The Random Encounter Podcast

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 197! Today we discuss Xbox in the news again, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ’s remake’s release being imminent, incoming potential Resident Evil games with lore ramifications , and what could be coming down the pike from PlayStation atop their perch. No Memory Cards today— we will have a new episode again soon! --------------------------------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 196! This is basically a pro-XBOX episode today! Bryant loves his new Xbox Ally X20, James is thinking about jumping back into the XBOX ecosystem, and Ash has thoughts about the incoming upscaling technology coming to XBOX (AMD FSR 4.1). Also, more unfortunate closure news as BioWare is closed (and with it, the next Mass Effect ) and it looks like Ar...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 195! Bryant and Phan are out this week and it’s an Ash and James only show. Today we discuss GameStop’s recent USED PlayStation 5 Pro price hike at $1,399! Keep in mind, a NEW unit is $899. Also we have a broader discussion about AI and its impact on game development and coding moving forward. ---------------------------------------------------- Jame...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 194! It’s a slow news week as we mainly discuss our impressions of the Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse demo as well as various decompilations of beloved titles. Memory Cards is back! ***NOTE: Bryant’s audio is very distorted this episode. Apologies, this will be resolved next podcast.*** ---------------------------------------------------- James runs th...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 193! Today we have a light crew as Phan and Ash are out; it’s James and Bryant podcast time! Today we discuss Xbox’s latest round of studio closures and layoffs, as well as a 1000ft view of the Nintendo 64 at its 30th anniversary: the good, the bad, and the ugly. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandom...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 192! Today we discuss Nintendo’s two Nintendo Directs of last week and what they portend for the future. We also get into the earth-shattering revelation of Kojima Productions’ disintegration from PlayStation and its new mutually beneficial relationship with Xbox. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therando...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 191! Today we make our predictions regarding the two Nintendo streams occurring on September 8th (Zelda 35th Anniversary) and September 9th (Nintendo Direct). Phan returns for another game of Memory Cards at the end of the podcast. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @thera...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 190! Today we discuss the latest announcements from Gamescom 2026 (not many). Tune in for a great deal of talk about our hype and apprehension for Mega Man: Dual Override as well as a trip down memory lane with the Mega Man series as a whole. We also talk about our most anticipated games coming out in the next six months, our Onimusha: Way of the Swo...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 189! Today we discuss our favorite memories and thoughts of the Super Nintendo as it hits its 35th birthday. James also discusses his time with The Duskbloods network test. Memory Cards is back with Volume X. Will Ash be able to take down perennial champion James? Let’s find out! ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these:...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 188! Today, we discuss the latest images leaked of The Legend of Zelda: 40th Anniversary’s Nintendo Switch 2 hardware as well as a rumored release of Pokémon Emerald for the system. Obviously, there was a Kingdom Hearts presentation the other day that James is all but happy to dive headfirst into while Bryant and Phan are along for the ride! We also...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 187! Today, we discuss the new Steam Deck PS Remote Player that gives nearly all functionality that the Steam Deck has, Xbox 360 releases one day officially coming to PC, and hype over Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave . Memory Cards also comes back with Adam attempting to repeat as champ, James trying to retake his crown, and Ash trying to play spoiler....

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 185! Today, we mainly talk about our time with co-op powerhouses Halo: Campaign Evolved and Splatoon Raiders . It’s also the 25th anniversary of the Japanese launch of the Golden Sun franchise. Stick around for some Memory Cards at the end between Adam and Phan— winner faces Ash and James next week with a special *Attack/Defend* in their pocket. ----...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 184! Today we talk about the non-stop depressing layoffs on the Xbox side; Doom: The Dark Ages developer ID Software is the latest casualty. We also briefly discuss games that are abandoned on older hardware, simply unplayable through any modern, official means. We want them here. Now. Lastly, we have a *Deluxe* episode of Memory Cards between four c...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 183! Today’s major topic is about Sony’s final nail in the coffin of physical media. With their announcement this week of ending production of physical PlayStation 5 games in 2028, what does this mean for the future of media in general as well as digital gaming libraries at large? Memory Cards Vol. VI is also at the end of the show! -----------------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 182! Today we discuss our impressions of Nintendo Switch 2’s latest premier release: Star Fox . Also, we go into the depressing current reality of the gaming industry between exorbitant budgets, unrealistic development time, tragic layoffs, and how everything is just getting more and more expensive. What’s the endgame here? Oh, we also have a really...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 181! Today we discuss our impressions of the Nintendo Direct from June 2026 with the obligatory deep dives into Kingdom Hearts IV and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026). ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter ---------------------------------------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 180! Today we discuss our impressions of PlayStation’s latest State of Play (Dates of Play), Geoff Keighley’s Summer Games Fest, and Xbox’s Showcase. We were left thrilled with two and let down by one (guess which). ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter --...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 179! Today we discuss our initial impressions of Mina the Hollower , the Dragon Quest XII announcement, and the Steam Deck price hikes. We also have a very difficult episode of Memories Card (video game Jeopardy!)! GEAK joins us for this episode! ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 178! Today we discuss the Prologue demo of The Adventures of Elliot , Nintendo Switch 2 leaks, and the rise, fall, and stagnation of PlayStation. Between the upcoming State of Play, end of Destiny 2, and the sorry state of PlayStation’s account security, things are inconsistent at best. Lastly, we have a very combative episode of Memories Card (video...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 177! Today Phan gives his thoughts on the Steam Controller… we’re only one member away from all of us having one! Maybe next week? We also discuss the leak of the supposed new Xbox Elite Series 3 controller as well as a WiFi variant of the standard Xbox Series S/X controller, and lastly, we have a very combative episode of Memories Card (video game J...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 176! Today we discuss our impressions of Valve’s new Steam Controller (spoiler: it’s amazing). We also get into Nintendo’s announcement of Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2– coming out on June 25th. Exciting times. We’re getting old. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therand...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 175! Today we discuss PlayStation’s controversy from the last week surrounding DRM. We also discuss our anticipation of the Steam Controller launch the night before. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter ----------------------------------------------------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 174! Today we discuss all of the new changes coming down the pike thanks to new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. We also discuss how we’re all going to be buying Valve’s new Steam Controller when it inevitably comes out (thanks to an accidentally released video review). ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomenco...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 173! Today we discuss the recent announcement of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 , as well as Capcom’s undeniably elite non-stop gaming releases in 2026. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter ---------------------------------------------------- Check out Ash on: B...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 172! Today we take turns going over our picks for a template that got some some notice on social media this week (https://grids.fun/t/about-me-video-games-dcefq). We try our best go take no longer than 45 seconds per pick, but sometimes fail! ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouT...