The Insert Credit Show

Fanbyte writer and podcaster merritt k sits with the panel to cover the darkness within Viva Pinata, Bad Boy Reggie Fils Aime, and an explanation of what Touhou actually is. Original music by Kurt Feldman. (Content warning: This episode contains strong language.) Questions this week: From Ash Parrish: Congress has a button to destroy all video games, and you’ve been brought in to convince them not to press it. What’s the worst game to present? (03:25) What are the most egregious cases of falling upwards in the video game industry? (08:47) What game did you come around to liking after vocally disliking before playing? (14:12) How do video games express extreme speed, without sacrificing control? (20:06) Leaving aside Lester the Unlikely, what is the most unlikely video game? (24:45) Dirtbag Derek asks: What do you predict will be the cause of the next video game renaissance? (32:16) What’s happened in the Japanese indie game scene since Cave Story? (38:14) What examples of fans officially taking a game forward have worked out? (42:58) What is the Alvin and the Chipmunks of video games? (48:52) LIGHTNING ROUND: Seven Virtuous Minigames (54:40) Think you have better answers than the panel? Politely discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums. A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Blind Box Vintage Game Magazines Primus - Too Many Puppies Ash Parrish Six Days in Fallujah Hyperdimension Neptunia Viva Pinata Genshin Impact Battletoads Turbo Tunnel Danganronpa Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad Gravity Rush Kudo Tsunoda Reign of Fire Phil Harrison Kickin’ ass, takin’ names, makin’ games Crusader of Centy 99 Potions James Rolfe Oh, Deer! Rocket Knight Adventures Faster Than Speed Lester the Unlikely Wild Woody Land Before Time Air Bud Mister Mosquito Bee Simulator Deadly Premonition 2 Jersey Devil Glover Normy’s Beach Babe-O-Rama Sgt. Rock game Gumby vs. The Astrobots Snoopy vs. The Red Baron Jackbox Every Ninja Turtles reboot Touhou Sakuna: of Rice and Ruin Sonic Mania Dizzy the Egg Toxic Avenger Alien cartoon Robocop cartoon Total Recall Tool Assisted Speedruns Rabbids Alan Sherman Toki Tori Toki Recommendations: Brandon: Clazziquai - Remix Pinch Your Soul, Yukiko Tanaka - Reflection, Nobody (2021), Enter The Fat Dragon (2020), recognize the misogyny and colorism in Baahubali Frank: Feel free to pirate games, Gumby Merritt: Fanbyte, Fanbyte Podcasts, twitch.tv/fanbyte Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Game journalist and friend of the show Ash Parrish returns to cover Amiga AI, alien boyfriends, and pynball. Questions this week: From Heather Alexandra: What game has the tastiest potions? (03:53) What’s something you never want to see in a video game again? (08:27) What are the best achievements in video game AI development? (12:56) Which officially released video games are most transparently fanfiction of other games? (17:37) Design the perfect romancable alien RPG NPC, but make them distinctly nonhuman. (22:27) Dirtbag MoxBagel asks: How would you re-design pinball to be more of a 30 minute game instead of a 3 minute game? (28:40) Have you ever wished a game challenged you a little more? (34:53) What are the best liminal spaces in a video game? (39:41) Has your opinion of a game ever changed after speaking with the developer? (43:53) What is the Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” of video games? (49:52) LIGHTNING ROUND: Alphanumerous Characters (55:26) Think you have better answers than the panel? Politely discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums. A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son by Iron Maiden The Seventh Sign (1988) Synesthesia A Healer Only Lives Twice Phantasy Star Bayonetta Castlevania Holy Water C.C. Lemon Final Fantasy Potion energy drink Bawls Mamotte Knight Ico The Last Guardian Enemy: Tempest of Violence Final Fight River City Ransom X-COM Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee Lemmings Yooka Laylee Fantasian Doujin games Melty Blood Touhou fangames I Wanna Be The Guy Freedom Planet Project X Zone Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Inuyasha Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Elcor Volus Blue humans Babylon 5 Trypophobia (warning: potentially upsetting) Tryptophan Misophonia 3D Pinball Pinball Quest Devil’s Crush Demon’s Tilt Alien Crush Fantastic Pinball Pokemon Pinball Sonic Spinball Metroid Prime Pinball Flipnic: Ultimate Pinball Yoku’s Island Express It Takes Two The Witness Nier: Automata Deadly Premonition Mega Man 2 ending cavern Sonic CD soundtrack “Games for which there are two soundtracks, and both are good” on the Insert Credit Forums Black Athena: How Hades Gets Its Gods Right by Ash Parrish Slap Happy Rhythm Busters Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” Super Mario Galaxy Spec-Ops: The Line Wii Sports Take Five Street Fighter IV Mortal Kombat III Recommendations: Ash: Kotaku Splitscreen, twitter.com/adashtra Brandon: Fourth Dimension, Melinda’s Hot Sauce Frank: Shaquanda’s Hot Pepper Sauce Jaffe: The Unknown (1927) This Week’s Insert Credit Art Jam Topic: Cheating Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Twenty years of insertcredit.com, as remembered by past and present contributors. Featuring Vincent Diamante, Chris Woodard, Azurelore Korrigan, Patrick Miller, and more. Questions this week: What do you remember about the GP32, and how does obscure hardware fit in Insert Credit’s taste? (07:20) What are the best video game comeback stories? (11:42) If Insert Credit could secure the film rights to any video game, what would it be? (16:09) What gets changed when porting a video game? (19:19) What Insert Credit-type games influence Vincent’s music composition? (23:06) What is Tose up to now, and what other important game companies don’t we know about? (31:51) Insert Credit declared the death of print video game media on April 16th, 2008. Is that about right? (36:38) In 2009, there was some pontification on Insert Credit on what constituted “good” or “bad” video game journalism. Where do you stand on that now? (41:03) What are some of the most striking video game convention displays you’ve seen? (44:43) How did the cottage industry of new games for old consoles happen, and which ones are worth discussing? (49:50) How did the forums and community shape Insert Credit’s identity? (59:03) How can one still find obscurity on the internet? (01:09:03) What are the biggest differences between video game culture in 2004-2006 and now? (01:14:00) After all these years, how would you define your relationship to video games? (01:20:35) What the hell is wrong with video games? (01:24:54) How has Insert Credit changed since the start of the podcast? (01:44:53) How did you all go from writing about to developing and preserving video games? (01:49:24) Are video game blogs dead? (02:00:09) What are the best things to come out of Insert Credit? (02:04:40) Finish this sentence: Insert Credit is the _____ of video games. (02:09:15) Discuss these questions and obscure video game hardware in the Insert Credit forum thread for this episode. A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Lost Levels Vincent Diamante thatgamecompany Skullgirls GP32 Arcturus: The Curse and Loss of Divinity Astonishia Story White Day: A Labrynth Named School Corum III: Chaotic Magic Gamasutra Punch-Out!! (Wii) NieR Puyo Puyo Windjammers Wonder Boy Hajime no Ippo Asuka 120% Clue (1985) SoundTeMP Sky by thatgamecompany featuring music by Vincent Diamante Kingdom Hearts 100% ending featuring Insert Credit watermark Tose Co. Ltd. Interview: Tose: Game Development Ninjas by Brandon Sheffield Game Developer Research Institute Jason Schreier Gizmondo Phantom ApeXtreme N-Gage Colors Intellivision Amico Star Odyssey SGDK Super Fighter Team Piko Interactive Stone Protectors MadMan’s Cafe Peter Molyneux The GIA Insert Credit Show Episode 13 - Shave and a Haircut, with Justin McElroy Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance Iron Man Captain America: Super Soldier Shoryuken Forums The Molydeux Game Jam Lost Media Wiki Barnyard Blast: Swine of the Night Edge Magazine Flower The Last Blade 2 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex for PS2 Drag-On Dragoon cavia inc. Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

The panel opens the Dirtbag, joined by game developer and composer Tyriq Plummer. Also covered: petty attract modes, the steamy details of Wario’s parentage, and Bleomard Nimoy. Questions this week: David asks: What are your favorite home console attract modes? (01:33) Big Steve Lasanga asks: is the pursuit of “legitimacy” by prestige games a creative dead end? (04:46) Sam asks: Why aren’t there more genre mash-ups in video games? (09:22) Shun asks: what would a Quadruple A video game be like? (12:10) Thundercricket asks: What is the most practical dungeon in a video game? (14:49) MoxBagel asks: How would video games be different if Sega was the dominant console manufacturer today? (18:36) Graphite asks: What are the most notable video game misreadings? (21:58) Aldo Leopold asks: is cranking the resolution in a PS2 emulator playing “the real game”? (25:32) Daniel R asks: What are the selling points of quadruple-A game Steampunk 1877? (29:00) TheFragranceOfDarkCoffee asks: How do you recommend a competent and enjoyable but not remarkable game? (32:27) Kiko asks: Is it possible to reboot Seaman? (35:41) Anders M asks: What countries besides the US, Japan, and UK put out the best games? (38:23) GigaSlime asks: What celebrities would you cast in your expensive vanity project? (41:58) George Rohac asks: What about video games still gives you hope for the medium? (45:30) Eric Eaton asks: What is the Bob Dylan of video games? (49:45) LIGHTNING ROUND: Spilling the Dirtbag (52:47) Think you have better answers than the panel? Politely discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums. A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: SNK 40th Anniversary Collection Exile Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes Samurai Showdown Yakuza 4 A Mind Forever Voyaging Call of Duty: Black Ops - Cold War Final Lap Twin World Court Tennis Volleyball Shooter by Necrosoft Games Available Now on Stadia and Google Play Pass AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!!: A Reckless Disregard for Gravity SNK vs. Capcom: Cardfighters’ Clash 2 - Expanded Edition Mister Mosquito PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (puh-SAS-burr) Phantasy Star Online Undertale Sylvan Tale Phantom Dust L is real 2401 IDARB Super Mario Bros fans are panicking over rumors that Mario is going to die by Clare Duffy, CNN Business Parasol Stars Godzilla v. Kong (2021) Venom • Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety Barnyard Blast: Swine of the Night Seaman Brendan Fraser Doom Patrol Christopher Lambert LeVar Burton Conan O’Brien in Death Stranding GrandPooBear Avery Brooks Moses Sumney Jim “Somebody” Guthrie Ozzy Osbourne Jaleel White Alf Heathcliff Nancy Comix Zone Crusader of Centy Chulip Celeste A Short Hike Wandersong Bob Dylan Papers Please Disco Elysium Captain Blood Mizzurna Falls Mother 3 Soul Edge Mortal Kombat Wizardry series Recommendations: Brandon: On-Gaku: Our Sound (2019), Night of the Kings (2020), Katedralen by Mork, The Insert Credit Art Jam Tyriq: Catacomb Kids, twitch.tv/fourbitfriday, Mid-Air Thief, Crumb, Frror Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Special guests Kris Graft of Gamasutra and Mathew Kumar of Future Club join the show to rank the top 20.17 Xbox 360 games of all time, as well as discuss unconventional promotion techniques, vanilla cake, and living to see yourself as a robot. THE INSERT CREDIT XBOX 360 TOP 20.17: Deadly Premonition Left 4 Dead NieR Gestalt Dead Rising Bloody Checkers Halo: Reach Gears of War Mamotte Knight Pac-Man Championship Edition Rock Band Lost Planet 2 Lost Odyssey Bullet Witch Ridge Racer 6 Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved Trials HD Iron Brigade Crackdown Vidiot Game Castle Crashers 20.17. Earth Defense Force 2017 Got a different list, or think we missed something big? Come politely discuss the list in the forums! A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: MTV Presents Xbox The Next Generation Revealed Presented by Elijah Wood with Special Guest Performance by The Killers Interview: Astro A-Go-Go: Designing the Xbox 360 “The Big X” Xbox prototype GameTap Women in Refrigerators Yaris Big Bumpin’ 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand Gears of War “Mad World” trailer Burger King Games The Oliver Twins Bomberman: Act Zero Back 4 Blood Blue Dragon OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast Forza Horizon 2 Presents Fast & Furious Action Button Reviews Pac-Man Lit - My Own Worst Enemy George Harrison’s Son Vanquish Vidiot Game Free on Steam OnLive Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Double Fine’s Heather Alexandra joins the panel to cover Jerry Lewis, beating coins out of people, and The Ultimate MacGuffin. Questions this week: Previously on Insert Credit 20: You encounter someone who, quote, “plays video games for the story.” What games can you assume they own? (7:12) What does it mean to be a community manager for a game studio that mostly makes single player games? (12:35) What are the most video gamey things you’ve seen in real life? (18:04) It’s been one year since we all went into a global quarantine. How would video games be different right now if that never happened? (23:06) The Adaptation Game: Yakuza movie (27:49) Dirtbag Kory asks: What is the most underappreciated button on a controller? (32:20) What is the best MacGuffin in a video game? (37:25) Frank’s question: How would you design a video game museum? (40:48) What tea blends would you match with games? (48:37) LIGHTNING ROUND: Blue Rogue’s Code (52:59) Think you have better answers than the panel? Politely discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Skies of Arcadia Danganronpa Firewatch Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV Jerry Lewis Gallagher Gallagher’s Gallery Double Fine’s Discord Insert Credit Forums Everwild Fig Supergiant Grim Fandango Austin Walker Brent Porter They Live Intellivision Amico Gunsport By Necrosoft Games Available Now On Google Play Pass Yakuza 0 Baka Mitai Turbografx controller VMU buttons Dreamcast controller Jaguar controller GameCube controller The Duke MacGuffin Chaos Emeralds Big Whoop The Empty Lot Ankaran Sarcophagus Amulet of Kings Piece of Eden Rain Room David Crane Cyber Doll Blue Rogues Sakura Taisen Bryce Boltzmann Recommendations: Heather: To The Horizon, Psychonauts 2, Lapsang tea, Kukicha tea Frank: DG Voodoo 2 Brandon: Ploho, Morwan, D’LaVance, Moondog, Peppermint Bark tea, Turmeric Three Root tea, Unicorn Grass tea Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ash Parrish rejoins the panel to cover Final Fantasy XIV’s superiority, the Screaming Idea, and G4M3R5. Questions this week: Previously on Insert Credit 86: What games not originally designed for arcades would best make the transition to arcades? (01:58) What specifically makes Final Fantasy XIV the best MMO game? (05:17) Which games have benefitted the most from changing course during development? (10:37) What game features the greatest distance of quality between how good the music is and how bad the game itself is? (15:42) The pandemic is over, and each of you is opening up a barcade. What do you name it? (20:44) Patreon Supporter THX Deep Note’s #1 Fan asks: If you could design a startup jingle for a video game console, what would it sound like? (28:28) What are some things that video game fans THINK they want, but won’t actually enjoy? (33:36) What is the longest you’ve ever struggled with a particular challenge in a video game? (38:44) Topher “Docfuture” Florence gives this challenge: Design a singular controller to be put into a time capsule that will be the only controller to play all console games. It can have any button or stick configuration, but is arbitrarily limited to only 3 “gimmicks.” (44:07) Who is the Meghan Markle of video games? (49:31) LIGHTNING ROUND: Guess That Fanfic (54:29) Think you have better answers than the panel? Politely discuss this episode in the Insert Credit forums A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Michigan J. Frog Push Up Push Pop Push-Up Bra Ribbit King Hades Blitzball Flappy Bird Scribblenauts Firewatch Ring Fit Adventure Super Mario Run Stupid bad Rayman ad Final Fantasy XIV Clash Royale Deadly Premonition Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida Yoshi’s Island Plok PachiPara series Disaster Report Okami Sunsoft Games Hover Strike Picross Final Fantasy XIII Dirge of Cerberus Original Pokemon cave theme Crank Yankers theme Dreamcast startup jingle Gamecube startup jingle Playstation startup jingle Xbox startup jingle Xbox 360 startup jingle That tall vampire lady in the new Resident Evil Extra-Dimensional Biological Entity Nier Automata “Idiot Savant” sidequest Exile: Wicked Phenomenon Ouendan Fullmetal Alchemist theme Celeste Area 51 Seaman Meghan Markle Glu Mobile Clementine She’s Gone Gone Gone Rewrite From Which All That Was Pizza Date Among the stars we fell in love Acts of God The Confession of a Lifetime Game Boy box art Frank drops in the chat after the show Recommendations: Brandon: Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar (2021), Frankie Rose’s Cage Tropical, Crazy Samurai 400 vs 1 Ash: Kotaku Splitscreen Jaffe: The Tobolowsky Files Frank: The Video Game History Hour Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Topher “Docfuture” Florence joins the panel to cover holographic divorce, appeasement of the Froot Brute contingent, and Lammypedia. Questions this week: Previously on Insert Credit 31: Design a game for the Star Trek holodeck. (06:36) Which games in genres with traditionally minimal or completely absent narratives have the most compelling stories? (12:05) What would Animal Crossing be like if Tom Nook were as villainous as internet memes say he is? (17:38) Which corporate mascot has the most potential as the star of a great video game? (22:43) If there was a Friends video game, what would the strats be to speedrun it? (28:59) Patreon Supporter MoxBagel asks: In an alternate reality your favorite game that deserved a sequel but never got one just had its 10th game. What is it like? (33:31) What are the good Twitch streams and Let’s Plays for the discerning Insert Crediter? (38:10) Which video game characters should guest star in the next season of Scooby-Doo, and what should their episodes be about? (43:18) From Liz Ryerson: What would a DocFuture prestige TV show look like? (48:53) What is the Police Dogs of video games? (54:05) LIGHTNING ROUND: Death by Degrees (57:08) A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED: Dilton Doiley Archie Meets the Punisher Holodeck Facade The Orville Seaman Black Tiger Bonk’s Revenge Katamari Damacy Ribbit King Mitch Hedberg Tom Nook donates 90% of his proceeds to an orphanage Yo! Noid Chester Cheetah: Wild Wild Quest Chester Cheetah: Too Cool to Fool Tony & Friends: New Adventures - Invasion in Kellogg’s Land Flo Cap’n Crunch’s Crunchling Adventures Chex Quest I Wanna Be The Guy Deception KFC Dating Sim Crazy Craving, the “Me Want Honeycomb” guy Friends: The One With All The Trivia Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures Shatterhand Um Jammer Lammy EyeToy Linda^3 For Frog the Bell Tolls Video Chess Fallout: New Vegas - You Only Live Once Lance McDonald’s PT Explorations Retro Pals Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? Hanna-Barbera’s Pac-Man show Kids Incorporated Hammerman Life on Mars (American series) WandaVision Sex House Kevin Can F**k Himself The King of Comedy (1982) Dog Police Strong Bad Hampster Dance Frog Fractions Boggy B Tiny Kong SHODAN Commander Shepard Huang Lee Axel Pimple Brock Happy Mask Salesman Remeer Blue Suede Goo Mr. Resetti Battle Arena Toshinden MDK Recommendations: Frank: Phantasy Star IV: Ludonarrative and the Artistic Value of Classic Games Brandon: The Baddest by Toshinobu Kubota, The Changin’ Times of Ike White (2019), THE ALL NEW insertcredit.com !!! Topher: Lunatic Obscurity Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Liz Ryerson joins your favorite 7/10 podcast to cover the secret origins of CapyGames, the true name of the Saturn, and misunderstanding pixel art. Questions this week: Previously on Insert Credit #12: Which video game soundtracks are notable for their use of uncommonly heard instruments? (05:07) What musicians would you have chosen to celebrate Pokemon’s 25th anniversary? (10:06) Which video games are the best at inducing claustrophobia? (15:28) Which is better: games about upward movement, or games about downward movement? (21:09) Improv Zone: Salty Bet Commentary (27:17) Patreon Supporter Malcove asks: What is the best 3-player game? (34:42) What’s with Sony shuttering Japan Studio? (39:45) Is it time to retire pixel art in video games? (48:48) Frank’s Question: What do we think of modern pixel art emerging as a misunderstanding of classic pixel art? (53:58) What is the forgetting to defrost your ingredients until right before it’s time to make dinner of video games? (59:47) LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Tennessee Williams Plays (01:01:28) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Content warning: Brandon says a swear at 53:03, but it’s justified. Special guest Lotte May joins a Tim-less panel to have a chill hangout. This episode is a Chill Version features three new lofi tracks from Kurt Feldman! Questions this week: Previously on Insert Credit #14: If you could send 3 portable games to everybody in the world, what would they be? Game Boy Color edition (04:26) How will strategy guides in the Library of Congress benefit future Americans? (09:37) Why are some games so much better when played on smaller, portable screens? (15:44) What are your favorite pieces of bespoke, custom made video game hardware? (20:47) It’s 1995. What games would you design to enhance the launch library for the Casio Loopy? (26:06) Patreon Supporter MoxBagel asks: What game would you give a young Brandon Sheffield to change his destiny as an inveterate Nintendo hater? (30:50) When and how is the color pink best utilized in a video game’s color palette? (36:27) It has now been 24 hours since the February 17th Nintendo Direct aired. What can you still remember about it? (40:13) What is the worst advice you’ve ever gotten about your video game industry job? (46:14) What’s a game that would be worth making for an old system? (50:57) LIGHTNING ROUND: The Blank of Video Games: Coffee (57:44) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Permanent tracheal damage, Geoff Keigh3, and Dr. Wowy’s Pee Factory. Questions this week: Previously on Insert Credit #10: What can we expect from the upcoming Metal Gear Solid movie? (4:56) Frank’s question: What do you say to someone who wants your career in video games? (10:17) Remember E3? It’s back, in streaming digital presentation form! Is there no turning back now? (16:44) If we define a perfect game as one which exhausts every satisfactory application of its core concept, which games fit that definition? (22:25) The Adaptation Game: Saturday Night Live (28:43) Patreon Supporter Meghan Murphy asks: what game has the best post-game? (35:27) What’s the right amount of random chance to use in a video game? (42:20) What are the greatest lengths to which you have ever gone to play a particular video game? (48:06) What are the best bombs in video games? (53:40) What is the finding a long, crispy french fry in your order of onion rings of video games? (59:16) LIGHTNING ROUND: Playing Flavorites: Mega Man Robot Masters (01:05:13) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Bad jokes, meaningful treehouse hangouts, and the Five Best Video Game Magazines Of All Time. Questions this week: Previously on Insert Credit #123: What would be the worst movie to license as a beat-em-up? (02:21) What’s keeping big tech companies from breaking into video games after Microsoft? (07:42) What is executionally the worst joke you have ever seen in a video game? (13:21) Which human video game characters would be most valuable to examine for medical science? (19:39) What are the top five video game magazines of all time? (25:34) Patreon Supporter Beaion asks: What game are you always trying to get your friend group or social circle to play and why won’t they play it? (31:43) What are the ideal personal and environmental conditions which must be met before you play a video game for a long period of time? (38:28) When do you feel like you need to start an unfinished video game over from the beginning before you can finish it? (42:53) What was the best day you ever had just playing video games? (48:34) What is the “figuring out how to use the shower in an unfamiliar bathroom after a long day of travel” of video games? (56:50) LIGHTNING ROUND: Trademark-Free Video Game Valentines (01:01:53) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Earthworm Jim didn’t invent the 90’s, he was just there. Questions this week: Previously on Insert Credit: What’s the most backhanded compliment you could give a video game? (02:52) Can we harness the feedback loop of gacha games for good? (09:33) What pair of short video games would make the best double feature? (14:58) Biolence Island: Viohazard Protagonists (20:31) Patreon Suppoerter John Beyer asks: is it wrong to play old video games and remakes instead of new video games? (32:50) If you weren’t aware of the credits, would you be able to tell Balan Wonderworld is a Yuji Naka game? (39:40) What video game actions would be more fun if they were decompressed? (46:23) Who are the Dexys Midnight Runners of video games? (50:33) Explain Gamestop stock manipulation to your mom. (56:03) LIGHTNING ROUND: Stock Market Tips & Tricks (01:03:13) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

A last minute guest cancellation means double value for you! Jaffe presents the panel with Quora.com’s top twenty video game questions at three minutes a piece. Quoras this week: Jay Sapinsky asks: how do you spot gamers in real life? (06:06) Nor Reza asks: What about Fallout Lore bothers you? (08:57) Aditi Triveti asks: What is the most messed up thing you’ve ever done in any video game? (11:49) Anthony Andranik Moumjian asks: Is it bad to leave a gaming PC on all the time? Can it damage the PC? (14:56) Andre Xast asks: Hulk will protect you from the final bosses of the last 3 video games you played. Do you live? (17:35) Kaan Kala asks: How difficult is legendary difficulty in Skyrim? (20:21) Nor Reza asks: What is something in the Call of Duty games that makes no sense? (22:02) Kyle Dring asks: Why are low morality games so popular? (24:11) Lily Shen asks: What is the cheapest thing you’ve done to win a video game that wasn’t technically cheating? (27:39) Anonymous asks: How do I find inappropriate games on Roblox? (31:21) David P. Black asks: Do soldiers in wars actually throw empty mags like in video games? (35:15) Sam Bunn asks: What game feature or animation makes you think “This person must’ve had a lot of fun making this?” (37:36) Nor Reza asks: What if you woke up in a video game and there was no way out? (40:39) Ryan Nelson asks: Are there any games that punish or mock you for playing it in a certain way? (43:18) Sean Kernan asks: What’s the furthest a parent has gone to get their kid to quit gaming? (46:10) Ryan Russell asks: What are some things that only gamers would understand? (49:01) Christopher Abrahams asks: Why do Marvel games not made by Sony feel like they are pandering to MCU fans? (50:33) Nor Reza, King of Video Game Quora asks: Why are support classes so dang boring in video games? All you do is heal people and it doesn’t feel rewarding. (52:56) Craig O Grant asks: What’s your favorite Minecraft trick and how do you do it? (56:16) Anonymous asks: Why is video gaming a “teenage” thing? (58:22) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

The only game of the year podcast willing to say, On Main, that VR isn’t video games, Sonic The Hedgehog The Movie is a game, and Dragon Quest XI came out in 2020. Alphabetical Nominees (Unranked): 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (09:39) A Short Hike for Nintendo Switch (14:00) Animal Crossing: New Horizons (18:18) Blaseball (25:03) Deadly Premonition 2 (28:45) Demon’s Souls Remake (32:44) Disc Room (37:02) DooM 64 for Nintendo Switch (41:25) DooM Eternal (46:10) Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition (49:56) Final Fantasy VII Remake (53:57) GG Aleste 3 (01:01:01) Hades (01:07:17) Half-Life: Alyx (01:11:51) Ikenfell (01:20:22) Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition (01:26:28) The Last of Us Part II (01:30:14) Spider-Man: Miles Morales (01:35:58) Streets of Rage 4 (01:40:26) Yakuza: Like a Dragon (01:45:27) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman. THE FINALIZED AND RANKED 2020 TWENTY: Yakuza: Like a Dragon A Short Hike for Nintendo Switch Ghost of Tsushima Demon’s Souls Remake Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition Final Fantasy VII Remake Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Animal Crossing: New Horizons Hades Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition Deadly Premonition 2 The Last of Us Part II Spider-Man: Miles Morales Disc Room DooM 64 2020 DooM Eternal Hyperspace Delivery Service for Nintendo Switch GG Aleste 3 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Patrick Miller victoriously rejoins the panel to cover high literature, experimental film, and the ultimate fighting game tournament arc. Questions this week: Previously on Insert Credit: What can you tell about a person based on their fighting game style and preferences? (04:41) As far as video games go, what is and is not cyberpunk? (10:50) What studio which has never made a fighting game before could probably make a pretty good fighting game? (16:36) What did Adobe Flash mean for video games over the past 24 years, what have we lost, and what can be saved? (22:12) Design The Great Gatsby 2 (28:00) Which video games make you feel the heaviest? (34:40) What are some games you went too easy on? (40:32) What is the Eraserhead of video games? (46:34) Giant-Sized Violence Island: Fighting Game Protagonists (51:35) LIGHTNING ROUND: Patreon Suporter Grandbag’s Funeral presents Name Design: Baskin Robins Ice Cream Flavors (01:03:40) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

The greatest video games ever made, ranked…again! The panel weaves through a new elaborate structure to determine, inarguably, the best video games of all time. Final List: DooM [Action] Celeste [Platforming] Mother 3 [Narrative] Dragon Quest V [RPG] Outrun 2 [Driving] Raw Danger [Adventure] Valkyria Chronicles [Strategy] Castlevania: Symphony of the Night [Metroidvania] Phoenix Wright [Visual Novel] Link’s Awakening [Action-Adventure] Capcom vs. SNK 2 [Fighting] Saturn Bomberman [Party] Stardew Valley [Sim] Hades [Roguelike] VIDEOBALL [Sports] Final Fantasy XIV [MMO] Dragon Quest Builders 2 [Creative] Baba is You [Puzzle] LoL [E-Sports] Genshin Impact [Free-To-Play] Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Some podcasts pull up old audio and call it a day, but when Insert Credit goes retro, we do it up right. All-time great questions return anew for fresh answers. Questions this week: Who are the greatest frauds in video games? (09:52) How would you adapt Bartleby the Scrivener into a video game? (15:13) Which video game characters who have never met before would you set up for a blind date? (19:28) What is the exact middle game? (24:04) What the hell is wrong with video games? (29:01) A national pizza chain has hired you to choose the games to emulate on their arcade cabinet; but they can only be abandonware by defunct publishers. What do you choose? (32:13) If there were a video game convention where only one company could represent each country, who would be there? (37:35) Who is the Prince of video games? (43:16) How could we save Sega by readjusting their timeline? (48:50) What’s the Day the Clown Cried of Video Games? (53:43) LIGHTNING ROUND: Pokedexperts (01:00:39) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

The most wonderful time of the year descends upon us. The panel covers fishing, fancy finishing, and Finland. Questions this week: What was the last innovative use of 3D space in a video game? (04:04) What should I mean when a video game receives an award for “Best Direction”? (08:55) Why are fishing minigames so ubiquitous, and what’s the best one? (13:40) Are there any really good adaptations of video games into physical games? (18:12) How would you adapt the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade into a video game? (22:11) Patreon Supporter Gwifblymth asks, what’s going on with Treasure? (27:17) How good was the TurboGrafx-16? (35:40) What’s the Christmas Game? (40:52) What is the Cheesecake Factory of video games? (48:34) LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design: Christmas Songs (55:26) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Special guest Heather Anne Campbell of Whose Line Is It Anyway, Twilight Zone and How Did This Get Played joins the crew to discuss economics, Eddie Vedder, and an extremely good Improv Zone. Questions this week: Does something need to be done about poor performance and understanding of console transition games? (06:53) What is your favorite video game you’d still consider a bad game? (12:59) What’s the most interesting economic system in a video game? (18:12) What’s the most spectacular video game award show failure? (23:24) Which video game characters would most likely sign up for a UCB class? (29:18) Improv Zone: Video Game Characters in UCB Class (34:25) Question by Patreon Supporter Cera Sophia: What are the underappreciated creative/production roles in video games? (39:15) What can you tell about a person based on their fighting game style? (45:24) What can someone say to convince you to check out a game, in four words or less? (50:25) What is the Neon Genesis Evangelion of video games? (54:35) LIGHTNING ROUND: Slogan Slingin’ (59:33) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

A nearly educational episode, featuring time travel, masterclasses, and film director name pronunciation. Questions this week: Let’s fix the Sega Timeline (03:23) How can video games reward and encourage patience? (08:48) Who would you ask to teach the Game Design Masterclass, and who would actually do it? (14:55) Which video games have the most upsetting color palettes? (20:50) The Adaptation Game: 2001: A Space Odyssey (26:09) Question by Patreon Supporter Blue Milk: Who would you cast as the Kacho for an American GameCenter CX? (31:26) If you had to place five video games on the elemental plinths from The Fifth Element, what would you choose? (37:45) If Nintendo released a new version of R.O.B. today, what would it do? (43:17) Which video game has the best map? (48:07) What is the Freebird of video games? (53:25) LIGHTNING ROUND: Pokedex Entries (58:47) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

An asynchronous recording makes for a time-displaced good time. Featuring the all-new intro theme by Kurt Feldman! Questions this week: What dead video game genre is least likely to ever make a comeback? (02:36) If there were an international video game conference where only one company could represent each country, which would be present? (06:55) How are status effects best used outside of traditional RPGs? (10:48) Theme Sale: Pokemon Red Version, Chess Titans for Windows 7 and 8, 1992’s Clue, Zool, and Picture Puzzle by HAL Laboratory. (15:10) Question by Patreon Supporter Ross Hamrick: How do you think videogame nostalgia of the PS4, Xbox One, and Switch era will manifest in a decade from now? (21:14) What ISN’T a game, but FEELS like a game? (26:41) How can Nintendo improve the experience of waiting in line? (31:18) What is the least responsible video game journalism you’ve ever seen? (36:49) Tim’s Soapbox (41:25) What is the WATCHMEN of video games? (48:38) LIGHTNING ROUND: Game FAQs Poll Responses (54:25) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

A decidedly digestive discussion of Dragon Quest, DuckTales, and Diedrich. Questions this week: What video game character creator has the best hair? (05:20) What is the most disappointed you’ve ever been by a video game? (10:27) What songs would you put in one of those video game-themed orchestral performances? (17:37) When has a video game been significantly improved by a glitch? (24:14) How would you make a video game where the initial design document is just the DuckTales theme? (29:51) Patreon Supporter Slick Rick asks, what is the most successful video game scam? (36:46) When does an otherwise good video game take itself too seriously? (43:11) What are the best shops in video games? (49:23) What abandonware games would you put in a national pizza chain’s arcade? (54:37) What is the Apocalypse Now of video games? (01:00:50) LIGHTNING ROUND: Closest Without Going Over: Video game fanfiction totals (01:07:36) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Fanfic, narcware, The Lost City of Zinj, and Weiner Hotdog. Questions this week: From previous winner Gita Jackson, what video game would be most improved by making the protagonist black? (07:26) Which video game trilogy has the strongest three act structure? (14:33) What kinds of video games inspire the best fan fiction? (18:45) What role has console cloning played in video game history? (24:24) If there were a fighting game with only characters from dorm room movie posters, who would the strongest be? (29:16) Patreon Supporter Nathan Roberts asks, what video games could or should have received a sensitive British localization? (36:06) What’s with all the DMCA takedowns on Twitch streamers all of the sudden? (41:32) When do you wish a game was longer? (46:13) If you worked for a video game matchmaking service, what characters would you set up on a date? (51:54) What are the Black Eyed Peas of video games? (57:37) LIGHTNING ROUND: Video Game Sequel Subtitles (01:04:03) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Console talk, Tricky Dick, and the activities of teens. Questions this week: Who should get a Playstation 5? (04:18) Who should get a Xbox Series X? (09:47) In what ways can gamehuggers be more ethically minded consumers? (13:39) What video game was most improved by a remaster? (20:06) The Adaptation Game: 1972 Watergate Scandal (27:06) What are the best blunt combat weapons in video games? (32:14) What T-rated games are actually most suitable for teens? (39:21) What video games got popular years after initial release? (45:29) If you lined up every video game ever from best to worst, what would be the exact middle game? (52:00) What is the Pee Wee’s Big Adventure of video games? (57:54) LIGHTNING ROUND: Patreon Supporter Shun asks: in an alternate universe where video games never exist, what would the following video game industry figures be doing for work? (01:04:03) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

A mistake at our Scheduling Factory means Patreon questions at blow-out prices! With special guest Mathew Kumar. Questions this week: Jerry asks, what life skill should be the next to receive the Mama treatment? (03:53) Moe asks, what video game action would make for the best Olympic event? (08:43) Dirtbag asks, have you ever realized you don’t like a game only after sinking lots of time into it? (13:28) Squit asks, how would you improve Sonic’s bonus levels? (19:59) Ross Hamrick asks, who is the Prince of video games? (24:53) Sam asks, what did we lose when we lost dedicated portable consoles? (29:59) Jonathan Qiao asks, what’s the most realistic RPG progression system? (35:40) Jack O’Keeffe asks, what non-racing games have the best driving? (39:56) tim rogers asks, whats everybody’s Sonic OC? (45:24) LIGHTNING ROUND: Bottom Line Review (53:09) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman. Art by forum user @SuperEffective

The greatest horror games of all time, according to a bunch of people who don’t play that many horror games. Silent Hill 2 Resident Evil 2 (2019) Resident Evil 4 Left 4 Dead 2 Clock Tower (1995) Silent Hill Silent Hill 3 P.T. D2 Deadly Premonition Until Dawn Tecmo’s Deception: Invitation to Darkness Baroque Rule of Rose Sweet Home Parasite Eve Danganronpa Siren Dino Crisis Devil’s Crush Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman. Opening theme “Mashtlevania” by Max Hully.

The game enjoyer, in today’s political climate, is a rare breed of individual indeed. Special guest Liz Ryerson CONTENT WARNING: This episode features artistic descriptions of gore during Question 9. Question 10 begins at 01:05:55 if you’d like to skip. Questions this week: What’s the last game you played for entertainment purposes? (05:44) What makes horror games fail? (13:44) When does video game culture most feel like a cult? (19:28) What are the most out of place songs on a video game soundtrack? (25:14) If you were making a Frankenstein monster out of video game characters, which body parts would you use? (31:13) Question by Patreon Supporter Kiko: Which game narrative would change the most if the protagonist had access to therapy? (38:08) What video games accurately reflect the time and money put into making them? (45:57) What are some fake video game titles you’d use as set dressing in a haunted house? (51:40) How do you do gore right in a video game? (56:42) What is the Rocky Horror Picture Show of video games? (01:01:55) FRIGHTENING ROUND: Reccing Crew (01:08:55) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

The term “Immersion” has been subject to perversion at the hands of vermin. Questions this week: Gaming injuries (01:21) Audaciously breaking immersion (08:40) Volatile video game partnerships (14:39) Greatest handheld LCD games (20:24) Theme sale (26:05) Question by Patreon Supporter MoxBagel, who asks: When you walk into an arcade, what is Your Game? (33:18) Most accurate game company name (40:14) Video game characters that remind you of someone you know (46:01) Beating Mario and Sonic at the Olympics (51:30) The Crystal Head Vodka Bottle of video games (56:06) LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design (01:00:00) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

The questions are perfect. The podcast is perfect. And I feel perfect. Special guest Laura Michet. Questions this week: Video game verb actions (3:12) The first well written video game story (8:00) What’s new with ARGs? (13:22) Game articles that are fun to read but a pain to write (19:02) Bubsy’s Smash reveal trailer (24:03) Question by Patreon Supporter Gumby: What would a video game holiday celebrate? (30:09) The balance of agency and personality in game protagonists (36:53) The best time of day for video games (40:31) Recommend Jaffe a dungeon crawler (44:37) The Niel Cicerega of video games (49:40) LIGHTNING ROUND: Design a League of Legends champ (53:42) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Don’t buy tables that have gun holes in them. Questions this week: Future Club slogan and jingle (03:34) Does rumble really matter? (09:01) Is it time to panic over Microsoft acquiring Zenimax? (14:22) Game director signature shots (20:29) Helping video game characters with tax breaks (26:39) Patreon Supporter Golok asks about the best video game cold opens (34:44) Rearranging level order (41:11) Saving the Mass Effect franchise (46:55) Five best video game documentaries (52:10) Musou games in other time periods (01:01:51) Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Special guest Jonathan Kim joins the crew to cover what really matters: recognizing Columns as an essential work. Questions this week: Sell me a PS5 (4:23) Whats The Deal with game names, Jerry? (9:22) Sega’s neglected canon (15:27) Best aesthetics in worst games (21:12) Ideal fighting game cameos ( 26:47) Patreon Supporter Sam asks: How did Japan’s game industry recover? (33:15) Scott Pilgrim’s nostalgia timeshifted ten years later (40:54) Insert Credit as Majora’s Mask NPCs ( 45:14) Non-hellish game employers (50:53) The Raid 2 of video games ( 54:01) LIGHTNING ROUND: This or That (57:52) Edited by Blaine Brown. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

In this episode, Insert Credit answers your questions. No, really this time! Questions this week: Golok inquires about Capcom remakes (04:55) Daniel C asks about Japanese hidden gems (07:07) Beandog asks about getting into the industry (09:12) Mox Bagel asks about changing time periods for games (11:30) An anonymous patron asks what the Quibi of video games is (13:40) Cera Sophia asks about the future of dedicated handhelds (15:47) Boogie asks about the Playdate (17:52) Kyle asks which novels are the most like playing games (19:56) Jesse asks about the current Peter Molyneux of games (22:36) An anonymous patron asks what the most painful control scheme is (24:40) Brenton Woodrow asks which five persons or teams should get resources to make a dream game (27:10) Gigaslime asks about rejecting games based on bad humor (29:22) Kiko asks which non-mainline Mario jumps best (31:46) Chris asks which games are chill enough to warrant 80-hour playtimes (33:50) An anonymous patron asks about designing Sonic in a ruined Earth (36:07) Josh J asks about improving arcade games on console (39:30) Jared P asks about “dream game mods” on many levels (42:26) Sam asks for a decision between freaking, marrying, and killing Yoko Taro, Swery and Yoshiro Mikura (44:53) David asks for a Bartleby the Scrivener game (46:53) An anonymous patron asks which game is the best palette cleanser (49:52) Shane asks about new Funko Pop lines (51:53) Anders M asks about asymmetrical multiplayer (54:10) Spencer S asks about Xbox Ones in the psych ward (56:46) Suda 69 asks about hyperspecific aesthetics in games (58:59) Anonymous asks about video game webcomic resurgences (01:01:23) Kind Of Bummed That Mappy Is A Cop asks about VR for dogs (01:03:34) Andy D asks to redesign the Tour de France series (01:05:44) Wemblin asks if The Witness was any good (01:07:45) An anonymous patron asks about recruiting new Creative Directors in AAA games (01:09:47) MVB asks what thoughts Insert Credit isn’t qualified to discuss (01:12:12) LIGHTNING ROUND: Pokemon Design (01:15:38) Edited by Blaine Brown. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Breaking: Pregnant Elsa Dies at Dentist. Questions this week: Games Requiring Original Hardware (03:33) Mario 35th (09:18) Most Difficult Game to Review (15:13) Good Overworlds (20:56) Best Dentistry Game (25:10) What does “Overrated” mean? Question by Patreon Supporter Ricky Bankemper (33:03) Vlambeer Legacy (40:23) Unfinished and Abandoned Games (46:36) Babysitting Diddy Kong (54:13) Gunsport is the Towerfall of Stadia (1:00:08) LIGHTNING ROUND: Recc’ing Crew - SNL Edition (1:05:10) Edited by Blaine Brown. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

It is only through playing Sonic R-Kam Knight that you realize: everyone is a person. Questions this week: BGDCOAT (02:22) Lies, Damn Lies, and Not Actually Playing Video Games (10:25) Favorite Trains (16:00) Copy These Game Designs (21:35) Cloneverwatch Character (26:19) Best Overshadowed Game Question by Patreon Supporter Dracula Is Behind You! (34:17) Dream Features for the Switch Update 2021 (40:16) What we wish “games as service” meant (45:58) The appropriate time for realism (52:00) “The Day The Clown Cried” of Video Games (56:15) LIGHTNING ROUND: DND Alignment Chart for Video Games (1:03:45) Edited by Blaine Brown. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

E pluribus unum, that means I got mine, go away. This special episode features Gita Jackson! Questions this week: The Sims Rule (04:10) What’s up with Roblox? (10:15) The line between video games and online gambling (16:49) What real or fictional location would make a great setting for a Hitman level? (23:10) G4 Lineup (29:17) Mario’s New Look Question by Patreon Supporter Known as “Shigeru M.” (39:20) Apple v. Fortnite (45:57) The Fables of Fable (51:49) Have you ever saved a video game for a special occasion? (57:41) Who are the greatest “Himbos” of video games? (1:02:53) LIGHTNING ROUND: Fancasting - Mega Man (1:08:52) Edited by Blaine Brown. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Insert Credit examines the balls on the stuff. Questions this week: What the hell is wrong with video games? What the hell is wrong with video games? What the hell is wrong with video games? What the hell is wrong with video games? What the hell is wrong with video games? What the hell is wrong with video games? What the hell is wrong with video games? What the hell is wrong with video games? What the hell is wrong with video games? What can we do to make games better? LIGHTNING ROUND: How have games gotten better in the last ten years? Edited by Blaine Brown. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Insert Credit maneuvers into the Pocket Position. Questions this week: Pride (02:57) Unintended Demographics (08:57) ACAB (14:28) T-Shirts (19:41) Theme Sale: Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception, Battlefield 4, Perfect Dark Zero, Crysis, Tom Clancy’s End War (26:53) JRPG Pro Athlete Team (33:20) Missing the Best Part (39:49) Idea Jealous (45:38) LIGHTNING ROUND: Gaming Pedigrees: Dog Breed Edition (51:32) Edited by Blaine Brown. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Dr. Mario Killed MJ and Other Leaks. Questions this week: The Aja of video games Question by Patreon Supporter Chris (08:21) Stage play games Question by Patreon Supporter Emmit (13:59) Which video game doctor most deserves to have their medical license revoked? Question by Patreon Supporter Kyle (19:29) Football manager games Question by Patreon Supporter Jordan (25:06) NeoGeo Pocket, Game Gear, Atari Lynx, and obscure Game Boy games Question by Patreon Supporter Sam (30:17) Video game Zoom table read Question by Patreon Supporter rootfifthoctave (42:24) Port into an FMV game Question by Patreon Supporter Mox Bagel (48:48) If you got eaten by Kirby, what power would he gain? Question by Patreon Supporter Keiko (53:20) High art movements or techniques for video games Question by Patreon Supporter Anonymous (57:56) Design the worst video game crossover Question by Patreon Supporter Anonymous (1:04:10) LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design Star Wars Edition (1:09:44) Edited by Blaine Brown. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

In the outer wilds, things are getting pretty world. Questions this week: Xbox Series X Presentation Impressions Part I (03:00) Xbox Series X Presentation Impressions Part II (09:20) Is the world ready for Dreamcast 2? (15:58) What are the best games to play when you’re in excruciating pain? (23:27) The Adaptation Game: Moby Dick (29:30) What are the most satisfying video game environments to pulverize? Question by Patreon Supporter Breadface (34:48) Video Game Conspiracy Theories (42:02) Has a video game ever made you feel like throwing up? (48:49) On what occasions have game developers genuinely learned from their mistakes? (55:07) Which video game characters could do Agent 47’s job better than him? (1:01:00) LIGHTNING ROUND: Designer Drinks (1:07:07) Edited by Blaine Brown. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

We all know what gibs are. Questions this week: Bryan Cranston Presents the Ford Bronco (02:42) A $1200 Pac-Man Collector’s Edition (08:57) The Most Audacious Idea Thefts in Video Game History (15:19) Paper Mario EXP (22:19) Cashing in on the Cake Meme (28:22) 2007 IGN Campaign - Question by Patreon Supporter John (34:55) Does Deadly Premonition 2 live up to the original? (41:16) Twitter Account Ideas (47:20) Elemental Game Quadrants (53:40) The Horniest Video Game Without Sexual Imagery (58:53) LIGHTNING ROUND: Recc’ing Crew - Disney Princesses (1:03:55) Edited by Blaine Brown. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Wario may be the Bonk of Nintendo, but unfortunately for him–Sega is back. Questions this week: Nintendo Switch Online (03:38) Video Game Reality Shows (09:50) The Sega Aesthetic (15:49) Games for Broken Thumbs (22:01) Improv Zone: Wily vs. Robotnik (27:35) Have you ever been sitting in your car, at a traffic light or in a parking spot, and the car next to you starts moving slowly… and you freak out and think you’re the one moving? What a weird feeling! How can this feeling be translated into a video game? Question by Patreon Supporter Adam (35:56) Cowardly Video Games (40:39) Your Walk-Up Song (46:41) Modern Day LCD Adaptations (52:38) Is Wario a Libertarian? (58:59) LIGHTNING ROUND: Duke Nukem One Liners (1:04:58) Edited by Blaine Brown. Music ‘Stage 11-2 Theme’ from Vice Project Doom-Guitar Cover performed by YouTube user zer0_hunter 6066 and ‘Grabbag’ from Duke Nukem 3D.

In this episode of Insert Credit, we delve into the contents of the latest issue of Game Speculator. Questions this week: The Legacy of Andy McNamara (05:03) Is Video Game Box Art Important? (11:41) Worst Industry First Impressions (17:42) Video Game Dog Toys (24:20) THEME SALE: Super Punch-Out, Skies of Arcadia, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, Resonance of Fate, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (30:22) What beloved games are mostly regarded for their localization? Question by Patreon Supporter Colin (41:25) The “Luck” Stat (48:11) The Most Inaccurately Adapted Sport (53:50) Super Coen Bros. (1:00:25) The New York, California, Nevada, Indiana, and Florida of Video Games (1:07:32) LIGHTNING ROUND: Name a Fake Castlevania Game (1:15:07) Edited by Blaine Brown. Music ‘Theme of the Cheetahmen’ from Action 52, Remix by YouTube User GaMetal Remix and ‘Reincarnated Soul, Part 2 (Stage 1)’ from Castlevania Bloodlines.

Play it later, Emulator. Questions this week: Old Business - WB Games; Frauds (04:24) 3D Platforming since Jumping Flash (09:02) Life After Mixer (15:36) Getting Lost in a Game Map (22:29) Worst Thing to Happen To You While Playing a Game - Question by Patreon Supporter Samuel (30:20) Presenting Your Save Files to the Court (37:09) Compliments for Games That Turn You Off (43:37) Jump Around and Talk to People (49:18) LIGHTNING ROUND: Soda Fountain (56:00) Edited by Blaine Brown. Music ‘Toss A Coin To Your Witcher - METAL COVER’ Cover by the band Ghost Fight featured on YouTube Channel NateWantsToBattle - Give Heart Records, ‘Iron Man - 8 Bit Tribute to Black Sabbath’ by 8 Bit Universe, and ‘Round 1-1 Shooting Ristar’ from Ristar The Shooting Star for the Sega Genesis.

There is no ‘I’ in Top Gear. Questions this week: The Good Itch (05:02) Revive a Franchise (13:41) Greatest Frauds (20:05) WB Gaming Bid (29:07) Theme Sale (35:55) Best Pre-90s Games - Question by Patreon Supporter Samuel (44:33) Delay Announcement Strats (51:42) Crouching (58:30) Character Diet (1:05:03) What Are The Whats of Video Games? (1:11:14) LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design Trump Edition (1:19:53) Edited by Blaine Brown. Music ‘Toe The Line’ from Wolfenstein - The New Order and ‘Blue Level’ from Tempest 2000.

The Truth is He Hate You. Music ‘PS5 Hardware Reveal Trailer’ from PS5 Hardware Reveal Trailer and ‘Web Launch’ from Spider-Man for the PS4. Questions this week: If This Was E3 (02:06) Consoles for Cockroaches (07:16) The Next Hot Exclusive IP for Xbox (12:10) Console Allegiance (18:04) Time loop games (23:24) Fortnite Kart (28:35) What was missing? (33:57) Do any games use the new graphics? (39:27) Called Shots (45:26) Frank’s Bad Question (51:03) Controller Paddle Mystery (55:40) Will there be a PS6? (59:43) LIGHTNING ROUND: Ranking Every PS5 Game (1:02:01) Edited by Blaine Brown.

If it’s gotta be one, it’s gotta be 2. Ranking games from the PS2. Official PS2 Games List: Raw Danger! R-Type Final Katamari Damacy Bujingai Steambot Chronicles SMT Nocturne Silent Hill 2 Chulip God Hand Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex Breath of Fire V Psi Ops Burnout 3: Takedown Drag-On Dragoon 2 Neo Contra Ico Metal Gear Solid 2 Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast Michigan Ape Escape 3 LIGHTNING ROUND: PS2 games that did not make the list Edited by Blaine Brown. Music ‘Magical Sound Shower EuroMix’ From OutRun 2006 Coast 2 Coast and ‘Ghost Approaching (Stage 4)’ from Bujingai.

Gotta Fro Grast, Randomize your Chicken, and head on down to OnlyFranks.com on this week’s Insert Credit. Questions this week: Jigsaw puzzles (05:36) The Next Video Game Animal Star (11:24) Universal Standard Game Length Time (17:37) Soundtracks to Dance To (24:25) The Improv Zone: Magazines, YouTube, & Insert Credit (30:19) The Velvet Underground and Nico of Video Games Question by Patreon Supporter Esper (36:06) Video Game Offices (The Mortal Kombat Ad) (42:36) Localizing American Video Games (48:08) Video Game Characters on TikTok (54:14) Ranking the Decades (1:00:03) LIGHTNING ROUND: Flavor of the Month (1:06:24) Edited by Blaine Brown. Music ‘Intro’ From Digital Pinball - Last Gladiators and ‘Dunes’ from Xeno Crisis.

Insert Credit has it all: robot turds, dead fish, speedbuns, night candy, and even the satisfaction of having eaten a full meal in one second. Questions this week: Genre Subversion (06:58) Getting Stuck (13:04) Good Game Sound Effects (19:18) Business Games (25:42) Video Game Marching Band (Parappa Sucks) (31:16) Brian from Patreon asks about: Renaming Video Games (38:02) The Correct Size of an RPG Party (46:52) Limited Run Games (53:09) Playing Games Wrong (59:12) LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design (1:05:24) Edited by Blaine Brown. Music ‘Title Theme’ from Sim City SNES and ‘PaPaPa Love’ from Muscle March.

The Brain Kickstarter. Insert Credit and The Whimsical Shooting Simulator. Questions this week: Aging Video Game Stars The Legacy of the 2010s Video game preservation in the time of constant updates What are the hallmarks of a great video game trailer? The Adaptation Game: Bazooka Joe Alex C asks: Was Lost Planet 2 Proto-Destiny? Has anyone played any game they backed on Kickstarter? Podcasting Games Joke Weapons Most effective space-based games LIGHTNING ROUND: Crunch Time Edited by Blaine Brown. Music ‘The Rival (Black Knight - First Battle)’ From Shovel Knight and ‘Neonlight Galaxy (Combo Mix)’ from Penguin Wars.