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. 3d ago

    Did Xbox Win Summer Game Fest? Nintendo Direct & Xbox Showcase Reactions | Arcade Couch

    We discuss the Xbox Games Showcase and the Nintendo Direct that were part of Summer Game Fest 2026 week. SHOW DOT POINTS Summer Game Fest has replaced E3 as the main gaming showcase. September is packed with game releases, making it a busy month for gamers. The hosts express mixed feelings about the Wolverine game being more linear. Kieran shares excitement for the game Dawn of the Bloodwalker. The gaming community is buzzing with anticipation for upcoming titles. Predictions for game announcements can lead to surprising outcomes. The hosts reflect on their gaming experiences and recent titles they've played. Nintendo Direct revealed several new games and expansions for the Switch. The conversation highlights the importance of game reviews in a crowded market. Kieran wins the predictions game, showcasing his knowledge of upcoming titles. Jiu-Jitsu Kaisen is a unique blend of genres. Nintendo's remastering strategy keeps its classics relevant. Final Fantasy is embracing a new art style with 2D HD. Splatoon is introducing single-player elements to its gameplay. Kingdom Hearts 4 is generating excitement for its release. The Ocarina of Time remake is highly anticipated by fans. The Xbox showcase featured impressive new titles and gameplay. Fable's new mechanics offer deeper player interactions. Halo is expanding its campaign with new missions. Persona 4 Revival aims to attract both new and returning players. The ending of Persona Five has significant changes that impact the narrative. Updates in gaming often signal a winding down of developer support. New trailers for upcoming games generate excitement among fans. Cult-themed games are becoming more popular in multiplayer formats. Ninja Theory's future hinges on the success of Senua's Saga. DLCs can be challenging for players who have forgotten the game mechanics. Generative AI is being used to enhance game development processes. Xbox's anniversary collection showcases nostalgia for long-time fans. Australian game development is gaining recognition with new titles. The pacing of game showcases can affect audience engagement. 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

    1h 18m
  2. May 24

    Destiny 2’s Future, PlayStation State of Play Predictions & Forza Horizon 6 Impressions | Arcade Couch

    We discuss Destiny's future, GTA VI release date, and Ciaran has impressions of Forza Horizon 6. SHOW DOT POINTS Destiny 2 is ending support, marking a significant moment for the franchise. Bungie's future projects may focus on new IPs under PlayStation's ownership. The PlayStation State of Play event is set to showcase major upcoming titles. Forza Horizon 6 offers a rich exploration of Japanese culture and car culture. The hosts express concern over the future of Bungie and its franchises. PlayStation's strategy may shift back to focusing on single-player experiences. The gaming industry is competitive, with many titles vying for player attention. The importance of maintaining player engagement in live service games is emphasised. Forza Horizon 6 is praised for its gameplay and soundtrack. The hosts speculate on potential announcements at the State of Play event. Cirarn lent his Steam Deck to a friend for gaming. Xbox has officially rebranded to all caps based on fan feedback. Matthew Ball joins Xbox to address market challenges. The gaming industry is competing with gambling and social media for attention. GTA 6 is expected to release on November 19, 2026. The hosts speculate on the impact of new leadership at Xbox. There is a growing trend of multiplayer games over single-player experiences. The excitement for single-player games among younger audiences is declining. Cirarn plans to take time off to play GTA 6 upon release. The hosts discuss the potential purchase of a PS5 Pro. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant RESOURCES After numerous delays, new GTA 6 pre-order leaks suggest November release date finally locked in, and further delays unlikely Xbox is now XBOX, apparently | Eurogamer.net Xbox hires analyst who said games were losing the attention battle with gambling, crypto and porn as chief strategy officer in another leadership revamp | Eurogamer.net A 60+ Minute PlayStation State Of Play Has Been Revealed And Here's All The Aussie Times Bungie Is Ending Support For Destiny 2 To Focus On New Projects 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

    48 min
  3. May 3

    Saros Impressions, Resident Evil Movie News & Blood of Dawnwalker Release Date | Arcade Couch

    Dylan shares his impressions of Saros so far and discusses the latest gaming news and upcoming releases for May 2026 with Ashley. SHOW DOT POINTS Saros is a follow-up to Returnal with new gameplay mechanics. The game features a mix of story and exploration. Boss fights in Saros have multiple stages that increase in complexity. The pacing of Saros allows for breaks and upgrades between runs. Comparisons to Returnal highlight differences in difficulty and structure. The Resident Evil movie aims to tell a new story within the franchise. Audience expectations can impact their enjoyment of adaptations. Creative freedom in adaptations can lead to unique storytelling. The film's release is generating positive buzz among fans. Fast production turnaround shows the director's commitment. Blood of Dawnwalker is set to release on September 3rd. The game features a unique hybrid gameplay mechanic. Players can choose to complete the plot or explore romance options. The game is developed by a team with a strong pedigree from CD Projekt Red. The setting of Blood of Dawnwalker is distinct from The Witcher. The hosts express excitement about the upcoming May game releases. There is a competitive landscape with titles like Fable and Grand Theft Auto 6. The gameplay allows for distinct player experiences based on choices. Community engagement is encouraged for feedback on anticipated games. The hosts are cautiously optimistic about the upcoming releases. YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley  RESOURCES Dark fantasy vampire RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker gets a release date and an autumn showdown with Fable | Eurogamer.net https://press-start.com.au/news/2026/05/01/the-first-trailer-for-zach-creggers-resident-evil-movie-is-here/ Games Coming Out In May 2026 That You Should Be Excited For 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

    40 min
  4. Apr 26

    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 min

About

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.