Gaming Gaiden

Join us for a conversation on the Electronic Gaming Monthly compendium with EGM editor Josh Harmon. We discuss the plans for the upcoming compendium & digital archive, covering related topics such as Sushi X’s real identity, Bubsy’s hairballs, and how EGM built the future that would eventually kill it.

In this episode, we discuss the history of Yasuke with our guests: author Walt Mussel and filmmaker Floyd Webb. We explore what we know and what we don’t know about this important historical figure.

In this episode, we interview Yoshiaki Ikeda, English to Japanese translator. He's worked on such games as Window Garden, Harvest Island, and Chained Echoes. We discuss his work on these games alongside other topics such as literal translation, Japan's adaptability, and what it means to be an "indoor kid."

The Street Fighter series is the series that we both love most deeply ... and superficially! In this episode, we discuss our impressions of the most recent "sixth" installment in the series that shaped so much of our gaming lives! https://linktr.ee/gaminggaiden

Join us for an interview with RetrogradeTom, Twitch streamer extraordinaire! Tom provides us with an interesting and honest perspective on the reality of working in the relatively recent field of streaming video games. From streaming with no mic to going full-time with sponsorships, Tom has seen quite a bit, and he shares it all here! Check out his Twitch channel here: https://t.co/iRPc9U4DZO OR if you prefer VODs, check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@RetrogradeTom

Come join the lovefest for the 32-bit 2D powerhouse that was the Sega Saturn! We lament its position in the market, and move on to discuss our personal histories with the system and, of course, our favorite games! https://linktr.ee/gaminggaiden

We're joined this week by Megan and Lena, the current and former Associate Program Officers, respectively, for the Japan Foundation Los Angeles. This conversation covers an incredible breadth of topics including but not limited to: family histories, language learning, the definition of "anime," ethnic identity, the JLPT, and the failings of Japan's soft power campaign. Of course, this is all in addition to some very helpful grants that the Japan Foundation offers for Japanese language teachers: salary assistance & professional development. Be sure to check the JFLA website for more information: https://www.jflalc.org/grants-jle

This odd beast of a test has loomed large in our minds for many years. While Mike is generally stuck on the intermediate plateau of N3, Andrew strives for N1. In this episode, we discuss our experiences and understanding of the test. We also discuss the test's "validity" as a language assessment and offer some advice for our fellow test takers. If only the test had more video game content ...

In this episode, we interview Kinsey Burke, producer of games and media at Chuhai Labs. Kinsey has been a fixture in the retro gaming scene for many years with her own channel and regular features with the Metal Jesus Crew, but she is also hard at work on gaming in the here and now with hits like Cursed to Golf! See more from Kinsey at Chuhai Labs' Nasty Labs series: https://www.youtube.com/@chuhailabs/videos AND/OR her personal page: https://www.youtube.com/@KinsZilla/videos

Truly deserving of the "Super" moniker, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was home to an incredible library of games that hold up very well to this day. It wasn't easy to come up with our top games because there are so many greats, and we'd love to hear your favorites as well. Speaking of hearing favorites, this is the first episode to feature a soundtrack! Check out this playlist to enhance your enjoyment of our trip down memory lane: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNMkw9HKQyQKfd-Ym5018TOBcPOGPGY3 https://linktr.ee/gaminggaiden

In this episode, Andrew interviews composer Patrick Gill to discuss Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist, influential artists, and the creative process behind his compositions. To explore Patrick's work, please visit the following links: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PatrickGillMusic Instagram https://www.instagram.com/patrickgillmusic YouTube http://www.youtube.com/patrickgillmusic

Take a journey with us through time and across the globe as we celebrate some of our favorite lesser known games from the arcade! https://linktr.ee/gaminggaiden

In this episode, we interview the celebrated fantasy author Anna Kashina. She has branched out from telling her own stories to present us with a novelization of what is generally regarded as the pinnacle of the Ys series, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana. Anna discuss the novel's beginnings, her process, and the troubles with translating to and from Russian. To learn more about the book: https://lacrimosathenovel.com/

Japan and America - Cultural Differences

Physical VS Digital Media Debate in Video Games

Video Game Taste Differences Between Japan and America

Ranking PS1 Games

The ESRB System

Ranking Sega Genesis Games

"Why do you like Japan?"

Ranking Ninja Games

Released from the Patreon Vault!: What is the greatest video game genre of all time and why is it fighting games? In this episode, we discuss our endless desire to promote the love and beauty of digital pugilism while also pontificating about the genre's future.

Ranking NES Games - This is a bit of a spoiler, but with this being the first ranking episode recorded, we didn't do a good job of keeping the listener as informed as the viewer. Sorry about that. Andrew's number 2 game is Metal Storm.

Join us for a conversation with some of EGM's most macho former writers Crispin Boyer and Shawn "Shawnimal" Smith. Learn the truth about small town newspaper journalism and the top secret mode "hidden" in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Enjoy multiple entrances and exits from hosts and guests alike while learning about the development of the sorely underrated Ninja Town! || Ninja Art Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/vectors/ninja-logo Ninja logo vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com Music from Kawaii! - Bad Snacks | Royalty Free Music - No Copyright Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXf8_Ft9-Lc

Join us for a conversation with games journalist and translator Oni Dino. Hear about the joys of studying abroad in Tokyo, the intrinsic link between language & culture, and the wonderful experience of translating Kokoro Clover Season 1! || [Ninja Art Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/vectors/ninja-logo Ninja logo vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com Music from Kawaii! - Bad Snacks | Royalty Free Music - No Copyright Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXf8_Ft9-Lc]

Join us for a conversation with translator Matt Katch. Learn about the varying amounts of information sharing in freelance translation, the peak of sprite work, and even Matt's father's response to Ranma 1/2 & Ninja Scroll! |  Ninja Art Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/vectors/ninja-logo Ninja logo vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com Music from Kawaii! - Bad Snacks | Royalty Free Music - No Copyright Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXf8_Ft9-Lc

Join us for a conversation with translation and localization director Jenn O'Donnell. Hear about the sink or swim language training of Japan's organic strawberry farms, Richard Mark Honeywood's clever programming, and one of the stronger examples of translation theory's notion of equivalence! | Ninja Art Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/vectors/ninja-logo Ninja logo vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com Music from Kawaii! - Bad Snacks | Royalty Free Music - No Copyright Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXf8_Ft9-Lc

Join us for a conversation with long-time translator and current CEO of Dragonbaby, Jeremy Blaustein. Explore with us the point of diminishing returns in gaming tech while learning about the "Mary, marry, merry" test, the versatility of the Magnavox Odyssey, and the comics that influenced Jeremy's writing! | Ninja Art Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/vectors/ninja-logo Ninja logo vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com Music from Kawaii! - Bad Snacks | Royalty Free Music - No Copyright Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXf8_Ft9-Lc

Join us for a conversation with former editor of Electronic Gaming Monthly, Dan "Shoe" Hsu. Learn about the origins of Sushi X, how the promise of a cheat code lit the spark for a long and storied career, and how the world of games journalism has changed. | Ninja Art Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/vectors/ninja-logo Ninja logo vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com Music from Kawaii! - Bad Snacks | Royalty Free Music - No Copyright Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXf8_Ft9-Lc

Join us for a conversation with two of Ace Honyaku's ace translators, Mel Ok and Emilio Gándara. Hear about growing up multilingual, the uncertain origins of Halo's Arbiter, and the truly rare idioms that transcend language! | Ninja Art Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/vectors/ninja-logo Ninja logo vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com Music from Kawaii! - Bad Snacks | Royalty Free Music - No Copyright Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXf8_Ft9-Lc

Join us for a conversation with translator, editor, and localization coordinator Katrina Leonoudakis. From watching Toonami to managing the translation of Persona 5 Royal, Katrina's journey has taken her through multiple roles and media. Learn with us all about the translation theory concept of equivalent experience while exploring the cultural impact of killing god! Ninja Art Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/vectors/ninja-logo Ninja logo vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com Music from Kawaii! - Bad Snacks | Royalty Free Music - No Copyright Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXf8_Ft9-Lc

Join us for a conversation with writer, translator, lecturer, and folklorist Zack Davisson. Hear about the Marvel method of Demon Days, the joy of dreaming in Japanese, and the difficulties of video game translation versus that of other media.  Ninja Art Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/vectors/ninja-logo Ninja logo vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com  Music from Kawaii! - Bad Snacks | Royalty Free Music - No Copyright Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXf8_Ft9-Lc

Join us for a conversation with author and translator Matt Alt. Learn about the idiosyncrasies of patent office grammar and take a journey from the dark ages of translating dumps of machine code to the modern lamentations of Pure Invention's missing chapter!  Ninja Art Attribution: https://www.freepik.com/vectors/ninja-logo Ninja logo vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com Music from Kawaii! - Bad Snacks | Royalty Free Music - No Copyright Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXf8_Ft9-Lc