sammartinelli
@sam-martinelli.bsky.social
Figured this site can’t be worse for than the other one. Writer/Editor of video games and such at punishedbacklog.com, cares too much about sports, New Yorker, will vigorously defend the honor of the Donkey Kong Country games
Pinned
At a dark time for this industry, it's important to remember why we play games in the first place: to face setbacks, find new opportunities, and always hit continue.
To honor game devs and journalists alike, we're proud to share our top 50 #videogames ever:
punishedbacklog.com/best-video-g...
To honor game devs and journalists alike, we're proud to share our top 50 #videogames ever:
punishedbacklog.com/best-video-g...
Best Video Games of All Time: Our Team's Top 50 Picks
Everyone likes making lists of their favorite video games, so we figured we'd do the same! Here are our top 50 video games of all time.
punishedbacklog.com
Really excited for this to be out! We've been working on this for months, and everyone at @punishedbacklog.bsky.social is really proud. Check it out!
Reposted by sammartinelli
Still getting my ass kicked. Would appreciate any help or shares
Going through a bit of a rough patch after losing my job
Any help would be greatly appreciated
gofund.me/89b723e28
Any help would be greatly appreciated
gofund.me/89b723e28
December 9, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Still getting my ass kicked. Would appreciate any help or shares
Metroid Prime 4 is the Skyward Sword of the Metroid series. Interpret this as any way you like
December 7, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Metroid Prime 4 is the Skyward Sword of the Metroid series. Interpret this as any way you like
Reposted by sammartinelli
I'll say again: we are oddly selective about the government services about which we will say, they operate at a loss.
We say Amtrak and the post office "lose money" but we never say highways, the court system, the Pentagon, etc lose money
We say Amtrak and the post office "lose money" but we never say highways, the court system, the Pentagon, etc lose money
The USPS posting a NINE BILLION DOLLAR LOSS!!! sounds terrible. Certainly worse than if you said "USPS costs thirty dollars per person per year" even though that means the same thing and more accurately describes a government service
December 7, 2025 at 7:24 AM
I'll say again: we are oddly selective about the government services about which we will say, they operate at a loss.
We say Amtrak and the post office "lose money" but we never say highways, the court system, the Pentagon, etc lose money
We say Amtrak and the post office "lose money" but we never say highways, the court system, the Pentagon, etc lose money
Reposted by sammartinelli
You can help Bolts continue to provide crucial coverage of local elections. Here's how:
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(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
- Repost this = I donate $1.
- Follow @boltsmag.org = I donate $1.
- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
December 3, 2025 at 6:20 PM
You can help Bolts continue to provide crucial coverage of local elections. Here's how:
- Repost this = I donate $1.
- Follow @boltsmag.org = I donate $1.
- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
- Repost this = I donate $1.
- Follow @boltsmag.org = I donate $1.
- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
Reposted by sammartinelli
big day for people remembering that a lot of metroid games are notoriously "mixed bags" as the cliche goes. just kidding almost no one seems to be remembering this lmao
December 2, 2025 at 4:07 PM
big day for people remembering that a lot of metroid games are notoriously "mixed bags" as the cliche goes. just kidding almost no one seems to be remembering this lmao
Reposted by sammartinelli
"The love that has been poured into Blake Manor — literally and in-game — is apparent," @amandajotien writes in her glowing review of The Séance of Blake Manor, developed by @spookydoorway.bsky.social and published by @rawfury.bsky.social #indiegames Read here: t.co/d9dpAtZiLV
December 2, 2025 at 4:17 PM
"The love that has been poured into Blake Manor — literally and in-game — is apparent," @amandajotien writes in her glowing review of The Séance of Blake Manor, developed by @spookydoorway.bsky.social and published by @rawfury.bsky.social #indiegames Read here: t.co/d9dpAtZiLV
Reposted by sammartinelli
When we talk about video game stories I think there is too much emphasis on plot points and not enough on the execution (writing, lighting/music, how mechanics support and enhance the story etc).
December 2, 2025 at 5:03 AM
When we talk about video game stories I think there is too much emphasis on plot points and not enough on the execution (writing, lighting/music, how mechanics support and enhance the story etc).
Reposted by sammartinelli
Closest thing you'll see from me maybe ever to a personal essay about a video game vgbees.com/im-great-at-...
I'm Great At Baby Steps Because I Walk Like That In Real Life - VGBees
CW: medical talk, surgical talk, bones, car accident In late May, an uninsured Lexus driver ran a yellow light and pulled in front of me...
vgbees.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Closest thing you'll see from me maybe ever to a personal essay about a video game vgbees.com/im-great-at-...
Reposted by sammartinelli
Backlash surrounding Metroid Prime 4’s chatty supporting cast has inadvertently bled into one gamer’s relationship.
paletteswap.site/dif...
paletteswap.site/dif...
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Backlash surrounding Metroid Prime 4’s chatty supporting cast has inadvertently bled into one gamer’s relationship.
paletteswap.site/dif...
paletteswap.site/dif...
Without a doubt my favorite non-Nintendo console. Honestly this gen of games probably shaped my tastes more than anything outside of the SNES
November 22, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Without a doubt my favorite non-Nintendo console. Honestly this gen of games probably shaped my tastes more than anything outside of the SNES
you know the vibes
November 20, 2025 at 11:51 PM
you know the vibes
Reposted by sammartinelli
Well put by @drrachelbarr.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Well put by @drrachelbarr.bsky.social
Reposted by sammartinelli
fuck…Yamcha is mentioned in the Epstein files
November 19, 2025 at 8:49 PM
fuck…Yamcha is mentioned in the Epstein files
My latest on games that make you feel like a GAMER
Video games have changed immensely across decades. What hasn't changed? Apparently, @sam-martinelli.bsky.social 's appreciation for "Doritos and Mountain Dew" games: punishedbacklog.com/punished-not...
I'll Always Enjoy Doritos and Mountain Dew Games, and Other Thoughts
In the latest Punished Notes, Sam covers Doritos and Mountain Dew games, Kirby Air Riders, and... the blues?
punishedbacklog.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:10 PM
My latest on games that make you feel like a GAMER
Reposted by sammartinelli
'Four cones wins, but in order to get a cone you have to build a civilization. Which is where the spirit cards come in'
November 15, 2025 at 11:25 PM
'Four cones wins, but in order to get a cone you have to build a civilization. Which is where the spirit cards come in'
Reposted by sammartinelli
i know that nintendo does not send advance codes to people who don't work at official outlets (or who are doing ad work for them or something like that) but i think they should make an exception for me for metroid prime 4 because i am an official metroid outlet in and of myself
November 13, 2025 at 1:29 PM
i know that nintendo does not send advance codes to people who don't work at official outlets (or who are doing ad work for them or something like that) but i think they should make an exception for me for metroid prime 4 because i am an official metroid outlet in and of myself
Reposted by sammartinelli
Holy shit finally an Op-Ed that Gets It
November 11, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Holy shit finally an Op-Ed that Gets It
Reposted by sammartinelli
There’s a lot of “well the Luka trade is actually a win for the Mavs” level delusion/gaslighting/coping happening on the internet this morning
November 10, 2025 at 12:02 PM
There’s a lot of “well the Luka trade is actually a win for the Mavs” level delusion/gaslighting/coping happening on the internet this morning
Reposted by sammartinelli
Good job New York, now Zohran Mamdani is gonna enact SARIA’S LAW (everyone gets a free ocarina)
November 5, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Good job New York, now Zohran Mamdani is gonna enact SARIA’S LAW (everyone gets a free ocarina)
Super happy an actual progressive won the election, but I also want to reiterate: Cuomo sucks super hard, and I’m excited his no-accountability ass is outta here. Hope I never see him or hear from him ever again
November 5, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Super happy an actual progressive won the election, but I also want to reiterate: Cuomo sucks super hard, and I’m excited his no-accountability ass is outta here. Hope I never see him or hear from him ever again
Reposted by sammartinelli
Our message to Andrew Cuomo was loud & clear in June.
It’s louder & clearer tonight.
It’s louder & clearer tonight.
November 5, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Our message to Andrew Cuomo was loud & clear in June.
It’s louder & clearer tonight.
It’s louder & clearer tonight.
Reposted by sammartinelli
Once more, for old times’ sake
November 5, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Once more, for old times’ sake
There’s a possibility I played basketball in middle school against the current NYC mayor-elect
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 AM
There’s a possibility I played basketball in middle school against the current NYC mayor-elect