Episode 65, Zelda Symphony Interview and more Tokyo, Breaking Bad, GTA V

After three weeks of travel, Vic and Scott are actually back in The Basement this week. And, as that wise old soul Dorothy once said, “There’s no place like home.” The boys take a moment to reflect on their recent globetrotting adventures before diving headfirst into the world of Los Santos. Yes, GTA V gets plenty of love on today’s show, as does the final episode of Breaking Bad. Vic loved it; Scott had some problems with it. (Scott has problems with everything. Jerk!) Finally, the boys talk The Legend of Zelda with Jason Michael Paul, who is currently producing the traveling symphonic roadshow titled The Legend Of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses. So, to re-cap: We’ve got GTA V, Breaking Bad, and Zelda in today’s show. What more could you people possibly want? Actually, don’t answer that. Just press the thing, and START LISTENING. We implore you.

Episode 64, Adventures in Tokyo, Breaking Bad, and 3DS Fun

Vic and Scott are on the road again, this time in Tokyo, Japan (hey, what other Tokyo is there?). Now, while in Montreal two weeks back, they recorded the podcast in Scott’s hotel room; this time, they do the ‘cast in Vic’s room—room 853 at the Hotel Nikko in Odaibo. Full disclosure: when they recorded this week’s podcast, they were on day nine of a 10 day trip, so both Vic and Scott are more than a little bit punchy. The boys discuss the lack of Grand Theft Auto V in their lives (and how that lack will be addressed immediately upon their return home); the final days of Breaking Bad; and, finally, an obscure 3DS game that stars a robot turtle who inherits his uncle’s diamond mine. (Yes, the game really exists.) Finally, Scott offers travel tips for listeners, and most of these tips—not surprisingly—are centered around soaps and underwear. Yes, you’ll have to listen to the podcast for the full story. What are you still reading this for? Get listening!

Episode 63, Interview with Ben Mattes, Batman: Arkham Origins Senior Producer

Vic and Scott return to Vancouver, BC, very briefly after their Montreal trip. And they leave for Tokyo in a few hours from now. STAY IN SCHOOL KIDS, AND YOU TOO CAN HAVE THIS KIND OF LIFE! Anyway, both Vic and Scott are a little jet-lagged, which means they are loopier than usual today. Which is good news for listeners! Topics discussed on today’s show: Ouya, PlayStation Vita, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Batman: Arkham Origins, and why Scott should not be allowed to play a game in front of said game’s director. Anyway, click the thing and get yourself entertained!

Warning: This Podcast May Contain NSFW (not safe for work) language.

Episode 62, Le Grand Theft Auto V

This week down in The Basement: Vic and Scott go mobile. They’re in–halluciner!–Montreal. So, serving as “the basement” is Scott’s room (#703, at Le Hotel). Le grande topic this week: Grand Theft Auto V. Will it make a hundred billion dollars in one second? Will it break any new ground in the open-world genre? Is there any new ground left to break in the open-world genre? Will Vic ever finally finish GTA III? All these questions, and more, will be answered by clicking that little thingy right over there.

Warning: This Podcast May Contain NSFW (not safe for work) language.

Episode 61, Viewer Mail, Riddick, and Trips Abroad

IT’S OUR FIRST SHOW WITH OUR NEW SPONSOR, THE PLAYSTATION 4! Ahem. Sorry. Lost our heads for a moment. Vic and Scott answer listener mail. Hooray! And the mailbag is filled with compliments, queries, and strangeness. Then Scott tells Vic that he had a dream that featured Harrison Ford, and he describes that dream in detail. Vic and Scott also talk about their upcoming trips to Montreal and Tokyo. So, The Basement will be hitting the road over the next few weeks. But don’t worry—we promise to deliver quality conversations, even if it’s from Gate 47 at Narita International Airport. Anyway, listen to this week’s show by clicking over there. OH, AND THANK YOU, PLAYSTATION 4!

Episode 60, Fan Expo Toronto, Gaming, and an Interview With Mike Mika

Vic has returned from the always-fun Fan Expo (Toronto), so he’s ready to talk about all the celebrity hobnobbing he did while gallivanting around town, smoking big cigars, drinking Courvoisier, and riding in the backseats of limos. This, of course, makes Scott feel terrible about himself (which is also Scott’s natural state, in case you didn’t already know). Then Scott and Vic talk about what games they played on the road (Scott nearly went blind from playing Kingdom Rush; Vic hugged and kissed his Vita all night long). Then the guys reveal what might be the very worst movie of 2013. Finally, game developer Mike Mika visits The Basment. He’s the guy who famously hacked Donkey Kong so that his daughter could play the game as Pauline instead of Mario (Mario, of course, is the one who is being held captive by DK). It’s a great, super-nerdy convo which features multiple references to Eugene Jarvis. Finally, Scott makes it weird at the end. And at the beginning. And, now that we think about it, in the middle, too.

Episode 59, Ryan Holowaty, Last of Us, and Summer Movies

Vic and Scott have a guest down in The Basement. It’s the incomparable Ryan Holowaty from Noodle Cake Games, makers of Super Stickman Golf and Super Stickman Golf 2. WARNING: DO NOT PLAY EITHER ONE OF THOSE GAMES! THEY ARE BOTH EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE. Then Vic and Scott talk about the games of August, including Saints Row IV, Splinter Cell Blacklist, and Disney Infinity. Finally, Scott confesses that he never quite got around to finishing The Last Of Us, but did last weekend. So the boys enjoy a quick look back at one of the greatest games of all time. Also: The Last Of Us discussion features a couple of pretty big spoilers. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

WARNING: Spoilers on The Last of Us

Episode 58, 100 Best Movies, Games, and Hair Care Tips!

Confession: Vic and Scott are tired. Really tired. They’ve been chipping away at their 100 Best Movies and 100 Best Games lists. And their brains, which normally are sharp as the Master Sword from Zelda, are more than a little loopy today. No matter. The boys, in all of their loopy glory, still manage to put on one heck of a show, talking about movies, games, and nerd culture. Also: listener mail gets answered! And Vic and Scott discuss hair-care tips. No kidding, they really do. So don’t dally. Hit the button thing-y over there and start listening.

Episode 57, Is Elysium One Of The Sci-Fi Greats?

SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains a few spoilers for the film Elysium, listen at your own risk.

Today on The Basement: Elysium is without a doubt Vic and Scott’s most anticipated film of the summer. And it’s out. So, it’s time for them to weigh in with a more in-depth review. And, yes, there is shouting. (WHY CAN’T YOU GUYS JUST GET ALONG? OK?) Also: Vic and Scott play a round of What Are You Playing?/What Are You Watching? For Vic, it’s Justified. For Scott, it’s Boardwalk Empire. Then Vic goes on a mini-rant against his cable provider. Scott expresses his disappointment in [INSERT PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING HERE]. There’s banter! And 4-percent of qualifies as “somewhat witty.” So click, listen, and enjoy.

Warning: May Contain NSFW (not safe for work) language.

Episode 56, Our 2 Guns Talking About Superheroes

Vic and Scott are alone in The Basement this week. They’d just come from a screening of Elysium, which they [EDITED OUT BECAUSE OF EMBARGO]. Instead of deconstructing Neill Blomkamp’s latest film (tune in next week for that), they talk about 2 Guns, starring Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington. Sure, it sounds like it sucks, but guess what? It’s actually pretty good! Then they answer some listener mail about superhero origin stories, which makes Vic really f***ing happy. Anyway, click the triangle and BOOM, you’re listening.

EXPLICIT CONTENT WARNING: Vic’s Basement is a place where Vic and Scott are able to let loose uncensored. Be aware that there are episodes with explicit content. Unless you’re wearing headphones, it’s Not Safe For Work and you probably shouldn’t play it for your kids either.

You have been warned, now enjoy!