Avsnitt

  • This week’s episode of The Stage Select was so out of pocket that I was surprised when I was editing it, and I was there when we recorded! Enjoy some new game talk, some fun discussions, and a strangely long talk about the WWE Forceable Entry album, for some reason.

    00:00 Giant Bomb made us liars

    19:08 Julian has another plan

    23:04 Justin is mad at WWE 2K25, Wanderstop, Wreckfest 2

    43:59 The Precinct

    01:05:17 Item Hoarders Anonymous

    01:33:18 The Midnight Walk, where did the Switch 2 hype go?

    01:54:37 Doom: The Dark Ages, Expedition 33

    02:16:40 What’s going on with all the MIA superhero games?

    02:33:33 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • We were light on games this week, mainly because Justin’s been busy and Julian hasn’t been able to put Expedition 33 down. BUT THAT’S OKAY. We had the new GTA VI trailer, the seemingly end of Polygon and Giant Bomb, and a lot of listener questions to help us along!

    00:00 Introduction, people who text a lot

    11:58 Julian has a plan

    17:23 More Expedition 33, even though Julian has more problems with it the deeper he gets, Justin’s video game ennui

    45:28 Metal Eden, Nintendo being a dick

    55:21 That new GTA VI trailer looks HOT

    01:07:35 Julian has another plan

    01:28:13 The news about Polygon and Giant Bomb

    02:03:45 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

    Check out Julian on the Street Fighter Alpha (series)

    episode of Games My Mom Found: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-r6knk-189c769

    Also listen to Julian talk about the Thunderbolts movie on

    episode 635 of The Comic Conspiracy podcast: https://comicconspiracypodcast.com/

    If you’re in New York around June you can check out John Gholson

    in the horror film Man Finds Tape: https://www.tribecafilm.com/films/man-finds-tape-2025

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

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  • After a month packed with incredible guests it’s time for Julian and Justin to take a breather and have a normal episode. Well, whatever “normal” equates to around The Stage Select studio, anyway.

    00:00 Introduction

    09:40 We have deeper thoughts on Expedition 33

    54:34 The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, Persona 4 Golden

    01:05:29 Tennis Angels EX

    01:12:57 Thunderbolts

    01:26:57 What the Xbox price increases mean for the future of gaming

    01:46:12 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • We conclude this month-long block of guests for The Stage Select with Westen from Big Nerd Gaming! The last time we spoke with him was during the final week of Game of the Year deliberations, and we wanted to make sure there wasn’t any leftover beef from that contentious list. Plenty of games in this week’s episode, so let’s jump right in!

    00:00 Introduction, muzak

    06:23 Making sure Westen is okay after Game of the Year

    14:06 Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy

    29:05 Blue Prince, Promise Mascot Agency

    50:54 Split/Fiction, an intervention for Westen

    01:01:29 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

    01:40:52 Clair Obscure: Expedition 33

    02:21:01 Justin’s had a week, Westen’s Steam Deck thoughts

    02:40:00 Closing thoughts on South of Midnight, and how Sinners is a great companion piece

    02:49:59 Hololive graduations of Mumei and Gura

    Follow Westen’s blog, Big Nerd Gaming: https://bignerdgaming.com/

    If you only watch one piece of Hololive content let it be

    Ash Again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twUFbqyul_M

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • We’re happy to finally have Eric Peacock from The Soundtracker podcast joining us! We last talked to him years ago when we were still doing Nerds Without Pants, so it was great to catch up with him after all this time. We hope you enjoy, and please check out Soundtracker!

    00:00 Introduction, George Thoroughgood

    13:18 Introducing Eric Peacock and Soundtracker for new listeners

    29:32 5 Questions with Eric Peacock

    43:19 Eric got a PS5 and has been catching up oncurrent gen in a big way (including Alone in the Dark, God of War Ragnarok,Blue Prince, and more)

    01:09:18 Unbeatable demo

    01:20:19 Julian’s week outside of gaming

    01:40:00 Suikoden II, an update on South of Midnight

    01:52:31 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

    Subscribe to the free feed of Soundtracker, and check them

    out on Patreon too! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1840875

    Listen to Julian on A Gamer Looks At 40! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1426576/episodes/16947386

    Also check out Julian on The Monarch’s Tribunal! https://youtu.be/MPvrldQRptU?si=ReVF5zHIDGgYjlib

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • Unhinged. That’s probably a good way to describe this episode. Such will happen when James and JJ from RetroFits guest on the show. But things get even sillier when they get introduced to some of the more colorful members of The Stage Select staff. Enjoy!

    00:00 Introduction, Nelly Furtado

    13:00 RetroFits is back on the air!

    22:03 Going deep on Suikoden HD Remaster

    01:16:25 Space

    01:44:33 South of Midnight, video game difficulty

    02:11:55 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

    02:22:53 Item Hoarders Anonymous

    02:37:31 Justin’s short week, Star Wars Outlaws

    Subscribe to RetroFits! https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroFitsShow

    Listen to Julian on Games My Mom Found! https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zc9e7-18727b0

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • Wow, it’s hard to believe that this is already the 50th episode of The Stage Select! It snuck up on us a bit, but we still went the extra mile for this milestone, including bringing fan favorite guest Mike Fallek back. We also had a ton to say about the Switch 2 presentation, and this episode has some surprises for you, as well! Next stop: episode 100!

    00:00 Introduction, Ohio pizza

    10:56 Random comic book talk out of nowhere

    23:51 Ask Mike anything about Avowed

    51:45 A little bit on Persona 3 Reload and Persona 4 Golden

    01:11:37 Item Hoarders Anonymous

    01:21:08 So, that Switch 2 Nintendo Direct sure happened…

    03:26:34 Psychonauts 2

    Check out Mike Fallek here: https://bigweasellilweasel.club/

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • Welcome back! We’ve got some hot new games this week, such as Inzoi and Mullett Madjack, plus Justin overshares for once! We also have some of your questions, and more, so GET INTO IT. Or don’t. That was a bit aggressive, sorry.

    00:00 Introduction, trash food

    11:13 A talk where we have about sports

    17:38 Julian’s emulation journey

    26:35 Myriad Death

    32:45 Justin had a weird week

    50:48 Inzoi

    01:22:23 Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Mullett Madjack

    01:38:26 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • Welcome back! After a couple low energy shows, this edition of The Stage Select feels normal. And by “normal” I mean “the kind of chaos you’ve come to expect”. We’ve got new games, updates on old games, movies, and more!

    00:00 Introduction, celebrating a year of The Stage Select

    11:33 Wanderstop

    34:36 Closing thoughts on Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Tape 1)

    48:00 Assassin’s Creed Shadows

    01:18:33 Return to space

    01:31:29 Julian’s day at the movies (Mickey 17, Monkey, Black Bag)

    01:59:40 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

  • Hello. It’s a pretty short (for us) show this week. Even shorter if you’re tired of hearing Julian talk about Persona 3. But it’s an episode. You can listen to it with your ears.

    00:00 Introduction, WWE music, announcement

    11:40 Julian beat Balatro, and you all suck at video games, Suikoden HD Remaster

    30:42 Julian’s week (feel free to skip to the next bit)

    52:55 Justin has turned the corner on WWE 2K25

    01:31:33 Julian’s final thoughts on Persona 3 Reload, FINALLY.

    Check out Justin on A Gamer Looks at 40! https://agamerlooksatforty.buzzsprout.com/1426576/episodes/16722479-ep-127-final-fantasy-7-part-9-the-birth-of-a-fandom-w-justin-hamm

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • Hello again. This week we only have a few games to talk about, but we had a lot to say about them.

    00:00 Introduction, remembering Michelle Trachtenberg, big announcements

    29:36 Lost Records: Bloom and Rage (Tape 1)

    01:12:12 WWE 2K25

    02:05:07 Balatro

    02:20:01 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • At last! You hear him announce our hosts each and every week, but finally, friend of the show John Gholson sits down to talk to us about…all sorts of things! You never know what you’re going to expect with The Stage Select, and this episode has everything from the woes of becoming a full-time actor, cold poutine, and Justin’s incredible restraint when it comes to the Shasta McNasty button!

    00:00 Introduction, announcements

    08:07 Getting to know John Gholson

    30:45 What John’s been playing (Avowed, Star Trek Legends, Balatro, Vampire: The Masquerade visual novels)

    01:03:55 Julian’s crazy week, remembering retail hell

    01:38:33 Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

    01:52:33 5 questions with John Gholson

    02:10:39 The closing of Monolith

    02:38:21 CQC: Comments, Questions, Concerns

    Go check out Soundtracker on Patreon and support them if you

    can! https://www.patreon.com/c/soundtracker/posts

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

  • It’s a shorter show again this week, as life really got in the way for one of our hosts, and SOMEone can’t stop modding Skyrim! The show’s gonna be a little weird(er) for a few weeks, so please bear with us!

    00:00 Introduction, announcements, big life change for Julian

    21:55 EVEN MORE (but not that much) Skyrim modding, Avowed

    57:38 Evaluating the Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set

    01:13:02 Trails in the Sky and Falcom’s approach to development, Julian’s condemnation of Persona 3’s cast

    01:39:11 An update on Julian’s Berserk journey

    01:45:37 Comments, Questions, Concerns (CQC)

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • I’m not gonna lie…this episode was almost a little over an hour. Thankfully, Sony had a State of Play this week, so we had plenty to talk about with that! Man, I can’t wait for some big games to drop…

    00:00 When the internet goes out, obscure anime, shelving Banishers, Persona 3 Reload, Dragon Quest III HD

    30:09 Justin’s Skyrim modding addiction persists

    01:05:45 At least we have the Sony State of Play to talk about!

    02:11:42 Comments, Questions, Concerns (CQC)

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • Well, we like to say that you never know what to expect each week on The Stage Select, because sometimes not even we know what to expect! This week, we mostly catch up on the games we played during the season break, and wrap up by answering some of your questions that built up while we were gone. Enjoy this very loose show!

    00:00 Introduction

    17:16 What Justin got up to over the break: Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur’s Gate 3, modding Skyrim

    01:25:32 What Julian got up to over the break: Sexbot, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

    01:51:17 Dynasty Warriors Origins, The Sims Legacy Collection, Berserk, Paradise

    02:23:51 CQC: Comments, Questions, Concerns

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

    and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • SEASON PREMIERE! It’s been six weeks since Julian and Justin got together to record The Stage Select, and we thought there was no better way to kick things off than to talk about our personal top ten lists from 2024. Sure, our game of the year deliberations had us put together a communal list, but our individual ones look quite different. It’s also time to check in on the staff at The Stage Select studio to see how they’ve been getting on during the break. It’s great to be back!

    00:00 Introduction, NANOMACHINES, SON, announcements

    12:44 Personal Top 10s: 10-7, checking in on Abramo

    01:15:46 Personal Top 10s: 6-4, thanking patrons

    01:56:30 Personal Top 10s: 3-2, checking in on Richard Harden, Private Detective

    02:28:00 Honorable mentions

    03:10:09 Checking in on Bing Bing, God of the Loom, revealing our number 1s

    A Gamer Looks at 40 is back, with their Final Fantasy VII

    series: https://agamerlooksatforty.buzzsprout.com/

    Please check out the new RetroFits YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroFitsShow

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

    and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • Hey there, folks. Well, it was a good run, but Julian and Justin have gone their separate ways, and it's time for something new. Julian is striking out on his own with a one man show.

    This surely won't be a terrible idea at all.

  • Now that the dust has settled on the 2024 game of the year deliberations, Julian thought it would be fun to take a look back at the silly bits and skits that ran during the first season of The Stage Select. Consider this a kind of behind the scenes look at how some of these dumb things were created. You may start to understand the workings of Julian’s addled brain!

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

    and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Theme song lyrics:

    What could this possibly be?

    Seems a lot like a podcast…

    Wonder what specifically?

    Talkin’ bout video games,

    With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

    Not more of the same!

    Now we’ll jump right in,

    So expect the unexpected and more.  

    Now we’ll get groovin,’

    Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

    There just might be some treasure in this chest,

    Having fun with our special guests,

    Time for Stage Select!

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • And lo, the final seal was broken, and it was time to reveal the top ten games of 2024, as decreed by The Stage Select and their special guests: Westen from Big Nerd Gaming and Xavier Kreiger! But not before we spend hours deliberating on said list!

    00:00 Introduction, game of the year nominations

    11:21 Beginning the cutting process

    01:51:49 Cutting the final 6 games to get to a list of 10

    02:59:11 Ordering the top 10, and crowning the 2024 Game of the Year

    Check out Westen’s blog, Big Nerd Gaming: https://bignerdgaming.com/

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

    and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Theme song lyrics:

    What could this possibly be?

    Seems a lot like a podcast…

    Wonder what specifically?

    Talkin’ bout video games,

    With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

    Not more of the same!

    Now we’ll jump right in,

    So expect the unexpected and more.  

    Now we’ll get groovin,’

    Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

    There just might be some treasure in this chest,

    Having fun with our special guests,

    Time for Stage Select!

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

     

  • It’s week 2 of The Stage Select’s Game of the Year deliberations! This week, James and JJ from RetroFits return to talk about some of the dumbest categories we have this year, as well as a massive talk about the best new characters of the year!

    00:00 Introduction, what happened to RetroFits

    27:20 Best New Character

    02:39:47 The Character That Impresses Shania Twain Much Award

    03:45:01 The Owen Wilson Award

    Be sure to check out RetroFits at their new channel! https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroFitsShow

    Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

    Logo and artwork by John Gholson

    Announcer: John Gholson

    Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

    and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

    Email: [email protected]

    Theme song lyrics:

    What could this possibly be?

    Seems a lot like a podcast…

    Wonder what specifically?

    Talkin’ bout video games,

    With your hosts, you’re in good hands.

    Not more of the same!

    Now we’ll jump right in,

    So expect the unexpected and more.  

    Now we’ll get groovin,’

    Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!

    There just might be some treasure in this chest,

    Having fun with our special guests,

    Time for Stage Select!

    Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions