Arcade Couch

Summer Game Fest 2026 Predictions: Elder Scrolls VI, Resident Evil & More | Arcade Couch

We give our annual Summer Game Fest predictions and also give first impressions of 007: First Light.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

Destiny 2’s Future, PlayStation State of Play Predictions & Forza Horizon 6 Impressions | Arcade Couch

We discuss Destiny's future, GTA VI release date, and Ciaran has impressions of Forza Horizon 6.
SHOW DOT POINTS
Destiny 2 is ending support, marking a significant moment for the franchise.
Bungie's future projects may focus on new IPs under PlayStation's ownership.
The PlayStation State of Play event is set to showcase major upcoming titles.
Forza Horizon 6 offers a rich exploration of Japanese culture and car culture.
The hosts express concern over the future of Bungie and its franchises.
PlayStation's strategy may shift back to focusing on single-player experiences.
The gaming industry is competitive, with many titles vying for player attention.
The importance of maintaining player engagement in live service games is emphasised.
Forza Horizon 6 is praised for its gameplay and soundtrack.
The hosts speculate on potential announcements at the State of Play event. Cirarn lent his Steam Deck to a friend for gaming.
Xbox has officially rebranded to all caps based on fan feedback.
Matthew Ball joins Xbox to address market challenges.
The gaming industry is competing with gambling and social media for attention.
GTA 6 is expected to release on November 19, 2026.
The hosts speculate on the impact of new leadership at Xbox.
There is a growing trend of multiplayer games over single-player experiences.
The excitement for single-player games among younger audiences is declining.
Cirarn plans to take time off to play GTA 6 upon release.
The hosts discuss the potential purchase of a PS5 Pro.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
RESOURCES
After numerous delays, new GTA 6 pre-order leaks suggest November release date finally locked in, and further delays unlikely
Xbox is now XBOX, apparently | Eurogamer.net
Xbox hires analyst who said games were losing the attention battle with gambling, crypto and porn as chief strategy officer in another leadership revamp | Eurogamer.net
A 60+ Minute PlayStation State Of Play Has Been Revealed And Here's All The Aussie Times
Bungie Is Ending Support For Destiny 2 To Focus On New Projects
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

Mixtape and Subnautica 2 Impressions | Arcade Couch

Join Ashley and Ciaran as they share their initial impressions of Mixtape, Subnautica 2 and Wax Head, as well as Ashley’s thoughts on the video game movie Mortal Kombat II.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
EPISODE TIMECODES
00:00:00 - Intro00:01:51 - Mortal Kombat II Movie Impressions00:06:00 - Mixtape Impressions00:18:58 - Subnautica 2 Impressions00:23:11 - Wax Heads Impressions00:25:14 - Cozy Game Restoration Impressions00:30:57 - Goodbye
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

Stranger Than Heaven Breakdown, GTA 6 Marketing & Star Fox Remake | Arcade Couch

We discuss the latest gaming news, focusing on the marketing strategy for GTA 6 and its emphasis on console releases over PC. We also delve into the upcoming game 'Stranger Than Heaven,' highlighting its narrative depth, celebrity cameos, and unique gameplay mechanics that involve sound recording and music composition.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
RESOURCES
GTA 6 lands PlayStation 5 marketing deal, as Take-Two head implies PC is not Rockstar's "core" audience | Eurogamer.net
 Xbox Presents: A Special Look at Stranger Than Heaven – Everything We Learned (Including Snoop Dogg’s Role!)
Asha Sharma admits "Xbox needs to move faster", as new CEO begins "winding down Copilot on mobile" and ceases its development on consoles | Eurogamer.net
Star Fox Has Been Revealed And It's A Star Fox 64 Remake
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

Saros Impressions, Resident Evil Movie News & Blood of Dawnwalker Release Date | Arcade Couch

Dylan shares his impressions of Saros so far and discusses the latest gaming news and upcoming releases for May 2026 with Ashley.
SHOW DOT POINTS
Saros is a follow-up to Returnal with new gameplay mechanics.
The game features a mix of story and exploration.
Boss fights in Saros have multiple stages that increase in complexity.
The pacing of Saros allows for breaks and upgrades between runs.
Comparisons to Returnal highlight differences in difficulty and structure.
The Resident Evil movie aims to tell a new story within the franchise.
Audience expectations can impact their enjoyment of adaptations.
Creative freedom in adaptations can lead to unique storytelling.
The film's release is generating positive buzz among fans.
Fast production turnaround shows the director's commitment. Blood of Dawnwalker is set to release on September 3rd.
The game features a unique hybrid gameplay mechanic.
Players can choose to complete the plot or explore romance options.
The game is developed by a team with a strong pedigree from CD Projekt Red.
The setting of Blood of Dawnwalker is distinct from The Witcher.
The hosts express excitement about the upcoming May game releases.
There is a competitive landscape with titles like Fable and Grand Theft Auto 6.
The gameplay allows for distinct player experiences based on choices.
Community engagement is encouraged for feedback on anticipated games.
The hosts are cautiously optimistic about the upcoming releases.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 
RESOURCES
Dark fantasy vampire RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker gets a release date and an autumn showdown with Fable | Eurogamer.net
https://press-start.com.au/news/2026/05/01/the-first-trailer-for-zach-creggers-resident-evil-movie-is-here/
Games Coming Out In May 2026 That You Should Be Excited For
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

Tides of Tomorrow Review, Elden Ring Movie Cast & Black Flag Remake News | Arcade Couch

We discuss the Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake, Tides of Tomorrow, and Vampire Crawlers.
SHOW DOT POINTSThe remake of Assassin's Creed Black Flag is highly anticipated.
Black Flag was a turning point for the Assassin's Creed franchise.
Shuhei Yoshida's departure reflects a shift in PlayStation's direction.
Xbox Game Pass is undergoing significant changes, including a price drop.
Nintendo is adjusting its pricing strategy for digital games.
Splatoon Raiders is set to release as a single-player-focused game.
The gaming industry is seeing a resurgence of interest in remakes.
The future of Xbox exclusives remains uncertain under new leadership.
The Elden Ring film is generating excitement among fans.
The hosts emphasise the importance of storytelling in games. A24 is investing heavily in the Elden Ring adaptation.
The cast for the Elden Ring film is impressive and diverse.
Adapting video game lore into film presents unique challenges.
Vampire Crawlers offers addictive gameplay reminiscent of its predecessor.
Tides of Tomorrow explores interconnected narratives and player choices.
The mechanics of Tides of Tomorrow reflect real-world issues.
Player decisions in Tides of Tomorrow impact future gameplay experiences.
Vampire Crawlers introduces card-based mechanics to dungeon crawling.
The hosts express excitement for the upcoming game releases.
The conversation highlights the evolving relationship between games and film.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
EPISODE TIMECODES
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:36 - Assassin's Creed Black Flag - Resynced
00:10:14 - Shuhei Yoshida Says He Was Fired
00:15:30 - Xbox Lowers Price of Game Pass Ultimate
00:21:35 - Splatoon Raiders Release Date
00:24:20 - Elden Ring Movie Begins Shooting
00:31:50 - Vampire Crawlers Impressions
00:40:50 - Tides Of Tomorrow Review
00:49:45 - Outro
RESOURCES
We've officially seen "ground-up remake" Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced in action | Eurogamer.net
"I want to make the right decision, not the fastest decision" - Xbox's new boss Asha Sharma refuses to rule out the return of exclusive games
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Just Got A Massive Price Drop And Here's The New Aussie Pricing
Splatoon Raiders Just Got A Release Date And 3 New Amiibo Are Coming Too
Elden Ring movie cast announced, with Alien: Romulus, The Last of Us and Ex Machina actors all on board | Eurogamer.net
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

Is Gaming Too Obsessed With Remakes? + Metro 2039 & Street Fighter Movie News | Arcade Couch

We debate whether video game remakes/remasters are killing the industry and holding it back from bigger things.
SHOW DOT POINTS
Nostalgia can hinder innovation in gaming.
Remakes are often more financially viable for publishers.
There are still many original games being released.
The gaming industry is risk-averse, favouring known properties.
Development timelines have become excessively long.
Creative direction is crucial for timely game production.
Hiring more staff could alleviate development bottlenecks.
The gaming community is still young and evolving.
Stories in games are often retold, similar to other media.
Metro 2039 reflects real-world issues and challenges. Metro Exodus introduces a new protagonist named Artem.
The Street Fighter film aims to capture the essence of the game.
The trailer for the Street Fighter film received positive feedback.
Lana Del Rey will perform the title song for the Bond game.
The return of composer David Arnold adds credibility to the Bond game.
Wind Rose offers a unique pirate adventure experience.
The game allows for both single-player and co-op gameplay.
Community reactions to games can vary widely.
The importance of character development in video games is emphasized.
The hosts reflect on their different methods of discovering new games.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
RESOURCES
Metro 2039 Is A Brand New Metro Game Influenced By Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine
Street Fighter film gets new trailer full of roundhouses and explosions, plus a spot of mournful karaoke | Eurogamer.net
007 First Light title song will be performed by Lana Del Rey, while Bond film composer David Arnold returns to franchise after almost two decades | Eurogamer.net
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

Disney & Epic Games Team-Up, Gran Turismo 7 Player Scans & Pokémon Champions Impressions | Arcade Couch Podcast

Dylan and Ashley discuss the news surrounding Disney and Epic Games teaming up for a new crossover, in addition to the current Fortnite one. 
Plus, Dylan dives into Pokémon Champions, gives his wrap-up thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem, and talks to Ashley about the latest idea from PlayStation—adding scans of real people to their games.
SHOW DOT POINTS
Dylan expresses frustration over being called the 'Easter Grinch' for missing a podcast.
Ashley finds the idea of a Disney IP-based extraction shooter to be bizarre.
Dylan recalls the combat mechanics of Disney Infinity as a precedent for how Disney characters fight.
The duo discusses the potential revenue impact of Disney's partnership with Epic Games.
Dylan criticises Epic Games for laying off employees despite upcoming collaborations with Disney.
Ashley highlights the importance of vetting participants in Sony's new player engagement initiative.
Dylan questions the motivations behind Sony's player base initiative.
Ashley suggests that the initiative could be a way to promote Gran Turismo 7.
Dylan and Ashley joke about the absurdity of interview answers for the player base initiative.
The conversation reflects on the evolving landscape of gaming and corporate strategies. The film Exit 8 has received critical acclaim, achieving a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Resident Evil's gameplay effectively balances action and survival horror elements.
The pacing between characters in Resident Evil enhances the overall experience.
Pokémon Champions allows for extensive customisation of Pokémon stats and moves.
The game introduces a new competitive format for Pokémon battles.
Players can bring their Pokémon from previous games into Pokémon Champions.
The game features a unique mechanic where players can see their opponent's team before battle.
Pokémon Champions aims to be the new standard for competitive Pokémon play.
The meta in competitive Pokémon will evolve with new game releases.
The launch of Pokémon Champions has faced some technical issues, but it shows promise.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
RESOURCES
Fortnite's Toy Story Crossover Is Taking Things To Infinity And Beyond
A Disney-Themed Extraction Shooter Is Reportedly In Development
PlayStation Fans Can Now Be Scanned Into Games
Exit 8 Is Now The Highest Rated Video Game Film Adaptation Ever
Exit 8 Review [MIFF 2025] - Explosion Network
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Splits Internet & New The Lord of The Rings Games In Development

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is already proving to be a big success at the box office, but its quality is splitting the internet. Embracer may have 2 prominent studios working on The Lord of the Rings games, and Ciaran shares his impressions of Screamer
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
CONTENT MENTIONED
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie - Starts Better & Then Ends Worse | Animated Wonders
EPISODE TIMECODES
00:00:00 - Intro00:01:41 - The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Makes Money Despite Reviews00:07:59 - Amazon want Mass Effect TV Series rewritten to appeal to non- gamers00:12:39 - Embracer May Have 2 Lord of the Rings games in the works00:25:12 - 2025 Xbox Games Showcase Date Has Been Locked In00:33:39 - Xbox FanFest Is Coming to Sydney in 202600:36:44 - Peak Devs Say 'Any Update Is a Bonus, Not a Right.'00:40:19 - Mass Layoffs at Eidos Montreal After Game Cancellation00:44:36 - Ciaran’s Screamer Impressions00:50:45 - outro
RESOURCES
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie breaks records with $34m opening despite "unfavourable" reviews
Mass Effect TV show ordered to rewrite scripts and make them "more appealing to non-gamers"
Kingdom Come: Deliverance Devs Working on LOTR Game, It's Claimed 
Following rumours of Warhorse Studios visiting Middle-earth, Tomb Raider developer 
EXCLUSIVE: Veteran Studio Working On New Lord of the Rings Game 
The 2026 Xbox Games Showcase Has Been Dated Alongside A Direct For Gears Of War: E-Day
 Xbox FanFest is coming to Australia later in 2026 | ScreenHub: Film, TV, Streaming and Games
Peak devs remind players that 'any update is a bonus not a right'
Eidos Montreal To Lay Off 124 Employees
EXCLUSIVE: Eidos Montreal Cancels 7+ Year In-Development Title That Cost Hundreds of Millions
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

Life is Strange: Reunion Impressions, PS5 Price Increase & Xbox Partner Preview Breakdown

We discuss Life is Strange: Reunion, impressions, and its lack of marketing, go over the recent PlayStation console price increase, and break down the Xbox Partner Preview.
SHOW DOT POINTS
PlayStation has increased the prices of its consoles due to global economic pressures.
Early adopters of gaming consoles benefit from price increases for new buyers.
Nintendo's pricing strategy for digital vs physical games may influence consumer choices.
The Xbox showcase featured several new game announcements, but overall reactions were mixed.
The Super Mario Bros Galaxy movie is set to release soon, generating excitement among fans.
Digital games often provide a cost advantage over physical copies, especially for Nintendo titles.
The gaming industry is adapting to economic challenges by adjusting pricing strategies.
Collectors value physical copies of games, particularly for Nintendo consoles.
Marketing strategies for game releases are evolving, with teasers and character reveals becoming common.
The potential for a Smash Bros-style movie is a topic of speculation among fans. Nintendo and Illumination could create a cinematic universe.
Excitement for the new animated movie is palpable.
Concerns about the upcoming film having too many characters.
Yoshi's presence in the movie is a highlight for fans.
Star Fox's return is a significant topic in gaming news.
The gaming industry is facing major layoffs and closures.
Ocarina of Time remake could be a big deal for fans.
The future of live service games is uncertain.
The impact of Fortnite's decline on the gaming industry is concerning.
Upcoming releases like Pokémon Champions are generating buzz.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE TIMECODES
00:00:00 - Intro00:01:10 - Console Price Increases00:14:25 - Xbox Partner Showcase: March 202600:28:25 - Fox McLoud is in Mario Galaxy Movie00:34:20 - New StarFox & Ocarina of Time Remake Rumours00:42:25 - Studio Clorsures & Layoffs00:52:10 - Life is Strange: Reunion Impressions
RESOURCES
Here's The New Aussie Prices For The PS5, PS5 Pro And PlayStation Portal
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Prices Are Changing With Digital Games To Be Cheaper
Everything Announced At The March 2026 Xbox Partner Preview
All-new Star Fox and Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake reportedly set for Switch 2 release this year | Eurogamer.net
Glen Powell is voicing Starfox's Fox McCloud in the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy movie | Eurogamer.net
Wanderstop studio Ivy Road to close after funding for second game "didn't come to fruition" | Eurogamer.net
Krafton cancels F2P PUBG spin-off PUBG: Blindspot after just 2 months | Eurogamer.net
Fortnite-maker Epic Games lays off another 1,000 staff
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

Are We Playing Real Games Anymore? DLSS 5 Discussion

We discuss DLSS 5 and how it's adding to the AI slopness of the game industry.
SHOW DOT POINTS
The introduction of DLSS5 has sparked significant backlash from gamers.
AI technology in gaming can alter the original artistic intent of games.
NVIDIA's DLSS5 aims to enhance graphics but raises concerns about photorealism.
The gaming industry is experiencing a wave of layoffs and restructuring.
Ubisoft's Red Storm Entertainment has shifted focus to tech support roles.
Crystal Dynamics has faced multiple rounds of layoffs in a year.
Leadership indecisiveness can lead to repeated layoffs and restructuring.
The gaming community is critical of unnecessary technological advancements.
There is a call for better management practices in gaming studios.
The future of beloved franchises like Splinter Cell remains uncertain. The wealthy elite often rely on bonuses to maintain their lifestyle.
Japanese publisher Atlas is raising salaries and reducing overtime.
Staff retention is crucial for efficient game development.
The rapid release of games in Japan contrasts with Western studios.
Anticipation for Persona Six is high among fans.
Starfield is set to release on PS5 soon.
Nintendo Switch 2 has received a notable update.
Refunding games on Steam can be a necessary choice.
Supporting indie developers is important for the gaming ecosystem.
April is packed with exciting game releases.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

What Is Xbox's Plan For The Future?

We discuss the future of Xbox with their upcoming hybrid PC/Console and what that means for their games.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
RESOURCES
The First Xbox Project Helix Details Have Been Revealed And Xbox Mode Is Coming To All PCs
Yoshi And The Mysterious Book's Release Date Has Been Revealed Alongside A Gorgeous New Trailer
South of Midnight debuts on PS5 and Switch 2 later this month | Eurogamer.net
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network