Optional Boss Podcast

This episode Josh and Tyler discuss some stories found on reddit and determine if said poster was, in-fact, the asshole. To attempt to be as unbiased ahead of time only the first couple sentences were read before compiling this list!

In this episode Josh and Tyler discuss video game intros, some of the most impactful, some that are downright horrendous and what makes a good opening to high engagement games

First episode of the year! Welcome 2026! BUT before that we must reflect on the past year, Josh and Tyler discuss the year as a whole! The wins and losses, goods and bads, pros and cons.Come join us!

3rd uploads a charm, music has been stripped as the service kept flagging the episodeIn this episode Josh and Tyler discuss which games to be stranded on a desert island and why, Lets hear yours!

In this episode, Josh and Tyler discuss the joys of having so many different showcases. Such as the Nintendo Direct, State of Play, Xbox showcases, Silent Hill Transmissions, Capcom Presents etc. Not all of them are bangers by any means, but they don't have to be, they've become a spectacle of entertainment and excitement. When one gets announced everyone gets excited. When that big release that catches you off guard gets announced, the rush of dopamine. Also Hollow Knight: Silksong came out... oh that's been taking some time.

Despite Josh saying its episode 56 in a classic brain fart of dialogue dislexia, Welcome to episode 65 where we discuss box art descriptions, you know, the things on the back of the box that try to sell you on the game before we had internet like today. Assuming it wasn't caged up behind a glass pane. Josh and Tyler go head to head reading box art descriptions and attempt to figure out where they have come from, play along at home and let us know how you made out!

It would make sense to talk about the N64 for episode 64 right? Nah, instead Josh and Tyler take another top list and critique it, this time it's Gamerants top 32 games of the 90's. Not gonna lie some of them threw us off, fairly decent list but certainly a questionable order

Oops, episode was delisted, sorry aboot that!This episode Tyler and Josh air out their frustrations within the gaming world, stupid things really and just let us vent for a bit!

This episode Josh and Tyler discuss those casual games, pick up and play with a few minutes to go

In this episode, Tyler ran away so I invited Toadie, returning guest to discuss sandbox games and city builders! Like the Minecrafts, City Skylines, FACTORIO!!! Come check it out!

In this episode we discuss the grind, grinding in games, farming, call it what you want but it can be found in so many games now a days. But not all grinding is good, some are just downright boring. Check it out!

In this episode Josh and Tyler discuss media that revolves around video games instead of about video games, such as comics, old TV Shows, Movies, Magazines, Youtube and others!

Another rambly episode where we discuss the Switch 2 news and honestly go off the rails on various topics that wouldn't fit into any other episode

Kbash granted us his presence once again as we discuss the "B" Games. Those games that don't get mainstream love, or considered a "flop" but has a cult status. The world needs more B games and the world needs to appreciate the B game just a little more, so we set out to have a rambly discussion just on that

We love the Switch and with the next iteration around the corner, Josh and Tyler took the opportunity to discuss the Switch, what we've enjoyed and why before we dive into rumors and speculate on what the Switch 2 will bring us

We all have those titles that we just never had a chance to get around to and honestly, it kinda sucks. This episode Josh and Tyler discuss some of the titles that may eventually get played, but would of been better back in the day

The wacky world of "innovative" controls, some good some bad and some are just some wacky accessories for gaming. This episode we discuss some of the more bizarre controllers and control methods gaming has seen to date

We all have those games we get sucked into, love it and may not like admitting it. This episode Josh and Tyler discuss some of their guilty pleasure games and those they get sucked into

This episode Josh and Tyler discuss what they would consider the best end all be all Nintendo Console Tier list.... Handhelds can come too

With the Bossie's around the corner, Josh and Tyler discuss the vents and what they played this past year

We finally sit down and chat about Chrono Trigger, after making some mention in one way or another since all the way back in episode 1

In this episode we discuss those glorious, wonderful achievement pop-ups... or trophies... or gamer score... you know what we are referring too. Honestly, we are not trophy hunters, but that hasn't stopped us from scouting out the occasional platinum or just aiming for that glorious 110% Give us a listen! SOCIALS Instagram http://instagram.com/optionalbosspc Twitter http://x.com/optionalbosspc BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/optionalbosspc.bsky.social

We'd be stupid to make an episode about buying games...right? Well maybe, but we did it anyways! Josh and Tyler discuss buying experiences as collectors, remember some nostalgic memories and talk about dislikes that we have experienced with different outlets! Find us on Instagram and Twitter @optionalbossPC

With the PS5 Pro coming out soon, Josh and Tyler decide to take a look back at Sony, Sega, Xbox and Nintendo to see what they have don. Console variations is nothing new, however within the recent generations thy have substantially changed. This also starts year 3 of The Optional Boss Podcast! Thank you so much to everyone who has joined us on this journey, we've been having a blast!

Nothing quite like getting hyped for something coming out soon(TM), but what if it never does come out? What if radio silence happens and we have no idea what's going on with the title? Or, in a more cheerful fashion, what happens if it does come out and lives up to its hype? Gaming Hype has taken over and Josh and Tyler discuss titles they are hyped for, where hype has killed anticipation, what hype has done to our wallets in the past as well! All this in another new rambly episode!

What really is retro when you talk about it in 2024? Josh and Tyler discuss about checking out titles we never got to back in the day and how archaic they can be to new comers who have never experienced what we know as retro. Do we give NES games slack for its jank because they are "retro" or are they legitimately good. There may be some bias in this video, we just wanted to talk old games

A sequel dynasty, or something. This episode Josh and Tyler dive into the topic of games that contain 2 (Two?) in it, so yes mostly sequels. But they try to emphasize those games of two that made drastic changes or swapped the formula around... crap we left out Helldivers. Games of Two everyone!

Josh and Tyler love the NES and the NES Mini was such a wonderful item when they came out... but what if they came out with a new iteration, say a top-loader NES Mini? This episode they dive into and try to create a well rounded NES game line up of games (Without duplicates from the NES Mini). Clearly just wishful thinking and wouldn't exist, but what if?

With the successful launch of Elden Ring's DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, Josh and Tyler take a moment to reflect on what the genre "Souls-Like" means... loosely anyways. From King's Field to Demon Souls to Dark Souls to Elden Ring and what some good "Souls-Like" games are, what we enjoy, what could be better and what to look forward too!

Oops... we did it again! This episode is all rambles, the kind of rambles we do well however! We decided instead of having a dedicated topic we would take some time and just talk gaming stuff, from upcoming releases we are looking forward to, hot takes and opinions, things we have planned for the future of the podcast and hell, even some games we don't think will be great but we will dive in regardless! Come join us on a ramble filled episode!

It is finally time for Tyler to shine! We are talking the OG DMG, otherwise known as the Nintendo Gameboy, the grey brick the rules the 80's and 90's kids lives for those long road trips. In this episode we discuss memories, the games we played back in the day, what we wish we had and those wacky accessories like the Ultraboy! Follow us on your favorite podcasting service: Spotify, Apple Podcast, Rip Google Podcast, Amazon Music, Podbean, Goodpods Follow us on socials: Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/OptionalBossPC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optionalbosspc/

On this episode Josh and Tyler dive into all the previous GOTY and their respective contenders. Looking back at things really gave a good drive of nostalgia and reminded us of how good these past years have been

Welcome to the Optional Boss Podcast where sometimes the hosts, Josh and Tyler, divulge into wacky wonder as they perform their own chance time mischief and give each badly described game plots for the other to figure out. Some are pretty simple but damn some are super convoluted! Feel free to play along and see how many you get! Feel free to let us know on our socials over at: Twitter: http://twitter.com/optionalbossPC Instagram: http://instagram.com/optionalbossPC

This episode Josh and Tyler touch on the older days of the virtual console and dive into what is now known as the Nintendo Switch Online Server. Retro games released officially by Nintendo, what they enjoy, what they don't like and what we guess the future entails. Social Media Twitter: http://twitter.com/optionalbosspc Instagram: http://instagram.com/optionalbosspc

In this episode we discuss something that really sucks to see, the industry layoffs. We figured we shouldn't stay silent (As some major industry influencers have) and at least discuss some of the tragedies that have happened so far this year. We do try to keep it lighthearted as we do with every episode and hope you enjoy it! Twitter: https://twitter.com/OptionalBossPC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optionalbosspc

Mana is one of those series that we feel doesn't get enough love, especially now-a-days. With Visions of Mana lingering around the corner sometime this year, Josh and Tyler sit down with fellow Canadian content creator, KBash, as we all discuss and joygasm over the Mana series together as we wait patiently to see what the future of the series holds in store! Special thanks to KBash for taking the time from his busy schedule and joining us on this episode, please go check out his content over on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KBash or Social media at https://twitter.com/KBashShow For more Optional Boss content you can follow us on your favorite podcasting service: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/optionalbosspc or social media Twitter: https://twitter.com/optionalbosspc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optionalbosspc

Josh and Tyler dive into some of their favorite games that spark nostalgia. Doesn't matter which system, how old it is or if it's deemed "Retro".

ToadieZzz has returns to guide Josh & Tyler through the second annual Bossie Awards.

First episode of 2024 and we are already looking back on 2023... sort of anyways. Reflection on the year past and we discuss the future and what 2024 may bring for us! Maybe this will be the year we can start sorting through our backlogs finally! We also dive in for expectations and what we are planning for the podcast in the coming year as well! Also new year means a new challenge, at the end of the episode we discuss the challenge title Josh and Tyler both had and we have now issued new ones for 2024! Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @OptionalBossPC

The game awards have come and gone. Last episode we took a look at the nominations and took our best guess what who would win what. This episode we discuss the award winners and all the announcements that took place as well as rambled about the abysmal state of the awards show this year

The Game Award season is among us once again as Josh and Tyler ramble on about the 2023 nominations, make our best guestimates and once again skip 90% of the e-sports stuff cause they know nothing.

Josh and Tyler are trying something by the Fly of our Sheets, Critic the Critic is planned to be a new mini series (akin to the Mindies, Oops Just Ramble, Launch Years) where they break down game journalist's top tier lists and... well rip em apart, question them and criticize the critic. This episode is on IGN's Top 25 MUST play for the Gameboy Advance

It's been a few episodes without a classic Optional Boss List of launch titles so lets dive into the wonderful polygonal world that was the N64 and its launch titles.... ok the year and a bit because wow that launch year was short and small! Twitter and Instagram: @OptionalBossPC

The world of game collecting is a weird and strange thing. Instead of wallowing in the fact Josh or Tyler cannot afford some neat old things, they ramble about them instead! Episode 26 we each picked 5-10 games and got the current price they go for as we try to guess their value while dropping a bit of a tid bit sized info dump on each title. Enjoy this episode now as it will age like milk! Are you on social media? Come give us a follow! Instagram: @OptionalBossPC Twitter: @OptionalBossPC

1 Year of Optional Boss Podcast! We made it and it's only right to celebrate talking about one of our favorite games, Blasphemous. This episode we just stick to Blasphemous, aside from the intro rambles of course. Relatively spoiler free until the second half, we give you a good warning!

Todays episode is about limited print games from companies such as Limited Run Games, Special Reserve, Strictly Limited, Super Rare Games and many more. Being physical collectors that we are, we spent some time talking about where a huge portion of each of our libraries came from, how those companies are now and dive into a small talk about why collecting is fun for us!

Oops... this episode is all rambles, the kind of rambles we do well however! We decided instead of having a dedicated topic we would take some time and just talk gaming stuff, from upcoming releases we are looking forward to, hot takes and opinions, things we have planned for the future of the podcast and hell, even some games we don't think will be great but we will dive in regardless! Come join us on a ramble filled episode!

On this episode Josh and Tyler take a trip down, what we consider, the golden years of Rareware games. From the early games of Donkey Kong Country to Conkers Bad Fur day and Banjo Kazooie.... and I suppose Golden Eye too.

We said we would do this episode and here it is! We dive into some of the titles we want to play but lacking the time, how we handle the backlog and we wanna hear new ways to deal with that pile of games waiting for their chance in the sun! Lets go!

On this episode our hosts demonstrate their rambling skills to discuss their history and thoughts on gaming demos, what comes to mind and what makes them great, or not so great.