Ultra 64 : Wii Universe

FIRE EMBLEM. SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI. Two great tastes that taste great together? That's what we're finding out this week as we play the JRPG mash-up TOKYO MIRAGE SESSIONS #FE! This week, we're joined by one of our faves, Vidjagame Apocalypse host Mikel Reparaz, who helps us talk through this ambitious crossover that takes its two fantasy series and blends them with the world of Japanese pop music. Is this destined for superstardom or is it another one-hit wonder? 

Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski 

Logo by Corinne Kempen 

Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com) 

ultra64podcast.com 

Twitter: @ultra64podcast 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @ultra64podcast 

Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod 

Next week's episode: Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker / Kirby and the Rainbow Curse / Yoshi's Woolly World 

It's time to hack and slash our way through endless hordes with some historically-sourced heroes, because this week we're playing two games in the WARRIORS series! Koei's action series helped the company graduate from stodgy strategy RPGs to epic action, and the franchise has gone from Three Kingdoms-era China to Nintendo's mythical land of Hyrule. Does the simple formula still hold up, or has the repetitive gameplay worn out it's welcome like we wear out the Y button? 

Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski 

Logo by Corinne Kempen

Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com) 

ultra64podcast.com 

Twitter: @ultra64podcast 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @ultra64podcast 

Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod 

Next week's episode: Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE

The cheapie movie-tie in genre thrived on the Wii U, but today we're playing our last batch of low-effort platformers based on cartoons! Obviously, our crappy game correspondent Ailish Collins had to return to help us do justice to games based on SMURFS 2, PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR, and SNOOPY'S BIG ADVENTURE (based on the 2015 PEANUTS MOVIE). Are these titles about the quality levels you'd expect, or are there some surprises? Find out now! 

Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski 

Logo by Corinne Kempen 

Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com) 

ultra64podcast.com 

Twitter: @ultra64podcast 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @ultra64podcast 

Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod 

Next week's episode: Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper / Hyrule Warriors 

Pac is Bac, in cartoon form! We're playing PAC-MAN AND THE GHOSTLY ADVENTURES 1 and 2, two games based on the popular Disney XD show that briefly brought Pac-Man to a whole new generation. We're contrasting and comparing both games, plus looking at Pac-Man's brief but lucrative history as a platforming star! 

Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski 

Logo by Corinne Kempen 

Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com) 

ultra64podcast.com 

Twitter: @ultra64podcast 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @ultra64podcast 

Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod 

Next week's episode: The Smurfs 2 / Penguins of Madagascar / Snoopy's Grand Adventure 

For those who want a little apocalyptic mythology and head-slicing thrown in with their ZELDA, the DARKSIDERS series is here to answer the call! We're playing both Wii U entries in THQ's slick adventure game series, playing as different Horsemen of the Apocalypse as we carve through hordes of demons, angels, and all kinds of creepy-crawlies in between. 

Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski 

Logo by Corinne Kempen 

Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com) 

ultra64podcast.com 

Twitter: @ultra64podcast 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @ultra64podcast 

Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod 

Next week's episode: Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventure 1 and 2 

Hop into the King of Red Lions and hoist your sails, because this week we're playing one of the most beloved games in one of the most beloved series of all time! LEGEND OF ZELDA: WIND WAKER HD is a completely remastered edition of the 2003 GameCube game, featuring a gorgeous native 1080p transition and some subtle but welcome changes to the overall gameplay. While the original game was derided for it's bold new cartoon art style, it's gone on to enjoy a long life as a fan favorite. We're finding out how well this one has held up over the years, and why it might be one of the best arguments yet to dust off your Wii U. 

Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski 

Logo by Corinne Kempen 

Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com) 

ultra64podcast.com 

Twitter: @ultra64podcast 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @ultra64podcast 

Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod 

Next week's episode: Darksiders / Darksiders II 

We've played a few games featuring Sonic in supporting roles, but this week, the Blue Blur is taking the spotlight with two games that showcase multiple sides of his gaming persona! First, we're playing SONIC LOST WORLD, a 2D/3D throwback to the heyday of the character when the only rule was, "Gotta Go Fast!" Then, we're looking at the TV-based adventure SONIC BOOM: RISE OF LYRIC, which holds the ignominious distinction as the lowest-rated and lowest-selling game in the whole series; does it transcend it's reputation or has it been fairly maligned? Find out now!

Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski 

Logo by Corinne Kempen 

Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com) 

ultra64podcast.com 

Twitter: @ultra64podcast 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @ultra64podcast 

Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod 

Next week's episode: Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD 

We're joined once again by one of our top-tier Patreon supporters to bring you a special bonus episode! Scott Burger returns to discuss WHAT REMAINS OF EDITH FINCH, a beautiful and unique game from Giant Sparrow that attempts to tackle issues you rarely see explored in video games. This is a game about death, family, trauma, healing, and mental illness, and it covers a lot of ground in it's scant two hour run time. Plus, Scott and Woody talk about their experience growing up on the game's setting, Orca's Island! 

Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski 

Logo by Corinne Kempen 

ultra64podcast.com 

Twitter: @ultra64podcast 

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @ultra64podcast 

It's time to strap some guns to your feet and get real sexy, because this week we're playing the wildly over-the-top action epic BAYONETTA series! From the creators of DEVIL MAY CRY, BAYONETTA features a hypersexual heroine, a gleefully nonsensical plot, and some of the best action gameplay around. Thanks to a nice bonus disc included in the Wii U-exclusive BAYONETTA 2, we're playing both games in the series so far, grappling with some of the themes of the series and discussing Nintendo's bizarre decision to adopt Bayonetta as one of their own. 

Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski 

Logo by Corinne Kempen 

Theme song: "Truck" by The Octopus Project (theoctopusproject.com) 

ultra64podcast.com 

Twitter: @ultra64podcast 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @ultra64podcast 

Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod 

Next week's episode: Sonic: The Lost World / Sonic Boom: The Rise of Lyric 

We're back once again for the first in our last batch of Patreon-funded bonus episodes! Our Wonder Red-tier Patreon supporter CJ Baker returns to discuss his entry into the Kirby series, the exceptional SNES game KIRBY SUPER STAR! This 1996 classic packs a ridiculous amount of value into it's simple cart, demonstrating the pink puffball's elasticity in more ways than one! We're breaking down all 8 substantial modes on this game, from an abridged remake of the original Game Boy KIRBY to an ambitious Metroidvania-style adventure. Plus, Woody's favorite party game! 

A very special thanks to CJ for his support over the years! The Wonder Red tier has been discontinued, but there are still dozens of episodes of bonus content at Patreon.com/ultra64pod, now a flat $5 a month! 

Hosted by Steve Guntli and Woody Ciskowski 

Logo by Corinne Kempen 

ultra64podcast.com 

Twitter: @ultra64podcast 

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @ultra64podcast 

Patreon: patreon.com/ultra64pod