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In Episode 130, Spencer and I settle into a long, thoughtful conversation about Dragon Quest VII, why comfort and tradition still matter in JRPGs, and how remakes should evolve without losing their identity. From there, we talk candidly about indie coverage, media burnout, Square Enix’s struggles with smaller games, and how traffic incentives quietly shape what gets covered. It’s a loose, reflective episode about taste, responsibility, and loving games for the right reasons.

In the first episode of the year, Spencer and I ease back in by talking about holiday games, including Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D and revisiting classic Final Fantasy. From there, the conversation turns into a long discussion about AI tools in games, Sony’s rumored AI player bot, and why accessibility options don’t need to threaten how anyone else plays. It’s a relaxed but thoughtful episode about time, burnout, and what players actually want from games in 2026.

In episode 128 of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I start in a reflective place, talking about personal growth, burnout, confidence, and learning how to stop catastrophizing your own success. From there, the episode shifts into a long, unfiltered breakdown of attending The Game Awards—what worked, what didn’t, and why the show continues to miss opportunities to support the developers who need it most. The episode closes with an on-site interview I conducted with IO Interactive during The Game Awards, focused on 007 First Light.

In episode 125 of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I get real about how Death Stranding 2 fell off the radar fast and what that says about how single-player games survive in today’s cycle. We talk about Kojima’s influence, why studios invest in his work beyond sales, and how remakes are teaching tools for younger developers. We also dig into the Final Fantasy series—what went wrong, what still works, and which entries hold up best.

In Episode 124 of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and Jesse dissect Ninja Gaiden 4’s questionable story DLC rollout, celebrate the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D remake’s stunning improvements, and debate why modern Pokémon feels like it’s lost its soul. With plenty of tangents on developer legacy, remake fatigue, and Game Freak’s 3D struggles, this one’s a must-listen for anyone passionate about where gaming is headed. 0:00 – Intro & catching up on PAX videos and Noisy News Week4:50 – Ninja Gaiden 4 talk: story DLC frustrations and gameplay praise14:00 – Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D remake impressions and improvements27:00 – Game Freak’s 3D problem and why Pokémon needs HD-2D34:18 - Yay or Nay light

In Episode 123 (Record October 15, 2025) of Unqualified Game Chat, Azario and Spencer talk about why indie developers deserve more credit, how gamers obsess over graphics, and why social media has made real discussions about games harder. They also go off on a few weird tangents. It’s raw, funny, and maybe a little too honest.

In this episode, Spencer and I dive deep into the existential dread of digital-only game ownership, the impending Switch 2 cartridge dilemma, and our full-on descent into the pixelated trenches of Digimon Story: Time Stranger. We reflect on the good, the grind, and the goofy, plus a little love for physical media, 7 years of Noisy Pixel, and why Angela Anaconda might’ve scarred us more than SkullGreymon. 0:00 – Intro & Disgaea 7 Unboxing Tease1:15 – Concerns About Switch 2 Game Keys & Digital Ownership10:00 – The Mental Burnout of Reviewing Long Games (Digimon + Atelier)12:40 – Digimon Fugue State: Playing Until Your Brain Melts17:00 – Noisy Pixel Turns 7 & Relaunching Noisy Newsweek24:00 – Digimon Movie Nostalgia, Soundtrack Talk, and Being DigiDestined27:00 – Digimon Story Time Stranger: Plot, Operators, and Voice Acting33:00 – Game Design Streamlining and Digivolution Mechanics36:00 – Hitting Rank 5 and the Deep Digivolution Grid=40:00 – Adult Life vs. Weekend-Long Game Binges

This week on Unqualified Game Chat, Azario and Spencer attempt to define the chaotic "Dragon Frequency" while battling embargo exhaustion. We dig into the surprising addictiveness of Atelier Resleriana, break down the unexpected joy of Sonic Racing Cross Worlds, and tease some spicy thoughts on Death Stranding 2. Also: Canadian Thanksgiving lore, back pain, and one very tall coworker. 00:00 Intro01:48 – Defining the Dragon Frequency07:57 – The Curse of September & Canadian Thanksgiving10:27 – Mark's Tallness & Camera-Induced Back Problems11:10 – Atelier Resleriana Impressions16:41 – Spencer's Early Thoughts on Death Stranding 218:48 – Sonic Racing Cross Worlds Review Talk21:58 – Comparing Sonic Racing to Kirby Air Ride and Mario Kart World23:45 – Hades 2, Favorite Series Hints, Too Many Games24:33 – Wrap-up & See You Next Week

In Episode 120 of Unqualified Game Chat, Azario and Spencer return with stories from the chaos of PAX: 50+ meetings, behind-the-scenes team hustle, and turning exhaustion into comedy. From hunting down the Red Bull Content Creator Club to filming a dream bit with Mega64’s Rocco, it’s a mix of grind and fun. They also dive into Yoshida-san’s surprise FFXIV interview, new reviews, Death Stranding impressions, and Gorillaz’ wild arrival in Fortnite.

In this episode of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I reunite to talk all things Switch 2, including the surprisingly low-key launch, our hands-on impressions (or lack thereof, in my case), and Nintendo’s ever-questionable release strategy. We also touch on our favorite games to play on the new hardware, debate the effectiveness of “mouse mode,” and explore the eternal frustration that is Joy-Con drift. Later in the episode, I dive into my review of Stellar Blade on PC (yes, it's sexy, and yes, I talk about it), and close things out with my thoughts on Summer Game Fest, including a raw, personal reflection on what it’s like to enjoy games while facing real-world chaos just outside the venue. This episode is a mix of laughs, insight, and a touch of heartfelt commentary on immigration and labor in America. One of our more balanced and real convos to date.

Spencer and I rip through the freshly announced Switch 2 lineup and decide which games get a day-one preorder and which earn a polite shrug. From Mario Kart World’s lackluster debut to the welcome return of Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD, we talk shop about platformers, RPGs, and every oddball reveal in between, plus some very serious flip-flop discourse. Join our chaotic deep-cut chat and see whether your hype meter matches ours.

In this week's episode of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I dive deep into our shared passion for weird and wonderful physical PlayStation games. I show off four recent pickups, from the speculative buy of Expedition 33 to the nostalgia-fueled Grandia 3, and we chat about the legacy of cult publisher Agetec and their early support of FromSoftware. We also discuss prepping for events like Summer Games Fest, our evolving thoughts on AI in game development, and the ethical tightrope of game coverage. Plus, I share early impressions of Pipistrello and the Cursed Yo-Yo, a rad little Yo-Yovania I can’t stop playing. It’s a chill, reflective episode that reminds me why I love doing this show. Also, Spencer’s shirt has Sonic on it. Iconic.

This week on Unqualified Game Chat, I talk about my recent trip to PAX East, the madness of trying to cover 47 games with a lean crew, and the anxiety (or lack thereof) that came with it. Spencer and I dive into the pressure of playing demos in front of devs, the value of indie game coverage, and why waiting for a sale might just be the smartest move in modern gaming. Plus, I share the chaotic journey I endured to get back home from Boston, complete with mechanical delays, missed flights, and a $500 United voucher. As always, we mix real talk with ramen recipes and nostalgia bombs.

Hey, everyone! In Episode 109 of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I cover everything from my 10-day streak on Duolingo learning Japanese (Nihongo for the win!) to a deep dive into Nintendo’s recent reveal of the Switch 2. We reflect on how the original Switch revolutionized hybrid gaming but can’t help critiquing the unimaginative name and lack of exciting innovations in the sequel. While the original Switch nailed the balance between portability and home gaming, the Switch 2 feels more like an incremental upgrade, raising questions about whether Nintendo is playing it too safe. We also chat about how much we miss the charm and personality of older consoles, like the Wii and 3DS, with their quirky themes and fun features. Beyond that, we get into some real talk about the challenges content creators face when it comes to sponsorships and journalistic integrity. To wrap things up, we look ahead with cautious optimism, hoping the Switch 2 will push developers to optimize games better—even if it’s missing the fun, creative spark we’ve come to love from Nintendo’s past.Key Topics 00:00 – Intro 13:09 – Live Streaming Reflections 15:13 – Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal 20:31 – The Charm of Past Consoles 35:37 – Switch 2 Speculations 41:13 – Closing Thoughts

The episode kicks off with Spencer and me addressing the wildfires affecting Los Angeles. We share our empathy for those impacted, reflecting on the challenges faced by residents and the inspiring unity shown during such crises. From there, we shift gears into a lighter mood, diving into our usual banter about gaming and streaming. Spencer shares his recent streaming adventures with Sonic Adventure and his ongoing quest to become a Twitch affiliate. Meanwhile, I talk about the technical hurdles I’ve faced setting up a multi-person stream and our exciting plans to dive into Hyper Light Drifter together. We also take a deep dive into our reviews of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, breaking down its narrative focus, gameplay mechanics, and how it manages to stand out from previous entries in the series. To wrap things up, we chat about upcoming projects and games we’re excited about—like Citizen Sleeper 2 and Sand Land—and reflect on some nostalgia-soaked moments from gaming culture.