Game & Watch with Aaron & James

"And that will lead to another clue, and that will lead to another clue!" We may live in a politically divided world, but we can hopefully all agree that Nicolas Cage running around solving riddles and searching for treasure is something everyone can enjoy at least a little bit. Join Aaron and James this week as they discuss the highs and lows of Disney’s treasure hunting adventure. They’ll talk a...

“We're quite a hit. A big hit with Earth, the star so full of stuff. A star now apparently full of our fans!” Sequels are a tricky endeavor. How do you keep things fresh while maintaining the spirit of what came before? Join Aaron and James as they discuss this cult sequel in the delightfully strange Katamari series. Does it warrant the praise lavished on it by fans, or is it just a rolling mess o...

“You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.” Get out the spaghetti, because this week Aaron and James tackle one of their favorite films and one of the most iconic Westerns of all time. From the brilliant direction to the superb score, this ain’t your American Western. But amidst all the incredible imagery and sounds, do all it...

“Love won't save you, Padmé. Only my new powers can do that.” Whether you sighed reading that line or not, there’s no arguing the George Lucas didn’t save some of his best prequel ideas for this trilogy capper. Join Aaron, James, and a returning special guest as they find the good amongst the dark side of this Star Wars entry. If you’re a fan of the series or not, there’s something for you in this...

"Using a shovel as a weapon... what a groundbreaking idea!" Aaron, James, and a special returning guest conclude Mega May with a 2D platforming classic that wears its Mega Man influences on its sleeve, but stands amongst the best indie games in its own right. You will dig this episode! (Shovel pun.)

“Once the airport is mine, I'll control the city!” Mega May continues this week with the ‘90s American animated adaptation of Mega Man! Join Aaron and James as they explore three select episodes of the show and explore their ‘90s charm, middling animation, unintentional comedy, loving homages to the game series, and more.

"Jack in!! MegaMan, Execute!" Mega May continues this week with an entry in Capcom’s tactical role-playing spin-off series. While Aaron.exe and James.exe think this game might have succeeded a bit more in the early 2000s than in today’s gaming era, there are still some high highs to discuss among some of the very low lows. Get your cyber phones ready (or whatever cyber equipment you use to listen...

"X, you shouldn't expect to defeat him, he is designed to be a war machine. Remember, you have not reached full power yet. If you use all the abilities you were designed with, you should become stronger... You may even become as powerful as I am." In his latest adventure, the heroic X faces off against Gaming Backlog Man, Completionist Man, and a special returning guest. Can X overcome his toughes...

"I missed that Raccoon City hospitality." This week, Aaron and James decide if Capcom nailed the latest entry in this 30-year-old survival horror series. Despite its popularity, critical acclaim, and efforts to honor Resident Evil's past does it live up to the hype? And where do Aaron and James rank it compared to other top contenders from the franchise? Listen and find out!

It's finally time. It's finally Prime. This week, Aaron and James tackle the pod's most requested* game. One of the best examples of Nintendo bringing one of its series to 3D and one of the best Gamecube games to boot, this classic has aged exceptionally well. Join your hosts as they explore the beautifully-detailed world of Tallon IV, laud the progression and environmental storytelling, and so mu...

“Checkpoints go up at fifteen miles. Your fugitive's name is Dr. Richard Kimble. Go get him!” This week, Aaron, James, and a very special returning guest discuss a bonafide 90s classic! There’s a lot to gush about when it comes to this thriller - from the snappy dialogue and stellar supporting cast to the incomparable duo of Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones at the height of their acting powers. N...

It’s time for another Game Pitch Challenge! (And no, we couldn’t think of a better title!) This week, Aaron and James each pick a game or series the other hasn't played and give their best pitch to the other to give it a shot. James starts things off by explaining how the indie gem Tunic is perfect for Aaron’s action/adventure/puzzle tastes. Then, Aaron leverages James’ love of the Persona series...

“SAY YOU WANT TO LIVE!! WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS!” In honor of season two of Netflix’s questionable adaptation of everyone’s favorite pirate crew, this week, Aaron and James do some swashbuckling rankings! How do the various sagas compare to each other? Which nakama are top tier and which are not worthy of a place on this legendary crew? And finally, listen to hear some thoughts on the season 2 premier...

"Pokémon aren't meant to fight. Not like this." In the late 1990s, Pokémania was a genuine cultural force. Schoolyards were abuzz with rumors of how to catch Mew, game shops couldn’t stock booster packs of the trading card game fast enough, and this film would go on to be one of the highest grossing animated films of the decade. Join Aaron, James, and a special returning guest as they ask: Did it...

"Cor blimey!" Join Aaron and James as they delve into what might be the best, most approachable entry into a legendary series whose contribution to the JRPG genre is unquestionable. What sets this series - and this game in particular - apart from the rest of the JRPG pack? Does the late, great Akira Toriyama’s design work compensate for safe, by-the-book RPG mechanics, story, and gameplay? Or does...

“You owe me a pizza.” This week, Aaron, James, and a returning special guest tackle the first entry in the remake of one of the most beloved video games of all time. This is a game with divisive plot changes, newly-fleshed out characters, a completely revamped and modernized combat system, and oh so much nostalgia. How does the remake fare with each of these things? And how does the game challenge...

The Game Boys (working title) are back for another fantasy draft! This week, the entire crew joins Aaron and James for another exciting draft year. From the release of the Gamecube to the PS2 asserting itself as a force to be reckoned with, this was truly a monumental year in gaming history. You can count on a few wild picks in this one, to be sure. Will your favorite games be selected? Only one w...

"The fifth thing is a mystery." This week, Aaron and James talk about a bad movie. Like, a really bad movie. We're talking about a real turd, here. End of blurb.

It’s 2026, which means that everyone’s favorite monster-collecting RPG series is turning 30! Join Aaron, James, and a group of returning guests for a roundtable discussion of the video games from this ultra-popular franchise. From the current state of the games, personal memories, and favorite entries to constructive criticisms and predictions for the future, there’s no facet of this creature-batt...

Another year has passed us by, and with it, a bunch of great games! Listen in as Aaron and James rank the top ten games they each played this year. They'll discuss disappointments, honorable mentions, surprise hits, and runaway favorites, all while dissecting both modern gaming trends and their own personal trends. And don't forget to listen until the end for some predictions for 2026. Enioy!

“Merry Christmas, Alfred. Good will toward men... and women.” This week, Aaron and James get into the holiday spirit by roaring about a wonderfully dark and playful entry in the Batman franchise with an equally-wonderful returning guest. From Michelle Pfeiffer’s iconic performance to the film’s expressionist vision of Gotham, no subject is left undiscussed. Say what you will about the film’s focus...

"Are you out of your Vulcan mind?!" This week, join Aaron, James, and a returning special guest as they boldy go into the sci-fi action reboot of a beloved and groundbreaking franchise. Does the film succeed at walking the tightrope between Trekkie expectations and mainstream appeal? Do Star Trek films need a little Star Wars DNA, or perhaps the other way around? And how much lens flare is too muc...

Yes, you read that correctly. This week, Aaron, James, and their camera crew venture off to an abandoned school in Japan to investigate the urban legend of a ghost that might have taken residence in one of the toilets. If you’re still reading, your hosts welcome you to accompany them on this journey, as this low-budget found footage pseudo-documentary is full of crazy twists and turns that, despit...

"In my restless dream, I see that town. Silent Hill. You promised you'd take me there again someday. But you never did. Well, I'm alone there now, in our "special place". Waiting for you." Armed with nothing but a plank of wood, Aaron and James are ready to confront the physical manifestation of their own psyches as they discuss an iconic horror game from a franchise that has had its ups and downs...

"The Ruins held knowledge. We sold our souls for it. Altars built of concrete. Fed with blood and bone." This week, Aaron and James climb off their meat hooks and blast their way through cultists and eldritch horrors in this indie retro-inspired first-person shooter. Is this another Doom or Quake clone, or is there more meat to be found? Listen and find out! Or just play the game! Or buy the game,...