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[Games are coming out this fall, or so I hear.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 262: Where Pride Goes

« on: October 09, 2011, 01:10:04 PM »

Games are coming out this fall, or so I hear.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/28032

This week's episode begins with an unusually topical New Business, as all four regular podcasters show up with a new release for one of Nintendo's platforms (plus a few other goodies as well). James kicks it off by sharing his slight disappointment with Solatorobo, the furry-filled 2DS mascot platformer. He also caps off an 80-hour journey through Xenoblade even as Jonny's copy finally arrives. Lindy has been active this past week, putting considerable time into the remade Zelda Four Swords while also checking out Demon's Souls and the Uncharted 3 beta. Jonny heaps praise upon the recent 3DS Virtual Console release of Super Mario Land 2 and checks out a very cool PSN exclusive called Rochard. After sharing impressions of several previously mentioned games, Greg takes the stage for himself to wrap up his thoughts on Aliens: Infestation, just in time for the game's American launch.

Part 2 is our inconsistently annual Fall Games Preview, as we take turns highlighting various bright spots in the ultimately questionable release lineup for Nintendo's platforms through the end of this year. Rather than list all the games mentioned here, I'll direct your attention to the right sidebar, which has links to NWR's complete coverage of every game discussed on the show. Give it a try! Also, be sure to vote now for your pick in the latest RetroActive election -- the deadline is this Thursday, Oct. 13 so don't delay! You can also email us your thoughts or questions right here.

[In this episode, we talk about brand new games, and Jon pays tribute to the Queen in his own special way.]

77

Podcast Discussion / Episode 261: Dat New Bitness

« on: October 02, 2011, 12:09:48 PM »

In this episode, we talk about brand new games, and Jon pays tribute to the Queen in his own special way.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27979

Greg kicks off this episode with his own take on Xenoblade Chronicles, specifically the British voice-acting from the same crew who brought you Dragon Quest VIII on PS2. He also has first impressions of Aliens: Infestation from Sega and WayForward, which is out in Europe a bit ahead of America. Jon finally catches up with Shadow Complex, the superb 2D action game for XBLA directly inspired by Super Metroid. Jonny returns to the long-neglected Dragon Quest VI and also checks out the just-released free version of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition on 3DS (and DSi). Finally, James initiates review season with his thoughts on Bit.Trip Saga, the 3DS collection of Gaijin Games' WiiWare series.

In Listener Mail, Greg responds to numerous inquiries about his Buffalo Bills challenge from a few weeks ago, whose deadline passed much faster than anyone could have expected. A friend in Japan provides another data point on the piracy vs. used debate, although you could easily miss the content of his letter thanks to Jon's mangling of it. Next is yet another discussion of the impact of smartphone gaming on Nintendo's plans for 3DS and whether there might be space for them to successfully coexist. Last up is a question about Wii U prospects for Ni no Kuni, the gorgeous RPG collaboration between Level 5 and Studio Ghibli.

But wait, there's more! We also announced nominees for RetroActive #20. Do your duty as a fan by voting in the poll -- it's quick and easy! If you're not sure which game to pick, read through the forum thread to hear what other people are saying about these games. We'd also love to hear from you via email; you can use this handy contact form.

[Here's the story of a sword that ain't from around these parts.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 260: Zero-Sum Xenomics

« on: September 25, 2011, 12:02:39 PM »

Here's the story of a sword that ain't from around these parts.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27933

This weeks' episode starts with Jonny celebrating his long-delayed victory over Ganon in the original Legend of Zelda, plus an update on Final Fantasy 3/6 on Virtual Console and more progress in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. James continues to be obsessed with Xenoblade Chronicles, but he has identified some minor flaws as well, even as Greg delivers early impressions of the game and Jonny prepares for his own overseas delivery. Jon has an interesting report on Dave Perry's Gaikai, the streaming service for game demos your PC shouldn't be able to run. Greg wraps up New Business with the overlooked Star Fox 64 3D multiplayer mode and his thoughts on one of WayForward's numerous 2011 releases, BloodRayne: Betrayal for PSN.

Around the bend, we reopen the mailbag for a torrent of emails. First, there's a pair of comments on Monster Hunter 4's importance for 3DS. We follow that with two distinct economic arguments relating to Xenoblade; these are sure to be controversial, but we had fun discussing them. We round out the segment with a grab bag of topics including Minecraft, bad controls, and The Grinder. Thanks to everyone who wrote in recently! You can send your email to the show with this handy contact form. Also, we're soliciting ideas for the next RetroActive in the forum thread for nominations.

79

Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 259: I Hate-Hate Like-Likes

« on: September 18, 2011, 05:02:56 PM »

Can someone please tell me when the Skyward Sword segment begins and ends?  I'm trying to avoid any and all details/spoilers regarding that game.  Thanks.

The Skyward Sword discussion has its own chapter in the AAC version that runs from 01:50-11:22.

[The hot news parade continues as we get into the latest Skyward Sword details and 3DS announcements from Japan. Plus: Mega-Impressions of Xenoblade!]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 259: I Hate-Hate Like-Likes

« on: September 18, 2011, 11:46:11 AM »

The hot news parade continues as we get into the latest Skyward Sword details and 3DS announcements from Japan. Plus: Mega-Impressions of Xenoblade!

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27881

With TGS ongoing and Nintendo's 3DS Conference still fresh on our minds, the RFN crew just can't stay away from the news lately. We start with exciting new details on Skyward Sword that make us more excited than ever for the long-awaited Zelda sequel. Next up is the bombshell: Monster Hunter 4 is coming to 3DS. You may not care, but we'll explain why it's very good for the platform and will help generate other titles that you do want. We also have real details on the Expansion Circle Pad, plus a few thoughts on the various other 3DS games announced last week in Japan.

The rest of the show consists of New Business, and you're about to understand why. Greg kicks it off by defending his purchase of Star Fox 64 3D. James drops a love grenade on his imported copy of Xenoblade Chronicles, detailing many of the game's elements and why he adores virtually all of them. Jon takes a stab at Radiant Silvergun, the legendary Treasure shooter that just hit XBLA. Jonny brings us home with a return to Hyrule in the original Legend of Zelda on 3DS, as well as some early but positive impressions of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, a series we just might see continued on Wii U.

We'll return to your Listener Mail next week, so please send in those letters!

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 257: Ode to Joypads

« on: September 05, 2011, 05:53:30 PM »

The nearest branch of GAME to me only has the £50 Red CC Pro bundle version of Xenoblade in stock at the moment, which for someone with two CCs already in his possession is a bit too much to pay right now (my online order for the game on its own comes to a little more than half the price).

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 257: Ode to Joypads

« on: September 05, 2011, 01:47:58 PM »

BTW, when will anyone on the podcast get Xenoblade? I guess Greg isn't interested but I know the rest of you probably ordered it.

I stated during this episode (in the middle of the first Wii U question) that I have already ordered Xenoblade, but most stores here in the UK are waiting for a restock so it could be a while yet before I get my hands on it. James pre-ordered the game from a UK online retailer and presumably should be getting it fairly soon.

As for the Python bit, in my defence I have used that gag on the show before, and the title for the Rock of Ages chapter in the AAC version was "Sisyphus' Flying Circus." Still, it was a missed opportunity I admit.

[TYP joins James and Greg to discuss Ambassadorships, soundtracks, and the Python-esque destruction of civilization, plus a ton of your Listener Mail.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 257: Ode to Joypads

« on: September 04, 2011, 05:04:40 PM »

TYP joins James and Greg to discuss Ambassadorships, soundtracks, and the Python-esque destruction of civilization, plus a ton of your Listener Mail.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27692

As was foretold during our last episode, Jonny couldn't join the RFN crew this week, but what we didn't see coming was the after-effects of Hurricane Irene leaving us another man down, as Jon was still without internet access at the time of recording. Nevertheless, James and Greg persevere with the assistance of Radio Trivia host Michael Cole, and there's no shortage of Nintendo discussion to be had with the rollout of the Ambassador Program and a bumper batch of Listener Mail waiting to be answered.

New Business begins with our experiences of downloading and playing our ten free NES games on 3DS, with the latter component being a lot more fun and intuitive than the former. Next, TYP and Greg keep us stuck in the past by discussing Gargoyle's Quest and Final Fantasy III/VI, before James closes out the segment with Rock of Ages, a surreal Atlus XBLA game that combines mythology, history, tower defense, bowling, and Monty Python. Spoilers: James thinks it's awesome.

After the break, we take a collective deep breath as we embark on a (relatively) high-speed Listener Mail odyssey, beginning with a trio of tales regarding new 3DS owners. We then look at the chances of Wii U reversing the decline of the home console market in Japan, the correlation between game length and value, and much more before our journey of listener interaction ends with a subject near and dear to all of our hearts: soundtracks. An aspiring composer asks us what we like to hear in our video game music--will our feedback set him on the path towards greatness? Stay tuned for the next few decades or so to find out!      

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 256: In a Really Tight Spot

« on: August 29, 2011, 07:19:43 AM »

I'm pretty sure that Gargoyle's Quest came out in Europe. I've got the cart from a flea market (with German text and an NoE serial number on it) and the game is prominently featured in the European game guides.

That's interesting. I couldn't find a record of a launch date for Gargoyle's Quest in Europe, and reading the accounts from UK Game Boy owners suggested that the game didn't receive an official release here--i.e., the carts floating around the British market were just the American version, which wasn't uncommon in those days pre-ratings and pre-portable region lockouts. It would appear though from what you've said that continental Europe must have at least got an official release at some point (perhaps some significant time later).

[It's a five-man show as Karl shows up to the defend the honor of Killer 7. But is that even necessary?]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 256: In a Really Tight Spot

« on: August 28, 2011, 05:35:47 PM »

It's a five-man show as Karl shows up to the defend the honor of Killer 7. But is that even necessary?

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27619

It's a full house this week as former co-host Karl Castaneda returns to RFN to discuss one of his favorite games, Killer 7. But first, Karl gives us the word on Ms. Splosion Man and Suda51's latest release, Shadows of the Damned. Greg has impressions of the frothily anticipated Rhythm Heaven for Wii, plus a quick look at Gargoyle's Quest for 3DS Virtual Console. (We'll have much more on that one next week.) James provides an update on Enslaved while waiting on shipment of even more interesting titles. Since Jon and Jonny didn't play much new this week, we shore up New Business with a single bit of Listener Mail pertaining to some wacky new 3DS rumors.

After the break, we finally make good on RetroActive #19 with a very thorough analysis of Killer 7, the truly bizarre adventure/shooter GameCube release from Capcom and Suda51's Grasshopper Manufacture studio. It's an honest and well-rounded discussion of the game's triumphs and shortcomings, and true to the predictions of many pollsters, the game proves to be fertile ground for conversation. Karl showed up with shield in hand but soon finds that the rest of us may not be so antagonistic towards his beloved game. We also read a few comments from the RetroActive forum thread, which remains open if you're still playing the game, or were inspired to do so by this episode. Thanks as always to everyone who voted and played along! We'll have info on the next RetroActive coming soon.

Jonny will be out next week, but RFN will roll on with a solid block of Listener Mail. Get yours in now and it could be answered on the show!

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 255: La Troisième Saison

« on: August 23, 2011, 05:07:34 PM »

Since Super R-Type is pretty much R-Type II you can get a proper arcade port of it on XBLA in the R-Type Dimensions package.

I used to think that Super R-Type was just a port of R-Type II with an extra level tacked on the front, but having played R-Type II a couple of years ago there are further differences. For instance, the water levels have completely different bosses in each game, and the typical R-Type giant battleship stage involves multiple smaller battleships in the arcade game, while on SNES it's one giant ship more like the one in the original game. I still prefer R-Type III over both versions.

I'll probably be laughed out of the forums for this, but my top 20 definitely would have included Super Ghouls N Ghosts...

I'm a big fan of Super Ghouls'n Ghosts of course, which is why the closing music for this episode was taken from the game's credit sequence--I thought it would be a nice choice because apparently a lot of people wouldn't have heard that particular song before!

BTW, the 0.9 multiplier for pound prices isn't based on the dollar but the Euro. The pound prices match the Euro prices, that's why DSi points cost more than Wii points.

Obviously the UK prices are directly derived from the Euro prices since all of Europe shares the same eShop. However, the nominal prices on the European eShop are generally 1:1 with the prices listed in North America, so the 0.9 rate still applies from USD to GBP. And when I, a British person, am discussing eShop pricing with my three colleagues in the United States, the natural tendency is to speak in terms of pounds and dollars rather than  the euro.


And yes, DSi points/eShop credit cost more in pounds because those price structures were implemented after the financial crisis caused the pound to lose a significant chunk of its value against the Euro--when the Wii launched in Dec 06 the pound was worth 1.5 euro, by 2009 that figure was down to about 1.1.

[After numerous delays, it's finally time to kick off RFN: Season 3 with a huge retrospective on our favorite SNES games.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 255: La Troisième Saison

« on: August 21, 2011, 06:01:45 PM »

After numerous delays, it's finally time to kick off RFN: Season 3 with a huge retrospective on our favorite SNES games.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27552

After five years on the air, it felt like a good time to refresh the show a little bit. That means new music and a little more flexibility in how the show is structured. For a good example, just listen to how the show gets started...

We launch directly into talk of Xenoblade Chronicles, which just came out in Europe to amazing reviews. Greg's homeland is also the source of more interesting topics, such as the new Wii hardware revision and notable release date announcements. Greg also has good things to say about his latest eShop acquisition, Game & Watch Gallery -- also look out for his first impressions of Rhythm Tengoku for Wii, coming next week! Jonny revisits AlphaBounce and slathers even more adoration upon Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet. Jon seems underwhelmed by the Resistance 3 beta, and James gets frustrated with Borderlands before stepping into the world of Enslaved, starring that monkey guy.

After the break, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Super Nintendo (and NWR's ongoing feature, The SNES 20) by talking about our favorite games from the classic system. Using the site's list as a starting point, the RFN crew waxes nostalgic on timeless games. There are plenty of familiar titles in the mix, but we also explore the more obscure side of the SNES library and tell you which ones to download on Virtual Console, like right now.

Next week, we anticipate Karl joining us to defend Killer 7. If you have any thoughts on the game or are playing it now for the first time, join the discussion a the official RetroActive forum thread for a chance to have your comments read on the show! We also love getting your emails -- send one now!

[Jon is back with treasures from his backlog!]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 254: Silk the Shocka

« on: August 14, 2011, 05:34:28 PM »

Jon is back with treasures from his backlog!

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27449

The Lindy-Man is back after a month-long absence, and he got game. Three games, in fact. First up is Final Fantasy 3/6, one of his all-time faves (and yes, he lords over Billy in classic RPG cred). He also revisits the balls-hard Contra 4 and renews a commitment to play both Mass Effect games before the third hits early next year. Let the Massathon begin!

Greg queues up Mighty Milky Way, the last WayForward download title before they transition to 3DS with Mighty Switch Force. Jonny evaluates a pair of so-called Metroidvania titles on XBLA: Outland (which isn't really, but still rocks) and Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet (which nails the formula in the best way possible). James wraps up with Borderlands, this MMO-like shooter whose sequel was just announced.

Unfortunately, Jonny had to leave us before the second part of the show began, but the rest of the crew gets on with the task of answering your Listener Mail nonetheless, beginning by rating the odds of a comeback for '80s cartoon creation Captain N. Next, there's provocative questions on whether Nintendo "hates" 2D Mario and what lies ahead for the Mega Man franchise in the wake of recent cancellations, before the show concludes with an emphatic restatement of James' disdain for the name "Mario Kart 7." 

Don't forget to play Killer 7 and join the forum discussion! Your comments could become part of the show when we pick up RetroActive in the coming weeks. We also love to get your emails -- this handy form is equivalent to typing in the address!

[Billy returns to RFN, and this time, he stays for nearly the entire show.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 253: Daddy's Home for Dinner

« on: August 07, 2011, 05:01:20 PM »

Billy returns to RFN, and this time, he stays for nearly the entire show.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27374

Jon is out yet again due to circumstances beyond his control; he positively swears that he'll be back next week! Taking over the senior chair at our RFN table this week is Billy Berghammer, a dude you might know from here or there. He's got a few thoughts on the recent 3DS news and what's to come for the system, plus tempered impressions for Shadows of the Damned, the latest game from a certain Suda 51 who may be coming up again soon on this podcast. Jonny dives into the memory hole with Final Fantasy 3/6, which is better than ever on Virtual Console, and he also catches up with Bulletstorm, the innovative and apparently under-performing FPS from Epic Games. James has a buffet of Summer of Arcade demos and seems to especially like Bastion. Greg wraps up the segment with hands-on impressions of Skyward Sword and eyes-on impressions of Xenoblade Chronicles.

In Listener Mail, we field your magnificent queries on topics like how Nintendo's troubles with 3DS will influence their handling of Wii U, and reverse-import suggestions for Japanese gamers who want to check out the Western world's exclusive treasures. Then Billy has to run, but we keep on truckin' through a pair of additional letters. The last two include an assessment of the Fire Emblem series (and similar games) and the fantastically fun question of which characters we'd like to see in the next Smash Bros game(s).

RetroActive #19 has been decided -- we'll be playing Killer 7 in a matter of weeks, so stock up on canned food and ammo. If you dare to play along, or just want to observe gamers in agony (kidding... sort of), check out the official discussion thread. Your comments could be read on the podcast! Also, thanks again to everyone who voted and made this poll our most successful yet.

[RFN's British American football pundit and Nintendo aficionado Greg Leahy graces us with his presence.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 96: Leahy to the Party

« on: August 03, 2011, 03:10:21 AM »

RFN's British American football pundit and Nintendo aficionado Greg Leahy graces us with his presence.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/radiotrivia/27342

Did you like the third game? Let your fellow listeners know in TalkBack! Think you've got a better choice? Then send it my way and your request might be on the next episode of Radio Trivia: Podcast Edition!  Heck, throw in a question and specific songs if you want.  Just remember, it has to be a game found on a Nintendo system in North America (unless we say otherwise)!

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 252: Sky Puppies Defeat Fake Hero

« on: August 01, 2011, 10:57:49 AM »

As for the attach rate, that's an average so 3 is extremely unlikely. I doubt many people own more than 3 games and I'm pretty sure most own less. In fact I wouldn't be surprised by an attach rate below 1. The middling quality of the 3DS games out there combined with the crazy high prices (45€ or more, I can get new Wii games for less!) won't make for a good attach rate.

When I said the attach rate for software on 3DS was about 3, I wasn't just guessing--it comes from the global 3DS numbers in Nintendo's latest round of financials that went out at the same time as the price cut announcement. The full numbers are as follows:

Total hardware sales: 4.32 million units
Total software sales to 13.96 million units

Hence the precise attach rate is 3.23 units of software sold for every 3DS unit sold. Initially this does seem quite high, but I can think of a couple of factors that help to explain it.

Firstly, the numbers are global and so incorporate Japan, which has seen better performance from the 3DS generally, but in particular has some big name titles that Western markets don't have yet, such as the latest Professor Layton game.

Secondly, the high attach rate reflects how low the hardware sales are; the 3DS user base is sufficiently small right now that it is dominated by the kind of early adopter who is willing to devote their disposable income to buying 3DS games, even if some of them (i.e. not Ocarina 3D) didn't receive extremely high review scores or come from a really big franchise. In other words, the attach rate is one figure Nintendo would probably like to see go down a bit before it goes back up, because they want to sell a lot more hardware to a much broader crowd at the new price point. 

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 63: Zeldacast Strikes Back

« on: July 31, 2011, 04:51:04 PM »

I recall hearing an NWR staffer remark on one of the podcasts that they were hyped for Ocarina of Time because it was A Link to the Past but in 3D. I've always felt that a more apt comparision would be OoT and Zelda II, specifically because the worlds seem sparser, and because both A Link to the Past and Twilight Princess are more fully-realized as games.

I'm not absolutely certain that you're referring to me here, but I have remarked in the past that I was incredibly excited about "Zelda 64" in the run up to its release because I was expecting it to be much like A Link to the Past but in a fully 3D environment. Of course, this expectation could only be based on a combination of preview coverage and my imagination--not the finished product of Ocarina of Time--so there was no actual comparison being drawn between LttP and OoT in my remarks about being hyped up for it.

[We've got a lot to say about the 3DS price drop and Ambassadors Program.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 252: Sky Puppies Defeat Fake Hero

« on: July 31, 2011, 04:21:54 PM »

We've got a lot to say about the 3DS price drop and Ambassadors Program.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27313

This week on RFN, we change things up by opening with an email about Nintendo's odd 3DS marketing strategy so far. Of course, that is merely the launch pad for an extensive, segment-filling discussion of the big price drop and how it will influence the platform's viability going forward. We also take a close look at the 3DS Ambassador Program that marks a drastic new way for Nintendo to reward (and apologize to) the company's biggest fans. Ultimately, we all agree that this development is a savvy move and can only be a positive thing for gamers.

After the break, we catch up with a number of games for New Business, including some unreleased titles, as Greg just got back from the annual "E3 in England" event. He reports on the newly renamed Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7, but also gushes on the less-hyped DS swan song, Kirby Mass Attack. James spends his time dictating a love letter to the new XBLA release of Half Minute Hero, the unique micro-RPG, which he also got to play online with Jonny. The latter finally got around to playing Ghost Trick and Dark Void Zero, and he has kind things to say about both. So, all in all, this is a very positive episode of RFN. Remember, video games are fun!

There are a few days left to vote in the new RetroActive poll -- help choose which GameCube title we'll play and discuss on an upcoming show!

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #19 Poll - GameCube 10th Anniversary Edition

« on: July 28, 2011, 03:23:33 PM »

You know, I might just change my vote to Rogue Leader to hear Greg spout Star Wars quotes incessantly...

To a dark place, this line of thought will carry us...

Perhaps that date has special significance as the junction point for all space and time.  Or maybe it's just an amazing coincidence.   

Be careful of mixing in Back to the Future quotes with Star Wars quotes. Before long, you'll end up with Darth Sidious saying "You're fulfilling your density, Anakin."

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #19 Poll - GameCube 10th Anniversary Edition

« on: July 26, 2011, 04:21:59 PM »

Prove me wrong, Leahy! Prove me wrong! (srsly, do it.)

I already have--clearly, I'll be far too busy spouting random quotes from the movies to be trotting out tired old lines about how much better Rogue Leader looks than most Wii games.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #19 Poll - GameCube 10th Anniversary Edition

« on: July 26, 2011, 02:48:09 PM »

Rogue Leader will win. I predict talk about this game will not get much more than "Wow, this game is still awesome. It looks better than most Wii games."

I find your lack of faith in our ability to generate a good discussion disturbing...

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Episode 251: For a Few Letters More

« on: July 20, 2011, 02:37:41 PM »

On the subject of circle pads, this quote taken from a Stephen Totilo interview of Eguchi confirms the suspicions that I expressed in the post-E3 episode that the decision to go with them over analog sticks owes more to aesthetics than any practical concerns:

"When we thought about having this controller in someone's living room, we kind of looked at it from a stylistic perspective," Katsuya Eguchi, a senior video game designer at Nintendo, told me last month. "Rather than having a giant analog stick sticking out of the controller we thought the circle pad looked aesthetically more pleasing."

[One segment, three gamers, a fistful of emails -- these are the signs that we may have burned ourselves out last week.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 251: For a Few Letters More

« on: July 17, 2011, 02:04:05 PM »

One segment, three gamers, a fistful of emails -- these are the signs that we may have burned ourselves out last week.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27191

This week, we have an abbreviated but still intense episode for you. It's all mail, all the time, as we dig into the stack of letters to answer your questions about Operation Rainfall, Skyward Sword, Wii U's Circle Pads, and much more. As always, we would love to hear from you. This handy email form makes it easy!

We're taking next week off for a rare RFN vacation, but the podcast will return in late July. Look for a new RetroActive poll to pop up sometime during the break -- we'll post something on the front page, as well as send an alert to our fans on Facebook and Twitter!

[Brace yourself for the RFN meteorite about to land on your face.]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 250: Five Long Years

« on: July 10, 2011, 05:06:40 PM »

Brace yourself for the RFN meteorite about to land on your face.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27155

Are you ready for some podcast? All our rowdy friends are coming over to help us celebrate five years and 250 episodes of this little show. But first, we've got a relatively brief New Business in which Greg evokes one of our earliest jokes, Jon parses one of them Bomberman downloads, James mounts and blades with Mount & Blade, and Jonny gets magical for the first time in a while.

After the first break, we return with TYP in tow for a sweet trip down memory lane. This is where you'll hear numerous behinds-the-scenes tales, production secrets, and favorite episodes from the RFN crew and our most frequent guest. We had a blast reliving old times, and fans of the show will hopefully take just as much delight in this retrospective.

Finally, we've got the complete 2.5 hour recording of the live call-in event, sandwiched right into this already beefy episode. Dozens of fans showed up to congratulate and ask us questions, and we had just as much fun as during last year's Child's Play telethon. You'll even hear from a few NWR callers, some old and some brand new!

[Games, emails, and controversy -- what more could you want in a Nintendo podcast?]

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Podcast Discussion / Episode 249: Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head

« on: July 03, 2011, 06:18:32 PM »

Games, emails, and controversy -- what more could you want in a Nintendo podcast?

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rfn/27073

We don't often get to deliver impressions of unreleased games in New Business, but James does just that with Solatorobo. It's a fantastically pretty 2.5D game that XSEED is bringing to America, and we do our best to save it from obscurity. James also has a few thoughts on completing Ocarina of Time 3D, and he has some quick comments on an equally quick game, GO Series: 10 Second Run on DSiWare. Jon seeks redemption by starting and completing a game in the span of just one week -- it's Halo: ODST, and despite it being a spin-off, he finds it to be quite typical of the franchise formula. Jonny finally digs into Shantae: Risky's Revenge, and it is indeed a Castlevania-style adventure full of exploration and character upgrades. The boobs are maxed out from the start, though. Per a fan's request, Jonny also reports on Kotaku's localization of Retro Game Master (a.k.a. Game Center CX), the wacky Japanese TV show that spawned our beloved Retro Game Challenge for DS. Finally, Greg celebrates (mourns) yet another delay and platform change for the new Pikmin by checking out the New Play Control version of the first game.

In the second segment, we start with a lengthy and passionate analysis of the ongoing drama over Nintendo's apparent decision to withhold American releases for Xenoblade, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower. Since this recording, Nintendo of Europe has confirmed all three games for release in that territory, meaning that English translations will be completed regardless. Surprisingly, we got no emails on that subject, but you did write in about jet packs & grappling hooks, expectations for multiplatform games on Wii U, Nintendo's plan to sell more accessories in the next generation, and the RFN crew's take on Infamous and Metal Gear Solid.

Finally, we are happy to announce a special live call-in event to celebrate our fifth anniversary and 250th episode! Please join us online for a couple of hours starting Saturday, July 9 at noon Pacific, 3pm Eastern (8pm GMT). We'll set up a live audio stream and chat room here on the site, and also provide Skype info so you can call in and speak with the RFN gang. We would love to hear your thoughts on the state of Nintendo and answer your questions about the show or gaming! The whole webcast will be recorded and included with our normal recording for Episode 250, releasing just one day later. We hope to see (and hear) you there!