Episodes

  • Winter Break gaming, Zelda Age of Imprisonment, Rainbow 6 Siege Robin Hood, and more!

    Winter Break gaming, Zelda Age of Imprisonment, Rainbow 6 Siege Robin Hood, and more!
    Jan 6 2026
    Brad went a little wild during the Steam Winter Sale and came away with a pile of indie games that mostly rule. He breaks down his early impressions of Reus 2, 9 Kings, and Sol Cesto, and explains why these smaller releases continue to outshine big-budget fare. Carrie has been catching up on her backlog with Blue Prince and The Legend of Zelda: Age of Imprisonment, and even dusted off the SNES to revisit Final Fantasy VI (formerly known as Final Fantasy III in the US). Terrence shocks everyone by purchasing an Xbox Series X, while Micah shares the unique challenges of co-op gaming with a kid who has very different priorities than finishing objectives. We also reflect on the passing of Respawn’s Vince Zampella and SEGA’s David Rosen. Elsewhere, a real-life Rainbow Six Siege Robin Hood gifted players millions in in-game currency, and the Indie Game Awards sparked controversy by revoking Expedition 33’s Game of the Year award over its use of generative AI. In the Post Office, we dig into hated gameplay tropes, sim racing rigs, and take an unexpected detour into the Billboard Top 100 hits of 1996.
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    1 hr and 51 mins
  • The Game Awards recap, Street Fighter trailer reaction, Diablo IV Paladin review, and more!

    The Game Awards recap, Street Fighter trailer reaction, Diablo IV Paladin review, and more!
    Dec 16 2025
    We break down Expedition 33’s sweeping dominance at The Game Awards and discuss what the show gets right—and where it still needs to evolve. From surprise wins to pacing and presentation, we explore how the TGAs could better serve both developers and fans going forward. We also dive into the biggest announcements from The Game Awards, including Brad and Micah’s reactions to the Street Fighter movie trailer and the unexpected reveal of Lenny Kravitz as the villain in 007 First Light. Brad is back deep in Diablo IV, testing out the new Paladin class and evaluating how progression and systems have changed since his last time with the game. Does Diablo IV finally feel like it’s found its footing? Kaz Harada’s departure from Bandai Namco marks the end of an era, and we reflect on his 30-year legacy guiding the Tekken franchise into one of the most influential fighting game series of all time. In the Post Office, we tackle the increasingly strange relationship between FIFA and U.S. power brokers, and just how far the organization may be willing to bend to satisfy political egos.
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • The Dense Pixels 2025 Game of the Year Podcast!

    The Dense Pixels 2025 Game of the Year Podcast!
    Dec 9 2025
    It’s Dense Pixels’ annual Game of the Year celebration, and we're breaking down the very best games of 2025. We reveal our top 10 lists, debate the titles that earned our podcast-wide consensus honors, and look back at the standout games chosen by our listeners. Join us for our biggest episode of the year as we highlight the releases that defined 2025 and the games we think will leave a lasting impact.
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    1 hr and 58 mins
  • Tim Sweeney's Terrible Takes, Sektori Review, Marvel Cosmic Invasion Review, and Much More!

    Tim Sweeney's Terrible Takes, Sektori Review, Marvel Cosmic Invasion Review, and Much More!
    Dec 2 2025
    Brad has been completely derailed by yet another GOTY contender thanks to the release of the high-octane arcade shooter Sektori. Micah has been digging into Marvel Cosmic Invasion, but it may have only made him appreciate Dotemu's other recent release - Absolum - even more. Meanwhile, Brad is learning firsthand why Final Fantasy IV may be the strangest and most experimental entry in the early series. Steam is refusing to publish the indie horror title Horses—and the bigger problem is that they won’t give the developer a clear reason why, raising concerns about transparency and platform control. In a disastrous interview, the CEO of Roblox floated the idea of adding real-life dating and gambling to a platform primarily used by children. Tim Sweeney has once again made himself the main character on social media with another baffling take about generative AI in video games. We wrap up with a wide-ranging Post Office segment covering everything from Thanksgiving dinner traditions to the dramatic conclusion of the Formula One season, and how much Brad and Micah would be willing to spend on the upcoming Steam Machine.
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    1 hr and 33 mins
  • Lumines Arise Review, Anno 117 Impressions, New Valve Steam Devices, and Much More!

    Lumines Arise Review, Anno 117 Impressions, New Valve Steam Devices, and Much More!
    Nov 18 2025
    Lumines Arise is finally here, and Brad delivers his full review—explaining why this entry may be the definitive Lumines experience. He’s also been deep into Anno 117: Pax Romana and shares his thoughts on how this historic city-builder stacks up. Valve has announced an exciting slate of new hardware set to release next year. We break down the lineup and which devices Brad plans to pick up on day one. We take a look at The Game Awards 2025 nominees and discuss whether Expedition 33 is receiving more praise than it may deserve. Meanwhile, Tim Sweeney made headlines for publicly embarrassing himself while reacting to Eurogamer’s Arc Raiders review, and even Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 appears to be dipping into generative AI for its development. We touch on the strange situation surrounding Ubisoft suspending share trading and what it might signal. We also give our impressions of the leaked set photos from the upcoming Legend of Zelda movie. To wrap things up, we evaluate IGN and Nintendo Life’s rankings of the greatest Nintendo games of all time—and where we agree, disagree, and outright question their picks.
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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • Even More BallXPit, Rockstar Hates Unions, Building a PC, and Much More!

    Even More BallXPit, Rockstar Hates Unions, Building a PC, and Much More!
    Nov 11 2025
    Brad and Terrence have successfully dragged Micah into the BallXPit, but the real question is—how much is he actually enjoying it? Square Enix reveals plans to use AI for quality assurance testing by 2027, raising serious questions about whether buggy code can really fix buggy code. We break down what this shift means for developers, players, and the future of game testing. Rockstar Games is once again under fire after firing over 30 employees, with reports suggesting that union-busting may be the real motive behind the mass layoffs. We discuss the implications this has for worker rights across the gaming industry. In a wide-ranging Post Office segment, we chat about diving into PC building for the first time, the realities of fatherhood, and a fun detour into Nicholas Cage.
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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • The Outer Worlds 2 and Obsidian Entertainment, Hades II New Ending, Rockstar Union Busting, and Much More!

    The Outer Worlds 2 and Obsidian Entertainment, Hades II New Ending, Rockstar Union Busting, and Much More!
    Nov 4 2025
    Brad takes a break from run-based games and discovers Chained Echoes, a phenomenal old-school-style RPG that blends nostalgic charm with modern design. He shares what makes it one of the most rewarding hidden gems in the genre. Carrie gives a spoiler-free discussion about Hades II, highlighting the smart changes Supergiant Games made to the game’s ending and how it improves on the original's flaws. Micah and Terrence share their disappointment with The Outer Worlds 2, sparking a broader conversation about why Obsidian Entertainment is one of the most polarizing developers in gaming. We also dive into Rockstar Games’ blatant case of union-busting, examining how the company’s actions contradict its public stance on labor rights and developer treatment. Finally, a free-flowing Post Office segment takes us through discussions on the frustrations with sports media rights, WWE’s confusing current strategy, and which foods keep fast food chains alive.
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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • Pokemon Legends: Z to A Review, Ninja Gaiden 4 Review, Microsoft, Profit, and Halo, and Much More!

    Pokemon Legends: Z to A Review, Ninja Gaiden 4 Review, Microsoft, Profit, and Halo, and Much More!
    Oct 31 2025
    Carrie gives her full review of Pokémon Legends: Z to A after finishing the game, breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and why it might be one of the most ambitious Pokémon titles yet. Terrence delivers his in-depth Ninja Gaiden 4 review, diving into how it compares to previous entries in the series and whether it lives up to the legacy of Team Ninja’s classic action franchise. We discuss Microsoft’s latest questionable strategic moves after revelations that Xbox is chasing an unrealistic 30% profit margin — and what this means for players and developers alike. Meanwhile, the Trump administration and ICE have co-opted yet another beloved video game property for propaganda purposes to advance their racist aims. Ubisoft is asking employees to voluntarily leave before upcoming layoffs, and Nintendo surprises fans with a long-awaited move — releasing a vinyl soundtrack that has collectors buzzing.
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    1 hr and 6 mins