The 29 Best Gaming Podcasts (2026)

The Giant Bombcast has been running since 2008, making it one of the longest-standing video game podcasts on the internet. Currently hosted by Jan Ochoa, Jeff Grubb, and Jeff Bakalar, the show drops biweekly and typically runs around two to three hours per episode. That runtime is not filler. The crew opens with what they have been playing, transitions into the week's biggest industry news, and wraps up with listener emails that frequently steer the conversation in unexpected directions.

What makes the Bombcast stand out from the sea of weekly gaming shows is its willingness to go completely off the rails. One moment they are breaking down a trailer frame by frame, and the next they are having a heated argument about fast food chains or debating some random piece of consumer tech. Those tangents are a feature, not a bug. The chemistry between the hosts keeps things moving even when the subject matter veers into absurdly niche territory.

Giant Bomb was originally founded by Jeff Gerstmann after his well-publicized departure from GameSpot, and the site's editorial voice has always leaned toward honesty over hype. The podcast carries that same DNA. You will not find much corporate cheerleading here. The show holds a 4.7-star rating from over 5,600 reviews, which is remarkable for a podcast that has gone through multiple lineup changes and ownership transitions over nearly two decades. It has earned that audience the hard way.

Game Scoop! is IGN's longest-running gaming podcast, hosted by Daemon Hatfield with regulars Sam Claiborn, Justin Davis, and Mark Medina. The show has been going since the mid-2000s and has racked up over 730 episodes, making it a genuine institution in gaming media. Episodes land weekly and typically clock in around 75 minutes, which is a manageable length compared to the three-hour marathon shows that dominate this space.

The signature segment is Video Game 20 Questions, and honestly, it is half the reason people stick around. One host picks a game, and the rest of the panel tries to guess it through yes-or-no questions. It sounds basic on paper, but the back-and-forth exposes just how deep the group's collective gaming knowledge runs. Listeners play along at home, and the segment has built a cult following over the years.

Outside of trivia, the crew covers the week's news with a tone that leans enthusiastic rather than cynical. They get genuinely excited about upcoming releases and are not embarrassed to talk about nostalgia. The annual Daemie Awards episode, where Daemon shares his personal picks for games, movies, and shows of the year, has become a tradition that fans anticipate every December.

The hosts call themselves the Omega Cops, an inside joke that has been running for years at this point. With a 4.7-star rating from over 4,000 reviews, Game Scoop! has clearly found its groove. If you like your gaming podcasts knowledgeable but never stuffy, this one hits the right balance.

Castle Super Beast is the weekly podcast from Pat (Patrick Boivin) and Woolie (Woolie Madden), the surviving duo from the beloved Super Best Friends Play YouTube channel. After the channel's dissolution in 2018 and Matt's departure, Pat and Woolie kept the conversation going under a new name. Over 630 episodes later, the show hasn't lost a step. Fair warning though: episodes regularly stretch past three hours, sometimes hitting four. These aren't background listening sessions.

The format follows a reliable structure. Each episode opens with both hosts recounting what they played or watched during the week, which often spirals into extended tangents about game design philosophy, anime plot points, or whatever caught their attention. From there they move into gaming and pop culture news before closing with listener questions pulled from email and social media.

Pat and Woolie bring specific expertise that colors everything they discuss. Both are deeply into fighting games, and conversations about netcode implementation, character balance, and tournament scenes come up regularly. Woolie's background as a former QA tester and his passion for action games gives him a technical perspective, while Pat's blunt, sometimes contrarian takes keep debates lively. They aren't afraid to go on record with strong opinions, and their willingness to be wrong in public is part of the appeal.

The show holds a remarkable 4.9-star rating from nearly 3,000 reviews, which says something about the loyalty of their fanbase. It's a podcast built on genuine enthusiasm and the kind of unfiltered banter that only comes from years of friendship.

The Ringer's betting show covers odds, lines, and picks across major sports with the analytical rigor you'd expect from Bill Simmons' media empire. Smart gambling content from smart people who treat betting as something worth doing well rather than just a casual pastime. The Ringer brand means quality production and knowledgeable hosts. For people who take their sports betting seriously enough to want sophisticated analysis.

Sean Green and Ryan Kramer cover sports betting with analysis that has actual methodology behind it and humor that makes the losses entertaining too. Their picks come with reasoning you can evaluate and they're honest when those picks fail, which builds the credibility that most gambling content actively destroys. Good chemistry between the hosts means even the boring analytical segments stay engaging. If you bet on sports and want your podcast to be both useful and fun rather than just one or the other, this balances both well.

Daily fantasy sports treated as a serious analytical pursuit rather than a casual hobby. Lineup construction theory, game theory applications, bankroll management, and the mathematical edge that separates consistent winners from recreational players. The hosts approach DFS with the seriousness of professional poker players discussing hand ranges. Not casual content. If you're actually trying to profit from daily fantasy rather than just enjoying it, the strategic depth here gives you frameworks most players don't have. Intimidating for beginners but invaluable for anyone committed to the grind.

Bob Dancer and Richard Munchkin are actual professional advantage gamblers. Not pretend ones who sell courses. Real ones who've made real money through skill in video poker, blackjack, and tournament play. Their podcast shares genuine strategy and realistic expectations rather than the fantasy version of gambling that most content promotes. When they discuss bankroll management and expected value, they're speaking from decades of lived experience. The credibility gap between this and most gambling podcasts is massive. If you're serious about advantage play, this is the real deal.

Greg Miller and Tim Gettys cover daily gaming news with the energy of fans who happen to be very well-connected in the industry. They're not pretending to be neutral journalists - they're gamers with opinions who love games and aren't shy about showing it. Quick episodes that hit the day's biggest stories with enough analysis to be useful and enough personality to be fun. The community around Kinda Funny is strong, which adds a layer of belonging beyond just consuming content. If you want your gaming news with personality and heart, this delivers daily.

Board game enthusiasts review, discuss, and argue about tabletop games with encyclopedic knowledge and infectious enthusiasm. For anyone whose shelves are buckling under the weight of board games and who wants to hear from people equally obsessed. The depth of knowledge is impressive and the passion is genuine. The board game hobby has exploded, and this podcast has covered that explosion comprehensively.

For the people who approach gambling as a skill to develop rather than a vice to indulge. In-depth strategy analysis, odds breakdowns, and market discussions that treat the subject with intellectual seriousness. The hosts are analytical and refreshingly honest about losses alongside wins, which is rare in gambling content where everyone pretends they're always up. More educational than recreational. If you're going to gamble, you might as well understand the math behind it. And if you're not, the decision science and probability thinking is applicable way beyond the casino floor.

A network approach to sports betting content, covering every major league with dedicated analysis for each sport. The breadth means there's something for NFL bettors, NBA bettors, MLB bettors - the whole spectrum. The analytical approach treats sports gambling as a craft worth studying seriously rather than entertainment to consume casually. Strategy discussions, odds analysis, and betting system exploration across the full sports calendar. For people who treat their sports betting as a year-round pursuit rather than a seasonal hobby.

The Black Hokage, Ethos, and crew discuss gaming with infectious energy and perspectives from the Black gaming community that mainstream gaming media consistently misses. They're funny, they're passionate, and they have opinions about both the games themselves and the industry that makes them. The cultural awareness adds a dimension that makes this more than just another gaming podcast - it's gaming commentary through a lens you're not getting elsewhere. If the gaming podcast landscape feels homogeneous to you, this is the cure. Entertaining, culturally sharp, and genuinely fun.

Andrea, Brittney, and Kristine discuss gaming with the expertise and genuine enthusiasm of people who deeply understand the industry from the inside. Three women with strong opinions and real knowledge covering news, reviews, and the broader culture around games. The representation genuinely matters here - gaming podcasting has been overwhelmingly male for its entire history, and these three bring perspectives that change how games get discussed. Not different for the sake of it, but different because different people notice different things. Consistently good coverage with personality and actual substance behind it.

Four friends built a deliberately positive Xbox gaming community, and their podcast carries that same energy. Game reviews, news coverage, and industry discussion without the toxic negativity that makes so much online gaming culture exhausting to engage with. The positivity here isn't naive or forced - it's a conscious choice to enjoy games and talk about them without tearing everything apart. For Xbox fans specifically who want community and conversation without the hostility that seems unavoidable elsewhere. Proof that gaming culture can be enthusiastic and welcoming simultaneously. Sometimes you just want to enjoy things with people who also enjoy things.

Daily sports betting picks and analysis covering the day's slate with speed and focus. Quick episodes designed to help you make decisions before games start rather than providing long-form analysis you don't have time for. The format matches the need - bettors need information fast, and this delivers it efficiently. For people who bet regularly and want a reliable daily briefing on opportunities and risks.

Gaming talk aimed squarely at people who take their hobby seriously. New releases get real analysis instead of just hype or hate. Industry news gets discussed with actual understanding of development cycles and business decisions. Game design gets the deep-dive treatment it deserves. They don't waste time on casual mobile stuff - this is for the crowd whose Steam libraries look like spreadsheets and who have opinions about frame rates. If you read patch notes for fun, you're home. If gaming is just a casual thing, you'll feel slightly overwhelmed.

WhatCulture's gaming crew covers the industry with British humor, strong opinions, and the kind of deep-cut knowledge that only dedicated players accumulate over years. Lists, analysis, news breakdowns, and gaming discussions that go beyond surface level into genuinely interesting territory. The personality-driven approach keeps potentially dry industry news entertaining - you're watching because of the people presenting it as much as the content itself. For gamers who want their news and analysis delivered with wit and attitude rather than the sterile professionalism of mainstream gaming outlets. Opinionated and proud of it.

Ross Tucker knows football inside out. Steve Fezzik knows the numbers cold. Together they produce NFL betting analysis that neither could pull off alone. Tucker explains why a team will struggle on third downs. Fezzik translates that into what the line should be. The combination gives you an edge because you're getting both qualitative football knowledge and quantitative gambling expertise. They're honest about their picks including the ones that crashed and burned, which builds credibility. If you bet on football and want analysis that's both smart and accountable, this is it.

Three friends talking about movies, music, and games with the casual energy of a group chat that accidentally hit record. No claimed expertise, no pretension, no agenda. Just fans enjoying and arguing about the stuff they love. The dynamic is genuine because these are actual friends, not manufactured podcast chemistry. Some episodes are tighter than others, but the vibe is consistently fun. If you want entertainment commentary that sounds like your friend group rather than a review show, this scratches that itch perfectly.

NBA betting analysis for people who want actual methodology behind their picks rather than some dude's feelings about the Lakers tonight. Odds breakdowns, prop bet strategies, matchup analysis, and honest tracking of results including the bad weeks. The hosts approach basketball betting with the analytical rigor it deserves but rarely gets. If you're going to bet on the NBA, you should at least understand the math. And if you already understand the math, these conversations will sharpen your approach. Accountable sports gambling content. Rare and valuable.

Two friends talking honestly about whatever games they're playing, without brand partnerships dictating their enthusiasm or corporate PR shaping their opinions. If a game is boring, they'll say so. If something small and indie blew their minds, you'll hear about it before the big outlets catch on. The casual honesty is refreshing in gaming media where so much content feels like thinly disguised marketing. No forced hype, no manufactured controversy - just genuine reactions from people who play games because they enjoy it. For gamers tired of wondering whether a review is actually an advertisement.

Deep dives into gaming history that will make even serious retro gaming enthusiasts discover titles they've never heard of. The encyclopedic knowledge on display is genuinely impressive - obscure Japanese releases, forgotten PC classics, the evolutionary chains between games that most people don't realize are connected. Not for casual gamers who play whatever's trending. This is for the people who browse through ROM lists for fun and have opinions about specific Game Boy games. Extremely niche, extremely well-researched, and a genuine treasure for anyone who cares about gaming's past.

Mike, Chris, and Christy talk video games with the energy of friends hanging out on a couch, which is basically what they are. No pretensions about being the definitive gaming authority. Just enthusiasts sharing what they're playing, debating industry news, and occasionally going off on tangents about random stuff. If you're tired of gaming podcasts that take themselves incredibly seriously, this is a nice antidote. Chill vibes, genuine opinions, and the kind of arguments about game mechanics that feel familiar if you've ever gamed with friends.

Justin Boone delivers fantasy football advice with analytical precision that justifies his reputation as one of the industry's most respected rankers. His consensus rankings are widely used because they're consistently accurate. Matchups, draft strategy, and weekly decisions backed by data rather than gut feelings. For fantasy managers who want an edge that comes from better analysis rather than just more time spent watching games.

Tony and Chris review board games with genuine enthusiasm and honest criticism, which is the exact combination you want from game reviewers. They actually play the games before discussing them, which sounds obvious but isn't universal in the tabletop world. Their recommendations are trustworthy because they don't just hype new releases - they tell you when a game disappoints. For tabletop gamers looking for their next purchase, this saves money and shelf space. The chemistry between hosts makes even reviews of games you'll never play enjoyable.

Jeff Gerstmann has been covering video games since the 90s and his podcast reflects that depth of experience. He discusses games with the knowledge of someone who's played thousands of them across every era of gaming. The industry veteran perspective shows in every conversation - he understands how games are made, how the business works, and how the medium has evolved. For people who want game discussions informed by decades of actual play.

NOTE: This is a SPORTS BETTING podcast, not a video gaming podcast. It likely does not belong in the gaming-podcasts category.

The Action Network Sports Betting Podcast is the flagship show from Action Network, a media company built around sports gambling analysis. Currently hosted by Stuckey, Kendra Middleton, and Brandon Kravitz, the show delivers four episodes per week during NFL season and maintains a consistent schedule year-round covering NBA, college football, golf, soccer, and more. Former hosts Chad Millman and Simon Hunter moved on to launch their own show, "Sharp or Square," in early 2026.

The podcast earned the "Best Betting Podcast or Radio Show" award from the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association, and it's not hard to see why. The show brings together a rotating cast of Action Network analysts, handicappers, and data specialists including Chris Raybon, Brandon Anderson, and predictive analytics director Sean Koerner. Their approach leans heavily on data-driven analysis rather than gut picks. Expect discussions about line movement, market inefficiencies, and injury impacts rather than hot takes.

With a 4.7-star rating from over 1,200 reviews, the show has built a loyal audience of serious bettors who want more than just "lock of the week" segments. The production quality is polished, as you'd expect from an iHeartPodcasts distribution deal, and the hosts don't shy away from tracking their own betting records publicly. It's the kind of show where accountability matters as much as entertainment.

NOTE: This is a SPORTS BETTING podcast, not a video gaming podcast. It likely does not belong in the gaming-podcasts category. Additionally, this podcast RETIRED in July 2025 after 11 years.

Bet The Board ran for 11 years before hosts Payne Insider and Todd Fuhrman called it quits in July 2025. Their final episode, "Not The Podcast You Were Expecting," served as both a farewell and a candid look at how the sports betting industry had changed since they started in 2014. It was a bittersweet ending for a show that built a dedicated following among serious football bettors.

Payne brought the perspective of a professional bettor, someone who actually had skin in the game every week. Todd, a former oddsmaker, offered the other side of the counter. That combination gave the show a dimension most betting podcasts lack. When they broke down an NFL game, you got both the sharp bettor's angle and the bookmaker's reasoning for setting the line where it did.

At its peak, the show released episodes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, primarily covering NFL and college football with basketball mixed in during the winter months. Each episode featured detailed game previews where the hosts would walk through matchups systematically before landing on their signature "BEST BET" picks. The analysis was thorough without being dry, and both hosts had enough personality to keep multi-hour football breakdowns engaging.

The podcast's archives remain available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and BetTheBoardPodcast.com for anyone who wants to revisit their body of work. But as a concluded show, it's no longer producing new content.