New Dad Gaming Podcast By Trevor Alexander & Jeff Smalley cover art

New Dad Gaming

New Dad Gaming

By: Trevor Alexander & Jeff Smalley
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New Dad Gaming | The Podcast for Gaming Dads Since 2015

Just because you became a dad doesn't mean it's game over.

New Dad Gaming is the longest-running podcast for dads who game. Hosted by Trevor Alexander and Jeff Smalley since 2015, NDG is where gaming meets fatherhood — real talk about finding game time, playing with your kids, navigating screen time, and keeping your favorite hobby alive through the chaos of raising a family.

Every week we cover the games worth your limited time, co-op picks for playing with kids, hardware that fits a dad budget, and the hilarious reality of gaming while parenting. Whether you're sneaking in 30 minutes after bedtime or building a Minecraft world with your 8-year-old, this show is for you.

380+ episodes. Two dads. One rule: Game Over is not an option.

Copyright 2026 New Dad Gaming. All rights reserved. Parenting & Families Politics & Government Relationships Science Fiction
Episodes
  • Ep. 387: Poems, Plagues, Pokémon Pokopia & the Backlog Paradox

    Ep. 387: Poems, Plagues, Pokémon Pokopia & the Backlog Paradox
    Mar 18 2026
    Jeff survived the family plague (barely), and this week we're recording live — poems and all. This episode kicks off with a live poem creation featuring the Steam Deck and Skate 3. From there, Jeff shares how the Steam Deck was his lifeline while sick on the couch: full Steam library plus PS5 streaming, all from under the blankets. We compare it to the consoles that shaped our lives — the Game Boy SP, the PSP, and why portability matters more than ever for gaming dads. Then we dig into Pokémon Pocketopia on the Switch 2. Jeff's family is all-in and Trevor might not be far behind. We break down what it is (Minecraft meets Pokémon in a post-apocalyptic world), the Switch 2's GameShare feature that lets you play co-op from a Switch 1, and whether this could be the next Animal Crossing for families. Jeff's kid discovered Skate 3 on Game Pass and asked dad for help beating a challenge. 100+ hours of muscle memory kicked in — double kickflips, dark slides, 920s. The kid walked out of the room. Trevor confesses he may have traumatized his own kids at Mario Kart and GoldenEye beyond recovery. We also talk about the "I didn't marry a loser" social media trend — wives pushing back on the incompetent dad stereotype — and what it means that this generation of dads has arrived. Millennial dads are spending three times more quality time with their kids than previous generations. It hit us right in the feels. Finally, it's the debut of New Dad Gaming Questions! A listener sent in a study from 2averagegamers.com: what 10,000 Reddit comments reveal about the adult gaming backlog. The median gamer sits on 100–150 unplayed games, plays 8–10 hours a week, and 75% feel genuinely guilty about it. Adults who can finally afford all the games they want but lack the time to play them. Sound familiar? Welcome to New Dad Gaming. 🎮 Topics: Steam Deck sick day, Pokémon Pocketopia, Switch 2 GameShare, Skate 3 dad flex, Mario Kart trauma, "I didn't marry a loser" trend, modern fatherhood, gaming backlog paradox, No New Games 2025, adult gaming guilt 📬 Got a story, question, or a backlog confession? Reach out at newdadgaming.com
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    31 mins
  • Switch 2 vs Quest 3 for Kids? + Crimson Desert Hype & Pokemon TCG | New Dad Gaming Ep. 386

    Switch 2 vs Quest 3 for Kids? + Crimson Desert Hype & Pokemon TCG | New Dad Gaming Ep. 386
    Mar 4 2026

    The New Dads dive into a great listener email covering why it's time to kick Roblox to the curb, the magic of the Steam Deck on snow days, and fan-made Pokémon ROM hacks.

    We also debate the perfect birthday gift for an 8-year-old (Switch 2 vs. Meta Quest 3), discuss whether the Pokémon TCG Mobile app is just a digital pack addiction, and look ahead at the massive hype surrounding Crimson Desert.

    Finally, we come to terms with the harsh reality that our kids are already better at Hades than we ever were.

    Connect With Us: Have a gaming dad fail, success, or "headshake moment" to share? We want to hear from you!

    🌐 Visit us: newdadgaming.com

    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/

    If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating, and drop a comment! It helps the algorithm push the show out to other gaming fathers figuring out their gaming lives.

    #NewDadGaming #GamingDads #FatherhoodAndGaming #NintendoSwitch2 #MetaQuest3 #PokemonTCG #PokemonShield #CrimsonDesert #HadesGame #SteamDeck #DadLife #Podcast
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    35 mins
  • Pokemon Red for $30 & Smurfing in Marvel Snap | Ep. 385

    Pokemon Red for $30 & Smurfing in Marvel Snap | Ep. 385
    Feb 24 2026

    Welcome back to New Dad Gaming! This week, Trevor and Jeff are surviving the wild energy of their kids—who are currently acting like Red Bull-fueled boars at a banquet.

    With the family adjusting to life down in Medellín, the guys discuss bribing the kids with $100 to learn Spanish on Duolingo and how this educational "loophole" is racking up screen time. We also dive into the beautiful peace of a post-Roblox household, which has led the kids right back to the classics like Pokémon Sword and EA FC.

    On the adult gaming front, Nintendo is testing our patience (and wallets) by charging a premium for retro Pokémon Fire Red ports, Trevor confesses to a slightly guilty relapse into Marvel Snap, Jeff returns to the Final Fantasy 14 grind, and we confront the terrifying reality of a 15-year-old pirating Balatro on school computers.

    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/

    #podcast #podcaster #podcasting #fatherhood #gaming #dadgaming

    Chapter Timestamps:

    • 0:00 - Intro & The "Boars at a Banquet" Analogy

    • 4:39 - The Duolingo Screen Time Loophole & Spanish Bets

    • 10:51 - Life After Roblox: Kids Return to Pokémon & Soccer

    • 15:06 - Nintendo's Wild $30 Price Tag for Retro Pokémon

    • 22:16 - Relapsing into Marvel Snap & Smurfing Low Levels

    • 26:23 - The Endless Cycle of Final Fantasy 14

    • 30:05 - Kids Pirating Balatro on School Computers

    • 31:49 - Outro & How to Support the Show
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    34 mins
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