Episodes
Danny Bivens from The Famicast returns to chat about the Nintendo 64 in Japan! We unravel the Japanese side of Nintendo’s first 3D console, highlight our favorite Japan-only games, chronicle the 64DD, and of course tell you the greatest N64 color you may have missed! Plus we venture back to Hyrule to chat about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s one year anniversary. I also look at the indie hit Animal Well and dig into some of the biggest Nintendo news of the decade! Follow our...
Published 05/19/24
Published 05/19/24
Alola Pixie returns to chat about Poké Lids, unique Pokemon themed utility lids all over Japan! We chat about how these lids are promoting local culture, give our recommendations on which ones to check out, and debate whether or not you should take a week-long trip to find Mew. In the games section, I dive into Endless Ocean Luminous! Plus, a bit of news including a surprising upcoming Nintendo game! Follow our guest! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alola.pixie/ Twitter:...
Published 05/05/24
Kelsey Lewin joins the pod to chat about WonderSwan turning 25 years old! We examine the unique legacy of the handheld, recommend what games to put on your radar, and chronicle the saga of getting a pregnancy peripheral. In the games, I look at the first western release ever of Wrecking Crew ‘98 and the Japanese indie horror hit The Exit 8! Follow our guest! Twitter: https://twitter.com/kelslewin Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kelslewin.bsky.social Instagram:...
Published 04/21/24
Vincent from Gamer Travels Japan joins the podcast to chat about the interactive augmented reality exhibit Pokemon Colors! Bicycling to chase Charizard, shaking trees to lure Snorlax… we give you the details on everything to do and see at this unique event! In the games section, I bite into the wagashi themed board game KASHIDO and give the final verdict on Princess Peach: Showtime! Follow our guest! Gamer Travels Japan: https://www.instagram.com/gamertravelsjapan/   (0:00) -...
Published 04/07/24
Josh from the Still Loading Podcast returns as we explore Akira Toriyama’s incredible legacy in gaming. From Dragon Quest to Chrono Trigger to Tobal, we delve into his one-of-a-kind art and amazing contribution to video games. In the games section, I give early impressions on Princess Peach Showtime and post-game thoughts on Splatoon 3 Side Order! Follow our guest! Still Loading Podcast: https://www.stillloadingpodcast.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/StillLoadingPod Threads:...
Published 03/24/24
Chris from KaniPro Games returns to chat about porting games to the Switch! We chronicle the journey to get his game, Violet Wisteria, from Steam to consoles and dive into what’s it like to develop for a Nintendo console! Also, I share some early thoughts on Unicorn Overlord and tell you what Pokemon Z-A is going to be about! Follow our guest! Violet Wisteria on Nintendo eShop: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/violet-wisteria-switch/ Other console stores:...
Published 03/10/24
Vincent from Gamer Travels Japan returns to take us to the official Pokemon Cafe in Tokyo! We run down every detail about this chill cafe including what Charmander tastes like and what you need to know before your visit! Plus I look at a trio of exciting Switch releases: Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Splatoon 3 Side Order, and Balatro! Follow our guest! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamertravelsjapan/ (0:00) - Intro Feature (0:58) - Pokemon Cafe w/ Gamer Travels Japan Games (22:03) -...
Published 02/25/24
David from Project Goemon takes us on a trip to a wild version of Edo era Japan as we chat about the Ganbare Goemon series, aka Mystical Ninja starring Goemon! We explore the series’ unique blend of Japanese culture with comedy, recommend some Japan only Goemon games, and of course tell you Goemon’s ultimate Smash move set. In the games section, I share some thoughts on the first part of Another Code Recollection, Another Code: Two Memories. Plus a deep dive into the latest Nintendo...
Published 02/11/24
Joshua ‘Nantenjex’ Goldie aka The Nintendo Chronicler joins the podcast as we take a thorough look at Another Code Recollection! We explore the franchise’s unique place in Nintendo history, discuss the surprising changes of the remake, and finalize Ashley’s Smash move set. And I take you to Yodobashi Camera Shinjuku, one of the coolest game stores in all of Japan! Follow our guest! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NantenJex Another Code video:...
Published 01/28/24
Official Hard Off ambassador Alex Kraus returns to chat about Book Off, the biggest chain of used bookstores in Japan. A hotbed for retro games, we chat about the history of the store, amazing finds, and how you can get retro games for cheaper. In the game section I chat about Konami’s arcade run and gun Mystic Warriors and the physics platformer Giga Wrecker Alt from Game Freak! Follow our guest! Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexfkraus Threads: https://www.threads.net/@alexfkraus Ebay:...
Published 01/14/24
Tokyo resident Dale from Dale Plays Games returns to dish out some predictions for Nintendo in 2024! What big games do they have on the horizon? What’s the next step in Nintendo’s expansion to other media? Will the Switch 2 logo still be red? We look at our crystal ball to answer all. Plus we also chat about the final piece of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC, The Indigo Disk! In the feature I give the details on the myriad of Earthbound pop up shops in Tokyo and give some merch...
Published 12/31/23
Josh from the gaming history podcast Still Loading returns to chat about Game of the Year 2023! We share our favorite games we played this year, both old and new! And this year includes the bonus Omake Awards! Plus, a feature on Japanese gaming pamphlets you can pick up at game stores, and some news including Pokemon theme parks taking over the world! Follow our guest! Still Loading Podcast: https://stillloading.libsyn.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/StillLoadingPod Threads:...
Published 12/17/23
Archivist MrTalida of Keshi Corner joins the podcast to talk about keshi toys, unique retro figures with a strong Nintendo connection! We explore the history of these Japanese erasers, dig into the amazing Nintendo collaborations, and reveal how a dental scanner is preserving video game history! Plus, I give some final thoughts on the wonderful Super Mario RPG remake! Follow our guest! Keshi Corner: https://twitter.com/KeshiCorner Keshi Corner on YouTube:...
Published 12/03/23
Photographer and modder Christopher Graves joins to discuss the Game Boy Camera! Formerly the world’s smallest digital camera, it’s a unique piece of Nintendo history that still inspires people today. We dig into the history of the device, how to take good photos, and dig into the custom built Game Boy Mini Camera from our guest! Plus, some early thoughts on the joyous Super Mario RPG remake and some Nintendo sales info! Follow our guest! Instagram:...
Published 11/19/23
YouTuber AustinSV joins the podcast to chat about the Pokemon Card GB series! Pokemon Trading Card Game came to Game Boy in the west in 2000, but did you know there is a Japan only sequel? We dive into this amazing yet short-lived Nintendo franchise. Plus we’re tripling up on the games section: early impressions on WarioWare: Move It, the viral sensation Suika Game, and final thoughts on Super Mario Bros. Wonder! Follow our guest! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AustinSV Livestreams:...
Published 11/05/23
Returning guest KyotoGamer joins the podcast to take us to Nintendo Kyoto, Nintendo’s third huge merch store in Japan! Its incredible design and exclusive merch sets it apart from the rest, so we get into all the details and give some important tips for your visit! In the games, I give some early impressions on the ambitious Super Mario Bros. Wonder! Follow our guest! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyoto.gamer/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@kyoto.gamer (0:00) -...
Published 10/22/23
Danny from Retro Wars joins me to celebrate the ten year anniversary of Pokemon X and Y! We return to Kalos to explore the game’s innovation, it’s legacy, and the coolest Mega Pokemon. I also venture out to Saitama to check out Suzume Publishing Antique Books, a shop dedicated to video game books! Plus I run down all the fun Nintendo collaborations happening right now in Japan! Follow our guest! Podcast: https://retrowars.podbean.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Retrowarsuk (0:00) -...
Published 10/08/23
Tokyo resident and game industry interviewer Mr. KN1V3S joins the podcast to talk about Tokyo Game Show 2023! The games, the booths, the statues, the swag, we break down everything about the biggest TGS ever! I also share the details on the awesome Splatoon 3 X ZOZOTOWN pop up shop. In the games section, I look at Nintendo’s September offerings: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask and F-Zero 99! Follow our guest! Twitter: https://twitter.com/MKn1v3s Instagram:...
Published 09/24/23
Jan from Gamer Travels Japan takes us inside Hunter’s Bar, Tokyo’s Monster Hunter themed bar. Big meat, big beer, big swords, we dive into everything it has to offer plus break down what makes a great themed restaurant. Plus I visit two fun pop up shops in Tokyo: Pokemon Mosaic and Tamagotchi Study Club! In the games section, I highlight the awesome Japanese indie title NeverAwake, plus the news has been upscaled thanks to DLSS! Follow our guest! Gamer Travels Japan:...
Published 09/10/23
Japan resident and Pokemon superfan Alola Pixie joins the podcast to chat about the Pokemon World Championships in Yokohama! Drone shows, festivals, luxury cruise ships, we dive into literally everything Pokemon Worlds has to offer and give some great tips for the next event in Hawaii! Plus the details on two amazing art exhibits in Tokyo with a strong Nintendo connection: Fire Emblem Engage artist Mika Pikazo’s ILY GIRL and Pokemon card artist Yuka Morii’s From Hands to Life! And I give my...
Published 08/27/23
Nanaki of the Tamagotchi Wiki joins the pod to chat about the world’s favorite virtual pet: Tamagotchi! We explore the history of this iconic piece of Japanese pop culture in the midst of the launch of Tamagotchi Uni, the most advanced virtual pet ever! Plus I share my final thoughts on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Is it really the best game ever? Or does Pokemon TCG for Game Boy hold that crown? Follow our guest! Tamagotchi Wiki:...
Published 08/13/23
Josh from the Still Loading Podcast returns in this special Pikmin themed episode! We explore the fantastic Pikmin 4, travel back to the early 2000s to look at Pikmin 1+2, detail the Pikmin mania that has swept Tokyo, and analyze Pikmin 4’s record breaking sales! Follow our guest! Podcast: https://www.stillloadingpodcast.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/StillLoadingPod (0:00) - Intro Games (1:02) - Pikmin 4 w/ Still Loading Podcast (36:33) - Pikmin 1+2 Feature (55:00) - Pikmin Mania...
Published 07/30/23
Dean from The Video Game Library joins the pod to talk about video game books! More than just strategy guides, thousands of books exist covering every niche in the video game world. We explore the vast world of gaming books and Dean’s effort to categorize every single one! I also highlight two under the radar Switch titles: Super UFO Fighter and Monkey Barrels! Plus the news and a debatable pronunciation of Tomba! Follow our guest! The Video Game Library:...
Published 07/16/23
Mike of the Quest 64 Official Twitter account joins me to chat about the 25th anniversary of Quest 64! Does Nintendo 64’s first RPG need to be re-evaluated? We dig into this misunderstood title. And I take you inside 84 Hashi, Tokyo’s hidden Nintendo cafe run by a former Nintendo employee! I run down the cafe’s many treasures and go behind the scenes of my interview with the owner! Plus I also throw out five predictions for Super Mario Bros. Wonder! Follow our guest! Twitter:...
Published 07/02/23