Hot Button

Episode 97: Welcome Back, 007 - The History of GoldenEye for the Nintendo 64 Part 1

Hot Button has returned with something truly special. This week we take a trip to the mid-90s, and in what is perhaps the industry’s unlikeliest success story, explore the time when a crack team of young designers turned a Hollywood spy flick into one of the most beloved and influential video games to ever grace home consoles. On this first episode of our new series, hear us cover the humble beginnings of developer studio Rare as well as their budding friendship with Nintendo and secret agent James Bond.

Hot Button’s 2022 Game of the Year Deliberations

It’s officially 2023! However before we return to our regularly scheduled programming, we’re first going to take a look back at these past twelve months and decide as a group what the absolute best (as well as worst) game releases were for the whole year. So buckle down and listen to us collaboratively build our definitive top 10 list!”
 Note - This episode was recorded prior to the criminal charges against High on Life creator Justin Roiland were publicly revealed.

Episode 96: Hot Button Year-Four Edition (Kinda)

No, we’re not dead! Come hear where we’ve been! The hiatus may have been longer than expected, but that didn’t certainly stop the world from turning. And the news from happening. In this return special we got all the latest updates on our backlog of fun stories over the past near half decade. Announcements, deaths, and everything in between. Plus some laying out of killers plans for the podcast’s future too!

Hot Button’s 2021 Game of the Year Deliberations Part 5

It’s the grand finale you’ve all been waiting for! Our definitive ranked top 10 list of the absolute best releases of 2021 as well as a shameful crown for the crappiest game! Timestamps:  Worst Game - 00:01:36  Game of The Year - 00:39:43

Hot Button’s 2021 Game of the Year Deliberations Part 4

We are almost there, folks! Today’s awards are a double dose of categories. What were the Biggest Disappointments and Biggest Surprises that gaming had to offer during the year? Which titles brought us up and which let us down? There’s only one way to find out! Timestamps:  Biggest Disappointment - 00:01:05 Biggest Surprise - 01:22:20

Hot Button’s 2021 Game of the Year Deliberations Part 3

We’ve reached the halfway point! Hot Button’s official Game of the Year deliberations continue on with Best Remake, Best Expansion, and Biggest Disaster! After we discuss what the Biggest Timesinks of 2021 were and then… Best Chelsie Game? Timestamps: Best Remaster, Remake or Rerelease - 00:01:35  Best Expansion or Improvement - 00:46:38  Biggest Disaster - 01:37:47  Best Chelsie Game - 02:27:02  Biggest Timesink - 03:04:08

Hot Button’s 2021 Game of the Year Deliberations Part 2

It’s the spoiler-packed second chapter of Hot Button’s Game of the Year awards! On this episode we get into what we thought was the Best Moment or Sequence from a game, our favorite Best New Character, and which title featured the Best Narrative overall. This as well as finding out what was the Best Creature or Monster that we ran into in all of 2021!
 Timestamps:
 Best Moment or Sequence - 00:01:43  Best New Character - 02:27:50 Best Narrative - 03:48:36 Best Creature or Monster - 04:56:13

Hot Button’s 2021 Game of the Year Deliberations Part 1

2022 is here! That must mean it’s time for Hot Button to take a look back on these past 12 months of releases and host its first ever Game of the Year deliberations! In our opening batch of categories, we discuss our nominees and find winners for Best Game Pass Game, the Game We Needed most, and Best Aesthetic. These along with Best Use of Music and Best Use of Time Loop! Timestamps: Best Game Pass Game - 00:05:25 Game We Needed - 00:48:11 Best Aesthetic - 1:54:21 Best Use of Music - 03:02:14 Best Use of Timeloop - 03:52:06