Welcome to the latest edition of the Giant Bomb Community Spotlight! I, @zombiepie, am once again honored to be your host as we look back at the important site-related news and best community creations from the previous week.
Obviously, the big thing that needs to be discussed is the situation with Premium Podcasts having ads as well as the Podcast RSS Feed not co-operating with podcast apps.
First, ads shouldn't be in the Premium podcasts anymore. If you check Giant Bombcast 830, you should see that the Premium tag is reflected on the site and RSS feed now. This should have rolled out to apps like Pocket Casts later today.
As per TurboShawn, who has been investigating the problems with the podcasts feeds, if anyone still has ads on Bombcast 830, it's probably because they never re-downloaded the episode after it was fixed. As for the other feeds, GMM and the VMDT should be good as of this week's episodes. Borked episodes will probably still be busted on the RSS feed until a site issue is fixed, but direct downloads SHOULD work now for those who like archiving.
As for adding those feeds, that varies per app. Pocket Casts has a whole process you need to do, but it should now be working without issues. Click the "RSS" link to the right of the feed you want. The URL of the page that pops up is the URL you want. If you use Overcast, if you pick the premium audio feed on the site and then copy the RSS on that version you can add it manually to the Overcast app. Another person on the Discord said "long-pressing the RSS icon" and going to Copy Link works for adding the premium feeds to the apps they use.
The other big news stems from a programming change with Giant Bomb's PAX East 2024 plans. Previously, Giant Bomb's Dandoko Dare Live! and Voice Mail Dump Truck Live! panels were set to air back-to-back on Friday. This week, the Voice Mail Dump Truck Live! was moved to Saturday, March 23rd. If you need the times and exact date for this as well as the Giant Beastcast Reunion panel, here's a handy graphic @marino made:
Galleria
Superdan 64 x Superman III (By: @Pixel_Perverts)
With Superman being a more than questionable game, why not mash it with a slightly questionable Superman film, (i.e., Superman III)! Over on Twitter, Pixel_Perverts went ahead and made that happen and I think we can all agree the end result is awesome.
Truth, Justice And The Ryckert Way! (By: @jearum)
jearum joins the field in embracing the community in celebrating Dan's efforts to defeat Superman 64! With this work, they added Superdan to their Hall of Blight Cub Superfriends. It just has me wondering what the Blight Club Legion of Doom looks like.
Blight Club Presents: Superdan 64 (By: @StickerChamp)
StickerChamp made this incredible work of art to celebrate the start of Dan's Superman 64 Blight Club, and if you can send them some thanks, please do so when you have the time. Support artists however you can.
Bizarro Dan (By: @chucktowski)
With most in the community imagining a friendly and helpful version of Superdan, chucktowski couldn't help but wonder what his evil doppelganger would be like.
Blight Club Balatro Joker Cards (By: @kone)
Well, I bet these cards wouldn't be any worse than Hiker or Castle, but I don't want to even imagine what Dan's Sonic cosplay card would do in a game of Balatro.
Videos
FLAWFULL VICTORY - A Giant Bomb Blight Club Animated Series (FULL SEASON) (By: Pickle Giraffe)
Though Mike's misadventures with Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero might be over, Pickle Giraffe isn't exactly done with their efforts to animate their misery. This week they created a handy super cut of every episode their animated series for Mike.
Tweets
After 96 Mario Kart races on @giantbomb, these are the scores without any bonus points. Just pure, raw points where lowest is best (1st place = 1). pic.twitter.com/SOuGnDvs1r
— Brad Lynch (@MarinoV1) March 9, 2024
i think this bit from giant bomb's endurance run of persona 4 has stuck with me forever. i saw this like 15 years ago. https://t.co/RnUkzH3DEU pic.twitter.com/emMnHvWiCt
— ｓｏａｐ (@soapbelt) March 8, 2024
it was noted that akira toriyama hated "dragonball: evolution." here's the legendary giant bomb quick look of the shitty psp game. pic.twitter.com/rr9OvEigyr
— kate bush's husband (@airbagged) March 8, 2024
@JeffGrubb always talks to @DanRyckert like hes dying in a movie and it cracks me up.
— Eric Wicker (@EricWicker) March 6, 2024
Dan: “Arnold is still the most popular thing worldwide right??”
Grubb: “Yeah he is bud….yeah he is…” *stares into setting sun*@Tolkoto @giantbomb @_janjerome @jeffbakalar
On this day 13 years ago, the first gameplay footage of Skullgirls was released as part of Giant Bomb's Quick Looks series. The full footage can be watched with the provided link:https://t.co/13BanhL989
— Fighting Game Anniversaries (@FGAnniversaries) March 3, 2024
A segment of the footage is shown below. pic.twitter.com/rOlHE1eD8m
Activities
The GB Album Club 054 - String Quartet No. 8 by Dmitri Shostakovich (By: @unclejam23)
The Album of the Week Club IS BACK and this time it's is listening to: String Quartet No. 8 by Dmitri Shostakovich. Give it a listen and also discuss one of the most controversial figures in modern classical music!
Unsanctioned Unofficial Game Pass Game Club Voting Thread For Cycle Starting March 11 2024
It's time to send in your latest round of votes for the Giant Bomb Game Pass Game Club! Here are the nominees to pick from this week and remember you can VOTE FOR TWO GAMES you'd like to see picked next!
Brotato Is The 5th Game Of UUGPGC Year 3! Finish By March 11! Spoilers? What Are Spoilers?(By: @bigsocrates)
Brotato by indie developer Blobfish is the latest pick for the Giant Bomb Game Pass Game Club! Have any of you played this game yet? If you have, what are your tips and tricks? What are your thoughts about it? Join the discussion!
Blogs
Mega Archive: Part XXXIX: From Wonder Library to F1 (By: @mento)
Moderator Mento has some weird ones for their latest "Mega Archive" post! If you are a fan of the Genesis/Mega Drive, read their write-ups about titles like Columns III: Revenge of Columns, Awesome Possum Kicks Dr. Machino's Butt!, and The Chaos Engine.
Indie Game of the Week 360: Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion (By: @mento)
Also, as always, Mento has a new edition of their "Indie Game of the Week" feature on the site and this one tackles Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion. With the Game Pass Game Club playing the other Turnip Boy game, is the community warming up to this series?
On Its 7th Anniversary Switch Is Poised To Be The Biggest Selling Console Ever. Why Doesn't It Feel Like A Bigger Deal? (By: @bigsocrates)
bigsocrates penned an essay on the Nintendo Switch. As they ask, with the console likely to become the best selling video console is history, why aren't we talking about it more in the pantheon of all-time greats?
What's the Greatest Video Game: Wintermoor Tactics Club (By: @imunbeatable80)
imunbeatable80 is back with a new edition of their "What's the Greatest Video Game" feature and this episode is all about Wintermoor Tactics Club! Does it separate itself from a crowded field of SRPGs?
Persona 4 Golden Review-In-Progress Chapter 1: The Master Between The Dead Lad And The Joking Lad (By: @infantpipoc)
After having a blast with Persona 3 Reload, infantpipoc broke out the Vita to play Persona 4 Golden! What did they think of the game's first three and a half hours and changes from the original? Click the link below to find out!
A Nuanced Take on Japanese and Western Platformers, and a Positive Message for the Future (By: @alianger)
Are there divergent schools of thought when it comes to Western and Japanese platformers? alianger thinks so, and you can read and discuss their thesis by clicking the link above! What do you think? Join the conversation!
Discussion Threads
Balatro, A Game With No Actual Gambling, Has Been Re-rated And Pulled From Some Shops Due To Gambling (By: @bigsocrates)
Balatro, a game with no gambling, has faced delisting and ratings struggles because some have determined that it depicts gambling. And now... it seems like the game isn't going to get delisted from most marketplaces. What do you make of the news and surrounding controversy?
David Zaslav Strikes Games! You (Likely) Only Have 60 Days To Buy Most Adult Swims' Games Before They Get Delisted (By: @zombiepie)
Well, it seems like David Zaslav, one of the most hated figures in entertainment, is overlapping into video games. It sounds like a good portion of indie games published by Adult Swim Games will be delisted and impossible to buy. Read up on the news and share where you stand.
Akira Toriyama Has Died At 68 (By: @zombiepie)
Join the community in mourning the passing of Akira Toriyama. The the rest of the community in honoring his legacy and indelible mark on manga, anime, and video games. Please be mindful this thread is a place for sharing grief.
Monster Jam Showdown Announced (By: @gtxforza)
MONDAY! MONDAY! MONSTER TRUCK RALLY! Well, actually, there's a new Monster Truck themed game coming out! Will it have Grave Digger? Find out here! Also, if that intro sentence got any of you, let out a yelp! 90s kids STAND UP!
Corded Mice That Don't Suck? (By: @sparky_buzzsaw)
Sparky is asking for corded mice recommendations. What are you using right now? Share your favorite mice still on the market as well as the ones you are using right now in the thread!
After Calling Suicide Squad A "Disappointment" WB Games Boss Doubles Down on Live Service Games (By: @zombiepie)
The boss of WB Games has indicated that Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was a "disappointment" and that the gaming division is pivoting towards games as a service. What are your impressions of their statements?
What Was Your Last 4AM Game? (By: @spacemanspiff00)
Alright 3AM crew, you're calling into the Voicemail Dump Truck at the correct times, but when was the last time you played a video game during the early AM hours? Share the game and circumstances with the community!
User Reviews
@pauljeremiah booted up the original PlayStation and gave Castlevania: Symphony of the Night a whirl. Does it hold up? Of course it does! But why? That's one of the questions he answers with his latest retro review!
@pauljeremiah also started a retro review retrospective on the reboot Ninja Gaiden games and this week covered Ninja Gaiden (2004) and Ninja Gaiden II (2008)! Do you prefer the first or second game? Check out his reviews to see where they stand!
Lists
The MK 1 Hybrid Characters, Ranked from Worst to Best (By: @captainofthestars)
captainofthestars has played a good amount of Mortal Kombat 1 and they decided to rank all of the "hybrid characters" from the Armageddon ending of the story mode from best to worst.
Best Games of 1997 (By: @adrenaline)
With the release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Adrenaline decided to go back to 1997 to create a GOTY list and see where OG Final Fantasy VII would rank. It's only #3, but what about you? Make a list and drop me a link!
Wiki
With Toys for Bob regaining its independence, let's throw things back to one of the best and most important games in their catalogue! That's right let's talk about Star Control II and the amazing wiki page we have for the game!