The Insert Credit Show

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 200 - Insert Credit Vs. The Dirtbag Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

After Frank’s brief absences, the full Insert Credit panel reunites upon their two hundredth battle. The task? Their greatest foe yet: one hundred rapid fire questions from the more than 420 dirtbags at patreon.com/insertcredit. Each panelist has four skips, but will it be enough to survive your best? Find out now!

Have you considered discussing this episode in the forums?

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: Legend of the Eight Samurai (1983), Formula 1: Drive to Survive, JVC D series

Tim: The Last Dance with Michael Jordon

Frank Trailblazer Cifaldi: Do not own a CRT television

Jaffe: Usagi Yojimbo

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 199 - Dreamcast Fruit, with Chris Kohler Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Editorial director of Digital Eclipse Chris Kohler joins the panel to cover bug-free cartridge games, on air game history research, and a brutal round of Famicom Feud. Original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

Mathew Kumar asks: What are the “phantom games” in your collection? (03:59)
Which areas of games are most in need of preservation? (10:36)
What’s the line between stealing an idea and iterating on it in video game design? (16:26)
What are some mundane activities that would make good simulator games? (21:19)
What would be on your cardboard sign at a wrestling event? (26:33)
Dirtbag Seasons asks: Why and when did we start calling old games “retro”? (30:23)
How, when, and where should games present content warnings? (36:39)
Brandon Sheffield asks: What are your favorite side quests? (45:19)
What is the Ghostbusters 2 of video games? (52:26)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Famicom Feud – Video Games Notable For Negative Reception (56:24)

Quick, now’s your chance! Discuss this episode in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Frank: The new Twilight Zone series

Brandon: Vote no on recalling Newsom if you live in California, even if he sucks he’ll get replaced by somebody a whole bunch worse

Chris: The Ultimate History of Video Games vol. 2

Jaffe: The Many Deaths of Laila Starr

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 198 - YSCBA, with Ash Parrish and Liz Ryerson Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Fan favorite panelists Ash Parrish and Liz Ryerson return triumphant to to cover Knuckles, vaporwave, and the multitude of things the hell wrong with video games.

Questions this week:

Let’s talk about Idris Elba as Knuckles (05:02)
What are some cool video game collections you know about? (10:42)
If you were in charge of a Fortnite music fest, who would you feature? (17:22)
Are video games part of vaporwave? (23:00)
Dirtbag Sleepy Nice demands: Name five metal genres, then assign five video games to them. (27:44)
What the hell is wrong with video games? (33:19)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Initial Design (01:16:18)

A lot of smart people will have more to say about this episode in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Liz: The Blood Zone, death’s dynamic shroud

Ash: Pig (2021)

Brandon: G.I. Samurai, Oddtaxi

Jaffe: The Nice House on the Lake

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 197 - Myst Opportunities, with Chris Remo and Mathew Kumar Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

Game designer, composer, and co-creator of Idle Thumbs Chris Remo joins the panel along with Mathew “Agent of Chaos” Kumar to cover the Honda Prelude, Crossword of the Dead, and live on-air cat noises.

Questions this week:

Jeff Gerstmann asks: What’s the coolest vehicle to ever appear in a video game? (04:54)
Are the Myst games still good? What should people play instead? (10:55)
What kind of feeling does acoustic guitar give to a game? (16:41)
What’s better in a video game, an elevator or stairs? (22:45)
What six C-list video game villains would you recruit for a government black ops team? (28:20)
Dirtbag Gaagaagiins asks: What’s the best autoscrolling section in video games? (33:08)
When and how do games successfully recontextualize frustrating tropes? (40:28)
Review the concept of crossword puzzles based on their graphics and mechanics. (44:57)
What are some of your favorite harmless video game hoaxes? (50:41)
What is the Waiting for Godot of video games? (56:48)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design – Jodi Picoult (01:01:44)

Don’t you wish you could share your answers to the prompts? You can do exactly that in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: To Kill With Intrigue (1977), Walker (1987)

Mathew: Gold Ninja Video fundraiser

Chris: Police Story (1985)

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 196 - The 420 Episode, with Patrick Miller Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

Insert Credit Fighting Game Correspondent Patrick Miller rejoins the panel to cover questions from the world’s hottest editor and producer, as well as lightly flavored sparkling water, the hottest games in palladiums, $5 bets, and WEEEEEED, DUUUUDE!!! Original music by Kurt Feldman.

Questions this week:

What game characters smoke weed, and what game characters are narcs? (06:11)
What are some underrated gamer snacks? (11:52)
What are memorable video game dreams? (17:42)
Do you think Bayonetta and Lady Dimitrescu know each other? What’s that like? (22:06)
Do you think Sonic the Hedgehog gets tired of all the Chronic the Hemphog jokes? (26:09)
Describe the worst Flash game you can remember, and give constructive criticism. (31:14)
What’s with the weird relationship between video games and movies? (36:15)
What can we say about the Winners Don’t Do Drugs campaign in palladiums? (41:51)
Esper Quinn asks: What’s a game that’s just alright? (47:28)
Who is the Willie Nelson of video games? (53:39)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Untimed Video Game Weed Parody Titles (55:09)

Puff puff pass on by the discussion thread for this episode in the Insert Credit Forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Grateful Dead
Robert Crumb
NARC
NARC (PS2)
Emperor Pilaf
VOLCANO
Cheez-It
Cactus Cooler
AHA Black Cherry Coffee
AHA Apple Ginger
Soleil Cucumber Melon
Rap Snacks
Have’a Corn Chips
Zapp’s Kettle Voodoo Chips
Nixie Peach Black Tea
Lotte May’s Milky Way Magic Stars reviews
Snake’s dream
Link’s Awakening
Super Mario Bros 2
The Simpsons: Bart’s Nightmare
Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland
Kirby’s Dream Land
Alundra
Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
Like Like
Bayonetta
Lady Dimitrescu
Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog
Spumco
Shock the Monkey
Skrillex advergame
QWOP
Winnie the Pooh’s Home Run Derby
Nanaca Crash (i got a 2153m while editing this episode, see if you can beat that)
Kongregate
Alien Resurrection
Uwe Boll
Winners Don’t Use Drugs
Street Fighter II: Rainbow Edition
Centipede
oh he so pringles
SaltyBet
World’s Tallest Thermometer
Adventure Island series
Goemon series
Onimusha series
Fight For Life
Kelly Claes
Willie Nelson
Snoop Dogg in Tekken
Kirby Rap Feat. Snoop Dogg

Recommendations:

Pat: Green Crack, Trainwreck

Brandon: Sea of Green - Northern Lights, Mammoth Value - A Single Book Of Songs By, Terra Firma, Lowrider - Ode to Io, Gamera - Smoke and Mirrors, Bongzilla - Stash, Nightstick - Ultimatum, EyeHateGod - Southern Discomfort

Frank: Roasted in-shell peanuts

Jaffe: The Righteous Gemstones

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 195 - Knuckles' Chaotix Is For Lovers, with Jeff Gerstmann Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

Game journalist and Giant Bomb co-founder Jeff Gerstmann joins the panel to cover The Wheelman, phone phreaking, and Super Sushi Pinball.

Questions this week:

Rachel Weil asks: What are you favorite hidden gem video game reviews? (03:20)
What does Frank have to report on his two-week absence to save video games? (09:20)
What’s going on with the video game speculator market? (14:43)
How and why did Giant Bomb become a wiki for video games, and hows that going? (19:57)
Design a game about phone phreaking in the 20th century. (25:48)
Dirtbag Kory asks: In the year 2050, what will be known as the most ridiculous part of video games in 2021? (31:25)
What game design principles make a really satisfying pinball table? (35:26)
Fifteen years after the launch of the Wii, what do we have to say about casual games? (41:12)
What’s the history and current state of publishers paying for reviews? (46:34)
What is the Francisco Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son of video games? (52:27)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Who’s It For? (56:36)

We have a lovely forum available if you want to discuss the episode!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: The first half of Take Care of My Cat (2001), The Rippington’s Weekend in Monaco

Frank: Stop subscribing to the Video Game History Foundations incredible “Mystery Box” Vintage Video Game Magazines

Jeff: Giant Bomb Podcasts, garages

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 194 - Kim Cardassian, with Rachel Weil and Lotte May Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

Artist and FEMICOM founder Rachel Weil alongside gamedev Lotte May join the panel to cover the Bally Astrocade, Jaffe’s favorite isekai, and Amethyst Princess of Gemworld.

Questions this week:

What’s the deal with the Steam Deck? (03:44)
How does femininity best express itself in video games? (08:10)
How can we translate the appeal of mahou shoujo into video games? (13:31)
What’s the relation between video games and glitch art? (18:35)
Excluding Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft and Sega, who are the top 5 console manufacturers? (23:09)
From Brandon Sheffield: What are the best action games with female protagonists? (29:23)
Dirtbag Spencer asks: what video game allows for the most self-expression, while not specifically being about creativity? (34:29)
What are the greatest movie tie-in games made before 1995? (39:33)
Who would you use as the template for a “look book” for designers of female game characters? (44:11)
Who or what is the Lisa Frank of video games? (48:37)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Pink Games (53:04)

People will think you’re cooler if you discuss this episode in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Lotte: Turn A Gundam, Godzilla Singular Point

Rachel: FEMICOM Museum, Pop Cutie! Street Fashion Simulation

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 193 - The Gex Hive, with Ian Bogost and Ash Parrish Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

Writer, game designer, and professor Ian Bogost joins the panel along with Kotaku and Insert Credit regular Ash Parrish to cover Hairizon Zero Dawn, Gex vs. Bubsy, and Sonic Actually Being Back. Original music by Kurt Feldman, including the all new Violence Island theme!

Questions this week:

From Liz Ryerson: What’s your favorite romhack? (06:04)
Which video game metrics and features do critics tend to ignore? (11:17)
Which games were most affected by ESRB ratings? (16:34)
What are the best non-Bonk Turbografx platforming games? (21:58)
Now that Facebook games are mostly gone, how do you explain Cow Clicker to somebody who wasn’t there? (26:23)
Violence Island: forums.insertcredit.com Submissions (32:49)
Has a video game ever changed your opinion about something outside of video games? (41:47)
What was the most ambitious video game to actually deliver on its promises? (47:13)
Who is the Slavoj Zizek of video games? (51:47)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Dirtbag Driftglass presents: Casting call (55:29)

Have answers of your own, do you? Share them in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Recommendations:

Brandon: dedeco VGM DJ, Kino Lorber’s Cool As Ice blu-ray

Ash: Chicory, Kotaku Splitscreen Podcast

Ian: Drink an Americano, play Psychonauts

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 192 - July 4th Best British Games Spectacular, with Bennett Foddy and Mathew Kumar Jul 05, 2021

Show notes

Happy Canada Day! To celebrate, Brandon and Frank (American) along with writer, designer and Insert Credit regular Mathew Kumar (Scottish) and legendary game designer Bennett Foddy (Australian) determine the greatest British video games of all time. Original music by Kurt Feldman.

The List, in order of discussion:

Sonic R (05:51)
Lemmings (09:02)
Pipe Mania!! (12:03)
Burnout Paradise (15:20)
Alien Resurrection (17:29)
Elite (21:27)
Damocles (25:34)
Where Time Stood Still (29:46)
TxK (33:40)
Skool Daze (37:56)
Wizkid (42:20)
Batman: Arkham Knight (45:52)
The Chaos Engine (50:11)
Head Over Heels (54:12)
Populus (58:35)
Grand Theft Auto IV (01:02:35)
WipEout 2097 (01:06:55)
Sensible World of Soccer (01:10:32)
Deus Ex Machina (01:16:27)
Dizzy: Prince of the Yolkfolk (01:20:11)

See the final rankings in the forums!

A SMALL SELECTION OF THINGS REFERENCED:

Edited by Esper Quinn. Original Music by Kurt Feldman.

Ep. 191 - The Not Game Making Dimension, with Liz Ryerson Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

Musician, writer, and Insert Credit regular Liz Ryerson returns to cover lawyer angels, Charles Martinet’s infidelity, and Le Console.

Questions this week:

Kelsey Lewin asks: What’s the recipe for the worst way to play Super Mario Bros.? (03:42)
Has a spiritual sequel to a game ever surpassed it? (08:58)
How would you commemorate a series 30th anniversary when you have no new games to announce? (13:16)
Can listening to a game’s soundtrack spoil the game? (18:00)
How have video games failed the queer community? (23:09)
Dirtbag MoxBagel asks: How do you design around players hoarding items? (32:49)
If all the big tech giants made video game consoles, which one would be the biggest disaster? (38:28)
What are the best unlicensed games? (43:36)
Can realistic human jumping be fun in video games? (49:15)
Who’s the Christopher Columbus of video games? (54:26)