The NXpress Nintendo Podcast
Switch 2.0
Episodes
Saturday Oct 01, 2022
NXpress Nintendo Podcast 304: Shovel Knight Dig and Taiko no Tatsujin Review!
Saturday Oct 01, 2022
Saturday Oct 01, 2022
Never too late to dig in. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill grab their shovels and don their horned helmets to dive into Yacht Club Games and Nitrome’s latest concoction with an in-depth review of Shovel Knight Dig on Switch! The latest in a long line of Shovel Knight games, Dig takes the platformer in a new direction–namely, down. The hosts gush about this roguelike platformer, which takes all the charm and platforming mastery of the mainline games and successfully translates it to an addictive roguelike formula. Perhaps it doesn’t add as much to the wider Shovel Knight lore as some might hope, but for what it is, the gang agrees: Shovel Knight Dig unearths an excellent new direction for this beloved indie series.
Next up, Marc offers a musical breakdown with a review of Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival, the most recent of Bandai Namco’s long-running series of percussive perfection. This game might not reinvent the taiko wheel, but it does double down on everything that has made this series of percussion games so fun: addictive gameplay with a ridiculous amount of crazy songs to play. It even manages to make a subscription model work!
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:43 – Indie Spotlight: Shovel Knight Dig Review“Spore Judgement” – Shovel Knight Dig47:00 – Main Event: Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival Review“TSUNAGARE! HINOGARE! UCHIAGARE!” – Taiko no Tatsujin
Friday Sep 23, 2022
NXpress Nintendo Podcast 303: The Splatoon 3 Extravaganza!
Friday Sep 23, 2022
Friday Sep 23, 2022
This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by Splatoon expert, maker of stuff, and longtime friend of the show, Marty Allen! Join Marc and Marty as they splat headfirst into a deepdive discussion of Splatoon 3, the latest and genuinely greatest entry in Nintendo’s standout cartoon shooter series. From the revamped online play to the expanded single-player campaign, Marty and Marc gush about nearly every aspect of the game in this in-depth conversation. Of course, it’s not long before they get to the most important question of all: who’s the Big Man on the podcast?
After that, the gang hops into a discussion of the latest courses released in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, and receives some insight from the most authoritative of game critics–Marty’s four-year-old cousin, Joe. After racing through all the tracks that this DLC had to offer, the gang closes with an indie spotlight on the adorable Tinykin and delivers the final verdict on Haiku the Robot, a surprisingly atmospheric metroidvania that every fan of the genre deserves to experience during the agonizing wait for Silksong.
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:50 – Main Event: Splatoon 3 Review“Goldenrod City” – Qumu17:00 – Talking Point: Joe’s Thoughts on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course“Poké Mart” – Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver39:10 – Indie Spotlight: Tinykin and Haiku the Robot“Pokémon Center” – Pokemon Black & White
Friday Sep 16, 2022
Friday Sep 16, 2022
Folks, it’s that time of year again. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the long-awaited full Nintendo Direct of September 2022. After weeks of rumors about HD Zelda ports and Metroid remasters, did the latest big Direct live up to the hype? Of course not, but there was still plenty to love–especially if you’re a fan of farming sims.
From the opening announcement of Fire Emblem Engage to the surprise return of Pikmin 4 up to the climactic reveal of Breath of the Wild 2’s name and release date, this Direct was bursting at the seams with highlights. Fans of Square Enix’s absurd names were also eating well, between Octopath Traveler II, Various Daylife, and oh so many more.
Was every announcement a winner? Certainly not, and many headlines were almost comically biased towards life sims. But Cameron, Marc, and Campbell are here to guide you through the highs, the lows, and the farming sims of the Direct–and there’s plenty to unpack, so buckle in for a freewheeling discussion of everything you need to know about the September Direct!
Wednesday Sep 14, 2022
NXpress Nintendo Podcast 301: Yacht Club Games’ Celia Schilling Talks Shovel Knight Dig
Wednesday Sep 14, 2022
Wednesday Sep 14, 2022
Shovels at the ready, it’s time to dig in! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by longtime friend of the show, Celia Schilling, for a sweeping discussion of Shovel Knight Dig! The gang picks Celia’s brain about everything there is to now ahead of the launch of this much-anticipated new entry in the Shovel Knight series.
As a roguelike platformer, Shovel Knight Dig is certainly a notable departure from other Shovel Knight games. Celia discusses Yacht Club’s partnership with famed browser game developer Nitrome, Dig’s place in the wider Shovel Knight pantheon, and what it takes to launch a successful spinoff. Shovel Knight fans will want to tune in for plenty of spoiler-free info about Dig ahead of its launch on September 23rd!
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:50 – Main Event: Shovel Knight Dig Interview“Goldenrod City” – Qumu“Halls of the Usuper” – Shovel Knight
Sunday Sep 11, 2022
Sunday Sep 11, 2022
We’re turning the big 3-0-0 with this episode! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill celebrate 300 episodes of the show the only way they know how: by ranting about Pokemon trailers and chatting about their favorite new indie games like Anno Mutationem and Haiku the Robot.
First thing’s first: the gang reacts to the latest Pokemon Scarlet and Violet trailer, dissecting everything that the trailer does and doesn’t tell us about the next generation of monster-catching action. The trailer certainly left us with more questions than answers–what does moment-to-moment gameplay even look like, anyway?–but between the new character designs, storylines, and battle mechanics, Scarlet and Violet is giving us reason to feel cautiously optimistic…for now, at least.
Next up, Cameron and Campbell share their thoughts on the new Switch port of the formerly PS5-exclusive Anno: Mutationem. Possibly one of the most baffling games we’ve discussed on the show yet, Anno Mutationem is a surprisingly ambitious cyberpunk game that blends narrative-heavy adventure and exploration with a hectic 2D combat system, all wrapped in a stunning HD-2D aesthetic. That’s not all we have for this indie extravaganza, though: for the last spotlight, the gang reviews Haiku the Robot on Switch, a delightfully poetic little metroidvania that just might fill the Silksong-shaped hole in all our hearts.
Before bringing the show to a close, the gang make their wildest predictions for the upcoming September direct that may or may not happen…will Twilight Princess and Wind Waker HD ever come to Switch? Will Metroid Prime 4 ever release? Time will tell, but that won’t stop us talking about it!
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro0:50 – Opening topic: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Trailer Discussion“Goldenrod City” – Qumu17:00 – Indie Spotlight: Anno: Mutationem“Poké Mart” – Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver39:10 – Indie Spotlight 2: Haiku the Robot“Pokémon Center” – Pokemon Black & White
Saturday Aug 13, 2022
Saturday Aug 13, 2022
One last time: are you really feeling it? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill splat their way into a jam-packed episode full of big reviews and timely discussions. The gang kicks things off by running through all the biggest news from the Splatoon 3 Direct, from vastly expanded Salmon Runs to the new Idol Trio to the latest changes to the turf wars formula. Is it enough of an expansion on Splatoon 2 to merit a sequel? Does that even matter to people who haven’t gotten into the series yet? The hosts cover all this and more!
But Splatoon 3 offered up only an appetizer for this week’s main course: Xenoblade Chronicles 3, a masterful followup to one of the most beloved RPGs of all time. Marc leads the gang in a wide-ranging review of this sprawling epic, revealing how it might just reach the same giddy heights as the original Xenoblade. Whether it be in its dramatic story, in-depth yet accessible combat system, or its bountiful world to explore, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 earns a place as a genuinely essential addition to the Switch library. Ultimately, this threequel managed to do what 2/3 of the podcast thought impossible: recover from the controversial Xenoblade 2.
Last but absolutely not least, Cameron shines an indie spotlight on Cult of the Lamb, Devolver Digital’s latest experimental, edgy roguelike. As players divide their time between Satanic cult management and roguelike action, Cult of the Lamb strikes a unique balance that might not always work out, but it’s definitely a distinctive take on its genre.
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro01:20 – Opening: Splatoon 3 Direct Discussion“Drifting Soul Battle” – Xenoblade Chronicles 330:48 – Main Event: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Review“Chain Attack” – Xenoblade Chronicles 31:04:30 – Indie Spotlight: Cult of the Lamb“Moebius Battle Theme” – Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Wednesday Jul 20, 2022
Wednesday Jul 20, 2022
Ready for an episode of pure rage? This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill embark on an infuriating discussion of some breaking news, celebrate a landmark anniversary, review a traumatizingly adorable indie game, and much more!
First thing’s first, the gang runs through Nintendo’s onslaught of news in the recent drip feed anti-Direct on Twitter, including the surprise announcement of Bayonetta 3’s release date, the divisive debut of Daisy as a playable character in Mario Strikers Battle League, and the gameplay deep-dive of Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. And of course, we can’t miss out on a chance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the most controversial mainline Mario game of them all: Super Mario Sunshine. Maybe its controls aren’t as intuitive as other Mario titles (at least, according to Campbell), but Sunshine undeniably holds a special place in the hearts of fans everywhere.
Next up, after Marc spotlights the wonderful financial ruin that is a Pokemon TCG addiction, Cameron gives the gang a deep dive into the endearingly horrifying survival title Endling – Extinction is Forever. In this entirely fanciful and completely unrealistic fantasy, players control a mother fox guiding her four cubs to safety in a world being eviscerated by global warming and environmental disaster as corporations molest the environment. Thank goodness we’ll never have that happen!
Sunday Jul 10, 2022
Sunday Jul 10, 2022
Time to live the live of a cool kid. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to some breaking Nintendo news, review a lackluster collection, and gush about a promising retro revival. First up, it’s time to break down some of the latest and greatest reveals in the world of the Big N–namely, the announcement of a new OLED model special edition and the reveal of an over-the-top LEGO Bowser that might just be the best thing released this year, in general. But then, of course, we can’t stay positive for long–it’s Klonoa time.
Next up, Marc reviews the underwhelming package that is Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series–a collection of two cult-classic Klonoa platformers that may just sport the worst title of a game in recent memory. While this package introduces a few enhancements like HD graphics, it hardly celebrates the franchise the way fans have been wanting, and its additions are barely enough to ease newcomers into this long-running series.
But not all hope is lost–for the final segment, the hosts share their thoughts on the recent free demo of Live a Live. This title is not only a remake of a beloved (former Japan-exclusive) Square RPG from 1994, but it is also one of the best showcases of the HD2D art style yet. The demo showcases the game’s unique nonlinear storytelling and distinctive art style, so it’s safe to say that the gang is already hooked ahead of the game’s full release later this month.
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro00:43 – Opening: The Mighty LEGO Bowser and Splatoon OLED“Acid Hues” – Splatoon 222:20 – Talking Point: Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Review“Windmills” – Klonoa Phantasy Reverie44:40 – Impressions: Live a Live Demo“Culex” – Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
NXpress Nintendo Podcast 291: Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase June 2022 Reactions
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
Let’s be honest, you never saw it coming. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the latest and greatest Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase of June 2022. It may not have been the E3 blowout most were expecting, but to say that Nintendo brought the goods would be an understatement. The Big N corralled an amazing lineup of third-party development partners with an assortment of big reveals, from well-known fan favorites like Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak to surprise reveals like NieR: Automata. It may not mean much, but this was easily the best Partner Showcase yet–it even managed to make Sonic Forces look good, and that’s no mean feat!
And this all leads to the news that many have been waiting for since the Switch made its debut way back in 2017: Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable are all coming to Switch in the near future. Yes, we know that life will change, and it has changed for the better. The Switch has officially become the best console for JRPGs, such that we spend an exhaustive segment just listing out all the great adventures at home on Nintendo’s hybrid platform!
Let’s be honest, you never saw it coming. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill react to the latest and greatest Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase of June 2022. It may not have been the E3 blowout most were expecting, but to say that Nintendo brought the goods would be an understatement. The Big N corralled an amazing lineup of third-party development partners with an assortment of big reveals, from well-known fan favorites like Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak to surprise reveals like NieR: Automata. It may not mean much, but this was easily the best Partner Showcase yet–it even managed to make Sonic Forces look good, and that’s no mean feat!
And this all leads to the news that many have been waiting for since the Switch made its debut way back in 2017: Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable are all coming to Switch in the near future. Yes, we know that life will change, and it has changed for the better. The Switch has officially become the best console for JRPGs, such that we spend an exhaustive segment just listing out all the great adventures at home on Nintendo’s hybrid platform!
That’s just some of what the gang explores in this deep-dive discussion of every single announcement from the June Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase!
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You can listen to our show on Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro00:43 – Event: Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase Discussion“Life Goes On” – Persona 528:00 – Event: Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase Discussion“Take Over” – Persona 5 Royal
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
NXpress Nintendo Podcast 288: + Neon White Reviews!
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
You can feel the Summer Games Fest excitement in the air! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill review what might just be one of the Switch’s best new indie games–and one of its so-so sports games. Marc kicks things off with a deep-dive review of Neon White, a stunning first-person runner that defies its genre to present a memorable story and intoxicating gameplay in an experience that’s unlike anything else on the platform. Could this be the next big indie hit?
Next up, Marc gets ballsy with a review of Mario Strikers: Battle League, the much-anticipated follow-up to the beloved Wii and Gamecube titles that satisfies mechanically, but might be a bit lacking in its content. Strikers might be lacking in the same areas as its other Mario sports counterparts on Switch, but at least its visuals are as stylish as ever and its gameplay as exciting as can be. Maybe all it needs is a playable Daisy…
Lastly, Cameron shines a spotlight on Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, a side-scrolling action game that has to be one of the most confusing prequels ever made. While this prequel to the Kickstarter darling Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes may be perplexing at times, its stunning art and action-packed mechanics still offer plenty to love for (prospective) fans of the budding Eiyuden Chronicle franchise.
This episode of the NXpress Nintendo Podcast is brought to you by MANSCAPED™, the best company in men’s below-the-waist grooming. Use discount code STOMP on your next order at manscaped.com to receive 20% off and free worldwide shipping!
You can listen to our show on YouTube | Stitcher | iTunes | Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible
Playlist:LFXIV – NXpress Intro00:50 – Opening: Neon White Review“Level 19” – Neon White26:40 – Main Segment: Mario Strikers: Battle League Review“Main Menu” – Mario Strikers: Battle League49:50 – Indie Spotlight: Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising Review“Super Bell Hill” – Mario Strikers: Battle League