Game & Watch with Aaron & James

“If that were in text, I would emphasize it and heart it!” The V/H/S film franchise is not without its bad dialogue, but Aaron and James are pleased to report that it has an above-average blend of good ideas and horror elements, including this exterrestrial-themed entry. This week, join your hosts as they continue spooky season by discussing the franchise as a whole before diving into the latest o...

“All you have to do is accept her f**king gift!!! The 7th entry in this legendary survival horror franchise is quite the gift! This week, Aaron and James gush over the game’s terrifying sights, creepy sounds, and downright macabre Baker family. But do the changes in gameplay hold up to the series’ standards? Does the storytelling? Why is Chris Redfield here? So many questions, so little time! Come...

“I told you before, I didn't want you to read this crap! I never saw such rotten crap in my life!” Only some of the crap’s rotten in this famed 1982 horror-comedy anthology film written by Stephen King and directed by George A. Romero. But what’s crap and what’s genuinely frightening are what Aaron and James will be discussing this week! These five tales beg such questions as: Why does Stephen Kin...

"A thousand years ago, everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, they knew the Earth was flat. Fifteen minutes ago, you knew we humans were alone on it. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow." This week, Aaron and James, noisy crickets in hand, tackle yet another wonderful 90s film. Joined by a very special returning guest, your hosts talk about every single thin...

“Pop quiz, hotshot. There's a bomb on a bus. Once the bus goes 50 miles an hour, the bomb is armed. If it drops below 50, it blows up. What do you do? What do you do?” This week, Aaron and James board a bus armed with a bomb set to explode if they say anything negative about this 90s classic thrill ride. Join them as they discuss action hero Keanu, the absolute joy that is Sandra Bullock, and a su...

“We-a won’t be happy until de Island-a Open champ-a plays-a Mario!” Grab your tennis rackets and Game Boy link cables, and join Aaron and James for an exploration of a true gem in an underappreciated genre: the sports RPG! Lend an ear as they discuss a story mode strangely devoid of Mario characters, why a fully grown, seemingly middle-aged man would be attending a children’s tennis academy, and m...

“No one understands the lonely perfection of my dreams. I found perfection here. I've created it. A perfect organism.” This week, Aaron and James explore a later entry in the Alien series. Despite a great cast and strong direction from Ridley Scott, this is a strangely divisive film, and your hosts have set out to find out why. Join them as they discuss the tropes of the series, make inevitable co...

This week, Aaron and James each select two infamous box office bombs and try to defend them. They explore what made those movies fail, what might have prevented the losses from happening in the first place, and why those movies are better than their gross suggests. Listen in and see what they picked!

Grab your holy water, knife, and, uh, cross (are we sure it isn’t a boomerang?) because it’s time to kill Dracula! This week, Aaron and James finally tackle an entry in the beloved Castlevania series. This being a Castlevania game, you know you can count on James doing quite a bit of gushing. But while that might be the reason to tune in, discovering Aaron’s takes on the game and genre is the reas...

"Are you still saying your prayers? Our prayers protect us from the devil." Nothing can protect Aaron and James from a spirited discussion about the newest film from director Osgood Perkins. The target of much buzz and effective marketing, this horror thriller features Nicholas Cage (going for it, as usual), Maika Monroe, and some really great atmosphere. But does the film adequately explain why b...

The entire Game & Watch draft crew is back this week to draft their favorite video game franchises! Now, if you're wondering how to define what constitutes a video game franchise ... well, so are we! The crew has a rollicking good time talking about their picks and there is no shortage of surprises along the way. This draft was far from predictable, and is not one to be missed!

"I didn't choose the Skux life, the Skux life chose me." This week, Aaron and James head out into the bush with a very special returning guest to talk about a delightfully funny Taika Waititi film. Is Sam Neill criminally underrated? Is Rachel House one of the greatest comedic actors alive? Is majestical a word? Listen in as the trifecta answers these questions, contemplates endless ideas for Paul...

“I wish Freddy Krueger would come, and chop off your head, and it would roll in the street, and a truck would squish it, and the blood would splatter everywhere, and everyone would watch it!” Remember Misery? Or The Joker? What if you put those films in a blender, tossed in a dash of cliched noir dialogue, a dead maid, and John Travolta? Better yet --what if Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit fame directed...

"Face me, Shulk! Successor of Zanza! I'll crush the Bionis, and spread its ashes across the world! Then I'll turn the Monado into dust. Only then will there be peace!" Sometimes a game comes along that sinks its hooks in and just won’t let go. Sometimes that game is an 80+ hour JRPG touching upon age-old themes like the futility of revenge, what it means to be human, and being a sexy anime teen wh...

“You have to believe me, this was a stupid decision, but I did it with the best intentions.” Here's a quiz: Is that quote from one of the characters, or the director of this movie? Armed with their convenient raptor larynxes, Aaron and James attempt to rescue this third entry in the Jurassic Park series from itself. The hosts also dare to ask the tough questions that no one else will. For example:...

We're drafting yet again! Join Aaron, James, and three returning guests from the Game & Watch draft crew as they select games from the year all five of them made the transition from high school to college. In 2007, there were single player experiences aplenty, but there was also no shortage of multiplayer madness. This was also the year that launched some major franchises that changed storytelling...

“Are those pussywillows?” This one is for all the moms out there. Happy Belated Mother’s Day from Aaron, James, and a delightfully unhinged Kathleen Turner! Join us as we discuss the John Waters’ 1994 dark comedy cult hit. Does she need a lawyer? Does she need an agent? What even IS satire anymore? Questions abound on this episode - listen with your mom and enjoy!

“All worlds begin in Darkness and all so end. The heart is no different.” Friendship, hearts, and too many zippers - we’re back in the (many) lands of Kingdom Hearts! But which of the numerous worlds in the mainline series deserve the most praise? The most hate? What makes for a strong world in this “storied” franchise? Come listen and find out Aaron and James’ Top and Bottom 3 Kingdom Hearts Worl...

Hey, you! Yes, you! Do you find repetition meditative? Do you enjoy a challenge? Does unlocking a new item give you that sweet dopamine rush? Do you have an addictive personality? If you answered yes to most or all of those questions, roguelikes might be the genre for you! This week, Aaron and James are joined by a very special returning guest to dissect the modern roguelike genre and explore just...

"You are a convict, tasked with exploring this anomaly, in a makeshift submarine nicknamed The Iron Lung. It was not designed for this depth, so you will be welded inside and the forward window will be closed. There was no time for training. If successful, you earn your freedom." This week, Aaron and James tackle a divisive indie horror game and, uh, let's call it a "submarine simulator." Not ever...

"The SA-X. An enemy with my strongest abilities. But does it have reason? Probably not. It's just a killing machine. In my current state, I can't face it head-on. The SA-X is me, only heartless. I must stop it before it learns its potential and threatens the universe." This week, Aaron and James gush over an excellent entry in the Metroid series and one of the best GBA games out there. That isn't...

Everyone knows Zelda games feature some great dungeons -- from theme and aesthetic to head-scratching puzzles ... but how practical are they? This week, Aaron and James and a very special guest discuss the practicality and feasibility of each dungeon as a place. Would only Zora's go to worship in Ocarina of Time’s Water Temple, or was it designed for human use too? Does Snowpeak Ruins feel more li...

“He doesn't like sharing his toys. Even the ones he doesn't want to play with any more.” Join Aaron and James this week as they discuss a Barry Keoghan (Kee-OH-Gan) and Jacob Elordi-led romp through the English countryside. What do you get when you fill a manor home with rich, horny, terrible people? You get this movie - for better or worse. But hey, at least it features a deliciously scene-steali...

“You guys didn't like Kyle. That's okay. I didn't either. I loved him. He was my son. But he was also a douchebag.” Join Aaron and James this week as they take a look at this oft-overlooked Robin Williams dark comedy. Could this be the darkest material they’ve ever covered for the show? Could Kyle be one of the douchiest characters in all of film? And what does the legendary Bruce Hornsby have to...

This weelk, Aaron and James invite the entire Game & Watch draft crew back to the show to select games from an absolute monster of a year. There was no shortage of incredible titles in 1998, including surprise hits from less-proven developers, underappreciated gems from seasoned vets, and some of the most groundbreaking games in beloved series that still endure to this day. So many games, in fact,...