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:...

Tokyo based fighting game fan Doc Fugu joins me to chat all about Street Fighter 6 and the fighting game scene in Tokyo. We examine how Capcom evolved the franchise, and recommend some fighting game hotspots around Tokyo. This episode’s feature is all about the tasty Pikachu Afternoon Tea event happening right now. Plus, five recently announced games you should check out! Follow our guest! Twitter: https://twitter.com/DocFugu (0:00) - Intro Games (1:15) - Street Fighter 6 and Tokyo’s FGC...

Danny Bivens from The Famicast joins me to chat about Power Pros, Konami’s popular long-running baseball gaming franchise from Japan! We explore this deceptively cute baseball sim and its surprising contributions to sports games. I also share my five favorite moments from Tears of the Kingdom so far, and debate whether Everybody 1 2 Switch will be terrible or just mediocre! Follow our guest! Twitter: https://twitter.com/dannybiv The Famicast: https://www.thefamicast.com/ (0:00) -...

A Tears of the Kingdom super episode! Dale Plays Games, Genki, and KyotoGamer all join me to chat about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. We also share our experiences scavenging Lawson for banana milk, and whether or not you should go to Nintendo Tokyo on launch day. Follow our guests! Dale Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dale_DPG Open World Japan: https://www.youtube.com/@OpenWorldJapan Dale Plays Games: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb537MftK4UBd6NCqoKurjA Genki: Twitter:...

Zelda art preservationist History of Hyrule joins the pod to talk all about old school Zelda art. Magazines, strategy guides, board games, there’s a ton of hidden Zelda art out there and we get into finding it and making it available in the 21st century. I also dish out the best strategies for Advance Wars 1 + 2 Reboot Camp, report on The Super Mario Bros Movie experience from Japan, and decide whether or not I should take a half day train ride to a Slowpoke Park. Follow our guest: Twitter:...

YouTuber Dale from Dale Plays Games and Open World Japan joins me to chat about our predictions for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom! Will Zelda be playable? Is there time travel? Where is Tingle? All the answers will be revealed. I also explore the newly opened Namco Tokyo which may be the future of Japanese arcades! Follow our guest: Dale Plays Games: https://www.youtube.com/@dale_dpg Open World Japan: https://www.youtube.com/@OpenWorldJapan Twitter:...

Game collector OngakuGamer returns to chat about the long-running JRPG franchise, Atelier! Having recently broken out into the mainstream, we talk about the history of the series, its unique premise, and whether or not we actually understand the alchemy system. And thoughts on the puzzle/action titles Kuru Kuru Kururin and Amazing Bomberman, plus more Zelda than you can shake a stick (with a boulder on it) at! Follow our guest on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ongakugamer Save on EPOS...

Indie game developer Ahmin Hafidi joins the podcast to chat about his newest title, Grappin! We explore the origins of this Metroid Prime inspired first person adventure title, how artists James Turner and Takaya Imamura got involved, plus why those grappling hooks are just so fun. I also share some closing thoughts on Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, and explore the older than old school arcade/museum Dagashiya Game Museum in Tokyo! Check out Grappin here:...

Game preservationist Naoya Shinota joins the pod to talk about the Final Fantasy VII Feature Phone games! A significant part of the FFVII mythos is locked to these unique Japanese mobile titles, and we explore their importance and how people are trying to preserve them. Plus, I dive into the e-Reader levels for Super Mario Bros. 3 and final thoughts on Fire Emblem Engage! Follow our guest here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/NaoyaShinota (0:00) - Intro Feature (1:35) - Final Fantasy VII...

Chris from KaniPro Games joins the podcast to chat about the launch of the retro action/platformer, Violet Wisteria! We talk about the experience of launching a game and what’s next. I also check out Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, and run down all the cool gaming related activities at Tokyo Skytree! Check out Violet Wisteria here: Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2018610/Violet_Wisteria/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaniProGames (0:00) - Intro Games (1:35) - Violet...

Nintendo Life contributor Andrew J. Rue joins the podcast again to chat about the Marufukuro Hotel, Nintendo’s old HQ turned into a stylish lodging. Get the details on what to see, do, and eat before you book your room. I also check out the craftapalooza that is Atelier Ryza, race some horses in Pocket Card Jockey Ride On, and analyze the latest Nintendo Direct! Follow our guest on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWinnerIsMii (0:00) - Intro Feature (1:57) - Marufukuro Hotel w/...

Game preservationist RockmanCosmo joins the pod to chat about the Rockman Feature Phone Preservation Project. We chat about the history of Japan’s unique feature phone gaming era, why some games from big franchises like Mega Man can be lost forever, and what people are doing to preserve these titles for future generations. And get ready to dye your hair two colors as I share thoughts on Fire Emblem Engage, plus the news including my visit to indie games event Tokyo Game Dungeon! Follow our...

Tokyo resident and YouTuber Kid Shoryuken joins me to chat about Japanese arcades. What are the best arcades in Tokyo? What are some underrated games? How can they adjust to the changing market? We get into all that and more. In the games, I chat about the amazing Pikmin 3 Deluxe and return yet again to Tactics Ogre Reborn. Plus quick thoughts on two fun exhibits in Tokyo: Mother Museum and Mika Pikazo’s Revenge Pop! Follow our guest on social media: Twitter:...

Josh from the Still Loading Podcast joins me to chat about Game of the Year 2022. What game(s) will take the top prize? We rave about our favorite games of the year, both new and retro titles! In the feature, I flip through the Perfect Catalogue series of gaming encyclopedias. Plus, news about Slowpoke parks and what plushie you need to buy next. Follow our guest on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/StillLoadingPod Podcast: https://www.stillloadingpodcast.com/ (0:00) -...

Localization director Jennifer O’Donnell joins me to chat about game localization, the process of bringing a game from one region to another. What makes a great localization? What other skills do you need besides translation? We take a deep dive into this important industry. I also chat about a trio of big new updates: Splatoon 3’s Chill Season, Golf in Nintendo Switch Sports, and Mario Kart 8’s newest tracks! Follow our guest on social media: Twitter:...

Pokemon card expert Graceon joins me again on the podcast to chat about the myriad of Pokemon shops in Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City. Whether it be the games, cards, Go, or just snacks, it has something for everyone! I also share my final thoughts on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, plus reactions to the latest happenings in Japan. Follow our guest on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graceonpokemon/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceCosplayer (0:00) - Intro Feature (1:17) -...

Chris from KaniPro Games joins me to chat about Digital Games Expo 2022, one of the biggest indie gaming events in Japan. We talk about what it’s like to be both a visitor and an exhibitor, the culture of indie games in Japan, and our favorite titles we played. I also share early thoughts on Pokemon Scarlet / Violet and Tactics Ogre Reborn. Plus, news about what new Nintendo merch you should buy! Wishlist Violet Wisteria from KaniPro Games on Steam: Violet Wisteria on Steam:...

The Daily Status of Bayonetta 3 joins me to chat about, of course, Bayonetta 3! We dive into Platinum Games’ newest action title after a very long wait. Plus, I chat about the city pop-infused Bonito Days, and the addictive Marvel Snap. This week’s feature is about Surugaya, which is among the best used games shops in Japan. Get ready for some Sega Pico talk! Be sure to follow our guest! The Daily Status of Bayonetta 3: https://twitter.com/DailyBayonetta (0:00) - Intro Games (1:25) -...

Kansai resident KyotoGamer joins me to chat about Super Nintendo World, the Mario theme park attraction at Universal Studios Japan! We talk about how Nintendo turned a theme park into a real life video game, what to eat, and tips for your visit. In the games, I discuss the Japan only Custom Robo V2 and close the book on Tunic. Plus Pokemon news, more Japanese games come to the west for the first time, and mascot basketball! Be sure to follow our guest! KyotoGamer on Instagram:...

NintendoLife contributor Andrew J. Rue joins me to chat about the Kirby Cafe, the official restaurant for the pink puff located in Tokyo! We discuss the menu, Whispy Woods’ fashion sense, and what you need to do before you visit. I also look at the Zelda-inspired Tunic, and rave about Splatoon 3’s first exciting month. And we can’t forget Wiglett! Be sure to follow our guest! Andrew J. Rue on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWinnerIsMii Andrew’s NintendoLife article on the Kirby Cafe:...

The biggest Japanese gaming event of the year is here: Tokyo Game Show! PlayStation Universe senior editor Ernest Lin joins me to talk about this year’s TGS. We look at huge upcoming titles like Sonic Frontiers and Resident Evil Village VR, discuss how to properly line up, and the best free tote bags. Plus, I look at retro 3D platformer Frogun and the recent remake of Panzer Dragoon. And I go deep into this month’s Nintendo Direct and State of Play! Be sure to follow our guest! Twitter:...

Pro Splatoon player ProChara joins me to chat about Competitive Splatoon! We talk about what it takes to be at the top level, how to improve your game, strategies against Japanese teams, and the best member of Deep Cut. And of course, I dig deep into Splatoon 3. Plus, as rumors swirl, I share some predictions on a September 2022 Nintendo Direct. Be sure to follow our guest! Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProChara YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProChara Twitch:...

Japanese video game collector OngakuGamer joins me to chat about the Boku No Natusyasumi series, a uniquely Japanese franchise about a child experiencing summer vacation in 1970s Japan. We dig deep into the history of the franchise and its first western release with Shin-chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation. I also look at three Kirby titles on Switch: Kirby’s Dream Buffet, Kirby’s Super Star Stacker, and Kirby’s Avalanche. Plus, new Pokemon, new Switch games, and new reasons to play...

JRPG streamers Becca and SweisSenpai join me to chat about a duo of Switch games: Live A Live and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. I also share my final thoughts on Triangle Strategy, the first of many SRPGs released by Square Enix this year. And I return from the shores of Yokohama to bring you a report about the Bandai Namco Cross Store, featuring a new Pac-Man shop! Plus news about Pokemon, Splatoon, and those sweet, sweet sales numbers. Be sure to follow our guests: Becca on Twitch:...

KaniPro Games founder Chris Stark aka the Ultra Healthy Video Game Nerd joins the pod to chat about indie game development in Japan. He shares his experience developing the action platformer Violet Wisteria in Japan, working with local artists, the challenges of making your game bilingual, and what it takes to bring a vision to life. I also chat about For The Frog The Bell Tolls, a fascinating Nintendo developed game that never left Japan. Plus news, leaks, and sneak peeks! Be sure to follow...