New Dad Gaming

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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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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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
  
  

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#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.

 

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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.

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

Backlog Progress, Balatro Controversy, and the Spider-Man Reality Check | New Dad Gaming Ep. 353

The dads are back with a backlog challenge update! Trevor thought he was nearly done with Spider-Man Remastered… until he realized he was only halfway through. Jeff, meanwhile, has to resist the temptation of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 while his son dives deep into Balatro—which brings up a discussion about gaming, gambling, and the importance of guiding our kids through digital experiences. Also, Trevor takes on UFO 50’s surprisingly brutal first game and Jeff actually finishes something!

Key Topics Covered:

• Trevor’s Spider-Man Remastered reality check: Wait, I’m only halfway?
• Jeff finishes Gran Turismo 7—the first backlog victory!
• Balatro and the gambling discussion: When is a game just a game?
• The challenge of resisting Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and other upcoming temptations.
• Trevor’s fight with UFO 50’s Dark Souls-like difficulty.
• The best non-alcoholic beers for dads who want to take a break but still enjoy a drink.

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Episode Hashtags:

#GamingDads #BacklogChallenge #Balatro #Parenting #SpiderManRemastered #Fortnite #VideoGames #Fatherhood #NewDadGaming

Tackling the Backlog Challenge | New Dad Gaming Ep. 352

The dads are taking on a gaming challenge for 2025—no new games, just tackling their massive backlogs! Inspired by a listener, Trevor and Jeff set out to finally complete the games they've collected over the years. They discuss their personal goals, the struggles of resisting new releases, and the surprising discovery that Fortnite has its own version of Roblox-style content. Will they stick to the plan? Tune in to find out!

Key Topics Covered:

• The Backlog Challenge – no new games in 2025!
• Trevor's shocking discovery: Roblox-style games inside Fortnite.
• Strategies to resist buying new releases and enjoy what they already own.
• Jeff's daunting RPG list and Trevor's Fallout New Vegas confession.
• How listeners can join the challenge and share their progress.

Join the backlog challenge! Share your backlog list and progress with us at New Dad Gaming or connect with us on social media @newdadgaming.

#GamingDads #BacklogChallenge #Fortnite #Parenting #NoNewGames #VideoGames #Fatherhood #GamingLife #NewDadGaming

Switch 2 Revealed, Fortnite's Gaming Dad Takeover, and Baldur's Gate 3 Fails | New Dad Gaming Ep.351

This week on New Dad Gaming, the dads dive into the much-anticipated reveal of the Switch 2! Trevor and Jeff share their gaming dad perspectives on what this new console means for families and gamers alike, speculate on pricing, and discuss potential launch titles (Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, anyone?).

Fortnite has also taken over Trevor’s household, replacing Roblox as the go-to game for his kids. He shares insights into the joys of playing alongside them and the lessons learned in setting gaming boundaries. Meanwhile, Jeff recounts his hilarious Baldur's Gate 3 fail, where a missed decision turned the game into an accidental hardcore mode.

From gaming dad fails to celebrating wins (including some surprising Fortnite victories!), this episode is packed with relatable stories and lighthearted dad humor.

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Tags:
#NewDadGaming #gamingdads #Switch2 #NintendoSwitch2 #Fortnite #FamilyGaming #GamingFails #BaldursGate3 #ParentingAndGaming #GamingPodcast #DadLifeAndGaming #FamilyAndTechnology

Gaming Dad Resolutions: More Family Time, Backlog Gaming, and No New Games! | New Dad Gaming Ep. 350

As the year draws to a close, the New Dad Gaming duo shares their heartfelt hopes and resolutions for the new year. Trevor and Jeff reflect on cherishing the precious moments with their kids while they’re still young and finding better ways to carve out time for their gaming hobby amidst the chaos of dad life.

Inspired by listener and friend of the show Torey, the dads take on a bold new commitment: no new game purchases in the coming year. Instead, they’ll focus on tackling their ever-growing backlogs—because who doesn’t have a library of games waiting for their turn in the spotlight?

Join the dads for a candid, inspiring, and lighthearted conversation about family, gaming goals, and the joys (and challenges) of balancing it all.

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Tags:
#NewDadGaming #gamingdads #NewYearsResolutions #FamilyTimeGoals #BacklogGaming #NoNewGamesChallenge #DadLifeAndGaming #ParentingAndHobbies #VideoGameBacklog #GamingGoals #FamilyAndGaming #GamingPodcast #CherishTheMoment #gamingresolutions

Gaming Dad Christmas Poem, Year in Review, and the Games We Loved (or Quit) | New Dad Gaming Ep. 349"

This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor surprises Jeff (again!) with a heartfelt and hilarious Gaming Dad Christmas poem to kick off the holiday season. Tune in as the dads dive into a year-end review of the games that defined their parenting and gaming lives in 2024.

Jeff seeks to create a Christmas memory gifting his family a Meta Quest, Trevor discusses dabbling in Marvel Snap (and ultimately walking away), watching the kids dominate Roblox, and enjoying Final Fantasy Rebirth, to exploring quirky titles like Palworld and intense co-op in HellDivers 2—this episode is packed with reflections, laughs, and relatable dad moments.

Close out the year with Trevor and Jeff as they share their favorite gaming memories, celebrate the wins, and laugh at the losses. Cheers to another year of balancing dad life with the gaming grind!

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Tags:
#NewDadGaming #gamingdads #GamingYearInReview #MarvelSnap #FinalFantasyRebirth #Palworld #Helldivers2 #dadlifeandgaming #parentingandgaming #gamingpoem #gamingpodcast #gamingmemories2024 #familygaming #Robloxkids #gamingstories #videogameparenting #Christmasdads