It's that time of year again! Our annual tradition continues with a side-eye towards generative AI, Wicked: For Good, KPop Demon Hunters, 67, the Macy's Parade, The Life of a Showgirl, and much more from 2025 in pop culture. Will John Madden make a cameo? Will anything beat a Jet2 holiday? There's only one way to find out - listen and enjoy the fun, festive vibes!
This episode was written and edited by Tony Sadowski, and includes Kat Riley, Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. Most music beds were found on soundimage.org and pixabay.com, and sound effects were found at freesound.org! The Taylor Swift clip is from "Eldest Daughter" on "The Life of a Showgirl." And, of course, "Takedown" and "Soda Pop" are from KPop Demon Hunters.
URRAH!
Netflix is buying Warner Bros. Discovery?! This is an ongoing story, as the hostile takeover plot by the predictable cadre of evil villains is playing out as we speak...but we talk about the shifting winds in the media ownership landscape! We then detour to dunking on the FIFA Peace Prize participation trophy a very gross organization gave to Trump. PLUS:
– WINNER: Thank Goodness You're Here is a good egg!
– DETECTOR: Love for Emio: The Smiling Man!
– NON-SPOILER: A can't-miss Yakuza mission recommendation!
– TRAITOR: Tony moonlights on another podcast where a bunch of friends complain about pop culture! He likes what he likes.
– FREE: Steam game for first to cash in the code!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Heroes,” “Arcade Stories,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
The gang talks about what's become of Black Friday and questions their individual levels of tolerance for hyper-consumerism. After a year of layoffs and censored job data, isn't two straight months of "Black Friday " psychosis more than a little tone deaf? ALSO this episode:
– AI SUCKS: And rich companies like Amazon and Coke are using it.
– TURN DOWN FOR WHAT: The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade was actually entertaining!
– STATE OF PLAY: Haygood gets some new Sony gizmos!
– SQUEAKY CLEAN: Kat digs Power Wash Simulator 2!
– ARRRRRR: Fourhman is a cosplay pirate!*
– FREE: Steam game for first to cash in the code!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Heroes,” "The Life and Times of Inky Blinky Pinky and Clyde," “Arcade Stories,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
*in Yakuza
It's time for the annual tradition you know and dread...join us as we cast our votes live for The Game Awards and make fun of all the things that suck about it along the way! PLUS...
– LOVE FOR: Celebrity guests in Hitman, Octopath Traveler Zero
– SHADE FOR: Hyper-consumerism, deer
– NOSTALGIA FOR: Xbox 360 20 years later
– FREE: Steam game for first to cash in the code!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Kat Riley, Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Heroes,” "Network," "Digital Sunrise," “Arcade Stories,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
AI is poisoning the entertainment industry and some of gaming's biggest companies have slop on their hands. Shots are fired at Ubisoft, Activision, and even Disney for wading into those murky waters! ALSO this episode:
– NEW MACHINERY: Steam Machine is real!
– NEW SIDEKICK: Samus gets a divisive new pal!
– FREE: Steam game for first to cash in the code!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Heroes,” “Arcade Stories,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
Lots going on in Nerd News this week, including a story about Keighley backing away from the First Class program, Square-Enix leaning into (ugh) AI for play testing, and financial drama for Funko POP! PLUS...
– HUNTR$X: Hope no one wanted KPop Demon Hunters toys for Christmas...
– POSSIBLY ILLEGAL: Haygood's Nike gift card
– BOKOBLIN': Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
– FLIPPIN' FOR: Q-Up
– FREE: Steam game for first to cash in the code!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Heroes,” “Arcade Stories,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
It's time for a good old-fashioned Watch-Along with Tony and Fourhman, as they invite you to synchronize your YouTube and enjoy a little live commentary on the Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition and Version 3.0 Update video Nintendo surprised us with a few days ago! Early thoughts on what was revealed, what's good, what's silly, and whether or not we're excited to return to the islands. PLUS...
– DONE DONE DONE: Kpop Demon Hunters wins Halloween!
– POKEMON MON MON: Legends Z-A is...fun?!
– MINI-FIGS FIGS FIGST: Fourhman gets a 3D printer!
– FREE: Steam game for first to cash in the code!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Fourhman and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Heroes,” “Arcade Stories,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
Kat jumps into the hosting role this week to lead a conversation about Once Upon a Katamari and Power Wash Simulator 2! Plus, what even are the "Console Wars" and does GameStop have any standing to declare them "over" now that Microsoft is bringing Halo to PlayStation?
ALSO in this episode:
– ENJOYING: Death Stranding 2
– CELEBRATING: Masahiro Sakurai
– RETCONNING: The Star Wars sequel trilogy through Hunt for Ben Solo
– FREE: Steam DLC for first to cash in the codes!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Kat Riley, Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Heroes,” “Arcade Stories,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
Legendary Nintendo game designer and creator of Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Starfox – basically everyone's gaming childhood – is taking nerd fire for a roughly translated quote that seemed to say video games are temporary while film is timeless. We dare to ask...is he wrong?
After we also ruffle the feathers of insecure fanboys, we talk about the lack of voice acting and general AAA polish in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's currently getting a thumbs up in one of our households and it'll still sell a bajillion copies, so we dare to ask...are they wrong?
ALSO in this episode:
– READING: Automatic Noodle by Analee Newitz
– WATCHING: The Day the Earth Blew Up is a love letter to classic Looney Tunes
– FREE: Steam DLC for first to cash in the code!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Fourhman and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
Look, we're noted buyers. We've been doing a podcast about our ridiculous pop culture favorites and dumb buying habits since 2011, and we're on the record as saying gaming isn't a cheap hobby. You don't play video games to save money. But SHEESH, everyone's feeling the insane prices of everything now - and we have to ask, is even the vaunted Game Pass worth it anymore? PLUS:
– PLAYED OUT: Did you know there was a PlayStation Gear store? Emphasis on the "was."
– CIVIL WAR 2.0: Not in this political climate, says Ubisoft.
– WORRIED ABOUT: Wonder Man
– LEARNING ABOUT: Blippo+ co-creator Claire L. Evans
– SURPRISED ABOUT: Progressive TV from 50 years ago.
– FREE: Steam game for first to cash in the code!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
There is nothing bigger in pop culture right now than Taylor Swift's latest album, The Life of a Showgirl. 2 out of 3 hosts have been listening to it since launch and are ready to share their thoughts on the album and the somewhat mixed critical and cultural reaction to it. Kat also went to a screening of the TLOAS film, so she shares memorable moments from that! PLUS:
– KPOP DEMON HUNTERS: Fourhman has played the Fortnite HUNTR/X event, plus we talk SNL cameo and Fallon performance.
– SWIPED: Tony talks about the debut novel by the creator of web comic Blind Data.
– BLIPPO+: Do we like it on Switch, in binge form?
– CHVRCHES: Kat is finding faves in up on Death Stranding 2!
– WE SALUTE YOU: RIP, Rock Band 4.
– BLIPPO+: Do we like it on Switch, in binge form?
– FREE: Steam game for first to cash in the code!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Kat Riley, Joe Fourhman, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
Tons of gaming news to talk about this week with Tokyo Game Show, an Xbox event, and the latest State of Play video from Sony! But the big question...do we actually want to play any of it? Also highly questionable, the GameStop Shiny Miraidon giveaway code fiasco. PLUS:
– KPOP DEMON HUNTERS: Fortnite bound?
– DEMON SLAYER: That is one infinite castle...
– BLIPPO+: Binge in color now on Switch!
– GATEKEEPING: The Office comes to Magic: The Gathering
– FREE: Steam game for first to cash in the code!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
A 60-minute Nintendo Direct packed full of games, goofy gizmos, and Galaxy-themed goodies is the focus of our skeptical glares this week. There was a LOT to talk about, but how much of it are we excited to play? And we may have hit the price point in gaming where even Fourhman turns his nose up at collectables he'd usually scoop right up. The lousy economy isn't exactly helping the video game industry's case. PLUS:
– VIRTUAL BOY: Was always bad!
– DOUBLE DRAGON: Was once deadly serious!
– JUMP SCARE: Fatal Frame II & Resident Evil Requiem!
– NO MAN'S SKY: Keeps on giving!
– SKITTLE: Not the candy, the board game doc!
– FREE: Steam game for first to cash in the code!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Kat Riley, Joe Fourhman, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
K-Pop Demon Hunters mania continues on YLTWS, as Haygood finally gets around to seeing it! What did he think? We talk about plans for turning the hit film into a franchise, sticking the sequel landing, and then dunk on an article arguing that Disney needs to start catering to Gen Z boys. PLUS:
– LIT: Fourhman gets a HUNTR/X light stick
– LATE: Helldivers 2
– LIES: Tony talks the latest album by The Beths
– LUCK: A free Steam game for first to cash in the code!
We posted this episode a little early because we're actually topical for a change! It was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
K-Pop Demon Hunters continues to dominate the pop culture landscape! A #1 Billboard hit, two others in the Top 10, and four more in the Top 26. Oscar buzz. Careening toward the all-time Netflix most-watched position. And now, #1 at the box office with a limited-engagement theatrical sing-along event!
Tony and Fourhman were there and lived to podcast the tale of their KPDH Sing-Along experience. PLUS:
– GAMESCOM LIVES: And Haygood reviews the highlights. Or...midlights?
– NO WINNERS: Behind-the-scenes look at The Biggest Loser
– SAKURAI FTW: How to make a 45-minutes Kirby Air Riders Direct watchable.
– CREDITS ROLLED: Donkey Kong Bananza
– WIN: A free code for a game on Steam!
We posted this episode a little early because we're actually topical for a change! It was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
Good news, Millennials - it's Gen Z's turn to take the blame for ruining everything! We talk about the many factors at play in the Gen Z video game sales dip. Next question, will ANYONE pay $130 for a set of wooden blocks in Nintendo's new My Mario children's product line? PLUS:
– GOLDEN: K-Pop Demon Hunters quickly climbs the all-time Netflix streaming charts! Tony celebrates the social media fandom and roots for the demise of the other films in the way of it becoming #1!
– GAMES TO PLAY: To at T, Umamusume: Pretty Derby
– EEW, READING?: No, e-Reader! Someone's making new games for an ancient Nintendo handheld gizmo.
– WIN: A free code for a game on Steam!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
Two new Katamari Damacy games in the same year? And that year is 2025?! Not sure why the King of All Cosmos has smiled upon us like this, but we'll take it. We sift through the wreckage of the recent Pokemon Direct and Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, and talk about the Switch 1 and Alarmo price increase. But wait, there's MORE!
– STILL PLAYING: Tears of the Kingdom
– PLEASE PLAY: Battle Train (Fourhman is lonely)
– JUST FINISHED: George Takei's graphic novel memoir, It Rhymes with Takei
– WIN: A free game on Steam!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Kat Riley, Joe Fourhman, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
Put down your Playdates, it's time for another action-packed thrill-ride with your Worst Pals! Fourhman reports on his not-at-all-creepy visit to the Cartoon Network Hotel, Haygood reviews Fantastic Four, and Tony talks Happy Gilmore 2! PLUS:
– SOON IN COLOR: Blippo+
– MOVIES NOWHERE: Microsoft gets out of TV & movie distribution
– WIN: A free code for a game on Steam!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
From the legal drama and fan uproar surrounding Subnautica 2 to the death of Nintendo's Game Voucher program to an honest-to-goodness mention of Anthem, we're weirdly focused on things happening (or not) in 2026 this week! And if you're listening because we mentioned K-Pop Demon Hunters a few episodes ago...welcome! We're STILL watching and listening to the soundtrack, too. PLUS:
– THE KIDS LOVE: Minecraft
– THE OLDS LOVE: Roberta Williams
– READING: Good Game, No Rematch by Mike Drucker
– HATING: YouTube shenanigans
– WIN: A free code for a game on Steam!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.
Kojima giveth, in the form of Death Stranding 2, and Microsoft taketh away, in the form of a lot more layoffs and canceled games.
Join the plucky trio of Haygood, Kat, and Tony as they look for light in dark gaming times. PLUS:
– READ: Free Piano (Not Haunted)
– RIP: To a Food Network legend
– FINISHED: Indiana Jones & The Great Circle
– ENJOYED: Extraordinary Attorney Woo
– QUANTUM BROKE: A free code for a game on Steam!
This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Kat Riley, and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Puzzler,” “Arcade Heroes,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, www.soundimage.org.