Nadia Oxford
Staff Writer
Nadia has been writing about games for so long, only the wind and the rain (or the digital facsimiles thereof) remember her true name. She's written for Nerve, About.com, Gamepro, IGN, 1UP, PlayStation Official Magazine, and other sites and magazines that sling words about video games. She co-hosts the Axe of the Blood God podcast, where she mostly screams about Dragon Quest.
@nadiaoxford contact@usgamer.netStarting Screen | Starting Screen | Long Farewells Ne'er Were Necessary—But Here I Go Anyway
Thank you, USgamer, for giving my stupid words a home.
Immortals Fenyx Rising's Depiction of Greek Myth Shrivels in Hades' Shadow
Hades' writing has raised the bar up to Olympus and beyond.
Final Fantasy 14: Shadowbringers Has a Quest That's Engineered to Destroy Dog Owners
How a big, winged good boy made me rethink humanity's love for dogs.
Mega Man X3's Instruction Booklet Is a Perfect '90s Snapshot of Web 1.0
Mega Man X3's odd booklet is a product that can only exist in 1995.
30 Years Ago, the Super NES, Final Fantasy 4, and a Broken Jaw Changed My Life
How the SNES kept me weird but happy during a rough spot in my life.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Is Giving Me Big Ideas for Breath of the Wild 2
Listen to me, Nintendo.
More SteamWorld Games Are Coming, and We'd Drink Motor Oil for SteamWorld Heist 2
What we need are some heroes. Now more than ever.
Trails of Cold Steel 4 Is Out Today, But Don't Start Your Journey With It
The Trails of Cold Steel series is one huge saga, not necessarily four separate stories.
Crown Tundra's Dynamax Adventures Is Teaching Me to Love Loser Pokemon
You're guaranteed to make new Poke-friends in Sword and Shield's Crown Tundra DLC. (Still, stay away from Stunfisk.)
Pokemon Sword and Shield is Getting the Hang of DLC Based on Early Crown Tundra Impressions
So long "complete" editions of Pokemon games, you will not be missed.
We've Already Forgotten What Real Console Wars Looked Like
In the olden days, game companies would sooner shank each other than put exclusives on each other's consoles.
The New Trailer for the Legend of Zelda: Age of Calamity Might Contain a Link to the Past
Who is that masked wizard?
Halo 3, BioShock, and Lost Odyssey: A Look Back at the Last Golden Age of Game Commercials
Return to a time when game commercials were produced like tiny movies.
Super Mario Bros. 35 is Giving Me Flashbacks to Childhood Mario Rumors
Journey back to the Minus World with me.
Minecraft Is the Smartest Addition to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in Ages
Young people need to get off my lawn, but they're still a vital market for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
I Had a Childhood Crush on Mega Man's Mysterious Robot Brother
When Mega Man 3 arrived 30 years ago, it introduced us to Protoman. Be still our beating clockwork hearts.
Suikoden 2's Side Story Turns 20 Today, And So Does One of the Best Game Intros Ever Made
Happy 20th birthday to Suikogaiden, the blessed source of one of gaming's last anime attract modes.
Super Mario Bros.'s Weird, Stark Instruction Booklet Is One of Gaming's Most Important Documents
The Super Mario Bros. instruction book was our key to the dark depths of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Samus Has a Bastard Space Son in a Weird Bit of Half-Canon Metroid Lore
Didn't like the story for Metroid: Other M? Here's something a little wilder.
Don't Retcon Link's Left-Handedness, Nintendo
Left is right for the Hero of Time.
Super Mario 3D World's Switch Port Has Us Wondering About This New "Bowser's Fury" Content
Super Mario 3D Sad Rainy World?
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles Was Astoundingly Screwed Up Twice
"Did I ever tell you what the definition of insanity is?"
Starting Screen | Scarlet Nexus Is An Accidental Metaphor for the Struggle of COVID-19
There's something eerily (if unintentionally) relatable about Bandai Namco's upcoming action RPG.
The Story of Moon, the "Anti-RPG" That Inspired Undertale
You probably haven't played Moon, but it should feel familiar regardless.
Axe of the Blood God: Davionne Gooden of She Dreams Elsewhere on the World of Indie RPGs
This week, Nadia, Eric, and Davionne dream of electric sheep and indie RPGs.
I'm Now Super Worried About the Mega Man Movie
Say, I know a gal who's available to help with the script. Her name rhymes with Nadia Ploxford.
Rogue Legacy 2 Lets Me Build Success on the Bones of My Many Failsons, and It Feels Good
Children exist to gather up money so you can build up your defenses. That's all they're really good for.
Chrono Cross's Atmosphere Masterfully Frames One of the Saddest JRPG Characters
FATE is a cruel mistress indeed.
Why Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island Was Fated to Be Overlooked Despite Its Brilliance
Yoshi's Island is a top-tier Super Mario game, but bad timing and bad advertising caused a lot of people to miss out the first time around.
Traces of Beta Yoshi's Genetic Material Can Still be Found in Super Mario World
The Nintendo Gigaleak reminds us immortality through our offspring is possible. (And potentially disturbing.)
Suikoden Fans Have Good Reason to be Optimistic About Eiyuden Chronicle
This... this might be it, you guys.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time Finds Cool, Creative Ways to Skin You Alive
This friendly-looking bandicoot bites, which is exactly what Crash fans want.
Remember When…The Virtual Boy Introduced Shin Megami Tensei to the West
In 1995, a select few welcomed Jack Frost into the domain of Western mortals.
Remember When... Dragon Quest 9 Shocked the World?
Robust multiplayer options and a brief affair with action-based gameplay made Dragon Quest 9 the Shockmaster of the Dragon Quest series.
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2 Has a Missing Link in Its Castlevania Nostalgia
What a perfect night to pay tribute to Castlevania games that deserve it.
Tetris Primetime Turns Tetris Into a Game Show With Big Cash Prizes
Think you're a Tetris master? You'll soon have your chance to prove it to the world.
Paper Mario: The Origami King Isn't the Thousand Year Door, Nor Does It Want to Be
We share our initial thoughts on the review version of Paper Mario: The Origami King.
One Collector's Quest to Find and Preserve the Rarest Retro Nintendo Artifacts
Nintendo Power mainly existed to sell games to kids, but to collector Stephan Reese, it represents something more.
Starting Screen | Remembering the Joys of Sin-Free Gaming in Summer
There ain't no gaming like summer vacation gaming.
The Adorable Pokemon Cafe Mix Fills in the Mobile Game Gap Nintendo Is Leaving Behind
Nintendo's mobile legacy is weak, but Pokemon has lots to offer.
The Pokemon Isle of Armor DLC's Lively New Wild Area is Much Better Than Sword and Shield's
Game Freak's DLC for Pokemon Sword and Shield levels up the game's open world.
Why Everyone Is So Psyched For a New Pokemon Snap
Pokemon Snap is just some dumb simulator where you take pictures of Pokemon, right? What's the big deal?
Cris Tales Uses Classic RPGs as Inspirational Markers on Its Wildly Ambitious Course
There's a whole lot of wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff going on in Dreams Uncorporated's upcoming adventure.
New, Original Games Were the Real Stars of the PlayStation 5 Reveal
Sure, a new Ratchet & Clank is great, but talk to me about the cat that lives with robots.
The Most Beautiful 2D Sprite Games of All Time
Let's celebrate the simple beauty of sprite-based games.
Who Is the Best New Nintendo Character of the Past Decade?
Some amazing Nintendo characters have surfaced in the past ten years alone. Which one takes the top spot?
Starting Screen | Could Super Mario Galaxy 3 Ever Hope to Top the First Two Games?
As we celebrate Super Mario Galaxy 2's 10th anniversary, we reflect on how Nintendo threw everything it had into its amazing sequel.
Clubhouse Games Is a Good Collection, But a Better Teacher
Let your new plastic family teach you how to play Shoji.
The Wonderful 101 Primer: What You Should Know About PlatinumGames' Latest Port
The Wonderful 101 bombed on the Wii U. Here's why the Remastered version of the game is generating a lot of excitement.
Why Paper Mario: The Origami King's Cheeky Metroid Nod Has Everyone Talking
Nintendo is teasing another Metroid game. Actually, no, they aren't. Unless...?
A Salute to the Absurdly Ugly Video Game Guide Cover Art of the Past
Retro game guide covers were a hot mess, but they sure turned heads.
Adventure, Humor, and Humanity's Utter End: The Enduring Appeal of Mega Man Legends 2
It's not hard to understand why Mega Man Legends 2 still has a small but enthusiastic fanbase.
Starting Screen | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 Needs to Be as Weird as Majora's Mask
Majora's Mask, now 20 years old, is unforgettable. That's a lesson Breath of the Wild 2 should take.
How I Connected With Other RPG Fans Through Rental Game Save Files
In the '90s, RPG fans blazed trails for each other with high-level save files in rented games.
The 10 Best Co-Op Games For Players on a Budget
Looking for something fun to do with a friend on a budget? These 10 games will bring a smile to your faces and relief to your bank accounts.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Has a Big Texture Problem
Final Fantasy 7 Remake is visually stunning, but it's hard to ignore its muddy underbelly.
PokeNecromancer: How An Artist Is Resurrecting "Lost" Pokemon With Amazing Illustrations
A little paint and imagination can lift a cold Pokemon from the cutting room floor and into fans' hearts.
Remember When... The First Memes Eviscerated the PlayStation 3 and its Boomerang Controller
Before Twitter and Discord, YTMND took on the solemn task of mocking the PlayStation 3 and its boomerang controller.
In Other Waters Feeds My Dream of Meeting Europa's Alien Life
Some alien oceans are easier to explore than others. At least for now.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Emanates Powerful Flip Phone Nostalgia
Anything worth saying can be said in three words and an acronym.
Starting Screen | We All Have Bad Opinions About 3D Mario Games, Especially You
You're wrong about Super Mario 64, you're wrong about Super Mario 3D World, but most of all, you're wrong about Super Mario Sunshine.
The Bravely Default 2 Demo Wants to Drink Your Blood and Eat Your Bones
Careless movements in Bravely Default's first proper sequel will earn you a swift death.
Persona 5 Royal's Cries for Justice Resonate More Than Ever
Persona 5 Royal has stolen my heart all over again—even if not everything about it has aged wonderfully.
A Tribute to Chrono Trigger's Weird, Funny, and Depressing Endings on Its 25th Anniversary
Chrono Trigger's detailed endings are an example of how it does everything right.
Square Enix Should Be Clearer About Final Fantasy 7 Remake Being a Multi-Parter
Square Enix's hesitation to label Final Fantasy 7 Remake as a multi-parter is understandable, but it's still not right.
The Most Interesting Mega Man Character is a Reploid Who Fell in Love with a Human
There's a Mega Man Zero character who's a treasure trove of lore and timeline links. Stay a while and listen.
Starting Screen | Video Games Held No Meaning for Me Until Developers Gave Us Endings
If video games are a chaotic digital sea, narrative and endings are its lighthouses.
Nintendo Direct Hype Has Gotten Out of Control—And I Love It
Directs aren't just fun; they also have an important history. They're worthy of a little craziness.
The New Pokemon: Twilight Wings Short Shows Us a Side of Pokemon We Don't Get to See Often
Pokemon are, and always shall be, your friends.
In Final Fantasy 7 Remake's Intro Video, Midgar's Past Gives Us a Chilling Look at Our Own Future
Everything's going to be OK. Right?
A Neopets Cartoon Is Coming, but Who the Heck Is It For?
Will it star a Kougra whose owner hasn't fed it in 18 years?
We've Forgotten the Simple but Strong Lesson Mewtwo Tried to Teach Us 20 Years Ago
It's Mewtwo's birthday, and the least we can do is remember to be excellent to each other.
The Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection Leaves Out One Potentially Wonderful Extra
Sadly, western audiences are denied the peaceful resolution X and Zero fought for.
With a Nintendo Direct Possibly Around the Corner, It's Time We Heard More About Bayonetta 3
We've seen neither hide nor (long, luxurious) hair of Bayonetta in over two years. She's overdue for an appearance.
Starting Screen | I Moderated a Gaming BBS in 1995, and It Was a Beautiful, Life-Changing Mess
When it comes to video game discourse, everything old is forever new.
The New Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trailer Reminds Us Life Sucks, and Palmer is to Blame
"Hey-hey! I can ruin you!"
Fire Emblem is Nintendo's Hero in the Mobile Market While Mario Scrabbles for Scraps
Given Mario's enormous star power, why isn't he more lucrative in the mobile space?
Masahiro Sakurai Made Fools of Us All With One Subtle Gesture Before the Byleth Reveal
Sakurai has a twisted sense of humor, and he's not afraid to use it.
Starting Screen | Why is Nintendo Hesitant to Remember Super Mario Bros. 2?
Super Mario Bros. 2 is a major part of Nintendo's history, but it seems scared to dish out relevant nostalgia.
Tetris 99's Biggest Fan Is The Father of Tetris Himself, Alexey Pajitnov
Tetris' creator is excited to see his game flourish as a competitive experience.
Pokemon Friend or Phantom: What Horror is Galarian Slowking Hiding?
Why does Galarian Slowking hide its face? We might find the answer in literature, music, or both.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE: Encore Plays Like a Song, and I Can't Help but Sing Along
Tokyo Mirage Sessions' unique battle system is a real bop.
Help, I'm Being Crushed To Death by 2020's Promising Slate of RPGs
2020 is loaded with RPGs, and it already hurts so good.
Nadia Oxford's Top 10 Games of 2019: Dragons, Dragons, Rock the Dragons
Whoops, I accidentally RPG again.
Final Fantasy 14 is Unapologetically Horny, and I Support It
"Ever hear the one about the Lalafell who had a 12-inch pianist?"
Axe of the Blood God Throws Down Over 2019's Best RPGs
Our list is the definitive list. Worship it. All attempts to deviate will be halted using fire.
No, Bravely Default 2 Isn't the First Bravely Default Sequel: An Explainer
Three games later, we finally earn a "2."
25 Years Ago, Breath of Fire 2 Was My First Journey to Kill God, and It Was Good
Even the world's worst translation can't destroy a good yarn about slaying the Lord.
The Most Baffling Survivors of the Pokemon Sword and Shield Pokedex Cull
Who knows where the whims of fate may lead us?
Minecraft Black Friday Deals - Games, Toys, Playsets, and More
You can't build a Minecraft deal this good.
Pokemon Black Friday 2019 Deals - Games, Toys, Card Games, and More
Gotta catch all these amazing deals.
Legend of Zelda 2019 Black Friday Deals - Toys, Games, Books, Accessories, and More
It's dangerous to pay full price! Read these Zelda deals and equip yourself with great savings.
Fortnite Black Friday Deals - Games, Toys, Accessories, and More
Start dancing and bring in the llamas, because we have some awesome Fortnite deals for you.
Page 1 of 7
Popular Games