Episode 23: Going for the Gold

New Super Mario Bros. 2 has arrived and the coin rush is on! In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we share our impressions of Mario’s latest side-scrolling adventure, as well as our final thoughts on the new 3DS XL hardware. We also discuss a slew of news, including the 3DS’s Fall lineup, the Miiverse as a gaming social network, and the closure of Nintendo Power. Oh yeah, and Penelope Cruz wearing a Mario mustache.

What do you think of New Super Mario Bros. 2 and the 3DS XL? Share your impressions, or thoughts on any of the topics discussed in this episode, in the comments section below. While you’re there, we would also love to hear what you think of the RN Podcast as a whole! You can also stay up to date on everything Random Nintendo by subscribing on iTunes and following us on Twitter @RandomNintendo.

As always, if you would like to learn more about any of the topics discussed on today’s episode, we have provided links below. Enjoy!

News

• Nintendo’s Portable Game Lineup Offers Boundless Fun for Everyone in 2012 (Nintendo.com)
• Looks Like We’ll Know the Wii U’s American Launch Date and Price by September 13 (Kotaku)
• Rayman Legends is a Wii U exclusive (Joystiq)
• Nintendo Patent Application Reveals Wii Remote and GamePad Versus Wii Remote and TV Multiplayer (Nintendo World Report)
• Nintendo Chief: Mario Is Part Of Gamers’ DNA (Kotaku)
• Unintimidated By Apple, Nintendo’s Boss Says The World Still Needs Dedicated Gaming Handhelds (Kotaku)
• It Sounds Like Nintendo Wants to Make A Gamer’s Version of Facebook (Kotaku)
• Nintendo Power’s last issue coming in December (Ars Technica)
• Hyrule Historia is Being Officially Localized, Published by Dark Horse Comics (GenGAME)
• Professor Layton VS Ace Attorney Development at Climax (Andriasang.com)
• New Super Mario Bros. 2 digital sales at 5% (GoNintendo)
• Onitore digital downloads account for 20% of sales (GoNintendo)
• New Super Mario Bros. 2 – Penelope & Monica Cruz TV ad (Nintendo 3DS) (YouTube)

Games

• New Super Mario Bros. 2 (Official Site)
• Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone! (Official Site)
• Crosswords Plus (Official Site)
• Sparkle Snapshots 3D (Official Site)
• Style Savvy: Trendsetters (Official Site)
• Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (Official Site)
• Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! (Official Site)
• Paper Mario: Sticker Star (Official Site)
• Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (Nintendo.com E3 Game Page)
• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate (Official Site)
• Nintendo Land (Nintendo.com E3 Game Page)
• Professor Layton VS Ace Attorney (IGN Game Page)