
The Besties
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?
Latest episodes

Sep 15, 2023 • 57min
Sea of Stars Won Over the Most Unlikely Bestie
Dive into the unexpected crossover appeal of Sea of Stars, blending nostalgia with innovative gameplay. Discover the strategic layers of RPG mechanics like cooking and resource management. Hear stories about unorthodox video game characters and the charm of classic titles like Karateka. Enjoy humorous takes on modern releases such as Starfield and get insights into the quirky true crime podcast, Who Shat On the Floor at My Wedding. Plus, explore literary connections that elevate the gaming experience!

Sep 8, 2023 • 59min
Armored Core 6 Makes us Love Mechs All Over Again
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon might have one of the video game-iest ass titles in the history of games, but that doesn't stop it from being an absolute barn-burner of a mecha action game. Join us as we dive into our history with the series, and extol the virtues of the demo discs of yore. Also discussed: Starfield, No Man's Sky, Baldur's Gate 3, The Righteous Gemstones
Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!

Sep 5, 2023 • 49min
Two great games: one new, one old
Starfield inspired Frushtick to take a ship deep into the cosmos of No Man's Sky. After seven years and tons of updates, the sci-fi game is a stunning alternative for people who crave the awesomeness of space more than the dramatics of a traditional RPG. We also talk about the fantastic Shadow Gambit, a stealth tactics game for everybody -- not just fans of the genre. Also discussed: Retro Bowl and Only Weird Games. For more info and links to all games, follow our newsletter besties.fan.
Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!

Sep 1, 2023 • 1h 2min
Starfield Didn't Exactly Send Us to the Moon
The hosts talk about their nostalgia for Star Trek and Sierra Mist rebranding. They discuss the long development journey of Starfield and compare it to Skyrim and Fallout. They mention the lack of excitement and meaningful exploration moments in the gameplay. They also discuss combat encounters and itemization, the writing and narrative in the game, and share their initial impressions of Starfield. They give tips for playing the game and discuss past launch failures of Fallout games. They also discuss Apple Arcade game, No Man's Sky update, and New World on Netflix.

Aug 25, 2023 • 58min
THERE'S TOO MANY GOOD GAMES OUT PLEASE HELP
This episode is just wall-to-wall, chock-a-block full of new and upcoming games! We're talking Armored Core 6! Fae Farm! Blasphemous 2! Stray Gods! Just, like, too many for one episode, but we done did it anyways!Also discussed: YEAH, YOU WANT THOSE GAMES, RIGHT? SO, HERE YOU GO! NOW LET'S SEE YOU CLEAR THEM!, Doomsday Hunters, En Garde, Baldur's Gate 3, Unlock!, Robodunk, New World
Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!

Aug 22, 2023 • 1h 8min
The Video Game Required Reading List: 1990-1994 [The Resties]
The hosts curate a must-play list of video games from 1990-1994. They discuss the challenges of selection and compare it to organisms evolving from ocean to land. They highlight Super Mario World as the first game on the list and discuss the designing and programming process of old video game systems. They also discuss the game 'Missed' and its significance in the video game Hall of Fame. They explore the game System Shock and its impact on the immersive sim genre. Finally, they review standout titles like Street Fighter II, Doom, and Super Metroid.

Aug 18, 2023 • 1h 4min
Hammerwatch II, and Much More Baldur's Gate 3
Justin, a newcomer to the show, shares his opinions on Baldur's Gate 3. The hosts also discuss Hammerwatch II, The Nonary Games, The Sexy Brutale, and more. They dive into the improvements and disappointments of Hammerwatch II, as well as the player choices and relationships in Baldur's Gate 3. The chapter also explores the benefits of Mint Mobile wireless plans and the joy of playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Aug 11, 2023 • 1h
Baldur's Gate 3 is Just Unbelievably Good
Baldur's Gate 3 is finally here and it lives up to the hype, offering an immersive gameplay experience with endless possibilities. The podcast hosts discuss the game's adaptation of the D&D 5E rule set and the impressive multiplayer features. They share their own character creation experiences and unconventional gameplay moments. The podcast also touches on the limitations of party restrictions and the seduction aspect in the game. Overall, Baldur's Gate 3 surpasses all expectations and is a must-play for RPG enthusiasts.

Aug 8, 2023 • 47min
The new Double Dragon is a summer surprise!
Double Dragon helped popularize the beat 'em-up genre in 1980s arcades, but over the following decades, the series fell into irrelevance. Recently, the publisher handed the rights to an indie developer with a knack for pixelated combat. The result is Double Dragon Gaiden, a clever twist on the genre with a small army of playable characters. In the second half of the episode, Frushtick and Plante pick their combined six favorite beat 'em-ups! Subscribe to our newsletter at besties.fan for a full list of every game, movie, TV show, and book discussed on the podcast along with links and bonus materials!!
Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!

Aug 4, 2023 • 46min
Disney Illusion Island's Clever, Kid-Friendly Contrivances
Disney Illusion Island might not be the most mechanically complex platformer to grace modern consoles, but what it lacks in depth it more than makes up for with systems to ease in younger, less nimble-fingered players. We're talking all about it, and also tierlisting all the Mickeyverse characters for some reason. Also discussed: Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Edition, Mia and the Dragon Princess, Good Omens Season 2, Chip and Dale Park Life
Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!