Franchise Festival

Mar 01 2025 76 ep. 89 mins 30
Franchise Festival Podcast artwork

A podcast covering the development of noteworthy video game franchises from the 1980s to present.

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Season 5 Episode 2 - Mass Effect (Part 2)

Mar 01 2025 101 mins  
Chris, Hamilton, and Spencer wind their way through the first half of Mass Effect's plot, from character creation to Noveria. Along the way, we also discuss party member backstories, the Asteroid X57 bonus mission, and how exactly one should pronounce "Benezia."

Season 5 Episode 1 - Mass Effect (Part 1)

Feb 01 2025 84 mins  
Chris, Spencer, and Hamilton discuss the development, gameplay, and background lore of Mass Effect (2007). Come for the BioWare history, stay to find out which alien species is the biggest bunch of nerds. Sources/Links: The Art of the Mass Effect Trilogy: Expanded Edition "Mass Effect is Inspired by...Final Fantasy?" - Luke Plunkett for Kotaku Turians (Mass Effect Wiki) NASA Stanf

Season 4 Episode 13 - Last Thoughts on Mega Man

Dec 31 2024 32 mins  
We close the book on Season 4 with a round-up of topics on Capcom's Mega Man, including: personal histories with the series, favorite entries, least favorite entries, biggest surprises, and more!

Season 4 Episode 12 - Mega Man 11

Dec 01 2024 81 mins  
Chris and Hamilton discuss the development, gameplay, stages, and bosses of Mega Man 11 (2018).

Season 4 Episode 11 - Mega Man ZX

Oct 31 2024 99 mins  
Hamilton and Chris discuss Inti Creates' Mega Man ZX, including its origins as a potential Mega Man Zero 5 and its awkward (yet admirable) efforts to infuse the Mega Man formula with Metroidvania mechanics. Along the way, we uncover surprising connections to Shantae and Ace Attorney. Sources IGN interview with producer Ken Horinouchi Capcom Unity Blog interview with character desi

Season 4 Episode 10 - Mega Man Zero

Oct 01 2024 97 mins  
Chris and Hamilton are joined by special guest Patrick of the Boss Rush Network to discuss Inti Creates' first entry in the Mega Man series: Mega Man Zero (2002). Be sure to support Patrick's work by visiting https://bossrush.net/, following him on Twitter using the handle @Auditor415, and backing the network on Patreon. Sources Jeremy Parish - “Companions Through Life and Deat

Season 4 Episode 9 - Mega Man Battle Network (Part 2)

Sep 01 2024 63 mins  
Hamilton and Chris conclude their coverage of Capcom's Mega Man Battle Network (2001) with a close look at the game's plot. Even as the level design grows tedious and the story meanders, boss fights remain a highlight.

Season 4 Episode 8 - Mega Man Battle Network (Part 1)

Jul 31 2024 60 mins  
Chris and Hamilton tackle the development, gameplay, and early hours of Mega Man Battle Network (2001). Along the way, they lavish praise on the deckbuilder format and uncover the startling commonality between Capcom's abandoned IPs. Sources: Interview - "Mega Man Battle Network Started Out As A Horror Game" (Inside Games, via MMBN3D and Rockman Corner) Mega Man Battle Network Com

Season 4 Episode 7 - Mega Man X4

Jul 01 2024 102 mins  
Chris, Hamilton, and Spencer discuss Mega Man X4 (1997), the first Mega Man X game developed from the ground-up for 32-bit consoles. Are the updates worthwhile, or do they just over-complicate a classic formula? Development Sources: Mega Man X4 – 1997 Developer Interview (Sega Saturn Magazine, via Shmuplations) Mega Man X: Official Complete Works Book

Season 4 Episode 6 - Mega Man Legends

May 31 2024 113 mins  
Chris and Spencer discuss the development, gameplay, and plot of 1997's Mega Man Legends (Nintendo loyalists may know it as Mega Man 64). If our show piques your interest, don't miss the great development team interviews available on shmuplations.