The Besties

Russ Frushtick, Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy

It's Game of the Year meets King of the Hill as four of Earth's best friends – Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Chris Plante, and Russ Frushtick – rank and review their favorite video games. Because shouldn't the world's best friends pick the world's best games?

Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

512 episodes
Updated Friday
Explicit

Episodes512

Newest first

Jun 13, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
The Big Switch 2 Episode – Plus the Best of SGF
Nintendo’s new console is finally here. With Plante undergoing a colonoscopy (which was all okay!), the crew invited long-time friend of the show Chris Grant to discuss the Switch 2. In the back half, the group shares the most promising games from Summer Game Fest. Chris Grant: https://bsky.app/profile/charstring.com
Jun 6, 2025 · 53 min
A Golden Age for Card Game Sickos
This week, The Besties shuffle the deck and deal a hand of fun new video games. First, they discuss two new card games that have little in common beyond the cards themselves: Monster Train 2 and StarVaders. Then, Frushtick tells us about the oddball new multiplayer game in the From Soft universe, Elden Ring: Nightreign.
May 30, 2025 · 54 min
Tired of the World? Try a Fantasy Life
The cult 3DS game Fantasy Life returns, now on all major platforms and PC. The sequel blends Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and action-RPGs. Plus, we live the life of Teen in To a T, the new game from the creator of Katamari Damacy.
May 23, 2025 · 56 min
Doom: The Dark Ages is a (Shotgun) Blast
Doom: The Dark Ages is a surprisingly bold departure from the formula of its predecessors. It’s also quite fun — if you can vibe with its slightly slower, parry-heavy gunplay. In the back half, the boys pick some letters off the top of the mailbag. Plus, Plante launched his Patreon for Post Games, and subscribers can listen to new episodes right now!
May 16, 2025 · 56 min
Open the Besties Treasure Trove
Due to technical issues, our Doom conversation has been delayed until next week. The good news? We finally had time to dig into our backlogs! The boys brought a bag of beautiful bits and bobs. A boomer shooter! An actually good IP game! And THE Planet Crafter.
May 9, 2025 · 47 min
Revenge of the French RPG!
This week, the boys have two new games to share with you. First, Griffin and Plante go deep into the wilderness of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an exceptional RPG. Then, Hoops and Frush report on their journey in Revenge of the Savage Planet.
May 2, 2025 · 55 min
Let's Save Cats From Oblivion!
The Besties talk about the brand new, ultra indie immersive-sim Skin Deep. Then they revisit the world of Oblivion. But none of this matters because Plante got a CRTV to play Promise Mascot Agency.
Apr 25, 2025 · 51 min
Runescape and a Competitor to Limbo? It's a Grab Bag, Y'all
On this episode of The Besties, we're checking out some stellar smaller games: Bionic Bay, Sunderfolk, and Runescape Dragonwilds. We've also got an update on the latest and greatest in Japanese reality television, as well as the true meaning of Easter.
Apr 18, 2025 · 50 min
Promise Mascot Agency is an Escape From Life’s Headaches
Promise Mascot Agency is like running errands on a cool summer day, the radio blasting killer tunes and a good friend riding shotgun. Justin and Plante talk about what makes this a great example of a “chore game.” Plus, the dastardly duo discuss emulation. Because nobody can stop them!
Apr 11, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
Blue Prince is the First Must-Play Game of 2025
We will try to convince you to play Blue Prince without spoiling Blue Prince. But first, we need to talk about the Switch 2: the games, the price, the canceled pre-order date, and everything else.
Apr 4, 2025 · 54 min
Chilling in the Grab Bag with Kingdom Come Deliverance 3
Usually, we talk about the latest and great video games. But this week, what if we try the greatest of the not-so-latest? That’s right, it’s finally time to talk about Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and many other tasty delights. In the back half, we reflect on Nintendo’s farewell Direct for the original Switch.
Mar 28, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Assassin's Creed Shadows Delivers on an 18-Year-Old Promise
Assassin's Creed Shadows finally takes the series to Feudal Japan. But is Ubisoft too late? Or does their AAAA mega release slice through the competition like a hidden blade to the neck of an unsuspecting foot soldier?
Mar 21, 2025 · 59 min
Repo and Inzoi Will Terrify You – For Very Different Reasons
We’re talking REPO. (Not the genetic opera! Not the Emilio Estevez movie!) The co-op horror game blends laughs with thrills by dropping some deeply strange characters into a terrifying world. Plus, we talk Inzoi. Is it a legitimate threat to The Sims?
Mar 14, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Wanderstop Performs an Autopsy on the Cozy Game Genre
Wanderstop is the new game from developer Ivy Road, founded by Davey Wreden, Karla Zimonja, and C418. What looks like a farming game is an exploration of burnout, anxiety, and the "to-do" list nature of video games. It's not for everyone but it might be for you!
Mar 7, 2025 · 57 min
Split Fiction is everything fans want (and more of what critics fear)
This week, the Besties play Split Fiction, the latest game from the creators of It Takes Two. It tells the story of an evil corporation that uses AI to steal creative ideas and create generic sci-fi and fantasy drivel. It's published by EA. Video games!
Feb 28, 2025 · 59 min
Monster Hunter Wilds is Surprisingly Great in Single-Player
Over the past 12 years, The Besties have — one by one — fallen in love with the Monster Hunter series. The latest entry, Monster Hunter Wilds, is the most welcoming version yet. It’s still a tremendous multiplayer experience, but the group discusses how well this entry works solo. Plus, Plante talks about his new love: the new revival of Tokyo Xtreme Racer, an all-but-dead racing series from the 2000s
Feb 21, 2025 · 54 min
The Pirate Yakuza Game Has Something for Everyone – Even Newcomers
Ahoy, besties! This week, the crew sets sails with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, a video game that’s as silly as its name suggests. Unlike its predecessor — our best game of 2024 — this entry features a new(ish) protagonist, old-school action combat, and a potpourri of new min-games that borrow from a wide range of Besties favorites, including Cooking Mama and Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag. Note from Plante: Last week’s description said Obsidian, the developer of Avowed, had previously
Feb 14, 2025 · 1 hr
Is Avowed Too Good for Our Brains to Comprehend?
The Besties discuss Avowed, the new game from Fallout 76 developer Obsidian. It is extremely our shit. Perhaps… too much so? What does that even mean? Listen to find out!
Feb 7, 2025 · 58 min
The Best Combat in a Metroidvania . . .Ever
2025 already has a fantastic Metroidvania, errrr, Search Action game! Ender Magnolia combines Metroid, Nier, Mega Man, and Pokémon into a single, beautiful 2D experience. Technically, this is a sequel, but no prior experience is required to enjoy this indie treat. In the back half, Griffin talks about his mixed experience with Civilization 7.
Jan 31, 2025 · 49 min
Citizen Sleeper 2 Blends Game and Story Into One Complex Dish
We loved the original Citizen Sleeper, but were intimidated when we first heard the news of a sequel that would be more complicated — and presumably more difficult. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is just as complex as we expected and yet, once we got our feet beneath us, we couldn't stop playing. What makes a game difficult? Is it fun to lose? What does it mean to be “in the mood” for a game? We have the answers! Plus, Loco Motive — an extremely Justin McElroy game.

The Besties

The Big Switch 2 Episode – Plus the Best of SGF

A Golden Age for Card Game Sickos

Tired of the World? Try a Fantasy Life

Doom: The Dark Ages is a (Shotgun) Blast

Open the Besties Treasure Trove

Revenge of the French RPG!

Let's Save Cats From Oblivion!

Runescape and a Competitor to Limbo? It's a Grab Bag, Y'all

Promise Mascot Agency is an Escape From Life’s Headaches

Blue Prince is the First Must-Play Game of 2025

Chilling in the Grab Bag with Kingdom Come Deliverance 3

Assassin's Creed Shadows Delivers on an 18-Year-Old Promise

Repo and Inzoi Will Terrify You – For Very Different Reasons

Wanderstop Performs an Autopsy on the Cozy Game Genre

Split Fiction is everything fans want (and more of what critics fear)

Monster Hunter Wilds is Surprisingly Great in Single-Player

The Pirate Yakuza Game Has Something for Everyone – Even Newcomers

Is Avowed Too Good for Our Brains to Comprehend?

The Best Combat in a Metroidvania . . .Ever

Citizen Sleeper 2 Blends Game and Story Into One Complex Dish