

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

Dec 2, 2021 • 58min
What's The Deal With: Danganronpa?
Come join Maddy, Kirk, and Jason for a battle to the death staged by a foul-mouthed, adorable talking bear. That's right — it's time to talk Danganronpa. What's the deal with this popular series of killing games? Why is it so popular? And what do you have to know ahead of the Switch release this week?One More Thing: Kirk: ArcaneMaddy: Last Podcast on the Left’s six-part JFK assassination seriesJason: Final Fantasy VLinks:Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Nov 25, 2021 • 1h 2min
Activision, NFTs, and Other Gaming News
Happy Thanksgiving! If you're celebrating, grab yourself a turkey drumstick and listen to Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk gaming news. From the ongoing Activision Blizzard crisis to the inexplicable rise of NFTs, it sure has been a weird fall in the video game world. This week, the gang talks about those and other big headlines, like the new consoles and the supply chain mess.One More Thing: Kirk: Metal Gear Solid VMaddy: ChicoryJason: Baba Is YouLinks:Kirk talking Death Stranding on the podcast How Did This Get Played?: https://www.earwolf.com/episode/death-stranding-directors-cut-with-kirk-hamilton/Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Nov 18, 2021 • 1h 1min
Activision Blizzard and Guardians of the Galaxy
Maddy, Kirk, and Jason go over this week's explosive Activision Blizzard allegations, then talk about the new Marvel game from Eidos Montreal, Guardians of the Galaxy. What works and doesn't work? Are the rough edges too distracting? And are we all suffering from Marvel fatigue?One More Thing: Kirk: Beverly Hills Cop 2Maddy: Nancy Drew: Mystery at Magnolia GardensJason: Elden RingLinks:WSJ Article on Activision: https://www.wsj.com/articles/activision-videogames-bobby-kotick-sexual-misconduct-allegations-11637075680Iron Pineapple’s Elden Ring impressions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzFR5HsPcng“The Neutron Dance” by the Pointer Sisters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-jdhorGtQI&ab_channel=PointerSistersVEVOSupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

7 snips
Nov 11, 2021 • 1h
Skyrim Turns Ten
Dovahkiin!!! Skyrim is now officially ten years old, because we are all ancient and slowly turning into dust. Jason, Kirk, and Maddy celebrate the big day by revisiting one of the most influential games of all time. They talk about how Skyrim feels to play today, all of the games it has influenced, and what makes it such a special experience.One More Thing: Kirk: Death Stranding Ziplines/infrastructure/‘breaking’ a gameMaddy: Beverly Hills Cop (1984)Jason: Your HonorLinks:Jason’s 2011 Wired Skyrim Preview: https://www.wired.com/2011/10/skyrim-hands-on/Maddy’s 2011 Phoenix Skyrim Review: https://web.archive.org/web/20160211194214/https://thephoenix.com/Boston/recroom/130611-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

9 snips
Nov 4, 2021 • 55min
What's The Deal With: Spiritual Successors?
Ever play a game that feels a whole lot like an older game? What's the DEAL with that? This week, Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about spiritual successors, from Bloodstained (Castlevania) to Mighty No. 9 (Mega Man) and oh so much more. What are the different kinds of spiritual successors? Why are they so common in games? And why is Jason so excited for Eiyuden Chronicles??One More Thing: Kirk: Inscryption Maddy: Unpacking Jason: Guardians of the GalaxyLinks:Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Oct 28, 2021 • 53min
Is The Video Game Review System Broken?
Why do video game reviews often feel rushed? What's the deal with drug trips in video games? And what are some good JRPGs for beginners? This week, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy answer some of YOUR Burning Questions on all that and more.One More Thing: Kirk: Death Stranding Director’s CutMaddy: Marvel’s Guardians of the GalaxyJason: ElecHeadLinks:Mega64’s Uncharted 3 Drug Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPubpR6-V-g&ab_channel=Mega64Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Oct 21, 2021 • 56min
Triple Play: Metroid Dread
A new Metroid game is here, and by golly, it rules. Maddy, Jason, and Kirk put on their Varian Suits and take a deep dive into Samus Aran's latest adventure, Metroid Dread, which came out earlier this month for Nintendo Switch. They talk about the game's relentless pacing, the brilliant controls, and the endless stream of power-ups. They discuss the marauding EMMIs, the difficulty, and the meticulous design of each level. Metroid Dread: it's a good video game.One More Thing: Kirk: Back 4 BloodMaddy: Freaky (2021)Jason: Project Hail Mary by Andy WeirLinks:Maddy’s Metroid Lore Explainer: https://www.polygon.com/22715304/metroid-dread-fusion-recap-story-lore-samus-aran-chozoSupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Oct 14, 2021 • 1h 4min
A Beginner's Guide to Video Games
What's a video game? Let's explain! On this very special episode of Triple Click, produced as part of Maximum Fun's Block Party, hosts Kirk Hamilton, Jason Schreier, and Maddy Myers give you a beginner's guide to gaming: the good, the bad, and the pixelated. First, a few definitions of what a "video game" actually is. Then, some recommendations for games you should play if you're just getting started. And finally, our regular bonus segment, One More Thing.SIX GAMES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW TO VIDEO GAMESAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, Picross, Breath of the Wild, Return of the Obra Dinn, 80 Days, INSIDEOne More Thing: Kirk: WildermythMaddy: Back 4 BloodJason: Switch OLEDLinks:Cameron Kunzelman’s review of Wildermyth: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22638600/wildermyth-review-pc-proc-gen-worldwalker-games-strategy-mac-linuxSupport Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Oct 7, 2021 • 1h 3min
Diablo Through The Ages
Why is Diablo one of the best-selling series of all time? Just what makes Blizzard's action-RPGs so devilishly appealing? Kirk, Maddy, and Jason break down the iconic franchise and talk about why it's good -- and why it might be pretty bad. They talk about the addictive properties of loot hunting, how the games have evolved over the years, and whether there's really room in their lives for Diablo 4.One More Thing: Kirk: Far Cry 6Maddy: Metroid DreadJason: Squid GameLinks:Diego Arguello’s review of Far Cry 6 for Polygon: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22711610/far-cry-6-review-ps5-xbox-series-x-pc-ps4-xbox-oneSquid Game subtitles: https://twitter.com/fwong/status/1444549630499254283Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/

Sep 30, 2021 • 56min
Triple Play: Deathloop
It's time for a Triple Play! Jason, Maddy, and Kirk have all played a whole lot of Deathloop, the time-twisting new game from Arkane. They break down what they like and don't like about the game, diving into its unique structure, disappointing ending, and truly delightful little details.One More Thing: Kirk: Hunt a Killer - Death at the Dive BarMaddy: Bullshit Jobs by David GraeberJason: Outer Wilds: Echoes of the EyeLinks:Support Triple Click: http://maximumfun.org/joinJoin the Triple Click Discord: http://discord.gg/tripleclickpodTriple Click Ethics Policy: https://maximumfun.org/triple-click-ethics-policy/