Culture Cretins

Nathan
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Video Games

Join Will and Nathan on "Culture Cretins," a lively podcast where two friends dive into the world of pop culture, video games, movies, and media reviews. From the nostalgic charm of Pokémon to the epic adventures of Voltron and Gundam, they explore the franchises that shape our cultural landscape. Each episode offers spirited discussions on the latest trends, controversies, and innovations in entertainment, with a focus on what makes these stories resonate with fans. Whether you're a die-hard gamer, a movie buff, or just curious about the next big thing, "Culture Cretins" delivers insightful commentary and engaging debates. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the media you love and discover new favorites along the way. Perfect for fans of Stranger Things, Pokémon, and beyond, this podcast is your gateway to understanding the cultural phenomena that captivate us all. Join the conversation and become a part of the "Culture Cretins" community today!

  1. How To Start Reading Comics Without Going Broke

    May 19

    How To Start Reading Comics Without Going Broke

    Comic books can feel like a locked room: 80 years of history, thousands of issues, constant reboots, and price tags that add up fast. We’re two longtime superhero fans who got into comics the hard way, and we’re sharing the shortcuts that finally made reading fun instead of stressful. We start with the real beginner problem: where do you even begin with characters like Batman or Spider-Man? We talk through starting points that actually work, why celebrated story arcs and collected editions beat hunting random back issues, and how trade paperbacks and graphic novels help you follow “main storylines” without getting trapped by crossovers. If you’ve ever felt like comics demand a second job and a second wallet, this is the reset. Then we get practical about money and access: digital comics, major app sales, subscription services like Marvel Unlimited, and why your public library might be the most underrated comic shop in town. We also dig into the collecting side, from variant covers and foil editions to the joy of displaying single issues as affordable wall art, plus the reality check that comics usually aren’t a reliable investment. We wrap with tips for finding a welcoming local comic book store, setting up a pull list, storing issues safely, and a quick PSA for parents about content and maturity levels. If you want a clear, budget-friendly way to start reading comics and stick with it, hit play, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review. What series are you trying to break into right now?

    1h 33m
  2. Mario Galaxy Movie Breakdown

    May 12

    Mario Galaxy Movie Breakdown

    People are genuinely mad about a Mario movie, and we can’t stop talking about it. We sit down with our first-ever guest, Chandler, to review the Super Mario Galaxy movie and unpack the strangest part of its reception: how a bright, funny, family-friendly video game movie can be massively successful and still attract intense online rage. We get into what actually makes this sequel work, including the upgraded story momentum, the way it balances references without drowning in them, and why Illumination’s animation polish matters more than most reviews admit. We also nerd out over the soundtrack choices, those quick Mario music stings that slide into fresh arrangements, and the small details that make the Mushroom Kingdom feel lived-in instead of staged. If you care about video game movie adaptations, this is a great case study in “game feel” done right. Spoilers start early as we break down the full plot: Rosalina and the Comet Observatory opening, Peach’s mission to Gateway Galaxy, Bowser Jr.’s attack, and the escalating set pieces that pull from Galaxy, Odyssey, Wonder, and Mario Maker style design. We talk Bowser’s brief attempt at growth, the father-son dynamic that yanks him back into old habits, the casino deep cuts, and the Star Fox cameo that had us begging for a spinoff. We also react to the post-credits scenes, including the surprisingly dark Luma gag and the Daisy tease. Listen, then share your rating out of ten, subscribe for more movie reviews and Nintendo talk, and leave a review if you want Chandler to come back for the next one.

    1h 24m
  3. Bat-Family Favorites

    Apr 27

    Bat-Family Favorites

    A simple question derails fast: who are our favorite DC Comics characters? We start with “let’s be fair” rules across comics, cartoons, movies, and games, then immediately run into the truth every DC fan knows, Gotham has an unfair amount of the best characters. What follows is a rapid-fire tour through the parts of DC we keep coming back to, with plenty of strong opinions on writing, character growth, and the adaptations that actually stick. We open with Deathstroke because Slade Wilson is one of the rare villains who feels dangerous in any format. From the Teen Titans cartoon to comic runs to Injustice, we dig into what makes him intimidating, why his design works, and why that “Haunted” episode lives rent-free in our heads. Then we jump into Red Hood and the messy legacy of Jason Todd, including the infamous fan phone vote, and why we prefer him when he grows into a mentor instead of staying trapped in endless Bat Family conflict. From there, it’s all the Batman-adjacent favorites that prove DC’s strength: Terry McGinnis in Batman Beyond as a consistently compelling successor, Cassandra Cain as an independent force with a standout look and voice, and Catwoman’s long arc from villain to ally. We also hit big lore swings like Zur-En-Arrh Batman, argue about what modern remixes like Absolute Batman are trying to do, and toss out a few spicy “we could do without them” picks along the way. If you like DC character deep dives, Batman lore, Teen Titans nostalgia, and comic-book adaptation debates, hit play. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend who’ll argue back, and leave a review with your #1 DC pick. Who’s on your list?

    1h 13m
  4. Pokemon Champions Reality Check

    Apr 21

    Pokemon Champions Reality Check

    Pokémon Champions looks like the clean, modern home for Pokémon battling, and for a minute it feels that way. We jump in with real first impressions and quickly hit the weird contradiction: the game hands you a gym leader premise and a “champion-level” setup, then gives you almost nothing to do besides online battles. If you love competitive Pokémon, ranked ladders, quick matches, and tweaking teams, you’ll hear why the core battling is genuinely strong. If you play Pokémon for collecting, training, and the journey, you’ll hear exactly where the excitement drops off. We break down what the game gets right (battle flow, time limits, customization, approachable visuals across Switch, iOS, and Android) and what makes it feel barebones (tutorial overload, unclear training, no story mode, no NPC battles, limited long-term goals). We also talk free-to-play monetization, battle passes, memberships, and why Pokémon Home connectivity helps but still leaves the experience feeling disconnected from the broader series. Then we widen out into the rest of our current media spiral: Mafia games as story-driven comfort, travel gaming and Switch battery reality, Mega Man X and Persona 4 Golden updates, the eternal “should we delete Fortnite” debate, plus what we’re watching right now. We get into Star Wars Maul curiosity, Mario movie hype, and the darker side of big entertainment companies with Disney layoffs and the push toward AI in film and TV production. We cap it off with some all-time bad movie memories and set up a DC character conversation that we save for part two. Subscribe for part two, share this with the friend who lives for Pokémon PvP, and leave a review with your biggest fix for Pokémon Champions: what would make you actually stick with it?

    1h 11m
  5. Pokemon Hot Takes

    Apr 14

    Pokemon Hot Takes

    If you’ve ever heard “Bulbasaur is the best Kanto starter” and thought… are we sure, this one is for you. We get unserious fast with a full Chikorita hate bit, but it turns into a surprisingly detailed episode about Pokemon taste, game design, and why some opinions stick for life.  We walk through our biggest Pokemon hot take: Bulbasaur is arguably the worst starter pick for Pokemon Red and Blue and the FireRed and LeafGreen remakes when you judge it by real playthrough performance. We talk early fights, move options, type matchups, gym order, and why the Elite Four can be brutal for a Grass Poison line. Then we compare that with Squirtle as a practical choice, including why Blastoise’s consistency and coverage make Kanto smoother even when you still need a few smart team pickups.  After that, we unload on Gen 5 Black and White. From the stretched pixel look and moving UI to the “regional dex only” gamble, we debate why Unova feels off, why some designs land while others don’t, and how the whole era went from bargain bin to inflated resale myth. We also get into the Rotom phone problem, the way modern Pokemon menus feel shoehorned, and why older games made the world feel more mysterious even with simpler designs.  If you’re here for starter debates, Gen 5 arguments, FireRed LeafGreen nostalgia, and blunt Pokemon design opinions, hit subscribe, share this with a friend who will disagree, and leave a review. What’s your single hottest Pokemon take that you’ll defend forever?

    1h 14m
  6. Batman Loves Dinosaurs And Cup Holders: Batman Universe

    Apr 7

    Batman Loves Dinosaurs And Cup Holders: Batman Universe

    A Batman comic that moves like an action movie, reads like a mystery, and still makes us laugh is rare, so we had to talk about Batman Universe by Brian Michael Bendis and Nick Derington. We’re not doing a formal review, but we do dig into why this six-issue, self-contained DC Comics story hits so hard: Batman chasing the Riddler, a stolen Fabergé egg that scrambles minds, and a reality-warping pursuit that yanks Bruce through places like Gorilla City, the Wild West, and even Dinosaur Island. We get into the craft behind what makes it work: pacing that’s fast but complete, cameos that feel earned, and humor that sounds like Batman instead of a forced joke machine. We also nerd out about the art and page layouts, plus the little characterization touches that make this version of Batman feel sharp, human, and deadpan in the best way. And yes, we eventually talk spoilers, including the payoff behind the egg and why Vandal Savage becomes such a strong threat. Batman Universe does everything so well it makes us wonder, what if Batman's best story is fun? Then, because this is Culture Cretins, we close by pivoting into pure chaos: a cereal tier list, the lore of cereal mascots, and ranking some truly cursed Pokémon mascot suits, plus a quick look at how we’re planning upcoming episodes and shorts. If you like Batman comics, comic book recommendations, and nerdy side quests, you’ll fit right in. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves Batman, and leave a review telling us your favorite Batman run or the cereal you’re willing to defend.

    1h 14m
  7. Gundam I Review

    Mar 31

    Gundam I Review

    War starts fast in the Universal Century, and Gundam I doesn’t let you look away for long. We finally sit down with the first Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 compilation film, starting at Side 7 and racing into the White Base escape, the RX-78-2 Gundam reveal, and a conflict that’s already eaten half the population. One of us watched a cleaner dub, the other suffered through a rougher one, so you’ll hear us compare how presentation changes the feel of the same story. From there, we get honest about what lands and what doesn’t. The big themes are strong: war is brutal, civilians become collateral, and a kid like Amuro Ray gets pushed into decisions no teenager should have to make. But we also wrestle with the pacing and repetitive “battle of the week” rhythm, plus character beats that can feel brushed over. Along the way we shout out Fraw Bow for holding everyone together, break down Bright Noa’s trial-by-fire command style, and unpack why Char Aznable’s manipulation makes him instantly magnetic. We also nerd out on classic mecha anime details: Zaku versus Gundam power scaling, the Gouf showing up like a problem the hero can’t brute-force, and the Universal Century idea that companies like Anaheim Electronics can profit while both sides bleed. Then we zoom out into animation era talk, music choices, and why later Gundam entries like Zeta Gundam tend to feel sharper and easier to watch. If you’re a Gundam fan, a mecha anime newcomer, or just curious why Gundam 0079 still matters, come hang with us. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest Gundam hot take.

    1h 39m
  8. We Revisit The Series That Raised Us

    Mar 24

    We Revisit The Series That Raised Us

    Some shows don’t just entertain us, they wire in our sense of humor, heroism, and what “good storytelling” feels like. We’re tracing the formative TV shows that built our brains, starting with the animated heavy hitters that never talked down to their audience. We dig into the DC Animated Universe and why Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited still set the bar for tone, music, and character. From there we jump to Teen Titans and the arcs that land because they actually take growth seriously. Then we pull back the curtain on the less-fun side of nostalgia: toy licensing and merchandising, how it can cancel great cartoons, and why the Optimus Prime era of Transformers still sparks real debate decades later. The nostalgia tour keeps rolling through video store rentals, Nickelodeon classics, and the theme songs that refuse to leave your head, before Toonami opens the door to anime and later favorites like Evangelion. We also hit modern staples like Gravity Falls, Voltron: Legendary Defender, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, plus a spicy Stranger Things season breakdown and a final detour into Power Rangers helmets and collector logic. If you’ve ever go back and rewatch a “kids show,” this one is for you. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend who would argue with your top five, and leave a review. What are the five most formative TV shows of your life?

    1h 16m
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About

Join Will and Nathan on "Culture Cretins," a lively podcast where two friends dive into the world of pop culture, video games, movies, and media reviews. From the nostalgic charm of Pokémon to the epic adventures of Voltron and Gundam, they explore the franchises that shape our cultural landscape. Each episode offers spirited discussions on the latest trends, controversies, and innovations in entertainment, with a focus on what makes these stories resonate with fans. Whether you're a die-hard gamer, a movie buff, or just curious about the next big thing, "Culture Cretins" delivers insightful commentary and engaging debates. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the media you love and discover new favorites along the way. Perfect for fans of Stranger Things, Pokémon, and beyond, this podcast is your gateway to understanding the cultural phenomena that captivate us all. Join the conversation and become a part of the "Culture Cretins" community today!

Information

  • Creator
    Nathan
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Culture Cretins
  • Show Website
    Culture Cretins