EPISODE SUMMARY

Rhythm Heaven returns after an eleven-year hiatus with Rhythm Heaven Groove. It’s a fun game, but something’s changed. The series? The boys? Nintendo? We find the answer. Plus, Frushtick talks about life with the Steam Machine. It’s neat! It’s expensive! And it’s a reflection of the moment!

I, like a lot of you, was hoping that Justin would still come periodically on the Besties to talk about his journey with Linux, and handhelds, but it seems like he's started a youtube series instead. Seems great so far.

Day 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZR6hgb3MQo "Technically Competent: Billboard 8-Bit Mini Arcade Game Machine"
Day 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS6gxxy76A0 "Technically Competent: Temu 8-in-1 Retro Handheld Game Console"

We relish the rare and magical occasions when game designers are shameless trolls. The result can be infuriating, patience-testing, and unforgettable. This month on the Besties Battle Bracket, we're joined by Mary Kish (Twitch, Fire Escape Cast) to pick our favorite video game troll moments. Maybe the designers sent us on a sprawling quest for a laughable reward. Perhaps they punched through the fourth wall. Or maybe they just kicked us into a pit.

Rubric:

• A) Which felt like the bigger stinker?
• B) Which was more unexpected or creative?
• C) Which is funnier?

The Contenders:

• Batman Arkham Asylum's scarecrow moment where the game crashes
• God of War Ragnarok when Thor kills you at the beginning of the game / brings you back to life
• Collecting all koroks in Zelda
• Super Mario's Our Princess Is In Another Castle
• The Evil Within 2 side-quest where they break the 4th wall
• Metal Gear Solid 2 - Raiden existing
• Fake knockout in Cuphead DLC
• King K Rool comes back after the credits in Donkey Kong Country
• Patches in Demon Souls 
• Hollow Knight, The Banker
• Eternal Darkness deletes your save file at low sanity
• La Mulana Swimwear after a near-impossible dungeon 
• Super Metroid's chozo statue that comes to life
• Guacamelee's Tule Tree
• Katamari cow level 
• Lord British killed in Ultima Online

EPISODE SUMMARY

Griffin needed to take this week off, but our guest was more than prepared to talk about the week’s huge gaming news. Stephen Totilo, the founder of Game File and former EIC of Kotaku, explains the cause and fallout of Sony’s decision to cease physical game production in 2028. In more joyful news, Nintendo remade Starfox for the second time! And Frushtick and Plante have impressions to share!

This week's newsletter: https://thebesties.substack.com/p/sony-kills-discs-nintendo-revives

Next Week: Rhythm Heaven Groove

I know it’s a resties episode, just not sure which one.

Would love to listen to that one.

It was mentioned but is there a besties Diablo clan? I just stated playing with my dad again and want to joint

I love blue prince and I know when Justin left they were going to talk about it, but I don’t see any episode where they do. Is it hidden in another episode? Please help a fellow gamer and bestie, thanks! 😊

I wrote a song based on my love of video games! If you’re into that kind of thing here you go!

Does anyone know when they open up the voting for the fan submission for game of the year and if you need to be a Patreon member to vote.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Midway through the year, The Besties share their top contenders. However, don’t make any bets on these being our final picks for our GOTY list, because the back half of 2026 is unprecedentedly dense with new releases. To set the stage, we curate our most anticipated games. Also, The Grinch 2.

This week's newsletter: https://thebesties.substack.com/p/2026s-best-games-and-whats-still

Next week: Star Fox

EPISODE SUMMARY

This week, we throw our own summer festival of video games by opening the grab bag! There was so much stuff to play, it took all three Besties working on different piles to separate the “Yes!” from the “Yuck!” Want a meta Sherlock Holmes mystery? How about overlooked DLC to a Besties favorite? Or maybe you want to hear about Steam running on Android emulators? Friends, we have something for everyone!

EPISODE SUMMARY

We watched all of the Summer Game Festival events and curated the upcoming releases that we think you’ll enjoy! Plus, Frushtick and Plante attended SGF Play Days in Los Angeles and went hands-on with tons of games, from the new Tomb Raider to Stranger Than Heaven. Was this episode recorded alongside Nintendo’s big announcement? Were we struggling to retain control of our brains? Yes and yes.

This week's newsletter: https://thebesties.substack.com/p/everything-we-loved-from-summer-game

Next week: Grab Bag! (Griffin mentioned The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales specifically)

I don't know about you all, but I'm primarily here for the game talk. That being said, I practically live for the honorable mentions at the end of the show where every member talks about the best stuff they've been watching and doing. Primarily media. I can't seem to find any reddit post that details the honorable mentions, but the show has already given me some banger recommendations like From, Widow's Bay, and Jury Duty. I WANT MORE. And I don't want to zoom through previous episodes to find the honorable mentions and pick through it all. Can you all PLEASE leave all those sweet, sweet finds these wonderful people have been dropping over the past so many years??? I. Need. More.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book epitomizes modern Nintendo, prioritizing player creativity and expression above everything else. It's also a video game for little kids. This is great news for parents who want rich, thoughtful, inventive experiences for their children. A recommendation is a bit more complicated for grown-ups. Is this the Yoshi for you?

If Yoshi isn't for you, thank goodness for our back half, where we dig into a Metroidvania that's pure Millennial and Gen-X catnip! Plus, Plante (me!) crashes out over Nintendo Online.

Discussed on the Show:

• Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
• Clockwork Ambrosia
• Nintendo Online
• Nintendo Music
• 868-BACK
• Widow's Bay

Hi i think it was only a year or 2 ago? but they talked about a game where the focus is on a couple, and the guy has to sleep every night but his wife is undead, and she floats over him when she sleeps?

Russ mentioned playing Subnautica with his kid, I just got through playing Subnautica Below Zero with my six-year-old and I can confirm it is a blast with the kids. Once we learned that a prawn suit with a drill arm upgrade could solve any problem, it was all about base building, stealing penguins, and killing Shadow Leviathans.

EPISODE SUMMARY

007 First Light is the new game from IO Interactive, the developers of the beloved stealth series Hitman. So you’d be forgiven for assuming this entry in the Bond canon would emphasize sleuthy spycraft. Instead, IOI created something akin to a season of James Bond television, spotlighting its strong story above everything else. Was that the right choice? It depends on which Besty you ask!

This week's newsletter: https://thebesties.substack.com/p/007-first-light-is-like-a-great-james

Next week: Not-Quite-Live From Summer Game Fest

Hey, I just got into The Besties a few months ago and signed up for the Patreon. I love the bracket battles. I've listened to Roommates, Theme Parks, and Space Jam so far and they're amazing! I know there's a deep catalogue, so what are some of y'all's favorite Bracket Battles? Any other Patreon exclusives I should seek out? Thanks!

Honorary Besty Ron Funches joins us to answer one of the most important questions of our time: which video game character would be the best roommate? Now, let me (Plante) get ahead of what's about to happen. You're going to look at the rubric, and you're going to say, "You've reduced your roommate to a commodity. The real bad roommate is looking back in the mirror." And listen, you're not wrong.

But we're not here to determine which Besty would be the best roommate. Don't try to turn this around on us. This is a science! NO FURTHER QUESTIONS!

Rubric:

1. Which roommate would be the most convenient roommate / offer the best perks?
2. Which roommate would be the Best Hang?
3. Which roommate would be gone the most?

The Contenders

• Ichiban Kasuga (Like a Dragon)
• Garrus (Mass Effect)
• Alyx Vance (Half-Life 2)
• Elizabeth (Bioshock Infinite)
• Detective Pikachu
• Tails (Sonic)
• KK Slider (Animal Crossing)
• Dr Mario
• Lady Dimitrescu (RE Village)
• Otacon (MGS)
• Crash Bandicoot
• Morgana (Persona 5)
• Krobus (Stardew Valley)
• Mr Game and Watch
• Zangief (Street Fighter)
• Samus (Metroid)

I’m getting rocked in Mina. I just can’t seem to evade anything. I don’t like how Mina can attack in four directions but is expected to be able to dodge in eight. Am I missing a mechanic or something?

Very early on, I just beat first boss that gives an achievement and I’m on my way into a dungeon now around a graveyard.