Number 41 - Ridge Racer 3D, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Final Fantasy VI

Being served up today: a sweetly hoppy brew of video game chit chat and nonsense. 

For the main event, three gently sparkling jars of amber nectar as Jonathan, Chris and Minty tell tales of their 41st favourite games of all times. But of course, not before a round of aperitifs in the form of Animal Crossing waffle, as well as some thoughts on Ori and the Will of the Wisps, some classic multiplayer PC games,  the recent console port of Doom 64, Super Mario Maker 2's recent update, and lockdown-induced gaming malaise. 

(shall we, uh, stop with this, uh, alcoholic beverage metaphor?)

Today's MAIN EVENT games!

Chris tells some long winded stories of teenage disappointment to tee up his eventual glowing praise of Ridge Racer 3D's greatest hits approach to the Ridge Racer formula. 

Jonathan places Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time atop two towering pedestals marked 'defining 3D action game' and 'best third party title on the Nintendo GameCube'.

Then finally, Minty talks up the grandiosity of Squaresoft's 16-bit crowning glory, celebrating the true artistry of the games sprite work, setting, story and soundtrack. 

Drink up, lads!

Number 46 - Final Fantasy VII, Parodius: Fantastic Journey, Luigi’s Mansion 2

Hey, hey, kids! 

Have you ever played Final Fantasy VII, Parodius: The Fantastic Journey or Luigi's Mansion 2? 

If so, listen in and see what we thought of the games you may have loved or loathed. And if not so, maybe we can talk you into giving them a blast? 

We three cents place hands firmly on our hearts and suggest that this generation defining RPG, this cutesy, parody shoot 'em up, and this.. hoover simulator (?) are all very, very worthy of your time. 

Also this week: Jonathan finishes Outer Wilds, Minty doesn't finish Tales of Vesperia, and Chris gets someone else to finish Limbo.

Bonus Level - Wellbeing Special

Thursday the 10th of October marks World Mental Health Awareness day. In recognition of this, our trio tell personal stories of how videogames can be a force for good in managing mental health and periods of distress or low mood.

Clone Hero, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, A Link to the Past, Alto's Adventure, Tetris, and Super Mario Bros 3. Disparate games linked here by their ability to make our triumvirate slow down, refocus, and calm.

Videogames may not be the solution for everyone, but we at Our Three Cents firmly believe in their value as tools for offering escapism, structure, or soothing nostalgia when the world seems a difficult place.

Much love to all listening. Be kind to one another.

Number 71 - Banjo-Kazooie, Sonic & Knuckles, Sid Meier's Pirates!

Marvel as three ostensibly sober adults appear inebriated through sheer early 30s tiredness, as the boys discuss their 71st favourite videogames of all time.

Let Minty sleepily teach you why Banjo Kazooie a particular treat for the neurodiverse. Allow Jonathan to elucidate you on the echidna, and reflect on how accurately Sonic & Knuckles portrays this egg-laying mammal. Finally, let Chris refresh your GCSE English skills by recalling the difference between the definite and indefinite article in a tangential aside when discussing Sid Meier's Pirates.

Games, eh?

Bonus Level - E3 2019 Special

E3, or the Eideo Eames Eonference, has come and gone once again to delight and disappoint swathes of angry entitled nerds. We take a break from our regularly scheduled chat about three games to tackle the mammoth docket of Everything Nintendo Announced, and Whatever That Thing They Wheeled Out Keanu Reeves For was. We discuss each company's approach to showcasing their upcoming releases and, whilst Jonathan attempts to retain some PokéOptimism, Minty is jumping aboard the Pokémon Hate Steam Train (this is a joke that references the setting of the new games by way of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and Minty wishes he’d come up with it when we recorded), and Chris is ready to cross oceans to raise a riot in the Pokémon head office! Come and listen to how we somehow talk about 60 games in 45 minutes!!

Number 80 - Burnout 2, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Harvest Moon GB

This week, in a total car crash of an episode, Chris burns out, Minty pokes a small boy with a dream and Jonathan takes a thoroughly leisurely stroll down memory lane - a lane lined with cows, turnips and Christmas disappointment! Elsewhere, we all get our Picross on thanks to Konami’s new mobile game, Minty tries his hand at Cuphead, and Jonathan sees Image & Form knock yet another genre out of the park first time in their new RPG, SteamWorld Quest!