Popzara Podcast

On this melodic episode of the Popzara Podcast we welcome back the King of Montage music and master of the unapologetically optimistic, Stan Bush! While best known for mega cult-hits The Touch and Dare, Stan’s decades-long career spans film (Transformers, Kickboxer), TV (Family Guy/American Dad), and, increasingly, games (Guitar Hero, Shadow Warrior). But he’s not done yet; Stan’s still living the dream with the release of his 13th album, Change the World, a healthy mix of reworked classics and all-new tracks that feel impossibly bright in a world that often feels terminally dark. Our very own superfan Nathan Evans and Stan talk everything from the differences between Marvel and DC movies, Transformers fandom (mercifully kept to a minimum), how the internet leveled the playing field for new and veteran artists, reviving John Farnham classics (Thunder in Your Heart), the untimely death of Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, competing with U2’s Bono, and staying positive when all seems lost and it’s down to the wire. What, you think we’d have Stan Bush on and not make a Transformers pun? Till all are one!

As the near-holiday status of Black Friday 2017 approaches, one final look at the penultimate month of gaming’s biggest sales season awaits those interested in the industry’s health at retail shelves across the nation, both physical and digital. Once again, we’ve got Cory Galliher and Nathan Evans ready and willing to talk numbers, figures, and more as they dish out the best, brightest, and overall analysis from the NPD estimates from October 2017. As usual, proceed with caution as the following should be taken more as a barometer of the industry’s overall activity as NPD only counts participating retailers in their tallies. Overall, it was a mixed-bag for the month as total sales of new gaming hardware and software were down a slight 11 percent from last year ($825 million from $932 million), despite strong sales of popular Nintendo hardware. New gaming hardware sales were up a mighty 10 percent ($238 million over $216 million), primarily on the strength of strong Nintendo hardware, namely both the Switch and retro-love machine SNES Classic Edition. Why NPD counts Nintendo’s emulator as a true ‘game machine’ is a curiosity only they can answer, but there’s no doubt the 16-bit Time Machine is mighty popular. The Switch, however, is the real deal as the hybrid console continues to drive both Nintendo and gaming industry itself into greener money-making pastures. In other non-Nintendo console news, Sony’s PlayStation 4 continues to be the year’s overall best-seller, while there’s not much to say about Microsoft’s Xbox One, which is about to x-pand with the Xbox One X upgrade. As we saw (or didn’t see) with Sony’s similar mid-generation 4K bump, the PS4 Pro, the jury’s still out how current-gen fans react to having “the most powerful console” available. The real culprit for the downward spike was new gaming software. Despite having heavy-hitters like new Lord of the Rings, Assassin’s Creed, South Park, and Super Mario choices new gaming sales fell a stark 20 percent from last year ($447 million from $556 million). While all of the above notched franchise-best debuts, things weren’t rosier for new PC games as sales fell 29 percent from last year ($27 million from $38 million). There were high spots, though, with strong sales of sports, role-playing, and racing titles across all platforms. But it’s strong racing game sales that had the largest effect on sales of new gaming accessories. Despite a slight 7 percent drop from last year ($113 million from $122 million), heavy-hitters like Forza 7 and Gran Turismo Sport helped double sales of new steering wheels from the year prior. Top Twenty Software: Tolkien Power! 01. Middle-earth: Shadow of War 02. Assassin’s Creed: Origins 03. Super Mario Odyssey 04. South Park: The Fractured But Whole 05.

On this nightmarish episode of the Popzara Podcast our doomed space marine Nathan Evans recruits our tormented friend from across the pond, The Mirror’s Ryan Brown, who once again braves the hellfire of eternity to discuss a game whose very existence was once thought impossible: id Software’s DOOM on the Nintendo Switch. Don’t laugh: not only does this generation’s best, slickest, and most intense first-person shooter actually run on Nintendo’s hybrid console, it does a pretty great job doing it. When you’re done reading through Ryan’s review of the game take a listen as the guys talk about the historical significance of the iconic shooter, the insanely received 2016 reboot that shocked the heck out of everyone, and how taking Bethesda’s gore-filled splatterfest mobile makes all the difference in the world. Is DOOM Switch a perfect port of the landmark game? Not quite, but it’s good enough, and that might make all the difference. Also included are personal reflections about the long-running franchise, some well-placed potty humor, and rank speculation what a technological accomplishment may hold for developers who might view the Switch in an entirely different light. A hellish light, you might say!

On this powerful episode of the Popzara Podcast our own gaming guru tech-head team Cory Galliher and Herman Exum unite once more to talk all about the Xbox One X, which Microsoft claims is the “world’s most powerful console.” In a stunning twist of fate, such a boast isn’t just typical marketing huzzah; it’s actually true. But will raw technical power, 4K resolution, and HDR colors be enough to justify that hefty price-tag? The guys break down the latest Xbox One console – the third – to let potential buyers know what their hard won cash will net them. Apart from enhanced 4K/HDR visuals and audio, hardcore gamers should expect major gains in marquee Xbox titles Halo 5: Guardians, Forza 7, and Gears of War 4 in both performance and wow factors. Also, how does the X stack up to that other 4K enabled super-console, Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro? Come to think about it, can the market sustain between-generation gaming consoles like them? For all this and more you’re gonna have to listen and find out – no fancy upgrade required!

Momma Mia! Grab your mushrooms and get ready to jump, butt-stomp, and rescue the hearts and minds of gamers the world over – Nintendo Style! Popzara’s own Cory “Goomba” Galliher and Herman “1-Up” Exum are joined by special “player two” guest Riley “Lakitu” Little as they tip their hats about the latest blockbuster for the Nintendo Switch, Super Mario Odyssey. It’s an adventure unlike anything you’ve ever seen, including possessed Tyrannosaurs, tanks, Bullet Bills, and even meat slabs – all with mustaches and Cappy caps, of course. Woo-hoo! The guys plumb Mario’s Mythos and his latest game’s most magical moments and jaw-dropping creativity. Did we mention the T-Rex? How does Mario’s latest rank among his greatest hits? Stay tuned for a look back at Super Mario 64, Sunshine, Galaxy, and all the nostalgic joy you’d expect from Nintendo’s mustachioed mascot. It’s freedom like you never knew – so join the fun and get ready to do the Odyssey!

On this ghoulish episode of the Popzara Podcast a coven of your favorite Popzara Pals unites to talk their favorite spooky games of the year. The ghastly group includes Cory “Grotesque” Galliher, Nia “Brains!” Bothwell, Chris “Wolf Man” Mitchell, and Nathan “Evil” Evans share their thoughts on what made 2017 a banner year for scary games. A real Thriller, you might say! What unlucky candidates make the final cut? There’s plenty of thrills and chills as favorites include Capcom’s Resident Evil 7 biohazard, Bethesda’s The Evil Within 2, Iceberg Interactive’s Conarium, Frictional’s Soma, and many more. Can any of this year’s biggest hits unseat last year’s surprising blockbuster reboot of DOOM? Is there anything scarier than horrible, atrocious voice-acting? Look for fun peaks at upcoming chillers like Yomawari: Midnight Shadows, “Nazi Killen” with Wolfenstein II, as well as walk down memory lane as the team remember classic favorites Castlevania, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Eternal Darkness, and more. There’s something for everyone in this grab bag of candy-coated fun of devilish delights to really sink their fangs in. Bad puns aside – Happy Halloween!

As we head into the busiest shopping season of the year, one last month of (relative) calm before the dam completely bursts means a few surprises for some, and complete predictability for others. When you’re talking videogame sales, it’s difficult to say which is which. That’s why we’ve got our resident number nerds Cory Galliher and Nathan Evans, back once again to take on the NPD’s estimates for relative retail health for the month of September 2017. And let’s just say it: it was a very good month. If the gaming industry ever needed a boost, it was now, and boy…did they get one in September. Total sales of new gaming hardware and software were up an astounding 39 percent from last year ($1.21 billion over $872 million). It’s not difficult to see where the jump came from; in-demand new hardware from Nintendo, both Switch and SNES Classic, combined with a wildly successful launch of Activision’s Destiny 2 all meant Solid Gold for those involved. In the case of Destiny 2, it’s already the best-selling game of the year only a month after release. In a year that saw huge sales for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, that’s a huge accomplishment. On the hardware side of things, it was Nintendo’s month to shine. New gaming hardware led the charge, up an impressive 34 percent over last year ($316 million over $245 million). While the Switch was the best-selling home console, besting Sony’s PS4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One, it was their SNES Classic that actually moved the most units. NPD notes that the PS4 is still the best-selling console for the year, but even that might change when the dust of what’s sure to be a wild holiday season clears. We haven’t heard much about how Microsoft’s Xbox One is fairing, though, but that’s sure to change, too, with all eyes on the upcoming Xbox One X. Things really get interesting when looking at sales of new console software, which was up a great 52 percent over last year ($726 million over $477 million). You can thanks a bevvy of new and existing blockbusters, led by Activision’s Destiny 2 (the year’s best-seller already), as well as a trio of heavy-hitting sports titles from EA Sports and 2K Games. Nintendo software, all exclusives, were well represented for the month, too, including the well-received Mario & Rabbids which has the distinction of becoming the best-selling third-party game on the new Nintendo platform. Sales of new PC software also saw a nice bump, up 20 percent over last year ($18 million over $22 million). As Cory points out, however, these numbers don’t include Destiny 2, which wasn’t released for PC in the period. Even sales of new gaming accessories, which includes controllers and game cards, saw a nice bump, up 9 percent over last year ($150 million over $138 million). Nintendo’s Pro Controller for Switch remains the best-selling accessory of the year, while Sony’s DualShock 4 Wireless Controller Black was the best-seller for the month. Top Twenty Software: Loadout! 01. Destiny 2 02. NBA 2K18 03. Madden NFL 18 04. FIFA 18 05. Mario & Rabbids: Kingdom Battle 06. Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite 07. Grand Theft Auto V 08. NHL 18 09.

On this melodic episode of the Popzara Podcast our own maestro-in-training Nia Bothwell talks with prolific composer Garry Schyman, whose credits stretch back nearly forty years in television, film, and especially videogames. His name may not be widely known, but you’ve certainly heard his music: Magnum P.I., The Greatest American Hero, as well as memorable gaming scores like the Bioshock series, Destroy All Humans, Dante’s Inferno, and EA’s return to the Land of J.R.R. Tolkien in Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Listen as the two discuss Garry’s surprising career arc from Tom Selleck’s magnificent mustache to the thrills of interactive entertainment. Garry’s love for the piano comes through, as does his excitement in getting to create diverse compositions spanning mediums and genres. He also shares his experiences about returning the game industry, and how the eradication of humanity helped transform him into a diehard gamer, as well as the curious lack of toasters and can openers in the Tolkein universe. Also, look for a fun diversion about Microsoft’s Cuphead, as Garry takes Nia back to school – the old-school of classic animation. Even if you don’t know your hobbits from orcs, it’s one you definitely don’t want to miss!

On this playfully punishing episode of the Popzara Podcast our nostalgia nerds Herman Exum, Cory Galliher, and Nathan Evans gather to talk all about StudioMDHR Entertainment’s Cuphead, the long-gestating game that’s beautiful, brutal, and bursting with creativity. This Xbox/Windows exclusive blends the 1930s classic cartoon style of Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, pattern-learning twitch play of Mega Man, and boss-centric battles of Alien Soldier into something familiar, yet uniquely wonderful. It’s an experience that will be instantly familiar to those steeped in the world of difficult 16-bit action-platformers like Contra: Hard Corps, The Adventures of Batman & Robin, and many other controller-throwing classics. You’ll die. A lot. And have a great time doing it. The guys discuss the game’s hand-drawn visuals, refined gameplay, and complete indifference to your feelings. Also touched on is the excruciating (and quite hilarious) tutorial fail of our gaming journalist friend Dean Takahashi, and a digression about Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox One X super-console, and whether the Windows company’s focus on a 4K Future could miss a golden opportunity. Did we mention that Cuphead is incredibly hard? Listen now!

It’s the crossover battle of the century on this episode of the Popzara Podcast as arcade vets Cory Galliher and Herman Exum see their worlds collide to talk all about Capcom’s latest frenzied franchise mash-up, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite! Thrill as favorites Captain America, Ryu, Thor, Chun-Li, Spider-Man and Mega Man unite, fight, and vie for your attention – and gaming dollar. Is it a must-buy? Is it a disappointment? Could any fighting game possibly be more disappointing than Street Fighter V at launch? Will fans miss the jazzy instrumentals and wacky announcer of previous games? Find the answers to these questions and more in this Hyper Combo of discussion and debate! No quarters required!

Summer closes with a slightly less thunderous clap than we’d expected as NPD’s retail estimates for the gaming industry’s health reveal how well sales of new gaming hardware and software were for August 2017. Cory Galliher and Nathan Evans are at the ready, calculators and coffee-fueled opinions in hand, to consider and evaluate what’s shaking and baking across the country. While sales are down all-around for the month, overall things aren’t quite the apocalyptic disaster they might’ve been. Note: is that a new NPD logo we spy out in the wild? Looking good, guys! In stark contrast to the overall growth we’ve seen over the past several months, total sales of new gaming hardware and software was down a slight 2 percent from last year ($568 million from $578 million). A major factor for the decline were new hardware sales, which dropped a noticable 6 percent over last year ($168 million frmo $179 million). Despite the slight declines for the month, NPD reports that total sales for new hardware is up a healthy 17 percent over last year, owing mostly to new Nintendo Switch and NES Classic consoles. Speaking of console sales, Nintendo’s Switch remains the best-selling system for the month, followed by Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One. Sony’s console is still tops overall for the year, but it will be interesting to see how supposed ‘supply constraints’ and the launch of the more powerful Xbox One X affect future reports, especially as we head into the busiest shopping season of the year. Hello, holidays! As much fun as new hardware is, it’s the games that count, and this month fans counted them a’plenty. Sales of new console games were down a familiar 2 percent over last year ($271 from $276 million), while new PC game sales fell a more troubling 23 percent from last year ($11 million from $15 million). While EA Sports’ Madden 18 took the top spot and Sony’s Uncharted: The Lost Legacy bold debuted strong, the real story for the month is Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V, which broke records for its never-ending appearance, charting in the Top Ten for 41 of the 49 months it’s been available. Looks like taking a quality game and constantly supporting it with upgrades, enhancements, and add-ons is one way to keep fans happy. In more encouraging news, sales of new gaming accessories were up a sweet 10 percent from last year ($118 million over $108 million). Despite the near-collapse of collectible toys and figures (i.e. Skylanders, all the others), upticks in new controllers and headsets helped turn the tide. It’s nice see all those new console owners buying goodies to use with them; NPD singles out Sony and Turtle Beach headsets as biggest drivers for the sales uptick, with the Xbox One S White Wireless Controller being the month’s biggest-selling controller and the Switch’s Pro Controller the best-overall selling accessory for the year-to-date. Top Twenty Software: Touchdown! 01. Madden NFL 18 02. Grand Theft Auto V 03. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy 04. Splatoon 2 05. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 06.

On this disentangling episode of the Popzara Podcast our own Nathan Evans is joined by fellow follicle fanatic Anton A. Hill as they talk with footballer-turned-filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry about his wildly anticipated upcoming animated short Hair Love, which follows an “African American father trying to do his daughters hair for the first time.” The project was a Kickstarter sensation – for all the right reasons – far exceeding its original goal of $75,000 to a sensational $284,058. There’s nothing else quite like it on the horizon, and who better to talk about the intricacies of female black hair than two middle-aged white guys? While the short won’t be available until next year, listen in as the guys chat about the importance of showcasing real diversity in both concepts and production, the crowd-sourcing phenomenon helping fiance indie projects like Hair Love, the success of black filmmakers like Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and Jordan Peele (Get Out), amazing character work from illustrator Vashti Harrison, and how just about anyone with an iPhone and big dreams can make it.

The monthly sales phenomenon we like to call the NPD (that’s National Purchase Diary) estimates for the gaming industry’s retail health are in, and it’s great news all-around for the month of July 2017. As usual, we’ve got number-loving editors Cory Galliher and Nathan Evans back as well to talk and dissect the good, bad, and ugly of what these impenetrable numbers all mean. And what they mean right now is simple: things are definitely looking up! Total sales of new gaming hardware and software were up a respectable 19 percent over last year ($588 over $496). For an industry beset by constant declines month over month, to see such a remarkable rebound (and in such a short period of time) is promising. One half of this welcome gravy train was new gaming hardware as anxious fans snatched up $182 million from last year’s $142 million, up an extremely healthy 29 percent. This rise comes from, once again, strong sales for Nintendo’s Switch, the month’s best-selling console. Supply constraints have held the new console’s ranking for several months, moving last month’s champion, Sony’s PlayStation 4, into second place for July. The other half, of course, was new gaming software, which saw upward sales all-around. New console sales were up a nice 17 percent over last year ($263 million over $224 million). NPD reports this influx was primarily due to impressive results from console exclusives Splatoon 2 for Switch and Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy for PlayStation 4. Speaking of Nintendo, they maintained their status as the month’s biggest publisher with other megahits like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, an impressive feat for a new platform with a much smaller install base. Not to be outdone, even PC software felt the surge as new sales were up 14 percent over last year ($14 million over $12 million). Hey, growth is growth! Sales of new game accessories were especially brisk for the month, up a sweet 9 percent over last year ($129 million from $118 million). Curiously, NPD reports that it wasn’t just sales for Nintendo Switch gamepads (most likely extra Joy-Cons), but also Xbox One gamepads as well. Top Twenty Software: Splat-tastic! 01. Splatoon 2 02. Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy 03. Grand Theft Auto V 04. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age 05. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 06. Injustice 2 07. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 08. Overwatch 09. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege 10. NBA 2K17 11. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands 12. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered 13.

In this gridtastic episode of the Popzara Podcast our own crafty editors Cory Galliher and Nia Bothwell take on Epic Games’ genre-blending building-shooter Fortnight! That’s the one where a colorful cast of survivors craft, shoot, and attempt to survive waves of zombie attacks in even cuter, more colorful ways. What’s not to love? While the game is currently available in Early Access, though interested fans should be able to partake in free-to-play action soon. But why wait – we’ve got the goods now! So what of the game from the studio behind Unreal and Gears of War? Is it mightier than Minecraft? More involving than ARK: Survival Evolved? If you’re not quite over Overwatch and want something with a little more bite, it sounds like Fortnite won’t leave you Left4Dead. Puns aside, Cory and Nia talk the game’s unique approach to the survival-crafting genre, Epic Games style, and whether everyone will have the patience to unearth its finer treasures. So fire up your podcast player and take a listen as these questions and more are addressed in one tidy little package, totally streamlined for your busy lives; plus, it’s free forever!

On this delicious episode of the Popzara Podcast our own fellow traveler along the literary and baking path Nia Bothwell talks with author Sophie Chen Keller about her delightful debut novel, The Luster of Lost Things, in which a little boy and his golden retriever journey across New York City to track down a magical book in hopes of saving his mother’s bakery. Nia didn’t just read it – she even reviewed it! Laughs are shared as this new and upcoming author discusses the inspiration behind creating a magical bakery, moving from Beijing to the United States at a young age, and the struggles of getting her first book published. But that’s not all: Nia and Sophie also dish about the joys of baking, dreams, and the importance of holding onto childhood nostalgia. It’s a must-listen chat for anyone who loves imaginative fiction – and faithful friends.