The Ringer-Verse

Latest Episodes:

Metroidvania Draft, Spooky-Season Games, and 'Street Fighter' | Button Mash Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

To live is to pod; to pod is to live! First, Ben, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James react to the latest 'GTA VI' and 'Ocarina of Time' trailers and talk about Ben's hands-on session with the 'Ocarina' remake. Then, they share recommendations for a few recently released games that fit a Halloween theme. After that, they honor the 40th anniversaries of 'Castlevania' and 'Metroid' and the release of 'Castlevania: Belmont's Curse' by bringing on GameSpot's Steve Watts to discuss what "Metroidvania" means, debate whether it's a good name for the genre, review 'Belmont's Curse,' advise a listener on when to look up game solutions, and do a draft of the greatest Metroidvanias across several categories. Finally, Ben and Daniel Chin share their spoiler-free reviews of the big-screen 'Street Fighter' reboot.
(00:00) Intro
(00:13) 'GTA'/'Ocarina of Time'/spooky-season games
(27:42) The Metroidvania Draft
(1:54:49) Daniel Chin joins for 'Street Fighter'
Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Matt James, Steve Ahlman, Steve Watts, and Daniel Chin
Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman
Senior Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopowell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘VisionQuest’ Episodes 1-2 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

The Boys are back and they’re returning to the MCU! They give you all of their thoughts on the first two episodes of ‘VisionQuest,’ diving into the new ensemble cast of Marvel AIs, the return of Ultron, and some of the Marvel Easter eggs we’ve seen so far.

(0:00) Intro

(7:01) Spoilers ahead

(9:57) ‘VisionQuest’ Episodes 1-2 instant reactions

(1:11:13) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, Jamie Yukich, and Kevin Cureghian

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NYCC 2026 Recap and Reactions | The Midnight Boys Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

The Boys are back and they are coming to you from New York City! They give you their thoughts on what they’ve seen so far at NYCC 2026, including news from 'Daredevil: Born Again,' 'X-Men '97,' and the DC-Skydance merger.

(0:00) Intro

(1:53) 'Daredevil: Born Again'

(7:40) Marvel panel

(19:08) 'X-Men '97'

(24:17) 'VisionQuest'

(27:34) ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’

(29:55) DC and Skydance

(44:16) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jamie Yukich

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hollywood's Gaming Adaptation Feeding Frenzy, With Chris Ryan | Button Mash Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

Ben brings on Chris Ryan, host of The Watch, to discuss whether Hollywood has hit peak gaming adaptation. First, Chris reminisces about his gaming heyday and how his habit lapsed. Then, as Skydance consolidates its Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount IP, Ben and Chris come up with pitches for video game versions of Taylor Sheridan shows. After that, they examine the latest trend in gaming adaptations: bundling a bunch of gaming properties together in package deals. Finally, they talk about 'GTA VI' hype and how the buzz about the game's soundtrack stands out in 2026, and then Ben provides a few updates and impressions about what he's been playing.

(0:00) Intro
(10:25) Skydance news
(17:26) Taylor Sheridan pitches
(1:01:33) 'GTA VI' updates
(1:25:00) Outro

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Chris Ryan
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Lanterns’ Season 1 Finale Instant Reactions, Plus a Talk With Chris Mundy | The Midnight Boys Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

The Boys are back and they have new haircuts! With the end of the beloved first season of HBO’s ‘Lanterns,’ the boys are giving you a packed episode! First they discuss their thoughts on the finale and the season as a whole, then they welcome ‘Lanterns’ writer-showrunner–executive producer, Chris Mundy, onto the show!

(0:00) Intro

(8:16) Spoilers ahead

(11:05) ‘Lanterns’ Season 1 finale instant reactions

(1:13:49) Midnight Meter

(1:21:49) A Chat with Chris Mundy

(2:00:17) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Guests: Chris Mundy and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Jamie Yukich, Devon Baroldi, and Aleya Zenieris

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Star Wars: Galactic Racer,’ ‘Ace Combat 8,’ and ‘Gears of War: E-Day’ Reactions | Button Mash Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Ben, Matt James, and Steve Ahlman marvel at how many good games are coming out in quick succession and wonder whether this is the best week ever for Button Mash material. Then they share their extensive, spoiler-free impressions (and rankings) of three big, brand-new releases: ‘Star Wars: Galactic Racer,’ ‘Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve,’ and ‘Gears of War: E-Day.’

(0:00) Intro
(7:42) ‘Star Wars: Galactic Racer’
(45:04) ‘Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve’
(1:10:37) ‘Gears of War: E-Day’
(1:36:18) Outro

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Matt James and Steve Ahlman
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Sinestro the Key to Unraveling the Biggest Mystery in 'Lanterns'? Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

The Ringer's Daniel Chin is here to breakdown Thaal Sinestro in HBO's latest DC series, 'Lanterns.' Starting with the basics, Daniel will dive into who the iconic Green Lantern villain is, what his relationships to key characters are, and what his role could be in the season finale.

(00:00) Intro
(01:51) Who is Sinestro?
(04:40) What is Sinestro’s relationship with Hal Jordan?
(09:01) What is Sinestro’s relationship to the Green Lantern Corps?
(12:49) Season finale speculation

Host: Daniel Chin
Producers: Steve Ahlman and Carlos Chiriboga
Editor: Jon Jones

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer-Verse Recommends: September 2026 Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

"We do not know when it will be safe to go outside. We only know that day is not this day." That's what Ben Lindbergh says to himself when he's working from home, but not when he's in studio to discuss 'Silo' and other recent nerd-culture releases! On this month's Recommends, Ben brings on Alex Kirshner to make the case for 'Silo' as a series worth sticking with, discuss the explosive end of Season 3, and look ahead to the final season. Then Scott Tobias and Keith Phipps join to talk 'Dark Matter' Season 2, share their all-time tier lists of Apple TV sci-fi series, break down 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Season 4, assess the state of 'Star Trek' as the franchise turns 60, and cover Korean sci-fi epic 'Hope' and, briefly, 'Practical Magic 2.' Finally, Ben recommends 'Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian' and other Disney+ kids' content and muses about the rapid rise and fall of 'The Mandalorian' and live-action 'Star Wars' and MCU streaming series.
(00:00) Intro
(03:09) Alex joins the show
(16:27) 'Silo' spoilers
(39:20) Scott and Keith join the show
(40:08) Talking 'Dark Matter'
(53:00) The Apple TV tier list
(72:03) ‘Strange New Worlds’
(81:52) The state of ‘Star Trek’
(89:02) 'Hope'
Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Alex Kirshner, Scott Tobias, and Keith Phipps
Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Chat With ‘Lanterns’ Writers Vanessa Baden Kelly and Justin Britt-Gibson | The Midnight Boys Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

The Boys are back, and they’re bringing you a special episode featuring ‘Lanterns’ writers/producers Vanessa Baden Kelly and Justin Britt-Gibson!

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Guests: Vanessa Baden Kelly and Justin Britt-Gibson

Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jamie Yukich

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Lanterns’ Episode 7 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

The Boys are back, and they’re ready to jump into the penultimate episode of ‘Lanterns’ Season 1! They discuss the town dynamics of present-day Rushville, John’s relationship with Hal-ogram, and the color spectrum of Lanterns.

(0:00) Intro

(5:24) Spoilers ahead

(7:35) ‘Lanterns’ Episode 7 instant reactions

(1:17:53) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jamie Yukich

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices