Checkpoint Gaming

Checkpoint on JOY is a popular radio show about video games, based in Melbourne, Australia. We also have a website that offers news, features, and reviews, and we are connected with Metacritic and OpenCritic. Our team consists of a varied group of gamers who create an award-winning, 2-hour radio program every week, along with daily online content and extra podcasts. You can tune in to Checkpoint at our home station, JOY 94.9, every Saturday at 2 PM AEST! The show is then shared with a wider audience across the Community Radio Network every Tuesday at 7 PM AEST.

National, Consumer

English

Online/Digital

Outlet metrics

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Ranking

Global

#628475

United States

#535636

Games/Video Games Consoles and Accessories

#13447

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Monthly visitors

Articles

Cinematic Mode - Drop will make you check your phone settings

1 week ago | checkpointgaming.net | Luke Mitchell

Blumhouse might be dipping their toes into the video game world, kicking goals with last year’s horror release, Fear the Spotlight, but their bread and butter remains quirky horror concepts that keep you on the edge of your seat while also occasionally having a bit of a giggle. Drop is the latest thriller in this entertaining category, coming from director Christopher Landon, who is building a solid resume in this type of storytelling after making Happy Death Day and Freaky, previously.
Rusty Rabbit Review - Bunny business

1 week ago | checkpointgaming.net | Lisa Pollifroni

Skip to content Reviewed April 15, 2025 on PC PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5 April 17, 2025 SoFun NITRO PLUS In Rusty Rabbit, the world has turned to ice, humans are extinct, and rabbits rule the world.
Lushfoil Photography Sim Review - Photographer approved

1 week ago | checkpointgaming.net | Erielle Sudario

Skip to content Reviewed April 14, 2025 on PC PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S April 15, 2025 Annapurna Interactive Matt Newell As someone with photos published here on Checkpoint and other publications, Lushfoil Photography Sim caught my attention. This adventure game promotes itself as a “walking + photography simulator,” where players can take photos in simulated locations from the real world using cameras similar to the ones used by photographers.
5 epic Xbox indies from Southeast Asia to get excited about

2 weeks ago | checkpointgaming.net | Luke Mitchell

The ID@Xbox program has been cooking up some delightful indies over the years. Its particular focus on supporting developers from all sorts of cultures and backgrounds has allowed for some very creative and compelling stories to be told from some unexpected places. Thanks in part to the program, Xbox Indies have definitely been going strong, with lots to look forward to.
Archazia’s Island has it raining cats and dogs in Disney Lorcana

2 weeks ago | checkpointgaming.net | Luke Mitchell

Skip to content Posted on April 8, 2025 We’re now (in Australia) racing towards the end of “year one” in Disney Lorcana. Launching Down Under in June last year and with sets flying out in a fairly intense cadence, the seventh expansion, Archazia’s Island, has recently been released, bringing with it more new mechanics and adorable new Disney characters to add to your decks.
South of Midnight Review - A tale worth weaving

3 weeks ago | checkpointgaming.net | Luke Mitchell

Skip to content Reviewed April 4, 2025 on Xbox Series X|S PC, Xbox Series X|S April 8, 2025 Xbox Game Studios Compulsion Games Fairytales and folklore, the stories we’re told as children and then share as adults, feature some of the darkest and most mysterious characters in history.
Malys is the new upcoming unholy deckbuilder from Summerfall Studios

3 weeks ago | checkpointgaming.net | Victor Tan

Summerfall Studios, the Aussie team behind the award-winning Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, has announced its next project, Malys. Completely different from their previous work, Malys is a roguelite deckbuilder set for release in 2025. In Malys, you’ll exact vengeance against demons as you protect the innocent. Playing as Noah, a former priest now acting as a demon hunter, your goal is to take down the titular Malys, a powerful demon whose evil influence is corrupting a city.
A Minecraft Movie Review - Should have crafted a better story

3 weeks ago | checkpointgaming.net | Erielle Sudario

Skip to content Reviewed on April 3, 2025 A Minecraft Movie is the live-action adaptation of Mojang’s iconic sandbox game of the same name. Directed by Oscar-nominated Jared Hess, the film features the talents of Jack Black and Jason Momoa, as well as Emma Myers, Sebastian Hansen, and Danielle Brooks. It attempts to bring Minecraft’s imaginative world to life by mining what’s best about the game, whilst adding a few extra things. But did it craft the perfect video game movie?
Donkey Kong Bananza is the first 3D Donkey Kong game in over 25 years

3 weeks ago | checkpointgaming.net | Luke Mitchell

To finish off the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct with a big mic drop, Donkey Kong Bananza was revealed, a brand-new 3D platforming action adventure, coming exclusively to the new console. While speculation continued to grow about a new 3D Mario game announcement as a potential launch title, it’s pretty bloody cool to see everybody’s favourite ape get a 3D platformer, the first for him since Donkey Kong 64 way back in 1999.
Mario Kart World announced as a Switch 2 launch title

3 weeks ago | checkpointgaming.net | Luke Mitchell

During the Nintendo Switch 2 focused direct in the wee hours of the Aussie morning, Mario Kart World was revealed, and it’s a launch title for the Switch 2, meaning it’s coming out on June 5. The trailer showed off a bunch of really cool stuff that we can look forward to in the first new Mario Kart since Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was released for the OG Switch in 2017(!). There will be plenty of returning characters and changing weather that will impact the courses you’re racing on.