Game Scoop! Episode 820: Our Most-Anticipated Fall 2025 Games

Release Date: August 6, 2025

In the latest episode of Game Scoop!, host Daemon Hatfield alongside co-hosts Justin Davis and Mark Medina dive deep into the gaming landscape ahead of Fall 2025. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the most anticipated releases, industry updates, and personal gaming milestones, all enriched with insightful commentary and engaging discussions.

1. Celebrating Gaming Milestones

Daemon Hadfield kicks off the episode by sharing personal achievements, announcing that both he and Justin Davis have successfully beaten Donkey Kong Bonanza. He humorously teases that they won't spoil any details but expresses immense satisfaction with the game's progression.

"[00:00] Damon Hadfield: ...Justin and I beat Donkey Kong Bonanza. And Mark finally got that elusive platinum."

Mark Medina echoes Daemon's enthusiasm, positioning Donkey Kong Bonanza as a strong contender for Game of the Year. He praises the game's ending sequence and overall delivery, likening it to Nintendo's masterpieces like Mario Odyssey.

"[02:49] Mark Medina: ...I still think this is a game of the year contender. Absolutely. For sure."

The trio discusses the challenging final boss, with Mark sharing his frustration over multiple attempts, highlighting the game's difficulty spike while Daemon appreciates Nintendo's approach to boss fights, emphasizing quality over quantity in confrontations.

"[04:25] Mark Medina: I had to do the final boss way more than three times."
"[04:29] Damon Hadfield: ...that's what I have the attention span for."

They also touch upon the game's post-story content, with Mark describing it as more challenging and rewarding, akin to titles like Kirby, offering satisfying explorations and additional layers to the gameplay.

2. Navigating Through Death Stranding Platinum

The conversation shifts to Justin Davis's accomplishment of achieving the Platinum trophy in Death Stranding 2. He candidly shares his struggle with repetitive missions and the complexities introduced by Hideo Kojima, expressing mixed feelings about the grind required for completion.

"[08:25] Justin Davis: ...but after 25 hours of grinding those last 10 hours, they did start to weigh on me."

Mark Medina inquires about a potential sequel, to which Justin expresses skepticism about the necessity of Death Stranding 3, pondering whether Kojima Productions should continue diversifying their portfolio beyond the delivery-centric games.

"[10:37] Mark Medina: Do you think they're going to... Are they going to make a Death Stranding 3?"
"[10:41] Justin Davis: I don't think so."

Despite the challenges, Justin acknowledges the satisfaction of completing the game, likening his release from the game's demands to newfound freedom to explore other titles.

3. Spotlight on Upcoming Fall 2025 Games

a. Gradius Origins and Konami's Nostalgia Push

Daemon highlights Gradius Origins, a collection celebrating Konami's legacy in shoot 'em ups from the '80s and '90s, featuring titles like Gradius, Salamander, and Life Force. The compilation includes 17-18 versions and introduces a new game, Salamander 3, developed by M2, renowned for their adeptness with retro ports.

"[15:00] Damon Hadfield: ...but maybe the most exciting part of the package is that they made a whole new game, Salamander 3."

b. Trails Series Remakes

On August 21st, three Trails games are set to launch on the PS5, including a ground-up remake of Trails in the Sky, originally a PSP title. Mark elaborates on the interconnected nature of the Trails series, likening it to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with its interwoven stories and characters.

"[18:21] Mark Medina: ...they're interconnected even though they're like separate. Like you don't have to have played games... to appreciate the new one."

c. Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater

Releasing on August 28th, Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater marks the return of the iconic series. Daemon, Justin, and Mark express eagerness to revisit the franchise, especially since Kojima wasn't directly involved in the remake.

"[20:20] Damon Hadfield: ...he did not work on the remake to be clear."

d. Cross-Platform Surprises: Helldivers 2 and Gears of War

A notable crossover occurs on August 26th, known humorously as "video game crossover day," with Helldivers 2 launching on Xbox and Gears of War making its way to PlayStation. Mark finds the simultaneous releases amusing and highlights the fluidity of modern game releases across platforms.

"[21:06] Mark Medina: ...it looks like video game crossover day."

e. Ninja Gaiden 4 and Battlefield 6

Ninja Gaiden 4 is slated for release on October 21st, with Platinum handling its publication. The hosts reminisce about the series' legacy of challenging gameplay, anticipating that the latest installment will uphold its reputation.

"[22:28] Damon Hadfield: ...I think it's going to be mostly more of the same. Great stuff."

Simultaneously, Battlefield 6 debuts on October 10th. Mark appreciates the team's efforts to align the game with player expectations, suggesting a positive trajectory for the franchise after previous entries.

"[29:16] Mark Medina: ...they were made by a team that has their pulse on what people want."

f. Other Anticipated Titles

The episode also covers a slew of other upcoming games:

• Ghost of Yotei (October 2nd): Hailed as a standout release, Mark anticipates it to be one of the best games of the fall.
• Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster (September 30th): Daemon expresses excitement to revisit this classic, reminiscing about its engaging party dynamics.
• Shovel Knight: Mina the Hollower (October 31st): Celebrated as a potential Game of the Year candidate, the release is highly anticipated by all hosts.
• Katamari Time Travel: Mark is intrigued by the time-traveling mechanics and the whimsical nature of the game.
• Kronos: The New Dawn by Bloober: With Bloober's track record from Silent Hill, Justin is cautiously optimistic about this horror title.

4. Industry Updates: Nintendo Switch Price Increase

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Nintendo's decision to hike prices for the original Switch and its accessories, citing potential impacts from tariffs and manufacturing costs.

"[44:33] Damon Hadfield: News Update. This week, Nintendo has announced they're raising prices for the original Switch and accessories like the alarmo."

The hosts debate the rationale behind the price surge, speculating on factors like tariffs affecting manufacturing in regions such as China, Vietnam, and Japan. Mark highlights the unfortunate increase, noting that the Switch OLED is now priced lower than the upcoming Switch 2, making the latter less attractive financially.

"[45:47] Damon Hadfield: ...the Switch 2, the base model is 450 bucks."
"[45:49] Justin Davis: That's completely nuts."
"[46:21] Mark Medina: ...it's because the Switch 2 is about to be, you know, $125 more expensive."

The conversation underscores the broader implications for the gaming industry, touching upon the sustainability of hardware pricing amidst global economic challenges.

5. Interactive Segment: 20 Questions - Spy Hunter Guessing Game

In an interactive segment, the hosts engage in a lively game of 20 Questions, attempting to identify a game suggestion from a listener named Colin. The target game is revealed to be Spy Hunter, an iconic title originally launched for the PS2.

"[71:00] Damon Hadfield: ...This was developed by Paradigm, which is no longer in business."

Throughout the segment, Mark and Justin navigate through their guesses, eventually uncovering the game's identity. This playful interaction highlights the hosts' deep knowledge of gaming history and their camaraderie.

6. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Promotions

As the episode wraps up, the hosts briefly mention upcoming events like Gamescom and tease future episodes, ensuring listeners remain engaged with the exciting roadmap ahead. Additionally, promotions for Humble's game sales and sponsor messages for brands like Pretty Litter and Progressive Insurance are succinctly integrated without overshadowing the core content.

"[75:10] Damon Hadfield: ...Listen to Next Gen Console Watch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts."

Conclusion

Episode 820 of Game Scoop! offers a rich tapestry of discussions, from celebrating personal gaming triumphs and delving into the intricacies of beloved titles like Donkey Kong Bonanza and Death Stranding 2, to eagerly anticipating a robust lineup of Fall 2025 releases. The hosts' insightful conversations, punctuated with memorable quotes and timestamped highlights, provide both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike with valuable perspectives on the evolving gaming landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• "I love the end. I think it finished strong."
  — Mark Medina [02:55]

• "I'm ready for this one."
  — Mark Medina [32:14]

• "My early-adoption's important."
  — Justin Davis [47:28]

• "This is the year of the ninja."
  — Mark Medina [22:15]

• "The future is bleak."
  — Mark Medina [49:05]

Stay tuned to Game Scoop! for more in-depth discussions, industry insights, and your weekly dose of all things gaming. Visit Geek.com for more information.