Retro Gaming and Our Lock-Ins & Leave-Its for 2026

Janet and Isaiah talk about their history and goals with retro gaming. Having just went to a few stores in LA, they go over what they’re currently looking got, when they pull the trigger on a retro game, and when do they reach for… other means… to get their classic games (GAMES). Then they bring back a recent format and talk about their “lock-ins” and “leave-its” for the new year, helping each other decide what to bring forward into 2026 and what to ultimately drop (NOT GAMES).


Poll of the Show:
https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:18 Catching Up
• 02:03 Games / Retro Gaming
• 58:35 Not Games / 2026 Lock-Ins & Leave-Its
• 02:01:38 Poll of the Show
• 02:06:28 Outro

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• YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGames
• Twitch.tv/GamesAndNotGames
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• Twitter/X: @GamesAndNot

Follow the hosts:

• Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.social
• Isaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Creators and Guests

Host

Isaiah Smith

Making and breaking things online | web + game dev | co-host @GamesAndNot | dev @PhotomodeApp & @PenToPixels | 📧 [e-mail]

Host

Janet Garcia

Host & Video Game Consultant 💫| Head of @PenToPixels 🖊 | @MinnMaxShow cohort ↘↗| @IndieCouncil_ cohost👩🏽‍⚖️| @GamesAndNot cohost🎮 | 📧[e-mail]

What is The Gangcast?

Janet Garcia and Isaiah Smith talk Games and Not Games every week. The Games section includes topics like what we've been playing, co-op adventures, opinions on the industry etc. and the Not Games section includes lighthearted conversations and debates, events we attend together, movies, shows, and more.