The Random Encounter Podcast

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...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 158! Today, we discuss Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and the future of gaming in the world of ever-increasing hardware prices. We also discuss what we've been playing leading up to The Video Game Awards 2025! ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast YouTube: @therandomencounter -----------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 157! Today, we discuss the Xbox 360's impact on its 20th anniversary as well as where the Xbox brand is now. The bulk of this episode, however, is guessing who we think will win various categories at The Video Game Awards on December 11th as the nominees just dropped. Will there be some prize for who gets the most right? I guess we will find out!...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 156! Today we talked about PlayStation’s State of Play (Japanese Edition), Metroid Prime 4: Beyond preview impressions, and finally, the exciting announcements of new hardware from Valve: the new Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame. ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast Y...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 155! Today there is some big PlayStation news as the PlayStation Portal has gained the ability to play purchased games over the cloud. Also, it appears there may be some incoming ability to cross-buy between PC and PlayStation. We also have some Kirby Air Riders talk and brief discussion about the Grand Theft Auto VI delay. --------------------------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 154! Today we talk a lot of PlayStation: The 25th Anniversary of the PlayStation 2 as well as Halo on PlayStation 5. We also discuss the recent embargo limitation of Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD Remake that prevented those that had the game prior to release from discussing the ending. Check out our live Podcast on Sundays and our group stream on Fridays...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 153! Today we talk all Xbox: The newly released Xbox Ally X, the future of Xbox, and Microsoft's antagonism towards exclusivity. We also discuss what we've been playing, as well as other miscellaneous news items. Check out our live Podcast on Thursdays and our group stream on Fridays. Don't forget to leave a review and subscribe! --------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Ep. 152! Today James and Bryant talked a great deal about Pokémon Legends: Z-A , the recent Pokémon leak, and the death of the Master Ninja. Check out our live Podcast on Thursdays and our group stream on Fridays. Don't forget to leave a review and subscribe! Check out our live Podcast on Thursdays and our group stream on Fridays. Don't forget to lea...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Ep. 151! Today we talked about Mark Cerny's PlayStation 6 comments and what they mean for the gaming industry going forward, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 's future DLC announcement, and commentary on the October 2001 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly. Check out our live Podcast on Thursdays and our group stream on Fridays. Don't forget to leave a...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Ep. 150! Today we talked about Xbox’s Game Pass price hikes and what we’ve been playing. Check out our live Podcast on Thursdays and our group stream on Fridays. Don't forget to leave a review and subscribe! Check out our live Podcast on Thursdays and our group stream on Fridays. Don't forget to leave a review and subscribe! -------------------------...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Ep. 149! Today we talked about PlayStation's State of Play for September 24th, 2025, the new CEO of Nintendo, and the implications of the ASUS Xbox Ally X. Check out our live Podcast on Thursdays and our group stream on Fridays. Don't forget to leave a review and subscribe! Check out our live Podcast on Thursdays and our group stream on Fridays. Don&...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Ep. 148! Today we talked about what we’ve been playing, our most anticipated games coming out the rest of the year, looking forward to next year, and a mini-game at the end of the podcast which admittedly may not be fun for audio listeners. Check out our live Podcast on Thursdays and our group stream on Fridays. Don't forget to leave a review and subscri...

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Ep. 147! Today is a single-topic podcast: the Nintendo Direct September 2025. To hear our takes on this very James-coded Direct, take a listen! Check out our live Podcast on Thursdays and our group stream on Fridays. Don't forget to leave a review and subscribe! ---------------------------------------------------- James runs these: Twitch: therandomencou...