

Triple Click
Maximum Fun
Video games: They’re serious business! Except when they’re not serious at all. Each week on Triple Click, video game experts Kirk Hamilton, Maddy Myers, and Jason Schreier journey into the fascinating world of games. They’ll explore hot topics in video game news and culture, answer burning listener questions, debate the pros and cons of the biggest new games, and replay old classics together.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 2, 2022 • 1h 4min
What's The Deal With: Overwatch? (with Nico Deyo)
How did Overwatch become such a phenomenon? Why have hardcore players stuck with it (or failed to) over the last few years? And what's up with Overwatch 2? The Triple Click gang brings on Overwatch expert Nico Deyo to help guide us through Blizzard's wonderful world of costumed vigilantes and super-intelligent gorillas.One More Thing: Kirk: TangoMaddy: Misery by Stephen KingJason: The Flight AttendantLinks:Nico Deyo and Tyler Colp’s Overwatch feature for Vice Games: https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5gvaj/how-overwatch-lost-then-found-again-iExcerpts from “Alma de Bohemio” by Roberto Firpo, performed by Alex Krebs’ Tango Sextet and “Tango por una Cabeza” by Carlos Gardell, performed by Katica Illényi & Budapest StringsSupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinBuy a Triple Click t-shirt: https://topatoco.com/collections/maximum-fun/products/maxf-tc-tclogo-shJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

May 26, 2022 • 1h
Triple Play: Suikoden II (Part 2)
Maddy, Jason, and Kirk get themselves a castle, go on missions abroad, and finally face down the vicious Luca Blight. In the second part of this Suikoden II playthrough, the gang talks about how their feelings have changed since the first chunk of the game, how the game's awful localization impacts the story, and how that epic fight played out.One More Thing: Kirk: D&D - Eberron: Rising from the Last WarMaddy: HeartstopperJason: The G-Word with Adam ConoverLinks:Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinBuy a Triple Click t-shirt: https://topatoco.com/collections/maximum-fun/products/maxf-tc-tclogo-shJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

May 19, 2022 • 1h 3min
What Makes Horror Games Scary?
BOO! To celebrate Spooky Spring, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk dive into some of their favorite horror games and talk about what makes a video game scary. How does interactivity enhance horror? What's the difference between "dread" and "panic"? And are controls sometimes meant to be terrible?One More Thing: Kirk: Persona 4 Golden/Persona 5 RoyalMaddy: Elden RingJason: Eternal ThreadsLinks:Maddy talks with Dead Space 2 director Wright Bagwell about the infamous eyeball scene: https://www.polygon.com/interviews/2020/10/4/21498961/dead-space-2-director-eye-poke-needle-scene-horror-wright-bagwell-interviewKirk’s take on horror doors: https://kotaku.com/the-horror-of-video-game-doors-1819921161Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinBuy a Triple Click t-shirt: https://topatoco.com/collections/maximum-fun/products/maxf-tc-tclogo-shJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

9 snips
May 12, 2022 • 1h 1min
Why Do Video Games Leak?
It's time for another episode of BURNING QUESTIONS!!! Jason, Kirk, and Maddy open up the mailbag and take some listener questions on all sorts of things. Why do video games leak? What are some one-of-a-kind video games we'd like to see more of? And what's the deal with video game strategy guides?One More Thing: Kirk: Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe (Venom)Maddy: What’s Up, Doc? (1972)Jason: Disrupting the Game (Reggie Fils-Aime)Links:Jason interviews a strategy guide writer: https://kotaku.com/how-final-fantasy-ixs-strategy-guide-turned-out-so-horr-1834809621Jason interviews Reggie: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-05-06/ex-nintendo-president-fils-aim-talks-book-and-mother-3-video-gameBuy a patch! maximumfun.org/patchsaleSupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinBuy a Triple Click t-shirt: https://topatoco.com/collections/maximum-fun/products/maxf-tc-tclogo-shJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

12 snips
May 5, 2022 • 59min
Video Game Controllers
Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about the most important tool in any video game player's arsenal: the controller! From fight sticks to Wiimotes to the Steam Deck, controllers have a lot to offer. This week, the gang goes back in time to talk about the best, the worst, and the just plain weird.One More Thing: Kirk: Switch SportsMaddy: Better Call SaulJason: BarryLinks:Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinBuy a Triple Click t-shirt: https://topatoco.com/collections/maximum-fun/products/maxf-tc-tclogo-shJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Apr 28, 2022 • 58min
Rage-Quitting Video Games
Ever throw a controller at the wall? Kick your computer in half? This week the Triple Click gang talks rage-quitting -- bailing from a video game in a state of heightened irritation. From competitive multiplayer to Souls to good old poker, Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk about what brings out the anger and even share some of their own experiences rage-quitting games.One More Thing: Kirk: Divinity Original Sin 2Maddy: My Dress-Up DarlingJason: Abbott ElementaryLinks:Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinBuy a Triple Click t-shirt: https://topatoco.com/collections/maximum-fun/products/maxf-tc-tclogo-shJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

7 snips
Apr 21, 2022 • 1h 2min
Triple Play: Tunic
Maddy, Jason, and Kirk talk about one of this year's hit indie games, Tunic, a Zelda-like adventure filled with mystery and cute foxes. But does it live up to the hype? Or is the bouncy combat too frustrating to make Tunic quite the gem that Triple Click hoped it would be?One More Thing: Kirk: Advanced Steam Deck (or, more like StReam Deck)Maddy: Kirby and the Forgotten LandJason: Better Call SaulLinks:Excerpt from the Tunic soundtrack by Lifeformed x Janice Kwan: https://lifeformed.bandcamp.com/album/tunic-original-game-soundtrackMoonlight PC Streaming: https://moonlight-stream.orgChiaki PlayStation Remote Play: https://sr.ht/~thestr4ng3r/chiaki/Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinBuy a Triple Click t-shirt: https://topatoco.com/collections/maximum-fun/products/maxf-tc-tclogo-shJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Apr 14, 2022 • 1h 5min
The 100th Episode Extravaganza
It's the 100th episode! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason celebrate the big milestone with some talk about the past and future of video games, then play some fun games, revisiting two years worth of Triple Plays and competing in some glorious One More Thing trivia! Thank you to all the listeners who have allowed us to make so many episodes of this wonderful show.One More Thing: Kirk: Steam DeckMaddy: NorcoJason: Nobody Saves The WorldLinks:Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinBuy a Triple Click t-shirt: https://topatoco.com/collections/maximum-fun/products/maxf-tc-tclogo-shJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Apr 11, 2022 • 57min
The Music of The Legend of Zelda [Strong Songs]
Few video game series have a musical tradition as rich as The Legend of Zelda.This bonus cross-post from Kirk's music podcast Strong Songs takes a deep dive into the musical legacy of Nintendo's legendary adventure series. From Zelda's Lullabye to Epona's Song to the Great Fairy Fountain and Dragon Roost Island, Kirk unravels some of his favorite Zelda music and explores how Nintendo's composers keep weaving them back together into beautiful new patterns.Written by: Main themes by Koji Kondo, with additional compositions by Kenta Nagata (Wind Waker), Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, and Hajime Wakai (Breath of the Wild)Featuring music from: The Legend of Zelda (1986), A Link to the Past (1991), Ocarina of Time (1998), Wind Waker (2002), Skyward Sword (2011), A Link Between Worlds (2013), and Breath of the Wild (2017)ALSO FEATURED/DISCUSSED:Themes from Star Wars, Superman, and Jurassic Park by John WilliamsThe Super Mario Bros. theme by Koji Kondo, and the episode of Strong Songs discussing itKirk's weekly video game podcast Triple Click, which he makes along with Jason Schreier and Maddy MyersOUTRO SOLOIST: Charles McNealCharles McNeal is a killin' Oakland-based sax player who plays all over the bay area. He's also a master jazz transcriber, and has chronicled tons of great solos. You can find him playing out in a variety of bands and settings; the best way to keep up with his music is to subscribe to his YouTube channel or follow him on Instagram @charlesonsax2.SUPPORT STRONG SONGSPaypal | Patreon.com/StrongsongsMERCH STOREstore.strongsongspodcast.comSOCIAL MEDIA@StrongSongs | @Kirkhamilton | IG: @Kirk_HamiltonNEWSLETTERhttps://kirkhamilton.substack.com/subscribeJOIN THE DISCORDhttps://discord.gg/GCvKqAM8SmSTRONG SONGS PLAYLISTSSpotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music.

5 snips
Apr 7, 2022 • 57min
Secrets In Video Games
Whip out your metal detector and start combing the desert — it's time to talk about secrets. Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about the hunt for secrets in two recent video games, Elden Ring and Tunic, and some of their favorite secrets in modern times. And in true Triple Click fashion, they can't help but come up with some taxonomical categories.One More Thing: Kirk: Our Flag Means DeathMaddy: TunicJason: The DropoutLinks:Jason and Kirk’s old podcast about the Secret Hunters of Destiny: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0HMm97rD7D6eIxdF9N6cFcEd Fries’ conversation with Ron Milner about the easter egg he added to 1977’s Starship 1: https://edfries.wordpress.com/2017/03/22/chasing-the-first-arcade-easter-egg/