Video Game Generations
@vggenerations.bsky.social
I’m Mike, an erstwhile indie dev and podcaster, now a newsletter author (it's totally free) and game mini-reviewer with no patience for the anti-woke crowd. Each issue of VGGN features a new (usually fun) topic. Read 'em all at https://vggpodcast.com/news/
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Fill your week with shovelware! OK, don't, but at least read about it in VGGN issue #27. Also: a few duds from my Wii collection and a shovelware verdict on several mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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Fill your week with shovelware! OK, don't, but at least read about it in VGGN issue #27. Also: a few duds from my Wii collection and a shovelware verdict on several mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
Subscribe: vggn.eo.page/sub
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
Subscribe: vggn.eo.page/sub
November 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Fill your week with shovelware! OK, don't, but at least read about it in VGGN issue #27. Also: a few duds from my Wii collection and a shovelware verdict on several mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
Subscribe: vggn.eo.page/sub
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
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For anybody who doesn't already own Limbo and Inside, they're a staggering 90% off on PlayStation right now.
This isn't a refer or affiliate link or anything - just a well-intentioned PSA.
You're welcome.
store.playstation.com/en-us/catego...
This isn't a refer or affiliate link or anything - just a well-intentioned PSA.
You're welcome.
store.playstation.com/en-us/catego...
November 4, 2025 at 3:53 AM
For anybody who doesn't already own Limbo and Inside, they're a staggering 90% off on PlayStation right now.
This isn't a refer or affiliate link or anything - just a well-intentioned PSA.
You're welcome.
store.playstation.com/en-us/catego...
This isn't a refer or affiliate link or anything - just a well-intentioned PSA.
You're welcome.
store.playstation.com/en-us/catego...
Capsule Review: Stroke the Animals (PS5)
Perhaps the biggest shovelware offender. The same elevator music re-used. Animal stock photos. Pricier than other "easy platinums". Wear out your X button (can't just hold X). No animation, just a slight dimming effect. Irredeemable slop.
Perhaps the biggest shovelware offender. The same elevator music re-used. Animal stock photos. Pricier than other "easy platinums". Wear out your X button (can't just hold X). No animation, just a slight dimming effect. Irredeemable slop.
November 2, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Capsule Review: Stroke the Animals (PS5)
Perhaps the biggest shovelware offender. The same elevator music re-used. Animal stock photos. Pricier than other "easy platinums". Wear out your X button (can't just hold X). No animation, just a slight dimming effect. Irredeemable slop.
Perhaps the biggest shovelware offender. The same elevator music re-used. Animal stock photos. Pricier than other "easy platinums". Wear out your X button (can't just hold X). No animation, just a slight dimming effect. Irredeemable slop.
Mini-Review: The Jumping "food" series (PS5)
Some shovelware devs at least *try* to include game-like elements to mask the lack of any redeeming qualities in their games, but not ThiGames. Each one is just a different still image with a picture of food that hops slightly…
Some shovelware devs at least *try* to include game-like elements to mask the lack of any redeeming qualities in their games, but not ThiGames. Each one is just a different still image with a picture of food that hops slightly…
November 2, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Mini-Review: The Jumping "food" series (PS5)
Some shovelware devs at least *try* to include game-like elements to mask the lack of any redeeming qualities in their games, but not ThiGames. Each one is just a different still image with a picture of food that hops slightly…
Some shovelware devs at least *try* to include game-like elements to mask the lack of any redeeming qualities in their games, but not ThiGames. Each one is just a different still image with a picture of food that hops slightly…
Capsule Review: The (Animal/Food/Sports) Quiz (PS5)
Second of two egregious "easy platinum" shovelware quiz series on PlayStation. L1/R1 to answer, and it ignores wrong answers. Just press/toggle rapidly to mine all trophies. PSN Quality Control is asleep at the wheel, I think.
Second of two egregious "easy platinum" shovelware quiz series on PlayStation. L1/R1 to answer, and it ignores wrong answers. Just press/toggle rapidly to mine all trophies. PSN Quality Control is asleep at the wheel, I think.
November 2, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Capsule Review: The (Animal/Food/Sports) Quiz (PS5)
Second of two egregious "easy platinum" shovelware quiz series on PlayStation. L1/R1 to answer, and it ignores wrong answers. Just press/toggle rapidly to mine all trophies. PSN Quality Control is asleep at the wheel, I think.
Second of two egregious "easy platinum" shovelware quiz series on PlayStation. L1/R1 to answer, and it ignores wrong answers. Just press/toggle rapidly to mine all trophies. PSN Quality Control is asleep at the wheel, I think.
Capsule Review: Quiz Thiz (PS5)
First of 2 "easy platinum" shovelware "quiz" series. They even re-release the same games multiple times (gold, silver, etc.) for extra trophy sets. No way to lose - just press X/O rapidly to mine all trophies in a matter of seconds. Utter garbage.
First of 2 "easy platinum" shovelware "quiz" series. They even re-release the same games multiple times (gold, silver, etc.) for extra trophy sets. No way to lose - just press X/O rapidly to mine all trophies in a matter of seconds. Utter garbage.
November 2, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Capsule Review: Quiz Thiz (PS5)
First of 2 "easy platinum" shovelware "quiz" series. They even re-release the same games multiple times (gold, silver, etc.) for extra trophy sets. No way to lose - just press X/O rapidly to mine all trophies in a matter of seconds. Utter garbage.
First of 2 "easy platinum" shovelware "quiz" series. They even re-release the same games multiple times (gold, silver, etc.) for extra trophy sets. No way to lose - just press X/O rapidly to mine all trophies in a matter of seconds. Utter garbage.
Mini-Review: "Italian Brainrot" games (PS5)
Now we're getting into the truly egregious of the shovelware slop littering the PSN digital shop. Several different devs are using these absurd AI-generated characters (stick man "Tung Tung Sahur" seems to be a popular choice), but…
Now we're getting into the truly egregious of the shovelware slop littering the PSN digital shop. Several different devs are using these absurd AI-generated characters (stick man "Tung Tung Sahur" seems to be a popular choice), but…
November 2, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Mini-Review: "Italian Brainrot" games (PS5)
Now we're getting into the truly egregious of the shovelware slop littering the PSN digital shop. Several different devs are using these absurd AI-generated characters (stick man "Tung Tung Sahur" seems to be a popular choice), but…
Now we're getting into the truly egregious of the shovelware slop littering the PSN digital shop. Several different devs are using these absurd AI-generated characters (stick man "Tung Tung Sahur" seems to be a popular choice), but…
Mini-Review: Engine / RandomSpin Games (PS5)
It was only a few weeks ago I bought these five silly "easy platinum" shovelware games on PS5, and now they've been delisted. PlayStation has reportedly been cracking down on slop, yet those dumb "Italian Brainrot" games, all those…
It was only a few weeks ago I bought these five silly "easy platinum" shovelware games on PS5, and now they've been delisted. PlayStation has reportedly been cracking down on slop, yet those dumb "Italian Brainrot" games, all those…
November 2, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Mini-Review: Engine / RandomSpin Games (PS5)
It was only a few weeks ago I bought these five silly "easy platinum" shovelware games on PS5, and now they've been delisted. PlayStation has reportedly been cracking down on slop, yet those dumb "Italian Brainrot" games, all those…
It was only a few weeks ago I bought these five silly "easy platinum" shovelware games on PS5, and now they've been delisted. PlayStation has reportedly been cracking down on slop, yet those dumb "Italian Brainrot" games, all those…
Mini-Review: Lady in a Leotard With a Gun (PS4)
If you've ever browsed the PSN store on PS4 or PS5, either for games on sale or just sorted by price from lowest to highest, you've probably seen this weird-looking $0.50 third-person shooter. This is the third of The Voices Games…
If you've ever browsed the PSN store on PS4 or PS5, either for games on sale or just sorted by price from lowest to highest, you've probably seen this weird-looking $0.50 third-person shooter. This is the third of The Voices Games…
November 2, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Mini-Review: Lady in a Leotard With a Gun (PS4)
If you've ever browsed the PSN store on PS4 or PS5, either for games on sale or just sorted by price from lowest to highest, you've probably seen this weird-looking $0.50 third-person shooter. This is the third of The Voices Games…
If you've ever browsed the PSN store on PS4 or PS5, either for games on sale or just sorted by price from lowest to highest, you've probably seen this weird-looking $0.50 third-person shooter. This is the third of The Voices Games…
Mini-Review: Multigun (PS4)
The second of three "The Voices Games" games I played through this weekend is Multigun, a janky first-person shooter where ammo cubes get used in the order you pick them up. While your $0.50 could be spent towards something far better, there's actually…
The second of three "The Voices Games" games I played through this weekend is Multigun, a janky first-person shooter where ammo cubes get used in the order you pick them up. While your $0.50 could be spent towards something far better, there's actually…
November 2, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Mini-Review: Multigun (PS4)
The second of three "The Voices Games" games I played through this weekend is Multigun, a janky first-person shooter where ammo cubes get used in the order you pick them up. While your $0.50 could be spent towards something far better, there's actually…
The second of three "The Voices Games" games I played through this weekend is Multigun, a janky first-person shooter where ammo cubes get used in the order you pick them up. While your $0.50 could be spent towards something far better, there's actually…
Mini-Review: Spectrewoods (PS4)
Next week's issue of the VGGN is all about shovelware. In the interest of doing additional research, I decided to buy several games that seemingly fit the definition. These are games that are almost always on sale on the PlayStation store for…
Next week's issue of the VGGN is all about shovelware. In the interest of doing additional research, I decided to buy several games that seemingly fit the definition. These are games that are almost always on sale on the PlayStation store for…
November 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Mini-Review: Spectrewoods (PS4)
Next week's issue of the VGGN is all about shovelware. In the interest of doing additional research, I decided to buy several games that seemingly fit the definition. These are games that are almost always on sale on the PlayStation store for…
Next week's issue of the VGGN is all about shovelware. In the interest of doing additional research, I decided to buy several games that seemingly fit the definition. These are games that are almost always on sale on the PlayStation store for…
The many ways food has a role in games is the main topic in Issue #26, out now. Also: my thoughts on the US government co-opting Halo (tl;dr it's a clown show) and mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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November 1, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The many ways food has a role in games is the main topic in Issue #26, out now. Also: my thoughts on the US government co-opting Halo (tl;dr it's a clown show) and mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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Issue #25, on October 25, in the year '25. What are the odds? This week, it's "How Xbox Lost Me", 54 games and franchises in my horror backlog, and some horror-adjacent mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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October 26, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Issue #25, on October 25, in the year '25. What are the odds? This week, it's "How Xbox Lost Me", 54 games and franchises in my horror backlog, and some horror-adjacent mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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This week in VGGN issue #24, it’s the lighter side of spooky month in a feature all about the horror game monsters that appear in non-horror games.
It’s also a quiz. Have fun!
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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It’s also a quiz. Have fun!
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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October 18, 2025 at 9:33 PM
This week in VGGN issue #24, it’s the lighter side of spooky month in a feature all about the horror game monsters that appear in non-horror games.
It’s also a quiz. Have fun!
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
Subscribe: vggn.eo.page/sub
It’s also a quiz. Have fun!
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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Subscribe: vggn.eo.page/sub
VGGN Issue #23 is out now, and as always, totally free. As part of a bit that maybe goes on for too long, I'm talking about horror games this week + lots of little mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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October 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
VGGN Issue #23 is out now, and as always, totally free. As part of a bit that maybe goes on for too long, I'm talking about horror games this week + lots of little mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
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Mini-Review: Creeping Terror (3DS)
Unlike some digital-only games from the 3DS, this game isn't forever lost to time (the 3DS shop is closed) since it's also on Steam. I'm a sucker for the 3D gimmick, though, and I happened to already own this one. It's a side-scrolling horror…
Unlike some digital-only games from the 3DS, this game isn't forever lost to time (the 3DS shop is closed) since it's also on Steam. I'm a sucker for the 3D gimmick, though, and I happened to already own this one. It's a side-scrolling horror…
October 6, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Mini-Review: Creeping Terror (3DS)
Unlike some digital-only games from the 3DS, this game isn't forever lost to time (the 3DS shop is closed) since it's also on Steam. I'm a sucker for the 3D gimmick, though, and I happened to already own this one. It's a side-scrolling horror…
Unlike some digital-only games from the 3DS, this game isn't forever lost to time (the 3DS shop is closed) since it's also on Steam. I'm a sucker for the 3D gimmick, though, and I happened to already own this one. It's a side-scrolling horror…
Start your spooky month with issue #22: zombie games, thoughts on EA and Xbox news, and a new feature where I'm getting at least a little use out of my physical game collection.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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October 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Start your spooky month with issue #22: zombie games, thoughts on EA and Xbox news, and a new feature where I'm getting at least a little use out of my physical game collection.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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With spooky month just two days away, now may be a good time for two reminders. (1) The first Dead Island cinematic trailer, though not representative of the game, is the best trailer ever made. (2) Dead Island 2 didn't get enough love. It's fantastic.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZqr...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZqr...
Dead Island: Official Announcement Trailer
YouTube video by IGN
www.youtube.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:23 AM
With spooky month just two days away, now may be a good time for two reminders. (1) The first Dead Island cinematic trailer, though not representative of the game, is the best trailer ever made. (2) Dead Island 2 didn't get enough love. It's fantastic.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZqr...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZqr...
Mini-Review: Zombies Overloaded (PS5)
It's one of these - a top-down twin stick shooter with hordes of zombies. It's usually $7, but was on sale for half off this weekend (and under $3 with PS Plus). It doesn't do much more than you'd expect, but there are worse ways to spend…
It's one of these - a top-down twin stick shooter with hordes of zombies. It's usually $7, but was on sale for half off this weekend (and under $3 with PS Plus). It doesn't do much more than you'd expect, but there are worse ways to spend…
September 29, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Mini-Review: Zombies Overloaded (PS5)
It's one of these - a top-down twin stick shooter with hordes of zombies. It's usually $7, but was on sale for half off this weekend (and under $3 with PS Plus). It doesn't do much more than you'd expect, but there are worse ways to spend…
It's one of these - a top-down twin stick shooter with hordes of zombies. It's usually $7, but was on sale for half off this weekend (and under $3 with PS Plus). It doesn't do much more than you'd expect, but there are worse ways to spend…
What's in a name? This week, in issue #21 of the Video Game Generations Newsletter, I rank the most evocative studio names and make up meanings for them + lots of mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
All Issues: vggpodcast.com/news
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All Issues: vggpodcast.com/news
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September 27, 2025 at 7:44 PM
What's in a name? This week, in issue #21 of the Video Game Generations Newsletter, I rank the most evocative studio names and make up meanings for them + lots of mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
All Issues: vggpodcast.com/news
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Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
All Issues: vggpodcast.com/news
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In VGGN issue #20, I'm spotlighting spaceships and space stations in video games. Also, the conclusion to last week's GameStop rant, a few recent game releases, and mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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September 21, 2025 at 5:58 AM
In VGGN issue #20, I'm spotlighting spaceships and space stations in video games. Also, the conclusion to last week's GameStop rant, a few recent game releases, and mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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Mini-Review: Hell Is Us (PS5)
With no area maps, waypoints, or quest markers, I thought this was going to be tougher to navigate. If I had put too much time between play sessions (multiple days, for instance), I might have lost the thread or forgotten what I needed to do next, but…
With no area maps, waypoints, or quest markers, I thought this was going to be tougher to navigate. If I had put too much time between play sessions (multiple days, for instance), I might have lost the thread or forgotten what I needed to do next, but…
September 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Mini-Review: Hell Is Us (PS5)
With no area maps, waypoints, or quest markers, I thought this was going to be tougher to navigate. If I had put too much time between play sessions (multiple days, for instance), I might have lost the thread or forgotten what I needed to do next, but…
With no area maps, waypoints, or quest markers, I thought this was going to be tougher to navigate. If I had put too much time between play sessions (multiple days, for instance), I might have lost the thread or forgotten what I needed to do next, but…
Issue #19 is here. Point-and-click adventure game fans, this one's for you. Also, my thoughts on a few of the recent Nintendo Direct announcements.
As always, it's totally free.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-01...
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As always, it's totally free.
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September 14, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Issue #19 is here. Point-and-click adventure game fans, this one's for you. Also, my thoughts on a few of the recent Nintendo Direct announcements.
As always, it's totally free.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-01...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
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As always, it's totally free.
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I'm a little behind on wrapping up VGGN issue #19. I usually work on it a bit each night after work (my actual job), but this week was problem after problem that had me working late every night. It's on track for today, but it will probably be late this afternoon or tonight.
September 13, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I'm a little behind on wrapping up VGGN issue #19. I usually work on it a bit each night after work (my actual job), but this week was problem after problem that had me working late every night. It's on track for today, but it will probably be late this afternoon or tonight.
In issue #18, out now, I write about 21 of my favorite video games based on licensed IP. Would any of my picks make it onto your own list? Also here: 18 of my prior mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-01...
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September 6, 2025 at 4:33 PM
In issue #18, out now, I write about 21 of my favorite video games based on licensed IP. Would any of my picks make it onto your own list? Also here: 18 of my prior mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-01...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
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Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-01...
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