The NXpress Nintendo Podcast
2021-07
Episodes
Friday Jul 30, 2021
Friday Jul 30, 2021
Pokemon Unite Switch Review
This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill pick up their phones for a mobile-centric extravaganza highlighting the Pokemon Company’s biggest addition to the Switch and mobile library, Pokemon Unite. Before that, though, the gang kicks things off by paying their respects to the recently-deceased Dr. Mario World, the latest sign of Nintendo’s changing and shifting approach to mobile game development. With the Big N’s success in the mobile landscape being mixed at best, just what lies on the horizon for Nintendo titles beyond the Switch?
Next up, the hosts head to the Aeos Islands region as Marc reviews Pokemon Unite, the results of Tencent and The Pokemon Company’s grand mobile collaboration. MOBAs may not be the most accessible genre around, but Unite manages to make its battle arena gameplay simple to grasp with familiar characters and streamlined mechanics. Cameron closes out the show with a comprehensive look at Eldest Souls, an unabashedly soulslike indie boss rush title that blends the frenetic combat of Hyper Light Drifter and solemn battles of Shadow of the Colossus into an uncompromisingly brutal yet satisfying mix.
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Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro00:40 – Nintendosage: What does Dr. Mario World shut down mean for Nintendo?“Fever” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate17:30 – Main Event: Pokemon Unite Review“Title Theme” – Pokémon Unite40:00 – Indie Spotlight: Eldest Souls“Burning Battlefield” – Pokémon Season 1
Thursday Jul 22, 2021
NXpress Nintendo Podcast 241: Skyward Sword HD Review
Thursday Jul 22, 2021
Thursday Jul 22, 2021
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review
This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill take flight on their loftwings as they review Skyward Sword HD. Long regarded as the black sheep of the Zelda franchise, Skyward Sword has seen a bevy of quality-of-life enhancements and improvements that aim to relieve the tedium of the experience. But do those changes manage to remove the frustration of the motion controls or excessive tutorials? Perhaps Skyward Sword doesn’t provide the same grand adventure as Breath of the Wild, but in terms of its story, dungeons, and world, there’s nothing quite like it in the series–and there’s never been a better way to play it!
Next up, the gang switches gears to speculate one of the most surprisingly exciting announcements in recent years–Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl. This crossover fighter looks to be no mere licensed cash grab and instead shows potential to be a genuinely viable fighting game and a love letter to classic toons. With that in mind, the hosts take turns predicting who will make it into the roster. Which icon of kids’ TV will find a spot in the upcoming brawler? Maybe one of the hosts has the answer!
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro00:40 – Main Event: Skyward Sword HD Review“Ballad of The Goddess” from Zelda & Chill – Mikel & GameChops43:00 – Talking point: Nickelodeon All-star Brawl Roster Predictions“Title Theme” – The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Friday Jul 16, 2021
Friday Jul 16, 2021
Time to return to the hunt! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill dive into Capcom’s latest roleplaying adventure on Switch, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Before that, though, the gang has a heated discussion on a divisive topic: should Super Mario 64 be worth $1.5 million? Maybe it’s capitalism, maybe it’s resellers, or maybe it’s auction house patrons with too much money on their hands–whatever the reason, there’s no denying that retro games are getting harder to find and even harder to afford.
As their temperaments settle a bit, Marc gives the hosts a comprehensive look at Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin in the Main Event. Blending monster-slaying action of Capcom’s multiplayer blockbuster with the intricate roleplaying combat of Xenoblade Chronicles or Final Fantasy X, Monster Hunter Stores 2 thrives in its elegant yet versatile combat system. Things may not fare so well outside of battle, but if you can put up with some subpar performance or excessive cat puns (which really sound pawful), then there’s plenty of fun to be had with you and your monsties. Marc continues to hold the stage for the Indie Games Spotlight, gushing about Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective–a puzzle title that might just be the very finest video game adaptation of a book ever made.
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro00:42 – Nintendosage: The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario 64 auction prices“Title Theme” – Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin16:20 – Main Event: Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Review“Astera” – Monster Hunter World44:04 – Indie Spotlight: Labyrinth City: Pierre the maze Detective“Proof of a Hero” – Monster Hunter Stories
Saturday Jul 10, 2021
Saturday Jul 10, 2021
You’ll pro-bably want to tune in to this one! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the announcement of the Switch OLED Model – likely the closest thing we’ll ever get to the fabled “Switch Pro.” Just what is this new addition to the Switch family? Is it worth the $50 price increase? Does it come anywhere close to the lofty hopes and dreams that fans had for a Pro model? The hosts break down all these questions and more as they discuss this random bombshell announcement from the Big N, even if it’s become something of a joke.
Next up, Campbell takes the host back to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity with a spotlight on its first round of DLC, The Pulse of the Ancients. Providing plenty of absurd thrills with over-the-top new weapons, blood-pumping new boss battles, and a gloriously extravagant new playable character, Pulse of the Ancients provides a welcome excuse for players to jump back into Nintendo and Koei Tecmo’s latest hack and slasher. Lastly, Cameron provides an indie spotlight for Boomerang X, the latest first-person action title from Devolver Digital that represents a rare example of a game that’s ok to judge by its cover–what you see is what you get with this concise thriller, but there’s nothing wrong with that.
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro00:40 – Main Event: Nintendo Switch OLED Model Discussion“Title Theme” – Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity26:02 – Talking Point: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity – Pulse of the Ancients Review“The Knight Who Seals The Darkness” – Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity45:18 – Indie Spotlight: Boomerang X“Battle – Hyrule Field” – Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Friday Jul 02, 2021
Friday Jul 02, 2021
Mario Golf: Super Rush Review
This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill tee up for a smashing episode filled with golfing thrills, traditional fighting game action, and little humanoid robot companions. The gang start things out by discussing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai’s latest presentation about Tekken’s Kazuya, celebrating the lovingly-crafted mechanics and robust moveset while mourning the deaths of so many Smash fan’s dreams of future DLC thanks to the reveal of a new set of Mii fighter skins. While it’s sad that Smash Ultimate is nearing the end of its active update period with only one new DLC character on the horizon, there is still so much to love about the title’s massive roster and endless amounts of love and care put into it.
The hosts swing into a heated discussion in the Main Event, where Marc takes the stage to review the recently-released Mario Golf: Super Rush. It may not be a solid hole-in-one, but Marc guides the hosts through everything there is to know about the many ups and downs of hitting the links on Nintendo’s latest golfing escapade. Even if it lacks in some areas, Super Rush delivers some of the series’ best new modes along with a range of rock-solid mechanics that make it a fun multiplayer romp. Lastly, Campbell gives a brief shoutout to Out of Line, a quintessentially short, sweet, and to-the-point puzzle platformer that provides a few hours of painterly puzzling that’s sure to offer a comfort food experience for fans of the genre.
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro00:42 – Opening: Kazuya Reaction“Title Theme” – Mario Golf: Super Rush23:20 – Main Event: Mario Golf: Super Rush Review“Battle Golf Stadium” – Mario Golf: Super Rush48:02 – Indie Spotlight: Out of Line“Bonny Greens Course” – Mario Golf: Super Rush