8-4 Play
8-4 Play is a biweekly podcast about Japan, video games, and Japanese video games. It is produced by 8-4, Ltd., a localization and consulting company based in Tokyo. Episodes feature discussions and impressions of recent games, often with a focus on Japanese releases and gaming culture. The show offers perspectives from industry professionals working in Japan.
エピソード
8-4 Play 10/16/2026: BASED COMBAT
Don't you dare punch out of this episode, Maverick! We got heaps of praise for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, journeys in Silent Hill: Townfall and then we start looking at those Ocarina of Time previews! 00:44 – Nicknames 05:27 – Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve 14:17 – Silent Hill: Townfall 18:42 – Star Wars: Galactic Racer 30:02 – News: Sony done with VR, Ocarina of Time previews, and more!
8-4 Play 10/2/2026: OLD MCRONALD
We dive deep into Well Dweller, the Castlevania: Belmont's Curse demo, and Control Resonant, plus new VR glasses from Meta and more Xbox goings-ons in news. 00:56 — Nicknames 06:32 — Well Dweller 15:48 — Castlevania: Belmont's Curse 25:22 — Control Resonant 44:48 — News: Donald becomes Ronald, Meta VR Glasses, Microsoft, and more!
8-4 Play 9/18/2026: TOKYO GAME SHOW 2026
Best ep of the year streak continues with all killers, no filler: John Linneman, Jason Schreier, Mike McWhertor, Shane Bettenhausen, Jeremy Parish, Chris Kohler and more stop by to talk anything and everything to do with this year's TGS. 01:02 – Intros 15:28 – TGS Merch Haul 24:45 – Castlevania: Belmont's Curse 43:09 – Sonic Pico Park 47:49 – Crazy Taxi: World Tour 53:24 – Dragon's D
8-4 Play 9/11/2026: TORNEKO ATSUME
As the kids say, "nothing but bangers and mash": Zelda, Onimusha, Orbitals, MGS4, Final Fantasy III / VI (?), Star Wars: Zero Company plus everything from the recent Nintendo Directs and State of Play! 01:26 – Nicknames 06:39 – Onimusha: Way of the Sword 17:01 – Final Fantasy VI 25:48 – Big Walk 28:05 – Orbitals 40:44 – Star Wars: Zero Company 49:42 – News: State of Play x2, Nintendo Direct x2,
8-4 Play 8/28/2026: SALTY MOONTEARS
A tight 60 (ok 70ish) about The Duskbloods network test, Marvel Tōkon, Beast of Reincarnation, and various Gamescom opening night hijinks. 01:08 – Nicknames 03:41 – The Duskbloods 21:20 – Beast of Reincarnation 25:47 – Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls 47:42 – News: Gamescom, Terranigma, and more!
8-4 Play 8/14/2026: RED LED REDEMPTION
It's a brand new ep with a whole lot of old: two lost Virtual Boy games, a recap of Quintet's SNES hits, and a return trip to Halo with Campaign Evolved. How many Gabes does it take to wreck a Warthog? The answer won't surprise you. Plus week-old news! 01:06 – Nicknames 06:53 – Beast of Reincarnation 16:32 – Zero Racers and Dragon Hopper 36:10 – Halo: Campaign Evolved 47:42 – Quintet Games (Sou
8-4 Play 7/31/2026: BOOYAH BROTHERS
Ay? Ay! (Have you been playing Splatoon Raiders? Because we sure have!) Plus the latest in the worlds of video game news and sudden Tokyo summer electrical storms. 01:16 — Nicknames 10:00 — Splatoon Raiders 41:24 — News: Microsoft/Sony Network Outage, Capcom Sales, E3 Archives, and more!
8-4 Play 7/17/2026: SCORCHED EARTH
It's 8-4 Play's Summer Sale! 25% off hosts! 90% off our usual topics! The death of physical media! More layoffs! And balloon animals for the kids! 01:04 — Nicknames 01:41 — News: Physical Games, Microsoft, and more! 47:21 — Rhythm Heaven Groove
8-4 Play 7/3/2026: COCKY LITTLE FREAKS
Star Fox, Adventures of Elliot, and a now-quaint lil' discussion on physical games (recorded prior to PlayStation's bombshell announcement). 00:47 – Nicknames 06:47 – Star Fox 19:32 – The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales 28:57 – Microsoft, Steam Machines, GTA 6, and more!
8-4 Play 6/19/2026: VACATION WELL WASTED
Special guest Robert Ashley stops by to talk about his amazing podcast A Life Well Wasted, old EGM / 1up.com memories, and (as required by law in 2026) AI and Xbox. 00:39 – Nicknames 06:54 – A Life Well Wasted 30:27 – Splatoon 34:41 – News: SGF Recap, Microsoft, Steam Machines and more!
8-4 Play 6/5/2026: BLAME IT ON THE RAIN
RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES (a couple days ago): Game-by-game-by-game analysis of PlayStation's latest E3 June State of Play, plus…well, mostly that, honestly. 01:44 – Nicknames 13:03 – Sony State of Play
8-4 Play 5/22/2026: TOUCHED FUZZY, GOT DIZZY
Special guest hosts Snoop Dogg, Seth Rogen, and Willie Nelson celebrate episode #420 by discussing the new Steam controller, Nintendo retirees, and how all our celebrity references are dated af. 01:22 – Nicknames 20:27 – Steam Controller 25:46 – Star Fox 29:20 – News: Nintendo price hikes, XBOX, and more!
8-4 Play 5/8/2026: FANTASTIC MR. STAR FOX
Up-to-the-minute Star Fox hot takes, week-or-two-old Saros first impressions, and the ancient mobile flip-phone Japan-only Xenosaga spinoff review you never knew you wanted. 01:10 – Nicknames 06:38 – Star Fox Direct 30:42 – SAROS 41:40 – Xenosaga Pied Piper
8-4 Play 4/24/2026: STROOP, THERE IT IS
17-Bit's Jake and Raj join the crew to chat about dat indie dev life, dat Pragmata life, and dat Tomodachi Life, with a very special message on the dangers of drinking while podcasting. 01:07 – Nicknames 05:13 – Final Fantasy IV 11:30 – Awaysis 37:50 – Tomodachi Life 54:17 – Pragmata 1:00:29 – News: Game Pass price changes, movies based on games, and more!
8-4 Play 4/10/2026: NOT MY SYRCUS
Do pirates do pilates? Clench your AnEarth and climb Gabe's favorite tower to find out as the crew explores the Switch 2 Edition of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, makes a return trip to Pokopia, dabbles in yet more PC Engine, and debates the latest news and rumors (Star Fox?! Zelda?!?). Plus donuts and ice cream, of course. 00:48 – Nicknames 13:44 – Pokémon Pokopia 19:00 – Super Mario Bros Wonder + Mee
8-4 Play 3/27/2026: CHAIRING IS CARING
Craft yourself a seat by the river and take a load off as we share first thoughts on Pokémon Pokopia, check in on the current state of Monster Hunter Wilds, and catch up on a couple other games + the latest news and Japanese (?) pizza lore. 00:40 – Nicknames 17:44 – Pokemon Pokopia 37:06 – Monster Hunter Wilds 45:00 – DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined 54:36 – Final Fantasy III 59:49 – News: Pokopia is
8-4 Play 3/13/2026: ALICE IN CHAINSAWS
Th-th-the gang t-t-talks the g-g-good, the bad, and the silly of Resident Evil Requiem, plus more Zelda, Minishoot Adventures, and Project Helix in news. 01:38 – Nicknames 05:55 – The Legend of Zelda 12:47 – Resident Evil Requiem 52:37 – Minishoot Adventures 55:53 – News: Resident Evil Requiem breaks records, Project Helix, and more!
8-4 Play 2/27/2026: LEGEND OF AWAYSIS
17-Bit's Jake Kazdal stops by to talk Zelda anniversary memories, his upcoming game Awaysis, Virtual Boy do's and don'ts, and all the big news out of Microsoft and PlayStation. 09:58 – The Legend of Zelda 33:34 – Awaysis 53:01 – Virtual Boy 1:01:32 – Nioh 3 1:04:25 – Arc Raiders 1:10:42 – News: Microsoft, Sony State of Play, and more!
8-4 Play 2/13/2026: SEEING RED
Strap on your climbing gear and watch out for vertigo as we scale the dizzying heights of Cairn and plumb the stereoscopic depths of the Virtual Boy. Plus news! 00:58 – Nicknames 06:18 – Blue Prince 16:37 – Cairn 33:30 – Virtual Boy 52:23 – News: Nintendo Direct recap, Steam Machine delayed, and more!
8-4 Play 1/30/2026: NO ONE CAN STOP MR. TETROMINO
The crew checks in (hotel humor!) on the 3.0 update and Switch 2 version of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the good and bad of Xbox's latest developer direct, and the horrors and sweet, sweet delights of the upcoming Virtual Boy lineup. 03:51 – Animal Crossing: New Horizons 32:31 – News: Nintendo Rumors, Sony Rumors, Resident Evil rumors and more!
8-4 Play 1/16/2026: YOU, ME, AND LINDA'S CUBES
Linda Cubed, DQ7 Reimagined, Castlevania 64, and Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance highlight a mish-mash of new and old impressions alongside the latest news as we kick off 2026 for the second time with a respectable Tight 79! 01:15 – Nicknames 07:00 – Linda Cubed 19:28 – Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Demo 27:27 – Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance 37:28 – Castlevania 64 (MASSIVE SPOILERS!) 47:43 – News (AGD
8-4 Play 1/2/2026: BALL DROPPIN' NEW YEAR'S FREE-FOR-ALL
Friend of the show and former EGM editor Che Chou joins us to ring in 2026 with another freeform Q&A ep fueled by bourbon and filled with New Year's resolutions, holiday memories, GOTY talk, and Cybermorph. HNY! Time — Topic Discussed 11:40 – Listener Questions
8-4 Play 12/19/2025: PRIME MINISTRY
Ring in the holidays with extended Metroid Prime 4 thoughts and an audio tour of the Nintendo Museum's new art exhibit, plus Game Awards recap / reax in news! Time — Topic Discussed 01:06 – Nicknames 25:00 – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond 51:25 – News: The Game Awards, SEGA Channel games preserved, and more!
8-4 Play 12/5/2025: VIEWPOINT 1998
With Metroid Prime 4 dropping mere hours before we recorded, we went for the next best thing: a bunch of games from the late 90s! Tune in for talk of Analogue 3D, Radiant Silvergun, Viewpoint 2064, 2D gaming on the PS1, and more—plus some current-century stuff like Ball x Pit and Lumines Arise. Time — Topic Discussed 01:00 – Nicknames 05:42 – Radiant Silvergun 13:15 – Viewpoint 2064 21:30 – Anal
8-4 Play 11/21/2025: ALL STEAMED UP
Lumines (loo-meh-nez) Arise, new Hyrule Warriors, Game Awards noms, Metroid Prime 4 hopes and fears, new Steam hardware (x3) and more! 00:45 – Nicknames 13:20 – Lumines: Arise 20:32 – Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment 33:11 – News: The Game Awards, Super Mario Galaxy movie, and more!
8-4 Play 11/7/2025: RTX-5090 Z-A HD-2D TURBO
Hear all about (deep breath) Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (exhale) and the A-Z of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, with a side of Nintendo news and Halloween in Japan. Time — Topic Discussed 00:47 – Nicknames 17:30 – DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake 25:31 – Pokémon Legends: Z-A 35:00 – News: Nintendo Switch 2 sales, Animal Crossing updates, Halo on PlayStation, and more!
8-4 Play 10/24/2025: ONE-UPPED
1UP Show memories, Hollow Knight 2, Little Nightmares 3, Ninja Gaiden 4, FIIIIIVE GOLD-EN! RINGS!! Plus more FFT, RIP Itagaki-san, and a buncha news. Time — Topic Discussed 00:00 – Nicknames 09:32 – Hollow Knight: Silksong 17:21 – Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles 20:59 – Little Nightmares 3 26:25 – Ninja Gaiden 4 30:00 – News: Remembering Itagaki-san, The 1UP Show's 20th anniversary,
8-4 Play 10/10/2025: THE SILENT HILLVALICE CHRONICLES
Clutch your digiballs and sharpen your sickles as we dive into Silent Hill f, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Digimon Story Time Stranger, Mario Galaxy 1&2, a bunch of obscure Alfa System games, the latest news, and more! Time — Topic Discussed 00:37 – Nicknames 08:49 – Silent Hill f 33:38 – Oreshika & Gunparade March 44:55 – Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles 1:05:12
8-4 Play 9/26/2025: TOKYO GAME SHOW 2025
It's our favorite time of year: Tokyo Game Show! A cavalcade of special guests pop through to talk about everything we saw at and around day 1 of the show, including Marvel Tokon, Onimusha, RE9, Yakuza Kiwami 3, Age of Imprisonment, Nioh 3, Ghost of Yotei, Dragon Quest 1&2, and lots more! Time — Topic Discussed 04:48 – TGS Vibes & Merch 08:42 – CAPCOM (Pragmata, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Residen
8-4 Play 9/19/2025: SILK STRONG
Get your canned beverage of choice and your ticket for the green car -- it's time to board the bullet train for TGS! For the ride over, we've got a Tight 60 filled with Silksong impressions and a breakdown of all the big news out of last week's mega-sized Nintendo Direct. Time — Topic Discussed 00:48 – Nicknames 07:37 – Hollow Knight: Silksong 24:43 – Earthion 27:23 – News: Nintendo Direct, TGS le
8-4 Play 9/5/2025: WHAT A THRILL
Turn down the Silksong BGM and turn UP the talk about Metal Gear Solid Delta, the Lumines Arise demo, Exit 8 and Platform 8, and a whole buncha news. Time — Topic Discussed 00:52 — Nicknames 03:32 — Exit 8 and Platform 8 19:50 — Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater 30:50 — Lumines Arise demo 45:16 — News: Nintendo Direct rumors, PS6 rumors, and more!
8-4 Play 8/22/2025: NEODUDES
UFO 50 (buy it!), Mina the Hollower demo (try it!), Neorude (look it up!), Phantasy Star IV (dust it off!), Off (turn it on!), and a whole messa news (listen to it!) Time – Topic Discussed 01:14 – Nicknames 08:36 – Mina the Hollower impressions 16:11 – UFO 50 31:00 – Neorude The Leading RPG 33:51 – Phantasy Star IV 38:37 – OFF 44:16 – News: Opening Night Live, Kirby Air Riders Direct, and more!
8-4 Play 8/8/2025: MOUSIN' AROUND
Oops, all games! The Adventures of Elliot, Rematch, Mario Paint, Lunar 2, Earthion, Shin-Chan Summer Vacation, Shinobi, Ninja Gaiden, Dyson Sphere Program (the game, not the vacuum), and news! Time – Topic Discussed 00:57 – Nicknames 10:33 – Mario Paint 12:57 – Earthion 14:56 – Donkey Kong Bananza 16:09 – Shin-chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation 19:24 – Rematch 25:05 – D
8-4 Play 7/25/2025: BANANZA REPUBLIC
Roy joins to peel back Donkey Kong Bananza, go crazy on Monster Hunter Wilds DLC, and...talk about...Death Stranding 2; also Zelda movie casting, Xbox retreating from $80 games, Switch 2 sales and more! Time — Topic Discussed 02:04 — Nicknames 09:50 — Donkey Kong Bananza 23:42 — Death Stranding 2 34:31 — Sweet Home 44:22 — News
8-4 Play 7/11/2025: SWEET HOME AUSTRALIA
Mark returns to hawk Lumines Arise and talk about 'Jima's latest, Death Stranding 2; also, Blue Prince bingo speed runs, all that :gestures: Xbox stuff, and obscure Famicom and PC Engine games (because JP) Time — Topic Discussed 01:41 — PC Engine Talk 16:04 — Death Stranding 2 29:20 — Sweet Home 45:01 — News
8-4 Play 6/27/2025: SUMMER REVUE
Summer is the time for love, Takarazuka, and Death Stranding 2 early access. Plus the latest Switch 2 impressions, Japan life updates, and thoughts on the DK Direct. 00:58 – Nicknames 12:36 – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach 27:30 – Grandia 33:54 – Mario Kart World 54:09 – News: Donkey Kong Bananza Direct, Marathon delayed, and more!
8-4 Play 6/13/2025: ROCKET START
One week and three and a half million units later, tune in to hear the crew's first hands-on impressions of Switch 2 and all the excitement surrounding the launch in Japan, plus the latest news out of Summer Game Fest, State of Play, the Xbox Games Showcase, and more! Time — Topic Discussed 00:52 – Nicknames 05:38 – Nintendo Switch 2 13:04 – Mario Kart World 27:20 – Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tou
8-4 Play 5/30/2025: SWITCH 2 COMETH
With The Second Coming upon us, Digital Foundry's John Linneman joins us for an exhaustive chat through the tech driving Nintendo's new hardware, including a few key lingering questions… Time — Topic Discussed 00:46 – Nicknames 18:56 – Switch 2 Talk 1:04:16 – FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time 1:13:08 – Luigi's Mansion 3 1:14:33 – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 1:16:27 – Blue Prince 1:21:34 – D
8-4 Play 5/16/2025: MEET ME IN THE RUMPUS ROOM
Tide yourself over this dry spell before the Summer Game Fest feast with (still tasty!) leftovers of Clair Obscur and Blue Prince, plus morsels on gaming media woes and EVO Japan bits in news. Time — Topic Discussed 01:21 – Nicknames 09:30 – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 15:34 – Blue Prince 19:20 – Blue Prince Spoilers Start 23:41 – Blue Prince Spoilers End 27:34 – News: Giant Bomb, the latest in Sw
8-4 Play 5/2/2025: GOLDEN OBSCUR: EXPEDITION 84
Golden Week? This year it's more of a Golden Weekend, sadly, but that hasn't stopped us from putting our vacations on pause to share impressions of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Mario Kart World, and our Switch 2 preorder experiences. Plus news! Time — Topic Discussed 01:00 – Nicknames 05:54 – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 28:39 – Mario Kart World 39:25 – News: Switch 2 pre-orders, 8bitdo cancels U
8-4 Play 4/18/2025: ROYAL BLUE
Grab your journal and get ready to scribble extensive notes on Blue Prince, the new Vampire Survivors DLC, the latest Switch 2 news, and Gabe's turf burns in this very special pre-Golden Week Tight 55™︎ episode! Time — Topic Discussed 00:54 – Nicknames 08:50 – Blue Prince 25:24 – Vampire Survivors: Emerald Diorama 27:22 – News: Switch 2, PS5 prices, and more!
8-4 Play 4/4/2025: JUNE THE FIFTH
SMAAAAAAASH that C-Button and join our chat all about (what else) Switch 2. Mario Kart! Donkey Kong! The Duskbloods! Pricing! Region-locking! Jorts!
8-4 Play 3/28/2025: DIRECT MISS
Sure, we may have recorded before yesterday's Nintendo Direct, but that just means we had more time to talk Xenoblade Chronicles X: DE, read up on the latest Monster Hunter Wilds news, and get a 10-minute two-minute history lesson on the origins of the Metal Max franchise. Time — Topic Discussed 01:57 — Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition 35:12 — Metal Max 42:20 — News: Monster Hunter Wil
8-4 Play 3/14/2025: PUMP 'N' DUMP
Pull up a slab of cheese nan and dig in to a full episode of (what else?) Monster Hunter Wilds, as the team Gears-of-War-slow-walks you through our first few days with the game. Time — Topic Discussed 01:50 — Nicknames 04:33 — Monster Hunter Wilds 58:05 — News: Monster Hunter Wilds breaks records, Clovers, and Death Stranding 2
8-4 Play 2/28/2025: THE STUFF OF NIRGENDS
Enjoy the final pod before we go Wild on the new Monster Hunter with…well, MHW review talk! Also solid chatter on some older and / or semi-obscure Japanese gems because, hey, it's us. Time — Topic Discussed 01:00 — Nicknames 10:08 — Monster Hunter Wilds Review Recap 23:25 — Resident Evil Remastered 32:05 — Grandia 37:24 — Stray Children 44:00 — News: Shuhei Yoshida, NetEase, Monolith closing, and
8-4 Play 2/14/2025: STATE OF YAY
The gang runs down PlayStation's latest State of Play showcase, including Housemarque's Saros, Monster Hunter Wilds, Shinobi, Sonic Racing, and (dramatic music)…Digimon? Time — Topic Discussed 01:07 – Nicknames 02:40 – Sony State of Play (and News) 41:24 – Ender Lilies 45:53 – The Legend of Dragoon 49:38 – Cyberpunk 2077 50:54 – Pikmin 4
8-4 Play 1/31/2025: IS MONSTER HUNTER OUT YET?
You'll jump outta yo seat for the Dynasty Warriors: Origins impressions and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black / 4 news, but sit back down and buckle the f up for live - that's right, LIVE - (and already outdated) Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket pack openings. 00:51 – Nicknames 12:11 – Dynasty Warriors: Origins 19:56 – Pokémon TCG Pocket 22:59 – The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom 32:27 – News
8-4 Play 1/17/2025: SWITCH, TOO
We did it We finally outsmarted Nintendo And all it cost us was…everything Time — Topic Discussed 02:20 – Switch 2!!
8-4 Play 1/3/2025: NEW YEAR'S ROCKIN' Q&A SPECIAL
We've barely recovered from our New Year's hangovers, but we're already back and hard at work for you, dear listener, with a brand new ep, recorded live and in person in the year of our lord 202—what's that? We're out of space? Uh...special Q&A ep—enjoy! Time — Topic Discussed 03:36 – Listener Questions
8-4 Play 12/20/2024: OH HO HO HOLI-DAZE
'Tis the season for a loosey-goosey-boozy run-down of all the announcements and winners and everything from The Game Awards, including the-one-with-the-guy-who-climbs-on-the-robot-then-the-head-flies-off. Happy holidays!! Time — Topic Discussed 01:27 – Nicknames 15:16 – Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake 21:10 – DQ3 SPOILERS START! 23:42 – DQ3 SPOILERS END! 23:48 – Indiana Jones and the Gre
8-4 Play 12/6/2024: PODCAST DE GOZARRE
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue (localization CONTROVERSY!), PC Engine obscurities (the BEST game you NEVER HEARD OF!!), and checking in on Dragon Quest III HD-2D (Gabe's take will SHOCK you!!!) #smashlike #subscribe #hitthebell Time — Topic Discussed 00:55 – Nicknames 14:57 – PC-FX Talk 22:35 – Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake 27:56 – Lunar 2: Eternal Blue 35:37 – Alarmo Minute 40:54 – News: Alarmo stock, S
8-4 Play 11/22/2024: PARAGON QUEST
Join us as we journey to Aliahan (DQ3 HD-2D Remake), the Soviet Union (Tetris Forever), Hokkaido (To the North), Geoff Keighley's basement (Game Awards Nominations), and deep Kyoto for more tales from the Nintendo Museum! Time — Topic Discussed 01:15 – Nicknames 15:26 – Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake 38:00 – Tetris Forever 55:27 – News: FF14 mobile announced, Game Awards nominees, and more!
8-4 Play 11/8/2024: BREADTH OF THE WILDS
All killa no filla: Metaphor, Monster Hunter Wilds, Nintendo Music app, Vampire Survivors' Castlevania DLC, Pokémon TCG Pocket, Switch 2 news and more! 00:57 – Nicknames 04:32 – Pokémon TCG Pocket 17:56 – Monster Hunter Wilds 44:38 – Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania 49:58 – Metaphor: ReFantazio 56:10 – News: Switch 2 backwards compatibility, Xenoblade Chronicles X, and more!
8-4 Play 10/25/2024: RING THE ALARMO
Rise and shine, kids—Halloween's on the way, but not before we dabble in first impressions of Silent Hill 2, last (?) impressions of Echoes of Wisdom, and the start of our ongoing coverage of Nintendo's hot new hardware! (Alarmo, duh.) Time — Topic Discussed 01:06 – Nicknames 14:46 – Silent Hill 2 remake 24:12 – The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom 42:10 – Lunar: Silver Star Story 49:42 – World o
8-4 Play 10/11/2024: ECHOES OF SCIENCE
The TGS dust has settled and it's back to normal over here—normal as in, Nintendo announcing stuff mere hours after we record. We'll have to hit snooze on the alarm clock chatter, but we can try and keep you awake with thoughts on Echoes of Wisdom, Until Dawn, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and some news instead?? Time — Topic Discussed 00:52 — Nicknames 12:16 — The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom 26:1
8-4 Play 9/27/2024: TOKYO GAME SHOW 2024
Tokyo Game Show! State of Play! Monster Hunter Wilds! Pirates in Hawaii! Metal Gear Delta! Tons of special guests! Exclamation Points! Time — Topic Discussed 01:49 — Nicknames 06:05 — Show Floor Impressions 12:38 — Neva 15:56 — Demonschool 20:23 — Love Eternal & Nightmare Operator 24:16 — Professor Layton & Inazuma Eleven 29:30 — Monster Hunter Wilds 41:21 — Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, Space Ma
8-4 Play 9/20/2024: THE SHIBUYA BIWEEKLY PODCAST CASE: THE SHINKANSEN COMETH ~MEMORIES IN CHIBA, TEARFUL TIGHT 60~
You take the old (Dragon Slayer, Aria of Sorrow), you take the new (Astro Bot, UFO 50), you speculate and talk some news (PS5 Pro, Palworld litigation, new Switch rumors, etc.)--the podcast life. (repeat) The podcast life~ ♪ 01:11 — Nicknames 06:00 — Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow 16:20 — ASTRO BOT 26:36 — The Hokkaido Serial Murder Case: The Okhotsk Disappearance ~Memories in Ice, Tearful Figurine~
8-4 Play 9/6/2024: ARIA OF SAVINGS
Castlevanias! Eldens Rings! Some random Dragon Ball game! Nintendo stuff, oh yes! Concord stoppage, oh no! Hey! Listen!! Time — Topic Discussed 01:46 — Nicknames 10:57 — Castlevania Dominus Collection 20:14 — Elden Ring 32:50 — DRAGON BALL PROJECT: Multi 34:19 — News: Nintendo Indie World/Partner Direct recap, Sony price hike, and more!
8-4 Play 8/23/2024: IT BELONGS IN A MUSEUM
A news-heavy episode on all the happenings out of Gamescom (ok mostly just Monster Hunter Wilds, 'cause hey, it's us) and extended thoughts on the Nintendo Museum (again, what did you expect?). 01:15 – Nicknames 08:47 – News: Gamescom, the Nintendo Museum, and more!
8-4 Play 8/9/2024: I DREAM OF DEMONS
Pour a tall glass of lemonade and join us on the porch for lazy summer ramblings re: Monster Hunter Wilds, the new season of Apex Legends, and various other bits of "trash talk." Time — Topic Discussed 01:06 – Nicknames 16:46 – Apex Legends 26:55 – Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 35:00 – Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked 50:03 – News: Bungie, Game Informer, and some Monster Hunter
8-4 Play 7/26/2024: SUMMER SUMMIT
A bit of BitSummit, more Erdtree gab, Power Pros baseball banter, Nintendo World Championships chat, and (most importantly!) Garigari-kun and other tips on how to beat the Tokyo summer heat. Time — Topic Discussed 00:46 — Nicknames 17:10 — Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 34:10 — Powerful Pro Baseball 2024-2025 38:12 — News: EVO, Emio revealed, Halo TV show cancelled, and more! 53:07 — Nintendo W
8-4 Play 7/12/2024: MAXIMUM DWEEB
More of our (mostly spoiler-free) ongoing Elden Ring DLC discussion, including difficulty (or lack thereof?), vertically-challenged maps, and messaging etiquette — served up with a side of news. Time — Topic Discussed 09:04 — Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 1:08:30 — Zenless Zone Zero 1:11:04 — Pikmin 4 1:14:00 — News: GamePass price hike, Nintendo teases Emio, and more!
8-4 Play 6/28/2024: SCOOB OF THE SKEDADDLETREE
How do you pronounce "Scadutree"? Where the hell is your horse?! Wait, they fixed the map button?!? Enjoy the first of (no doubt) many Shadow of the Erdtree discussions, spoiler-free-ish. Plus: Nintendo Direct thoughts in News. Time — Topic Discussed 01:00 — Nicknames 04:48 — Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 01:02:09 — News: Nintendo's June Direct, and more!
8-4 Play 6/14/2024: VANIA MANIA
Sure, we'll talk about the heaps of new games shown at State of Play, Summer Game Fest, Xbox Games Showcase, and Day of the Devs - but first let us ruminate on Symphony of the Night, Rondo of Blood, more PC-FX stuff you've never heard of, and Alan Wake's new Night Springs DLC. What is a man, you ask? Tune in to find out! Time — Topic Discussed 00:40 — Nicknames 07:08 — PC-FX & PC-Engine 16:36 — Ca
8-4 Play 5/31/2024: MURMUR, CHANT, PRAY, PODCAST
Party up like it's 1981 as the crew delves deep into the new Wizardry remake, then straps on their Varia Suits to briefly revisit Super Metroid before wrapping up with Hellblade 2 thoughts, Square Enix news, Summer Game Fest predictions, and more. 00:37 — Nicknames 19:43 — Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord 41:04 — Super Metroid 55:28 — Senua's Saga: Hellblade II 1:01:41 — News: Dragon
8-4 Play 5/17/2024: ONE ANIMAL'S WELL
In this house we talk about video games: Animal Well, Another Crab's Treasure, and Stellar Blade, to name a few, as well as Switch 2 rumors and more in the news. Time — Topic Discussed 01:38 — Nicknames 17:25 — Animal Well 34:00 — Stellar Blade 46:12 — Another Crab's Treasure 54:49 — News: Super Famicom prototype, Microsoft, Assassin's Creed comes to Japan, and more!
8-4 Play 5/3/2024: GOING GOLD(EN)
With the gang trapped in the old hotel meat locker, they have no choice but to answer listener questions until a kindly old psychic lets them out. Oh wait, am I... I might be thinking of The Shining. Time — Topic Discussed 03:30 – Nicknames 10:32 – Hades II impressions 17:17 – Listener Q&A
8-4 Play 4/19/2024: LEAVE IT TO BEAVERS
17-Bit buddy Jake Kazdal joins us for his umpteenth 8-4 Play appearance to talk Dragon's Dogma 2 and update us on his Tears of the Kingdom journey, while Gabe dives deep into the wild and wonderful life of robot beavers. Time — Topic Discussed 01:19 – Nicknames 07:36 – Dragon's Dogma 2 16:08 – Final Fantasy VII Rebirth 29:27 – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom 33:02 – Timberborn 42:02 – Ne
8-4 Play 4/5/2024: GET OFF MY PAWN
We dragged Roy away from Dragon's Dogma 2 just long enough to get the rest of us psyched about making pawns of our own someday...once we finish FF7 Rebirth, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, and Dermot's deathly planking drills, that is. Plus news! Time — Topic Discussed 00:53 – Nicknames 11:24 – Dragon's Dogma 2 26:39 – Final Fantasy VII Rebirth 48:02 – Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road beta 56:43 – News:
8-4 Play 3/22/2024: I CAN FX HIM
Sakura buds yet / Play shy, and yet here the games / Blossom for us all / Mars After Midnight / PC-FX Weebo shit / Sand Land / Rando news / You can stop counting syllables Time — Topic Discussed 01:17 – Nicknames 15:20 – Cavern of Dreams 21:14 – Sand Land demo 27:04 – Dragon Quest XI 29:17 – JP's new PC-FX 38:34 – Mars After Midnight 56:22 – Llama Soft: The Jeff Minter Story 1:06:10 – News: PS5
8-4 Play 3/8/2024: REBIRTHDAY BASH
Four out of five 8-4 Play podcasters agree--to disagree, that is, about the early hours of FF7 Rebirth. Park yourself at the nearest Chocobo Stop and tune in for a Tight 56 of first impressions as well as all the news that's fit to…fit in the last 15 minutes or so. Time — Topic Discussed 00:50 — Nicknames 06:36 — Final Fantasy VII Rebirth 39:13 — News: Pokémon Presents, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth d
8-4 Play 2/23/2024: WE HAVE A DATE
The future waits for no one, including Nintendo Directs and shit-hot Elden Ring DLC trailers, so take a trip backwards through time with us as we kick off with thoughts on both of the above, then wind the clocks back one night to talk about (older) news, games we've been playin', and predictions for...the part of the podcast you already heard in the first half? It'll all make sense, trust us. Time
8-4 Play 2/9/2024: WIDDLY DIDDLY
Zip around town on your two-wheeled, self-balancing transporter of choice while we engage in our own high-speed chitter-chatter about Tekken 8, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, FF7: Rebirth, Microsoft and Nintendo rumors, and, well, ya know…that kinda stuff! Time — Topic Discussed 00:50 — Nicknames 10:12 — Tekken 8 20:45 — Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth 32:19 — Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth State of Pla
8-4 Play 1/26/2024: PALS WITH BENEFITS
Jeopardy categories for this episode: Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, 8-4 Play Alumni, Twilight Fan Fiction, Palworld, Weeaboo Nintendo Franchises, and Potent Portables. Time — Topic Discussed 01:03 — Nicknames 08:57 — Welcome Back, Dermot! 19:22 — Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth 32:50 — Star Ocean The Second Story R 35:39 — Another Code: Recollection 38:22 — Palworld 54:31 — News: AGDQ, Foamstars
8-4 Play 1/12/2024: DOUBLE CAST
Brand new year, same old crew...or is it?! Tune in for the exciting details of our high-octane holidays, plus random talk about hot new releases like FF14, Cyberpunk 2077, Project Zomboid, and The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky (yeah, the first one). No Gabe, no news, no promises! Time — Topic Discussed 01:14 — Holiday Recap 21:51 — Project Zomboid 30:32 — Final Fantasy XIV 32:52 — Baldur's G
8-4 Play 12/29/2023: SHOOTING STARS
You know the way you feel about work or school that last day before the holidays? This is that feeling in podcast form. (PS: The answer to Mark's TG-16 R-Type credit Q is in the podcast image.) Time — Topic Discussed 04:03 — Nicknames 10:28 — Some Christmas Stories 24:08 — Dodonpachi and Radiant Silvergun 32:59 — News: L is Real 2401, Last of Us Online Cancelled, and more!
8-4 Play 12/15/2023: GIFTWRAP IT UP
If you're in the market for four people who live in Japan talking about The Game Awards, Resident Evil 4 Remake VR Mode, and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, boy have we got a podcast for you. Time — Topic Discussed 00:44 – Nicknames 07:10 – News: The Game Awards results and announcements, PokéPark, and more! 55:04 – Resident Evil 4 Remake VR Mode 1:01:35 – Like a Dragon Gaiden:
8-4 Play 12/1/2023: FOILED AGAIN
The gang Super Jumps down memory lane with Super Mario RPG, then dips into a Sotenbori cabaret for Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, and finally drunkenly meanders home via the shady alley that is news. Time — Topic Discussed 05:00 — Nicknames 13:48 — Super Mario RPG Remake 26:59 — Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name 35:57 — News: The Last of Us 2 Remastered, Game Aw
8-4 Play 11/17/2023: WHERE IS FAIR?
A dash of SMB Wonder, a flash of Alan Wake 2, a splash of PlayStation Portal, the smash (hit) Baldur's Gate 3, and a lack of cash in Gabe's long-lost wallet. Plus, TGA nominations & a warm welcome to Baby Sheffield! Time — Topic Discussed 00:52 — Nicknames 24:26 — Super Mario Bros. Wonder 27:59 — Alan Wake 2 35:16 — PlayStation Portal impressions 40:22 — Baldur's Gate 3 49:59 — News: The Game Awar
8-4 Play 11/3/2023: WONDER-RING
Buncha jibba-jabba on SMB Wonder, Quest VR sleeper Dungeons of Eternity, and Alan Wake 2, plus Switch 2 (Too?) rumors and SHOCKING PERSONAL NEWS :red arrow emoji: Time — Topic Discussed 00:49 — Nicknames 17:17 — Super Mario Bros. Wonder 36:40 — Dungeons of Eternity 45:42 — Alan Wake 2 54:20 — ALAN WAKE SPOILERS START 54:57 — ALAN WAKE SPOILERS END 58:25 — News: Switch 2 rumors, Nintendo's new t
