Longtime friends and games media colleagues Vinny Caravella, Brad Shoemaker, and Alex Navarro share their combined decades of knowledge, expertise, and passion for games with weekly discussions about what they’re playing, what’s happening in the industry, and whatever else they’re up to.
220: Lighthouse With a Gun
Oct 23, 2025
Show notes
Video games! There's a bunch of them to talk about this week, including Keeper, Dead Reset, Easy Delivery Co., Ball x Pit, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, a quick Steam Next Fest co-op roundup... and some Death Stranding 2. In the news, the sudden passing of Team Ninja's Tomonobu Itagaki, The Simpsons (maybe) in Fortnite, and probably more discussion of Street Fighter hamburgers than was really necessary. CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening. (00:00:08) Intro (00:07:51) Time to rack everything and unload these desktop cases (00:14:27) Keeper | [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S] | Oct 17, 2025 (00:25:36) Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted | [Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4] | Oct 23, 2025 (00:29:18) First Break (00:32:04) Noise complaints! (00:34:00) Some Co-op Next Fest games (00:34:21) Yapyap | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | TBD (00:36:01) Roadside Research | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | 2025 (00:36:49) Ultimate Sheep Raccoon | [Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One] | Q4 2025 (00:37:14) Final Sentence | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Q4 2025 (00:44:47) Easy Delivery Co. | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Sep 18, 2025 (00:48:20) Dead Reset | [Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, iOS, Android] | Sep 11, 2025 (00:51:47) Some other games Alex has touched (00:53:00) Ball x Pit | [PlayStation 5, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch] | Oct 15, 2025 (00:57:07) Death Stranding 2: On The Beach | [PlayStation 5] | Jun 26, 2025 (00:57:21) [Spoiler Warning] Mostly enemies, items, locations, etc (01:18:55) Second Break (01:19:00) News (01:19:13) Team Ninja founder Itagaki has passed away (01:32:58) Dan Forden from Mortal Kombat is retired (01:35:22) [Note: We lost some audio here so this next section uses a backup if things sound weird] (01:35:26) Rare's Gregg Mayles has also retired (01:38:52) Fortnite might be getting some Simpsons? (01:47:35) Delicious Street Burgers (01:55:32) Emails (02:06:52) Wrapping up and thanks (02:08:35) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts (02:11:57) See ya!
219: The New Rad
Oct 16, 2025
Show notes
Apparently it's time to start talking in earnest about next-generation video game consoles this week, and we add to that discussion of Ball x Pit, Battlefield 6, Wildgate, Steam Next Fest demos like Skate Story and Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown, and, yes, Death Stranding 2. Also, a Max Effect check-in, the shocking truth about those Pikmin shorts, and more! CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening. (00:00:09) Intro (00:00:49) Turns out I bought a lot of dumb stuff in the years since I started cleaning out the basement (00:10:36) Ball x Pit | [PlayStation 5, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch] | Oct 15, 2025 (00:27:32) First Break (00:27:37) Battlefield 6 | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | Oct 10, 2025 (00:39:26) Skate Story | [Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac] | Dec 08, 2025 (00:45:02) Marvel Cosmic Invasion | [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | Q4 2025 (00:49:46) No, I'm Not A Human | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Sep 15, 2025 (00:55:50) Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | TBD (01:07:40) Half Sword | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | 2025 (01:08:09) Wildgate | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | Jul 22, 2025 (01:14:43) Death Stranding 2: On The Beach | [PlayStation 5] | Jun 26, 2025 (01:14:48) [Warning: Possible Spoilers for Death Stranding 2] (01:27:58) Second Break (01:28:02) Let's talk about some rumors concerning the next consoles (01:57:47) Those Pikmin animated shorts may have just been animated shorts (01:59:38) Emails (02:09:22) Wrapping up and thanks (02:12:29) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts (02:14:03) Nextlander content updates (02:16:39) See ya!
218: A Chair Made of Kirby
Oct 09, 2025
Show notes
It's a catch-up week around here as Brad and Vinny barrel toward the end of Death Stranding 2, Alex breaks the seal on Megabonk, and we all come to terms with what Baby Steps is asking of us. In the news, more goings on with Game Pass, Circana's latest stats on how many people are (or aren't) buying games, Nintendo's possible Pikmin movie/show/something, and more. Plus, David Lynch's house for sale, furniture made out of video game characters, and more of your emails! CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening. (00:00:10) Intro (00:04:07) The spider showdown! (00:09:03) Baby Steps | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5] | Sep 23, 2025 (00:27:59) Pocket Boss | [Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Oct 08, 2025 (00:31:14) First Break (00:33:53) [SPOILERS] Death Stranding 2 stuff, nothing big but general warning (00:34:26) Death Stranding 2: On The Beach | [PlayStation 5] | Jun 26, 2025 (00:58:10) Jump Space (Early Access) | [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S] | Sep 19, 2025 (01:01:59) Megabonk | [PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux] | Sep 18, 2025 (01:09:04) Second Break (01:09:09) It's official, there's never been a better time to play games... especially for 14 percent of us. (01:26:00) Some updates on Microsoft's Game Pass changes (01:30:17) Red Dead Redemption 2 may still be coming to this generation! (01:33:09) What is Nintendo's new Pikmin thing? (01:37:58) Of course Fortnite has KPop Demon Hunters in it (01:44:44) Emails (02:03:21) Wrapping up and thanks (02:05:35) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts (02:07:28) Nextlander Content Updates (02:09:53) See ya!
217: The Joka-Cola
Oct 02, 2025
Show notes
With Vinny back in the "office," this week we catch up on more Ghost of Yotei, Baby Steps, and Death Stranding, plus newcomers Megabonk and The Lift, dive into all the big news about the EA buyout and Game Pass price increase, give a little swan song for Rock Band 4, talk through the family Street Fighter progression, fantasize about installing your own soda fountain at home, and more. CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening. (00:00:10) Intro (00:05:18) Street Fighter 6 is a really fun! (00:09:13) Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds | [Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One] | Sep 25, 2025 (00:18:08) Blippo+ | [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Sep 23, 2025 (00:26:42) First Break (00:26:57) Ghost of Yotei | [PlayStation 5] | Oct 02, 2025 (00:41:46) The Lift (Alpha) | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Sep 16, 2025 (00:47:02) Death Stranding 2: On The Beach | [PlayStation 5] | Jun 26, 2025 (00:47:23) [Warning: We don't talk story stuff but we do talk about gear you get] (01:06:19) Baby Steps | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5] | Sep 23, 2025 (01:12:14) Megabonk | [PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux] | Sep 18, 2025 (01:16:27) V Rising | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | May 08, 2024 (01:17:09) Second Break (01:17:14) EA to be acquired for $55 billion (01:50:20) Game Pass getting a price bump (02:06:55) Xbox Ally pricing confirmed (02:10:52) Forza Horizon 6 won't be on PS5 at launch (02:12:57) Rock Band 4 to be delisted (02:18:52) Doug Bowser is leaving Nintendo (02:25:14) Emails (02:31:34) Watchcast updates (02:35:14) NXL Content Updates (02:37:12) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts (02:38:55) Wrapping up and go drink wine and play Smash Bros? (02:41:52) See ya!
216: Blame Yourself or God
Sep 25, 2025
Show notes
Our friend Austin Walker stops by to join us for an absolutely jam-packed conversation about new and upcoming games we've been playing, including Ghost of Yotei, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Baby Steps, Metroid Prime 4, Kirby Air Riders, and Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 for Switch. Also, pre-TGS updates on Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Kojima Productions' Physint and OD, the GDC rebrand, college courses about games, an update on Austin's tabletop RPG Realis, import tariffs on human flesh, and more! CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening. (00:00:35) Austin Walker is here! (00:02:30) An update on Realis (00:03:24) Sorry, we're importing what now? (00:10:03) Ghost of Yotei | [PlayStation 5] | Oct 01, 2025 (00:33:14) Recent firing at Sucker Punch (00:39:58) First Break (00:40:03) Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles | [PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Steam] | Sep 30, 2025 (01:14:04) Baby Steps | [PlayStation 5, Steam] | Sep 23, 2025 (01:31:40) Second Break (01:31:45) Metroid Prime 4 | [Nintendo Switch, Switch 2] | Dec 04 2025 (01:38:26) Kirby Air Riders | [Nintendo Switch 2] | Nov 20 2025 (01:45:23) Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 | [Nintendo Switch] | Oct 02 2025 (01:48:43) Supergiant interlude (Hades II, Pyre) (01:50:41) That Virtual Boy add-on (01:54:29) News (01:54:48) Kojima Productions' pre-TGS news (Physint, OD trailer, Death Stranding movie) (02:02:49) Yakuza Kiwami 3 announced (02:09:21) The Game Developers Conference has rebranded (02:19:08) Email! (about teaching games in college) (02:26:55) Thanks again Austin! (02:31:14) Mysterious benefactors! (02:32:45) Content and bye!
Special Ep: Never Been a Better Podcast 009: Just Like Thoreau Had
Sep 18, 2025
Show notes
The Nextlander Podcast is taking a week off, so we bring you a classic NBABP episode, in which Abby Russell and Dan Ryckert join us to talk about eating food, eating not-food, and finding peace in the Internet Age. CHAPTERS
(00:01:24) Intro (00:01:47) "Don't Ask Me!" (00:02:35) How's Metal Gear Solid doing? (00:03:41) What's going on with new space-themed Lego? (00:04:27) Dan's the secret leaker (00:05:14) God of War secrets revealed (00:06:24) Video games made into shows and movies (00:07:44) Does getting ripped make you less fun? (00:10:32) "I could eat a tennis ball" (00:10:52) Cooking with Dan (00:15:23) Tales from the Microwave (00:19:04) I actually looked this up and it seems like your skin just burns and you die. (00:21:48) First Break (00:21:58) Favorite YouTuber (00:26:17) Dan's unplugging (00:34:52) Any vacation plans for Abby? (00:35:23) Can Alex find peace in wilderness? (00:38:03) Second Break (00:38:16) Getting in your own head (00:42:41) Pottery Updates (00:46:43) Dan is getting into electronics and console modding! (00:48:01) How is the speed running going? (00:55:07) Dan's fancy smart-bed (00:57:58) Wrapping up
215: A Frogger Is One Who Frogs
Sep 11, 2025
Show notes
Silksong has happened, it's out, and of course we discuss it this week, along with Cronos: The New Dawn, Adventure of Samsara, the return of the new Acclaim, that third Wolfenstein game we still hope to play one day, Nintendo Direct predictions, the video game mega-anniversary of September 9th, some surprising facts about the PlayStation's sales numbers, and more. CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening. (00:00:10) Intro (00:03:23) Speaking of anniversaries...09/09! (00:08:53) Hollow Knight: Silksong | [Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One] | Sep 04, 2025 (00:32:34) First Break (00:32:38) Cronos: The New Dawn | [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Sep 05, 2025 (00:49:23) Adventure of Samsara | [Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Linux] | Sep 04, 2025 (00:55:46) Death Stranding 2: On The Beach | [PlayStation 5] | Jun 26, 2025 (01:05:59) Second Break (01:06:03) News (01:06:19) Welcome back, Acclaim? (01:13:32) Lenovo's next handheld will support an Xbox mode (01:18:54) Will the Wolfenstein Trilogy ever be told? (01:26:41) Nintendo will have its longest Direct ever? (01:31:07) Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2 updates (01:37:50) Emails (01:41:59) Wrapping up and thanks (01:44:45) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts (01:46:24) Be good out there folks (01:47:04) To-dos for next week? (01:48:36) See ya!
214: Bubsy Is a Draft Dodger
Sep 04, 2025
Show notes
This week we get into a young man's first Mass Effect, Brad's tumble back down the Death Stranding 2 hole, Vinny finishing Shinobi, Alex making stern faces at Madden, a portable PlayStation 6 (??), Take-Two's nearly closed deal to pick up Perfect Dark, Saudi Arabia's new ownership stake in Evo, grandfathers who love Bubsy, old jokes that never actually existed, the enduring cultural influence of AMVs, and more. CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening. (00:00:10) Intro (00:01:32) Alex's App Story (00:09:04) Revisiting Mass Effect through the youth (00:28:17) Death Stranding 2: On The Beach | [PlayStation 5] | Jun 26, 2025 (00:54:17) First Break (00:56:37) Shinobi: Art of Vengeance | [Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S] | Aug 29, 2025 (01:03:13) Hollow Knight: Silksong | [Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S] | Sep 04, 2025 (01:05:26) Madden NFL 26 | [Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Aug 14, 2025 (01:08:04) Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Aug 14, 2025 (01:10:37) Second Break (01:10:42) Sony's possible storage downgrades (01:15:35) Rumors of a Sony handheld are back (01:38:33) The story of Perfect Dark continues... for a bit (01:45:45) Saudi Arabia gets involved in EVO (01:54:34) Emails (02:16:52) Wrapping up and thanks (02:22:56) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts (02:24:24) Nextlander Content Updates (02:25:38) See ya!
213: The Garbage-to-Gold Ratio
Aug 28, 2025
Show notes
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is our top game this week, plus one of us gets an up-close look at Bubsy 4D, the Hollow Knight Silksong release date fallout, Forza Horizon might be headed to Japan, Atari now owns Child of Eden and Grow Home, some highly important games are coming to the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection, and more. CHAPTERS (00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening. (00:00:10) Intro (00:01:29) The universal language of 'Thumbs Up!" (00:07:51) Shinobi: Art of Vengeance | [Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S] | Aug 29, 2025 (00:31:34) First Break (00:31:38) Sword of the Sea | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5] | Aug 19, 2025 (00:35:17) Bubsy 4D | [PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5] | TBD (00:56:14) She Sees Red | [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Jul 11, 2019 (01:00:34) Be careful with your FMV nudity on YouTube (01:04:48) Second Break (01:04:52) Silksong finally gets its release date (01:12:59) Skate also gets its [Early Access] date! (01:19:49) Forza Horizon 6 might take place and be announced in Japan? (01:26:53) Atari wants to revive some old Ubisoft titles (01:32:56) Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection adds more games (01:46:11) Emails (01:54:26) Wrapping up and thanks (01:59:10) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts (02:00:43) Nextlander Content Updates (02:01:51) See Ya
212: Cheaters Never Win
Aug 21, 2025
Show notes
This week: New video games! Sword of the Sea, Is This Seat Taken?, and yes, the annual Madden check-in. In the news, PS5 price increases in the US, Halo on a PlayStation (sort of), a Gamescom wrap-up including Road Kings, WH40K: Dawn of War IV, and uh, Bubsy 4D, and lastly... maybe Hollow Knight Silksong is getting a release date. Or maybe it's just out now? CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening. (00:00:10) Intro (00:03:03) I need to be more Coonce-like in my approach to stress (00:05:18) 2 weeks? 2 weeks... Construction updates (00:08:09) Mafia: The Old Country | [PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S] | Aug 08, 2025 (00:15:46) Sword of the Sea | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5] | Aug 19, 2025 (00:28:19) First Break (00:28:24) Madden NFL 26 | [Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows)] | Aug 14, 2025 (00:38:45) Is This Seat Taken? | [PC (Microsoft Windows), Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch] | Aug 2025 (00:44:34) The other games in our lives (00:49:13) Second Break (00:49:18) Sometimes spam gets tricky folks... (00:51:01) Gamescom 2025 (00:55:43) Star Trek Voyager: Across the Unknown (00:57:42) Bubsy 4D | [PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5] | TBD (00:59:42) Road Kings | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | 2026 (01:02:04) Routine | [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S] | Q4 2025 (01:03:51) Cronos: The New Dawn | [Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2] | Sep 05, 2025 (01:04:53) Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV | [PC (Microsoft Windows)] | TBD (01:10:18) John Carpenter's Toxic Commando | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | 2026 (01:10:49) Hollow Knight: Silksong | [Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux] | 2025 (01:12:16) LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight | [PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows)] | 2026 (01:12:28) La Divina Commedia (01:12:45) Silent Hill f | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | Sep 25, 2025 (01:12:56) Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | Oct 21, 2025 (01:13:30) Resident Evil: Requiem | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S] | Feb 27, 2026 (01:14:03) Death by Scrolling (01:14:26) Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven | [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S] | 2026 (01:14:56) Fallout Season 2 (01:15:38) Denshattack! | [PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5] | Q2 2026 (01:18:27) Silksong has/had a big announcement! (01:22:34) Rod Fegusson joins the BioShock 4 team (01:27:14) Halo and Helldivers join forces (01:29:56) PlayStation consoles in the U.S. are getting a price increase (01:33:32) Emails (01:45:41) Wrapping up and thanks (01:46:03) A late bit of Gamescom "news" (01:48:18) Summer of Star Trek is ending soon! (01:51:00) Mysterious Benefactor Shoutouts (01:52:48) See ya!
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