Nintendo Therapy

Welcome to Episode 154 of Nintendo Therapy — a weekly show where we break down the latest Nintendo news, rumors, and reflections on the games we can’t stop thinking about.

This week, Kevin is joined by Harrison and Shawn to dig into Nintendo Switch end-of-year stats, new LEGO Pokémon sets, and some very honest thoughts about Animal Crossing burnout. We talk about how much time there really is in a year, how thousands of gaming hours somehow coexist with jobs, books, podcasts, and writing projects, and why Nintendo fans love to panic every time stock prices dip.

Topics include:

• Nintendo Switch 2025 playtime stats and reflections

• LEGO Pokémon sets revealed (Eevee, Pikachu, Poké Ball, and the $650 starter set)

• Why LEGO pricing isn’t as outrageous as it looks

• Nintendo stock dropping 33% — should fans be worried?

• Initial reactions to recent Animal Crossing updates

• Ecco the Dolphin revival rumors

• Quest 64 getting the recomp treatment

• Spotlight discussions on Super Mario Land and Super Mario Land 2: The 6 Golden Coins

• Ranking, history, and why Wario looks absolutely unhinged

Plus, we wrap up with personal gaming highlights, backlog goals, and a reminder that maybe the real secret to 1,000 hours of gaming… is not having kids (yet).

🎮 Nintendo Therapy Podcast is part of the Sidepanel Network
🎙️ Check out Harrison’s weekly show, Harrison Talks Pod, now live
📌 More Sidepanel content coming soon

Thanks for listening, and as always — take a deep breath… it’s Nintendo Therapy.

Part two of my Video Games I Finished in 2025 — Ranked is here! 🎮We’re moving into the stronger half of the list, featuring highlights like Metroid Prime 4, Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4. I break down what made each of these games stand out, where they surprised me, and why they earned their spots in the rankings. Let me know where you’d place them.

Welcome to Episode 152 of Nintendo Therapy, a show about the latest Nintendo news, rumors, and a celebration of all things Nintendo.This week, we kick off Year of the Backlog with Kevin finally completing Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater from the Metal Gear Solid Collection Vol. 1. Rather than immediately moving on, the conversation turns into a deep appreciation of why Snake Eater still stands as one of the greatest games ever made. We talk about its tight but content-rich design, incredible immersion, unforgettable boss fights, and the emotional weight of Snake and The Boss. It’s a masterclass in prequel storytelling, showing how Big Boss’s transformation feels earned in a way few franchises ever pull off.On the Nintendo front, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance joins the GameCube Classics lineup, giving fans another reason to revisit (or finally experience) one of the most beloved entries in the series. We also run through the biggest January 2026 Switch and Switch 2 releases, including major updates, new editions, and long-awaited ports.Harrison leads a discussion on the recent spike in Nintendo 3DS prices, exploring why interest in the system is rising again and how renewed demand for dual-screen experiences could influence Nintendo’s future hardware decisions. That leads into a fascinating conversation about voice recognition on Switch 2, sparked by new software from Hitachi. We imagine how voice mechanics could be used in classic Nintendo games and remakes, from Hey You, Pikachu and Nintendogs to Animal Crossing, Brain Age, Luigi’s Mansion, and more.The episode’s Spotlight focuses on Streets of Rage (#50) and Streets of Rage 2 (#49). We break down why Sega’s gritty beat ’em up series still holds up decades later, how it stacks up against Final Fight, and why Streets of Rage 2 is often considered the high point of the genre. From iconic characters and co-op chaos to Yuzo Koshiro’s legendary soundtracks, this spotlight is a full-on love letter to one of the most influential brawler series of the ’90s.All that and more in Episode 152 of Nintendo Therapy.

Welcome to Episode 151 of Nintendo Therapy, the show where we break down the latest Nintendo news and rumors while celebrating everything that makes Nintendo… Nintendo.

This week, we circle back to a few follow-ups from last episode — including a change of heart on the best remake (spoiler: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 rules), a closer look at Nintendo’s very deliberate drip-feeding of Virtual Boy games on Nintendo Classics, and a deep dive into the increasingly questionable logic of Nintendo timelines. Kevin also lays out an ambitious goal for 2026: playing through the Metroid series in timeline order… assuming any of it actually happened.

Meanwhile, Harrison brings a brand-new segment to the table: “Two Are Canon, One Is Fake.” No prep, no mercy, and a graphic already locked and loaded.

Nintendo Therapy Podcast is part of the Sidepanel Network. Be sure to check out this week’s episode of Harrison Talks Pod, with more Sidepanel content coming soon.

Welcome to Episode 150 of Nintendo Therapy! Kevin is joined by Harrison to clear the calendar and ask the big end-of-year question: was 2025 a true Power Star year for Nintendo, or did it slip on a banana peel? We break down Nintendo’s surprisingly stacked release schedule—from Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and Mario Kart World to the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4: Beyond—and talk through what landed, what didn’t, and what defined the year. Kevin shares personal highlights and stats from a massive year of completions, including deep dives into classics, long-overdue backlog victories, favorite Nintendo Classics additions, and why 2025 felt like a year of collections, closures, and finally finishing what was started.

Harrison brings a wider lens with a full Nintendo Classics 2025 retrospective, unpacking Nintendo’s shift from expansion to consolidation, the strategic importance of GameCube on Switch 2, and how slower, deliberate rollouts shaped the service. The episode wraps with end-of-year awards, surprises, disappointments, and a bold prediction board for 2026–2027 covering Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Switch Online, and future hardware. Plus, we reflect on finally getting our hands on the Switch 2—the system this podcast was practically built waiting for. Nintendo Therapy is part of the Sidepanel Network, and don’t forget to check out this week’s episode of Harrison Talks Pod, with more coming soon.

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Nintendo Therapy, a celebration of all things Nintendo (and beyond), where we check in on the latest Nintendo Switch Online additions like Wario World, Rayman 2, and Tonic Trouble, break down why these deep cuts matter, and react to a huge night at The Game Awards 2025, including the massive sweep by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. We also share hands-on impressions from recent demos and releases such as Octopath Traveler 0, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Dunjungle, Yooka-Replaylee, Full Metal Schoolgirl, and more, highlighting what surprised us, what worked, and what might be worth grabbing on sale. As always, Nintendo Therapy is part of the Sidepanel Network, and remember—we’re Nintendo fans, not Nintendo experts.

Welcome to Episode 149 of Nintendo Therapy! This week Kevin, Harrison, and Shawn dive into the launch buzz surrounding Metroid Prime 4, tackling the ongoing Amiibo controversy, gameplay impressions, soundtrack debates, and the mixed critical reception landing the game around the low-80s on Metacritic. Kevin shares his thoughts on how Nintendo can better balance Amiibo value, Harrison weighs in on the internet discourse surrounding reviews and expectations, and Shawn offers early impressions on the visuals, controls, and overall feel of Prime on Switch 2—even as he explores other pickups like the Red Dead Redemption upgrade and Marvel Cosmic Invasion. We also discuss what the future of the Metroid franchise could look like and whether Prime cements the series as a permanent 3D staple.
#NintendoTherapy #MetroidPrime4 #Amiibo #Switch2 #NintendoPodcast #GamingDiscussion

In our spotlight segment, we celebrate the legendary Soulcalibur II—a genre-defining 3D fighter with razor-sharp combat, massive appeal, and one of gaming’s most beloved crossovers: Link on GameCube. From accessible mechanics and unforgettable Weapon Master mode to its place in early 2000s gaming culture, we break down why this classic remains a fan favorite and how its legacy still resonates today. Plus, we touch on Shawn’s longtime love for the series and what Nintendo’s relationship with Soulcalibur has looked like over the years.
#SoulcaliburII #LinkInSoulCalibur #RetroGaming #FightingGames #NintendoHistory #SidepanelNetwork

Episode 148 – Metroid Hot Takes, New Nintendo Classics & BurgerTime Spotlight | Nintendo Therapy Podcast

In Episode 148 of Nintendo Therapy, Kevin and the crew dig into the latest Nintendo Classics additions — including Ninja Gaiden II, Battletoads, Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, and Bionic Commando — before launching into a fiery Agree or Disagree: Metroid Edition. From debating Ridley’s overuse and whether a Metroid RPG could work, to discussing full voice acting, New Game+, alternate armors, Samus vs. Master Chief, and the franchise’s sales ceiling, this episode is packed with big opinions on Nintendo’s most iconic bounty hunter. Harrison also introduces a new game segment, “Guess That Nintendo Hardware,” challenging listeners to identify classic consoles and peripherals from audio clues alone — perfect for testing your Nintendo trivia knowledge on the fly.

The team wraps things up with hands-on impressions of the Octopath Traveler 0 demo, talking combat, character creation, and town-building, plus a full spotlight on BurgerTime (Game Boy, 1991). Kevin and Shawn break down why this portable arcade classic still hits, from its crisp controls and rewind-aided puzzle flow to the charmingly chaotic power-ups that turn enemies into hot dogs and chaos into fun. Whether you're here for Metroid debates, retro discoveries, or the latest Nintendo updates, Episode 148 serves up another cozy, opinionated deep dive into everything Nintendo.

Welcome to Episode 147 of Nintendo Therapy, your weekly dive into Nintendo news, rumors, and everything happening across the worlds of Hyrule, the Mushroom Kingdom, and beyond. This week we kick things off with the big story: Nintendo finally released official photos of the live-action Zelda movie, and reactions are all over the place. Kevin talks through why Zelda is such a tough series to adapt into a film in the first place — from its puzzle-driven structure to its constantly shifting art styles — and why live-action may box the franchise into something it was never meant to be. We also get into the big questions: Will Link talk? Will the movie rely on Marvel-style climaxes? And can any adaptation really capture exploration and discovery the way the games do?

Harrison shares his first impressions as well, including why he’s hopeful but cautious, how the film can stand out in a crowded fantasy landscape, and why practical effects would’ve made a huge difference. We wrap up our Zelda talk with thoughts on how Nintendo Studios is positioning itself, what the future might hold, and whether the franchise is headed toward TV rather than film.

From there, we jump into our weekly game segment, “Guess Which Year This Black Friday Deal Is From?”, where we revisit wild Wii doorbusters, classic 3DS bundles, and the nostalgic chaos of early Switch holiday ads. That leads straight into our massive Black Friday 2025 Nintendo deals roundup, covering the best Switch 2 discounts, surprisingly deep price drops on Switch 1 titles, standout eShop specials, and collector-friendly physical releases. We highlight the biggest bargains, the strangest markdowns, and which deals are likely to get even better over the holiday weekend.

We also take a closer look at the unusual release schedule for late 2025 and early 2026. With a big 6–8 week gap after December 11th, we talk about why Nintendo might be holding back, what shadow-drops or remasters could fill the space, and what to expect from the almost-certain January Nintendo Direct. From potential Zelda remasters and Xenoblade ports to Switch 2 upgrade patches for major first-party games, there are a lot of possibilities for how Nintendo might keep momentum going into the new year.

This episode also features our spotlight section covering two standout Genesis titles: Vectorman and Pulseman. We dig into why Vectorman still looks so good today, how Sega pulled off its “vector piece” animation tricks, and why its late-era Genesis style has aged into something retro-cool. Then we jump to Game Freak’s electric platformer Pulseman — a game released in the U.S. only through the Sega Channel — and explore its fast movement, anime-influenced identity, experimental mechanics, and the early design DNA that eventually carried over into Pokémon.

We wrap up with some final thoughts on the Zelda movie and a look at the surprise shadow-drop of Tomb Raider 2013 on the eShop, which sparks a conversation about what other remasters might be quietly waiting in the wings.

Nintendo Therapy is part of the Sidepanel Network, and you can also catch Harrison’s weekly show on Harrison Talks Pod. Thanks for hanging out with us — and feel free to drop your Zelda movie hopes, fears, or jokes in the comments.

Welcome to Episode 146 of Nintendo Therapy!
This week we’re diving into a stacked lineup of Nintendo news, trailers, and wild speculation. Kevin, Harrison, and Shawn are all here with breakdowns, theories, and way too many opinions from our double-wide trailer HQ.

• Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer — Safe first trailer? Yoshi sidelined?? Baby Bowser called YEARS ago???
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (7-min Trailer) — Hub world confirmed, classic biome vibes, psychic glove hype, “ability to jump” memes, and worries about Federation Troops.
• Kirby Air Riders + MP4 Overview Trailers — More info than we expected, Amiibo talk, Switch 1 vs Switch 2 confusion.
• Pokémon Pokopia — Cozy life-sim energy, new variants, “you are the Ditto” gameplay, Kanto vibes, big questions about depth, and… $70 AGAIN.
• Steam Machine (“GabeCube”) — Why it might shake up console pricing, why Xbox should worry, and what it means for Nintendo.
• WinBack (N64) Spotlight — The cover-based shooter that quietly influenced everything.

• Why Mario Galaxy’s trailer raised MORE questions about Movie #3.
• Why Kevin doesn’t understand Rosalina’s massive fanbase (sorry).
• The dream Wario-led “Koopa Kid Suicide Squad” movie that Nintendo will never make.
• Whether Prime 4 can keep the series’ isolation vibes.
• Pokopia might be the future of cozy Pokémon… or a big question mark.
• Harrison’s Steam Machine breakdown and how it pressures Nintendo’s pricing.
• WinBack’s secret influence on third-person shooters.

Nintendo Therapy is part of the Sidepanel Network.
Check out Harrison’s new episode on Harrison Talks Pod — more content from the network coming soon!

What’s a game you didn’t love, but you’re glad you played because it changed how you look at other games?

Drop your answers in the comments!

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