Ultra 64 : Wii Universe

We've got a quadruple-dose of cartoon-based games this week, and like those sexist Happy Meal two-packs, we've got options for boys and options for girls, although really the best option might be neither. First, we're playing two games based on the Cartoon Network action series BEN 10 OMNIVERSE, about a young boy who can transform into 10 different alien warriors. Then, we're enrolling in MONSTER HIGH, two games based on the hit fashion doll-turned-multimedia franchise, starring a clique of fashion-forward monster girls. 

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: Bayonetta / Bayonetta 2 

The XENOBLADE series has been kicking around in some form or another since the late 90s, but it's only recently that it has ascended to a Nintendo-blessed blockbuster franchise. This week, we're playing the Wii U-exclusive entry in the series, XENOBLADE CHRONICLES X, which takes on more of a spacefaring sci-fi aesthetic with faster combat and big honkin' mechs to drive around. We're digging deep into the origins of the series, and seeing how this one compares to the rest of the highly-acclaimed RPG series. 

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: Ben 10 Omniverse / Ben 10 Omniverse 2 / Monster High: Ghoul School / Monster High: 13 Wishes 

Sharpen your blades and join us as we play what may be the goriest game on the entire system! NINJA GAIDEN is one of the rare series to innovate the action genre in two completely different eras, on the NES and on the original Xbox, but Ryu Hayabusa's star has dimmed a bit in recent years. Today, we're playing his one and only entry on the Wii U, a remastered and expanded version of NINJA GAIDEN 3 called RAZOR'S EDGE! While NG3 was considered a disappointment, RAZOR'S EDGE tries to reverse the game's fortunes with refined controls, new touch screen abilities, and lots of cost-of-living improvements. 

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: Xenoblade Chronicles X 

How are we gonna do an episode about a game we already did an episode about? It's easy when it's MARIO KART 8. The biggest game on the Wii U (and on the Switch, for that matter!), there's always something new to discover. But at it's core, MARIO KART is all about getting together with your good buddies and having a race, and we've brought two of our favorites to dodge our shells: Rosie Crow and Lynsey Pennington! 

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: Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge 

This week, we're putting away childish things... after we're done playing with them, of course, because we're knocking out the last of our toys-to-life games! After the wild success of SKYLANDERS, everyone wanted in on the plastic-figurine-as-game-pieces craze, and these two games are the most prominent rivals to Activision's pioneering series. Firstly, we're playing DISNEY INFINITY, which has the benefit of Disney's massive backlog of Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars characters to play with. Then, we're playing LEGO DIMENSIONS, which plumbs the multiverse for a wild array of characters and items that you'll actually build in real-life. 

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: Mario Kart 8 

It's time for us to cut a rug with Ubisoft's mammoth dancing series JUST DANCE!  We're playing through more games than we've ever attempted in one episode, a whopping NINE games in the venerable series that span the entire lifecycle of the Wii U! It's a lot for two clumsy boys to tackle on our own; luckily, we're joined by dancer, teacher, and owner of Evolution Dance Company, Emma Obukowicz, who can give us some context and let us see just how good of a dancing simulator this series is. 

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: Disney Infinity / Lego Dimensions 

It's party time... for the last time. We're playing the last round of generic party games, and we're looking at arguably the high point and the low point of the genre on Wii U. Of course, it's not a proper party without Dan Reese, and he joins us as we sort through some inscrutable minigame collections. First up, it's the bafflingly-titled, hilariously cheap collection FAMILY PARTY 30 GREAT GAMES OBSTACLE ARCADE SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM; then, we're playing the Nintendo-sanctioned version WII PARTY U, featuring much more competent gameplay and the terror that is Party Phil.  

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: Just Dance 

Prepare to get splatted, because this week we're playing SPLATOON, the most successful original IP on the Wii U! We're talking all about the history of this squid-filled delight, and how Nintendo brought their own unique spin to the arena shooter genre! 

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: Family Party 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade / Wii Party U 

This is it! The very last batch of sports games we will ever play on this show! We're delving into a wide range of sports today, but luckily we've got our old favorite Josiah Coolidge back in the studio to provide his expert insight! We're closing out sports by revisiting the MADDEN franchise with MADDEN NFL 13; then we're hitting the lanes with BRUNSWICK PRO BOWLING; finally, Mario and the gang are facing off for a game of MARIO TENNIS: ULTRA SMASH!

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: Splatoon  

This week, we're looking at game adaptations of a couple of Disney TV favorites! Bad game aficionado Ailish Collins returns to help us play PHINEAS AND FERB: THE QUEST FOR COOL STUFF, based on the hit show about two inventive brothers and their summertime adventures. Then, we're heading back to the 80s with the remastered version of DUCKTALES from WayForward and Capcom. This remake of the classic NES game retains a lot of the music and gameplay from the original, with a vibrant new visual overhaul. 

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: Madden NFL 13 / Brunswick Pro Bowling / Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash