The Insert Credit Show

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Ep. 431 - Mr. Bustle Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Our heroes convene to discuss the changes at Microsoft and Sony, the liberation of Cookie’s Bustle, and the Year of the Horse.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What does the landscape of console gaming look like now and in the future? (03:58)

2: When in a video game would you prefer to play as yourself, versus a character with a distinct personality? (12:45)

3: If you had to lock in video game aesthetics forever, would that point be right now, or another time? (17:36)

4: What was the endgame for the Cookie’s Bustle patent troll? (23:59)

5: Frank, talk about the weird NextFest experience you had (32:03)

6: The AV Club’s Catherine Masters asks: Happy year of the horse! What does a AAA horse game on the level of Forza or God of War look like? (41:34)

7: The AV Club’s Catherine Masters asks, what would the Pink Pony Club be like as a place in a game? (48:52)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Year of the Horse - Mane Six (54:56)

Recommendations and Outro (01:01:06):

Brandon: The second Kekko Kamen movie, Riverbend (1989): 6K Restoration Kickstarter, The Caller (1987), don’t overexert yourself while exercising
Ash: Touch grass, move your body, look at the sky
Jaffe: Go to physical therapy

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Ep. 430 - Pac-Man 2cular Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

The panel reviews Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures, deeming it the most British Japanese game ever, and potentially the future of video games. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: Why is this game like this? (06:16)

2: If you had to live in a house shaped like a video game character, who would it be? (38:53)

3: What other video game sequels take such a big swing they deserve the subtitle “the New Adventures?” (41:08)

4: Spencer Gifts asks, should Zelda style game be called adventure games or should point and click games be called adventure games? (46:56)

5: Let’s talk about the hot girl in Pac-Man 2. (52:56)

6: Let’s talk about the arcade segments stapled onto this game. (58:17)

7: Is this a good game? (01:03:37)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - The New Adventures (01:13:21)

Credit Report (01:21:06)

Recommendations and Outro (01:22:45):

Frank: Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures
Brandon: The Feminine Complex, Corpse Mania (1981), Total Recall 2070, donate to Trans Continental Pipeline
Ash: Read Aftermath, pay for journalism, take a walk in the sun
Jaffe: Share your interests with people

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Ep. 429 - Baby Brawler, with Topher Florence, Vanessa B, and Pro Kesadia Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Ash Parrish hosts the blackest episode of Insert Credit yet, with an all-star panel of former guests and contributors. Hosted by Ash Parrish, with Topher Florence, Vanessa B, and Pro Kesadia. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: Is there still a place for live service games right now? (05:01)

2: Who should be the next Nintendo character to get hit with the baby ray? (13:46)

3: If you were taking up the mantle of MF Doom, what cartoons would you use in your skits? (17:42)

4: Who is the “I would have voted for Obama for a third time” of video games? (20:51)

Insert Credit Quick Break: Brenton Woodrow’s Marathon (25:35)

5: Alex Jaffe asks, which 21st century video games would be best for a 1980’s DiC-style cartoon? (26:52)

6: Brandon Sheffield asks, why is the Sega Genesis for black people? (31:51)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Cookout (38:09)

Recommendations and Outro (52:50):

Vanessa: twitch.tv/pleasantlytwstd, Relooted
Ash: Review the games you like
Pro_Kesadia: twitch.tv/pro_kesadia, Romeo Is A Dead Man
Topher: topherflorence.bsky.social, make some bundt bread

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Ep. 428 - Even More Games of the Year 2025 Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Editor Esper Quinn joins Ash and Brandon to cover the rest of 2025’s best games. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Ash Parrish and Esper Quinn. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Watch episodes with full video on YouTube Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums SHOW NOTES: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Demonschool 1: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (02:28) Dynasty Warriors: Origins The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Hyrule Warriors series Linkle Vampire Survivors 2: Soulstone Survivors (05:38) 3: Let Them Come: Onslaught (06:21) 4: Vital Shell (06:38) 5: to a T (07:39) Keita Takahashi Despelote Perfect Tides: Station to Station 6: Ball x Pit (10:49) Arkanoid 7: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (16:20) Blasphemous Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Insert Credit Gaiden #14 - Arcadevania, with Ben Fiquet 8: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (18:11) Blasphemous 9: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles (19:46) Fire Emblem series Advance Wars series Triangle Strategy Dissidia: Final Fantasy NT series Yasumi Matsuno Ogre Battle Tactics Ogre Final Fantasy Tactics Vagrant Story Final Fantasy XII Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Jeanne d’Arc Disgaea series 10: Terminator 2D: No Fate (25:20) Xeno Crisis The Phantom The Phantom (1996) Macaw45 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Judge Dredd Metal Slug series 11: Blade Chimera (29:03) Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth 12: Squeakross: Home Squeak Home (31:32) Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Jerma Streams - Squeakross: Home Squeak Home 13: Unbeatable (34:45) 14: Ambrosia Sky: Act One (37:06) PowerWash Simulator 15: Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To (38:54) Lofi Girl 16: Skin Deep (41:27) Laura Michet 17: Angeline Era (44:43) Ys series Earthbound 18: Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. (47:39) Tekken series Hades II 19: Birdcage (51:24) Doom: The Dark Ages Radiant Silvergun Sōkyūgurentai Ikaruga 20: JAIL DICE: Roll to Break (53:17) Devil Dice 21: Magic: The Gathering®—FINAL FANTASY™ (56:54) The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Magic: The Gathering® | The Hobbit™ Assassin’s Creed War of the Spark Ep. 401 - Let’s Gather Some Magic, with Esper Quinn 22: Hell Is Us (01:03:59) 23: Hades II (01:13:47) Hades Pyre Transistor 24: Shadow Labyrinth (01:16:42) Pac-Man Xevious Mr. Driller Secret Level 25: Doom: The Dark Ages (01:21:49) Doom Eternal Doom Djent 26: The Dark Queen of Mortholme (01:26:30) Blasphemous Slay the Princess 27: Pokemon Legends: Z-A (01:30:00) Pokémon Scarlet Yakuza universe Digimon Story Time Stranger Pokopia 28: Hotel Barcelona (01:35:53) Hidetaka Suehiro Goichi Suda Super Time Force 29: The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy (01:39:43) Danganronpa series Zero Escape: The Nonary Games Kazutaka Kodaka Kotaro Uchikoshi Gnosia 30: Shujinkou (01:45:24) Street Fighter: 30th Anniversary Collection Gunhouse 31: Haste (01:49:32) Klonoa: Door to Phantomile SSX series Tony Hawk Pro Skater series Peak 32: AI Limit (01:53:06) 33: Super Robot Wars Y (01:54:29) Gunpla Sentai 34: Routine (01:58:03) Aftermath Crow Country 35: Sid Meier’s Civilization VII (02:03:15) Sid Meier’s Civilization V Sid Meier’s Civilization VI Endless Legend Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth 36: Blast Rush LS (02:10:29) Blast Rush 37: Advent Neon (02:12:37) Socket DeviantArt Newgrounds 38: Donkey Kong Bananza (02:16:02) Donkey Kong 64 Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Mario Kart World Super Mario Odyssey The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks 39: Cronos: The New Dawn (02:23:03) Silent Hill 2 Silent Hill f 40: Absolum (02:27:01) Streets of Rage 4 41: Monster Prom 4: Monster Con (02:31:14) LeahPlease Monster Prom series 42: Dreams of Another (02:33:58) The Unfinished Swan Viewfinder 43: Date Everything! (02:37:49) Gijinka OS-tan Hyperdimension Neptunia series Hatoful Boyfriend 44: Kingdoms of the Dump (02:43:18) Mario RPG series Fragrant Story 45: Blippo+ (02:45:38) Playdate Yacht Telefantasy Studios Max Headroom Blippo+ (NSW2) No Commentary 46: Full Metal Schoolgirl (02:56:39) Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 47: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (03:00:40) Suikoden Brain Lords - The Backlog Games of the Year ft. Esper Quinn Ben Starr Matthew Mercer Persona series Faye Wong It Takes Two Outro (03:18:04) 48: Despelote (03:20:56) Outro, Part II (03:21:24) This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you. Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Full show notes at the publisher

Ep. 427 - Game of the Year 2025 Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

Insert Credit nominates and ranks the fifteen best video games of the year 2025.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

(Finalized list appears at the bottom of the show notes, don’t spoil yourself!)

SHOW NOTES:

1: Ash Parrish’s First Nominee (05:20)

2: Brandon Sheffield’s First Nominee (09:27)

3: Frank Cifaldi’s First Nominee (14:46)

4: Ash’s Second Nominee (20:34)

5: Brandon’s Second Nominee (24:50)

6: Frank’s Second Nominee (28:01)

7: Ash’s Third Nominee (32:37z)

8: Brandon’s Third Nominee (37:53)

9: Frank’s Third Nominee (43:24)

Frank’s Top 5 Albums of the Year (54:01)

10: Ash’s Fourth Nominee (59:31)

11: Brandon’s Fourth Nominee (01:05:41)

12: Frank’s Fourth Nominee (01:08:50)

13: Ash’s Fifth Nominee (01:14:37)

14: Brandon’s Fifth Nominee (01:22:01)

15: Frank’s Fifth Nomination (01:27:41)

16: Alex Jaffe’s First Nomination (01:33:29)

THE INSERT CREDIT GAME OF THE YEAR 2025 TOP 16:

Silent Hilf ($69.99) [14 hrs]
News Tower ($24.99) [9.5 hrs]
South of Midnight ($39.99) [11.5 hrs]
Wanderstop ($24.99) [10.5 hrs]
Hollow Knight: Silksong ($19.99) [28 hrs]
Blue Prince ($29.99) [26.5 hrs]
Dead Take ($14.99) [4 hrs]
Promise Mascot Agency ($24.99) [12.5 hrs]
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii ($59.99) [36 hrs]
Windswept ($19.99) [9.5 hrs]
Hypogea ($9.99) [2.5 hrs]
Asura the Striker ($14.99) [0.5 hrs]
The Roottrees are Dead ($19.99) [11.5 hrs]
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater ($69.99) [12 hrs]
Call of Ponchy: Mahjong Warfare ($0.99) [??? hrs]
Demonschool ($24.99) [31.5 hrs]

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Ep. 426 - Fortnite for Boomers Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

The finest minds in video games discuss the evolution of turn-based combat, turning pixels into symphonies, and the devastating return of Violence Island.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What tips you off that someone discussing video games has no idea what they’re talking about? (06:08)

2: How have turn-based battle systems evolved over 30 years? (11:58)

3: On what occasions have you wished a game was harder? (17:27)

4: If we were to re-establish an official video game seal of quality, what would be the qualifying criteria? (21:41)

5: Syswivv asks, what kind of video game would Andy Warhol have made? (28:08)

6: Describe Bubsy 3D: Bubsy Visits the James Turrell Retrospective to Ash (32:24)

7: What’s the best use a game has ever made of being able to click in the analog stick? (34:39)

8: Who is your favorite video game character to debut in the last ten years? (40:39)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Violence Island (46:02)

Recommendations and Outro (01:01:52):

Brandon: The Most Terrible Time in My Life (1993), Gnosia, yucca
Ash: Put chili crisp on everything, Support Laid-off Vox Media Workers
Frank: Lil’ baby potatoes

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Ep. 425 - Hooves for Nipples Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Our heroes confront video game movie adaptations, how controversy sells games, and Tom Cruise in Sonic 3 & Knuckles the Porn Parody the Official Game of the Movie.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank “Baseball” Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What are some good games with built in breaks? (08:20)

2: Which character has suffered the biggest design downgrade in video game history? (15:50)

3: Who’s your Mario? (21:29)

4: Is the average video game based on a movie better than the average movie based on a video game? (25:42)

5: SaveaSaturn asks, what game that you’ve never played would you take to a desert island with you? (31:39)

6: What makes bad video games successful? (38:30)

7: What is the “Maybe it will happen today” of video games? (44:17)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Genshin Impact (49:54)

Recommendations and Outro (56:38):

Brandon: From the Fields granola, Dosa Chips, American Rickshaw (1989), please review Demonschool positively on Steam
Frank: Rate and review things in general

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Ep. 424 - Insert Credit Annual #7 Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

As has become tradition, Insert Credit ranks the best games of all time. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Watch episodes with full video on YouTube Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums SHOW NOTES: Digital Eclipse Final Fantasy VIII “If I die here alone, a miserable death, no one will bother to pick up my bones.” Sonic the Hedgehog Arator the Redeemer World of WarCraft Demonschool Ryu Number #IDARB Street Fighter: 30th Anniversary Collection Aetherdrift Bestow Greatness (the supposed Ash card) Johnny Silverhand Yakuza 0 EarthBound Super Mario Bros. 3 Panzer Dragoon II: Zwei Doom OutRun: Online Arcade Silent Hill 1: Frank’s Mom’s Favorite Game (08:56) Super Mario series 2: Ash’s Cousin Eric’s Favorite Game (14:07) Ms. Pac-Man Sega Genesis Mortal Kombat series Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures 3: Brandon’s Partner Christina’s Favorite Game (19:45) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Nintendo DS Grand Theft Auto series Game Boy Advance Ivy the Kiwi? 4: Frank’s Co-host Ash’s Favorite Game (25:08) Dragon Age: Inquisition Overwatch Bayonetta Sonic the Hedgehog Part II Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles Sega Technical Institute Mark Cerny 5: Ash’s Friend Nicki’s Favorite Game (34:34) Pokémon Red Version The Vision of Escaflowne ACen Pokémon Blue Version Sega Game Gear MissingNo Sailor Moon Street Sharks Pikachu 6: Brandon’s Dad’s Favorite Game (39:52) Military Madness TurboGrafx-16 Famicom Wars Advance Wars Neutopia Legend of Zelda series Tetris Spelling Bee Sub Hunt PalmPilot Atari 2600 Circus 7: Frank’s Best Friend and Editor Esper’s Favorite Game (45:31) Drifting Off with Joe Pera: A Sleep Podcast The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Final Fantasy VII Phil Salvador Sega Saturn Final Fantasy VII: Remake Barrett Wallace Final Fantasy Got It Right With Two Black Fathers Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII 8: Ash’s Friend Will’s Favorite Game (55:34) Karazhan Ventrillo Hikikomori Elwynn Forest Dreadsteed 9: Brandon’s Friend Scott’s Favorite Game (01:04:38) Final Fantasy VI Super Nintendo Entertainment System Record of Lodoss War La Blue Girl Nobuo Uematsu 10: Frank’s Friend Lucy’s Favorite Game (01:11:42) Mass Effect 2 Pulp Fiction (1994) Fallout: New Vegas 11: Ash’s Cousin Jason’s Favorite Game (01:24:29) Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Dragon Ball Z Vegeta Dragon Ball Dragon Ball Super 12: Brandon’s Former Coworker Christian’s Favorite Game (01:32:36) Ys: Book I & II Tengai Makyō: Ziria Bump System The Frog For Whom the Bell Tolls 13: Frank’s Wife Amanda’s Second Favorite Game (01:38:38) Kickle Cubicle Irem R-Type series Disaster Report series Adventures of Lolo 14: Ash’s Husband Travis’s Favorite Game (01:42:33) Contra III: The Alien Wars Mana series Castlevania: Bloodlines Contra Hard Corps Weenie Hut Jr’s Super Castlevania IV UFO 50 15: Brandon’s College Friend and Insert Credit Co-Founder Vincent’s Favorite Game (01:47:42) Metaphor: ReFantazio Puyo Puyo Sun Bubble Bobble Puzzle Bobble 16: Frank’s Pal Ian’s Favorite Game (01:52:31) Killer7 Suda51 Cam Clarke Resident Evil 4 No More Heroes Shadows of the Damned 17: Ash’s Sister Alexis’s Favorite Game (01:59:53) Uno No Mercy Connect Four Kingdom Hearts Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit Disney Channel No Strings Attached Katamari Damacy 18: Brandon’s Friend Chaz’s Favorite Game (02:06:00) Shining Force II N-Gage 19: Frank’s Other Friend Ian’s Favorite Game (02:10:48) Super Mario World Kaizo Super Mario Maker Disneyland Walt Disney World 20: Ash’s Best Friend Abby’s Favorite Game (02:17:11) Dragon Age: Inquisition Baldur’s Gate series Alistair Sid Meier’s Civilization series Cullen Rutherford Miscegenation 21: Brandon’s Coworker Tara’s Favorite Game (02:28:43) Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! NieR: Automata NieR PlatinumGames Inc. Final List (02:28:43) View the finalized list right here! This week’s Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you. Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Full show notes at the publisher

Ep. 423 - Explode My Bones Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

The panel reviews Mr. Bones, a Sega Saturn classic featuring frustrating design choices, a certain comedy level, and skeletism.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

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Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: How did we get here? (03:57)

2: What are the good versions of the ideas presented in this game? (27:20)

3: Brenton Woodrow asks, which Saturn or Dreamcast game that never had a sequel is best suited for a sequel in 2021? (37:02)

4: If not Mr. Bones, what’s the best skeleton in a video game? (42:04)

5: Let’s talk about this game’s comedy level (44:46)

6: What can we learn about the blues from this video game? (51:07)

7: Do you like Mr. Bones? (56:43)

LIGHTNING ROUND: Name Design - Mr. Organs (01:02:31)

Credit Report (01:08:16)

Recommendations and Outro (01:13:08):

Brandon: The All New, All Astonishing Insert Credit Patreon, May I Ask For One Final Thing?, Journal with Witch, Blackhawk Museum
Ash: Ball x Pit, touch grass, tell people you care about them, this empire shall burn too
Frank: someone make a thread in the forums of media where fascists lose and die

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Ep. 422 - Gearslop Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Our heroes convene to discuss the Sega Game Gear, the most satisfying punch in video games, and sports MMOs.

Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.

Watch episodes with full video on YouTube

Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums

SHOW NOTES:

1: What kinds of video games do you think we’ll never see again? (07:27)

2: What’s the most satisfying punch you can throw in a video game? (12:15)

3: Which Game Gear games are most faithful to their source material? (17:07)

4: The Adaptation Game - Betty Boop (21:50)

5: littleboat asks, what is the word of the year in videogames? (27:42)

6: Are there sports MMOs where everybody is one player? (35:38)

7: Has making a video game gotten harder or easier over time? (39:42)

LIGHTNING ROUND: GameFAQ&As - Baldur’s Gate III (45:15)

Recommendations and Outro (52:52):

Frank: King Leo peppermint
Brandon: Dickens Fair, Dark Angel (1990), Cat Eyed Boy
Ash: Greyhound (2020), I, Claudius
Jaffe: I, Podius (for Ash), Pluribus (for Brandon), Ragman (1991 series) (for Frank), leave us a review, watch a couple Insert Credit Show episodes in a row on YouTube, support us at patreon.com/insertcredit

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