

Next-Gen Console Watch
IGN & Geek Media
Since the early days of gaming, players have debated which console reigns supreme and how to build the ultimate high-performance gaming PC. Each week, Next Gen Console Watch breaks down the biggest advancements in video game hardware—covering PlayStation, Xbox, and PC upgrades—all in under 20 minutes. From console power comparisons to must-have gaming PC upgrades, we help you decide where to invest your time and money. If you're wondering which platform delivers the best experience for the next big game, Next Gen Console Watch is the podcast for you.Next Gen Console Watch is a part of the Geek Media Podcast Network, an IGN Entertainment Brand.Visit Geek.com for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 3, 2026 • 24min
Rising Prices Mean We’re Stuck with PS5, Series X - Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! This week Daemon, Max, and Ryan peer into the future of gaming, only to see the same consoles we're playing today being used possibly years from now. With all models of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox having received several price hikes over the years, and with world events and economic factors keeping the prices of nearly all goods high, it looks like true next-generation gaming maybe delayed for the forseeable future. What can Sony do to bring costs down? And is this an opportunity for Xbox to gain relevance with gamers, now that the base PS5 and Xbox Series X are roughly the same price? Plus we have last week's poll results, and a new poll for you to vote on at IGN.com and Spotify.
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Mar 27, 2026 • 18min
Switch 2's First Year Was Strong, But Where's Nintendo's Mascots? - Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! This week Ryan and Max are joined by Logan Plant, host of IGN's Nintendo Voice Chat podcast to talk about the Nintendo Switch 2's Year 1, and what we're expecting for Year 2. The Switch 2 has become not only Nintendo's fastest-selling console, but the fastest-selling console of all-time, with more than 17 million units sold in less than a year. Mario Kart World has a nearly 1:1 attachment rate with the Switch 2, Donkey Kong Bananza was a hit with critics and fans, and Pokémon Pokopia is having an Animal Crossing-esque viral moment. But none of these are Nintendo's major marquee franchises, but does the Switch 2 even need them right now? Plus we have last week's poll results, and a new poll for you to vote on at IGN.com and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 20, 2026 • 33min
DLSS 5: Are Faces Fixed or F*****? - Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! This week Daemon, Max, and Ryan are joined by IGN's senior tech manager, Bo Moore, to discuss Nvidia's reveal of their controversial DLSS 5 update. The footage caused a stir on the internet as the tech clearly is doing more than just enhancing performance relative to resolution, with many accusing Nvidia of using the equivalent of "AI TikTok filters" on character models. We break down what we think the tech initially set out to do, and what this means for the PS5 and Xbox. Plus we have last week's poll results, and a new poll for you to vote on at IGN.com and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 28min
6 Burning Questions We Have About the Next Xbox - Next-Gen Console Watch
Microsoft’s Project Helix and its plan to run both Xbox and PC games get a deep look. Storefront and platform revenue questions come up alongside debates about disc drives and all-digital designs. Pricing for a premium console and shifting game price trends are discussed. Console timing, potential 2027 hardware windows, and how Helix compares to PlayStation are explored.

Mar 6, 2026 • 16min
PlayStation Having Second Thoughts About Sharing Its Games - Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! On this week's episode, the crew discusses a recent report that Sony might be rethinking PC ports in the future. Specifically, first-party single-player games like Ghost of Yōtei, Marvel's Wolverine, and others might not see PC versions. Multiplayer titles like Bungie's Marathon—published by Sony—will still see multiplatform releases. The report cites low sales for Sony's PC titles, and a possible risk to PS5 and eventually PS6 hardware. But we have another theory: with the eventual release of the Steam Machine and the possible next Xbox merging PC and console gaming, maybe Sony doesn't want their titles appearing on a rival's console platform? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 27, 2026 • 28min
5 Changes Xbox’s New CEO Can Make to Win Over Fans - Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! After last week's bombshell news story about Xbox's leadership shaek-up—an exclusive from our very own Ryan McCaffrey—we take this opportunity to put together five tips that might be able to win back wayward Xbox fans. The Xbox brand isn't what it used to be, but all hope is not lost, and hopefully incoming CEO Asha Sharma can right the ship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 20, 2026 • 19min
Which of These Upcoming Games Can Run On Switch 2? - Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! This week we take a look at a few games that might have a chance of coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. It's the fastest-selling console of all time with almost 20 million units sold globally in less than a year, and other triple-A titles are already coming to the platform such as Resident Evil: Requiem and 007 First Light. Upcoming games like Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, Forza Horizon 5 (and maybe 6), Beast of Reincarnation, Silent Hill: Townfall, and others have already been announced for the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, but publishing issues aside, what's keeping them from the Switch 2? Plus we have a new poll for you to vote on at IGN.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 6, 2026 • 41min
Where Are These 13 PS5 & Xbox Games? - Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! This week we take a look at 13 supposed PS5 and Xbox Series games that we should have already been playing. Games like Judas, Knights of the Old Republic remake, Little Devil Inside, and Beyond Good & Evil 2 have had rocky development paths, but at this point, we're wondering if we'll even get these games at all, despite developers and publishers assuring us they're still being worked on. Plus we go over AMD's latest comments about the next-generation Xbox, and we have last week's poll results and a new poll for you to vote on at IGN.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 30, 2026 • 16min
The Pros & Cons of Holding Back the PS6 - Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! This week Daemon, Max, and Ryan look at the possible ups and downs of a delay of the PlayStation 6. With PS5 software sales holding strong, and with prices for gaming components like RAM skyrocketing, there's a real possibility Sony will wait another few years before debuting the PS6. This could make the current generation the longest console cycle so far, with 8 or more years from the launch of the PS5 and the possibile drop of the PS6. Plus we have last week's poll results, and a new poll for you to vote on at IGN.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 23, 2026 • 23min
Xbox’s Dev Direct Was Great — Even for PS5 - Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch. This week Daemon, Max, and Ryan take a look at the latest Xbox Developer_Direct. Microsoft Game Studios showcased Playground Games' Forza Horizon 6 and the Fable reboot, plus Kiln from Double Fine, and Beast of Reincarnation of Game Freak. While it's shaping up to be a good year for Xbox (in terms of games), this showcase was also great news for PlayStation fans. And we have last week's poll results, plus a new poll for you to vote on at IGN.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


