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Radio Free Nintendo | A Nintendo Podcast for Grownups

T

Tom_Cody

Member
I listened to the first bit of it on my way to work today. A few random thoughts:

-I enjoyed hearing Jonny's take on Xeodrifter. I had been on the fence on this one and I now feel like I have a comprehensive sense of its positives and negatives after hearing his impressions. Given its minimal cost and time requirement (my bigger concern), I think I now have the proper context needed to approach it and enjoy it. I'll look forward to picking it up and playing it once I have a bit more of an opening in my gaming slate.

-I was disappointed by Guillaume's apathy for DK: King of Swing (I believe this is the actual official name). Back when it was released in 2005 I played through it to 200% completion (I just had to unlock 'Bubbles'!). It is one of my all-time favorite platformers and it is perfect example of Nintendo's great b-level GBA games from that time (you've got to love the art design and gratuitous sprite rotation). Its gameplay is totally unique among platformers and the structure of the game mines it for all its worth. The perfect controls allow you to truly become a master of the mechanics by the end of the singleplayer mode, and then the time attack provides a great outlet for you to utilize those skills. I was surprised that it seemed that none of the cast members had tried either of the entries in the series during their original releases. I hope that people aren't dissuaded from trying it simply because Guillaume was underwhelmed.
 
T

Tom_Cody

Member
Jonnyboy117 said:
I'm probably going to snag King of Swing with my DDP credit. I'm still super curious!
Click to expand...
Awesome. Give it a shot!

Another question from this episode: In giving Xeodrifter a qualified recommendation, you said that Xeodrifter "isn't your favorite indy-developed Metroid-style game". Are there any specific ones that you would recommend?
 
J

Jonnyboy117

Member
Guacamelee is easily one of the best. There's also this year's Strider (not indie) and the newest Shantae. None of those attempt Metroid's sci-fi style, though. For that, I have high hopes for Axiom Verge.
 
T

Tom_Cody

Member
Jonnyboy117 said:
Guacamelee is easily one of the best. There's also this year's Strider (not indie) and the newest Shantae. None of those attempt Metroid's sci-fi style, though. For that, I have high hopes for Axiom Verge.
Click to expand...
I'm aware of all of those but I haven't played any of them. I'll probably get to Shantae first since it is a good fit on the 3DS and I'll keep Strider in mind for when I eventually get a PS4 (probably sometime next year). I keep hearing good things about Guacamelee but I've never been able to get past the art style. Maybe I need to consider it more strongly.

Anyway, thanks.
 
O

OMG Aero

Member
I really hope Jonny was recording this episode from a coffee shop or a McDonalds or something because I love the mental image of other people nearby looking at this weird guy by himself arguing with his laptop about the chronology of Donkey Kong: King Of Swing/Jungle Climber.
 
C

Crimm

Member
Arguing about naming Mario Kart games in the lobby of my apt making stalker-style eye contact with the 18 year old girl in the unit above mine.

My finest hour.

Ladies...
 
V

viciouskillersquirrel

Member
I had a very vivid dream last night that I was a guest on RFN. We were recording from the inside of a blimp over what I can only describe as a hellish post-apocalyptic landscape.

I distinctly remember that I was going to talk about Mario 3D World and how Mario games in general remind me of Christmas.
 
Z

Zornica

Banned
regarding the listener mail about the n3ds launch. Even though monster hunter is nowhere as big as it is in japan yet, I'd still consider 4gu a system seller. Last year when 3gu came out, Shibata had to apologize via twitter because the game was sold out almost everywhere. I think it is gaining a lot of recognition recently and rising in popularity - well at least in Europe, I can't speak for the US.

When you were talking about some kind of benchmark game that would show the audience why they should switch to the "new" system because the old one couldn't handle it, I'm pretty sure Xenoblade would qualify as such a game. Although there is something that is never brought up when talking about the port:

I'm sure the reason why it ended up being a 3ds "remake" instead of a WiiU one is simple: Japan. The original didn't do very well there, I believe it sold less then in either Europe or the US. There is hardly any market mindshare. Bringing it to the 3ds and therefore introducing the "franchise" to a broader audience is probably the best thing they could to in regards to advertising the WiiU game. I'm really curious how hard they are going to push it, and if it will outsell the Wii original in it's first week.
 
L

leroidys

Member
The fact that there's basically nothing announced for N3DS so far says to me more than anything else that this is more of a DSi than GBC situation.
 
T

Tom_Cody

Member
leroidys said:
The fact that there's basically nothing announced for N3DS so far says to me more than anything else that this is more of a DSi than GBC situation.
Click to expand...
I think it's still a bit early to make that call. I mean, NOA hasn't even officially announced the system yet as far as I know. They need to clear as much old stock as they can up through this holiday season and then they can begin telling us why we need to get the n3DS.

There could be exclusive features in Majora's Mask and Code Name S.T.E.A.M. And Xenosaga alone will be enough to elevate the n3DS past the DSi.
 
L

leroidys

Member
Tom_Cody said:
I think it's still a bit early to make that call. I mean, NOA hasn't even officially announced the system yet as far as I know. They need to clear as much old stock as they can up through this holiday season and then they can begin telling us why we need to get the n3DS.
Click to expand...

Yes but it's already OUT in two other territories. It's no longer a hypothetical.

Tom_Cody said:
There could be exclusive features in Majora's Mask and Code Name S.T.E.A.M. And Xenosaga alone will be enough to elevate the n3DS past the DSi.
Click to expand...

Meh. DSi actually had a lot of amazing exclusives via DSiWare. A 5 year old downport doesn't really tell me that Nintendo has a great deal of faith in the lifespan of this thing, and just want to sell it to the hardcore fans and people who don't have a 3DS yet.

Just my thoughts on the matter. Nintendo is notoriously difficult to predict, but this is how I see it right now.
 
L

LiveFromKyoto

Member
I think you guys may have been a bit tough on Amiibos. It's clear from the online discussion that most people are into them because they're nice looking figures of beloved or cool characters, which happen to have the added hook of unlocking bonus content in games. The scalper/secondary market thing grew out of that initial desirability, though yes it's obviously fuelled by scarcity. I can't speak for Smash, but the Mii costumes in Mario Kart 8 have actually been a big hit around my circle.

The open-ended nature of the unlocks (the characters aren't just tied to one piece of DLC or something) means that no one bit of content or even the figure itself have to carry the weight of its value proposition.

We know going forward that we can expect pretty much every Nintendo game in the near future to leverage these things in some capacity, so we might as well accept our new Amiibo overlords now.

Jonnyboy117 said:
Guacamelee is easily one of the best. There's also this year's Strider (not indie) and the newest Shantae. None of those attempt Metroid's sci-fi style, though. For that, I have high hopes for Axiom Verge.
Click to expand...

As a die-hard lifelong Strider fan, I thought the new one was kinda lacking in personality - which was kind of egregious considering they strip-mined seemingly every reference the series had to offer.

I am definitely looking forward to Axiom Verge though, that's what was on my mind throughout the whole Xeodrifter section. I've got a $20 PSN card with its name on it. Hope it lives up to the advance billing.
 
L

leroidys

Member
LiveFromKyoto said:
I think you guys may have been a bit tough on Amiibos. It's clear from the online discussion that most people are into them because they're nice looking figures of beloved or cool characters, which happen to have the added hook of unlocking bonus content in games. The scalper/secondary market thing grew out of that initial desirability, though yes it's obviously fuelled by scarcity. I can't speak for Smash, but the Mii costumes in Mario Kart 8 have actually been a big hit around my circle.

The open-ended nature of the unlocks (the characters aren't just tied to one piece of DLC or something) means that no one bit of content or even the figure itself have to carry the weight of its value proposition.

We know going forward that we can expect pretty much every Nintendo game in the near future to leverage these things in some capacity, so you might as well accept your Amiibo overlords now.



As a die-hard lifelong Strider fan, I thought the new one was kinda lacking in personality - which was kind of egregious considering they strip-mined seemingly every reference the series had to offer.

I am definitely looking forward to Axiom Verge though, that's what was on my mind throughout the whole Xeodrifter section. I've got a $20 PSN card with its name on it. Hope it lives up to the advance billing.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I really enjoyed Strider HD, but it was kind of soulless in terms of art style and environment. Which is especially puzzling, considering they even brought back the original artist. I guess he just phoned it in.
 
O

Ondore

Member
Some interesting mail this week.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/39318/episode-411-turduckenlanders
Episode 411 "Turduckenlanders" said:
We recorded this show right in the middle of everyone's big holiday break, and only half the regulars were able to make it. Not to worry though, because Alex Culafi from NWR Connectivity and our new Nintendo News Report video show popped in to help James and Jonny work through some of our Listener Mail backlog. It's a short episode, all emails, but we still had a good time!

This week's selection of listener-submitted topics begins with a quick take on winter gaming, then proceeds with a pair of Mario Maker discussions, first on the balance of Nintendo-created levels and then how this bold new direction for the franchise could affect plans for future 2D Super Mario games. Next, we get insider coverage of how Canada's eShop has saved the Wii U for some Nintendo fans in Brazil. Last up is one of the best Amiibo ideas we've seen yet, from a listener who wishes the figurines could lead to more fan-focused sports games.

We'll always make time for the best emails, so please continue sending yours and special end-of-year thanks to everyone who did so over the past year! Gui and Jon will return next week for post-holiday New Business, and we're getting ready for our Best of 2014 show around mid-January. Here's to another big year for RFN!
Click to expand...

Time: 1'21"21
Downloads: MP3 | AAC
For Brazil's sake: Set the province to Alberta
 
N

nckillthegrimace

Member
Before I listen to the episode, I'm going to be pissed if the listener stole my idea for a Next Level Games developed Ice Hockey game that uses the amiibos to populate your team with Nintendo characters.
 
O

Ondore

Member
RFN: All predictions wrong or your money back.

If you're curious where the Yukon is (where the emailer set his province or in this case, territory) to for the eShop, it's right next door to Alaska. Or as NWR regulars know it, Zach Miller country. It works as a place where the sales tax is minimized.
 
O

Ondore

Member
The Pink Bros - Resevoir Dogs characters? Nope, just a podcast title.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/39360/episode-412-the-pink-bros
We're back with the whole crew to deliver a double-dose of holiday New Business. Mister Lindemann is back from the frozen north with all kinds of retro fun, starting with the supremely underplayed Bionic Commando: Elite Forces from ye olde Game Boy Color. Guillaume, still in the frozen north, delivers much-requested coverage of that Sportsball eShop game that sounds like a pretty nice indie multiplayer thing. Next up is James, who confounds everyone with his instant conversion to the cult of Atelier Escha & Logy -- no kidding, that is the name of a video game being sold in America. He'll tell you all about it. Jonny follows that with a game that's equally insane but much more relevant to our listeners, as he goes back to Bayonetta five years after the first attempt.

We had enough interesting games for a whole other round of New Business, so Jon picks up after the break with a little story about uncovering his childhood games and a debate over what to do with them. He also posits a fun but controversial question for the ages: is Final Fantasy VI better than its adored contemporary, Chrono Trigger? Then, Gui deftly connects his impressions of Shantae & the Pirate's Curse and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker by asking if they might both be a little too polished and familiar. Jonny concludes this big episode with updated thoughts on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, thanks to a fun visit from friend-of-the-show Michael "TYP" Cole.

During the recording of this very show, that same TYP finally joined Twitter, and in the days since, this momentous occasion ignited a chain of events such that we now have an official Radio Free Nintendo account on Twitter! Follow that to be alerted when new episodes are posted, get previews of upcoming content, and submit pithy questions and comments to our entire crew. Also, we are revving up for the next RetroActive feature, but we need your help identifying candidate games/themes! Post your ideas in the sticky forum thread, or just email us directly about this or anything else in the world of Nintendo. Finally, you can learn more about Jonny's recent book release (not at all related to video games) over here at Amazon. It's short and cheap/free!
Click to expand...

Time: 1'57"23
Downloads: MP3 | AAC
Jon: Better have armor with Fire Eater equipped
 
N

nckillthegrimace

Member
The PS2 Atelier games aren't really "moe" games. They're more like generic anime artstyle RPGs. The first three PS3 games (of like six or something), however, lean heavily into the moe.
 
J

Jonnyboy117

Member
We will be happy to consider any RetroActive ideas posted here on NeoGAF. I am also considering options to let people vote without having to register for the NWR forums (though you should do that too).
 
T

Tripon

Member
Jonnyboy117 said:
We will be happy to consider any RetroActive ideas posted here on NeoGAF. I am also considering options to let people vote without having to register for the NWR forums (though you should do that too).
Click to expand...
It's finally time to do a FF6 retroactive. Or a Lufia 2.

I know Retroactive have a tendency to be RPG heavy, but it's been a while since a RPG has been featured.


Edit: alternatively, a retroactive about Super Smash Brothers Melee.
 
J

Jonnyboy117

Member
FF6 may very well happen one day (we considered it during the 2013 telethon), but I doubt it will be this time. I would LOVE to do Lufia 2, but it's quite hard to obtain right now. We will have to see some action from Natsume before that one is realistic. Same with DuckTales 2 and a lot of other limited-print games of yore.
 
N

Negator

Member
How about a retroactive of the GBC Lufia game being released on the virtual console soon? Not a lot of people have played it and I think it would be interesting.
 
C

Crimm

Member
The DS remake of Lufia 2 is the game I threw during an RFN PAX East panel. It's also the star of one of my MANY stories from Natsume E3 booths of yore.

Lufia 2 - the original - is among my all-time favorite games. Taito owns the trademark for LUFIA II RISE OF THE SINISTRALS - and they are owned by Square-Enix. What I don't know is what rights Natsume maintains to publishing the title in the west (Taito was the Japanese publisher). They did opt to publish the Square-Enix funded DS remake so presumably the relationship is still active. Enough time may have passed since the DS game that releasing the original on a digital service will no longer be seen as stealing from your own kitchen.
 
S

Symtendo

Member
I'd love you guys to spend a whole retroactive on the entirety of Game & Watch. I feel James could do the back story of them justice and aid love to hear general opinions of the concept, the games themselves and how Nintendo should leverage them going forward. I'd even take you all playing the Game & Watch gallery versions.
 
C

Crimm

Member
EvilMario said:
I think the only title we have to worry about at the moment is the 3DS Rhythm Heaven game. But it's probably a bit premature.
Click to expand...

Very. We'll be fine on that game. Nintendo owned game, they'll bring it over.

Some of the third party 3DS stuff they showed is a bit more troubling. Legend of Legacy continues to look very enticing.

I do want a normal New 3DS. I loved the DSi XL, but smaller form factor seems ideal for my personal usecase.
 
V

viciouskillersquirrel

Member
Retroactive could maybe focus on the theme of regions getting screwed out of stuff. So games that were formally only released in one place or another but are now more freely available.

Say:

Sin and Punishment
Terranigma
Retro Game Challenge
Seiken Densetsu 3
999
Inazuma 11
Last Window
Freshly Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland

Or you could look at games that due to localisation or other factors, have significant regional differences:

Super Mario Bros 2 / Doki Doki Panic
Contra / Probotector
Ninja Gaiden / Shadow Warrior
... I'll think of more later..
 
Z

Zornica

Banned
viciouskillersquirrel said:
Retroactive could maybe focus on the theme of regions getting screwed out of stuff. So games that were formally only released in one place or another but are now more freely available.

Say:

Sin and Punishment
Terranigma
Retro Game Challenge
Seiken Densetsu 3
999
Inazuma 11
Last Window
Freshly Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland

Or you could look at games that due to localisation or other factors, have significant regional differences:

Super Mario Bros 2 / Doki Doki Panic
Contra / Probotector
Ninja Gaiden / Shadow Warrior
... I'll think of more later..
Click to expand...

I'm absolutely in favour of this. I'm always sad when Americans are arguing which is better, ff6 or chrono triger, or whats the best the snes has to offer (like graphics-, story. or sound-wise), when in reality answer is neither of them.
 
W

Worthintendo

Member
Something that might be good for Retroactive is doing a DS game given the system just turned 10 a few weeks back.Lots of amazing unsung games on that thing people may have overlooked.
 
M

matm666

Member
For retroactve why no talk about an entire NES/SNES franchise like, Contra, Castlevania or Megaman, individually I think would be hard to dedicate an entire hour or so of retroactive talk, but the entire series could be interestig.
 
W

Weetrick

Member
matm666 said:
For retroactve why no talk about an entire NES/SNES franchise like, Contra, Castlevania or Megaman, individually I think would be hard to dedicate an entire hour or so of retroactive talk, but the entire series could be interestig.
Click to expand...

That would take an insane amount of time. They go pretty in depth when they play games for Retroactive.
 
V

viciouskillersquirrel

Member
matm666 said:
But NES action games are not very depth and the sequels share lots of similarities.
Click to expand...
Not everyone has the twitch reflexes to finish some of these games quickly.

It took me a week to finish Mega Man 3 <_<

I stand by my suggestion to play games that were previously denied to one region or other. Europe getting S&P2 makes it an even better candidate for a Retroactive.
 
O

Ondore

Member
I'm going to double-check this, but this might be the longest RFN that didn't involve E3, football, or have an episode number that was a multiple of 50.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/39452/episode-413-strip-club-regulars
Episode 413 "Strip Club Regulars" said:
We have a special format for you this week, as there is neither New Business nor Listener Mail. That's thanks to a surprise Nintendo Direct earlier in the week, which gave us far more discussion topics than we could possibly fit into this first segment. We crammed in as much as we could and hit most of the major points, including New 3DS XL for North America, "The Latest in the Fire Emblem Series" for 3DS, an avalanche of amiibo announcements, lots of walking in Xenoblade Chronicles X, the long-awaited arrival of Wii games on the Wii U eShop, and further confirmation that Splatoon could be Nintendo's first fully-featured modern shooter. There's a lot of disagreement and controversy throughout, so buckle up for this one!

The latter half of the show is just as lengthy but far less adversarial, since we each get our own personal list for the Top Five Games of 2014. The diversity in our picks is maybe surprising, considering it was one of the leanest release calendars in Nintendo's history. Many rich discussions emerged from our passionate and sometimes shocking choices, and this feature is a great showcase for the four distinct personalities on this podcast. It's impossible for you to agree with all of us, so just let that go and enjoy the conversation!

We're currently planning to do our annual (and ill-fated) predictions feature next week. Maybe you could fan the flames with a prediction of your own -- go crazy on that email form! We are also still working on the next RetroActive roll-out and hope to announce something concrete next week. You can help a lot by posting ideas in the forum thread (where they'll be considered for many subsequent editions) or using the more ephemeral Twitter method, thanks to our brand new account: @RFNpodcast (finally!).
Click to expand...

Time: 2'44"19 (yikes!)
Downloads: MP3 | AAC
Retroactive ideas: Also coming from here!
 
N

Negator

Member
Oh hell yes! This is probably my most anticipated episode of RFN ever!

I heard this one would be long and feature lots of yelling. I'm totally in for this.
 
N

nckillthegrimace

Member
Not getting screwed out of anything? Are you kidding me? We're not getting an entire model of hardware that everyone else is, including the territory where Nintendo shit does even worse than it does here.

And yes, I'll leave it. I'm sick of NoA taking fan business for granted. At least try to earn it.
 
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