Mario Is Missing!: Actually, Be Serious
Main Quest Podcast
This week I'm talking about off-brand Mario, Mario Is Missing! What began as an earnest attempt at broadening the Mario brand turns into a case study of confused design that has no interest in valuing your time. I break down why this game fails as both a learning tool and as a video game and how the marketing doomed it before it even hit store shelves. WARP ZONES NFS Most Wanted (4:16) Radiant Historia (6:19) Previous History (9:02) Development (13:29) Retro Recollections (22:31) Story (28:56) Gameplay (36:06) Presentation (48:08) Final Thoughts (52:36) THE SHOW NOTES The Main Quest is brought...
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Final Fight: The Cost of Ambition
Main Quest Podcast
One of the foundations of the "beat em up" genre, I'm tackling Capcom's Final Fight! Not the arcade but the ambitious yet deeply compromised Super Nintendo port. I breakdown its beginnings as a Street Fighter sequel, and whether or not flashy enemy AI and a punishing grind are all worth playing...single player?? WARP ZONES (2:54) Intro & Plugs (6:34) Games I'm Playing (13:00) Previous History (15:34) Development History (25:29) Retro Recollections (30:16) Story (38:32) Gameplay (45:22) Presentation (50:20) Final Thoughts THE SHOW NOTES The Main Quest is brought to you by the...
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The Games That Owned Me in 2025 (Game of the Year)
Main Quest Podcast
2025 comes to a close with my Top 10 Game of the Year breakdown. I revisit my mid year rankings and reflect on how my tastes shifted over the course of the year. From surprise indie standouts and retro revisits to one all consuming obsession, it is a year that certainly defined me as a "Gamer". I also look ahead at what’s waiting in the backlog next and what's in store for the podcast in 2026! THE SHOW NOTES The Main Quest is brought to you by the supporters on SeekYeWisdom - Chris Coplien - Eric Gess - XeroSam - LowFiveAlex - Vanfernal - Leathco - RyanPlayerOne - Poppy The...
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Game Of The Year Symposium II
Main Quest Podcast
It’s Game of the Year season once again, and the panel from last year’s Symposium returns to finish what we started. Matt Storm, Eric Gess, Kade Call, and Phil Morgan join me for a 2.5 hour deep dive into how GOTY conversations have (or haven’t) changed over the past year. We dig into the flood of new releases, the strange rules around what “counts,” and the ongoing dominance of exclusives. It’s a thoughtful, funny, and honest look at why we still care about celebrating the games we love. THE SHOW NOTES Find & support my guests: The Main Quest is brought to you by the...
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Super Smash T.V.: When Life Gives You D-Pads...
Main Quest Podcast
BIG MONEY! BIG PRIZES! I LOVE IT! In this episode of The Main Quest, I team up once again with SeekYeWisdom to dive into Super Smash TV, Williams’ hyper violent, game show inspired twin-stick shooter that set the tone for arcade excess in the early ‘90s. We unpack how Smash TV connects to the DNA of Mortal Kombat and Robotron 2084, and how its mix of satire, capitalism, and gore made it a cult classic. We compare it to the arcade original, and debate how well the console version translates without true twin sticks. WARP ZONES We're Playing Remnant 2/Space Marine 2 and Titan Souls (5:12)...
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Super Mario World: The Obligatory Episode
Main Quest Podcast
What's left to say about Super Mario World? I'm finally doing the damn thing with returning guest Eric Gess (The Unlockables, 9 To 5 Bears). Instead of regurgitating the same analysis, we break the game down by “worlds”, exploring its timeless design, hidden secrets, and why it still feels perfect decades later. We're heavy on the nostalgia, dumb jokes, and a few spicy takes on why Mario 3 might not actually be the king. WARP ZONES Guest Intro (2:43) World 1: Previous Histories (12:43) World 2: Discoverability (35:16) World 3: Gameplay (58:30) World 4: Vibes and Presentation (1:15:08)...
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Super Metroid: Recipe For A Classic Slice
Main Quest Podcast
In this Ghoulcade finale, I am joined by Matt Storm and Chris Dominguez to dissect Nintendo’s 1994 masterpiece, Super Metroid. From development hurdles and poor sales to speedrunning innovations and the infamous Meridia, my crew debates whether Super Metroid truly deserves its legendary status. Along the way, we share personal histories, hot takes, and community recollections that cover everything from Chozo jump scares to why Samus might secretly be gaming’s most terrifying protagonist... WARP ZONES Intros (3:22) Previous History (14:33) Development (26:28) Retro Recollections (51:15)...
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Cartridges X Circle Pits: The Unholy Crossover of Gaming and Metal
Main Quest Podcast
Enjoy this free preview of a Patreon exclusive episode! THE SHOW NOTES Find & support my guest over at: Toby VonDoom and Shane and Phil and | All of the music contained in the full episode can be enjoyed on The Main Quest is brought to you by the supporters on SeekYeWisdom - Chris Coplien - Eric Gess - XeroSam - LowFiveAlex - Vanfernal - Leathco - RyanPlayerOne - Poppy The Masked Keaton - Lars Uncle - B-Ross - Aiden Bisco - Raging Demon - Rob Worthen Subscribe: | | | | and
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Bart's Nightmare: Made in Shelbyville
Main Quest Podcast
Springfield deserves better. Bart chases his homework through a janky hub world, awkward mini-games, and one of Acclaim’s messiest licensed efforts. Leatcho returns to break down why this game feels more Shelbyville than Springfield, from the chaotic design to the surprising development story of Bill Williams. Plus: community retro recollections and plenty of Simpsons references along the way. WARP ZONES Aliens, Ghosts & Oblivion (3:42) Previous History's & Development (19:00) Retro Recollections & Story (36:41) Gameplay (49:02) Back That Ad Up (1:27:08) Presentation (1:33:51)...
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Ghoulcade - Super Castlevania IV: Castlevania Definitive Edition™
Main Quest Podcast
The Ghoulcade returns! Phil and I sink our fangs into Super Castlevania IV! Konami resurrects their spooky NES franchise and refines what Castlevania actually plays like. Refining controls, messing up timelines and dividing fans. Remake? Reboot? Or just one of the weirdest Castlevania games out there? WARP ZONES AI Movies & RPG's (4:39) Previous History's (20:25) Development (30:29) Retro Recollections (51:49) Story (1:01:54) Gameplay (1:08:18) Sucks To Suck (1:34:11) Presentation (1:47:19) Final Thoughts (2:00:37) THE SHOW NOTES Find & support my guest over at | | The Main Quest is...
info_outlineIt’s Game of the Year season once again, and the panel from last year’s Symposium returns to finish what we started.
Matt Storm, Eric Gess, Kade Call, and Phil Morgan join me for a 2.5 hour deep dive into how GOTY conversations have (or haven’t) changed over the past year. We dig into the flood of new releases, the strange rules around what “counts,” and the ongoing dominance of exclusives. It’s a thoughtful, funny, and honest look at why we still care about celebrating the games we love.
THE SHOW NOTES
Catch Up With Last Year's Discussion
Find & support my guests:
Matt Storm | Fun & Games/ Reignite
Kade Call | Gaming Memories
Phil Morgan | Deleted Saves
Eric Gess | The Unlockables
The Main Quest is brought to you by the supporters on Patreon
SeekYeWisdom - Chris Coplien - Eric Gess - XeroSam - LowFiveAlex - Vanfernal - Leathco - RyanPlayerOne - Poppy The Masked Keaton - Lars Uncle - B-Ross - Aiden Bisco - Raging Demon - Rob Worthen
The intro and outro was supplied by the artist Adhesive Wombat from the 2016 album Sticky Tracks