Latest Articles
Top Articles
Weekend at Dave’s – PAX East 2019 Edition – Day 4: David talks Dreams, Bloodroots, Creature in the Well, Rad, Sayonara Wild Hearts, and more!
Weekend at Dave’s – PAX East 2019 Edition – Day 3: David talks Cyber Shadow, Mortal Kombat 11, Tunic, Samurai Shodown, and more!
Latest Articles
Weekend at Dave’s – PAX East 2019 Edition – Day 4: David talks Dreams, Bloodroots, Creature in the Well, Rad, Sayonara Wild Hearts, and more!
Weekend at Dave’s – PAX East 2019 Edition – Day 3: David talks Cyber Shadow, Mortal Kombat 11, Tunic, Samurai Shodown, and more!
Hop in the car, bring your gaming laptop, buckle up, and get ready to blast down I-85.
All of the games Punished Backlog editor Sam Martinelli played in 2025, ranked in tiers. But what’s at the very top?
In our Constance review, learn whether this blend of metroidvania and visual novel manages to deliver on its intriguing setup.
Amongst the best indie games in 2025 — from adventure to cozy, outer space to rural islands, puzzles to action — there’s something for everyone.
In our Pragmata Sketchbook demo preview, learn why Capcom’s long-awaited sci-fi epic shows promise after six years of development.
The Game Awards 2025 was a four-hour snooze fest, but for four minutes, it was absolute cinema thanks to Flute Guy. Let’s recap the fun.
Join us at 7:30pm EST for our 2025 Game Awards live blog, and find out how many instruments Keighley’s got “Flute Guy” playing this year.
Even in tumultuous times, we can find solace in all sorts of things — Kei argues that 2025’s “capeslop” of superhero content gives hope.
The Punished Podcast
View All
In this podcast episode, we discuss the joy in familiarity, difficulty, hype, and gameplay loops as we consider video games as comfort food.
In this podcast episode, we discuss video game protagonists. We debate create-a-character versus heroes and share our favorites.
In this podcast episode, we discuss the history of open-world video games: the good, the bad, and everything in between. (Also, GTA VI!)
In this Fantasy Gaming-centric episode, we recap the first half of 2026 before delving into our first waiver wire of the year.
In this episode of The Punished Podcast, we discuss the rise and fall of E3, game trailers, authenticity, and the big bucks.
In this episode of The Punished Podcast, we discuss the past, present, and future of games media and journalism.
Punished Notes
View All
In Sam’s latest Punished Notes, he covers the new Fire Emblem, has a few thoughts on Final Fantasy X (all these years later), and even a bit on… tapas?
In the latest Punished Notes, Sam talks about Splatoon Raiders, Kingdom Hearts, Denshattack!, and…baking?
In a Punished Notes dedicated entirely to Resident Evil Requiem, Sam wonders if the post-zombification of the game’s world bears a resemblance to our own post-pandemic one.
In his latest Punished Notes, Sam gets into some New Year’s Gaming Resolutions, as well as a few predictions (and hopes) for some big gaming anniversaries coming up. Also: Wuthering Heights?
In the latest Punished Notes, Sam covers Doritos and Mountain Dew games, Kirby Air Riders, and… the blues?
In this edition of Punished Notes, Sam discusses how the incredible fall game release lineup is kind of killing him, among other thoughts
Punished Chat
View All
Super Mario Sunshine is probably the beloved plumber’s most polarizing adventure. Punished Backlog editors Sam and David discuss why that is.
After all playing Disco Elysium, several writers weigh in on the good, the bad, and the very ugly of the cult classic.
Mina the Hollower released last month to rave reviews. How do the writers at The Punished Backlog feel about it?
As part of our Game of the Year coverage, here are some DIFFERENT awards for the year’s best games!
Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of this year’s biggest new releases. What do the writers at The Punished Backlog think of it so far?
From the classics to new releases, we discuss the “Big Three,” the best anime ever, and what makes these series stand the test of time.
Punished Favorites
View All
Our list of the best cozy games covers puzzles, platform adventures, farming, shop sims, visual novels, and much more.
Nintendo’s latest console is still early in its life, but it’s already racking up hits. These are the best Nintendo Switch 2 games so far.
In our list of the Best Video Game Dogs, we highlight the old and the new, the lithe and the chonky, the magical and the normal. They are all good dogs!
Anime is often known for its flashy visuals, but just as important is the music. Here are 11 of our top anime character theme songs ever.
From big AAAs to indie gems, this year’s shaping up to be a delight. Here are the 19 best video games of 2026 we’ve played to date.
From the bird and the bear to the earliest console shooters, here are The Punished Backlog’s top 16 Nintendo 64 games of all time!