Old Gamer’s Almanac

Matt Martens and Hunter Donaldson•oldgamersalmanac.podbean.com

The definitive ranking of all every video game, every week at a time. If you work in the gaming industry, please stop making games while we catch up.

Last refreshed: July 14th, 2025 at 7:54 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Quake (1996)

We were very excited to talk about this incredible, classic first person shooter. While Quake follows in the footsteps of some other monumental games, it still defined some aspect of the genre that you can still feel present in most modern games! If you've played pretty much any id Software or Valve game, chances are Quake feels deeply familiar to you already! Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(dot)com....

Nov 02, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 9

Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)

We haven't finished the Mass Effect series yet, but in preparation for this year's Halo Infinite release, we're playing through the original Halo trilogy! Today starts with our most nostalgic entry, Halo: Combat Evolved. This also firmly establishes the Bro Arc, which is apparently taking us through to the end of the year. We'll have to have a weeaboo cleanse in 2022 Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(d...

Oct 26, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 8

Mass Effect 2 (2010)

We return to our series on the Mass Effect Trilogy with the universally beloved second entry. The characters get real good, and the combat gets better. Is it one of the best RPGs of all time, as some people say? Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(dot)com. Or come talk to us on our main Discord (Space Cats Peace Turtles)....

Oct 19, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 7

Crusader Kings 3 (2020) [w/ EJ Sanders]

The Dadlands have consumed Matt, so this week we get to premiere our first of hopefully many episodes featuring a special guest. To start this, we invited our close friend and collaborator E.J. Sanders to talk with Hunter about the grand strategy game Crusader Kings 3. The most recent release from Paradox Interactive, this is the culmination of decades of dedication to a specific genre from one studio. So how does that stack up against some of the innovative pioneering games on our list? Music b...

Oct 12, 2021•56 min•Ep. 6

OutRun (1986)

Published by Sega in 1986, designed by Yu Suzuki with music by Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Out Run is a timeless arcade driving game. How can a person even begin to compare a classic arcade cabinet car game to the likes of Mass Effect and Hyper Light Drifter? Well, you've come to the one place contractually obligated to answer that question. Also, expect more conversations about difficulty in video gaming in addition to great video game music. Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey Email ...

Oct 05, 2021•52 min•Ep. 5

War of the Monsters (2003)

Okay, this week we have to try something weird. So far we've been talking about what we would mostly consider "Good Games." But this isn't the Good Gamers Almanac, this is the Old Gamer's Almanac where we rank EVERY game, which means sometimes we have to dip into the seedy underbelly of gaming and try games that aren't so good. First up, War of the Monsters, a deeply forgettable game from the Playstation 2 featuring fighting kaiju. Only problem? Matt thinks it's actually pretty good... Music by ...

Sep 28, 2021•38 min•Ep. 4

Mass Effect (2007)

Finally, the list is getting complicated enough to start warranting genuine debate. And this week we kick off our first series we'll be diving into with Bioware's Mass Effect. Mass Effect redefined the western RPG in many way, but within that innovation are a handful of notable missteps. Where in the ranking will it fall and will Matt regret his argument for the rest of the show? Never fear, there are more Mass Effect games to discuss in the coming weeks, so be sure to stay tuned! Music by night...

Sep 21, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 3

Hyper Light Drifter (2016)

It's time to begin ranking! Hyper Light Drifter is an indie darling from 2016 described as Link to the Past meets Hack and Slash. Combing smooth combat and generous exploration, does this game have what it takes to earn the temporary label of "Best Game of All Time, or is it doomed to "Worst." Music by nightcorey. https://soundcloud.com/nightcorey Email us your thoughts on the ongoing list at oldgamersalmanac (at) gmail(dot)com. Or come talk to us on our main Discord (Space Cats Peace Turtles)....

Sep 21, 2021•47 min•Ep. 2

Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)

Welcome to the premiere of The Old Gamer's Almanac! We thrilled to kick off this new project. We are the definitive ranking of all video games ever, one week at a time. And here in the early days is when you'll especially feel that "one week at a time" aspect, because to kick things off, we don't really have anything to rank. But we decided to set a high bar for all other games to compete with by starting the show with Super Mario Bros. 3 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Let's talk about t...

Sep 21, 2021•54 min•Ep. 1

Old Gamer‘s Almanac Trailer

Coming soon! The definitive ranking of all video games ever, one week at a time! Join us on the never-ending quest to review and rank every game in existence. And if you're in the business of games, we'd really appreciate it if you could stop so that we can catch up. We are thrilled to start this new show and look forward to debuting the first three episodes very soon. In the meantime, please accept this sampler platter of some of our early favorite moments

Sep 16, 2021•2 min

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