Kinda Funny Gamescast – Episode Summary

Podcast: Kinda Funny Gamescast
Episode: Predicting Kinda Funny's Top 10 Games 2026
Host(s): Greg Miller, Tim Gettys, Andy Cortez, Mike (Snowbike Mike), Roger Picorn, Barrett
Date: January 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast dives deep into a speculative—but passionate—discussion: which games will make Kinda Funny's official Top 10 Games list for 2026? Fresh off wrapping up their 2025 awards, the crew time-capsules their predictions, analyzing announced and rumored games alongside franchise trends, genre preferences, and the unpredictable nature of the games industry. Along the way, they debate, joke, and occasionally get vulnerable about gaming FOMO and personal favorites.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recent Happenings and Vibes (02:49–10:00)

• Personal Updates: Tim Gettys discusses impending fatherhood and the nerves/excitement as the due date approaches.
  • Quote: “Tonight is my final night. I don't know what to do tomorrow. So please say all your … No more excuses. I don't know what's going to happen.” (03:42, Tim)
• Friendly Podcast Banter: Mike feels slighted for not being invited to Andy's Valorant squad—leads to friendly ribbing and FOMO talk.
  • Quote: “I take great pleasure in watching Andy and his team lose because I'm not invited. But also at the same time, I'm so happy …” (06:22, Tim)
• Shoutouts: Tim thanks the Call of Duty team for a care package; Roger recounts a wholesome Splinter Cell chat with Mike.

2. Kinda Funny’s 2025 Top 10 Recap & Setting the Stage (11:14–13:09)

• 2025’s List (Recap): Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 tops their 2025 game of the year, with notables like Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Death Stranding 2 taking up top slots.
• Purpose of the Episode: Now that the 2025 list is done, the hosts try to predict next year's (2026) company-wide Top 10—a time capsule moment, not just personal lists, aiming to see who will best predict the team’s tastes one year from now.

3. The Heavy Hitters: Debating Potential Top 1–3 (13:36–23:38)

Sorrows (PlayStation Exclusive)

• Front-runner Status: Sorrows is repeatedly championed as a strong #1 contender—citing house team alignment, broad genre appeal, and developer reputation.
  • Quote (Mike): “I think it's like it has all the right ingredients … most of us, if not all … will love this game.” (13:36)
• Reasons Given: Accessible gameplay, not niche in genre, strong production, everyone will play.

Grand Theft Auto 6

• Counterpoint: Andy predicts Rockstar’s GTA6 will be #1, but others think it could suffer from "been there, done that" syndrome—unless multiplayer is huge.
  • Quote (Andy): “I think it's boring. … But I think it's the way Rockstar works theoretically. We're all going to play GTA 6 and … play deeper into GTA 6 than Sorrows…” (15:02)
• Key Hesitations: "It’s GTA; of course it’s big, but is it exciting?" "Will people actually finish the main story?"

Resident Evil 9

• Surprise Pick: Tim plays the wildcard with RE9 after a stellar showcase, but most agree it’s unlikely to top the list, though could land in the top 5.
  • Quote (Greg): “But it will be very high on our list … There's no chance this is our number one.” (19:53, Greg)

4. Deep Cuts: Franchise Trends, Platform Prospects, and Indie Surprises (24:05–41:03)

Nintendo Games

• Uncertainty: No clear big first-party titles are confirmed—possible surprise late-year announcement of a 3D Mario or Fire Emblem, but little faith from the group these would compete for the top slots unless more info drops.

PlayStation Studios

• Wolverine: All agree Insomniac's Wolverine will be on the list but skeptical it cracks Top 3. High expectations if it can have story moments like “Aunt May” from Spider-Man PS4.
  • Quote (Greg): “I think Wolverine will be higher on my list than anyone else's.” (27:20)
• Control: Resident
  • Alignment: Could land top 4 if it launches and delivers—and especially if it goes more hack-and-slash, a la God of War. Some concern about a delay to 2027.

Forza Horizon 6 (Japan)

• A Rising Star: Credited as a mainstream racing breakthrough, with Japan as a setting—a real contender, barring potential split attention with a new Star Wars racing game.

Xbox's 2026 Prospects

• Fable: Anticipated, could become a "surprise lock" for the team’s top 10 if playground games pulls it off.
• Halo 1 Remake & Gears E Day: Big nostalgia plays, but skepticism abounds on whether remakes or reimaginings can crack a modern Top 10 (especially with no multiplayer in the new Halo 1).
• Quote (Tim): “Three Xbox titles will be on our Game of the Year list …” (51:11, Tim)

5. Genre Swings, Sequels, and Indies That Could Steal the Show (41:03–69:31)

• Fire Emblem: Unexpectedly, hype among the crew is high; could break in due to a new gladiator-style arc.
  • Quote (Greg): “I'm excited at how much excitement there is for Fire Emblem here. … kind of funny's changing, man.” (77:50)
• Mixtape: From the Artful Escape team—a “teen John Hughes movie” interactive—predicted as this year’s potential Life is Strange-style indie hit.
  • Quote (Roger): “It’s gonna get a Mike's List, watch.” (63:23)
• Half-Life 3: The ultimate wildcard—if announced and released, all agree it would instantly slot top 3.
  • Quote (Barrett): “I'm confident to say Half-Life three at number three. … If Half Life three exists, that's Half Life three number three.” (61:38)
• Crimson Desert: Potential “everything game” with high expectations but skepticism about its ability to live up to the hype (“all style, no substance” risk).
• Dust Blood—on Switch 2: PvP extraction shooter from a From Software alum. Tech concerns about performance on Switch2 may limit lasting appeal.

6. Pizza Bets, Stats & Community Predictions (51:02–85:38)

• Ongoing Pizza Bets:
  • "3 Xbox titles on the GoTY list" (Tim vs. Andy)
  • "LEGO Batman not making the list" (Andy vs. Tim)
  • Over/under on new unannounced games in top 10 next year (Greg contemplating bet)
• Community Involvement: Super chats pepper in with wild predictions, e.g., Mario Tennis Fever, Ace Combat, Star Wars 0 Company Sleeper Hit.

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I take great pleasure in watching Andy and his team lose because I'm not invited. But also at the same time, I'm so happy ...” (06:22, Tim)
• “A lot of asses in this game ... I'm looking at the trailer and so much ass. I'm like, this is number one, right?” (18:44, Barrett)
• “If Half Life three exists, that's Half Life three number three. I think that's a perfect place for it.” (61:38, Barrett)
• “This one has to hit with the story. It has to hit with characters that I care about ... otherwise your combat and open world better be the most impressive thing I've seen.” (44:10, Mike, on Fable)
• “Crimson Desert ... I want to believe ... but I could totally see it being an all style, no substance.” (69:32, Mike)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [02:49] – Tim’s fatherhood/family updates & gaming FOMO banter.
• [11:14] – Kinda Funny 2025 Top 10 recap & purpose of this prediction episode.
• [13:36] – The Sorrows vs. GTA6 vs. RE9 debate for #1 game.
• [24:05] – Nintendo & PlayStation first-party speculation.
• [27:20] – Wolverine, Control: Resident, & Insomniac trend analysis.
• [38:06] – Forza Horizon, Star Wars racing, and racing genre talk.
• [41:13] – Fable, Halo, Gears E Day—Nostalgia and the “Xbox 3” pizza bet.
• [61:38] – Half-Life 3 as the top wildcard.
• [63:23] – Mixtape and indie breakout discussion.
• [69:32] – Crimson Desert and skepticism.
• [77:37] – Fire Emblem’s surprise surge.
• [85:08] – Community super chats and dark horse candidate musings.

Tone & Style

The discussion carries Kinda Funny’s hallmark blend of casual humor, ultra-nerd analysis, and genuine friendship. While deeply analytical about industry trends and game mechanics, there’s no shortage of inside jokes, banter, and authenticity—ranging from competitive trash talk to heartfelt admissions of FOMO or excitement about personal milestones.

Closing Thoughts

The Kinda Funny crew recognizes that the gaming year ahead is full of question marks, potential upsets, and unannounced surprises. Their top picks—Sorrows, GTA6, RE9, Wolverine, Forza, Mixtape, and (Dreamland!) Half-Life 3—reflect both logical predictions and the unique flavor of what excites their whole team. With ongoing bets, predictions, and audience feedback, the foundation is set for plenty of “told you so” or “eat your words” moments come their 2026 Game of the Year episode.

*If you want a blow-by-blow walk-through of their predictions and logic, be sure to check the timestamps above—or tune in to see which hosts really can predict the future of gaming taste!