Blowing Cartridges

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, we sit down with Australian video game journalist and developer, James O'Connor, to discuss his upcoming book Untitled Goose Game, soon to be published by Boss Fight Books. Available to back on Kickstarter, the book delves into the game's development and cultural impact.   In the first half of the interview, James shares insights into the writing process, his...

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, we dive into the world of video game movie tie-ins with special guest Luke of Maxi-Geek and Vookcast fame! Join us as we explore the highs and lows of games inspired by blockbuster movies, from the iconic classics such as Goldeneye to the notorious flops such as Minority Report.   The trio chart the trajectory of such adaptations, including the rise in the 20...

In this nostalgia-packed episode of Blowing Cartridges, we dive into the history of video game rentals, from their rise in the '80s and '90s to their eventual decline. Special guest Mark, a former Video Ezy employee from the 2000s, joins hosts Zach and Bremdan to share insider stories from behind the counter.   They discuss their own memories and experiences of renting games, the excitement of dis...

In this cosy episode of Blowing Cartridges, we explore the delightful world of wholesome and cosy games. Joined by podcaster and streamer FulishFuji, we delve into the charm and appeal of these games that offer comfort, relaxation, and a soothing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. FulishFuji shares personal favorites, discusses the impact of cosy games on mental well-being, and pr...

Gamers may have noticed that over the recent month there has been a plethora of video game announcements, as platform holders and other groups have hosted a number of gaming showcases. Many new games have been announced, alongside further information being provided about previously revealed games.   In this episode we're thrilled to welcome Alex Harding, the mind behind the IndiEXP, an Australian...

In this episode of the Blowing Cartridges Podcast, we celebrate 25 years of Super Smash Bros, Nintendo's iconic crossover fighting game series that has captivated gamers since its debut in 1999. Join our hosts, alongside special guests Alex and Paul as they dive into the rich history of the franchise, from its humble beginnings on the Nintendo 64 to its latest iteration on the Nintendo Switch. We...

Join us for an immersive journey into the richly detailed world of "Pentiment," the critically acclaimed narrative RPG, developed by Obsidian Entertainment and first released in 2022. In this episode, your hosts delve deep into the game's unique art style, historical setting, and intricate storytelling. We're thrilled to welcome a special guest, Buck, a self-describe 'Pentiment sicko', who brings...

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, our hosts, joined by returning guest Mario, dive deep into the captivating world of Metroidvania games. From the atmospheric depths of "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night" to the futuristic exploration of "Metroid Prime," they unravel the intricate design and evolution of Metroidvanias, particularly over the past fifteen years.    Join them as they dissect th...

Join the Blowing Cartridges Podcast for an episode featuring Brian Costelloe, aka Sincespacies, as he takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the world of Sega gaming in Australia. From his time working at the iconic Sega Hotline to sharing anecdotes about classic Sega titles and hardware, Brian offers firsthand insights into the unique experiences and challenges faced by Australian gamers...

In this episode of the Blowing Cartridges Podcast, we were thrilled to be joined by Nick Cellini, to talk all about his Australian indie studio Turtle Flip Studio and their upcoming game 'Which Way Up.' Join us as we discuss all things related to indie game development in Australia. Nick details his journey in the games industry, shares his design approach and philosophy as well as the challenges...

In this episode of Blowing Cartridges, hosts Zach and Brendan, complete neophytes when it comes to all things cosplay, invite Ria and Mes, two experienced cosplayers, to explore the world of cosplay, which has increasingly become a vital part of not only gaming culture, but broader entertainment culture, establishing itself as the outward face of the majority of pop culture and gaming conventions....

In our first recorded episode of 2024, we were excited to be joined by another first-time guest, Buddy Watson, a veteran of Australian video game podcasts, to discuss the year in gaming that was 2023. Addressing issues and topics such as record-level layoffs, film adaptations of video games, the increasing digitalisation of gaming media and our favourite games of the year, we finish with some wild...

This year we are mixing it up! We are back again for our annual VGM special, but this time with a twist. Zach has devised a new format where each of the three participants were tasked with drafted four composers in a snake draft, each assembling a dream team of composers.    So sit back and listen as the trio discuss a wide range of composers from the last 30+ years of video game composition. Addi...

Joined by special guest Ben from Qualbert.com, this episode Zach and Brendan dive into a discussion regarding the past, present and future of the video game journalism landscape in Australia. How different is the media we consume (and how we consume) compared to when this trio were growing up in the late 90s/early 2000s? How do these experiences shape the media we consume and produce?    Ben share...

First launching in mid-2020 during the height of the pandemic, Blowing Cartridges has hit its 50th episode! We would like to thank all our listeners for supporting our journey, tuning in to each episode and suggesting to your friends to listen to our podcast!   To celebrate, Brendan and Zach decided to invite friends of the show and semi-regular guests Drew from the House of Mario and Josh from Ni...

Game development in contemporary Australia is a vibrant and ever-growing industry, led by a strong and innovative indie developer scene. Yet the sector has a long and turbulent history of periodic rapid growth and subsequent decline.   Taking a step back to the mid-to-late 2000s, on this episode Andrew Hung joined Zach and Brendan to discuss his journey as a game developer that saw him credited on...

Roleplaying games (RPGs) have a rich history as a genre in video games, with some of the earliest and most influential video games being RPGs. Directly inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, games such as Ultima and Wizardry, to more modern games like Baldurs Gate 3, Skyrim, the Witcher Starfield and the ever-present World of Warcraft dominate much of the discourse surrounding video games.    While pre...

Since its inception in 2013, Pax Australia has become an established pillar of the Australian video game landscape. Every year, tens of thousands flock to Melbourne to celebrate all things gaming and gaming culture, from the latest blockbuster video games, to the offerings of the ever-growing Australian Indie scene, to cosplay, industry and enthusiast panels, boardgames and more.   But what does P...

In the late 2000s rhythm games were everywhere. Spurred on by the Guitar Hero & Rock Band craze it seems that nearly all games had a plastic instrument or two awkwardly propped up in their cupboards or surrounding their gaming setups.   While this craze is long dead, alongside Guitar Hero and a much-diminished Rock Band, rhythm games still exist in a variety of forms. In this genre-specific ep...

Shigeru Miyamoto's favourite oddly shaped leaf creatures are once again back in Pikmin 4, release in July 2023. But what exactly is a 'Pikmin' and why has the franchise continued over the past two decades? What makes it a unique and compelling experience that attracts a small but seemingly growing fanbase?   As Brendan is a Pikmin neophyte, joining the regular crew this episode is Josh from Ninten...

With the popularity of Baldur's Gate 3, the topic of 'save scumming', resetting a game to get an optimal outcome and whether its the 'right thing to do' has come to the forefront.    Thus Zach and Brendan dive into an in-depth discussion about save scumming, describing the different dynamics and situations in which it appears in gaming, and whether they themselves are save scummers.    Have any co...

Last month in July 2023, the Video Game History Foundation released a report that suggests 87% of games released pre-2010 in the US are unplayable.    Thus, Brendan dons his history hat and alongside his Zach, dives into discussing whether this matters, what are the dynamics at play relating to making games available to play for future generations and ultimately what are the respective roles of in...

And we are back after an almost 6 month unplanned hiatus! Please let us know if we have been missed!   On this episode, Zach and Brendan join the discussion that was kicked off just prior to the release of Baldur's Gate 3 - is it 'fair' to judge other RPGs/CRPGs to Baldur's Gate 3 given the resources and status of Larian Studios, the developer and publisher of the game? Based on a series of tweets...

On this episode, Zach and Brendan are joined by friend of the show Drew Agnew from the House of Mario to discuss the year that was 2022. Tune in to hear the trio's experiences with gaming over the past year, their gaming highlights, why Vladimir Putin is a fan of Shantae and what they are looking forward to in 2023.   Have any comments? Feel free to drop us a line via twitter @blowcartpod or email...

As has become a yearly tradition for Blowing Cartridges, special guest and friend of the show John Dewis once again joins Zach & Brendan to once again discuss video game music.   On this episode, the trio have drawn from the hallowed vaults of video game music their favourite battle music tracks from 2022 and beyond. So tune in to find out what they believe makes a good battle track, why all their...