the only game-of-the-year list to include lonely mountains ••• Mark gives some stats on his video game consumption for the year, runs down the top 10 games he played this year, and gives some considerations for how we relate over video games. Let us know: What is your game of the year for 2025? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPo…

37 minutes talking about brands ••• Mark runs down the current landscape of video game subscription services, shouts out a few that you may already be paying for, and reckons with the future of cloud streaming along the way. Let us know: What is the best gaming subscription service? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram:…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Jon Harrison talk about the intentional focus of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the place of AA games, and the future of the franchise.Let us know: Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: ⁠@QuickPlayPod⁠ Instagram: ⁠@QuickPlayPod⁠ GG|: ⁠@Q…

the greatest b movie you can play ••• Mark and Mark Kozlowski talk about the Resident Evil 4 Remake, what makes it compelling, and having it make an introduction to horror.Let us know: Is Resident Evil 4 Remake the game of the decade? Twitter: ⁠@QuickPlayPod⁠ Instagram: ⁠@QuickPlayPod⁠ GG|: ⁠@QuickPlay⁠ Bluesky: ⁠@quickplaypod.bsky.social⁠ Threads:…

Billie Cox, friend and frequent guest on Quick Play, passed away on November 9th, 2025. I’ve put together a handful of clips of past episodes with Billie in order to honor and remember him. [email protected] John 3: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%203&version=NIV All episodes with Billie: Ep 4: our not-E3 highlights (6.22.202…

how to be a video game sherpa ••• Mark Erickson and Mark Kozlowski talk about the games they would recommend to usher someone into the wonderful world of video games, different approaches to that strategy, and what they take into account for making game recommendations.Let us know: What game would you suggest to get someone into games?Twitter: @Qui…

they taught me i like podcasts ••• Mark and Jon Harrison talk about Jon's latest book, how he got so many famous people to talk about video games, and the place that games have in people's lives. Let us know: What is a life lesson you have learned from a video game? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Jake Martin talk about the behemoth Baldur's Gate 3, the massive volume of player choice the game provides for, and how all of those choices end in violence anyway.Let us know: Is Baldur's Gate 3 the game of the decade?Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPl…

how are there too many games, yet so few? ••• Mark and Jake Martin talk about current feelings about playing games, how instability in the industry has contributed to our own uncertainty, and other theories about the malaise. Let us know: are video games cooked? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @…

competitive community ••• Mark and Memphis Davila and Billie Cox talk about what goes into putting on and participating in a tournament, what draws them to competitive games, and the state of competitive Pokemon. Let us know: What games do you play competitively? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: …

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Alex Castellanos talk about the Trails series, the impact of getting to know characters, and the impact of a long-term story. Let us know: Is Trails From Zero the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quic…

galaxy brain takes on mario ••• Mark talks about his ranking of the mainline Mario games, reconsiders his opinions on Galaxy, and wonders if Mario games are hitting like they used to. Let us know: What's your favorite Mario game? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.…

a big deal about deals ••• Mark and Alex Castellanos talk about how pricing of games impact our reception of a game, if that should be a factor in review scoring, and the place of reviews overall. Let us know: should price be considered in game reviews? Clip used with permission from the Backlog Breakdown: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown List…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Dalton Fuller talk about how Destiny 2 checks all the right boxes, all the different shapes it's been in, and how Destiny always comes through eventually. Let us know: Is Destiny 2 (somehow) the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPo…

the big money question ••• Mark and Dalton Fuller talk about video game budgets, the allure of buying full-price games, and when it's both easy and hard to spend on games. Let us know: How much do you spend on video games each year? Video Game Expense Tracking Template: get trackin Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: …

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Nick Porch talk about the macabre indie darling Death's Door, very large frogs, and covid. Let us know: Is Death's Door the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPla…

beautiful vista, friendly people, surrounded by imminent death ••• Mark and Nick Porch pitch the top video game locales to make a new life in. Let us know: What’s the best video game place to live? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPlayP…

For an upcoming big discourse, I need a lot of beloved games. So gimme your top 10 favorite games plz Submit your games: https://forms.gle/GEj5uEbaYQ7CpjH58 Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPlayPod Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick P…

ports ports ports ports ports ports ports, EVERYBODY! ••• Mark and Parker Deal talk about fan reactions to the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, the current line-up of third party titles for the Switch 2, and if this is indicative of the Switch 2's future. Let us know: Does the Switch 2 have a remasters problem? Our switch 2 bingo cards so far: lin…

just after this next one ••• Mark talks about a big(ish) commitment to not spend any more money on games this year and how he's strategizing games to play. Let us know: Have you stopped all game purchases for a time? Video Game Expenses Tracking Template: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uM23EnSIb8ycBIJiKxxI2dDewTCOR2gVmU6UPU8Ay9k/edit?usp=s…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Elizabeth Coats Bowen talk about the big deal Elden Ring, its unique world and approach to story, and all the weird guys. Let us know: Is Elden Ring the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.b…

also, mark is movie-illiterate ••• Mark and Elizabeth Coats Bowen talk about the recent NY Times Top 100 Movies of the 21st Century list, the leaps forward that video games have made in the 21st century, and how movies and games compare. Let us know: have movies or games been better this century? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlay…

baby park (2025 club mix) ••• Mark talks about his top picks from the phenomenal Mario Kart soundtrack. Let us know: What are your top picks from the Mario Kart World soundtrack? Quick Play's Mario Kart World picks playlist: listen Full Mario Kart World soundtrack: listen to a lot more Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagr…

the 30 best and worst of world ••• Mark and Sarah Erickson talk about their thoughts on mario kart world after a week, how it compares to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and rank all 30 tracks from worst to best. (And sorry for all the chair and table noises.) Let us know: What are your top 4 courses from Mario Kart World? Add your own ranking: https://docs.g…

while we play mario kart world ••• Mark and Jake Martin and Landry Smith and Billie Cox talk about their first impressions with the Switch 2, their launch day stories, their hopes for the console, and what they think of Mario Kart World. Let us know: What’s your first impression of the Switch 2? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayP…

trying to be consistent ••• Mark talks about what the podcast is about. Let us know: What is stabilizing for you? Recommended Listening: The Era of Volatility from Rebuilders Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPlayPod Listen online: Quick…

like after we turn it to dark theme ••• Mark and Billie Cox talk about the five things they're most excited about for Switch 2, the first games they're playing, and the features they'll hoping to get the most out of. Let us know: What are you doing first with the Switch 2? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPla…

what do you even do when you don't play games? ••• Mark and Billie Cox talk about Billie's lull in playing video games, what he's drawn to in the meantime, and how we get into these lulls. Let us know: Do you take extended breaks from video games? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Blues…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Josh Broccolo of the Backlog Breakdown talk about the weighty story of Xenoblade Chronicles X, and chat a lil about other beefy JRPGs.Let us know: Is Xenolade Chronicles 3 the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay B…

apples and organges or apples and old apples? ••• Mark and Josh Broccolo talk about how to compare and contrast the quality of retro games and modern games, and all the complex nuances that necessitates. Let us know: Which are better: retro games or modern games? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: …

long live the 5-star rating scale ••• Mark talks about how he has switched to a 5-star rating scale when thinking through a game review and why you should too. Let us know: What is your rating scale? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPla…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Landry Smith talk about The Last of Us Part 2, its unique narrative within the landscape of video games, and its approach to realistic consequences. Let us know: Is The Last of Us Part II the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod G…

wii u games were better ••• Mark and Landry Smith talk about the legacy of the Nintendo Switch (1) and give their hottest takes on the likes of Pokemon, the Switch lifecycle, its predecessors, and NSO. Let us know: What is your hottest Switch take? Recommended listening: The Hottest Take - Jeans at Home (language warning) Follow us on the proper so…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Nate McKeever talk about the indie roguelite hit Hades, what makes it special, and how it became a catalyst to loop players into the genre. Let us know: Is Hades the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @q…

and really just trying to make sense of it all ••• Mark and Sarah Erickson (and technically our daughter) talk about April's Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, what they're excited about, and what would sell them on a $450 console. Let us know: What is your favorite announcement from the Switch 2 Direct? Things I didn't know while recording that I found out…

get weird. a little weird. but like, not too weird? ••• In this part 2 of 2 episodes, Mark and Nate McKeever talk more about Nintendo's innovation, how they got in a situation where games are left behind, and their hopes in this realm for the Switch 2. Let us know: Is there a “stranded” Nintendo game you wish could come back? Follow us on the prope…

don't get stuck in the past ••• In this part 1 of 2 episodes, Mark and Nate McKeever talk about how hardware innovation can end up stranding games, Nintendo's particular woes with this, and what the future of hardware innovation could look like. Let us know: Is there a “stranded” Nintendo game you wish could come back? Follow us on the proper socia…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Matt Intemann talk about a grab-bag of beloved indies from the decade and how indies have often taken the spotlight this decade. Let us know: Are indie games on the whole the true games of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickP…

looking through, looking past, looking down ••• Mark and Matt Intemann talk about different camera perspectives in video games, how that impacts what we expect from a game, and shout out a few examples of unique camera uses. Let us know: What’s your favorite camera perspective in video games? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod …

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Parker Deal talk about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it's inherent relation to Breath of the Wild, and how conversations on such a good game gets defined by its shortcomings. They then scale down the conversation to talk about the lil city sim Islanders. Let us know:Is Tears of th…

we're playing the long game ••• Mark and Parker Deal draft each of their own bingo cards for what they expect from the first two years of the Switch 2. Let us know: What's on your Switch 2 bingo card? Make your own here Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.socia…

a game of the decade (so far) conversation ••• Mark and Billie Cox talk about Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the way it builds community, and then a little too much about South Park: The Fractured But Whole. Let us know: Is Animal Crossing: New Horizons the game of the decade? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @Quic…

We're halfway through the 2020s, so we're introducing a new, ongoing series within the podcast: the game of the decade (so far). Subscribe to stay up to date. Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPlayPod Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick…

but also did you see the new donkey kong? ••• Mark and Billie Cox talk about the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, the leaks leading up to it, and how this measures up as a step forward for Nintendo. Let us know: What do you think of the Switch 2 reveal? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay…

and a little bit of wide batman ••• Mark and Henry Overos talk about the hit live-service game Marvel Rivals, which instead sends them down a (deliberately planned) rabbit hole about how they each got into comics, some of their favorite books and writers, and what new readers should know. Let us know: What is your favorite Marvel comics series? Fol…

leaving a window open for a little draft ••• Mark and Landry Smith and Matthew Pilkington and Dalton Fuller and Jake Martin and Billie Cox and Jake Traugott draft their four 2025 games for Fantasy Critic. Let us know: What is the #1 draft pick for 2025? Follow our Fantasy Critic league: the "see rock city" regional conference Follow us on the prope…

what's the next game of the year? ••• Mark and Landry Smith and Dalton Fuller and Billie Cox and Jake Traugott talk about the 2025 games they picked for Fantasy Critic, the ones they're most excited for, and consider what 2025 holds. Let us know: What is the 2025 game you most believe in? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Inst…

Mark takes a look back at the games of Q4 2024, along the results of Metacritic Golf to see how we perceived games matches up to their ultimate review scores. Let us know: What’s been your favorite game from Q4 of 2024? Metacritic Kart Q1 2025 (submit scores by Jan 15): start your engines Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Inst…

In this special Big Discourse to celebrate 100 episodes, Mark and bunch of folks answer questions at random from past episodes. Let us know: What question would you ask someone to talk about video games? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @Quic…

Mark and bunch of folks talk about greatest buttons to button. Because everyone loves buttons.Let us know: What is the greatest button to button? Follow us on the proper socials: Twitter: @QuickPlayPod Instagram: @QuickPlayPod GG|: @QuickPlay Bluesky: @quickplaypod.bsky.social Threads: @QuickPlayPod Listen online: Quick Play RSS: Quick Play Email u…