Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast
Episode: Every Rockstar Game Ranked
Release Date: May 19, 2025
Hosts: Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye Jr., and Andy Cortez

Episode Overview

In the May 19, 2025 episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, the hosts—Blessing Adeoye Jr., Snow Mike, Andy Cortez, and Greg Miller—delve into a comprehensive ranking of every Rockstar game as curated by Game Informer Editorial. This episode blends insightful analysis with spirited debates as the hosts navigate through Rockstar's expansive game library, assessing each title's impact, quality, and legacy within the gaming community.

Ranking Every Rockstar Game

Starting the Rankings (00:00 - 15:00)

The episode kicks off with light-hearted banter about merchandise and personal anecdotes, quickly transitioning to the main topic: ranking Rockstar games. Snow Mike introduces the challenge, prompting the hosts to predict the order of Rockstar's titles based on a newly published Game Informer list.

Lower Tier Rankings (#24 - #16)

• #24 Wild Metal
  Timestamp [27:06]: Snow Mike begins the list with "Wild Metal," likening it to the "Twisted Metal" series. The hosts reminisce about the era when Rockstar experimented with vehicular combat games.
  Quote: "Wild Metal looks like Twisted Metal. Looks like a twisted metal Vigilante Dreams Cab. That was a great." — [27:35] Blessing Adeoye Jr.

• #23 Midnight Club Street Racing
  Timestamp [28:38]: The discussion shifts to "Midnight Club Street Racing." The hosts acknowledge Rockstar's efforts to tap into the street racing genre, drawing parallels to "Need for Speed."
  Quote: "These racers out right there, I mean, I think that's all of them on the Midnight Club. So you won't see any more of those." — [39:02] Blessing Adeoye Jr.

• #22 Manhunt 2
  Timestamp [29:54]: "Manhunt 2" is critiqued for straying from the original's success by focusing excessively on gore and controversial content.
  Quote: "It's sequel throughout everything that made the first game special and focused instead on the gory kill cams." — [29:57] Snow Mike

• #21 Rockstar Presents Table Tennis
  Timestamp [30:52]: The hosts express surprise at "Rockstar Presents Table Tennis" occupying the 21st spot. They debate its placement, acknowledging its unique position within Rockstar's portfolio.
  Quote: "It was Rockstar making it. Table tennis nevertheless emerged as an enjoyable sports title, respected for its smart AI and simplistic but addicting gameplay." — [30:52] Snow Mike

• #20 Midnight Club 2
  Timestamp [31:30]: "Midnight Club 2" is discussed, with acknowledgments of its dedicated fanbase despite not being as universally acclaimed as other titles.
  Quote: "Midnight Club 2 was a lot of fun out of the three." — [31:30] Blessing Adeoye Jr.

Mid-Tier Rankings (#19 - #11)

• #19 Grand Theft Auto: The First One
  Timestamp [32:09]: The original "Grand Theft Auto" game is critiqued for its top-down perspective and dated mechanics, though its historical significance is noted.
  Quote: "I'm thinking back to the days where I discovered emulation meme by myself. GTA might have been one of them." — [32:27] Snow Mike

• #18 Red Dead Revolver
  Timestamp [35:09]: "Red Dead Revolver" is seen as a precursor to the more refined "Red Dead" series, but it doesn't garner much fondness from the hosts.
  Quote: "Red Dead Revolver is a rental for me. Don't remember much about it." — [35:48] Blessing Adeoye Jr.

• #17 Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
  Timestamp [35:09]: This handheld title is praised for successfully translating GTA's open-world experience to portable devices, though some feel it lacks depth compared to mainline entries.
  Quote: "Liberty City Stories was a technical revelation when it came out." — [35:07] Snow Mike

• #16 Grand Theft Auto 2
  Timestamp [37:35]: "GTA 2" is acknowledged for its continued experimentation with the series formula, though it doesn't stand out as much as other entries.
  Quote: "At number 16 we got Grand Theft Auto 2." — [37:35] Snow Mike

• #15 Midnight Club Los Angeles
  Timestamp [37:57]: A discussion ensues about "Midnight Club Los Angeles," highlighting Rockstar's commitment to the racing genre despite varying game quality.
  Quote: "At number 15 we got midnight Club Los Angeles." — [37:43] Snow Mike

Higher Tier Rankings (#14 - #11)

• #14 Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
  Timestamp [39:09]: "Vice City Stories" receives attention for maintaining the vibrant atmosphere of Vice City on handheld platforms, though it may not surpass console counterparts.
  Quote: "Vice City Stories was a technical revelation when it came out." — [36:44] Snow Mike

• #13 Midnight Club 3
  Timestamp [39:58]: "Midnight Club 3" is recognized for its advancements in the racing series, though it remains less impactful compared to Rockstar's flagship titles.
  Quote: "At number 13 we got Midnight Club 3." — [39:55] Snow Mike

• #12 Chinatown Wars
  Timestamp [40:37]: "Chinatown Wars" is lauded for its deep integration of GTA mechanics into handheld systems, offering a unique gameplay experience that appeals to hardcore fans.
  Quote: "Chinatown Wars is very high. These games are staples of underrated classics." — [40:45] Snow Mike

• #11 The Warriors
  Timestamp [41:33]: "The Warriors" game is discussed as a near-top 10 contender, admired for its faithful adaptation of the beloved movie, though it ultimately misses out on higher rankings.
  Quote: "It's going to be the most underrated than it should be." — [41:34] Snow Mike

Top Ten Highlights

#10 - Manhunt

• Timestamp [42:36]
  "Manhunt" secures the 10th spot, with Snow Mike expressing surprise at its placement over more popular titles.
  Quote: "Number 10 is gonna be Manhunt." — [42:23] Snow Mike

#9 - Max Payne 3

• Timestamp [42:22]
  "Max Payne 3" enters the ranks, praised for its narrative and gameplay improvements over its predecessors.
  Quote: "Max Payne 3 is going in as a top half entry." — [43:03] Snow Mike

#8 - Grand Theft Auto IV

• Timestamp [43:40]
  "GTA IV" is recognized for its ambitious storytelling and open-world design, though it receives criticism for slower pacing and physics inconsistencies.
  Quote: "GTA IV didn't live up to the activities of San Andreas." — [44:00] Snow Mike

#7 - Bully

• Timestamp [46:34]
  "Bully" is appreciated for its unique setting and engaging storyline, securing a solid position within the top ten despite mixed reviews.
  Quote: "Number seven, we got Bully." — [47:07] Snow Mike

#6 - GTA San Andreas

• Timestamp [48:09]
  "GTA San Andreas" is lauded as one of the best in the series for its expansive open world, character development, and diverse gameplay mechanics. The hosts debate its placement, acknowledging both its strengths and the criticisms it faces regarding changes in series formula.
  Quote: "San Andreas is the best one out of those three." — [49:24] Blessing Adeoye Jr.

#5 - GTA 3

• Timestamp [52:13]
  The original "GTA 3" is credited with revolutionizing open-world gaming, establishing foundational mechanics that define the series. Despite its age, it remains a cornerstone in Rockstar's library.
  Quote: "Number five, we got GTA 3." — [52:13] Snow Mike

#4 - GTA Vice City

• Timestamp [52:40]
  "GTA Vice City" is celebrated for its vibrant aesthetic, memorable soundtrack, and engaging narrative, solidifying its status as a fan favorite.
  Quote: "Vice City is the fan favorite." — [52:49] Snow Mike

#3 - Red Dead Redemption

• Timestamp [53:04]
  The original "Red Dead Redemption" is praised for its compelling storytelling and immersive Wild West setting, earning its place high on the list.
  Quote: "At number three, you got Red Dead Redemption." — [53:03] Snow Mike

#2 - GTA 5

• Timestamp [53:07]
  "GTA 5" is recognized for its expansive world, diverse missions, and groundbreaking online component, reinforcing its position as a modern masterpiece in gaming.
  Quote: "Number two, we got GTA 5." — [53:07] Snow Mike

#1 - Red Dead Redemption 2

• Timestamp [53:09]
  Snow Mike crowns "Red Dead Redemption 2" as the pinnacle of Rockstar's achievements, lauding its intricate storytelling, stunning visuals, and deeply immersive gameplay.
  Quote: "Number one, of course, we have Red Dead Redemption 2." — [53:09] Snow Mike

Notable Discussions and Debates

• San Andreas vs. GTA 5:
  The hosts engage in a spirited debate about the placement of "GTA San Andreas" relative to "GTA 5," weighing San Andreas' nostalgic value and expansive gameplay against GTA 5's modern advancements and online innovations.

• Impact vs. Quality:
  A recurring theme is whether the rankings prioritize the historical impact of a game or its overall quality and enjoyment. For instance, "GTA 3" is noted for its pivotal role in shaping open-world games, yet it doesn't top the list due to subsequent titles' advancements.

• Underrated Titles:
  Games like "Manhunt" and "The Warriors" spark discussions about their underappreciated statuses, with some hosts feeling that these titles deserve higher rankings based on personal enjoyment and unique contributions.

• Table Tennis Placement:
  "Rockstar Presents Table Tennis" becomes a point of contention, with Snow Mike defending its innovative gameplay and the technical prowess behind its development, despite its unconventional place in the ranking.

Final Thoughts

As the hosts conclude the ranking, they reflect on Rockstar's diverse game portfolio, acknowledging both the high points and missteps. While "Red Dead Redemption 2" tops the list, the conversation underscores the enduring legacy of Rockstar’s flagship franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. The episode wraps up with the hosts encouraging listeners to engage with the content and share their own rankings, highlighting the subjective nature of game appreciation.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Snow Mike [26:57]: "We're going to jump into every rank, ranking every single Rockstar game by Game Informer editorial. Guys, are you ready?"

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [27:35]: "Wild Metal looks like Twisted Metal. Looks like a twisted metal Vigilante Dreams Cab. That was a great."

• Snow Mike [30:52]: "Rockstar Presents Table Tennis is the first Rockstar game to be developed on the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine Rage."

• Andy Cortez [42:39]: "Manhunt is going to be number 10."

• Snow Mike [53:09]: "Number one, of course, we have Red Dead Redemption 2—the goat of Rockstar."

This episode of Kinda Funny Gamescast offers a thorough and entertaining exploration of Rockstar's game catalog, enriched by the hosts' personal insights and passionate discussions. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to Rockstar's offerings, this ranking provides a comprehensive look at the company's most influential titles.