The NXpress Nintendo Podcast
2021-10
Episodes
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to breaking Pikmin news, review what may just be the year’s surprise hit, and share their first impressions of Nintendo’s latest online offerings. The boys start things off by reacting to the out-of-the-blue reveal of Pikmin Bloom, a new mobile take on the Pikmin formula from the creators of Pokemon GO. Could this experiment be just what the Pikmin series needs to break into the mainstream? Before long, Marc takes the hosts on a trip to the cosmos with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, a romp that rocks its way through the universe with impeccable writing, memorable characters, a classic soundtrack, and a combat system that just gets better the more you play.
In the next part of the show, Marc and Campbell share their impressions of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack–and barring Campbell’s relentless enthusiasm for the excellent selection of Sega Genesis Games, the results are certainly mixed thus far. Lackluster N64 emulation leaves some online classics like Ocarina of Time in rough shape, and despite some rumors of an expanded roster, there’s no telling whether Nintendo will make any meaningful steps to rectify its issues. Even then, we’re all Nintendo fans–we’re used to persevering with crushed dreams of classic game libraries and preservation.
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro00:43 – Talking Point: Pikmin Bloom Review“Pikmin – Today’s Rest [Lofi Chill Remix]” – Qumu 11:20 – Main Event: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Review“Guardians of the Galaxy Theme?” – Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy33:10 – Talking Point: Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack Impressions
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Animal Crossing New Horizons DLC Discussion
This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, it’s a wild ride of emotional highs and lows as Animal Crossing expert and Goomba Stomp writer Marty Allen joins Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill to talk all things Animal Crossing, Nintendo Switch Online, and Nickelodeon. Things start out on a positive note as Marc and Marty gush over the newly-announced DLC for Animal Crossing New Horizons. Not only does this added content deliver almost everything longtime fans could have ever wanted (such as the long-awaited return of the king, the Froggy Chair), but it also provides plenty of encouragement for holdouts to finally make the plunge and set out for a tropical island paradise of their own.
Things take a less positive turn as the discussion shifts toward the recent blowout of information on the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, including its release date and–most divisively–its price. While Banjo-Kazooie, Ocarina of Time, and even Sega Genesis gems like Phantasy Star IV make the expansion pack an appealing prospect, it has to answer a larger question: can it justify a 150% increase over the base subscription? Despite all efforts to stay optimistic, the hosts aren’t so sure.
Marc closes out the show by sharpening his knives and embarking on a rage-filled rant against Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, a 2D platform fighter that had the potential to be the next Smash Bros. but squandered it amid shoddy development practices, bizarre direction decisions, and lackluster fanservice. Tune in for what may be the angriest 10-minute segment in NXpress history!
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Friday Oct 15, 2021
Friday Oct 15, 2021
This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, longtime Goomba Stomp writer and former editor Mike Worby joins Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill to review the long-awaited Metroid Dread. Over a decade in the making, Nintendo has teamed up with Mercurysteam once again to officially revive the 2D Metroid formula, and Mike walks the hosts through everything that makes Dread such a triumphant comeback. Stuffed with secrets in its sprawling map and posing plenty of challenge in its many boss battles, Metroid Dread isn’t just a successful revival of a dormant series, but it pushes its genre forward with bold new ideas – even including a few ideas from series like Dark Souls. In any case, whether you’re a series veteran like Mike or a newcomer like Marc, there’s no denying that Samus’s latest mission has all the makings of a modern classic.
Next up, Marc takes the gang on a throwback tribute to celebrate the glory days of Pac-Man with a review of Pac-Man: Birth of an Icon, a beautifully made book commemorating the fortieth anniversary of one of gaming’s most recognizable icons. This week’s closing spotlight ends on a high note as Campbell reviews the recent Switch version of Tetris Effect Connected, a technically faithful port of the most memorable and musical take on the Tetris formula.
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro00:46 – Main Event: Metroid Dread Review“Theme of Samus Aran” – Metroid Dread45:45 – Talking Point: Pac-Man: Birth of an Icon“Pac-Man (Club Mix)” – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate1:02:35 – Spotlight: Tetris Effect Connected on Switch“Classic Score Attack” – Tetris Effect Connected
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
NXpress 252: Sakurai Presents One Last Time
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, it’s the end of an era as Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the very last fighter joining the battle in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate in the final Sakurai Presents showcase. Sora from Kingdom Hearts has officially joined the battle, and while the hosts may sound a little heartless in their lack of enthusiasm for Square Enix and Disney’s ambitious crossover series, there’s no denying the importance of Sora’s addition to the roster. Not only does Sora represent a monumental moment in gaming history, but he means so much to generations of players who grew up with the Kingdom Hearts adventures–and really, what better way to end the most expansive gaming collaboration in history?
Along the way, the hosts also muse over what the end of Smash Ultimate means for Sakurai and for Nintendo as a whole–just what does the future hold for the Big N and its blockbuster platform fighting series? Perhaps the announcement of the Kingdom Hearts series coming to Switch in cloud streaming form left much to be desired, but all told, Sakurai’s last deep dive was a fitting end to a remarkable series of presentations.
Next up, the gang goes on a spooky tangent as Cameron shares his experience with the excellent indie horror game Detention. It may have first released a few years ago, but this sidescrolling scare-fest still excels in delivering an unsettling atmosphere and cutting social commentary. If you’re looking for a game to welcome the arrival of Spooktober, don’t let Detention sneak under your radar!
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro00:42 – Main Event: Sora in Smash and Sakurai Presents“Simple and Clean” – Kingdom Hearts42:30 – Indie Spotlight: Detention Review“Blast Away! Gummi Ship II” – Kingdom Hearts II