This has been my favorite podcast since 2015. Great show.

I really enjoyed this show early on but the political talk is just too much. I come to be entertained and listen to life in Japan and video games. Instead every episode they go into politics, and how many times do I have to hear why you’re no longer on X aka Twitter and only on Blue Sky. Great, just tell me where you’re at to find your messages, I don’t care why you left one for another. If someone caught one episode in the past 2 years they would know why, it doesn’t need to be repeated. Nobody cares. Otherwise this is a fantastic show, pick on Gabe less too.

I have no idea what John’s problem is with Gabe, but it’s made the show unlistenable. Be nice to the dude or part ways, what are you guys doing?

Wizardry talk was great, but show rubbish now. Used to be great. Gabe is inane and show has not been good since Sarah P was on. Enough of your uninformed and idiotic politics. Still brainwashed by covid and it is mid 2024…

I want to give you a transcript of the average episode of 8-4 Play: Gabe et al: IRRAASHHHA—- MM: MOVE IT ALONG GABE Gabe: Ok here’s what we’ve all been pla— MM: MOVE ON, GET IT MOVING Gabe: Ok…. So there’s this story, FromSoft recently opened a void between dimens— MM: BOOOOORIIIING, KEEP IT MOVING GABE Gabe: Ok… find us at our website 8-4.jp, or our second home at gia—- MM: SNORE, MOVE ON GABE

Just Dorito it.

Leaving this review in lieu of the years-rumored Patreon.

The podcast just isn’t as good when gaming Jesus isn’t hosting.

Enjoyable show. Chick is kinda grating. Leave your politics at home.

The quality and importance of the podcast to the OG 84 crew has really dropped off in the past few years and it’s obvious. It’s almost like they feel like they have to crap out an episode out of precedence. I get it, they are busy working professionals with kids and wives and lives but I’d rather have them stop doing this than put out a ton of sleeper episodes, which, a lot of them are now consistently... I straight up don’t listen to this podcast to hear, let alone have the whole episode hosted by a random gamer guy living in Japan, and it’s almost the norm now to have one of their interns run the show for them. It’s tedious, it’s unpolished, it’s dull, it’s almost painfully unfunny, it’s not the kind of show I want to hear nor expected from the legendary ex EGM now loc crew. They keep joking about starting a patreon and honestly, please do this asap if it will make it worth your while to put a little more quality into the show again. Or just don’t put them out at all. I dunno. The past episodes spanning over a decade are well worth your time. The new episodes are pretty bad compared to them. I miss JJ.

Been listening for about 6 years now, still my favorite podcast. Besides overall excellent gaming discussion also really enjoy the off topic slice-of-life talk regarding living in Japan in general.

I started with their 12/10/21 episode as I was trying to find a good video game podcast to listen to while I wait for the next nextlander episode to drop and man was this a mistake. The very beginning was so obnoxious and annoying I almost stopped then but was like no give them time. You then get to their one guest who made a game and they move on from his game to talk about dark souls and he goes back to his game that has no point of being brought up again and goes into it before getting back on topic. Then you have Tina I think is her name is so very annoying with her attitude and extremely unfunny jokes. Couldn’t even finish the full episode. Will not be trying another one.

As an American that’s been living in Japan for around a decade now, this podcast has been great. Lots of stuff I can relate with. Keep it up!

Still excellent

Crazy how disconnected from current games they are. Their nostalgia and desire to dwell in the past makes them unrelateable for almost everyone who isn’t wrapped up in an overrated turn based RPG.

I’ve listened to you guys for a little over a year and you guys never failed to deliver. I am grateful that you guys are provide excellent content.

Meh

Great stuff. I was late to the party on this one, but it’s a great podcast to get you through the workday week. Lots of good talk about living and working in Japan and video games.

Great pod!

Update: they don’t say like as much! Easily one of my favorite podcasts. But they say “like” all the time. I’ll bump it up to 5 if they can cut it in half for 4 episodes.

I don’t know what I would do without Gaming Jesus and the rest of the 8-4 family in my life. If you’re not listening to the latest, best, only podcast about Japan and games and Japanese games then you’re doing it wrong.

One of my favorite podcasts going, especially with the current cast

These guys work in the industry localizing games among other things in Japan and their expertise and joy put into the podcast makes it stand out in a crowded field of video game podcast. The other one worth listening to is Kotaku Split Screen.

E3 HYPE TRAAAAAAAIIIIIINNNNNNN!!!

The pre E3 episode is a yearly tradition not to be missed! XO

Updated 6/1/18: the show has seen a lot of upheaval over the last year or so with longtime co-hosts and fan favorite new folks leaving. I was worried, but they’ve handled it with aplomb. Some chairs are rotating a little more now (I love Masa’s perspective!) and we are getting a little more everyday BS, which I know isn’t everyone’s bag, but I personally love. Looking forward to many more debates about questionable cheap “tacos.” Original review: Not everyone is on every episode - even Mark who typically hosts - but every episode is worth listening to if you're truly into "games, Japan, and Japanese games". Guests are typically memorable and even when I haven't known who they were before their appearance it is quickly apparent why they're there (see: Kevin Gifford on the NES & SNES retrospectives.) Keep up the great work!

A gaming podcast covering a lot more then most and longer then standard 1 hour podcasts is great. But the "friend of the show" humblebrag name dropping makes me want stop and skip sections. Bleep or edit them out please.

Omg! Omg! Omg! Do you guys just enjoy listening yo yourselves talk? I get it! You live and work in Japan that you need each other to talk each other about games, but for Christ sake, do that over coffee, and make a podcast that’s shorter and think about your audience. You guys are very knowledgeable about Japanese games, and you guys have great chemistry! I love that! Great! I love your professional and insightful input, but please! We don’t need to hangout with you for hours on end! Consider your audience too, and E-D-I-T your podcast. To be honest man, your rambling is crossing the line. Are you guys just glorifying yourselves? I thought you’d figured this out by now, but I have never heard a podcast in which you hit record you and leave all raw footage in. I couldn’t take it many more after 20+ episodes. I’m out man.

Except for Sarah. Her voice makes me want to take a dump on a baby.

It'd be so great if someone would call Sarah out for her incessant millennial brand of up-talking. Otherwise, great!

I was recently introduced to this podcast, and I'm amazed how much I like it.

I'd recommend this podcasts to a complete stranger.

2017 is shaping up to be one of the best years ever for video games and I love following along with what people are playing by listening to this podcast. It gives a great Japan-focused overview of the industry and is super-fun.

This is my favorite video game podcast.

Love the podcast!!!

Good

Along with the Giantbeast cast, I eagerly await the new episode of 8-4. I love their podcast chemistry and their discussions on life in Japan. I also enjoy the nicknames!

Great podcast for discussion of Japanese games!

I honestly get so pumped whenever I hear the intro to your podcast. Each week you guys bring the energy and get me excited as if E3 is only a week away, and that's not an easy thing to do. You guys always make my dream of one day joining the industry seem that much closer. Thank you so much for doing what you do.

8-4 Play is a wonderful podcast by a video game localization company in Japan. Each cast member has their own personality, there's ton of Japanese games talk, and a fair bit of humor. I've been listening since the start, and I look forward to new episodes every other week.

Love Mark, the host. Most of the guests are great as well. I just can't rate this higher because good god, a few of the regular co-hosts (John, JJ) are just the most whiny, condescending and irritating people I've encountered in podcast form, and I am a hopeless podcast addict. I can feel my neurons commiting suicide during their rants about trivial or obvious things they feel the need to explain at length. Try the Bombcast, Beastcast, Rebel FM, and DLC for some insight and humor without all the negativity and ranting.

Great video game podcast with a Japanese twist. Informative about video games and japan and a great sense of humor

These folks are very smart, very well spoken and have one of the most unique perspectives on all things related to vidya games - especially Nintendo! I look forward to each and every episode, and it's always worth the wait.

An incredibly unique take on the Japan gaming scene from English speakers.

Solid gaming podcast with occasional Japanese culture notes. I wish they talked more about interesting local promotions (food, cafes, conbini promotions, etc). Interview episodes are generally weak.

The first couple of times were funny but jesus that got old so fast

A unique perspective about games, japan, and japanese games.

so if you were following games media during the mid-late 00's you are probably aware of 1up/egm/ziff this podcast, along with a few others are good for keeping up with a few of the ppl involved with those sites. Just wish mark (gamevideos) macdonald would get around to adding some...video content to their shows... oh and the rest of the RE discussion o_0

A very entertaining and interesting podcast about Japan, games, and Japanese games. Listening to this podc..E3 HYPE TRAAAAIN!

8-4 Play is basically the gaming equivalent of a movie podcast run by a 45 year old woman who went to all the Twilight movies by herself on opening night.