Shigeru Miyamoto's favourite oddly shaped leaf creatures are once again back in Pikmin 4, release in July 2023. But what exactly is a 'Pikmin' and why has the franchise continued over the past two decades? What makes it a unique and compelling experience that attracts a small but seemingly growing fanbase? As Brendan is a Pikmin neophyte, joining the regular crew this episode is Josh from Nintenvania, whose passion for Pikmin rivals that of Zach. Starting with the first game released in 2001, th...
Oct 04, 2023•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 45
With the popularity of Baldur's Gate 3, the topic of 'save scumming', resetting a game to get an optimal outcome and whether its the 'right thing to do' has come to the forefront. Thus Zach and Brendan dive into an in-depth discussion about save scumming, describing the different dynamics and situations in which it appears in gaming, and whether they themselves are save scummers. Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via twitter @blowcartpod or email at blowingcartridge@gmail.com Brenda...
Sep 12, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 44
Last month in July 2023, the Video Game History Foundation released a report that suggests 87% of games released pre-2010 in the US are unplayable. Thus, Brendan dons his history hat and alongside his Zach, dives into discussing whether this matters, what are the dynamics at play relating to making games available to play for future generations and ultimately what are the respective roles of industry and non-industry actors in this environment. Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via ...
Aug 30, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 43
And we are back after an almost 6 month unplanned hiatus! Please let us know if we have been missed! On this episode, Zach and Brendan join the discussion that was kicked off just prior to the release of Baldur's Gate 3 - is it 'fair' to judge other RPGs/CRPGs to Baldur's Gate 3 given the resources and status of Larian Studios, the developer and publisher of the game? Based on a series of tweets by indie dev Xalavier Nelson Jr the subsequent conversation received much attention in the gaming med...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 42
On this episode, Zach and Brendan are joined by friend of the show Drew Agnew from the House of Mario to discuss the year that was 2022. Tune in to hear the trio's experiences with gaming over the past year, their gaming highlights, why Vladimir Putin is a fan of Shantae and what they are looking forward to in 2023. Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via twitter @blowcartpod or email at blowingcartridge@gmail.com Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino Drew - @iDrewby Intro music - '8 B...
Feb 20, 2023•1 hr 55 min•Ep. 41
As has become a yearly tradition for Blowing Cartridges, special guest and friend of the show John Dewis once again joins Zach & Brendan to once again discuss video game music. On this episode, the trio have drawn from the hallowed vaults of video game music their favourite battle music tracks from 2022 and beyond. So tune in to find out what they believe makes a good battle track, why all their picks aren't from turn based JRPGs/RPGs and what their three track picks are. Have any comments? ...
Jan 18, 2023•2 hr 23 min•Ep. 40
11 Years ago, in March 2011 the Nintendo 3DS was launched. After selling over 75 million consoles, 11 years later the 3DS is no longer found in stores, and the console's online store, the Nintendo eShop will be taken offline on March 27, 2023. On this episode, Brendan and Zach are joined by friend of the show Luke to discuss their respective thoughts and experiences with the 3DS. Topics discuss include Nintendo's announcement of the system, the consoles key features, and favourite games together...
Dec 21, 2022•2 hr 26 min•Ep. 39
Remember fond memories of pushing your older brother off a couch as he was about to beat you for the fifteenth time on Rainbow Road on the N64? Recall forcing your friends to use the third-party controller of dubious quality when they came over to play games with you? Joined by Josh from the Podcast Nintenvania, this episode revolves around co-operative gaming, specifically that of local, 'couch' multiplayer experiences that is arguably currently enjoying a resurgance after a 'dark age' in the l...
Dec 05, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 38
In the context of PAX Aus 2022 and the commentary surrounding the limited presence of major publishers on the show floor, Zach and Brendan take a dive to discuss the growing commercial role indie games have in the current gaming landscape. Particularly focusing on the realm of consoles, the discussion focuses on the strengths of indie games, why they aren't going anywhere and ultimately the synergy in the relationship they hold with 'AAA' games. Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via...
Oct 30, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 38
Political systems are all around us in everyday life, but how are they represented in video games? From masquerading as tech upgrades in strategy games to providing overlays for games like SimCity, references to politics litter the gaming landscape. Brendan, using his finest rambling techniques, takes Zach along for a wide ranging discussion on how political systems appear and are represented in gaming. Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via twitter @blowcartpod or email at blowingca...
Sep 01, 2022•53 min•Ep. 37
Why is speedrunning a phenomenon in gaming that holds such high regard? Is there a difference between skill-based completing a game as quickly as possible or finding glitches to exploit to 'unnaturally' cut the length of a game down? What is the attraction of setting artificial limitations on oneself when playing a game? It is these questions and more that Zach and Brendan attempt to dive into on this episode of Blowing Cartridges. Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via twitter @blow...
Aug 08, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 36
In a belated Easter special episode, Brendan and Zach conduct a deep dive into video game Easter Eggs. Starting with a overview of the history of Easter Eggs and the duo's favourite examples, this episode quickly devolves into a lengthy discussion about one infamous Easter Egg in particular - Totaka's song Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via twitter @blowcartpod or email at blowingcartridge@gmail.com Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia ...
Jun 19, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 35
Often in conversations amongst gaming enthusiasts, 'simple games' are viewed with contempt as preference is given to large, cinematic and seemingly complex experiences. But are mobile games really inherently different to console and PC games? Are simple games really simplistic or is there a hidden depth in this experiences that makes them compelling to play. Joining Zach and Brendan for this episode is friend of the show Will, who recently posted a video on his youtube channel Unicycle's Game Ro...
Apr 12, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 34
Thus far, the video game industry in 2022 has been marked by a number of acquisitions amongst the major gaming industry publishers and platform holders. From Microsoft acquiring Activision to Sony acquiring Bungie, it appears that the industry is increasingly consolidating before our eyes. Joining Brendan and Zach to discuss this topic is Matt Sainsbury from Digitally Downloaded, who has been notably outspoken regarding the trajectory of the gaming industry which this current slate of acquisitio...
Feb 26, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 33
Throughout the history of Blowing Cartridges, Brendan and Zach have often conversed about assessing whether a game is good based on a number of criteria ranging from review scores to gameplay mechanics and narrative design. However, the question remains: how does one predict whether a game will be good? Joining the duo for this episode to discuss this topic is Steve, the creator of Fantasy Critic, a browser 'fantasy football' like game where players compete by drafting games, with scores determi...
Feb 10, 2022•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 32
Upon release in 2020 on the Nintendo Switch, Paper Mario the Origami King received a mixed response from critics and fans. Whilst enjoyed by many, it quickly found itself in the middle of the storm that has been raging since Nintendo changed the Paper Mario formula after the much beloved Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door on Gamecube. So buckle up, put on your favourite headphones and listen as the duo their views on this already overlooked Nintendo game. Music used are the following tracks fro...
Jan 28, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 31
2021 was a year of returns in gaming, with a number of fan favourite franchises making their respective comebacks. However, there was an undercurrent of feeling that Coronavirus continued to exert a not so insignificant impact on the release schedule of games. Thus Brendan and Zach dive into giving a recap of the realm of gaming in 2021, briefly discussing the major industry events that occurred and then tackling their personal favourite games of the year. Have any comments? Feel free to drop us...
Jan 14, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 30
Special guest and friend of the show John Dewis once again joins Zach & Brendan to once again discuss video game music. This time, the focus is on the role that title music plays in crafting a gaming experience and how developers use music to entice players into their game and convey elements or themes that the game itself attempts to confront. Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via twitter @blowcartpod or email at blowingcartridge@gmail.com Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino J...
Dec 27, 2021•2 hr 8 min•Ep. 29
Ever wondered what separates a "JRPG' from other "RPGs"? Why do we place what appears to be a geographic designator on a particular type of video games? What are the characteristics and elements that are fundamental to a JRPG? Joining the usual duo of Brendan and Zach for this episode is Matt S of digitallydownloaded.net to assist in conducting a deep dive into the genre. Matt offers a wealth of experience, and we definitely recommend his reviews of many contemporary JRPGs, which can be found on...
Dec 06, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 28
Metroid is a series that is close to the heart of a multitude of Nintendo fans, many of whom have been eagerly awaiting a follow up to 2002's Metroid Fusion. Metroid Dread, unexpectedly unannounced earlier in 2021 instantly sent excitement through the Nintendo enthusiast community. Now that Dread has released and has been played by millions of players, the question remains, does it live up to both the Metroid franchise and the genre that the series (partially) lends its name to: Metroidvania. Br...
Nov 22, 2021•1 hr 54 min•Ep. 27
Over the last decade, boardgaming has made a resurgence in the popular imagination. From social phenomenon Cards against Humanity to the advent and wild success of crowdfunding, it feels that boardgames have never been more popular or widespread. Indeed, many video gamers have increasingly become boardgame enthusiasts, with conventions such as PAX revealing the overlap that exists within the respective userbases. This episode, joined by friend of the show QC, Brendan and Zach detail their experi...
Nov 03, 2021•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 26
Just over 20 years ago, the Gamecube launched in Japan, marking an auspicious event in the lives of the two hosts of Blowing Cartridges. The Nintendo Gamecube was the childhood console for both Zach and Brendan, representing many formative moments in both their respective gaming journeys. Joining them on this episode is Gookanheimer, a dear friend of the show from the Aussie-Nintendo/Another-Castle days. The trio dive into their experiences with the Gamecube, the wacky attachments (such as micro...
Oct 22, 2021•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 25
One of the impacts of the last 20 months of rolling lockdowns has been the growth of particular games. From Fall Guys, to Animal Crossing and Among Us, various games have gone viral and managed to captivate audiences outside of the traditional gaming demographic. In this context, Zach and Brendan approach their latest cartridge that offerings an interesting proposition - is there a video game for everyone? Can you introduce your non-gaming friends and family to your favourite hobby or is it a fo...
Oct 04, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 24
Have a favourite game that you'll constantly go back to when you're feeling a bit down? Is there a particular gaming franchise that compels you to camp outside your local EB Games to secure a copy of its latest release? Zach and Brendan attempt to unpack the impact that nostalgia exerts on gaming, the manner in which it is both successfully and unsuccessfully utilised by publishers and developers and how it can directly impact our thoughts and opinions on a particular game. Have any comments? Fe...
Aug 26, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 23
Content creation forms an important pillar of modern video game culture. Booming over the past 10-15 years, it has never been easier to stream your own gameplay or upload your own videos to youtube. But why do an increasing amount of gamers embark upon such a journey? Joining Brendan and Zach this episode is streamer Anzu and Vtuber Shino to discuss the challenges around streaming, why people both watch and make streaming content and the role streaming plays in marketing particular games and gro...
Aug 09, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 22
From "My uncle works at Nintendo" to the existence of the Dreamcast 2, video game rumours have captured the imagination of enthusiasts and fans alike. With the recent announcement of the Switch OLED, that dashed many dreams that people held surround the "Switch Pro" and rampant speculation over what Hideo Kojima is up to next, this is a topic that has never been more relevant. Zach and Brendan, joined by first-time special guest Dash, dissect this rumour-fueled cartridge and outline their respec...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 21
How long a game takes to complete is an indicator that occupies and important position in the gaming lexicon. With sites like howlongtobeat.com and common assertions that a game needs to be a particular length to be worth "$60" this poses a fascinating area of gaming culture to explore. In true Blowing Cartridges style, this particular cartridge represents our shortest regular episode yet. Does this diminish the value of our podcast? Do let us know! Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line...
Jul 08, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 20
Zach and Brendan, with returning guest Luke, revisit a topic from an early episode of the podcast: E3. With the event being held online for the very first time due to the ongoing pandemic, the trio assess the successes and failings of E3 2021 and ponder the future of what many gaming enthusiasts have considered the premier event on the gaming industry calendar. Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via twitter @blowcartpod or email at blowingcartridge@gmail.com Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach ...
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 19
Since the trainwreck that was the Super Mario Bros Film, movie adaptations of films have never quite emerged from the sea of mediocrity they find themselves mired in. Similarly, gaming culture itself have inspired a plethora of films, yet many of them too fall short. Why is this? The Blowing Cartridges co-hosts, Brendan and Zach, have been dispatched to investigate this phenomenon. Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via twitter @blowcartpod or email at blowingcartridge@gmail.com Bren...
Jun 11, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 18
From demo CDs on the front covers of video game magazines to digital downloads from online storefronts, demos have been present in video games for decades. The rise of digital marketplaces have resulted in Betas and Early Access becoming viable options for video game developers. Tune in to hear Brendan and Zach discuss their respective experiences regarding these formats and their overall thoughts on the role they play in the gaming landscape. Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via t...
May 11, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 17
