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! 

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Ep 39 – Pi (1998) with Jesse Anderson

We are all unpacked and settled into a brand new PodCavern so the fires of Talkin’ Tuong are burning once more! So join us as Tuong and special guest Jesse Anderson try to math out if Darren Aronofsky’s 1998 film Pi is any good and if it will make us as psychologically uncomfortable as 99% of his films!

84 – Top 5 Pokémon

Gotta Rank’Em All!
…okay maybe not all of them but you get the idea. For over 20 years, Pokémon is still, to this day, one of the most beloved franchises of all time. In fact in many ways, Pokémon has never been more popular – now catering to the adults who grew up with the franchise as well as the younger generation of newcomers…er trainers. From the humble beginnings of only 150 Pokémon to now 800+ there has never been a better time to rank them! So join Tuong La and Gym Leaders Samantha Leggatt, Sarah Ghadbane, and Angus MacDonald as they pit their love of Pokémon, into the Ranked Poké-Gym, to battle it out and find out what the Top 5 Best Pokemon are! 

81 – Top 5 Super Mario Games

It’s-a-me, Mario!

Mario is arguably the most iconic video game character of all time. Over the last couple decades, this pudgy little high-jumping Italian plumber has shaped the hearts and minds of gamers across the world and has consistently pushed the boundaries of what video games could be. From platforming, to party games, to karting around, to playing every conceivable sport – this one character has found ways to Nintendo-charm its way to being one of the all time greats of pop culture! So join Tuong La and Ninten-Nerds Alex Toth, Brian Costa, and Dan Foerster as they eat a power-up mushroom and storm their way through Bowser’s castle while ranking a Top 5 Super Mario games list!