The Dive Down

Latest Episodes:

Episode 371: Surviving the Roadshow May 29, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show, Stan falls back in love with Modern MTG, we continue to guide Dave on his fashion journey, Shane gears up for the Antique Roadshow, and we shake our fists at prediction markets for spoiling Survivor results.

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And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - Disguising our moms at Antiques Roadshow
8:24 - What should Shane take to Roadshow?
14:52 - This week's episode
15:45 - Dave's clothes
23:47 - Stan is playing Magic Online again
34:18 - Shane is scared of RE9
39:28 - Metaphor: still ReFantazioing
42:56 - Survivor 50: Spoiled by Kalshi?
50:40 - Takes on The Truman Show (1998)
1:00:04 - Public comments: what game changed our relationship with gaming?
1:04:57 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

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Episode 370: Modern Giveth, WOTC Taketh Away May 22, 2026

Show notes

The Rhino boys are back. Exciting news in the weird world of Magic: the Gathering was all it took for Dave and Stan to reunite with D00mwake to chat about Modern bans and unbans.

We pour one out for Phlage, daydream about Crashing Footfalls, scrach our head over Umezawa's Jitte, and act like we know how to talk about Lotus Field.

Is Modern back, baby?

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - It's 1979 and d00mwake is back
5:15 - d00m ate Skyline and didn't tell Shane
9:17 - Modern is changed, again
16:08 - Phlage is banned
23:59 - Lotus Field is banned
30:47 - Violent Outburst is unbanned
50:46 - Umezawa's Jitte is unbanned
57:52 - Premodern fun
1:01:38 - Public comments - our favorite pieces of physical media
1:11:53 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:

twitch.tv/d00mwake
https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/banned-and-restricted-may-18-2026

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

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Episode 369: Lettuce Entertain You & Your Thor May 15, 2026

Show notes

Stan's away — so this week the olds play. Shane and Dave catch up about Shane's perfect Steam Machine, his even more perfect AYN Thor, polo shirts, and four albums that were pretty good. We also give flowers to a true Chicago hero: Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants. Dive Down Nation, your slop bowls are ready. Fall in line for episode 369.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - Lettuce entertain you with cilantro
9:43 - This week's episode
15:06 - Old business: Shane "finished" his Steam Machine
27:11 - New business: Shane also bought an AYN Thor
37:31 - Polo shirts
43:28 - Dave brings some albums - Broken Social Scene: Remember the Humans
51:31 - Cut Worms: Transmitter
57:23 - Friko: Something Worth Waiting For
59:36 - Brigitte Calls Me Baby: Irreversible
1:03:41 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

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Episode 368: Pragmata: Hugh's The Boss May 09, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show, the boys play Capcom's latest AAA foray, Pragmata. We talk about father/daughter dynamics in video games, the joys of hacking, and what it means to be a slayer gamer.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - Sparking graphic novels
4:01 - This week's episode
6:34 - Dave's old business: cookin' and cubin'
11:55 - Pragmata - the basic setup
26:48 - What this game does well
37:58 - Competence vs. excellence
59:52 - The psychology of gamers
1:05:46 - Public comments: The card(s) that got us into Magic
1:12:04 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

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Episode 367: Spare Parts Man Cave Machine May 01, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show, Stan offers his closing arguments on Shadow of the Colossus (2018), Shane revisits Metaphor: ReFantazio (2024), then he turns a pile of parts into a working computer, and Stan makes tacos out of fish sticks.

Thank you Aaron for this week's public comments. If you'd like to submit public comments to The Dive Down, become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation at http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown

Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - Oranges, micro-looting, cameras off, vocoders, frogs, and more
11:52 - Dave's gone and Boston memories, the Boston Tea Party
18:05 - Shane picked up some new PS5 games, and a preview for next week
24:20 - Old business: Stan beat Shadow of the Colossus
36:15 - Shane restarted Metaphor: Refantazio
45:10 - YouTube sleepin'
47:40 - New business: Shane made a Steam Machine
54:32 - Public comments: Food we like to make
1:07:38 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

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Episode 366: Modernist Architecture and Payola in Indie Rock Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show, Shane visits Columbus, Indiana for some architecture and pizza, Stan takes down some colossi, and Dave remains unphased amid Geese controversy.

We also cover Stan's final review of Resident Evil Requiem and first impressions of Shadow of the Colossus (2018), and some public comments about Apple IIe gaming.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - Build a little birdhouse in your soul
4:12 - This week's episode
9:06 - What Stan misses from the UK
13:50 - Does Shane miss Denver?
19:10 - Old business: Stan beat Resident Evil 9
23:52 - Stan revisits Shadow of the Colossus
35:46 - New business: Shane went to Columbus, IN
45:56 - The Geese "scandal" and the authenticity of social media
1:08:00 - Public comments: cool old games
1:12:15 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5990474/
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/shadow-of-the-colossus/
https://www.wired.com/story/geese-chaotic-good-marketing-industry-plant/

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

Episode 365: It's in the Grid Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show, the boys revisit some old Cheesecake Factory business, Dave finally sees the hottest sci fi of 2026, Stan tries AirPods, and everyone goes over their Game Grid!

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - Some things about Cincinnati
5:48 - This week's show
7:08 - Cheesecake Factory, revisited
13:08 - Dave saw Project Hail Mary
15:20 - Competency porn
20:50 - Stan tried Airpods
22:49 - Our video game grids
26:10 - Our Favorite Games
35:39 - The Best Story
44:13 - The Best Antagonist
51:32 - What Needs A Remake?
55:46 - The Best Art Style
59:20 - The Most Interesting Mechanics
1:05:06 - Public Comments - does PC gaming suck?
1:12:25 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
https://grids.fun/t/about-me-video-games-mf3qh

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

Episode 364: Every Day Carry Me to Zion Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

On this week's show, the boys revisit some old business about the 3DS and RE9. Then Dave takes us on a trip to America's majestic national parks, Stan tries some GameSirs, and Shane purchases a PlayStation. We end with public comments.

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - Dave is back
1:15 - The Queen City Quiz
6:50 - This week's episode
8:30 - Revisiting the 3DS with Azure Striker Gunvolt
15:42 - An EDC diversion
25:10 - Stan is still playing Resident Evil 9
29:55 - Dave goes to a hole
39:15 - What the hole taught Dave
53:15 - Stan tested some gear
58:00 - We played a little StarVaders
1:04:22 - Shane loves his PS5 again
1:10:52 - Public comments
1:15:20 - Wrapping up

Links from this week's episode:
https://gamesir.com/collections/mobile-controllers/products/gamesir-x5-lite

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

Episode 363: 3 Dimensions, 2 Screens, 1 Stylus Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

On today's show, Stan and Shane relive the joys of Nintendo's 3DS! We chat about Pocket Monsters, retinal fatigue, when stylus, and that sweet sweet hinge. Then we talk about Project Hail Mary (2026) and hold NOTHING back. Excite!

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - Shane's a nepo baby
10:50 - This week's episode
12:10 - Talking about the Nintendo 3DS
22:00 - Pocket Monsters (and others) on the 3DS
31:30 - The games we played
40:30 - What's up with the stylus?
49:40 - Project Hail Mary: Spoilers ahead
1:08:45 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

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Episode 362: Use Your Spirellusion I & II Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

Well people, we did it again. It's another week of The Dive Down — but sadly, the focus is not strong this week. Apologies in advance as we bounce from G'n'F'n'R's to DanDan to The Cheesecake Factory. Blame it on the weather — or blame it on Dave's internet. Either way, enjoy!

Become a citizen of The Dive Down Nation!: http://www.patreon.com/thedivedown
Show the world that you're a proud citizen of The Dive Down Nation with some merch from the store: https://www.thedivedown.com/store
Upgrade your gameplay and your gameday with Heavy Play accessories. Use code THEDIVEDOWN2025 for 10% off your first order at https://www.heavyplay.com
Get 25% Cashback after 3 months of service with ManaTraders! https://www.manatraders.com/?medium=thedivedown and use coupon code THEDIVEDOWN
And now receive 8% off your order of paper cards from Nerd Rage Gaming with code DIVE8 at https://www.nerdragegaming.com/

Timestamps:
0:01 - We're a Rubik's pod now
3:42 - Dave uses his illusion
10:40 - Our first CDs
15:20 - This week's episode
16:22 - StanStan DanDan
26:20 - We're still playing Slay The Spire 2
55:29 - When you're here, you're cheesy
1:06:50 - Wrapping up

Our opening music is Nowhere - You Never Knew, and our closing music is Space Blood - Goro? Is That Your Christian Name?

email us: thedivedown@gmail.com

Support The Dive Down

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