In this episode of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I reunite to talk all things Switch 2, including the surprisingly low-key launch, our hands-on impressions (or lack thereof, in my case), and Nintendo’s ever-questionable release strategy. We also touch on our favorite games to play on the new hardware, debate the effectiveness of “mouse mode,” and explore the eternal frustration that is Joy-Con drift. Later in the episode, I dive into my review of Stellar Blade on PC (yes, it's sexy, and yes, I talk about it), and close things out with my thoughts on Summer Game Fest, including a raw, personal reflection on what it’s like to enjoy games while facing real-world chaos just outside the venue. This episode is a mix of laughs, insight, and a touch of heartfelt commentary on immigration and labor in America. One of our more balanced and real convos to date.

Switch 2 Impressions, Stellar Blade is Horny, and SGF Gets Heavy

Spencer and I rip through the freshly announced Switch 2 lineup and decide which games get a day-one preorder and which earn a polite shrug. From Mario Kart World’s lackluster debut to the welcome return of Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD, we talk shop about platformers, RPGs, and every oddball reveal in between, plus some very serious flip-flop discourse. Join our chaotic deep-cut chat and see whether your hype meter matches ours.

Switch 2 Launch Lineup Hot Takes: Mario Kart World Meh? 

In this week's episode of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I dive deep into our shared passion for weird and wonderful physical PlayStation games. I show off four recent pickups, from the speculative buy of Expedition 33 to the nostalgia-fueled Grandia 3, and we chat about the legacy of cult publisher Agetec and their early support of FromSoftware. We also discuss prepping for events like Summer Games Fest, our evolving thoughts on AI in game development, and the ethical tightrope of game coverage. Plus, I share early impressions of Pipistrello and the Cursed Yo-Yo, a rad little Yo-Yovania I can’t stop playing. It’s a chill, reflective episode that reminds me why I love doing this show. Also, Spencer’s shirt has Sonic on it. Iconic.

Pipistrello, Covering Games, and the Price of Passion

This week on Unqualified Game Chat, I talk about my recent trip to PAX East, the madness of trying to cover 47 games with a lean crew, and the anxiety (or lack thereof) that came with it. Spencer and I dive into the pressure of playing demos in front of devs, the value of indie game coverage, and why waiting for a sale might just be the smartest move in modern gaming. Plus, I share the chaotic journey I endured to get back home from Boston, complete with mechanical delays, missed flights, and a $500 United voucher. As always, we mix real talk with ramen recipes and nostalgia bombs.

PAX East, Ramen Economics, and Indie Love

Hey, everyone! In Episode 109 of Unqualified Game Chat, Spencer and I cover everything from my 10-day streak on Duolingo learning Japanese (Nihongo for the win!) to a deep dive into Nintendo’s recent reveal of the Switch 2. We reflect on how the original Switch revolutionized hybrid gaming but can’t help critiquing the unimaginative name and lack of exciting innovations in the sequel. While the original Switch nailed the balance between portability and home gaming, the Switch 2 feels more like an incremental upgrade, raising questions about whether Nintendo is playing it too safe.

We also chat about how much we miss the charm and personality of older consoles, like the Wii and 3DS, with their quirky themes and fun features. Beyond that, we get into some real talk about the challenges content creators face when it comes to sponsorships and journalistic integrity. To wrap things up, we look ahead with cautious optimism, hoping the Switch 2 will push developers to optimize games better—even if it’s missing the fun, creative spark we’ve come to love from Nintendo’s past.

Key Topics

 * 00:00 – Intro
 * 13:09 – Live Streaming Reflections
 * 15:13 – Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal
 * 20:31 – The Charm of Past Consoles
 * 35:37 – Switch 2 Speculations
 * 41:13 – Closing Thoughts

We Mostly Talk About the Nintendo Switch 2

The episode kicks off with Spencer and me addressing the wildfires affecting Los Angeles. We share our empathy for those impacted, reflecting on the challenges faced by residents and the inspiring unity shown during such crises. From there, we shift gears into a lighter mood, diving into our usual banter about gaming and streaming.

Spencer shares his recent streaming adventures with Sonic Adventure and his ongoing quest to become a Twitch affiliate. Meanwhile, I talk about the technical hurdles I’ve faced setting up a multi-person stream and our exciting plans to dive into Hyper Light Drifter together.

We also take a deep dive into our reviews of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, breaking down its narrative focus, gameplay mechanics, and how it manages to stand out from previous entries in the series. To wrap things up, we chat about upcoming projects and games we’re excited about—like Citizen Sleeper 2 and Sand Land—and reflect on some nostalgia-soaked moments from gaming culture.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins, Games PR, and More

In Episode 106 of Unqualified Game Chat, Azario Lopez and Spencer dive into the highs and lows of the Game Awards 2024, discussing everything from cringy moments to game-changing announcements like Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, The Witcher 4, and Elden Ring’s co-op expansion. The duo also talk about their current gaming adventures, including Spencer’s terrifying dive into Alien: Rogue Incursion on PSVR2 and Azario’s ongoing attempts to crack the code of mobile gaming with Girls’ Frontline 2. Plus, reflections on gaming nostalgia and a hint at future projects for Noisy Pixel.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
02:10 Game Awards 2023: Initial Impressions
06:00 Spencer’s VR Adventures with Alien: Rogue Incursion
09:15 Azario’s Journey into Mobile Gaming (Girls’ Frontline 2)
12:40 Silent Hill 2 Remake and Bloober Team's Redemption
22:26 Game Awards Recap: Best and Worst Moments
26:29 Ninja Gaiden Ragebound Announcement
29:16 Koei Tecmo’s Ambitious 2025 Plans
34:02 The Witcher 4 Reveal Sparks Online Debate
37:40 Elden Ring’s Co-op Expansion, Night Rain
40:44 Excitement for The Outer Worlds 2
42:18 Clive Joins Tekken – A Strange Crossover
43:08 Randy Pitchford Announces Borderlands 4

The Game Awards Recap, Ninja Gaiden’s Return, and The Witcher 4

In Episode 105 of Unqualified Game Chat, hosts Azario Lopez and Spentopia dive into a spirited discussion on nostalgia, gaming preferences, and the challenges of modern game development. They reflect on memorable gaming moments, dissect criticisms of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Star Wars Outlaws, and explore Square Enix's evolving approach to game design. The episode blends humor, insight, and personal anecdotes, creating a lively conversation for gaming enthusiasts.

Timestamps & Chapters:

00:00 - Intro
01:20 - Navigating Social Interactions
04:04 - Seasonal Gaming Reflections
09:00 - Square Enix's Visual Shift
14:15 - Star Wars Outlaws: A Smuggler’s Perspective
25:00 - Game Criticism and Immersion
32:01 - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
42:00 - The Charm of Nostalgia in Games
44:00 - Closing Thoughts

Game Critiques, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Star Wars

In this episode of Unqualified Game Chat, hosts Azario Lopez and Spencer Legacy dive into gaming nostalgia, personal anecdotes, and industry news. Key highlights include reflections on gaming executive Shuhei Yoshida's impactful career as he departs from Sony, a discussion of industry icons and formative gaming experiences, and Azario's personal encounter with Yoshida. They also explore the cultural significance of long-running series and share insights on recent games like Metaphor, Stalker 2, and Shanghai Summer. The episode balances humor, heartfelt stories, and deep appreciation for gaming history, making it a delightful listen for fans.

Timestamps of Significant Topics:

 * 00:01 – Introduction and recap: Azario and Spencer discuss returning after a missed week.
 * 01:27 – Thanksgiving plans and Patreon updates.
 * 03:15 – Shuhei Yoshida’s legacy and emotional reflections on his career.
 * 06:00 – Impact of gaming icons leaving the industry (e.g., Sean Layton, Mark Cerny).
 * 11:20 – Nostalgia: E3 memories and legendary gaming moments.
 * 17:25 – What Spencer is playing: Metaphor and its standout features.
 * 19:41 – Game reviews and development transparency, with examples like Stalker 2.
 * 21:10 – Azario’s December project: Revisiting Sandland, Bandai Namco’s best anime game.
 * 27:51 – Insightful interview with Kento Jobana, writer of Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero.
 * 30:49 – Shanghai Summer: Underrated storytelling and the value of niche games.
 * 37:41 – Closing thoughts: Gratitude for fans, Patreon plugs, and farewell.

Coming to Terms With a Sony-Less Shuhei Yoshida

In Episode 101 of Unqualified Game Chat, hosts Azario Lopez and Spencer Legacy delve into the major layoffs at Bandai Namco and what it means for anime games. They also discuss the preview of Fairy Tail 2, with Azario sharing his experience of pulling an all-nighter to get the review done. The deep dive into Unknown 9: The Awakening explores its narrative flaws, gameplay, and lack of character development. Plus, some fun Survivor talk for fans of the show! Tune in for thoughtful gaming commentary with plenty of humor.

Let's Talk About Unknown 9 and Survivor

Hello and welcome to Unqualified Game Chat. This is where two friends, Azario and Spencer talk about games they are playing and the most requested gaming news.

Azario Lopez

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