Critical Arcade

Hosted by Nick Hendrix

LeisureInterviews guests

Website RSS feed Instagram YouTube

Episodes

157

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

About the show

Welcome to the award-winning Critical Arcade Podcast, the ultimate destination for all things gaming. Every week, our hosts Nick and Dave will be taking you on a journey through the world of video games, where they’ll be reviewing the greatest releases through time, as well as diving into the rich history of gaming. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer looking for an in-depth analysis of the newest triple-A title or a casual player looking for some nostalgia-fueled fun, Nick and Dave have got you covered. They’ll be sharing their thoughts on the biggest and best games out there, from the latest indie darling to a classic from the past. But it’s not just about the games themselves; Nick and Dave will also be discussing the industry as a whole, covering the latest news and trends, and exploring the cultural impact that video games have on our society. They’ll also be talking to some of the biggest names in the industry, from developers to streamers, and getting their insights on the world of gaming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 12, 202640 min

Norco (2022) Southern Discomfort

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick leave the bright lights behind and head deep into the humid, industrial, and downright bizarre world of Norco. After the death of her mother, Kay returns to her hometown in the swamps of Louisiana, only to discover that her brother Blake has mysteriously disappeared. What starts as a search for a missing sibling quickly spirals into a strange mystery involving a powerful petrochemical company, religious cults, mysterious robots, surveillance technology, and a town that seems to be hiding more secrets than it has residents.As they explore the decaying streets, flooded swamps, abandoned buildings, and sprawling industrial facilities of Norco, Dave and Nick will slowly uncover a story about family, grief, corporate greed, environmental destruction, and the strange ways people try to survive in a world that seems determined to leave them behind. With its gorgeous pixel art, unsettling atmosphere, dark humour, and wonderfully weird characters, Norco is equal parts detective story, southern gothic nightmare, and surprisingly heartfelt family drama.Will Dave manage to piece together the increasingly bizarre mystery surrounding Kay's family? Can Nick keep track of all the strange characters, cults, conspiracies, and robots? And most importantly, how long will it take before they both start questioning whether anything happening in Norco actually makes sense? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 24, 202646 min

RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 (2002) Nostalgia Off The Rails

Is RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 really one of the greatest management games ever made, or are we remembering it through rose-tinted glasses?This week on Critical Arcade, The List sent us back to RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, the legendary 2002 theme park simulator developed by Chris Sawyer and published by Infogrames. More than twenty years later, we revisit one of PC gaming's most influential tycoon games to see whether it still deserves its legendary reputation.We discuss everything from the complete lack of a narrative, the charming isometric visuals, authentic sound design, and the iconic custom roller coaster builder, to the surprisingly unstable performance we encountered on modern hardware. Along the way we compare it with games like Theme Park World, Planet Zoo, Zoo Tycoon 2, and the modern Two Point series to ask whether management games have simply evolved beyond RollerCoaster Tycoon 2.Most surprisingly, we couldn't even agree on the final verdict. One of us still sees a timeless classic, while the other would rather revisit Theme Park World.Do you think RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 still holds up in 2026, or has nostalgia been doing the heavy lifting all these years?🎮 New episodes every week. The List decides what we play. We decide whether history got it right.#RollerCoasterTycoon2 #RollerCoasterTycoon #ChrisSawyer #ThemePark #TycoonGames #PCGaming #RetroGaming #GamingPodcast #SimulationGames #CriticalArcade Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 16, 202654 min

Papers, Please (2013) One More Stamp

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick leave behind the power fantasies of saving kingdoms and slaying monsters to take on one of gaming's most mundane—and surprisingly stressful—jobs. As the newly appointed immigration inspector at the Grestin border checkpoint in the communist state of Arstotzka, they'll spend their days checking passports, stamping documents, interrogating suspicious travellers, and trying to spot forged paperwork before it slips through the cracks. Every mistake costs money, every fine comes out of their wages, and with a family relying on them back home, the pressure quickly begins to mount.But as the days pass, the simple routine of checking documents gives way to something far more sinister. Terrorist attacks, political unrest, underground resistance groups, and heartbreaking personal stories force them to question whether following the rules is always the right thing to do. Do they obey the state and protect their livelihood, or risk everything to help those caught in the gears of a brutal bureaucracy? Every decision has consequences, and there are no easy answers.Will Dave's soft heart bankrupt his family before the end of the month? Can Nick keep track of the ever-growing mountain of rules without accidentally letting a wanted criminal stroll into Arstotzka? And just how many times will they mutter "Papers, please" before they start saying it in real life? Glory to Arstotzka! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 3, 202653 min

Descent (1995) The Forgotten Frontier

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick descend into one of gaming's most forgotten milestones: Descent. Released in 1995, this groundbreaking shooter dared to ask one simple question: what if "up" didn't exist? Armed with a tiny spacecraft, an ever-growing arsenal of futuristic weapons, and a map that somehow manages to make you more lost, our fearless duo blast their way through twisting mines filled with rogue mining robots and enough laser fire to make any insurance company nervous.Along the way, they uncover why this little DOS game deserves far more credit than history has given it, from pioneering true 3D environments and six degrees of freedom to positional audio that could literally save your life. Will Dave finally find the exit before the reactor explodes? And will Nick ever figure out which way is actually up? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 26, 202655 min

Planet Zoo (2019) Nature, Nurture, And Numbers

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick trade apocalyptic wastelands and alien worlds for zookeeping spreadsheets as they dive into the wonderfully chaotic world of Planet Zoo. Armed with little more than a dream, a limited budget, and an alarming lack of veterinary qualifications, they set out to build the ultimate wildlife park. From designing sprawling habitats for majestic lions and playful otters to dealing with escaped animals, unhappy guests, and the ever-present threat of financial ruin, every decision could mean the difference between conservation success and complete catastrophe.Join them as they wrestle with the game's incredible attention to detail, marvel at the realistic animal behaviors, and spend far too much time trying to align paths that absolutely refuse to cooperate. Will Dave create a thriving sanctuary worthy of international acclaim, or accidentally build the world's most expensive petting zoo? And can Nick resist spending hours perfecting a single habitat while the rest of the zoo falls apart around him? Tune in to find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 18, 202658 min

SoulCalibur III (2005) Ring Outs And Rivalries

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick polish their weapons, choose their fighting styles, and step onto the stage of history once again as they dive into the world of Soulcalibur III. Set in a turbulent age where legends are forged in steel and destiny is decided by the sword, warriors from across the globe are drawn toward the cursed blade known as Soul Edge. Some seek its immense power, others wish to destroy it, but all roads lead to conflict.From the disciplined strikes of Mitsurugi and Sophitia to the unpredictable antics of Voldo and Yoshimitsu, Dave and Nick battle their way through one of the most beloved entries in the franchise. Along the way they experience the game's extensive roster, beautiful fantasy settings, and enough weapon clashes to make a blacksmith nervous. But Soulcalibur III isn't content with simply being a fighting game. The duo also venture into the ambitious Chronicles of the Sword mode, where custom-created warriors command armies, capture strongholds, and become part of an entirely new story unfolding alongside the main narrative.Will Nick spend more time creating the world's most ridiculous custom fighter than actually learning combos? Can Dave survive five minutes without button-mashing his way into defeat? And how many times will the words "just one more match" be uttered before they realize it's three o'clock in the morning?Join them as they revisit a true PlayStation 2 classic to discover whether Soulcalibur III remains a legendary warrior worthy of its reputation, or if time has finally dulled the edge of its blade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 28, 202645 min

Dear Esther (2012) Walking Through Grief

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick leave behind explosions, loot drops, and skill trees for something far stranger and far more introspective as they step onto the lonely shores of Dear Esther. Guided only by the sound of crashing waves and the voice of an unreliable narrator, they journey across a bleak and beautiful Hebridean island while uncovering fragments of letters written to a woman named Esther. What begins as a simple walk soon spirals into a deeply atmospheric mystery involving grief, guilt, loss, drunkenness, and possibly something supernatural lurking beneath the island itself.As they traverse abandoned cottages, dark sea caves, and the remains of a wrecked ship, Dave and Nick attempt to piece together a story that refuses to give easy answers. Every landmark, strange chemical diagram, and half-whispered monologue seems to hint at hidden meaning, leaving the two desperately trying to determine what is real and what exists only in the narrator’s fractured mind. Is this a ghost story? A meditation on mourning? Or just the world’s saddest hiking simulator?Along the way, Nick struggles to stop overanalysing every rock pile like it belongs in an English literature exam, while Dave slowly loses his patience trying to figure out whether the game is profound genius or deliberately messing with him. Can the pair survive a game where the greatest enemy is symbolism itself? And how many times will Nick dramatically whisper “I think the island represents death” before Dave threatens to mute his microphone? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 22, 202649 min

Crazy Taxi (2000) A Real Fare Ground

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick slam the accelerator to the floor and dive headfirst into the loud, chaotic, and gloriously unhinged world of Crazy Taxi. Trading in safe driving practices for near-death shortcuts, they hit the streets of West Coast City as a group of wildly reckless taxi drivers determined to earn the biggest fares possible by any means necessary. Whether it’s launching their cab off parking garages, drifting through packed intersections, or somehow treating public staircases as legitimate roads, every second becomes a battle against the clock, traffic, and basic human survival instincts.Along the way, Dave and Nick ferry a cast of increasingly demanding passengers across the city, all while the iconic punk soundtrack screams in the background and pedestrians dive for cover. From discovering absurd hidden shortcuts to accidentally sending their cab airborne for far longer than physics should allow, the mayhem only escalates as they chase bigger tips and higher scores. Can Dave resist the urge to obey actual traffic laws for more than thirty seconds? Will Nick spend the entire episode trying to recreate stunts that clearly were never intended by the developers? And most importantly, how many innocent lamp posts will survive their journey through one of arcade gaming’s most chaotic cities? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 13, 202650 min

Ninja Gaiden (1988) The Blueprint For Brutal

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick sharpen their blades and prepare for a brutal journey through the streets of America in Ninja Gaiden. They step into the role of legendary ninja Ryu Hayabusa after returning home to discover his father has been killed in a mysterious duel with a man named Jaquio. Following clues left behind by his father, Ryu journeys to America where he becomes entangled with the CIA, a shadowy criminal organization, and a plot involving two ancient demon statues said to hold unimaginable power. Along the way, he battles armed soldiers, mutant creatures, and an army of relentless birds that may be the game’s true final boss.As Ryu races to stop Jaquio from resurrecting an ancient evil, Dave and Nick will relive one of the NES era’s most notoriously difficult action games—complete with cinematic cutscenes that were way ahead of their time. Will Nick keep his cool when enemies respawn every two seconds? And how long before Dave starts a personal vendetta against those dive-bombing birds? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 5, 202651 min

Saros (2026) Total Eclipse Of The Heart

This week on Critical Arcade, Dave and Nick are launched into the haunting sci-fi world of Saros, where they awaken on the lost colony world of Carcosa—a planet trapped beneath a permanent eclipse and crawling with horrors that seem determined to make their stay as unpleasant as possible. Taking on the role of Arjun Devraj, a powerful Soltari Enforcer searching for answers about a vanished colony and a mysterious figure tied to his past, they’ll fight their way through shifting landscapes, crumbling alien ruins, and relentless waves of terrifying creatures that only get deadlier the deeper they go.But survival won’t come easy. In true roguelike fashion, every death resets their journey while permanently altering the world around them, unlocking new abilities, weapons, and upgrades that may—or may not—help them survive the next run. As the mystery of Carcosa begins to unravel, Dave and Nick will need quick reflexes, smart builds, and far more patience than either of them usually possesses. Will Nick become hopelessly addicted to creating the perfect build? Will Dave spend half the episode blaming the controls for his repeated deaths? And just how long will it take both of them to realise that running directly at giant alien monsters is rarely a winning strategy? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing