It’s the first episode of the New Year and we’re celebrating with a party. A Mario Party. This episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast features our impressions of Mario Party: Island Tour, along with a game that involves a totally different type of party, Bravely Default. We also share impressions of two Wii U downloadable titles, Wii Sports Club: Golf and RUSH. As always, the show first begins with news as we discuss recent 3DS announcements, fresh Super Smash Bros. details, and the “reboot” of ...
Jan 12, 2014•2 hr 9 min
Whether it’s the reimagining of 8-bit classics or the reinterpretation of a speedy blue hedgehog, sometimes change is good. In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we share impressions of two Wii U titles that shake up classic franchises: NES Remix and Sonic Lost World. We first kick off the episode with a roundup of the latest Nintendo Direct, discussing everything from new crossover title Hyrule Warriors to the growing roster of Super Smash Bros. fighters. We also examine Nintendo’s re...
Dec 29, 2013•2 hr 18 min
An extra dimension isn’t the only thing the 3DS has added to the land of Hyrule. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds also shakes up the franchise’s tried-and-true formula in a number of big ways. In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we share our impressions of Link’s latest adventure and examine its role in the evolution of Zelda gameplay. Before we set out on our quest, however, we have lots of news to cover, including the latest on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS, Kirby: Trip...
Dec 15, 2013•2 hr 8 min
The Cat Mario is out of the bag and the biggest Wii U game of the year is upon us. In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we share our impressions of Super Mario 3D World and discuss whether it is the one game that can save the Wii U. As always, we first start the show with news, including thoughts on the new 3DS Guide: Louvre app, the growing lineup of 2014, the changing face of third-party Wii U support, and Nintendo’s continued family-oriented marketing push. Plus, be sure to stick a...
Dec 01, 2013•1 hr 51 min
Between coverage of Wii Sports Club, Wii Fit U, and the Wii U’s casual-oriented holiday season, you could say this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast is a casual affair. The show begins with a slew of news, including a full breakdown of the latest Nintendo Direct and the Wii Mini’s stateside debut. We also look at the business side of Nintendo, analyzing the decision to market Wii U as a casual/family-friendly console, new comments by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, and the Wii U and 3DS’s ...
Nov 17, 2013•2 hr 29 min
There ain’t no party like a Wii U party, or is there? In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we share our impressions of Wii Party U to see if it’s a party worth attending, plus visit the courtrooms of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies. The show kicks off with the latest sales numbers as we break down the beginning of the Wii U’s turnaround and analyze the next steps Nintendo is taking to make the console a hit. We then discuss the games that will drive these changes, includ...
Nov 03, 2013•2 hr 9 min
There’s something about Pokemon. Something in its DNA that makes it stand above other games in the RPG genre. Is it the battles, the exploration, a combination of everything? Through impressions of the newly released Pokemon X & Y, we discuss what makes the Pokemon games tick and what the future may hold for the series. This episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast is about more than just those lovable pocket monsters, though. We also break down all the latest news, including the introduction ...
Oct 20, 2013•2 hr 23 min
Hoist the sails, the return of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is upon us! In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we not only share impressions of the anticipated HD remake, but also go hands-on with the next wave of great eShop games straight from IndieCade 2013. From armadillos in space to worlds built out of rice paper, we pick our four favorites from the indie festival. Of course, there’s plenty of news to be had as well, ranging from a breakdown of the latest Nintendo Direct to...
Oct 06, 2013•2 hr 14 min
Listeners, unite up! In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we share impressions of Platinum Games’ action-packed Wii U title, The Wonderful 101, as well as the eShop’s Art Academy: SketchPad. But before we save the world, there’s plenty of news to discuss, including Wii Fit U and the return of Wii Sports, fresh Pokemon X & Y details, and a bevy of third party games. We then focus on the business side of the industry with thoughts on Sega buying Atlus and a look at August’s sales nu...
Sep 22, 2013•1 hr 59 min
Wind up those Pokemon toys, start those mining drills, and grab that… 2DS? This episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast offers a little something for everyone, including impressions of Nintendo’s first foray into NFC-enabled gaming with Pokemon Rumble U and the must-play eShop title SteamWorld Dig. As always, the show begins with the latest news as we analyze the unexpected Nintendo 2DS, share thoughts on the Wii U’s upcoming price drop, and give our takes on the recent Pokemon Direct. We also lo...
Sep 08, 2013•2 hr 17 min
Prepare to embark on a whirlwind tour of alternate realities: the dream worlds inside Luigi’s head, a monster-filled version of 1970s Tokyo, and one of three different dimensions of street fighting. This episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast stops in each of these worlds as we bring you impressions of 3DS RPG Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, eShop downloadable title Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale, and the Wii U Virtual Console version of Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers. ...
Aug 25, 2013•2 hr 20 min
It’s been nine years since Pikmin last sprouted up on a Nintendo system and a whopping nineteen years since Earthbound graced the Super NES. But now, thanks to Wii U, they’re both back and we’ve got them covered! In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we share our full impressions of Pikmin 3, weighing the game’s pros and cons, as well as the Virtual Console version of Earthbound. We first kick off the show with a breakdown of the latest Nintendo Direct and The Wonderful 101 Direct, inc...
Aug 11, 2013•2 hr 24 min
Some people go to Comic-Con for the comics. Others go for the movie and television news. Us? We go for the video games. It’s impressions galore in this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast as we go hands-on with the many Wii U and 3DS games that were on display, including The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Yoshi’s New Island, Bayonetta 2, Sonic Lost World, and Disney Infinity. And that’s just the beginning! We then dive into the latest news from both Com...
Jul 28, 2013•2 hr 31 min
Game & Wario packs a lot of games onto one Wii U disc, but are they worth it? We answer that very question in this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast with full impressions of the minigame compilation. Plus, we go hands-on with the upcoming Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies and 1001 Spikes, two eShop titles that won’t be released until later this year. But before we play games, we talk about them. The episode begins with eShop news, including an early peek at Cave Story publis...
Jul 14, 2013•2 hr 47 min
We’re going green in this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast with full impressions of Animal Crossing: New Leaf and New Super Luigi U! But before we can talk up our roles as mayors and second-fiddle plumbers, we have news to cover. Lots of news. The show kicks off with a look at newly announced Wii U indie games, including a claymated point-and-click adventure and a new title from the man behind Conker’s Bad Fur Day. We then turn our attention to a large serving of E3 2013 leftovers, discuss...
Jun 30, 2013•2 hr 45 min
E3 2013 may be over, but our coverage certainly isn’t! In our second episode dedicated to the year’s biggest gaming expo, we share hands-on impressions of four of the Wii U’s most anticipated games: Super Mario 3D World, Mario Kart 8, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. We pick up where we left off in our previous E3 episode ( Episode 45: E3 2013 Direct Response ), combing through Nintendo’s many E3 interviews and briefings to bring you the latest de...
Jun 16, 2013•2 hr 18 min
E3 2013 is well underway and Nintendo came out swinging. While its lineup may be short on surprises, there is no doubt that Nintendo still delivered a ton of news. We’ve got it all covered in this special E3 episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, from Super Mario 3D World to every last detail on the next Super Smash Bros. We kick off the show with an analysis of the E3 Nintendo Direct and its many announcements, ultimately determining whether the Wii U’s newly solidified lineup has what it take...
Jun 12, 2013•1 hr 55 min
From Donkey Kong to Sonic, Rayman to Luigi, Nintendo systems continue to offer a plethora of platformers. This episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast is dedicated to all those run-and-jump games. We begin with a look at what’s ahead, breaking down the first details of Sonic Lost World, new features for both Rayman Legends and New Super Luigi U, and the next 3DS side-scroller from Renegade Kid, Treasurenauts. We then detour to other topics as we examine the latest ups and downs of Wii U’s third p...
Jun 02, 2013•2 hr 17 min
The theme of this episode may be mini, but the episode itself is anything but! We cover a lot in this Random Nintendo Podcast, including our impressions of the eShop’s Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move, the upcoming Wii U version of Resident Evil Revelations, and the recently updated Wii Street U. To kick off the episode, we first focus on the latest Nintendo Direct, breaking down all of Nintendo’s newly detailed plans for summer and beyond. We then shift our focus to third parties, discu...
May 19, 2013•2 hr 21 min
The Wii U is a system of many challenges. On the one hand, you have the fun daily and weekly challenges of the new Rayman Legends Challenges App. On the other hand, you have the not-so-fun sales struggle of the console itself. In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we share our thoughts on all these challenges, good and bad. We kick off the show with an analysis of Nintendo’s recent financial report and the company’s plans to turn around Wii U sales, weighing the various ways the Wii U’...
May 05, 2013•2 hr 25 min
Does a chicken in need make a good game indeed? In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we answer that very question with our full impressions of Toki Tori 2, Two Tribe’s anticipated Wii U puzzle-platformer. But first, we break down the recent onslaught of game announcements, from the Nintendo Direct reveals of Zelda and Yoshi on 3DS to new indie titles shown at the iDEAME conference in Madrid. Factor in the likes of Batman and Splinter Cell, and there’s a lot on the way to Nintendo plat...
Apr 21, 2013•2 hr 4 min
We ain’t afraid of no ghosts and to prove it, we fired up our Pultergusts and explored the world of Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon. In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we share our full impressions of the ambitious new 3DS title, as well as of Game Freak’s first non-Pokemon game in seven years, HarmoKnight. To kick off the show, we first take a look at a noticeable shift in Nintendo’s third-party support strategy, analyzing whether new indie initiatives announced at the Game Developers C...
Apr 07, 2013•1 hr 55 min
Whether you’re chasing a giant beast in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate or being chased by the police in Need For Speed: Most Wanted U, it’s all about the thrill of the hunt in this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast. We give our impressions of both of these new Wii U titles, as well as enter the ring of the Wii U Virtual Console’s Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream. We also take a look at a variety of upcoming indie games including Yacht Club Games’ Shovel Knight, WayForward’s Mighty Switch Force 2,...
Mar 24, 2013•2 hr 27 min
A game with a name like Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien catches your attention. Luckily, it also deserves it. In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we share our impressions of Gaijin Games’ new Wii U runner and WayForward’s Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition, as well as go hands-on with Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity, Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate, and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate. But before we get to all those games with lengthy subtitles, we ro...
Mar 10, 2013•2 hr 12 min
It’s a 3DS renaissance! After a quiet few months, the handheld is back in a big way and the Random Nintendo Podcast has it all covered. In this episode, we focus on a slew of new 3DS titles with impressions of Fire Emblem: Awakening and a breakdown of all the games revealed in the latest Nintendo Direct. We then turn our attention to Wii U as we discuss upcoming titles such as Watch Dogs and Need For Speed: Most Wanted, analyze the console’s January sales performance, and share impressions of Wi...
Feb 24, 2013•2 hr 20 min
The disembodied head of Dr. Kawashima has returned to Nintendo handhelds and he’s more devilish than ever. In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we train our brains with impressions of Brain Age: Concentration Training, as well as share our thoughts on Wii U puzzler Puddle and the gorgeous Hyrule Historia book. We also discuss the Wii U’s struggle with third-party support, highlighting issues raised by the delay of Rayman Legends and by cryptic comments from big-name publishers like El...
Feb 12, 2013•1 hr 58 min
It’s been a roller coaster of news for Nintendo fans with the disappointment of a weaker than expected winter Wii U lineup, followed by a burst of excitement from a new Nintendo Direct. This episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast is dedicated to all that news, from the HD remake of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker to the yarn-based worlds of Yoshi’s next adventure. We also discuss upcoming third-party games, including the ambitious Disney Infinity, the crossover extravaganza that is Project X...
Jan 27, 2013•2 hr 12 min
Some people just want to watch the world burn… Good thing there’s Little Inferno on the Wii U! In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we give our impressions of the indie eShop title, as well as impressions of fellow Wii U downloadable Chasing Aurora and the 3DS’s Gunman Clive. We also dive into the announcement of Pokemon X & Y, sharing all the known facts and speculating about the changes the 3DS pair might bring to the franchise. To top it all off, we discuss the latest news, plu...
Jan 13, 2013•2 hr 3 min
Game drought? What game drought? If the eShop is any indication, we won’t be seeing one and this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast proves it. We discuss the biggest downloadable games on the horizon for Wii U and 3DS, as well as share impressions of Trine 2: Director’s Cut, Ubisoft’s new Rayman Legends demo, and the just launched Nintendo TVii app. Plus, with 2012 coming to a close, we take time to reflect on our favorite games of the year. All that, plus new game announcements and more, ma...
Dec 30, 2012•1 hr 54 min
Get ready to embark on a journey to multicolored airports, giant soccer stadiums, and fantastical race tracks. In this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, we give our impressions of 3DS eShop puzzler Aero Porter and FIFA 13 for the Wii U, as well as share updated thoughts on the recently patched Wii U edition of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. We also take a look at the early 2013 lineups for both the Wii U and 3DS, discussing the big games that will (and won’t) be hitting in the n...
Dec 16, 2012•2 hr 6 min
