The GameCola Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to the Mainline GameCola Podcast! This is the real deal you guys, not one of those weird spin-off episodes. Featuring your Very Mainline Cast of Anna Bryniarski, James Pelster, Joseph Martin, and Blu Ryder, we’re here to tell you all about what videogames deserve the honor of being part of their Mainline series, and what videogame topics deserve to be part of our Mainline podcast. - What factors do we consider important for determining a “mainline” videogame? - There seems to be an exception to every rule - Can a videogame become un-mainline? - What Mario games does Anna consider to be mainline? - Some of our and our fans’ favorite mainline edge cases. - The people who make superhero videogames sure do have it out for Blu - What videogames have we been playing in recent mainlines? [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

The price of videogames is going up, and your GameCola Podcast friends Joseph Martin, Blu Ryder, and James Pelster are here to guide you through these tumultuous times for your wallet. And don't worry, this one's on the house! - How do you feel about $80 Mario Kart? - Some theories as to why games are getting more expensive now - Is it tariffs? It's probably tariffs. - Expensive videogames are like long movies. I'm sure Joe has a point. - Things you can do instead of spending money on videogames (cry) - The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy has a lot of endings and a lot of Not Dying Forever [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

Sun Tzu said: "On this episode of the GameCola Podcast, we spend a significant amount of time discussing the subject of "tactics" games. Follow along with Joseph Martin, Alex Jedraszczak, John Rizzi, and Blu Ryder as they discuss their experiences with the genre and more!" Historians have been baffled by the meaning of this passage UNTIL TODAY. - Uh-oh, Jeddy played a videogame and didn't like it again! - Front Mission displays a lot of the major issues with tactics games - Most tactics games we have enjoyed have had significant departures from the standard formula - Mega Man Battle Network 4 is still frustrating for all the same reasons - The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer was very tactical - Tactical videogames we've been playing in recent times [Podcast Intro/Outro “5 is Average” by Meteo Xavier]

Talking about the presentations of E3 2018 is what a normal gaming podcast would do, but The GameCola Podcast isn't your normal gaming podcast. I mean, we did write articles about Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo's presentations, but today we're talking about those poor games that didn't get a showing during the biggest gaming news event of the year. Join Anna Bryniarski, James Pelster, and Joseph Martin as they discuss such topics as: - A very brief but very accurate summary of E3 by Anna - A short history of Animal Crossing and why people are bummed it didn't show - We try to predict details about the new main-series Pokémon games, specifically what their names will be - How Anna spent all her money on videogames during the Steam Summer Sale - James has a million visual novels now - Recently, what videogames have been played by us? [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 Is Average" by Meteo Xavier]

We're BAAAaaack! After an extended hiatus due to scheduling difficulties, the GameCola Secret of Mana RPGCast returns for its fifth episode! In case you forgot, the party just ran Thanatos out of the ruins near Pandora. In this episode, we pick right back up and follow James "Valor" Pelster, Anna "Harper" Bryaniarski, and Joseph "Sprite" Martin as they: - Meet the King of Pandora! And try to sell the guards on a throne inspection - Raid the royal treasury - Discover that the Mana Seed is missing from the Water Palace! - Head back to Gaia's Navel (again) to retrieve it - Get some sweet weapon upgrades - Receive a magic rope from the Dwarf Elder - Eat candy they found under a rug - Encounter the Scorpion Army and battle their super-deluxe robot, Kilroy! - Find out what a moogle is...the hard way - Find out what the Mana Seed tastes like

It's the reason for the season! With E3 and Year-End Awards just around the corner, the GameCola crew gets a head-start on this year's predictions. Just a heads up, we recorded this episode before the most recent game trailers were released, so expect coverage of those in future articles! For now, join Joseph Martin, Colee Koballa, Alex Jedraszczak, James Pelster, and John Rizzi as they discuss such wonderful topics as: - Sims 4 is going to have seasons! - Paul and Jeddy's Definitely Happening Videogame: Alex to Alex - What we thought of the Pokémon: Let's Go! rumors (which turned out to be true!) - Other E3 hopes and dreams - Our predictions for GameCola's Year-End Awards - A fan sponsored discussion about dynamic characters - What videogames have we been playing, particularly recently?

Swamped with the trials and tribulations that come with the May season, your intrepid GameCola Podcasters are still here to deliver you informative, funny, and just plain weird content. What's with that photo of Jeddy in the title card? You'll have to listen to this month's episode--featuring Joseph Martin, Anna Bryniarski, John Rizzi, and the aforementioned Alex Jedraszczak--to find out! You'll also be able to learn about such wonderful topics as: - Stardew Valley finally has multiplayer! - John gives us the scoop on the new Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer. - What impact has the "open world" format had on the games industry? - We don't complete games 100% like we used to. - What are our cosplay aspirations? - What videos-game have we been playing in recent times?

If a big Nintendo Direct comes out, you know the GameCola Podcast is going to be all about that discussion! Join Colee Koballa, James Pelster, and Joseph Martin as they discuss everything coming out soon for Nintendo, with a brief aside to discuss the newest Mega Man TV show information. Topics of discussion include: - Is the new Super Smash Bros. game a port or a sequel? - Detective Pikachu sparks a discussion on why Pikachu keeps talking - Joe and Colee argue about Kirby: Star Allies - Should Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time have been ported to 3DS before Bowser's Inside Story? - A few short discussions on a couple of other games from the Direct - Splatoon 2's DLC and success suggests the series may be defining this generation of gamers - What are the updates to the 2018 Mega Man TV series? - What games have we been playing in recent times? Link to Discussed Mega Man Image: http://www.rockman-corner.com/2018/03/new-mega-man-animated-series-robot.html [Podcast Intro/Outro "5 Is Average" by Meteo Xavier]

The crew returns with Harper to her hometown of Pandora, but between avoiding her dad and chasing her childhood friend, they end up at the ruins outside of town! Follow James "Valor" Pelster, Anna "Harper" Bryniarski, and Joseph "Sprite" Martin as they: - Hear all about the sweet sweepstakes Phanna just won. - Wonder where exactly the Tomato Man is storing those zombies... - Ruin the Tomato Man's groove - Have a sword fight...literally! - Immediately exit a room before the DM can even describe the scene - Meet Thanatos and hear his evil plan! - Who's on the right, what eye's on the left, and I don't know what I'm attacking.

It's back down to the Dwarf Village for the Sprite—but now they're back with Valor and Harper, and ready for the Underground Palace! Don't miss Joseph Martin, James Pelster, and Anna Bryniarski as they...what are they doing here again? Whatever it is, the following things (and more!) happen to them in this episode: - Sprite just wants to explode things! It doesn't matter if it's using ice. - Shouldn't a Goblin come out of a Ma Goblin, not the other way around? - Valor has an epic DBZ-style contest of strength with a Goblin when both roll natural 20s. - In this episode of "The Secret of Mana RPGCast", we bypass all combat entirely by just shoving enemies off of ledges. - Why can't all battles take place in rooms with bottomless pits? - Paul Franzen makes a guest appearance! - Sprite makes an excellent tank. - The party defeats the Fire Gigas, saves the Gnome, and restores the Mana Seed. - Now Sprite, Whip Girl, and Sword Boy are off to the ruins!