Unofficial Controller Podcast

Hosted by Unofficial Controller

Technology Leisure

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Episodes

325

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Your number one weekly gaming podcast for all the latest Sony Playstation , Microsoft Xbox , Nintendo Switch and PC News. Retrospectives , Readers Mail and Industry Chat.

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60 recent

June 14, 2026Episode 3232 hr 22 min

The Switch 2 Is Eating Everyone’s Lunch

Send us Fan MailThe Switch 2 is starting to feel less like a side console and more like the place where everything shows up, and that changes the whole mood of a gaming week. We’re coming in hot off our own playtime too: Forza Horizon 6 swallowing hours, Outbound delivering the kind of calm “camp, craft, and breathe” loop you can keep installed forever, plus early thoughts on 007 First Light and a surprisingly sticky return to Mass Effect Legendary Edition. On the nostalgia front, Donkey Kong 64 landing on Switch Online hits hard, even if modern button mapping reminds you the N64 era had its own kind of chaos.Then we get into the main event: Nintendo Direct reactions with a wide-angle look at what Summer Games Fest season is really saying. We talk Switch 2 ports, performance trade-offs, and why day-and-date releases matter so much more than arguing about a few visual downgrades. If you’ve been waiting for the handheld to get “real console” support, this is the kind of lineup that makes people look twice, whether you’re Nintendo-only or you already own everything else.We also pull on two threads that matter beyond hype. First, we finally explain why South Korea keeps “leaking” unannounced games: it’s largely GRAC and the Game Industry Promotion Act forcing ratings info into public view. Second, we react to Xbox leadership outlining five hard realities and a “next 100 days” business reset, from shrinking margins and rising hardware component costs to overextended studios and platform infrastructure problems, plus what that might mean for exclusives, Game Pass, and future hardware plans like Project Helix.If you enjoy straight-shooting gaming news with real opinions, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.Support the showJoin our fantastic discordhttps://discord.gg/v7RFSUcGIf link has expired then message us at questions@unofficialcontrollerpodcast.comor DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.Cheers gamers!Subscription Tiers$3Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet up$5Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merch$8Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mug$10 Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mugYearly art merch t-shirtThanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.

June 7, 2026Episode 3222 hr 0 min

PS5 State Of Play Reactions With Wolverine Hype And God Of War Alpha Debate

Send us Fan MailWolverine finally steps out of rumor land and into real gameplay, and it immediately raises the bar for what we expect from PS5 action. George is joined by returning Bobby and OG for a full reaction to PlayStation’s State of Play June 2026, and we don’t just list trailers. We pull apart what looks finished, what feels like smoke and mirrors, and what actually sounds fun when the controller is in your hands.God Of War Freya sparks a proper debate, from the “coming soon” messaging to the bigger question of whether Santa Monica is building a wider God of War universe through an afterlife setting. We also dig into Until Dawn 2 and why horror sequels keep happening even when nobody asked for a number on the box, plus Silent Hill Townfall’s first-person approach and the vibe shift that comes with it. On the hype side, Wolverine’s movement, healing, and cinematic pacing have us way more optimistic than we expected, especially after feeling a bit jaded by recent big sequels.Then we zoom out to the business and the reality of modern gaming: PS5 pricing, Xbox Series X|S UK sales jumping with a Forza boost, and the uncomfortable truth that exclusives still sell hardware even in a multi-platform world. We close with Elden Ring Tarnished Edition landing on Switch 2, what “full price” means when DLC is included, and whether any of us would actually replay a masterpiece just because it’s portable.If you like smart gaming talk with jokes that don’t kill the analysis, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more players can find us.Support the showJoin our fantastic discordhttps://discord.gg/v7RFSUcGIf link has expired then message us at questions@unofficialcontrollerpodcast.comor DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.Cheers gamers!Subscription Tiers$3Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet up$5Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merch$8Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mug$10 Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mugYearly art merch t-shirtThanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.

May 31, 2026Episode 3211 hr 31 min

Modern Warfare 4 Hits Switch 2 As Steam Deck Prices Jump

Send us Fan MailCall of Duty Modern Warfare 4 on Switch 2, a Steam Deck price hike that makes your wallet flinch, and a fresh rumor that Witcher 3 is getting a full-blown expansion sized like Phantom Liberty. That is the kind of week that forces a real question: are we heading into a future where gaming gets better, or just more expensive?We start with the stuff that actually fills our nights, from Ball X Pit on Switch 2 and why its speed and run loop gets dangerously addictive, to Hades 2 nearing the finish line, plus the surprise “why is this so good?” pull of Lego Batman. George then takes us on a story-time detour through Kingdom Come Deliverance, where one quest turns into a chaotic night out and the kind of consequences only an RPG can deliver. We also get into Knights of the Old Republic on Switch 2, including that endgame pressure where every door feels like it opens into another squad of enemies.From there we hit the news: Modern Warfare 4 landing day-and-date on Switch 2 and what that signals for Nintendo players who want major franchises without feeling left behind. We debate the Steam Deck price increase, the weird reality of this console generation where prices go up instead of down, and whether graphics have basically peaked for most of us already. Finally, we dig into the Witcher 3 expansion talk and wrap with some old-school joy as Donkey Kong 64 joins Nintendo Switch Online.If you enjoy smart gaming chatter with a lot of personality, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review. What headline matters more to you right now: Switch 2 getting COD, Steam Deck getting pricier, or Witcher 3 getting new life?Support the showJoin our fantastic discordhttps://discord.gg/v7RFSUcGIf link has expired then message us at questions@unofficialcontrollerpodcast.comor DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.Cheers gamers!Subscription Tiers$3Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet up$5Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merch$8Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mug$10 Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mugYearly art merch t-shirtThanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.

May 25, 2026Episode 3201 hr 38 min

Ball’s to Xbox ?

Send us Fan MailA classic RPG throws us into court twice, Sony quietly trademarks a new PS5 name, and Embracer keeps rearranging the board like it’s playing 4D chess with the entire games industry. George and Bobby are back together and we start with the fun stuff: what we’re playing when time is tight. Bobby is grinding Hades 2 in bite-sized runs, sneaking in Nine Lives to Defend for that Vampire Survivors energy, and we both get pulled into the odd charm of Vampire Crawlers, a first-person deckbuilding dungeon crawler that feels like an old 80s maze with modern roguelike hooks.Then George tells the latest chapter of his Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic journey, including the kind of legal “you’re under arrest” chaos only KOTOR would dare to spring on you after a totally reasonable amount of Sith-related explosions. From there we hit the headlines: Embracer Group’s plan to spin off Fellowship Entertainment and what that means for major IP like Lord of the Rings and Middle-earth, Tomb Raider, Kingdom Come Deliverance, and a long list of fan-favorite dormant series. We also build the ultimate wish list for a modern Lord of the Rings video game, aiming for a grounded open-world RPG that feels like a dangerous journey instead of a checklist.On the platform side, we react to Sony’s PS5 trademark for Break In and talk frankly about PlayStation’s live service push, why Helldivers 2 hit, and why so many similar games bounce off players. We close by looking at Xbox hiring analyst Matthew Ball to strengthen the console business as Project Helix approaches, and why real competition still matters for prices, features, and exclusives.If you’re into gaming news, industry strategy, PlayStation vs Xbox debates, and RPG war stories, you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review with your dream Lord of the Rings game pitch.Support the showJoin our fantastic discordhttps://discord.gg/v7RFSUcGIf link has expired then message us at questions@unofficialcontrollerpodcast.comor DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.Cheers gamers!Subscription Tiers$3Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet up$5Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merch$8Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mug$10 Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mugYearly art merch t-shirtThanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.

May 20, 2026Episode 3191 hr 18 min

He’s Back: Bobby Returns | UCP Special

Send us Fan MailBobby’s back in the chair with the best kind of life update: he’s a new dad, and somehow he’s still finding time to game. We talk about what that really looks like in practice, from sleep regressions and bedtime routines to the simple strategy that keeps his hobby alive: pick the right games for the right moments, and don’t pretend you’re still living in a pre-baby schedule.From there we get straight into the backlog and the highlights. Bobby breaks down Reanimal vs Little Nightmares 3, celebrates his 400th platinum with Astro Bot, and explains why roguelikes have become his sweet spot. We also dig into Hades 2 and how the new character and magic-focused combat changes the flow, plus why the story structure keeps pulling you into “one more run.” If you’re curious about the PlayStation Portal, we revisit our original skepticism and admit the cloud streaming update changes the whole conversation, especially for PlayStation Plus Premium users with strong Wi-Fi.Then we go where gaming podcasts are supposed to go: the hot takes. Sons Of Sparta gets a deep dive, Spider-Man 2 gets called out for losing momentum and undercutting its villains, and we wrestle with that bigger feeling a lot of PS5 players know too well: burnout, even when the graphics are stunning. We close with the Pragmata demo surprise, dream remakes like classic God of War and Manhunt, and a wild side chat about what modern media ratings allow. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review, what game recently made you feel that “magic” again?Support the showJoin our fantastic discordhttps://discord.gg/v7RFSUcGIf link has expired then message us at questions@unofficialcontrollerpodcast.comor DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.Cheers gamers!Subscription Tiers$3Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet up$5Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merch$8Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mug$10 Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mugYearly art merch t-shirtThanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.

May 17, 2026Episode 3181 hr 41 min

Have Graphics Peaked Or Are We Just Finally Satisfied

Send us Fan MailA game gets a 10 out of 10 and the internet turns feral. We start with Mixtape, the “walking simulator” lightning rod, and talk through what it actually delivers: a nostalgic, music-led narrative with just enough interaction to keep you moving, plus a bigger point about why review scores get treated like verdicts instead of opinions. If you’ve ever looked at a rating and felt your blood pressure spike, you’ll recognize the whole cycle and maybe rethink what “perfect” even means for a genre. Then we shift from vibes to systems with Pragmata Sketchbook, a demo that feels like a real vertical slice. Once the combat loop clicks, it becomes the kind of repeatable run that’s easy to boot up, experiment with, and obsess over. From there, George falls back into Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic on Switch, rediscovers why it’s legendary, and re-learns the oldest RPG lesson the hard way: save early, save often. On the news front, Sony’s PS5 Welcome Hub beta is teasing Steam-like visibility with weekly player counts and trending surges, which leads to a debate about whether the home screen should be cleaner or more data-rich. We also unpack Ken Levine’s take on graphics diminishing returns, stylized art direction, and why chasing photorealism can be an expensive trap. And yes, we hit Hell Let Loose Vietnam, why Vietnam FPS games are oddly rare, and how jungle maps and riverboat chaos could make this one a clip machine. If you enjoyed the ride, subscribe, share the show with a gaming friend, and leave a review so more people can find us. What game score has made you feel personally attacked?Support the showJoin our fantastic discordhttps://discord.gg/v7RFSUcGIf link has expired then message us at questions@unofficialcontrollerpodcast.comor DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.Cheers gamers!Subscription Tiers$3Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet up$5Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merch$8Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mug$10 Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mugYearly art merch t-shirtThanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.

May 10, 2026Episode 3172 hr 0 min

Sony Burned HOW Much on This?!

Send us Fan MailMicrosoft Flight Simulator landing on PSVR2 is not just a curiosity, it’s a genuine “wait, why is this so good?” moment. We’re talking cockpit presence, Sense controller switch-flipping, 3D audio, and that sweaty high-stakes feeling you only get when VR turns a small mistake into a full-body panic. I walk through the messy first impressions, the key settings tweaks, and why the career mode structure makes the whole thing addictive on PS5 Pro and still compelling flat-screen.Before we hit the headlines, we swap hands-on thoughts on two demos with totally different vibes. Pragmata delivers sharp sci-fi action with a satisfying hacking grid that slows time and creates a clean combat rhythm, plus a real-world comparison of Switch 2 versus PS5 that surprised us with how close the experience feels. Outbound goes the other direction: a cozy camper-van road trip where the best moment might be sitting inside during the rain, and we can’t stop saying the same thing, this genre is begging for VR.Then we dig into the big business question of the week: Bungie and Sony. We break down what an impairment loss actually signals, why live service strategy keeps blowing up, and what Marathon’s traction says about the risk of chasing the next forever game. We round it out with PlayStation’s preservation team spotlight and a Switch sales check-in as Nintendo inches toward the PS2 record while price hikes threaten the finish line.If you enjoyed the ride, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review. What’s the one game you wish every publisher would preserve forever?Support the showJoin our fantastic discordhttps://discord.gg/v7RFSUcGIf link has expired then message us at questions@unofficialcontrollerpodcast.comor DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.Cheers gamers!Subscription Tiers$3Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet up$5Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merch$8Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mug$10 Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mugYearly art merch t-shirtThanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.

May 3, 2026Episode 3161 hr 41 min

PlayStation Charges Players More, Xbox Struggles To Make Money

Send us Fan MailRefurbished PS5 consoles just got $100 more expensive, and that single move says a lot about where console gaming is headed. We (Georgie and RGT) kick things off with what we’ve been playing, including Infamous Second Son not quite clicking, a surprisingly addictive budget zombie driving game, FIFA career mode obsession, and a first hour with Coral Island on PS Plus. If you’ve ever tried a new cozy farm and life sim and immediately felt the gravitational pull back to Stardew Valley, you’re not alone.From there we dig into the big consumer story: rising PlayStation 5 prices and what it means when even “refurbished” stops being the affordable option. We talk digital vs physical games, how cloud saves and instant downloads change buying habits, and why these price jumps can push more players toward PC gaming and Steam libraries.We also hit two headlines that capture the extremes of the industry. Final Fantasy VII’s director says he’s already completed over 40 full playthroughs of the third game, which is equal parts reassuring and slightly unhinged. Meanwhile, Microsoft says Xbox is recommitting to core fans as revenue falls, and we debate whether that’s real momentum, narrative management, or the start of a long rebuild.If you enjoy gaming news with real talk, chaotic banter, and practical takes on price, value, and what to play next, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review. What’s your line in the sand: would you pay today’s prices for a refurbished PS5 or are you done?Support the showJoin our fantastic discordhttps://discord.gg/v7RFSUcGIf link has expired then message us at questions@unofficialcontrollerpodcast.comor DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.Cheers gamers!Subscription Tiers$3Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet up$5Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merch$8Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mug$10 Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mugYearly art merch t-shirtThanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.

April 26, 2026Episode 3151 hr 38 min

Switch 2 already getting left behind

Send us Fan MailXbox rarely says the quiet part out loud, but this week they come close. George and RGT unpack a massive leadership statement that admits real pain points, from pricing fatigue to a fragmented console experience, plus a sharper focus on PC, cloud gaming, and what “daily active players” means for the future of the Xbox platform and Game Pass. We talk about what sounds like genuine course correction, what still feels like corporate fog, and what we actually want to see if Xbox is serious about rebuilding trust. Then we zoom back in to the games themselves, because the best way to judge any platform is how it feels in your hands. We dig into Switch 2 boost mode and how it can make older Nintendo Switch games feel newly playable, including Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag through the Rebel Collection. We also react to Ubisoft’s Black Flag Resync plans for 2026, the surprise confirmation that the original release will not be delisted, and the trade-offs of losing multiplayer and DLC in favor of a pure story-driven adventure. To round it out, we do what we do best: swap honest “what we’ve been playing” notes and surface a proper hidden gem. RGT brings The Good Old Days, a retro Metroidvania with Goonies energy, quick restarts, and multiple endings. Along the way we hit Infamous Second Son impressions, a PS3 throwback with Turning Point, and a bit of Sega Universe speculation about reviving classics like OutRun and Streets of Rage. If you like gaming podcasts that mix real-world platform strategy with grounded game talk, subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with a friend who still has a soft spot for the classics.Support the showJoin our fantastic discordhttps://discord.gg/v7RFSUcGIf link has expired then message us at questions@unofficialcontrollerpodcast.comor DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.Cheers gamers!Subscription Tiers$3Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet up$5Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merch$8Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mug$10 Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mugYearly art merch t-shirtThanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.

April 19, 2026Episode 3141 hr 47 min

Lana del Ney ! - 007 First Light theme reveal

Send us Fan MailOLL 26 in Norwich hits that rare sweet spot where a retro gaming event feels both exciting and genuinely comfortable. We talk about why the Epic Studios venue gave off a GamesMaster-style studio vibe, how John and the team kept everything running smoothly, and what it’s like when listeners travel in just to hang out, talk games, and share a pint. We also break down the setups that drew the biggest crowds, including a live Challenge Accepted station built around Final Fantasy IX on a PS1 CRT, plus the on-stage Console Wars showdown and where you can watch the filmed version.Then we get back to what we’re actually playing, bouncing between PS3, PS2, and modern oddities. RGT finishes Infamous 2 and explains why it’s a stronger sequel, then raves about Thank Goodness You’re Here as a sharply written British comedy game with Yorkshire flavor. George confesses to a Game Dev Story relapse, checks in on Clair Expedition 33, and falls hard for Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition after a bargain pickup, before giving a brutally honest update on the chaotic curiosity that is Seven Sins.The news gets spicy: we unpack Samson’s roadmap and its 2026 console release window, debate the Neo Geo Plus AES and the red flags around preorders and value comparisons, and react to Lana Del Rey releasing the official theme for 007 First Light. If you care about retro gaming, gaming community, PS2 and PS3 recommendations, and consumer skepticism, you’ll feel right at home. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves retro, and leave a review with the strangest game you’ve ever bought.Support the showJoin our fantastic discordhttps://discord.gg/v7RFSUcGIf link has expired then message us at questions@unofficialcontrollerpodcast.comor DM us on instagram or X and we'll send you an invite.Cheers gamers!Subscription Tiers$3Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet up$5Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merch$8Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mug$10 Name read out on every showAccess to unglorious chat section of discordQuarterly Zoom meet upA single item of yearly limited art merchYearly art merch mugYearly art merch t-shirtThanks to all who subscribe, it means the world to us and really helps us keep the shows going.