The N64 continues its redemption tour with F-Zero X, and South of Midnight is a strange mix of the novel and the derivative.

What We're Playing

00:50 Caitlin: R.E.P.O. (semiwork, 2025)

11:55 Mark: Astral Ascent (Hibernian Workshop, 2023)

19:01 GOOF: F-Zero X (Nintendo EAD, 1998)

34:34 Feature Game: South of Midnight (Compulsion Games, 2025)

SHOUT

1:00:23 Caitlin: Date Everything (Sassy Chap Games)

1:01:43 Mark: Ayaneo Pocket ACE (Ayaneo)

We navigate the twisting labyrinths of the human mind in Psychonauts, as well as the twisting labyrinths of the puzzling mansion(s) of Blue Prince.

What We're Playing

01:27 Mark: It Takes Two (Hazelight, 2021)

13:03 Caitlin: R.E.P.O. (semiwork, 2025)

19:21 GOOF: Psychonauts (Double Fine Productions, 2005)

38:37 Feature Game: Blue Prince (Dogubomb, 2025)

SHOUT

1:04:46 Caitlin and Mark: Malys (Summerfall Studios)

Mark's alleged contrarian status is tested by the ambitious, legendary Chrono Trigger and the humble, overlooked Call of Juarez: Gunslinger.

What We're Playing

01:04 Caitlin: LEGO Super Mario Nintendo Entertainment System (LEGO, 2020)

09:28 Mark: Lonestar (Math Tide, 2025)

18:13 GOOF: Chrono Trigger (Square, 1995)

38:08 Feature Game: Call of Juarez: Gunslinger (Techland, 2013)

SHOUT

54:00 Caitlin: LUNAR Remastered Collection (GAME ARTS)

55:02 Mark: Oblivion Remastered (Bethesda)

Nothing but sprites killing hordes of enemies this week, with Guardian Heroes and The Last Spell. Also hardware digressions with Saturn, RetroTink, and video switches.

What We're Playing

02:00 Mark: Rogue Loops (Fubu Games, 2025)

06:30 Mark: Capcom vs. SNK 2 (Capcom, 2001)

12:12 Caitlin: Look Outside (Francis Coulombe, 2025)

20:48 GOOF: Guardian Heroes (Treasure, 1996)

38:51 Feature Game: The Last Spell (Ishtar, 2023)

SHOUT

58:20 Caitlin: Scalable Video Switch

1:01:27 Mark: Revenge of the Savage Planet (Typhoon)

We solve murders at our patrons' behest in The Case of the Golden Idol, whereas

WE INTERRUPT THESE EPISODE NOTES FOR DYNOWARZ

Dynowarz: Destruction of Spondylus! Featuring the most bomb-ass box cover and stodgy gameplay, is Dynowarz one of the greatest games ever or one of the worst games ever? The answer: YES.

What We're Playing

01:17 Caitlin: Final Fantasy IV (Square, 1991)

05:29 Caitlin: The Last Meadow (Discord, 2025)

09:55 Caitlin: 33 Immortals (Thunder Lotus Games)

13:40 Mark: Rogue Loops (Fubu Games, 2025)

22:32 GOOF: Dynowarz: Destruction of Spondylus (ACC, 1990)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynowarz:_Destruction_of_Spondylus#/media/File:Dynowarz_-_Destruction_of_Spondylus_(game_box_art).png

36:08 Feature Game: The Case of the Golden Idol (Color Gray Games, 2022)

SHOUT

57:36 Caitlin (Shameless Hyping): Mario Kart World (Nintendo)

58:11 Mark (Serious Hesitation): Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves (SNK)

It's all sci-fi this week! We've got all your bases covered--speculative crossovers (Split Fiction), anthropomorphic animals (Laika, Starfox 64), and psychological horror (Returnal)! Just stick your arm into the spiky alien machine. It'll probably be fine.

What We're Playing

00:57 Mark: Avowed (Obsidian, 2025)

02:15 Mark: Monster Hunter Rise (Capcom, 2021)

10:13 Mark: Laika: Aged Through Blood (Brainwash Gang, 2023)

16:11 Caitlin: Split Fiction (Hazelight Studios, 2025)

22:57 GOOF: Star Fox 64 (Nintendo EAD, 1997)

42:02 Feature Game: Returnal (Housemarque, 2021)

SHOUT

1:07:41 Mark: Project Gemini (People Can Fly)

We keep things light, even though they could get grim with an NES game named after a dead baby (Astyanax) and some existential angst with The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa.

What We're Playing

02:28 Caitlin: Final Fantasy IV (Obsidian, 2025)

09:23 Mark: Metal Bringer (ALPHAWING, 2025)

21:24 GOOF: Astyanax (Aicom, 1989)

36:38 Feature Game: The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa (yeo, 2018)

Interview with the designer: https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/19/18691106/the-friends-of-ringo-ishikawa-review-interview-yeo

SHOUT

56:31 Caitlin: Paralives (Alex Massé and team)

58:04 Mark: 33 Immortals (Thunder Lotus)

Ecco the Dolphin is cute in Japan but swole in the US, much like the dramatic growth a mushroom provokes in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Question: would Caitlin try to make Ecco into a hat?

What We're Playing

01:06 Caitlin: Avowed (Obsidian, 2025)

02:53 Caitlin: Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom, 2025)

11:10 Mark: Mullet MadJack (Hammer 95 Studios, 2024)

22:23 GOOF: Ecco the Dolphin (Appaloosa Interactive, 1992)

Boris Vallejo's "macho" dolphin: https://www.borisjulie.com/product/ecco-the-dolphin/

Japan's "cute" dolphin: https://videogameartarchive.com/image/149804900443

38:42 Feature Game: Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Nintendo EPD, 2023)

SHOUT

55:35 Caitlin: South of Midnight (Compulsion Games)

56:15 Mark: Absolum (Dotemu)