Episode 8

In the final episode of Thumb Bandits, the team signs off with gore, gimmicks and a heavy dose of gaming chaos. The news desk covers the global craze surrounding Pikmin, Japan’s RoboDeX 2002 robot expo, and the 20th anniversary re-release of Tron, before diving into a full review of Pikmin on the Nintendo GameCube—a charming but lightweight strategy title that doesn’t quite reach classic status. The jury then ranks Dead or Alive 3, Shadow Man 2: The Second Coming and Super Smash Bros. Melee, crowning Melee the winner. A feature explores shock marketing in the wake of campaigns for Grand Theft Auto, while the hosts name their series favourites—including Halo: Combat Evolved and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty—before one last look at upcoming titles and a typically anarchic farewell.