just after this next one ••• Mark talks about a big(ish) commitment to not spend any more money on games this year and how he's strategizing games to play. Let us know: Have you stopped all game purchases for a time? Video Game Expenses Tracking Template: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uM23EnSIb8ycBIJiKxxI2dDewTCOR2gVmU6UPU8Ay9k/edit?usp=s…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Elizabeth Coats Bowen talk about the big deal Elden Ring, its unique world and approach to story, and all the weird guys. Let us know: Is Elden Ring the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.b…

also, mark is movie-illiterate ••• Mark and Elizabeth Coats Bowen talk about the recent NY Times Top 100 Movies of the 21st Century list, the leaps forward that video games have made in the 21st century, and how movies and games compare. Let us know: have movies or games been better this century? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlay…

baby park (2025 club mix) ••• Mark talks about his top picks from the phenomenal Mario Kart soundtrack. Let us know: What are your top picks from the Mario Kart World soundtrack? Quick Play's Mario Kart World picks playlist: listen Full Mario Kart World soundtrack: listen to a lot more Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagr…

the 30 best and worst of world ••• Mark and Sarah Erickson talk about their thoughts on mario kart world after a week, how it compares to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and rank all 30 tracks from worst to best. (And sorry for all the chair and table noises.) Let us know: What are your top 4 courses from Mario Kart World? Add your own ranking: https://docs.g…

while we play mario kart world ••• Mark and Jake Martin and Landry Smith and Billie Cox talk about their first impressions with the Switch 2, their launch day stories, their hopes for the console, and what they think of Mario Kart World. Let us know: What’s your first impression of the Switch 2? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayP…

trying to be consistent ••• Mark talks about what the podcast is about. Let us know: What is stabilizing for you? Recommended Listening: The Era of Volatility from Rebuilders Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPlayPod Listen online: Quick…

like after we turn it to dark theme ••• Mark and Billie Cox talk about the five things they're most excited about for Switch 2, the first games they're playing, and the features they'll hoping to get the most out of. Let us know: What are you doing first with the Switch 2? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPla…

what do you even do when you don't play games? ••• Mark and Billie Cox talk about Billie's lull in playing video games, what he's drawn to in the meantime, and how we get into these lulls. Let us know: Do you take extended breaks from video games? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Blues…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Josh Broccolo of the Backlog Breakdown talk about the weighty story of Xenoblade Chronicles X, and chat a lil about other beefy JRPGs.Let us know: Is Xenolade Chronicles 3 the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay B…

apples and organges or apples and old apples? ••• Mark and Josh Broccolo talk about how to compare and contrast the quality of retro games and modern games, and all the complex nuances that necessitates. Let us know: Which are better: retro games or modern games? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: …

long live the 5-star rating scale ••• Mark talks about how he has switched to a 5-star rating scale when thinking through a game review and why you should too. Let us know: What is your rating scale? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPla…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Landry Smith talk about The Last of Us Part 2, its unique narrative within the landscape of video games, and its approach to realistic consequences. Let us know: Is The Last of Us Part II the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod G…

wii u games were better ••• Mark and Landry Smith talk about the legacy of the Nintendo Switch (1) and give their hottest takes on the likes of Pokemon, the Switch lifecycle, its predecessors, and NSO. Let us know: What is your hottest Switch take? Recommended listening: The Hottest Take - Jeans at Home (language warning) Follow us on the proper so…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Nate McKeever talk about the indie roguelite hit Hades, what makes it special, and how it became a catalyst to loop players into the genre. Let us know: Is Hades the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @q…

and really just trying to make sense of it all ••• Mark and Sarah Erickson (and technically our daughter) talk about April's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, what they're excited about, and what would sell them on a $450 console. Let us know: What is your favorite announcement from the Switch 2 Direct? Things I didn't know while recording that I found out…

get weird. a little weird. but like, not too weird? ••• In this part 2 of 2 episodes, Mark and Nate McKeever talk more about Nintendo's innovation, how they got in a situation where games are left behind, and their hopes in this realm for the Switch 2. Let us know: Is there a “stranded” Nintendo game you wish could come back? Follow us on the prope…

don't get stuck in the past ••• In this part 1 of 2 episodes, Mark and Nate McKeever talk about how hardware innovation can end up stranding games, Nintendo's particular woes with this, and what the future of hardware innovation could look like. Let us know: Is there a “stranded” Nintendo game you wish could come back? Follow us on the proper socia…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Matt Intemann talk about a grab-bag of beloved indies from the decade and how indies have often taken the spotlight this decade. Let us know: Are indie games on the whole the true games of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickP…

looking through, looking past, looking down ••• Mark and Matt Intemann talk about different camera perspectives in video games, how that impacts what we expect from a game, and shout out a few examples of unique camera uses. Let us know: What’s your favorite camera perspective in video games? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod …

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Parker Deal talk about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it's inherent relation to Breath of the Wild, and how conversations on such a good game gets defined by its shortcomings. They then scale down the conversation to talk about the lil city sim Islanders. Let us know:Is Tears of th…

we're playing the long game ••• Mark and Parker Deal draft each of their own bingo cards for what they expect from the first two years of the Switch 2. Let us know: What's on your Switch 2 bingo card? Make your own here Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.socia…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Billie Cox talk about Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the way it builds community, and then a little too much about South Park: The Fractured But Whole. Let us know: Is Animal Crossing: New Horizons the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @Quic…

We're halfway through the 2020s, so we're introducing a new, ongoing series within the podcast: the game of the decade (so far). Subscribe to stay up to date. Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPlayPod Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick…

but also did you see the new donkey kong? ••• Mark and Billie Cox talk about the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, the leaks leading up to it, and how this measures up as a step forward for Nintendo. Let us know: What do you think of the Switch 2 reveal? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay…

and a little bit of wide batman ••• Mark and Henry Overos talk about the hit live-service game Marvel Rivals, which instead sends them down a (deliberately planned) rabbit hole about how they each got into comics, some of their favorite books and writers, and what new readers should know. Let us know: What is your favorite Marvel comics series? Fol…

leaving a window open for a little draft ••• Mark and Landry Smith and Matthew Pilkington and Dalton Fuller and Jake Martin and Billie Cox and Jake Traugott draft their four 2025 games for Fantasy Critic. Let us know: What is the #1 draft pick for 2025? Follow our Fantasy Critic league: the "see rock city" regional conference Follow us on the prope…

what's the next game of the year? ••• Mark and Landry Smith and Dalton Fuller and Billie Cox and Jake Traugott talk about the 2025 games they picked for Fantasy Critic, the ones they're most excited for, and consider what 2025 holds. Let us know: What is the 2025 game you most believe in? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Inst…

Mark takes a look back at the games of Q4 2024, along the results of Metacritic Golf to see how we perceived games matches up to their ultimate review scores. Let us know: What’s been your favorite game from Q4 of 2024? Metacritic Kart Q1 2025 (submit scores by Jan 15): start your engines Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Inst…

In this special Big Discourse to celebrate 100 episodes, Mark and bunch of folks answer questions at random from past episodes. Let us know: What question would you ask someone to talk about video games? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @Quic…

Mark and bunch of folks talk about greatest buttons to button. Because everyone loves buttons.Let us know: What is the greatest button to button? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPlayPod Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick Play Email u…

Mark and Skylar Hinnant talk about Skylar's work at Bethesda Softworks in QA, some misconceptions around QA testing, and why it's important. Let us know: What do you want to know about QA testing? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPlayPo…

Mark talks about the new Nintendo Music app and gives his ranking of the 17 retro game soundtracks currently available. Let us know: What’s your go-to soundtrack on Nintendo Music? What do you want to see added? Nintendo Music Playlists Quick Play's Quintessential Retro Tracks Quick Play Ep 97: Every Song Mentioned Follow us on the proper socials: …

Mark and Dalton Fuller talk about the games that clear their minds, why it's nice to shift into lizard brain mode, and how sometimes that can be difficult.Let us know: What is your favorite "lizard brain" game?Follow us on the proper socials:Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: …

In this part 2 of 2 episodes, Mark and Jake Martin and Landry Smith talk about their hopes for the future of gaming and if truly new games are even possible. Let us know: Do you have hope for the future of video games? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Qui…

In this part 1 of 2 episodes, Mark and Jake Martin and Landry Smith talk about the seismic shifts forward in gaming from years past, why the progress has slowed, and how we got to this point.Let us know: What's the last truly new game you've played?Follow us on the proper socials:Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Liste…

Mark and Jordan Leithart talk about the use of generative AI in video game development, how it can used well, and where it falls short. Let us know: Is there a place for AI in game development? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick Play Email us: quickpl…

Mark and Kurt Weisheit talk about the best and worst uses of a heads-up display and their own preferences. Let us know: Are HUDs good or bad or somewhere in between? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick Play Email us: quickplaypod@gmail.com If you enjoy…

Mark takes a look back at the games of Q3 2024, along the results of Metacritic Golf to see how we perceived games matches up to their ultimate review scores. Visual charts & results: ⁠man i love charts⁠ Make your shots in Metacritic Golf Q4: ⁠⁠shoot your shot Let us know: What was your favorite game from Q3 of 2024? Follow us on the proper socials…

Mark and Jake Martin talk about genre similarities between video games and music, and assign every video game genre to a music genre. Let us know: What video game genre / music genre pairing just makes sense to you? Full list of genre pairings (spoilers): view the list Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod…

Mark and Elizabeth Coats Bowen talk about why they're drawn to licensed games, some of their favorites over the years, and what makes for a great licensed game. Let us know: What's your favorite licensed game? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick Play E…

Mark talks about the games he's replaying, coming to terms with not being "productive" by playing new games, and the benefits of having a comfort-food game. Let us know: What game are you replaying (or have replayed, or will replay) just because you want to? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @Quic…

Mark and Jordan Leithart talk about how gaming history is approached, some of their favorite examples, and what's actually worth remembering. Let us know: What's your favorite gaming history thing (book, museum, documentary, etc.)? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Listen online: Quick …

Mark and Kurt Weisheit talk about their favorite wordless and word-lite games, the uniqueness of these games, and why we don't see too many of them. Let us know: What's your favorite wordless (or word-lite) game? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick Pla…

Mark and Landry Smith talk about the perception of 2D games, the cause of those perceptions, and a few of their favorite 2D games. Let us know: are 2D games worth $60? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick Play Email us: quickplaypod@gmail.com If you enj…

Mark and Jake Martin talk about their first impressions of the Steam Deck, how it's fit into their habits, what they've been playing on it, and just a few nitpicks. Let us know: What’s been your impressions of the Steam Deck? Would you get one? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Listen o…

Mark and Nate McKeever talk through the three—nay, four—major video game companies and score their XP stats in five categories: development, publishing, hardware, services, and storefront. Let us know: Which video game company is performing the best? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Li…

Mark rambles about his shift from playing games on Xbox to Steam Deck, how handheld works better nowadays, and gives a brief eulogy for his time with Game Pass. Let us know: Does Game Pass fit in your gaming habits? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick …

Mark and Nate McKeever talk about the upcoming changes to Xbox Game Pass, what may have led to that decision, and where that puts Microsoft/Xbox in the landscape. Let us know: What do you think of Xbox’s changes to Game Pass? Listen to the Bitesized here. Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPl…

Mark and Billie Cox talk about the other video game podcasts that they're into, what they look for in podcasts, and how they interact with them. Let us know: What other podcasts do you listen to? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick Play Email us: quick…