The Press Start Podcast

Xbox is going through a massive restructure with fresh layoffs shaking the industry, and PlayStation has confirmed it's ending support for physical discs on PS5. On this episode of The Press Start Podcast, we break down what both moves mean for gamers, whether Xbox's shake-up can actually save the brand, and if the death of physical media is the beginning of the end for game ownership. Chapters 00...

We're breaking down the biggest GTA 6 hot takes sent in by you, the listeners. From the controversial price tag to paywalling rumors, the lack of a physical disc and no online mode at launch, we dig into whether Rockstar has gone too far this time. Hear our unfiltered reactions to GTA 6 news and price controversy. Chapters 00:00:00 Coming Up 00:00:36 GTA VI's Price 00:07:07 When Will GTA VI Go On...

Fox McCloud is back with a faithful remake of the beloved Star Fox 64, but does nostalgia alone make it worth your time in 2026? The Press Start Podcast team digs into whether the game delivers for longtime fans and what it means for the future of the franchise. Also this week: hands-on impressions of Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy and Star Wars: Galactic Racer, plus the team reacts to PlayStatio...

Xbox is sending shockwaves through the gaming industry with reports that Ninja Theory, Double Fine, and Compulsion Games are all facing potential closure, raising serious questions about the future of first-party Xbox gaming. Rockstar has also dropped the official GTA 6 cover art ahead of pre-orders opening June 25, fuelling speculation about a November release date and what the game will cost. Pl...

Since the demise of E3, it’s the biggest week in gaming — Nintendo dropped a Direct packed with announcements including a full remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, while the Xbox Games Showcase and Summer Game Fest revealed everything coming out in the months ahead. Chapters 00:00:00 Coming Up 00:00:35 Nintendo Direct June 2026 Reactions 00:18:27 XBOX Games Showcase 2026 00:42:55 Summer...

Sony's PlayStation State of Play delivered a wave of announcements that have the gaming world talking, and the Press Start team breaks down every reveal, what it means for PS5 owners, and whether Sony is back on track. We also react to the Fable delay and the official announcement of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and what it could mean for the future of the franchise. Chapters 00:00:00 Coming Up...

In this episode, we break down our official 9/10 score for 007 First Light, the highly anticipated James Bond action game developed by IO Interactive. We also discuss what’s next for Bungie amongst some troubling times, and share our predictions for next week’s PlayStation State of Play. Chapters 00:00:00 Coming Up 00:00:28 007 First Light Review 00:20:51 What's Next for Bungie 00:30:33 PlayStatio...

We break down the massive review score split for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book on Nintendo Switch 2, our thoughts on LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and dive into the controversial gameplay changes in the upcoming Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. Plus, we debate the latest PlayStation Plus price increase, Sony's shifting stance on PlayStation exclusivity, and why Bungie's Marathon is...

We dive into our review of Forza Horizon 6, breakdown the Nintendo Switch 2 price increase, discuss the new Xbox Game Pass Discord tier, and share our final impressions of Directive 8020. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:34 Forza Horizon 6 Review 00:11:35 Mortal Kombat II Review 00:21:06 Nintendo Switch 2 Price Increase 00:26:43 Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition 00:31:52 Directive 8020 Review 00:41:39 A...

We discuss why the stunning new release Mixtape earned a perfect score and stands as a top contender for the best game of 2026. The team breaks down the surprise Nintendo Direct announcement for Star Fox on Switch 2 and debates whether another remake of the N64 classic is what fans actually want. Plus we analyse the massive branding shift at Xbox as CEO Asha Sharma reveals a nostalgic new boot scr...

We take a look at the recent PS5 online game license checks and why this move is actually a win for digital security. We also discuss game development maybe need more contract work, more changes at Xbox and our preview of Directive 8020. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:30 PS5 Online Game Checks 00:06:49 Contract Work in Video Games 00:18:12 More Changes at Xbox 00:27:08 Directive 8020 Preview 00:36:...

We discuss our 9.5 out of 10 review of Saros, the latest PlayStation masterpiece and new front-runner for Game of the Year 2026. Brodie also previews Yoshi and The Mysterious Book, we unpack the reveal of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced and discuss Xbox Game Pass getting cheaper! Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:30 Saros Review 00:16:00 Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced Revealed 00:25:13 Yo...

We kick things off with our review of the weird and wonderful Tomodachi Life Living the Dream before diving into the high-stakes release of Capcom’s Pragmata. This week we also dive deep into the internal turmoil at Microsoft as Pete Hines breaks his silence on the mismanagement of Bethesda and the shifting value of Xbox Game Pass. Join us for a heated breakdown of why Xbox exclusivity is being re...

Sony has officially announced a massive global price increase for the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro, leaving fans questioning the future of console gaming. We also dive into the latest Nintendo Switch 2 rumors regarding a full Zelda Ocarina of Time remake and a classic-style Star Fox revival. Join the crew as we discuss our hands-on preview of Saros from Housemarque and Brodie’s take on the legendary...

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang defends DLSS 5.0 against claims that AI is ruining game art while Bethesda finally confirms the Starfield PS5 release date for April. We also dive into Jeff Kaplan’s viral comments on toxic gaming culture and the latest system updates bringing massive power boosts to the Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation Portal. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:34 NVIDIA CEO Slams Gamers Over...

This week we unpack the bombshell reveal of Xbox Project Helix, Microsoft's next generation console that blurs the line between Xbox and PC gaming with a rumored price tag of $1,200 USD. We debate whether PlayStation's testing of dynamic pricing on the PlayStation Store is a concerning sign for digital storefronts and discuss what Shinji Mikami's new studio could be working on for their next AA to...

Bungie finally drops their extraction shooter Marathon while we dissect the shocking 45 day lifespan and shutdown of Highguard. We also dive into the massive Pokemon 30th Anniversary reveals including the record breaking Pokemon Pokopia on Switch 2 and the Gen 10 announcement of Pokemon Winds and Waves. Our team weighs in on whether the era of live service failures is finally coming to a head or i...

On this week's episode, we provide an in-depth Resident Evil Requiem review and discuss the fallout of Sony shutting down Bluepoint Games. We analyze the retirement of Phil Spencer as Xbox CEO and what it means for the future of Microsoft Gaming. Finally, we celebrate the news of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen finally coming to the Nintendo Switch. Chapters 00:00:00 Coming Up 00:00:32 Xbox Changes:...

This week we dive into the controversy surrounding Highguard's rocky launch and plummeting player base, debating whether gamer culture and rage baiting are to blame or if the game simply failed to find its footing. We also break down the shadow-dropped 2D action game God of War: Sons of Sparta and whether it lives up to expectations, plus discuss the announcement of a God of War Trilogy Remake and...

This week we dive into the polarizing reveal of Horizon Hunters Gathering and its radical new art style before recapping every major announcement from the February Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase including the arrival of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on Switch 2. We also share our full reviews for the chaotic Mario Tennis Fever and Suda51s bizarre new action title Romeo Is A Dead Man plus a breakdown...

Join us this week as we dive into the rave reviews for Cairn and share our first-hand experience with this challenging survival climber. We also discuss the latest PlayStation handheld rumors regarding an OLED Portal and the standalone RDNA 5 portable, alongside the news that GTA 6 may skip a physical release at launch. Plus, we check in on our 2026 Fantasy Critic draft and the latest updates for...

We are drafting our official 2026 Fantasy Critic league to predict which video games will dominate the review scores this year. Join the crew as we bid on massive titles like Grand Theft Auto VI and Resident Evil Requiem while hunting for the best indie sleeper hits of 2026. This episode covers our full draft strategy for a winning Fantasy Critic season and our boldest predictions for the years be...

We break down the generative AI controversy hitting Larian Studios and Sandfall Interactive, exploring the backlash against Baldur's Gate 3 and the award disqualification of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Plus, we analyze the sudden closure of all EB Games stores in New Zealand and discuss the potential future impact on the Australian retail market. Chapters 00:00:00 Coming Up 00:00:50 Actor Playign...

In this episode, we break down our biggest gaming predictions for 2026, discussing whether Grand Theft Auto 6 will hit its release date or face another delay. We also dive into the future Nintendo Switch 2 launch lineup, rumors surrounding a new God of War and BioShock cancellation, and the possibility that Half-Life 3 could finally return this year. Chapters 00:00:00 Coming Up 00:00:24 What We've...

We count down our personal Top 5 Games of the Year for 2025, discussing the biggest AAA releases, indie gems, and the impact of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. We also look back at our 2025 gaming predictions from the start of the year to see which hot takes aged well and which were completely wrong. From GTA 6 to Hollow Knight: Silksong, join us for the ultimate 2025 Game of the Year (GOTY) wrap-up...