Topic: Episode 257: Ode to Joypads

[Yoshidious]

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!      

[Jonnyboy117]

I can't wait to listen! Next episode is going to be another shake-up, but every crisis is an opportunity, as they say. Big plans...

[Crimm]

Big plans...

AND NOW THEY'RE JINXED!

[NWR_Lindy]

I warned of my absence well in advance this time. My power was out until Wednesday morning, and then Comcast couldn't get their act together until Friday afternoon. RFN was lost in the middle, unfortunately.

[zachs1997]

James were you a professional musician.

[Crimm]

I was a violist for 10 years.

[zachs1997]

I am still learning but I play a silver violin.

[Crimm]

It's worth it if only for the women. They can't resist.




That's a lie.

[Shaymin]

The end of the show features the potential for the worst musical performance on a major video game podcast since Justin McElroy's rendition of "Girlfriend".

I'm not linking what's in the spoiler there, it's on Youtube.

[ShyGuy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wvOBJB8mf0

[Crimm]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wvOBJB8mf0

There are so many things wrong with this video.

[ShyGuy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wvOBJB8mf0

There are so many things wrong with this video.

Yeah, I didn't know you wore glasses.

[zachs1997]

It's worth it if only for the women. They can't resist.




That's a lie.

lol but their are a lot of cute girls in orchestra.
usaly

[zachs1997]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wvOBJB8mf0

There are so many things wrong with this video.

Yeah, I didn't know you wore glasses.

how old were you?

[KDR_11k]

I got Zelda 1 and 2 as NES classics (plus Metroid from Zero Mission), those don't fix the lack of a suspend-to-flash feature either. They do have a sleep mode though which combined with the GBASP's battery life will let you keep the game on for a looooooong time. I believe the NES games on the GBA had some vertical compression going on with the graphics though so I guess it may be worth trying them on the 3DS (and I don't need to use the GBASP for them anymore). Wonder if I'll get lucky enough again to find an energy tank right before fighting Kraid and Ridley each, that saves the whole grinding and when you have full health in Metroid 1 you can take a LOT of damage. Metroids are great item pinatas but you only find them in Tourian...

EDIT: Man, the segue to Rock of Ages was a missed opportunity by not going "And now for something completely different".

[Crimm]

That video isn't me.


Just to clarify.

[zachs1997]

Oh. But that is your youtube acount

[ShyGuy]

Sorry, my mistake. You both look about the same age.

[KDR_11k]

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.

[Yoshidious]

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.

[Crimm]

My copy has not arrived. It has been my experience that US/UK is a reasonably predictable 14 days. I have passed that mark by a couple of days now, but it should be soon.

[NeoStar9X]

I think you mentioned you ordered your copy from Zavvi.com. Word is they are incredibly slow (more so compared to other stores outside of the US sending to the US). There are still those on neogaf that ordered from there that are still waiting for their copies.

I'm kicking myself for not pre-ordering when I had the chance. Just have to wait for NoE to put out another shipment. That is if they even do so.

[Fiendlord_Timmay]

As far as game music goes, I can't give you any in depth analysis or anything, but I've found that my favorite soundtracks are the ones that have a very distinct melody. The ones that I can go around whistling to myself are by far my favorites.

My favorite soundtracks include Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Super Mario Galaxy, Final Fantasy 1-10 (yes pretty much all of them), Chrono Trigger, and Nier.

If you haven't heard Nier's soundtrack, for god's sake go listen to it. Everyone who's played the game instantly falls in love with the music, and even people who don't know anything else about the game absolutely adore the soundtrack. It employs many of the techniques described in this show's discussion, such as stylistic variations on a certain theme, a cohesive musical atmosphere, etc.

Here are just a few of my favorites from Nier:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x0-EYfwP-c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDftyQ96ZVs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5xZbJDZZo4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiDI4GZMVF0&feature=related


Really I could go on and on, but I imagine I'd end up putting the entire OST on here if I didn't stop myself. So I'll leave it to you to explore more for yourself.

/Shameless Nier evangelizing

[KDR_11k]

I'm kicking myself for not pre-ordering when I had the chance. Just have to wait for NoE to put out another shipment. That is if they even do so.

To be fair that seems to be only an issue with online stores, you can find plenty of copies in brick and mortar stores.

[NeoStar9X]

I'm kicking myself for not pre-ordering when I had the chance. Just have to wait for NoE to put out another shipment. That is if they even do so.

To be fair that seems to be only an issue with online stores, you can find plenty of copies in brick and mortar stores.

Ah I see. Being in the US though I have no choice but to use the online stores.