The Ringer-Verse

Even after 30 years, 'Button Mash' is still not underestimating the power of PlayStation. Join Ben Lindbergh, Steve Ahlman, Matt James, and Rob Mahoney as they assess the legacy and influence of Sony’s first game console, reminisce about their personal PlayStation experiences, and then draft the best games from the classic system across several categories (33:17). Host: Ben Lindbergh Guests: Steve...

The Boys are back to talk about the 'Skeleton Crew' premiere (12:11), including Chuck's and Van’s takes on plucky kids. Then they get into Shameik Moore’s viral tweet from the weekend after the news came out that his costar Hailee Steinfeld was engaged (1:03:34). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Chris Sutton, and Steve Ahlman Additional...

It’s always time to give thanks on ‘Ringer-Verse Recommends’! Join the Ringer-Verse and ‘House of R’ crews as they talk turkey about nerd-culture content in the latest installment of their monthly mini-pod about fandom favorites from TV, anime, movies, video games, books, comics, and beyond that were released recently but not yet covered in-depth on a full-length episode. Host: Ben Lindbergh Guest...

Mint-Vember draws to a close as Steve and Jomi dive into the ‘Arcane’ finale while joined by Jessica Clemons! The crew break down all three episodes and celebrate the shows otherworldly animation style as well as ponder the shows impact. Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Guest: Jessica Clemons Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad cho...

Chuck returns for fall’s most anticipated film: ‘Gladiator II’ (10:25). The Boys then get into their draft of Hollywood’s Best Leading Men (41:44). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is that Jason Concepcion's music?! Jason joins Ben to discuss the recent nominations for Game of the Year at the Game Awards (5:00) and then celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of the most momentous months in gaming history, November 2004 (17:40). Specifically, they reminisce about and analyze the legacies of two classic first-person shooters—'Halo 2' and 'Half-Life 2'—highlighting how they were...

Mint-vember charges on as Jomi and Steve give you more ‘Arcane coverage! The boys are breaking down episodes 4-6 of Season 2 of ‘Arcane’ with a loaded discussion. Stay till the end to hear the guys reactions to the first three episodes of ‘Vox Machina’!  Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional production support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices....

The Boys are back to discuss all things ‘The Penguin’ Season 1 (08:14). They get into the successes of the show and delve more into the inner workings of Gotham. Hosts: Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jomi and Steve are back for more Mint-vember! The boys are breaking down the first three episodes of Season 2 of ‘Arcane’ like only they know how. Stay till the end to hear the guys awards for the first three episodes. Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional production support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From 'Like a Dragon' to 'Dragon Age,' settle in for a supersized ‘Button Mash’ blowout! First, Ben, Brian Phillips, and Matt James discuss which games they would stream to enhance their appeal if they were running for office. Then, they break down Prime Video's latest TV adaptation of a video game franchise, 'Like a Dragon: Yakuza' (14:00), before Ben and Matt recommend several recent releases tha...

The penultimate episode of the highly regarded Max show ‘The Penguin’ is here, and the Boys are ready to give you all of their thoughts and theories (13:55). Hosts: Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Arcane’ is back and Steve and Jomi are joined by ‘Button Mash’ host Ben Lindbergh to prepare you guys for Season 2 with a recap of Season 1 and a discussion concerning what they loved about the first season (8:03). Then the trio move on to a show they’ve waited a long time to cover, ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’! They go over their thoughts about the beginning of the fifth and final season, as well as...

The season finale of ‘Agatha All Along’ has finally arrived and the Boys are here to break it all down for you (7:46); they then discuss the newest in Gotham with ‘The Penguin’ Episode 6 (56:56). Hosts: Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Isaiah Blakely, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...

Before you put on your costume, put on the latest edition of 'Ringer-Verse Recommends'! Join the 'Ringer-Verse' and 'House of R' crews as they hand out Halloween treats of tasty nerd-culture content in the latest installment of their monthly mini-pod about fandom favorites from TV, anime, movies, video games, books, comics, and beyond that were released recently but not yet covered in-depth on a f...

The Boys are back to talk all things ‘Venom 3: the Last Dance’ (08:56). They give you their Midnight Meter on the newest Sony film before discussing whether 2024 was the worst year for superhero movies in recent history (35:15). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Special Guests: Daniel Chin and Kai Grady Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman A...

The Boys are back to bring you the latest from ‘The Penguin’ (12:56) and ‘Agatha All Along’ (51:02). They then dive into the latest nerd news: the removal of 'Blade’ from the Marvel 2025 calendar (1:11:49). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about y...

The Boys return to Gotham, digging into Episode 4 of ‘The Penguin’ (09:34), then they stop over in Eastview to discuss Episode 6 of ‘Agatha All Along’ (1:12:05). They ponder whether ‘The Penguin’ is living up to the hype, discuss the biomechanics of Vision being a father, and decide Steve’s cartoon doppelgängers. Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Z...

Y’all yelled about it, and we heard you! Today, Jomi and Steve will dive into a few of the many shows and movies in the world of fandom that you have suggested we watch, including ‘From,’ ’Slow Horses,’ and ‘The Wild Robot.’ Later, producer Kerm joins to discuss some of our favorite recently released comic books! Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Production...

Ben and Justin Charity tiptoe through the halls of Sevastopol to discuss the 10-year anniversary of ‘Alien: Isolation’ and their experiences with the cult classic. Then they bring on Andy Kelly, author of ‘Perfect Organism: An Alien: Isolation Companion,’ to discuss the game’s legacy, horror credentials, innovative AI system, and impact on ‘Alien,’ as well as what they hope to see from the newly a...

The Boys are back to give you their thoughts on the newest episodes from both Disney+’s ‘Agatha All Along’ and Max’s ‘The Penguin’ (38:39). But first, the crew discusses the latest casting news from the DC ‘Green Lantern’ show, as well as colorism in casting (12:24). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Addi...

The Boys are back to give you their thoughts on the highly anticipated ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ (05:12). Then they check in on ‘Agatha All Along’ and ‘The Penguin’ (52:47). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices....

Jomi and Steve are joined by the beloved Jessica Clemons for another edition of Here Comes the Pitch! This time around, in honor of the latest installments of ‘Joker’ and ‘Venom’ set to hit theaters, the gang is pitching their best villain movie. Get cozy in your supervillain lair and press play as the hijinks ensue. Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Guest: Jessica Clemens Producer: Jonathan K...

The leaves are dropping, and so is the latest edition of Ringer-Verse Recommends! Join the Ringer-Verse and House of R crews as they grab their rakes, sweep up scattered releases, and jump into piles of nerd-culture content in the latest installment of their monthly mini-pod about fandom favorites from TV, anime, movies, video games, books, comics, and beyond that were released recently but not ye...

Ben summons Justin Charity for a spoiler-free but in-depth discussion about Nintendo’s new ‘The Legend of Zelda’ release for Switch, ‘Echoes of Wisdom.’ After they give their high-level capsule reviews of the game, they catch up on some recent news, including the teaser for ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, the announcement of (and trailer for) ‘Ghost of Yotei,’ the delay of ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows,’ a...

The Boys are back, with the exception of Charles “Opt-outimus Prime,” to give you their thoughts on the latest episode of Disney+’s ‘Agatha All Along’ (12:25). Then everyone joins in to discuss ‘Joker’ in anticipation of the sequel next week (42:18). Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Jonathan Kermah, and Steve Ahlman Additional Production...