Game Theory

S1 • E1

Is Chrono Trigger's Time Travel Accurate?

This inaugural episode looks at what, if anything, the RPG masterpiece Chrono Trigger can teach us about the science of time travel.

S1 • E2

Super Mario Pipe Dreams

Take the plunge into the sewers with Mario as we cover everything from alligators under New York to albino pot in this second episode of Game Theory.

S1 • E3

Illusion of Gaia, World Wonders

We're looking at ancient cultures, mysterious landmarks, and beautiful women as we save the world in ILLUSION OF GAIA.

S1 • E4

Mortal Kombat, Fatalities IRL

Can you rip out a human heart? Be poisoned with a kiss? Frozen and shattered? Find out as we explore the cute and cuddly world of MORTAL KOMBAT.

S1 • E5

The Science of Sonic the Hedgehog

Matpat finds the real life equivalents of Sonic the Hedgehog characters.

S1 • E6

Frogger, Australian for Games

Fry it, stuff it, put it on your wall--I'm on a cross-country trip thinking about roadkill and Frogger. But what secrets could this Atari and arcade classic hold? Find out on Game Theory.

S1 • E7

Batman: Arkham Asylum, Diagnosing Arkham

We're putting Joker, Poison Ivy, and the rest of Arkham's criminals on the Freudian couch to diagnose their mental disorders. But are they really crazy or better off in jail? Find out this week on Game Theory.

S1 • E8

Kirby's Epic Yarn, Yarn Bombing

This week we unravel the truth about Kirby's Epic Yarn and its role in an up-and-coming counterculture war.

S1 • E9

Duke Nukem, 80S Action Star

Pull out your AK-47 and rip off your shirt 'cause we're diving headfirst into 80s action flicks to discover the roots of Duke Nukem and the reasons why the character "doesn't really work in 2011."

S1 • E10

Viewers' Choice, Cyborgs, Fatalities, and the Riddler

Your voices have been heard. As thanks for supporting the show, we're looking at topics you've requested and submitted from the first nine episodes.

S1 • E11

Adventure Island, a Philippines Vacation

Deadly octopi, spitting snakes, bizarre fruit, and a war America has kept buried in its past all factor in this week as we pinpoint Hudson's ADVENTURE ISLAND.

S1 • E12

Halo, Power Armor in Real Life

Now you're playing with power...armor. Science isn't too far behind Master Chief's tech, but it'll cost you a couple thousand bucks. Find out all about it this week on Game Theory.

S1 • E13

Earthbound, the Dark Side of Mother

Terrorist cults, police violence, and sexual crimes are dark themes hidden under Earthbound's happy-go-lucky tone and quirky humor. Explore the game's mature content and what it means this week on Game Theory.

S1 • E14

BioShock, Andrew Ryan's Underwater City

Is it scientifically possible to build an underwater city like Rapture? The realism of the game and how it's inspired modern-day Andrew Ryans may Bioshock you.

S1 • E15

Final Fantasy VII, Who Killed Aerith?

This week, we're looking at the anatomy of a murder that has rocked the gaming world since 1997. Should Aerith have died based on her wounds? Did she die at all?

S1 • E16

Dues Ex: Human Revolution, Cyborg Technology

A man who controls electronics with his mind. A camera that fits in your eye socket. A USB drive...in your finger? How close are we to our own Human Revolution? Find out this week as we check out real-world cyborgs.

S1 • E17

Can Dig Dug Pop a Human?

Human balloons? Explosive decompression? Inflating body parts? In defense of the helpless tomato-like Pookas, we're turning the tables on Dig Dug's Taizo Hori to see if you can inflate a human until they pop.

S1 • E18

Pokemon vs. Creationists (Pokemon, Part 1)

This week starts a Pokemon trilogy where we look at the complaints made against Pikachu and the gang. Is this game pro-science propaganda or have creationists been skipping their biology lessons?

S1 • E19

Pokemon, PETA, and Plasma (Pokemon, Part 2)

Are Pokemon battles gaming's equivalent of a blood sport? Does the series teach neglect towards animals? And is Team Plasma, the self-proclaimed Pokemon Liberators, the true heroes of the Poke-verse?

S1 • E20

Castlevania, Dracula Spectacula

S1 • E21

League of Legends, Champion Showdown

This week, it's a 5v5 match of Legendary proportions. Which champions in the League of Legends would win based on their real-world lore? Will good or evil triumph? Find out on today's episode of Game Theory.

S1 • E22

Racist Pokemon (Pokemon, Part 3)

S1 • E23

Star Fox, Do a Barrel Roll

When is a barrel roll not a barrel roll? When it's in Star Fox.

S1 • E24

Final Fantasy 7, Shinra, Mako, and Oil

S1 • E25

A Merry Racist Jynx-mas

Rhyming couplets, international holiday racism, and Pokemon...The perfect recipe for a seasonal episode. It's Pokemon Part 3: Part 2: The Game Theory Christmas Special, Starring Jynx and Zwarte Piet.