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Artwork for Watch Out for Fireballs!

Watch Out for Fireballs!

Duckfeed.tv
Cyberpunk 2077
Nintendo
Video Games
Wasteland 3
Horror Games
The Last Door
Mass Effect
Super Mario 64
Resident Evil 6
The Talos Principle
Diablo II
Game Design
Super Mario World
Skald: Against the Black Priory
Realms Of the Haunting
Capcom
Mouthwashing
Outer Wilds: Echoes Of the Eye
Against the Storm
Dark Souls

Watch Out for Fireballs! is a game club podcast that covers video games from every era, from retro to newer releases, indie to AAA. Each week we dive deep into the game's mechanics and narrative to figure out what works and what doesn't. Hosted by Gary Butterfield and Kaye Ross, this show has been going since 2011. New episodes every Thursday. For full versions of our premium episodes, back us at ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes809Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Video GamesLeisure

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Artwork for Watch Out for Fireballs!

Latest Episodes

This week we continue our discussion of Ogre Battle 64, a sprawling and mysterious strategy game that eventually sheds the need for using strategy all together. It’s also a story of revolution that stops being about a revolution partway through. This... more

YouTube

Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber was a big game that many, including us, missed out on. It’s a followup to a cult classic RTS for the SNES, and it follows Magnus Gallant, a young noble who ends up leading a revolution against his own kingdom.... more

YouTube

We read your responses for Neon White, Grunn, Parodius and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

Upcoming Games:

August:

*

Ogre Battle 64

*

Dispatch (Premium)

September:

*

Pacific Drive

*

Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel

*

The Saboteur (Prem... more

We spilled these answers everywhere. What a mess. Somebody is going to have to clean this up.

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Gwen Static
Guest host on this episode
Episode: Watch Out For Fireballs 520: Neon White
Bob Mackey
Member of Retronauts, a long-running retro gaming podcast
Retronauts
Episode: [PREVIEW] Watch Out for Fireballs! Premium: The Best and Worst 7/10 Games (feat. Retronauts)
Jeremy Parish
Member of Retronauts, a long-running retro gaming podcast
Retronauts
Episode: [PREVIEW] Watch Out for Fireballs! Premium: The Best and Worst 7/10 Games (feat. Retronauts)

Hosts

Gary Butterfield
Host of Watch Out for Fireballs!; leads discussion and guides conversations across episodes.
Kaye Ross
Co-host who participates in discussion and analysis alongside the primary host.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.5k ratings
  • The best!

    Some of the only people on the internet that are actually good at talking about video games! Modridge rules

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bigoldgorpy100
    United States4 months ago
  • It's not edited to hell and back or full of ads (just patreon stuff mostly) which puts WOFF above the vast majority of podcasts in general, these days. Also Gary and Kaye talk refreshingly little about combat sports.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    sambair
    4 months ago
  • Didn't work for me

    I personally play Metroidvanias almost exclusively and this is the first gaming podcast I ever tried. I thought content was ok (ocassionally an interesting comment or context), but I listened to three episodes (Aria of Sorrow, Ender Lillies, Tunic or at least the public part) and in all three they just complained about the combat (or bosses) being too hard. I should probably have tried to find one game they liked to see what they're into. But if you want a podcast that complains about combat a l... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    OdedGu
    United States4 months ago
  • A chore to listen to

    Constant passive aggressiveness and a slog to listen to. Kaye is especially dry and boring but Gary’s pick me energy is even worse.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dopetydopedope
    United States4 months ago
  • I used to really like them but the endless media references and in-jokes with no context or explanation, and the way one host seems to strong-arm the other's opinions wore me out. I haven't watched the Simpsons or King of the Hill much so I have no idea what they are talking about sometimes. Also, they misappropriate terms like "critical thinking" from academic analysis, in a way that suggests they might think it means "negative criticism" which it doesn't, necessarily.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    RPL
    4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many highlight strong host chemistry and long-running, reliable coverage.
A portion notes premium content and Patreon-supported episodes as a value add.
Some comment on perceived tone or political notes, with mixed reactions to controversial takes.
Listeners praise deep, nuanced analyses of both retro and modern titles.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Watch Out For Fireballs Dispatch July 2026
Q: Would you consider inviting industry guests again, and what would guide that choice?
They reflect that they've done guests before but feel unsure about their interview skills and currently prefer a more exploratory or retrospective format; they may revisit guest appearances if the framing is clearly value-adding and not taxing on their workflow.
Watch Out For Fireballs Dispatch July 2026
Q: If there is a big hope for future Marvel content, what would you want to cover next?
They express interest in revisiting Days of Future Cast-era Marvel discussions and Doomsday for X-Men, while acknowledging the challenge of balancing past host dynamics and new casts, and they note the difficulty of recapturing Jeremy's presence.
Watch Out for Fireballs Dispatch: Q3 Roundup
Q: What is your production process for the podcast (outline vs script, inputs, etc.)?
We create an outline rather than a full script, combine inputs from both hosts, and rely on a flexible structure to keep things cohesive without rigidity.
Watch Out for Fireballs Dispatch: Game Breaks
Q: What do you think about the balance between story and gameplay in modern games?
We find that some games shine when they let the gameplay breathe and let emergent narratives surface through mechanics, while others succeed with a tighter direct narrative; the sweet spot depends on the game's core design goals and what the player is there to do.
WOFF Dispatch: When It's Not For You
Q: What animal sidekick would you inflict maximum annoyance on your co-host?
Gary suggests a super ape from the Rampage film for Kaye, while Kaye picks lying cat for Will, noting the truth-telling aspect.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Watch Out for Fireballs!

What is Watch Out for Fireballs! about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-running game club show that digs into mechanics, design, and narrative across retro and modern titles, from indie to AAA. Hosts explore why certain systems click, how storytelling and lore intersect, and how community and premium content shape the experience. Expect thoughtful, opinionated discussions, a mix of deep dives into specific games, and candid reflections on running a small podcast network, conventions, and live events. The format values thorough analysis with a humorous, conversational vibe, and notable episodes spotlight premium-content shifts, live appearances, and ongoing series coverage. This mix likely attracts listeners who love both classic and contemporary games and enjoy appreciating design details as well as pers... more

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How many listeners does Watch Out for Fireballs! get?

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What are the audience demographics for Watch Out for Fireballs!?

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How many subscribers and views does Watch Out for Fireballs! have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Watch Out for Fireballs! 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 Watch Out for Fireballs!?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Watch Out for Fireballs!:

1. The Cane and Rinse videogame podcast
2. Retronauts
3. Abject Suffering
4. Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast
5. Remember The Game? Retro Gaming Podcast

How many episodes of Watch Out for Fireballs! are there?

Watch Out for Fireballs! launched 15 years ago and published 809 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 Watch Out for Fireballs!?

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.

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What guests have appeared on Watch Out for Fireballs!?

Recent guests on Watch Out for Fireballs! include:

1. Gwen Static
2. Bob Mackey
3. Jeremy Parish

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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