web02.fireside.fm Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:25:41 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Tales from the Backlog - Episodes Tagged with “Game Freak” https://talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/tags/game%20freak Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 A video games podcast where Dave Jackson and guests break down and discuss the games they play. Each episode looks at one game in depth, focusing on mechanics, story, music and other aspects, with no spoilers until a clearly marked spoiler wall in the middle. en-us episodic A video games podcast where Dave Jackson and guests take a game out of the backlog, play it and discuss their experiences in depth, with no spoilers until they warn you. Dave Jackson A video games podcast where Dave Jackson and guests break down and discuss the games they play. Each episode looks at one game in depth, focusing on mechanics, story, music and other aspects, with no spoilers until a clearly marked spoiler wall in the middle. yes video games, games, video games podcast, games podcast, tales from the backlog, tales from the backlog podcast Dave Jackson talesfromthebacklogpod@gmail.com 203: Pokémon Legends: Z-A (with Kenneth Shepard) https://talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/203 de8b230f-0f3b-42ba-a9f4-bd26a09fee95 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 Dave Jackson full Dave Jackson Dave is joined by Kenneth Shepard (Kotaku, Normandy FM) to discuss Game Freak, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's latest in the Pokémon Legends series, Z-A. 1:51:57 yes Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog The Pokémon franchise got a long-awaited shakeup with 2022's Legends: Arceus, changing the game structure, catching and battling mechanics and setting. But now that Legends has become its own subseries with 2025's Legends: Z-A, all eyes were on its own innovations and changes, such as the new real-time battle system and one-city setting. Check out the discussion for our thoughts on all of it! Guest info: Kenneth Shepard (he/him) * Check out Ken's work at Kotaku https://kotaku.com/author/kennethshepard * Check out Normandy FM podcast https://soundcloud.com/normandyfm * Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/shepardcdr.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:22 Introductions * 4:15 Our Histories with Pokémon * 7:10 Opening Thoughts about Pokémon Legends Z-A * 16:56 Story Setup & Connections to X&Y * 21:29 Our Starter Pokémon, Wild Zones & Lumiose City * 43:04 New Battle System, Mega Battles and Battle Zones * 1:02:47 Ken's Work at Kotaku and Normandy FM * 1:05:52 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:08:26 Spoiler Section- Our Final Teams & Connections to Certain Pokémon * 1:13:52 Dungeons and Story Chat * 1:29:57 Endgame and Ending Music used in the episode has a large ensemble of composers and no individualized credits at this time. All credits to Game Freak and The Pokémon Company. Tracks used: Lumiose City (Day), Battle Zone, Trainer Battle, Lumiose City (Night), Hotel Z, Battle! Vs Trainer (Z-A Royale) Check out Dave on Pages of Play for "The Meeting of the Makers"- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mom-the-meeting-of-makers/id1755937349?i=1000749250884 Chekc out Dave on Underplayed for Hollow Knight: Silksong- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/underplayed/id1606954029 Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures games, video games, games podcast, video games podcast, video game critique, video game analysis, pokemon legends z-a review, pokemon legends z-a podcast, pokemon legends z-a analysis, pokemon legends z-a critique, pokemon, pokemon podcast, pokemon reviews, rpg podcast, rpg review, 2025 game of the year Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog

The Pokémon franchise got a long-awaited shakeup with 2022's Legends: Arceus, changing the game structure, catching and battling mechanics and setting. But now that Legends has become its own subseries with 2025's Legends: Z-A, all eyes were on its own innovations and changes, such as the new real-time battle system and one-city setting. Check out the discussion for our thoughts on all of it!

Guest info: Kenneth Shepard (he/him)

TIMESTAMPS

  • 0:00 Title Card
  • 0:22 Introductions
  • 4:15 Our Histories with Pokémon
  • 7:10 Opening Thoughts about Pokémon Legends Z-A
  • 16:56 Story Setup & Connections to X&Y
  • 21:29 Our Starter Pokémon, Wild Zones & Lumiose City
  • 43:04 New Battle System, Mega Battles and Battle Zones
  • 1:02:47 Ken's Work at Kotaku and Normandy FM
  • 1:05:52 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
  • 1:08:26 Spoiler Section- Our Final Teams & Connections to Certain Pokémon
  • 1:13:52 Dungeons and Story Chat
  • 1:29:57 Endgame and Ending

Music used in the episode has a large ensemble of composers and no individualized credits at this time. All credits to Game Freak and The Pokémon Company. Tracks used: Lumiose City (Day), Battle Zone, Trainer Battle, Lumiose City (Night), Hotel Z, Battle! Vs Trainer (Z-A Royale)

Check out Dave on Pages of Play for "The Meeting of the Makers"- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mom-the-meeting-of-makers/id1755937349?i=1000749250884
Chekc out Dave on Underplayed for Hollow Knight: Silksong- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/underplayed/id1606954029

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support Tales from the Backlog

]]> Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog

The Pokémon franchise got a long-awaited shakeup with 2022's Legends: Arceus, changing the game structure, catching and battling mechanics and setting. But now that Legends has become its own subseries with 2025's Legends: Z-A, all eyes were on its own innovations and changes, such as the new real-time battle system and one-city setting. Check out the discussion for our thoughts on all of it!

Guest info: Kenneth Shepard (he/him)

TIMESTAMPS

  • 0:00 Title Card
  • 0:22 Introductions
  • 4:15 Our Histories with Pokémon
  • 7:10 Opening Thoughts about Pokémon Legends Z-A
  • 16:56 Story Setup & Connections to X&Y
  • 21:29 Our Starter Pokémon, Wild Zones & Lumiose City
  • 43:04 New Battle System, Mega Battles and Battle Zones
  • 1:02:47 Ken's Work at Kotaku and Normandy FM
  • 1:05:52 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
  • 1:08:26 Spoiler Section- Our Final Teams & Connections to Certain Pokémon
  • 1:13:52 Dungeons and Story Chat
  • 1:29:57 Endgame and Ending

Music used in the episode has a large ensemble of composers and no individualized credits at this time. All credits to Game Freak and The Pokémon Company. Tracks used: Lumiose City (Day), Battle Zone, Trainer Battle, Lumiose City (Night), Hotel Z, Battle! Vs Trainer (Z-A Royale)

Check out Dave on Pages of Play for "The Meeting of the Makers"- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mom-the-meeting-of-makers/id1755937349?i=1000749250884
Chekc out Dave on Underplayed for Hollow Knight: Silksong- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/underplayed/id1606954029

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support Tales from the Backlog

]]> 191: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (with Kate & Emily - No Small Games) https://talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/191 6c7834c3-f166-47da-8c84-722405e6382c Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Dave Jackson full Dave Jackson Dave is joined by Kate Hunter and Emily Merritt (No Small Games) to discuss Game Freak and The Pokémon Company's 2022 monster catching RPGs, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. 2:44:15 yes Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Modern Pokémon games are divisive, but rarely due to technical performance. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Game Freak, 2022) released in an embarrassing state, and are hoping for a comeback with their recent Switch 2 editions. So now that the bugs are squashed and the framerate is stable, what kind of game was lurking under all of those issues? Listen in to find out. Guest info: Kate Hunter (she/any) and Emily Merritt (she/her) * Check out the No Small Games podcast and website https://nosmallgames.com/ * Follow Kate on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social * Follow Emily on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:16 Intros * 5:53 Our Personal Histories with Pokémon * 12:52 Opening Thoughts About Pokémon Scarlet & Violet * 21:44 World and Story Setup * 36:07 Nonlinear Design * 42:50 Is the Story Actually Good, or Are We Grading On a Curve? * 54:25 Visuals/Presentation * 1:01:37 Open World Design * 1:17:28 New Quick Battle System * 1:22:28 Combat, Team Building and Challenge? * 1:41:08 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:47:16 No Small Games * 1:54:07 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:56:55 Spoiler Section- Our Teams, Area Zero, Ending * 2:28:06 Spoiler Section- DLCs Music used in the episode: * Title Screen (Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose) * Home (Junichi Masuda) * Poco Path (Junichi Masuda) * Battle! (Trainer Battle) (Junichi Masuda) * Area Zero (GAME FREAK) * Pokémon Center (Junichi Masuda) * Welcome to the Paldea Region! (Minako Adachi, Toby Fox) Check out Dave on Geeks & Grounds in November and December- https://www.geeksandgrounds.com/ Check out Dave on the Character Issues podcast- https://www.buzzsprout.com/1306474 Check out Dave on Nostalgium Arcanum- https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/ Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures games, video games, games podcast, video games podcast, video game critique, video game analysis, pokemon scarlet violet, pokemon scarlet violet review, pokemon scarlet violet critique, pokemon scarlet violet analysis, pokemon reviews, rpg reviews, switch games, nintendo switch reviews, nintendo switch 2 reviews Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson

Modern Pokémon games are divisive, but rarely due to technical performance. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Game Freak, 2022) released in an embarrassing state, and are hoping for a comeback with their recent Switch 2 editions. So now that the bugs are squashed and the framerate is stable, what kind of game was lurking under all of those issues? Listen in to find out.

Guest info: Kate Hunter (she/any) and Emily Merritt (she/her)

TIMESTAMPS

  • 0:00 Title Card
  • 0:16 Intros
  • 5:53 Our Personal Histories with Pokémon
  • 12:52 Opening Thoughts About Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
  • 21:44 World and Story Setup
  • 36:07 Nonlinear Design
  • 42:50 Is the Story Actually Good, or Are We Grading On a Curve?
  • 54:25 Visuals/Presentation
  • 1:01:37 Open World Design
  • 1:17:28 New Quick Battle System
  • 1:22:28 Combat, Team Building and Challenge?
  • 1:41:08 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations
  • 1:47:16 No Small Games
  • 1:54:07 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
  • 1:56:55 Spoiler Section- Our Teams, Area Zero, Ending
  • 2:28:06 Spoiler Section- DLCs

Music used in the episode:

  • Title Screen (Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose)
  • Home (Junichi Masuda)
  • Poco Path (Junichi Masuda)
  • Battle! (Trainer Battle) (Junichi Masuda)
  • Area Zero (GAME FREAK)
  • Pokémon Center (Junichi Masuda)
  • Welcome to the Paldea Region! (Minako Adachi, Toby Fox)

Check out Dave on Geeks & Grounds in November and December- https://www.geeksandgrounds.com/
Check out Dave on the Character Issues podcast- https://www.buzzsprout.com/1306474
Check out Dave on Nostalgium Arcanum- https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/

Social Media:
BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support Tales from the Backlog

]]> Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson

Modern Pokémon games are divisive, but rarely due to technical performance. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Game Freak, 2022) released in an embarrassing state, and are hoping for a comeback with their recent Switch 2 editions. So now that the bugs are squashed and the framerate is stable, what kind of game was lurking under all of those issues? Listen in to find out.

Guest info: Kate Hunter (she/any) and Emily Merritt (she/her)

TIMESTAMPS

  • 0:00 Title Card
  • 0:16 Intros
  • 5:53 Our Personal Histories with Pokémon
  • 12:52 Opening Thoughts About Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
  • 21:44 World and Story Setup
  • 36:07 Nonlinear Design
  • 42:50 Is the Story Actually Good, or Are We Grading On a Curve?
  • 54:25 Visuals/Presentation
  • 1:01:37 Open World Design
  • 1:17:28 New Quick Battle System
  • 1:22:28 Combat, Team Building and Challenge?
  • 1:41:08 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations
  • 1:47:16 No Small Games
  • 1:54:07 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
  • 1:56:55 Spoiler Section- Our Teams, Area Zero, Ending
  • 2:28:06 Spoiler Section- DLCs

Music used in the episode:

  • Title Screen (Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose)
  • Home (Junichi Masuda)
  • Poco Path (Junichi Masuda)
  • Battle! (Trainer Battle) (Junichi Masuda)
  • Area Zero (GAME FREAK)
  • Pokémon Center (Junichi Masuda)
  • Welcome to the Paldea Region! (Minako Adachi, Toby Fox)

Check out Dave on Geeks & Grounds in November and December- https://www.geeksandgrounds.com/
Check out Dave on the Character Issues podcast- https://www.buzzsprout.com/1306474
Check out Dave on Nostalgium Arcanum- https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/

Social Media:
BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support Tales from the Backlog

]]> 29: Pokemon Legends: Arceus (with Jared Moss - Play Along Podcast) https://talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/29 a9e6d218-53e3-4e0a-9312-311a320e05b1 Wed, 11 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400 Dave Jackson full 1 Dave Jackson Dave is joined by Jared Moss from Play Along Podcast to discuss Game Freak's 2022 hit, Pokemon Legends: Arceus. 2:27:29 yes Dave is joined by Jared Moss from Play Along Podcast to discuss Game Freak's 2022 hit, Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Representing a major shakeup to the established Pokemon formula, Legends makes changes to nearly every core mechanic that we've all come to know as "how Pokemon works". Was it really the game that fans have been asking for for decades? Listen in to find out what Dave and Jared thought. TIMESTAMPS: Personal histories 8:42 Story, gameplay, catching Pokemon 34:13 Battles 1:19:00 Final thoughts 1:40:58 Spoiler Wall 1:50:42 Find everything Play Along Podcast HERE (https://linktr.ee/PlayAlongPodcast)! Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! (patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson)! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! (https://discord.gg/V3ZHz3vYQR) Social Media: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/) Twitter (https://twitter.com/tftblpod) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TalesfromtheBacklog/) Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages (https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures) Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-top-3-podcast/id1555269504), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2euGp3pWi7Hy1c6fmY526O?si=0ebcb770618c460c) and other podcast platforms (atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! games, video games, games podcast, video games podcast, pokemon, pokemon podcast, pokemon legends, pokemon legends podcast, legends arceus, legends arceus podcast, pokemon legends arceus, pokemon legends arceus podcast, pokemon review, pokemon legends arceus review Dave is joined by Jared Moss from Play Along Podcast to discuss Game Freak's 2022 hit, Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Representing a major shakeup to the established Pokemon formula, Legends makes changes to nearly every core mechanic that we've all come to know as "how Pokemon works". Was it really the game that fans have been asking for for decades? Listen in to find out what Dave and Jared thought.

TIMESTAMPS:
Personal histories 8:42
Story, gameplay, catching Pokemon 34:13
Battles 1:19:00
Final thoughts 1:40:58
Spoiler Wall 1:50:42

Find everything Play Along Podcast HERE!

[Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

Support Tales from the Backlog

]]> Dave is joined by Jared Moss from Play Along Podcast to discuss Game Freak's 2022 hit, Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Representing a major shakeup to the established Pokemon formula, Legends makes changes to nearly every core mechanic that we've all come to know as "how Pokemon works". Was it really the game that fans have been asking for for decades? Listen in to find out what Dave and Jared thought.

TIMESTAMPS:
Personal histories 8:42
Story, gameplay, catching Pokemon 34:13
Battles 1:19:00
Final thoughts 1:40:58
Spoiler Wall 1:50:42

Find everything Play Along Podcast HERE!

[Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

Support Tales from the Backlog

]]>