The Retrograde: A Video Game Podcast · Andrew Bascom and Mikey Ehrenworth

Would You Rather (Gaming Edition)

July 16, 2024·1 hr 12 min·5 clips

Andrew and Mikey argue that capturing Pokemon is like kidnapping someone to live in your basement.

This episode features hosts Andrew Baskin and Mikey Aaron playing a "Would You Rather" game with video game-themed scenarios. The hosts are known for their satirical, conversational style and frequent comedic banter on their video game podcast. Andrew poses the first question: would you rather be swallowed by Kirby or spend time in a Pokéball. Mikey seeks clarification on whether he must be weakened before entering a Pokéball and if he retains agency. He asks about the morality of the Pokémon trainer, referencing characters like Ash and Gary. Mikey inquires if Kirby's swallowing involves any fellatio, noting Kirby lacks teeth. He questions whether he loses his powers permanently inside Kirby or just temporarily. Mikey also asks if conjugal visits are allowed in either scenario. He ultimately chooses the Pokéball, claiming he could never lose a fight to Kirby. Andrew says he would choose Kirby to experience the inside and the resulting humiliation. Mikey presents the next scenario: would you rather replenish health only by eating fully cooked rotisserie chickens or human hearts. Andrew clarifies the hearts come from people who died in tragic accidents and might taste like cinnamon. The rotisserie chickens are found in trash cans and vary from undercooked to burnt. Andrew confirms you cannot buy chickens or hearts; you must find them. Eating a bad chicken heart causes you to implode, becoming a heart for someone else. Andrew notes you can store found items for later use. The hosts digress into a discussion about the PlayStation 5, with Andrew praising the DualSense controller and Mikey finding it a lateral move. They mention games like Spider-Man 2, Ratchet & Clank, and God of War Ragnarok. They agree this console generation feels lackluster with few true exclusives. The conversation shifts to internet culture, critiquing repetitive influencer restaurant reviews. Mikey recommends the influencer Dax Flame for satirizing these tropes. Andrew brings up comedian Joe Pera's unique delivery style. The tone is highly conversational, improvisational, and filled with inside jokes and satirical commentary. The style leans on comedic riffing, tangential discussions, and playful debates between the hosts. Listeners who enjoy unstructured, humor-driven podcasts with gaming tangents and host chemistry will appreciate this episode. Those seeking focused, serious video game analysis or narrative storytelling might find it too meandering.

As heard by us

The Retrograde turns a silly would-you-rather prompt into a loose, committed bit that keeps finding its own point.

The Retrograde makes the silly question do real work. Andrew Baskin and Mikey Aaron banter without rushing it, and the bit stays fun because they are willing to follow it into Kirby, fully cooked rotisserie chickens, human hearts, and whatever else the prompt drags up.

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Why you'd press play

For when you want a gaming chat that swerves from a would-you-rather prompt into run-on banter, teasing, and surreal side trips.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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