The Press Start Podcast

Xbox Project Helix: $1200 Console or PC Hybrid? | The Press Start Podcast Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

This week we unpack the bombshell reveal of Xbox Project Helix, Microsoft's next generation console that blurs the line between Xbox and PC gaming with a rumored price tag of $1,200 USD. We debate whether PlayStation's testing of dynamic pricing on the PlayStation Store is a concerning sign for digital storefronts and discuss what Shinji Mikami's new studio could be working on for their next AA to AAA project. James delivers his full review of the Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake and we react to the final trailer for the Super Mario Galaxy movie including the casting of Donald Glover as Yoshi. We also touch on the insane demand for Pokemon Pokopia selling out worldwide before closing with another chaotic round of What The Wiki?! and trivia.

Chapters

00:00:00 Coming Up
00:00:33 Project Helix: The Next-Generation Xbox
00:11:07 PlayStation Testing Dynamic Pricing
00:16:37 Shinji Mikami's Next Game
00:22:22 Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake Review
00:32:12 Super Mario Galaxy Trailer & Casting Reaction
00:44:06 Pokemon Pokopia Sold Out
00:49:19 What The Wiki?! & Trivia
00:59:25 Outro

The Press Start Podcast is Press Start Australia's weekly video game discussion podcast.
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#gaming #podcast #playstation

Bungie’s Marathon Is Finally Here But Highguard Is Already Dead | The Press Start Podcast Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Bungie finally drops their extraction shooter Marathon while we dissect the shocking 45 day lifespan and shutdown of Highguard. We also dive into the massive Pokemon 30th Anniversary reveals including the record breaking Pokemon Pokopia on Switch 2 and the Gen 10 announcement of Pokemon Winds and Waves. Our team weighs in on whether the era of live service failures is finally coming to a head or if Marathon can buck the trend.

Chapters

00:00:00 Coming Up
00:00:32 Marathon First Impressions
00:10:57 Highguard Shutting Down: What Does It Mean For Marathon?
00:19:13 PlayStation Abandoning PC Relases
00:25:17 New God of War Leaks: Faye Not Kratos
00:29:09 Pokemon Pokopia Review: Best Pokemon Spin-Off Ever?
00:37:32 Pokemon Winds & Waves: New Starters
00:41:32 Assassin's Creed Black Flag Remake Teased
00:42:28 What The Wiki?! & Trivia
00:50:38 Outro

The Press Start Podcast is Press Start Australia's weekly video game discussion podcast.
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YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh0fsLvVCs9Pym8WExQiXdiqQsscybcK&si=Zh7Gw4QsFJQGFoUU
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#gaming #podcast #playstation

Phil Spencer Retires, Bluepoint Closes & Resident Evil Requiem Review | The Press Start Podcast Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

On this week's episode, we provide an in-depth Resident Evil Requiem review and discuss the fallout of Sony shutting down Bluepoint Games. We analyze the retirement of Phil Spencer as Xbox CEO and what it means for the future of Microsoft Gaming. Finally, we celebrate the news of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen finally coming to the Nintendo Switch.

Chapters

00:00:00 Coming Up
00:00:32 Xbox Changes: Phil Spencer & Sarah Bond Depart
00:18:38 PlayStation Close Bluepoint Studios
00:28:15 Resident Evil Requiem Review
00:50:51 Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen ROMs Announced
01:00:34 Did Kratos' Voice Actor Confirm The Next Game?
01:02:05 What The Wiki?!
01:06:03 Outro

The Press Start Podcast is Press Start Australia's weekly video game discussion podcast.
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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-press-start-podcast/id812891885
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh0fsLvVCs9Pym8WExQiXdiqQsscybcK&si=Zh7Gw4QsFJQGFoUU
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#gaming #podcast #playstation

Highguard Ending Already? Give It A Chance | The Press Start Podcast Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

This week we dive into the controversy surrounding Highguard's rocky launch and plummeting player base, debating whether gamer culture and rage baiting are to blame or if the game simply failed to find its footing. We also break down the shadow-dropped 2D action game God of War: Sons of Sparta and whether it lives up to expectations, plus discuss the announcement of a God of War Trilogy Remake and debate how faithful it should stay to the original games.

We recap the latest PlayStation State of Play featuring reveals like Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 2, the new John Wick game, Silent Hill Townfall, and Castlevania Belmont's Curse. Harry shares his obsessive deep dive into Mewgenics, one of 2026's highest-rated games so far, and delivers his reviews for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties and Dragon Quest VII Reimagined. Plus we discuss the news that PlayStation 6 may be delayed until 2029 and close out with another chaotic round of What The Wiki?!

Chapters

00:00:00 Coming Up
00:00:34 Highguard Shutdown Speculation
00:12:10 God of War: Sons of Sparta Worth Playing?
00:21:18 God of War Trilogy Remake: True to the Original?
00:27:32 PlayStation State of Play
00:36:18 Mewgenics Impressions
00:42:12 Yakuza Kawami 3 & Dark Ties Review
00:43:41 Dragon Quest VII Reimagined
00:45:57 PlayStation 6 Delayed Until 2029
00:47:23 What The Wiki?!

The Press Start Podcast is Press Start Australia's weekly video game discussion podcast.

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YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh0fsLvVCs9Pym8WExQiXdiqQsscybcK&si=Zh7Gw4QsFJQGFoUU

For more gaming news, reviews & more visit https://www.press-start.com.au

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#gaming #podcast #playstation

Is Horizon Hunters Gathering A Huge Mistake? | The Press Start Podcast Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

This week we dive into the polarizing reveal of Horizon Hunters Gathering and its radical new art style before recapping every major announcement from the February Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase including the arrival of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on Switch 2. We also share our full reviews for the chaotic Mario Tennis Fever and Suda51s bizarre new action title Romeo Is A Dead Man plus a breakdown of the massive Overwatch relaunch that introduces five new heroes.

Chapters

00:00:00 Coming Up
00:00:29 Horizon Hunters Gathering Reactions
00:07:08 Nintendo Direct February 2026 Reactions
00:14:59 Mario Tennis Fever Review
00:22:56 Romeo Is A Dead Man Review
00:30:02 Overwatch 2 Drops The 2 In Major Update
00:32:26 What The Wiki?!
00:38:11 Outro

The Press Start Podcast is Press Start Australia's weekly video game discussion podcast.
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YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh0fsLvVCs9Pym8WExQiXdiqQsscybcK&si=Zh7Gw4QsFJQGFoUU
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#gaming #podcast #playstation

PlayStation Handheld Leaks & GTA 6 Physical Edition News | The Press Start Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Join us this week as we dive into the rave reviews for Cairn and share our first-hand experience with this challenging survival climber. We also discuss the latest PlayStation handheld rumors regarding an OLED Portal and the standalone RDNA 5 portable, alongside the news that GTA 6 may skip a physical release at launch. Plus, we check in on our 2026 Fantasy Critic draft and the latest updates for Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream on Nintendo Switch.

Chapters

00:00:00 Coming Up
00:00:41 Cairn Review In-Progress
00:08:15 Code Vein II Review
00:15:20 Fantasy Critic Update
00:18:56 Tomodachi Life Direct
00:23:25 PlayStation Portal & Portable Leaks
00:29:27 Grand Theft Auto 6 Physcial Edition Missing Launch
00:36:22 What The Wiki?!

The Press Start Podcast is Press Start Australia's weekly video game discussion podcast.
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#gaming #podcast #playstation

Predicting 2026's Highest Rated Games: Fantasy Critic Draft | The Press Start Podcast Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

We are drafting our official 2026 Fantasy Critic league to predict which video games will dominate the review scores this year. Join the crew as we bid on massive titles like Grand Theft Auto VI and Resident Evil Requiem while hunting for the best indie sleeper hits of 2026. This episode covers our full draft strategy for a winning Fantasy Critic season and our boldest predictions for the years best reviewed games.

Chapters

00:00:00 Coming Up
00:00:28 How Fantasy Critic Works
00:03:41 Fantasy Critic Draft 2026
00:44:29 What The Wiki?!

The Press Start Podcast is Press Start Australia's weekly video game discussion podcast.
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#gaming #podcast #playstation

The End of EB Games? NZ Stores Shutting Doors Forever | The Press Start Podcast Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

We break down the generative AI controversy hitting Larian Studios and Sandfall Interactive, exploring the backlash against Baldur's Gate 3 and the award disqualification of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Plus, we analyze the sudden closure of all EB Games stores in New Zealand and discuss the potential future impact on the Australian retail market.

Chapters

00:00:00 Coming Up
00:00:50 Actor Playigng Kratos in God of War TV Show Revealed
00:04:15 Forza Horizon 6 Release Date Leaks
00:07:54 Brodie's 2026 Predictions
00:12:02 The End of EB Games
00:19:22 The Generative AI Controversy Explained
00:29:18 LEGO Pokemon Reactions
00:34:22 What The Wiki?!
00:43:59 Outro

The Press Start Podcast is Press Start Australia's weekly video game discussion podcast.
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LiSTNR: https://play.listnr.com/podcast/the-press-start-podcast
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YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh0fsLvVCs9Pym8WExQiXdiqQsscybcK&si=Zh7Gw4QsFJQGFoUU
For more gaming news, reviews & more visit https://www.press-start.com.au
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#gaming #podcast #playstation

Gaming in 2026: GTA 6 Delay, God of War & Half-Life 3? | The Press Start Podcast Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we break down our biggest gaming predictions for 2026, discussing whether Grand Theft Auto 6 will hit its release date or face another delay. We also dive into the future Nintendo Switch 2 launch lineup, rumors surrounding a new God of War and BioShock cancellation, and the possibility that Half-Life 3 could finally return this year.

Chapters

00:00:00 Coming Up
00:00:24 What We've Been Playing
00:04:29 Our 2025 Game of the Year List Reactions
00:12:36 2026 Gaming Predictions: GTA 6, God of War & Half-Life 3
00:45:50 Most Anticipated Games of 2026
00:48:26 What The Wiki?!
00:55:28 Outro

The Press Start Podcast is Press Start Australia's weekly video game discussion podcast.
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YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvh0fsLvVCs9Pym8WExQiXdiqQsscybcK&si=Zh7Gw4QsFJQGFoUU
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#gaming #podcast #playstation

2025 Year in Review: Best Games & Biggest Surprises | The Press Start Podcast Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

We count down our personal Top 5 Games of the Year for 2025, discussing the biggest AAA releases, indie gems, and the impact of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. We also look back at our 2025 gaming predictions from the start of the year to see which hot takes aged well and which were completely wrong. From GTA 6 to Hollow Knight: Silksong, join us for the ultimate 2025 Game of the Year (GOTY) wrap-up and year in review.