Fighting Game Banter Podcast

Violent Fighting to Come Again, in 2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2283192/fan_mail/new] This episode of the Fighting Game Banter podcast gives 2025 its final playthrough, what worked, what didn't, why can't award shows understand the assignment, and what to look forward to in 2026. We also discuss the possible impact of U.S. Immigration Enforcement on local, national, and worldwide FGC events. We reached out to Run The Mix in Minnesota and asked if these political factors are influencing their attendance and participation as of late. The conversation emphasizes the resilience of the community amidst challenges, the importance of grassroots support and local organizers in maintaining the vibrancy of the fighting game scene. Links to references mentioned or cited in this episode: * FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul [https://youtu.be/nxo6eFtJjRc?si=yNDpaP-8JgYoRLSc]  * National Immigration Law Center [https://www.nilc.org/resources/community-alert-immigration-arrests-at-airports/] * RunTheMix - Minneapolis Fighting Game Community [https://runthemix.com/] * HunterXHunter:Nen Impact on exA-Arcadia [https://exa.ac/en/pr/nen-impact-available-now/?v=0f177369a3b7] * US Visa Waver Program (VWP [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html]) * US names sporting events exempt visa ban [https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/47623745/us-names-sporting-events-exempt-visa-ban] For Guest Inquires, Q&A questions for future episodes, and concerns about errors I may have made with the information said in the podcast. Feel free to email me fighthinggamebanterpodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to leave a like or review if you enjoyed Thanks again for listening and I hope I made your day a little better.

The Hidden Mechanics of Game Awards

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2283192/fan_mail/new] In this episode of the Fighting Game Banter Podcast, We discusses the complexities of game awards, especially those that focus on fighting games. We go into the voting mechanics behind major awards, the historical context of fighting game recognition, and the ongoing challenges in classifying what constitutes a fighting game. But it all boils down to the importance of community engagement and encouraging the FGC to create their own award shows to celebrate the fighting game genre. We contacted The Game Awards, The NAVGRT Awards, and DashFight. With DashFight the only ones that responded back at the time of this episode's release. Belinda Ercan Why your vote Doesn't Count [https://www.belindaercan.com/p/why-your-vote-doesnt-count-at-the] NAVGTR 2022  Award Results [https://navgtr.org/2022-winners/] BAFTA 2025 Results [https://www.bafta.org/awards/games/] EVO Awards nomination page [https://evo.gg/awards] Example of the term One-on-One Beat 'em ups [https://grownupvideogaming.wordpress.com/2015/05/14/one-on-one-beat-em-ups/] D.I.C.E Award for Fighting Game of the Year: Requirements and History [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.I.C.E._Award_for_Fighting_Game_of_the_Year] DashFight [https://dashfight.com/] For Guest Inquires, Q&A questions for future episodes, and concerns about errors I may have made with the information said in the podcast. Feel free to email me fighthinggamebanterpodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to leave a like or review if you enjoyed Thanks again for listening and I hope I made your day a little better.

exA-Arcadia: Power to the operators? the criticism? the tariffs?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2283192/fan_mail/new] This conversation explores the emergence of exA-Arcadia in the retro gaming market, focusing on their unique business model, hardware specifications, game library, and the challenges they face in a volatile global economy. The discussion also touches on the controversies surrounding the company and its future prospects in the arcade industry. Links to videos and articles referenced in this episode: exA system upgrade Japan Shop only page [https://exa.ac/product/exa-arcadia-system-upgrade/?v=0f177369a3b7] exA-Arcadia FAQ [https://exa.ac/en/faq/?v=0f177369a3b7] SuperCombo.gg Article about Vanguard Princess [https://supercombo.gg/2024/05/02/exa-arcadia-eigomanga-dispute-rights-to-vanguard-princess-a-game-neither-of-them-produced/] TEU video about if the exA-Arcadia was worth it? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_lxI0XujIs&t=128s] TEU interview with the CEO of exA-Arcadia [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av3XuahrrN8] alamone's rebuttal to MarkMSX/TEU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BdPxjqU1Yw] Arcade Heroes video about the ARC-1 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HQbPmL1jhQ] Arcade Heroes Website [https://arcadeheroes.com] alamone's rebuttal to MarkMSX/TEU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BdPxjqU1Yw] Hot Pink Club article from exa.fan [https://exa.fan/2022/01/25/about_hawtpink/] Time Extension article about Tattoo Assassins revival [https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/05/data-easts-terrible-mortal-kombat-clone-tattoo-assassins-is-getting-revived] For Guest Inquires, Q&A questions for future episodes, and concerns about errors I may have made with the information said in the podcast. Feel free to email me fighthinggamebanterpodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to leave a like or review if you enjoyed Thanks again for listening and I hope I made your day a little better.

The Legacy of Hidden Variable: V.G.

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2283192/fan_mail/new] This episode of the Fighting Game Banter Podcast delves into the Variable Geo franchise, a significant player in the realm of female-based fighting games. We will discuss the history, development, and cultural impact of the series, highlighting its unique characters, gameplay mechanics, and the current state of female representation in fighting games. The conversation also touches on the franchise's transition from fighting games to visual novels, the challenges of censorship, and its presence in Fighting Game tournaments. Some Links to events referenced in the episode: * AVG2 Grand Finals Frosty Faustings 2023 [https://youtu.be/5W8bQ3GrqlQ?si=mReD1_i-fDSOIHqD&t=1291] * Variable Geo Release History [https://www.geocities.ws/nekketsu/vg/vgames.htm] * The Top Ten Worst Games of 2025 so far [https://youtu.be/4NsA23O07Us?si=fYJBKoUMqEi7umFV&t=266] * XBOX release of Advance V.G. and Steam Hearts Cancelled [https://www.gematsu.com/2025/04/steam-hearts-advanced-variable-geo-saturn-tribute-for-xbox-one-canceled] Additional references can be available on request. Special thanks to our new editor J.M.   For Guest Inquires, Q&A questions for future episodes, and concerns about errors I may have made with the information said in the podcast. Feel free to email me fighthinggamebanterpodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to leave a like or review if you enjoyed Thanks again for listening and I hope I made your day a little better.

A competitive Esports tournament Pro Wrestling game? O.K. T.K.O! Let's make it so...???

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2283192/fan_mail/new] Wrestling games have never been a big part of FGC or Esports in general. But that might be about to change with the WWE now part of Endeavor and TKO holdings. Because this partnership also includes UFC, it only seems like a matter of time before the WWE interests and business practices align more with UFC then the previous administration. And that includes the possibility of making a competitive game that can be tailored for Esports.  Could we actually have a WWE game in the FGC that was made this century?  This episode looks at the history of Wrestling, MMA, and Boxing games under the fighting game category, the WWE's confusing Esports history, and why EA is probably the only company to wrestling Esports possible. And my proof comes from the FGC.  If you don't believe me, listen to the podcast and you may understand why I said that.  For Guest Inquires, Q&A questions for future episodes, and concerns about errors I may have made with the information said in the podcast. Feel free to email me fighthinggamebanterpodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to leave a like or review if you enjoyed Thanks again for listening and I hope I made your day a little better.