A fresh new take on video game criticism by people of color with a New York twist. Hosted by Kotaku's Paul Tamayo alongside the one and only Cam Brewster, The Optional covers the latest in gaming with a mix of hip-hop, comedy, and real conversations surrounding the culture. This isn't your typical games podcast. This is video game commentary for the rest of us.
CAM’S BACK and this week’s show is JAM PACKED. This week we’re talking more Apex Legends, Far Cry New Dawn, Division 2 Beta, Tetris 99, Anthem, Crackdown 3, Final Fantasy IX, plus the week’s news, listener questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in, join the Discord and talk to us!
This week Paul is flying solo without Cam BUT helping him pilot the ship is none other than Spawn On Me & This Is Dope’s Kahlief Adams to talk all about the brand spanking new Apex Legends, The Division 2 Private Beta, the week’s news, listener questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in and join the conversation!
This week we talk a little more Resident Evil 2, a little more Anthem demo, and Paul’s new obsession Wargroove. We also talk a rumored Titanfall Battle Royale, Fortnite concerts, Metro Exodus backlash, and freak golf accidents. Plus your listener questions and our recommendations for the week. Tune in!
This week, Paul and Cam talk Resident Evil 2, the Anthem Demo, Metroid Prime 4’s delay and tons more. Tune in!
Support us on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/the-optional-podcast
Talk with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
This we talk more Onimusha, Ace Combat 7, Blackout and more. We also discuss the week’s onslaught of news, listener questions and our recommendations for the week. Tune in!
This week Cam and Paul talk new games like Cities Skylines for Switch, Steep, Katamari and the 30-minute demo for Resident Evil 2. Plus this week's news, listener questions and our recommendations for the week. Tune in!
With 2019 right on the Horizon (Zero Dawn), we decided to do one last Playlist and Feelin' It but more importantly, you sent us your top 3 games of 2018 and we're playing your dope voice messages on the show! Tune in to find out what some of our amazing audience picked as their top 3 games of 2018. Happy New Year, everybody!
It's finally here! Join us as we celebrate our third year in the podcast game and look back at the year in games by giving our highly coveted quarter waters to the best (and worst) games of the year.
It's finally here. Paul and Cam talk about Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario Party, Drawful, Avengers Endgame, 2 Milly's Lawsuit, the Game Awards, listener questions, and our recommendations for the week. Tune in and join the conversation!
This week we talk more RDR2, Black Ops 4, Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Paul talks mobile gaming on his new Pixel. As always, the week's news, listener questions, and our recommendations for the week. Tune in!
This week, we’re talking more of the usual suspects like RDR2 (Paul finally finished), Black Ops 4, Moonlighter, and Tetris Effect. We’re also returning to old favorites like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, God of War and… Warframe? Plus, this week’s news, listener questions and our recommendations for the week. Tune in!
Support us on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/the-optional-podcast
Talk with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
This week we’re talking more usual suspects with a mix of new games like Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu, more Battlefield V, PUBG to PS4, Sony skipping E3, Game Award Nominations, Stan Lee, listener questions and more!
Support us on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/the-optional-podcast
Talk with us on Discord: https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
This week we talk more Black Ops 4, Red Dead 2, Moonlighter on Switch, and of course more Tetris Effect. We also talk this week’s news and answer our very first voice message! Tune in and don’t forget to join the Discord and talk to us directly.
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/the-optional-podcast
Discord: https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
This week we’ve got an extended show full of more Red Dead Redemption 2 chat, Diablo 3 on Switch, Tetris Effect, PS One Classic games, Superman Cosplaying Geralt, shitty Blizzard fans and tons more. Tune in and be sure to check us out on Anchor now too and leave us some voice messages!
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/the-optional-podcast
Discord: https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
Red Dead Redemption 2 is finally here and we’ve got TAKES. From the immaculate details to the hard-to-ignore crunch that went into making it all, we dive deep into the game. We also pick some questions out of the bucket and hit you with some nostalgic recommendations for the week. So tune in and be sure to stock up on pomade. Join the discourse on our Discord! https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
This week the guys are talking about their first victory in Blackout, more Destiny, Card Thief for iOS, and Soulcalibur VI. We talk about the week’s news, answer some questions and give our recommendations for the week. Join the discourse on our Discord! https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
This week, the guys are talking… Call of Duty? And it’s… good? That and tons more. Join the conversation! Be a part of our Discord! https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
We're talking more Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Dragonball FighterZ on Switch, Super Mario Party, new Switch models in 2019, streaming games in Chrome and TONS more. Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
WE BACK. And this week, Paul shares his impressions on the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Cam jumps into Super Mario Odyssey, we talk PlayStation Classic, Crossplay, Bowsette, say goodbye to Tell Tale, give the fire literary recommendations, and TWO WEEKS of Feelin’ It’s. So jump in and join the conversation! Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
This week we talk Dragon Quest XI, Black Ops 4 Beta, Old School Musical on Switch and a little more Destiny 2 Forsaken! We also chat a couple of news stories and our recommendations for the week. Tune in and join the conversation! Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/T2v8CDc
Welcome to the very first episode of The Optional Review, our new weekly recap episode where you join us in watching a piece of entertainment that you've recommended to us! This season we're covering the anime Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans. We'll be going over the first two episodes of the series so if you haven't seen it yet, watch those first, come back and join the conversation!
It’s finally here! This week hear Paul’s thoughts on Spider-Man for PS4, Cam tells us what he thinks of Destiny 2 Forsaken and of course the week’s news, questions, and our recommendations. Tune in and join the conversation!
We’re back this week and we’re talking Into the Breach on Switch, Donut County, Shenmue and Super Bomberman R! In the news it’s the tragic events in Jacksonville, Insomniac denying game downgrades, BFV delayed and new trailers for Cyberpunk 2077 and STREETS OF RAGE 4? But are we really that excited? As always, questions and our recommendations (two this week to make up for lost time) and we’re asking you all to pick an anime for us to do a recap bonus show on. Tune in and join the conversation!
This week we’re talking Death’s Gambit, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate and returning to old favorites like FF XV. We also talk about the week’s latest news and tons more. Tune in!
We’re back this week to talk We Happy Few, Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker, Flipping Death and a bit of Third Strike. We also talk the week’s news and tons more!
This week we talk all about No Man’s Sky’s massive new NEXT update, the week’s news, listener questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in, start mining that copper, and join the conversation!
This week the guys are joined by very special guest Heather Alexandra to talk No Man’s Sky, Thumper, Spider-Man, Concrete Genie, Tetris Effect, Octopath Traveler, the week’s news, listener questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in, don't forget to account for daylight savings and join the conversation! Follow Heather on Twitter! @transgamerthink The Wild Sailor Moon Article You Cannot Miss https://kotaku.com/we-tried-to-uncover-the-long-lost-american-sailor-moon-1827695456
This week the guys talk Fortnite Season 5, more No Man’s Sky, 2018 GDoC Expo, checks for BlocBoy JB, D&D, and how to deal with “analysis paralysis.” Tune in to join the conversation.
This week we talk more No Man’s Sky, Banner Saga 2, Assassin’s Creed Origins, and Forza Horizon 3. In the news, it’s Shenmue hype, Warframe on Switch, Fortnite oddities and tons more. Tune in and join the conversation!
During the nasty heatwave, we talk the new Battlefield V closed alpha, Lumines Remastered, Mario + Rabbids Donkey Kong DLC and TONS more. Tune in and join the conversation. Donate to help keep families together: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/how-you-can-fight-family-separation-at-the-border.html
Well, it came and went just like that. And we spent close to 2 hours jamming as much loopy late night content into a single episode and we go to some weird places. Catch our thoughts on all of the latest news and announcements from E3 2018, your questions, and more! Tune in and join the conversation! Music by Salzar soundcloud.com/5alazar
Just when you thought you couldn't get more excited. We hit you with our very first bonus episode! We chat all things E3 2018 and hit you with some of our predictions. So tune in and join the discussion in the Discord too! Music by Salzar soundcloud.com/5alazar
This week, the guys are joined by returning guest Cody Davis to chat Mario Tennis Aces, PixelJunk Monsters 2, Just Shapes & Beats, and more. In the news it’s packed full of pre-E3 reveals, new Fallout news, Fortnite being sued, Atari’s return, new Pokemon news and problematic cornballs get exposed online. As always, another round of questions and our recommendations for the week. Stay tuned after the show for a light Far Cry 5 spoiler chat. Tune in and join the conversation! Music by Salzar soundcloud.com/5alazar
This week the guys talk the usual suspects along with some new games like H1Z1, Moonlighter, Wizard of Legend, and Framed. In the news it’s Battlefield V hype, E3 hype, and one of our Switch predictions is coming true… sorta. As always another round of questions and our recommendations for the week. So clean the grill, tune in, and join the conversation! Paul’s recommendation: City Pop YouTube Radio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HsXiLHWJIc Music by Salzar soundcloud.com/5alazar
This week the guys talk more Fortnite, Overwatch, Destiny 2, and Overcooked! Tons of pre-E3 Black Ops IIII hype, amazing Xbox One controllers, New No Mans Sky multiplayer, another incredible round of questions and our recommendations for the week. So sit down, let us show y’all this quick video real quick and JOIN THE CONVERSATION. Music by Salzar soundcloud.com/5alazar
This week the guys are just a tad bit late but here nevertheless. Hear us talk more Fortnite, Destiny 2, Overwatch, Yakuza 6, I Am Setsuna, and TONS more. Tune in and join the conversation!
WE’RE BACK. Paul returns from his trip abroad to Japan and South Korea and the guys are joined by friend of the show and rapper extraordinaire, Doc, to discuss travelling, games, and a bonus spoilercast for Infinity War at the end of the show! So tune in and join the conversation! Doc’s Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/evotionfreative
Before Paul leaves town for Tokyo and Seoul, the guys chat about Radical Heights, God of War, Fortnite, Donkey Kong high scores, actual SEGA announcements, questions and TONS more. So tune in and join the conversation!
This week we talk more Far Cry 5, Fortnite, Bayonetta 2 and The Division. In the news it’s all about Spider-Man’s release date and Far Cry 5 impressive sales numbers. Rounding out the show is another round of questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in and join the conversation!
This week, we talk more Far Cry 5, Battle Royale and Monster Hunter World! In the news we have even more No Mans Sky, SEGA up to something, mysterious comets in Fortnite, and what a shocker: racist emote jokes on Twitch. As always rounding out the show with listener questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in and join the conversation!
This week, Cam and Paul sport some extra puffy bubble jackets and goggles to bring you the latest in gaming goodness. This week we talk Cam’s trip to Thailand, Sea of Thieves, A Way Out, Far Cry 5, Lumines returns, Fortnite mobile and TONS more. So tune in, practice that choreographed dance in black and white and join the conversation!
This week we talk Vermintide 2, Darwin Project, Splatfest, Chuchel and Bloodbourne as well as some of our regular games. We also chat weird violent video game compilations at the White House, Nintendo Direct news, The Division 2 and Black Ops IIII. As always a hilarious round of questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in and join the conversation!
This week we baked a metaphorical cake for the Switch’s birthday. Alongside a lot of people we actually know who actually have birthdays. Then we talk new games like Into the Breach, Mulaka, Deadbolt and some of our other regulars. As always, news, questions and our recommendations for the week. Tune in and join the conversation.
This week, we’ve got TONS to talk about. Hear us chat Florence, Assassin’s Creed Origins Discovery Tour, Metal Gear Survive, Moss for PSVR, Bayonetta and Final Station on Switch, and the new DLC for Battlefield 1. Another bite-sized round of questions and our recommendations for the week: some dope new music and an entertaining dating show? Yes. Only on this show. So tune in, resync your joy-cons and join the conversation!
With Black Panther finally out, we have a regular bitesized show followed by a special in-depth spoiler chat on the movie. Find out what we thought about the film, cast and most importantly ask: how is Lupita so damn fine? So take your special edible “herbs”, bury yourself in some sand and meet us in the ancestral plane. Wakanda Forever.
This week we talk some of the usual suspects with some new titles (for us) like Rime, Dragon Quest Builders, Octogeddon and A Case of Distrust. In the news it’s shitty online “celebrities”, new trailers, shitty developers, NEW RIDGE RACER (?) and Smash trophies. Another round of questions and our recommendations for the week round out the show. So tune in and join the conversation!
This week we’re talking more Monster Hunter World, Celeste, Blossom Tales and Paul got some hands-on time with Nintendo Labo!! In the news it’s more delays and we get a 2018 window for Nintendo Online. So tune in and join the conversation!
This week is chock-full of gaming goodness. We talk Shadow of the Colossus, Sea of Thieves closed beta, and of course Monster Hunter World!!! We also talk about the latest God of War trailer, forgetting people’s names, our rap names and as usual our recommendations for the week. So tune in, download the Pro patch, and join the conversation!
This week the guys catch up on some Overwatch League while checking out some new games like Blossom Tales, Axiom Verge, Night in the Woods and the betas for Metal Gear Survive and Darwin Project. In the news it’s all about Nintendo’s Labo and Splatoon 2’s success in Japan. Rounding out the show, as always, are listener questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in, kill that problematic meme, and join the conversation!
This week the guys already start off checking those New Year resolution boxes by finishing up some games like Yakuza Kiwami and Steamworld Dig 2 as well as some Dragon Quest Builders on Switch. In the news it’s some VR improvements out of CES, Nintendo Direct news and remasters. As always, another round of questions and our recommendations to close out the show. So tune in, get your lists in order and join the convo!
We’re back bringing in the new year with that gaming goodnessss. Hear us chat what’s on our playlist from the past two weeks, our gaming resolutions for the new year, idiot YouTubers abroad, Switch shattering sales records, Battle Royale games and even crypto-currencies. Tune in and join the convo!
Boom, just when you thought we were done, we bring you a special holiday bonus episode. As we celebrate the holidays and usher in the new year, we are joined by the man, the myth, the former cohost and legendary GASBAG: Roman France! Join us as we talk Twitter breaks, algorithms, outrage culture and our in-depth spoiler cast for Star Wars: The Last Jedi! So tune in and join the conversation.
With the end of 2017 rapidly approaching, we take some time to look back at the incredible year of gaming that we’ve all experienced. Oh and we turn 100! We break down the awards into 8 major categories and widdle the nominees down until we find our winners. So rush past the red carpet, smile for a couple of paparazzi shots and make your way to your seat. The show starts now. Join us and join in on the conversation!