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The Besties

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Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Russ Frushtick

It's Game of the Year meets King of the Hill as four of Earth's best friends – Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Chris Plante, and Russ Frushtick – rank and review their favorite video games. Because shouldn't the world's best friends pick the world's best games?

#406

Nintendo Dares You to Become a Speedrunner

This week, Nintendo challenges the Besties to become elite speedrunners. Can they beat Mario in minutes? Will they transform into a morph ball in mere seconds? Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition helps the crew test the limits of their skills. Plus, Dungeons of Hinterberg blends Persona hangout session with Zelda’s dungeon-crawling combat. NOTE: This episode of the Besties was recorded before the announcement of the SAG-AFTRA strike against major video game publishers. Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

21 hrs Ago

52 MINS

52:27

21 hrs Ago

#405

Open the Summer Video Game Grab Bag!

We have talked about dozens of awesome games in 2024, yet we still missed several tasty delights. This week, the Besties take solo journeys across the world of gaming and return with some fascinating discoveries. Want a remake of a ‘90s classic? Or an FPS about sneakers? Have we got the games for you! Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

19 Jul 2024

1 HR 05 MINS

1:05:25

19 Jul 2024

#404

The Best Games of 2024 at the Halfway Point

We stand at the midpoint of 2024. Behind us, we see a towering pile of video games. We reach into the stack and pull something loose. It’s Balatro! We grab another game from the rubble! Like a Dragon! Together, the Besties retrieve the best games of the year from this mess and bring only the best! Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

12 Jul 2024

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:26

12 Jul 2024

#403

We're Haunted by Luigi's Mansion 2 HD

Nintendo’s final year of Switch has been a bizarre mishmash of remakes and spinoffs. Luigi’s Mansion 2 continues that trend, updating the 2013 3DS jaunt for a 2024 audience. Can a decade-old game meet the expectations of Luigi’s Mansion 3 fans? And what other 3DS games should Nintendo update next? Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

05 Jul 2024

56 MINS

56:15

05 Jul 2024

#402

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a LOT

Can the game of the year be a DLC expansion? This week, The Besties discuss Elden Ring: The Shadow of the Erdtree, the highly anticipated addition to one of the greatest games of all time. Is it too hard? How is it different from the original game? Can The Besties get gud? In the back half, what do we want from FromSoftware moving forward? Listen to find out! Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

28 Jun 2024

55 MINS

55:05

28 Jun 2024

#401

What makes Nintendo different from the rest

Nintendo can't be stopped! With the Nintendo Switch 2 coming in 2025, we expected 2024 to be a slow year for the iconic game publisher. We were wrong. We open the show with a long convo about the big announcements, including a Zelda game starring Zelda. In the back half, The Besties hop into Destiny 2 one last time to try the last major update, The Final Shape. The MMO FPS launched in 2017 -- the same year Nintendo announced Metroid Prime 4. Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

21 Jun 2024

1 HR 01 MINS

1:01:21

21 Jun 2024

#400

Summertime Funtime Gamefest Time

Hundreds of games were shown during the Summer Game Fest. The Besties spotlight some of their favorites, while discussing the strange and messy state of the video game industry in 2024. Is SGF the E3 replacement of our dreams? How should we feel about Xbox’s big moment? Are small games the future? We attempt to provide some answers! Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

14 Jun 2024

1 HR 04 MINS

1:04:47

14 Jun 2024

#399

Is This the Year of Prince of Persia?

Prince of Persia is back — again! For the second time this year, Ubisoft has released a new Prince of Persia game that shifts the series to a new genre. Rogue Prince of Persia is, as the name suggests, a roguelike. Built by the team that steered Dead Cells through its later updates, Rogue Prince of Persia builds on that game’s formula in clever ways. But! In a market full of killer games in this genre, where does this new one stand? Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

07 Jun 2024

56 MINS

56:05

07 Jun 2024

#398

Walking Into the Thousand-Year Door

This week’s special guest is Mario! Or as some people say, Merry-O. The most popular plumber on our podcast returns with a remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. This might shock you, but Griffin is in love. What about the rest of the crew? In the back half, the Besties share their best guesses for Summer Game Fest. Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

31 May 2024

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:31

31 May 2024

#397

The Great Indie Game Flood of 2024 Continues

Here’s a short list of indie games released in May: Crow Country, Animal Well, Arctic Eggs, 1000xResist, Skald, Hades 2, Indika, and the list goes on. We’ve already discussed some of those games. We'll discuss more in the future. Today, the game we’ve fished from the Great Indie Game Flood of 2024 is Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, the latest puzzling adventure from Simogo. Bring your notepad! It’s time to crack the case! Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

24 May 2024

42 MINS

42:59

24 May 2024

#396

Into the Aether of Hell with Hades 2

The Besties went through HELL to record this episode. With Griffin and Justin out, Frushtick and Plante prepared to record with a special guest. But after Plante spilled water all over his recording set up, Frushtick was left to talk about Hades 2 as the sole Besty. Fortunately, he had back up. Into the Aether's Brendon Bigley joined the show for the podcast crossover event of the year! Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

17 May 2024

57 MINS

57:04

17 May 2024

#395

Going down Animal Well's Rabbit Hole

The gang has a spoiler-free discussion of one of the most intriguing games of the year, Animal Well. Will Griffin's life ever be the same? Probably not! We also dive into some of the horrendous studio closures happening this week. Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

10 May 2024

1 HR 01 MINS

1:01:58

10 May 2024

#394

There's No Rest for the Wicked Nuns

What if you combined Dark Souls and Diablo, then added a pinch of city-building mechanics and survivor elements? You’d get No Rest for the Wicked from Moon Studios, the team best known for the Ori games. It’s ambitious and bound to inspire conversations — even in its Early Access stage. In the back half, Plante updates the team on 2024’s best nun simulator: Indika! Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

03 May 2024

47 MINS

47:34

03 May 2024

#393

A Souls-like for Fans of N64-era Mascot Games

Special guest Lucy James (GameSpot, Giant Bomb, Frames Per Second Podcast) joins Frushtick and Plante to discuss Another Crab’s Treasure. Have you ever wondered what it would have looked like had Rare made a Souls-like in the early ‘00s? Now you have an answer! Plus, the crew shares updates on other games they’ve been playing, from Stellar Blade to TopSpin 2K25. Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

26 Apr 2024

53 MINS

53:55

26 Apr 2024

#392

Falling in to the Fallout TV Show

Duck and cover! This week, The Besties discuss the first two episodes of the excellent Fallout TV series. Then, they talk through the ways the Fallout approach could alter the trajectory of video game adaptations. Plus: a bunch of great listener recommendations! Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

19 Apr 2024

58 MINS

58:46

19 Apr 2024

#391

Chicken Soup for the Gamers' Soul

This week, The Besties share their favorite “rainy day” games! These are the games we dig out when we’re feeling blue and need something that provides a quick dose of comfort. Turns out our list is quite long! In the back half, we do the rare Besties spoilercast with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth — a.k.a. one of 2024’s best games. Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

12 Apr 2024

1 HR 07 MINS

1:07:03

12 Apr 2024

#390

Pepper Grinder and Princess Peach, Together at Last

This week we've got a game inspired by the SNES era and a game that probably shouldn't have come out at all. We'll also find out just what Justin thinks about Dragon's Dogma 2, and what's going on with the Stardew Valley 1.6 update. Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

05 Apr 2024

1 HR 06 MINS

1:06:06

05 Apr 2024

#389

Arise with Dragon's Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is the best game of the year? Or is it the buggiest? It might be the most divisive! This week, The Besties talk about the wildly ambitious (and difficult to run on most hardware) fantasy RPG from Capcom. Plus, we take a deep dive into the reader mail pool. Did we mention we keep all the letters in a pool, Scrooge McDuck-style? Because we do. Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

29 Mar 2024

50 MINS

50:05

29 Mar 2024

#388

Rise of the Ronin is Assassin's Creed with Killer Combat

Team Ninja has been busy! In the past five years, the studio released Dead or Alive 6, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, Nioh 2, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. Their latest game, Rise of the Ronin, compiles everything they learned into their most ambitious project: a sprawling open-world samurai adventure set in a recreation of mid-19th century Japan. Rise of the Ronin takes the “something for everyone” approach, blending the exploration and loot systems of recent Assassin’s Creed games with the quick-reflex sword fighting of the studio’s Nioh series. This video game smoothie is quite delicious — if you can stomach the occasional funky chunk of game mechanics. In the back half, we talk about our favorite under-appreciated open-world games. Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

22 Mar 2024

53 MINS

53:34

22 Mar 2024

#387

Unicorn Overlord and a God of War-like You Never Heard Of

This week, the squad puts on their armor, grabs their swords, and mounts their gallant steads to charge into Unicorn Overlord. The tactics RPG is the latest game from Vanillaware, the developer of niche masterpieces like Odin Sphere and 13 Sentinels. In the back half, Justin introduce the team to Banishers, a game that blends Witcher and God of War. How did we not hear about this one until now? And how often does a game depict a healthy marriage like this one?! Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

15 Mar 2024

54 MINS

54:08

15 Mar 2024

#386

The Future of Video Games (In Demos)

The Besties take a trip into the not-so-distant future of video games, digging into a batch of awesome demos from Steam Next Fest. Whether you want to live the life of anime-style Duke Nukem or an alternate reality 19th century nun, you will be satisfied! Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

08 Mar 2024

59 MINS

59:43

08 Mar 2024

#385

We Really (Rogue)Like Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor and Balatro

This week, we're evangelizing for two indie games that have completely consumed every moment of our free time: The rock and stone-fueled auto-shooter Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, and the poker deckbuilder Balatro! We're going to go back to playing those, now. Enjoy the episode. Also discussed: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Helldivers 2, Riders of Justice, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Elden Ring Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

01 Mar 2024

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:46

01 Mar 2024

#384

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Helldivers 2 are Battling for Our Time

The streak of hot new releases for 2024 continues! This week, we're talking about the opening hours of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and the many hours we've spent squishing bugs 'n' bots in Helldivers 2. Good hours, all! Also discussed: The Devil's Plan, Clubhouse Games, Deep Rock Survivor, The Floor Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

23 Feb 2024

56 MINS

56:29

23 Feb 2024

#383

Persona 3 Reload, Lysfanga, and Some Big Besties News

This week's episode is all about two games: Persona 3 Reload, the from-the-ground remake of Atlus' groundbreaking RPG, and Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior, a clever arena action game with a time-turning twist. Also, some big news about the future of The Besties! (No, we're not ending the show. Again.) Also discussed: The Connector, Zoey Ashe Trilogy, Helldivers 2, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

16 Feb 2024

1 HR 07 MINS

1:07:02

16 Feb 2024

#382

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is Kinda the Pits

Maybe this won't come as the biggest shock in the world to you, but Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is not a very good video game. How did we get here? Genuinely: We do not know. But we're not having, like, the best time. Also discussed: Enshrouded, The Void Rains Upon Her Heart, Casey Neistat's Apple Vision Pro commercial, Lysfanga, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Orion and the Dark Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

09 Feb 2024

59 MINS

59:24

09 Feb 2024

#381

Anomaly Agent and the future of the Resties!

It's a big episode of the Resties! We're about to make some changes to the show, so we make time to share the results of our listener poll and reveal some behind-the-scenes info. But first, we have a cool video game to discuss! Anomaly Agent's creators have blended pixel art, anime design, 1990s arcade brawlers, and films like Inception and Paprika to create something delightful. And it's only $10 on Steam -- and a little more on Switch and Xbox. We love to hear your feedback, so be sure to subscribe to [besties.fan] (besties.fan) . Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at [www.besties.fan] (http://www.besties.fan/) . Want more episodes? Join us at [patreon.com/thebesties] (http://patreon.com/thebesties) for three bonus episodes each month! ... Read more

06 Feb 2024

49 MINS

49:09

06 Feb 2024

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#406

Nintendo Dares You to Become a Speedrunner

#405

Open the Summer Video Game Grab Bag!

#404

The Best Games of 2024 at the Halfway Point

#403

We're Haunted by Luigi's Mansion 2 HD

#402

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a LOT

#401

What makes Nintendo different from the rest

#400

Summertime Funtime Gamefest Time

#399

Is This the Year of Prince of Persia?

#398

Walking Into the Thousand-Year Door

#397

The Great Indie Game Flood of 2024 Continues

#396

Into the Aether of Hell with Hades 2

#395

Going down Animal Well's Rabbit Hole

#394

There's No Rest for the Wicked Nuns

#393

A Souls-like for Fans of N64-era Mascot Games

#392

Falling in to the Fallout TV Show

#391

Chicken Soup for the Gamers' Soul

#390

Pepper Grinder and Princess Peach, Together at Last

#389

Arise with Dragon's Dogma 2

#388

Rise of the Ronin is Assassin's Creed with Killer Combat

#387

Unicorn Overlord and a God of War-like You Never Heard Of

#386

The Future of Video Games (In Demos)

#385

We Really (Rogue)Like Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor and Balatro

#384

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Helldivers 2 are Battling for Our Time

#383

Persona 3 Reload, Lysfanga, and Some Big Besties News

#382

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is Kinda the Pits

#381

Anomaly Agent and the future of the Resties!