Xbox Elite Controller 3 Leaks, Star Fox Returns, Forza Horizon 6 Reviews | XP 321
17/05/2026 | 1h 52 mins.
Xbox may be preparing its next major hardware push. This week, Luke Lohr, Captain Logun, and Nintendo World Report’s John Rairdin discuss the leaked Xbox Elite Controller Series 3, Xbox cloud gaming controller rumors, and what Microsoft’s future hardware strategy may actually look like.
We also break down the massive review scores for Forza Horizon 6, Valve’s new Steam Controller, PlayStation surfacing player count data, AMD’s FSR 4.1 tech, Xbox’s branding refresh, and Discord’s new Game Pass partnership.
On the Nintendo side, we dive deep into Star Fox’s return on Switch 2, Nintendo’s remake strategy, Metroid Prime 4, Zelda remake rumors, Star Fox Adventures, Assault, and whether Nintendo is finally ready to treat Star Fox like a major franchise again.
Topics include: • Xbox Elite Controller 3 leaks • Xbox cloud controller rumors • Forza Horizon 6 review scores • Steam Controller impressions • Star Fox Switch 2 reactions • Metroid Prime 4 discussion • Nintendo remake strategy • AMD FSR 4.1 & Xbox Series X • Doom: The Dark Ages DLC • Lego Batman & 007 First Light • Xbox Game Pass + Discord
Clear takes. No console-war noise.
🔊 iTunes: apple.co/2OL6SSV 🎧 Spotify: spoti.fi/33gSiXa 📺 Join us live Saturdays on YouTube 💬 We read every comment
Nintendo Raises Switch 2 to $500, Star Fox Returns, Sony’s Bungie Problems | XP 320
15/05/2026 | 1h 49 mins.
Nintendo has officially raised the Switch 2 price to $500 — and at nearly the same time, brought Star Fox back to center stage.
This week on The Expansion Pass, Luke Lohr, Captain Logun, and special guest Joseph Moran (Mr. BadBit from The Trophy Room: A PlayStation Podcast) break down Nintendo’s pricing strategy, the return of Star Fox, Sony’s massive Bungie write-down, Marathon’s future, and Xbox canceling Copilot for Gaming under Asha Sharma.
Topics include:
🎮 Nintendo Switch 2 price increase 🦊 Star Fox returns on Switch 2 💰 Sony writes down roughly $767 million tied to Bungie 🏃 Marathon player counts, discourse, and live service pressure 🧠 Xbox cancels Copilot for Gaming 🎙 SGF discussion and gaming industry analysis
The team also debates whether Marathon can recover long term, why Nintendo may still succeed despite rising hardware prices, and whether Star Fox’s reboot is the right move for the franchise.
Xbox Earnings Drop, PlayStation DRM Explained, Steam Controller Returns | XP 319
03/05/2026 | 1h 36 mins.
Xbox earnings are down as Asha Sharma begins resetting the brand, raising questions about hardware, Game Pass growth, and long-term strategy.
We break down the latest Xbox revenue numbers, what they mean for the future of the platform, and whether exclusives need to return to strengthen the brand.
We also cover Sony’s response to PlayStation DRM concerns, what “digital ownership” actually means, and why the backlash matters more than the feature itself.
Plus, Valve Corporation re-enters the hardware conversation with the new Steam Controller, raising bigger questions about the Steam Machine and whether something like Half-Life 3 is needed to drive adoption.
Finally, we look at Nintendo’s growing Switch 2 lineup, including Splatoon Raiders, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and new Star Fox rumors.
Xbox Admits It’s Broken, Game Pass Drops Price, Valve Returns to Hardware | XEP 318
26/04/2026 | 1h 45 mins.
Xbox has officially hit reset—and this time, they’re saying it out loud.
In a rare internal memo, leadership under Asha Sharma acknowledges what many players have been feeling: the experience hasn’t been good enough. Pricing, updates, and platform identity are all under review—and Game Pass is already seeing major changes.
At the same time, Valve is quietly preparing a return to hardware. A new Steam Controller looks ready to launch, while larger ambitions like Steam Machine and Steam Frame face delays.
Meanwhile, Nintendo continues executing with confidence, rolling out Splatoon Raiders and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book without the same identity struggles seen elsewhere.
Also this week:
Diablo: Lord of Hatred impressions and early reviews
Resident Evil Requiem sales milestone
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag returns
What all of this means for the future of gaming platforms
This episode explores a simple question: 👉 Are platforms finally correcting course—or just reacting?
Game Pass “Too Expensive?”, PS5 vs Switch 2 & Metro 2039 Revealed | XEP 317
19/04/2026 | 1h 40 mins.
This week on The Expansion Pass, we’re breaking down one of the most important shifts happening in gaming right now.
Is Xbox Game Pass becoming too expensive?
New data shows subscription spending is rising fast—but Xbox leadership is already signaling concern about pricing and long-term value. Meanwhile, PlayStation continues its steady approach with PS Plus, and Nintendo’s Switch 2 is helping drive major hardware growth.
We also dive into Metro 2039’s reveal and how real-world events are shaping its story in a major way.
Welcome to The Expansion Pass (XP) — your place for clear, thoughtful discussions on gaming without the console-war noise.
Hosted by Luke Lohr (InsipidGhost) and Captain Logun, XP covers the biggest stories in gaming across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, and Game Pass through weekly news analysis, in-depth reviews, and long-form developer interviews.
Formerly Xbox Expansion Pass, the show has evolved into a multiplatform gaming podcast while staying rooted in the strategy, ecosystem, and conversations that built it.
With 150+ interviews featuring developers, journalists, and studio leads — from AAA to indie — XP offers a grounded perspective on how games are made, why decisions happen, and where the industry is headed. Guests include creators from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, Ubisoft, Respawn, id Software, Ninja Theory, Blizzard, Asobo, Remedy, and more.
What You’ll Hear on XP
• Weekly gaming and industry news• Hands-on previews and spoiler-free reviews• Interviews with developers, journalists, and industry veterans• Coverage of Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, and Game Pass• Honest analysis grounded in experience and respect for players
Why Listeners Come to XP
• Clear takes• No console-war noise• Insightful, professional coverage• A welcoming gaming community• Industry-level conversations made accessible
Whether you're here for gaming news, developer insight, or thoughtful commentary on a changing industry, The Expansion Pass (XP) delivers high-quality coverage every week.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, SiriusXM, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more.
Subscribe and join the XP community — and enjoy gaming discussions built on clarity, passion, and respect.
UK