Episode 952: My Name Used To Be on the Masthead, James

Radio Free Nintendo

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by James Jones, Greg Leahy, Jon Lindemann, and Guillaume Veillette - November 16, 2025, 7:12 pm EST
Total comments: 3

The birth of a new lie and a new meme.

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Nintendo World Report has been around a long time. I wont retrace the entire site history - someone already did that. That said, the most nascent form of the site kicked off in 1999 - moving through multiple names before finally arriving at our permanent NWR name in 2006.

It was around this time Radio Free Nintendo started - the "pgcpodcast" filenames for first few episodes reflect the site's former acronym.

Sometime soon after, I joined the site.

In 2009 Jon became site director. I know this is staggering to those of you who were not around at the time, but I am not making that up.

We relaunched the site in its current layout in 2012, soon-after Jon handed over responsibilities for the site's management. I am not suggesting the long-delayed redesign was the result of Jon, he actually was deeply involved in the exhausting testing process. I am however willing to imply it for comedy's sake.

With all that being said, this week he made a new baffling and provable false statement: that his name was ever in the site's masthead.

I challenge you to go find current site director John Rairdin's name in the masthead.

It's not there. It's never been there. We've never listed the site director in the masthead.

We were all here at the time - we know it wasn't there. At the same time, I love this as a retort to whatever I was challenging him on at the time. It's absurd, but also it lends itself to being thrown back at him:

"Balls-related puns, my name used to be on the masthead, James."
- Me, quoting Jon back at him.

I think this one is going to stick around. It's just instantly silly.

History lessons aside, we start the show with Listener Mail this week. First off, we try to describe what "finishing" our game collections looks like. We then explore games with a version on "lesser" systems that outstrips the main platform. Lastly, we try to identify the best minigames in gaming.

After a break, we tackle some New Business. Greg spent some time with Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Ride and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Guillaume finished Donkey Kong Bananza and has some takes. Lastly, he digs into Taito Milestones 3.

We want emails and RetroActive ideas. You're in a very short timeline. Send them.

(00:14:06) Listener Mail - A collection that's "us".
(00:47:33) Demakes or downgraded ports better than the real thing.
(01:05:48) The best side minigames.
(01:19:44) New Business - Kirby Air Riders: Global Test Ride.
(01:41:47) Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.
(01:53:51) Donkey Kong Bananza.
(02:13:20) Taito Milestones 3: Warrior Blade, Dead Connection, Bubble Bobble.

This episode was edited by Guillaume Veillette. The "Men of Leisure" theme song was produced exclusively for Radio Free Nintendo by Perry Burkum. Hear more at Perry's SoundCloud. The Radio Free Nintendo logo was produced by Connor Strickland. See what he's up to at his website.

Talkback

Evan_BNovember 18, 2025

Sorry about that one, guys. I have banished myself to forum exile because of my unhinged rambling. I believe it has been a frequent critique that I write too much in my emails. It won’t happen again, particularly in that format.

I’m surprised to hear the discussion on physical media, especially regarding the transition to digital. I’m still squarely committed to physical media unless it means I’m getting a hardware bundle with an 80 dollar game costing 50. But, all your discussion of older physical collection did strike a chord with me. I think physical media appeals to me because when I keep a game in my collection, it’s a sign that I enjoyed it. I’ve bought too many digital games that have ended up disappointing me- maybe that’s a sign that I need to be more scrutinizing with my digital catalogue and purchases, however.

Also, glad to see that I’m not alone in my feeling towards Bananza. Not disparaging anyone’s enjoyment of the game, but I get that notion of this dev team’s work just not being it for me.

MythtendoNovember 18, 2025

Greg was mistaken; there were 2 Tiny Toon Adventures games on the GBA and both came out in North America:

Tiny Toon Advenures: Wacky Stackers which came out in North America in 2001 and Europe in 2002

Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Bad Dream came out in Europe in 2002 but didn't get released in North America until 2005 as Tiny Toon Adventures: Scary Dreams.

Or maybe he meant Tiny Toon Adventures: Dizzy's Candy Quest, which was released on the GBC in 2001 only in the United Kingdom

jarodeaYesterday at 02:41 pm

I think WinBack: Covert Operations would be a fine Retroactive game.

On the plus side: It is easily accessible. It has an odd history being a Koei game, what where the masters of business simulation and historical strategy doing making third-person shooter? More than that, making one that either laid the groundwork for later third-person shooters or simply got it right on the first go. Dynasty Warriors continued, why did this die? Where could it have been taken? The main character is named Jean-Luc Cougar, does it get any cooler and hip than that? The team the player is part of is called S.C.A.T. so the RFN audience would get what it loves, lots of Jon giggling. I also haven’t played it but would like to, so I’ll file that here as well.

On the negative side: Well, having not played it, I don’t know how interesting the gameplay is. It looks to be pretty much a 7.5/10 game from reviews. As you know, those can make for a bad Retroactive game were there’s nothing great, nothing bad, and nothing much to say. The main character is named Jean-Luc Cougar, does it get any lamer and cliche than that?

Overall, even if the negatives are true, I think the positives would still provide an interesting enough basis for conversation.

Quote from: Evan_B

Also, glad to see that I’m not alone in my feeling towards Bananza. Not disparaging anyone’s enjoyment of the game, but I get that notion of this dev team’s work just not being it for me.

I haven't played it, but I have watched reviews and videos and got the feeling I would sound like Guillaume if I did.

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Episode 952: My Name Used To Be on the Masthead, James

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