Mario vs. Donkey, introduced on the Gameboy Advance in 2004, presents itself as a fun platformer inspired by the roots of Nintendo's earliest characters and concepts. Check out this episode to learn about this game ahead of its Nintendo Switch Remake!

Timestamps:

02:58 - Bottled Background

> 05:52 - Basic Premise

07:08 - Settings + Gameplay Mechanics

> 08:22 - The Worlds

> 14:47 - How you play as Mario

> 16:01 - Menu Interface

> 17:55 - Level Mechanics (Present Minigame, Mini Mario Level, DK Level)

34:25 - Conclusion

Links/Resources:

- Mario vs. Donkey Kong (series)

- Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2004 video game)

- Mario vs. Donkey Kong Full Walkthrough

- Mario vs. Donkey Kong Cutscenes

The Lore Research Lab Reference Episodes

Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia - The Official Guide. Translated by William Flanagan and Zack Davisson. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Books, 2015.

(I do not claim ownership over the products, sources, and images that come from this game; images have been taken from my own game and are solely being used for entertainment purposes.)

This episode explains the format and structure of The Lore Research Lab and lists all the episodes from The Lab that explain and provide background on a given game and/or franchise. Refer to this episode for this master listing, both described through the audio and provided here in the description! 

Mario: 

- Explaining the Mario Franchise (S2, Eps. 11/14) 

- Discussing Mario vs. Donkey Kong (S4, Ep. 14)

- Discussing Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (S2, Ep. 15) 

- Theorizing on Super Mario Odyssey (S2, Ep. 8) 

The Legend of Zelda:  

- Explaining The Legend of Zelda Franchise (S3, Ep. 18) 

- Explaining The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (S3, Ep. 3) 

- Explaining The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (S2, Ep. 29)

- Discussing The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (S3, Ep. 23) 

- Explaining The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (S2, Ep. 20) 

- Explaining and Theorizing on "The Servants of the Springs" from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (S1, Ep. 3) 

- Reviewing The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (S2, Ep. 27) 

- Stratified Life in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (S4, Extra #26)

- The Presence of Evil in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (S4, Ep. 10)

- Zelda in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (S4, Extra #27)

Pokémon: 

- Explaining the Pokémon Franchise (S2, Ep. 2) 

- Rants on Pokémon Typings (S2, S3 & S4) 

- Discussing Pokémon Typings (S2, Ep. 7) 

- Discussing The Pokémon League (S3, Ep. 29)

- Exploring the Hoenn Region (S3, Ep. 21) 

- Discussing Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver (S2, Ep. 21) 

- Theorizing on The Legendary Pokémon Arceus (S3, Ep. 17)

- Review of Pokémon Sword & Shield (S2, Ep. 4) 

- Explaining Pokémon Legends: Arceus (S4, Ep. 12)

- Discussing Pokémon Battle Gimmicks (S4, Ep. 2)

- Discussing Koraidon and Miraidon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (S4, Ep. 3)

- Theorizing on a Legendary Pokémon Master Timeline (S4, Ep. 4)

- Discussing Pokémon Experts (Individuals and Professors: S4, Ep. 8+9)

- Discussing Pseudo Legendary Pokémon (S4, Ep. 13)

- Discussing Japanese Culture in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet: The Teal Mask (S4, Ep. 15)

Other: 

- Explaining the Fire Emblem Franchise (S3, Ep. 6) 

- Experimenting with Nuzlockes (S2, Ep. 3) 

- Reviewing New Pokémon Snap (S2, Ep. 18) 

- Explaining Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (S2, Ep. 23)

- Reviewing Kirby and the Forgotten Land (S3, Ep. 12) 

- Discussing Mario Spin-Off Games (S3, Ep. 26) 

- Discussing Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (S4, Ep. 6)

(Creator's Note: This list will be updated when other reference episodes are released.)

This episode sees the Lab's founder react to news on upcoming releases for the Nintendo Switch.

Links:

- Nintendo Direct 9.14.2023 Video

The Lore Research Lab Reference Episodes

Tune in to see what footage has been released for the upcoming October installment Super Mario Bros. Wonder and a review of what it brings to the table!

Links:

- Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Direct Video

The Lore Research Lab Reference Episodes

(I do not claim ownership over the products, sources, and images that come from this game; images and footage have been taken from the "Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct 8.31.2023" video and are solely being used for entertainment purposes.)

The Lore Research Lab's founder discusses what "pseudo-legendary" Pokémon are, a tier of Pokémon that sit above many and below the fabled bunch. Tune in to learn what each individual Pokémon has to offer!

Timestamps:

00:28 - Housekeeping

02:47 - What are Pseudo Legendary Pokémon?

> 05:36 - Format of the Episode

07:48 - Discussing Pseudo Legendary Pokémon

> 08:42 - Casual Discussion

> 30:43 - Technical Discussion

43:27 - Conclusion

Links:

- Pseudo Legendary Pokémon

The Lore Research Lab Reference Episodes

Check out this episode to learn about the updates for the Pokémon animated series, spin-off games, and primarily the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Hidden Treasures of Area Zero DLC.

Timestamps:

01:05 - Updates on general content

06:08 - Get Mew and Mewtwo!

8:58 - Reviewing and breaking down the Scarlet and Violet DLC Trailer

Links:

This episode discusses the many details encompassing the game Pokémon Legends: Arceus, released in 2022 on the Nintendo Switch. An extremely descriptive discussion with elements of ranting, the Lab's founder looks at the game's important predecessors, the story of the game along with gameplay mechanics, concluding with notes on music, characterization, and themes present in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Note: Please follow the timestamps closely to make sure everything makes sense!

00:28 - Background Information

> 04:18 - Bottled Background

> 12:03 - Disclaimers + Format for the episode

15:42 - The Story of Hisui

> 15:45 - Chapter 1: Beginning in a New World

>> 16:03 - #1: The Arc Phone

>> 17:22 - #2: Basic Premise

>> 19:12 - #3: Arc Phone Functions & Pokédex

>> 25:38 - #4: The Problems of Hisui & Team Mobility

>> 29:16 - #5: Gameplay Mechanics - Travelling, Engaging with Pokemon and Player Mechanics

>> 50:03 - #6: Battling Lords and Ladies

> 53:33 - Chapter 2: Helping the Lords and Ladies of Hisui

>> 1:00:42 - #7: The Plates

> 1:01:45 - Chapter 3: An Exiled Hero

>> 1:04:38 - #8: The Irida-Adaman Choice

>> 1:08:04 - #9: Results of the Irida-Adaman Choice

> 1:09:51 - Chapter 4: An Encounter transcending Time and Space

> 1:11:47 - Chapter 5: The Almighty Sinnoh's Tale

>> 1:15:42 - #10: Meeting Arceus

1:21:29 - The Music

1:29:10 - Characterization and Themes

2:02:38 - Conclusion

Links:

- Arceus (PLA Encounter)

- Noble Pokémon

- Ride Pokémon

- Diamond Clan

> Adaman

- Pearl Clan

> Irida

- Pokémon Legends: Arceus Bulbapedia Page

- Cogita

- Volo

> Legendary Encounter at the Space-Time Rift

> Noble Pokémon Battles

> Original Soundtrack Playlist

The Lore Research Lab Reference Episodes

(Creator's Note: Some content in this episode deals with religions and myths in the real world; all research discussing such information is explained and described solely from a scholarly perspective. I do not claim ownership over the products, sources, and images that come from this game; images have been taken from my own copy of the game and are solely being used for entertainment purposes.)

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a strong successor to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in many capacities; The Lore Research Lab's founder discusses and examines selected tracks from the game's original soundtrack to see how this game functions as a sequel and provides a thrilling gameplaying experience through the power of sound.

Timestamps:

00:28 - Housekeeping

03:33 - Composers + Creative Background

10:48 - Reviewing selected tracks from Tears of the Kingdom

Links/Resources:

- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Original Soundtrack Playlist

(Track 92 onwards = Spoiler music)

- Composers

> Hajime Wakai

> Manaka Kataoka

> Maasa Miyoshi

> Tsukasa Usui

> Masato Ohashi

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - The Complete Official Guide Collector’s Edition, edited by James Price. Piggyback Interactive Limited, 2023.

(Creator's Note: I do not claim ownership over the products, sources, music and images that come from this game; images have been taken from my own game and are solely being used for entertainment purposes.)

This extra looks at the titular character, her role in the story of this new Zelda installment informed by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, followed by a discussion and deep dive into her characterization in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Timestamps:

00:15 - Preamble

> 00:30 - Spoiler Warning

01:50 - Zelda in Breath of the Wild (Optional Listen)

18:20 - Tears of the Kingdom Context

23:28 - Zelda in Tears of the Kingdom

Resources:

⁠⁠The Lore Research Lab Reference Episodes⁠⁠

Aonuma, Eiji. The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia, translated by Michael Gombos et al. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Books, 2013.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - The Complete Official Guide Expanded Edition, edited by Maura Sutton, et al. Piggyback Interactive Limited, 2017. 

Kayama, Naoyuki et al. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Creating a Champion, translated by Keaton C. White. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Books, 2018.

Sao, Akinori, Ginko Tatsumi, and Chisato Mikane. The Legend of Zelda: Encyclopedia, translated by Keaton C. White. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Books, 2018.

Tune in to hear about initial theories and thoughts about the presence of evil in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, how this relates to previous titles within a scheme of lore, and spoilers on themes and entities related to this topic.

Timestamps:

00:52 - Spoiler Warning

01:20 - Discussion Preamble

03:07 - The Presence of Evil

Resources:

⁠The Lore Research Lab Reference Episodes⁠

Aonuma, Eiji. The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia, translated by Michael Gombos et al. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Books, 2013.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - The Complete Official Guide Expanded Edition, edited by Maura Sutton, et al. Piggyback Interactive Limited, 2017. 

Kayama, Naoyuki et al. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Creating a Champion, translated by Keaton C. White. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Books, 2018.

Sao, Akinori, Ginko Tatsumi, and Chisato Mikane. The Legend of Zelda: Encyclopedia, translated by Keaton C. White. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Books, 2018.