Pokémon Winds & Waves Reactions + Resident Evil Requiem First Thoughts

We talk about everything from the 2026 Pokémon Day, Pokémon Presents, including the reveal of Pokémon Wind & Waves. 
Also on the show, we give our impressions on both Resident Evil: Requiem, as well as Marathon, after jumping into the server slam. 
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The Pokémon Presents event celebrated the 30th anniversary of the franchise.
New game features and updates were announced, including Pokémon Home support.
The 10th generation of Pokémon games is set to release in 2027.
Visual performance is a major concern for upcoming Pokémon titles.
The hosts hope for a more polished experience with the new games.
Bluepoint's potential Bloodborne remake was a hot topic of discussion.
The gaming community is eager for more announcements throughout the anniversary year.
Voice acting in Pokémon games is a desired feature among fans.
The hosts reflect on the impact of leaks on excitement for new games.
The conversation highlights the balance between nostalgia and innovation in gaming. Bluepoint's potential projects are still under discussion.
The God of War series is generating mixed reactions online.
Xbox is facing significant challenges with its branding strategy.
Resident Evil Requiem balances horror and action effectively.
Marathon's gameplay mechanics are engaging but require teamwork.
Overwatch's return has revitalised interest in the franchise.
The UI in Marathon is a major point of frustration for players.
Upcoming game releases in March include several highly anticipated titles.
The hosts emphasise the importance of community in multiplayer games.
Resident Evil Requiem is noted for its stunning visuals and sound design.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
EPISODE TIMECODES
00:00:00 - Intro00:01:30 - Pokemon Presents - Pokemon Day 202600:24:00 - Bluepoint Did Try & Remake Bloodborne00:32:30 - First Look At God of War Series00:37:30 - Ciaran's Thoughts On Xbox Change-Up00:41:45 - Resident Evil Requiem Impressions00:49:20 - Marathon - Servel Slam Impressions00:57:45 - Games Coming Out In March01:03:35 - Outro
RESOURCES
Pokémon Day 2026: All the Announcements From Pokémon Presents - Explosion Network
Bluepoint’s Bloodborne Remake Pitch Was Reportedly Rejected - Explosion Network
Prime Video Reveals First Image From God of War Series - Explosion Network
Marvel's Wolverine Launches on September 15, 2026 - Explosion Network
Video Game Releases Archives - 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

State of Play 2026 Kicks Off Strong – Our Breakdown

We break down the first State of Play for 2026, which brought plenty of surprises and new game trailers.
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The PlayStation Showcase featured a variety of new game announcements.
Wolverine was included in the showcase, albeit not in the expected format.
Kenna: Bridge of Spirits sequel shows significant development.
Ghost of Yotai Legends is set to return with multiplayer features.
Death Stranding 2 is confirmed for PC release.
Resident Evil Requiem continues to generate buzz with frequent trailers.
Legacy of Cain is getting a remaster, sparking interest in the franchise.
A new 2.5D Castlevania game is in development, appealing to long-time fans.
Unique IPs like Project Windlass are being introduced, showcasing creativity.
Konami's segment highlighted both remasters and new titles, indicating a focus on legacy franchises. The John Wick game aims to capture the essence of the franchise.
Bungie's Marathon is set to test servers with a service slam.
PlayStation Plus is adding notable titles like Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
Saros gameplay trailer showcases significant improvements over Returnal.
Marvel's Fighting Souls introduces new characters like Storm and Magic.
God of War trilogy remakes are in early development for PS6.
Sons of Sparta explores Kratos's early life and relationships.
The game aims to offer a different perspective on Kratos.
Voice acting in Sons of Sparta has received mixed reviews.
The game's combat mechanics differ from those in traditional God of War games. Wrestle Quest's pixel art aims for an authentic 80s aesthetic.
Highguard's layoffs reflect broader issues in the gaming industry.
Video game success is crucial for team retention.
Mario Tennis Fever offers smooth, engaging gameplay.
Mugenics combines humour with tactical gameplay mechanics.
The gaming industry often relies on the success of the next release.
Highguard's development challenges raise questions about live service games.
The structure of video game development can lead to instability for teams.
Mario Tennis Fever's story mode serves as an extended tutorial.
Mugenics has the potential for addictive gameplay and deep mechanics.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE TIMECODES
00:00:00 - Intro00:50:00 - State of Play Breakdown00:43:30 - God of War Sons of Sparta Review-In-Progress00:55:50 - Highguard Developer Lay Offs01:04:20 - Mario Tennis Fever Review-In-Progress01:13:20 - Mewgenics Impressions01:20:40 - Outro
RESOURCES
Every Announcement From February’s PlayStation State of Play - Explosion Network
Highguard not shutting down following Wildlight layoffs, with a "core group" of developers left to support the game | 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