The Random Encounter Podcast

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 183! Today’s major topic is about Sony’s final nail in the coffin of physical media. With their announcement this week of ending production of physical PlayStation 5 games in 2028, what does this mean for the future of media in general as well as digital gaming libraries at large? Memory Cards Vol. VI is also at the end of the show! -----------------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 182! Today we discuss our impressions of Nintendo Switch 2’s latest premier release: Star Fox . Also, we go into the depressing current reality of the gaming industry between exorbitant budgets, unrealistic development time, tragic layoffs, and how everything is just getting more and more expensive. What’s the endgame here? Oh, we also have a really...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 181! Today we discuss our impressions of the Nintendo Direct from June 2026 with the obligatory deep dives into Kingdom Hearts IV and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026). ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter ---------------------------------------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 180! Today we discuss our impressions of PlayStation’s latest State of Play (Dates of Play), Geoff Keighley’s Summer Games Fest, and Xbox’s Showcase. We were left thrilled with two and let down by one (guess which). ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter --...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 179! Today we discuss our initial impressions of Mina the Hollower , the Dragon Quest XII announcement, and the Steam Deck price hikes. We also have a very difficult episode of Memories Card (video game Jeopardy!)! GEAK joins us for this episode! ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 178! Today we discuss the Prologue demo of The Adventures of Elliot , Nintendo Switch 2 leaks, and the rise, fall, and stagnation of PlayStation. Between the upcoming State of Play, end of Destiny 2, and the sorry state of PlayStation’s account security, things are inconsistent at best. Lastly, we have a very combative episode of Memories Card (video...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 177! Today Phan gives his thoughts on the Steam Controller… we’re only one member away from all of us having one! Maybe next week? We also discuss the leak of the supposed new Xbox Elite Series 3 controller as well as a WiFi variant of the standard Xbox Series S/X controller, and lastly, we have a very combative episode of Memories Card (video game J...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 176! Today we discuss our impressions of Valve’s new Steam Controller (spoiler: it’s amazing). We also get into Nintendo’s announcement of Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2– coming out on June 25th. Exciting times. We’re getting old. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therand...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 175! Today we discuss PlayStation’s controversy from the last week surrounding DRM. We also discuss our anticipation of the Steam Controller launch the night before. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter ----------------------------------------------------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 174! Today we discuss all of the new changes coming down the pike thanks to new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. We also discuss how we’re all going to be buying Valve’s new Steam Controller when it inevitably comes out (thanks to an accidentally released video review). ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomenco...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 173! Today we discuss the recent announcement of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 , as well as Capcom’s undeniably elite non-stop gaming releases in 2026. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter ---------------------------------------------------- Check out Ash on: B...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 172! Today we take turns going over our picks for a template that got some some notice on social media this week (https://grids.fun/t/about-me-video-games-dcefq). We try our best go take no longer than 45 seconds per pick, but sometimes fail! ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouT...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 171! Today is a James and Bryant only episode as we discuss some light news items, but mainly, Final Fantasy . We go into detail about our introduction to the series (1997’s Final Fantasy VII ) as well as impressions of the entries since. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube:...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 170: Today we talk about the recent price increases for PlayStation products, NateTheHate’s supposed Nintendo leaks, and finally the Xbox Partner Preview from March 26th, 2026. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter -----------------------------------------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 169! Today we talk about the recent upgrade to PS5 Pro’s PSSR, Nintendo Switch 2’s newly implemented “Boost Mode” for Nintendo Switch backwards compatibility, as well as memories of the Game Boy Advance as it hits its 25th anniversary. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @t...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 168! Today we finish our thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem as all of us who played it, beat it. We also give our impressions on Microsoft’s attempted gaming redemption with the announcement of “Project Helix”. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter --------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 167! Today we discuss the newest entry in Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise with Resident Evil Requiem . We discuss other things too, but lets be real— this week’s episode is based in Raccoon City. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter ---------------------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 166! Today we discuss the further erosion of AAA first-party gaming releases with the closing of Sony’s port/remake studio, Bluepoint. In a way, this also relates to Xbox’s leadership shakeup with Sarah Bond resigning and Phil Spencer retiring. What implications do these moves have on the further destruction of the Xbox brand and gaming at large? Las...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 165! Today we discussed the surprisingly strong PlayStation State of Play that broadcasted on February 12th, 2026. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter ---------------------------------------------------- Check out Ash on: BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.soci...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 164! Today we talked about the Nintendo Partner Direct from 02.05.26 and what the overall vibe of the 3rd party announcements were. We also discussed news items like Sony’s latest stab at multiplayer synergy with Horizon Hunters Gathering , Overwatch 2 losing the “2” (which it never should have had), as well as what we think will happen to Valve’s St...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 163! Today we talk about what we’ve been playing, rumored PlayStation hardware, Virtual Boy coming to Nintendo Switch Online, Final Fantasy VII news, and the controversy surrounding the censorship of the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Dispatch . ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast You...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 162! Today we talk about what we’ve been playing, the latest Ubisoft cancellations, and Ohsnap's MCON mobile gaming controller. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter ---------------------------------------------------- Check out Ash on: BlueSky: @ashde...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 161! Today we talk about what we’ve been playing (with a healthy dose of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond , Donkey Kong Bananza , as well as the demos for Dragon Quest VII Reimagined and Pragmata ). We end with a discussion on our main platform of choice when deciding where to play games. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these:...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 160! Today, we discuss our top three favorite games of 2025 as well as what we're looking forward to most in 2026. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter ---------------------------------------------------- Check out Ash on: BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky....

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 159! Today, we discuss the award winners from The Video Game Awards 2025 as well as the new video game announcements. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter ---------------------------------------------------- Check out Ash on: BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.s...