Teacher. Writes about video games, designs board games 🫠 Co-creator of @PlayRadishGames and @MemCardShow. As seen on Polygon, Game Informer, APWOT and more!
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Articles by Ben Bertoli
Match & Drop: Pachinko Rush
The New Street Fighter Movie Gets Savaged By Critics, But Not Everyone Hates It Massive GTA 6 Banner In Paris Censors All Of The Guns Battlefield 6 Gets Slammed For More Slop Slipping Through: ‘Charging Players $$$ For AI-Generated Content Is Peak Disrespect’ The Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave Expansion Pass Adds Stories For Those Other Four Protagonists The Game Was Supposed To Have
Neo Bananas - Kotaku
It’s 21XX and you’re the last gorilla on Earth. Barely saved by a group of humans and upgraded into a cyborg, you’re trying to take down the evil tech corporation that made your species extinct. Most fruits on Earth have been hoarded by the tech giants to power their datacenters and machines, and have been replaced by a digitally-altered synthetic version called “Neo Fruits”. Your goal is to follow the trail of Neo Bananas and destroy all of them.
Citizen Pain II - Kotaku
The Best Games Of 2022 (So Far) From critical darlings like Pentiment to mega-hits like God of War Ragnarök , 2022 has provided no shortage of terrific games for players of all tastes
Luz Mala - Kotaku
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies — The Kotaku Review This follow-up to Disco Elysium is righteously angry at the state of the world, though sometimes its anger gets the better of it
Volleyball Arena
Volleyball Arena is a fast-paced online 1v1 volleyball game developed and published by Miniclip. Players compete in real-time matches using simple controls, realistic physics, power-ups, and a variety of unlockable characters. The game features multiple arenas around the world and progression through character upgrades and customization.
Noodle Jump - Kotaku
Jump, Noodle, Jump! Or else you will be eaten by the horrifying giants! Will there ever be an end to your torture or even a chance for payback? Jump higher than any Noodle before to meet your one and only God…
Books for Bad Neighbors
Run a 199X bookshop by mail. Every order tells you what someone plans to do. Decide what to sell, and to whom.
Awaken in Fear - Kotaku
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots: The Kotaku Review Darth Vader Wants Flock Surveillance Cameras In Cities To ‘Find The Rebel Scum’ And ‘Stalk My Ex-Girlfriend’ Jason Flying A Plane In The New GTA 6 Leak Has Me More Excited Than Any Previous Trailer Geoff Keighley Explains The Key To Getting In The Gamescom Showcase For Free Is Having Something Exciting To Reveal
8bit Salvage - Kotaku
An incremental cleaning game about a tiny salvage shop that takes retired game sprites and scrubs them for the pixels they’re made of. Scrub the art, reclaim the pixels, sell the salvage, and upgrade your equipment – while goo, roller brushes, and mutation waves turn a calm cleanup into chaos. Scrub old game art. Save the pixels. Clean through chaos.
Blue Flag Down, Guard Up
A Semi-Complete Guide To The Utterly Bonkers Lore Of The Resident Evil With Requiem almost here, we'll bring you up to speed on all the wild happenings that have come before
Retro Slam Tennis
Retro Slam Tennis is a full-on role-playing experience where if you work hard and hone your skills then you can be the “new star” in world tennis!
Review: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has returned, again
Donkey Kong Country Returns just won’t stop returning. Players may recall the game’s initial launch for the Wii in 2010 and perhaps even the updated Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D for the 3DS from 2013, but that’s just the tip of the banana hoard.
40 Years Later, Nintendo's Famicom Is Still Ahead Of Its Time
Introduction As 1983 came into focus, the future of video games in North America looked bleak. Store shelves were crowded with poorly made games, and consumer interest waned substantially. Developers that ushered in the “golden age” of arcades and the first two generations of home consoles began to crash and burn at an alarming pace. In no time, the once billion-dollar industry was reduced to rubble.
How Studio MDHR Builds A Cuphead Boss Original
Introduction The story of Cuphead is indie gaming legend. Brothers Chad and Jared Moldenhauer worked for years, risking their finances founding Studio MDHR and hiring a host of talented artists and animators to bring their tough-as-nails run ‘n’ gun game to life. The gamble paid off in spades.
Playdate’s crank control input has been an idea 8 years in the making
Since the introduction of portable gaming, each new handheld has been designed to stand out from the crowd — which has often meant more power, but also unique features that some might consider gimmicks. The Microvision introduced swappable cartridges. The Game & Watch kept track of time. The Game Gear featured color visuals and drained six AA batteries in a matter of hours.
Waiting for Santa
by Ben Bertoli The public was under the impression, and rightly so, that Santa Claus was a fairytale. A collection of stories and tall tales passed down to enchant children, to trick them into fixing their act as the darkness of winter and the cheer of the holiday season both loomed. And who could blame the average adult for not believing? Nothing about who Santa was or what he could supposedly accomplish in a single night was remotely believable.
The Influence And Legacy Of Lego Island
Far out in a digital ocean of blue bricks sits the often-forgotten Lego Island. It represents the true beginning of a silly and customisable universe that has brought enjoyment to millions of players around the globe. Lego sets have been entertaining children and adults since 1949, when the Danish company began to mass produce their famous interlocking bricks.
I'm Finally Appreciating Pokémon Snap
Video game fans can be an entitled bunch. When they latch onto a popular series or genre it isn’t long before they begin demanding the next iteration meet certain criteria and levels of excellence. But game companies don’t always give fans what they want, and many times the most invested players can have a difficult time accepting this reality. Editor’s Note: This story has been retimed following the long-awaited announcement of New Pokemon Snap this morning.
Thanks As Always Kotaku For Letting Us Host The Site For The Weekend!
Thanks as always Kotaku for letting us host the site for the weekend! Hope you enjoyed our thoughts on Animal Crossing, the XBox, Starfleet, Trails, the Famicom, robot revolutions and more. While all good things do come to an end, sometimes they can come back in mysterious forms.
The Week In Games: Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This
Screenshot: Media Molecule Media Molecule’s ambitious game-building system, Dreams, is officially launching this week, which means we can all finally experience the immense pressure of being an indie game developer. The Dreams beta has been out for nearly a year, so there should be plenty to play around with once the game finally hits this Friday.
I Tried More Weird Cereals So You Don't Have To
Photo: Ben Bertoli The world of breakfast cereal is an ever-changing battle ground, ruled by dependable classics and littered with the broken boxes of sugar-coated newcomers. Only you, the consumer, can shape the outcome of this century-long struggle to rule “the most important meal of the day.” OK, maybe cereal selection isn’t quite that serious. One year ago that I sat down to review seven of the most intriguing cereals I could find on U.S. store shelves, and now... I’m back to do it again.
A new video from Bandai Namco reveals both Ultra Instinct Goku and female Super Saiyan Kefla will be
A new video from Bandai Namco reveals both Ultra Instinct Goku and female Super Saiyan Kefla will be joining the Dragon Ball FighterZ roster this spring as part of FighterZ Pass 3. Kefla is a fusion of fan favorite Dragon Ball Super characters Caulifla and Kale. Hope you’re ready to eat your vegetables.
The Famicom's Built-In Microphone Was Wonderfully Weird
Photo: Evan Amos There have always been slight regional differences between consoles, but when the Nintendo Entertainment System hit store shelves in the fall of 1985 it had been stripped of nearly all the form and charm of its Japanese counterpart. It was clear that Nintendo didn’t want the NES to be seen as a cheery “family computer,” but rather a hulking grey gaming VCR from the not-so-distant future. The Famicom was significantly smaller than the NES, as were its colourful cartridges.
The Famicom’s Built-In Microphone Was Wonderfully Weird
Total RecallTotal RecallTotal Recall is a look back at the history of video games through their characters, franchises, developers and trends. There have always been slight regional differences between consoles, but when the Nintendo Entertainment System hit store shelves in the fall of 1985 it had been stripped of nearly all the form and charm of its Japanese counterpart.
I Finally Got My First Xbox
Illustration: Ben Bertoli I’ve never wanted to own an Xbox console, if I’m being completely honest. For the past 19 years Microsoft has put out exclusive after exclusive that don’t appeal to me in the slightest. The consistency is actually kind of impressive. Not that Xbox consoles or exclusives are poorly made — they’re just usually not for me.
I Finally Got My First Xbox
Illustration: Ben Bertoli I’ve never wanted to own an Xbox console, if I’m being completely honest. For the past 19 years Microsoft has put out exclusive after exclusive that don’t appeal to me in the slightest. The consistency is actually kind of impressive. Not that Xbox consoles or exclusives are poorly made — they’re just usually not for me.
Sunday Comics: You Stupid Idiot
Hello! It’s time for Kotaku’s Sunday Comics, your weekly roundup of the best webcomics. The images enlarge if you click on the magnifying glass icon. Corpse Run by Alex Di Stasi. Published Feb. 2. Read more of Corpse Run. (This week’s comic was for Hourly Comic Day and it was a bit long, check it out here) Awkward Zombie by Katie Tiedrich. Originally published Mar. 24. Read more of Awkward Zombie. Clueless Hero by Luis Lee and Ana Gaby Perez. Published Jan. 27. Read more of Clueless Hero.
Sunday Comics: You Stupid Idiot
Hello! It’s time for Kotaku’s Sunday Comics, your weekly roundup of the best webcomics. The images enlarge if you click on the magnifying glass icon. Corpse Run by Alex Di Stasi. Published Feb. 2. Read more of Corpse Run. (This week’s comic was for Hourly Comic Day and it was a bit long, check it out here) Awkward Zombie by Katie Tiedrich. Originally published Mar. 24. Read more of Awkward Zombie. Clueless Hero by Luis Lee and Ana Gaby Perez. Published Jan. 27. Read more of Clueless Hero.
I Tried More Weird Cereals So You Don't Have To
The world of breakfast cereal is an ever-changing battle ground, ruled by dependable classics and littered with the broken boxes of sugar-coated newcomers. Only you, the consumer, can shape the outcome of this century-long struggle to rule “the most important meal of the day.” Ok, maybe cereal selection isn’t quite that serious. One year ago that I sat down to review seven of the most intriguing cereals I could find on store shelves, and now... I’m back to do it again.
The Owl House Is Off To An Enchanting Start
Image: Disney While animated shows often cater to specific age groups, there are many that strive for a mix of humour, action, and emotional weight that can appeal to all audiences. The cartoons that manage this feat always seem to draw a devoted following overnight. The Owl House, which premiered on Disney Channel this past month, appears to be the newest addition to this magical middle ground.
An Ode To The NPCs We've Robbed
Hi Kotaku! It’s Ben, Narelle, and Peter back as your guest writers for the weekend. It’s been too long! Since we were last here, we’ve travelled to many worlds, visited countless cities, and met some of the most unique NPCs in gaming. The one factor that they all share is that they have items, gold, meseta, rupees, gil, rare treasures, hearts, and more within their habitats that are there for our taking.
The Owl House Is Off To An Enchanting Start
While animated shows often cater to specific age groups, there are many that strive for a mix of humor, action, and emotional weight that can appeal to all audiences. The cartoons that manage this feat always seem to draw a devoted following overnight. The Owl House, which premiered on Disney Channel this past month, appears to be the newest addition to this magical middle ground.
That Time Nintendo Took The Game Boy (and Pokémon) Online
When it comes to online play and digital distribution, Nintendo always seem two steps behind its competitors. But things weren’t always like this, at least in Japan. Back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s Nintendo actually brought both the Famicom and Super Famicom (known as the NES and SNES elsewhere) online via powerful console peripherals like the Famicom Modem and the Satellaview. Users could download games, trade stocks, read digital magazines and more with these bulky add-ons.
The Original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Soundtrack Is Still A Blast
Gaming series known for their superior soundtracks often have one thing in common — a wide array of powerful or catchy music orchestrated to fit a specific environment. Though plenty of games (mostly annual sports series) have used popular prerecorded tunes as part of their soundtrack in the past, they rarely stand out from the crowd. But Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater did, and two decades later it remains one of the most iconic game soundtracks of the late ‘90s and early ‘00s.
Looking Back On Dragon Ball Z's Best Filler Episode
When the Dragon Ball Z anime premiered in April of 1989, it was a mere six months behind its Dragon Ball manga source material. For a show that aired every single weekday without fail, this wasn’t much of a gap to fill. It was important to the Dragon Ball Z showrunners that the anime storyline never surpass the manga, for fear of spoiling the ongoing plot for dedicated fans.
Sunday Comics: That's Kinda Dumb
Hello! It’s time for Kotaku’s Sunday Comics, your weekly roundup of the best webcomics. The images enlarge if you click on the magnifying glass icon. Awkward Zombie by Katie Tiedrich. Published Aug 19. Read more of Awkward Zombie. Corpse Run by Alex Di Stasi. Published Aug. 22. Read more of Corpse Run. Clueless Hero by Luis Lee and Ana Gaby Perez. Published Aug. 19. Read more of Clueless Hero. Double XP by M.S. Corley and Josh Crandall. Published Aug. 22. Read more of Double XP.
7 Classic Cartoons That Deserve A TV Special
Illustration: Nickelodeon With a wide variety of animated movies and TV series accessible around the clock, it’s easy for viewers to fall into the bottomless pit of nostalgia that is streaming classic cartoons. While Hulu, whose selection includes the likes of Rugrats, Dexter’s Lab, and Dragon Ball, is undoubtedly the current champion of throwback cartoon streaming, they’re not the only service pandering to children of the ‘90s and early ‘00s.
The Week In Games: Off The Chain!
It’s almost September, and you know what that means. It’s time to ride the cybernetic battle cat of your dreams into the alien frey. Huzzah! PlatinumGames’ newest Nintendo exclusive is finally here, and it looks like it might actually live up to the hype. I still don’t really understand what the game is about, but the main characters are very attractive and the stylized combat looks like a rip-roarin’ good time.
The Original Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Soundtrack Is Still A Blast
Gaming series known for their superior soundtracks often have one thing in common — a wide array of powerful or catchy music orchestrated to fit a specific environment. Though plenty of games (mostly annual sports series) have used popular prerecorded tunes as part of their soundtrack in the past, they rarely stand out from the crowd. But Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater did, and two decades later it remains one of the most iconic game soundtracks of the late ‘90s and early ‘00s.
That Time Nintendo Took the Game Boy (and Pokémon) Online
Total RecallTotal RecallTotal Recall is a look back at the history of video games through their characters, franchises, developers and trends. When it comes to online play and digital distribution, Nintendo always seem two steps behind its competitors. But things weren’t always like this, at least in Japan.
Psst. Hey. Ben here. If you’re in need of a fun gaming podcast, you should definitely check out my n
Psst. Psst. Hey. Ben here. If you’re in need of a fun gaming podcast, you should definitely check out my newest show — Memory Card. Every episode covers the history surrounding a weird and wonderful character, console, accessory or game. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify. About the author Ben Bertoli Ben is an exceptionally tall freelance writer and author hailing from Indianapolis.
Looking Back on Dragon Ball Z's Best Filler Episode
When the Dragon Ball Z anime premiered in April of 1989, it was a mere six months behind its Dragon Ball manga source material. For a half-hour show that aired every week without fail, this wasn’t much of a gap to fill. It was important to the Dragon Ball Z showrunners that the anime storyline never surpass the manga, for fear of spoiling the ongoing plot for dedicated fans.
Sunday Comics: That's Kinda Dumb
Hello! It’s time for Kotaku’s Sunday Comics, your weekly roundup of the best webcomics. The images enlarge if you click on the magnifying glass icon. Awkward Zombie by Katie Tiedrich. Published Aug 19. Read more of Awkward Zombie. Corpse Run by Alex Di Stasi. Published Aug. 22. Read more of Corpse Run. Clueless Hero by Luis Lee and Ana Gaby Perez. Published Aug. 19. Read more of Clueless Hero. Double XP by M.S. Corley and Josh Crandall. Published Aug. 22. Read more of Double XP.
7 Classic Cartoons That Deserve A TV Special
Illustration: Nickelodeon With a wide variety of animated movies and TV series accessible around the clock, it’s easy for viewers to fall into the bottomless pit of nostalgia that is streaming classic cartoons. While Hulu, whose selection includes the likes of Rugrats, Dexter’s Lab, and Dragon Ball, is undoubtedly the current champion of throwback cartoon streaming, they’re not the only service pandering to children of the ‘90s and early ‘00s.
Cereal on Apple Podcasts
11 episodes Ben eats cereal and tells you what he thinks of it. Ben eats cereal and tells you what he thinks of it. 4.2 out of 5 5 Ratings 5 Ratings Dsmm_ , 04/01/2019 Excellent I learned a new conspiracy theory and everything. ceral lover , 02/11/2019 Cereal Really good podcast Kain-Xavier , 02/09/2019 This podcast features a man eating a bowl of cereal. If you like dry humor, dad jokes, or mukbang videos, you will enjoy listening to it.
Lights, Camera, Action Figures!
Photo: Duane Perera It’s not often one sees a picture of a stormtrooper shopping for sugary sweet cereal or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles duking it out in a heated game of Mario Kart 64. And yet it’s this type of nostalgic crossover imagery that keeps amateur toy photographer Duane Perera working late into the night. Perera, who spends most of his professional day composing music, started out with a focus on travel and landscape photography.
I Tried These Weird New Cereals So You Don't Have To
Published 4 years ago: If you’ve walked down the breakfast aisle of your local supermarket in the last few months you’re likely aware that some sort of bizarre cereal apocalypse is upon us. Classic cereals of the past are currently being forced to bump elbows with some of the strangest new additions to the junk food breakfast market in some time. The main theme seems to be, “Hey! Remember that snack you liked? It’s a cereal now.” Nilla Wafers? Yes. S’mores? Check. Nutter Butter? You butter believe it.
20 Years Later, Snowboard Kids 2 Remains A Hidden Gem
While the Nintendo 64 wasn’t the most revolutionary home console, the clunky cartridge-based system still managed to house some of the best games of the mid-to-late ‘90s. Quite a few N64 classics, including Super Smash Bros., Donkey Kong 64, and Pokemon Snap, will celebrate their 20th anniversaries in 2019. Joining these memorable 64-bit outings is a wonderfully quirky snowboard racer that the general gaming public seems to have forgotten.
A Look Behind TV's Most Relatable Gaming Story In Ages
Image: Cartoon Network Writing an episode of a TV show that revolves around video games can be a tricky endeavour. It’s all too easy for showrunners to gravitate towards common tropes such as being sucked into a digital world or becoming overly obsessed with a flashy new game. Stories like these have been overused in the decades since gaming was introduced, and while they make for an enjoyable adventure, they rarely capture the relatable nature of what it truly means to connect over a game.
Well, Kotaku readers, we’re outta here for now. Thanks so much for letting us entertain you with our
Well, Kotaku readers, we’re outta here for now. Well, Kotaku readers, we’re outta here for now. Thanks so much for letting us entertain you with our articles this weekend. We hope you enjoyed them. If you’d like to follow us, we can be found on Twitter at: Ben - @SuperBentendo Narelle - @Zarnyx Peter - @TieryasXu About the authors Ben Bertoli Ben is a freelance writer and author hailing from Indianapolis.
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