Dense Pixels - Video Game News and Reviews

Micah shares his detailed impressions of two major releases with God of War: Sons of Sparta and Resident Evil 9. Carrie takes a nostalgic journey back to her childhood with the digital release of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, exploring how these classic Kanto remakes hold up in the modern era and what makes them special for longtime Pokemon fans. Brad and Terrence dive into their experiences with...

Microsoft shakes the gaming industry to its core with the stunning announcement of Phil Spencer's retirement from Xbox leadership, Sarah Bond's unexpected departure, and the promotion of former AI executive Asha Sharma to the position of Xbox CEO. The hosts provide deep analysis of Spencer's complex legacy at Xbox, explore the circumstances surrounding Sarah Bond's exit and whether she left volunt...

Brad explores the bizarre and fascinating world of Mewgenics, a unique tactical game that combines turn-based strategy with cat breeding mechanics. The question is whether this quirky title can overcome his usual aversion to turn-based tactical games with its unusual premise. Carrie shares her excitement for Monster Hunter Stories 3 after diving into the substantial new demo that recently launched...

Terrence uncovers a hidden gem in the roguelite genre with his impressions of Kiborg, a brawler that deserves more attention from fans of challenging action games. The game combines roguelite mechanics with intense combat for a compelling experience. Brad provides an in-depth review of No Rest for the Wicked following Moon Studios' new co-op update that significantly enhances the gameplay experien...

Terrence shares his detailed impressions of Highguard and the hosts dive into predictions about the game's potential success in this competitive field in gaming. Brad reviews two charming indie games that deliver nostalgic throwback experiences with Vital Shell and Super 10 Pin. These smaller titles prove that indie developers continue to capture the magic of classic gaming while adding their own...

Carrie shares her exciting experience attending and performing at MAGfest this year, bringing listeners behind the scenes of one of gaming's most beloved music and gaming conventions. Brad dives into his hands-on impressions of the new Tokyo Xtreme Racer, a game that authentically captures the PS2 era racing experience with both its nostalgic charm and its dated quirks. Meta makes a dramatic busin...

Brad went a little wild during the Steam Winter Sale and came away with a pile of indie games that mostly rule. He breaks down his early impressions of Reus 2, 9 Kings, and Sol Cesto, and explains why these smaller releases continue to outshine big-budget fare. Carrie has been catching up on her backlog with Blue Prince and The Legend of Zelda: Age of Imprisonment, and even dusted off the SNES to...

We break down Expedition 33’s sweeping dominance at The Game Awards and discuss what the show gets right—and where it still needs to evolve. From surprise wins to pacing and presentation, we explore how the TGAs could better serve both developers and fans going forward. We also dive into the biggest announcements from The Game Awards, including Brad and Micah’s reactions to the Street Fighter movi...

It’s Dense Pixels’ annual Game of the Year celebration, and we're breaking down the very best games of 2025. We reveal our top 10 lists, debate the titles that earned our podcast-wide consensus honors, and look back at the standout games chosen by our listeners. Join us for our biggest episode of the year as we highlight the releases that defined 2025 and the games we think will leave a lasting im...

Brad has been completely derailed by yet another GOTY contender thanks to the release of the high-octane arcade shooter Sektori. Micah has been digging into Marvel Cosmic Invasion, but it may have only made him appreciate Dotemu's other recent release - Absolum - even more. Meanwhile, Brad is learning firsthand why Final Fantasy IV may be the strangest and most experimental entry in the early seri...

Lumines Arise is finally here, and Brad delivers his full review—explaining why this entry may be the definitive Lumines experience. He’s also been deep into Anno 117: Pax Romana and shares his thoughts on how this historic city-builder stacks up. Valve has announced an exciting slate of new hardware set to release next year. We break down the lineup and which devices Brad plans to pick up on day...

Brad and Terrence have successfully dragged Micah into the BallXPit, but the real question is—how much is he actually enjoying it? Square Enix reveals plans to use AI for quality assurance testing by 2027, raising serious questions about whether buggy code can really fix buggy code. We break down what this shift means for developers, players, and the future of game testing. Rockstar Games is once...

Brad takes a break from run-based games and discovers Chained Echoes, a phenomenal old-school-style RPG that blends nostalgic charm with modern design. He shares what makes it one of the most rewarding hidden gems in the genre. Carrie gives a spoiler-free discussion about Hades II, highlighting the smart changes Supergiant Games made to the game’s ending and how it improves on the original's flaws...

Carrie gives her full review of Pokémon Legends: Z to A after finishing the game, breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and why it might be one of the most ambitious Pokémon titles yet. Terrence delivers his in-depth Ninja Gaiden 4 review, diving into how it compares to previous entries in the series and whether it lives up to the legacy of Team Ninja’s classic action franchise. We discuss Micro...

Brad and Terrence are completely hooked on BallXPit and dive into why it’s their latest gaming obsession. They also share their impressions of Absolum and Hades 2, discussing what makes each title stand out. Carrie is deep into her creature-collecting era, splitting time between Digimon Story: Time Stranger and Pokémon Legends: ZtoA. She explains why both games are delivering exactly what fans of...

Micah has been completely consumed by Ghost of Yotei and breaks down how it improves on its predecessor. He explains what’s new, what’s changed, and why this follow-up has him more hooked than ever. Brad has a public service announcement for gamers: stay away from Megabonk if you value your free time! He explains why this deceptively addictive game might derail your entire gaming schedule. We also...

We’re once again packed with fresh game impressions, including Metroid Prime Remastered, Deep Rock Galactic Survivor, and Borderlands 4. The spotlight shines on Hades 2, as Carrie shares her thoughts after rolling credits and why this sequel is dominating the conversation. The biggest bombshell of the week: the Saudi Arabian government, alongside Jared Kushner, has purchased Electronic Arts for $5...

This week we break down the massive Nintendo Direct, packed with major announcements including a Super Mario Galaxy series re-release, Mario Tennis Fever, Hades 2’s 1.0 release, a Dragon Quest VII remake, and the long-awaited release date for Metroid Prime 4 Beyond. Oh, and yes—the Virtual Boy is back in some form. Steam has added new restrictions after pressure from payment processors, now bannin...

This week we’re loaded with game impressions, covering everything from Touhou Farming ~ Minoriko’s Homestead Harvest and Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots to Donkey Kong Bananza, Timberborn, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, Metal Gear Solid 3 Delta, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Hollow Knight: Silksong has been the biggest talking point in gaming, and Terrence shares his hands-on impressions. We dive into th...

Micah’s Donkey Kong Bananza adventure has hit a roadblock—his son has now taken over the game, leaving him stuck early on in the journey. Brad is attempting to use Beat Saber as an alternative way into fitness after a long battle with disinterest in exercise. Can VR rhythm gaming actually help build healthy habits? The crew breaks down last week’s Gamescom event, which left them feeling underwhelm...

Brad has fully immersed himself in Cities: Skylines, but now he faces a big question—stick with the beloved original or make the leap to Cities: Skylines II, which is currently plagued with technical and performance issues. We dive into a troubling new report on Microsoft, which details the company’s role in supplying Israeli intelligence with cloud computing services. Despite public statements, t...

Brad reviews two more of Digital Eclipse’s standout “docu-games” with in-depth impressions of Atari 50 and Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, highlighting how these playable documentaries preserve game history in fresh, innovative ways. Carrie is deep into the Shin Megami Tensei multiverse, giving updates on her time with Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance and Raidou Kuzunoha Remastered. We break down...

We’re still deep into Donkey Kong Bananza! Brad has already rolled credits, while Micah shares his early impressions of what could be the best game of 2025. The controversy surrounding the censorship of adult video games has now extended to Itch.io, where limited moderation resources have forced even broader content removals. Even worse, the backlash has led to journalistic censorship at Vice Medi...

We’re going absolutely bananas over Donkey Kong Bananza! We kick things off by gushing over Nintendo’s latest generational game and why we can't put it down. Valve has begun removing certain adult games from the Steam marketplace due to pressure from payment processors. We discuss how this sets a dangerous precedent for video game censorship and why it’s a slippery slope that players and creators...

Brad shares why Patapon 1+2 Replay stirs nostalgia for a bygone era of creative, experimental gaming from AAA publishers and why the industry may be worse off without it. We explore Roblox's massive influence on the modern gaming landscape, from platform dominance to its role in shaping young gamers’ habits and expectations. The Subnautica 2 controversy takes center stage as we break down how publ...