Console exclusives have been the standard for decades. Purchasing a console granted you access to each manufacturer's lineup of exclusive games that you can't play anywhere else. Nintendo has adhered to this strategy since the very beginning and has maintained a firm grip on one of its most valuable assets. While Nintendo won't be changing its approach anytime soon, what about its competitors? A recent rumor and leaked rating approval indicate that some select Xbox games may be making the switch to other platforms. What could this mean? Are games like Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves just a test run, or is this just the beginning? Additionally, Nintendo is celebrating 30 years of Earthbound! Is Nintendo planning to bring back the IP in a big way, or are they keeping it at arm's length? Hit play and enjoy the first episode of Punching Up for 2024!

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It's hard to believe, but all signs point to the Nintendo Switch reaching the end of its life. Nintendo will most likely release a new console in 2024, marking the end of the little hybrid console. So, with 2024 being the time to look ahead, I (Dustin) thought it would be a great opportunity to reflect on the Nintendo Switch — the reveal, the release, the best and worst moments, and, of course, the games! Please enjoy.

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Another year has come and gone, and the Game Awards once again proved to be a bit of a mixed bag. Nintendo won three different awards, only to have awkward acceptance speeches that felt rushed to the point of being disrespectful. Additionally, Fortnite is on top with millions of players and a slew of crossover IPs, but where's Nintendo? Thanks to a recent interview, it's clear that Epic has tried. So, is Nintendo being stingy, or do they have a right to be protective and not want to see Mario doing the griddy? Finally, The Batman collection on Switch is in a bad spot with a terrible frame rate and hitching. Is Dagan stuck forever being sick now that he's turned 50? Was Colin fully clothed when he interrupted the recording? Listen now to find out.

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Originally released for the Super Nintendo in 1996, Super Mario RPG is back in 2023 with a full remake for the Nintendo Switch. While the graphics are completely remade, along with quality-of-life updates, pre-rendered cutscenes, and newly recorded music, the remake remains faithful to the aesthetic and feel of the original. So, what does the Punching Up crew think? In this episode, we dive deep into the new release and our thoughts so far. As always, we love hearing from you as well, so we've incorporated your questions and comments into the show. What’s next for Mario mixed with RPGs? Are classic RPG elements lost on new players? What are our favorite games to play in a party setting? Will Dustin approach the man with the One Piece car wrap? A new episode of Punching Up is here, so hit play!

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This Is Dustin. We have created a new episode of Punching Up and it’s ready for you to listen to right now.

The Legend of Zelda movie is real, but there are some deep concerns. First, is live action the right approach for the franchise? Second, are the people attached to the project the right choice? Lastly, Nintendo has opted to make the film with Sony instead of their recent partner, Universal. Let’s break down all the details and see what we can glean from the information we currently have. In addition, Nintendo’s recent financial report shows the Switch is still thriving seven years after its release, and the company shows no signs of slowing down. This may be the most jam-packed episode of Punching Up yet. Please enjoy!

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Nintendo can't seem to resist a gimmick with new hardware, and some recent patents show they may be up to their old tricks. The patents show a device reminiscent of the Nintendo DS, but with an extra screen on the outside shell. Could this be a glimpse into the future of Nintendo's hardware? Maybe not, as Nintendo, along with many other companies, loves to patent any idea for safekeeping. Even without the patent news, Nintendo has been on fire in the last few weeks with the release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. So how is it? We dive deep (but spoiler-free) into the latest release. Finally, we dive into your questions: What are our favorite holiday gaming memories? What happened to Nintendo Selects? It's time for Punching Up, so please enjoy!

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A new Mario game is always a call for celebration, and it appears that Super Mario Wonder is a fantastic game. While we haven't had a chance to play it yet, it seems like it's going to be one of the greats. But Mario isn't alone; Splatoon is getting a Special Halloween-themed Splatfest. As always, we're delighted to include your questions and comments in the show. What is the most underrated Nintendo game? Why are Dagan and Gene excited for a new Sonic game? Who is Kirby's hamster, really? Does Peach resemble a questionable doll? Please hit play and enjoy.

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While we're only getting small crumbs of rumors and leaks about the successor to the Switch, there's always just enough to get our minds going on the possibilities. It's rumored that the device will feature cross-gen games with the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X, and even the new Far Cry could be a launch title. Our biggest question is, what are the compromises, and will they be as significant as the current Switch cross-gen games? Outside of that, it's been relatively quiet on the Nintendo front, so we got into your questions! What are the decisions Nintendo has made that bug us the most? Are we interested in clone devices like the Analogue Pocket, or are we original hardware enthusiasts? Did Dustin's youth group take it too far when he was growing up? Please enjoy!

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The Nintendo Direct makes clear that we are nearing the end of the Switch life cycle, but there's still a lot of meat on the calendar. It's a lot of remakes, rereleases and remasters like Luigi's Mansion 2 HD, Paper Mario A Thousand Year Door, and Mario vs. Donkey Kong, all strong signals that their big teams are working on new projects. But Princess Peach Showtime! shows that Nintendo is still experimenting with new gameplay formats. Also we take a lot of questions and comments from the community, including whether we're a family-friendly show, and our favorite gaming composers of all time. Enjoy the show!

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Nintendo surprised us all this past week by giving us a deep dive into the highly anticipated new game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. With details about new characters, game mechanics, and locations, there's a lot to look forward to. Is it possible that Nintendo could have another Game of the Year contender? Also, this week, there's a new NES-style Rugrats game coming, and unfortunately, the Suikoden remasters have been delayed. As always, we love to take your questions and comments as well. Why is Mario considered the king over Zelda? How do we manage playing multiple games at once? Now, please enjoy the Punching Up Podcast!

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