Why Microsoft is buying Activision Blizzard and what it all means.

This week we're going through the Game Awards nominations....and more or less tearing them apart. Listen to hear us go through the award categories and give our two cents about who we think will win, who we think should win, and which games the Game Awards snubbed entirely. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week the crew is giving thanks...and talking games, of course. First, we kick things off with a discussion about the most recent gaming news (including what's going on at Activision Blizzard), then we give our honest reviews on the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S consoles. And finally, we each share what we're thankful for this year—both in terms of games and...everything else. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...

This week, in honor of the release of Halo Infinite, we're taking a deep dive into the series as a whole. First, we kick things off with a little In The Headlines discussion, then we talk about the 20th anniversary of Halo, our thoughts on Halo Infinite, and how the game has changed over time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In honor of the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise, we're diving deep into the many iterations of the beloved game. First, we kick things off with a recap of what's new in the Happy Home Paradise DLC, then we discuss and rank the best and worst versions of Animal Crossing. And finally, we round things out with a brief discussion of other Animal Crossing-like games out there. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...

This week we're joined by Kotaku Staff Writer Isaiah Colbert and are diving deep into Grand Theft Auto as the remaster trilogy is due out soon. First, we kick things off with a discussion on recent video game news, then we look back at GTA and our own experiences with it. Finally, we talk about the games we've been playing and recommend. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In honor of the spooky season, we're talking spooky games this week on Splitscreen. First, we kick things off by naming the games that are too scary for us to play. Then, we give our best scary game recommendations. And finally, we finish things off by recounting our own dorky (I mean amazing) costumes of yesteryear. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're diving into the intense (and sometimes scary) world of gaming fandoms. First, we discuss how gaming fandoms have evolved over the years, and give our hot takes on some of the biggest fandoms out there. Then, we dive into the dark underbelly of gaming fandoms. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're diving into MMOs and talking about Amazon's New World. First, Lisa Marie challenges us on what actually defines and MMO as we discuss our first experiences with MMOs. Then, Fahey takes us through New World, and we round out with Fahey professing why MMOs have a special place in his heart. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're talking Super Smash Bros and we're joined by none other than Kotaku's resident fighting game expert, Ian Walker. First, we kick things off with a conversation about the history of the famous brawl game and our own experiences with it. Then, Ian leads us in a conversation on the recent revelations of Smash as well as the journey to the final characters. And finally, we round things out discussing other Smash-inspired games. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and...

This week we're joined by Kotaku staff writer Isaiah Colbert and are talking about all things Nintendo Direct—our highlights and irritations from the most recent event, the history of the event, and the culture and fandom surrounding it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're back this week with guest host Renata Price who's filling in for Fahey as he gets better (we miss you, Fahey!). And this week we're discussing time loops via Deathloop of course. First, we kick things off with our honest reviews of Deathloop. Then, we discuss other games with unexpected time loop mechanics. And finally, we end with a list of our favorite time loops in other media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...

This week we're talking about the disaster that is video game award shows. To kick things off, Nathan runs us through the brief (and odd) history of video game award shows. Then, despite ourselves, we present the very first Splitscreen Awards. And finally, we finish with a crosstalk segment in which we continue to dive into why video game awards are meaningless. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we dive into the weird world of video game twists, and spoiler alert: there WILL be spoilers. First Ash leads us in a discussion on the controversy of spoilers in the gaming world. Then, Nathan takes us through a speed run on the history of the MGS2 twist. And finally, Fahey quizzes us on the most memorable video game twists via bullet points. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether we like it or not, September is upon us. And that of course means we're reminiscing about the back-to-school days. First, we're talking about our memories of attempting to play games during school, then we discuss our all-time favorite fall releases. And finally, we talk about the best games that are set in school. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're diving into metroidvanias—what the heck are they, how do we define them, and how do we really feel about them? Plus, we try to re-name the terribly-labeled genre with something a bit more apt. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're talking about that good ol' classic game, The Sims. First, we kick things off with a discussion on our first encounters with The Sims (some of us took to it more than others). Then, Lisa Marie breaks down what the big deal is about The Sims anyway, and gives us the low down on Sims fandom. Finally, we wrap with Ethan and Fahey attempting to come up with their own dream Sims expansions that don't already exist. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

This week we're talking video game movies starting with one of the most infamous, of course, 1993's Super Mario Bros. Then, special guest journalist/comedian Brock Wilbur takes us through the weird-but-real history of infamous movie producer Uwe Boll, most known for video game movies like Alone in the Dark, Postal, and In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale. And finally, we wrap with a discussion of how, miraculously, video game movies seem to be improving. See Privacy Policy at...

We're back! And with a couple of new cats! Please welcome Kotaku staff editor Lisa Marie Segarra and Kotaku staff writer Ethan Gach to the Splitscreen team. We're talking about our own (at times) controversial takes on our beloved household pets, as well as the all-time most memorable video game cats in history. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ll be right back after these Fahey messages. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we have a very special (and very sad) episode, in which we say our final goodbyes to hosts Nathan Grayson and Ashley Parrish. To kick off this goodbye-themed episode, we start with a short discussion on games we haven't finished specifically because we can't bear to say goodbye. Then, we get into a conversation about the all-time best video game goodbyes. And finally, we wrap by Nathan, Ash, and Fahey reflecting on their time at Kotaku—from the weirdest and best reader emails, to...

This week we're diving into the topic of TIME. First, Fahey leads us in an exploration of the games that utilize time manipulation mechanics. Then, Nathan walks us through the history of the video game holiday season madness. And finally Ash closes us out with a crosstalk segment on the video games that do, and do not, respect our time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In honor of the heatwave that's currently dominating July, we thought we'd do a special heat and fire-themed episode. First, we kick things with a discussion on the best and worst video game fire levels of all time. Then, we talk about gaming's role in heating up the planet. And finally, we end things with some HOT Takes on hot stuff in video games. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're exploring the weird ways we've changed foreign video games for American audiences (Kirby's eyebrows, for instance?), as well as the reverse: the weird ways we've altered American video games for foreign gamers. Then, after talking through these weird Americanizations, we create our own Americanized version of Yakuza. And yes, you'll wish our game actually existed when we're through. See our Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and our California Privacy Notice at...