New Dad Gaming

DLC Bribes, Switch Repairs & Magic Cards | New Dad Gaming Ep. 363

What happens when exams meet DLC drops? This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff discuss using video games as parenting bribes—and whether it’s genius or dangerous.

Jeff negotiates with his teen over a Hunter: Call of the Wild DLC, while Trevor deals with non-activated V-Bucks chaos after a birthday gone slightly wrong. We also revisit Jeff’s miraculously repaired Switch, uncover a save file survival guide, and share Father’s Day gaming gifts—including Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering cards and a motorcycle jack!

🧠 Thoughtful moments. 🎮 Geeky parenting. 💥 Classic chaos.

 

💬 Topics Covered:

• Using games & DLCs to motivate kids during exam season
• What to do if Fortnite V-Bucks don’t activate
• PSA: Always include the receipt with game currency gifts
• Nintendo Switch blue screen repair + save file survival tips
• Father’s Day recap: Magic cards, game wishlist debates & real dad appreciation
• The right way to gift digital currency as a parent (without blowing up your weekend)

Subscribe to the Podcast!

🎧 Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772

🎧 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw

🎧 Other Platforms:
https://newdadgaming.com/

#GamingDad #ParentingAndGaming #NintendoSwitch #SwitchRepair #DLCBribes #MagicTheGathering #FortniteVBucks #FatherhoodPodcast #NewDadGaming #FinalFantasy #ExamMotivation #HunterCallOfTheWild #NintendoSwitchTips #GamingPodcast #MagicTheGatheringFinalFantasy #ParentingFails

Switch 2 Temptation & Console Tragedies | New Dad Gaming Ep. 362

A surprise Switch 2 drop, a blue screen of death, and Father’s Day gift loopholes - this episode has it all.

Trevor barely escapes the clutches of buying a brand-new Switch 2… but just barely. Meanwhile, Jeff’s aging Switch kicks the bucket in spectacular fashion, sparking a desperate race against time to recover lost Pokémon and Zelda saves. With Father's Day around the corner, could a little gaming “gift” be the loophole that lets these dads break their no-new-games vow?

The dads dive into:

• The real-world temptation of walking into a store and seeing Switch 2 on the shelf

• An unexpected $800 price tag (!!!)

• First impressions from a dad who actually got one

• The harsh reality of old hardware failing at the worst time

• How to (maybe) get away with buying a game… if your kids want to play it with you 😇

If you're a dad balancing budget, backlogs, and the burning need for 120 FPS Fortnite, this one’s for you.

 

Subscribe to the Podcast!

🎧 Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772

🎧 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw

🎧 Other Platforms:
https://newdadgaming.com/

Night Rain Temptations & Switch 2 FOMO | New Dad Gaming Ep. 361

This week, Trevor and Jeff face their greatest challenge yet: resisting the urge to break their no-new-games vow. With the Elden Ring Nightreign expansion stealing the spotlight and rumors of a Nintendo Switch 2 release buzzing, the temptation is real.

Meanwhile, one dad's teen dives headfirst into Dungeons & Dragons, sparking memories and hopes of future family campaigns. Plus: Elden Ring co-op fails, Fortnite struggles on old hardware, and the eternal dad debate - do you cave when that shiny new console is calling your name from behind the GameStop counter?

👨‍👧‍👦 This podcast is for all gaming dads trying to balance family, fatherhood, and frame rates.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes where we explore the joys and challenges of being a dad who games.

💬 Topics Covered:
Elden Ring: Nightreign – worth it for dads?

Nintendo Switch 2 – will we or won’t we?

D&D family nights and teen game clubs

Gaming dad guilt vs. gamer joy

#GamingDad #EldenRing #NightRain #Switch2 #NintendoSwitch2 #DadGaming #ParentingAndGaming #DnD #FamilyGaming #NewDadGaming #FortniteOnSwitch #EldenRingDLC #SteamDeckVsSwitch #DungeonsAndDragons #GamingPodcast #FatherhoodPodcast

Temptation Denied, Goat Madness, and Magic The Gathering Costs

After a brief break (no disasters—just dad life), Trevor and Jeff are back to talk about holding strong in their no new games challenge—sort of. Jeff’s been tearing up the zombie roads in Days Gone, teaching his kids how to shop smart with Goat Simulator 3, and even… dabbling in Magic: The Gathering for the first time ever (blame the Final Fantasy crossover). Trevor manages to resist Oblivion Remastered and the eternal temptation of Days Gone, but it’s clear the struggle is real.

Also in this episode:

• 🐐 Kids go wild with Goat Simulator 3

• 🧙 Jeff discovers the overwhelming complexity (and cost!) of Magic: The Gathering

• 🏍 Days Gone proves a surprisingly deep and satisfying zombie sandbox

• 👶 Why it really does get easier as a dad—potty training, car seats, and nap schedules, be gone

• 🎮 The dads reflect on milestone wins and encourage new parents in the thick of it

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Gaming Dad Hall of Fame Picks (Family-Friendly Hits):

• ✅ Boomerang Fu

• ✅ Goat Simulator 3

• 💬 (More suggestions welcome! Let us know what makes your list.)

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Links & Subscribe:

🔗 Website: https://newdadgaming.com
🎧 Spotify: New Dad Gaming on Spotify
🎧 Apple Podcasts: New Dad Gaming on Apple

Dad Court: Minecraft Mayhem, Backlog Betrayals, and the Temptation of Oblivion | New Dad Gaming Ep. 359

This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff hold a special session of Dad Court to determine if their backlog challenge has been broken—or if there’s still hope for their gaming honor. Spoiler: Jeff may have withheld some crucial evidence…

Jeff confesses to a near-miss after buying (and refunding) Elite Dangerous over a cockpit color mod—but later drops the bomb that he bought the Oblivion Remaster. Can the court forgive a purchase that feels so right? Trevor also stands trial for getting dangerously close to a Switch 2 pre-order while helping his brother secure one during the pre-order madness. Temptation is real, gaming dads.

Also in this episode:

• Minecraft movie thoughts (like a fun, chaotic SNL skit)

• The fear of Minecraft theater chaos and TikTok popcorn wars

• Why Oblivion Remaster has restored faith in Bethesda (for now)

• Why sticking to your backlog is so hard when the glow-ups look this good

• The looming reality of $100 Switch 2 games

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Subscribe to the Podcast!

🎧 Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772

🎧 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw

🎧 Other Platforms:
https://newdadgaming.com/

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Tags:

#NewDadGaming #GamingDads #DadCourt #MinecraftMovie #Switch2 #OblivionRemaster #BacklogChallenge #GamingBacklog #NoNewGamesChallenge #ParentingAndGaming #ElderScrolls #MinecraftPopcornChaos

Minecraft Movie Madness, Missed Projects, and Surprise Nerf Birthdays | New Dad Gaming Ep. 358

This week on New Dad Gaming, Jeff and Trevor trade parenting war stories as they navigate teenage moods, missed school projects, and the absolute chaos of Minecraft movie culture. From last-minute movie plans to self-imposed consequences, the dads explore how to discipline with empathy—and hold the line when games are on the line.

Jeff recounts how a missed project turned into a teachable moment (and a canceled Minecraft movie trip), while Trevor pulls back game time after surprise bad grades. Both dads are impressed by how their kids accepted the consequences—grumpy but mature—and reflect on how modern parenting is shifting away from the old-school punishment roulette.

But the surprises don’t end there. Jeff battles venue limbo while planning a private Minecraft movie birthday party—dodging popcorn-throwing trends and last-minute confirmations from a theater that seemingly doesn’t want his money. Meanwhile, Trevor gets played by his own son, who turns a casual Nerf hangout into a full-blown surprise birthday party with seven wild kids, Nerf darts, pizza, and loot bags.

Also in this episode:

• The viral Minecraft movie theater chaos (what is a Chicken Jockey?)

• Old-school punishment vs. parenting with logic

• Jason Momoa as a “nerd”? Bold move, kid.

• Birthday party expectations vs. reality

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Subscribe to the Podcast!

🎧 Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772

🎧 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw

🎧 Other Platforms:
https://newdadgaming.com/

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Tags:

#NewDadGaming #ParentingFails #MinecraftMovie #ChickenJockey #GamingDads #ModernParenting #BirthdaySurprises #DadPodcast #GamingAndParenting #MinecraftChaos #NerfBattle #NoGamesNoFun #NewDadLife

The Switch 2 Switch-Up, Mario Kart Open World, and a Surprise Elden Ring Successor | New Dad Gaming Ep. 357

This week on New Dad Gaming, it’s all about the Nintendo Switch 2. Trevor and Jeff dive into Nintendo’s massive announcement, breaking down the upgraded hardware, surprising launch titles, and some truly unexpected exclusives—including Dusk Blood, a spiritual successor to Elden Ring that’s only coming to Switch 2 (!). Has Nintendo officially won over the dad gamers?

The new Mario Kart World gets a lot of love too, with an open-world racing mode that mixes Burnout Paradise vibes with classic kart chaos. From dolphin drivers to the iconic Moo Moo cow, Nintendo’s bringing the magic for kids—and the nostalgia for dads.

Other highlights include:

• New features like Game Chat and Game Share that let up to four consoles play the same game without extra downloads.

• Switch 2’s game streaming, 4K docked output, and 120Hz handheld support.

• The long-awaited return of GameCube games, including Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi’s Mansion, Fire Emblem, and more.

• Launch titles like Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Street Fighter 6, and a Kirby racing game no one asked for.

The dads also discuss the new Zelda Notes AI Assistant, a built-in game coach that eerily resembles something they just talked about on a previous episode. Is New Dad Gaming influencing the industry? They’ll let you decide.

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Subscribe to the Podcast!

🎧 Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772

🎧 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw

🎧 Other Platforms:
https://newdadgaming.com/

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Tags:

#NewDadGaming #Switch2 #MarioKartWorld #EldenRing #BloodborneSuccessor #DuskBlood #GameCubeReturns #GamingDads #NintendoSwitch2 #PortableGaming #ZeldaNotes #GameChat #GameShare #ParentingAndGaming #GamingPodcast #DadGamers

AI Game Coaches, Elden Ring Redemption, and Letting Go of Teen Independence | New Dad Gaming Ep. 356

This week on New Dad Gaming, the dads are back in the saddle after a run of sickness, vacation, and dad exhaustion. Trevor returns to Elden Ring—this time without cheats—and finds himself rediscovering the magic of adventure, danger, and dumb deaths in FromSoftware’s punishing open world. But with limited dad time, he turns to an unexpected ally: AI game coaching. Using ChatGPT with a custom prompt, he gets real-time build advice, weapon comparisons, and leveling tips—all tailored to his skill level and playstyle. It’s a game-changer for busy dads.

Jeff and Trevor dig into the future of AI in gaming. From Gran Turismo’s Sophie AI to Microsoft's investment in OpenAI, are we approaching a new age of in-game helpers, smarter bots, and system-level guides that eliminate the need for YouTube rabbit holes?

On the parenting side, Jeff reflects on a huge milestone: letting his teenager go to a sleepover at a house where he hasn’t met the parents. The shift from full control to guidance, trust, and independent communication is real—and so are the growing pains.

Also in this episode:

• Nostalgic memories of sleepovers powered by instant coffee and Halo

• Xbox’s leaked Steam integration tab and what it could mean for console-PC crossplay

• The dream of every game, everywhere—no more platform wars
  
  

Subscribe to the Podcast!

🎧 Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772

🎧 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw

🎧 Other Platforms:
https://newdadgaming.com/

 

#NewDadGaming #GamingDads #EldenRing #AIinGaming #ChatGPTGaming #SteamOnXbox #ParentingTeens #GamingPodcast #DadGamers #ConsoleVsPC #FromSoftware #PortableGaming #XboxSteam #LetThemGrow #GamingLife

Gaming Through the Plague, Steam Deck Saves the Day, and League of Legends Dad Challenge | New Dad Gaming Ep. 355

This week on New Dad Gaming, Jeff barely makes it back from the brink after being taken down by the dreaded dad plague—but thanks to the Steam Deck, he managed to game his way through recovery. Trevor and Jeff discuss how portable gaming is perfect for sick days, and why handheld gaming may be entering a new golden age.

 

Speaking of challenges, Jeff officially steps into League of Legends after watching Arcane—but is immediately hit with new player overwhelm, 170 characters to choose from, and a community that isn’t as toxic as expected (yet). Will he be able to hold his own in a father-son showdown, or is he already doomed to be carried by his kid?

 

Meanwhile, Trevor finishes Spider-Man (!) but sets his sights on something much tougher: Elden Ring. With his gaming backlog cleared (for now), he embarks on a fresh journey through FromSoftware’s brutal world, seeking adventure, frustration, and a whole lot of you died screens.

 

Also in this episode: Steam Deck game streaming surprises, resisting the temptation of free games, and the dream of a Half-Life 3 announcement that will never come.

 

Subscribe to the Podcast!

 

🎧 Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772

 

🎧 Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw

 

🎧 Other Platforms:

https://newdadgaming.com/

 

Tags:

 

#NewDadGaming #GamingDads #SteamDeck #LeagueOfLegends #EldenRing #SpiderManGame #ParentingAndGaming #PortableGaming #GamingPodcast #DadLifeAndGaming

Steam Deck Joins the Family, V-Bucks Bribery, and League of Legends Challenge | New Dad Gaming Ep. 354

This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff welcome a new gaming dad into the Steam Deck Brigade! A listener writes in about choosing between a gaming PC and a Steam Deck—did they make the right choice? Jeff shares his insights on why the Steam Deck continues to be a fantastic option for dads on the go.

Meanwhile, V-Bucks have officially entered Trevor’s household—but not without some classic gaming dad negotiation. Did bribery finally break the gaming dad fortress? How do parents navigate the microtransaction minefield with kids in Fortnite? The dads discuss strategies, compromises, and whether this is just the beginning.

Also, Jeff has never played League of Legends, but after watching Arcane, he's intrigued. Can he survive a League of Legends challenge against his son with only a few hours of training? The dads outline a hilarious potential challenge that may just end in complete gaming dad humiliation.

Plus, Jeff wonders why Days Gone is getting a remaster, and Trevor dodges yet another tempting addition to his gaming backlog challenge.

Subscribe to the Podcast!

🎧 Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772

🎧 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw

🎧 Other Platforms:
https://newdadgaming.com/

 

#NewDadGaming #GamingDads #SteamDeck #PCGaming #Fortnite #Vbucks #ParentingAndGaming #LeagueOfLegends #ArcaneNetflix #DaysGone #GamingBacklog #DadLifeAndGaming #GamingPodcast