Howdy, gang, and welcome back for yet more Arcade fun and excitement! On this episode, we start things off with two Ludicrous Leadoffs centered around unusual branding partnerships with video game characters. In the first, we tell you how Pokémon are being used to try and protect you from the sun, while in the second, we talk about Pringles inventing a new flavor of chip based on a bird from the Halo franchise. After the opening funny business, we discuss a huge release of prototypes and early versions from over 700 PS2 games making their way online as part of a game preservation effort. After that, we share the news of Pokémon GO developer Niantic working on a Pikmin mobile AR game, and Minecraft Dungeons being translated into an arcade game experience. Elsewhere in the gaming world, we talk about the opening of Super Nintendo World in Orlando being pushed back to 2025, Apple and Epic Games going to trial on May 3, and E3 2021 officially canceling its in-person component. In our Blast From The Past segment, we mark the 10th anniversaries of the Nintendo 3DS, as well as the little Canadian movie that could, Hobo with a Shotgun. Continue reading →