Blowing Cartridges

On this episode we’re joined by a very special guest - Zach's mum Monica. Recorded just before Mother's Day 2026, we dive deep and discuss 25 years of Animal Crossing, a game which Zach and his mom share a special bond over.    We discuss each entry in the series and our respective experiences, highlighting what makes Animal Crossing a unique game with a wide cross generational appeal. We end the...

On this episode we’re joined by Marcus O’Neill from Tiny Game Chronicles. We kick things off by getting Marcus to break down his shows before diving headfirst into the big question: what actually is a short game? Is it a couple of hours? A single sitting? Or just anything that doesn’t demand a lifestyle change?   From there, we get into what makes shorter games compelling, how retro titles managed...

Having recently had the opportunity to visit the Pokémon x Natural History Museum experience in London, Brendan is grilled by self-professed Pokémon fanatic Zach on the experience. Tune in to hear all about the Pokémon pop-up store, alongside a discussion of the recent 'Game Worlds' exhibition which just finished its run at ACMI in Melbourne, Australia.     Consider this episode a time capsule of...

With Pokémon celebrating its 30th anniversary, we decided to mark this auspicious occasion by inviting Zach's friend Cam onto the podcast. Cam, who has experience playing both Pokémon video game and Pokémon TCG competitively, having previously attended a Pokémon Worlds in San Francisco, shares his experiences and memories of playing Pokémon competitively and the broader Australian scene.    Additi...

On the latest episode of Blowing Cartridges, we were joined by Jon from Hype Factor: A Fantasy Critic Podcast for our second Fantasy Critic inspired podcast episode.   Do indie games automatically receive lower aggregate review scores than major triple A games? Are there definitive truths and maxims when trying to predict the future aggregate score for a video game? Are genre, publisher or develop...

2025 was a year of highs and troubling lows for the gaming industry. Join us as with returning guest and friend of the show Mario (not that one) we break down everything that defined gaming this past year—from the fastest console launch in Nintendo history to the biggest leveraged takeover Wall Street has ever seen.   We explore the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 (3.5 million units in its first w...

To start 2026 off with a topical bang, we dive into a topic close to the heart of every Nintendo fan. Is it possible to predict that airing of Nintendo Directs? Is there truly a pattern that Nintendo follows?   Joining us for this episode is Josh from Nintendo Maniacs and the House of Mario. Spreadsheet in hand, we briefly discuss the history of Nintendo Directs, how they have changed over the pas...

As an early Christmas present for all our listeners, our annual Video Game Music (VGM) episode returns once again! As is the tradition, we are thrilled to have John back to join us as we dive into discussing and celebrating the nuances of VGM. This year, Zach has challenged us with the theme of his choice - loading screen/waiting music.    From heartwarming finales to epic outros with equally epic...

With the Xbox 360 celebrating its 20th birthday this year (and the original Xbox celebrating its 25th birthday next year), Microsoft's console endeavours appear at a crossroads. Whether they will continue producing dedicated console hardware remains an open question given their pivot towards a subscription model couple with publishing their games on non-Microsoft platforms.    Joined by returning...

Taking a trip down memory lane, we are joined by friend of the show Justin, who over a 15-year period collected every Nintendo 64 game released in Australia.    We dive deep into the highs, lows, surprises, and holy grails - as Justin shares what it really takes to track down the entire N64 library.   Grab your favourite three-pronged controller and blow the dust out of that cartridge. This one is...

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, we take a closer look at the shoot 'em up (or shmup) genre, one of gaming’s oldest and most enduring genres. Joined by Sanatana Mishra, game developer at Witch Beam Games, we use his first-hand insight in developing Assault Android Cactus to have a wide-ranging discussion.   We discuss what defines a shmup, the key archetypes that make up the genre, and how t...

On this special episode of Blowing Cartridges, we're joined by Drew Agnew, host of The House of Mario podcast, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Super Mario.   We dive into the latest Nintendo Direct and unpack all the Mario-related announcements. Sharing our earliest and fondest memories of the mustachioed plumber, we reflect on Mario's continued staying power not just in gaming but as a multi...

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, we're joined by special guest NinStarRose—a former Australian competitive Mario Kart player, Mario Kart 8D AU/NZ Championship 2024 Finalist and Twitch streamer —to dive into the challenges and nuances of transitioning between new entries in multiplayer-focused games. Using Mario Kart as the main case study, we explore how changes in mechanics, balance, and co...

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, we're joined by industry analyst from MST Financial David Gibson to dig into the investor side of the video game landscape.  With the Nintendo Switch 2 shaking up the scene, coupled with a looming trade war and the price increases from Nintendo's competitors, we discuss the dynamics driving some of these trends.    From console pricing strategies to game deve...

In this ad-hoc episode of Blowing Cartridges, Zach calls in from his holiday in Japan to discuss all things Nintendo, covering topics ranging from the Nintendo Museum, Super Nintendo World, shopping for Nintendo merchandise in Japan and how widely is the Nintendo Switch 2 being marketed in Japan.   Brendan - @Tamazoid Zach - @Eggerino   Intro music - '8 Bit Ditty' by FoolBoyMedia Outro - 'Video Ga...

This week, we’re welcoming back our good friend Dave for a deep dive into the wild world of video game spinoffs — all inspired by the recent announcements of Kirby Air Riders and Donkey Kong Bonanza!   While we may be more confused that when we started this conversation, we delve into what exactly is a spin-off, can you differentiate spin-offs and sub-series and what makes a great spin-off stand o...

In this episode, we're joined by Dan of Switchingitup_ for a full breakdown of the latest Nintendo Direct focused on the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2! We dive into our most hyped games from the showcase, dissect the highs and lows of the presentation, and look ahead to what the Switch 2 means for Nintendo’s near future.   Of course, we couldn’t avoid the big questions—pricing, potential tari...

The Nintendo DS launched in Australia 20 years ago, and its impact on gaming still lingers today, being fondly remembered by a generation of past and current gamers. In this special retrospective, we’re joined by Ollie Brandt from Vooks.net to dive deep into the handheld that redefined not only portable gaming, but the wider gaming landscape.    We discuss the DS’s groundbreaking dual-screen desig...

It’s time to plumbob up and reflect on one of the most iconic life-simulation games of all time! In this special 25th-anniversary episode of Blowing Cartridges, the crew takes a nostalgic (and sometimes chaotic) look back at The Sims—from its humble beginnings in 2000 to the global and enduring phenomenon it is today, sustaining a vibrant and diverse community of content creators and enthusiasts....

With the reveal of the Switch 2 and its surprising mouse functionality, it’s the perfect time to dive headfirst into the weird and wonderful world of video game gimmicks. Joined by friend of the show Dave, we unpack what exactly makes something a “gimmick,” and take a nostalgic (and occasionally cringe-inducing) trip through gaming history — from the motion-controlled highs of the Nintendo Wii to...

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, we dive into the high-stakes world of gambling in video games. With the recent changes to the Australian Classification Board (ACB) ratings, lootboxes and gambling mechanics are under greater scrutiny than ever. Are these changes enough to protect players, or just another regulatory speed bump for the industry?   Joining us for this discussion is our special...

As 2024 comes to a close, Zach and Brendan sit down with special guest Kieran of Hopk Gaming to reflect on the biggest gaming moments of the year. From groundbreaking releases to industry lay-offs, studio purchases and closures, we break down the headlines, the hits, and the flops that defined the past 12 months.   What were the standout games? Which surprises caught us off guard? And what does it...

It’s that time of year again! Our annual Video Game Music (VGM) episode returns, and we’re thrilled to have John back on the mic. This year, we’re diving into one of VGM's most memorable track types: end credit tunes.     From heartwarming finales to epic outros with equally epic vocal accompaniments, we’re exploring the tracks that leave lasting impressions long after the game is over. Join us as...

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, Brendan and Zach team up with special guest Josh Whittington to revisit the magical (and slightly expensive) world of the Toys to Life phenomenon that defined much of the early 2010s in gaming.   From the groundbreaking launch of Skylanders to the imaginative universe of Disney Infinity and the ambitious crossover chaos (to one's wallet) of Lego Dimensions, t...

In this jam-packed episode of Blowing Cartridges, special guests Josh, Chase, Alex, and Gookanheimer join Zach and Brendan to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane as they explore the history of Nintendo connection tours in Australia. From the prize-filled and goodies rich roadshows of the 2000s, the expanded crew shares their personal experiences and favorite memories of these iconic events.   T...