In this fourth installment of The Parody Series here at The Lab, the founder tackles describing characters and the main story of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, in an attempt to comically address the chaotic fun that is this game.  

Links: 

- Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Official Website) 

- Copy Abilities 

> Mouthful Mode

- List of Bosses 

- Enemies 

- Waddle Dee Town 

- Miscellaneous Information

(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.)

Pokémon appear in a variety of shapes, sizes, and forms; one important determinant of these characteristics is what is known as a “Type”, giving Pokémon unique attributes based on the Type’s element, power, and so on. With 18 types in total, there are many to review; in the seventh installment of this miniseries known as “Pokémon Rants”, The Lab’s original duo return to tackle “Bug Types”, the Pokémon that constitute this typing, an analysis that includes technical information, design analyses, and other thoughts on what it means to be a Bug Type Pokémon.

Timestamps:

02:03 - Type Overview + Background

04:53 - Technical Information

11:49 - Appearances + Moves

> 14:04 - Pure Bug Types

> 21:49 - Primary Bug Types

> 40:51 - Secondary Bug Types

> 45:20 - Bug Type Moves

52:18 - Atypical Case Studies + Concluding Thoughts

Links/Resources:

- Bug (Type)

- Type

- Move 

- Ability

The Lore Research Lab Episodes

“Pokédex: All 482+8 Pokémon & Post-Story Guide – Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version.” Edited by Lawrence Neves. Prima Games, 2006.

“Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version – The Official Pokémon Johto Guide and Pokédex.” Edited by Michael G. Ryan and Lawrence Neves. Bellevue: The Pokémon Company International, 2009.

(Creator's Note: We recommend that you listen to the rants in order for continuity purposes (so things make sense), but this is optional. We do not claim ownership over the products, sources, and images that come from the content discussed in this episode; images have been taken from the cited guidebooks and are solely being used for entertainment purposes.)

Like lightning in a bottle, this series quickly followed in the successful footsteps of the Mario games, later establishing itself as one of the biggest names associated with the Nintendo brand: The Legend of Zelda. In this series characterized by adventure and action, the journeys Link embarks have the ability to immerse one in the world he lives through. Having notable symbols, memorable core characters, and a protagonist that constantly becomes confused with the eponymous person of legend, this second part looks at the principal trio hinging many of the stories that appear in the franchise, cultural groups, gameplay mechanics, the role of music, and concluding with how the The Legend of Zelda series is true to its name.

Timestamps:

01:06 - The Principal Trio

> 01:41 - Link

> 08:09 - Zelda

> 12:43 - Ganon/Ganondorf

20:59 - Cultural Groups in The Legend of Zelda

32:55 - Gameplay Mechanics

40:47 - Examples of Items & Equipment

47:43 - The Role of Music 

> 47:59 - On Instruments

> 54:18 - Composers

1:02:33 - Conclusion

Links/Resources:

- The Legend of Zelda (Video Game Series)

- List of Items in The Legend of Zelda Franchise

- The Legend of Zelda Theme Music (Overworld)

- Hyrule Field, from Ocarina of Time 3D

- Tracks from Majora's Mask

> Clock Town: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3

> Final Hours

- Creative Personnel

> Shigeru Miyamoto

> Takashi Tezuka

> Koji Kondo

>> Koji Kondo on composing “The Legend of Zelda Theme Music”

> Mahito Yokota

> Toru Minegishi

> Hajime Wakai

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.

(Creator's Note: Sorry for the random background noises. I do not claim ownership over the products, sources, and images that come from this game; images have been taken from my copy of Skyward Sword HD and are solely being used for entertainment purposes.)

Like lightning in a bottle, this series quickly followed in the successful footsteps of the Mario games, later establishing itself as one of the biggest names associated with the Nintendo brand: The Legend of Zelda. In this series characterized by adventure and action, the journeys Link embarks have the ability to immerse one in the world he lives through. Having notable symbols, memorable core characters, and a protagonist that constantly becomes confused with the eponymous person of legend, this first part looks at the history of this franchise, its games, key personnel, other details that focus on highlighting the trajectory of this well-known franchise, then looking at the setting(s) and story formats that appear in the various legends surrounding Zelda.

Timestamps:

00:40 - Preamble

03:49 - A Bottled History of The Legend of Zelda

> 03:51 - Genre(s) and Development Details

> 06:07 - Basic Premise

> 09:41 - Bottled History

> 37:39 - What Inspired The Legend of Zelda?

> 40:06 - Select Creative Personnel 

44:34 - Setting

> 45:23 - The Land of Hyrule & Other Settings

> 48:33 - Common Environments

58:05 - Story Formats

> 59:12 - Link's Awakening (Example)

> 1:02:53 - Ocarina of Time (Example)

Links/Resources:

- The Legend of Zelda (Video Game Series)

- Video Game Console

(NOTE: Check the hyperlinks within the page to find the video game consoles that are discussed in this episode, or search it up individually.)

- Shigeru Miyamoto

> Miyamoto on the Origins of Nintendo Characters

> Miyamoto on The Legend of Zelda (2003 Magazine Interview)

> Miyamoto on the role of the Sword (Iwata Asks Interview) 

- Takashi Tezuka

- Keiji Terui on The Legend of Zelda Backstory

- Soldier in the Back Alley (Ocarina of Time)

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.

(Creator's Note: Sorry for the random background noises. I do not claim ownership over the products, sources, and images that come from this game; images have been taken from my copy of Skyward Sword HD and are solely being used for entertainment purposes.)

The Lore Research Lab's founder reacts to the new trailer that has dropped for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, revealing new Pokémon and other details about the upcoming core series games slated to release in November 2022!

Timestamps:

00:55 - Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Second Trailer Reaction

17:03 - Additional Commentary 

Links: 

- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Official Website

- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Second Trailer

- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: New Information

- New Pokémon + Legendary Pokémon

Pokémon Legends: Arceus presents us a world of the distant past where Pokémon and humans do not coexist, though research is being made to make that possible. This is all contingent on the eponymous Pokémon, Arceus, and what drives its decisions that appear in the background of the game’s events. This theory-heavy episode deep dives into the dynamics of Legendary Pokémon, discussing Arceus and the Creation Trio (Dialga, Palkia, Giratina), establishing the stakes and external elements that contribute to Arceus’ omniscience, and reviewing examples in Japanese mythology that may provide answers to Legendary Pokémon dynamics in this second part.

Timestamps:

00:12 - Quick Disclaimer

01:26 - Arceus & its Creations (Dialga, Palkia, Giratina)

> 01:55 - Recap + General Thoughts

> 08:36 - Describing the Appearances of Arceus & The Creation Trio

> 22:51 - Commentary on Arceus & The Creation Trio

> 58:21 - Connections/Parallels to Japanese Deities

1:15:15 - Conclusion

Links/Resources:

- History of the Sinnoh Region

- Legendary Pokémon

> Arceus

> Dialga

> Palkia

> Giratina

> Lake Guardians

- Volo

> Volo Cutscenes + Battle

- Details on the Origin Myth

- Dialga, Palkia and Giratina Artwork by Ken Sugimori

- List of Japanese Deities

> Amaterasu

> Izanami

> Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto

> Kuni-no-Tokotachi

- The Kojiki

- Kami (Deities)

The Lore Research Lab Reference Episodes

“Pokédex: All 482+8 Pokémon & Post-Story Guide – Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version.” Edited by Lawrence Neves. Prima Games, 2006.

(Creator's Note: Sorry for any random background noises and the number of cuts. 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.)

Pokémon Legends: Arceus presents us a world of the distant past where Pokémon and humans do not coexist, though research is being made to make that possible. This is all contingent on the eponymous Pokémon, Arceus, and what drives its decisions that appear in the background of the game’s events. This theory-heavy episode deep dives into the dynamics of Legendary Pokémon, beginning with an introduction to Legendary Pokémon in previous generations, Arceus’ relationship with the protagonist, and other ideas that tie into linking Pokémon Legends: Arceus to its predecessors Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum in this first part.

Timestamps:

00:32 - Conceptualizing Legendary Pokémon + Introducing Arceus

> 02:55 - Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum Connection

> 03:17 - Preceding Legendary Pokémon Examples

> 12:57 - Arceus before Pokémon Legends: Arceus

18:42 - Theorizing on the Creator Pokémon 

> 33:49 - Broad Theories + Questions on Pokémon Lore

Links/Resources:

- Legendary Pokémon

> Arceus

> Dialga

> Palkia

> Giratina

> Lake Guardians

- Volo

> Volo Cutscenes + Battle 

- Details on the Origin Myth

- Arceus Event Cutscene (Sinjoh Ruins)

The Lore Research Lab Reference Episodes

“Pokédex: All 482+8 Pokémon & Post-Story Guide – Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version.” Edited by Lawrence Neves. Prima Games, 2006.

(Creator's Note: Sorry for any random background noises. 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.)

A quick update on upcoming episodes and what to expect from the Lab in the near future!

There are all kinds of statistics out there about Pokémon, providing unique details about the creature or revealing aspects of their viability in the game. The metric of weight presents an interesting analysis that shows just how heavy, or conversely, just how light some Pokémon really are! Like the companion episode on Pokémon height statistics, The Lore Research Lab’s founder looks at some examples of Pokémon that are surprising in their weight. Tune in to hear what crazy examples there are out there!

Timestamps:

00:32 - Discussing Pokémon Weight

> 03:38 - Weight Criteria

> 05:14 - Light Pokémon

> 12:14 - Medium Weight Pokémon

>> 12:22 - Tier 1

>> 15:56 - Tier 2

> 21:26 - Heavy Pokémon

>> 21:30 - Tier 1

>> 23:54 - Tier 2

>> 28:49 - Tier 3

> 40:44 - The Heaviest Pokémon in Existence (Rant)

Links/Resources:

- List of Pokémon (By Weight)

- The Sixth Heaviest Pokémon in Existence 

- The Heaviest Pokémon in Existence (Image)

- The Scientific Explanation for the Heaviest Pokémon in Existence

“Pokédex: All 482+8 Pokémon & Post-Story Guide – Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version.” Edited by Lawrence Neves. Prima Games, 2006.

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

In what ways does music add to the video gaming experience? How does a game successfully immerse its players? For all its simplicity, Kirby games are fantastic in their scores, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land is no exception! Tune in to this episode that discusses the music of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, the composers, and other fun trivia!

Timestamps:

00:37 - The Creative Team

> 03:02 - Game Director

> 05:10 - Composers

09:09 - Selected Tracks

25:11 - Town Life

31:57 - Battle Themes (Spoilers)

1:01:05 - Conclusion

Links:

- Shinya Kumazaki (Game Director)

> Kumazaki's Art Gallery

- Kirby and the Forgotten Land Composers

> Yuuta Ogasawara

> Hirokazu Ando

> Jun Ishikawa

> Yuki Shimooka

- Jukebox

- (Spoilers) Bosses

- (Spoilers) Dream Discoveries Tour Clip

- OST Listing (Playlist)

(Creator's Note: I apologize for any random background noises. 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.)