We talk about everything from the 2026 Pokémon Day, Pokémon Presents, including the reveal of Pokémon Wind & Waves.

Also on the show, we give our impressions on both Resident Evil: Requiem, as well as Marathon, after jumping into the server slam.

SHOW DOT POINTS

• The Pokémon Presents event celebrated the 30th anniversary of the franchise.
• New game features and updates were announced, including Pokémon Home support.
• The 10th generation of Pokémon games is set to release in 2027.
• Visual performance is a major concern for upcoming Pokémon titles.
• The hosts hope for a more polished experience with the new games.
• Bluepoint's potential Bloodborne remake was a hot topic of discussion.
• The gaming community is eager for more announcements throughout the anniversary year.
• Voice acting in Pokémon games is a desired feature among fans.
• The hosts reflect on the impact of leaks on excitement for new games.
• The conversation highlights the balance between nostalgia and innovation in gaming. Bluepoint's potential projects are still under discussion.
• The God of War series is generating mixed reactions online.
• Xbox is facing significant challenges with its branding strategy.
• Resident Evil Requiem balances horror and action effectively.
• Marathon's gameplay mechanics are engaging but require teamwork.
• Overwatch's return has revitalised interest in the franchise.
• The UI in Marathon is a major point of frustration for players.
• Upcoming game releases in March include several highly anticipated titles.
• The hosts emphasise the importance of community in multiplayer games.
• Resident Evil Requiem is noted for its stunning visuals and sound design.

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:30 - Pokemon Presents - Pokemon Day 2026 00:24:00 - Bluepoint Did Try & Remake Bloodborne 00:32:30 - First Look At God of War Series 00:37:30 - Ciaran's Thoughts On Xbox Change-Up 00:41:45 - Resident Evil Requiem Impressions 00:49:20 - Marathon - Servel Slam Impressions 00:57:45 - Games Coming Out In March 01:03:35 - Outro

• Pokémon Day 2026: All the Announcements From Pokémon Presents - Explosion Network
• Bluepoint’s Bloodborne Remake Pitch Was Reportedly Rejected - Explosion Network
• Prime Video Reveals First Image From God of War Series - Explosion Network
• Marvel's Wolverine Launches on September 15, 2026 - Explosion Network
• Video Game Releases Archives - Explosion Network

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

We discuss the huge shakeup with the Xbox leadership team and the closure of Bluepoint Games.

SHOW DOT POINTS

• Phil Spencer's retirement marks a significant shift for Xbox.
• Asha Sharma's appointment raises questions about Xbox's future direction.
• Xbox's current position is precarious, with many uncertainties.
• The gaming industry is shifting towards live service models.
• Sony's closure of Blue Point Games highlights industry volatility.
• Live service games are struggling to find a sustainable model.
• The focus on monetisation is affecting game quality.
• Leadership changes can lead to drastic shifts in company strategy.
• The gaming community is highly invested in company leadership.
• The future of Xbox as a console is uncertain. The video game industry is losing time to apps and social media.
• Studio closures often stem from financial decisions rather than creative ones.
• New studios struggle to deliver successful games without prior experience.
• The gaming industry faces a constant battle between artistic vision and technological constraints.
• Anticipation for Pokémon's 30th anniversary is high, with expectations for new content.
• Remakes and remasters are a cost-effective strategy for studios.
• The importance of collaboration and team chemistry in game development cannot be overstated.
• The narrative depth in games can provoke thoughts on real-world issues.
• Lighting and art direction play a crucial role in game aesthetics.
• Player engagement is shifting, necessitating new strategies for developers.

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley

00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:10 - Xbox Leadership Change-up 00:20:45 - Sony Shuts Down Bluepoint Games 00:41:30 - Pokémon Presents Hopes 00:48:25 - God of War Sons of Spartan Wrap-Up Review 00:49:30 - Reanimal Review 00:56:30 - Outro

• Major Xbox Shake-Up: Asha Sharma Named CEO of Microsoft Gaming - Explosion Network
• Sony Shutters Bluepoint Games Just Years After Buying the Studio - Explosion Network
• Pokémon Presents Announced for February 28 – 30th Anniversary Celebration - Explosion Network
• Nintendo Bringing Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen to Switch - Explosion Network
• God of War Sons of Sparta Review - Explosion Network

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

We break down the first State of Play for 2026, which brought plenty of surprises and new game trailers.

SHOW DOT POINTS

• The PlayStation Showcase featured a variety of new game announcements.
• Wolverine was included in the showcase, albeit not in the expected format.
• Kenna: Bridge of Spirits sequel shows significant development.
• Ghost of Yotai Legends is set to return with multiplayer features.
• Death Stranding 2 is confirmed for PC release.
• Resident Evil Requiem continues to generate buzz with frequent trailers.
• Legacy of Cain is getting a remaster, sparking interest in the franchise.
• A new 2.5D Castlevania game is in development, appealing to long-time fans.
• Unique IPs like Project Windlass are being introduced, showcasing creativity.
• Konami's segment highlighted both remasters and new titles, indicating a focus on legacy franchises. The John Wick game aims to capture the essence of the franchise.
• Bungie's Marathon is set to test servers with a service slam.
• PlayStation Plus is adding notable titles like Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
• Saros gameplay trailer showcases significant improvements over Returnal.
• Marvel's Fighting Souls introduces new characters like Storm and Magic.
• God of War trilogy remakes are in early development for PS6.
• Sons of Sparta explores Kratos's early life and relationships.
• The game aims to offer a different perspective on Kratos.
• Voice acting in Sons of Sparta has received mixed reviews.
• The game's combat mechanics differ from those in traditional God of War games. Wrestle Quest's pixel art aims for an authentic 80s aesthetic.
• Highguard's layoffs reflect broader issues in the gaming industry.
• Video game success is crucial for team retention.
• Mario Tennis Fever offers smooth, engaging gameplay.
• Mugenics combines humour with tactical gameplay mechanics.
• The gaming industry often relies on the success of the next release.
• Highguard's development challenges raise questions about live service games.
• The structure of video game development can lead to instability for teams.
• Mario Tennis Fever's story mode serves as an extended tutorial.
• Mugenics has the potential for addictive gameplay and deep mechanics.

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley

00:00:00 - Intro 00:50:00 - State of Play Breakdown 00:43:30 - God of War Sons of Sparta Review-In-Progress 00:55:50 - Highguard Developer Lay Offs 01:04:20 - Mario Tennis Fever Review-In-Progress 01:13:20 - Mewgenics Impressions 01:20:40 - Outro

• Every Announcement From February’s PlayStation State of Play - Explosion Network
• Highguard not shutting down following Wildlight layoffs, with a "core group" of developers left to support the game | Eurogamer.net

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

For the first episode of 2026, we catch up on what's been happening in the year so far and then draft our picks for the 2026 game.

SHOW DOT POINTS

• The gaming industry is experiencing significant changes with physical media declining.
• Life is Strange Reunion aims to conclude the Max and Chloe story arc.
• Ubisoft's cancellation of games reflects the challenges in the gaming market.
• Highguard's launch faced backlash due to insufficient marketing and optimisation issues.
• The hosts express excitement over upcoming game releases and trailers.
• Yoshi's portrayal in the new Super Mario Galaxy movie has garnered positive reactions.
• The review bombing phenomenon continues to affect new game releases.
• The importance of marketing and community engagement in game launches is highlighted.
• The hosts share their personal gaming experiences and recent titles.
• The conversation reflects a mix of nostalgia and anticipation for future gaming developments. The true ending in Hades requires completing both worlds in one run.
• The hosts have produced the most extensive best of 2025 coverage to date.
• Fantasy critic game drafts involve strategic selections based on anticipated game releases.
• Indie games are gaining traction and excitement among gamers.
• The hosts express high expectations for upcoming titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Forza Horizon 6.
• The importance of game reviews and critical scores in the fantasy critic game.
• The hosts share their personal experiences and excitement for various games.
• The conversation highlights the unpredictability of game releases and their success.
• The hosts emphasise the significance of indie games in the current gaming landscape.
• The dynamic nature of the gaming industry keeps the hosts engaged and excited. The potential for a game to improve during its development phase is significant.
• Gameplay quirks can be overlooked if the plot is strong.
• The developers of a game have a track record of delivering quality products.
• Innovative genres, like card-based games, are becoming more popular.
• The anticipation for sequels and spin-offs remains high among gamers.
• The success of previous titles can influence expectations for upcoming releases.
• Speculation about unannounced games can generate excitement in the gaming community.
• Drafting games based on hype and potential can be a strategic move.
• The gaming industry is constantly evolving, driven by new ideas and concepts.
• Final projections for game success can be based on various factors, including developer reputation.

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

We break down all the big announcements and the winners from The Game Awards 2025.

This is also the last episode of Arcade Couch for 2025, so we shall see you all in the New Year!

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

We drop six predictions each for what games, reveals, trailers, etc, could be seen at this year's The Game Awards show.

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

We discuss Fortnite's big 'Endgame'-like finale and what games are releasing in December.

SHOW DOT POINTS

• Fortnite's events draw massive audiences and feature pop culture icons.
• The collaboration between Fortnite and Kill Bill is unprecedented.
• AI's role in game development is a contentious topic.
• Transparency about AI usage in games is essential for consumer trust.
• December is a slow month for game releases, but some titles stand out.
• Casual players often overlook Fortnite's narrative depth.
• The gaming community is divided on the use of AI in creative processes.
• Upcoming games include a mix of horror and action genres.
• The Game Awards are approaching, prompting predictions and discussions.

YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant

• Fortnite Zero Hour Live Event Draws 10.5 Million Players, As Godzilla, King Kong, Iron Man and KPop Demon Hunters Unite For Avengers: Endgame-Style Finale - IGN
• A narrative sequel to Kill Bill is premiering in Fortnite later this week, over 20 years after the original film | Eurogamer.net
• "AI will be involved in nearly all future production," says Epic Games boss, so having Steam games disclose whether they were built with AI makes "no sense" | Eurogamer.net

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network