The NXpress Nintendo Podcast

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill get back together for one more episode. And what better way to keep the show going than to discuss the most recent Nintendo Direct? We may not have had a real E3 this year, but the June 2023 Nintendo Direct delivered the goods with a surprisingly expansive slate of announcements across some of the Big N’s most significant franchises. Think Nintendo was going to sit out the rest of the year? This Direct proved otherwise!

The gang runs through each of the direct’s biggest announcements, from crowd pleasers like the Super Mario RPG remake to the head scratching reveals like Detective Pikachu Returns. This may not have been a consistent presentation—-it truly was the epitome of starting from the bottom and ending at the top—but in the end, it delivered some surprisingly excellent reveals showing that 2023 is far from over when it comes to big Nintendo release. Let’s just agree not to talk about Everybody 1-2 Switch in the meantime, ok?

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill return from a brief hiatus with some bittersweet news: Goomba Stomp is coming to a close, and with it, the NXpress Nintendo Podcast is ending as well. It’s been an amazing run, but after a few hundred episodes and years of reviews, discussions, interviews, and impressions, NXpress is about to sign off for good. Don’t worry, though–the NXpress crew isn’t done yet! Stay tuned for an official farewell episode and for information about what the gang will get up to next.

Before we call it quits though, we have unfinished business: namely, impressions of some of the year’s biggest Switch games! Campbell has finally rolled credits on Octopath Traveler 2, and shockingly, his impressions are just as enthusiastic as ever! An improvement on the first game in every conceivable way, Octopath Traveler 2 delivers one of the Switch’s best RPG experiences to date. And speaking of brilliant RPGs, Marc has plenty to praise about Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s ambitious DLC expansion, Future Redeemed! While the original Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was already a great sendoff to the Xenoblade trilogy, this DLC manages to deliver an even more fitting conclusion. Cameron rounds off these quickfire reviews with some impressions on West of Loathing, a hilarious indie adventure that might have fallen under the radar, but is absolutely worth checking out.

And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the gang reviews the long-awaited sequel to Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Ladies and gentlemen, it might be hard to believe, but the NXpress crew is here to confirm that Tears of the Kingdom is indeed better than its predecessor: it’s more ambitious, more expansive, and somehow, even more fun than the game before it. The hosts go around the room sharing their impressions of the game so far in this spoiler-free discussion, exchanging notes about all that they’ve discovered in this latest adventure in Hyrule, the skies above, and the depths below. Is this the greatest game of all time? As dramatic as that question might seem, the hosts think it might not be so far-fetched. All this and more in the penultimate episode of NXpress!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:
LFXIV – NXpress Intro
0:39 – Catch Up: Octopath Traveler II, Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed, and West of Loathing
“Colgera” – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
25:00 – Main Event: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review
“Main Theme” – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

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Tetris Movie and Curse of the Sea Rats ReviewThis week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon and Marc Kaliroff are back to chat about everything but triple-a games while Campbell Gill takes a day to rest. Like the last episode, the crew might be one man down but Cameron and Marc still have plenty to discuss as they explore a thrilling period of the 80s and a less-than-desirable pirate fiction.

First up, Cameron and Marc both have quite a lot to say about an indie game they have been playing this past week. Curse of the Sea Rats, a multiplayer Metroidvania with beautiful art and questionable controls, is sadly cursed with more than one major issue. Like with most Metroidvanias though, the two still have some positive things to say about Petoons Studios’ newest expedition.

To close things off, Marc is ready to talk about the blockbuster Tetris fans have been waiting for. According to Marc, the new Apple TV movie based on the game’s publication history is one of the best films of the year so far and a fantastic biopic that recaps Henk Rogers’ journey to secure the rights to the Russian puzzle on behalf of Nintendo. While the movie may use a few over-the-top dramatized changes from the real story (trust us, the car chase is actually really good and adds to the story’s weight), Tetris captures an unbelievable tale as it entertains viewers with a realistic and shockingly gravitating espionage thriller.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:
LFXIV – NXpress Intro
0:39 – Opening: Curse of the Sea Rats Review
“Benevolence” – Tetris
20:00 – Main Event: Tetris Movie Review
“10 Players Left” – Tetris 99

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There are no tears to be shed for this kingdom. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Marc Kaliroff and Campbell Gill take over the show while Cameron gives his voice a much-deserved rest for the week. Thankfully, the guys have plenty to talk about, from new Tears of the Kingdom gameplay to now-lost 3DS puzzle classics.

First things first, the boys pour one out for the Wii U and 3DS eShops, which officially closed their doors on March 28. With these stores, a whole chapter of Nintendo’s history is also closing as the two ill-fated consoles officially fade into retirement, taking their eShop-exclusive games with them. Thankfully, someone on the podcast has gone on a shopping spree to help preserve a few of those digital-only titles. From Pushmo to Boyboy to Xenoblade Chronicles X, the guys run through some of the titles that made these now-closed libraries so special.

Next up is the main event you’ve all been waiting for: the gang’s reaction to the big 10-minute-long gameplay debut of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. After years of teaser trailers and drip-fed information, we’ve finally gotten a hands-on look at the game–and the boys sure do have a lot to say! With new abilities that expand upon the open world formula that made Breath of the Wild so amazing, things are already looking promising. Fusing weapons together, building vehicles, phasing through ceilings–there’s a lot to unpack from just 10 minutes of footage!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:
LFXIV – NXpress Intro
0:39 – Opening: eShop Closure Discussion & Review
“Kass Theme” – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
30:40 – Main Event: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Gameplay Reveal
“Calamity Ganon Phase 2” – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe–AKA the gift that keeps on giving. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by their longtime friend of the show Marty Allen to discuss Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Expansion Pass Wave 4 and so much more! Marc and Marty break down all the new courses introduced in the latest wave of the ever-growing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Expansion Pass, which somehow manages to be even better than the last wave. The only question the gang has after this discussion is: what could possibly be next? Cloud Strife in Mario Kart, anyone?

After this, Marty sets sail for a review of Dredge, the Lovecraftian fishing sim we’ve all been waiting for. Marty draws from his extensive seafaring experience (which may be partially derived from musical theater) to review this satisfying fishing adventure, where players voyage out into unsettling waters haunted by mysterious creatures. Rest assured: spooky as it can get, Marty confirms this is a journey worth sailing.

Lastly, Marc closes the show with an indie spotlight on Storyteller, the latest experimental puzzle game from Annapurna Interactive. Taking place in a fragmented storybook, Storyteller tasks players with putting the pieces together to prepare a complete story. While the puzzles might be a bit obtuse, Marc concludes that Storyteller is still a genuine page-turner.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:
LFXIV – NXpress Intro
0:39 – Opening: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Wave 4 Discussion & Review
“Yoshi’s Island” – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
30:40 – Main Event: Dredge Review
“Waluigi Stadium” – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
50:00 – Indie Spotlight: Storyteller Review
“Singapore” – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

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X marks the spot when talking about Metroid Fusion. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill hop into their Varia suits for a discussion of all things Metroid! The gang starts out with their impressions of Metroid Fusion, newly made available on Switch as part of the GBA Switch Online service–and the boys discover Samus isn’t messing around with this one. This might just be the most intense game in the series, with elements of suspense and even a little horror mixed with a deeply challenging gameplay loop. But it’s not all scary, as the game still features the franchise’s signature exploration and worldbuilding in Samus’s journey to squash the X parasite. Spoiler: it’s still worth playing today!

Next up, Marc tackles something that’s just a little more timely: Metroid Prime Remastered. Essentially rebuilt from the ground up for Switch, this remaster takes an already stylish and iconic title and polishes it to a shining package that feels as amazing to play today as it did 20 years ago. Between the music, storytelling, exploration, and visuals, Metroid Prime Remastered remains a standout title on Switch! Now for a remaster of Metroid Prime Pinball…

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:
LFXIV – NXpress Intro
0:39 – Main Event: Metroid Fusion Switch Online Review
“Theme of Samus Aran” – Metroid Dread
47:00 – Main Event: Metroid Prime Remastered Review
“Main Menu” –Metroid Prime Remastered

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill set out on an exhaustive tri-path podcast to discuss Octopath Traveler II! Before embarking on that journey, though, Marc kicks things off with a much less substantial talking point: Splatoon 3’s underwhelming first wave of DLC! Despite its promise of nostalgia for longtime fans, the Inkopolis DLC provides very little substance and, in turn, not much for Marc to talk about. Here’s hoping the next DLC wave can pick up the pace.

Moving onto the main event, Campbell dives into an in-depth review of Square Enix’s latest HD-2D RPG, Octopath Traveler II! This sequel does the impossible: it recaptures everything that made the 2018 original title great, while making meaningful improvements on the first game’s issues. With eight unique travelers, each with their own unique stories, Octopath Traveler II tells a decentralized RPG story while still maintaining just enough character interaction. That’s not to mention the stunning soundtrack, beautiful art, and moving stories–there’s so much to love that the gang spends an hour talking about the game while barely even touching on the combat! Don’t miss out on what’s sure to be one of the Switch’s best titles of 2023.

Feeling confident after all the love in the Octopath segment? Marc’s here to throw some horror into the mix with a review of Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse. Perhaps this title hasn’t aged as gracefully as other horror classics, but for some of us on the show, it might just be too spoopy after all. All this and more in this RPG-sized episode!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Talking Point: Splatoon 3 DLC Wave 1 Review“Cait Battle” – Octopath Traveler II12:00 – Main Event: Octopath Traveler II Review“Main Theme” –Octopath Traveler II109:00 – Talking Point: Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse Review“Training” – Luigi’s Mansion

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Kirby’s Return to Dream Land ReviewDon’t Pokemon Sleep on this one! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by a longtime friend of the show, Eliza from Kirby Informer! Before the gang makes their return to Dream Land, they share their thoughts on the recent Pokemon Presents showcase for Pokemon Day 2023. Horrifying animatronic Pikachu aside, the hosts come to a quick consensus: not even the full reveal of Pokemon Sleep could wake them up. Where were the surprises the classic games, the new spinoffs? Guess we’ll have to make due with overpriced DLC and over-hyped cards for now…

Moving onto the main event, the gang dives into Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe with an in-depth review discussion!This 2D Kirby title made waves upon its first release on the Wii in 2011, but is it still worth playing today? The Kirby experts on the show explore the many reasons why Return to Dream Land is still a worthwhile Kirby title even after The Forgotten Land switched up the formula forever. Could Return to Dream Land be the Dark Souls of Kirby? Tune in for this and more bizarre comparisons!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com

Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Talking Point: Pokemon Presents Reactions“Cookie Country” – Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe27:00 – Main Event: Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe Review“King Dedede Theme” – Kirby’s Return to Dream land Deluxe

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If all else fails, at least you can always count on Square Enix to have the best titles imaginable. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill delve into the world of Final Fantasy soundtracks and discuss the delicate art of making modern metroidvanias.

Campbell kicks things off with a review of Theatrhythm Final Bar Line, the delightfully titled latest entry in the ongoing Theatrhythm franchise. Strange name aside, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a triumphant celebration of the iconic soundtracks that make Final Fantasy so legendary. This rhythm game is about as simple as they come, but with an enormous tracklist spanning hundreds of songs, campaigns for each mainline Final Fantasy title, and an adorable Chibi-esque visual style, Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line delivers a resounding crescendo!

Next up, Marc and Cameron review the latest title from metroidvania specialists Inti Creates, Grim Guardians: Demon Purge. Safe to say, this is no Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon. Marc and Cameron exchange notes on the game’s bizarre setting, uneven pacing, and half-baked gameplay ideas, before musing on the many other excellent metroidvanias currently available on Swich that are far worthier of your time.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Talking Point: Pokemon Day Predictions“The Prelude” – Final Fantasy X17:00 – Main Event: Game Boy and Game Boy Advance Impressions“Beginning [Level 1]” – Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse

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Let’s advance to an exciting discussion. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill chat all things Game Boy and Game Boy Advance, now that the beloved handhelds have finally made their long-awaited debuts on the Nintendo Switch Online service. Before that, though, the gang makes their predictions for the upcoming Pokemon Day 2023, from Scarlet and Violet DLC to mobile game updates to even the return of the long-lost Detective Pikachu game on Switch. Many festivities await Pokemon’s big day!

Next up, it’s time for the main event: a sweeping discussion of the gang’s impressions of the newly added Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles available as part of Nintendo Switch Online. The gang share their thoughts on many of the games available on the platform already, showing plenty of promise in these recent additions to the service’s retro lineup. We’ve got the brilliant RPG Mario + Luigi: Superstar Saga, the strange Japanese launch title Kuru Kuru Kuruin, the all-time classic Tetris, and so much more. The platform is off to a strong start, and the hosts don’t hesitate to predict what else could be in store!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Talking Point: Pokemon Day Predictions“Pokémon Stadium” – Super Smash Bros. Melee17:00 – Main Event: Game Boy and Game Boy Advance Impressions“Preparing For The Journey” – Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

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Not even the world’s worst technical hiccups can keep the NXpress gang from Nintendo Direct hype! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill overcome a bevy of recording issues to react to the long-awaited Nintendo Direct of February 2023. We’ve been expecting the year’s first big Direct for some time now, and suffice to say, this one didn’t disappoint. The gang focuses strictly on the highlights of the show, but even then, there’s so much to discuss: Pikmin 4’s stunning visuals! Mario Kart 8 Deluxe DLC! Tears of the Kingdom lets you rail grind! And GB and GBA games are finally on Switch Online! The gang covers all this and more in this wide-ranging conversation–it’s safe to say that Nintendo is starting the year out strong with a direct this good.

It wasn’t all just big announcements and reveal trailers, though–we also got tons of shadow drops after the show, and that’s the subject of the next segment. Marc gushes about the Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe demo, Cameron shares some mixed impressions on the Sea of Stars demo (it’s no Chained Echoes), and Campbell raves about the Octopath Traveler II demo. That’s right folks, the February 2023 Nintendo Direct not only gave us lots to discuss, but also plenty to play!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

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Are ya ready to engage, kids? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill review two of January’s biggest (and perhaps controversial) Switch games: Fire Emblem Engage and SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake.

First thing first, Marc takes the gang to a pineapple under the sea to review SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, the spiritual successor to 2020’s hit remake Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated. While this 3D platformer cleverly renders many fan-favorite ideas and locations from the show, its sense of humor and routine gameplay can make the game a bit of a hard sell for all but the most diehard spongeheads.

Moving onto the biggest talking point, we come to the beautifully mixed bag that is Fire Emblem Engage. Marc walks the gang through the highs and lows in this latest entry in the long-running strategy series: while the story can be almost laughably bad with generic worldbuilding and unlikeable characters, the gameplay has perhaps never been as fun as it is here. Despite its issues, is Engage still worth a recommendation? Marc answers all this and more.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Main Event: Persona 3 Portable & Persona 4 Golden Reviews“Stadium Rave A” – SpongeBob SquarePants23:00 – Main Event Continued: Social Links and More!“Fire Emblem Theme” – Fire Emblem Engage

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Baby, baby, baby! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by very special guest James Cook for another Persona spectacular. After their last all-out discussion of the Persona 5 Switch port a few months back, the gang is back together for a wide-ranging conversation on the long-awaited Switch ports of Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 Portable. Now that these classic RPGs have finally made their debut on Switch, the question remains: is it worth returning to Inaba or climbing the tower of Tartarus once again?

Of course, both games are classics in their own right. Maybe they’re starting to show their age, but they still shine in their own ways: Persona 3 might just be the most thematically consistent entry in the series, and Persona 4 Golden thrives in its upbeat sense of style. From social links to part-time jobs to dungeon exploration to the all-important waifu wars, the gang dissects everything that makes these games work so well–while looking ahead to the future of the series altogether.

Whether you’re a first-time player coming from Persona 5 or a series veteran, these Switch ports offer a brilliant way to experience these cult classics.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Main Event: Persona 3 Portable & Persona 4 Golden Reviews“Opening Theme” – Persona 4 Golden44:00 – Main Event Continued: Social Links and More!“Pursuing My True Self” – Persona 4 Golden

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A new year means new adventures in the backlog. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill return from a brief podcasting hiatus to revisit their favorite New Year’s topic: exploring their backlogs. The gang had plenty of time to delve into their ever-present backlogs over the break, and now they’re ready to share their impressions and hot takes. This simple recap soon grows into a bigger discussion altogether: was the original Portal actually any good? Is Skyward Sword a better Zelda than Link’s Awakening? What does the ending of Limbo actually mean? All this and so much more in this surprisingly in-depth tour-de-force discussion!

As the main event draws to a close, the indie spotlight begins. While Cameron shares a few disappointed thoughts about Lone Ruin, a Hades-esque roguelike that failed to meet expectations, Campbell has much more enthusiasm for Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider, a nonsensically named 2D action game giving us what we all really need: a robot ninja adventure. Inspired by Shinobi, Strider, and Mega Man X, Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is an intensely demanding adventure that tempers its retro difficulty with some incredibly creative items, quality-of-life improvements, and some brilliantly creative level designs.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Main Event: Tales From the Backlog: What We Played Recently“File Select” – The Legends of Zelda: Link’s Awakening1:00:30 – Indie Spotlight: Lone Ruin & Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider“Title” – The Legends of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

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Let’s a-go into a new year! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill send off a momentous year with their final podcast recorded in 2022, and ring in a new year with an episode full of hot takes and spicy Nintendo predictions for 2023. Before all that, though, what better way to welcome the new year than with triumphant fanfare? The gang responds to a listener question by discussing their favorite fanfare themes in video games, and from Final Fantasy to Mario to Kirby to Metal Gear, they certainly have plenty to pick from!

Then, to the Main Event: predicting Nintendo’s 2023. We have a whole new year ahead of us, full of possibilities for surprises from the Big N. The gang takes turns making bold predictions about what Nintendo fans can look forward to: could this be the year we see Wind Waker HD on Switch, Advance Wars 1+2 Re-boot Camp make its long-delayed debut, or a new 3D Mario game to align with the upcoming movie? Will we ever see Metroid Prime 4, or the elusive next-gen Switch? The gang offer their takes on all these questions and more!

Last but absolutely not least, Cameron closes out the show with an RPG extravaganza centered on the excellent new indie adventure Chained Echoes. Taking after the best SNES JRPGs of the roleplaying Golden Age, Chained Echoes is a gripping take on the classic genre formula with plenty of modern conveniences thrown in to boot. Turn-based battles, an engaging plot, and plenty of controllable super mechs, Chained Echoes has a little bit of everything you could want–and this discussion leads into a broader conversation on other great RPGs on Switch (Final Fantasy VII, anyone?).

All this and more in this week’s episode of NXpress. Happy 2023, everybody!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Talking Point: Stocking Stuffers and Nintendo Switch Gifts“New Year’s Countdown – 1 Hour” – Animal Crossing: Wild World18:30 – Main Event: Ranking The Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2022“New Year’s Countdown – 15 Minutes” – Animal Crossing: New LeafIndie Spotlight: Chained Echoes“Happy New Year!” – Animal Crossing: New Horizons

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The Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2022Who will come out on top? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill participate in a time-honored tradition: ranking the 22 best Nintendo Switch games of 2022. Before that momentous task, however, the gang celebrates the holiday season by sharing their top Nintendo-themed stocking stuffer hits. No matter how big or small your stocking might be, the NXpress crew has some surefire wins for the NIntendo fans on your holiday shopping list!

And then, to the main event–the moment we’ve been waiting for all year: ranking the best Nintendo Switch Games of 2022. It’s been a momentous year for the Big N, to say the very least, with releases ranging from eagerly anticipated sequels, shocking remakes, and long, long-overdue ports, making it no easy task for the Goomba Stomp team to rank this year’s best Nintendo titles. Yet rank them we did, so the NXpress gang is here to talk about each and every entry: from Splatoon 3 to Shovel Knight Dig, from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge to Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the team combs through the year’s biggest Switch hits to see which one comes out on top.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Talking Point: Stocking Stuffers and Nintendo Switch Gifts“Silver Snow Story” – Kirby Triple Deluxe18:30 – Main Event: Ranking The Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2022“Super Mario Sleigh Ride” – The One Ups

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And the award goes to…Bill Clinton? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill celebrate Awards Season by reacting to the good, the bad, and the utterly bizarre at the 2022 Game Awards, along with reviews of the much-anticipated Switch RPGs Harvestella and Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion.

The gang kicks things off by running through the biggest announcements at the Game Awards of 2022 that were most relevant to Nintendo fans. From a sequel to one of the best roguelikes on the market to a surprise follow-up to a controversial award winner, the show certainly did bring a few exciting bits of news for fans of the Big N. Yet nothing compares to the biggest delight of the show: a new trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which goes where few other game movies have gone before: using music from the source material in the actual film. What a novelty!

Next up, Cameron turns things down a notch with impressions of two Square Enix RPGs that might fail to meet expectations. First up is Harvestella, the apocalypse-meets-farming-sim whose promising premise suffers under a repetitive, basic, and surprisingly barebones gameplay loop. Then, there’s the baffling Crisis Core, a followup to Final Fantasy VII with an excellent remaster for modern platforms that does little to address the oddities of the original release.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Main Event: The Game Awards 2022“Opening – Bombing Mission” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate27:00 – What We’ve Been Playing: Disappointing RPGs“Genova” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

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Deck the halls with Triforce shards! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill ring in the holiday season with the help of Nintendo’s green-capped hero. All three hosts have holiday memories with the Zelda series, so the gang shares their favorite Christmas and Hanukkah moments with the series, from A Link to the Past on the Super Nintendo up tothe Switch’s own Breath of the Wild.

After that, the gang keeps the Zelda love coming as the beloved once-controversial The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker turns the big 2-0! For The Wind Waker’s 20th anniversary, the hosts celebrate this innovative title for its timeless visuals, inventive design, and surprisingly impactful story. It may not have been what audiences wanted in 2002, but twenty years later, it stands strong as one of the franchise’s most memorable entries. (Dear Nintendo, what better way to celebrate the occasion than a Switch port? Pretty please?)

Lastly, Marc closes things out with hands-on impressions of all the multiplayer titles on the N64 Nintendo Switch Online collection. Not all titles in the lineup may have aged gracefully, but between Mario Party, F-Zero, and even Star Fox 64, the console still shines as a multiplayer destination–and it’ll only get better whenever we finally get GoldenEye 007 on the service.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:39 – Main Event: Zelda Memories and The Wind Waker’s 20th“Title” – The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker35:00 – What We Have Been Playing: N64 Expansion Pak“White Land” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

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Roll aroundat the speed of sound towards brighter frontiers! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill spindash into an all-out extravaganza discussion of everyone’s favorite blue blur. Before reviewing Sonic Frontiers, the gang shares their thoughts on the latest trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie in all its glory. The trailer gave us a first look at Peach and Donkey Kong in the new film, as well as sneak peeks at so much more – will this partnership between Illumination and Nintendo raise the bar for video game movies?

Speeding along to the main event, Campbell and Cameron share their thoughts on the long-awaited, much-criticized Sonic Frontiers–and hell may as well have frozen over, because their impressions are downright glowing (at least by Sonic standards). After years of the Sonic cycle, Sonic Frontiers goes a massive way towards realizing the full potential of the 3D Sonic gameplay formula. The gang gushes about Frontiers’ excellent exploration, nuanced storytelling, head-banging music, and surprisingly satisfying combat–among much else. The game certainly isn’t perfect, but the boys feel optimistic about the future of the blue blur after Frontiers!

Last up, Marc caps off this speedy discussion with an indie spotlight on Lunistice, a bite-sized high-speed platformer that sets the bar for Sonic-likes.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:39 – Main Event: Mario Movie Second Trailer and Sonic Frontiers Review “Genshi” – Sonic Frontiers 51:20 – Indie Spotlight: Lunistice Review “Theme of Koco” – Sonic Frontiers

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Mixed feelings, I choose you! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by friend of the show and Pokemon expert Bradley (AKA Yoshiller) to dive deep into their thoughts on the latest and quite possibly greatest entries in the Pokemon franchise, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. In this wide-ranging discussion, the panel dissects the games in all their glitchy glory by asking the big questions: is its open-world gameplay loop an improvement from previous games? How does the Tera mechanic work, and how does it affect competitive play? Does the lineup of included Pokemon meet expectations? And of course, the Cufant in the room: how bad is the performance really.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet may be trending on Twitter nonstop for all its insane glitches, but under the technically iffy surface lies one of the best Pokemon games in recent memory. The hosts share their varying experiences with the franchise leading up to this newest entry: whether you’re in it for the competitive mechanics, new Pokemon, or just the sweet vibes, the Paldea region truly does have it all, leading to the most refined Pokemon gameplay loop in years.

While the hosts grapple with the mountains of technical issues plaguing the game, at the end of the conversation, its clear that Pokemon fans will have something special to look forward to in Scarlet and Violet. All this and so much more in this Terastallized discussion!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

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10 years ago, the Wii U tripped, fell, and died–all so that the Switch could run. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill commemorate the Wii U’s tenth anniversary, along with a healthy dose of new game impressions. Before that, though, the gang runs through the newly announced nominees for the Game Awards 2022, highlighting the obvious winners, underdogs, and bizarre inclusions (does Bayonetta 3 really deserve Best Action Game?).

Moving onto the main event, the gang celebrates 10 years since the Wii U made its big debut on November 18, 2012. The console was a mixed bag, to say the least: it paved the way for the Switch’s innovative hybrid structure, delivered some of the best multiplayer games in Nintendo’s catalog, and began Nintendo’s tight relationship with indie developers. At the same time, it struggled to hold third-party support, suffered form lackluster marketing, and a controller that, creative as it was, was severely limited. The hosts reflect on the good and the bad of the platform’s legacy, from its iconic games to its legendary Miiverse posts.

Next up, it’s time for a round of gameplay impressions. Cameron kicks things off with his initial thoughts on Harvestella, Square Enix’s farming-sim-turned-apocalyptic-RPG that may have a ludicrously slow pace but also features a creative and compelling gameplay loop. Campbell then shines an indie spotlight on Once Upon a Jester, an improvised medieval theatrical adventure that might just be one of the Switch’s silliest indies yet.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:39 – Main Event: 10 Years of the Wii U Discussion “Nintendo Land Melody” – Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Wii U 44:00 – Spotlight: Lonesome Village Review and a Little to the Left Impressions “Menu Theme” – Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Wii U

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it’s the most wonderful time of the year! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill celebrate a beloved holiday tradition: a discussion of the end-of-year Indie World Showcase. This year coming a bit ahead of schedule in November, the November 2022 Indie World Showcase was positively brimming with exciting indie announcements for Switch. Maybe there wasn’t a Hollow Knight Silksong, but there was still plenty to look forward to.

Sleeping on a capybara in Aka, working to restore the world’s work-death balance in Have a Nice Death, and save the world through the power of sports in Sports Story–these are just a few of the many exciting titles shown off in this month’s Indie World. The gang run through every reveal of the show and share their thoughts and reactions in this in-depth discussion

Following all the news, the gang then delves into two rounds of impressions and reviews: first up is Lonesome Village, an Animal Crossing-like that doesn’t quite hit the mark, followed by A Little the Left, a clever (if slightly infuriating) new puzzle title. All this and more in the gang’s wide-ranging conversation!

it’s the most wonderful time of the year! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill celebrate a beloved holiday tradition: a discussion of the end-of-year Indie World Showcase. This year coming a bit ahead of schedule in November, the November 2022 Indie World Showcase was positively brimming with exciting indie announcements for Switch. Maybe there wasn’t a Hollow Knight Silksong, but there was still plenty to look forward to.

Sleeping on a capybara in Aka, working to restore the world’s work-death balance in Have a Nice Death, and save the world through the power of sports in Sports Story–these are just a few of the many exciting titles shown off in this month’s Indie World. The gang run through every reveal of the show and share their thoughts and reactions in this in-depth discussion!

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Following all the news, the gang then delves into two rounds of impressions and reviews: first up is Lonesome Village, an Animal Crossing-like that doesn’t quite hit the mark, followed by A Little the Left, a clever (if slightly infuriating) new puzzle title. All this and more in the gang’s wide-ranging conversation!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:39 – Main Event: Indie World November 2022 Discussion “Town of Luncheon” – Chicory: A Colorful Tale 45:10 – Spotlight: Lonesome Village Review and a Little to the Left Impressions “Fisherman’s Tune” – Toem

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It’s showtime for some hot takes! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill deliver a show packed with nostalgia, collaboration, and controversial opinions. Before getting into the show’s spiciest review this year, though, it’s time for some listener fan mail. In honor of the impending Super Mario Bros. Movie, the gang reflect on their most cherished memories with the Super Mario Bros. series, ranging from the original release on the NES up to the Wii era with Super Mario Galaxy.

With that wholesome positivity out of the way, it’s time for the main event: Marc’s review of Bayonetta 3. Hopes were high for this long-awaited installment in the fan-favorite action series, but Marc’s review paints a whole different picture: he rails against the game for its uneven gameplay, nonsensical story, and disappointing performance on Switch, among many, many other criticisms. Bayonetta 3 reviews might be overwhelmingly positive, but when stacking up the game against its predecessors, Marc makes one thing clear: there’s no comparison. Get ready for a Witch Time combo of negativity in what has to be one of the spiciest rants in NXpress history!

astly, the gang steers the show towards positivity with Campbell’s review of the delightful It Takes Two on Switch. The Game of the Year of 2021, It Takes Two is unlike any other multiplayer title on a platform that is already known for its masterful co-op library–and best of all, it’s received an excellent Switch port.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:39 – Fan Mail Discussion: Favorite Mario Memories “Overworld 2” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 10:30 – Main Event: Bayonetta 3 Review “Hit The Climax” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 37:40 – Talking Point: It Takes Two Switch Review “Jukebox Memories” – It Takes Two

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Persona 5 Royal Review It’s been years in the making, but did you ever see it coming? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by Goomba Stomp contributing writer James Cook to discuss one of the most long-awaited, fan-requested titles to ever grace a Nintendo platform: Persona 5 Royal on Switch. Fans have clamored for Atlus’s magnum opus to come to Switch for nearly as long as the console has been around, but now it’s finally happened–and the best part is that the game is just as stylish, compelling, and addictive as ever.

Get ready to have your heart stolen in this wide-ranging conversation about everything that makes Persona 5 Royal tick. From its incredibly stylish presentation, remarkable soundtrack, lovable characters, engaging story, and intuitive yet deep combat system, Persona 5 Royal has just about everything that a JRPG could ever hope for. Most importantly, it all holds up perfectly on Switch–if anything, the hybrid nature of the console makes this one of the best versions of the game yet. The hosts all agree on one thing: if you’ve not yet experienced it, there’s never been a better time to wake up, get up, and get out there than with Persona 5 Royal on Switch.

This episode also marks a major milestone for NXpress: this is the 100th episode since Marc, Cameron, and Campbell took over the show from the original hosts. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all our listeners for continuing to support the show over the past two years!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:39 – Main Event: Persona 5 Royal Switch Review “River in the Desert” – Persona 5 Royal

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Get ready for an NXpress of galactic proportions! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill review the most anticipated RPG to hit the Switch this month (well, one of them at least). Before Marc reviews Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, though, the gang responds to an urgent question from an NXpress listener: what’s the best Andross fight in the Star Fox series? The hosts compare the mad scientist’s appearances throughout Star Fox on the SNES, Star Fox 64, and Star Fox Adventures to assess which game has the best showdown.

After that, it’s on to the main event: Marc’s all-encompassing review of Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, the sequel to one of 2017’s most surprisingly delightful Switch exclusives. This follow-up takes Mario and the Rabbids crew to the stars with an adventure that adds new dimensions to the original’s already solid strategic gameplay loop. It might be lacking in the writing and music departments, but Sparks of Hope succeeds where it matters most with creative and satisfying tactical gameplay that makes the game one of the best representatives of its genre on Switch. Tune in for Marc’s all-encompassing thoughts!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at videogameseditor@goombastomp.com!

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Mushroom kingdom, here we come! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill share their thoughts on the first official trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie and review a delightfully wholesome indie game. Starting things out strong, the gang dives headfirst into analyzing asking the age-old question: how will it compare to the infamous 1992 live-action Mario movie? Chris Pratt might not be everyone’s first choice to voice Nintendo’s mascot on the silver screen, but the gang comes to a consensus: how about we give him a chance? Cautious optimism is the name of the game for Illumination and Nintendo’s feature film collaboration.

Next up, Marc and Campbell shine an indie spotlight on The Spirit and the Mouse, a charming 3D adventure collectathon that shows what life must be like as a little mouse solving problems in a beautiful French village. This little adventure is short but incredibly sweet: without even a damage system, the game lets its laidback puzzles shine, offering up a serene and relaxing experience that players shouldn’t miss.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:39 – Main Event: The Super Mario Bros. Movie Debut Trailer Discussion “New Donk City” – Super Mario Odyssey 26:00 – Indie Spotlight: The Spirit and the Mouse Review “Opening Theme” – The Super Mario Bros. Super Show

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Never too late to dig in. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill grab their shovels and don their horned helmets to dive into Yacht Club Games and Nitrome’s latest concoction with an in-depth review of Shovel Knight Dig on Switch! The latest in a long line of Shovel Knight games, Dig takes the platformer in a new direction–namely, down. The hosts gush about this roguelike platformer, which takes all the charm and platforming mastery of the mainline games and successfully translates it to an addictive roguelike formula. Perhaps it doesn’t add as much to the wider Shovel Knight lore as some might hope, but for what it is, the gang agrees: Shovel Knight Dig unearths an excellent new direction for this beloved indie series.

Next up, Marc offers a musical breakdown with a review of Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival, the most recent of Bandai Namco’s long-running series of percussive perfection. This game might not reinvent the taiko wheel, but it does double down on everything that has made this series of percussion games so fun: addictive gameplay with a ridiculous amount of crazy songs to play. It even manages to make a subscription model work!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:43 – Indie Spotlight: Shovel Knight Dig Review “Spore Judgement” – Shovel Knight Dig 47:00 – Main Event: Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival Review “TSUNAGARE! HINOGARE! UCHIAGARE!” – Taiko no Tatsujin

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by Splatoon expert, maker of stuff, and longtime friend of the show, Marty Allen! Join Marc and Marty as they splat headfirst into a deepdive discussion of Splatoon 3, the latest and genuinely greatest entry in Nintendo’s standout cartoon shooter series. From the revamped online play to the expanded single-player campaign, Marty and Marc gush about nearly every aspect of the game in this in-depth conversation. Of course, it’s not long before they get to the most important question of all: who’s the Big Man on the podcast?

After that, the gang hops into a discussion of the latest courses released in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, and receives some insight from the most authoritative of game critics–Marty’s four-year-old cousin, Joe. After racing through all the tracks that this DLC had to offer, the gang closes with an indie spotlight on the adorable Tinykin and delivers the final verdict on Haiku the Robot, a surprisingly atmospheric metroidvania that every fan of the genre deserves to experience during the agonizing wait for Silksong.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:50 – Main Event: Splatoon 3 Review “Goldenrod City” – Qumu 17:00 – Talking Point: Joe’s Thoughts on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course “Poké Mart” – Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver 39:10 – Indie Spotlight: Tinykin and Haiku the Robot “Pokémon Center” – Pokemon Black & White

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Folks, it’s that time of year again. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the long-awaited full Nintendo Direct of September 2022. After weeks of rumors about HD Zelda ports and Metroid remasters, did the latest big Direct live up to the hype? Of course not, but there was still plenty to love–especially if you’re a fan of farming sims.

From the opening announcement of Fire Emblem Engage to the surprise return of Pikmin 4 up to the climactic reveal of Breath of the Wild 2’s name and release date, this Direct was bursting at the seams with highlights. Fans of Square Enix’s absurd names were also eating well, between Octopath Traveler II, Various Daylife, and oh so many more.

Was every announcement a winner? Certainly not, and many headlines were almost comically biased towards life sims. But Cameron, Marc, and Campbell are here to guide you through the highs, the lows, and the farming sims of the Direct–and there’s plenty to unpack, so buckle in for a freewheeling discussion of everything you need to know about the September Direct!

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Shovels at the ready, it’s time to dig in! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by longtime friend of the show, Celia Schilling, for a sweeping discussion of Shovel Knight Dig! The gang picks Celia’s brain about everything there is to now ahead of the launch of this much-anticipated new entry in the Shovel Knight series.

As a roguelike platformer, Shovel Knight Dig is certainly a notable departure from other Shovel Knight games. Celia discusses Yacht Club’s partnership with famed browser game developer Nitrome, Dig’s place in the wider Shovel Knight pantheon, and what it takes to launch a successful spinoff. Shovel Knight fans will want to tune in for plenty of spoiler-free info about Dig ahead of its launch on September 23rd!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:50 – Main Event: Shovel Knight Dig Interview“Goldenrod City” – Qumu “Halls of the Usuper” – Shovel Knight

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We’re turning the big 3-0-0 with this episode! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill celebrate 300 episodes of the show the only way they know how: by ranting about Pokemon trailers and chatting about their favorite new indie games like Anno Mutationem and Haiku the Robot.

First thing’s first: the gang reacts to the latest Pokemon Scarlet and Violet trailer, dissecting everything that the trailer does and doesn’t tell us about the next generation of monster-catching action. The trailer certainly left us with more questions than answers–what does moment-to-moment gameplay even look like, anyway?–but between the new character designs, storylines, and battle mechanics, Scarlet and Violet is giving us reason to feel cautiously optimistic…for now, at least.

Next up, Cameron and Campbell share their thoughts on the new Switch port of the formerly PS5-exclusive Anno: Mutationem. Possibly one of the most baffling games we’ve discussed on the show yet, Anno Mutationem is a surprisingly ambitious cyberpunk game that blends narrative-heavy adventure and exploration with a hectic 2D combat system, all wrapped in a stunning HD-2D aesthetic. That’s not all we have for this indie extravaganza, though: for the last spotlight, the gang reviews Haiku the Robot on Switch, a delightfully poetic little metroidvania that just might fill the Silksong-shaped hole in all our hearts.

Before bringing the show to a close, the gang make their wildest predictions for the upcoming September direct that may or may not happen…will Twilight Princess and Wind Waker HD ever come to Switch? Will Metroid Prime 4 ever release? Time will tell, but that won’t stop us talking about it!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:50 – Opening topic: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Trailer Discussion “Goldenrod City” – Qumu 17:00 – Indie Spotlight: Anno: Mutationem “Poké Mart” – Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver 39:10 – Indie Spotlight 2: Haiku the Robot “Pokémon Center” – Pokemon Black & White

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Spidersaurs Director Interview Bet you were looking (way)forward to this one. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by a very special guest–WayForward’s own Tomm Hulett, director of the inventive run-and-gun Spidersaurs, which recently saw its debut on Switch. In this wide-ranging interview, the gang picks Tomm’s about all things spiders, dinosaurs, and everything in-between.

Spidersaurs is a tribute to the classic run’n’guns of yesteryear, taking place in a dystopian future where spiders and dinosaurs have been fused together for disastrous effect. Tomm reveals how the project came to be, describes what it’s like to revisit the game for its console release, and hints at what the future of the run’n’gun genre might hold.

Along the way, the gang also digs into Tomm’s previous game development experience, spanning industry figureheads like Konami and Atlus–and how much of that background culminated in Spidersaurs. All this and more in this interview of Jurassic proportions!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:50 – Main Event: Interview with Tomm Hulett pt. 1 “Intro Movie” – Spidersaurs 32:20 – Tomm Hulett Interview pt. 2 “Laboratory” – Spidersaurs

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Ready to tee up? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill hit the golf course for a review of the charming indie Cursed to Golf, yet another emotionally charged Sonic Frontiers discussion, and a discussion of a truly existential question: what’s the point of a Treehouse Live presentation these days, anyway?

The gang starts off by reacting to the objectively single biggest piece of news from this year’s Gamescom: Sonic Frontiers might actually be good? Sega has unveiled a new story trailer that gives some reason for hope that the blue blur’s next quest won’t be another letdown. Not like we’ve been let down before…

This week the Indie Spotlight takes the main event, as Marc and Campbell hit the greens and review Cursed to Golf –an inventive rogulike twist on the golf game formula. Following a golfing champion who meets with an untimely demise, players will have to golf their way through fiendish obstacle courses to get out of Golf Purgatory. This title is wildly inventive and charming, but does its roguelike gameplay structure do it any favors, or is it just an arbitrary way to pad the game? Heated debate ensues!

Lastly, the hosts close the show by reacting to the news that Nintendo will host a new Treehouse Live this week by asking a simple question: why? What’s the future of Treehouse Lives, and why does this presentation formula feel so stale?

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:50 – Opening Topic: Sonic Frontiers Release Date Discussion “Seaside Hill” – Sonic Heroes 19:20 – Main Event: Cursed to Golf Review “Scottsman Theme” – Cursed to Golf 40:20 – Talking Point: What’s the Point of Treehouse Live? “Scramble With Scotty” – Cursed to Golf

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It’s time to talk about Kirby, so you know what that means: sweet treats, cute characters, and threats of physical violence. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by that wonderful force of chaos, Eliza from Kirby Informer, to discuss all things Kirby’s Dream Buffet! Everyone’s favorite pink puff keeps his 30th anniversary celebration rolling with a brand-new spinoff, but can it really follow up on the magnificence of Forgotten Land?

The short answer is yes, yes it can–Kirby’s Dream Buffet is not only an addictive multiplayer bash, but it’s intense enough to send the whole NXpress crew into absolute insanity. Eliza and Marc share their in-depth Kirby expertise to analyze exactly what makes this latest spinoff work so well–although, at the end of the day, the real key to Dream Buffet’s success is to have a chonky Kirby. Competitive, accessible, strategic, and adorable–Dream Buffet is all these and more! Could this even be the successor to Kirby Air Ride we’ve been waiting for? The hosts discuss all this, and more–so, so much more.

Between all the Kirby excitement, Cameron also squeezes in an indie spotlight on the physical-only Demon Throttle, a quirky arcade title held back by its somewhat bizarre limited release. And what better way to cap off this unhinged episode than by duking it out in a Dream Buffet battle to end them all–all caught live in the recording, a first for the show! Don’t miss this piece of groundbreaking NXpress history!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 0:50 – Main Event: Kirby’s Dream Buffet Review “Gourmet Race” – Kirby’s Dream Buffet 48:20 – Indie Spotlight: Demon Throttle “Opening Movie” – Kirby’s Dream Buffet 1:01:30 – Finale: Kirby’s Dream Buffet Ultimate NXpress Showdown “Revenge of Steel Wings” – Kirby’s Dream Buffet

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One last time: are you really feeling it? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill splat their way into a jam-packed episode full of big reviews and timely discussions. The gang kicks things off by running through all the biggest news from the Splatoon 3 Direct, from vastly expanded Salmon Runs to the new Idol Trio to the latest changes to the turf wars formula. Is it enough of an expansion on Splatoon 2 to merit a sequel? Does that even matter to people who haven’t gotten into the series yet? The hosts cover all this and more!

But Splatoon 3 offered up only an appetizer for this week’s main course: Xenoblade Chronicles 3, a masterful followup to one of the most beloved RPGs of all time. Marc leads the gang in a wide-ranging review of this sprawling epic, revealing how it might just reach the same giddy heights as the original Xenoblade. Whether it be in its dramatic story, in-depth yet accessible combat system, or its bountiful world to explore, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 earns a place as a genuinely essential addition to the Switch library. Ultimately, this threequel managed to do what 2/3 of the podcast thought impossible: recover from the controversial Xenoblade 2.

Last but absolutely not least, Cameron shines an indie spotlight on Cult of the Lamb, Devolver Digital’s latest experimental, edgy roguelike. As players divide their time between Satanic cult management and roguelike action, Cult of the Lamb strikes a unique balance that might not always work out, but it’s definitely a distinctive take on its genre.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 01:20 – Opening: Splatoon 3 Direct Discussion “Drifting Soul Battle” – Xenoblade Chronicles 3 30:48 – Main Event: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Review “Chain Attack” – Xenoblade Chronicles 3 1:04:30 – Indie Spotlight: Cult of the Lamb “Moebius Battle Theme” – Xenoblade Chronicles 3

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RPG overload, I choose you! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill return from their brief hiatus for an episode packed to the brim with roleplaying delights. The gang starts out by reacting to the latest Pokemon Presents showcase, which gave us so much more than just an adorable bread dog: alongside a bundle of exhilarating mobile game updates, we also got a deep dive into the fascinating world of Scarlet and Violet with a presentation that might have given us more questions than answers. Will we have access to the legendary Pokémon right from the start? How will the three stories work in the open world environment? Will we ever be able to use the Pokéball Plus controller again? Only time will tell, and there’s always time for Game Freak to hurt us again.

Next up, we keep the monster-catching fun going by reviewing Coromon, an RPG that takes just a little inspiration from Pokémon. It may not be the most original adventure around, but it’s plenty of good fun with beautiful graphics, deep combat, and engaging exploration for those who want a lovely little RPG to tide them over until we’re graced with Scarlet and Violent.

Last but most definitely not least, Campbell celebrates the lost masterpiece that is Live a Live, the formerly Japan-exclusive RPG that has finally received its international debut with an HD-2D remake. This 1994 classic has not only become one of the most beautiful games on Switch thanks to its stunning graphical upgrade, but the core content shines brighter than ever: this is one of the most inventive RPGs from the genre’s golden age in the 90s, and its unconventional gameplay structure and deep worldbuilding still deserve to be played by all genre aficionados.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Opening: Pokémon Presents Reaction “Legendary Battle” – Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu & Let’s Go Eevee 22:50 – Indie Spotlight: Coromon “Dive” – Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire 43:30 – Live a Live Review “Near Future Opening” – Live a Live

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Ready for an episode of pure rage? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill embark on an infuriating discussion of some breaking news, celebrate a landmark anniversary, review a traumatizingly adorable indie game, and much more!

First thing’s first, the gang runs through Nintendo’s onslaught of news in the recent drip feed anti-Direct on Twitter, including the surprise announcement of Bayonetta 3’s release date, the divisive debut of Daisy as a playable character in Mario Strikers Battle League, and the gameplay deep-dive of Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. And of course, we can’t miss out on a chance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the most controversial mainline Mario game of them all: Super Mario Sunshine. Maybe its controls aren’t as intuitive as other Mario titles (at least, according to Campbell), but Sunshine undeniably holds a special place in the hearts of fans everywhere.

Next up, after Marc spotlights the wonderful financial ruin that is a Pokemon TCG addiction, Cameron gives the gang a deep dive into the endearingly horrifying survival title Endling – Extinction is Forever. In this entirely fanciful and completely unrealistic fantasy, players control a mother fox guiding her four cubs to safety in a world being eviscerated by global warming and environmental disaster as corporations molest the environment. Thank goodness we’ll never have that happen!

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Ready for another mouthful? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the jaw-dropping news that not only is there going to be a new Kirby game soon, but it’s also set to be the most adorable game of the year. With Kirby’s Dream Buffet being announced over Twitter on a random Tuesday morning, it’s up to the gang to pick apart every detail of the announcement trailer, theorize what eldritch horrors might await in this Fall Guys-esque multiplayer bash, and predict the exact date and time it will release on the Switch eShop. Kirby fans are eating well this year!

But the buffet doesn’t stop there, as Marc serves up a delicious last course…Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course, to be precise! 2017’s Cuphead was beloved for its brutal difficulty and beautiful style, and its ambitious DLC expansion delivers a hearty new serving of all that and more! Could a piece of DLC be one of 2022’s best Switch games? Just as punishing yet endearing as ever, The Delicious Last Course could be exactly that.

Last up, the gang pursues one of life’s most elusive questions: why does the N64 controller look like that? Marc and Cameron share their thoughts on the NSO member-exclusive N64 Switch controller and explore how much it can (and can’t) improve the experience of playing N64 game son Switch. In the meantime, Campbell wonders why people ever bothered with this controller to begin with. All this and, as always, so much more!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 01:00 – Kirby’s Dream Buffet Reaction “Title Screen” – Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course 21:20 – Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course Review “Bootlegger Boogie” – Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course 48:30 – NSO N64 Controller Impressions “Botanic Panic” – Cuphead

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Time to live the live of a cool kid. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to some breaking Nintendo news, review a lackluster collection, and gush about a promising retro revival. First up, it’s time to break down some of the latest and greatest reveals in the world of the Big N–namely, the announcement of a new OLED model special edition and the reveal of an over-the-top LEGO Bowser that might just be the best thing released this year, in general. But then, of course, we can’t stay positive for long–it’s Klonoa time.

Next up, Marc reviews the underwhelming package that is Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series–a collection of two cult-classic Klonoa platformers that may just sport the worst title of a game in recent memory. While this package introduces a few enhancements like HD graphics, it hardly celebrates the franchise the way fans have been wanting, and its additions are barely enough to ease newcomers into this long-running series.

But not all hope is lost–for the final segment, the hosts share their thoughts on the recent free demo of Live a Live. This title is not only a remake of a beloved (former Japan-exclusive) Square RPG from 1994, but it is also one of the best showcases of the HD2D art style yet. The demo showcases the game’s unique nonlinear storytelling and distinctive art style, so it’s safe to say that the gang is already hooked ahead of the game’s full release later this month.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Opening: The Mighty LEGO Bowser and Splatoon OLED “Acid Hues” – Splatoon 2 22:20 – Talking Point: Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Review “Windmills” – Klonoa Phantasy Reverie 44:40 – Impressions: Live a Live Demo “Culex” – Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

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Let’s be honest, you never saw it coming. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the latest and greatest Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase of June 2022. It may not have been the E3 blowout most were expecting, but to say that Nintendo brought the goods would be an understatement. The Big N corralled an amazing lineup of third-party development partners with an assortment of big reveals, from well-known fan favorites like Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak to surprise reveals like NieR: Automata. It may not mean much, but this was easily the best Partner Showcase yet–it even managed to make Sonic Forces look good, and that’s no mean feat!

And this all leads to the news that many have been waiting for since the Switch made its debut way back in 2017: Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable are all coming to Switch in the near future. Yes, we know that life will change, and it has changed for the better. The Switch has officially become the best console for JRPGs, such that we spend an exhaustive segment just listing out all the great adventures at home on Nintendo’s hybrid platform!

Let’s be honest, you never saw it coming. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the latest and greatest Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase of June 2022. It may not have been the E3 blowout most were expecting, but to say that Nintendo brought the goods would be an understatement. The Big N corralled an amazing lineup of third-party development partners with an assortment of big reveals, from well-known fan favorites like Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak to surprise reveals like NieR: Automata. It may not mean much, but this was easily the best Partner Showcase yet–it even managed to make Sonic Forces look good, and that’s no mean feat!

And this all leads to the news that many have been waiting for since the Switch made its debut way back in 2017: Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable are all coming to Switch in the near future. Yes, we know that life will change, and it has changed for the better. The Switch has officially become the best console for JRPGs, such that we spend an exhaustive segment just listing out all the great adventures at home on Nintendo’s hybrid platform!

That’s just some of what the gang explores in this deep-dive discussion of every single announcement from the June Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase!

This episode of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast is brought to you by MANSCAPED™, the best company in men’s below-the-waist grooming. Use discount code STOMP on your next order at manscaped.com to receive 20% off and free worldwide shipping!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Event: Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase Discussion “Life Goes On” – Persona 5 28:00 – Event: Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase Discussion “Take Over” – Persona 5 Royal

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Cowabunga it is. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the Nintendo Direct that absolutely everyone was waiting for (sarcasm intended) and review what might just be another GotY contender on Switch. The gang starts out by reacting to the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Direct with a perfectly balanced slate of impressions: whether or not you chose to watch this much-anticipated Direct or you’re holding out for that elusive general Direct, the hosts serve up a slate of hot takes for what’s sure to be one of the summer’s biggest games.

After that, it’s time for the hosts to dish out the spiciest of takes regarding Aspyr’s unpatched, apparently known game-breaking bug that makes it completely impossible to finish the new Switch version of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. How did this ever get past QA? As always, let’s blame capitalism.

Closing things on a much more radical note, the gang grab their pizza and ninja gear to review the long-awaited Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. This beat ’em up from Dotemu and Tribute Games is every bit as good as we’d hoped, and then some: whether you grew up with the Turtles in the 80s, 90s, or 2000s, this bodacious brawler has a little something for everyone (plus one of this year’s best soundtracks). It’s the perfect multiplayer bash for two thirds of podcast hosts!

Cowabunga it is. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the Nintendo Direct that absolutely everyone was waiting for (sarcasm intended) and review what might just be another GotY contender on Switch. The gang starts out by reacting to the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Direct with a perfectly balanced slate of impressions: whether or not you chose to watch this much-anticipated Direct or you’re holding out for that elusive general Direct, the hosts serve up a slate of hot takes for what’s sure to be one of the summer’s biggest games.

After that, it’s time for the hosts to dish out the spiciest of takes regarding Aspyr’s unpatched, apparently known game-breaking bug that makes it completely impossible to finish the new Switch version of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. How did this ever get past QA? As always, let’s blame capitalism.

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Closing things on a much more radical note, the gang grab their pizza and ninja gear to review the long-awaited Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. This beat ’em up from Dotemu and Tribute Games is every bit as good as we’d hoped, and then some: whether you grew up with the Turtles in the 80s, 90s, or 2000s, this bodacious brawler has a little something for everyone (plus one of this year’s best soundtracks). It’s the perfect multiplayer bash for two thirds of podcast hosts!

This episode of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast is brought to you by MANSCAPED™, the best company in men’s below-the-waist grooming. Use discount code STOMP on your next order at manscaped.com to receive 20% off and free worldwide shipping!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Opening: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Direct Discussion “Panic in the Skies” – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge 28:00 – Talking Point: Aspyr and the Game-Breaking KOTOR 2 Glitch 40:00 – Main Event: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge Review “Title Theme” – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

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Ben Esposito Joins NXpress for an Interview! Neons, sinners plucked from hell to do God’s dirty work–and half the name of quite an incredible indie game released just last week! You won’t find it hard to believe that Donut County director Ben Esposito has come to the NXpress Nintendo Podcast to talk about his newest project Neon White! Of course, we had to try and get him on the show–after all, we did just give his work a lot of high praise and were curious to know more about some of his team’s decision-making. Due to time zones and scheduling conflicts though, this episode is a one-on-one sitdown between the director and the reviewer. Cameron and Campbell are not here for this one.

In this 35-minute interview, Marc Kaliroff takes a deep dive into Esposito’s heaven to discover some of the creation process behind Neon White and what the future holds for its director. What inspired the title’s first-person runner gameplay? Was its nonlinearity approach intentional? Will there be a physical copy and can we one day see an anime with the wonderful Steve Blum? Find out answers to all these questions and more in our full interview!

For more from Ben Esposito, be sure to follow him on social media @torahhorse, and check out his other work! To hear Cameron and Campbell talk again soon, don’t forget to check out our usual episode that will be released this week too!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Event: Ben Esposito Interview — Neon White “Glass Ocean” – Neon White

This NXpress Nintendo Podcast is brought to you by MANSCAPED™, the best company in men’s below-the-waist grooming. Use discount code STOMP on your next order at manscaped.com to receive 20% off and free worldwide shipping!

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You can feel the Summer Games Fest excitement in the air! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill review what might just be one of the Switch’s best new indie games–and one of its so-so sports games. Marc kicks things off with a deep-dive review of Neon White, a stunning first-person runner that defies its genre to present a memorable story and intoxicating gameplay in an experience that’s unlike anything else on the platform. Could this be the next big indie hit?

Next up, Marc gets ballsy with a review of Mario Strikers: Battle League, the much-anticipated follow-up to the beloved Wii and Gamecube titles that satisfies mechanically, but might be a bit lacking in its content. Strikers might be lacking in the same areas as its other Mario sports counterparts on Switch, but at least its visuals are as stylish as ever and its gameplay as exciting as can be. Maybe all it needs is a playable Daisy…

Lastly, Cameron shines a spotlight on Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, a side-scrolling action game that has to be one of the most confusing prequels ever made. While this prequel to the Kickstarter darling Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes may be perplexing at times, its stunning art and action-packed mechanics still offer plenty to love for (prospective) fans of the budding Eiyuden Chronicle franchise.

This episode of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast is brought to you by MANSCAPED™, the best company in men’s below-the-waist grooming. Use discount code STOMP on your next order at manscaped.com to receive 20% off and free worldwide shipping!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:50 – Opening: Neon White Review “Level 19” – Neon White 26:40 – Main Segment: Mario Strikers: Battle League Review “Main Menu” – Mario Strikers: Battle League 49:50 – Indie Spotlight: Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising Review “Super Bell Hill” – Mario Strikers: Battle League

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Pour one out for an E3-less E3 season. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill engage in an emotional discussion filled with rage, tears, shock, and amazement–as one does when talking about Nintendo. Marc kicks things off with some impressions of the upcoming Mario Strikers: Battle League, which has genuine potential to be one of the very best Mario sports games on Switch (is that a high bar to surpass? You decide). Next, the gang theorizes what Nintendo might have in store for this anti-E3 season–does the Big N have a showcase up its sleeve, or is that tradition broken forever now? At least we’ll always be able to count on Devolver for bringing the goods.

After that, it’s time for a rage-filled reaction to the latest combat gameplay footage for Sonic Frontiers, which, shockingly, looks horrible. TLDR: it ain’t looking good so far. Lastly, Cameron and Campbell close with a very different kind of emotional conversation about Behind the Frame: The Perfect Scenery and Life is Strange: True Colors, two very different Switch games that tug on your heartstrings and tell tear-jerking tales in ways that only video games can.

This episode of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast is brought to you by MANSCAPED™, the best company in men’s below-the-waist grooming. Use discount code STOMP on your next order at manscaped.com to receive 20% off and free worldwide shipping!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Opening: Mario Strikers: Battle League Preview and E3 Week Discussion “Mario’s Theme” – Mario Strikers Charged 16:50 – Talking Point: Sonic Frontiers Combat Doesn’t Look Great “Let’s Make It!” – Sonic Adventure 2: Battle 26:43 – Indie Spotlight: Behind the Frame Review “Title Theme” – Life is Strange: True Colors

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Here at NXpress Towers, we believe in Lechonk supremacy. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill celebrate what would have been the first week of E3 season by sharing a mix of hot takes and first impressions. The hosts kick things off by reacting to the latest trailers for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and, most controversially, Sonic Frontiers. Big shocker: Pokemon is packed with cute pocket monsters that have set Twitter on fire, and Sonic Frontiers has seemingly already botched its massive potential with an extraordinarily underwhelming seven-minute gameplay trailer. In other news: water is wet.

After so much breaking news, it’s time to go for a blast from the past, so Marc and Campbell give their thoughts on two of the latest retro collections to hit the market. Marc reviews Pac-Man Museum +, which may have a few perplexing design decisions that hamper its convenience and accessibility, but it’s still an admirable lineup for fans of one of gaming’s most recognizable arcade icons. Next up, Campbell spotlights the Wonder Boy Collection, a compilation of some of the unsung heroes of the platforming history–an excellent lineup for platforming fans, but one that also suffers from some bizarre design decisions.

Lastly, it’s time for the usual indie spotlight, so Marc and Cameron dive into the darkly aquatic world of Silt. This may be the most terrifying game ever made for thalassophobes, but it’s nonetheless an excellent atmospheric adventure for players who’ve enjoyed titles like INSIDE and Limbo in the past.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Opening: Pokémon and Sonic Frontiers Preview Discussion “Viridian Forest” – Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu & Let’s Go Eevee 20:20 – Main Event: Pac-Man Museum+ and Wonder Boy Collection Review “Japanese Title Theme” – Pac-Mania 47:20 – Indie Spotlight: Silt Review “Adventure” – Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap

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Make sure your body is ready before listening! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill return from a COVID-induced hiatus to talk the highs and lows of recent Nintendo news. After giving a short and sweet shout out to the expectedly underwhelming additions to NES/SNES online lineup, the gang turns their attention to the one and only Reggie Fils-Aime, former President of Nintendo of America, whose book Disrupting the Game: From the Bronx to the Top of Nintendo has just released! Marc gives the hosts the rundown about this book that spills all the Regginator’s secrets to effective management and reveals a new side of one of Nintendo’s most recognizable icons.

Of course, we can’t stay positive for too long–that’s why Marc and Campbell share their thoughts on the much-anticipated reboot Kao the Kangaroo. While this revival of a beloved franchise from the early 2000s showed much promise early on, the finished product leaves much to be desired: Marc and Campbell are more than happy to talk about how its levels are extremely mundane, its story insufferable, its characters unlikable, and its gameplay almost entirely broken due to a load of glitches, framerate dips, and resolution issues on Switch. It’s not even the best marsupial-themed platformer on the console!

Closing things out on a better note, Cameron shines an indie spotlight on the adventure game Citizen Sleeper, a narrative-driven sci-fi epic that shatters expectations to deliver one of this year’s standout experiences. This is a game where you can have a heart-to-heart with a vending machine, after all–what’s not to love?

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Main Event: Disrupting the Game Review “Main Theme” – The Legend of Zelda: A Link to The Past 26:30 – Main Event: Kao the Kangaroo Review “Athletic Theme” – Super Mario World 46:20 – Indie Spotlight: Citizen Sleeper Review “Fairy Fountain” – The Legend of Zelda: A Link to The Past

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the latest Nintendo Direct, the Indie World showcase of May 2022! Spoiler: no, Hollow Knight Silksong did not make a surprise appearance, much to Twitter’s chagrin. But although this may not have been one of Indie World’s strongest showings, there’s still plenty for the gang to run through: from the oh-so-controversial Ooblets to the curious episodic music adventure We Are OFK, this year’s May edition of Indie World offered up plenty for indie fans to dig into. Of course, this begs the inevitable question: with Indie World finished up, what does Nintendo have in store for its next flagship direct?

Next up, Marc closes the show with a swansong to the 3DS by reviewing Fragrant Story, a bite-sized SRPG that has the unique honor to be the very last game to ever be released on the console. With this being the last addition to the 3DS’ hardware library, the question remains: does Fragrant Story leave the console with a pleasing perfume or a disgusting stench? Marc tells all in a review discussion that might be longer than the game’s total playtime…

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill tighten their Joy-Con straps and smash some television sets for Nintendo’s latest athletic event, Nintendo Switch Sports! Everyone in the gang has had the chance to spend some time with Nintendo’s spiritual successor to the generation-defining Wii Sports, so the show opens with a deep dive into each one of the game’s six main attractions. It’s certainly not perfect, but each host has had more than their fair share of fun with Switch Sports’ range of minigames, from classics like tennis to newcomers like badminton. Bizarre online progression systems aside, there is plenty of fun to be had in this sporty outing. Also, did we mention we really hate the soccer minigame?

As is only natural after physical activity, the gang follows up the discussion of Nintendo Switch Sports with an existential crisis. The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe has finally dropped on Switch, and the results are just as glorious as ever for this famously fourth-wall-shattering experience–and its new content lives up to the legacy of the original. But of course, the less said about this wild ride of a game, the better–this is one you’ll need to experience yourself.

The gang closes the show with a quick snack–a Bugsnax, if you will. That’s right, it’s kinda bug, it’s kinda snack, and now it’s kinda out on Switch–Marc and Cameron shares their thoughts on the recently released Switch version of Bugsnax, which maintains all of the game’s original quirky and weirdly dark humor along with a general solid port, even if it succumbs to a few technical shortcomings.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Main Event: Nintendo Switch Sports Review “Switch Sports Theme” – Nintendo Switch Sports 39:40 – Talking Point: The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe Review “Bugsnax Theme” – Bugsnax 53:40 – Indie Spotlight: Bugsnax “Bowling Round 1 Spectator” – Wii Sports

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This is Miyamoto. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the latest shakeup in Nintendo’s release schedule and pour one out for the Mario movie’s delay into next Spring. But not long after that, it’s off to a galaxy far, far away for a jam-packed Star Wars extravaganza!

The gang starts out by reviewing what has to be the most ambitious Lego game in a decade, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Moving on from the simple top-down collectathon format of the previous Lego Star Wars adventures, The Skywalker Saga introduces genuine innovation to the series by repurposing it as a fairly in-depth third-person action game–all without losing the series’ signature silly charm, of course. Maybe it didn’t completely stick the landing in some sections, but all told, it’s an extraordinary treat for longtime Lego lovers and Star Wars fans alike.

Marc and Cameron follow this segment up by taking a deep dive into the glorious cheesefest that is Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, newly rereleased on Nintendo Switch and other current-gen hardware. It’s no Fallen Order, but this last-gen adventure still has plenty to offer with its fantastical power fantasy of force-focused action, plus some surprisingly excellent motion controls on Switch. Will this give Skyward Sword HD a run for its money?

Lastly, Cameron closes the show with only the slightest of tonal shifts by discussing his experience playing the adorable cat capitalism simulator, Cat Cafe Manager.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Main Event: Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Review “Tie Fighter Attack” – Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope 18:00 – Main Event: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review “Grevious & the Droids” – Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith 51:00 – Indie Spotlight: Cate Cafe Manager “The Battle for Naboo” – Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill make their grand return from a one-week mental health hiatus for a jam-packed episode. The gang kicks things off by discussing the news that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has received a release date…and it’s way sooner than expected! The Xenoblade franchise’s third entry is now releasing in July rather than its previously announced September release window, meaning there’s. Of course, the question remains: if a delayed game is eventually good and a rushed game is forever bad, what is a game that bumps forward its release date by two months? Only time will tell…

Next up, Marc shares his thoughts on Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (the movie, not the Sega Genesis classic) and gushes about its humor, cast, and charm. This may just be one of the best video game films ever made–not that that’s an especially high bar, but oh well. The gang move on to a more general discussion of the Sonic series after this, sharing their impressions on the masterful Sonic Mania, their desire for more ports of 3D Sonic games, and apprehension for the future of the franchise. But hey, at least there are some good Sega Genesis games on Switch.

The hosts close things out by running through a spicy rumor: are Game Boy Advance games coming to Nintendo Switch Online? If rumors are to be believed, we could have an extraordinary lineup of classics heading to the Big N’s subscription service soon…although there’s no telling how much more we’ll have to pay for this expanded expansion pack.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Talking Point: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Release Date “That’s The Way I Like It” – Sonic Adventure 2 18:00 – Main Event: Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Movie Review “Emerald Hill Zone Act 1” – Sonic the Hedgehog 2 51:00 – Talking Point 2: GBA Rumors “Seaside Hill” – Sonic Heroes

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13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Switch Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, Campbell Gill, and Goomba Stomp writer James Cook review what may be the perfect Switch port–13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Before getting to that, though, the hosts react to the long, drawn-out, excruciatingly painful death of E3. With the recent announcement that no in-person or virtual conference will be held this year, does this mean that E3 is finally gone forever? What will the industry look like without the annual summer extravaganza that was E3 in its glory days? The gang has thoughts!

Next up, James and Cameron take the spotlight to review the new Switch port of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. One of 2020’s best cult classics, 13 Sentinels is a mind-bending experience that defies easy explanation–but that doesn’t keep James and Cameron from trying. Between its mech-based combat and extraordinarily in-depth narrative, there’s plenty to love in this meaty package–and best of all, it holds up fantastically on Switch. Marc and Cameron close the show with an indie spotlight on the beautiful but underwhelming narrative-driven indie A Memoir Blue, a slender package that may leave players wanting more.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Talking Point: E3 2022 Canceled “Brat Overflow” – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim 21:10 – Main Event: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Review “Isoleucine” – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim 56:02 – Indie Spotlight: A Memoir Blue “Bright Days Ahead” – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

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Ready for the most contentious episode in NXpress history? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, Campbell Gill, and special guest host Eliza from Kirby Informer answer the question that’s been burning on everyone’s minds this week: what’s the best Kirby game ever made? With superfans Marc and Eliza on the show, this isn’t an easy question to answer.

Covering mainline and spinoff games alike, Marc runs through his hyper-controversial list of the Pink Puff’s greatest and not-so-greatest adventures. This isn’t without some turmoil though – Eliza, Campbell, and Cameron make sure to let Marc know when he’s been objectively incorrect about something. After all, we all know that Kirby’s Epic Yarn is undoubtedly the best game in the series…right? Tune in to find out what game comes out on top!

Best of all, this is only part of this week’s Kirby bonanza on NXpress. If you still have an appetite for some Kirby goodness, make sure to check out our in-depth review discussion of Kirby and the Forgotten Land!

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, Campbell Gill, and special guest host Eliza from Kirby Informer share a mouthful of thoughts on the confirmed 2022 game of the year, Kirby and the Forgotten Land! The first genuine 3D game in the franchise, Forgotten Land has a little something for everyone: adorable critters, laid-back gameplay, environmental storytelling, and even a dash of animal cruelty. Hey, Awoofy may be cute, but if he’s sitting on a pile of gold, it’s up to Kirby to do what must be done.

In this in-depth spoiler-free discussion, the hosts exchange notes on everything they love (and a few things they don’t) about Kirby and the Forgotten Land. They break down everything from the laid-back level design to the adorable characters to the revolutionary new Mouthful Mode–and have their fair share of disagreement along the way. After all, how should you spell Carby, anyway?

In honor of The Forgotten Land’s release, this is only Part 1 of our extensive Kirby-centric discussion this week. Keep an eye out for Part 2 for a healthy dose of controversy as Marc and Eliza rank every mainline Kirby game!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:53 – Main event: Kirby and the Forgotten Land Review “Roar of Dedede” – Kirby and the Forgotten Land

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Marc Kaliroff, Campbell Gill, and longtime friend of the show Marty Allen answer the age-old question: what’s the best new track added in the first wave of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass? Before they get to this important issue, though, the gang starts by reacting to Nintendo’s most shocking announcement in half a decade: the Nintendo Switch now has folders. Hold the applause–this being Nintendo, they still found a way to mess it up. The hosts share their thoughts on the new feature and hope for even more ambitious updates later down the line–could this be the sign that themes are finally on their way? Maybe? Fingers crossed?

For the main event, Marty and Marc hit the road with a ranking of every new track added in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass Wave 1! From Toad Circuit all the way to Paris, France, the hosts pit each of the new tracks against each other to see which ones come out on top in this in-depth discussion of the eight new additions to the Switch’s biggest evergreen title. Perhaps some of these tracks lack the graphical fidelity or polish of the main game, but still: more Mario Kart is never a bad thing, and this is only eight out of a whopping 48 new tracks to be added to the game through this DLC.

Campbell and Marty close the show with a good old-fashioned Indie Games Spotlight, with Campbell sharing his thoughts on the extraordinarily minimalist yet soothing “digital toy” The Ramp, while Marty gives his impressions on FAR: Changing Tides, a worthy sequel to the Inside-like puzzle platformer FAR: Lone Sails.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Main event: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Pass Wave 1 Ranking “Coconut Mall” – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 46:20 – Indie Spotlight: The Ramp and FAR: Changing Tides “Ninja Hideaway” – Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill wade their way through this month’s busy release schedule with a review-packed extravaganza! Marc gets the party started on a dour note by reviewing Chocobo GP on Switch, a kart racer that had the potential to rival Mario Kart 8 but instead has had its feathers plucked through Square Enix’s absurd insistence on microtransactions.

Marc follows that up with some more positive impressions of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, a treat for Persona fans that may just be one of the best fighting games on Switch. Of course, with this being the sequel to the first Persona 4 Arena and a companion piece to Persona 4, it begs the natural question: what’s the point of it being on Switch? The world may never know–but in the meantime, the gang holds out hope for Atlus to spare us a Persona 4-shaped crumb on Switch.

In the final set of reviews, Cameron shares his thoughts on the classic point-and-click adventure game Primordia, which has just recently launched on Switch. Even with some unintuitive design choices, the game still thrives in its art direction and world design–two must-haves for any good point-and-click title. Marc then closes out the show with his thoughts on the Indian Jones-themed board added to Pinball FX3, a game that’s sure to delight arcade game fans!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Main event: Chocobo GP and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax “Aria of the Soul” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 38:40 – Main Event: Primordia and Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure “Break Out of…” – Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

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Triangle Strategy Impressions This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill share their thoughts on some of the biggest recent Switch releases and look ahead to the inevitable Game of the Year. Cameron and Marc kick things off by sharing their early impressions of Triangle Strategy, the latest brilliantly named HD-2D experience from Square Enix. The question soon arises: is Triangle Strategy poised to be the long-awaited spiritual successor to Final Fantasy Tactics, or is it more like the Silmarillion of the strategy genre? Its extraordinarily slow pace and exposition-heavy dialogue might make the hosts’ eyelids heavy, but they hold out hope for it to pick up the tension later in the campaign.

The show takes a detour to a therapy session as Campbell airs his grievances about the extraordinarily disappointing action game, Aztech Forgotten Gods. This game might have demonstrated so much potential back in its early announcement trailers, but the finished product squanders all its ambition through a dreary open world, rough combat system, and an excruciatingly heavy-handed narrative. And that’s not mentioning how hideous it is on Switch–take a look at the screenshot at the bottom of this post to see the horrors for yourself, although we take no responsibility for any trauma that may ensue.

After all the disappointments in the show so far, the hosts cleanse their palattes to discuss what is sure to be 2022’s greatest game, Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Cameron, Marc, and Campbell sure have a mouthful of praise for the game’s recent demo on Switch!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Main event: Triangle Strategy Impressions “Main Theme” – Triangle Strategy 29:30 – Indie Spotlight: Aztech Forgotten Gods Rant “Menu Theme” – Kirby and the Rainbow Curse 46:30 – Kirby and the Forgotten Land Impressions “The Rest Area” – Kirby and the Rainbow Curse

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Industry oversaturation, I choose you! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the announcement of Pokémon Gen 9, discuss the spiciest reincarnation of Switch Pro rumors, discuss Nintendo’s implementation of a trophy-esque rewards system for Switch Online, and review the adventure of a very good dog.

Starting things out with the recent Pokémon Presents showcase, the gang runs through the event’s many minor announcements (who could forget the 2.5-year anniversary of Pokémon Masters EX?) before getting to the real main event: the reveal of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, set for release later this year. Of course, with only a month passed since the launch of Pokémon Legends Arceus, the schedule of Gen 9 leads the hosts to ask the natural question: do we even need these games in 2022? The hosts have more than a few mixed feelings, but the powers of apple dinosaur and pompa-duck may win them over for the next generation of pocket-monster-catching after all.

With everyone’s Pokémon rants out of the way, the gang discusses the recent datamine hinting at the existence of a Switch Pro, suggesting that a hardware revision for Nintendo’s hybrid wonder might be in the works after all–and in other news, water is wet. This naturally leads the boys to share their thoughts on Nintendo’s recently announced missions and rewards system for Switch Online, which might not be as robust as the trophy and achievements systems on other platforms, but could still provide a healthy incentive to return to some of NSO’s legacy content.

Wrapping things up on an uplifting note, the gang gushes over Grapple Dog, an adorable and acrobatic platformer where you can pet the dog. Really, that’s all that needs to be said.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:52 – Main event: Pokémon Presents and Gen 9 Reactions “Burning Battlefield” – Pokémon Season 1 31:20 – Switch Pro Rumors + NSO Missions and Rewards System Discussions “Bonneton” – Super Mario Odyssey 43:30 – Indie Games Spotlight – Grapple Dog “Proceed” – Grapple Dog

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Burrow into a sneak peek at the next original IP from the makers of Shovel Knight!

Running on burrowed time? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by Yacht Club Games marketing manager (and friend of the show) Celia Schilling to discuss all things Mina the Hollower!

The development team behind epoch-defining Shovel Knight are back with an all-new Zelda-like adventure in Mina, and Celia is here to guide the gang through everything this upcoming Kickstarter-funded title has to offer. Touting the passion that went into every part of the game, Celia peels back the curtain on the development processes and ideas behind the release.

In between Cameron and Campbell gushing about their experience playing an early demo of the game, Celia offers an in-depth look into the creation of Mina the Hollower: how does Yacht Club balance difficulty? Will Mina be coming to Switch? How dark will the story get? And most importantly, what cool Mina merch can fans expect? Celia addresses all these questions and more in this wide-ranging interview!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:52 – Main event: An Interview with Celia Schilling on Mina the Hollower 40:20 – Indie Games Spotlight “Trailer theme” – Mina the Hollower

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Wii U and 3DS eShop Closure Reactions This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill pour one out for the end of an era. With Nintendo having recently announced the effective end of the Wii U and 3DS eShops, the hosts open the show by taking some time to reflect on the long-term impact of this decision: not only does this hammer the final nail in the coffin of Nintendo’s ill-fated last generation, but it also spells the end of the long-running Virtual Console. Will Switch Online ever fill the VC-shaped hole in our hearts? At least Nintendo provided a neat site to recall your Wii U and 3DS memories…

Next up, Marc gives the hosts a rundown of The Cuphead Show! and its disappointing adaptation of the Cuphead universe for the silver screen. Its animation may be beautiful, but it seems like not even Wayne Brady as King Dice can save this show and its crippling lack of substance.

Lastly, the hosts close things out with a good old-fashioned indie spotlight on Infernax, a brutal yet infectiously fun retro action platformer, and Ocean’s Heart, a Link to the Past-esque adventure game that’s sure to scratch that Zelda itch. With some impressions of the Switch port of Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments thrown in for good measure, the show ends with a well-rounded spotlight indeed!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:52 – Opening topic: Wii U and 3DS eShop Closure Reactions “Floral Furry” – Cuphead 23:40 – The Cuphead Show! Review “Botanic Panic” – Cuphead 40:20 – Indie Games Spotlight “Ruse of an Ooze” – Cuphead

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Pokemon Legends: Arceus Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, Campbell Gill and special guest Yoshiller keep the fun going after their Direct discussion with an in-depth exploration of the good, the bad, and the (literally) ugly of Pokemon Legends Arceus! What begins as a cheerful celebration of everything the game does right soon delves into the deeper issues posed by this radical departure from the traditional Pokemon franchise.

Pokemon Legends Arceus might just be the most revolutionary entry the series has ever had, but does that give it a free pass to leave out vital accessibility and quality features? What impact will it have on the franchise as a whole? Will it splinter the fanbase going forward? What features will we see carried over into Gen 9? Yoshiller and the hosts answer all these questions and more in this expansive expedition into Arceus.

Make sure you don’t miss this week’s previous episode, where Yoshiller and the hosts describe everything you need to know about the stunning February 2022 Nintendo Direct.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 01:02 – Main event: Pokémon Legends: Arceus Review “Warden Battle” – Pokémon Legends: Arceus

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February 2022 Nintendo Direct Reactions It’s a Double Dash week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast! Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by Yoshiller for a titanic episode so big that it couldn’t fit in a single show! In Part 1 of this week’s two-episode extravaganza, the gang dives into everything there is to know about the jaw-dropping February 2022 Nintendo Direct. The hosts walk through every single announcement of the show, from the highs of Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 to the lows of MLB The Show and that Disney kart racer the world has been begging for.

It’s not often you get a show so jam-packed with as much exciting news as this, so whether you want to join Yoshiller on his old-school strategy marathon, enjoy some classic adventures revived for a modern generation, or hit the court in Mario- or Nintendo-themed sporting events, this direct delivered a little something for everyone (including a few birthday presents for some of the hosts). Directs are off to a promising start this year! Could 2022 be Nintendo’s next 2017?

Be on the lookout for the next episode this week, where we embark on a deep dive into Pokemon Legends Arceus!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:53 – Main event: February 2022 Nintendo Direct Reactions “Boxing Results Screen” – Wii Sports

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BARF! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by not one, but two special guests: WayForward’s own Adam Tierney and Bannon Rudis, directors of the River City Girls series! In this wide-ranging interview special, the hosts pick Adam and Bannon’s brains to learn everything there is to know about the upcoming entries in the River City Girls series. Starting out with River City Girls 2, the hosts explore just how ambitious this sequel really is: how does it play into the River City lore? How much bigger is it than its predecessor? And what kind of silly voices can we expect from the lively world of the city? All these questions and so many more will be answered in this extensive deep-dive behind the curtain of development at WayForward!

It doesn’t stop there, though. After the break, the whole gang returns a second round of interviews, this time all about the upcoming River City Girls Zero, the first English release of a River City title that had long languished in Japanese exclusivity. Adam offers his insight on the decision to re-release the game, what it takes to make something a “Port Plus,” the possibility of Japanese dual audio in ongoing River City titles, and why the game initially targeted the Nintendo Switch. After that, Bannon and Adam give a sneak peek at what lies ahead for WayForward–you won’t want to miss it!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:45 – Main event: River City Girls 2 Interview “We’re the River City Girls” – River City Girls 51:28 – River City Girls Zero Interview “File Select” – River City Girls

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Banjo-Kazooie Switch Discussion This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill discuss a topic quite absurd, the adventure of a bear and bird! That’s right, folks, it’s time for the gang to go all-out on their reactions to the recent addition of Banjo-Kazooie to the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. This 1998 3D platforming classic holds a special place in gaming history as one of the pinnacles of its genre, a masterpiece that perfected the exploratory platformer formula through an adventure brimming with charming rhymes, silly characters, and secrets around every corner! The boys celebrate the game with a wide-ranging discussion, sharing Campbell’s impressions as a first-time player, Cameron’s experienced reminiscences, and Marc’s enthusiasm for the game (even if he may be a fake fan).

Cameron and Campbell take a break from all the rarified excitement to chill out with the playable drug trip that is The Artful Escape. Maybe it doesn’t have the most involved gameplay around, but this latest cinematic romp from Annapurna Interactive succeeds in delivering a stunning package of audiovisual splendor, telling a psychedelic tale of musical self-discovery. Fans of David Bowie and Pink Floyd will find plenty to love in this glam rock experience!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:50 – Main Event: Banjo-Kazooie Switch Discussion “Spiral Mountain” – Banjo-Kazooie 52:30 – Indie Spotlight: The Artful Escape “Treasure Trove Cove” – Banjo-Kazooie

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to what is already one of 2022’s biggest pieces of gaming news: Microsoft is set to purchase Activision Blizzard for an eyewatering sum of $68.7 billion (yes, billion with a B). While this is obviously a major development in the ongoing console wars between PlayStation and Xbox, just how will the Activision Blizzard acquisition affect Nintendo players? It’s a seismic shift in the industry with plenty of implications for fans of the Big N: does this mean that Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, which have recently become frequent sights on Switch, will leave the Nintendo ecosystem after all? What will this acquisition do to the Switch’s burgeoning big-name third-party support? And with so many major names now under one roof at Microsoft, do we even need traditional E3 press conferences anymore? The hosts cover all these questions and more in a discussion as wide-ranging as Microsoft’s shopping list.

Next up, it’s time to jam out with an indie spotlight on the delightful arcade revival that is Windjammers 2! This follow-up to Data East’s cult-classic 1994 arcade hit is a worthy successor that takes the original game’s winning formula and dials it up to 11 with new mechanics, characters, and abilities–all wrapped up in DotEmu’s signature stunning art direction. It might suffer from a steep learning curve, but it’s not hard for the adrenaline to set in and make this a blisteringly fast and competitive multiplayer blast!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Main Event: Activision Blizzard acquisition discussion “N. Sanity Beach” – Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy 31:50 – Indie Spotlight: Windjammers 2 “Boulder Dash” – Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by friend of the show, Goomba Stomp writer, and creator of amazing stuff, Marty Allen! In this cute animal extravaganza, the gang starts by reacting to the cinematic masterpiece that’s sure to sweep this year’s Oscars–and of course, we’re talking about the Pokemon Company’s latest animation, Bidoof’s Big Stand. A true tear-jerker in every way, this 8-minute clip is well worth all fans of everyone’s favorite HM slave.

After that, the gang takes an emotional detour to discuss Chicory: A Colorful Tale, a surprisingly impactful journey packed with adorable critters, plenty of food and animal puns, a painterly gameplay loop, and a poignant story of burnout, acceptance, and coming to terms with one’s whole self. It’s yet another hit from the makers of Wandersong, an accessible adventure that lets the player paint their own story–an experience sure to resonate with anyone who has a passion for creativity.

Closing things out, Campbell and Cameron bow out as our resident Animal Crossing experts, Marc and Marty, take the lead sharing their impressions on the Animal Crossing New Horizons DLC. New Horizons might be past its prime, but the new content is more than enough to entice new players back to their islands–and it might just lure in some new players, too (unless you’re a curmudgeon like Campbell). Animal Crossing fans will want to tune in!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Opening: Bidoof’s Big Stand Discussion “Special Announcement” – Bidoof Day 14:00 – Main Event: Chicory: A Colorful Tale “Dinners, The Big City” – Chicory: A Colorful Tale 50:00 – Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC catchup with Marty “Appie Foothill” – Chicory: A Colorful Tale

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Zelda II: The Adventure of Link Review Zelda II: The Adventure of Link was an incredibly assured attempt to rewrite the rules of the entire series. Unfortunately, most people just don’t like change and because it was different and harder than the original, many fans of the series hated the entry. Fast forward more than two decades and we decided to revisit the black sheep of the Zelda family. What follows is a segment from episode 46 of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast in which Ricky, Patrick, Tim, and Arron got into a heated argument about the merits of Zelda II. Enjoy!

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill kick off the year with an episode spotlighting many of their most anticipated indie games of 2022. While platforms like Xbox and PS5 are definitely attracting plenty of indie talent this year, the Nintendo Switch certainly seems poised to remain the king of the indie scene with much-anticipated titles like Sea of Stars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, OlliOlli World, and many, many more! The hosts provide just a glance at what the future will hold for fans of the independent gaming scene this year.

Moving on from the indie excitement, what better way to warm up during the cold days of January than by cozying up with an old-school RPG? That’s exactly what leads the hosts to a discussion of the N64’s recently re-released Paper Mario on the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Cameron shares his thoughts on this early 3D classic, sparking a conversation that spans the gang’s hopes for future additions to NSO, the issues plaguing N64 games on Switch, and the convoluted state of roleplaying Mario spinoffs. It’s a quirky smorgasbord for this year’s first show!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Main Event: Most Anticipated Indie Games of 2022 “Title” – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door 26:00 – Talking Point: Death’s Door & Paper Mario NSO Impressions “Olivia’s Theme” – Paper Mario: The Origami King

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill finally bid adieu to 2021 and ring in a new year with a load of bold predictions for Nintendo’s 2022! Before getting to that, though, the hosts start things off by reminiscing on all the goods that the Big N brought to the table in 2021, including everything from this year’s deluge of excellent indies to the incredible reinvention of the Mario formula with Bowser’s Fury and even a handful of historical gems like the Famicom Detective Club games. Of course, that’s not even to mention the jaw-dropping reveals of E3 2921, including Metroid Dread–from the beginning of the year to its final days, Nintendo certainly gave the hosts plenty to highlight!

After celebrating all the best of 2021, it’s time to theorize what could be in store for Nintendo in 2022. Each host shares their predictions for the good and the bad lying in wait for the next year, raising major questions: will COVID continue to delay game development? Will we see Breath of the Wild 2 resurface at last for a 2022 release? And could we even get a revival of long-neglected franchises like Golden Sun? Only time will tell! Don’t forget to come back to this episode in December 2022 and see who’s right.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Main Event: 2021 Highlights “New Year’s Eve 11:55 a.m.” – Animal Crossing: New Horizons 35:00 – Talking Point: 2022 Predictions “Happy New Year!” – Animal Crossing: New Horizons

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill celebrate the gaming community’s most cherished holiday tradition: deciding which game is the year’s best. Although the gang may or may not have played any of the year’s biggest releases, that doesn’t stop them from running down Goomba Stomp’s two-part Game of the Year list. The hosts walk through each one of this year’s 30 winners, ranging from indie darlings like Loop Hero to triple-A megahits like Resident Evil Village. This conversation goes so in-depth, we had to split it into two segments!

While there’s certainly a good mix of nominees from third-party developers, Nintendo fans certainly won’t complain about our ultimate #1 Game of the Year winner. 2021 was certainly a jam-packed year for fans of the Big N and for the industry in general, so it’s exhilarating to think about what the future may hold. Tune in for a sweeping discussion that covers the very past of this past year while looking toward bright times ahead!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Main Event: Game of the Year Discussion Part 1 “Credits Roll” – Bowser’s Fury 35:00 – Game of the Year Discussion Part 2 “Endscreen” – Metroid Dread

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill serve up a compact yet jam-packed episode brimming with hot takes about Nintendo’s last Direct presentation of the year, December 15’s Indie World showcase. Stuffed with incredible indie games from start to finish, this latest direct had a little something for everyone (especially if you’re a fan of a certain pup with a paintbrush). Starting things off with a bang with the Chrono Trigger spiritual successor Sea of Stars, the gang walks through every announcement of the show, including the emotional gut punch of After Love EP, the delightful surprise of Dungeon Munchies, the boardgame mysteries of Let’s Play! Oink Games, and the horrifying debut of Omori. There may not have been a giant dump of shadow drop releases as in previous directs, but at least Spring 2022 will be positively stacked!

In the final segment, Cameron takes a break from all the indie conversation by talking about another indie game–none other than Devolver Digital’s Loop Hero, which has just made its long-awaited debut on Switch. As tough as it may be to put into words, Loop Hero delivers a strategic experience unlike anything else on the market–and of course, it’s a perfect fit for Switch!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Main Event: Indie World December 2021 Reactions “The Town of Luncheon” – Chicory: a Colorful Tale 44:00 – Indie Spotlight: Loop Hero “Title” – Loop Hero

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill serve up a brainteaser of an episode with a review of the recently released Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain. This competitive yet educational multiplayer party romp may not have gotten the publicity normally befitting a first-party Nintendo release, but despite its obscurity, it might just end up being one of the best multiplayer games on Switch. Marc schools the gang on all the lessons to be learned from Big Brain’s surprisingly competitive yet endlessly accessble minigames, heaping praise on this inventive title. Don’t miss out on what could be the Nintendo sleeper hit of the year!

Next up, Cameron gives the hosts a spotlight on Unsighted, an indie action adventure game built in the vein of 2D Zeldas and Hyper Light Drifter. Set in an apocalyptic world where every single NPC has a finite amount of time before reverting to a primal, dangerous state, Unsighted tasks players with making tough decisions and offers an immensely rewarding experience for those who can make it through its many challenges. All this and more in a short but sweet episode before the end-of-year insanity sets in!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Main Event: Big Brain Academy Brain vs. Brain Review “Title” – Big Brain Academy 28:20 – Indie Spotlight: Unsighted “Welcome/Main Theme” – Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain

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Ready to dig in? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by Yacht Club Games’ marketing manager, Celia Schilling, for a wide-ranging interview about all this Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon ahead of its December 13 release. Pocket Dungeon represents an exciting moment for the Shovel Knight series, effectively inventing a new genre and bringing Yacht Club’s mascot hero to the world of puzzle gaming for the first time. Celia gives the host a detailed breakdown about how the game came to be, what it takes to keep the game interesting for players of all skill levels, and why the Trouple King is so adorable–all this and more!

Be sure to stay tuned for Marc’s quick indie spotlight on the delightful A Short Hike, a wonderfully relaxed game that the hosts take turns celebrating–before devolving into a discussion of backlogs, Persona 5, and the struggles of adulting. What can you say, they really dug themselves into a hole…

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:45 – Main event: An Interview with Yacht Club Games’ Celia Schilling 52:00 – Indie Spotlight: A Short Hike “Strike the Earth!” – Shovel Knight

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill ring in the holiday season with a jam-packed show full of hot takes and shopping tips. Before all that, though, the gang starts things out with a discussion of the recently-released letter from Microsoft offering to purchase Nintendo. Just what does this rejected offer say about Microsoft’s approach to getting games on the original Xbox, and how would history have been different had the Big N accepted?

Moving on to the Main Event, Marc and Campbell share their mixed thoughts about Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl–and saying it’s a mixed bag would likely be an understatement! Despite Diamond and Pearl being some of the most beloved Pokémon titles of the past 15 years, these remakes leave plenty to be desired–from big-picture topics like graphics and random encounters all the way down to something as simple as walking Pokémon. Even the most nostalgic fans may find themselves taking issue with this revamp, so it seems that not even the glories of a wild Bidoof could save this project.

The gang ends the show on a high note by sharing their picks for this year’s holiday stocking stuffers–whether you want to give the gift of hours of puzzling bliss or the potential for learning a new skill, the hosts have you covered for picking out the perfect gaming-themed presents ahead of Black Friday.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:45 – Opening Topic: Microsoft’s Offer for Nintendo “Vs. Dialga/Palkia” – Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl 14:50 – Main Event: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Review “Battle! Team Galactic Commanders” – Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl 48:35 – Closing Topic: Holiday Stocking Stuffers “Route 209” – Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

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This week, the next generation of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast turns one year old! A whole year has passed since Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill first took the reins of NXpress, so this episode starts out with a fitting birthday bash. Once the champagne runs out, Cameron starts the show in earnest and shares his impressions of the Zelda Game & Watch device, a charming novelty that provides an endearing way to play some of the greatest games ever made. Before long, the discussion shifts to a broader celebration of the Zelda franchise, including Marc’s regular progress reports through Ocarina of Time on N64 Online, the differences between 3D and 2D Zelda games, and Campbell’s relentless enthusiasm for Skyward Sword.

Marc puts the focus on an all-time classic in the next segment with a review of Bioware’s iconic Stars Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. You don’t even have to be a Star Wars fan to enjoy this inventive RPG: with an engaging plot, brilliant musical score, and a compelling combat system, this roleplaying adventure holds up even today, nearly 20 years since its first release. Closing out the show, Campbell spotlights WayForward’s delightful remaster of A Boy and His Blob, an endearing little game that first released back on the Wii but finds a perfect home in this Switch port.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:41 – Opening Topic: Zelda Game & Watch Impressions “Song of Storms” – Zelda & Chill 30:30 – Talking Point: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Review “Zelda’s Lullaby” – Zelda & Chill II 46:07 – Indie Spotlight: A Boy and His Blob “Outset Island” – Zelda & Chill II

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This week, we react to the latest sales figures from Nintendo’s earnings report and discuss the positive side of Nintendo Switch Online.

This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill work through yet another busy show packed with news, reviews, and impressions! The gang starts out by diving into the latest record-breaking sales updates from Nintendo’s latest earnings report, including the Big N’s incredible sales numbers for hardware and software, potential film adaptations, and even hints at an eventual Switch successor released sometime in the next several decades.

Next up, the gang shares their most recent impressions of the classic games offered as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Despite some justified pessimism about the add-on’s high price of entry, there’s plenty to love in the classic games on offer, from stone-cold classics like Super Mario 64 to hidden gems like Sin and Punishment. With an excellent selection of titles along with generally high-quality emulation, the Expansion Pack provides a hearty helping of old-school goodness.

Lastly, Campbell shines a brief indie spotlight on Tunche, a tried-and-true beat ’em up set in the Amazon rainforest that represents indigenous folklore and culture in a solid action-packed romp. As always, all this and so much more in this week’s show!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Talking Points: Nintendo Earnings Report Reactions “Yoshi’s Story” – Super Smash Bros. 23:00 – Main Event: Nintendo Switch Online Expanded Impressions “Star Wolf” – Star Fox 64 54:20 – Indie Snippet: Tunche “Bonus Stage” – Super Smash Bros.

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, we have a packed show as Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill share their thoughts on a smorgasbord of Nintendo news before reviewing some of the latest big releases. The gang starts out on a positive note by sharing their early impressions of Pikmin Bloom, an experience that may just be a glorified pedometer but still delivers relaxing and satisfying gameplay. Next up, Cameron and Campbell rant about the lackluster Switch version of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, a Cloud version whose glitching graphics and lagging controls leave much to be desired for portable players.

Moving on to the main event, Marc takes center stage with Mario Party Superstars, the long-awaited return to form for the Mario Party franchise with remasters of some of the best minigames and boards from the first few games in the series. With surprisingly solid online, plenty of Mario Party lore, and nonstop excellent party game action, Mario Party Superstars seems poised to be one of the Switch’s best multiplayer romps. Cameron follows up with just a bit of contrast by reviewing the remaster of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, a new version of a Wii U cult classic that may just be one of the most psychologically-frightening games around.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 1:00 – Talking Points: Pikmin Bloom and Guardians of the Galaxy Cloud Version Impressions “Mario Party Title Screen”– Mario Party Superstars 11:20 – Main Event: Mario Party Superstar Review “Yoshi’s Tropical Paradise” – Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy 33:10 – Talking Point: Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water Review “Horror Land” – Mario Party Superstars

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to breaking Pikmin news, review what may just be the year’s surprise hit, and share their first impressions of Nintendo’s latest online offerings. The boys start things off by reacting to the out-of-the-blue reveal of Pikmin Bloom, a new mobile take on the Pikmin formula from the creators of Pokemon GO. Could this experiment be just what the Pikmin series needs to break into the mainstream? Before long, Marc takes the hosts on a trip to the cosmos with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, a romp that rocks its way through the universe with impeccable writing, memorable characters, a classic soundtrack, and a combat system that just gets better the more you play.

In the next part of the show, Marc and Campbell share their impressions of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack–and barring Campbell’s relentless enthusiasm for the excellent selection of Sega Genesis Games, the results are certainly mixed thus far. Lackluster N64 emulation leaves some online classics like Ocarina of Time in rough shape, and despite some rumors of an expanded roster, there’s no telling whether Nintendo will make any meaningful steps to rectify its issues. Even then, we’re all Nintendo fans–we’re used to persevering with crushed dreams of classic game libraries and preservation.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:43 – Talking Point: Pikmin Bloom Review “Pikmin – Today’s Rest [Lofi Chill Remix]” – Qumu 11:20 – Main Event: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Review “Guardians of the Galaxy Theme?” – Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy 33:10 – Talking Point: Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Impressions

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Animal Crossing New Horizons DLC Discussion This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, it’s a wild ride of emotional highs and lows as Animal Crossing expert and Goomba Stomp writer Marty Allen joins Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill to talk all things Animal Crossing, Nintendo Switch Online, and Nickelodeon. Things start out on a positive note as Marc and Marty gush over the newly-announced DLC for Animal Crossing New Horizons. Not only does this added content deliver almost everything longtime fans could have ever wanted (such as the long-awaited return of the king, the Froggy Chair), but it also provides plenty of encouragement for holdouts to finally make the plunge and set out for a tropical island paradise of their own.

Things take a less positive turn as the discussion shifts toward the recent blowout of information on the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, including its release date and–most divisively–its price. While Banjo-Kazooie, Ocarina of Time, and even Sega Genesis gems like Phantasy Star IV make the expansion pack an appealing prospect, it has to answer a larger question: can it justify a 150% increase over the base subscription? Despite all efforts to stay optimistic, the hosts aren’t so sure.

Marc closes out the show by sharpening his knives and embarking on a rage-filled rant against Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, a 2D platform fighter that had the potential to be the next Smash Bros. but squandered it amid shoddy development practices, bizarre direction decisions, and lackluster fanservice. Tune in for what may be the angriest 10-minute segment in NXpress history!

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, longtime Goomba Stomp writer and former editor Mike Worby joins Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill to review the long-awaited Metroid Dread. Over a decade in the making, Nintendo has teamed up with Mercurysteam once again to officially revive the 2D Metroid formula, and Mike walks the hosts through everything that makes Dread such a triumphant comeback. Stuffed with secrets in its sprawling map and posing plenty of challenge in its many boss battles, Metroid Dread isn’t just a successful revival of a dormant series, but it pushes its genre forward with bold new ideas – even including a few ideas from series like Dark Souls. In any case, whether you’re a series veteran like Mike or a newcomer like Marc, there’s no denying that Samus’s latest mission has all the makings of a modern classic.

Next up, Marc takes the gang on a throwback tribute to celebrate the glory days of Pac-Man with a review of Pac-Man: Birth of an Icon, a beautifully made book commemorating the fortieth anniversary of one of gaming’s most recognizable icons. This week’s closing spotlight ends on a high note as Campbell reviews the recent Switch version of Tetris Effect Connected, a technically faithful port of the most memorable and musical take on the Tetris formula.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:46 – Main Event: Metroid Dread Review “Theme of Samus Aran” – Metroid Dread 45:45 – Talking Point: Pac-Man: Birth of an Icon “Pac-Man (Club Mix)” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 1:02:35 – Spotlight: Tetris Effect Connected on Switch “Classic Score Attack” – Tetris Effect Connected

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, it’s the end of an era as Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the very last fighter joining the battle in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate in the final Sakurai Presents showcase. Sora from Kingdom Hearts has officially joined the battle, and while the hosts may sound a little heartless in their lack of enthusiasm for Square Enix and Disney’s ambitious crossover series, there’s no denying the importance of Sora’s addition to the roster. Not only does Sora represent a monumental moment in gaming history, but he means so much to generations of players who grew up with the Kingdom Hearts adventures–and really, what better way to end the most expansive gaming collaboration in history?

Along the way, the hosts also muse over what the end of Smash Ultimate means for Sakurai and for Nintendo as a whole–just what does the future hold for the Big N and its blockbuster platform fighting series? Perhaps the announcement of the Kingdom Hearts series coming to Switch in cloud streaming form left much to be desired, but all told, Sakurai’s last deep dive was a fitting end to a remarkable series of presentations.

Next up, the gang goes on a spooky tangent as Cameron shares his experience with the excellent indie horror game Detention. It may have first released a few years ago, but this sidescrolling scare-fest still excels in delivering an unsettling atmosphere and cutting social commentary. If you’re looking for a game to welcome the arrival of Spooktober, don’t let Detention sneak under your radar!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Main Event: Sora in Smash and Sakurai Presents “Simple and Clean” – Kingdom Hearts 42:30 – Indie Spotlight: Detention Review “Blast Away! Gummi Ship II” – Kingdom Hearts II

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Poyo! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by Eliza from Kirby Informer to break down everything there is to know about the recent Nintendo Direct, including a healthy amount of hype around everyone’s favorite pink puffball. It may be a few days since the Direct aired, but even now there’s so much to say about what has to be one of Nintendo’s most bonkers presentations in recent memory. From the reveal of Kirby’s first full-throttle foray into the third dimension with Kirby and the Forgotten Land (sorry, Crystal Shards) to the unbelievable cast of the Mario movie, this showcase packed a little bit of everything for everyone – and that’s not even to mention the expansion of Nintendo Switch Online to include Genesis and N64 games, the long-awaited gameplay blowout of Bayonetta 3, and the release date of Disco Elysium’s Switch port, among many, many other announcements.

After wrapping up these announcements, Marc shines an indie spotlight on UnMetal, a Metal Gear Solid parody that manages to keep up a surprisingly consistent sense of humor that may even delight Kojima himself.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Main Event: Nintendo Direct Discussion “Checker Knights” – Kirby: Air Ride 59:27 – Indie Spotlight: UnMetal Review “Victory” – Kirby Air Ride

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by TOVG producer Michael Barryte for a jam-packed indie extravaganza episode. Michael kicks things off with a behind-the-scenes look at Indieland 2021, a charity live stream starring the Completionist and a host of indie developers around the globe raising money to support dementia research and treatment. Not only does the show support a good cause, but it also showcases a hugely diverse lineup of indies ranging from recent hits like Axiom Verge 2 and Toem to deeper cuts like Blossom Tales and Revita. Michael gives the hosts a deep dive behind the scenes, providing a thorough look at what it takes to put a program together.

Indies take a backseat in the next segment, as Marc takes center stage to celebrate the incredible Epilogue GB Operator, a groundbreaking devices that lets you play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games in full 4k on the device and control setup of your choice. Whether you’re looking to homebrew your own creations or simply re-experience some nostalgic favorites, Epilogue’s peripheral is sure to deliver everything you’re aiming for–and more. Lastly, Cameron gives a quick spotlight on Toem, an idyllic Swedish photography adventure that feels like a playable breath of fresh air.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Opening Topic: Indieland Discussion “Title Theme” – Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga 34:40 – Talking Point: Epilogue GB Operator Review “Mom’s Hometown” – Mother 3 50:00 – Toem Indie Snippet “Title” – Pokémon Fire Red

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Two whole decades of the cube! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill celebrate the 20th birthday of the Nintendo GameCube before reviewing the newly-released WarioWare: Get It Together! The Big N’s sixth-gen effort may not have lit up the sales chart like its predecessors, but what it lacked in commercial success it made up for in critical darlings, boasting an exceptional library of some of the most groundbreaking and innovative games of its era. The gang walks through only a small smattering of the landmark experiences that the purple cube has to offer, from the graphical showcase of Luigi’s Mansion to the hassle of connecting your GBA to your GameCube to the splendors of sailing on the Great Sea in The Wind Waker. That’s not to mention that its lightweight design and built-in handle technically made it a hybrid console decades before the Switch…

After a quick breaking news segment to discuss the out-of-nowhere reveal that the latest Switch system update would support Bluetooth audio, Cameron dives into the microgame madness of WarioWare: Get It Together! with an in-depth review. The craziness may get out of hand sometimes, but with a friend along for the ride, there’s still plenty of wacky fun to be had with Wario’s debut outing on Switch. Closing things out with a much-needed dose of feathery cuteness is an indie spotlight on SkateBIRD, an adorable take on Tony Hawk that might just be one of the year’s most charming indies.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 02:00 – Opening Topic: 20 Years of the GameCube “Pirate Dance” – Dance Dance Revolution Mario Mix 34:40 – Talking Point: Switch Bluetooth Support and WarioWare: Get It Together! Review “Waluigi Stadium & Wario Colosseum” – Mario Kart: Double Dash!! 1:01:00 – SkateBIRD Indie Snippet “Pagoda Peak” – Mario Party 7

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill tackle one of life’s biggest questions – just what is a metroidvania, really? Before getting to that, though, the gang takes a moment to appreciate the recently-announced Lego Mario 64 set, an incredible tribute to one of the greatest games of all time that presents enticing possibilities as to what the future could hold for collaborations between the Big N and Lego.

In the Main Event, the hosts celebrate the impending release of Metroid Dread with a wide-ranging discussion about all things metroidvania, sharing their experiences with the genre, their hopes for its future, and their opinions about what makes a game a metroidvania. From the beginnings of the genre with Super Metroid and Symphony of the Night all the way to modern classics like Hollow Knight, the metroidvania genre has played host to some of the very best games of the past few decades, and for all the hosts’ hopes, questions, and issues, there’s no telling where it might go next–until we get our hands on Metroid Dread, at least.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:41 – Opening Topic: Lego Super Mario 64 Set “Title Theme” – No More Heroes 16:55 – Talking Point: What Is a Metroidvania? “Start The Battle” – No More Heroes III 38:30 – Indie Spotlight: Hoa “Credits” – No More Heroes

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill dive right into all the incredible possibilities and harsh realities that the Big N could have in store as we head into the final quarter of the year. While it’s all but confirmed that Nintendo will present a new Direct this month, what could be revealed? Will we see the much-rumored addition of Gameboy and Gameboy Color titles to the Nintendo Switch Online service? Could we get glimpses of hotly anticipated titles like Breath of the Wild 2 or Project Triangle Strategy? While disappointment is inevitable, the hosts discuss all the options for classic games and all-new releases that could be shown off soon.

The show takes an avant-garde turn in the next segment, as Cameron and Campbell celebrate the auteuristic genius of developer Suda51 by discussing the cult classic No More Heroes and its newly-released sequel, No More Heroes III. Whether you’ve been playing Suda51’s creations since he first developed a following with Killer7 on the Gamecube or are only just getting into his work, there’s plenty to appreciate in Suda’s distinctively satirical punk-rock aesthetic, especially in the otaku assassin action of No More Heroes. Campbell closes things out on a more wholesome note with a review of Hoa, a platformer whose beautiful graphics and serene atmosphere earn it a place among the year’s very best indies.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:41 – Opening Topic: Gameboy and GBC Games on Switch “Title Theme” – No More Heroes 16:55 – Talking Point: Suda51 and No More Heroes “Start The Battle” – No More Heroes III 38:30 – Indie Spotlight: Hoa “Credits” – No More Heroes

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill take a moment to celebrate 30 years of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, one of the most important systems ever produced by the Big N. With only a minimal amount of squabbling over which game is the best on the system (we all know it’s A Link to the Past), the hosts walk through everything that made the SNES such a critical part of gaming history: the unmatched library of classics, rock-solid first- and third-party development support, excellently designed controllers, and so much more. Even if you weren’t around for the heyday of the SNES in the 90s, there’s no denying that the Super Nintendo remains a platform packed with excellent titles whose influence can still be felt today.

Moving onto more modern matters, the gang share their impressions of the recent demo for WarioWare: Get It Together! Wario’s big debut on Switch is just as chaotic and packed with ridiculous microgames as any other entry in the series, and with the all-new inclusion of local multiplayer, it might just be the perfect new party game. Cameron closes out the show with a small cup of Necrobarista: Final Pour, the definitive version of a beloved 2020 visual novel taking place in a coffee shop where the dead can mingle with the living one last time.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:59 – Opening Topic: 30 Years of the SNES “Beware the Forest Mushrooms” – Super Mario RPG 35:20 – Talking Point: WarioWare: Get It Together! Impressions “Ashley’s Theme” – Super Smash Bros. Brawl 47:50 – Indie Spotlight: Necrobarista: Final Pour “Credits” – Super Mario World

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill tackle a supersized episode packed with reactions about all things Pokémon and reviews of every new indie under the sun. Starting things off, all boys break down all there is to know about the recent Pokémon Presents showcase, from the bevy of updates for the countless Pokémon mobile games to massive blowouts on Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokémon Legends Arceus.

Next up, the gan dive into an indie game extravaganza as each host reviews many of the most notable indies that released following the most recent Indie World presentation. Campbell kicks things off with a deep dive into Boyfriend Dungeon and the perhaps overblown controversy surrounding it, while Cameron provides a wholesome break with the wonderfully wholesome Garden Story. Meanwhile, Marc takes the hosts on an island vacation with Islanders: Console Edition, before Campbell gives another breakdown about the surprisingly bold sequel Axiom Verge 2. Closing things out, Marc provides a look at Pile Up!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:59 – Opening Topic: Pokémon Presents Discussion “Vs. Trainer” – Pokémon Diamond and Pearl 25:50 – Indie Spotlight: Boyfriend Dungeon, Garden Story, Islanders, Axiom Verge 2, Pile Up! “Battle! Team Galactic Boss” – Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

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August 2021 Indie World Showcase Reactions This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the latest jam-packed Indie World showcase. The gang breaks down every major announcement of the show, from the impeccably stylish opening with a new Bomb Rush Cyberfunk trailer all the way through to the final stretch of big-name surprise releases. With such a strong lineup of shadow-drops like Garden Story, Boyfriend Dungeon, and Axiom verge 2, this presentation rivaled the last E3 showcase as one of Nintendo’s most consistently exciting productions in recent memory.

Next up, Marc puts a necessary damper on all the Indie World enthusiasm by reviewing the disappointing comic book adventure, Foreclosed. While it might have an immaculate aesthetic, its gameplay loop leaves much to be desired. Never fear, however; Marc still has some positivity up his sleeve with a review of the fantastic surprise action-platformer, Greak: Memories of Azur. While it doesn’t rewrite the formula of its genre, Greak still delivers one of the year’s finest platforming adventures with painterly visuals and immaculate level design.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:50 – Main Event: Indie World Reactions “1989” – Tetris Effect 31:50 – Indie Spotlight: Foreclosed and Greak: Memories of Azur “Title Theme / Phase 1” – Tetris 99

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill take advantage of the calm before the storm of major releases later this year and highlight some of the best games of 2021 released thus far. Before doing that, though, the gang ponders an important question: after the brilliant conversion of Skyward Sword HD to Switch, what other Wii games should come to Nintendo’s latest hardware? The hosts take turns highlighting the endless possibilities for bringing Wii games to Switch, from forgotten gems like Wario Land: Shake It! to generation-defining titles like Wii Sports. Hopefully, any potential Wii ports don’t subject the Switch to the Wii’s trademark shovelware problem, but only time will tell.

In the main event, the boys celebrate getting more than halfway through this bizarre year by celebrating the best games of 2021 so far. It’s already been a year of ups and downs, but whether you’re a fan of narrative-driven adventures, stylish indies, or compelling mysteries, the hosts highlight how 2021 has yielded a little something for everyone already. Between Skyward Sword HD, Monster Hunter Rise, or even Persona 5 Strikers, there’s been plenty of headliners this year–and there’s no telling which of them will make it onto the year-end lists! Lastly, Cameron closes things out on a fitting note by sharing his early impressions of the objectively greatest game of all time (according to Metacritic), The House in Fata Morgana.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Nintendosage: Which Wii games should come to Switch? “Pounce Bounce Isle” – Bowser’s Fury 21:50 – Main Event: Best Games of 2021 So Far “Scamper Shores” – Bowser’s Fury 45:50 –Indie Spotlight: The House in Fata Morgana “Fort Flaptrap” – Bowser’s Fury

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Pokemon Unite Switch Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill pick up their phones for a mobile-centric extravaganza highlighting the Pokemon Company’s biggest addition to the Switch and mobile library, Pokemon Unite. Before that, though, the gang kicks things off by paying their respects to the recently-deceased Dr. Mario World, the latest sign of Nintendo’s changing and shifting approach to mobile game development. With the Big N’s success in the mobile landscape being mixed at best, just what lies on the horizon for Nintendo titles beyond the Switch?

Next up, the hosts head to the Aeos Islands region as Marc reviews Pokemon Unite, the results of Tencent and The Pokemon Company’s grand mobile collaboration. MOBAs may not be the most accessible genre around, but Unite manages to make its battle arena gameplay simple to grasp with familiar characters and streamlined mechanics. Cameron closes out the show with a comprehensive look at Eldest Souls, an unabashedly soulslike indie boss rush title that blends the frenetic combat of Hyper Light Drifter and solemn battles of Shadow of the Colossus into an uncompromisingly brutal yet satisfying mix.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Nintendosage: What does Dr. Mario World shut down mean for Nintendo? “Fever” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 17:30 – Main Event: Pokemon Unite Review “Title Theme” – Pokémon Unite 40:00 – Indie Spotlight: Eldest Souls “Burning Battlefield” – Pokémon Season 1

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The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill take flight on their loftwings as they review Skyward Sword HD. Long regarded as the black sheep of the Zelda franchise, Skyward Sword has seen a bevy of quality-of-life enhancements and improvements that aim to relieve the tedium of the experience. But do those changes manage to remove the frustration of the motion controls or excessive tutorials? Perhaps Skyward Sword doesn’t provide the same grand adventure as Breath of the Wild, but in terms of its story, dungeons, and world, there’s nothing quite like it in the series–and there’s never been a better way to play it!

Next up, the gang switches gears to speculate one of the most surprisingly exciting announcements in recent years–Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl. This crossover fighter looks to be no mere licensed cash grab and instead shows potential to be a genuinely viable fighting game and a love letter to classic toons. With that in mind, the hosts take turns predicting who will make it into the roster. Which icon of kids’ TV will find a spot in the upcoming brawler? Maybe one of the hosts has the answer!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Main Event: Skyward Sword HD Review “Ballad of The Goddess” from Zelda & Chill – Mikel & GameChops 43:00 – Talking point: Nickelodeon All-star Brawl Roster Predictions “Title Theme” – The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

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Time to return to the hunt! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill dive into Capcom’s latest roleplaying adventure on Switch, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Before that, though, the gang has a heated discussion on a divisive topic: should Super Mario 64 be worth $1.5 million? Maybe it’s capitalism, maybe it’s resellers, or maybe it’s auction house patrons with too much money on their hands–whatever the reason, there’s no denying that retro games are getting harder to find and even harder to afford.

As their temperaments settle a bit, Marc gives the hosts a comprehensive look at Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin in the Main Event. Blending monster-slaying action of Capcom’s multiplayer blockbuster with the intricate roleplaying combat of Xenoblade Chronicles or Final Fantasy X, Monster Hunter Stores 2 thrives in its elegant yet versatile combat system. Things may not fare so well outside of battle, but if you can put up with some subpar performance or excessive cat puns (which really sound pawful), then there’s plenty of fun to be had with you and your monsties. Marc continues to hold the stage for the Indie Games Spotlight, gushing about Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective–a puzzle title that might just be the very finest video game adaptation of a book ever made.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Nintendosage: The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario 64 auction prices “Title Theme” – Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin 16:20 – Main Event: Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Review “Astera” – Monster Hunter World 44:04 – Indie Spotlight: Labyrinth City: Pierre the maze Detective “Proof of a Hero” – Monster Hunter Stories

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You’ll pro-bably want to tune in to this one! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the announcement of the Switch OLED Model – likely the closest thing we’ll ever get to the fabled “Switch Pro.” Just what is this new addition to the Switch family? Is it worth the $50 price increase? Does it come anywhere close to the lofty hopes and dreams that fans had for a Pro model? The hosts break down all these questions and more as they discuss this random bombshell announcement from the Big N, even if it’s become something of a joke.

Next up, Campbell takes the host back to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity with a spotlight on its first round of DLC, The Pulse of the Ancients. Providing plenty of absurd thrills with over-the-top new weapons, blood-pumping new boss battles, and a gloriously extravagant new playable character, Pulse of the Ancients provides a welcome excuse for players to jump back into Nintendo and Koei Tecmo’s latest hack and slasher. Lastly, Cameron provides an indie spotlight for Boomerang X, the latest first-person action title from Devolver Digital that represents a rare example of a game that’s ok to judge by its cover–what you see is what you get with this concise thriller, but there’s nothing wrong with that.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Main Event: Nintendo Switch OLED Model Discussion “Title Theme” – Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity 26:02 – Talking Point: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity – Pulse of the Ancients Review “The Knight Who Seals The Darkness” – Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity 45:18 – Indie Spotlight: Boomerang X “Battle – Hyrule Field” – Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

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Mario Golf: Super Rush Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill tee up for a smashing episode filled with golfing thrills, traditional fighting game action, and little humanoid robot companions. The gang start things out by discussing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai’s latest presentation about Tekken’s Kazuya, celebrating the lovingly-crafted mechanics and robust moveset while mourning the deaths of so many Smash fan’s dreams of future DLC thanks to the reveal of a new set of Mii fighter skins. While it’s sad that Smash Ultimate is nearing the end of its active update period with only one new DLC character on the horizon, there is still so much to love about the title’s massive roster and endless amounts of love and care put into it.

The hosts swing into a heated discussion in the Main Event, where Marc takes the stage to review the recently-released Mario Golf: Super Rush. It may not be a solid hole-in-one, but Marc guides the hosts through everything there is to know about the many ups and downs of hitting the links on Nintendo’s latest golfing escapade. Even if it lacks in some areas, Super Rush delivers some of the series’ best new modes along with a range of rock-solid mechanics that make it a fun multiplayer romp. Lastly, Campbell gives a brief shoutout to Out of Line, a quintessentially short, sweet, and to-the-point puzzle platformer that provides a few hours of painterly puzzling that’s sure to offer a comfort food experience for fans of the genre.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Opening: Kazuya Reaction “Title Theme” – Mario Golf: Super Rush 23:20 – Main Event: Mario Golf: Super Rush Review “Battle Golf Stadium” – Mario Golf: Super Rush 48:02 – Indie Spotlight: Out of Line “Bonny Greens Course” – Mario Golf: Super Rush

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Game Builder Garage Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill recover from the Post-E3 hype for an episode jam-packed with reviews of new titles from Nintendo, indies, and even LEGO. Marc kicks things off by reviewing the recently-released LEGO Builder’s Journey, a stunningly beautiful puzzle game that aims to recapture the childhood magic of putting a set together. What starts as a nostalgic reflection on the beauty of LEGO turns into a debate on the age-old question: what is the relationship between a game’s price and its real value? With LEGO Builder’s Journey taking only an hour or less to complete with a $20 price tag, how much is too much to charge for a short game? The hosts might just find an answer.

Continuing with the building theme, Campbell gives the hosts a rundown on everything there is to know about Nintendo’s versatile yet accessible game development primer, Game Builder Garage. Perhaps this title lacks the instant ease of use of something like Mario Maker, but as an introductory tool to ease players into the world of programming, Game Builder Garage displays remarkable potential for budding developers. Lastly, Cameron shines an Indie Spotlight on Overboard!, the reverse Agatha Christie simulator where players take the role of a 1930s killer and need to find ways to get away with murder.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Opening: Lego Builder’s Journey Review “Title Theme” – Game Builder Garage 24:19 – Main Event: Game Builder Garage Review “Game Builder Garage Trailer” – Game Builder Garage 51:00 – Indie Spotlight: Overboard “Builder’s Journey” – LEGO Builder’s Journey

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Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of year once again! The E3 Nintendo Direct has come and gone, so this week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, Campbell Gill and Gooma Stomp’s Editor-in-Chief Ricky D get together to discuss everything the Big N had to show. Did it live up to the hype? Did it surpass the already-low expectations set by an exceptionally mediocre E3 season? And most importantly, which host got the most correct predictions? The gang discusses all these questions and more in this Divine Beast-sized episode, sharing their thoughts and reactions on all the most important news from the show.

Maybe there wasn’t a grand return for F-Zero, but Nintendo’s E3 showing still revived plenty of fan-favorite franchises with announcements like Metroid Dread, WarioWare Get It Together, and perhaps most surprisingly, Advance Wars 1 + 2 Reboot Camp. The hosts break down their thoughts and reactions to all the headlining reveals along with the smaller showcases along the way, discussing all the possibilities of the Breath of the Wild 2 gameplay trailer and the potential of Tekken representation in Smash, along with some of the potential low points as well. All this and so, so much more!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Main Event: E3 Discussion

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill ring in the E3 season with an episode jam-packed with official Nintendo E3 predictions! The stakes are high: each host has seven predictions about what the Big N will debut during its showcase on June 15, and whoever gets the most guesses right will find himself the owner of a shiny new eShop card. The predictions and projections that follow are truly anyone’s game – will Nintendo release a new WarioWare, remake a classic Fire Emblem title, reveal one (or even two) new characters for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, offer a fresh look at the world of Splatoon 3, or even debut a line of branded clothing? Everything’s on the table as the gang tosses out a mix of plausible and fantastical hypotheses. Who will come out on top as the prophet of Nintendo’s E3? Only time will tell, so be sure to harass the host of your choice on Twitter after all is revealed at Nintendo’s direct!

After the showdown comes to an end, Cameron shines an indie spotlight on the indie Umurangi Generation, a title that has already amassed a cult following on PC and has finally made the jump over to Nintendo’s hybrid console. Unabashed in its politics and daring in its messaging, Cameron lavishes praise on Umurangi Generation for creating a compelling and innovative experience that calls back to classic properties like Metal Gear Solid and even Neon Genesis Evangelion in many ways.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Main Event: E3 Predictions Showdown “Calamity Ganon – Phase 2” – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 52:40 – Indie Spotlight: Umurangi Generation “Epilogue” – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

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Poyo! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by Eliza of Kirby Informer to talk about everyone’s favorite pink all-consuming monstrosity and begin predicting Nintendo’s biggest direct of the year. The gang starts by asking Eliza about her experience developing and managing Kirby Informer, the world’s foremost destination for Kirby fans trying to get their hands on elusive merchandise or stay up-to-date with the latest news about the Big N’s wholesome platforming series. Then, Marc takes the stage to review the newly-released Kirby Manga Mania, a sometimes surprisingly wild yet ultimately engaging retelling of the adventures of Dream Land’s hero. Perhaps it shows its 90s-era age in some respects, but it still promises to delight modern fans.

Moving away from the mania of Kirby’s manga adaptation, the Main Event turns toward the unanswerable question: what does Nintendo have in store for E3 2021? Even attempting to answer that question will result in inevitable disappointment, but the gang gives it a shot anyway. All the hosts voice their opinions and predictions for what they believe, hope, and dream will appear, from reasonably safe ideas like new Animal Crossing New Horizon updates to more outlandish ideas like brand-new Zelda spinoffs. Things get heated as to whether those ever-evasive titles like Metroid Prime 4 or Breath of the Wild 2 or even a Super Mario Party sequel will make a debut, but ultimately, there should be lots for fans to hype up in the run up to Nintendo’s big showcase. Lastly, Cameron shines an Indie Spotlight on a game with possibly the most fun name of the year, Pecaminosa. Perhaps it isn’t as fun to play, but this noir-driven action title still offers something to love for genre fans in its heavily distinctive atmosphere.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Kirby Manga Mania Review “Title” – Kirby Right Back At Ya’ 19:37 – Main Event: Nintendo E3 Predictions “Castle Dedede” – Kirby’s Epic Yarn 46:43 – Indie Spotlight: Pecaminosa “The Legendary Air Ride Machine” – Kirby Air Ride

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Miitopia Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the whole gang’s back together as Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill wade through the first major presentations of E3 season and review Nintendo’s latest first-party effort, Miitopia. The boys start out things out by discussing Sonic’s 30th Anniversary Livestream, breaking down the handful of exciting announcements that might just suggest the often-struggling series is finally spin dashing onto the right track. Then it’s time for a polar opposite presentation as the hosts try to make sense of the deliriously chaotic Dragon Quest 35th Anniversary Special, a show that might have proven disappointing for Western fans in some respects but nonetheless delivered some incredibly exciting reveals (just inject that Dragon Quest III remake into our veins already).

Miitopia takes center stage for the main event, as Campbell breaks down everything there is to know about Nintendo’s bizarre yet charming customizable RPG. It might not offer much by way of intricate gameplay or roleplaying mechanics, but what it does offer is an infinitely personable and highly accessible adventure that offers boundless opportunities for creativity. Grezzo has done it once again, showing that they can do so much more than mere Zelda ports. Closing things out with the traditional spotlight, Campbell gives a shoutout to Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield, an immensely stylish and uniquely personal autorunner that might not reinvent the wheel but nonetheless stands out from the crowd with its infectious soundtrack and distinct vibe.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Nintendosage: Sonic and Dragon Quest Anniversary Discussion “Overture XI” – Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age 22:35 – Main Event: Miitopia Review “Title Theme” – Miitopia 41:55 – Indie Spotlight: Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield “The Man Who Outran Time” by Niel J & Daniel Wilkins – Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield

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New Pokémon Snap Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon and Marc Kaliroff are joined by the one and only teacher, puppet master and, goth Tamagotchi overlord of Goomba Stomp, Marty Allen, for a photogenic smorgasbord of tangible and digital adventures. In the opening segment, Marc talks to the two about his experience using Fujifilm’s latest Instax Mini Link Nintendo Switch compatibility after receiving a review unit of the upcoming Pikachu Edition device bundle from the instant film company. Through quirky filters and a sentimental way of forging Nintendo memories in a nostalgic way, there is no doubt that those looking to print out some retro-styled screenshots will no doubt enjoy the magic of Fujifilm’s products.

In the main event, Cameron and Marty capture their thoughts on Bandai Namco’s latest New Pokémon Snap in a wide overview of their experience with the second entry in the on-rails picture-taking sub-franchise. With a Darwinized tale, adorable creatures, and new faces to discover, New Pokémon Snap is an expected comeback for a long-dormant albeit fan-favorite title. In the end though, perhaps we are all here just to vibe out with some Bulbasaur — and that is all that matters. To close things off with the Indie Spotlight, Cameron talks about his experience playing the scuba diving adventure game Subnautica: Below Zero while Marty checks in with the gang on his adventures over 400 days in The Longing.

For more of Marty Allen you can of course check out his website Martystuff.com!

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Castlevania and Famicom Detective Club Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are back together and better than ever after a short hiatus! Marc starts things off strong by breaking down all there is to know about the upcoming fourth season of Netflix’s Castlevania anime, praising it as a worthy conclusion to the single greatest video game adaptation yet. Its ending moments might leave some fans baffled, but with incredible animation, eye-candy action, great character development, and some notable fan service that’s just as solid as ever, it’s a worthy package to entice fans all around. The final adventures of the current cast of Wallachia may be coming to an end, but what do their futures hold?

Meanwhile, Marc and Campbell team up for the main event to review both of Nintendo’s brand-new remakes of the Famicom Detective Club games. It might be hard to convey just how exciting these games are without revealing the mystery at hand, but one thing is immediately clear: whether you opt for the supernatural horror of The Girl Who Stands Behind or the family drama of The Missing Heir, these adventure classics remain remarkably compelling even thirty years later. Beautifully remastered on Switch, this release is a polished package with lush animations and catchy music, even if it might show its age in some respects. Closing things out with the typical Spotlight, Cameron takes some time to celebrate the infectious roguelite ScourgeBringer that blends Dead Cells and Hyper Light Drifter in a stylish and addictive mix.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:44 – Nintendosage: Castlevania Season 4 Review “Bloody Tears” – Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow 16:32 – Main Event: Famicom Detective Club Reviews “Danger” – Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind 46:30 – Indie Spotlight: ScourgeBringer “Opening/Title” – Netflix’s Castlevania

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Campbell Gill and Cameron Daxon are approached by a brand-new challenger – Mark Backler, the Creative Director of the brilliant Lost Words: Beyond the Page! In this special interview episode, Campbell and Cameron pick Mark’s brain to learn everything there is to know about this recently-released atmospheric indie platformer. Lost Words is the poignant story of a young girl who struggles to come to terms with her grief after the passing of her beloved grandmother, so in their wide-ranging interview, the hosts dive into everything from the game’s touching subject matter to Mark’s development history to learn about the creation of this emotional and memorable title.

Mark’s interest in the gaming world started way back on the Commodore 64, eventually leading him to a career on recognizable franchises like the Fable series and the early Harry Potter games. We cover how his professional experience informed his eventual journey toward indie game development with Lost Words: Beyond the Page, then dive deep into the process of crafting such an emotional and impactful narrative. We explore the symbiotic relationship between the game’s writing and its gameplay, delve into the process of developing its deeply-researched psychological narrative, and ask what it meant for Mark to see his game running on Switch. We even get a sneak peek at what his team is working on next – and that’s only a snippet of everything we discuss during our in-depth conversation! Be sure to tune in for a vivid glimpse into the indie game development process with Lost Words.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:37 – Main Event: Lost Words: Beyond the Page Developer Interview “A Writer Writes” – Lost Words: Beyond the Page

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill gear up for another retro-themed indie extravaganza. The gang starts out by reviewing the recently-released Ask Iwata, a semi-autobiography that chronicles the career and wisdom of the beloved Nintendo executive. By turns enlightening and entertaining, Cameron praises the book as a new look into one of Nintendo’s most familiar faces. After that, the hosts take a detour to recognize a major unspoken Nintendo holiday and acknowledge the 15th anniversary of the infamous Mother 3. Of course, this leads to the usual questions: Will Western Nintendo fans ever get to play this elusive epic on Switch? Will Reggie ever release his hidden English localization of the game? The answer to both questions is probably no, but even then, it’s worth celebrating this seminal title in Nintendo’s release history.

Things take a magical turn in the Main Event as Campbell reviews the Switch re-release of the indie adventure that started it all, the original 2002 Shantae from the Game Boy Color. It might show its age in some respects, but this debut adventure of WayForward’s mascot half-genie is more than worth replaying today – especially if you love a bit of silly puns and humor every now and again. It’s an impressive game today, and considering that it managed to pack so much personality into such limited hardware, it’s a highly impressive title. Lastly, Campbell closes the show by sharing some early impressions of the recently-released The Longing, an anti-game that tasks the player with waiting 400 days (in real time!) to wait for a king to wake from a deep slumber. It might not sound like much of a game on paper, but in practice, it might just be worth sticking with for a year and a half – especially if you want to catch up on reading some fine literature.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Nintendosage: Ask Iwata, Mother 3 Anniversary “Onett” – EarthBound 20:30 – Main Event: Shantae Review “We Love Burning Town” – Shantae and The Pirate’s Curse 43:00 – Indie Spotlight: The Longing “Fourside (Melee)” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Ask Iwata: Words of Wisdom from Satoru Iwata, Nintendo's Legendary CEO

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill discuss all things indie after Nintendo’s most recent Indie World Showcase, reviewing a newly-released indie gem, and then discussing a new remaster of a classic RPG for good measure. The gang starts by going over all the exciting announcements from the presentation, celebrating the diversity of the games and developers shown off in this latest indie event. Maybe Hollow Knight: Silksong didn’t make its much-requested appearance, but there was still plenty to love. From the fantastical action of Aztech Forbidden Gods to the rampant style of Aerial_Knights Never Yield to the bodacious action of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Nintendo once again brought the goods when it came to spotlighting its smaller development partners.

After breaking down all those new announcements, the gang goes for a blast from the past as Cameron reviews the recently-released SaGa Frontier Remastered, a refreshed version of Square’s classic experimental RPG from 1997. With a fresh coat of paint and plenty of quality-of-life improvements to make the game easier to play in the 21st century, Cameron praises the game for its unorthodox story structure and complex but rewarding gameplay. It might not be the most beginner-friendly game in the world, but for anyone who loves old-school RPGs, there’s never been a better time to get into the cult classic that inspired RPGs for decades after its release. Closing things out with a return to the indie spotlight, Campbell reluctantly says yes to reviewing Say No! More, a lighthearted on-rails story game that’s all about knowing your limits and saying no to overwork. Not only does it offer a valuable message, but it also gives pun-lovers some much-needed representation in games.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:55 – Nintendosage: Indie World Discussion “Go! Getsu Fuma” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 33:10 – Main Event: Saga Frontier Remastered Review “Trick” – SaGa Frontier 1:07:05 – Indie Spotlight: Say No! More “Main Title Theme” – SaGa Frontier

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill try out Nintendo’s latest battle royale extravaganza, review a cult classic Star Wars title getting new life on Switch, and chat about a wide range of artful and impactful indies on Switch.

The gang kicks off the show by sharing their very early impressions of Pac-Man 99, released mere minutes before the time of the show’s recording. The hosts discuss the game’s incredible potential and celebrate this latest development in Nintendo’s retro-infused battle royale. One might say that developer Bandai Namco really “pac”-ed in plenty to love! Next, Marc and Cameron review Star Wars: Republic Commando, Aspyr’s latest faithful port of a legacy Star Wars game. The hosts lead the way in breaking down this title’s interesting role in the overall Star Wars canon, praising its uniquely exhilarating tactical first-person gameplay, and emphasizing that even those who aren’t especially engaged in the franchise (ahem, Campbell) will find plenty to enjoy.

Lastly, the hosts close the show with a substantial indie spotlight on a few promising titles, starting with the stunningly stylish Genesis Noir, a beautiful game that blends a striking art direction with a beautiful jazz soundtrack to make a gorgeous, if technically unstable experience. Cameron then shares his experience with Lost Words: Beyond the Page after last week’s spotlight, confirming the game’s emotional impact and sharing his personal reactions to some of its most touching moments of grief and loss. Ending things off, Marc finally joins Cameron and Campbell in riding the Hades hype train thanks to its recent physical release, offering his glowing impressions of the game’s first hour.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:50 – Nintendosage: Pac-Man 99 Impressions “Pac-Man Fever” – Buckner & Garcia 14:14 – Main Event: Star Wars: Republic Commando Review “The Arena” – Star Wars Episode II: Attack of The Clones 38:10 – Indie Spotlight: Genesis Noir, Lost Words: Beyond the Page, and Hades “Finale” – Star Wars Episode II: Attack of The Clones

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Goomba Stomp Anime Editor Matthew Ponthier joins the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill to discuss Capcom’s record-smashing, monster-murdering hit Switch exclusive, Monster Hunter Rise. But before the gang set out on their hunt, they take some time to bemoan a recent slew of Nintendo disappointments. They mourn the death of Mario on March 31st, complain about the perpetual problem of Joy-Con drift, and lastly, break down Yuji Naka’s fantastically failed comeback, Balan Wonderworld. Cameron shares his experience of losing precious hours of his life trudging through this dismal attempt at revitalizing the 3D platformer – even an accompanying novel adaptation can’t redeem this mess.

Moving onto the main event, Matt takes the stage to tell the gang everything there is to know about Monster Hunter Rise. Touching on everything from its lineup of new and returning monsters to its innovative wirebug mechanics, Matt breaks down how Rise is a worthy entry in this long-running series that does its legacy justice. While it still might not be the most intuitive game for newcomers to get into, it offers more dynamic and exciting gameplay than ever when it comes to taking down these massive foes. Ending things out with the usual Indie Spotlight, Campbell says some words about Lost Words: Beyond the Page, a former Google Stadia exclusive that has now come to Switch. Praising its emotional storytelling and poignantly relatable depiction of childhood grief, Lost Words is a touching platformer whose lackluster gameplay is compensated by its gut-punching emotional storytelling.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:42 – Nintendosage: Nintendo Disappointments with Mario 35, Joy-Con Drift, Balan Wonderworld “Hurry Up! – Overworld” – Super Mario 3D Land 15:35 – Main Event: Monster Hunter Rise Impressions “Brave Hunters” – Monster Hunter Rise 55:50 – Indie Spotlight: Lost Words: Beyond the Page “Meowcenaries” – Monster Hunter Rise

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, goomba Stomp writer Marty Allen joins the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill to celebrate the first birthday of the game that defined 2020, Animal Crossing New Horizons. Before diving into commemorating one year of island colonization, however, the hosts dive into the recent announcement of the Pikmin series coming to mobile – courtesy of Niantic, the developers behind Pokemon Go. Will this new title feature AR Pikmin hiding in the wild? Will it give you a real-life army of little minions to follow you around? Only time will tell. Next, the hosts chat about the impending end of Mario’s 35th Anniversary on March 31, marking the final day that the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection and Mario 35 will be available for purchase. Is this limited availability a memorable celebration, or is it an arbitrary end to an already-lacking celebration?

Moving onto the Main Event, Marty kicks things off by reflecting on one whole year of Animal Crossing New Horizons. New Horizons was the game of 2020, keeping people connected during a turbulent pandemic and providing peace in a year of social unrest. The hosts exchange notes on their experiences with the game, describing a year preoccupied with building the perfect island and forging lasting personal memories in the game’s world. Even if Campbell and Cameron aren’t on the same hype train as millions of others were when it came to New Horizons, all the hosts acknowledge that there is plenty to appreciate in this adorable animal lifestyle simulator. Closing things out on a decidedly less cutesy note, Marc and Marty shine an indie spotlight on Gnosia, which is essentially what you’d get if you turned Among us into a visual novel and threw in a few RPG elements, plus plenty of other anime and JRPG influences for good measure.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:50 – Nintendosage: “Pikmin Go” and the Death of Mario “Forest Life” – Animal Crossing: New Horizons 18:42 – Main Event: One Year of Animal Crossing New Horizons “Drivin'” – Animal Crossing: New Horizons 46:40 – Indie Spotlight: Gnosia Bubblegum K.K – Animal Crossing: New Horizons

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Persona 5 Strikers Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill go over a handful of exciting new Switch releases in a short and sweet episode. The gang wastes no time in jumping into reviewing Persona 5 Strikers, the latest Warriors-themed spinoff of a beloved franchise that still sticks true to the main series’ identity. Marc gushes about the game, giving the hosts the rundown about what it offers and answering all their pressing questions. How much does the game blend Persona with Musou gameplay? Can Nintendo players who haven’t experienced the original Persona 5 still find some enjoyment here? Just how much content does the game have, anyway? Marc answers all these questions and more in his rave review!

Next up, Cameron shines an indie spotlight on Stubbs the Zombie: Rebel Without a Pulse, a 2005 cult classic that’s risen from the dead to find a new life (or maybe just some fresh brains) on Switch. This title may have more than its fair share of old-school jank and glitches, but there’s still plenty to love with the game’s relentless quirky charm and personality. Lastly, Marc gives the rundown on Moving Out’s latest “Movers in Paradise” DLC, describing how it offers lots to love for fans of Team17’s smash hit multiplayer romp.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Main Event: Reviewing Persona 5 Strikers “You Are Stronger” – Persona 5 Strikers 37:30 – Indie Games Spotlight – Stubbs the Zombie and Moving Out DLC “Life Will Change – Instrumental” – Persona 5 Strikers

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Nintendo Wire and amiibo News creator Jason Ganos joins the show!

This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by Nintendo Wire Editor-in-Chief Jason Ganos to celebrate March 10, Mario Day! The hosts start things out by reviewing the recently-released Playing with Power, a Crackle-exclusive documentary that attempts to chronicle the full, century-long saga of the plumber’s innovative house. While the show might elicit mixed reactions thanks to its odd pacing and lack of Nintendo charm, it still offers plenty of nostalgia and fascinating trivia that are sure to please longtime fans as well as those who might not be so steeped in gaming history.

Moving onto the main event, the hosts share their lifetimes of experiences with the Mario series in honor of Mario Day. Each host discusses their starting point with the franchise, whether that was back on the NES, the Wii, or even a Chinese bootleg (it’s complicated). It’s impossible to fully sum up the complete influence that Nintendo’s plumber has had since his debut in the 80s, but the hosts take their time exchanging notes on the vast impact that the series has made on the video game medium. Closing things out with a brief indie spotlight, Campbell chats about Sea of Solitude – Director’s Cut, the Switch-exclusive update of a stylish and emotional adventure that’s sure to resonate with players of all backgrounds.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Nintendosage: Reviewing Playing with Power “Super Mario Bros. 3” – Super Smash Bros. Melee 29:40 – Main Event: Celebrating Mario Day “Dire Dire Docks” – Super Mario 64 1:06:00 – Indie Games Spotlight – Sea of Solitude “Secret Course” – Super Mario Sunshine

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Nintendo YouTuber Yoshiller Joins the Show! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by longtime Nintendo YouTuber and mega Pokémon fan Yoshiller to discuss a handful of major anniversaries in the world of the Big N. First up, the gang reflects on four years of the Nintendo Switch, celebrating the incredible lineup of generation-defining first-party games as well as plenty of unforgettable indies and big-budget third-party titles. Whether you’ve been with the console since it launched on March 3, 2017 (or even a little before that) or picked it up later down the line, the hosts highlight the many features and games that make the Switch a platform that’s perfect for just about any kind of player.

For the main event, the boys continue the anniversary party by diving into the recent Pokémon Presents showcase commemorating 25 years of everyone’s favorite pocket monsters. What ensues is a discussion packed with controversial opinions and reactions, as every member of the gang seems to have a different reaction to the reveals of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Will the remakes live up to their source material? Will Legends Arceus repeat the mistakes of Sword and Shield, or will it successfully push the series in new directions? At the very least, everyone can agree that New Pokémon Snap is already a Game of the Year contender. The gang closes out the show by spotlighting the delightfully cozy indie platformer Sir Lovelot and gushing yet again about Hal Laboratory’s Part Time UFO.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 00:40 – Nintendosage: 4 Years of Nintendo Switch Yoshi’s Tale – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 23:00 – Main Event: Pokemon Presents Reactions Route 209 – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 54:30 – Indie Games Spotlight – Sir Lovelot Battle! (Dialga/Palkia) / Spear Pillar – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill pay tribute to Nintendo’s last great handheld and discuss all things arcades with Capcom Arcade Stadium and Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection. But before they dive into Capcom’s latest offerings on Switch, the gang looks back to the past to celebrate ten years of the Nintendo 3DS. The hosts exchange notes about their experience with the Nintendo’s plucky three-dimensional handheld: whether you first encountered the console in its initial run or its later 2D iterations, there is so much to celebrate when it comes to the platform’s robust library and innovative design.

In the main event, Marc breaks down everything there is to know about the free-to-start Capcom Arcade Stadium. With love and care put into its presentation plus a wide array of packs of games to purchase, Capcom’s latest retro effort provides plenty for fans of gaming history to appreciate – even if the collection represents a grand total of three genres. Next up, Cameron and Campbell commiserate in the agonizing brutality of Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection, detailing everything that makes this retro reboot just as uncompromisingly challenging as the arcade classics before it. The game asks challenging questions: what defines “fair” gameplay? How much can suffering be “fun”? Closing things out, the boys shine an indie spotlight on Castle Kong, a Donkey Kong spiritual successor that might just be the best way to get rich quick on Switch.

Big News: The NXpress Nintendo Podcast is now on YouTube! Don’t forget to subscribe to our new channel, and watch out for the latest episodes of our show plus legacy Best of the NXpress episodes.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro 1:50 – Nintendosage: 10 Years of the 3DS In The Space Pirate Ship – Kid Icarus: Uprising 26:00 – Main Event: Capcom Arcade Stadium and Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection Reviews Ryu’s Stage – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 1:01:40 – Indie Games Spotlight – Castle Kong Title Theme – Donkey Kong Country

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The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review Back in 2016, we celebrated the 30-year anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series by reviewing every Zelda game on our podcast. In this segment (from episode 81), Tim and Patrick and guest Mike Worby debate the Wii’s swan song, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, and whether or not the motion-controlled puzzle solving action upon and below Skyloft belongs in the discussion of the greatest Zelda adventures of all time.

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Super Mario World 3D World Review In episode 25 of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, we ended our Super Mario marathon with a discussion of Super Mario World 3D World for the Wii U before choosing what we each think is the best Super Mario platformer in our main event. This episode also marked the first time Patrick Murphy was an official host. Enjoy!

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Ricky D returns to talk Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury and the latest Nintendo Direct! Finally, the one and only Ricky D has returned! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by NXpress creator and Goomba Stomp Editor-in-Chief, Ricky D in a giga-cat-sized episode all about the latest Nintendo Direct and Super Mario 3D World’s debut on Switch. The gang starts out by discussing every major announcement in the first full-fat Nintendo Direct in a year and a half. Was it worth the 530-day wait? The answer is obviously no, but even if the presentation didn’t live up to every wild expectation, there was still plenty to get excited for. From Skyward Sword’s new and improved release on Switch, Pyra’s debut in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the splat-tacular reveal of Splatoon 3, and the beautifully-named Project Triangle Strategy, the boys have more than enough to talk about in this mega discussion.

In the second half of the show, the gang dives into the game that started it all: Super Mario 3D World, the platformer that led to the creation of this very podcast. Each one of the hosts shares their unique experience with the game, from Rick’s longtime adoration to Cameron’s early impressions as a new player. Even Campbell’s relative pessimism can’t hold up compared to the game’s relentless charm, and all the hosts exchange notes about what makes the game so special for players of all backgrounds – including the handful of improvements added to the Switch version. Lastly, the gang closes out the show by discussing Bowser’s Fury, the expansive addition to 3D World that offers a uniquely intense, cat-filled take on the original game’s platforming mechanics with an open-ended style.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Nintendo Direct Reactions A Boss Approaches – Super Mario 3D World Main Event: Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury Review World Bowser – Super Mario 3D World

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Here comes a new challenger! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by none other than The Completionist himself, Jirard Khalil! After a brief discussion of multiplayer games to play with that special someone in celebration of Valentine’s Day, the gang dives right into interviewing Jirard for the main event. Marc leads the way for the discussion, picking Jirard’s brain with insightful questions about everything from creating content on a changing platform and The Completionist’s upcoming tenth anniversary to pulling through a pandemic and the potential for a Completionist-themed indie game.

In this honest interview, Jirard opens up about all the highs and lows that come with managing a long-running YouTube channel. Whether it is addressing the danger of burnout, the anxiety of meeting audience expectations, or navigating the channel toward future success, Jirard holds back no punches as he blasts through some of the long term enigmas all content creators must face. Closing things out, the gang briefly discusses some of the indie titles they are personally looking forward to, including Berserk Boy and Rose City Games’ Floppy Knights.

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill find themselves in a calm before the storm. A week before the release of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury and the deluge of other big February Nintendo games, the gang bides their time by diving into the wealth of Nintendo news and anniversaries from the past week. They start out by going over Nintendo’s recently released financial results to discuss Nintendo’s bestselling games and fantasize about what the future may hold. Is the long-fabled Switch Pro still a possibility? Will Animal Crossing New Horizons become the Switch’s top seller? The financial results might hold the answer!

February marks the 25th anniversary of the Pokemon franchise, so for the main event, the hosts take some time to reflect on their experiences with the series. Whether you’ve been around since the early days of Red and Blue or a fan raised on the DS generations, there’s no denying that Pokemon has had a massive impact on the gaming world. To wrap things up, Campbell shares his experience with Haven, the latest release from the developers of Furi. As a romantic RPG with total support for local co-op, Haven is a beautiful treat that’s sure to please anyone who doesn’t mind a touch of the sentimental in their roleplaying adventures.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Nintendo Financial Results Animal Crossing Medley – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Main Event: Pokemon 25th Anniversary Celebration Pokemon Center – Pokemon X & Y Indie Spotlight: Haven Main Theme – Haven

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Celia Schilling from Yacht Club Games joins the show to talk Cyber Shadow! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by the Marketing Manager of Yacht Club Games, Celia Schilling! In the main event, Campbell leads the gang in interviewing Celia about Yacht Club’s recent release of the long-awaited Cyber Shadow, an uncompromising action platformer that calls back to some of the 8-bit era’s most iconic platformers such as Ninja Gaiden and Castlevania. From discovering how the publisher first got involved with Mechanical Head Studio’s project through social media to the final product’s surprisingly missing story and unused character backstories, Celia reveals new details about Cyber Shadow’s development and deep lore all while deftly avoiding unreleased information regarding the company’s other upcoming projects they have been “digging” away at for the last few years.

To wrap things up in the weekly Indie Spotlight, Celia and the hosts close the show by chatting about the many indie games they have been playing recently- aside from Cyber Shadow, of course. The crew discusses everything from Night in the Woods and the recently-released Olija to the glory of alpacas playing soccer, Tadpole Treble Encore, and the neverending healthy amount of Supergiant’s award-winning Hades (which Celias has been playing too)!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro Main Event: Yacht Club Games Interview Stage 2 – Cyber Shadow Indie Spotlight: Night in the Woods, Hades, Olija, and Tadpole Treble Encore Credits – Cyber Shadow

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Gabe Durham guest hosts the show this week! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by a very special guest – Gabe Durham, the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Boss Fight Books, an independent publisher of documentary-style books about a range of classic games. In this bibliophile-friendly episode, the gang opens the discussion by sharing their experiences with book versions of games. From comics in early issues of Nintendo Power to manga adaptations of beloved series like Zelda and Kirby, video games have a long and varied history in print media!

In the main event, the hosts interview Gabe about his experience editing and publishing more than twenty volumes for Boss Fight Books that cover classic games new and old. He discusses his approach to editing, how Boss Fight Books selects which games to feature, and even highlights some of the publisher’s upcoming releases such as an in-depth analysis of Final Fantasy VI that focuses on its legendary soundtrack. He also talks about some other releases from the publisher’s back catalog, including an analysis of Majora’s Mask and even a deep-dive into the infamous NES title Bible Adventures. Gabe covers all the bases when it comes to working as an independent publisher in the games industry throughout this wide-ranging interview!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Video Games and Books Wind Scene – Chrono Trigger Main Event: Boss Fight Books interview Clock Town – The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by Goomba Stomp anime editor Matt Ponthier to talk Monster Hunter, Super Mario, and everything in between. The gang starts out by discussing the latest trailer for Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, which shows off many of the improvements that fans can expect in this upgraded Wii U port. With an all-new sandbox world, improved gameplay mechanics, and online multiplayer, players new and old should find a lot to love in 3D World’s big comeback on Switch.

In the main event, the boys talk about the Monster Hunter Rise demo and share their experiences with the series. Matt educates the hosts on the Monster Hunter series, bringing attention to the numerous gameplay changes and improvements in Capcom’s upcoming Switch exclusive. Even if Rise isn’t the most newcomer-friendly entry in the franchise, there’s an undeniable thrill to the hunt that’s only accentuated by Rise’s major gameplay additions such as wyvern riding, palamute companions, and wirebug mechanics. Lastly, Cameron opens the show’s final segment with an Indie Spotlight about Eliza, a Switch visual novel that deftly explores complex moral and psychological conundrums in a futuristic setting. As is only natural for an anime editor, Matt closes things out by highlighting some of his favorite new anime and celebrating the unsung masterpiece of 2020, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury Discussion Super Bell Hill – Super Mario 3D World Main Event: Monster Hunter Rise Demo Impressions Proof Of A Hero – Monster Hunter Rise Indie Spotlight: Eliza, Hades, and Some Anime Eliza theme?

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Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island Review Since appearing in Super Mario World, Yoshi has received largely positive reception and has become one of the most recognizable characters in Nintendo’s roster. In this episode of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, we continued our Super Mario Bros. celebration and reviewed Super Mario World 2 Yoshi’s Island.

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Mortal Kombat Review The smash-hit Mortal Kombat was everywhere in the early ’90s. Created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, the game was on every system, in every arcade, and sparking controversy with its levels of bloody violence. The Fatalities, in part, led to the creation of the ESRB video game rating system and ever since its release, the gaming industry just hasn’t been the same. In this episode, we looked back at both the game and the big screen Hollywood adaptation. Joining us was guest Quentin Danglade from the FTW Gaming podcast.

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill start the new year off by looking forward to a brighter future. Before diving into the main event the gang takes a moment to talk about Nintendo’s recent surprise acquisition of Next Level Games, the acclaimed studio many thought the company had already owned who created the Luigi’s Mansion sequels, Mario Strikers Charged, and Punch-Out!! on Wii. As the big N’s latest first-party addition comes after the fall of Alpha Dream and Skip Ltd. as to who can join the fray next and why exactly they were chosen becomes a bigger question.

In the main event, from some of audiences’ most desired wishes such as the Breath of The Wild‘s sequels’ possible release this year to highly possible announcements like a new three-dimensional Kirby title, each host has a slew of predictions for Nintendo’s slate of upcoming games scheduled for this year or perhaps even further into the future. What hopes will come into fruition and what dreams will be shot down amongst a year of promising anniversaries? With a new twelve months comes dozens of potential candidates to discuss! Meanwhile, in the indie spotlight, Cameron takes some time to focus on 2020’s Wide Ocean Big Jacket, a notable title that plays more like a novel than a traditional game. Afterward, to wrap things up, Campbell talks about some of his most anticipated indies games of 2021 he recently wrote about.

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Super Meat Boy Forever Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Campbell Gill, and Marc Kaliroff give their impressions of a wide range of games for the final episode of 2020. The gang starts out by diving into all the games in their backlog they’ve been playing over the holiday break, including Paper Mario: The Origami King, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Breath of the Wild, and Ni no Kuni. After that, Campbell and Cameron review the recently released indie gem When the Past was Around, which Campbell praises as one of his favorite games of the year while Cameron feels a little less enthusiastic.

Marc then takes the spotlight to review the long-awaited Super Meat Boy Forever, a great game that might prove divisive to fans of the original. This follow-up to the legendarily difficult Super Meat Boy may be an autorunner, but Marc praises it for its tight gameplay, plentiful secrets to discover, and loving tributes to gaming history. Lastly, Campbell closes out the show with an indie spotlight on Olija, the latest release from Devolver Digital which continues the publisher’s winning streak of stylish pixelated action games.

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, Spotify, Listen Notes, iHeartRadio, or simply click the play button here. Enjoy and see you in the New Year!

Main event: When the Past was Around and Super Meat Boy Forever Reviews Paper Mario: The Origami King Soundtrack Indie Spotlight: Olija Devolver Digital Theme Song

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Best Video Game Soundtracks of 2020 You’d think, with what a terrible year 2020 has been, that you’d want to just completely forget it ever happened. But if there’s one thing we should celebrate, it’s the amazing video games that were released over the past twelve months.

It’s been a thrilling and varied year for the video game industry, and another incredible year for video game soundtracks. Yes, folks, video games have become grander, more encompassing, and more explosive than ever before and once again, and with that came some incredible music!

There’s no denying that video game soundtracks have changed a lot in the years. We’ve come a long way from the 8-bit music found in the early days of video games. Composers now have an enormous array of instruments at their disposal, and sometimes more freedom, and a bigger budget to boot! Hell, some game developers are even employing full-blown orchestras, hiring established composers, and licensing some of the best pop music to add to the experience of their games. And that’s a good thing since the music in a video game is arguably more important than graphics, as graphical quality can sometimes look dated in hindsight, whereas music rarely loses its potency.

Embedded above is my annual mixtape featuring some of the best music from some of the best video game soundtracks of 2020. And while you are here, I also recommend checking out Antonia’s list of the twenty best video game soundtracks of 2020. Enjoy!

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill end the year off by recapping Goomba Stomp’s best of the year lists as they prepare what next year has to offer. Before getting to the main event, the three have a chat about some of their most anticipated titles releasing towards the beginning of 2021 including Persona 5: Scramble, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, and Shin Megami Tensei V.

Getting into the majority of the show, Cameron leads the other hosts into breaking down Goomba Stomp’s top 22 games released this year. From Paper Mario: The Origami King to Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition the game of the year list is compiled by staff writer votes containing all sorts of expected and unexpected titles. Which developer’s game has the staff nominated for this year’s most pristine title? You may just be surprised to find out which entries made their way into the ranks in this massive collaboration.

To wrap things up with the usual spotlight, Cameron, Marc, and Campbell send some shoutouts to some of this year’s finest Indie titles that previously went unmentioned. While there is no concrete ranking for this particular 2020 list of independent creations from Goomba Stomp’s staff, there are certainly dozens of games to credit across the industry. Whether you have your head deep in the story of Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling or are enjoying that sweet taste of victory in a round of Cake Bash, leave it to the smaller studios to help provide the industry with the greatest amount of variety.

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, Spotify, Listen Notes, iHeartRadio, or simply click the play button here. Enjoy and have a happy holiday!

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill dive headfirst into the latest Switch news and reviews. Before getting into their first major discussion, the gang gives some of their thoughts on the one-winged angel’s unexpected descent into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and potential villains they would love to see enter the series in the future alongside Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth. For their first review of the show, Cameron and Campbell chat about their latest series entry experience with Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & The Blade of Light, while Marc gives some suggestions on other titles newcomers including the two hosts should not miss out on as they seek more from the franchise.

In the main event, Marc gives his thoughts on the ultimate puzzle matchups’ return as he has been using all his free time to battle it out with the second coming collaboration of tetrominoes and puyos in Sega’s new Puyo Puyo Tetris 2. While it may more so act as a Puyo Puyo Tetris one and a half, the sequel still manages to perfectly fit into the Switch’s well-regarded landscape of phenomenal puzzle games. Finally, to end things off with the weekly Indie Spotlight, all three hosts talk about their personal highlights from Nintendo’s latest fifteen-minute Indie World Showcase that premiered on Tuesday.

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, Spotify, Listen Notes, iHeartRadio, or simply click the play button here. Enjoy!

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Nintendo Podcasts Don’t Get Better Than This… This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the original four hosts gather for one final recording!

That’s right folks, Tim Maison, Patrick Murphy, Aaron Santos, and Ricky D, all sit down to record one last episode and play one more game called THE GREATEST NINTENDO GAME YOU’VE NEVER PLAYED. You’ll just have to tune in to find out what all the fuss is about.

On a side note, we sincerely want to thank every listener and everyone who has guest-hosted the podcast over the past five years. It’s been a truly magical journey and something we will never forget. Remember, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. And with that said, please remember the NXpress isn’t going anywhere— moving forward, Goomba Stomp’s Games Editor Marc Kaliroff is taking over the show with our colleagues Cameron Daxon and Campbell Gill. And while and while we can’t guarantee all four original hosts will appear together on a single episode in the future, we’re quite sure they’ll each take turns guesting the show from time to time.

"There are friends, there is family, then there are friends that become family. That is the NXpress crew." -Ricky D

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by Marty Allen to discuss one little device and two big recent releases. Before heading into the bulk of the show, the cast takes a quick stop to talk about some Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo titles they wish would come to Nintendo Switch Online in the future. To continue the 8-bit extravaganza, Marty and Cameron discuss their experience with the Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. device; a handheld that provides a wonderful salute to the titular system’s legacy while balancing a whole lot of secret and obvious Mario themed elements that celebrate the red plumber’s thirty-fifth anniversary.

In the main event, Marc provides his closing thoughts on Ubisoft’s Immortals Fenyx Rising, an action-packed journey that has a hard time recapturing the magic of its obvious inspiration but still stands as a substantial alternative to its phenomenal counterpart. To close things off with the gang’s usual weekly Indie Spotlight, Marc and Cameron talk about their hands-on time with Bit Loom Games and Coatsink’s latest clever double doggy physics adventure PHOGS!, arguably one of December’s greatest surprises yet and a certain Games Editor’s choice for possibly one of the best Independent titles of the year.

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, Spotify, Listen Notes, iHeartRadio, or simply click the play button here. Enjoy!

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Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity Review This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the next generation of hosts, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill, approach the upcoming holiday season with their latest batch of ideas, reviews, and impressions for listeners. Starting things off, the cast dives right in to discuss some stocking stuffing-sized gifts including memberships and games to grab before the season of sales comes to end and the days of giving fully sets in motion.

In the main feast of the show, Cameron delves into the commendable online streaming version of Control, while Campbell gushes about The Legend of Zelda’s greatest spin-off yet with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. To end things off before the usual Indie Games Spotlight featuring the tasty party favor treat Cake Bash, Marc has some rather mixed thoughts to provide the others with after experiencing the first few hours of Ubisoft’s new Immortals Fenyx Rising releasing next month.

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, Spotify, Listen Notes, iHeartRadio, or simply click the play button below. Enjoy!

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Games to gift this holiday season and thoughts on the Switch’s streaming version of Control from Remedy Entertainment. Super Mario Odyssey soundtrack: Shiveria Town Main Event: Review of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and first impressions of Ubisoft’s Immortals Fenyx Rising Breath of the Wild soundtrack: Main Theme Bonus Content: Cake Bash takes this week’s Indie Spotlight Cake Bash soundtrack: Main Theme from Announcement Trailer

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Ricky D announces that the original three hosts— himself, Tim Maison, and Patrick Murphy— will all be stepping down and recording their last episode on December 7, 2020. Replacing them as hosts are Goomba Stomp writers and editors, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kariloff and Campbell Gill.

In this episode, the next-generation of hosts opens the show with a discussion of what Wii-U games they would like to see ported to the Switch. For the remainder of the episode, Marc, Cameron and Campbell squeeze in reviews of several games including Pikmin 3 Deluxe (a fruitful return to the Pikmin planet), HAL Laboratory’s charming Part Time UFO, and Cloudpunk— a game best described as an open-world delivery simulator. All this and more!

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, Spotify, Listen Notes, or simply click the play button below. Enjoy!

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There are about eight Mario adventures that could easily be listed within the lexicon of the greatest games ever made, and Super Mario World, released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, sits somewhere near the top of that list.

Super Mario World helped define the 16-bit era, transforming the classic Mario formula into something bigger, faster, brighter, and some would say, better. In episode 15 of the NXpress Podcast (recorded way back in 2015), we reviewed the SNES classic, and debated where exactly it belongs on the list of best Mario games.

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What follows is the episode we recorded the day after Nintendo president Satoru Iwata passed away at the age of 55.

Iwata-san was an immensely influential figure both within the industry and with Nintendo fans, and he will be forever missed. Iwata’s leadership has been a strong force for good in the gaming industry and so in this episode, we honoured him in our main event.

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

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In our main event from episode 8 of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, we looked back at No More Heroes, the controversial hit from Grasshopper Studios, starring Travis Touchdown, Death Metal, Dr. Peace, Skelter Helter, Holly Summers, and many more.

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, the Goomba Stomp team catches up on some indie games we haven’t yet had a chance to discuss on the show. In the opening segment, we discuss Spiritfarer, the cozy management game about dying from Thunder Lotus Games, and Shantae: Risky’s Revenge, a bite-sized adventure packed with charm and action, that is just as fun today as it was a decade ago. Closing out the opening spot is a quick review of Raji: An Ancient Epic, a fresh take on the now saturated action/adventure genre.

In the main event, we finally get around to reviewing Hades from Supergiant Games— a game that many critics are calling one of the best of the year. And last but not least, we set aside some time to talk about A Short Hike, a charming title all about soaking up the joy of nature, interactions, and the discoveries they lead to.

Joining the show this week is guest hosts Marty Allen, Campbell Gill and Cameron Daxton. Enjoy!

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The Virtual Boy proved to be a dismal failure for Nintendo but in many ways, it was ahead of its time. The Nintendo DS came at the perfect time, long before mobile games and remains the second best-selling video game console of all time (eventually beaten out by the PlayStation 2). The Game Boy is the toughest gaming console ever made, sturdy enough to survive a bomb. The Game Boy Advance helped further advanced sprite-based technology. WII led the “console wars” selling more than 101 million units in the first quarter of 2012. Wii U is still home to four of the greatest games Nintendo has ever made. Nintendo 3DS stayed relevant for the longest time especially when the Wii U suffered in sales. The GameCube was home to a stellar lineup of fantastic games. Nintendo 64 had a collection of genre-busting, industry-redefining, titles. The NES helped revitalize the US video game industry following the video game crash of 1983 and introduced a plethora of now-iconic video game characters, a ton of accessories and it forever changed the relationship of console manufacturers and third-party software developers. Super NES took the formula established by the NES and made it bigger, faster, and better in every way imaginable. But what is the best Nintendo console? In this segment from the NXpress Nintendo Podcast episode 14, we duked it out, and boy did the conversation get heated.

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Thirty-plus years later after the release of Super Mario Bros., Mario remains the face of video gaming and one of the most recognizable characters in any medium. He’s appeared in over two hundred games, collectively selling over two hundred million units and thanks to the heroic Italian plumber, Nintendo helped end the video game crash of 1983. Super Mario Bros. is one of the gaming’s great masterpieces, and in celebration of the 30 year anniversary, we decided to look back at the original three games released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. What follows is the main event from episode 13 of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast. Enjoy!

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In our main event from episode 11, we sat down and interviewed Jeff Hansen, the winner of the original 1990 Nintendo World Championship in the 11 and under category. Jeff was kind enough to share his stories working with Nintendo, travelling the world, and what it was really like attending and winning the tournament.

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The SNES is arguably home to some of the best Japanese role-playing games ever made, but even among such revered company, Earthbound stands as one of the most memorable games released on the system. In this segment (recorded way back in 2015), Rick and Tim invited Chris Miller and Arron Santos to discuss Shigesato Itoi’s masterpiece on the 20th anniversary of the game’s release.

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After almost ten years in service, Nintendo’s portable 3DS console has officially been discontinued. This applies to all the various models of the console: the 3DS, the 2DS, the New 3DS, the New 2DS, the 3DS XL, the New 3DS XL and the New 2DS XL. And so this week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Alex and Marc join Tim and Rick to reflect on the Nintendo 3DS, StreetPass, My Nintendo Rewards, and their favourite games. All this and more!

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

Playlist: LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: What we want from a new and improved Switch console. Super Mario 3D Land soundtrack Main Event: Nintendo 3DS review Kid Icarus: Uprising Soundtrack

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It seems like it was just yesterday that Nintendo was announcing its compilation of 3D Mario games, and now here we are just two weeks later reviewing the collection on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast. Here are two of the greatest games ever made (and Super Mario Sunshine) in a compilation that’s well worth the price yet somewhat lacking in new features.

Thankfully, Super Mario 3D All-Stars is more than a simple port— and to tell you all about it, we’ve invited Goomba Stomp’s Marc Kaliroff and Cameron Daxon to help us review it.

Also, on tap is a review of Circuit Dude, a new puzzle game on Switch that strikes a balance between being very straightforward and demonically hard.

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

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Although e-sports have long been a part of video game culture since the early ’70s, competitions saw a large surge in popularity in 1989 when Universal Pictures-produced The Wizard, a movie about a trio of kids who make their way to a national Nintendo video game championship for a grand prize of $50,000. The Wizard didn’t go down as a timeless, cinematic classic, but it did develop an understandable cult following as the years went on, and in this segment, we tell you why.

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In this segment, we continued our Super Mario marathon and discussed Super Mario 64, arguably one of the greatest video games to date, and one which all games would be judged henceforth. How does it hold up today? Listen in and find out what we think.

Editor’s Note: Sadly, half of this 50-minute review was accidentally deleted. We plan on revisiting Super Mario 64 again in the near future.

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In this segment, we continued our Super Mario marathon and finally got around to discussing the third 3D original platformer in the series after Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. The iconic mascot’s long resume features some of the greatest platformers to ever grace any home console and on this episode, we reviewed Super Mario Galaxy, created by Nintendo’s EAD Tokyo studio, whose first project (believe it or not) was DK Jungle Beat, a disappointing flop for Nintendo.

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It was a brave move on the part of Nintendo to launch the GameCube without a Mario game. Instead, Mario’s younger sibling took the spotlight in a new series Luigi’s Mansion. It was six years after Super Mario 64 was released that Nintendo gave us Super Mario Sunshine. In this segment— taken from episode 21 of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast— we take a look back on Mario’s summer getaway and everything that made the beautiful tropical island of Delfino so frustrating and fun.

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

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Tim and Rick are back after taking some time off and joining them to talk about all things Nintendo is Goomba Stomp editor, Campbell Gill.

In this episode, the boys discuss the future of Nintendo and how the current COVID-19 pandemic might be changing Nintendo’s release schedule and the company’s marketing.

Also, on tap is a review of Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time, which adapts Genndy Tartakovsky’s masterful TV series in a new, three-dimensional light. According to Campbell, Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is a welcome opportunity to revisit fan-favorite scenes in a fun, if unremarkable, action-packed romp.

In addition, the gang talks about the recent Super Mario Bros. 35th anniversary news as well as the announcement of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.

All this and more.

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Zack Rezack is back to help us discuss the massive leak of internal Nintendo information which unveiled lots of never-before-seen material for games like Super Mario 64, Pokémon, and Star Fox. We also set aside some time to discuss how Nintendo can improve their online subscription service and review Carrion, the indie horror game that allows players to control a tentacled monster whose objective is to make its way through a facility, stalking and killing humans in its path. All this and more!

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

Playlist

LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Discussing how to improve Nintendo’s online subscription service. Paper Mario: The Origami King Soundtrack Main Event: Discussing the Nintendo Gigaleak Carrion Soundtrack Bonus Content: Carrion Review

Contact us @ editor@goombastomp.com

Follow the website on Twitter Follow Ricky D on Twitter Follow Tim Maison on Twitter Follow NXpress on Twitter Follow Patrick Murphy on Twitter Like us on Facebook

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Marc Kaliroff joins the gang to review Bloodstained: Curse of The Moon 2 which will leave fans of Bloodstained or the original Castlevania games wanting more— and CrossCode, a remarkable RPG that reaps the rewards of originality most when it comes to worldbuilding, storytelling, and character development.

In the main event, the gang discusses the latest Nintendo Direct Mini; what they think makes a great Nintendo presentation and what they feel doesn’t work for the Big N. And somewhere in the mix, the boys let you know whether or not Pokémon Café Mix worth your time? All this and more!

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

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The NXpress Nintendo Podcast reaches another milestone this week but rather than plan some big celebration, the gang decided to instead simply sit back and discuss five years of podcasting and recording 200 episodes of the show. In our main event, Patrick gives us a full 30-minute breakdown of Paper Mario: The Origami King, a game he claims will disappoint fans looking for a more traditional Paper Mario adventure.

All this and more!

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LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Discussing our 200 episodes and five years of podcasting. Paper Mario: The Origami KingSoundtrack Main Event: Paper Mario: The Origami King Review Paper Mario: The Origami KingSoundtrack

Contact us @ editor@goombastomp.com

Follow the website on Twitter Follow Ricky D on Twitter Follow Tim Maison on Twitter Follow NXpress on Twitter Follow Patrick Murphy on Twitter Like us on Facebook

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This week on the NXpress Nintendo Switch podcast, Marty Allen joins Tim and Rick to discuss Journey to the Savage Planet , a first-person action platformer, a Metroidvania-style exploration game, and a very funny satire, all in one colorful, pulsating package. In addition, Marty gives a breakdown of Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics, an eclectic collection of games to play and discover on your Nintendo Switch system.

In the main event, the boys discuss forgotten games made by Nintendo which have never once been ported. These include rare and hard to find gems; games that will likely never be reborn due to licensing issues, and of course, games that rely on a certain accessory that is no longer made.

All this and more!

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Journey to the Savage Planet clip LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Journey to the Savage Planet Review Journey to the Savage Planet Soundtrack Main Event: Discussing Forgotten Games Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Soundtrack

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There’s a lot of great new games to play on the Switch this month! It’s another jammed-packed episode of the NXpress Nintendo Switch Podcast! This week, Games Editor Marc Kaliroff joins us to discuss his review of Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition on the Nintendo Switch and how the port adds a near-perfect refining coat to what was already a masterpiece. In our main event, Indie Games Editor Campbell Gill joins us to discuss the Paper Mario-inspired Bug Fables from developer Moonsprout Games as well as WayForward’s Shantae and the Seven Sirens which could easily rank as one of the finest Metroidvanias on the market. All this and more!

Playlist

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Clip LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Review Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Soundtrack Main Event:Discussing Shantae and the Seven Sirens and Bug Fables Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Soundtrack

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Technical glitches can’t hold us down forever, as this week the NXpress crew is back with their second attempt at wrapping up coverage of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. After putting in an incredible 300+ hours, Ricky D joins Tim and Patrick to talk about what decorative and engineering feats he has accomplished, and where there is left to go for his 5-star island village. Along the way he shares some stories, and passes along a few tips to those looking to maximize their crafting time.

Before that, Patrick gives a brief rundown of Super Mega Baseball 3, which despite its cartoony look and ridiculous title, turns out to be a pretty fun baseball sim that captures a good portion of what makes the sport of baseball so magical. From the strategy of the pitcher-batter duel to a fairly in-depth franchise mode, there’s a lot to love here for fans.

Lastly, the guys react the surprise announcement of Paper Mario: The Origami King. Does this latest sequel look like it will be a return to the traditional RPG that so many have been craving for the series, or will it further divide gamers by embracing the more gimmicky route of the last couple of entries? Either way, there are at least some of us who don’t mind either way. For all this and more, have a listen!

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Though Nintendo hasn’t oiled its mitt and strapped on some cleats since 2013’s Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball, the company is no stranger to America’s pastime and has a wealth of prospects in its franchise farm system. As such, its only natural that the NXpress would eventually do a baseball draft of Nintendo characters, and that time is now. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Tim and Patrick fill their rosters from the deep stable of Nintendo games, stacking their lineups with speed and power, while trying not to sacrifice fundamental defense. Will they be drawn to traditional ‘eye-test’ scouting, or will sabermetrics lead to that championship team? You’ll have to tune in to find out who made which surprising picks!

Before that, the two catch up on what they’ve been playing recently. Having finally played through all that Fire Emblem: Three Houses has to offer (and taking over 250 hours to do so), Patrick sends the game off on one last spate of praise. Meanwhile, Tim fills him in on what’s been going on in Animal Crossing New Horizons, including describing his island’s spooky setup, as well as the new additions coming via DLC.

For all this and more, have a listen!

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Another Animal Crossing Podcast Special We just can’t get enough of Animal Crossing: New Horizons so we’ve decided to dedicate another episode of the podcast to discuss the game.

This week, we share our experience visiting each other islands as well as what we’d like Nintendo add to the game in the near future.

Closing the show is a quick conversation about the Super Mario LEGO set. That right, the LEGO company and Nintendo have partnered, and their collaboration has led to a reimagination of the LEGO building experience, enabling an entirely new way to play inspired by the beloved video game icon.

Neither a video game nor a traditional LEGO brick-based set, LEGO Super Mario is a new product line that features an interactive LEGO Mario figure who collects coins in real-life game levels created with LEGO bricks. The new line promises to take legendary brick-building to a new level, and we have some opinions about it. All this and more!

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

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LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Animal Crossing: New Horizons discussion Animal Crossing: New Horizons Soundtrack Main Event: Animal Crossing: New Horizons discussion Animal Crossing: New Horizons Soundtrack Bonus Content: LEGO Super Mario discussion Animal Crossing: New Horizons Soundtrack

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Animal Crossing: New Horizons Podcast Review We can’t just get enough of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and so we’ve decided to dedicate another episode of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast to the latest entry in Nintendo’s pleasant little life simulator series.

After one week of playing the game religiously, we have plenty to talk about. We’ve crossed paths with colorful characters near and far and we’ve had a grand time decorating our new homes while making friends with new arrivals. We’ve also been working around the clock to get a three-star rating for our islands and after 60 plus hours spent on our deserted island getaway, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is everything we hoped it would be and more.

Join us in this episode as we take a break from our new virtual lives and share stories; trade tips and answer your questions. All this and more.

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

Playlist

LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Addressing the Super Mario Switch rumors Animal Crossing: New Horizons Soundtrack Main Event: Animal Crossing: New Horizons Review Animal Crossing: New Horizons Soundtrack Bonus Content: Good Job Review Animal Crossing: New Horizons Soundtrack

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Animal Crossing New Horizons Review It’s no surprise that this week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast the guys devote the majority of their time talking about the long-awaited gaming vacation that is Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Rick, Tim, and Patrick share some details of what they’ve accomplished so far on their island getaways, dish on the local weirdos, stress over mortgage payments, wonder at the abundance of tarantulas, and muse on the new breakable tools. So how did we each settle in? Beachside property or the secluded wilderness? What are our plans for the future, and will there be hilltop castles involved? Despite its meandering nature, there’s always plenty to discuss when it comes to Animal Crossing!

In addition, our first segment deals with the recent Nintendo Direct Mini, and whether there was anything that caught our interest among the many expected titles, ports, and same-day drops. And in our last segment, we do a quick wrapup of the March Indie World. Though it may not have been the most dazzling, there were still one or two titles worth mentioning that hold potential. For all this and more, have a listen!

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

Playlist

LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage: Nintendo Direct Mini Review Animal Crossing: New Horizons Soundtrack Main Event: Animal Crossing: New Horizons Review Animal Crossing: New Horizons Soundtrack Bonus Content: Nintendo Indie Direct Review Animal Crossing: New Horizons Soundtrack

Contact us @ editor@goombastomp.com

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NBA Suspended? No Worries, We Got You Covered Forget about who is best at lengthy quests to save the magical kingdoms — which Nintendo characters can survive forty-eight minutes of running up and down the basketball court, and emerge victorious? This week, that’s exactly the question that the hosts of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast hope to answer. Rick, Tim, and Patrick cull through Nintendo’s extensive roster of characters in order to build their ideal team through our first sports draft. Will they go for speed and shooting? Or perhaps construct a squad of brutes that can out-muscle their opponents inside? What B-level players will be forced to sit on the bench? And since when did mind control become such an important tactic when shooting hoops?

All of these questions and more will be answered via lengthy explanations and passionate defenses (even if the league isn’t big on blocking shots). Before that, however, the guys discuss a multitude of topics, including the cancellation of E3, and the impact of the lengthy lack of first party releases for the Switch. For all this and more, have a listen!

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

Playlist

LFXIV – NXpress Intro Nintendosage:E3 and the struggles indie game developers Mario Hoops 3 on 3 Soundtrack = “Training Theme” Main Event: Fantasy Nintendo Basketball Draft Mario Slam Basketball Soundtrack – “Basketball Kingdom” Fire Emblem Three Houses Theme Song

Contact us @ editor@goombastomp.com

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Tom Nook has an eye for business. That’s why the staple Animal Crossing character took time out of his very busy schedule to host a new video presentation about his latest endeavor, the Nook Inc. Deserted Island Getaway Package.

This week, Rick, Patrick, and Tim discuss the latest Nintendo Direct and the ins and outs of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, launching exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on March 20. Our podcast covers everything a potential Deserted Island Getaway Package customer will want to know including the lack of cloud saves, the mobile app, and what makes this game different than previous entries. We also discuss the basics of homeownership, details about new characters, land development, exploration, crafting and so much more.

The NXpress Nintendo Podcast: Recent Episodes

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