The Ringer-Verse

Latest Episodes:

‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 5 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

The Boys are back, and they’re ready to dive into the most recent episode of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’! They discuss Dunk’s character evolution so far, draw comparisons to other ‘Game of Thrones’ shows, and contemplate who is worthy of wielding Mjolnir.

(0:00) Intro

(5:09) Spoilers ahead

(7:30) ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 5 reactions

(1:05:59) Outro

(1:12:36) Post-credits

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

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Jade Whaley

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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February Games Blowout, Plus State of Play Reactions | Button Mash Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

Ben Lindbergh, Matt James, and Steve Ahlman speedrun the month's major gaming news and releases. In Patch Notes, they break down HBO's 'Baldur's Gate' adaptation, layoffs for developers of struggling free-to-play games 'Highguard' and '2XKO,' Sony's latest bid for live-service success with 'Horizon Hunters Gathering,' and the highlights of February's PS5 State of Play. Then, in the Minigames section, they share spoiler-free impressions of six recently released games: 'Nioh 3,' Dragon Quest VII Reimagined,' 'Romeo is a Dead Man,' 'Mewgenics,' 'Mario Tennis Fever,' and 'Reanimal,' featuring thoughts on the state of Switch 2 and the debut of a new segment, Only in Video Games.
Email us at ringerversegaming@gmail.com!
Intro (0:00)
Patch Notes (2:00)
'Baldur’s Gate' Adaptation (2:22)
Layoffs (14:25)
'Horizon Hunters Gathering' (26:32)
State of Play (34:10)
Minigames (44:41)
'Nioh 3' (45:38)
'Dragon Quest 7' (49:34)
'Romeo Is a Dead Man' (53:31)
'Mewgenics' (59:31)
'Mario Tennis Fever' (1:05:21)
'Reanimal' (1:18:44)
Outro (1:26:16)
Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Matt James and Steve Ahlman
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 4 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys Feb 07, 2026

Show notes

The Boys are back, and they start off the episode by jumping back into the great lightsaber debate. Then they dive into ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 4, starting with a look at Baelor as a character.

(0:00) Intro

(18:52) Spoilers ahead

(20:44) ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 4 reactions

(1:21:32) Outro

(1:24:29) Post Credits

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

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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‘Fallout’ Season 2 Finale Reactions (and Interviews!) | Button Mash Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the Wasteland—and farewell, for now! Ben Lindbergh and Van Lathan reunite, hug, and hold hands as they discuss the eighth and last episode of 'Fallout' Season 2, "The Strip." First, they share their thoughts on what a season finale should accomplish and whether they found "The Strip" satisfying. Then they catch up with the core characters one more time, break down the hardest-hitting emotional moments, and discuss several loose ends before speculating on the direction of the series in Season 3. After that, Ben chats with 'Fallout' cocreator and co-showrunner Geneva Robertson-Dworet about the finale and the future of the show. Finally, Ben brings on the lead creative designer of 'Fallout: New Vegas,' Obsidian Entertainment creative director John Gonzalez, to talk about how the show handled its source material, the potential and peril of game adaptations, and the finer points of storytelling in open-world games.

Email us at ringerversegaming@gmail.com!

Intro (0:00)
Review of the finale (2:14)
The Ghoul and House (15:20)
Coop and Barb (23:27)
Maximus (26:58)
Lucy and Hank (35:20)
The Vaulties (56:13)
Post-credits scene (1:02:37)
Interview with Geneva Robertson-Dworet (1:11:19)
Interview with John Gonzalez (1:21:20)
Outro (1:54:11)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Van Lathan, Geneva Robertson-Dworet, and John Gonzalez
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 3 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

The Boys are back, and they’re diving into ‘Game of Thrones’ lore in this episode!

They touch on Egg’s family lineage while also contemplating what each of them would’ve done if they were in Dunk’s shoes.

(0:00) Intro

(6:16) Spoilers ahead

(8:10) ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 3 reactions

(1:09:12) Outro

(1:13:11) Post Credits

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

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Ringer-Verse Recommends: January 2026 (Featuring ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’) Jan 31, 2026

Show notes

New year, new recommendations! First, Ben and Daniel Chin suppress their rage and bloodlust long enough to discuss the sequel to '28 Years Later,' focusing on the franchise's unpredictable appeal, what makes the new movie so special, and (in a clearly indicated closing spoiler section) what they'd be excited to see in the final film of the trilogy. After that, other Ringer-Verse hosts, friends, and listeners salute unsung releases to cap off another monthly roundup of fandom favorites from TV, anime, movies, video games, books, comics, and beyond that were released recently but not yet covered in-depth on a full-length episode.
Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Daniel Chin, Steve Ahlman, Arjuna Ramgopowell, Devon Renaldo, and Matt James
Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman

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January Gems and Horror Adaptations (With Markiplier!) | Button Mash Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Who says the year is starting slowly? In Patch Notes, Ben and Matt break down the release of hot-button free-to-play shooter 'Highguard,' the latest signs of decline at Ubisoft, and highlights from Microsoft's Xbox Developer Direct. Then they go on a Side Quest to discuss Matt's panic purchase of a gaming PC before reaching their Main Quest: spoiler-free recommendations for four indie gems from January (their Game of the Young Year, 'Cairn,' plus 'Mio: Memories in Orbit,' 'TR-49,' and 'Perfect Tides: Station to Station'). After that, they play Mash or Pass with new big-screen adaptation 'Return to Silent Hill.' Finally, Ben brings on gaming YouTube legend Markiplier to discuss his horror adaptation: the self-financed film ‘Iron Lung.’

Email us at ringerversegaming@gmail.com!

Patch Notes: ‘Highguard' launch, Ubisoft restructuring and Xbox (4:06)
Side Quest: Matt James is a PC gamer! (22:08)
Main Quest: January Gems (26:32)
'Cairn' (28:53)
'Mio: Memories in Orbit' (40:45)
'TR-49' (43:53)
Perfect Tides: ’Station to Station' (45:41)
Mash or Pass: 'Return to Silent Hill' (49:03)
The Markiplier Interview (01:02:31)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Matt James and Markiplier
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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‘Fallout’ Season 2, Episode 7 Reactions | Button Mash Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

You always end up back where you started … and this week Van Lathan ends up back on Button Mash as he and Ben Lindbergh break down the penultimate episode of ‘Fallout’ Season 2, “The Handoff.” After sharing their overall review, they consider Steph’s backstory, catch up with the core characters, and assess how several storylines could come together in the finale. Along the way, they contemplate Canadian heritage, the Ghoul’s accent, and whom they would want with them on a Wasteland journey.

Intro (0:00)
Reactions to “The Handoff” (6:00)
The Ghoul’s Accent (14:47)
Steph’s Backstory (18:06)
Betty and Other Wild Cards (26:48)
Lucy and Hank (37:46)
Coop, Maximus and Thaddeus (52:43)
Outro (1:20:02)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Van Lathan
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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'Wonder Man’ Season 1 Reactions & Trailers Nerd News | The Midnight Boys Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

The Boys are back, and they’re excited to talk about Marvel’s newest installment in the MCU, ‘Wonder Man.’ Then they dive into several of the newest nerd-verse trailers including ‘Odyssey’, ‘Super Mario’, ’Supergirl’, and ‘Masters of the Universe.’

(0:00) Intro

(1:54) Trailers Nerd News

(40:49) Spoilers Ahead

(43:04) Instant reactions to ‘Wonder Man’ Season 1

(1:41:24) Midnight Meter

(1:45:57) Outro

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

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 2 Reactions | The Midnight Boys Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

The Boys are back, and they’re excited to talk about all things Dunk and Egg! They dive into Episode 2 of 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,' explore character dynamics so far in the show, and maybe even hit a few tangents along the way.

(0:00) Intro

(5:46) Spoilers Ahead

(7:45) ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 2 Reactions

(1:09:13) Outro

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

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Jade Whaley

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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