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Artwork for 8-4 Play

8-4 Play

8-4, Ltd.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Elden Ring
Dragon's Dogma 2
Super Mario RPG
Crisis Core
Nintendo
Alan Wake 2
Yakuza
Shadow Of the Erd Tree
Animal Well
Tekken 8
Assassin's Creed
Japan
Control
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Yakuza Series
Cyberpunk 2077
Baldur's Gate
Final Fantasy VII
Pokemon Company

Every other week, tune into 8-4 Play for talk about Japan, video games, and Japanese video games, straight from the 8-4 offices in beautiful downtown Tokyo.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes415Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureTechnologyVideo Games

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for 8-4 Play

Latest Episodes

Th-th-the gang t-t-talks the g-g-good, the bad, and the silly of Resident Evil Requiem, plus more Zelda, Minishoot Adventures, and Project Helix in news.

01:38 – Nicknames 05:55 – The Legend of Zelda 12:47 – Resident Evil Requiem 52:37 – Minishoot ... more

17-Bit's Jake Kazdal stops by to talk Zelda anniversary memories, his upcoming game Awaysis, Virtual Boy do's and don'ts, and all the big news out of Microsoft and PlayStation. • 09:58 – The Legend of Zelda

• 33:34 – Awaysis

• 53:01 – Virtual Boy more

Strap on your climbing gear and watch out for vertigo as we scale the dizzying heights of Cairn and plumb the stereoscopic depths of the Virtual Boy. Plus news!

00:58 – Nicknames 06:18 – Blue Prince 16:37 – Cairn 33:30 – Virtual Boy 52:23 – News: N... more

The crew checks in (hotel humor!) on the 3.0 update and Switch 2 version of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the good and bad of Xbox's latest developer direct, and the horrors and sweet, sweet delights of the upcoming Virtual Boy lineup.

03:51 – Ani... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jake Kazdal
Game developer and co-founder of 17-Bit
17-Bit
Episode: 8-4 Play 2/27/2026: LEGEND OF AWAYSIS
John Lindemann
From Digital Foundry, discussing gaming technology and graphics
Digital Foundry
Episode: 8-4 Play 9/26/2025: TOKYO GAME SHOW 2025
Rob Fox
Designer producer, working on horror games such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Gunn Interactive
Episode: 8-4 Play 9/26/2025: TOKYO GAME SHOW 2025
Nick Accordion
Senior Producer at PlayStation, discussing Marvel Tokon
PlayStation
Episode: 8-4 Play 9/26/2025: TOKYO GAME SHOW 2025
Shane Bettenhausen
Industry Veteran with knowledge of various video games
Episode: 8-4 Play 9/26/2025: TOKYO GAME SHOW 2025
Thomas Nicol
Game journalist and lecturer from Germany
Episode: 8-4 Play 9/26/2025: TOKYO GAME SHOW 2025
Roy Blakely
Ghibli enthusiast and returning guest
Episode: 8-4 Play 7/25/2025: BANANZA REPUBLIC
Tina Love Review Carter
Episode: 8-4 Play 6/27/2025: SUMMER REVUE
Roy Road Warrior Blakely
Episode: 8-4 Play 6/27/2025: SUMMER REVUE

Hosts

Mark McDonald
Long-time host with a deep passion for video games and gaming culture, often sharing personal anecdotes and insights alongside praises for game design aspects.
Gabriel de León
Co-host who brings humor and insightful commentary, often focusing on new game technologies and their implications for the gaming community.
John Ricardy
Co-host known for his balanced insights into gaming and pop culture, providing a relatable voice for discussions around video games.
Tina Carter
Co-host who adds vibrancy to discussions with her strong opinions on game mechanics and popular titles, connecting personal experiences with broader industry trends.
Mark Gavings
A founding member of the team, he often integrates personal gaming history into discussions, enhancing the nostalgic aspect of episodes.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Most fun podcast around

    It's always fun to get to listen in on the gaming banter between these friends working for or associated with the localization powerhouse 8-4.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Valdi X
    Japana month ago
  • 8-4 is a 10/10

    Quest 64 battle theme, my beloved

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fenrir Leonhart
    United States3 months ago
  • If you're gonna rush, why do it at all?

    Used to really enjoy this show but they just rush through everything while trying to cover all the major news so you end up with shallow discussion and everyone seems barely interested. When they started to move to a tight 1-hour show is when everything started to go downhill.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Lord Turkish
    United States8 months ago
  • Favorite

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sir Bentok
    United Statesa year ago
  • Politics talk is ruining this 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. ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sinizar360
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners express concern over the increasing amount of political talk detracting from the gaming focus.
Engaging banter among hosts helps bring a personal touch to the gaming industry.
Great for those interested in learning about both gaming culture and industry insights.
Dynamic and lively discussions with a strong focus on Japanese culture and video games.
The perspective provided on Japanese gaming trends is particularly valued, making it a unique listening experience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#37
United States/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#174
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#30
Canada/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#41
United Kingdom/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#158
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#187
United Kingdom/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

8-4 Play 12/19/2025: PRIME MINISTRY
Q: How do you feel about the Nintendo Museum's recent updates?
The art gallery showcase was fascinating, revealing new and unseen art associated with classic games.
8-4 Play 12/19/2025: PRIME MINISTRY
Q: What are your impressions of Metroid Prime 4?
It's fine; it felt formulaic and relied too much on past designs, but still has engaging gameplay elements.
8-4 Play 1/3/2025: NEW YEAR'S ROCKIN' Q&A SPECIAL
Q: Would you like to work with any game series or publisher that you haven't yet?
Working on a project for The Legend of Dragoon 2 would be a dream.
8-4 Play 1/3/2025: NEW YEAR'S ROCKIN' Q&A SPECIAL
Q: What are your top three months to visit Japan?
March, April, and November, considering the weather and cultural experiences.
8-4 Play 1/3/2025: NEW YEAR'S ROCKIN' Q&A SPECIAL
Q: Is there any game which you feel you can't ever replay purely because your first experience with it was so memorable?
Nier Automata is one such game because the emotional journey is too significant to recreate.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About 8-4 Play

What is 8-4 Play about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features vibrant discussions about video games, particularly focusing on Japanese titles and culture. Each episode typically includes a mix of humorous banter and informative commentary, with hosts sharing personal gaming experiences, industry insights, and upcoming releases. Noteworthy elements include guest interviews with industry professionals, allowing for deeper dives into game design, technology, and the video game landscape. The overall tone is engaging and light-hearted, making it a great listen for both gaming enthusiasts and those interested in Japanese pop culture.

Listeners can expect a variety of topics ranging from classic and contemporary games to current trends in the industry. The hosts often blend their pers... more

Where can I find podcast stats for 8-4 Play?

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How many listeners does 8-4 Play get?

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What are the audience demographics for 8-4 Play?

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How many subscribers and views does 8-4 Play have?

To see how many followers or subscribers 8-4 Play has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to 8-4 Play?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 8-4 Play:

1. Retronauts
2. Triple Click
3. Game Scoop!
4. Get Played
5. The Jeff Gerstmann Show - A Podcast About Video Games

How many episodes of 8-4 Play are there?

8-4 Play launched 15 years ago and published 415 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact 8-4 Play?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for 8-4 Play?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for 8-4 Play from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on 8-4 Play?

Recent guests on 8-4 Play include:

1. Jake Kazdal
2. John Lindemann
3. Rob Fox
4. Nick Accordion
5. Shane Bettenhausen
6. Thomas Nicol
7. Roy Blakely
8. Tina Love Review Carter

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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