrong.

PlatinumGames has released a lot of titles that many consider masterpieces. So it's a damn shame to see this much controversy surrounding a studio with so much great talent. Hideki Kamiya's unorthodox Twitter happenings don't help the company's already-crumbling image either.

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Destructoid’s YouTube and Twitch channels. Don’t be afraid to join the chat and be part of the show!

The post What’s going on with PlatinumGames? appeared first on Destructoid.

Sony is running out of masterpieces to sell again

Brett Medlock — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 22:30:52 +0000

All good things must come to an end

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: With the controversy around the web regarding Sony possibly remaking/remastering Horizon Zero Dawn, I thought it'd be fun to do a roundtable discussion about what our favorite and actually necessary remakes/remasters have been throughout the years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PCnrUEKnKg&ab_channel=Destructoid

Sony's new obsession

The discussion around 2013's The Last of Us remake hasn't stopped since Sony revealed it. Many gamers deem it totally unnecessary. Now, as mentioned above, Sony is rumored to be remaking 2017's Horizon Zero Dawn. A much newer and even more unnecessary game to remake. The extremity of this remake/remaster is still a mystery -- It's said to receive updated character models, textures, and lighting. Akin to the aforementioned Last of Us Part 1. Needless to say, it's not a very good look for Sony. And brings the company's creative investments into question.

Sony is squeezing its beloved AAA titles dry, which makes sense, these games are largely unmatched and it wants as many gamers as possible to buy/play them. But while extracting as much value from them as possible, the company keeps making boneheaded decisions like charging $70 for The Last of Us Part 1 with no upgrade path for those who bought the game once or twice before.

With all that said, Sony's slate of previously released "masterpieces" is running low -- There aren't many gems left that wouldn't need an entire retooling in the modern era. Bloodborne and God of War (2018) are the final options that come to mind. So even if the company does continue to go down this road, it won't be for much longer.

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, we have Gamur’s Eric Weichhart live-editing the show.

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Destructoid’s YouTube and Twitch channels. Don’t be afraid to join the chat and be part of the show! PSA: Tonight's episode will begin 30 minutes late so we can fix some audio issues we've been having.

The post Sony is running out of masterpieces to sell again appeared first on Destructoid.

Why have Zelda fans soured on Twilight Princess?

Brett Medlock — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 22:30:51 +0000

Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast discusses the most underrated or overlooked games

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight on Spot Dodge the crew discusses some of the most underrated or overlooked games ever released. One of the games at the top of my list is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

While the initial reception of Twilight Princess was very positive, earning a 95/100 average score on Metacritic at the time of launch, I've noticed over the years quite a lot of gamers have soured on the game as a whole. Whether it be gaming threads across social media or the various podcasts I consume, Twilight Princess has sorta become an afterthought for many Zelda fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRQps8dg7Qo&ab_channel=Destructoid

But why?

After Nintendo decided to go the cel-shaded and more kid-friendly route with The Wind Waker, players were clamoring for a more mature Zelda title. Then, when Twilight Princess was revealed, it was an epic moment in gaming history. Gamers rejoiced at the sight of the grim and brooding version of Hyrule in Twilight Princess.

However, years later, despite being a more "mature" Zelda title and the amazing critical reception, the game just isn't looked back on super fondly nowadays. Maybe it's the boring drag first few hours of the game that stuck with people the most or the poorly-aged art direction. Either way, I can't help but feel like Twilight Princess is underappreciated in 2022. It's a top-tier Zelda title thanks to its amazing dungeon design, genius new items, and disturbing iteration of Hyrule. Let's discuss!

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, we have Enthusiast Gaming’s Eric Weichhart live-editing the show.

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Destructoid’s YouTube channel. Don’t be afraid to join the chat and be part of the show!

Afterward, the show will be available on-demand for audio listeners via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. The live video version will remain on both YouTube (don’t forget to follow and subscribe). So many options!

The post Why have Zelda fans soured on Twilight Princess? appeared first on Destructoid.

Every publisher should strive for Nintendo’s release cadence

Brett Medlock — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 22:30:32 +0000

Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast discusses the brilliance of Nintendo's first-party output

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Today on Spot Dodge the crew discusses Nintendo’s downright unmatched game release cadence as a publisher.

Nintendo is one of the very few publishers that seem to work way ahead of schedule — the company has been known to “sit on” fully completed games until it can find an open slot to put them in its release schedule. Not only is that almost unheard of in today’s gaming economy, but most publishers are quick to release games before they’re done cooking. We’ve seen it time and time again — Battlefield 2042, Halo Infinite, No Man’s Sky, Cyberpunk 2077, and the list goes on and on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e351ykURhWg

While not every game Nintendo publishes is for everyone, there's no denying the company has kept a steady stream of notable games coming over the last few years. It will be interesting to see if Nintendo can keep up this cadence leading into inevitable new hardware.

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, we have Enthusiast Gaming’s Eric Weichhart live-editing the show.

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Destructoid’s YouTube and Twitch channels. Are you watching from your phone? We have that covered, as we are streaming on our TikTok too. Don’t be afraid to join the chat and be part of the show!

The post Every publisher should strive for Nintendo’s release cadence appeared first on Destructoid.

Some gamers really don’t understand how games are made

Brett Medlock — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 22:30:09 +0000

Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast discusses the latest leaks regarding Grand Theft Auto VI

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight, we’re treading in "Nontendo" waters discussing the Grand Theft Auto VI leak and how leaks generally affect games and marketing. An undercooked early look at a megapopular IP is extremely rare, so there's much to discuss!

https://youtu.be/iqSigrevCmg

GTA VI pre-alpha footage leaked early which has made it more obvious than ever that most gamers don't have a base understanding of how games are made. In the leaked footage GTA VI is buggy, runs poorly, and lacks finished models — understandably! The footage was stolen and showcased in the most unflattering way imaginable, with code pop-ups galore. Unfortunately, many gamers fail to understand what that actually means. A lot of reactions are ridiculing the visual fidelity and unfinished assets of the game, rather than the more impressive elements extracted from the leaked footage.

The early clips show us GTA VI will feature extremely dynamic NPC interactions and a great deal of car customization that is rare for even a dedicated racing game. It's also important to note that some of the footage is said to be as old as 2019. If that is the case, there's no doubt the game should be in a much better state today — maybe even officially revealed sooner than we expect?

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, we have Enthusiast Gaming’s Eric Weichhart live-editing the show.

The post Some gamers really don’t understand how games are made appeared first on Destructoid.

Nintendo’s latest Direct is full of fun and a pinch of disappointment

Brett Medlock — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 22:30:07 +0000

Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast discusses the latest Nintendo Direct!

Breath of the Wild 2 finally has a real name with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. To many gamers' surprise, Pikmin 4 was revealed. Fire Emblem Engage is coming on January 20 and it has a lengthy trailer with tons to speculate on. Then, we saw It Takes Two for Switch, Octopath Traveler II, new N64 games for Nintendo Switch Online, and tons more.

The Direct was jam-packed with a lot of cool-looking titles, but I can't help but feel slightly disappointed. I thought the showing of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was way too short. It's nice we finally have a name but how many times is Nintendo going to show 20-seconds of footage for this title? I also thought the show was missing some big hitters like a first look at Metroid Prime 4, a dormant Nintendo IP return, or one of the various rumored titles for Switch. All-in-all, a very solid showing — I was just a little letdown. Let's discuss!

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, we have Enthusiast Gaming’s Eric Weichhart live-editing the show.

The post Nintendo’s latest Direct is full of fun and a pinch of disappointment appeared first on Destructoid.

PSN is being overrun with two-minute easy Platinum shovelware

Brett Medlock — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 19:30:40 +0000

Platinum Trophies used to mean something

The PlayStation Store has been cluttered with extremely bizarre and lackluster games for a while now. However, what was bad just seems to be getting worse. A handful of indie developers are gaming the system by re-releasing essentially the same game over and over — offering a new Platinum trophy with every “game.” These titles provide nothing of value and only seem to dampen everything around them.

Games like The Jumping Fries, The Jumping Fries Turbo, and dozens more like it are crowding the PSN storefront, making it harder for customers to find what they want. Not only that but actual hardworking indie devs are being lost in the shuffle of these crappy titles, forcefully pushed down the list of New Releases, which is PSN’s only real visibility tool for smaller games.

If you think just maybe these repeatedly-published indies are genuine in any way, just take a look at this video by Kyle Bosman. He showcases how you can earn a Platinum trophy for all of these games in just a few minutes or less. These companies know exactly what they’re doing, and it’s affecting more than just the storefront and other indie developers. It has ruined an excellent meta-game for many PlayStation fans.

The hunt is over

Platinum trophies used to feel special. When a licensed game like Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs or Mega Mind was released, trophy hunters would sprint to play them for a nice and easy Platinum. However, what was considered an “easy Platinum” back then versus now is extremely different. Disney and Dreamworks games weren’t exceptional but at least they had some semblance to an actual game. You had to put in the work. They typically ranged from 4-10 hours to fully complete — a far cry from The Jumping Pasta which takes about two minutes and zero effort to Platinum. Literally, all you have to do is press up on the joystick and you’ll earn a Platinum trophy in Road Bustle.

Easy Platinum trophies used to be a needle in a haystack. Now you can’t go on PSN without seeing at least five near the top of the New Releases. The value of the Platinum trophy has decreased exponentially. Before, trudging through average games for seven hours or so made that sweet Platinum trophy worth it. There was a sense of accomplishment. But now, dozens of Platinum trophies can be obtained in 20 minutes. Where is the fun in that? At this point, I’ve almost given up the hunt entirely.

https://twitter.com/PS5Trophies_/status/1553038948049494016

If you’re curious about the developers behind these Platinum trophy schemes, the most notable ones are ThiGames and RandomSpin-Games. However, Smobile is by far the most egregious. The company has published 75+ games across PS4 and PS5 with at least 250 trophy lists in total (taking advantage of region-based trophies).

For some more insightful information on the topic, I highly recommend checking out a few recent podcast discussions over at LSM. Ty Richardson (WatchMojo, LongplayArchive) compiled a ton of research and shares just how bad these devs are taking advantage of PSN. Then, an interview with the director of production at Atari goes over how these games are hurting their visibility on PSN. Lastly, here's a video by Motson showcasing some criminally easy Platinum trophies.

Thankfully, Nintendo and Microsoft aren’t allowing nearly as many of these shovelware titles on their digital storefronts (but they still need work). Unfortunately, all signs are pointing to things getting worse on PlayStation with Sony planning to lower the barrier to entry even more for developers to publish games on PSN. Yikes.

I hope Sony recognizes how this affects PSN, other indie developers, and players who enjoy trophy collecting as a hobby. Publishing Jumping Burger, Jumping Taco, and Jumping Hotdog on PSN isn’t valuable to anyone aside from a small group of weak-willed trophy hunters.

The post PSN is being overrun with two-minute easy Platinum shovelware appeared first on Destructoid.

I think we’re about to get a whole lot of Zelda

Brett Medlock — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 22:30:59 +0000

Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast discusses all things Legend of Zelda!

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight, we’re discussing the rumors surrounding Zelda: Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker finally making it to Nintendo Switch. Aside from that, we speculate more on Breath of the Wild 2 and if the Zelda IP is about to make a big splash on Switch in the next year.

Jeff Grubb recently stated on his Nintendo podcast that a source told him Nintendo is planning a Direct during the week of Sep 12. He also mentioned the very high likelihood of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess being announced for Nintendo Switch during the showcase. I think these ports are long overdue and I'd love to play these on Switch leading up to the highly anticipated Breath of the Wild 2. If these rumors are to be believed, we're about to have a bevy of new Zelda titles on Switch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFl6aVJU5Cs

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, we have Enthusiast Gaming’s Eric Weichhart live-editing the show.

The post I think we’re about to get a whole lot of Zelda appeared first on Destructoid.

2023 will be one of the biggest years ever for gaming

Brett Medlock — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 22:30:06 +0000

Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast discusses 2023 games!

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight, we're discussing the biggest games slated for 2023 — from heavy hitters like Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 and Final Fantasy XVI to smaller but ambitious games like Replaced and Planet of Lana.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI3GxSRo1eo&ab_channel=Destructoid

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, we have Enthusiast Gaming's Eric Weichhart live-editing the show.

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Destructoid's YouTube and Twitch channels. Are you watching from your phone? We have that covered, as we are streaming on our TikTok too. Don’t be afraid to join the chat and be part of the show!

Afterward, the show will be available on-demand for audio listeners via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. The live video version will remain on both YouTube and Twitch (don't forget to follow and subscribe). So many options!

The post 2023 will be one of the biggest years ever for gaming appeared first on Destructoid.

Sonic Frontiers finally looks like an actual Sonic game

Brett Medlock — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 22:30:12 +0000

Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast discusses Splatoon 3, Gamescom 2022, and Sonic Frontiers

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight, we're discussing Gamescom announcements, Sonic Frontiers getting progressively better trailers, what we expect from Splatoon 3's single-player-focused Nintendo Treehouse Live event, and more!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hw0N52wonQ&ab_channel=Destructoid

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, we have Enthusiast Gaming's Eric Weichhart live-editing the show.

The post Sonic Frontiers finally looks like an actual Sonic game appeared first on Destructoid.

The PlayStation Backbone makes me forget I’m gaming on a phone

Brett Medlock — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 20:00:15 +0000

Backbone One and Game Pass streaming are a match made in heaven

While attaching the PlayStation-branded Backbone One to my phone, I immediately felt some serious nostalgia. It took me back to the good old days of gaming on the troubled and misunderstood PlayStation Vita — Sony’s last swing at a dedicated handheld device. Thankfully, Sony hasn’t completely deserted mobile gaming fans, and has teamed up with Backbone to create the latest Backbone accessory controller for iPhone.

First things first, this is a sexy device. While it largely retains the same design and build of the standard Backbone, the new color and face buttons add a great amount of flair to the accessory. Needless to say, PlayStation fans will be especially happy. There’s even a hidden PlayStation logo on the back that only appears after you’ve attached the device to your iPhone.

Setting up the Backbone is so easy, it barely needs any explanation. You simply extend, slide your iPhone in, and collapse into place. It’s so much easier than rigging a controller up and Bluetooth connecting before each play session. I’m all about convenience and the Backbone is convenience in its purest form.

How’s it feel?

The build is extremely sturdy and comfortable to use. Additionally, I never noticed any cramps or oddities while using the Backbone after an extended time.

After sliding my phone into the Backbone, it looks and feels so natural; sometimes I forget I’m using my phone and not a dedicated gaming device. That’s no exaggeration either — I’ve accidentally started looking for my phone multiple times while it was cradled in my hands attached to my Backbone.

The device comes equipped with a capture button that instantly saves images and footage to your iPhone photo album. There’s also a charging port, so you can charge your phone while gaming, and a headphone jack if you want a more intimate gaming experience.

Gaming on the Backbone

This Backbone One is PlayStation-branded, so I thought I'd see how PS5 Remote Play was working nowadays, as it's the only way to play PS games on iOS right now. Unfortunately, it's not very good. I tested the Backbone using Remote Play with my wired PS5 and found it to be rather choppy and inconsistent (my internet typically ranges from good to excellent). It’s doable, and a solid secondary option for slow-pace/turn-based titles, but it isn’t ideal right now. But hey, at least the controller icons match when remote-playing!

I recommend using the Backbone for playing games natively on iPhone via the App Store and Apple Arcade. Or, of course, the more reliable streaming option, Xbox Game Pass. (I was not able to test Google Stadia.) And I want to make it very clear: this PlayStation One Backbone works with all major game streaming services, Apple Arcade, and games from the App Store that offer controller support.

The bulk of my time with the Backbone has been spent streaming Xcloud games to my phone. Backbone and Game Pass are like a match made in heaven. I honestly never viewed my phone as a viable gaming option until these two exquisite commodities came into my life. It's essentially the Xbox handheld many gamers have been clamoring for.

From my time with the Backbone, it’s mostly all positive thoughts.

While it’s a bit sad and ironic PlayStation doesn’t have more to offer on the mobile gaming front for this PlayStation-branded Backbone, the device still stands on its own thanks to its ease of use, comfortability, and compatibility options.

The Backbone One — PlayStation Edition costs $99.99 and is available for iPhone. Android users can get a non-PlayStation-branded model of the Backbone One in November.

_{[This assessment is based on hardware provided by the manufacturer.]}

The post The PlayStation Backbone makes me forget I’m gaming on a phone appeared first on Destructoid.

Nintendo Switch Online is finally worth it

Brett Medlock — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 22:30:57 +0000

Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast discusses Switch Online, Dragon Ball in Fortnite, and delays

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight, we're discussing the latest addition to Nintendo Switch Online (Wave Race 64) and whether the service is worth it yet, game delays, the bizarre nature of anime in Fortnite, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syMP3VYYV3o&ab_channel=Destructoid

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, we have Enthusiast Gaming's Eric Weichhart live-editing the show.

The post Nintendo Switch Online is finally worth it appeared first on Destructoid.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet look pretty good. Not pretty. But good.

Brett Medlock — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 22:30:17 +0000

Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast gets into the nitty gritty of Pokemon’s latest presentation

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: Tonight, we're discussing the Pokemon Presents presentation of Scarlet and Violet from last week, what we expect from tomorrow's Splatoon 3 Direct, the games we’re playing, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P4zn_X_j3M&ab_channel=Destructoid

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, we have Enthusiast Gaming's Eric Weichhart live-editing the show.

The post Pokemon Scarlet and Violet look pretty good. Not pretty. But good. appeared first on Destructoid.

Introducing Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast

Brett Medlock — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 22:30:33 +0000

Come watch the show live or listen on-demand

Destructoid is excited to announce our first dedicated Nintendo podcast — Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast. A show where we talk all things Nintendo and discuss the various games we’re playing. Spot Dodge is a live show every Tuesday night at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Destructoid’s YouTube and Twitch channels. Afterward, the show will be available on-demand for audio listeners via Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

https://youtu.be/pbYZ-SIjUOw

Spot Dodge brings together awesome gaming minds from around the web. Aside from myself in the hosting chair, my co-hosts will include Mary Stowe (Destructoid, social media manager), John Friscia (The Escapist, senior editor), and Greg Bargas (PC Invasion, writer). Special guest Brett Larsen will also appear on the show, keeping it real with his outside-gaming-industry insight — a perspective I feel many gaming podcasts are lacking. Enthusiast Gaming’s incredible Eric Weichhart will be on the 1s and 2s live-editing the show based on the topics at hand.

But this is just the beginning! I plan to have a slew of awesome creators, developers, and cool guests join in and discuss the unpredictable company that is Nintendo.

Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast originally began as a show over at Nintendo Enthusiast, and we're excited to transition it over to Destructoid. We hope you join us on this exciting new adventure!

The post Introducing Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast appeared first on Destructoid.