• The Hidden Mechanics of Game Awards
    Dec 12 2025

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    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

    NAVGTR 2022 Award Results

    BAFTA 2025 Results

    EVO Awards nomination page

    Example of the term One-on-One Beat 'em ups

    D.I.C.E Award for Fighting Game of the Year: Requirements and History

    DashFight




    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.

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    14 mins
  • exA-Arcadia: Power to the operators? the criticism? the tariffs?
    Sep 8 2025

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    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

    exA-Arcadia FAQ

    SuperCombo.gg Article about Vanguard Princess

    TEU video about if the exA-Arcadia was worth it?

    TEU interview with the CEO of exA-Arcadia

    alamone's rebuttal to MarkMSX/TEU

    Arcade Heroes video about the ARC-1

    Arcade Heroes Website

    alamone's rebuttal to MarkMSX/TEU

    Hot Pink Club article from exa.fan

    Time Extension article about Tattoo Assassins revival





    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.

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    19 mins
  • The Legacy of Hidden Variable: V.G.
    Aug 14 2025

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    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
    • Variable Geo Release History
    • The Top Ten Worst Games of 2025 so far
    • XBOX release of Advance V.G. and Steam Hearts Cancelled

    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.

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    22 mins
  • A competitive Esports tournament Pro Wrestling game? O.K. T.K.O! Let's make it so...???
    May 2 2024

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    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.

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    26 mins
  • "The Lost Fighting Game Legacy" Can there ever be another Battle Arena Toshinden game?
    Mar 31 2024

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    Plenty of Fighting Game franchises popped up in the 90's but disappeared as quickly as they arrived. While a lot of niche titles have found success with not just a new audience, but the ability to play these niche games online. And some even get side tournament play at major FGC events. However, there is one franchise that was important to the transition to 3D fighting games as well as the one of the first console exclusive fighting games. Battle Arena Toshinden was the first fighting game published and released for the Sony PlayStation. But as time flew by, games such as Tekken 2, Soul Edge/Blade, and even Mortal Kombat 4 would make it clear, Toshinden was behind the times. So, with older series like Virtua Fighter and Fatal Fury getting new games in the next few years, is it possible for Battle Arena Toshinden to come back as well? We will take a look at the history of Toshinden, why there hasn't been a new game, and how it's legacy can create something for the future.

    Links to Paul Kidby's works as well as the Finnish BAT2+ Championship in the description.

    The artist that painted the PAL cover crest Paul Kidby:

    Taisteluareena Tinanilkka Finaalinen – The Final Battle Arena Toshinden 2 Finnish Championship:

    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.

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    18 mins
  • Interview with Shiburizu. Part 2.
    Feb 15 2024

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    Part One can be watched online. https://youtu.be/1FVhsg1BbIk?si=xcap3VTn9vWhogOW
    Part 2 focuses primarily on fighting games, what works, what does not work, and what we are looking forward to for the rest of 2024. Games mention include, Breakers Collection, Vangard Princess, Killer Instinct, Pocket Bravery, Fight of Animals, Battle Arena Toshinden, and even Castlevania Judgement. Some game release info referenced in podcast have since been updated for both Blazing Strike and Die by the Blade.

    Corrections: The game is called Pillow Champ not Pillow Talk. Pillow Champ is an indie game from Frosty Pop, but some may see the connection to such a staggeringly large brand like Netflix and call that label into question like Dave the Diver and MintRocket. They are not from the same studio as I had implied in the podcast. Article Referenced: https://www.pcgamesn.com/pillow-champ/dave-the-diver-indie-game

    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.

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • You knew this was coming. It's time to talk about The Rumblefish 2 Port.
    Jan 18 2024

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    This is a story of a 14-month journey to buy, play, and receive a rare gem of fighting game history here in North America. Now that I finally received the collector's edition I bought back in October of 2022, I was only appropriate to speak about it now, once I had all games I could get.

    This podcast is focused on the console and Steam ports released in 2022 and 2023, not the original games created by Dimps in 2004 and 2005, or the Atomiswave or NesicaXLive arcade versions.

    To find and talk to other Rumble Fish players, you can find them on the Rumble Fish 2 Discord: https://discord.gg/5GWnK2cU

    Correction: I refer to Limited Run as the publisher instead of the distributer. 3goo is the publisher of the game. Addendum: Fighting EX Layer and Idol Showdown do have host and spectator player vs player but, you only have to enter an access code to gain entry. There is no such option in either of the Rumble Fish ports. So, you actually friending someone on console or Steam to get a private match in a 4:3 format. Quick matches are still 16:9 only.

    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.

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    29 mins
  • Why Pocket Bravery is my Game of the Year for 2023
    Dec 31 2023

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    We have talked about the game awards how they present fighting games. Street Fighter VI won Best Fighting of the year, and rightfully so. But for me, it wasn't my pick. Even though I knew it had no chance to win, I still voted for Pocket Bravery. To end 2023, I am going to tell you why Pocket Bravery was my Game of the Year. And afterwords, I hope you will give it a try. There is an Addendum added to this podcast that addressed some pronunciation errors with certain South American countries and a message to the colorblind gaming community in reference to fighting games and accessibility.

    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.

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    24 mins