Arcade Couch
Arcade Couch — News, reviews & spicy takes on the week in games. Arcade Couch is the Explosion Network’s premiere video games podcast featuring discussions on the latest games, tech, industry news and more. Available every Monday at 6 AM AEST/AEDT.
Episodes
Dylan and Ashley share their thoughts on Marvel’s Wolverine and discuss what’s coming to PAX AUS 2026 to play on the show floor.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- The excitement for new game releases is palpable.
- Marvel's Wolverine has engaging story elements despite gameplay criticisms.
- Wolverine's combat feels limited compared to other titles. <...
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Nintendo Switch 2 got its first gameplay reveal in a Nintendo Direct; we also got a September Nintendo Direct with some surprises, including a new Kirby game.
We break down all the latest news across the Nintendo Directs, BlizzCon 2026 and Hideo Kojima.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- Nintendo recently held two showcases, generating excitement.
- The Nintendo Direct featured a ...
We discuss the latest Playstation State of Play, sharing our thoughts on each of the trailers, and Dylan has played Elden Ring…Tarnished Edition…on Nintendo Switch 2.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
RESOURCESWe discuss GTA VI: Extended Look, the trailers from Gamescom ONL 2026, and which games are releasing in September.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
RESOURCESLeaks of GTA VI have dominated the news this week, with fans debating whether they are justified and if they actually help any cause. Plus, Horizon Hunters Gathering is going back to the drawing board, and we now have a new Kratos.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
EPISODE TIMECODES00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:36 - GTA VI Leaks Keep Coming 00:08:25 - GTA VI Extended Look Expectations 00:22:40 - Horizon Hunters Gatherin...
Kingdom Hearts 4 is coming a lot sooner than we thought it would, and there's an anime coming as well. Plus, Dylan dives into his thoughts on Star Wars Zero Company.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- The Kingdom Hearts anime is expected to be vital for the lore.
- Star Wars Eclipse has faced significant development issues.
- The hosts express scepticism about the release of Star Wars Eclipse.
- Kingdom Hearts 4 is set to include P...
We discuss the news that GTA 6 will be getting a deep dive on Netflix, age verification being required on consoles, and Dylan discusses two games he's been playing: Dosa Divas and Yoshi & The Mysterious Book.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- There were two showcases this week, neither of which we'll be talking about.
- Marvel Token Fighting Soul suffers from widespread PC issues at launch.
- Aussies will now have to age-ver...
Dylan, Ashley, and Ciaran have been playing Big Walk together and discussing getting lost, solving puzzles, and sharing tips for the adventure. They also talk about Tears of Metal, the announcement of Final Fantasy XIV Evercold, and Halo now being on PS5.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- The Big Walk is a co-op puzzle adventure game.
- Communication is essential for success in the game.
- Choosing bright character colours can h...
We discuss God of War: Laufey's release date and the future of Kratos, and Dylan shares his impressions of Splatoon Raiders.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- Dylan enjoys playing Splatoon Raiders, appreciating its narrative elements.
- The game features a mix of single-player and multiplayer modes.
- Players can upgrade weapons and abilities throughout the game.
- The bond meter with AI companions adds a new layer to gameplay.
- Dy...
We discuss Bethesda's plans for the future of Fallout, The Elder Scrolls and more, as well as the devastating news for the upcoming God of War TV series.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- The gaming industry is experiencing a shift with fewer new titles being released.
- Bethesda is focusing on expanding its existing franchises, such as Fallout and Starfield.
- Remasters of classic games are becoming more common as studios seek ...
We react to the Instagram comments about Ciaran's comments on last week's episode, discuss the Xbox layoffs and talk about AC: Black Flag.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- Dylan returns after a two-week break, sparking banter.
- The gaming industry is facing more negative news.
- Social media reactions to Kieran's comments are intense.
- Consumers are upset about corporate control in gaming.
- Companies prioritise profit over consu...
Sony dropped a grenade on the video games industry with the announcement that they will cease making physical discs at the start of 2028. Is this a monumental shift in gaming as we know it or just an overblown bump in an evolving medium?
SHOW DOT POINTS
- Sony is ending physical disc production in 2028
- Impact of digital-only releases on consumers and preservation
Grand Theft Auto VI Pre-Orders went live this week with the reveal of the game’s higher-than-average price and the news that it will not be coming out on physical discs. Ashley and Ciaran question if this is a turning point for the industry before discussing the Bungie layoffs, Steam Machine pricing and July 2026 Game releases.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- GTA 6 pricing and digital release strategy
We discuss Xbox reportedly closing several of its studios, and what it did wrong to get to this point.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- Xbox's recent studio closures reflect a troubling trend in the gaming industry.
- Xbox's acquisition strategy has led to significant studio instability.
- GTA VI's cover reveal demonstrates the game's cultural significance.
- The gaming community is often left disappointed by corporate decisions. ...
We discuss the Xbox Games Showcase and the Nintendo Direct that were part of Summer Game Fest 2026 week.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- Summer Game Fest has replaced E3 as the main gaming showcase.
- September is packed with game releases, making it a busy month for gamers.
- The hosts express mixed feelings about the Wolverine game being more linear.
- Kieran shares excitement for the game Dawn of the Bloodwalker.
- The gaming c...
We recap Summer Game Fest and the PlayStation State of Play.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE TIMECODES00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:25 - Summer Games Fest Recap
00:58:20 - PlayStation State of Play Recap
01:33:11 - Outro
RESOURCESWe give our annual Summer Game Fest predictions and also give first impressions of 007: First Light.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
CREDITS- 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
- 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
- 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
- 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM ...
We discuss Destiny's future, GTA VI release date, and Ciaran has impressions of Forza Horizon 6.
SHOW DOT POINTS
- Destiny 2 is ending support, marking a significant moment for the franchise.
- Bungie's future projects may focus on new IPs under PlayStation's ownership.
- The PlayStation State of Play event is set to showcase major upcoming titles.
- Forza Horizon 6 offers a rich exploration of Japanese culture and...
Join Ashley and Ciaran as they share their initial impressions of Mixtape, Subnautica 2 and Wax Head, as well as Ashley’s thoughts on the video game movie Mortal Kombat II.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
EPISODE TIMECODES00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:51 - Mortal Kombat II Movie Impressions 00:06:00 - Mixtape Impressions 00:18:58 - Subnautica 2 Impressions 00:23:11 - Wax Heads Impressions 00:25:14 - Cozy Game Re...
We discuss the latest gaming news, focusing on the marketing strategy for GTA 6 and its emphasis on console releases over PC. We also delve into the upcoming game 'Stranger Than Heaven,' highlighting its narrative depth, celebrity cameos, and unique gameplay mechanics that involve sound recording and music composition.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
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