
No Cartridge Audio
Trevor Strunk·545 episodes
Critical but casual approaches to current, past, and future video games six times a week. In addition, guests will periodically share their own aesthetic and personal experiences with games in conversation! Subscribe to our Patreon at www.patreon.com/hegelbon if you'd like to hear special patron-only bonus episodes!
Why listen
No Cartridge Audio is for listeners who want video games treated as art, labor, culture, and personal obsession all at once. Trevor Strunk moves between critic conversations, developer interviews, anime and film side-series, and loose check-ins with regular collaborators, so the show feels more like joining a smart, funny media studies hangout than listening to a standard review show. It is especially good for people who like games criticism with lefty, literary, and philosophical tangents.
Series(6)
Episodes
Writer extraordinare Kevin Fox, Jr. joins us to talk about football, Dark Souls, writing, the nature of journalism under late capital, and the uses of social media. A rollicking, old fashioned, incisive chat with a good friend and great interlocutor. Check it out now!!! Some useful links: Articles by Kevin mentioned https://pcvulpes.wordpress.com/2026/05/11/endless-discursive-cycles-social- media-videogames-bluesky-mixtape-mass-effect-uncharted/ https://peoplesworld.org/article/mortal-kombat-ii-review-a-soulless-and-uneven-sequel/ Articles by other people mentioned https://noescapevg.com/review-mixtape/ https://ckunzelman.com/2026/05/10/on-mixtape-2026/ https://www.negrophonic.com/pdfs/Fredric%20Jameson%20-%20Realism%20and%20Utopia%20in%20The%20Wire.pdf https://autumn-wright.com/just-blog-it/ https://unwinnable.com/2026/02/11/a-dialogue-with-austin-walker/ https://bloomedwings.com/2026/05/11/letters-between-against-all-odds-and-differences-friends/ https://www.avclub.com/commodity-fetishism-is-law-in-nba-2k26 https://www.avclub.com/wwe-2k26-wrestling-games-monopoly Other websites mentioned https://peoplesworld.org/ https://www.moviejawn.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Graham and I make a rare appearance not on the Patreon to announce the return of our inimitable Homicide podcast, this one being a special review of the episode "Thrill of the Kill" which features alumni from Burn Notice and is considered maybe the worst episode of the show's run! Maybe! Thrill at the blue screen effects, stay for the "surprise" ending! Homicide! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Milla your Jovavich, and get ready to reminisce about middling Kevin Bacon horror television franchises, as we dig into the first Resident Evil movie! Is it good? Is it bad? Is it a waste of time or a hidden gem? Find out why every answer is...yes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and I once again embark on our labor of love as we consider the novel The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka and the 2014 SquareEnix game Murdered: Soul Suspect. Death, deduction, ghosts, regret, discursive thinking, the limits of political art, and more! An action packed episode, with a live show coming next week to boot! Check that out at youtube.com/@aveyclub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We get DARK in the weeds of Black Lagoon as it's OVA time for me, Piss, and Emily. What sorts of vengeful nightmarish stuff are we digging through this time? How much screentime will Benny and Dutch get? And will Rock and Revy become romantic or not? Well, ok, last one you know the answer to. BLACK LAGOON FOREVER Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hey everyone! I apologize for the break, I've had a little burnout issue that I talk about on the podcast here, and Liv and I break down where we're at, what we've been up to, and all that good stuff. Black Lagoon to continue Friday, and then some new stuff we've recorded since -- lots of fun to come, and hopefully a pace that doesn't lead to more breaks! Thanks for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Round out the last bit of the regular series before Roberta's Blood Trail with me and piss and Emily! More Revy! More Rock! More Japan! Not...not really all that much Benny and Dutch. But more Balalaika! And a fight TO THE DEATH! This is a fun one gang. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We welcome lawyer podcaster extraordinaire Charles "Ugarles" S. to talk about the recent Steam legal action, what it might mean for lootcrates, why these markets are legal gray areas, and the future of our wonderful gambling society. A treat for all!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We welcome Alexey Gerasimov to the show to talk about his incredibly good and engaging and rewarding and man what a game SCREAMING HEAD. There's other stuff discussed here, but the verve of platformers, weird art, self-teaching, mind vs body Cartesianism, and more recommends itself. Go buy the game at steam or itch or anywhere else, just search Screaming Head -- it is a fantastic time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We are back on our grind as Piss, Em, and I dive into another wonderful day with the Lagoon Corp crew. There are vampire children to be discussed and a lady forger who might find love with our favorite burnout, Jewish activist, hacker, and Floridian Benny. And there's the chainsaw lady! Really, just a lot to love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This one has had a chance to mature as I got my act together, but it's a real gem as Liv and I cover Grand Theft Hamlet, a truly wonderful exploration of theater, COVID, sociality, and community. Genuinely an amazing piece and I hope you enjoy our conversation about it -- you can watch it on mubi! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Me and Piss and Em are back again and that's right -- we're talking about maids and cigarette kisses and all sorts of other great stuff! A real murderer's row of episodes that will keep you on the edge of your seat as we break them down. Go listen to Em over at Giant Robo FM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and I return for more GG No Reread, this time in a first time experience of covering a game and a book of the same exact name. That's right, it's the classic cyberpunk novel Neuromancer by William Gibson and the monumental if less well known Commodore64/Dos/Amiga game Neuromancer! We absolutely go in on adaptation, accessibility, insights about the future, the ways books and games differ in their expression, and more and more. Cyberpunkers, unite and jack in! PS: Go watch a Let's Play hero, GamerForFun play this game at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMzapyB2VHw PPS: Head over to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE90qAx_yNM at Wednesday Feb 4 at 930 PM EST for a live show follow up with me and Liv! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We welcome back long distant and now returned friend Andrew (Piss) to the show along with our equally fond friend Emily (SpaceQueenEm) to talk about the phenomenal cult classic Black Lagoon -- a Madhouse special, and a true treat. Rock, Revy, and the rest killing Nazis and ramping Torpedo Boats: get ready and get excited. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We welcome back past beloved guest Jack King-Spooner (Dujanah; Mashina; Judero) to talk about his new game Abide and extreme media, specifically the oft-banned videogame Horses. A wide-ranging, philosophical conversation I think is well needed and timely! Keep your eyes peeled for the kickstarter for Abide! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We welcome Jacob of Workers' Lit on to talk about the best games we've played in 2025! A fantastic run of beautiful work released in this year and others as well brought to you by two handsome, intelligent, aesthetic gurus...what could be better? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We welcome the wonderful Aysha from Workers' Lit and All My Maidens podcasts to talk Sekiro, lore, beauty, intention, and much much more! Find out why this game is probably the Souls game I most remember and Aysha most cherishes! Links to both Dia Lacina articles referenced in today's episode are: here and here. Follow Aysha at ayshaufarah.bsky.social, and find my work anywhere you find No Cartridge, including the patreon at patreon.com/nocartridge. Apologies for the long layoff in episodes this month -- technical difficulties! But much more to come before the end of the year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and Trev reconvene to put two totems of their respective forms in conversation with one another: Mark Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves and Giant Sparrow's What Remains of Edith Finch; two works with many commonalities outside of the core premise of "what if a house was fucked up" (sorry I don't know how to do the blue text thing on here). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we have Alex Haus from Haus of Decline talking about just about everything under the sun, but also video games, art, music, queer artistry, the golden age of webcomics, Sluggy Freelance and more more more. She was a fantastic guest and y ou should go check out her patreon at patreon.com/hausofdecline ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We finally get our stuff together and welcome Cameron Kunzelman of The World is Born From Zero, and Ranged Touch, and games journalism, and the upcoming Everything is Permitted to the show! We kind of have a lot of fun with this one, and I'm hoping you all have as much fun as us -- stick around to the end to hear some more about Cameron's new book on the Assassin's Creed series, and pop in up top for nickname discourse, facts on who read or purchased my book, and a series of sitcom pitches. Follow Cameron on Bluesky at ckunzelman.bsky.social and find his new book here, and follow us at nocartridge.bsky.social and patreon.com/nocartridge. Thanks!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and I link up to talk about the biggest cinematic event in the 8-13 set in Five Nights At Freddy's! For the first time ever, we expect horrible work and get...perfectly fine work? Enjoy watching our brains twist around this one and how much Henson puppets can make the difference! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and I are back covering some of our favorite things in the world: indie video games! The creators of Smile for Me are back with a new one in Great God Grove and Liv and I cover it happily here. How's it compare? How's it play? What do we think? You must listen...to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We welcome the wonderful Will Jobst to the podcast to discuss their new TTRPG framework and homage PLASMODICS. And we talk game design, play, DMing, and so so much more. This is a classic folks, dig in please!! Will's work can be found at https://willjobst.itch.io/! Buy Plasmodics, it's amazing. Art by Zach Hazard! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We welcome Santo (Santo.bsky.social), of Cosmo Champs, CybeRRRevolution, and more! They talk with us about games writing, writing about imperialism, the importance of mechs and magical boys, and even more! If you love queer mech stories, Saint Seiya, or both, this one’s for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and I review the absolutely lovely, relaxing, dare I say ARIA-ESQUE Animal Crossing film! Gekijōban Dōbutsu no Mori, released in Japan only, is available through the magic of the internet, and boy is it lovely. Kick back with us and reevaluate the joy of ol Tom T Nook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hello! Sorry for being a bit absent this month, but we are back and recharged, and ready to tell you all about what we're planning to do with our podcasting talents in the near and far future. Enjoy hearing some previews about the future (the long future!) of No Cartridge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and Trevor dig into the delisted but wonderfully dark and intriguing HEATWAVE by DeadDeadDeath -- check out the rest of their work, free to download at https://deaddeaddeath.neocities.org/index.html. This is a fantastic glimpse into a wonderful visual novel that is dark, sexual, political, and intensely different. Trigger warnings abound, so if you're at all triggered by sexual violence or abuse, it may be one to skip. But otherwise, a truly compelling dive! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the eve of the second ending episode posting on the patreon, this solo episode drops on the main feed! A thorough examination of visual novels, the nature of 100 line as an intervention into the genre, and what I expect from finishing 100 endings bit by bit. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and Trevor wade into the extremely disappointing but also kind of promising but mostly disappointing WING COMMANDER. Thrill at Matthew Lillard and Ginny Holder (of Death in Paradise fame) being asked to save an entire movie's plot! It's all here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I welcome DCELL's RJ Spellman on the show to discuss the studio's upcoming rhythm/minigame/anime/critique extravaganza UNBEATABLE. We talk about the demo, the struggles of making a game, what we can expect from the full piece, how a project changes over time, and we go off on hundreds, if not thousands, of tangents. It's good radio folks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and I cover Nnedi Okorafor's Death of the Author and Hazelight Studio's Split Fiction for this installment of GG No Reread! A robust discussion of mind versus body, author versus text, and the manifold properties of reception and interpretation. Seriously go listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the main feed due in part because me and Liv get in the weeds (positive) about games and leisure and commitment, and part because I want everyone to know what they're missing not being on the patreon. Go subscribe to the patreon at patreon.com/nocartridge, you are MISSING OUT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We welcome Emily (Spacequeenemily on bluesky) back to talk us through the final, very serious episodes of Miami Guns! Well okay, *kind* of serious. For this show. Anyway! We finish up a wonderful journey with our bizarre cast of characters and gear up for our next series today. Once again justice is served! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Graham and I are back! And we are talking about some Homicide episodes that are kind of committed to weird 90s things, specifically poetic interludes with Edgar Allan Poe and "straight guys having to find out what gay people do and they're soooo uncomfortable!" Let's say its a mixed bag. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and Trev link up to talk about the engaging and encompassing Blue Prince! What does today's MYST have to say? And is it as much Myst as it is the sort of strange cockeyed adventure game that still sticks with you til today? Find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We welcome Charles Star of ALAB and City Saint Country Saint fame to discuss the most recent lashing of Apple in court, in their continuing battle against Epic Games. This one is exciting because someone who knows more than me tells me how the law works and I keep responding with "daaamn, really?" and he then blows my mind further. A must listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and I review the delightful Venba on today's episode! A cooking, parenting, and growing story that taps the much-used bond between place and food to tell an immigrant's multi-generational story in a fresh and compelling way. Really phenomenal stuff, and a lot of discussion to boot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and Trev talk about the very weirdly designed and produced 1990s film Double Dragon! Is it DOOM? Is it Super Mario Bros? Neither, but both? It has short haired Alyssa Milano though so let's see how far that gets us!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We rejoin Emily to talk about our favorite duo of dumb American cops who are also Japanese and often smart. The MIAMI GUNS ride again as this No Wall Scroll commences our leap into the latter half of this wonderful little series as we join slashers, beauty pageants, and much and more. Please enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and I dig into one of our favorite kinds of episodes -- GGNoReRead! This week, we cover the classic Bungie game Halo 2 along with the wonderful James by Percival Everett! Classic meets contemporary as we analyze two stories that take the perspective of the underclass seriously and change their protagonists in the process! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From way back in the archives, Scott Benson spends a couple of lovely hours with a much younger and much more echoey Trev -- Demon's Souls times, folks, before it was the new cool vibe. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and Trev dive into the horror game du jour of the moment, the wonderfully chilling and weird Mouthwashing! From unpacking subtext, reading about fan theories, and delving the troubling depths of being stranded in space or burned alive, we boldly go to each and every tricky spot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We rejoin Emily and the rest of the Miami Guns PD Squad in Definitely Miami USA to talk about four more episodes of our new favorite cop show cum extremely weird and precise parody show. Honestly, by the end of this episode I'm a firm believer in the product, and I'm now an evangelist. Come hear the good word of Miami Guns. Follow Emily at SpaceQueenEmily on the various sites! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and Trev hop onto the film train again to discuss 2005’s critically maligned DOOM. Karl Urban AND the Rock? This movie is bound to be a hidden gem and…ah, well, nevertheless. There’s some interesting stuff and Liv and Trev grapple with the significance of first person cinema and “the evil gene”.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/no-cartridge-audio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
No Wallscroll returns! Emily is back to talk with Trevor about another Coastal Carolina dub that lives up to the hype in MIAMI GUNS. Parody without quite being parody, a new anime opens in an American city that doesn’t look quiiiiiite accurate. And that rocks. Enjoy!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/no-cartridge-audio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jason and Brian from Freehold Games come on to discuss their wonderful CAVES OF QUD, now in 1.0 after 20 years of development and evolution. So much to talk about here but even moreso a productive discussion of game design, play, and the philosophies behind one of the biggest games of the moment!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/no-cartridge-audio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and Trevor discuss the wonderful indie game from Jack King-Spooner and Talha Kaya, Judero! Claymation, spirituality, and a surprisingly deep discussion of where feeling lies in game development comes out of the discussion of this wonderful gem.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/no-cartridge-audio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and Trevor talk about 1993’s biggest blockbuster, the Super Mario Brothers movie?!? That’s right, it’s the John Leguizamo and Bob Hoskins joint that should’ve changed the world. We cover the ups and well, just ups of this pivotal video game film.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/no-cartridge-audio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liv and Trev return to GGnoReread, where they discuss the exciting and interesting game Doki Doki Literature Club and the…written book, Polybius: The 80s Arcade Killer by David Irons! Connections are made, complaints are had, and we close the book on having fun and if it’s good.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/no-cartridge-audio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We welcome Paul Thind of Aethir on the pod! A somewhat different episode than you might be used to I get the gist of Paul's intriguing distributed GPU concept that Aethir is pushing towards and then we get in the weeds as we discuss fairly opposed views on AI, crypto, and the future of gaming framed against the future of the planet. Oh and death metal, also that! A productive and challenging convo for me and one I hope you enjoy!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/no-cartridge-audio/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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