Explore every episode of the podcast SDGC - Super Deluxe GamesCast

SDGC welcomes back Author/Comedian/Gamer (derogatory)/Former Nintendo Employee Mike Drucker to the show! This week it's a lengthy stew of what we've been playing followed by discussion of Nintendo culture and quirks, including the ongoing Switch 2 devkit scarcity as well as the hammer coming down from them on a Japanese charity event. We also found a bit of time at the end for what we'd still like to see announced this year - time is running out!

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

This week serves up a terrible podcast title as we look closer at the latest Nintendo Partner Direct, which was a good one for certain fans of HD-2D RPGs. Also on the docket, discussing the scarce Switch 2 dev kit situation that is actively hurting developers, and a new video game that definitely isn't Horizon but probably confused at least one person.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Another week and more Switch 2 talk, this time its continued Bananza gushing, as well as breaking down the launch sales for Switch 2, which set new records. Also from the latest Circana data, the group talks about the Xbox numbers and what they might mean.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Another week, another show...this time the SDGC crew is joined by Austin Lee Matthews. The news is light but it's easy to spend an hour talking about what we've played, which of course includes the big new Switch 2 release - Donkey Kong Bananza.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

SDGC is joined by special guest Sam Tolbert to discuss our first month with the Switch 2, favourite games on it so far, and the implications of large Xbox layoffs this week.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Another few weeks off but the crew is back and recharged, ready to talk about the Switch 2 launch as well as our PAX East impressions.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

It's been a few weeks, but we're back. Join us on this secret mission to get derailed repeatedly while trying to talk about PAX East, and make fun of Xbox for raising console prices.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Justin is joined by Brit and Finn to discuss South of Midnight, a love letter to southern folklore and a sorely needed original release in Microsoft's lineup.

This game was reviewed using a code provided by the publisher. Thanks to Microsoft and Compulsion Games for the opportunity to review this game.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Y'all. Can we just stop. Can we get off this rollercoaster ride. What do I have to do. Anything.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

In the second of two Nintendo-centric broadcasts, we discuss the full reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 (though not before some really gushy mushy talk about how much we all love each other).

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

In the first of two consecutive Nintendo-centric episodes, we discussed the big Nintendo Switch Direct and our expectations and predictions for the then-imminent Nintendo Switch 2 presentation.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

It's a big moment we've been waiting for, though it has come at a thoroughly demoralizing time: the North American gaming industry's first direct join union has formed. We talk about the potential long-term outcomes of the UVW-CWA. Plus: why have some old games aged better than others?

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Derek and Justin have dedicated their lives to nothing but Monster Hunter Wilds since they got their hands on it, which isn't EVERYTHING you need to know about one of the generation's biggest releases, but it sure is a starting point.

This game was reviewed on PC and PS5 using a code provided by the publisher. Thanks to Capcom for the opportunity to review this game.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Derek and John discuss the intersection between the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes in gaming, the recasting of several actors by Hoyoverse, and a dogbutt AI character demo from Playstation. More importantly, we let John nerd out about the proper reveal of Silent Hill f (I guess we type that lowercase?).

We're joined by friends of the show Sam Tolbert and (eventually) Anoriand to talk about Konami's weirdly mixed strategy for returning to gaming relevance. Also, gaming sure might be about to get way more expensive as a hobby, huh?

Sorry for the very late upload. Life has been life-ing.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

With a stacked cast, we and our guests end up doing a chill episode literally just talking about the things we've been playing, including the newly released Monster Hunter Wilds. Then we save a few minutes to complain about Warner Bros doing Warner Bros stuff, as we've come to expect.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

It's Valentine's Day Eve, Derek's showing some chest, and the crew decides to revisit our biggest video game crushes over the years.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

We're joined by journalist Eric Switzer to talk about the ESA's new invite-only industry trade show "iicon" (that's how it's spelled), as well as how several major gaming publishers are succeeding and failing at their multiplatform strategies.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

It's an extra long episode as (spoiler alert) the entire crew shows up for the first time in ages to talk about our personal favorite games of 2024.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

The gang comes together to discuss the Xbox Developer Direct from earlier in the day. Also, we discuss an interview describing Capcom's use of AI in development, trying to keep the facts straight and figure out if there's any use that doesn't skeeze us out.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

It's a triple threat as we get to talk about some Nintendo related news, some Xbox related news, and some Playstation related news, all in the same show! When's the last time we had a triple threat like that?

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

In lieu of meaningful news but a tumultuous personal week, John surprises Derek by suggesting they literally just talk about Final Fantasy 9 for a while. It's not a news show, but it's a shockingly wholesome time. Also there's so much argument about pronouncing Final Fantasy character names.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

In our first show of the new year, we discuss the pattern of layoffs throughout the last year, which companies fell hardest into it, and which companies avoided it. Also: Nintendo, just reveal the Switch 2 already.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Justin has been enraptured by STALKER 2 (I'm not typing the stylized version again that's a lot of work) and absolutely HAS to talk about this strange game and its commitment to player friction and emergent experiences.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Derek, John, and Finn are here to discuss the updated console release of Apple Arcade hit Fantasian, from Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. It's maybe not the life-changing revelation some have hyped it up to be... but gosh dang does it hit a specific target few are hitting right now.

This game was reviewed on PC and Nintendo Switch with codes provided by the publisher. Thanks to Square Enix for providing us the opportunity to cover this game.

Catch SDGC Live ACTUALLY live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

We're joined by journalist Sam Tolbert to talk about the thing that pre-empted our liveshow last week: The Winter Keighleys 2024, aka The Game Awards. Despite our cynicism... okay, this was kind of a good one.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

The crew dives into recently played games like Mouthwashing and FANTASIAN Neo Dimension before slagging off on the rise of AI in the gaming space.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

John, Derek, and Jeff talk about the handheld market and whether Microsoft or Sony's handheld strategies can carve much space for themselves. Discussion gets UNUSUALLY heated. But not before a far-too-long aside about Final Fantasy 14, as is tradition.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

We're joined by writer and comedian Mike Drucker for our first show after the big charity bash to talk about our relationships with gaming as an art form when everything seems to be crumbling around us. But first... Tetris.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

The long-anticipated remake of Dragon Quest III is finally here. It's one of the most important games ever made, but how does a new round of polish and some slight additional story content help this game hold up to modern standards? John and Derek discuss the importance of the original game and who this remake is probably best suited for.

This game was reviewed on Nintendo Switch with a code provided by the publisher. Thanks to Square Enix for providing us the opportunity to cover this game.

Catch SDGC Live ACTUALLY live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

FIRST: Derek vamps alone for a few minutes while waiting for their friends to love them enough to join the call. THEN: Talk about videos games, Netflix shuttering their AAA game development studio only two years into their project, and we catch back up on the Bandai Namco story we didn't make time for last week.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

It's an extra chaotic show as the crew talks about the weird deeply-entrenched spiteful attitudes many still have towards Konami even as they seem to be on the upswing. We also wanted to talk about Bandai Namco except oops we got distracted. This is a news show.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Marvel vs Capcom is back, and John and Derek are here to talk about the lasting impact of the collaboration between these two industry titans. Marvel vs Capcom 2 is a pillar of the fighting game community, but does this collection hold worth for more than just diehards and sweaties? (Editor's note: Derek is an ex-sweaty)

This game was reviewed on PC and Switch with a code provided by the publisher. Thanks to Capcom for providing us the opportunity to cover this game.

Catch SDGC Live ACTUALLY live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Derek, John, and Finn discuss Capcom's loving remaster of a divisive but special game: the original Dead Rising. It's a (mostly) much better take on a game that very much wasn't for everyone.

This game was reviewed on PC with a code provided by the publisher. Thanks to Capcom for providing us the opportunity to cover this game.

Catch SDGC Live ACTUALLY live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

John, Derek, Jeff, and Brit talk about their favorite games from the recent State of Play and the first day of Tokyo Game Show. Derek also drinks too much gin. Go figure.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

We're joined by the wonderful Persephiroth to skip any semblance of news and instead bullshit about queer and feminist takes on Final Fantasy characters. That's it. That's the whole show. It RULES.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Finn and Justin are riding high with Playstation's smash hit and GOTY contender, the simply-named "Astro Bot".

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Finn and Derek go over every game they saw, played, and otherwise took note of on the show floor and behind closed doors at PAX West 2024 in Seattle. From Monster Hunter to Dragon Quest to Infinity Nikki to indies galore, we've got the scoop on a ton of games you should be paying attention to.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

The gang discusses everything wrong with the PS5 Pro, the ways PC gaming isn't the magic alternative, and cheer on the entire staff of publisher Annapurna Interactive for walking out over failed negotiations. Hot labor fall, babyyyyyy.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

We're joined by friend of the show Veerender Jubbal to discuss Concord's shelf life being lower than most produce, as well as go over some of our favorite games and experiences at PAX West 2024.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

The Mana series is finally back with its first brand-new entry in nearly 20 years. John is joined by Derek and Finn to discuss this hotly-anticipated Action RPG, what this new game could mean for the Mana franchise, and what it might say about the future of Square Enix.

This game was reviewed on PC with a code provided by the publisher. Thanks to Square Enix for providing us the opportunity to cover this game.

Catch SDGC Live ACTUALLY live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

A relatively light episode, the crew discusses some of our favorite reveals of the last week and bubble with excitement about the upcoming PAX West.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Despite being a Final Fantasy megafan and growing up steeped in Disney films, Derek has managed to avoid Kingdom Hearts their entire life. That has finally changed with the release of the franchise on Steam. Now, having completed Kingdom Hearts 1 Final Mix, Derek is here to tell us what it feels like coming into this monolithic franchise with fresh eyes as what SHOULD be the target demographic.

A Part 2 will be coming at some point later this year, covering Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts 2, followed potentially by more episodes down the road.

Thanks to Square Enix for providing us codes for the franchise.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

In an update to one of this year's most depressing stories, South Korean publisher Krafton has saved Tango Gameworks and nearly half of the developer's former staff after being shuttered by Microsoft. We also try to talk Gamescom predictions but, uh, it's just Gamescom y'all.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

We're joined once again by Austin Lee Matthews for an episode full of japery, Brit admits to being almost banned from Overwatch (the reason will shock you), and a discussion about Warner Bros licensing out their IP to other gaming studios somehow turns into us talking about The Simpsons (famously not a WB property).

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Our primary story this week is the frankly unforgivable massive round of layoffs at Bungie, the second in less than 12 months, after the release of a highly successful expansion to one of the biggest games of all time, while Pete Parsons swims in a pool full of golden coins. Enough said.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Derek and Finn sing the praises of Capcom's latest release, the incredibly experimental Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. Why more people aren't playing it we don't know, because it's like if Nintendo bought Clover Studios and let them make whatever they wanted. Kunitsu-Gami? More like Kunitsu-GOTY.

This game was reviewed on PC with a code provided by the publisher. Thanks to Capcom for providing us the opportunity to cover this game.

Catch SDGC Live ACTUALLY live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

Bethesda Game Studios and the World of Warcraft team at Blizzard unionize in partnership with the CWA, and the actor's guild SAG-AFTRA authorizes a strike in the gaming industry over lack of protections against AI. Can you smell that? In the air? It smells like another Hot Labor Summer.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

John and Derek discuss a recent email from a Microsoft employee about the company's failure to commit to its DEI practices, and how all corporate DEI initiatives are in placative at best. "The master's tools will not dismantle the master's house."

But let's be real, this is going up Monday, y'all probably have a million political podcasts to check today instead. Samesies.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF

We return after a multi-week break to laugh at John's misfortune, laugh at Derek's adventures in Kingdom Hearts, and mull over the recently announced (and possibly inevitable) changes to Xbox Game Pass.

Catch SDGC Live Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern US time - twitch.tv/officialsdgc

Join the community Discord for a cool, inclusive, protected space for all kinds of folks to talk nerdy - https://t.co/5cjbEy1SCF