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Killer 7 4Lyfe, kids.
It's not often that we can coax Evan Burchfield into doing an episode, so we made this RFN a special one. You can count on plenty of existentialism, post-modernism, and other -isms that I don't fully understand. Also, it would appear that Sin & Punishment has been released, and that's a big deal or something.
In the news segment, we discuss the newest Smash Bros. character and whether or not it means the end of Ness, as well as the prospects of a Suda 51-developed Fatal Frame. Let's just say I'm more excited about this than Jonny and Evan.
Rounding out the show is a discussion on whether or not the Zelda series is getting tired. Phantom Hourglass's release might represent a turn for the franchise, but we might just be getting tired of Link. You don't want to miss this one.
See ya next week, everybody!
Credits:
This podcast was edited by Karl Castaneda.
Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can also purchase their album directly from the iTunes Music Store
Though he's quick to point out that the game was cancelled and that everything shown is from an early build, it finally puts the argument to rest as to whether or not the game was ever being considered.
Seriously, we're all going to hell for M.C. Kids.
Back in the early days of Radio Free Nintendo, the show had a strict PG-13 rating to adhere to. No cursing, no suggestive themes, and if we cracked during recording, it was edited out. We wanted to be seen as professionals, and as such, this had to be the way things were done.
But that's just so boring.
If you're a long-time listener, this show will either be the best you've ever heard, or the worst you've ever heard. Crass language, oh-so-suggestive subject matter, and then there's Hermione Granger... Yeesh.
Discussed within, besides all of the M-rated stuff, is the confirmation that Smash Bros. is online, the new Virtual Console releases, and a feature on a couple of gaming-related movies that we've recently seen. It's a tour de force that you simply CANNOT miss.
Credits:
This podcast was edited by Karl Castaneda.
Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can also purchase their album directly from the iTunes Music Store
Tokyo Game Show a'go-go, baby!
Jonny had a prior engagement this week, and as such, he had to pull out of recording RFN. It was looking like it'd just be Mike and I when Player One Podcast pundit, frequent contributor to 1Up, and fellow 'Nole Dan Dormer jumped in to save the show. Together we discuss the August NPD sales data, the inclusion of the PC-Engine CD-ROM games on the Virtual Console, and why Guitar Hero on DS is such a horrible idea.
Be sure to stick around for the feature segment, where we go to town on Tokyo Game Show, going through the list of important titles and speculating on what kind of big surprises to expect. Remember to check back next week to see how right/wrong we were!
And with that, folks, see ya next time!
Credits:
This podcast was edited by Karl Castaneda.
Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can also purchase their album directly from the iTunes Music Store
Purists can also rest easy, since Cohen also remarked that, "The game Ubisoft publishes in North America will have all of the content that its Japanese counterpart does. We wanted to make sure that gamers here would not miss out on any of the action or storyline details created by the talented development team in Japan."
You can read the whole story, as well as view the all-new trailer, at IGN Wii.
Mike, get off your freaking computer.
After a couple of rough patches in the last couple of episodes, we're back in full form for an effortlessly crafted RFN. Both Mike Sklens and myself jump back in the game, and it seems like it was just in time, too, since this week was host to a ton of news, including the new information surrounding the Wii Zapper, Iwata's vow that Nintendo won't become arrogant, and that Harvey Birdman is going to rock the Wii.
There's a heck of a lot more, though. Mike and Jonny debate on whether or not Metroid Prime 3 is really as good as everyone says, and for the feature segment, we take war games to task on their historical and moral value.
Once you're done listening, be sure to shoot us an email, whether it's for Mike's Crazy Mailbag or a regular question. You may just hear your email on-air! Also feel free to subscribe to and review us on iTunes, and if you're still feeling jolly after all that, a digg via the link above would sure be appreciated.
And with that, see you next week!
Credits:
This podcast was edited by Karl Castaneda.
Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can also purchase their album directly from the iTunes Music Store
We are VERY proficient at being late, it seems.
Yes, Episode 68 DOES exist, and yes, it's ready to go! After last week's editing troubles, this week we got thrown a real curveball. The entire first segment was lost (for reasons explained at the beginning of the show), and to make matters worse, I couldn't even join in for Segments 2 and 3 because of my internet connection. In my place, the fabulous Jonny Metts has taken up the role of host, along with first-time RFNer Mike Thomsen.
Even though this is only 2/3rds of a real show, it's still plenty packed. Retro Studios is taking a break from Metroid, Camelot is back in the Nintendo circuit, and the Wii has officially sold a million in the UK!
To finish things off, Jonny and Mike talk about what Nintendo games tick them off. For some reason, neither of them like Fire Emblem. I guess they're also not fans of watching the sun rise with a loved one, or seeing a baby laugh, as their hearts must be made of cold, hard stone. That's right, I said COLD, HARD STONE.
When you (almost assuredly) blow your top with rage, remember to send us some of that listener mail. Can't wait for it! And I can't wait until next week when I'm back in the host's seat!
Credits:
This podcast was edited by Karl Castaneda.
Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can also purchase their album directly from the iTunes Music Store
Once again, Kawashima, renowned Japanese neurologist, leads you through various tests to determine your brain age level, followed by a set of hurdles (completed via the touch screen or microphone) meant to quicken your ability to call up information, improve your memory, and generally, whip your mind into shape.
The problem with a game like Brain Age 2 is that it's exactly like its predecessor. The experience as a whole hasn't been revamped in any way; rather, new activities have replaced old ones, though they still have the same goal (i.e. instead of performing arithmetic problems, you've got to draw symbols that allow for an equation to make sense, as in 7 ? 9 = 16). For the most part, the new applications (particularly Change Maker) are great fun. There's even a version of Dr. Mario (save the Mario part) hidden on the activity list, and, like the last game, there are a bunch of Sudoku puzzles to be found. Unfortunately, this doesn't remove the fact that this feels more like an expansion pack than a true sequel.
It should be noted that some of the problems with the first release have been remedied. Contrary to what you might have heard the speech recognition has been much improved, and the handwriting recognition, overall, feels much better. There are still some hiccups, like confusing Cs for Gs, but it's not a major concern.
If you never played the original game, then Brain Age 2 is a great value and shouldn't be missed considering its budget price. If you own the original, though, perhaps you should consider whether or not more of the same is what you're looking for.
From a presentation standpoint, the aforementioned notes of similarity between iterations are even truer, with the same minimalist approach being taken to the graphics. I'm pretty sure I even saw the same graphs and diagrams used to explain what a "brain age" is. From an aural standpoint, the same elevator music takes front stage, and barring the piano playing and word recitation activities, there's no difference between playing with the sound on or off.
It needs to be reiterated that the best audience for this game is the one that didn’t play the first game. That being said, if all you’re looking for are new mini-games wrapped in the same game, then it can also be recommended for purchase. Those hoping for an overhaul will have to wait for the inevitable Brain Age 3.
Pros:
Lastability: 9.0
You can get a LOT out of Brain Age 2 if you stick with the program.
Final: 7.0
Though this game is a bit too similar to its predecessor to make the same impact on me, it’s still a solid release and definitely worth it to those who never picked it up last year.
Well, it's put-up or shut-up time, because, according to Nintendo's Japanese website, the game is scheduled to drop onto the service in September. Time will tell on whether or not we'll finally get a chance to play it, but it's worth noting that there's already a hefty amount of English voice acting, so localization would be minimal.
Cross those fingers, folks.
We are very proficient at being late, it seems.
Apologies all around for being a little late today, but trust me, I've got some good reasons. We suffered our fair share of technical problems with this episode, as not only did Jonny's new headset produce some very... strange audio, but our editing software, GarageBand, gave us a heapload of trouble during compression. Needless to say, it's a bit of a miracle the episode's done at all.
It's definitely not a show you want to miss, though, as European Correspondent Lasse Pallesen stopped by to tell us all about his experience at the Leipzig Games Convention. Impressions of Super Mario Galaxy, Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, and Wii Fit can be found, in addition to thoughts on Nintendo's overall presentation.
If that isn't enough for you, we've got a brand new Mike's Crazy Mailbag, a truckload of news, and some spirited discussion on Brain Age 2.
Remember to subscribe to/review us in iTunes, and don't be afraid of clicking on the "Digg" link up top. We appreciate all of your votes!
Credits:
This podcast was edited by Karl Castaneda.
Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can also purchase their album directly from the iTunes Music Store
According to a video interview with Yahoo! Games, at least for a little while. Prime 3's Director, Mark Pacini, thinks that there'll definitely be more games in the series, but as far as Retro is concerned, they're "taking a break."
There are currently no details on what the company is working on next, whether it be on Wii or DS, but considering their past efforts, it should definitely be something worth looking at.
Thanks to lancubap at NeoGAF for the heads up!
MASH POTATERS AND GRAVAY!
I'm back in my home state of Florida in my new favorite city of Tallahassee, which means Mike and I are back beside one another. We played some Mario Strikers Charged before recording, which leads into some discussion on the game. Furthermore, Mike has some less-than-favorable words for Brain Age 2 (Note: When I began playing it later, my impressions were drastically more positive).
Aside from that, however, Jonathan Metts is back, and he's ready to talk some more Metroid. In the feature segment, we go to town on Corruption's total lack of hype, and what that means to games in general.
If that's not enough for you, the news segment is jam-packed, from a confirmation that Guitar Hero III DS is in development to Bret Michaels being in the console version to Quebec's demand of more games in French. You don't want to miss it.
And with that, we'll see you next week!
Credits:
This podcast was edited by Karl Castaneda.
Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can also purchase their album directly from the iTunes Music Store
The Subspace Army (the strange, rag-doll looking creatures from an earlier update) is led by the the Ancient Minister who, with the aid of Robot Operating Buddy units (yes, the same R.O.B.s that were bundled with the NES and appeared in Mario Kart DS), is setting off bombs in the world that transform the engulfed area into subspace. This achieves a goal that is currently unknown.
In an accompanying trailer, Mario is shown to try to stop the bomb from going off. Unfortunately, a sphere knocks him out of the arena before he's able to reach it. Kirby looks around to survey the scene, but all he finds are Princess Peach and Zelda, previously there to help, captured in cages by a Piranha Plant. Left alone, the update is closed with Sakurai noting, "This is a new, never-before-seen form of aggression...but now is no time to stop and stare. Everyone, everywhere, is beginning to move against it."
Round 2... FIGHT!
Even though I'm all the way in Atlanta this week, I managed to find a Wi-Fi signal long enough to record RFN! Joining me this week are Mike and Windy, so you know there's going to be another argument about Nintendo and third parties.
Aside from that, though, we discuss the recent announcements at the Smash Bros. website, speculate on Guitar Hero III, and argue over whether or not Pokémon would make a good MMO.
We didn't get a lot of listener mail this week, folks, so I implore you: SEND US MORE MAIL! Mike has promised to read the first email sent out after this episode goes live this week, so whatever you want read on RFN will be. It's up to you!
Until then, have a great week, everyone.
Credits:
This podcast was edited by Karl Castaneda.
Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can also purchase their album directly from the iTunes Music Store
The game's director, Masahiro Sakurai, promises that this addition will be "a complete side-scrolling action game," and that "you’ll see many famous characters persevering under the weight of their personal histories, shouldering their unique burdens..."
Also included in today's update are screenshots the new campaign, including a sneak peak video of one of "[a] bunch of quick movies" that progress the story. In this video we get our first look at Princess Peach and a much better look at the strange creature from July 20th's update.
Stay tuned to Nintendo World Report as more on this game breaks.
What makes a game a 10/10 for me? MONEYHATS, BABY!
It's another three-man show this week, as Windy couldn't make it to recording. Jonny Metts is back, though, and together, he, Mike, and I bring the heat something special. After discussing some New Business, we jump into a special Forum Edition of Listener Mail, where we respond to some of the feedback from last week's episode. Boy, you guys had a lot to say!
After that, it's time for Virtual Console Mondays, followed by a very cash-centered News segment, where we talk about everything from Dragon Quest remakes on DS to Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl hitting 10 Million worldwide to Wii owners being more "upscale."
As if this wasn't enough, we bring it home with a discussion on what makes a game a 10/10 for us, and why that doesn't necessarily make a game perfect. We also reminisce on what games we've actually bestowed the legendary score upon, so you definitely don't want to miss it!
Once you're done with the show, don't forget to Digg the podcast at the link above, as well as subscribing to and reviewing us on iTunes. Thanks much, and see you guys next week!
Credits:
This podcast was edited by Karl Castaneda.
Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can also purchase their album directly from the iTunes Music Store
It's important to note, however, that they will be adopting an isometric viewpoint that mimics the style of the 3D iterations.
Further details on these ports are scarce, so stay tuned to NWR as more breaks.
Not showing any signs of slowing down, we can expect Diamond and Pearl to continue on setting records. Stay tuned to Nintendo World Report as it occurs.
According to Kotaku, a DS version has been announced at Comic-Con, and unlike the Krome effort, this sequel seems to retain the original, garden simulation gameplay of the first game. Details are scarce, with the only real information being that players will have a top-down view.
Stay tuned to Nintendo World Report for more on this game as it breaks.
Dave Perry's gonna be so pissed.
Jonny's on vacation this week, so we all picked up the slack to make up for his absence. And lo and behold, the show doesn't go five minutes before an argument breaks out. Luckily, we were able to cool down with some listener mail and a truckload of news.
For our feature this week, we go to task to discuss gaming's artistic merits in regard to recent comments made by Roger Ebert. It gets a little transcendental, but we try not to be too snobby.
Remember, if you enjoy RFN, feel free to subscribe and review us on iTunes, and make sure you digg the show at the link above. See ya next week, folks!
Credits:
This podcast was edited by Karl Castaneda.
Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can also purchase their album directly from the iTunes Music Store
Hell yeah.
Last week was really hectic, and though we were able to bring you two episodes during the show, we still had a whole lot more to cover. So this week we went back and gathered news that might have been overshadowed by Nintendo's press conference.
Afterwards, we went ahead and discussed our best and worst of this year, as well as what we think of the show as a whole compared to last year, and our projections of what to expect in 2008. You don't want to miss this one.
Credits:
This podcast was edited by Karl Castaneda.
Music for this episode of Radio Free Nintendo is used with permission from Jason Ricci & New Blood. You can also purchase their album directly from the iTunes Music Store
Yes. Yes, it is.
If you’ve never played the game before, it tells the story of Resident Evil 2’s protagonist, Leon S. Kennedy, now working for the government, on a mission to rescue the President’s daughter from a group of terrorists in an undefined European nation (read: Spain). After his two escorts are captured and savagely murdered, Leon finds himself caught up in much more than a simple kidnapping, as far more is afoot than what meets the eye.
The biggest improvement RE4 brought to the series was its control system. Instead of the fixed camera of previous iterations, it’s now placed behind Leon’s back (and zoomed up to his shoulder while aiming). This makes manipulating the character’s movements infinitely easier, and although Kennedy isn’t the most agile guy out there (when did the government stop teaching its agents to strafe?), he’s still leagues beyond his predecessors.
The Wii version’s motion controls aren’t too obtrusive to the old formula. You still move Leon with the analog stick, and you still fire with the A button. But instead of pressing the L button and moving the analog stick around to aim, you instead press the B trigger, which allows you to aim with 1-1 motion to your hand. In case you’re a bit twitchy, Capcom included a huge reticule in place of the laser pointer of the original version, which makes shooting much easier.
Also tweaked are the quick-time events. Instead of mashing A, B, L, or R, you’ll shake the remote back and forth or press A and B at the same time. While I’m not a huge fan of shaking the remote, it’s a minor concern, and since they only occur in small bursts, it doesn’t make much of a difference.
Should you completely hate the new layout, however, you can still revert to the old scheme with a GameCube or Classic Controller. I gave the latter a shot, but found myself wanting to go back to motion controls almost instantly. This should only further prove that the Wii can indeed handle hardcore action games, sometimes better than its traditional cousins.
Also improved are the visuals, though you might not notice it at first. While the original had fake widescreen via letterboxing, Wii Edition offers true 16x9. And though gaming’s come a long way graphically since 2005, this is still one of the better-looking titles on the system. You’ll see the game showing its age every now and then (particularly in the character animation), but if you play a lot of Wii games, you’ll likely be impressed by the lighting techniques and sheer amount of action on-screen.
So is this worth a pick-up if you’ve already played through it on the GameCube? That all depends on whether you’re interested in playing as Ada Wong. While everyone was able to play through Assignment Ada, only PS2 owners were able to access Separate Ways, which expands her storyline and sheds light on certain questions posed in the main campaign. It lasts several hours, and though I prefer Leon to Ada, I still had a lot of fun trying it out. So, if the aforementioned plus a superior control scheme appeal to you, the budget price of $29.99 will certainly seem appetizing.
If you’re an avid listener of Radio Free Nintendo, then you know I wasn’t a big supporter of this game when it was announced, saying that $30 was too much for what it offered if you’ve already played through the game. Well, as a former hater, let me tell you: I was wrong, and the game is totally worth it. I had a ton of fun playing through RE4 again, and I’d never go back to the GameCube version now that I’ve used the Wii remote and nunchuk. RE4 was already an exemplary game it was first released, and now it’s even better. Pick it up as soon as you can.
Pros:
Lastability: 8.5
The main campaign takes between 12 and 15 hours to complete, but there’s plenty else to enjoy here. Aside from Assignment Ada and the Mercenaries game, there’s also Separate Ways from the PS2 version, which bumps up the playtime considerably.
Final: 9.5
If you’ve never played this game, then you owe it to yourself to play what’s arguably one of the finest releases of the last five years. If you’ve already played through the GameCube version, there’s still plenty of new content to enjoy. Considering the budget price, this is a game everyone should own.
