Love is in the air in this Valentine's Day episode... the love of video games, that is! I've curated a lovely bouquet of the top five indie game love stories on the Nintendo Switch to celebrate. Plus: in-depth thoughts on Afterlove EP, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Tails of Iron 2 and more! A breakdown of Nintendo's Q3 financial results! Even more news! Play Wario Land 4! Ahhhh!

(00:00) Intro

(03:17) Housekeeping

(05:45) Top 5 Indie Game Love Stories

☆ Games ☆

(29:25) Hello Kitty Island Adventure

(37:39) Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

(48:26) Urban Myth Dissolution Center

(53:14) The Stone of Madness

(58:12) Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip

(1:04:41) Ruffy and the Riverside demo

(1:12:53) Afterlove EP

(1:31:42) News

(2:06:00) Patron thanks & outro

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support on Patreon for early access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pick up The Koopa Cast merch on our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠All N Media on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☆ Social Links ☆

► Seth on Bluesky: ⁠@twodollarhero.com⁠

► All N Media on Bluesky: @alln.media

🎵 Music Credits 🎵

Thank you to Qumu & Hyper Potions for the use of our intro and outro music!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mario Kart 64 - Koopa Troopa Beach [Winter Holiday Remix] by Qumu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Koopa Troopa Beach - Hyper Potions⁠⁠⁠

Dating Start! - Toby Fox (Undertale)

To The Heart - Barry “Epoch” Topping (Paradise Killer)

Lovestorm - Marskye (Boyfriend Dungeon)

The Switch 2 has finally been revealed... so how about we just talk about video games on this one, yeah? Citizen Sleeper 2 was one of my most anticipated games coming into 2025 -- and Jason & Tofr from So Many Games are joining me for an in-depth review discussion. Lots to talk about! Plus: thoughts on stuff like Blade Chimera, Symphonia and Laika: Aged Through Blood!

(00:00) Intro

(02:21) Housekeeping

(04:19) Citizen Sleeper 2 review discussion

(1:18:27) MORE VIDEO GAMES!

(1:46:00) Patron thanks & outro

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support on Patreon for early access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pick up The Koopa Cast merch on our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠All N Media on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☆ Guest Links ☆

► Check out Tofr’s written review for So Many Games

► Follow So Many Games on Bluesky: @somanygames.co.uk

► So Many Games’ YouTube channel

► Follow Jason on Bluesky: @gmrjuk.bsky.social

► Follow Tofr on Bluesky: @playnicekids.bsky.social

► Tofr's other social links on their Linktree

► Check out Jason’s podcast, What’s Wrong With Wolfie?

► Check out Tofr’s podcast, Playlog Podcast

☆ Social Links ☆

► Seth on Bluesky: @twodollarhero.com

► All N Media on Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠@allnmedia.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠

🎵 Music Credits 🎵

Thank you to Qumu & Hyper Potions for the use of our intro and outro music!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mario Kart 64 - Koopa Troopa Beach [Winter Holiday Remix] by Qumu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Koopa Troopa Beach - Hyper Potions⁠⁠

A Different Sun - Amos Roddy (Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector)

Signal Chaser - Amos Roddy (Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector)

"It's Nintendo being boring, but smart"

In a special bonus episode, I'm joined by Drew and Josh from The House of Mario to break down the official reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its new Mario Kart game. We have a nuanced, in-depth discussion about the reveal, our thoughts on modern Nintendo and speculate about Mario Kart, the launch date, pricing and much more!

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support on Patreon for early access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pick up The Koopa Cast merch on our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠All N Media on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☆ Guest Links ☆

► Drew on Bluesky: @idrewby.bsky.social

► Josh on Bluesky: @nintenvania.bsky.social

► Drew's YouTube channel

► Josh's YouTube channel

► The House of Mario on Spotify

► NintenVania on Spotify

☆ Social Links ☆

► Seth on Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@twodollarhero.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► All N Media on Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alln.media⁠

🎵 Music Credits 🎵

Thank you to Iceferno & Hyper Potions for the use of our intro and outro music!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mario Kart 64 - Koopa Troopa Beach (Iceferno Remix) by Iceferno

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Koopa Troopa Beach - Hyper Potions⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hoo baby, it's Game of the Year time! Matt "Shyguycity" Murray joins the show as we reveal our top five favorite Nintendo Switch games from 2024, as well as bring in YOUR submissions! Plus, we take an in-depth look back at Nintendo's year, look ahead to what's in store for us in 2025... and pray for a better eShop on Switch 2.

(00:00) Intro

(01:20) Housekeeping

☆ Matt & Seth's Top 5 Nintendo Switch Games of 2024 ☆

Check out Matt & Seth's full top ten lists on their respective Substacks!

(11:15) Honorable mentions

(28:51) Matt's #5

(32:22) Seth's #5

(39:40) Matt's #4

(45:47) Seth's #4

(54:21) Matt's #3

(1:01:06) Seth's #3

(1:10:07) Matt & Seth's #2

(1:20:35) Seth's #1

(1:34:26) Matt's #1

(1:43:37) All N Community GOTY Submissions

(2:17:28) Nintendo's 2024 Year-In-Review

(3:02:26) Looking ahead

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord community⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠Support on Patreon for early access⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pick up The Koopa Cast merch on our website⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠All N Media on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

☆ Guest Links ☆

► Matt on Bluesky: ⁠⁠@mattmurray.bsky.social⁠⁠

► ⁠Bit Harmony on Apple Podcasts⁠

► ⁠Bit Harmony on Spotify⁠

► ⁠Critical Diversions on Apple Podcasts⁠

► ⁠Critical Diversions on Spotify⁠

☆ Social Links ☆

► Seth on Bluesky: ⁠⁠@twodollarhero.bsky.social⁠⁠

► All N Media on Bluesky: ⁠⁠@allnmedia.bsky.social⁠⁠

🎵 Music Credits 🎵

Thank you to Qumu & Hyper Potions for the use of our intro and outro music!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Mario Kart 64 - Koopa Troopa Beach [Winter Holiday Remix] by Qumu⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Koopa Troopa Beach - Hyper Potions⁠

Leaving with Pearl - Toshiyuki Sudo, Shu Tamura, Toru Minegishi, Ryo Nagamatsu (Splatoon 3: Side Order)

Twistee Island - Hideki Sakamoto (Mario & Luigi: Brothership)

This holiday, I'd like to share a story of finding hope in the dark, oppressive forest of grief. I was lucky enough to chat with Tom and Najati from Made Up Games about how Pine: A Story of Loss was made and why it's worth making a game that isn't "fun" in the traditional sense. Plus - my picks for my top five winter holiday Nintendo Switch games, tidbits from my Nintendo year-in-review, roundups of The Game Awards, The Indie Game Awards... and a whole lot more!

Housekeeping - (1:57)

► Send in your GOTY submission(s)!

Pine: A Story of Loss with Tom Booth & Najati Imam - (8:20)

Top 5 Winter Holiday Nintendo Switch Games - (1:10:51)

News - (1:28:51)

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support on Patreon for early access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pick up The Koopa Cast merch on our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠All N Media on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☆ Guest Links ☆

► Tom on Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@tomwilltell.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠

► Tom on Instagram: ⁠⁠@tomwilltell

► Najati on Bluesky: @najatiactual.bsky.social

► Made Up Games on Bluesky: @madeupgames.bsky.social

► ⁠⁠Pine: A Story of Loss on the eShop⁠⁠

☆ Social Links ☆

► Seth on Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@twodollarhero.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠

► All N Media on Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@alln.media

🎵 Music Credits 🎵

Thank you to Qumu & Hyper Potions for the use of our intro and outro music!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mario Kart 64 - Koopa Troopa Beach [Winter Holiday Remix] by Qumu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Koopa Troopa Beach - Hyper Potions⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Title - Blankfor.ms aka Tyler Gilmore

Carving 1 - Blankfor.ms aka Tyler Gilmore

1000xRESIST has been my favorite game of 2024 since I played it back in May. It was a total treat to sit down with the game's creative director, Remy Siu, for this episode and learn a bit about how Sunset Visitor made their masterpiece. Plus - a ton of thoughts on recent indie games and a few stray Nintendo news stories!

Housekeeping - (2:02)

1000xRESIST with Remy Siu - (7:33)

Games - (1:28:56)

News - (1:57:32)

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support on Patreon for early access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pick up The Koopa Cast merch on our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠All N Media on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☆ Guest Links ☆

► Remy on Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠@remysiu.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠

► Sunset Visitor on Bluesky: ⁠@sunsetvisitor.bsky.social⁠

► ⁠1000xRESIST on the eShop⁠

☆ Social Links ☆

► Seth on Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠@twodollarhero.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠

► All N Media on Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠@allnmedia.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠

🎵 Music Credits 🎵

Thank you to Qumu & Hyper Potions for the use of our intro and outro music!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mario Kart 64 - Koopa Troopa Beach [Winter Holiday Remix] by Qumu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Koopa Troopa Beach - Hyper Potions⁠⁠

⁠Inside Sunrise - Drew Redman⁠

⁠The Orchard At Rest - Drew Redman⁠

Matt "Shyguycity" Murray of Bit Harmony fame (ever heard of this guy?) joins me this time as we look back at 25 years of Pokémon Gold & Silver through a lens of friendship, nostalgia and criticism. Turns out, we both had a lot to say. Plus - thoughts on Dragon Quest III HD-2D, Nintendo's nominations at The Game Awards 2024... and a whole lot more!

Housekeeping - (2:24)

25 Years of Pokémon Gold and Silver - (6:51)

Games - (1:40:49)

News - (2:03:54)

► ⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord community⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠Support on Patreon for early access⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠Pick up The Koopa Cast merch on our website⁠⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠⁠All N Media on YouTube⁠⁠⁠

☆ Guest Links ☆

► Matt on Bluesky: ⁠@mattmurray.bsky.social⁠

► Bit Harmony on Apple Podcasts

► Bit Harmony on Spotify

► Critical Diversions on Apple Podcasts

► Critical Diversions on Spotify

☆ Social Links ☆

► Seth on Bluesky: ⁠@twodollarhero.bsky.social⁠

► All N Media on Bluesky: ⁠@allnmedia.bsky.social⁠

🎵 Music Credits 🎵

Thank you to Qumu & Hyper Potions for the use of our intro and outro music!

⁠⁠⁠Mario Kart 64 - Koopa Troopa Beach [Winter Holiday Remix] by Qumu⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Koopa Troopa Beach - Hyper Potions

Goldenrod City - Junichi Masuda (Pokémon Gold & Silver)

Ice Path - Junichi Masuda (Pokémon Gold & Silver)

National Park - Gō Ichinose (Pokémon Gold & Silver)

Route 26 - Gō Ichinose (Pokémon Gold & Silver)

Champion Battle - Junichi Masuda (Pokémon Gold & Silver)

Pokémon: The Johto Journeys Theme - Jolan Boockvor, Jamily Gray, PJ Lequerica, Shauna McCoy, Shareef McQueen & Élan Rivera (as the group "Johto")

Lugia's Song (The Great Guardian) - Shinji Miyazaki (Pokémon The Movie 2000)

Azalea Town - Gō Ichinose (Pokémon Gold & Silver)

In a busy season of stress, work and travel, Pokémon TCG Pocket has been my steadfast companion. So I was thrilled to invite my friend Phelan onto the show to compare notes on the game - me as a casual player and him as a Pokémon TCG expert. Somehow, digital Pokémon cards have provided a welcome escape to us both. Plus - early thoughts on Mario & Luigi: Brothership and a ton of exciting Nintendo news!

Housekeeping - (2:41)

Pokémon TCG Pocket with Phelan - (6:29)

Games - (1:01:38)

News - (1:13:42)

► ⁠⁠Join our Discord community⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠Support on Patreon for early access⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠Pick up The Koopa Cast merch on our website⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠All N Media on YouTube⁠⁠

☆ Guest Links ☆

► Phelan on Twitter: @EmerDCP

► Phelan on Bluesky: @emerfgc.bsky.social

☆ Social Links ☆

► Seth on Twitter: ⁠⁠@twodollarhero⁠⁠

► Seth on Bluesky: @twodollarhero.bsky.social

► All N Media on Twitter: ⁠⁠@allnpodcast⁠⁠

► All N Media on Bluesky: @allnmedia.bsky.social

🎵 Music Credits 🎵

Thank you to Qumu & Hyper Potions for the use of our intro and outro music!

⁠⁠Mario Kart 64 - Koopa Troopa Beach [Winter Holiday Remix] by Qumu⁠⁠

⁠⁠Koopa Troopa Beach - Hyper Potions

I'm kinda sick and recovering from a big move, but I still had to make sure we brought some spooky to the show this Halloween season. I've invited Abby Howard and Tony Howard-Arias from Black Tabby Games for an in-depth chat about Slay The Princess: The Pristine Cut, available NOW on the Nintendo Switch. Plus - thoughts on Super Mario Party Jamboree, Crow Country, Hatch Tales, Neva and lots of news stories!

Housekeeping - (1:57)

Slay The Princess Developer Interview w/ Abby Howard & Tony Howard-Arias - (5:30)

► Slay The Princess: The Pristine Cut on the eShop

► Abby's comic, "Unhealthy: Two Stories of Mental Health and Body Image"

Games - (1:01:01)

News - (1:30:31)

► ⁠⁠Join our Discord community⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠Support on Patreon for early access⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠Pick up The Koopa Cast merch on our website⁠⁠

► ⁠⁠All N Media on YouTube⁠⁠

☆ Guest Links ☆

► ⁠⁠Black Tabby Games on Twitter

► Black Tabby Games on Bluesky

► Black Tabby Games on Tumblr

► Black Tabby Games Discord server

► Official Slay The Princess subreddit

► Official Scarlet Hollow subreddit

☆ Social Links ☆

► Seth on Twitter: ⁠⁠@twodollarhero⁠⁠

► Seth on Bluesky: @twodollarhero.bsky.social

► All N Media on Twitter: ⁠⁠@allnpodcast⁠⁠

► All N Media on Bluesky: @allnmedia.bsky.social

🎵 Music Credits 🎵

Thank you to Qumu & Hyper Potions for the use of our intro and outro music!

⁠⁠Mario Kart 64 - Koopa Troopa Beach [Winter Holiday Remix] by Qumu⁠⁠

⁠⁠Koopa Troopa Beach - Hyper Potions

I've invited my friend Jonathan Holmes onto the show to chat about The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom - but don't expect a typical review discussion. Instead, we talk about what the game means to the Zelda series, to Nintendo and to the people who play it. Plus - thoughts on Castlevania: The Dominus Collection, Nintendo's announcement of Alarmo and a whole lot more!

Housekeeping - (1:58)

Talking to Jonathan Holmes About Zelda - (8:34)

Games - (1:13:33)

News - (1:28:30)

► ⁠Join our Discord community⁠

► ⁠Support on Patreon for early access⁠

► ⁠Pick up The Koopa Cast merch on our website⁠

► ⁠All N Media on YouTube⁠

☆ Guest Links ☆

► ⁠Jonathan on Twitter

► ⁠Talking to Women About Videogames

► ⁠Nintendo Force Magazine

☆ Social Links ☆

► Seth on Twitter: ⁠@twodollarhero⁠

► All N Media on Twitter: ⁠@allnpodcast⁠

🎵 Music Credits 🎵

Thank you to Qumu & Hyper Potions for the use of our intro and outro music!

⁠Mario Kart 64 - Koopa Troopa Beach [Winter Holiday Remix] by Qumu⁠

⁠Koopa Troopa Beach - Hyper Potions