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After a brief hiatus during summer/winter (depending on your hemisphere) we discuss our respective activities since we last recorded an episode in May. This includes a discussion of Zach's experience attending the Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco in August.    Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia

On this episode we’re joined by a very special guest - Zach's mum Monica. Recorded just before Mother's Day 2026, we dive deep and discuss 25 years of Animal Crossing, a game which Zach and his mom share a special bond over.    We discuss each entry in the series and our respective experiences, highlighting what makes Animal Crossing a unique game with a wide cross generational appeal. We end the episode sharing our thoughts on what we would like from the series in the future.   Lastly, a very happy (and belated) Mother's Day for any mothers listening to our podcast!   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia

On this episode we’re joined by Marcus O’Neill from Tiny Game Chronicles. We kick things off by getting Marcus to break down his shows before diving headfirst into the big question: what actually is a short game? Is it a couple of hours? A single sitting? Or just anything that doesn’t demand a lifestyle change?   From there, we get into what makes shorter games compelling, how retro titles managed to be both brutally difficult and over in an afternoon, and why that balance still works. Naturally, we touch upon the age-old “value for money” debate.   We also chat about whether critics are finally giving shorter experiences a fair shake and which genres feel tailor-made for a tighter runtime.   And, of course, we round things out by shouting out some of our favourite short games—the ones that didn’t overstay their welcome and left us wanting more.   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino Marcus - @marcusoneill79   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia

Having recently had the opportunity to visit the Pokémon x Natural History Museum experience in London, Brendan is grilled by self-professed Pokémon fanatic Zach on the experience. Tune in to hear all about the Pokémon pop-up store, alongside a discussion of the recent 'Game Worlds' exhibition which just finished its run at ACMI in Melbourne, Australia.     Consider this episode a time capsule of our respective experiences at each of these events.    Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia

With Pokémon celebrating its 30th anniversary, we decided to mark this auspicious occasion by inviting Zach's friend Cam onto the podcast. Cam, who has experience playing both Pokémon video game and Pokémon TCG competitively, having previously attended a Pokémon Worlds in San Francisco, shares his experiences and memories of playing Pokémon competitively and the broader Australian scene.    Additionally, we all reflect on our experiences with the franchise, our thoughts on the newly announced generation and Zach's newly acquired miniature Gameboy that can play Pokémon music!   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino Cam   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia

On the latest episode of Blowing Cartridges, we were joined by Jon from Hype Factor: A Fantasy Critic Podcast for our second Fantasy Critic inspired podcast episode.   Do indie games automatically receive lower aggregate review scores than major triple A games? Are there definitive truths and maxims when trying to predict the future aggregate score for a video game? Are genre, publisher or developer overriding factors that add or subtract weight from an aggregate score? What are some of the 2026 games that we think are worth considering if you are a fantasy critic player? Tune in to hear our respective takes on these topics and more!   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino Jon - @jon32.bsky.social   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia

2025 was a year of highs and troubling lows for the gaming industry. Join us as with returning guest and friend of the show Mario (not that one) we break down everything that defined gaming this past year—from the fastest console launch in Nintendo history to the biggest leveraged takeover Wall Street has ever seen.   We explore the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 (3.5 million units in its first week), EA's $55 billion Saudi-led acquisition, and the ongoing wave of industry-wide layoffs. We discuss long-awaited releases like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Metroid Prime 4, discuss the $80 game pricing controversy, and examine the rise in prices in our hobby.    Finally, we discuss some of the major releases of 2025 - including our highlights on the year in gaming that was 2025.    Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia

To start 2026 off with a topical bang, we dive into a topic close to the heart of every Nintendo fan. Is it possible to predict that airing of Nintendo Directs? Is there truly a pattern that Nintendo follows?   Joining us for this episode is Josh from Nintendo Maniacs and the House of Mario. Spreadsheet in hand, we briefly discuss the history of Nintendo Directs, how they have changed over the past 15+ years, and their ongoing legacy.    Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via Bluesky or X @blowcartpod or email at [email protected]   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino Josh- @Nintendomaniacs   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia

As an early Christmas present for all our listeners, our annual Video Game Music (VGM) episode returns once again! As is the tradition, we are thrilled to have John back to join us as we dive into discussing and celebrating the nuances of VGM. This year, Zach has challenged us with the theme of his choice - loading screen/waiting music.    From heartwarming finales to epic outros with equally epic vocal accompaniments, we’re exploring the tracks that leave lasting impressions long after the game is over. Join us as we s   Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via twitter @blowcartpod or email at [email protected]   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino John - @AuraPaladin Sporcle - John's Video Game Music Quiz   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia   Tracks played in this episode: Sanxion - Rob Hubbard (C64) Loading Loop - The Sims Paddock - Kirby Air Riders Lobby - Fibbage 4 Systems Ready - Earthion Loading 3 - MySims Empire of Eternal Night (Central Park - Attack) - Marvel Rivals The Burning Legion - World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Load Game - Stardew Valley Preparations - Fire Emblem Engage

With the Xbox 360 celebrating its 20th birthday this year (and the original Xbox celebrating its 25th birthday next year), Microsoft's console endeavours appear at a crossroads. Whether they will continue producing dedicated console hardware remains an open question given their pivot towards a subscription model couple with publishing their games on non-Microsoft platforms.    Joined by returning guest Luke (Lvaneede), we trace our mutual experience with Xbox over the past 25 years, our thoughts on their past, present and future trajectory while also considering the question of what a console is - and whether everything truly can be a Xbox.    Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via Bluesky or X @blowcartpod or email at [email protected]   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino Luke - @adeeelnv   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia

Taking a trip down memory lane, we are joined by friend of the show Justin, who over a 15-year period collected every Nintendo 64 game released in Australia.    We dive deep into the highs, lows, surprises, and holy grails - as Justin shares what it really takes to track down the entire N64 library.   Grab your favourite three-pronged controller and blow the dust out of that cartridge. This one is for the collectors, enthusiasts, and anyone who still hears “It’s-a-me!” when they boot up a console.   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino Justin   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, we take a closer look at the shoot 'em up (or shmup) genre, one of gaming’s oldest and most enduring genres. Joined by Sanatana Mishra, game developer at Witch Beam Games, we use his first-hand insight in developing Assault Android Cactus to have a wide-ranging discussion.   We discuss what defines a shmup, the key archetypes that make up the genre, and how these games have changed over time. Sanatana also offers thoughts on where the genre stands today and what its future might look like.   Whether you're familiar with shmups or just interested in learning more about a niche but influential corner of video game history, this episode offers an in-depth analysis of a genre that continues to evolve in its own way.   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino Sanatana Mishra - @witchbeam.com.au   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia

On this special episode of Blowing Cartridges, we're joined by Drew Agnew, host of The House of Mario podcast, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Super Mario.   We dive into the latest Nintendo Direct and unpack all the Mario-related announcements. Sharing our earliest and fondest memories of the mustachioed plumber, we reflect on Mario's continued staying power not just in gaming but as a multimedia phenomenon.    From 8-bit roots to theme parks and cinematic stardom, we discuss how far Mario has come and where he might go next. What could his 50th anniversary look like? Tune in as always to hear our thoughtful ramblings!

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, we're joined by special guest NinStarRose—a former Australian competitive Mario Kart player, Mario Kart 8D AU/NZ Championship 2024 Finalist and Twitch streamer —to dive into the challenges and nuances of transitioning between new entries in multiplayer-focused games. Using Mario Kart as the main case study, we explore how changes in mechanics, balance, and community dynamics shape the player experience across generations. We also branch out to discuss Overwatch, League of Legends, World of Warcraft, Fortnite, and Super Smash Bros, examining how competitive players and casual fans alike adapt—or struggle to adapt—when their favorite games evolve.   Whether you're chasing leaderboards or just keeping up with your friends, this episode unpacks the dynamics of the ever-changing world of multiplayer gaming.   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino NinStarRose - @NinStarRose Twitch   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, we're joined by industry analyst from MST Financial David Gibson to dig into the investor side of the video game landscape.  With the Nintendo Switch 2 shaking up the scene, coupled with a looming trade war and the price increases from Nintendo's competitors, we discuss the dynamics driving some of these trends.    From console pricing strategies to game development budgets, David brings his investment and market expertise, together with his knowledge of the gaming sector to break down how companies are responding to consumer trends, inflation, the cost of game and hardware development and the ever-changing global market.    Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino David - @Gibbogame   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Game Land' by FoolBoyMedia