Zach from Blowing Cartridges

Critic Taxes and Rebates: Predicting Video Game Review Scores Podcast Episode · Blowing Cartridges · 02/02/2026 · 2h 2m

On our latest episode we were joined by @jon32.bsky.social from the @hypefactor.bsky.social to talk all about critic taxes and rebates. Do indie games receive a 'tax' against their aggregate review score? Do AAA games automatically receive a rebate? Tune in to hear our thoughts!
#fantasycritic

YouTube video by iDrewby Blonde Blazer or Invisigal? - Dispatch Spoilercast w/ Zach

Thanks @idrewby.bsky.social for having me on to chat about #Dispatch

youtu.be/1YT3c9BLjGk?...

They're on to us... #animalcrossing

What this doesn't show is the dozens of games with 1 hour playtime or less....

I wonder what happened in June...

None of this shocks me

I like puppets even when they don't use their puppet! @arlostuff.bsky.social

@hypefactor.bsky.social Hey guys - big fan of the show.

Question for next episode - what is your preferred way of sorting out draft order? Random? Inverse of rankings last year? Some other method?

What a finish

Kirby Air Ride was my first Kirby game

I remember buying it despite seeing scathing reviews in magazines

I admit when I tried Air Ride mode, I also wasn't a big fan

But City Trial captured me and my friends for dozens maybe even hundreds of hours

To see it back in such a grand way is incredible

Ahhh the Japanese RPG has always been celebrated for its excellence. There is a French RPG by Sandfall inspired by that same Japanese excellence...

My wife walks in on me playing Kirby Air Riders - she isn't that knowledgeable about games. Her comments.

"Wow it is like Mario Kart but... Unhinged"

"Reminds me a lot of Smash Bros"

Needless to say I was impressed by how keen her eye is.

Calling it now, Mario and Luigi go here to find a spaceship because of the whole pyramids made by aliens thing

The other alternative of course, is they increase their development teams significantly - but that poses a material risk of losing control of the quality of the output or (as weird as this may sound) putting out too many games.

And quite frankly - I am ok with this. The reality is games are taking longer to make, and I don't want teams stuck cycling between the big IP and limit the resource available for new ideas or revisiting smaller IP.

To be clear, I am not suggesting we won't get a new AC or Pikmin 5 in the Switch generation - but I do think they know they can't pump them out as quickly as they want (and need) to keep the brands active - so they are achieving that in part with these updates. Basically the MK8DX model

The ACNH & Pikmin 4 updates I feel really spell out the Nintendo approach going forward I feel. By giving out these updates, it will help keep these franchises relevant, while allowing development resources to go to other projects.

@klobrille.bsky.social @klobrille.bsky.social any chance you would be open to being a guest on my podcast, Blowing Cartridges to talk about the history and future of Xbox.

Well this is awkward

Wrasslin time

So #paxaus2025 is done, and I have to say it felt like it may have been the best one since the pandemic.

Lines felt well managed, merch well stocked, plenty of games to see and play, and some really fantastic panels.

If you see me at #PAXAUS say hi!

Ooofff and the set is only around for a month...

Request sent

Gonna be honest... They had me at Virtual Boy

Soon

YouTube video by RetroArchive King Boo - A Night at Boo's Opera (Song Level) | Super Mario Bros. Wonder

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JFB...

@brentalfloss.bsky.social I just want to say I rediscovered "What if CD had G Rated Lyrics?" To listen to in the car with my daughter, and it will now be part of our regular rotation.

But also man the Corey song really unlocks some core memories from a time gone bye...