The NXpress Nintendo Podcast

This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill get back together for one more episode. And what better way to keep the show going than to discuss the most recent Nintendo Direct? We may not have had a real E3 this year, but the June 2023 Nintendo Direct delivered the goods with a surprisingly expansive slate of announcements across some of the Big N’s most significant franchises. Think Nintendo was going to sit out the rest of the year? This Direct proved otherwise!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at [email protected]!

This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill return from a brief hiatus with some bittersweet news: Goomba Stomp is coming to a close, and with it, the NXpress Nintendo Podcast is ending as well. It’s been an amazing run, but after a few hundred episodes and years of reviews, discussions, interviews, and impressions, NXpress is about to sign off for good. Don’t worry, though–the NXpress crew isn’t done yet! Stay tuned for an official farewell episode and for information about what the gang will get up to next.

Before we call it quits though, we have unfinished business: namely, impressions of some of the year’s biggest Switch games! Campbell has finally rolled credits on Octopath Traveler 2, and shockingly, his impressions are just as enthusiastic as ever! An improvement on the first game in every conceivable way, Octopath Traveler 2 delivers one of the Switch’s best RPG experiences to date. And speaking of brilliant RPGs, Marc has plenty to praise about Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s ambitious DLC expansion, Future Redeemed! While the original Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was already a great sendoff to the Xenoblade trilogy, this DLC manages to deliver an even more fitting conclusion. Cameron rounds off these quickfire reviews with some impressions on West of Loathing, a hilarious indie adventure that might have fallen under the radar, but is absolutely worth checking out.

And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the gang reviews the long-awaited sequel to Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Ladies and gentlemen, it might be hard to believe, but the NXpress crew is here to confirm that Tears of the Kingdom is indeed better than its predecessor: it’s more ambitious, more expansive, and somehow, even more fun than the game before it. The hosts go around the room sharing their impressions of the game so far in this spoiler-free discussion, exchanging notes about all that they’ve discovered in this latest adventure in Hyrule, the skies above, and the depths below. Is this the greatest game of all time? As dramatic as that question might seem, the hosts think it might not be so far-fetched. All this and more in the penultimate episode of NXpress!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at [email protected]!

You can listen to our show on YouTube |  Stitcher | iTunes |  Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible

Playlist:

This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon and Marc Kaliroff are back to chat about everything but triple-a games while Campbell Gill takes a day to rest. Like the last episode, the crew might be one man down but Cameron and Marc still have plenty to discuss as they explore a thrilling period of the 80s and a less-than-desirable pirate fiction.

First up, Cameron and Marc both have quite a lot to say about an indie game they have been playing this past week. Curse of the Sea Rats, a multiplayer Metroidvania with beautiful art and questionable controls, is sadly cursed with more than one major issue. Like with most Metroidvanias though, the two still have some positive things to say about Petoons Studios’ newest expedition.

To close things off, Marc is ready to talk about the blockbuster Tetris fans have been waiting for. According to Marc, the new Apple TV movie based on the game’s publication history is one of the best films of the year so far and a fantastic biopic that recaps Henk Rogers’ journey to secure the rights to the Russian puzzle on behalf of Nintendo. While the movie may use a few over-the-top dramatized changes from the real story (trust us, the car chase is actually really good and adds to the story’s weight), Tetris captures an unbelievable tale as it entertains viewers with a realistic and shockingly gravitating espionage thriller.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at [email protected]!

You can listen to our show on YouTube |  Stitcher | iTunes |  Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible

Playlist:

There are no tears to be shed for this kingdom. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Marc Kaliroff and Campbell Gill take over the show while Cameron gives his voice a much-deserved rest for the week. Thankfully, the guys have plenty to talk about, from new Tears of the Kingdom gameplay to now-lost 3DS puzzle classics.

First things first, the boys pour one out for the Wii U and 3DS eShops, which officially closed their doors on March 28. With these stores, a whole chapter of Nintendo’s history is also closing as the two ill-fated consoles officially fade into retirement, taking their eShop-exclusive games with them. Thankfully, someone on the podcast has gone on a shopping spree to help preserve a few of those digital-only titles. From Pushmo to Boyboy to Xenoblade Chronicles X, the guys run through some of the titles that made these now-closed libraries so special.

Next up is the main event you’ve all been waiting for: the gang’s reaction to the big 10-minute-long gameplay debut of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. After years of teaser trailers and drip-fed information, we’ve finally gotten a hands-on look at the game–and the boys sure do have a lot to say! With new abilities that expand upon the open world formula that made Breath of the Wild so amazing, things are already looking promising. Fusing weapons together, building vehicles, phasing through ceilings–there’s a lot to unpack from just 10 minutes of footage!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at [email protected]!

You can listen to our show on YouTube |  Stitcher | iTunes |  Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible

Playlist:

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe–AKA the gift that keeps on giving. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by their longtime friend of the show Marty Allen to discuss Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Expansion Pass Wave 4 and so much more! Marc and Marty break down all the new courses introduced in the latest wave of the ever-growing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Expansion Pass, which somehow manages to be even better than the last wave. The only question the gang has after this discussion is: what could possibly be next? Cloud Strife in Mario Kart, anyone?

After this, Marty sets sail for a review of Dredge, the Lovecraftian fishing sim we’ve all been waiting for. Marty draws from his extensive seafaring experience (which may be partially derived from musical theater) to review this satisfying fishing adventure, where players voyage out into unsettling waters haunted by mysterious creatures. Rest assured: spooky as it can get, Marty confirms this is a journey worth sailing.

Lastly, Marc closes the show with an indie spotlight on Storyteller, the latest experimental puzzle game from Annapurna Interactive. Taking place in a fragmented storybook, Storyteller tasks players with putting the pieces together to prepare a complete story. While the puzzles might be a bit obtuse, Marc concludes that Storyteller is still a genuine page-turner.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at [email protected]!

You can listen to our show on YouTube |  Stitcher | iTunes |  Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible

Playlist:

X marks the spot when talking about Metroid Fusion. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill hop into their Varia suits for a discussion of all things Metroid! The gang starts out with their impressions of Metroid Fusion, newly made available on Switch as part of the GBA Switch Online service–and the boys discover Samus isn’t messing around with this one. This might just be the most intense game in the series, with elements of suspense and even a little horror mixed with a deeply challenging gameplay loop. But it’s not all scary, as the game still features the franchise’s signature exploration and worldbuilding in Samus’s journey to squash the X parasite. Spoiler: it’s still worth playing today!

Next up, Marc tackles something that’s just a little more timely: Metroid Prime Remastered. Essentially rebuilt from the ground up for Switch, this remaster takes an already stylish and iconic title and polishes it to a shining package that feels as amazing to play today as it did 20 years ago. Between the music, storytelling, exploration, and visuals, Metroid Prime Remastered remains a standout title on Switch! Now for a remaster of Metroid Prime Pinball…

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at [email protected]!

You can listen to our show on YouTube |  Stitcher | iTunes |  Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible

Playlist:

This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill set out on an exhaustive tri-path podcast to discuss Octopath Traveler II! Before embarking on that journey, though, Marc kicks things off with a much less substantial talking point: Splatoon 3’s underwhelming first wave of DLC! Despite its promise of nostalgia for longtime fans, the Inkopolis DLC provides very little substance and, in turn, not much for Marc to talk about. Here’s hoping the next DLC wave can pick up the pace. 

Moving onto the main event, Campbell dives into an in-depth review of Square Enix’s latest HD-2D RPG, Octopath Traveler II! This sequel does the impossible: it recaptures everything that made the 2018 original title great, while making meaningful improvements on the first game’s issues. With eight unique travelers, each with their own unique stories, Octopath Traveler II tells a decentralized RPG story while still maintaining just enough character interaction. That’s not to mention the stunning soundtrack, beautiful art, and moving stories–there’s so much to love that the gang spends an hour talking about the game while barely even touching on the combat! Don’t miss out on what’s sure to be one of the Switch’s best titles of 2023.

Feeling confident after all the love in the Octopath segment? Marc’s here to throw some horror into the mix with a review of Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse. Perhaps this title hasn’t aged as gracefully as other horror classics, but for some of us on the show, it might just be too spoopy after all. All this and more in this RPG-sized episode!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at [email protected]!

You can listen to our show on YouTube |  Stitcher | iTunes |  Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible

Playlist:

Don’t Pokemon Sleep on this one! This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill are joined by a longtime friend of the show, Eliza from Kirby Informer! Before the gang makes their return to Dream Land, they share their thoughts on the recent Pokemon Presents showcase for Pokemon Day 2023. Horrifying animatronic Pikachu aside, the hosts come to a quick consensus: not even the full reveal of Pokemon Sleep could wake them up. Where were the surprises the classic games, the new spinoffs? Guess we’ll have to make due with overpriced DLC and over-hyped cards for now…

Moving onto the main event, the gang dives into Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe with an in-depth review discussion! This 2D Kirby title made waves upon its first release on the Wii in 2011, but is it still worth playing today? The Kirby experts on the show explore the many reasons why Return to Dream Land is still a worthwhile Kirby title even after The Forgotten Land switched up the formula forever. Could Return to Dream Land be the Dark Souls of Kirby? Tune in for this and more bizarre comparisons!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at [email protected]

You can listen to our show on YouTube |  Stitcher | iTunes |  Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible

Playlist:

If all else fails, at least you can always count on Square Enix to have the best titles imaginable. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill delve into the world of Final Fantasy soundtracks and discuss the delicate art of making modern metroidvanias.

Campbell kicks things off with a review of Theatrhythm Final Bar Line, the delightfully titled latest entry in the ongoing Theatrhythm franchise. Strange name aside, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a triumphant celebration of the iconic soundtracks that make Final Fantasy so legendary. This rhythm game is about as simple as they come, but with an enormous tracklist spanning hundreds of songs, campaigns for each mainline Final Fantasy title, and an adorable Chibi-esque visual style, Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line delivers a resounding crescendo!

Next up, Marc and Cameron review the latest title from metroidvania specialists Inti Creates, Grim Guardians: Demon Purge. Safe to say, this is no Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon. Marc and Cameron exchange notes on the game’s bizarre setting, uneven pacing, and half-baked gameplay ideas, before musing on the many other excellent metroidvanias currently available on Swich that are far worthier of your time.

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at [email protected]!

You can listen to our show on YouTube |  Stitcher | iTunes |  Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible

Playlist:

Let’s advance to an exciting discussion. This week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, Cameron Daxon, Marc Kaliroff, and Campbell Gill chat all things Game Boy and Game Boy Advance, now that the beloved handhelds have finally made their long-awaited debuts on the Nintendo Switch Online service. Before that, though, the gang makes their predictions for the upcoming Pokemon Day 2023, from Scarlet and Violet DLC to mobile game updates to even the return of the long-lost Detective Pikachu game on Switch. Many festivities await Pokemon’s big day!

Next up, it’s time for the main event: a sweeping discussion of the gang’s impressions of the newly added Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles available as part of Nintendo Switch Online. The gang share their thoughts on many of the games available on the platform already, showing plenty of promise in these recent additions to the service’s retro lineup. We’ve got the brilliant RPG Mario + Luigi: Superstar Saga, the strange Japanese launch title Kuru Kuru Kuruin, the all-time classic Tetris, and so much more. The platform is off to a strong start, and the hosts don’t hesitate to predict what else could be in store!

Don’t forget: If you want to suggest a discussion topic, share your thoughts on a recent episode, or simply chat with the NXpress crew, feel free to email us at [email protected]!

You can listen to our show on YouTube |  Stitcher | iTunes |  Podbean | Spotify | Listen Notes | iHeartRadio | Player FM | Amazon Audible

Playlist: