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Tonytheswordsman

WAZZUP! Discovered minnmax in the pandemic and has kept an insomniac company ever since. Never thought I’d engage with the outlet/community in real life but was great to be at the SF Meet up this year which was a first for me. Looking forward to more years and another meet up where I can talk Mega man legends with Ben !

Isaac Cooper

Will MinnMax outlive Game Informer?

JeffM's Backlog

Moldin for Holden always sticks in my head.

Nick LaPole

Hi, Minnmax! Loved your record shop episode recently. Loaded up Florence (+ the machine) based on Dan Ryckert’s recommendation and was not disappointed. It got me thinking about my own relationship with music and how it’s evolved/devolved over time. I’ve been making a more deliberate effort listening to whole albums instead of singles and, honestly, it’s a great feeling? Add CD’s to the mix and I suddenly feel much more N’Sync (😎👉👉) with the bands I say I love so much. Streaming just doesn’t quite compare. Two questions: have you ever experienced a “revelation” like that in your own entertainment habits? And if that’s too broad, do you have a quintessential album that you recommend everyone listen to in full?

CptCobblePot

Hello Minnmax and Happy 5 years!! Congrats, as a reward you can now choose any video game character to be your personal chef for a week to celebrate. Who would it be, what dishes would the specialize in? Is Mario making turtle soup and fried mushrooms?

thephonypope

Do you have any seasonal taste in games or other media, and what are your favourite examples? Often find myself drawn towards certain music, movies, games and such during certain times of year whether due to nostalgia or vibes

Kelsey Sims

What's the first time a game ever scared you? My partner says it was a jumpscare from Bootler in Paper Mario, and for me it was Ocarina of Time. The Redeads in Castle Town petrified me in real life and I didn't beat the game until I was older because the Shadow Temple freaked me right out!

Joshua H.

Congrats on 5 years! What’s a way you’ve best bettered yourself in the past 5 years?

HaulingGas

What's the most ridiculous lie you were told as a kid that you didn't realize was a lie until years later? My friend in 5th grade told me that there is a deleted scene in Iron Man (2008) where RDJ has to eat cactuses in the desert to survive before he is saved by the Air Force. He specifically described a graphic scene of his throat bleeding because of the thorns and somehow I believed him. It wasn't until a few years ago when I rewatched the film that I remembered this and, of no surprise to anyone, I found out that it wasn't true.

Ajay Nath

This wasn’t a better quest goal. I was inspired by fighting games to learn capoeira. My son and I have studied it for years now. Has a game inspired you to learn something such as a martial art or a musical instrument or something similar? What did you learn?

Dante Garza

We all know the grapple hooks should be in every game. That had me thinking though, what other mechanics do you think should be in every game?

Miskain

Congratulations on the 5 years! Imagine a snapshot or a time capsule filled with all things from today. Looking back in 5 years, what will be the weirdest thing?

Ecto Coolest

That sounds epic and the best way to celebrate a release like that.

AnAttackCorgi

No question, just a shower thought: videogames also experience shrinkflation, just look at open world games now vs 10 years ago

SparksV

Congrats on the 5 years ! Here's to at least another 10 🎉 Do you have a dish or food that you hated 5 years ago but now love or vice versa ?

Adam Steen

With Halloween coming up, which did you prefer to get on Halloween fun size or full size ?

Kellogs

Hey! What's the best squash? What's your preferred method of preparation?

Kevin Kennedy

For the 5 year anniversary I decided to go back and play a really old Deepest Dive and landed on Chrono Trigger (the second Deepest Dive!) as I’ve never played it before. I just finished part 1, up until the End of Time. It’s funny to hear Kyle played this on iOS and Suriel and JeffM busted out their DS’s… 5 years later and playing on the Steam Deck is a no brainer! A luxury y’all didn’t have. Anyways… after 5 years of Deepest Dives (and more if you count GI Game Club) what has been your favorite Deepest Dive to date?

David Perry

Whats the Cohorts favorite/least favorite/most interesting Minnmax (with 2 n's) memory??

Victor Garcia

Hi, everyone. “Can I be on the first episode? Not in person or anything like that, just this question.” That was the very first community question that was read by Ben on the first episode of the podcast from Cody Hester. What are some of your favorite community questions from the past 5 years, if you can even remember any.  Happy 5-year anniversary!

MyNameIsDan

BOOOOOO

Ari Torbin

Who is the best pumpkin carver?

Hayden Williams

Happy 5 years cohorts! What’s the best deal you’ve ever gotten on a game? I know you get codes, but have you ever come across something that was too good to be true? Was it somewhere on an online marketplace or garage sale?

PoorFrisco

Does “this little piggy went to the market” start on the tiniest toe so that the “wee wee wee wee all the way home” is the big toe, OR does “this little piggy went to the market” start on the big toe and the “wee wee wee wee all the home” is on the tiniest toe?

Joshua Shelvock

My 4 year old recently watched me play through Echoes of Wisdom and demanded I read the dialogue- I tried my best to pull off some Goron and Zora voices but I’m no Nolan North it turns out… Have any of you cohorts read game dialogue to the illiterate toddlers in your lives? How much are you committing to the character?

mantaguy

Howdy MinnMax! Are there any video game songs that you like to listen to during the Halloween season (that aren't from a horror game)? My go-to picks are Get Off My Lawn from River City Girls 2 and Beautiful Blasphemy from Dusk.

SenttheProphet

How has your perspective on gaming—whether it's the business side, the industry, or the games themselves—changed over the past five years at MinnMax? And looking five years ahead, do you see any potential shifts in that perspective? Another way to frame: how has your time at MinnMax influenced your perspective on gaming compared to your time at GameInformer? And a quick note of appreciation: Thank you for a beautiful and fun 5 years. I started reading/listening during the early GameInformer days, and Hanson, you've been my favorite podcast host since then. Your ability to add levity while keeping the podcast informative and on track - has always made me wish you were the host on other podcasts I listen too. MinnMax has been such a beautiful evolution of those days, and I'm excited to see what’s next. The deep dives, developer interviews, and your insights into the gaming business are standouts to me, and excited to see more. P.S. More collaborations with Kyle Bosman always appreciated!

Graham Jones

Probably not since it will make it a harder to remaster/remake the games without it being the most confusing thing in the world 🤣

notweirder

Hiya! When you started minnmax in 2019, what’s the furthest year you thought about for the future of the outlet? Were there any predictions for what it would look like a year in, five years in, ten? If you remember any, I’d love to hear them!

Graham Jones

Howdy doody cohorts, Happy 5 years! This is my follow up to my question a year ago about completing a 2 tens for the last 5 years to celebrate the anniversary... Is this something that could be done?! Also, a follow up general question about MinnMax history: How if at all might MinnMax content have changed if the pandemic hadn't happened? Thank you for all the great content over the years! I can whole heartedly say that the weekly content is something I look forward to and fully enjoy. The cohorts all are such good people and the community embodies everything I want the world to be! My wife and I absolutely love you guys! Here's to many more years! 🍾🥂

HelloAndre!

I now have two dogs. I have a 6 month old pup who I love very much and an 8 year old who is my reason for living. What kind of animal do u have as pets? Share some pics. Bring em on the podcast! Ask em podcast question like “ would you rather have unlimited wings or unlimited tacos?”

Paul Sanchez

Hi Minnmax and happy 5th anniversary! Weird question here but how far away would you tell someone "bless you/gesundheit " when they sneeze?

CaffeineDad

Hey gang! Happy fifth anniversary! A few weeks ago, Kyle mentioned how he cracks his eggs. He said he drops them on a flat surface instead of an edge or corner. I’m not brave enough to drop them, but I did start trying to use a flat surface, and I like how easy it is to get the shell separated that way! What is some great advice another MinnMax member has given you that you absolutely need the world to know about?

Dill Pickles

Howdy minnmax, Are there any games you know are good that you refuse to play because they’re too scary? I’ve had alien isolation in my steam library for many years, but have yet to open it for fear of big scary aliens.

Justin Chen

Simple question, but other than money made, what do you all consider success for minn max?

Dusty Beaman

Is there a more Leo Vader game than Blindfire? If so, what is it? Also, can we give a clear definition of what a "Leo Vader" game is? Thanks all and much respect to lasting 5 years. Hope you all are around for a long time to come!

Ryan Sparks

Because you never watched a GS store manager like me take chair shots at a WWE Midnight for charity ;)

McGreevy

2019 was the release year for potentially my top 3 games as of now, but I didn't play them until 2020 or later. Those being Sekiro, outer wilds and disco elysium.

Dusty Beaman

Yes but nothing memorable

Tess

Hey Minnxes! Game Time! In the first episode, Ben listed out a whole bunch of rejected names for MinnMax. I'm going to give you pairs of rejected names and ones I made up, can you spot which one is which? Fun To Your Head vs Red Ring of Play Hug It Out vs Tickle Frivilous Next Gen Sports Game vs Story Story Story Sunset Writers vs Minni Mushroom Skip Credits vs Needs Editting Answers: Fun To Your Head Tickle Frivilous Next Gen Sports Game Sunset Writers Needs Editting

Dusty Beaman

Hadn't yet played a video game lol

Dusty Beaman

Chrono Trigger; still #1

Juz10

Hi Minnmax, Pretend that another video game outlet is jealous of your five year success and places a curse on you. The effect of the curse is that whenever you saw a picture of cheese, you would stop and openly weep for several minutes. How much do you think this curse would affect your life?

Dusty Beaman

I choose a new job

Dusty Beaman

peanut butter first, wipe knife with paper towel, jam, eat, wash

Dusty Beaman

To be fair, his complaint was valid since they broke the rules This would have been a funny exchange though!

Dusty Beaman

Chrono Trigger Edit: Actually, I think I would pick Kingdom Hearts 1

Dusty Beaman

no

Dusty Beaman

Avatar The Last Airbender game. Not sure who I'd have do it, maybe Insomniac?

Dusty Beaman

Dragonball Z

Dusty Beaman

Elden Ring, BG 3, whatever, whatever, whatever

Dusty Beaman

I like dewalt tools personally. Their flexvolt tools are really handy for what I would say is an average size home/land (weed eater, leaf blower, chainsaw)

Dusty Beaman

Space at home, initial cost, people think it is hard to set up

Lilly S

Happy 5th Anniversary Minnmax! Out of curiosity what community suggestion has made the biggest impact to either the overall content or garnered the most engagement?

Dusty Beaman

My 9yo also developed a love for Nightmare before Christmas. I also found it odd and creepy. (I have now discovered that I pretty find that to be true for me about all of Tim Burton's stuff....) I still don't really like Nightmare before Christmas, but I do hae an appreciation for it since my son likes it so much

Dusty Beaman

I'd be doing the same thing. Just, with a lot less video game knowledge

Dusty Beaman

Time limits just like any other screen is the big thing. Also, have a balance. 1hr of screen time, 1hr outside/exercise/chores/instrument/etc. My 9yo and I stream together (somewhat regularly, Astro Bot currently), but he also plays football in the fall (current) and baseball in the spring. We also mow grass together, jump on the trampoline, and do other yard work together too

Dusty Beaman

Are we still funny Kayla was excellent

Dusty Beaman

Reese's. I take what I want...Dad tax

Dusty Beaman

Ben's evil doppelganger is an actor...I know it's the easy pick but it's the right one...isn't it?

Dusty Beaman

ABSOLUTELY

Dusty Beaman

Jeff M finished Red Dead 2; Kyle wrote a book about Sonic/Sega; Ben is making podcasts and documentaries about actors/actresses

Dusty Beaman

Question of the week material here

Dusty Beaman

I second the couch build update please

Dusty Beaman

I think Keighly is now E3

Poofydoo

Is there ever a question you wished the community would ask? If so, what was it? 😛

Elon Tusk

Happy 5th birthday Minnmax! Anybody excited for Jackbox Survey Scramble? What other games are releasing on your special anniversary week?

Nubbyy

Hi Cohorts, imagine yourself as a kid in a cozy dark basement with a blanket, a snack and a cup of hot cocoa. The only light is coming from the small TV in front of you, what game are you playing? PS: Congrats on five years! Woo!

Ecto Coolest

Did you all ever participate in midnight launches for games or hardware and if so do you have any memorable experiences?

Jerrod Quick

Ben, did you watch the last Sakurai YouTube video? Thoughts?

Kendra

Any favorite fall recipes? It may be basic, but I'm always a sucker for a pumpkin-based dessert or a soup.

PhillyYeetSteak

Just wanted to let you all know there were no missed joke opportunities last week. You got them all. Great work, team!

James Gameboy

Hello again from Portland and congrats on 5 years! The Oregon/Panic video was excellent. The music library discussion last week brought my own recent experience to mind: Apple music closed my account and wouldn't give it back after I logged in on a new device, so I bought a modern audio player, dug up my old hard drive, fixed some metadata, and now I'm never going back. Hopefully once finances are more in order, I will go back to buying an album every paycheck. Support artists!

SuperCerberus

Congrats on the half decade milestone! When MinnMax started, where did you expect the company to be in five years, and how does that compare with where it is now?

SandNoodle

Happy 5th all! There's a few games I've been putting off playing forever that I know I'll love because I'm just "waiting for the right time" to play them. This includes games like Dishonored 2, Final Fantasy VI, and Silent Hill, games I know I'll love but have a kinda mythical quality that, despite having ways to play these for years, I keep putting off. Does anyone else do this? What games' legacies are so great that they act as a barrier?

Quaznarg

Hi Minnimum Maxers! I had a question for y'all. It is a common wisdom to "not monetize your hobbies" but you all have essentially done that. Do video games feel like work to you? Did you have to pick up new hobbies after getting into games media? I just turned 30 and I don't play games for a living and I find it difficult to keep gaming feeling fresh. Any tips for that? Thanks and congrats on the milestone! Minnmax is now old enough to join preschool!

Duderado

What was your favorite video game when you were 5 years old? Mine had to be Mario 64 since Ocarina of Time wasn't out yet.

Grizzled Gaming

No question, I just want to wish you all a happy 5th anniversary! That is a tremendous accomplishment and you should be very proud. Also Ben, tell JeffM Grizzled Gaming says "Hello". He'll know what it means.

GreenMountainState

Congrats on 5 years! My hard hitting question is, what's the honest answer for why there hasn't been a second full time MinnMax employee? Is it mostly a sustainability / financial issue? Has no one wanted to commit or been interested? Will there ever be one?

Liam

What game isn't as good as you remember it and conversely what game is considerably better than you remember it being?

Geoff Enright

Minnmaxers, Wow, 5 whole years, that is incredible! Glad to see such a positive outcome from an otherwise tumultuous event. Now to answer the burning questions... Is there any sound more jarring or anxiety inducing than the Microsoft Windows error sound?! I heard it recently while listening to a video and thought my computer was in danger. -Groffles

Donald Wieden

What is your: "If I didn't have this job, I wouldn't play this genre" type of game? I eventually learned I'm not big on first person shooters, but I could imagine having to play a ton of them with your jobs.

Cory S

Can stealth be the highlight of an action game? I recently started playing Alien Isolation for the first time (Free on Luna), and while I'm a big Alien franchise fan and felt in the mood for a 'slow shooter', I was finding it hard to enjoy the actual gameplay despite great design and atmosphere (so much hiding, waiting, backtracking, and feeling lost). It made me realize the only games where stealth felt just as—or even more—dynamic, powerful, and engaged as the 'action' were the Batman Arkhaman games (and probably dishonored too). Are there any other action oriented games where stealth is the highlight?

Aging_Poorly

Hanson, (and others but especially Hanson), what the high point and low point for MinnMax as a company?

LlorchDurden

Hi all! Pumpkin patch notes triggered a question on me and a debate in discord. Why is it a "patch"? Can I say grape patch instead or vineyard? Pumpkin field maybe? When is a patch becoming a yard or a field? Maybe Vinepatch if the wine is not good? Help me here plz

Shawninator

5 is my favorite number, so this is a great anniversary! A random question I just thought of: If you were given $5 to spend to improve your life, what would you get? What about $55? $555? Keep it going as long as you want, thought $55,555 seems like a good ending point.

McGreevy

Has your favourite video game from 5 years ago been dethroned? What was it and what beat it?

Elias Armendariz

Hello MinnMax! For many years I called myself a wannabe gamer. I never played more than a couple hours every few weeks and I didn't really buy games since I played so infrequently (PS3 and eventually PC). However, I always listened to the GI Show and a few other gaming podcasts to stay up to date and be able to talk about games with friends. What would be some qualifications to call yourself a gamer? ie. Number of hours played, number of games played, do mobile phone games count?, etc.

Sgt Peppa

Which is worse: sitting on a cold toilet seat or a warm toilet seat?

Luca Alberti

Hello crew, to celebrate the 5th anniversary of MinnMax I'm here to remind you of the time Tim Schafer asked Ben to stop doing PsychOdyssey content, trully a remarkable feat. I stand with you Ben, it's still the greatest work of art of all time. Cheers folks and here's to 5 more years!

Adam Castellanos

In honor of minnmax’s 5th anniversary I wanted to ask everyone, if y’all could do any podcast or show on minnmax and given all creative freedom to do so, what would y’all want to do. He’s to another 5 years.

Lochlan Belford

Congratulations on 5 years! I haven't commented or participated directly in too much MinnMax stuff, but I've been listening every week since the beginning, and It has been so great to see y'all grow. 5 years ago I was in a pretty low place, but since then I decided to go to grad school for game design, got in, graduated, and am now in my second year of teaching game development at a state university! Your ethos of "getting better" has been a small but consistently helpful motivator for me throughout that entire process, and I wanted to sincerely say thank you! What's one way each of you feel like you "got better" over the last 5 years, related to MinnMax or not?

Qax

What's a time where you laughed when you shouldn't have? My brother in law helps me with me car problems, but something about him that makes me laugh uncontrollably and I feel so guilty ! Am I a bad person?

Chris Pelley

You are given a company supplied cell phone. You must have it 24/7. Notification options are an uncomfortable 1 second electric shock or 20 second vibration at an extremely awkward intensity that can't be cancelled early. What do you choose?

Jason Wojnar

Hi Ben, Just want to second a comment from a couple of weeks ago saying that yes, the S.TA.L.K.E.R 2 documentary is excellent and an absolute tearjerker. You should watch it when you get the chance

CANAS1AN

Hey MinnMaxers! My fellow cohort JerryMagicFresh is in Hawaii right now and I know many of you have visited the islands. What food or activities would you recommend to him based on your time there? CANAS1AN

Cath

What was your minn and your max of the last 5 year? Your least glorious moment and your favorite moment

Richard Hayes

You have two pieces of toast in front of you. You want jam on one and peanut butter on the other. You have one knife and an open jars of each spread respectively. Which spread do you apply first? Do you wash the knife in between? Do you wash the knife after? My answer: I do jam first, wash the knife in between and after. Neither jar gets contaminated, and the knife is washed in the drying rack before I eat the toast.

Alex McMillan

Missed Joke Opportunity: When talking about Kelsey and the trip to Panic, Hanson said "she's always loved handheld gaming, so it was great to have her on hand to help". Leo should have said "You mean, have her on *hand* to *held*", at which point his trousers could have fallen down to reveal a comical pair of heart-pattern boxer shorts, potentially with some funny sound effects.

pork bun powered

In honor of anniversaries, what's the most arbitrary or random anniversary you celebrate? For example, every year August 20th is "Friend's Day" in honor of meeting one of my best online friends for the first time IRL at the local Comic-Con after they moved to my city.

Lamb Dance

Halloween Season question: What do you think is the worst (non-problematic) Halloween costume idea you've ever gone through with?

Nik Olson

Hi Computer Loving Cohorts! Thank you for 5 years of cultivating the smartest and kindest community on the internet. Looking back at your growth and success over the last half-decade, what’s one thing you would have done differently, whether that be related with the business of MinnMax, or just personally? Thanks again for being my favorite podcast for the last 5 years!

Alex McMillan

Hello friends and acquaintances, Not to bring up the Two Tens ahead of schedule, but in regards to UFO 50, will the entire package be up for debate as a singular game, or will individual games from the pack be considered separately? House Party and Pilot Quest can stand on their own, dammit!

Bob Buel

Congrats on 5 years! Here’s to 5 more and not a day more than that. I always wanted to know - how does this whole thing operate? I’ll take my answer off the air. Thanks!

Evan R

All of your current cohorts have died tragically in a gasoline fight accident. After an appropriate amount of time has passed for mourning, what 3 people would you poach from other podcasts or the gaming industry at large to begin rebuilding your team. The show must go on.

Graham Gilmore

Congrats on 5 years! Thinking back, what do you think is your biggest accomplishment as a collective? Follow up question: do you have any goals set for the next five years? Cheers! Graham

Tom

Hey y'all, Missed joke opportunity: On last week's podcast when Ben and Janet disagreed about the pronunciation of Gris, Ben said "I just looked it up today on their official site and it's pronounced 'Greece'". Janet should've responded with "excuse me, the rules were that you weren't going to fact-check", in reference to the complaint made by JD Vance in the recent vice presidential debate. It was more topical last week, I swear! Cheers, Tom

Travis in Fargo

Is the canonical longform name of MinnMax “Minnesota Maximum?”

Ryan Sparks

Thanks for 5 years of MinnMax- I would guess this has been asked and I’ve missed it, but some people’s answers could have changed also. If you could go back in time and experience a game again for the first time, knowing what all you know now about video games… what game would it be? For me, it’s Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. I feel like that game was wasted on 11 year old me. 44 year old me would appreciate it so much more.

Vilis

5 Years! Congratulations of course, but over these past 5 years establishing yourselves in the game media landscape, what is the biggest thing you would go back to the start and tell yourself not to do? Whether a trend dead-end or an investment that just did not pay off, or just a funny fable of a foible along the way.

Victor Pham

What's the monkey paw version of your dream game?

Bagman15

Hi! I'm on my 3rd attempt of reading Watchmen and it got me thinking. Watchmen is considered THE graphic novel to read for it's deconstruction of the superhero genre. So, my question is, what's the Wathcmen of video games? Do is exist? If not, what would it look like? Congratulations on 5 years! Ya'll are the best!

MrButtons

Congrats on five years of MinnMax! When you first started MinnMax in 2019, the majority of content was filmed in studio. Since then, you have moved on to being a primarily remote outlet. How do you all feel about this? Do you miss the in person interactions from GI and early MinnMax content or do you prefer the new norm of creating content remotely?

Travis in Fargo

I’ve been playing Cuphead with a broken controller. The left joystick wiggles and often causes the character to face the wrong way, which has led to tons of frustrating deaths and missed super attacks. Have you ever played a game with a weird, broken, or otherwise not ideal piece of hardware?

Spencer Jenson

Hey beeple. Would concord have been fine if released on game pass?

Travis in Fargo

Would you rather have witch fingers or Frankenhair?

Of Myth and Motherboard

Hello! I was sad to hear about the confirmation that Spider-Man 2 won't have any story DLC. There were a lot of side quests that seemed to be leading towards something that now make the game feel a bit less fulfilling. Are there any examples of games that never got a story DLC or expansion that you would have liked to see or would make a game feel more complete? I still think about the broken archstone we never got in Demon's Souls.

Sam Kennedy

Happy five years to MinnMax! Let’s say that, five years from now, you each sit down to write a memoir. What would the title of your memoir be?

Calltire

Hello cohorts, happy five years! For the anniversary, I have a hypothetical question. If you had as much money, time, and people as you needed, what would your dream game be? If you want, it could be a new game in an existing franchise. You could also assign any dev that has ever existed to work on it. For example, I’d go with a new Darkstalkers game made by the Skullgirls team.

Devin Brooks

Wowee, 5 years!! Congrats! What's one memorable thing another cohort has said (on or off mic) that has stuck with you to this day. It could be something hilarious, inspiring, infuriating, anything!

Jonas Schlotterbeck

In theme with the prize: What is the greatest cartoon of all time (count anime if you wanna be inclusive)?

BEEFCAKE

Wow 5 years old. Seems like just yesterday Minnmax learned to walk. Anyways.. I still think about Kyle hanging upside down in a bathroom crapping. Probably my favorite question I've sent in.

RickyWinterborn

Do you think video game titles will ever have a reference to their console again? Like Mario 64 or Sonic Advance. Maybe if the Switch 2 is called the Super Switch we could get Super as a descriptor again.

SlyCut

Hello all, I've had a beard and mustache the entire eighteen years I've been with my wife. I had the epiphany the other day that I've never kissed my wife without a mustache. I asked my wife what she thought about me shaving just my mustache once to see what it was like and she said that I could if I wanted to, but her vote is absolutely not. (I'm smart enough to read between the lines) So, what is your take on kissing with or without a mustache?

Dan Villone

GOTY Speed Round: Rank MinnMax's five GOTYs from 1-5: RE2 Remake Final Fantasy VII Remake Chicory: A Colorful Tale Elden Ring Baldur's Gate 3 Congrats on five years! Dan from Boston

Daniel Doran

So, is the second Ben Hanson an echo of the original...or is this a clone situation? Is this what the last 5 years has all been adding up to? All jokes aside and in light of the new MinnMax studio being built, what tools have become your favorites or more important to you now as you've gotten older? My wife and I bought a house this summer and I found out that all my tools suck. Any recommendations welcome...but I have found a screwdriver I really like. The Wera Chisel Screw driver made my life a lot easier.

RickyWinterborn

do you think video games will ever have a nod to the console in their title again? Like Mario 64 or

Alexi

Hello! Figured with Batman Arkham Shadow coming out, this is a great time to ask about VR. I got a Meta Quest 3 last month and have been blown away by how good VR has become. I’ve played older games and with older headsets in the past, but never got into it because it felt more like a gimmick than anything else. Now, it feels like a true gaming experience. The games out now are fantastic, they feel good, hand and body tracking feels great, there are cheaper more affordable headsets. Despite all this, I still see all these videos and articles about how VR is struggling. With VR being as good as it is now, what is causing it to struggle to find a larger audience? Is it lack of coverage. Advertising? People’s space at home? What could they do to boost the popularity of VR?

Travis in Fargo

I’ve been watching that new Penguin show, and I think it’s pretty awful, but I’m compelled to keep watching. Have you been watching any bad TV lately?

Drake Heinhorst

Hey MinnMax, Now that you are parents, is there anything that you've grown to appreciate because of your child's love for it? I was never really a fan of Nightmare before Christmas. It came out several years before I was born and just wasn't something played in my household. But now my 3 year old is obsessed with it and this will be his second year as Jack Skellington for Halloween. It really lets me view the movie in a new light and see why so many people love it. Thanks for all the great content! We are having our second kid this Thursday the 24th so I probably won't catch this podcast for at least a few days after it airs.

Seth Filbin

Congrats on 5 years! I can't believe it's been that long. This question is for Ben Hanson #1, so please Ben Hanson #2, sit down and shut up. Looking back on 5 years, do you feel MinnMax is right where you imagined? Or did you have loftier plans that you wish you would've accomplished by now? I personally wouldn't change a thing, but that's just me 😁

Limp Bizquick

Howdy cohort! A while ago on the podcast Kyle brought up liking Taskmaster. I’m also a huge fan and just recently learned when I tried to recommend it to some work friends that it’s almost impossible to explain to people who aren’t familiar with it. I gave an example of a task, and it just came across so boring. What I said essentially boiled down to “one time they had to throw a potato into a hole and a guy got it immediately but then it turned out he didn’t”. I genuinely think that is one of the most irrefutably entertaining scenes of tv I’ve ever witnessed (if you know you know), yet I truly have no clue how someone would succinctly articulate that. What’s a piece of entertainment you’ve found impossible to recommend?

SlyCut

Trivia about the dream I had last night.

Veggie

Hostile aliens have invaded Earth! Through sheer coincidence, the MinnMax cohorts have been sent to handle peace negotiations. The aliens say, "We will destroy your puny planet, unless you can defeat us in a challenge of your choosing!" What challenge do you choose that collectively gives the cohorts the best shot at defending the Earth from aliens?

Fotis Papadopoulos

Hey y'all, congrats on the 5 years! Question: What is the one thing you most regret saying about a game on the MinnMax Show Podcast, and still haven't had the opportunity to take back till now? Here is your chance!

Travis in Fargo

I just booted up Kiwi 64 for the first time in over a year, and was happy to see some free DLC I had no idea came out. What free, stealthily inserted DLC were you the most pleasantly surprised by?

Palo

We're getting close to GOTY talk which means we are running out of time to catch up on 2024 releases. Anything you think has gone under the radar or should be given a closer look before people start putting lists together? I'll say Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club seemed to get a positive reception from everyone who finished it, but I haven't heard anyone talk about it since the week it came out.

Travis in Fargo

If the Jim Henson Company finally allows The Muppets fighting game to happen, what characters are essential and what would their special moves be?

Brady Johnson

Hi MinnMax crew! Congrats on your 5 years, I've been listening the whole time and I always give your podcast top priority every week. I'd like your advice, when you all go to events with a Q+A what kind of questions do you like to hear and what pulled out the best answers? For context, I went to a movie called Magpie at Twin Cities Film Fest this week and Daisy Ridley, who starred in it, was there in person for the Q+A. The best answer came from the simplest question "Why Magpie?" Daisy Ridley went on to explain not only how the title fits with the movie thematically but some of the cultural superstitions of magpie birds that are much more well known in the UK. Thanks and here's to another 5, 10, heck how about 50 more years of MinnMax!

Mike Lynch

-I couldn't stand 80's music at all, until I spent months driving around in GTA Vice City and learned to give things a chance before writing them off. Is there a song or genre of music you felt similarly toward until a video game (or Instagram, Tik Tok, etc) opened you up to it?

Travis in Fargo

The traditional gift for a 5th anniversary is wood. So, I guess, what’s your favorite wood product?

Phelix Diaz

If MinnMax had not come to exist. What do you think you'll be working on today?

Chandler

Congrats on the five years! What at minnmax has brought you the most joy? Oh wait Leo is on the podcast? Forget the question, I have a demand. Let Leo talk about streets of rogue 2! He's the reason I played and loved the first one and I want to know how he's feeling about the second. Even if it is super early impressions

Travis Manick

Hello friennds, I have two kids, 2 and 5. The five year old is getting really into Echoes of Wisdom, and I expect him to come home from school any day now and ask about Minecraft or Terraria or whatever the kids are playing. I am torn. On one hand, I am excited to share in my love of games with my kiddo. But on the other hand, I don't want it to turn into an addiction where he just asks for the Switch every day and has a tantrum when I say no. Dads, what sort of lines have you had to draw with your kids and gaming? Is there anything you wish you had done differently when they were young and just starting to show interest? Ben, have you prepared any 'ground rules' on kids and video games? Thanks, Manick_T

The Sleepy MailMan

Hey, MinnMax! If you had to choose, would you rather go a year without music, or a year without laughter, and why?

Christian Jimenez

5 years! Congrats! Do you have a favorite MinnMax video you rewatch or just super fond of? Mine include Janet's Jetski Journey (provided the question that led to it haha) The 2021 Holiday Special The are we still funny Kayla New Show Plus e3 Nintendo 2018 (Ben Hanson's foot fetish awakening lol) Doc Lighting 2024

mikewearsprada

With Halloween around the corner, I thought I'd ask the very important question, what is your favorite Halloween candy...to steal from your kid's haul?! Do you do the honorable thing and only take the candy they don't want? Or are you a Halloween ghoul and take all the good stuff?!

Blobarsmartin

I’m a little late to the party just having watched the Ben Hanson fashion makeover vid, but what’s your favourite character redesign/update in games? What makes a redesign good?

David Dubs

Hi Gang, I wanted to throw another contender in the ring on your Lighthouses vs Windmills discussion - Hot Air Balloons. My partner and I went to a hot air balloon festival last week. They flew 30ish Balloons overhead during sunrise while classic music played and it felt like a religious experience seeing something so big just float!

Evan P

After joining in on the deepest dive for the FF7 Remake years ago and realizing I stepped into more of a remix-remake situation I decided to take a step back and play everything from the beginning. I’ve started the original game (which is a perfect steam deck game btw and holds up very well), and plan to tackle crisis core before replaying remake and tackling rebirth. I’ve heard someone on the show call this sort of thing a gaming “pilgrimage” when talking about talking yakuza. What other series deserves a good pilgrimage?

Jon G

"On the podcast, we'll have Ben Hanson, Kyle Hilliard, Jeff Marchiafava, and Ben Hanson." Super excited you were able to book both Ben Hanson and Ben Hanson. What is your evil doppelganger like? What's their look and what do they do for a living?

Devon Smith

5 years ago I started my current job which affords a comfortable life, I bought a new car, and moved into a new home with my now wife. I find myself quite happy but had no idea this would all work out as it did. Did you see yourself where you are now 5 years ago and do you find yourself satisfied with where you landed?

Joshua Ayers

Hey y'all, what's the most challenging question you'd like to ask someone in the industry, just to know the answer, even if you couldn't publish it? I'd love a deep dive conversation with Tetsuya Nomura about how Disney's involvement with Kingdom Hearts shaped the story (and series in general) both with the freedom they've allowed and the limits they've set.

Adam Cohen

Hello MinnMax. Congrats on 5 years! Looking back at where you started, is MinnMax where you thought it would be in 5 years? Better? Worse? What are you hoping to achieve in the next 5 years?

DangerZone

Hello cohorts, You all have just been plucked from your seats by Father Time and are now in the 5 dimension with him peering into time itself. He is letting you look at the different time lines of yourself. You see that you are all still doing everything relatively the same, just slightly different. What are your other selves doing in these different time lines? Is Jeff M an aficionado of magic the gathering instead of board games? Did Kyle write a book about Pokémon instead of Zelda? Is Ben making podcasts and documentaries about stand up comedies instead of video games?

Owen S

Sakurai has ended his YouTube channel where he revealed 256 of his 260 core videos were written and recorded 2 and a half years ago! With it all wrapped up, how much did you all stick with the channel and what are your reactions to it ending?

MyNameIsDan

YOU'RE ALSO A COWARD IF YOU CORRECT THIS, BEN

Bloody Waffle

Did you have any "what did I get myself into" moments starting MinnMax or throughout the last 5 years?

jacob cummings

This question is for ben hanson and ben hanson, If you had to swap places with ben hanson, which hanson would you ben?

Patrick G

Congrats on 5 years! Also can we get a couch build update from JeffM it's been way too long

Travis in Fargo

Would you vote for Batman?

Stevelution

Hey gang. After the last Xbox Partner Preview and some of the discussion on Bonus Pod I started thinking. Are we seeing a shift from the post E3 era of platform direct showcases being the main vehicle for showcasing the biggest new games to the platform publishers holding things back for Keighly’s events? Are we seeing Keighly become the new ‘E3’?

Neal McMahon

How long ago did video games perfect water? The PS3/360 area or the PS4/XBOX 1 area? What games can you think of that had great water visuals and physics?