nintendo

184 – Top 5 Video Games of 2024

It’s our final, epic Game of the Year ranking!

For the past 8 years, we’ve celebrated the awesome power that is video games with our GOTY deliberations. We’ve witnessed the gaming landscape change drastically over the years, but through thick and thin, we’ve delivered Top 5 lists of our favourite gaming experiences through rowdy and passionate debates. What makes PodCavern’s GOTY lists special? They’re crafted not by a gaming publication, YouTube/Twitch channel, or sponsored by a third party, but by everyday gamers who simply love video games and talking about them. We’ve gladly poured our blood, sweat, and pixels into this process year after year, playing games like it’s our job (it’s not!), just to create these lists, celebrate the medium, and frankly, have an excuse to nerd out about a topic that is near and dear to our hearts.

But now as this podcast is coming to an end, the day has come for us to rest, put down the controller, and make space for others to marathon video games and create their own lists. But not before one last victory lap! Join Tuong La and Gaming Legends Angus MacDonald, Ethan Howieson, and Mathew Whalley as they ‘press start’ together once more to rank Top 5 Video Games of 2024!

Read More

168 – Top 5 Donkey Kong Songs

DK! Donkey Kong is here!

It’s time to talk about everyone’s favourite gorilla with a tie! Yes, we are talkin’ Donkey Kong this week! This iconic character has been jumping on alligators, riding on rails on sketchy mine carts, and torpedo-ing himself through explosive barrels for decades now, but part of what makes those adventures so memorable is the catchy music that serves as a backdrop for his adventures. So this week, grab your bananas and your DK Bongos as Tuong La and his Musically Groovy Kongs Samantha Leggatt, Spencer Moreland, and Joshua Mayo barrel through the jungle and rank some of the best music in video games  – with Top 5 Donkey Kong Songs!

Read More

140 – Top 5 Chill Video Game Songs

Chill out to some of gaming’s best tunes!

We’ve already tackled Top 5 Video Game Theme Songs but the spectrum of what songs in gaming can offer is so much more vast. Today’s episode is inspired by how popular Lo-Fi beats have become (Thanks Lo-Fi Girl!) and so we wanted to bring you some of gaming’s best chilling and relaxing tunes.  So join Tuong and 8-Bit Cool Cats Samantha Leggatt, Spencer Moreland, and Joshua Mayo as they get into their cozy vibes while ranking Top 5 Chill Video Game Songs.

Read More

125 – Top 5 Video Games of 2021

Where would we be in the pandemic without video games?

It is not hyperbole to say that, for many, video games has been a beacon of joy and much needed escapism from the reality of this pandemic. It continues to be one of the more enjoyable ways to connect with family/friends digitally, in a world where lockdowns are frequent and Zoom fatigue is real. While the planet continues to be a big ol’ dumpster fire, video games provided that comfort we needed to push through to the next day. And yes, the effects of the pandemic did hit game development pretty bad resulting in multiple delays but somehow, through it all, we were still able to get some quality titles this year. So join Tuong and #GamerBoyz Angus MacDonald, Matthew Whalley, and Ethan Howieson as they celebrate another fantastic year in gaming by ranking Top 5 Video Games of 2021! 

Read More

115 – Top 5 The Legend of Zelda Songs

“HEY! Listen!”
Earlier this year we paid tribute to everyone’s favourite video game plumber by celebrating Top 5 Super Mario Songs . But Mario isn’t the only one with a big anniversary to celebrate this year. That’s right! This time, we are giving love to another one of gaming’s most popular franchises – The Legend of Zelda for their 35th anniversary! So this week join Tuong and the Tri-Force trio that is Justin Godelie, Spencer Moreland, and Kristine Shadid as they grab their ocarinas and spin attack their way to making a Top 5 Legend of Zelda Songs list!

Read More

Ep 67 – Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (2021) with Doug MacKendrick

“It’s a-me!”

We are not quite done celebrating Mario’s 35th birthday in the PodCavern! Like many games that came to the Wii U, this particular one was revered by many but played by so few…until now! So join us this week as Tuong La and Doug MacKendrick talk about the newest (sort of) cat-filled adventure of Mario re-released on the Nintendo Switch – Super Mario 3D World and the brand new free expansion Bowser’s Fury!

Read More

106 – Top 5 Super Mario Songs

Mama mia! It’s Mario time!
To celebrate our favourite mushroom-eating, high-jumping, adventure-seeking Italian plumber on his 35th birthday, we take a look back on all the Mario games that have brought us gamers so much joy over the years. While last year we ranked Top 5 Super Mario Games, this year we wanted to celebrate an aspect of these iconic platformers that is crucial to making these games what they are but are so often overlooked – the music! This week join Tuong La and Koopa Kids Samantha Leggatt, Spencer Moreland, and Alex Toth as they venture into the Mushroom Kingdom, high on a star power up, while grooving out and ranking Top 5 Super Mario Songs!

Read More

101 – Top 5 Video Games of 2020

At least we had video games in 2020.

It is not breaking any new ground to say 2020 was a dumpster fire. In that raging dumpster fire though, there was a small little ray of hope and escapism in the name of …video games! It is not hyperbole to say that video games provided that much needed comfort in these dark times to the entire world. And while 2020 brought out the worst in gamers (we’re looking at you The Last of Us 2/Cyberpunk entitled knuckleheads), it also brought out some real fantastic game experiences that we were able to get completely immersed in. It gave us a way to connect with family/friends digitally, in a world where we couldn’t physically see each other. So join Tuong La and ‘Sus Gamers’ Angus MacDonald, Ethan Howieson, and Matthew Whalley as they celebrate the best games of 2020!

Read More

Ep 44 – Cobrai Kai with James Beattie

Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy.

This week on Talkin’ Tuong, join Tuong and Sensei James Beattie as they witness a beloved 80’s movie property from their youth Crane-Kick it’s way back into pop-culture relevancy and give their non-spoiler thoughts of the first two seasons of Cobra Kai!

Read More

Ep 43 – Mulan (2020) with Whitney Chen

Let’s get down to business!

The long awaited and multiply delayed live-action remake of Mulan is finally here (for a 30 dollar cost), and has been met with VERY mixed emotions. So join Tuong La and special guest Whitney Chen as they ‘bring honour’ to the PodCavern and talk about all the things good, bad, and controversial about 2020’s Mulan!

Read More