New Dad Gaming

Being a dad isn’t about engineering your kids’ every move—it’s about shepherding them through life’s adventures.   In this episode of New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff dive into Dr. Russell Barkley’s powerful advice on parenting: guiding your kids like a shepherd instead of trying to engineer who they’ll become.   The dads also share:  

This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff cover the highs and lows of fatherhood and gaming life. From fan mail about homebrewing beer, to kids pitching in for a PS5, to the latest controversy with Roblox knockoffs, it’s another hilarious and heartfelt episode for gaming dads everywhere. Topics this week include:

Dogs, digital gardens, and dopamine loops—oh my! In this jam-packed episode of New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff dive into:

Summer vibes, card battles, and dad dilemmas collide! In this episode of New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff pour a couple of beverages (from microbreweries and grocery store seltzers), reflect on their infamous “No New Games” challenge, and dive deep into the growing obsession with trading card games — specifically the One Piece TCG that's taking teens (and wallets) by storm.

To dungeons, to dragons, one family does tread, While another dad decides to the sky he will head. This week both dads drop back into VR, And Death Stranding was beaten, via hoof bike and car.   #GamingDad #ParentingAndGaming #DeathStranding #Quest3 #FatherhoodPodcast #NewDadGaming #DadPoems #CraftBeer #GamingBacklog #PlayStation #MetaQuest #DadLife

This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor shares his new dad gaming cubby setup, complete with a Switch Lite gifted by his nephews and an ingenious use of the Quest 3 as a giant PS4 screen. Jeff returns to Death Stranding to prep for its sequel, and the dads compare small cozy games vs. massive open-world grinds. Also discussed: A beautiful dad poem about painted nails and princess parties Dad Beers of Summer featuring Zywiec and Trouble in the Fields Why NHL 2017 might still be the best hockey game The challenge of teen kids forgetting to eat Plans for a future Christmas game swap

What happens when exams meet DLC drops? This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff discuss using video games as parenting bribes—and whether it’s genius or dangerous. Jeff negotiates with his teen over a Hunter: Call of the Wild DLC, while Trevor deals with non-activated V-Bucks chaos after a birthday gone slightly wrong. We also revisit Jeff’s miraculously repaired Switch, uncover a save file survival guide, and share Father’s Day gaming gifts—including Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering cards and a motorcycle jack!

A surprise Switch 2 drop, a blue screen of death, and Father’s Day gift loopholes - this episode has it all. Trevor barely escapes the clutches of buying a brand-new Switch 2… but just barely. Meanwhile, Jeff’s aging Switch kicks the bucket in spectacular fashion, sparking a desperate race against time to recover lost Pokémon and Zelda saves. With Father's Day around the corner, could a little gaming “gift” be the loophole that lets these dads break their no-new-games vow? The dads dive into: The real-world temptation of walking into a store and seeing Switch 2 on the shelf An unexpected $800 price tag (!!!) First impressions from a dad who actually got one The harsh reality of old hardware failing at the worst time How to (maybe) get away with buying a game… if your kids want to play it with you

This week, Trevor and Jeff face their greatest challenge yet: resisting the urge to break their no-new-games vow. With the Elden Ring Nightreign expansion stealing the spotlight and rumors of a Nintendo Switch 2 release buzzing, the temptation is real. Meanwhile, one dad's teen dives headfirst into Dungeons & Dragons, sparking memories and hopes of future family campaigns. Plus: Elden Ring co-op fails, Fortnite struggles on old hardware, and the eternal dad debate - do you cave when that shiny new console is calling your name from behind the GameStop counter?

After a brief break (no disasters—just dad life), Trevor and Jeff are back to talk about holding strong in their no new games challenge—sort of. Jeff’s been tearing up the zombie roads in Days Gone, teaching his kids how to shop smart with Goat Simulator 3, and even… dabbling in Magic: The Gathering for the first time ever (blame the Final Fantasy crossover). Trevor manages to resist Oblivion Remastered and the eternal temptation of Days Gone, but it’s clear the struggle is real. Also in this episode:

This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff hold a special session of Dad Court to determine if their backlog challenge has been broken—or if there’s still hope for their gaming honor. Spoiler: Jeff may have withheld some crucial evidence… Jeff confesses to a near-miss after buying (and refunding) Elite Dangerous over a cockpit color mod—but later drops the bomb that he bought the Oblivion Remaster. Can the court forgive a purchase that feels so right? Trevor also stands trial for getting dangerously close to a Switch 2 pre-order while helping his brother secure one during the pre-order madness. Temptation is real, gaming dads. Also in this episode: Minecraft movie thoughts (like a fun, chaotic SNL skit) The fear of Minecraft theater chaos and TikTok popcorn wars Why Oblivion Remaster has restored faith in Bethesda (for now) Why sticking to your backlog is so hard when the glow-ups look this good The looming reality of $100 Switch 2 games Subscribe to the Podcast!

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

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

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 communi

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 temptati

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

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. Find us on your favorite podcast platform:

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

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. Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw Others on Our Website: https://newdadgam

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. Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw Others on Our Website: https://newdadgaming.com/ Tags: #NewDadGaming #gamingdads #NewYearsResolutions #FamilyTime