Arcade Couch

Explosion Network

Arcade Couch — News, reviews & spicy takes on the week in games. Arcade Couch is the Explosion Network’s premiere video games podcast featuring discussions on the latest games, tech, industry news and more. Available every Monday at 6 AM AEST/AEDT.

  1. 1 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    Tides of Tomorrow Review, Elden Ring Movie Cast & Black Flag Remake News | Arcade Couch

    We discuss the Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake, Tides of Tomorrow, and Vampire Crawlers. SHOW DOT POINTS The remake of Assassin's Creed Black Flag is highly anticipated. Black Flag was a turning point for the Assassin's Creed franchise. Shuhei Yoshida's departure reflects a shift in PlayStation's direction. Xbox Game Pass is undergoing significant changes, including a price drop. Nintendo is adjusting its pricing strategy for digital games. Splatoon Raiders is set to release as a single-player-focused game. The gaming industry is seeing a resurgence of interest in remakes. The future of Xbox exclusives remains uncertain under new leadership. The Elden Ring film is generating excitement among fans. The hosts emphasise the importance of storytelling in games. A24 is investing heavily in the Elden Ring adaptation. The cast for the Elden Ring film is impressive and diverse. Adapting video game lore into film presents unique challenges. Vampire Crawlers offers addictive gameplay reminiscent of its predecessor. Tides of Tomorrow explores interconnected narratives and player choices. The mechanics of Tides of Tomorrow reflect real-world issues. Player decisions in Tides of Tomorrow impact future gameplay experiences. Vampire Crawlers introduces card-based mechanics to dungeon crawling. The hosts express excitement for the upcoming game releases. The conversation highlights the evolving relationship between games and film. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant EPISODE TIMECODES 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:36 - Assassin's Creed Black Flag - Resynced 00:10:14 - Shuhei Yoshida Says He Was Fired 00:15:30 - Xbox Lowers Price of Game Pass Ultimate 00:21:35 - Splatoon Raiders Release Date 00:24:20 - Elden Ring Movie Begins Shooting 00:31:50 - Vampire Crawlers Impressions 00:40:50 - Tides Of Tomorrow Review 00:49:45 - Outro RESOURCES We've officially seen "ground-up remake" Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced in action | Eurogamer.net "I want to make the right decision, not the fastest decision" - Xbox's new boss Asha Sharma refuses to rule out the return of exclusive games Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Just Got A Massive Price Drop And Here's The New Aussie Pricing Splatoon Raiders Just Got A Release Date And 3 New Amiibo Are Coming Too Elden Ring movie cast announced, with Alien: Romulus, The Last of Us and Ex Machina actors all on board | Eurogamer.net CREDITS 🎵 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

    50 phút
  2. 19 THG 4

    Is Gaming Too Obsessed With Remakes? + Metro 2039 & Street Fighter Movie News | Arcade Couch

    We debate whether video game remakes/remasters are killing the industry and holding it back from bigger things. SHOW DOT POINTS Nostalgia can hinder innovation in gaming. Remakes are often more financially viable for publishers. There are still many original games being released. The gaming industry is risk-averse, favouring known properties. Development timelines have become excessively long. Creative direction is crucial for timely game production. Hiring more staff could alleviate development bottlenecks. The gaming community is still young and evolving. Stories in games are often retold, similar to other media. Metro 2039 reflects real-world issues and challenges. Metro Exodus introduces a new protagonist named Artem. The Street Fighter film aims to capture the essence of the game. The trailer for the Street Fighter film received positive feedback. Lana Del Rey will perform the title song for the Bond game. The return of composer David Arnold adds credibility to the Bond game. Wind Rose offers a unique pirate adventure experience. The game allows for both single-player and co-op gameplay. Community reactions to games can vary widely. The importance of character development in video games is emphasized. The hosts reflect on their different methods of discovering new games. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant RESOURCES Metro 2039 Is A Brand New Metro Game Influenced By Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine Street Fighter film gets new trailer full of roundhouses and explosions, plus a spot of mournful karaoke | Eurogamer.net 007 First Light title song will be performed by Lana Del Rey, while Bond film composer David Arnold returns to franchise after almost two decades | Eurogamer.net CREDITS 🎵 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

    49 phút
  3. 12 THG 4

    Disney & Epic Games Team-Up, Gran Turismo 7 Player Scans & Pokémon Champions Impressions | Arcade Couch Podcast

    Dylan and Ashley discuss the news surrounding Disney and Epic Games teaming up for a new crossover, in addition to the current Fortnite one.  Plus, Dylan dives into Pokémon Champions, gives his wrap-up thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem, and talks to Ashley about the latest idea from PlayStation—adding scans of real people to their games. SHOW DOT POINTS Dylan expresses frustration over being called the 'Easter Grinch' for missing a podcast. Ashley finds the idea of a Disney IP-based extraction shooter to be bizarre. Dylan recalls the combat mechanics of Disney Infinity as a precedent for how Disney characters fight. The duo discusses the potential revenue impact of Disney's partnership with Epic Games. Dylan criticises Epic Games for laying off employees despite upcoming collaborations with Disney. Ashley highlights the importance of vetting participants in Sony's new player engagement initiative. Dylan questions the motivations behind Sony's player base initiative. Ashley suggests that the initiative could be a way to promote Gran Turismo 7. Dylan and Ashley joke about the absurdity of interview answers for the player base initiative. The conversation reflects on the evolving landscape of gaming and corporate strategies. The film Exit 8 has received critical acclaim, achieving a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Resident Evil's gameplay effectively balances action and survival horror elements. The pacing between characters in Resident Evil enhances the overall experience. Pokémon Champions allows for extensive customisation of Pokémon stats and moves. The game introduces a new competitive format for Pokémon battles. Players can bring their Pokémon from previous games into Pokémon Champions. The game features a unique mechanic where players can see their opponent's team before battle. Pokémon Champions aims to be the new standard for competitive Pokémon play. The meta in competitive Pokémon will evolve with new game releases. The launch of Pokémon Champions has faced some technical issues, but it shows promise. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley RESOURCES Fortnite's Toy Story Crossover Is Taking Things To Infinity And Beyond A Disney-Themed Extraction Shooter Is Reportedly In Development PlayStation Fans Can Now Be Scanned Into Games Exit 8 Is Now The Highest Rated Video Game Film Adaptation Ever Exit 8 Review [MIFF 2025] - Explosion Network CREDITS 🎵 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

    47 phút
  4. 5 THG 4

    The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Splits Internet & New The Lord of The Rings Games In Development

    The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is already proving to be a big success at the box office, but its quality is splitting the internet. Embracer may have 2 prominent studios working on The Lord of the Rings games, and Ciaran shares his impressions of Screamer YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant CONTENT MENTIONED The Super Mario Galaxy Movie - Starts Better & Then Ends Worse | Animated Wonders EPISODE TIMECODES 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:41 - The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Makes Money Despite Reviews 00:07:59 - Amazon want Mass Effect TV Series rewritten to appeal to non- gamers 00:12:39 - Embracer May Have 2 Lord of the Rings games in the works 00:25:12 - 2025 Xbox Games Showcase Date Has Been Locked In 00:33:39 - Xbox FanFest Is Coming to Sydney in 2026 00:36:44 - Peak Devs Say 'Any Update Is a Bonus, Not a Right.' 00:40:19 - Mass Layoffs at Eidos Montreal After Game Cancellation 00:44:36 - Ciaran’s Screamer Impressions 00:50:45 - outro RESOURCES The Super Mario Galaxy Movie breaks records with $34m opening despite "unfavourable" reviews Mass Effect TV show ordered to rewrite scripts and make them "more appealing to non-gamers" Kingdom Come: Deliverance Devs Working on LOTR Game, It's Claimed  Following rumours of Warhorse Studios visiting Middle-earth, Tomb Raider developer  EXCLUSIVE: Veteran Studio Working On New Lord of the Rings Game  The 2026 Xbox Games Showcase Has Been Dated Alongside A Direct For Gears Of War: E-Day  Xbox FanFest is coming to Australia later in 2026 | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and Games Peak devs remind players that 'any update is a bonus not a right' Eidos Montreal To Lay Off 124 Employees EXCLUSIVE: Eidos Montreal Cancels 7+ Year In-Development Title That Cost Hundreds of Millions CREDITS 🎵 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

    52 phút
  5. 29 THG 3

    Life is Strange: Reunion Impressions, PS5 Price Increase & Xbox Partner Preview Breakdown

    We discuss Life is Strange: Reunion, impressions, and its lack of marketing, go over the recent PlayStation console price increase, and break down the Xbox Partner Preview. SHOW DOT POINTS PlayStation has increased the prices of its consoles due to global economic pressures. Early adopters of gaming consoles benefit from price increases for new buyers. Nintendo's pricing strategy for digital vs physical games may influence consumer choices. The Xbox showcase featured several new game announcements, but overall reactions were mixed. The Super Mario Bros Galaxy movie is set to release soon, generating excitement among fans. Digital games often provide a cost advantage over physical copies, especially for Nintendo titles. The gaming industry is adapting to economic challenges by adjusting pricing strategies. Collectors value physical copies of games, particularly for Nintendo consoles. Marketing strategies for game releases are evolving, with teasers and character reveals becoming common. The potential for a Smash Bros-style movie is a topic of speculation among fans. Nintendo and Illumination could create a cinematic universe. Excitement for the new animated movie is palpable. Concerns about the upcoming film having too many characters. Yoshi's presence in the movie is a highlight for fans. Star Fox's return is a significant topic in gaming news. The gaming industry is facing major layoffs and closures. Ocarina of Time remake could be a big deal for fans. The future of live service games is uncertain. The impact of Fortnite's decline on the gaming industry is concerning. Upcoming releases like Pokémon Champions are generating buzz. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley EPISODE TIMECODES 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:10 - Console Price Increases 00:14:25 - Xbox Partner Showcase: March 2026 00:28:25 - Fox McLoud is in Mario Galaxy Movie 00:34:20 - New StarFox & Ocarina of Time Remake Rumours 00:42:25 - Studio Clorsures & Layoffs 00:52:10 - Life is Strange: Reunion Impressions RESOURCES Here's The New Aussie Prices For The PS5, PS5 Pro And PlayStation Portal Nintendo Switch 2 Game Prices Are Changing With Digital Games To Be Cheaper Everything Announced At The March 2026 Xbox Partner Preview All-new Star Fox and Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake reportedly set for Switch 2 release this year | Eurogamer.net Glen Powell is voicing Starfox's Fox McCloud in the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy movie | Eurogamer.net Wanderstop studio Ivy Road to close after funding for second game "didn't come to fruition" | Eurogamer.net Krafton cancels F2P PUBG spin-off PUBG: Blindspot after just 2 months | Eurogamer.net Fortnite-maker Epic Games lays off another 1,000 staff CREDITS 🎵 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

    1 giờ 6 phút
  6. 22 THG 3

    Are We Playing Real Games Anymore? DLSS 5 Discussion

    We discuss DLSS 5 and how it's adding to the AI slopness of the game industry. SHOW DOT POINTS The introduction of DLSS5 has sparked significant backlash from gamers. AI technology in gaming can alter the original artistic intent of games. NVIDIA's DLSS5 aims to enhance graphics but raises concerns about photorealism. The gaming industry is experiencing a wave of layoffs and restructuring. Ubisoft's Red Storm Entertainment has shifted focus to tech support roles. Crystal Dynamics has faced multiple rounds of layoffs in a year. Leadership indecisiveness can lead to repeated layoffs and restructuring. The gaming community is critical of unnecessary technological advancements. There is a call for better management practices in gaming studios. The future of beloved franchises like Splinter Cell remains uncertain. The wealthy elite often rely on bonuses to maintain their lifestyle. Japanese publisher Atlas is raising salaries and reducing overtime. Staff retention is crucial for efficient game development. The rapid release of games in Japan contrasts with Western studios. Anticipation for Persona Six is high among fans. Starfield is set to release on PS5 soon. Nintendo Switch 2 has received a notable update. Refunding games on Steam can be a necessary choice. Supporting indie developers is important for the gaming ecosystem. April is packed with exciting game releases. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant CREDITS 🎵 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

    46 phút
  7. 8 THG 3

    Indie World Surprises + Pokémon Pokopia First Reactions

    We discuss the Nintendo Indie World for March 2026 and dive into the wonderful world ready to explore in Pokémon Pokopia. SHOW DOT POINTS The Indie World Showcase featured a variety of new indie games. Dylan expressed excitement for the game Densha Attack. The game My Little Puppy has a unique premise involving dogs and heaven. Heave Ho 2 was announced, continuing the multiplayer co-op experience. Moonlighter 2 is set to release on Nintendo Switch in 2026. Dylan shared his thoughts on the shadow drop trend in gaming. Rumours suggest the next God of War game will feature Faye as the lead character. The gaming community has mixed reactions to the idea of a female lead in God of War. Capcom's recent showcase highlighted announcements for Mega Man and Resident Evil. Ubisoft announced a remake of Assassin's Creed Black Flag, raising questions about their choice. Assassin's Creed Black Flag remains a fan favourite. New titles like Hex and Invictus are on the horizon for Assassin's Creed. Live service games face high risks and rewards in the gaming industry. Local events like Level Up Tasmania support game development communities. Pokémon Pokopia has received high praise and is the highest-rated Pokémon game to date. The gameplay in Pokopia allows for creative environmental interactions. Scott Pilgrim EX expands on the beloved original game with new content. The emotional storytelling in games is becoming more prominent. The gaming community is eager for new multiplayer experiences. Game reviews provide insights into the evolving landscape of gaming. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley EPISODE TIMECODES 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:30 - Nintendo Indie World Showcase 00:13:45 - God of War Spin-Off Rumours 00:20:50 - Capcom Spotlight  00:25:20 - Assassin's Creed Black Flag Remake Is 100% Real 00:30:50 - Highguard Is Now Being Shutdown 00:35:10 - Level Up Tasmania Is Back 00:36:00 - Pokémon Pokopia Impressions 00:48:50 - Poker Night at the Inventory & Scott Pilgrim EX Reviews 00:51:10 - Outro RESOURCES Everything Announced at the March 2026 Indie World Showcase - Explosion Network The next God of War game stars a new protagonist rather than Kratos, insider claims, and will be revealed this year | Eurogamer.net Capcom Spotlight March – All the Trailers and Announcements - Explosion Network Ubisoft Confirms Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Remake - Explosion Network Two Months Later, Highguard Is Already Closing - Explosion Network Level Up Tasmania 2026 Dates Confirmed for April 17–18 - Explosion Network Poker Night at the Inventory Review - Explosion Network Scott Pilgrim EX Review - Explosion Network CREDITS 🎵 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

    52 phút

Giới Thiệu

Arcade Couch — News, reviews & spicy takes on the week in games. Arcade Couch is the Explosion Network’s premiere video games podcast featuring discussions on the latest games, tech, industry news and more. Available every Monday at 6 AM AEST/AEDT.