Unlocked

Michael Haim, IGN contributor and games journalist, joins a marathon rundown of the Top 20 Xbox classics. They revisit Halo’s trilogy highs, Mass Effect’s worldbuilding and emotional beats, and the revolution of Call of Duty 4 multiplayer. Conversations also cover Forza Horizon 5’s open-road joy, Bioshock’s atmosphere, and indie standouts like Fez.

Mike Channel, presenter from Outside Xbox, joins to reminisce about memorable Xbox titles. They spotlight Fallout 3's world and V.A.T.S., Morrowind's intimidating open-world discovery, Fusion Frenzy party chaos, 1 vs 100 live moments, Mirror's Edge parkour vision, Rock Band 3 social mayhem, and Hitman (2016)'s crafted sandbox levels. Quick, nostalgic trips through beloved and obscure picks.

Join guest MC Fixer, a British gaming enthusiast from the My Xbox and Me podcast, as he shares his vibrant reactions to the latest Xbox Developer Direct. Dive deep into Fable's humor and intricate world, with Fixer declaring it his most anticipated game. Discover Double Fine's Kiln, praised for its unique pottery mechanics, and Forza Horizon 6's exciting Japan setting, where car culture comes alive. From player choices in Fable to the charm of Kiln, it's a thrilling exploration of what lies ahead for Xbox fans.

The excitement builds for the upcoming Xbox showcase! Predictions include Fable's gameplay reveal and the return of beloved titles like Forza Horizon 6 and Wolfenstein 3. There's buzz about new content for The Witcher 3, potentially set in a desert region. Fans are mourning Anthem's official shutdown and reflecting on Twisted Pixel's legacy. With Forza Horizon 5 still thriving, we explore its impressive sales and the idea of it reaching more platforms. Join in as predictions and industry insights spark enthusiasm for what's next in gaming!

The Xbox world lost two wonderful people over the holidays: longtime Microsoft hardware team member Albert Penello and game industry legend Vince Zampella, whose credits include co-creating Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, and many more. Xbox marketing boss Aaron Greenberg joins us to remember Albert, who was an absolute joy to everyone he met and who he knew extremely well both at and outside of work. And then we spend the rest of the episode talking about Vince and the great guy he was as well as the monumental impact he had on both the Xbox (Call of Duty 2, Titanfall) and the larger games industry. Thank you to Gamertag Radio's Parris Lilly for joining us this week as well. 00:00:00 - Did you guys play anything over the holiday break? 00:06:39 - Remembering Albert Penello 00:32:48 - Remembering Vince Zampella Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts dive into a lively debate ranking the day-one launch lineups of four Xbox consoles. They tackle the strengths and weaknesses of each, with the Xbox One stirring the most controversy. Backward compatibility and standout titles from the Series X spark discussion, but fears of underwhelming launches loom large. Nostalgia for the original Xbox, bolstered by Halo's impact, reigns supreme, while the Xbox 360’s strong debut gets its due praise. The panel shares fond memories and reflections on gaming's evolution during holiday cheer.

Disappointment reigned as Xbox was a no-show at the Game Awards, but there's excitement brewing for a January Developer Direct. Hosts discuss potential reveals, including anticipated titles like Fable, Gears of War, and even a surprise Fallout 3 remaster. Meanwhile, highlights from the Game Awards are dissected, featuring a thrilling trailer for Divinity and the gritty aesthetic of Gang of Dragons. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on various new game announcements and what fans can expect next.

Our Xbox crew kicks off by going over IGN's nominees for Best Xbox Game of 2025 before giving our individual picks, and then we get to the big topic this week: new comments by Xbox's VP of Next-Gen that seem to suggest we're getting SOMETHING next year. Whether that's just an announcement or an actual console as well remains to be seen, but we discuss it. Plus: the KOTOR remake isn't dead, the Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remake is very much alive, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Xbox's GOTY 00:08:03 - Xbox's 2026 00:31:23 - KOTOR Remake 00:46:46 - Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Remake 00:53:51 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's Xbox show, we've got good news on the long-dormant Splinter Cell Remake project that has us optimistic that a new Sam Fisher adventure might actually see the light of day. Plus: GTA 6 suffers a small but very weird leak, IO Interactive has a full plate that includes Hitman 4, CD Projekt Red has set a very ambitious schedule for its upcoming The Witcher trilogy, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:13:30 - Splinter Cell Remake Update 00:29:50 - New GTA 6 Leaks 00:37:17 - Hitman 4 Update 00:53:05 - Witcher 4 01:03:43 - December GamePass Lineup 01:10:24 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb, a pivotal figure in Xbox's history and director of programming at Xbox Live, shares heartfelt memories on the Xbox 360's 20th anniversary. He reflects on his journey from radio to Microsoft, discusses the console's innovative features like achievements and Xbox Live Arcade, and recounts the infamous red ring crisis. Larry also praises industry leaders, highlights his favorite games, and emphasizes the importance of cross-platform respect. This nostalgic ride through gaming history is a must-hear for fans!