Best Asterisk Gaming Podcasts (2025)

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Beyond the Asterisk: Unpacking Marvel's Thunderbolts* 8:26

3h ago8:26

8:26

"Send us a Text!" Marvel fans rejoice! We're diving deep into "Thunderbolts*" (or should we say "The New Avengers"?) on this episode of Cinema Saturdays. After several divisive post-Endgame releases, has Marvel finally found its footing again with this ragtag team of morally ambiguous characters? Join host Nathan and special guest Elizabeth as they…

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Ep. 62 - Asterisks, Trailers, and Lessons Learned 1:02:06

5h ago1:02:06

1:02:06

Disney and Marvel Studios play the name game and spoil their own movie two days after it releases, Grand Theft Auto 6 gets delayed (but releases a nifty trailer), Andor bends the Star Wars canon slightly, Yellowstone gets a much more traditional geezer-aimed spinoff, and the Blues Brothers return in comic book form! Meanwhile, a new Stephen King ad…

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38: We're Doing Asterisks 1:09:10

6h ago1:09:10

1:09:10

⌚ It's that time of week for the Snap On This!! cohosts to merge — but will they purge or splurge on their urge to play a li'l Surge? 😏🤭 For our esteemed listeners’ consideration: (actually) snappy Weeks in Snap 😱 🐣 Esme Cuckoo 🔌🔋 Surge Secret Homework 🤫: design a Thunderbolts* card 🌩️ Video version on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter/Bluesky: Snap On…

1
Lights and Rivalry: A Suburban Christmas Tale 20:11

2d ago20:11

20:11

"Send us a Text!" Holiday rivalries reach new heights in "Deck the Halls," where Christmas spirit becomes a battleground between two suburban dads determined to outdo each other. Matthew Broderick brilliantly portrays Steve Finch, the town's self-proclaimed "Christmas guy" whose meticulously planned holiday traditions leave little room for spontane…

1
Run outs, reviews and Rabada 35:40

3d ago35:40

35:40

Rabada banned but didn’t do much wrong; some umpiring and commentary controversies in the IPL; the future of DRS; all the latest from the ipl, Aussies firing in county cricket and some Bradman nostalgia!

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Until Dawn: From PlayStation to Silver Screen - A Critic's Take 9:52

5d ago9:52

9:52

"Send us a Text!" Horror movies live and die by our connection to their characters. Why should we fear for people we don't care about? This fundamental challenge haunts Sony Pictures' latest video game adaptation "Until Dawn," a time-loop thriller that struggles to make us invest in its imperiled teens. Based on the acclaimed 2015 PlayStation game,…

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Ep. 61 - Perceived Value and Generic Slop 59:53

6d ago59:53

59:53

Subway is closing a record number of stores across America, probably related to their latest fetish for random snacks shaped like a 2x4. Natasha Lyonne is making an "ethical AI" movie, whatever that means. Pedro Pascal throws some much deserved insults at fellow WBD asset JK Rowling while JJ Abrams and Josh Holloway reunite for a '70s crime series.…

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37: You've Turned Against Me, Monster 1:47:03

6d ago1:47:03

1:47:03

🚴‍♀️ This week’s new cards are all about move, but were the cohosts?!! *dun dun dun* 🥁 For our esteemed listeners’ consideration: Weeks in Snap (Pack)s 🎉🥂 🦶 Hydra Stomper 💎 Topaz 🦇🪨🦘 Batroc the Leaper 🪭 Fan Fei Are the datamined cards Fantasticar or just First Steps? 🤔 May Card Rankings 👎👎👍👍 Secret Homework: 🎶🎧🎶 VGM **limit one rec per cohost Video…

1
Beyond Flying Cars: Revisiting a Family Classic 20:57

9d ago20:57

20:57

"Send us a Text!" Remember that magical car that could fly, float, and bring families together? "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" zooms back into our hearts as we revisit this 1968 musical fantasy classic starring the incomparable Dick Van Dyke. What we discovered might surprise you – did you know this whimsical children's tale was penned by Ian Fleming, c…

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Farewell Stacky 25:18

11d ago25:18

25:18

Keith Stackpole has died aged 84, aggressive tough opener, famous early Channel 9 voice. Josh Hazlewood grabs the IPL purple cap. The concept of the orange and purple caps - their equivalents haven’t really caught on in the BBL: why not? Tim David finishes another game in style. Mixed weeks for Marsh, Maxwell, Green, and Warner. Fergus O’Neill fini…

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When Mystery Screenings Go Wrong: The Legend of Ochi Reviewed 11:03

13d ago11:03

11:03

"Send us a Text!" Cinematic mystery boxes can yield treasures or disappointments – and this week, Nathan unpacks a decidedly strange Screen Unseen experience with A24's "The Legend of Ochi." This peculiar PG-rated creature feature stars Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, and Finn Wolfhard in a tale about a shy village girl who discovers a wounded baby cre…

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36: The Leopard Print of Marvel Snap 1:34:33

13d ago1:34:33

1:34:33

🦏 Does the new Rhino rock? Yes, technically, yes. 🪨 (Disclaimer: The Snap On This!! cohosts are neither biologists nor geologists and cannot attest to the veracity of these claims) For our esteemed listeners’ consideration: High Voltage+ ⚡ Weeks in Snap 💿 Toxie Doxie 🌯 Strange Supreme 🚍 Speed 😎 USAgent SD gets in on visible mending with this week’s…

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Unraveling the Legacy of Meet Me in St. Louis: Classic Cinema or Holiday Film? 10:20

18d ago10:20

10:20

"Send us a Text!" Meet Me in St. Louis sparks a fascinating debate about what truly constitutes a Christmas movie. Does a film need to center around the holiday itself, or is it enough that Christmas simply occurs within the narrative? This vibrant MGM masterpiece from 1944 follows the Smith family through four seasons in turn-of-the-century St. Lo…

1
What if Marnus fails in Wales? 37:19

19d ago37:19

37:19

Cameron Green smashes 112 for Gloucestershire. Marcus Harris makes 77 for Lancashire, while Fergus O’Neill adds to his growing reputation with five wickets and a quickfire 50. We break down what it means for Australia’s top six at the WTC final — is Green now a contender at No. 3? Is Webster locked in? Where do Harris, Bancroft, and Labuschagne sta…

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Batman Under the Red Hood: A Comic Fan's Review 6:44

21d ago6:44

6:44

"Send us a Text!" Gotham's darkest secrets resurface in "Batman Under the Red Hood" as a mysterious vigilante forces the Dark Knight to confront his greatest failure. This week on Cinema Saturdays, we explore this emotional DC animated feature that brings one of Batman's most tragic storylines to life. What happens when Batman's moral code is chall…

1
Ep. 60 - Burnout: Mushroom Kingdom 46:15

21d ago46:15

46:15

Kyle takes a short break from Star Wars news (and non-news) to talk Ryan Coogler's Sinners, the Fantastic Four: First Steps final trailer, and lots of new features coming to Mario Kart World on the Switch 2. Elsewhere, HBO's spring premieres for The Last of Us and Hacks get a quick review, and DC comics wants to declare 2025 (George Costanza voice)…

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35: Three-Cheekin' These Movies 1:28:34

22d ago1:28:34

1:28:34

This week’s show notes are dedicated to the esteemed listeners 🫶 (yes you 🫵 💕). For our esteemed listeners’ consideration: Weeks (more or less 😅) in Snap 🤖 Infinity Ultron ☄️ Cannonball 🧚‍♀️ Pixie (bonus 💎 Topaz) High Voltage 🔌 (aka surprise-card-grind-week), already?! How Toxie Doxie ☣️ of SD Secret Homework: $3.99 rentals 📼 and mild hypocrisy 😏 V…

1
Bells Still Ring: The Cultural Legacy of The Polar Express 20:34

23d ago20:34

20:34

"Send us a Text!" The Polar Express stands as a landmark in animation history – the very first full-length computer motion capture film, earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records alongside other Tom Hanks pioneering projects like Toy Story. Twenty years since its release, hosts Nathan and Katy analyze whether this Christmas classic hold…

1
The commentators said nothing - but we will 31:17

26d ago31:17

31:17

In this episode, I take aim at the silence surrounding MS Dhoni’s bizarre decision in Chennai’s latest collapse, reflect on cricket’s return to the Olympics, weigh in on the push to privatise the Big Bash, review how Australia’s cricketers are faring around the globe, and farewell the retiring Will Pucovski.…

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Gaming Meets Hollywood: The Minecraft Movie Surprise 15:41

28d ago15:41

15:41

"Send us a Text!" Unexpected joy from unlikely places - that's what this week's Cinema Saturday episode delivers as we dive into the surprisingly entertaining world of The Minecraft Movie. When I first saw the trailer, my expectations couldn't have been lower. A movie based on a video game with no real storyline? It seemed destined for the pile of …

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Fred Claus: When Santa's Sibling Comes to Town 12:01

29d ago12:01

12:01

"Send us a Text!" Christmas movies should warm our hearts and inspire holiday spirit, but do they all deliver? My long-awaited review of "Fred Claus" finally arrives, exploring whether this Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti vehicle deserves a place in your holiday rotation. What happens when Santa's bitter older brother reluctantly joins the North Pol…

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34: Dry Spell of Fan Fiction 1:16:55

29d ago1:16:55

1:16:55

🐺 Dire wolves could be back, 😱 but the cohosts talk about Snap instead. 🙄 For our esteemed listeners’ consideration: 🤖👍▶️ Week in Snap: Bots, BM, & the Big Time Kahhori 🔷 Cull Obsidian 1️⃣ Hydra Bob 🐙 🫢 OMG it’s an OTA 🤭 Secret Homework: 🚍 field trip to Blockbuster 📽️ Mentioned Movies: (House of Flying Daggers) Bottoms Dicks: The Musical Kiss Kiss …

1
Time for a Richie Benaud Stand? 33:05

1M ago33:05

33:05

Paul is joined by Josh Massoud for a high-energy debut episode covering: • Should the SCG get a $700 million upgrade? • Mitchell Marsh’s strong IPL form – but should it mean a Test recall? • Pat Cummins, Travis Head and SRH’s losing streak • MS Dhoni: still playing well… but is it time to retire? • Bumrah v Hazlewood – showdown of the world’s best …

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33: Are You Even a Wizard? 2:02:19

1M ago2:02:19

2:02:19

🤔 What if… Rie was too deadge to be droll in the show notes? 😔 For our esteemed listeners’ consideration: Weeks in Snap Captain Carter & Goliath Snap Packs Patch Secret Homework: Couch Co-op Links: Official Snap Packs Announcement Blog Post Lauren’s Article Mentioned Games: Moon Hunters (Boyfriend Dungeon) (Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime) Heave Ho…

1
From Mafia to Messiah: Reviewing Alto Knights and The Chosen 15:08

1M ago15:08

15:08

"Send us a Text!" From the gritty streets of mob-controlled New York to the dusty roads of first-century Jerusalem, this week's double feature takes us through vastly different cinematic worlds with surprising results. Robert De Niro's "Alto Knights" promised to be a quintessential mafia film with the legendary actor taking on dual roles as crime b…

1
Ep. 59 - Direct Sequels and Cow Physics 1:41:53

1M ago1:41:53

1:41:53

Kyle is joined by Chris to talk about the wild Nintendo Direct showcasing the Switch 2. But first, a new Spider-Man movie title! A Quentin Tarantino sequel directed by a very different director! Premiere dates for long-dormant South Park and Rick and Morty! And the loss of a terrific actor.

1
Farewell the Gabba . . . and Joel Wilson! 50:44

1M ago50:44

50:44

Paul is joined by Munners from Dealt with Cricket: the end of the Gabba, Joel Wilson sacked, top end cricket, will Konstas open in the WTC final, the state of England cricket, the IPL, the Sheffield Shield final, a loophole that must be fixed and more!

1
Paint Cans, Blowtorches, and VHS Tapes: The Home Alone Time Capsule 13:13

1M ago13:13

13:13

"Send us a Text!" Christmas movies come in many forms, from the overtly festive to those that merely use the holiday as a backdrop for their storytelling. Home Alone, the 1990 classic starring Macaulay Culkin as the resourceful Kevin McAllister, falls somewhere in the middle of that spectrum – a film so deeply associated with Christmas that it's be…

1
From Classic to Controversial: Deconstructing Disney's Snow White Remake 25:48

1M ago25:48

25:48

"Send us a Text!" Disney's latest attempt to refresh their animated classics crashes headlong into the pitfalls of modernization with the Snow White remake. What should have been a loving tribute to the film that built the Disney empire instead becomes a cautionary tale about straying too far from what made the original magical. The fundamental dis…

1
Ep. 58 - Doomsday Direct 51:43

1M ago51:43

51:43

Marvel Studios assembles (very slowly over several hours) the full cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday, meanwhile Nintendo has one final bittersweet Direct event for the original Switch. Also...is there actually a lot of demand for more Star Wars: The Acolyte? Streaming analytics data may surprise you. Also, another good actor signs on to the …

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32: An Amazonian Woman of Any Type 2:19:55

1M ago2:19:55

2:19:55

🧑‍🚀 To Infinity and Ultron!! 🚀 For our esteemed listeners’ consideration: Week in Snap 🫰 (and keep it snappy!! (🫰🫰) ) 🌖 Khonshu 💀 The First Ghost Rider What If..the cohosts ranked the cards from next season? 😏 Secret Homework: Past Prediction Profits 📈 & Pitfalls 📉 Video version on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter/Bluesky: Snap On This!! (Bluesky) Lau…

1
Holy Holiday Letdown, Batman! 19:42

2M ago19:42

19:42

"Send us a Text!" What happens when you combine Batman, Christmas, and Tim Burton's gothic sensibilities? The answer might disappoint you, as we discovered in our latest deep dive into Batman Returns (1992). After welcoming back fan-favorite co-host Katy to the show, we examine this supposed Christmas classic featuring Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfei…

1
Making cricket better 27:41

2M ago27:41

27:41

Paul and Charlie Cooke talk world test championship innovations, Usman Khawaja, no Tests in South Africa, IPL, who will be in the England Ashes side and more

1
The Seven Dwarfs, the Wicked Queen, and the Moral Magic of Disney's First 20:27

2M ago20:27

20:27

"Send us a Text!" Walt Disney's groundbreaking 1937 animated masterpiece, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, stands as a cornerstone of cinematic history—but does its simplicity still resonate in our complex modern world? I journey back to where Disney feature animation began to rediscover what made this fairy tale so powerful and enduring. The film'…

1
Ep. 57 - Looney, Looney, Looney 33:35

2M ago33:35

33:35

During a particularly slow week at the box office, a secret Looney Tunes movie sneaks into theaters despite Warner Bros Discovery trying their best to wipe the beloved cartoons from existence for tax purposes. Meanwhile the Power Rangers might get Disney Plussed, and Assassin's Creed: Shadows meets expectations. Finally, a new 'weird western' comic…

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31: Cozy X-Men 1:35:45

2M ago1:35:45

1:35:45

💓 Khonshu feel the love tonight? It is in the (fire) hair 🦁❤️‍🔥 For our esteemed listeners’ consideration: Week in Snap 🫰: post-Sanctum catch-up 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🔥 Firehair 🌖 Khonshu 💀 The First Ghost Rider Secret Homework: 🦸‍♀️ Women of HeroClix (but not of Snap) 🎉 Title Tu5sle 5: Will They Snap or Cap?! 🏆 Video version on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter/Blues…

1
A Deep Dive into "It's a Wonderful Life": Why This Movie Matters 24:52

2M ago24:52

24:52

"Send us a Text!" Dive into the heartwarming world of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" as we explore its timeless themes of hope, community, and the impact of each individual's life. In this captivating episode, we revisit the classic film starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, delving deep into its memorable moments and the powerful message i…

1
Cricket fights footy! 29:14

2M ago29:14

29:14

Cricket tries to fight footy Chris Macpherson and Patrick Avenell join Paul Dennett to discuss South Australia not being able to play at the Adelaide Oval because the AFL won’t let them, the 150 year anniversary test match being a pink ball test, Usman Khawaja opting out of Queensland’s final shield game and rumours of a Saudi Arabian takeover of c…

1
When Great Directors Miss: The Mickey 17 Experience 8:41

2M ago8:41

8:41

"Send us a Text!" Sometimes great directors miss the mark completely. That's exactly what happened with "Mickey 17," the latest film from the Oscar-winning director of "Parasite." What should have been an exciting sci-fi dark comedy starring Robert Pattinson as an "expendable" colonizing an ice planet turned out to be a tremendous disappointment. D…

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30: Strange and Punishing Things 1:36:53

2M ago1:36:53

1:36:53

Lauren, Ben (-ish), & Rie get fired up for new hair next week ❤️‍🔥🤭 For our esteemed listeners’ consideration: Week in Snap: 👋 Saying goodbye to Sanctum + 💭 Comic Corner ⭐ Starbrand 🔥 Firehair One Hell(a) of an OTA? (🐈‍⬛💖) Secret Homework: Obscure video games 🔍 Video version on YouTube. Follow us on Twitter/Bluesky: Snap On This!! (Bluesky) Lauren …

1
Ep. 56 - Featuring Bill Skarsgard 36:15

2M ago36:15

36:15

Disney fumbles the press tour for Snow White and then stumbles over a Tiana animated series. Noah Hawley's Alien: Earth series for FX gets a spaceship housecat perspective in its latest teaser, and literally every Stephen King work is being adapted over again. Niantic, the developer of Pokemon Go, has been acquired for billions of dollars, and Micr…

1
Frosty Disappointments: An Honest Review of Jack Frost 10:16

2M ago10:16

10:16

"Send us a Text!" Get ready to dive into the heartwarming yet confusing world of Jack Frost with this week’s episode. Infused with warmth and humor, Nathan navigates through Michael Keaton's layered performance, discussing how a snowman grapples with family struggles and personal dreams. Did you know George Clooney almost played Jack? And what abou…

1
Congratulations India! No asterisk! 25:49

2M ago25:49

25:49

India beat New Zealand to win the champions trophy. Some people think there should be an asterisk next to the title but Paul doesn’t. Paul and Patrick discuss the controversy around India’s advantages and Paul responds to some of the comments he has received online. They discuss what can be done to improve one day cricket and make it more relevant …

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Cinema Saturday: The Immersive Experience of "Last Breath" 10:32

2M ago10:32

10:32

"Send us a Text!" Prepare for a gripping exploration of courage and humanity in "Last Breath," a film that redefines the limits of bravery. Join Nathan in this episode of Couch Critic’s Cinema Saturdays as he dives into the true story of seasoned deep-sea divers battling the elements to rescue one of their own. This isn’t just another adventure fil…

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29: Under My Giant Robot Heels 1:56:43

2M ago1:56:43

1:56:43

We wish we had woolly mice 🦣🐁 but all we have are these Prehistoric Avengers season rankings 😔🤭 For our esteemed listeners’ consideration: 🫰 It’s always a Week in Snap (x3 value!!!) Agamotto 🪄 Eson 🤖 👎👎👍👍 Season rankings ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🎉 The cohosts are hype for this 🪡 Patch’s new datamined cards Secret Homework 🤫: Design a Banish keyword card Video version …

1
Ep. 55 - Target Audience 33:36

2M ago33:36

33:36

After a quick post-mortem of the Oscars (and the dead-on-arrival stream of the ceremony on Hulu), take a wild guess what Hasbro property is finally--finally--being made into a movie after decades of false starts. Then, a rare look at footage from a CW pilot so bad that it never even aired. More nostalgia cropped up when Tony Hawk announced the rema…

1
India knock out Australia 18:02

2M ago18:02

18:02

India has beaten Australia in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy; Paul watched the match all night long, and here is his hot take!

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Finding Heart and Humility in "Babe" 5:57

2M ago5:57

5:57

"Send us a Text!" Did you ever think a charming tale about a pig could touch your heartstrings as a Christmas movie? Neither did I, but on this episode of Couch Critic, we take a look at the delightful film "Babe," which might surprise you with its tender storytelling and a fleeting holiday scene. Join me, Nathan, as I share my affection for this u…

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Cinema Saturday: Paddington's Third Adventure - Expectations vs. Reality 14:17

2M ago14:17

14:17

"Send us a Text!" Welcome to a heartfelt and engaging discussion on the latest adventure of everyone's favorite bear, Paddington, in "Paddington in Peru." With the success of "Paddington 2" setting a high bar, Nathan dives deep into what makes this franchise so cherished and whether the new installment lives up to its predecessors. Join him as he n…

1
Australia into the semis! 27:14

2M ago27:14

27:14

Australia versus Afghanistan was shaping as a potential classic but unfortunately rain had the final say, effectively eliminating Afghanistan (unless England thump South Africa by an unprecedented margin) and seeing Australia through to the knockout phase! Charlie Cooke and Paul Dennett discuss all the talking points from the match including Steve …

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