The Ringer-Verse

Latest Episodes:

'Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater' and 'Twisted Metal' Season 2 | Button Mash Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

Ben places a codec call to Steve Ahlman and Matt James to review the new remake of 'Metal Gear Solid 3.' First, they discuss a deluge of upcoming sequels (including 'Hollow Knight: Silksong') and react to the latest indication that the console wars are over, hardware price hikes, and comebacks by two venerable ninja-centric series. Then they discuss how 'MGS3' holds up, how the remake alters the original, and the post-Kojima future of the franchise, before recommending indie gem 'Sword of the Sea.' Finally, Ben has a (mostly spoiler-free) chat with 'Twisted Metal' showrunner/writer Michael Jonathan Smith about how he conceived of the first two seasons, depicting the titular tournament in a bigger-budget Season 2, drawing on 'Twisted Metal' lore, the show's cast and comedic tone, and his vision for a third season.

Intro (0:00)
'Metal Gear Solid 3.' Review (23:00)
Interview with Michael Jonathan Smith (1:09:13)
Outro (1:41:14)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Steve Ahlman, Matt James and Michael Jonathan Smith
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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

'Peacemaker' Season 2, Episode 2 and ‘Alien: Earth’ Episodes 3 and 4 Reactions | The Midnight Boys Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

The boys are back to talk about the newest episodes of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 and ‘Alien: Earth’! They dive into what James Gunn’s weaknesses in ‘Peacemaker’ could be and the many questions ‘Alien: Earth' is asking its audience. Plus, they somehow end up discussing Scrappy vs. Scooby Doo.

(0:00) Intro

(11:32) Spoilers ahead

(13:03) Reactions to ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2, Episode 2

(38:30) ‘Alien: Earth’ midseason check-in

(1:19:11) Outro

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

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Olivia Crerie

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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

'Peacemaker' Season 2, Episode 1 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

The boys are back to talk about the ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 premiere! They discuss John Cena’s acting prowess, what ‘Peacemaker’ means for the James Gunn DC universe, and the plans for the new Justice League.

(0:00) Intro

(14:35) Spoilers ahead

(16:17) Reactions to the ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 premiere

(1:27:20) Outro

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

Producers: Chris Thomas, Jade Whaley, and Aleya Zenieris

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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

K-Pop: Demon Hunters - Songs, Fandom, and Favorites | Mint Edition Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

Steve and Jomi team up with K-pop stan Jess Clemons to dive into Netflix’s ‘K-pop: Demon Hunters.’ They discuss the film’s explosive popularity, its chart-topping soundtrack, and wrap up by ranking their personal favorite tracks.

Intro (0:00)
'K-Pop: Demon Hunters' Deep Dive (5:36)
Top Tracks Ranked! (52:58)
Outro (1:11:42)

Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman
Guest: Jess Clemons
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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

The All-Time Mario Games Draft | Button Mash Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Ben recruits game journalists (and ex-coworkers) Chris Plante, Maddy Myers, and Joshua Rivera to draft the greatest games featuring Mario, in honor of the upcoming 40th anniversary of 'Super Mario Bros.' First, they share their origin stories as Mario gamers, discuss what makes the character so versatile, and speculate on what Nintendo might announce for the franchise's big birthday. Then they select the all-time greatest (and weirdest!) Mario-centric releases across several genres.
Intro (0:00)
'Super Mario Bros.' 40th anniversary draft (24:55)
Outro (1:47:20)
Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Chris Plante, Maddy Myers, and Joshua Rivera
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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

‘Alien: Earth’ First Reactions and an Alien Draft | The Midnight Boys Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

The Boys are back to give you all of their thoughts on FX’s new show: ‘Alien: Earth.’ They then dive into an alien draft, picking their favorite depictions of aliens in media from five categories: human-presenting alien, good alien, bad alien, animated alien, and wild card.

(0:00) Intro

(10:43) Spoilers ahead

(13:10) Reactions to ‘Alien: Earth’

(1:01:42) Alien draft

(1:36:20) Alien wars

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

The 25 Greatest Games of the Quarter Century | Button Mash Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

Ben Lindbergh, Steve Ahlman, Matt James, Rob Mahoney, and Daniel Chin press F to pay respects to the finest video games of the 2000s (so far), making five picks per person in a knock-down, drag-out draft of 25 stone-cold classics.

Intro (0:00)
25 Greatest Games of the Quarter Century Draft (11:00)
Outro (1:43:23)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Steve Ahlman, Matt James, Rob Mahoney, and Daniel Chin
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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

Spider-Man 4, 'X-Men', and Did ‘Fantastic Four’ Flop? | The Midnight Boys Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

The Midnight Boys are back with a big ol' pod for you after all the Comic-Con madness. They talk about the latest happenings from the set of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' and how the excitement is more than palpable for the latest web-slinging adventure. Then, they talk about the box office drop-off from 'Fantastic Four' and whether the casual Marvel viewer is no longer interested. Later, they dive into James Gunn dancing on the grave of Marvel's box office, as well as how Marvel can hope to get the X-Men right.

(0:00) Intro

(8:54) Nerd News: Spider-Man 4

(33:54) Nerd News: ‘Fantastic Four’

(1:12:17) Nerd News: James Gunn

(2:03:33) 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

'Eyes of Wakanda,' Plus Marvel Animation: Look Back and Look Ahead | Mint Edition Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

Fresh from San Diego Comic-Con, Steve and Jomi return to break down everything you missed at the convention. They dive into Marvel's latest animated series, 'Eyes of Wakanda,' exploring its storytelling, themes, and what it means for the future of Marvel animation. Plus, they preview what's coming next in the animated universe and tease a special Ringer event you won’t want to miss.

Don't miss the Midnight Boys presenting 'Blade' at the Los Feliz 3 on August 25!
Get your tickets here: The Midnight Boys Present Blade – 8.25.25

Intro (0:00)

‘Eyes of Wakanda’ Reactions (4:43)

Marvel Animation Preview (38:52)

Outro (53:10)

Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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

The Best of San Diego Comic-Con 2025 | The Midnight Boys Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

The Midnight Boys are back and recording from San Diego to give you all of the news and reactions from the floor of San Diego Comic-Con. They discuss all of the major panels from Hall H, including 'Project Hail Mary', 'Alien: Earth,' 'Tron: Ares,' and so much more. They also talk about the Ringer-Verse panel and getting to meet all of you at the meet and greet.

(1:32) Project Hail Mary

(4:12) Alien: Earth

(7:10) Tron: Ares

(8:41) Predator: Badlands

(11:55) Peacemaker

(20:03) Charles’ Weeb Weekend Corner

(24:20) Coyote vs. Acme

(27:00) Star Trek

(27:53) Gen V

(29:07) The Ringer-Verse Panel

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

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Jade Whaley

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC) owns the SDCC trademarks used in this episode and are used under license.

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected