Kinda Funny Gamescast: "Greg Miller Played Pokémon Legends: Z-A"
Podcast Summary – August 28, 2025
Overview:
The Kinda Funny Gamescast crew gathers for a special episode, with Greg Miller returning from his hands-on preview of Pokémon Legends: Z-A at the Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim. The episode features a deep-dive discussion on his gameplay impressions, reflections on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Switch 2 version), stories from the Pokémon fandom experience with his son Ben, and the enduring appeal of the franchise. Hosts Tim Gettys, Greg Miller, Blessing Adeoye Jr., and Andy Cortez (notably absent from most of the segment) keep the conversation energetic, mixing humor, nostalgia, and candid review points.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Pre-Talk: Nightmares and Gym Closures
- The crew opens with banter about exhaustion and nightmares—Tim’s from watching Marc Maron's standup ("gave me nightmares" [01:14]), Blessing’s about a surreal “Pinocchio’s Lies” play (02:15).
- Highlights early camaraderie and sets the laid-back, humorous mood.
2. State of Superhero Games
- Greg teases a “Greg Way” segment about the lack of superhero video games (03:19), marking the endemic cancelations — particularly Black Panther and Wonder Woman titles.
3. Greg as The Pokémon Guy
- Tim introduces Greg as the show's “only true Pokémon fan” ([04:10]), prompting jokes about Kinda Funny’s Pokémon coverage:
“None of those doesn't happen…not without Greg.” – Greg Miller [04:21] - This sets up Greg’s role as spokesperson for the Pokémon deep-dive segment.
Main Event: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Hands-On Impressions
[06:14 – 15:01]
Demo Structure & Gameplay Mechanics
- Greg’s hands-on at Pokémon Worlds: Two 10-minute, tightly scripted demo slices.
- First Slice: Battle Zone Tutorial
- Not “true free roam” — enclosed battle zone for a contest ascending from Rank Z upward.
- “You need to get three wins in this area. This is all incredibly tutorial.” [07:51]
- Stealth Element: Sneaking up on trainers for first-strike advantage—simple but effective twist.
- Active Battle System: Replaces classic turn-based combat with action/MMO-like cooldown moves and live targeting. No more PP; attacks use cooldowns ([09:44]).
- "To me, this is more of an MMO... but it felt so much like the show right now...like the show is so different than the game." – Greg [10:24]
- Impression: Chaotic but enjoyable; Greg expects to appreciate it more with a custom-picked squad.
- Second Slice: Mega Evolution Boss Fight
- A rooftop boss battle against Mega Absol; features Lucario, dodge-rolling, and “orb” collection to trigger mega evolution and defeat the boss ([28:35]).
- “Not souls combat, but challenging and exciting for a Pokémon game.”
- First Slice: Battle Zone Tutorial
Technical & Visual Impressions
- Greg found the game “crisp, vibrant, great animation” (27:49), especially compared to Violet and older titles—though Tim is “surprised you think this looks good” (27:48).
- Notes improvements especially sharp on Switch 2 hardware.
Series Evolution and Player Perspective
- Greg’s newfound Pokémon love is through his son Ben’s obsession:
“My Pokémon obsession, which is legitimate — not the bit of me yelling at Tim about the review — is totally fueled by Ben’s obsession with Pokémon right now.” – Greg [10:24] - The demo makes Greg feel like Ash, calling out commands in real time, aligning gameplay closer to the anime’s depiction.
- Still, he concedes the system became “chaotic” quickly; the battle system might be intimidating for series newcomers, but it’s a welcome shake-up.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Switch 2) — Greg’s First Real Pokémon Journey
[15:12 – 21:03]
Building Greg’s Pokémon Team
- Greg details his main squad:
- Quackers (Quaquaval): Starter, “duped” by its initial cuteness but attached nonetheless.
- Jaguar (Persian): Named by Ben; “just a strong guy” ([19:36])
- Altaria: Became MVP for clutch performances — “saved the fucking day” ([17:04])
- Ogerpon: From DLC, an unexpected favorite and “ride or die” team member ([19:06])
- Belly Bolt: Reliable for electric type needs.
- Hawlucha: Greg’s new all-time favorite, inspired by learning its luchador influences (21:03).
Notable Moment:
“When I’m walking on the beach and there’s one set of footprints, it’s because Ogerpon was carrying me. Think about it.”
– Greg, about his newfound respect for Ogerpon [19:36]
- Altaria’s rise to MVP: Assisted Greg in a crucial battle against the “university head acting as Clive”—became his “god tier” choice ([17:04]).
- Pokémon nicknames prompt nostalgia and personal connection for both Greg and Ben.
- Honorable mentions: Torkoal (first fire-type Greg embraced) and Benny Dabo (Tauros, key through early-to-mid game).
Mega Evolutions & Pokémon Marketing
[22:15 – 24:23]
- Discussion of Mega Hawlucha and Mega Victreebel debut trailers, praising creativity and tonal variety:
- “From a marketing perspective, I love this, because these are the type of things that make these Mega Evolutions stand out more… It adds that personality that will stick with you.” – Tim [23:55]
Pokémon Fandom and the World Championships in Anaheim
[33:58 – 46:04]
A Core-Memory Pokémon Experience
- Greg recounts attending Pokémon Worlds with Ben — private Pokémon Center shopping, plush collecting, and exclusive merch.
- Emotional highlights:
- Ben’s high-five parade walking into the opening ceremonies ([38:55])
- Ben’s first Pokémon card pack, learning to play, discovering his passion through games and the TV show.
Notable Quote:
“Trying to make a core memory for your son at this Pokémon event, him coming in, getting high fives from everybody…” – Greg [38:23]
-
Tim and Greg reflect on Pokémon’s multi-generational appeal—the “quicksand” effect of falling into the fandom.
“Now that you’re at where you’re at now…it almost doubles Mickey Mouse and friends…was there a moment where you feel like you’re part of that wave now?” – Bless [49:10] -
Greg affirms:
“100%. It’s always tickled the edge of my gaming periphery… There’s the fucking magic of Pokémon that takes it so far above…” [49:25, 60:14]
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Switch 2) — In-Depth Review
[58:01 – 67:15]
Greg’s Review
-
Recognizes himself as a “newcomer” — this is his “true” first Pokémon game.
-
Played on Switch 2, which solves technical issues of original release; admits earlier version’s flaws.
-
Praises the magic of collecting, exploring, and the “trance” of the gameplay loop despite graphical datedness and lack of voice acting.
-
Assigns a score:
“My head wants to put it in the eights, my heart wants to give it a nine. …As a critic, it means it can’t be a nine game. It’s an eight. …A great game, but there’s the fucking magic of Pokémon that takes it so far above that in terms of the time you’re having.” – Greg [59:00–60:14] -
Tim concurs, rates an 8/10 (“the game’s ugly as sin…team Star stuff is…a downside…Terastalization is…my least favorite of the gimmicks… But the end of the game is so strong.” [65:04])
-
Both emphasize the power of Pokémon’s “magic” and how nothing quite captures it, despite the obvious flaws and room to improve.
Closing Thoughts
- Excitement for Pokémon’s future: Gen 10, World Championships in San Francisco, and the upcoming “Pokémon Champions” game.
“Next year is going to be the biggest in Pokémon history...” – Tim [48:29] - Reflections on family, nostalgia, and the multi-faceted draw of Pokémon—cards, games, anime, collecting.
- Both Greg and Tim highlight the series’ ability to continually inspire curiosity and joy, even for adults or parents sharing it with their children.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Pokémon’s unique appeal:
“Nobody else can make a Pokémon game that hits like Pokémon.” – Bless [67:17] - On Pokémon’s gameplay loop:
“It’s a trance. You just get sucked into it.” – Tim [61:18] - On parenthood and legacy:
“It’s a very cool time right now in the Miller household.” – Greg [63:53]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [06:14] – Greg’s Pokémon Legends: Z-A demo impressions begin
- [15:12] – Greg’s story of building his Pokémon Violet team
- [22:15] – Mega Hawlucha segment and marketing praise
- [33:58] – Pokémon World Championships Anaheim stories
- [46:04] – Ben’s Pokémon fandom and Greg’s dad perspective
- [58:01] – In-depth Pokémon Scarlet and Violet review
- [65:04] – Tim’s co-review and series criticism
Tone & Style Notes
The episode is conversational, enthusiastic, and peppered with in-jokes. The hosts blend candid critique (graphic/VO/raid issues) with earnest affection for the franchise’s magic and social bonds. Caring, family-centered stories give the recap emotional resonance.
For New Listeners
This episode provides an insightful, honest look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A and a heartfelt review of Scarlet and Violet, filtered through the eyes of a new (but deeply invested) adult fan and father. It encapsulates what makes Pokémon an enduring, cross-generational cultural phenomenon.