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Submit Your Question For The MinnMax Show Podcast (Patreon)

Published:
2026-10-20 17:28:59
Imported:
2026-11
Tags:

Content

FYI - New Show Plus this week due to scheduling issues won't be posted until later this week, most likely Sunday. In the meantime, you can watch Sarah and Haley continue their fun journey though Resident Evil 5 - https://youtu.be/Su9FtCcg1KI

This week for community questions on the podcast, we'll have Ben Hanson, Sarah Podzorski, Haley MacLean, and [MYSTERIOUS GUEST COHORT]. It's your turn to make the show better by leaving a question, news story, BetterQuest goal, or anything else for us to read on the show as a comment below! We’ll choose our favorite and iam8bit will ship out the great prize below for the winner! We'll stop pulling questions around 8am Central on Wednesday.

On this week’s episode we’ll be talking about...

  • Planet Zoo 2

  • Final Fantasy Resonance

  • Welcome to Elderfield

  • Penguin Colony

  • Thank You Bus Driver

  • Car Park Capitol

  • Jackbox Party Pack 12

  • Trivia Murder Party 3

  • Resident Evil 5

Everybody at the Backstage Pass tier can watch us record the show live on Wednesday at 3pm Central, with an exclusive pre and post show. The unedited archive will be available to view after the fact. You could do us a favor by subscribing to the audio version of the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app, telling a friend, leaving a review, and subscribing to our YouTube channel!

https://apple.co/3lRbzbE

https://www.youtube.com/minnmax

You can also find the Hyper Light Drifter vinyl for sale in iam8bit’s online store, and you can use the promo code COSTUMEQUEST for 10% off everything under $100. Psst… please don’t post that promo code anywhere else on the internet. It’s a MinnMax-exclusive thing. https://www.iam8bit.com/collections/all

Files

Comments

Mike R.

Hey MinnMax, a question I've been contemplating regarding Toy Story movies. Do you ever think Pixar will ever release a Toy Story movie in which the humans in the movies have discovered and unfolded that the "toys" in the movies are in fact sentient/alien, leading to the discovery of the first alien encounter and/or answering the question that we are not alone in the universe.

Toby Martin

Partly BetterQuest goal partly question. I’ve been dealing with some stressful stuff lately with one being a driving test that I spent a year and a half waiting for and getting anxious about and then it got cancelled a few days before doing it and have to wait until the end of December for it. Because of that I’ve neglected what used to be my daily walks and been snacking a bit more regularly so my BetterQuest goal as it’s getting colder out which I like is to walk a mile a day along a hilly path near where I live while listening to a podcast (maybe some MinnMax 😉) but also cut out all snacks unless watching a movie. Know America weather can be a bit more extreme on both ends compared to the UK but do you prefer walking when it’s warm or cold? Even with plenty of iced water and shade if it’s warm I get tired and aching but in the cold I feel fine/more energetic. Know Ben doesn’t like super long questions so sorry if mine is, haven’t written in for awhile and know it’s a bit yapping 😅

Josh Lamm

What is an iconic set piece in a video game you would like to see realized as a full Lego set?

Travis in Fargo

If you’re going to jump into a longstanding video game series that’s new to you, what’s the best way? Start with the first game, the worst game, the best?

Travis in Fargo

What breakfast cereal is a metaphor for grief?

Jacob Mazanowski

What’s something you’ve always wondered ”why” about? Why does the water have to stop when I open the door to my fridge?

Neal McMahon

Hey MinnMax! On last week’s episode, someone brought up Freaky Friday, and it got me thinking. For each of the cohorts, who would you most want to switch places with, and who would you least want to switch with? Alternatively, which two cohort members would you most want to see swap places for a day? I feel like there could be some hilarious combinations!

IdentityCrisis

Quick! Rockstar needs you to pitch an expansion for GTA6 that reuses as many assets as possible. What do you pitch?

Axel Jrpg

Hello Minn and Max, I’m going to a Halloween party this weekend and am wondering what costume I should wear. Is it better to go for something generic and easy to identify or something more specific and niche that I’ll have to explain to anyone that asks? What are the pros and cons for either? Thanks!

Joe Dean

It's coming up on Halloween, so do you guys have any fond or memorable Halloween stories? (Parties, pranks, trick-or-treating, etc.)

Josh Elliot

Would you consider yourself a good cook/baker? What's the "signature dish" you like to cook? I'd also like to nominate a New Show Plus idea focused on baking called "Get a Loaf of This"? The pun writes itself.

Ryan Blaquiere

How do you psych yourself up to do something you don't want to do?

Jarell Pryor

Hey cohorts! I'm loving Galactic Racer, and just got a campaign tour where I placed 1st in every race. (Didn't realize it along the way, just played my best every race) I haven't had the chance to game as much recently, so it was a big reminder of how satisfying in-game accomplishments can feel. My question is: Am I certifiably cool now? Playing games too much and losing is for nerds, but playing a bunch and winning is what cool people do!

Bill

Hey MinnMax. I make unconventional pizzas, some of my favorites have been turkey-stuffing-cranberry sauce, ramen noodle with spicy mayo, and salmon with cream cheese. What recommendations do you have for further pizza crimes I can commit?

mapleviolet

a quiz: do you want to guess the ten games metacritic categorizes as 2026 releases that scored higher than a 90? i find it a really confounding list of games

Juniper Cain

Hi all! You’ve been hit by a terrible curse, for the rest of your days you can only wear Gamer Clothes of a specific company and the games associated with their brand. The Witch that cursed you at least lets you choose which company though, so what’s going to be your newfound style? Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, or another wildcard pick?

Sam Worms

Happy fall y’all. What’s your go-to soup and sandwich combo?

Ian

Which game has the best array of accents in it ?

Alpaca chino

Hi Minn Max! What gaming sound/soundbite is the most iconic for you? I sometimes whistle the victory chime from Final Fantasy if I feel like I get a win during the day. Cheers!

Nathan Ryer

Hey MinnMax! What is the best source of caffeine to fuel a long gaming session?

landsealion

What can/should indie devs do to improve their chances of success in the age of cheap AI knockoffs? For a long time, the advice was to build a community around your game, but now people can easily ripoff their games and release a cheap knockoff. Some devs are even scared of putting out demos.

JHerb

Weird question incoming. What's your favorite source of fiber? Given the rise in colon cancer diagnoses amongst millennials, I've been attempting to be more cognicent of gut health. Is oatmeal our savior?

Ace Wombat

Hey MinnMax, I've got a question for Haley. Anybody that boots a digital game that they've purchased and downloaded from the PlayStation store is no longer within their rights to request a refund however, a games user agreement, terms of service etc cannot be viewed until a game is booted. What if someone simply refuses to accept because they don't agree with something in the agreement? Do they have a leg to stand on when it comes to appealing for a refund? I'm just trying to prepare us for the all-digital hellscape we're willingly spiralling towards. Thanks and have a great day

Caleb Ward

Hi there! During a busy release season (like right now), do you find yourself playing games out of obligation just so you can cover as many new releases as possible? Does that tension make it difficult to assess each game on its merits? How do you respond when/if you feel mental pressure to play?

mapleviolet

answer which reveals the switch 2 has confounded what it means to be released in 2026: sektori, witcher 3 remastered, re2 deluxe, big walk, doom the dark ages revelations, forza horizon 6, elden ring tarnsihed edition, mina the hollower, trails 2nd chapter, and roger

Daniel Green

Hey cohorts, With physical games going away in just over a year, I assume it’ll be harder to find some games for a good price. If you have a collection of games, what’s the rarest or most uncommon game you have? Thanks! - Dang

matteo

Hey Haley, I love hearing you discuss video game law, but I wonder—do you like answering legal questions on the show, or does it feel too much like work?

matteo

I have a problem where I want to have all my games in one playable catalog as much as possible, and so I’ll default to buying games on Steam instead of on any console I have, even though I’m theoretically not a fan of the monopoly Valve has on the PC market. Maybe this is a better question for a therapist, but how do I get myself over the appeal of that convenience?

matteo

How do you make a tissue dance?

CrabPalace

My partner is disinterested in anything supernatural in media. This makes it surprisingly hard to find any games they're interested in. What's the best game grounded in realism, and why are there so few of them?

Travis in Fargo

Never have I ever: beaten a Sonic game, cried at a video game, played a video game outdoors, had a crush on a video game character, lied about playing a video game on a podcast, damaged a piece of video game hardware in frustration or jubilation, had a supernatural experience, placed in the top 3 in a video game tournament, worn underwear on my head, pooped my pants after the age of 18, been accidentally intoxicated at a work event.

matteo

You put a little boogie in it.

nerd

For those with pets, have you chosen costumes for them for Halloween

John Scovic

Hey everyone, quick question: Have you ever wondered what it would be like if a community game jam went for 5 years and it was called MinnHax and it was taking place through the whole month of November in the MinnMax discord? MinnHax 5 is here! It's a beginner-friendly community game jam where anyone of any skill level can sign up, find a team, and make a game in one month! More details in the #community-dev-and-coding channel on the discord!

Alon Zwick

Hi MinnMax, I just had a plumber come out and fix a draining issue I had with my Dishwasher. After the job was done I asked him if this was something I could have fixed and he told me "Everyone is born a plumber, some of use just get some extra schooling" followed by "just getting a plumber will save you going back and forth between Home Depot 5 times and doesn't risk you breaking something more expensive to fix." This got me thinking, has anyone on the pod ever started a home maintenance or home improvement project they had no business starting and paid the price for their hubris?

Troy Ellison

Hey Minnmax, in honor of Penguin Colony's release, what is your favorite game heavily featuring/starring your favorite animal? I haven't gotten to try the full game yet, but based on the demo I'm very excited to experience a cosmic horror game where I also get to derp around as a bunch of penguins.

K-Ham

Most other tech device usually comes in a few colorways - a few neutrals, a sophisticated pop color, and a wacky pop color. But it seems that video game consoles have strayed away from the see-through cosmic purple and red Gameboy SPs of our childhood days. Why do you think this is, and would you buy a pop color over a neutral color console today?

Travis in Fargo

What classic monster (mummy, Frankenstein, Dracula, black lagoon guy) would be the best protagonistfor a video game? How would you translate their characteristics and abilities into video game mechanics?

Josh Lamm

I have a couple tangential thoughts on this: #1: I'm so glad that they "Jumped the shark" in the first movie (the toys revealing themselves to a human) and have the restraint of not doing it again in later films. #2: The original script of Toy Story 3 script (the Buzz recall storyline) has the founder of the Taiwanese toy company talking to Woody and the gang "come on I know you can understand me" because when he was a kid he saw his toys come to life. That's why he started his toy company.

MeatCastle GameWare

With the crew finishing up the Deepest Dive on Control Resonant and the release of Final Fantasy Resonance this week, it begs the question: If you could have the Remedy-verse crossover with a non-Remedy franchise, which one would it be?

Jump On Everything

How much does legacy matter to you when reviewing or gathering your feelings on a game that is very different from what came before? I'm taking about games like banjo kazooie nuts n bolts where on its own it's a solid game but it being such a significant departure from the original games leads to some people inherently hating it.

HEEL/FACE Magazine

Hey not a question but I was at a bar in Tokyo last week and when I said I was from Seattle the bartender asked me if I knew who Kelsey Lewin was and if I listened to Minnmax. Small world to just be running into other listeners on the other side of the planet. Shout out to Kyle at Pintology in Tokyo!

Michael Rohrssen

what gaming level do you have the best memories of? For me it's probably King Row in overwatch :)

ABrownSpot

Through a series of events, MinnMax is outwardly a 50% women led outlet. Would you like to take a second and brag about how this makes you better than everyone else?

Josh Lamm

When I was in High School, I came to school one Halloween having shaved my head and in a white t-shirt with the word "bald" written on it. Which category does this fit into?

Shane Burns

Last winter I had a daughter and named her Claire. If I have another kid this year, which 2026 GOTY contender should I name them after?

Blobarsmartin

I made pasta sauce with monster energy today. What’s your most out there spontaneous kitchen experiment that turned out surprisingly good?

Adam Leader

You've been tasked with making a planet/tycoon type game. Zoos and rollercoasters are taken already sorry. What is your theme and what is your hook to breakthrough in the market?

Mason Parker

Every year I look forward to the end of the year debates, but for a reason most people probably dont. I have never minded spoilers, for anything really. This makes the best moments and spoiler sections of the end of the year debates a way for me to second hand experience the coolest part of games without having to do any of the actual playing, because the truth is I just dont have time these days to play everything! So my question is, do yall listen to spoiler casts of things that you havent played or watched?

Aging_Poorly

Settle a bet: is it rude or morally wrong to give out different amounts of candy to teens based on how much effort they put into their costume? What about preteens? Children?

Edern

No question, just some love for Star Wars Episode I: Racer. Please keep talking about it! Oh…. it made me think of a question: why do you think certain genres, like racing games (even with story and rogue-like gameplay), will never win Game of the Year at the major awards? And which other genres would you put in that 'never gonna win’ group? 👀

tehzib_sm

To the Mysterious Guest Cohort (spooky), what is a game you have played recently that the other cohorts haven't played (but really really should)?

Travis in Fargo

If there were a horror movie tailored to your specific worries, anxieties, and fears, what would the name and story of the movie be?

Jeeo Banogy

Hey Minnmaxers! Does World of Warcraft forever pique anyone's interest? Horizontal progression sounds fascinating to slap onto the WoW brand, but how long do you think they can keep it up? I'm morbidly curious about the game, but I'm not sure if I want to dive back into a WoW sub. Any cohorts considering jumping in?

Mike Sweet

Hey MinnMax, I have a combo BetterQuest goal and a question. My BetterQuest goal is to keep up my nightly walks as the New Hampshire weather gets colder and continue listening to audiobooks during said walks. Currently I'm listening to The Lord of Rings books after finishing the Hobbit. I dove into the franchise after getting into Magic the Gathering when The Hobbit "Universes Beyond" set was the most recent one and it in got me to watch the movies, listen to the books, and overall learn about the world of Middle-Earth. This leads me to my question...is there a property or anything that could crossover or team-up with something you already enjoy that could get you to look deeper into it, whether it be a book, movie, etc? Thank you!

Floof Queen Emily

Recently I learned that a Nintendo DS port of Myst exists. This means that somewhere out there, someone's only experience with Myst is on the DS. Have you or anyone you know ever played an all time classic game via an unconventional port?

Christian Hall

Hey MinnMax! I’ve been thinking… what’s the difference between Mario and Super Mario? Is there a difference? What would it mean for Nintendo to make a Mario game, without the Super?

Dill Pickles

Howdy Minnmax! In what year will the final Call of Duty game be released?

robin cotton

Does anyone else take a long time putting on their second sock? Like, you're getting dressed and everything is proceeding normally and you put your first sock on and then you just have to p...a...u...s...e and sit there a while and let time pass right through you for a while?

Fancygraham

I recently went to Newfoundland and Labrador for the first time and was reminded there’s some funny town names in Canada. Which ones are real and which are fake: Moose Knuckle: fake (but there is Moose Jaw) Climax: real (apparently named after Climax, Minnesota), Stoner: real Sober Island: real Romulus: fake (but there is a Vulcan) Dildo: real (which inspired this list)

Owen Badgley

Hey MinnMax! What’s the Halloween costume that you’re the most proud of?

Brian W

Costume Quest is my favorite double fine game, but I’ve never played the sequel. I finally picked it up on steam this month and will right this wrong! Do you have any games you love but never played their other entries?

Dill Pickles

Howdy Minnmax! What’s a game with an awful control scheme that you still love?

RynaGoGo

Howdy MinnMax! Will you ever drink from a liquor ice luge again? I personally did a few times in college but that was almost 20 years ago and I haven’t even seen one since! Is the luge a young persons game or will you be revisiting it in the future? In the next 10 years? 20? 40 years!? Maybe a luge for the charity stream? PS: Friendly reminder to Leo, Haley and Sarah that Tenebris Somnia has released. I haven’t played it yet but they seemed very excited when watching one of the showcases this summer.

Scott A. Ford

Have you played the animal game? Any animal can be categorized into just four groups: dog, bird, fish, or bug. — A cow? That’s just a dog — A bat? That’s a bird — A whale? That’s a fish. — But a seal? Is that a dog or a fish? — Is a flying fox bat a dog instead of a bird? Think of any animal and discuss. This has been great to pull out at any social gathering or family event to inspire goofy debate and avoid other tedious or awkward conversations.

Jake Simpson

This is for all you potential Star Wars Galactic Racers out there! My question is-IF this game were FREE…would you play it then? Well, do I have news for you! Assuming you have … 1: Amazon Prime (it is on their Amazon LUNA service) 2: You gotta have a newer TV with the LUNA app (or in a browser) and a decent internet connection 3: the ability to Bluetooth a controller to the TV ( my Switch2, PS5, and old Stadia controller all worked fine) BEN, tell everyone! No excuses! Everyone should at LEAST be trying this game! My 8 year old son and I loved it. Wouldn’t have tried it without you guys talking about it so much and playing it for free!

Omega Ranking

With this being the year of resonance (final fantasy, control, plague tale) what is your favourite unofficial trilogy of games? My personal favourite is the rising trilogy. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Dead Rising, Rise of the Tomb Raider Much love, Tom Bowen

giuliano

Hey Minn Max! I loved the Bonus Pod about fall. I was thinking about the very distinct smell of being buried in a pile of leaves. I feel like a lot of people have experienced that. What is a nostalgic fall memory you have?

SlickJames

I was watching an episode of Family Guy where Peter kept bragging he could beat up Liam Neeson. What old action star do you think you could beat up if they were 70 years old?

Kevin W

Hi crew. Other than Minnhax, have you guys ever checked out any game jams to find more interesting and unique gameplay experiences? If so, which ones were worth your time? For Spooky season, I was thinking of trying some games from the Scream Jam to feed my insatiable horror cravings :-)

binarymelon

Question mostly for Sarah, but anyone else willing to chime in. I've been trying to get into cooking and gardening recently. You mentioned (I think on PPB) occasionally getting sucked into Trad Wife creators in your algorithm and I'm wondering if you had any suggestions for creators or communities for those hobbies.

Jason Wojnar

I recently taught myself how to sew buttons onto my clothing. Honestly a super satisfying experience. What’s something you had to teach yourself how to do recently?

BabyDinky

Was recently thinking about Haley’s Aphantasia and how she was feeling left out not being able to conjure things in her head. Wanted to let her know it’s not all that bad and see it as a blessing because sometimes there are things that randomly pop into my head just by simply thinking it and it’s not so easy to stop visualizing it. What’s one quality you all wish other people had that the cohorts have?

dietcoke

Hey MinnMax Crew, I have been loving the racing in Star Wars Galactic Racer however the more I play the more the overall roguelike structure seems poorly designed and unsatisfying. What is a game that you loved the moment to moment gameplay but were let down by the structure or design of the game?

David Redekop

Ahoy MinnMax! When was the last time you replayed a game and was there any particular reason why? With dozens of games releasing on any given day and constant conversations about the latest and greatest, I want to try and strike a balance between playing the new hotness and jumping back in to familiar, fun and comfy experiences. As folks who work in and contribute to independent games media, how do you manage this balance?

Josh Lamm

There's your answer. Furthermore, what are the 7 deadly sins of breakfast cereals: • Gluttony: ____ • Lust: ____ • Greed: ____ • Pride: ____ • Wrath: ____ • Sloth: ____ • Envy: ____

thejjuan1

Hey Minnmax crew. What are your initial thoughts on the Kinda Funny top 100 games of all time. Both on the production of the show and of course the list itself. ( it was crazy that Witcher 3, Red Dead 2, Bioshock, FF7 and Resident Evil 4 did not make the list!!!)

Shawninator

Hello Mysterious MinnMaxers! What's your favorite thing to do in a farming simulator game like Stardew Valley or Fields of Mistria? Do you stick to the classic farming? Or do you prefer raising animals, fishing, mining, or just running around town like a menace?

Clayton Carroll

Missed joke opportunity. With all the barrel talk last week I'm surprised no one called you the obvious. Benjamin Barrel Hanson.

TekWriter

What is the best or worst fan interaction you have ever had?

Travis in Fargo

Ha, oh man! I’ve got some thinking to do now with those deadly sins… 🙏

mapleviolet

has haley played the game ladykiller in a bind? it’s set in halifax

It's Boundo

I clean and test controllers, consoles, and games for a living at a game store. My question for you is: what is the most dirty and disgusting piece of gaming hardware you've ever seen or touched?

Owen Badgley

i wonder how many people played persona 5 after joker got added to smash

Luis Pérez

Thinking of how Jackbox Party Pack got to number 12, I thought of a simple game: Which Numbered Sequel's better? Starting with the number 2, we got: Portal 2 or Super Mario Galaxy 2? The Witcher 3 or Baldur's Gate 3? Grand Theft Auto 4 or Metal Gear Solid 4? Elder Scrolls 5 or Gran Turismo 5? Forza Horizon 6 or Far Cry 6? (Because FF6 would sweep) Dragon Quest 7 or Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown? Megaman 8 or Mario Kart 8? Except it's not so simple. Most series stop having numbers here, so let's skip straight to the most important question - Jackbox Party Pack 12 OR Final Fantasy XII? All the best!

Alex Leake

Howdy Minnmax! Who is the more upsetting baby in horror media? The baby from Eraserhead, the sink baby from P.T., or the big baby in Resident Evil village?

Asa van der Lecq

Hi MinnMax! Haley recently said that Florence Pugh does not look like she belongs in a period drama because she has a 21st-century face. Which of the MinnMax cohorts do you guys think would and would absolutely not fit in in a period drama?

Noah Torjesen

Hey MinnMax, Since I don’t feel like you guys talked enough about Star Wars Galactic Racer last episode, I want to give you all more opportunity to do so: We've had 6 Big Star Wars Game Releases since 2020, all respectively pretty good and varied in genre! Can you rank them in 3 minutes? 👀 Star Wars Squadrons (2020) Lego Star Wars the Skywalker Saga (2022) Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023) Star Wars Outlaws (2024) Star Wars Zero Company (2026) Star Wars Galactic Racer (2026)

Noah Torjesen

Chronologically, always, unless you happen upon a singular game you’re interested within a series. I Started with resident evil 7 because I was interested in that game in particular, and not the rest of the series yet.

Dragonhunter

Hey everyone, I just finished Control Resonant and was wondering. Why aren't more big games giving us crazy, weird, surreal visuals? Or at least nice artstyles that will still look good 20 years later like Rayman Legends or Hi-Fi Rush. We know how real it can look now, give us more weird stuff!

Ariel in Seattle

I'm an English professor incorporating videogames into my literature classes. Many students have broadly experienced gaming through streamers & other content creators. How can I convince my students to play the course texts rather than watch Let's Plays? Or do I have a faulty premise here? Do games need to be played to be critically analyzed?

Noah Torjesen

Uncharted 4 campaign, Grand Theft Auto games, Splinter Cell, Call of Duty (just avoid zombies), war games in general, farming sims, Civilization, climbing sims like Cairn, flight simulator

sandeezy

hey gang! forget mount rushmore! what four video games are the four horsemen of the apocalypse? thanks!

Ethan Mikolay

Sarah Podzorski had mentioned a little while ago that she thinks not every game needs a Discord community. As someone with an interest in the Community Management scene, I was under the impression that cultivating an online community was essential in the current gaming landscape. I'd love to hear more from Sarah about this!

FinalSin

Hey all, Are you the lead actor in your movie, or are you the npc , watching others play lead In their's?

Mason Cowell

Howdy minnmax! What specific game do you think is the most important to go in to completely blind? Is it some sort of story heavy game like The Last of Us? Or something with super unique gameplay elements or incredible atmosphere?

Wajora

Surely you have seen one of those viral YouTube reaction videos along the lines of "Chef reacts to video game food!" or "Director reacts to game trailers!". If you had to make one of those videos, what would you choose as the thing you are good at and what would you react to?

Sergio

Hello Minnmax! I don't have the money to buy a lot of new games so I end up going through the same twenty every year. My first playthrough of Link's awakening on switch was mostly frustrating but having got used to its strangeness and navigational difficulty I found myself truly "getting it" on my most recent attempt. Is there a game you have tried multiple times with your latest experience being your favourite?

YalkYalk

Question for MYSTERIOUS GUEST COHORT, how does it feel to be a mystery prior to the podcast's release?

Zane Dukes

Imagine two people are trying to parallel park in the same spot. Who has priority, the back in-er or the pull in-er?

Willa BW

Hello MinnMax crew, I'm coming to you two states over in MI's Upper Peninsula. A region with essentially no urband features of note! Do you think GTA needs a famous city setting to thrive? Could a San Andreas style game work splitting its time between Columbus, Cleveland, Cinncinati OH analgoues for example?

Graham Jones

What deepest dive game that would bring in all the cohorts?

Linn

I feel "stuck". I want a Steam deck, but since the price hike, I can't justify spending that much on old tech. I thinking of a Switch 2, but the "fear" that Switch 2 Pro will be announced "soon" holds me back. I'll soon have two kids under two and limited time to play. So trying to budget with time vs money. What should I do?? 😅

OhMyBlob

Hey Minnmax, I’m really enjoying Silver Pines except for the fact that I’m being driven mad by the detective saying ‘the door is opened from the other side’ 10 million times. Is there any video game line that is seared into your skull from sheer repetition?

Alpaca chino

Hello Minn Max! What a gaming "guilty pleasure" for you? I enjoy most of the Call of Duty campaigns, even the bad ones. Take care ❤️

David Zebrowski

Hey folks! Apparently Sonic the Hedgehog’s middle name is “Maurice” in the Archie comics. Do you think this should be canon? Do you think Hedgehog is his last name? If he were to have a last name, what would make sense? Is Sonic just a nickname and there is a secret first name? Love the show, please enlighten us.

Kyle Silva

With the horny undertones of the Street Fighter movie and the blatant horniness of Wicker (just watch the trailer if you’re unaware), do you think 2026 will be recognized as a watershed moment for weird horny movies, and a sign of a trend getting started, or will this just be a flash in the pan?

Brandon H

Do most people play games on a PC? Giveaways are almost always Steam codes. I have always been a console gamer and have never owned a gaming PC. Am I in the minority?

Victor Hensley

Howdy MinnMax! I recently bought a retro handheld and stumbled upon my new obsession while scrolling through a list of older games: Rakugaki Showtime, a dodgeball-focused 3D arena brawler with a sketchbook art style made by Treasure and Enix that released for the PS1 in 1999 in Japan, but never made its way to North America. It’s criminal that I’d never heard of it before! Have you guys recently discovered any under-the-radar retro games that blew your socks off?

Mike

Hey Minnmax, last week Janet made a fun point about metroidvanias being cold weather games and it got me thinking about other genres or games and where they fit in the year. For me, World of Warcraft always makes me think of summer afternoons, and I associate point and click adventure games with Autumn. Do you guys have any associations like this?

Shoes

Mystery guest - What's a completely useless subject you know an unreasonable amount about, and how did you become an expert?

Geebeesee

I’ve always been curious about what it’s like for a reviewer before a big gaming release. It’s an experience that most of gamers never get. One one hand, there are no other opinions to influence how you feel, but on the other there are no guides to help you navigate moments of frustration or confusion. I’d love to hear your favorite or funniest memories that you have of that strange period of time, when all you have to lean on are your peers. Thanks Minnmax!

Matthew Leonard

Hey minnmax! Please don't let Ace Combat 8 Wings of Theve get lost in the shuffle! It's an incredible game full of cool moments and great music and action -- it's also the fastest selling ace combat game yet! Have any of the cohorts earned their wings or checked out the surprisingly cool multiplayer offering? But the situation did lead me to thinking about games that I associate deeply with past relationships (friendships, romantic, familial) that due to a deterioration in that relationship I've lost the desire or taste to go back to said game. I played thru almost all of Mario 3D World with a now-ex and can't stomach playing the game again. Which stinks cause that game rocked. Has this ever happened to you? What game was it? Would you be open to revisiting it with a new friend or partner to try to make new memories? Thanks, Matt (in Orlando)

James Gameboy

Hello Cohorts. With generative AI (annoyingly) taking over as a leading discussion point on an internet that prioritizes non-serif fonts, it seems we can no longer refer to people by the shortened name Al (A L). We now have an important task: should every AL be referred to as Alan, Albert, or Alfred?

CrabPalace

Not much AAA stuff from the past decade though, right?

Vilis

I have to say, Penguins Colony is top of the heap for my games this year where if I just heard the name I would have 0 interest, but the moment I saw the trailer I was 100% in. Lovecraft story from the perspective of a Penguin is AMAZING. It's like if there was a version of Neon Genesis Evangelion from Pen-Pen's perspective.

Chris Fantry

What food do you enjoy eating the most when the weather starts getting cold? For me chili is the go to. Bonus question, how do you make your chili?

Jacob Mazanowski

What’s the most embarrassed you’ve been thinking you’re showing someone something? I once thought I was showing my parents Led Zeppelin

SlyCut

Hello all, To the ladies on the show today; what is it that makes your dad uncool and annoying as you become a teenager?

Benjamin Arce

Hi Minnmax crew! After watching Kinda Funny top 100 and seeing some crazy omissions, it got me thinking about biggest gaming blind spots. What are your biggest games you have never played? Which one do you feel most guilty about? Which one are you the most stubborn on? Keep up the great work! - Ben A

CaffeineDad

Hey gang! I’m listening to Kinda Funny’s Top 100 Games of All Time, and it’s such a good listen! I can’t wait for yall to make a Ten Ten’s list too! The most interesting part to me is their interjections where they bring up games that ranked highly on their individual lists that don’t show up on anyone else’s lists, therefore not making the main list. What is a game that would be high on your own list that you’re certain would NOT be on any of the cohorts’ lists?

Chandler

Hello guest cohort! I hope you like my question! Licking ice cream is socially acceptable. What is the least acceptable food to lick?

Nathan Klainer

With Final Fantasy Resonance on the docket, what’s an outside the box franchise that you think could jump to 2D? Or a 2D franchise that could jump to 3D? Thanks!

Parker Aden

Hello cohorts! Special shoutout to mystery guest cohort. I’ve been waiting for you to be here for a long time!!! Much love!!! OKAY, if you all had to make a trivia question for Trivia Murder Party 3, what question would it be? Alternate/tangent question - has there been a question for Trivia Tower you’re extra proud of or has stuck with you over time?

Christian Jimenez

Hello, Capcom recently said that they do have plans for when the REmakes catch-up to the main timeline, for Sarah and Hailey what would change in RE5 since it is so fresh in your minds?

Josh Lamm

Here are my thoughts.. Greed: Lucky Charms "They're after me lucky charms" Envy: Trix "silly rabbit, Trix are for kids" Pride: Frosted Flakes "They're Grrrrreat" Lust: Corn Flakes (look up the origin of why they were invented) Gluttony could be anything... But I'll go with Cinnamon Toast Crunch, personally, because I can DESTROY those things. Still need Wrath and Sloth

Zae

Hey guys, if you got the chance to replay your favorite game of all time for the first time today, do you think you’d play it similarly to how you’ve already played it? Have years of playing video games shaped the way you approach games and how you play them?

Alastair

How has your relationship to spoilers changed by being in media? Do things like pre-release codes, or having to moderate comments, or (for Sarah) releasing a game affect what you consider to be a spoiler or make you more numb, or not care? Or do you generally have the same opinion as when you were younger?

Geoff Enright

MinnMax'ers, So, since Deadlock is getting considered "released" then how likely is it going to be an 'Upper Crust Bubbler' or will it be de facto Top Tenn? -Groffles

Swansonge

Newsflash: MinnMax has started a new show called “The Shallowest Dive” which requires each cohort on the show to summarize their notes on a game (preferably a very long or very important one) in 5 minutes. Of course the community is also allowed to leave comments, but they must be limited to 1 sentence each. What game do you pick for the first Shallowest Dive?

Robert Draa

Had to buy a car this week which I think might my least favorite thing to do. Period. Full stop. What's your absolute least favorite thing to do?

pork bun powered

Hi MinnMax + secret cohort! A bit of a BetterQuest and also a question. Partially as a result of work forcing me to use more AI, I've resolved to pursue my hobbies in a more deliberate/effortful way. For example, instead of using a drawing tablet, I am doing Inktober this year with actual ink! What is something that you enjoy doing the "hard way" and why?

Darwin

Hey MinnMax, Do you think the Death Stranding series would be more successful if it had the same traversal mechanics and visual fidelity but featured a more grounded story? Something more akin to Firewatch or even The Last of Us.

WeGoGiant

So between the 8 cohorts and guest cohort. How many of you own: A Nintendo Alarmo? A Nintendo Talking Flower? A Nintendo Switch 2 Virtual Boy Headset? Is the total number for all 3 items combined more than 5?

SnowmanXIV

Hey MinnMax. When's trick-or-treating in your towns? I've never lived somewhere where it's on Halloween and people seem to think that's strange so it must be on Halloween somewhere. Also, do they call it "trick or treat" in Minnesota or is it "trick or gray duck" or something similarly novel and regional?

Atticus Crowe

I recently attended both the Undertale concert and the 8-Bit Big Band concert when they visited Seattle. I was more interested in the Undertale concert ended up disappointed whereas the 8-Bit Big Band concert completely surpassed my expectations. What makes a videogame concert great from your perspective?

Roze

Currently listening to the pod while travelling through Japan for the first time! Do you think there are more wheels or more windows in existence?

Bob Buel

What’s the most acceptable thing to throw out of your car window? Not onto another car, just out of your car window onto a paved street with other cars around to this. I feel like everyone’s yes’s and no’s vary slightly . -lint on shirt? -water? -spit out gum? -soda? -the paper wrapper off your straw? -the straw? -hot coffee? -fast food wrapper, very crumbled? -carbonated energy drink? -fast food wrapper, not crumbled? -a half eaten chicken nugget? -a sneeze? -a half eaten cheeseburger? -a hot coffee in a paper cup?

Jack Seage

Hello Minnmax + Mystery! Since it's horror season, I wanted to ask where you all stand on a Big Scary Spider™ as a boss fight, and whether you had any favorite examples. I personally think they're starting to feel a little overdone, and would love to see some other creepy-crawlies get a chance to shine!

Rikimaru

Hey MinnMax! What is a game you would like to see get a spiritual sequel? Maybe the series or studio isn't around anymore or maybe you just want the feeling but don't need it to be in that universe. For me I'm still waiting on a new or indie take on Tenchu.

LlorchDurden

GTA VI's Mask you got 3 days to save everyone from the moon crashing down! (Nintendo disliked this response)

Alpaca chino

Hell yeah, but only if you let us know when you use it!

LlorchDurden

Crew and Secret Guest, Not a question, just a checkpoint: How many Galactic Racer references has Ben made so far? Thank you

Random Oil Man

Hiya Minnmax. My partner recently had some surgery complications and so I am looking after our 6 month old baby mostly solo. Which is to say - time for gaming is very short! What are some of your go to bite size games? Easy to pick up and put down at the drop of a waking, screaming, teething baby?

Luca Alberti

Hello MM crew! Do you think weapon types are getting a bit stale in games? It feels like guns, swords and axes are the main weapon in most games. Counterpoint: there seems to be a bit of a comeback of whips with Indiana Jones, Mina The Hollower and the new Castlevania.

b_wood

Do you think we will see FFXXX (FF30) in our lifetime? Will Vin Diesel or Ice Cube be in it? For perspective, in the HD FF era, Square releases a new mainline FF every 3.7 years roughly. So at that rate, we could expect FF30 by 2074 or 48 years from now. That seems feasible if we allow the world to survive until then. However, FF14 expansions and FF7R series likely impacted when we would get FF17 as well as FF18. Also, Square continues to release non-mainline entries (Resonance and Tactics Remake).

b_wood

I recently heard 2 female streamers say they stream games on hard mode because otherwise they would get harassed with comments saying they are proof that girls are bad at video games. Do you feel similar to the 2 female streamers? Do you think before you retire you will see a time where women don't have to think about things like this before posting things online?

Steve G

Why did you choose to play the racist RE when you clone have chosen any of the hundreds of horror games that don’t have you shooting up Black stereotypes? Disappointing

Jacob Mazanowski

Last episode Leo said something along the lines of “it’s been a great year for games but nothing stands out as a goat for me” How many games a year do you play that you think would end up in your favorite of all time list? So far I’m kind of with Leo on this year. I usually have one game a year I play that I’m like “Yep that’s going in my favorite of all time list” but this year everything has been a lot of fun, but nothing has reached those peaks yet. I also have not played big walk though.

Sam Haugen

What’s the first fictional character you came across that has your name? Sam Witwiki (probably spelled wrong) came up in the Deepest Dive and I had flashbacks to seeing my first on screen Sam

Nick deVries

Hey MinnMax - and mysterious guest! With the Deepest Dive ending on Control Resonant, I was curious how that format affects your enjoyment of a game. Does it heighten it due to the extended discussion/more thorough playthrough? Or does it take away from the experience because it's more "work"? Or are both those answers completely off base? Thanks, love the show!

Josh Lamm

Oh, I got it! Wrath is Cap'n Cruch because we all know what that does to the roof of your mouth And sloth is that one that's just a big solid block, because how lazy can those manufacturers get? What's it called, shredded wheat?

Mister Donuts

What game or moment from a game made you sure you wanted to work with games in your day to day lives.?

Machine Gun Keeley

Missed Joke Opportunity: On last week's podcast Ben used the phrase, "Kile, can i poke your monster?". Which, as Janet has said in the past, "is playing fast and loose with classic idioms", but more shockingly, elicited narry a chuckle from the present cohort. So, since we have a new quorum this week, i'd like to open it back up to the cohort for the zinger that was deserved...

Travis in Fargo

I was thinking, if there’s a deadly sin tied to s&m, or generally the pleasure of pain, it would absolutely be Cap’n Crunch!

Anthony Aziz

I was talking to a friend earlier about games that have high number of sequels. I can't think of two many. Jackbox Party Pack being at 12 (!!) already surprises me. Obviously there's Final Fantasy, but what other series got that high...

Sam Kennedy

If you could call on any Final Fantasy character to help you do chores, who would you call on and why?

Jaser Helu

Not a question. This is a test to see if you read questions submitted this late in the day before recording! I got you…or maybe I didn’t.

Richard Hayes

You can remote view one room for one hour once. What location do you view and when?