This week is a great one, as Ricky D returns to the podcast to help Tim and Patrick sort through Nintendo’s latest Indie World presentation. Was there anything that caught our eye beyond Sports Story, the sequel to a game we loved (if you don’t count the one of us who didn’t play it…), or are the multitude of indie games starting to blend in a bit with each other? To this point, Patrick reviews a voxel hack’n’slasher called Riverbond that is certainly pleasant enough, but may have a hard time standing out in a crowded eShop.

After the indie talk, the guys take a look back on five years of amiibo, and just where Nintendo might go with these collectible figures. Though functionality within games seems to be getting mostly fazed out, that hasn’t stopped collectors from wanting every single one; just ask Rick! For this segment, the guys look at how they collect, why they collect, and whether they still will collect, all while enjoying having a reason to talk about amiibo again.

Lastly, Patrick gives his first impressions of The Touryst, a laid-back, exploration-based puzzler that has a little bit of everything (platforming, mini-games, scuba diving, etc.) for those looking to try something relaxing. Though he’s not very far into it, this island-hopping adventure might well end up being one of his favorite games of the year. For all this and more, have a listen!

Playlist

LFXIV – NXpress Intro
Nintendosage: Riverbond Review
amiibo commercial
Main Event: Five years of collecting amiibo
Fire Emblem: Three Houses soundtrack
Bonus Content: The Touryst Review
Fire Emblem: Three Houses soundtrack

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After all the hype, all the outcry, all the disappointment, all the excitement, Pokemon Sword and Shield are finally here, and it’s time for the Nxpress’ resident Pokemon expert, Mr. Tim Maison, to deliver his verdict on where this entry stands in the series pantheon. Joining Tim is casual pokemon observer Patrick, as well as Goomba Stomp’s Nintendo editor (and official Sword and Shield reviewer), James Baker. Will the two franchise fans duke it out over differing opinions, or are there some common-ground criticisms that one might be better able to ignore than the other? Regardless of any negativity slung around at subjects like Gigantamaxing or Mr. Rime (what did he ever do to anyone?), the guys ultimately have plenty of love for the splendid gameplay and lovingly realized world.

Before that debate, Patrick takes a more active role as he reviews Bee Simulator on his quest for the latest indie gems. And while this title may not garner much buzz for its gameplay, solid flight mechanics and loads of sincere enthusiasm for apians makes it work better as a piece of edutainment for younger gamers to enjoy.

For the last segment, Patrick then also review the fantastic 3D platformer New Super Lucky’s Tale, which is a reworked version of the Xbox One game that’s now available exclusively on Switch. While it may not come close to challenging Mario for the throne, Playful has created one of the most enjoyable entries in the genre in a long time. To hear all the superlatives Patrick has for this little fox’s adventure, and for plenty more, have a listen!

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

Playlist

LFXIV – NXpress Intro
Nintendosage: Bee Simulator Review
Pokemon Theme Song
Main Event: Pokemon Sword and Shield Review
Pokemon Sword and Shield soundtrack
Bonus Content: New Super Lucky’s Tale Review
Pokemon Sword and Shield  soundtrack

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It’s a cozy episode this week on the NXpress Nintendo Podcast, as Tim and Patrick are joined by…no one! However, that doesn’t mean the guys don’t have plenty to talk about. Patrick kicks things off with his review of Woven, a pleasant — if blurry — stroll through a woolen world that young gamers should especially enjoy. The cheery, fairy tale atmosphere overcomes the simplicity of the gameplay, but could those fuzzy visuals have made the relaxing experience better and more accessible?

This question leads into the second segment, which finds Tim and Patrick discussing the issue of the importance of game visuals, and how tied they can be to the success of certain games. Sure, everyone loves eye candy, but when do cutting-edge graphics matter more than gameplay, and vise versa? Would games like Luigi’s Mansion 3 or Breath of the Wild be less effective with lesser looks? Does anyone care that Fire Emblem: Three Houses isn’t the prettiest game on the Switch?

Of course, Pokemon Sword and Shield have lately received their fair share of criticism for a perceived lack of major upgrades in the visuals department. In the third segment, the guys take a brief look at this issue, attempt to determine just where the outrage came from, and whether they agree with it. For all this and more, have a listen!

You can listen to our show on Stitcher, iTunes, Podbean, or simply click the play button below.

Playlist

LFXIV – NXpress Intro
Nintendosage: Woven Review
Woven Trailer
Main Event: The importance of visuals in games
Pokemon Sword and Shield soundtrack
Bonus Content: Pokemon Sword and Shield backlash
Pokemon Sword and Shield  soundtrack

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