Swapping Joysticks

Hosted by Ben Austwick & Ed Nightingale

Technology Leisure

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Episodes

196

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Swapping Joysticks is your home for LGBTQIA+ gaming content presented by Twitch streamer Ben Austwick (BiggusBennus) and games journalist Ed Nightingale (ed_nights).

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60 recent

August 31, 2026Episode 1971 hr 55 min

Fable, GTA 6, The Witcher 3 & Blood of Dawnwalker - We're back from Gamescom 2026!

We’re back from Gamescom 2026! After a week in Cologne, we’re talking through the best games we played and saw at the show, including Fable, The Blood of Dawnwalker, The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past, Castlevania and Gears of War. We also go through the biggest announcements from Gamescom Opening Night Live, before getting into GTA VI and whether Rockstar’s latest showing has made us any more excited for what is probably going to be the biggest game ever. Plus, we look ahead to a ridiculously busy September, pick out the games worth keeping an eye on and share some of our favourite stories from Gamescom. And somewhere along the way, Ed squirts a pickle. Timestamps 00:00 - Cold Open 00:28 - Intro 01:04 - We’re back from Gamescom! 23:34 - The games we played at Gamescom 25:08 - Fable 30:02 - The Witcher 3 36:04 - The Blood of Dawnwalker 01:01:15 - Gamescom Opening Night Live 01:37:50 - GTA VI 01:41:10 - September’s biggest games ▼ Swapping Joysticks ▼ ● All previous episodes: swappingjoysticks.com ● Instagram: @swappingjoystickspod ▼ Ben’s links ▼ ● Twitch: twitch.tv/biggusbennus ● Bluesky: @biggusbennus.bsky.social ● Instagram: @biggusbennus ● Discord: Join the Discord ▼ Ed’s links ▼ ● Twitch: twitch.tv/ed_nights ● Bluesky: @ednights.bsky.social #Gamescom2026 #Fable #GTA6 #TheBloodOfDawnwalker #TheWitcher3 #GamingPodcast

August 24, 2026Episode 1961 hr 21 min

The Duskbloods Isn't What We Wanted + Gamescom 2026 Preview

The Duskbloods finally had its network test - and Ed has spent the weekend finding out exactly what FromSoftware's strange new Switch 2 exclusive actually is. Part Bloodborne, part Nightreign, part PvP game... and somehow part Mario Party. Ed breaks down how The Duskbloods works, why its combat and performance left him disappointed. Ben has started Kingdom Hearts for the first time, fallen even more in love with Splatoon Raiders, and Ed has some controversial thoughts about both Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy XIII-2. Plus, we answer your question of the week about the games you deliberately stopped playing and look ahead to Gamescom Opening Night Live, including The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Tides of Annihilation, Warlock, Fable and more. And, most importantly, we investigate whether a vampire chicken can actually suck blood. Timestamps 00:00 Vampire chickens?! 00:20 Intro 04:12 Gamescom plans 14:46 What we've been playing 20:57 The Duskbloods impressions 49:17 Question of the Week 53:50 Why Ed quit Silksong 55:09 Final Fantasy XIII-2 is atrocious 01:03:37 Gamescom 2026 preview 01:20:32 Outro ▼ Swapping Joysticks ▼ ● All previous episodes available at http://swappingjoysticks.com ▼ Ben's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/biggusbennus ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/biggusbennus.bsky.social ● Follow on Instagram - http://instagram.com/biggusbennus ● Join the Discord - http://discord.gg/biggusbennus ▼ Ed's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/ed_nights ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/ednights.bsky.social

August 17, 2026Episode 1951 hr 35 min

Star Wars Galactic Racer Impressions + What We Want From Final Fantasy XVII

This week Ben's been hands-on with Star Wars Galactic Racer, the new high-speed racer from Fuse Games and Secret Mode. We chat about its Burnout DNA, roguelike structure, spectacular crashes and whether Star Wars and arcade racing might be a perfect combination. We also look to the future of Final Fantasy and ask what we actually want from Final Fantasy XVII. Fantasy or sci-fi? Turn-based or action? Open world or linear? And does anyone actually know what a Final Fantasy game is supposed to be anymore? Also, we chat about the games we'd love to see remade - and the ones that should absolutely be left alone - old Star Wars games, fast travel, and plenty more. Plus, somehow we end up talking about bread for far longer than anyone intended. Timestamps 00:00 Cold Open 00:12 Intro 09:30 Studio Ghibli 11:56 Star Wars Galactic Racer 30:41 What We've Been Playing 48:00 Our Perfect Final Fantasy XVII 01:19:34 Kingdom Hearts 01:25:23 Games That Shouldn't Be Remade 01:31:00 Outro #StarWarsGalacticRacer #FinalFantasyXVII #StarWars ▼ Swapping Joysticks ▼ ● All previous episodes available at http://swappingjoysticks.com ▼ Ben's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/biggusbennus ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/biggusbennus.bsky.social ● Follow on Instagram - http://instagram.com/biggusbennus ● Join the Discord - http://discord.gg/biggusbennus ▼ Ed's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/ed_nights ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/ednights.bsky.social

August 10, 2026Episode 1941 hr 15 min

Beast of Reincarnation, Marvel Tōkon & The Return to Final Fantasy XIII

This week we're looking at what happens when Game Freak steps outside the world of Pokémon with Beast of Reincarnation, before getting hands-on with Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls. Ed has also dug out his PS3 to revisit Final Fantasy XIII. Has one of the series' most divisive entries aged better than its reputation suggests? We discuss its linearity, battle system, soundtrack and why some parts hold up considerably better than others. Elsewhere, we chat about Sonic Dream Team and Sonic Frontiers, the new Pokémon Pokopia DLC, Final Fantasy XIV on Switch 2, Star Wars Galactic Racer, what actually makes a great "summer game", and GTA VI's unusual Netflix reveal. Plus, Ben makes a rather embarrassing discovery about Horsea. Timestamps 00:00 Cold Open 00:19 Intro 03:42 Taskmaster Charity Special 10:43 Beast of Reincarnation 17:32 Sonic Dream Team & Sonic Frontiers 19:22 Star Wars Galactic Racer 20:49 Pokémon Pokopia DLC 30:41 Final Fantasy XIII Revisited 48:03 Final Fantasy XIV on Switch 2 54:10 What Makes a Summer Game? 01:01:41 Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls 01:06:15 GTA VI's Netflix Reveal 01:11:40 Outro ▼ Swapping Joysticks ▼ ● All previous episodes available at http://swappingjoysticks.com ▼ Ben's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/biggusbennus ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/biggusbennus.bsky.social ● Follow on Instagram - http://instagram.com/biggusbennus ● Join the Discord - http://discord.gg/biggusbennus ▼ Ed's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/ed_nights ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/ednights.bsky.social

August 3, 2026Episode 1931 hr 37 min

007 First Light vs Splatoon Raiders - Which Game Won Us Over?

We weren't expecting Splatoon Raiders to become one of our favourite games of the summer, but Nintendo surprised us. We also dive into 007 First Light, discussing why IO Interactive might have nailed the James Bond formula while still making something very different to Hitman. Elsewhere we chat about our recent trips to Barcelona and Copenhagen, cinema arguments (what's new?), the other games we're currently playing, and answer your comments on you've been enjoying recently. Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro 00:12:43 007 First Light review 00:36:48 Splatoon Raiders impressions 00:59:20 Nintendo's future for Splatoon 01:00:30 What we've been playing recently 01:21:50 Your comments: What are you playing? 01:24:27 The biggest releases in August #SplatoonRaiders #007FirstLight #NintendoSwitch2 ▼ Swapping Joysticks ▼ ● All previous episodes available at http://swappingjoysticks.com ▼ Ben's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/biggusbennus ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/biggusbennus.bsky.social ● Follow on Instagram - http://instagram.com/biggusbennus ● Join the Discord - http://discord.gg/biggusbennus ▼ Ed's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/ed_nights ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/ednights.bsky.social

May 25, 2026Episode 1921 hr 25 min

Forza Horizon 6 and Kylie Minogue

We've both been hooked by how incredible Forza Horizon 6 is. Ed, a non-racing game fan, and Ben who does dabble in them are loving this latest installment. Plus, we've both watched the latest Kylie doc and have mixed views. We also chat about games we're still playing 10 years later and ones we really ought to go back and finish. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:17:00 - Kylie Minogue documentary 00:27:20 - Forza Horizon 6 00:52:05 - SAROS 00:56:12 - What games we ought to go back and finish 01:12:20 - Are you still playing the same type of games now? 01:15:40 - Outro #ForzaHorizon6 ▼ Swapping Joysticks ▼ ● All previous episodes available at http://swappingjoysticks.com ▼ Ben's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/biggusbennus ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/biggusbennus.bsky.social ● Follow on Instagram - http://instagram.com/biggusbennus ● Join the Discord - http://discord.gg/biggusbennus ▼ Ed's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/ed_nights ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/ednights.bsky.social

May 11, 2026Episode 1911 hr 17 min

Mixtape, Star Fox, Satisfactory and difficult games

In between challenging SAROS runs, Ed's played and completed Mixtape in one sitting and he's got a lot to say about it (and all the topics surrounding it). He's also get very strong opinions about the new Star Fox designs and Ben's been in a Satisfactory shaped hole that's swallowed every second of his time. We also chat about game difficulty and which games respect your time. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:29 - Mixtape 00:32:13 - Satisfactory 00:46:47 - Star Fox 00:56:12 - Game difficulty Q of the Week 01:15:40 - Outro ▼ Swapping Joysticks ▼ ● All previous episodes available at http://swappingjoysticks.com ▼ Ben's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/biggusbennus ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/biggusbennus.bsky.social ● Follow on Instagram - http://instagram.com/biggusbennus ● Join the Discord - http://discord.gg/biggusbennus ▼ Ed's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/ed_nights ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/ednights.bsky.social

May 4, 2026Episode 1901 hr 5 min

SAROS and the hottest new games in May 2026

There's only one game we've been playing this week and it's a good one - SAROS. Ed's even had a chance encounter with Rahul Kohli himself and has obviously whizzed past Ben in the game. We also chat about games where the sequels are better than the original, as well as looking ahead at games coming out this May. Your weekly dose of gaming news, views and inane chatter. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:13:41 - SAROS 00:42:55 - Sequels better than the original 00:57:29 - Games coming out this month 01:04:14 - Outro ▼ Swapping Joysticks ▼ ● All previous episodes available at http://swappingjoysticks.com ▼ Ben's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/biggusbennus ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/biggusbennus.bsky.social ● Follow on Instagram - http://instagram.com/biggusbennus ● Join the Discord - http://discord.gg/biggusbennus ▼ Ed's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/ed_nights ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/ednights.bsky.social

April 28, 2026Episode 1891 hr 30 min

SAROS early impressions, Pragmata, and FFXIV's Evercold

Your weekly dose of gaming news, views and inane chatter. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:32 - Final Fantasy XIV - EverCold announcement 00:31:42 - SAROS very early impressions 01:05:01 - Pragmata 01:21:10 - What you've been playing 01:27:27 - Outro Thank you to PlayStation for the SAROS code. #SAROS ▼ Swapping Joysticks ▼ ● All previous episodes available at http://swappingjoysticks.com ▼ Ben's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/biggusbennus ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/biggusbennus.bsky.social ● Follow on Instagram - http://instagram.com/biggusbennus ● Join the Discord - http://discord.gg/biggusbennus ▼ Ed's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/ed_nights ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/ednights.bsky.social

April 20, 2026Episode 1881 hr 9 min

Pragmata, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream & BAFTA Games Awards winners

We've both started new games this week - Ed's a couple of hours into Pragmata, and Ben's had a few cursed hours of playing Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. We also chat through some surprising BAFTA Games Awards winners and this week's discussion is all about physical v digital games. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:09 - BAFTA Games Awards Winners 00:17:58 - Pragmata 00:26:00 - FC Pro 2 update 00:28:20 - Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream 00:43:10 - Pikmin 1 00:45:03 - Digital v Physical games 01:06:07 - Outro ▼ Swapping Joysticks ▼ ● All previous episodes available at http://swappingjoysticks.com ▼ Ben's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/biggusbennus ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/biggusbennus.bsky.social ● Follow on Instagram - http://instagram.com/biggusbennus ● Join the Discord - http://discord.gg/biggusbennus ▼ Ed's links ▼ ● Follow on Twitch - http://twitch.tv/ed_nights ● Follow on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/ednights.bsky.social