This week: Lego Batman, Yerba Buena, TerraTech Legion, the Steam Deck price increase, lamenting the end of Destiny, Unreal Engine 6, our early PC-building memories, and other stuff!

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:10) Intro
(00:02:54) Vinny's ready for the next career move. Well, maybe not.
(00:11:08) Vintage mice and remembering cleaning them
(00:15:12) "Jack of All Trades" redemption
(00:16:50) Yerba Buena  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5]  |  May 26, 2026
(00:22:00) LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  May 22, 2026
(00:32:17) First Break
(00:37:19) Saros  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Apr 30, 2026
(00:39:04) [General Spoilers] Nothing big, just general flow, mechanics, and levels
(00:48:58) TerraTech Legion  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S]  |  Apr 30, 2026
(00:56:40) Directive 8020  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  May 12, 2026
(00:58:53) Second Break
(00:58:54) A big increase on the Valve Steam Deck
(01:06:17) Destiny 2 is ending updates
(01:21:44) Media Molecule is hiring and probably making a game!
(01:24:23) The Witcher 3 is getting new DLC!
(01:29:52) Make way for Unreal Engine 6
(01:38:48) Emails
(02:12:29) Wrapping up and thanks
(02:19:15) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts
(02:21:26) Nextlander content updates
(02:23:38) See ya!

This week's show gets loose as we discuss the latest, greatest games, such as TerraTech Legion, Call of the Elder Gods, and, uh, Candy Box, plus Sony's retreat from PC releases, Embracer attempting to correctly leverage Red Faction and Deus Ex, how to display your childhood consoles, what to do when a skunk-laden dog breaches the house, and more.

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:10) Intro
(00:01:00) That feeling you have? We're the sane ones!
(00:06:05) My dog stinks and now my house stinks
(00:18:10) Call of the Sea  |  [Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Dec 08, 2020
(00:19:17) Call of the Elder Gods  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch]  |  May 12, 2026
(00:23:29) TerraTech Legion  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S]  |  Apr 30, 2026
(00:33:00) First Break
(00:35:49) Saros  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Apr 30, 2026
(00:36:06) [SPOILERS] Just a general warning as we talk about what's in the game
(00:48:19) Directive 8020  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  May 12, 2026
(00:51:27) Mixtape  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  May 07, 2026
(00:51:59) Forbidden Solitaire  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Apr 30, 2026
(00:53:26) Retro Rewind: Video Store Simulator  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Mar 17, 2026
(00:57:04) Candy Box  |  [Web browser]  |  Apr 30, 2013
(01:06:57) Second Break
(01:06:58) Sony confirms single-player games will be not be on PC
(01:16:41) Hasbro cancels D&D game
(01:23:56) Fortnite returns to Apple platforms
(01:28:27) Embracer wants to activate your favorite old franchise!
(01:41:13) Vampire Survivors gets an official genre on Steam
(01:46:40) Go play Red Faction
(01:48:07) Emails
(02:13:07) Wrapping up and thanks
(02:17:17) Mysterious Benefactor
(02:22:08) See ya!

Between the Star Fox 64 remake and Mixtape, there's a lot of hot button issues to talk about this week, plus more games like Directive 8020, Call of the Sea, Saros, and Forbidden Solitaire, even more Retro Rewind customizations, big retirements at Nintendo, big changes for Civ VII, strange encounters on Vinny's doorstep, and more!

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:10) Intro
(00:02:48) They pulled Alex back in...
(00:09:57) Strange suburban encounters
(00:18:43) Mixtape  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  May 07, 2026
(00:44:45) First Break
(00:47:06) Forbidden Solitaire  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Apr 30, 2026
(01:01:31) Phillips CD-i vs 3DO
(01:04:55) Directive 8020  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  May 12, 2026
(01:15:28) Call of the Sea  |  [Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Dec 08, 2020
(01:20:32) Saros  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Apr 30, 2026
(01:28:24) Second Break
(01:28:25) Y'all like that Star Fox?!
(01:48:11) Switch 2 is getting its price increase
(01:54:15) Takashi Tezuka retires
(02:01:49) Big changes are coming to Civ VII?
(02:06:44) Emails
(02:14:04) Wrapping up and thanks
(02:15:26) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts
(02:18:02) See ya!

The April downpour of games continues into May as we dig into Forbidden Solitaire, Windrose, and Dead as Disco, plus more Saros and Retro Rewind (and one last time with Pragmata). Also, is there going to be a new Mortal Kombat? How many Street Fighter tattoos are there in the world? Reggie Fils-Aime said what about Amazon? How do you hide a secret track on a record? These questions and many more, pondered!

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:10) Intro
(00:05:13) Pragmata  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Apr 17, 2026
(00:05:35) [SPOILERS] We talk all about the story and ending of the game.
(00:25:14) First Break
(00:27:54) Forbidden Solitaire  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Apr 30, 2026
(00:42:17) Dead as Disco (Early Access) |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  May 05, 2026
(00:47:08) Saros  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Apr 30, 2026
(01:02:26) Retro Rewind: Video Store Simulator  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Mar 17, 2026
(01:06:45) Windrose (Early Access) |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Apr 14, 2026
(01:08:42) Second Break
(01:08:43) Exclusives still sell consoles, just not as much
(01:17:20) NetherRealm and the future of MK
(01:27:57) First-person or third-person? The data is here.
(01:36:14) Reggie Fils-Aime calls out Amazon
(01:45:34) Paste Games is ending coverage
(01:48:43) Emails
(01:58:26) Wrapping up and thanks
(02:02:27) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts
(02:06:34) Nextlander Content Updates
(02:07:11) See ya!

On the historic 246th episode of this podcast, we dig into the space madness of Saros, the match-three madness of Titanium Court, and the madness madness of Ultimate Drummer (plus the end of Pragmata). Also, Microsoft Gaming's... sorry, Xbox's new-ish direction, the AC: Black Flag remake, which developers' names have the best mouthfeel, what to do when your Legos get peed on, and more.

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:10) Intro
(00:03:10) A bit of current state of affairs pressure relief
(00:08:55) Saros  |  [PlayStation 5]  |  Apr 30, 2026
(00:44:40) First Break
(00:44:41) Pragmata  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Apr 17, 2026
(00:55:18) Titanium Court  |  [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Apr 23, 2026
(01:01:54) Ultimate Drummer  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Apr 22, 2026
(01:09:18) Snap & Grab  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Apr 24, 2026
(01:12:02) All Will Fall  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Apr 03, 2026
(01:16:28) Some other releases that we still want to play...
(01:17:02) Second Break
(01:17:03) Asha and Xbox's late title card
(02:01:08) Black Flag Resynced is coming
(02:07:42) Assassin's Creed Hexe loses game director
(02:13:29) Maybe some RE9 content coming soon?
(02:15:47) Emails
(02:38:02) Wrapping up and thanks
(02:43:21) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts
(02:44:54) See Ya!

It's a video game podcast! Featuring such video games as Pragmata, Vampire Crawlers, Last Flag, Mouse: P.I. For Hire, and Tomodachi Life: Living the dream! Also featuring video game news like a cheaper and maybe soon a la carte Game Pass, and a (sort of) new Neo Geo! Also also, featuring a lot of talk about Olive Garden for some reason!

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:10) Intro
(00:09:31) Pragmata  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Apr 17, 2026
(00:09:49) [SPOILER WARNING] We try to avoid anything narrative, but we do talk about weapons and levels.
(00:37:46) First Break
(00:37:47) Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors  |  [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Apr 21, 2026
(00:45:50) Last Flag  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Apr 14, 2026
(00:50:37) Mouse: P.I. For Hire  |  [Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Apr 16, 2026
(00:53:02) Slay the Spire  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux]  |  Jan 23, 2019
(00:53:42) Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream  |  [Nintendo Switch]  |  Apr 16, 2026
(00:57:20) Second Break
(00:57:21) Choose Your Own Game Pass?
(01:13:33) Splatoon Raiders gets a release date
(01:25:24) The Neo NeoGeo?
(01:48:18) Iron Galaxy is reducing its size
(01:53:50) The summer of video games
(01:58:02) Emails
(02:09:46) Wrapping up and thanks
(02:14:43) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts
(02:16:34) See ya!

Many beautiful video games are blooming along with the Spring flowers this month, including Pragmata, Final Sentence, Dosa Divas, and Replaced, all of which we play and discuss! In the news, Epic's Disney's extraction shooter, pricing changes (maybe) coming to Game Pass, a Bloodborne movie is on the way, and more. Plus, your emails!

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:10) Intro
(00:11:53) Pragmata  |  [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Apr 17, 2026
(00:50:46) First Break
(00:50:51) Final Sentence  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Apr 09, 2026
(00:58:04) Dosa Divas  |  [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Apr 14, 2026
(01:03:35) Replaced  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Apr 14, 2026
(01:11:56) Retro Rewind: Video Store Simulator  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Mar 17, 2026
(01:18:48) Second Break
(01:18:53) Apparently, Game Pass IS too expensive
(01:36:58) Will Fable get pushed to next year...?
(01:41:55) Epic and Disney want to make an extraction shooter
(01:52:24) Physint has apparently started casting
(01:58:36) Remember that Metal Gear Solid movie pitch?
(02:05:21) Bloodborne is getting a film as well?
(02:16:24) Emails
(02:26:50) Wrapping up and thanks
(02:31:05) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts
(02:32:44) See ya!

Brad's back to talk about the lumpy ending of Resident Evil Requiem and the future of the RE series, nostalgic Retro Rewind modding, State of Decay 3's recent proof-of-life moves, the passing of Double Dragon's creator, defunct studios and publishers we miss, and a bunch more!

(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:10) Intro
(00:09:27) Resident Evil Requiem  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Feb 27, 2026
(00:09:56) [SPOILERS] We're talking about all of RE9 thing here.
(00:42:52) First Break
(00:45:24) Retro Rewind: Video Store Simulator  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Mar 17, 2026
(01:06:18) Slay the Spire  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux, Mac, Mac]  |  Jan 23, 2019
(01:13:33) Pokémon Pokopia  |  [Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Mar 05, 2026
(01:16:46) Marvel MaXimum Collection  |  [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Mar 27, 2026
(01:17:26) Second Break
(01:17:30) State of Decay 3 still exists!
(01:25:32) Creator of Double Dragon passes
(01:28:15) Someone is making an Impossible Mission 3 game for the C64
(01:35:10) Emails
(01:51:29) Nextlander content updates
(01:53:44) Wrapping up and thanks
(01:54:11) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts
(01:56:36) See ya!

Brad's on the mend this week, so Giant Bomb's in-house counsel Jeff Bakalar is filling the rotating chair this week as we discuss PAX East, recent video game releases, and the gambling industry's ongoing contribution to the degeneration of society.

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) | NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:10) | Intro
(00:01:29) | Welcome back Jeff Bakalar
(00:09:54) | What a fun PAX East this year
(00:15:13) | Oh, you want to buy some dice? They've got dice.
(00:20:55) | Slay the Spire (The board game)
(00:22:10) | Slay the Spire | [PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Mac] | Jan 23, 2019
(00:31:41) | Jocks and nerds living together. It can happen.
(00:34:13) | First Break
(00:36:40) | Screamer | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | Mar 26, 2026
(00:43:08) | Raccoin: Coin Pusher Roguelike | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Mar 31, 2026
(00:50:10) | Bakalar and Alex are (still) not happy with sports betting
(01:08:04) | Marvel MaXimum Collection | [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | Mar 27, 2026
(01:13:31) | Resident Evil Requiem | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2] | Feb 27, 2026
(01:17:45) | Second Break
(01:17:50) | PlayStation price increases
(01:27:20) | Nintendo confirms price differences between digital and physical releases
(01:29:14) | Time for Star Fox to shine
(01:36:49) | Does Disney want to own Epic Games?
(01:48:21) | Shinji Mikami's new(ish) studio is bought
(01:50:38) | Eidos-Montreal has more layoffs
(01:51:49) | Konami increases salaries for employees
(01:53:28) | MindsEye continues to be a concern
(02:00:17) | Some game announcements
(02:00:34) | Hunter: The Reckoning - Deathwish | [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Q3 2027
(02:00:49) | Hades II | [Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5] | Apr 14, 2026
(02:00:56) | The Eternal Life of Goldman | [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | 2026
(02:01:27) | Boxroom (Early Access) | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Q2 2026
(02:03:11) | Emails
(02:22:17) | Wrapping up and thanks
(02:25:53) | Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts
(02:27:13) | See ya!

Start Menu's Lex Luddy drops by to chop it up with us about Pokemon Pokopia, the "joy" of reviewing Crimson Desert, the actual joy of RE Requiem with unlimited ammo, the state of Marathon's Cryo Archives and late game, some more unfortunate industry-downturn news, another installment in the great FMV game debate, and more!

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:10) Intro
(00:00:41) Welcome back Lex!
(00:03:23) Pokémon Pokopia  |  [Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Mar 05, 2026
(00:27:21) First Break
(00:27:26) Crimson Desert  |  [PlayStation 5, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S]  |  Mar 19, 2026
(00:53:37) Marathon  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Mar 05, 2026
(01:11:22) Resident Evil Requiem  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2]  |  Feb 27, 2026
(01:23:40) Dirt 3  |  [PlayStation 3, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360]  |  May 24, 2011
(01:26:39) Second Break
(01:26:44) Epic Games lays off over 1,000 people
(01:42:00) Nintendo Switch 2 production to slow down
(01:48:10) Sony closes Dark Outlaw Games
(01:50:55) Marathon sales numbers
(01:57:24) UK game development
(02:08:13) Let's all just live in Minecraft World
(02:16:41) Email
(02:27:07) Wrapping up and thanks
(02:31:04) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts
(02:32:36) Thanks again to Lex Luddy!
(02:33:59) See ya!

We're out this week, so the Nextlander Podcast will return in its normal slot next week, but for now we bring you another NBABP classic, in which Jeff Bakalar and Austin Walker join us to talk about the funny pages, technology running amok, and electronic drum kits?

CHAPTERS

(00:01:07) Intro
(00:02:31) Sah-caucus vs Sea-caucus
(00:03:21) All the good podcast memories are Beastcast related
(00:05:56) The internal politics of carving out studio spaces
(00:08:14) "I'm a human and I don't work there anymore"
(00:23:56) First Break
(00:24:05) Do we live in Cyberpunk Version 3.0?
(00:27:14) Why do giant tech companies always seem evil?
(00:31:46) The Coleco Chameleon and the Intellivision Amico
(00:32:36) Tommy Tallarico
(00:34:39) The last 10 years of the internet have been good
(00:39:01) Don't mess with whatever hope people have of a retirement
(00:41:50) Masterful transition into the funny pages
(00:47:22) Second Break
(00:47:35) How is Gary Larson?
(00:52:50) Getting deep into Heathcliff
(01:01:43) Bakalar had a comic strip?
(01:07:15) And he bought an electronic drum kit?!
(01:21:51) Wrapping up and thanks!
(01:22:14) See ya!