Podcast Summary: The Besties – "Blueprints is the First Must-Play Game of 2025"

Introduction In this episode of The Besties, hosts Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, and Russ Frushtick delve into the latest developments in the gaming world, with a particular focus on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and the highly anticipated game Blueprints. Released on April 11, 2025, this episode promises rich discussions, insightful critiques, and engaging conversations for both avid gamers and casual listeners.

Nintendo Switch 2 Announcement and Features The episode kicks off with an enthusiastic discussion about the newly announced Nintendo Switch 2. The hosts express a mix of excitement and skepticism regarding its features and release logistics.

• Release Date and Pre-Order Status

  • Russ Freshick (04:22): "We still can't pre-order the Switch 2. We still don't know when it's actually coming out in the United States and Canada."
  • Griffin McElroy (05:07): "I think they said it's still planned for the June 5th release date, but that has changed."

• Ergonomics and Design Improvements

  • Russ Freshick (07:07): "It's better than the Switch one, mostly because of the size, like, because it's taller. So your hands can actually, like, grip the whole thing."
  • Griffin McElroy (08:41): "I use that feature a shocking amount for Switch one when I'm traveling and Henry wants to play like a multiplayer game on Switch."

• Game Chat Feature The Switch 2 introduces a dedicated Game Chat button, sparking a debate on its necessity and execution.

  • Justin McElroy (10:08): "I think that the new button for Game Chat is trying to get ahead of a market that is playing games in maybe a different way than we did."
  • Russ Freshick (10:29): "If you press the button and you're not subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online, it just pulls up an ad for how great Nintendo Switch Online is."

Donkey Kong Bonanza and Mario Kart World The hosts transition to discussing Donkey Kong Bonanza and Mario Kart World, highlighting their features and release strategies.

• Donkey Kong Bonanza

  • Russ Freshick (25:49): "It feels like a Hulk game is what it feels like. Kind of let loose in these environments."
  • Griffin McElroy (26:46): "Level the entire level, take the thing to the studs."

• Mario Kart World The open-world approach of Mario Kart World is a significant departure from previous iterations.

  • Russ Freshick (28:11): "It feels like they're trying to flesh out the single-player experience with that open world."
  • Griffin McElroy (29:49): "The tracks were much more wide-ranging, mixing and matching biomes within the same track."

Blueprints: A Deep Dive into the Must-Play Game The heart of the episode centers on the game Blueprints, receiving high praise from the hosts for its innovative mechanics and engaging puzzles.

• Game Mechanics and Comparison to Board Games

  • Griffin McElroy (46:29): "A touchstone that may be helpful for some folks is Betrayal at House on the Hill."
  • Justin McElroy (50:17): "It is the dark souls of thinking. You're learning the vocabulary of this house and how it thinks."

• Accessibility Concerns

  • Russ Freshick (42:14): "For colorblind people like me, obviously, you'll have a lot of difficulty playing this."
  • Justin McElroy (55:19): "The passage of days was a lot more frustrating for me because I thought the way that days are, like, counting very definitively makes you feel like there's a time pressure."

• Creator's Influence and Game Design

  • Christopher Thomas Plant (58:24): "The game feels like they are whispering to you, guiding your experience thoughtfully."
  • Griffin McElroy (63:02): "It has truly had some of the most memorable moments, most satisfying, like, solutions."

Additional Highlights Beyond the main topics, the hosts touch upon other cultural mediums that have captured their attention.

• Minecraft Movie Experience

  • Griffin McElroy (65:37): "Imagine how you would make a Minecraft movie and make it actually, like, extremely Minecraft and not like the 1993 Super Mario Bros."

• Television Insights: White Lotus

  • Justin McElroy (68:41): "White Lotus is a really, really well-written and acted TV show. Each season explores themes like income inequality, sex, and death with a clear point of view."

Conclusion The episode wraps up with teasers for upcoming discussions and a nod to their Patreon supporters, ensuring listeners stay connected for future insights and reviews.

• Upcoming Discussions

  • Griffin McElroy (73:38): "Next week, we're talking about Promise Mascot Agency, the new game from the studio that did Bestie's favorite, Paradise Killer."

• Final Thoughts

  • Griffin McElroy (74:10): "We make a promise up front that we're not gonna spoil anything. It's impossible to not spoil something just by talking about it."

Notable Quotes

• Russ Freshick (07:07): "It's better than the Switch one, mostly because of the size, like, because it's taller."
• Justin McElroy (10:08): "I think that the new button for Game Chat is trying to get ahead of a market."
• Griffin McElroy (46:29): "Betrayal at House on the Hill."
• Justin McElroy (50:17): "It is the dark souls of thinking."
• Griffin McElroy (63:02): "It has truly had some of the most memorable moments."

Final Thoughts This episode of The Besties offers a comprehensive exploration of the latest in gaming, particularly spotlighting the innovative Blueprints game and the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. The hosts’ dynamic discussions provide listeners with valuable insights, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about the evolving landscape of video games.