The 12 Best Podcasts About Gaming

The 12 Best Podcasts About Gaming: Deep Dives, Hilarious Banter, and Insider Insights

Introduction

As video games have exploded in popularity to become one of the most dominant forms of entertainment on the planet, so too has the world of gaming podcasts. Whether you‘re looking for in-depth analysis of the latest releases, intimate conversations with industry veterans, or just some friends cracking jokes while playing obscure retro games, there‘s a gaming podcast out there for you.

The rise of podcasting in general has been meteoric, with over 2 million shows and 48 million episodes available as of April 2021. Gaming podcasts have ridden this wave of growth, with new shows constantly popping up to cover every conceivable corner of the gaming world.

For fans of the Super Best Friends Play YouTube channel and subreddit, podcasts have helped fill the void left behind when the original crew split up in 2018. In this article, we‘ll highlight 12 of the absolute best gaming podcasts out there, with a special focus on shows that have been embraced by the Best Friends Play community on Reddit. These shows exemplify the things that made the Two Best Friends fandom special—in-depth knowledge, crude and hilarious banter, and a deep passion for all things gaming.

So grab your headphones, boot up your favorite game, and join us on a journey through the best gaming podcasts the internet has to offer. You might just find your new favorite show.

1. Castle Superbeast
   Hosted by former Super Best Friends Play members Woolie and Pat, Castle Superbeast rose from the ashes of that channel in 2018 to carry on the torch of long-form, unstructured, and often wildly off-topic conversations that fans had come to love. With support from Rooster Teeth, the duo dives deep into fighting games, character action games, and classic franchises like Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid.

But a big part of the show‘s appeal is when the conversation veers into the guys‘ personal lives, bizarre Internet drama, or the intricacies of surviving the zombie apocalypse in Montreal. Woolie‘s boisterous laugh and analogies are the perfect foil for Pat‘s curmudgeonly cynicism. The podcast has a real "shooting the shit with your friends" vibe that‘s inviting and addictive.

2. Super Pod Cast
   Hosted by Matt McMuscles, the former third member of Super Best Friends Play, Super Pod Cast sees Matt teaming up with his wife Crymetina for freewheeling discussions about retro games, wrestling, and much more. With a focus on PS1 and PS2-era titles, the show is a nostalgia trip that still finds ways to tie the classics into modern gaming trends.

The couple‘s easygoing chemistry and self-deprecating sense of humor make the show infinitely listenable and relatable. There are plenty of hilarious anecdotes from Matt‘s days as a QA tester and his experiences at conventions and events over the years. For fans missing Matt‘s presence in the Super Best Friends orbit, Super Pod Cast is essential listening.

3. Nextlander
   What happens when you take three beloved ex-members of gaming site Giant Bomb and set them loose to do their own thing? You get Nextlander, a Patreon-powered podcast hosted by veterans Alex Navarro, Brad Shoemaker, and Vinny Caravella. With decades of experience covering the gaming industry between them, the trio have an easy rapport that makes even the most in-depth discussions feel laid-back and conversational.

In between game and news discussions, you‘ll get windows into the hosts‘ lives and personalities, like Alex‘s penchant for death metal and Brad‘s adventures in fatherhood. The show‘s willingness to go on extended tangents also applies to the games they cover—recent episodes have included multi-hour deep dives into Kingdom Hearts, Elden Ring, and the Batman Arkham series. For Giant Bomb fans feeling adrift after the site‘s many changes in recent years, Nextlander is a life raft well worth grabbing onto.

4. Watch Out for Fireballs!
   Hosted by Duckfeed.tv founders Gary Butterfield and Kole Ross, Watch Out for Fireballs! is a podcast that goes deep on classic games, one at a time. The show has a reading-club structure, where the hosts and listeners all play the chosen game for a few weeks before coming together for an in-depth, spoiler-filled discussion.

But this isn‘t just a couple of guys summarizing a game‘s plot—Gary and Kole dive into the history, themes, and impact of each title, often spending multiple episodes on a single game. The show has a great balance of analysis and humor, with running jokes and bits that reward long-time listeners. For anyone interested in critically examining gaming‘s most beloved classics, Watch Out for Fireballs! is a must-listen.

5. Axe of the Blood God
   As the world‘s only podcast dedicated entirely to RPGs, Axe of the Blood God is an invaluable resource for fans of the genre. Hosts Kat Bailey and Nadia Oxford bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to their discussions of the latest releases, classic franchises, and the overall state of RPGs.

With a focus on JRPGs and classic PC RPGs, the show goes in-depth on beloved series like Final Fantasy, Persona, and The Witcher, while also highlighting promising indie releases and underrated gems. The hosts aren‘t afraid to get critical and push back against hype, offering measured and thoughtful critiques. But they also frequently gush about the genre‘s best qualities, from ambitious storytelling to addictive customization systems. For RPG fans, Axe of the Blood God is appointment listening.

6. Triple Click
   What do you get when you take three former games journalists from Kotaku and set them loose on their own independent podcast? Triple Click sees hosts Kirk Hamilton, Maddy Myers, and Jason Schreier bringing an insider perspective to the latest happenings in the world of video games.

The trio frequently tackles industry news and trends, like the rise of Game Pass, Sony‘s cross-gen strategy, and the ongoing fallout of Activision Blizzard‘s workplace abuse scandals. But they also dive into the weeds of game design, with in-depth conversations on topics like difficulty curves, accessibility, and storytelling techniques. With a lively conversational style and an eye for the most interesting stories in gaming, Triple Click is a great way to stay plugged into the industry.

7. Waypoint Radio
   Vice‘s gaming site Waypoint has always been known for its progressive politics and in-depth cultural criticism, and its flagship podcast Waypoint Radio embodies those same qualities. Hosts Austin Walker, Patrick Klepek, Rob Zacny, and Ricardo Contreras bring an academic rigor to their discussions of the latest releases and industry happenings.

But this isn‘t a dry, overly serious affair—the hosts‘ passion for the medium shines through, and they aren‘t afraid to get silly or go on bizarre tangents. Where else are you going to hear in-depth breakdowns of labor issues one minute and an impromptu review of Mountain Dew flavors the next? With a focus on the ways games intersect with politics, social issues, and the wider culture, Waypoint Radio offers a vital critical perspective on the medium.

8. The MinnMax Show
   Founded by ex-Game Informer editor Ben Hanson, MinnMax is a patreon-supported outlet that serves up in-depth features, developer interviews, and a weekly podcast. The MinnMax Show sees Hanson joined by a rotating crew of co-hosts for lively discussions of the latest releases, industry news, and classic games.

With a laid-back, conversational tone and a general sense of positivity, The MinnMax Show feels like a weekly hangout with friends who love games as much as you do. The show also frequently brings on developers and other industry figures for insightful interviews that dive into the nitty-gritty of how games get made. For anyone looking for a well-rounded gaming podcast that covers a little bit of everything, The MinnMax Show is a great choice.

9. Retronauts
   If you‘re more interested in the history of games than the latest releases, Retronauts is the podcast for you. Hosted by Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish, and a rotating crew of guests, the show does deep dives on classic consoles, beloved retro franchises, and forgotten gems from gaming‘s past.

With a focus on the 8-bit and 16-bit eras, Retronauts is a nostalgia trip that will have you dusting off your old consoles and discovering games you missed the first time around. But the show isn‘t just a celebration of the past—it also looks at how classic games have influenced the medium and continue to shape it to this day. Whether you‘re a retro gaming die-hard or just curious about the medium‘s roots, Retronauts is essential listening.

10. Cane and Rinse
    With over 500 episodes spanning more than a decade, Cane and Rinse is one of the most consistent and in-depth gaming podcasts around. Each episode sees the UK-based hosts focusing on a single game, diving deep into its history, development, themes, and impact on the medium.

The show has a pleasingly structured approach, with segments dedicated to things like the game‘s critical reception, the hosts‘ personal histories with it, and their overall thoughts on its legacy. But within that structure there‘s plenty of room for tangents, jokes, and personal anecdotes that give the show a real sense of personality. For anyone looking to really understand what makes a particular game tick, Cane and Rinse is an invaluable resource.

11. The Besties
    Gaming podcasts can sometimes feel a bit insular, with hosts drawing on decades of shared history and obscure reference points. The Besties aims for a more welcoming and accessible tone, with hosts Justin McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Chris Plante, and Russ Frushtick breaking down the latest releases in a way that‘s engaging for hardcore fans and gaming newbies alike.

With a focus on Game of the Year discussions and impassioned debates over the best games in a particular genre or franchise, The Besties is all about the joy of gaming and the fun of arguing about it with your friends. The show also has a delightfully chaotic energy, with the hosts frequently going on bizarre tangents and cracking each other up. For anyone looking for a gaming podcast that‘s equal parts informative and entertaining, The Besties is a great pick.

12. Kinda Funny Gamescast
    The Kinda Funny network has built a devoted fanbase around its personality-driven content, and its flagship gaming podcast is a big part of that appeal. Hosted by Greg Miller, Tim Gettys, and a rotating crew of co-hosts, Kinda Funny Gamescast is a weekly roundup of the latest releases, industry news, and the hosts‘ own gaming adventures.

With a focus on PlayStation and the wider console ecosystem, the show has a breezy, conversational tone that feels like hanging out with a group of friends. The hosts aren‘t afraid to get critical or push back against popular opinion, but they also aren‘t afraid to get goofy and poke fun at themselves. For anyone looking for a well-rounded gaming podcast that balances news, reviews, and personality, Kinda Funny Gamescast is a top pick.

How to Find the Right Gaming Podcast for You

With so many gaming podcasts out there, it can be tough to know where to start. Here are a few tips for finding the show that‘s right for you:

• Think about your gaming interests. Are you mostly into mainstream blockbusters, or do you prefer indie darlings? Do you love diving deep into RPGs, or are you more of a competitive multiplayer fan? Look for a podcast that aligns with your tastes.

• Consider the format. Some gaming podcasts are focused on news and reviews, while others are more about in-depth discussions of specific games or topics. Think about what kind of content you‘re looking for and seek out shows that deliver it.

• Sample a few episodes. Most gaming podcasts are available for free on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher. Try out a few episodes of a show that looks interesting to get a sense of its hosts, tone, and overall vibe.

• Engage with the community. Many gaming podcasts have dedicated communities on platforms like Reddit and Discord. Joining those communities can be a great way to connect with other fans, get recommendations for other shows, and even influence the direction of the podcast itself.

The world of gaming podcasts is vast and varied, with something for every kind of player. Whether you‘re looking for deep dives on your favorite franchises, interviews with industry insiders, or just some friends to joke around with while you grind for loot, there‘s a show out there for you. So grab your headphones, find your new favorite podcast, and happy gaming!