Kinda Funny Gamescast: Reacting to Rolling Stone's Top 50 Games

Release Date: January 9, 2025
Hosts: Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye, and Andy Cortez
Duration: Approximately 112 minutes
Transcript Provided: Full conversation transcript from [00:00] to [112:08]

1. Introduction and Casual Banter (00:00 - 09:16)

The episode kicks off with Blessing Adeoye (A) and Greg Miller (B) engaging in their typical friendly banter. Blessing introduces the show and hints at discussing indie games and their personal gaming habits for the year 2025.

• Blessing (00:00): Welcomes listeners and introduces co-host Mike, playfully suggesting Blessing is in charge of the show’s schedule.
• Greg (00:18): Responds with enthusiasm about being back on another episode.

They briefly discuss their routines, including how Blessing prefers staying active and avoiding downtime, while Greg mentions his ongoing playthrough of "Half Life."

2. Discussion on "Mouthwashing" (01:10 - 04:11)

Blessing brings up his experience with the indie game "Mouthwashing," sharing his motivations to explore more indie titles for the year.

• Blessing (01:10): Talks about finishing "Mouthwashing" to be a "tastemaker" akin to Roger McCormick.
• Greg (02:55): Supports Blessing's emotional investment, noting the game's depth and artistic elements, despite mixed personal feelings.

They agree that "Mouthwashing" is worth recommending for its emotional and artistic impact, acknowledging that some might find its trippy visuals and looping world disorienting.

3. Introducing Rolling Stone's Top 50 Games List (09:16 - 25:17)

The conversation transitions to Rolling Stone's recent release of their "Top 50 Greatest Video Games of All Time." Blessing and Greg express excitement about reacting to the list, anticipating the diversity and iconic nature of the selected games.

• Blessing (09:16): Announces Rolling Stone's list and sets the stage for their reactions.
• Greg (09:38): Shares initial thoughts, mentioning classic franchises like Grand Theft Auto, Final Fantasy, Half-Life, and Zelda.

They acknowledge the challenge of covering such a broad and influential list, anticipating debates over the placement of beloved titles.

4. Reacting to the Top 50 List (25:17 - 100:50)

Blessing and Greg systematically go through the Rolling Stone list from positions 50 to 1, sharing their thoughts, disagreements, and appreciations for each game. Highlights include:

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons (50): Both hosts give a thumbs up, noting its massive impact, especially during the pandemic.

  Greg (25:58): "Fortnite should be way higher on the list."

• Hades (49): Excitement over seeing a strong indie title like "Hades" on the list.

  Blessing (26:37): "If you're making a top 100, like, I think Hades would probably land somewhere."

• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (48): Agree on its iconic status and influence on the Metroidvania genre.

  Blessing (27:30): "One of the OGs."

• Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (47): Surprise at its lower placement, expecting it to be higher due to its foundational impact.

  Andy Cortez (27:44): "Way too low. That's low, dude."

• League of Legends (46): Applauded for its enduring popularity and influence in the MOBA genre.

  Greg (31:28): "It is the most simple game anyone can understand it."

• Fortnite (45): Mixed feelings; while acknowledging its immense cultural impact, Blessing feels it deserves a higher ranking.

  Blessing (32:41): "But to be on the list... it is a game that changed the culture."

• Metroid Prime (41): Appreciation for its quality and anticipation for its sequel.

  Greg (38:20): "It's crazy that this game is so good that people now like, we're waiting for the new Metroid."

• Mario Kart 64 (30): Nostalgia and love for the classic racing game, though some debate its placement over newer iterations.

  Blessing (75:12): "Mario Kart 64 is the OG Kart racer."

• God of War 2018 (40): Acknowledged for its storytelling and gameplay, though Blessing questions why "God of War Ragnarok" isn't featured.

  Greg (43:42): "Batman Arkham City was the blueprint for every superhero game."

• Baldur's Gate 3 (19): Excitement over its inclusion, recognizing its profound impact on modern RPGs.

  Greg (73:21): "There’s so much fun in Legacy of the Sword."

Throughout the reactions, hosts frequently reference their personal experiences, favorite moments, and how these games influenced the industry and their own gaming journeys. They also interact with audience super chats, incorporating listener opinions and debates into the conversation.

5. Audience Interaction and Super Chats (25:17 - 108:00)

Listeners actively participate via super chats, expressing agreements and disagreements with the hosts' placements of games. Notable interactions include:

• Super Chat (78:14): "Age of Empires 2 and StarCraft should be on the list due to their impact."

  Greg: "Have to have it… Impact what it did."

• Super Chat (87:04): "Portal should be in the top 10."

  Blessing (87:08): "Portal is insane."

• Super Chat (91:14): "Half-Life should top the list."

  Blessing (93:18): "Half Life definitely had game design impact."

• Super Chat (102:52): "Fortnite should be in the top 20 for its cultural impact."

  Greg (102:52): "Fortnite is changing fundamentally video games."

These interactions highlight the wide range of opinions among the audience, with some advocating for classic titles like "StarCraft," "Portal," and "Half-Life," while others push for modern influences like "Fortnite."

6. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up (108:00 - 112:08)

As the hosts approach the end of the episode, they reflect on the overall strength of Rolling Stone's list, acknowledging both its inclusions and notable omissions.

• Blessing (99:21): "This is a fantastic list overall. Great list even."

They discuss potential areas of disagreement, such as the placement of "Mario Kart 64" versus newer entries, and whether certain influential titles like "Assassin's Creed" or "Minecraft" deserved higher spots.

• Greg (100:50): "Any games that are missing on this list? Let us know in the comments."

The episode concludes with light-hearted interactions, playful teasing among hosts, and final shout-outs to super chat contributors. They encourage listeners to engage further by suggesting their own lists or discussing their favorite games.

• Blessing (112:08): "Till next time. It's been our pleasure to serve you."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Blessing (02:55): "You got to get that emotion out."
• Greg (09:38): "We love reacting to some shitless."
• Andy (27:44): "Way too low. That's low, dude."
• Blessing (32:41): "But to be on the list... it is a game that changed the culture."
• Greg (102:52): "Fortnite is changing fundamentally video games."
• Blessing (75:12): "Mario Kart 64 is the OG Kart racer."
• Greg (73:21): "There’s so much fun in Legacy of the Sword."

Key Insights and Conclusions:

• Diversity of Opinions: Hosts showcase a balance between classic and modern games, reflecting both nostalgia and current trends.
• Cultural Impact vs. Gameplay Quality: The discussion often revolves around whether a game's influence on the industry and culture justifies its placement over purely gameplay-centric titles.
• Audience Engagement: Active participation from listeners provides a multifaceted perspective, enhancing the depth of the conversation.
• Rolling Stone's Curation: While generally praised for its inclusions, the list sparks debates on the omission or placement of certain beloved titles, indicating the subjective nature of ranking games.

Overall, the episode offers an engaging exploration of what constitutes greatness in video games, balancing historical significance with personal experiences and evolving gaming landscapes.