Press Play: The 12 Essential Gaming Podcasts for UK Listeners
Share
The UK gaming scene is vibrant, historic, and voraciously consumptive. But when the controller is down, the conversation continues. Gaming podcasts have exploded over the last decade, transforming from niche technical discussions into mainstream entertainment vehicles offering news, critical analysis, industry gossip, and chaotic comedy.
For UK listeners, the choice is staggering. We have homegrown talent offering distinctly British cynicism and humour, alongside global juggernauts that define the conversation. Whether you want deep-dive retrospectives, up-to-the-minute industry news, or just four friends arguing about Final Fantasy, there is a show for you.
Here is a curated list of the top 12 gaming podcasts currently filling the ears of UK gamers, spanning local heroes and international heavyweights.
The Homegrown Heroes (UK-Based)
1. The IGN UK Podcast
If there is a "default" gaming podcast for the British listener, this is it. Running for over a decade, the IGN UK team (usually featuring veterans like Joe Skrebels, Dale Driver, and Cardy) has perfected a specific blend of authoritative gaming coverage and absolute nonsense. They cover the week's biggest releases and news stories with insight, but the magic lies in the tangents—from sandwich ratings to bizarre recurring jokes about Cardiff. It feels like hanging out in a pub with your most knowledgeable, slightly daft gaming mates.
2. The Computer Game Show
Often described as "punk rock" gaming audio, The Computer Game Show (TCGS) is chaotic, unfiltered, and hilarious. Hosted by a quartet of distinct personalities—including the perpetually grumpy David Turners and the enthusiastic Sean Bell—the show eschews slick production for raw energy. Their reviews are honest, their news segments often descend into arguments, and their live shows are legendary disasters. It is an acquired taste for some, but for many, it’s the funniest, most authentic gaming podcast on the planet.
3. The Eurogamer Podcast
Eurogamer remains one of the most respected gaming websites globally, and their flagship podcast reflects their journalistic integrity. While still entertaining, this pod leans slightly more towards serious industry analysis, developer interviews, and thoughtful critique than its peers. Hosted by the site's senior editors, it provides a calmer, more measured take on the week’s events. It’s essential listening for those interested in the "why" and "how" of game development, alongside the usual reviews.
4. The Back Page Pod
Hosted by former gaming magazine editors Matthew Castle and Samuel Roberts, The Back Page Pod is a treat for anyone who remembers the golden age of print gaming journalism. They style themselves as "recovering games journalists," offering deep knowledge without the corporate filter. The show excels in its creative formats, particularly their "Draft" episodes where they competitively build imaginary game libraries. It is witty, incredibly knowledgeable, and steeped in a love for gaming history.
5. VGC: A Video Games Podcast
Video Games Chronicle (VGC) has quickly established itself as a go-to source for breaking industry news. Their podcast is a no-nonsense extension of that reporting. Hosted by insiders Jordan Middler, Chris Scullion, and Andy Robinson, this show is less about comedy and more about reliable information. If you want to know what is actually happening behind the scenes at major publishers, or get informed takes on acquisitions and leaks, VGC delivers the goods efficiently.
6. Cane and Rinse
Cane and Rinse is the antithesis of the hot-take culture. They don't review new games; they wait years, sometimes decades, to dissect them. Each episode is an exhaustively researched, often multi-hour deep dive into a single significant video game, analysing its development, mechanics, music, and legacy. The rotating panel of passionate hosts treats games with the academic respect afforded to classic literature or film. It is the ultimate audio resource for gaming history enthusiasts.
The Global Giants (International Favourites)
7. Giant Bombcast
The undisputed granddaddy of the genre. The US-based Giant Bombcast pioneered the "personality-driven long-form" gaming podcast. While the line-up has changed significantly over the years, the current crew maintains the tradition of three-hour marathons covering what they’ve been playing, the news, and bizarre emails. It remains a central pillar of the gaming community, offering a comforting, lengthy weekly ritual for millions of listeners worldwide, including a massive UK contingent.
8. Triple Click
Born from the ashes of Kotaku’s Splitscreen, Triple Click is hosted by three of the sharpest critics in the business: Kirk Hamilton, Maddy Myers, and Jason Schreier. This show excels at analysing gaming culture rather than just listing news. They offer "deep dives" into specific topics—like the ethics of emulation or the design of difficult games—and feature a fantastic "one more thing" segment. It’s intelligent, accessible, and incredibly well-produced.
9. Kinda Funny Games Daily
For the gamer who needs their fix every single weekday. Hosted by the high-energy Greg Miller and a rotating cast of pundits, KFGD is designed to be the "CNN of gaming news." It’s fast-paced, incredibly enthusiastic, and ensures you never miss a headline, trailer drop, or controversy. While the energy can be intense, their commitment to covering everything happening right now is unmatched.
10. The Besties
Self-described as a "video game book club," The Besties features Polygon co-founders Justin McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Chris Plante, and Russ Frushtick. Because it features the McElroy brothers (of My Brother, My Brother and Me fame), it is naturally hilarious, but the gaming critique is sharp. They focus on reviewing the newest notable releases in a tight, digestible format, often debating which game deserves to be honoured as the "besty" of the week.
11. What's Good Games
In an industry often dominated by male voices, What's Good Games provides a vital and highly professional counterpoint. Hosted by industry veterans Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Rianna Manuel, the show delivers energetic news coverage, hands-on impressions, and interviews. Their chemistry is excellent, offering a welcoming yet authoritative perspective on the biggest AAA titles and industry trends.
12. Sacred Symbols: A PlayStation Podcast
While platform-specific podcasts are common, few achieve the scale of Sacred Symbols. Hosted by the polarizing but undeniably knowledgeable Colin Moriarty alongside Chris Ray Gun and Dustin Furman, this is a massive weekly show dedicated entirely to the PlayStation ecosystem. Known for incredibly long episodes and granular analysis of sales data, trophies, and Sony corporate strategy, it is unparalleled for the dedicated PlayStation fan who wants every detail scrutinized.
Title: Press Play: The 12 Essential Gaming Podcasts for UK Listeners
The landscape of video game media has shifted dramatically over the last decade. As print magazines have become boutique collectibles and websites fight for algorithmic dominance, the humble podcast has risen to become the beating heart of gaming discourse. For UK listeners, this medium offers a unique intimacy; it is the sound of four friends arguing in a pub about Mario Kart, broadcast directly into your brain.
The UK gaming scene is distinct—cynical, self-deprecating, and deeply knowledgeable. While American behemoths often dominate the headlines, the British audio scene is thriving, offering a counter-narrative filled with dry wit and chaotic energy. Whether you are looking for deep-dive retrospectives, up-to-the-minute industry news, or just the comforting noise of people who love what you love, there is a show for you.
Here are the top 12 gaming podcasts currently defining the conversation for UK listeners, ranging from homegrown heroes to essential international listening.
The British Heavyweights
1. The IGN UK Podcast If there is a flagship show for the British gaming enthusiast, this is it. Running for over a decade, the IGN UK Podcast has successfully decoupled itself from the corporate stiffness often associated with major outlets. Hosts like Joe Skrebels, Cardy, and Dale Driver have cultivated a "parasocial pub quiz" atmosphere. While they provide authoritative coverage of the week's biggest releases and industry news, the show is beloved for its tangents. You are just as likely to hear a fifteen-minute debate about the best sandwich fillings or a chaotic "endless search" game as you are a review of Call of Duty. It is professional yet anarchic, and quintessentially British.
2. The Computer Game Show Often described as the "punk rock" entry in the UK canon, The Computer Game Show (TCGS) eschews polish for raw personality. Born from the ashes of other projects, it features a quartet of hosts—David, Sean, Mat, and James—who share a chemistry that borders on combustible. The "Computer Game Show" is famous for its unfiltered honesty; if a game is boring, they will say so, often brutally. It is also genuinely hilarious, with segments that frequently descend into shouting matches or bizarre comedy bits. For listeners tired of PR-friendly coverage, TCGS is a refreshing, albeit chaotic, blast of reality.
3. The Eurogamer Podcast Eurogamer remains one of the most respected journalism outlets in the industry, and their podcast reflects this pedigree. While recent years have seen a rotating cast of hosts, the quality remains high. This is the podcast for the listener who wants to understand the industry, not just the games. They excel at breaking down complex topics like studio acquisitions, development crunches, and the economics of Game Pass, all while maintaining an accessible tone. It is slightly more serious than its peers but remains warm and inviting, serving as a weekly digest for the thinking gamer.
4. The Back Page Pod Hosted by former magazine editors Matthew Castle and Samuel Roberts, The Back Page is a love letter to the golden era of gaming journalism. If you grew up reading ONM or PC Gamer in the 2000s, this podcast will feel like home. They combine deep historical knowledge with genuinely creative formats, such as their famous "Draft" episodes where they competitively build imaginary game libraries. The hosts possess an encyclopedic knowledge of gaming history, yet they present it without pretension. It is witty, nostalgic without being maudlin, and arguably the best-written gaming podcast on the market.
5. VGC: A Video Games Podcast In a world of rumors and leaks, Video Games Chronicle (VGC) has established itself as the gold standard for accuracy. Their podcast is an extension of that reputation. Hosted by industry insiders Jordan Middler, Chris Scullion, and Andy Robinson, this show cuts through the noise. They don't just speculate; they often have the scoop. If you want to know what is actually happening behind the curtain at Nintendo or Sony, VGC is essential listening. It is efficient, news-focused, and incredibly well-connected.
6. My Perfect Console Hosted by The New Yorker and Guardian writer Simon Parkin, My Perfect Console is the Desert Island Discs of gaming. Each week, Parkin invites a guest—ranging from legendary developers to comedians and musicians—to pick the five games they would immortalize on their fictional console. The format allows for a level of intimacy and biographical depth rarely seen in gaming media. It is a quieter, more thoughtful show that explores the emotional connection we have with games, making it a perfect Sunday morning listen.
The Essential International List
7. Giant Bombcast The San Francisco-based Giant Bombcast is the show that invented the modern gaming podcast format. Famous for its three-hour runtime, it is a marathon of news, reviews, and listener emails. Despite numerous lineup changes over the years, it remains a comforting weekly ritual for thousands of UK listeners. It covers the entire spectrum of gaming culture with a relaxed, personality-driven approach that makes you feel like you are hanging out on a sofa with friends.
8. Triple Click Hosted by three of the sharpest critics in America—Kirk Hamilton, Maddy Myers, and Jason Schreier—Triple Click is for the listener who wants to analyze games as culture. They move beyond the "graphics and gameplay" binary to discuss themes, music, and ethics. Whether they are doing a "spoilercast" on a new RPG or discussing the unionization of the games industry, the conversation is always intelligent and well-produced.
9. Kinda Funny Games Daily Sometimes you need the news every single day. Hosted by the high-octane Greg Miller and a rotating team of pundits, Kinda Funny Games Daily is the "CNN of gaming." It is fast, loud, and incredibly comprehensive. For the UK listener who wants to wake up to a full breakdown of what happened in the US overnight, this is the most reliable source available.
10. The Besties Featuring the McElroy brothers (famous for their comedy podcasts) alongside Polygon founders Chris Plante and Russ Frushtick, The Besties describes itself as a "video game book club." They focus on the biggest releases of the moment, pitting them against each other to decide what is worth your time. It is short, punchy, and hilarious, managing to be critical without being cynical.
11. What's Good Games Navigating a male-dominated industry, What's Good Games offers a vital perspective from three industry veterans: Andrea Rene, Brittney Brombacher, and Rianna Manuel. The show is slick, professional, and incredibly positive. They celebrate gaming culture while still offering firm critiques where necessary. It is a high-energy show that covers everything from AAA shooters to cozy indie titles.
12. Sacred Symbols: A PlayStation Podcast For the dedicated Sony fan, Sacred Symbols is the bible. Hosted by Colin Moriarty, this show is unapologetically deep, often running for four hours. It analyzes sales charts, trophy data, and corporate strategy with a level of granularity that no generalist podcast can match. It is niche, obsessive, and essential for anyone invested in the PlayStation ecosystem.
The Perfect Audio Companion: Which Earbuds Are Ideal For That Total Gaming Experience
Enjoying these podcasts requires more than just a subscription; it requires the right hardware. Whether you are enduring a noisy commute on the Tube or settling in for a three-hour Giant Bombcast marathon, Theta Pro Gaming Earbuds offer the ideal listening experience for the dedicated gamer.
Tuned for the Spoken Word While many gaming earbuds are bass-heavy to accentuate explosions, Zupped earbuds are engineered with a balanced sound profile that prioritizes mid-range frequencies. This ensures that dialogue—whether it’s the whisper-quiet analysis on My Perfect Console or the chaotic shouting of The Computer Game Show—remains crisp, clear, and distinct without the muddiness that plagues cheaper alternatives.
Marathon Battery Life Gaming podcasts are famous for their length. With shows like The Back Page frequently exceeding two hours, you need a device that won't die during the final segment. Zupped earbuds boast a class-leading battery life designed for long-haul listening. The charging case provides multiple top-ups, ensuring you can get through an entire week’s worth of episodes on a single charge.
All-Day Ergonomics Comfort is king when you have hours of content to consume. Zupped earbuds feature a lightweight, ergonomic design that sits flush in the ear, reducing fatigue during extended sessions. They are perfect for the gamer who transitions seamlessly from listening to a podcast on their commute to connecting to their Switch or Steam Deck for a lunchtime session.
Immersive Isolation To truly appreciate the sound design of these shows, blocking out the world is essential. Zupped.com earbuds utilize advanced noise-isolation technology, creating a quiet sanctuary for your ears. This allows you to catch every joke, every nuance, and every review score, even in the busiest environments.
For a listening experience that respects the content, check out the full range at Zupped.com.