Swapping Joysticks

Ep119: It's a new year, and a whole 3 weeks since our last regular podcast! We've been playing a bunch of games over the Christmas period, including Dredge, Dave the Diver, God of War Valhalla, Final Fantasy 7, and Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. Ben drops a bombshell on Ed during the podcast about the Steam Deck. Also, we chat about gaming news, including Square Enix AI, Nazi Mickey mouse, and the bo...

All the awards have been handed out, so let's turn to the biggest discussion of the year. What is our top 10, and what wins the Swapping Joysticks Game of the Year 2023? Also, to take part in the giveaway, answer the questions at http://swappingjoysticks.com/competition

It's that time of year again and we hope you're ready for The Swapping Joysticks Awards 2023! We choose a winner from 8 different categories and reveal the Community Games of the Year Top 10. Also, pay close attention for part one of our game giveaway! 00:00:00 Intro 00:06:20 Hottest mess 00:18:43 Biggest surprise 00:35:00 Best new IP 00:53:52 Catchiest Song 01:04:34 Best boss fight 01:17:26 Sexie...

What a week it's been since The Game Awards! So much for an end-of-year lull. Ed's played Echoes of the Fallen, the first DLC from Final Fantasy XVI and he's also played through Final Fantasy 2, the Pixel Remaster version. Ben's been playing Marvel's Spider-Man 2, with a fair chunk on the PlayStation Portal! Also, we chat about gaming news, including The Day Before (which Ed played), linear Zelda...

We've just watched The Game Awards 2023! Let's run through everything that got announced, what we loved, what we didn't care about, what we thought of the winners, and everything else (except the SEGA news, which we forgot about - blame the fact that we're recording this at 6am). Plus, what you've been playing!   We mention: Baldur’s Gate 3 The Finals Final Fantasy 16: Echos of the Fallen Lego For...

Inbox: It's the return of Inbox, and we're discussing your questions all about Mario. From what side characters we think deserve their own games to why they never need to come to any other platform, and how Untitled Waluigi Game needs to happen, this is the Mario chatter you've been waiting for. Inbox is a weekly bite-sized show where we discuss a different topic each week. Join the Discord at htt...

Oh wow, no sooner had a leaker shared the Grand Theft Auto VI trailer all over the internet, Rockstar released it in full HD glory! Join us as we chat about the trailer, what we want to see from the game, how they keep it fresh for another decade, and much more.

Ep 113: We've had a week off in Cape Verde and are back feeling fully refreshed. Ed's played (and finished) the remastered Super Mario RPG, and Ben's been playing a lot of the original Final Fantasy VII. We also have a long debate stemming from a big bit of Twitter drama when we were away regarding whether content creators should be paid to produce sponsored videos and the ethics behind it. Plus,...

Ep 112: It's been busy week full of gaming and Ed's finally completed Alan Wake 2. He's got a lot to say on it, especially after completing Alan Wake Remastered earlier this month. Ben's also bought a PlayStation Portal and found it's more than adequate for what he wants from it. He's also fully finished Pikmin 4, which is a feat in itself (for him). Plus, we chat about what you've been playing, a...

Ep 111: We're joined by the MMORPG creator, caster, host and streamer, Rook to chat all things MMORPGs. We discuss the state of FFXIV, Dawntrail, WoW, Guild Wars 2, and the future of FFXIV and other MMORPGs.   00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:50 - Our MMO history 00:09:02 - Casting for FFXIV & WoW (including PvP) 00:24:23 - Las Vegas & London Fanfests 00:40:59 - The FFXIV community 00:49:12 - Dawntr...

Ep 110: We've both been playing some fantastic games this week. Ed has been stuck into a Marvel's Spider-Man 2 web and can't put the game down, while Ben is trying his hardest to save it for a YouTube let's play. Meanwhile, Ben has found himself in marathon gaming sessions with Cities Skylines 2. With recommended settings found on Reddit, he's having no issues with performance and can fully enjoy...

Ep 109: After a weeklong break, we're back and we're chatting all about the Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival in London. We talk about what we got up to, what was announced, and all the incredible people we were lucky enough to meet. We've also both just started Spider-Man 2, Ed's finished Alan Wake Remastered, and Ben's put down Cocoon for good. Plus, we chat about what you've been playing, and the l...

Ep 108: Ed wrote the Eurogamer Lords of the Fallen review and extensively shares his reasoning behind the score, as well as diving into what went right for it, and what didn't. We also compare it to the superior Lies of P, Elden Ring and Dark Souls. Ed's also in love with Cocoon and hopes Ben perseveres with it. Plus, we chat about what you've been playing, and the latest in gaming and streaming n...

Ep 107: Devora Wilde and Jennifer English, the voice actors behind Baldur's Gate 3's Lae'Zel and Shadowheart join us for an extra special chat about voice acting, representation in games, working through lockdown, and even a bit of Kylie.   ▼ Devora Wilde's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Devora_Wilde ● Follow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/devorawilde/   ▼ Jennifer Eng...

Ep 106: Ed's able to talk about his hands-on with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and has a lot to say about it. We've also both played Lies of P and Party Animals, and have been frustrated by them in different ways. We also discuss the latest Kick / Ice Poseidon drama.   Plus, we chat about the latest in gaming and streaming news!   00:00:00 - Intro 00:10:34 - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Hands-on! 00:21:57...

Ep 105: We've been playing a bunch of games this week - Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis, Marvel SNAP, Animal Crossing Pocket Camp, Baldur's Gate 3, Party Animals, F Zero 99...and we've also had a Nintendo Direct AND a Playstation Showcase. What a week! Also, we chat about what you've been playing, and the latest in gaming and streaming news! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:08:00 - Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis 00...

Ep 104: Ben's finished Starfield and has found it tough to enjoy when it comes to exploration. The main mission and city exploration are a different story, however. Also, Ed's finished Sea of Stars, and has had his previous doubts about the game quashed. He's also been getting terrified in Pikmin too! Also, what you've been playing, and the latest in gaming and streaming news! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:...

It's a big topic for a bite-sized podcast but let's chat difficulty in video games. Seems impossible to squeeze into 30 minutes but we'll try! Join us for Inbox, our weekly Q&A podcast where we discuss a different topic each week and answer your Qs from the Discord.  

Ep 103: We wanted this to be a little shorter, but were unsuccessful. Turn out there's a lot to talk about when you've just started playing 3 new games. We chat a lot about Starfield, Sea of Stars, and Armored Core 6. Also, what you've been playing, and the latest in gaming and streaming news! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:10 - Starfield 00:48:30 - Sea of Stars 01:00:08 - Armored Core 6 01:14:43 - What y...

It's a new format for Inbox and we're talking all about cons! Our favourite ones, tips for new con goers, and our worst experiences with con food!

Ep 102: It’s our bumper Gamescom special! Ben and Ed spent last week in Cologne for Gamescom and got to try out a bunch of games, and chat to some incredible people in the industry. Check out the list below to see all the games we discuss, plus our eventful trips there and back, and checking out the Cologne nightlife! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:18 - Gamescom 00:16:43 - Black Myth: Wukong 00:36:50 - Th...

Ep 101: It's Ed's birthday week and we've been to the theatre as well as the cinema seeing Cabaret and Barbie, respectively. One was amazing, the other more mixed. You can probably guess who enjoyed it more. Ben explains why he's finally deleted Marvel Snap from his phone, and what his new obsession is, and Ed's finally getting back into TotK, despite having a very grumpy 24hrs thanks to one shrin...

Ep 100: It's a very special milestone and we've got a bumper show for you. We've seen Oppenheimer and Red, White & Royal Blue, and have some strong opinions on both. We've also been playing some video games! Ed's been playing Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Baldur's Gate 3, and Stray Gods, while Ben's been obsessed with Pikmin 4. All this, plus what you've been playing, some very special Swapping Joy...

Ep 99: Like everyone else, we're both knee deep into Baldur's Gate 3 and have some very early impressions on this D&D masterpiece. We've also seen the new Gran Turismo movie and been to a Final Fantasy themed drag night. Quite the different evenings... All this plus the games you've been playing and the latest in gaming news.

Ep 98: It's a very special podcast as Ed is freshly back from Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2023 in Las Vegas and has had a fantastic time. Find out what he got up to, how the festival was, the people there, and also his thoughts on Vegas as a host city. What we've been playing and the latest gaming news will be back next week!