The MinnMax Show

https://www.patreon.com/minnmax - We'll DM you a Steam code for Skate Story if you support MinnMax at the $5 tier before Monday, April 6th. New or returning supporters welcome. We'll update this description if we run out of codes.

MinnMax's Ben Hanson, Kelsey Lewin, Jacob Geller, and Kyle Hilliard are joined by former MinnMax Guest Cohort Alanah Pearce as she launches her own production company called Charred Pictures that focuses on adapting video games to TV and movies in a way that's friendlier to independent developers. We then attempt to build a list of 25 essential games for gamers to play to fully understand the scope of the medium... but with a poisonous twist. Let us know in the comments what you would have included on the list. Then we answer questions submitted on Patreon by the community and award the iam8bit question of the week! You can win a prize and help make the show better by supporting us on Patreon and submitting a question! https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Watch and share the video version here - https://youtu.be/EayqMZeiQhQ

Win tickets to the NierR concert by following MinnMaxShow on Instagram and leaving a comment here with your city of choice - https://www.instagram.com/p/DWjtYg6kU3S/?img_index=1

Help support MinnMax's supporters!

https://www.discoverpoco.com - Visit Pocahontas County, Iowa

https://www.mintmobile.com/minnmax - Premium wireless starting at $15/month

https://www.iam8bit.com - 10% off with Promo Code: FIREFLOWERS

To jump to a particular discussion, check out the timestamps below...

00:00:00 - Intro

00:03:55 - Alanah Pearce's new production company: Charred Pictures

00:13:03 - Valencia, Spain community meetup - April 14th

00:14:19 - Get a Steam code for Skate Story

00:15:27 - 25 Games Everybody Should Play

00:33:35 - Visit Pocahontas County, Iowa

00:35:19 - 25 Games Everybody Should Play

01:24:19 - Mint Mobile

01:25:40 - Thanking iam8bit - https://www.iam8bit.com/

01:27:42 - Community questions

02:06:20 - Get A Load Of This

Jacob's GALOT - https://www.ign.com/articles/baby-steps-fans-think-the-game-might-secretly-be-a-fan-made-uncharted-5

Hanson's GALOT - https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/artful-amoeba/plants-like-people-succumb-to-anesthesia-video/

Kyle's GALOT - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/travis-howe-a379251_a-long-while-back-a-team-was-assem[…]m=member_desktop\&rcm=ACoAADJ9j9QBNlHh0pyisRzsKpGCWpcUG2u0Wlc

Community GALOT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop\&v=PtHrkZgn-mU

Links to other things mentioned in the episode...

Watch Ben on CBS and FOX morning shows in Minneapolis - https://youtu.be/ZRjDfRUSfFM

Alanah's Charred Pictures - https://www.charredpictures.com/

https://gameinformer.com/subscribe

Ezra Klein podcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYrgLn7pWp8

Win NieR concert tickets on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/DWjtYg6kU3S/?img_index=1

Disclosure - Games discussed on MinnMax content are most often provided for free by the publisher or developer.

Support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Support MinnMax directly on YouTube - https://youtube.com/minnmax/join

Follow us on Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/minnmaxshow

Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/minnmax

Subscribe to our solo stream channel - https://www.youtube.com/@minnmaxstreamarchives

Buy MinnMax merch here - https://minnmax.com/merch

Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/minnmax.com

Go behind the scenes on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/minnmaxshow

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

We'll DM you a Steam code for the great new game Perfect Tides: Station to Station if you support MinnMax at any tier on Patreon (or upgrade your tier) before Monday, March 30th. https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

MinnMax's Ben Hanson, Leo Vader, Jeff Marchiafava, and Kyle Hilliard unpack the messy, open-world glory of Crimson Desert and rave about the new arcade racing game Screamer. Then Haley MacLean joins the show to share spoiler-free thoughts on wrapping up Pokopia and Ben longs for the multiplayer of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Fox Hunt. Then we answer questions submitted on Patreon by the community and award the iam8bit question of the week! You can win a prize and help make the show better by supporting us on Patreon and submitting a question! https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Watch and share the video version here - https://youtu.be/LrBqTAm6BCU

Here are links to things mentioned in this episode...

FREE WEEK - Bonus Pod - https://youtu.be/dQXGVM4H56Q

FREE WEEK - The Backstage Pass version of this episode with pre and post show

Part 1 - https://youtube.com/live/t_Rp-_Z-Zzc

Part 2 - https://youtube.com/live/Y7X_QEr2AoQ

Great gaming t-shirts - https://www.outfitarcade.com/collections

Haley's 2026 Publishing Agreement Market Report - https://indiegamepublishing.com/

Haley's talk on Publishing Agreements 101 - https://bit.ly/haleypublishing101

Help support MinnMax's supporters!

https://www.iam8bit.com - 10% off with Promo Code: GREENGREENS

https://www.buyracon.com/minnmax - Get 20% off

https://www.hellofresh.com/minnmax10fm - Get 10 free meals and a FREE zwilling knife

To jump to a particular discussion, check out the timestamps below...

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:10 - Valencia Community Meetup

00:04:32 - Perfect Tides: Station to Station Steam code giveaway

00:05:13 - Crimson Desert

00:36:35 - Screamer

00:47:14 - Raycon Everyday Earbuds Classic

00:49:00 - Hitman Freelancer

00:50:38 - Pokémon Pokopia

01:02:57 - Hello Fresh

01:05:00 - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Fox Hunt

01:11:39 - Epic Lays Off 1,000 People

01:14:58 - Thanking iam8bit - https://www.iam8bit.com/

01:16:21 - Community questions

02:01:01 - Get A Load Of This

JeffMs GALOT - https://youtu.be/-Gq1P2aaDqM

Haley's GALOT - https://www.lostincult.co.uk/itchytasty

Hanson's GALOT - https://www.kanopy.com/

Community GALOT - https://www.reddit.com/r/MST3K/comments/1rz1w3a/found_at_last/?utm_source=share\&utm_medium=mweb3x\&utm_name=mweb3xcss\&utm_term=1\&utm_content=share_button

Disclosure - Games discussed on MinnMax content are most often provided for free by the publisher or developer.

Support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Support MinnMax directly on YouTube - https://youtube.com/minnmax/join

Follow us on Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/minnmaxshow

Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/minnmax

Subscribe to our solo stream channel - https://www.youtube.com/@minnmaxstreamarchives

Buy MinnMax merch here - https://minnmax.com/merch

Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/minnmax.com

Go behind the scenes on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/minnmaxshow

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

https://www.patreon.com/minnmax - Unlock the ad-free and early version of this podcast and support it directly on Patreon

MinnMax's Ben Hanson, Leo Vader, Jacob Geller, and Janet Garcia are joined by legendary game writer Erik Wolpaw (Portal, Portal 2, Psychonauts, Half-Life: Alyx) to celebrate the release of Mega Crit's Slay the Spire II and explain how it's the incredible sequel to one of the greatest games ever made. Then we talk about Janet and Jacob's trip to the Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco, follow up on Mewgenics, revisit The Division II, and share some final (spoiler-free) thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem. After that, we answer your community questions including NVIDIA's divisive reveal of DLSS 5 technology and its impact on Grace's face and dive into why Wolpaw can't stop thinking about moving Valve to Duluth, Minnesota. You can win a prize and help make the show better by supporting us on Patreon and submitting a question! https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Watch and share the video version here - https://youtu.be/Zi0kGNknkPE

Here's the Slay the Spire II streamer Erik mentioned - https://www.youtube.com/baalorlord

Help support MinnMax's supporters!

https://www.iam8bit.com - 10% off with Promo Code: GREENGREENS

https://www.discoverpoco.com - Visit Pocahontas County, Iowa

https://www.mintmobile.com/minnmax - 3 months of wirelss for $15 per month

To jump to a particular discussion, check out the timestamps below...

00:00:00 - Intro

00:04:38 - Slay the Spire II

00:47:09 - Visit Pocahontas County, Iowa

00:49:03 - GDC 2026

01:09:33 - Wolpaw on why AI can't write games

01:26:47- Mint Mobile

01:28:34 - Mewgenics

01:40:46 - Tom Clancy's The Division 2

01:43:48 - Resident Evil Requiem final thoughts

01:48:13 - Thanking iam8bit - https://www.iam8bit.com/

01:49:37 - Community questions

02:15:26 - DLSS 5 discussion

02:29:44 - More community questions

02:57:29 - Get A Load Of This

Leo’s GALOT - https://bsky.app/profile/manton.bsky.social/post/3mgqaogbisk25

Jacob's GALOT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UfrzDKrhEc

Erik's GALOT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2K9ccMREOI

Hanson's GALOT - https://youtu.be/eAgK1QaBOOs?si=5Yg4O_-Y9osNwBiP

Janet's GALOT - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVcXK7nj4Fs/

Community GALOT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99dZFAazL6Q

Disclosure - Games discussed on MinnMax content are most often provided for free by the publisher or developer.

__

Support us on Patreon -https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Support MinnMax directly on YouTube - https://youtube.com/minnmax/join

Follow us on Twitch -https://www.twitch.tv/minnmaxshow

Subscribe to our YouTube channel -https://www.youtube.com/minnmax

Subscribe to our solo stream channel - https://www.youtube.com/@minnmaxstreamarchives

Buy MinnMax merch here -https://minnmax.com/merch

Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/minnmax.com

Go behind the scenes on Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/minnmaxshow

#minnmax

#minnmaxshow

#gameinformer

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

https://www.patreon.com/minnmax - Unlock an early, ad-free version of The MinnMax Show and directly support independent games media

MinnMax's Ben Hanson, Sarah Podzorski, Kelsey Lewin, Jeff Marchiafava, and Haley MacLean gather to celebrate the unbelievably fun Pokémon Pokopia on the Nintendo Switch 2. We also talk about the glowing reviews for the cRPG Esoteric Ebb, share early impressions of Slay the Spire 2 in early access, Kelsey talks about her preview trip to play Big Walk at Panic, Sarah can't stop playing Valve's Deadlock, and unpack the big reveal for XBOX's Project Helix from its new Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma and what it means for the future of AI in games. Then we answer questions submitted on Patreon by the community and award the iam8bit question of the week! You can win a prize and help make the show better by supporting us on Patreon and submitting a question! https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Watch and share the video version here - https://youtu.be/ltYKj9YaeMI

Learn more about the XBOX BDS boycott here - https://bdsmovement.net/news/boycott-microsofts-xbox

Help support MinnMax's supporters!

https://www.iam8bit.com - 10% off with Promo Code: GREENGREENS

https://www.factormeals.com/minnmax50off - 50% off 1st order with Promo Code: MINNMAX50OFF

To jump to a particular discussion, check out the timestamps below...

00:00:00 - Intro

00:04:00 - Pokémon Pokopia

00:26:42 - Resident Evil Requiem

00:28:50 - Esoteric Ebb

00:36:00 - Slay the Spire 2

00:40:17 - Big Walk

00:53:23 - Factor Meals

00:55:09 - XBOX's Project Helix and AI

01:39:01 - Deadlock

01:47:01 - Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse

01:54:10 - Thanking iam8bit - https://www.iam8bit.com/

01:56:05 - Community questions

02:41:41 - Get A Load Of This

Kelsey's GALOT - https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/team-usa-baseball-manager-mark-derosa-misspoke-italy-upset/

JeffM's GALOT - https://youtu.be/HRUrZpglxhk?si=89LYmYL6RFxbxnW_

Hanson's GALOT - https://www.tiktok.com/@genxistentialcrisis/video/7064343746510425391

Sarah's GALOT - https://www.reddit.com/r/Homesteading/comments/1rizhen/when_daffodils_bloom_in_the_woods_a_hidden_sign/

Community GALOT - https://wikigacha.com/?lang=EN

Disclosure - Games discussed on MinnMax content are most often provided for free by the publisher or developer.

Support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Support MinnMax directly on YouTube - https://youtube.com/minnmax/join

Follow us on Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/minnmaxshow

Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/minnmax

Subscribe to our solo stream channel - https://www.youtube.com/@minnmaxstreamarchives

Buy MinnMax merch here - https://minnmax.com/merch

Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/minnmax.com

Go behind the scenes on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/minnmaxshow

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

https://www.patreon.com/minnmax - Unlock the early, ad-free version of The MinnMax Show and more by supporting us directly on Patreon.

MinnMax's guest host Haley MacLean is joined by Leo Vader, Jacob Geller, and Kyle Hilliard to share first impressions on Bungie's Marathon and how it compares to Arc Raiders in the extraction genre. We talk about Highguard being taken offline and the thrills of Pokémon Winds and Waves before Leo Vader regales us with torrid love affair with Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PC and Kyle Hilliard regales us with his tepid like affair with Scott Pilgrim EX. Then we answer questions submitted on Patreon by the community and award the iam8bit question of the week! You can win a prize and help make the show better by supporting us on Patreon and submitting a question! https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Watch and share the video version - https://youtu.be/9iH6YFQj_Uc

Help support MinnMax's supporters!

https://www.iam8bit.com - 10% off with Promo Code: GREENGREENS

To jump to a particular discussion, check out the timestamps below...

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:55 - Marathon

00:18:48 - Highguard shutting down

00:33:55 - Pokémon reveals

00:36:20 - Pokémon Winds and Waves

00:46:14 - Reanimal

01:00:54 - Scott Pilgrim EX

01:13:03 - Spider-Man: Miles Morales

01:25:20 - Thanking iam8bit - https://www.iam8bit.com/

01:29:36 - Community questions

02:04:01 - Get A Load Of This

Leo’s GALOT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mW9QL9uNcA

Jacob's GALOT - https://youtu.be/TTjGDkDI49I?si=9mw_aQ8Gw0uSJOJr

Haley's GALOT - https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/03/pokemon-center-confirms-anniversary-pikachu-plush-restocks

Community GALOT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxFzCBiBEL0

Disclosure - Games discussed on MinnMax content are most often provided for free by the publisher or developer.

Support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/minnmax

Support MinnMax directly on YouTube - https://youtube.com/minnmax/join

Follow us on Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/minnmaxshow

Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/minnmax

Subscribe to our solo stream channel - https://www.youtube.com/@minnmaxstreamarchives

Buy MinnMax merch here - https://minnmax.com/merch

Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/minnmax.com

Go behind the scenes on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/minnmaxshow

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.