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The PlayStation Effect

Welcome to The PlayStation Effect, a gaming podcast that discusses the past, present, and future of PlayStation. Each week, we explore the games, news, and moves shaping PlayStation — whether it's PS6 rumors, handheld leaks, State of Play showcase reactions, or the latest PS5 Pro enhancements. Plus, we look back on PlayStation's earliest days with nostalgia-fueled takes on the PS1, PS2, and more. From memory cards to adaptive triggers, we have real PlayStation fans covered.

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26 episodes
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Avg 44 min
English

Episodes 26

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#29
Tuesday · 37 min
EP29. Sony Screwed Hideo Kojima | Wolverine's Brutal Reviews
When it rains, it pours. From bad Wolverine reviews to Sony screwing over Hideo Kojima and lying about it, we will give our brutally honest reactions to the latest controversies surrounding PlayStation. Plus, we'll reveal our thoughts on the two-part Nintendo Direct to discuss how Sony's competition is stacking up. Timestamps: 00:01:04 – Sony screwed Hideo Kojima 00:12:12 – Wolverine reviews are brutal 00:20:08 – Zelda Direct reactions 00:28:11 – Nintendo Direct reactions
#28
September 8 · 35 min
EP28. State of Play Reactions | The Blood of Dawnwalker Review
That sure was... something. Our State of Play reactions are here, and fair warning: we are going to be brutally honest about the showcase — from Marvel's Wolverine to the strange absence of Intergalactic. Plus, we'll give our full impressions of The Blood of Dawnwalker and Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Are they GOTY contenders? Timestamps: 00:00:54 – The Blood of Dawnwalker 00:06:43 – Onimusha: Way of the Sword 00:11:13 – State of Play reactions
#27
September 1 · 43 min
EP27. GTA VI Extended Look Reactions | Gamescom Showcase
It finally happened. Grand Theft Auto VI showed up on Netflix, so it's time to reveal our raw reactions about the gameplay... and the negative criticism on social media. Plus, we'll discuss Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection, Vol. 2 and all the big trailers and announcements from Gamescom. Timestamps: 00:00:54 – MGS Master Collection Vol. 2 00:06:49 – GTA VI showcase reactions 00:20:04 – Gamescom showcase reactions
#26
August 25 · 38 min
EP26. Horizon Is in Serious Trouble | GTA VI Leak Reactions
Oof. This isn't good. Horizon 3 isn't in development, Horizon Hunters Gathering is on life support, and another round of PlayStation backlash has begun. Tune in for our honest reactions to Sony's latest situation. Plus, we'll discuss Phantom Blade Zero's State of Play and the ongoing leaks of Grand Theft Auto VI. Timestamps: 00:01:04 – Horizon is in serious trouble 00:14:57 – Phantom Blade Zero State of Play 00:22:43 – GTA VI leak reactions
#25
August 18 · 41 min
EP25. Wolverine Backlash | Are PlayStation Fans Feeling Down?
Tough times. After the physical disc scandal, morale has never been worse for PlayStation, so it's time to help the community get through it. Plus, we'll discuss the backlash about Marvel's Wolverine, the shocking sales numbers for Marvel Tokon, and why no one's talking about Ghost of Yotei's upcoming expansion. Timestamps: 00:01:07 – Don't sleep on Mortal Shell II 00:03:31 – A Nintendo-skeptic gets a Switch 2 00:07:07 – Marvel's Wolverine backlash 00:14:34 – Marvel Tokon's shocking sales data 00:17:45 – Ghost of Yotei's expansion = crickets? 00:21:09 – An intervention for PlayStation fans
#24
August 11 · 43 min
EP24. State of Play Expectations | Overrated PlayStation Games
A new State of Play is coming! But, will it be enough to quiet the backlash about ending physical discs? Let's discuss. Plus, we'll go back through PlayStation's history to reveal which games are overrated, underrated, or fairly rated on MetaCritic — from Uncharted's most beloved spinoff to the controversial Killzone 2. Timestamps: 00:00:56 – Beast of Reincarnation 00:06:51 - Gears of War: E-Day Beta 00:14:44 – State of Play expectations 00:22:32 – Overrated/underrated PlayStation games
#23
August 4 · 44 min
EP23. PlayStation's Mid-Year Grade | Sony Doubles Down "No Discs!"
Progress report time! We're giving PlayStation a mid-year grade. From their first-party lineup to their biggest headlines, we'll break down PlayStation's year so far. Plus, we'll give our raw reactions to Sony's CFO doubling down on ending physical discs in 2028. What should the community do about it? We'll share our thoughts. Timestamps: 00:01:01 – What we are playing (007, Halo, Mortal Shell II) 00:17:01 – Sony doubles down on ending physical discs 00:29:13 – PlayStation's mid-year review
#22
July 28 · 48 min
EP22. Halo on PlayStation | Where's the God of War Laufey Hype?
Hi, Chief. Halo has finally arrived on PlayStation... but does any of this feel right? We'll discuss how this impacts XBOX, PlayStation, and longtime Halo fans. Plus, God of War Laufey got a release date, but where's the hype? And better yet, is this enough to turn around PlayStation's negative reputation? Timestamps: 00:01:06 – Trying Gamefly in 2026 00:04:46 – Resident Evil movie backlash 00:13:57 – The impact of Halo on PlayStation 00:33:52 – Where's the God of War Laufey hype?
#21
July 21 · 49 min
EP21. The Disc Scandal Got Worse | PlayStation's Mt. Rushmore
It's getting ugly. Sony isn't backing down from the death of physical discs — instead choosing to flood social media with bots praising their digital-only future. We'll unpack this new low for PlayStation with our unfiltered takes. Then, we'll reflect on happier times and share our personal Mt. Rushmores for all things PlayStation. Timestamps: 00:00:56 – The physical disc scandal just got worse 00:15:00 – Mt. Rushmore of PlayStation hardware 00:23:17 – Mt. Rushmore of first-party franchises 00:30:54 – Mt. Rushmore of protagonists 00:38:20 – Mt. Rushmore of villains
#20
July 14 · 42 min
EP20. Your Hot Takes About PlayStation | Black Flag Remake
It's about to get spicy. We compiled some your hottest takes about PlayStation to decide whether you're right, wrong, or clinically insane. Plus, we'll share our honest thoughts on Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced. Is this remake the shot in the arm that Assassin's Creed needed? Timestamps: 00:01:05 – Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced 00:10:16 – Dungeon Crawler Carl 00:12:54 – Your wildest takes about PlayStation 00:22:13 – Your hot takes about Sony's first-party games
#19
July 7 · 58 min
EP19. PlayStation Ends Physical Discs | XBOX Cuts 4 Studios
Sony has done the unthinkable. Physical discs are officially dying, and PlayStation fans have gone nuclear. So, it's time to give our brutally honest reactions to this shocking news. Then, we'll discuss Asha Sharma's XBOX reset — the layoffs, studio spinoffs, and strategic shifts that are shaping XBOX going forward. Timestamps: 00:01:12 – Sony kills physical discs 00:33:05 – XBOX's layoffs and studio spinoffs
#18
June 30 · 50 min
EP18. Game of the Year So Far | Biggest Disappointments of 2026
It's time for our mid-year GOTY conversation! We'll reveal our top 5 games of 2026... so far. But, what's a year in gaming without disappointments? So, that's why we'll also reveal which games let us down the most in 2026. Plus, PlayStation apparently isn't anywhere near done making live service games — so we'll try to unpack why they haven't learned their lesson. Timestamps: 00:01:29 – Sony's live service strategy isn't dead 00:15:55 – Game of the year (so far) 00:36:01 – Biggest disappointments 00:41:03 – Most anticipated games left in 2026
#17
June 23 · 53 min
EP17. XBOX Studio Closures | Steam Machine Price Reactions
Press X to pay respects. XBOX is planning to close down several studios as part of their brand reset, so we'll break down exactly what's happening and why. Plus, the Steam Machine's price has been revealed... and it's not pretty. We'll reveal our brutally honest reactions to Valve's new console and if PlayStation should be worried. Timestamps: 00:01:11 – Steam Machine price reactions 00:13:49 – XBOX studio closures 00:41:45 – Is PlayStation killing Bungie?
#16
June 16 · 30 min
EP16. XBOX Screwed PlayStation? | Nintendo Direct Reactions
We thought XBOX put a Halo ring on it, but their relationship with PlayStation took a big hit. We'll unpack the news about Halo's scrapped State of Play plans and how it affected Sony's showcase. Plus, we'll explore why PlayStation's first-party titles are selling poorly on PS5, along with sharing our Nintendo Direct reactions — including The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, the new Xenoblade, Kingdom Hearts IV, and more. Timestamps: 00:01:05 – PlayStation's games aren't selling? 00:06:29 – Nintendo Direct reactions 00:21:57 – State of Play aftermath 00:24:26 – Did XBOX screw PlayStation?
#15
June 9 · 55 min
EP15. XBOX Showcase Reactions! Exclusives, Gears of War, Halo
Is XBOX back? From the return of exclusives to the big trailers for Gears of War: E-Day, Halo, and Clockwork Revolution, we're giving our honest reactions about the XBOX Games Showcase. Plus, we're breaking down Geoff Keighley's Summer Games Fest — including Resident Evil Veronica, Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, and... Tupac? Timestamps: 00:01:15 – Xbox exclusives are back 00:10:00 – Xbox first-party announcements 00:19:12 – Xbox third-party announcements 00:27:26 - Xbox showcase final grades 00:30:12 – Summer Games Fest reactions 00:51:11 - SGF showcase final grades
#14
June 3 · 36 min
EP14. State of Play Reactions! God of War Laufey, Wolverine & More
It's showcase time! From Marvel's Wolverine to another God of War, we're here to give our brutally honest reactions about the highs and lows of PlayStation's most pivotal showcase yet. Plus, we'll also discuss the biggest third-party games at the show — including Tomb Raider, Onimusha, Silent Hill, and much more. Timestamps: 00:01:01 – God of War: Laufey 00:05:07 – Marvel's Wolverine 00:09:07 – More first-party announcements 00:14:51 – Third-party announcements 00:30:24 – Top 3 games of the show 00:33:28 – Final grades
#13
May 26 · 40 min
EP13. State of Play Predictions! Uncharted, Intergalactic, GTA 6
It's happening! A big State of Play showcase is coming June 2nd and its time to make some predictions. What will they show besides Marvel's Wolverine? We have some hunches. Also, how much pressure is on PlayStation to deliver the goods? We will answer that question with a dash of tough love. And of course, we'll address the elephant in the room: Grand Theft Auto VI. Timestamps: 00:00:56 – Is PlayStation under pressure? 00:04:06 – First-party predictions 00:18:28 – Will GTA VI be there? 00:20:58 – Third-party predictions 00:33:13 – Megaton predictions 00:39:34 - FYI for our reactions episode
#12
May 19 · 44 min
EP12. PS Plus Price Hike Reactions | Nobody Bought Saros
"Market conditions," they said. But, we say BS. Time for a brutally honest conversation about the PS Plus price increase and Sony's anti-consumer moves. Also, ouch... Saros isn't selling and it's time to talk about what went wrong. Then, we'll discuss PlayStation's "no PC ports" strategy and FromSoftware's rumored follow-up to Elden Ring. Timestamps: 00:02:40 – PS Plus price hike reactions 00:15:38 – Nobody bought Saros 00:26:33 – PlayStation is done with PC ports (for real) 00:35:41 – FromSoftware's next game leaked?
#11
May 12 · 45 min
EP11. Are You Sick of Remakes? | Everyone’s Mad About Mixtape
Another day, another remake. From God of War to Star Fox, it's time to ask: why so many? Plus, Sony revealed the truth about the PS6 and Bungie’s worth, and it's time to unpack it. Then, we'll weigh in on the Mixtape backlash: is it a masterpiece, an industry plant, or just plain overrated? Timestamps: 00:02:09 – Mixed feelings about Saros 00:09:15 – Mixtape controversy 00:20:04 – Are you sick of remakes? 00:29:46 – No PS6?! 00:36:13 – Sony admits Bungie failed
#10
May 4 · 36 min
EP10. The Truth About Saros | PlayStation & Xbox Breaking Up?
Overrated or fairly rated? Saros is here, so let's discuss whether it's a real GOTY contender or a pretender. Did Housemarque cook? After that, it's time to discuss Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's new "We Are Xbox" movement and what that means for the PlayStation ecosystem. Plus, the Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 is further along than we thought — so, what does Square-Enix need to do to make sure it sticks the landing? Timestamps: 00:01:32 – Why we will NEVER do sponsored ads 00:02:57 – The truth about Saros 00:16:47 – Xbox re-evaluating PS5 ports 00:27:32 – FFVII Remake Part 3 must-haves

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