Yes folks, it’s that time — the eagerly anticipated controversial episode of The Podcastle has arrived, delivered at your feet as a cat might deliver a mangled bird with its jugular torn open. This episode runs considerably longer than usual (we’re talking RetroforceGO length, kids) but this is probably my favorite show we’ve done yet, so I hope you enjoy it.

Now, this IS the controversial episode, and a lot of it is tongue-in-cheek. We will be talking about a variety of games in unflattering ways, games you might love very much. Similarly … certain sensitive non-game topics may come up as well for some reason. Basically, I’m just issuing a cover-all disclaimer here: This podcast may/will offend you! Here’s the highlight reel:

• Using the word *beep* three times in a row
  
• Limbo of the Lost = ragamuffins stealing apples
• Grand Theft Auto IV will turn you into a pedophile
• Resident Evil 5 is … wait, did he just say *beep*?
• Mass Effect hentai (DMV would be proud)
• People who bitch about GameTrailers’ MGS4 review: STFUAJPG!
• Nobody really likes ICO, Mario is past it, GTA IV sucks, CoD4 is worse than Halo, KOTOR is boring and more more more!
• I’m not a retrist, I have retro friends
  
• Some of the most amazing, disturbing and hilarious listener questions ever

All this and more is yours for the taking, my children! As always, the show is available to stream/download on the official page, or you can hit us up on iTunes. I also regret nothing.

 

 The Podcastle episode 15: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

If you like listening to The Podcastle, well you’re in for a treat son, because we have Episode 14 for you right now! You usual cast of Jim Sterling, Wardrox and Atheistium are joined by returning guest Phoenix Blood to discuss all sorts of things, ranging from GTA to stolen televisions to our main topic, print media.

Also guest starring: Background noise of piano and birdsong. Epic! But for now, here’s a handy list of things to listen out for in this episode:

• Phoenix had a few connection problems. She kindly recorded her reactions to them.
• Beautiful Katamari is demanding and Gitaroo Man is the king of games. Also, GTA (Gobbly The Arseholes) IV talk primes us for the upcoming controversy episode.
• Tell me … how does Motorstorm make you feel?
• Harry Potter fans are the reason games get spoiled.
• Solidrox? … Can’t be!
• Wardrox manages to lose an entire HDTV in the middle of a podcast.
• Guitar Hero and how Wardrox’s dad is his mum.
  
• Edge is the best thing in the world, apparently.
• The difference between British print media and American print media.
• Can official mags be trusted?
• The truth about “free” game discs.
• PSM2 was pretty cool.
• Magazine editors be warned: Your testes are forfeit at the next GMAs.
• More abuse of the listeners.
• “It’s not casual gamers I fear — it’s Ubisoft.”
• A long discussion of EGM’s integrity and apparently saying several nice things about Sharpless = wanting to have sex with him.

As always, you can download/stream us at the official page, or check us out on iTunes. Love to ya Niko mah bredren!

 

 The Podcastle episode 14: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pip pip, tally ho! The Podcastle crew return with yet another trip into the diseased bowels of European gaming as they discuss the latest news and share with you tales of their many adventures. This week the usual team of Jim Sterling, Wardrox and Atheistium are joined by community guest Ugly Phil. We had to cut much of him out though because his recording was sh*t. Boo!

Unlike his recording, however, Phil’s above fan art for the Podcastle is absolutely stellar. Good image made! Right you lot, here are the dirty highlights:

• Wardrox loves it when you spoil games for him
  
• PC gamers are pedophiles. CONFIRMED!
• Bullying community guests is fun
• Do what with Rock Band?
• The ever-growing suckiness of the MGS4 Euro PS3 bundle
• Tax breaks for the games industry. Wardrox eschews his liberal persona to defend the government
• Wardrox and his PlayStation 3 take love to the next level
• Jim’s Northern PS3 adventure, GRiD, and why Wardrox’s friends are c***s
• Presumptuous N4G posters can be very amusing
  
• Alone in the Dark and the Vita Chamber Defense ™
• Koei’s card shenanigans at the MCM London Expo
• The Still Alive honey trap
• Jim is quite famous these days
• Sun Tzu asks the most controversial user question in the world, inspires whole future episode
• Crossbreeding articles and podcasts make for confusing questions
• One of the most righteous rants you’ll ever hear on The Podcastle

As ever, you can stream/download the show from our official Podcastle page or do that iTunes thing that so many of you like to do. We’ll see you in another fortnight!

 

 The Podcastle episode 13: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

You love it, you terrible, terrible dogs. Put down that gun and get set to download another listening extravaganza in the form of The Podcastle: Episode 12. This week, Jim Sterling, Wardrox and Atheistium are joined by Amsterdam drug lord Insomnia to discuss random European gaming news … which pretty much turned into us talking about how successful Sony is over here.

Here are the highlights (or lowlights if you’re that way inclined) for this week’s show:

Fat people on buses and the problem with old women.

Too many menopausal women: Silo Needed!

Atheistium hates Lost Odyssey’s Jansen. We disagree.

Wardrox talks GTA IV (I hear he hates it).

No RetroforceGO! this week? Meet PodcastleforceGO!

PS3 outsells 360 in Europe: A true indication of casual gaming? Really?

Phones and plastic bags can’t stop us talking about developers lacking incentive to translate games for Europe.

Terrorism solves everything.

Horrible sh*tty controllers.

User questions and why you should not keep posting on the Podcastle page.

Also, more gratuitous Liquid Snake impressions.

Download now or go listen to it on iTunes if you like that sort of thing.

 

 The Podcastle episode 12: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

What happens when two of the biggest egos in games media sit back and discuss arguably the biggest release in videogame history? We’ll let you be the judge of that, as we welcome controversial defense attorney Jack Thompson to The Podcastle to discuss Grand Theft Auto with yours truly.

This week, we have a very short first half as the usual crew of Jim Sterling, Wardrox and Atheistium chat about Grand Theft Auto IV, and announce a special contest — simply use our Community Blogs and find an inventive way to mix the worlds of Jack Thompson and Grand Theft Auto together. Be it a short story, image, video, song or — my favorite — interpretive dance, the best four entries will receive redemption codes from Atheistium, allowing them to download Xbox Live GTA IV picture packs — for nothing!

Then we introduce the main event, as Jim Sterling speaks to Jack Thompson for the very first time. In this historic event, Jack Thompson actually makes good on his promise to appear on a videogames podcast. How do I manage to keep the volatile attorney on the phone for almost fifty minutes? How do I manage to get even a single word in edge ways? Did Jack Thompson confess that his son plays GTA? All these questions are for you to decide the answers for, but here are the highlights:

Jack Thompson thanked by a gamer? Jacko tells us why.

What is a “murder simulator?” Also, Jack’s expert is better than Jim’s expert, apparently.

Tom & Jerry needs to be less fun!

What was in Ted Bundy’s Xbox?

Jim tries to explain why Take-Two threatening Walmart is a ridiculous idea.

Jack tries to explain why Grand Theft Auto IV is illegal pornography.

Jack asks Jim to file an American lawsuit, even though he’s British.

Thompson is a gangsta rap expert.

At least Jim & Jack agree that IGN getting an exclusive review was rubbish.

Jack pushes for the final solution.

“Have I had my Wii Fix?”

Thompson’s terrifying vision of the future.

I really hope you enjoy the show, and that I did videogamers and Destructoid proud. I would also like to thank Jack Thompson for his time, despite the nature of his exit, and tip my hat at someone who, I must confess, was a pretty challenging arguer. As always, check out our Podcastle page to listen or download. Alternatively, we can be found on iTunes.

Enjoy.

 

 The Podcastle episode 11: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I am very good at show titles.

Yes, it’s time for another episode of The Podcastle, with your usual crew of myself Jim Sterling, redheaded wonder child Atheistium and a guy who killed a bunch of prostitutes in Ipswich, Wardrox. Our guest community member for this episode is Phoenix Blood, who actually talks!

This episode, we (or rather, they) discuss Tomb Raider, and I assure you that 78% of our listeners will acquire and maintain an erection while enjoying the show. Load up a podcast with two sexually active females talking about videogames and the contents of their pants, and watch the hits roll in — that’s what I always say.

As always, you can download the show right here, or go listen to it on iTunes or something. I don’t know how that stuff works.

[With special thanks to Rio McCarthy for the awesome Podcastle artwork and for drawing me 100% physically accurately. I cut quite the dashing figure, methinks.]

 

 The Podcastle episode 10: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Unfortunately, it’s that time again — time for more dirty, disgusting Podcastle. Tonight we talk about The Byron Report, in between arguments about Call of Duty 4 and Wardrox and I singing excerpts from Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds concept album (a magnificent LP, do check it out).

I believe we’re slowly getting closer to appearing on that iTunes thing so many of you beg for. Maybe this is the episode, but we’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, you can at least check us out on our Podcastle page for all your listening needs.

Right, that’s your lot, because I have to go get ready for Cancun!

ULAAAAAH!

 

 The Podcastle episode 09: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Somehow we managed it, but we’ve constructed an entire show about how good it is to be a European gamer. Actually, that’s a total lie. Wardrox came up with fifteen reasons and we absolutely destroyed them because we are so awesome and really strong and the fastest race car drivers.

Sterling, Wardrox, Atheistium and Professor Pew join up for another slice of stupidity and swearing. Tune in for the following highlights:

Atheistium’s American adventures!

Wardrox’s take on Play.com Live in all its rubbish glory!

Professor Pew’s accent!

AI in videogames and why it’s all a lie!

Jim’s twisted childhood!

Competition winners!

Masturbatory pressure points!

Hatred against everyone in Europe!

Some of the most twisted logic ever devised to try and not admit that being a Euro gamer is awful!

All this and (sadly) more, coming to a Podcastle near you!

 

 The Podcastle episode 08: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Listen up, wankers. The Podcastle is here in full force once again, featuring Jim Sterling, Atheistium, Wardrox and nerdcore community blogger Wilbo. This episode, we discuss importing and piracy, their benefits, downsides and effects.

We also spend ages talking about what arsehammers the people at Nintendo are — but what’s new there?

If you want to know what they should have called Professor Layton, how Sean Connery would sound if he was a gamer, and how the BRITISH EARTHQUAKE affected us, then you need to listen to The Podcastle right now.

Also, this episode sees our first ever contest. Listen to the show for more details, but to clarify — record an audio sketch for Episode 8 of The Podcastle and post it in your CBlog. The best skit not only appears on the show, but its creator will win FABULOUS PRIZES! Enjoy.

 

 The Podcastle 07: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The usual crew of Jim Sterling, Atheistium and Wardrox has its forces bolstered by community member Dan Gale to discuss their favorite games to have been home grown in the European territories. From Dungeon Keeper to Worms, The Podcastle is alive with the sound of Eurogaming celebration. Top stuff, our kid.

As you will soon hear, we had a rather huge error in this recording that led to us losing practically the entire first half of the show. We had two Northerners on the show, so it may have been stolen. What you will hear is a cobbled together first part, expertly crafted by Wardrox.

Also, we have attempted some stylistic tweaks for this episode. The show should feel somewhat different, but it’s up to you, the listener, to let us know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. As ever, you can listen right away on our Podcastle page, so go do it. Love you.

 

 The Podcastle episode 6: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download