The structure of the show is really tight, but it’s free enough to allow for banter and improvisational riffing. It never gets self indulgent because of that good structure always keeping them on the subject. The show opens with a “speed run“ where the hosts take turns or allow the guests to briefly recap the game. Sometimes this means the story sometimes it gets into the world building or gameplay, but basically they do a good job, setting the necessary context to understand their next section called “rants” were they just just go off on the games most notable features to them. This is what makes the subsequent discussions great is because they’re not going through a checklist where they analyze parts of the game the same every time they’re just analyzing the most notable features positive or negative. They get deeper into that discussion in the “game on” section. And finally they have “keep or delete“ where they imagine a kind of voyager, two spacecraft or permanent computer, hard drive or whatever and they have to decide whether this game should be one of the top one or 200 that represent all games. it’s just a truly great format that allows their personalities and opinions to shine, but allows the analysis to stay center stage. I truly hope they make some more of these.
These guys are brilliant, hilarious, good-nature, deep thinkers who also happen to be kids at heart. Do you know how hard it is to find that combination of qualities in video game podcast hosts!? There are so many truly lame, nearly unlistenable video game podcasts out there. This one stands head and shoulders above everything else. The energy, professionalism and depth of thought they bring to each topic compels me to listen to eps on games I've never played and have no interest in. Their special guests bring (almost) always fascinating counterpoints to the discussion.
Adam and Michael, please keep making episodes! This nerdy video game fan needs more content. You guys are the best and your show makes me happy. You're clearly awesome humans, and your hard work is deeply appreciated.
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I love the analysis and discussion about the medium, the narrative structure of the games, and each game’s place in the larger context of gaming. JRPGs are tragically under represented on the hard drive, though. I eagerly await the Chrono Trigger episode, maybe a discussion on the FF franchise?
I just finished listening to my first episode of 1UpsManship, the What Remains of Edith Finch episode, and I absolutely loved it! What Remains of Edith Finch is my favorite game ever, so much so that I'm writing a book about it. Michael loves the game. Adam says, and I fake quote: "Caleb is dumb and he should feel bad for having such a lame opinion. I'm team Michael, of course, but it's okay, I like swiming in Tears By Adam™ and I think, based on my limited experience with him, I can say that Adam loves to watch a person drown.
Michael and Adam have such a great dynamic between their differing viewpoints that it creates some truly meaningful exploration of video games as an artistic medium. I found this podcast back in June and I’m finally almost caught up, so worth it. I’ve gone back to a few games I already loved and played them with a fresh perspective, also have discovered some games I might not have played.
Just finished listening to the Mass Effect episode and you guys should check out the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy by Liu Cixin. It’s so good and comes at the question of life in the universe from a unique perspective that I found fascinating. Anyways, love your work!
If I had to, I would probably bet that these guys smell bad. But this podcast is really cool and they do a good job talking about games you’ve never heard of and games that you love.
Love this shows commitment to “unpacking” vs “reviewing”. You all are willing to criticize beloved games and give props to underrated games (or at least underrated elements of some games). Super fun discussions. Love it. My most anticipated future episodes will be XCOM and XCOM 2–I so hope you all cover those (:
One of the best gaming podcasts! Strong focus on storytelling. Great balance of looking back at what games have been, and keeping up with the very latest developments. Also both hosts are funny and you can tell they’re true friends.
I just started listening, I really like the format and hosts, but seriously, you guys need to put spoiler warnings. I listen to some episodes for games that I’m interested in but haven’t played, and you guys casually talk about spoilers with no warning whatsoever.
Big example: Returnal. You guys spilled what I assume is a big secret about the characters tragic backstory and ruined the surprise for me. Completely ruined the episode.
Episode 71: I’ve been a day-1 follower and Swaim’s grunt imitation at the 50 minute mark might have been the hardest I’ve ever laughed at these two… brilliance as always! Excited to track the new show on the new network and loving the increased pace
Amazing podcast. These guys are brilliant. I particularly wanted to shout out the lasted episode. Episode 4? I don’t get the numbering. Where they discuss game mechanics that should be in more games.
It’s like the glory days of the cracked podcast but focused on video games.
Would love to see more discussion episodes like this.
I’ve been following this show since it began with Small Beans and I’m so happy they’ve got a big ole sponsored situation now! Without this show I never would’ve known about or played What Remains of Edith Finch, Disco Elysium or Hades which are now three of my total favorites! Sad that Sonic’s dead forever tho.
I love this show. It has turned me in to a lot of games I would not have otherwise played and is even entertaining when covering games I’ll never play.
If you enjoy talking video games, you’ll love this show.
Listening to this podcast feels like talking with friends. The playful and friendly tone Swaim and Ganser approach their disagreements, and the show at large, makes even hotly debated topics feel fun. To this point, even when I (at times deeply) disagree with both of their takes, I never feel shut down by their rhetoric.
I cannot recommend this show highly enough.
One of my favorite podcasts hosted by some of the funniest people, talking about games and getting deeper and further out from the typical discussion than “game look good 10/10”. You should listen if you haven’t!
Two friends that arent afraid to disagree with absolutely no toxic fandom. Tune in to see what makes it thru to the cosmic hard drive. My favorte pod on the subject.
By turns funny, contentious, insightful, and touching, Michael and Adam bring together conflicting perspectives in an attempt to answer one question: Are video games art? Their answer, a canon of 100 games to be delivered to extraterrestrials as representative of the medium, is slowly forged one episode at a time.
Mike and Adam have a fun affable, but sometimes contentious, banter. Their differing preferences and views make for great discussions. They also, somewhat by happenstance, cover each others blindspots in video game knowledge making them, when powers combined, a true encyclopedic storehouse. Listen to it. It’s fun!
One of my favorite podcasts. Michael and Adam have a wonderful rapport as they discuss the artistic and historic merit of video games large and small. Fun, funny, and filled with heart.
This is a great video game podcast! Especially for those who like video games but find the more toxic aspects of gaming culture off putting. Both hosts are entertaining and thoughtful in their critiques of the games they cover, and hold each game up an artistic standard. Whether an episode is about games one has played or have never even heard of each episode has something to offer!
Plop on the couch and plug in with Mike and Adam as they traverse all platforms from Sega Genesis to PS5, to determine what is worth taking space on the Celestial Hard Drive and what doesn't get another quarter to continue.
Adam and Mike put on a delightful review/retrospective show, now on iHeart, about the nature of video games and what should be preserved as the greatest examples for posterity. It can be fun, sometimes deep, but always entertaining
Michael Swaim and Adam Ganzer (both formerly of CRACKED) bring their unique perspectives to this show, where they discuss past and current video games and their place in the medium. This show is a great listen for both l33ts and n00bs!
If you enjoy the show, check out their Small Beans podcast network.
Are you a nostalgic gamer with keen insight into what titles will appeal to aliens and help represent humanity at its best? Well, you’ve come to the right place…
Every time this podcast dropped into my feed in its previous home, my day could only get brighter from there. Hearing Michael and Adam’s differing perspectives is always interesting and entertaining, and their humor only makes the listening experience all the richer.
Cannot recommend highly enough.
P.S. Once Greg Burke’s Goldeneye episode gets uploaded to this feed, y’all new listeners are in for a treat. His and Michael’s interactions? Pure magic.
Adam and Mike have been producing insightful and entertaining dives into video games for years, so glad to see the new relaunch under the iHeart umbrella, you definitely don’t want to miss this show!
I’ve been following this show on small beans for years. The hosts and guests come at these games from an interesting perspective, and bring nuanced commentary on some great games. Very excited for their move to the new format.
Wonderful podcast, one of the best, highly recommended!
Also Adam completely misunderstood Disco Elysium but please don’t hold that against him or the pod!
