NintenGems Podcast - A Nintendo Analysis

We're covering two very different, yet very influential, games on this fresh episode of NintenGems! First we tackle Game of the Year 2023 nominee Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and discuss what it takes to keep a 2D platformer fresh in today's gaming landscape. Does Wonder bring enough wonder to keep us playing? Then, after years of nagging from Connor, Braydon finally played Metal Gear Solid, a genre-...

We took our sweet time with this episode, but we're back to celebrate the fourth entries into some beloved series! We kick off with Pikmin 4 and the new concepts it introduces after taking several years off from new releases (it may be worthwhile to listen to our previous Pikmin episodes). Braydon is seems pleased with its deliveries, but will it be enough to convince Connor to play it? Meanwhile,...

The time has finally come for a Goron-sized episode about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. As the highly anticipated sequel to the genre-defining Breath of the Wild, what wild cards could Nintendo possibly bring to the table? We discuss the game's new features and mechanics, how they mesh with the preexisting formula, the personal and cultural impacts of the game, and more. Join us on ou...

We may be late to the Pokémon party, but we've arrived nonetheless, and we're here to discuss the series' newest entries with Scarlet and Violet! Having been recently disillusioned with the franchise, do these refreshing-yet-imperfect games have what it takes to bring us back to full Pokémon fandom? For this episode's gem, Connor and friends have been revisiting the Stadium series and the challeng...

The legendary Bounty Hunter is back, and so are we to celebrate! Our resident Metroid expert Connor takes the reigns for this expedition into Metroid Prime Remastered, a beautiful rerelease of the 2002 Gamecube classic. While it's fantastic getting our hands back on it, does the game hold up to the nostalgia we so fondly assign it? And how does the remastered content serve the Switch? Listen in to...

The blazing blue blur is back - and so are we! - to discuss his newest adventure and first foray into open-world gameplay. Sonic Frontiers is a unique experience and we dig into everything that makes it good, bad and ugly. After years of mediocre 3D Sonic experiences, does he finally find his stride in this newest entry? Listen and find out! Email us comments, questions, complaints and suggestions...

After a summer off, we're back on the Nintengems grind to discuss some hard-hitting games! We kick off with Live A Live, originally a Japanese-exclusive Super Famicom title which recently received an modern remake in HD2D. A 'timeless' piece, we explore the blend of iconic storytelling dynamics and incorporated RPG gameplay elements that elevate Live A Live from so many games in the genre. For thi...

We're finally here to discuss Elden Ring and whether it deserves the renown it's received since its release! In our first Non-tendo episode we dive back into the realm of FromSoft and their newest behemoth of a game. We discuss the size and scale of Elden Ring's world, the design philosophies behind the bosses and dungeons, and of course, is it a good game? While certainly a landmark of gaming, ha...

Welcome to our two-part special, FromSoftware With Love, where we’re exploring Nintendo’s relationship with the developer and the timeless games FromSoftware has created. We start with Lost Kingdoms, a GameCube relic forgotten to most, but an early testament to FromSoftware’s vision. Does it deserve modern revisitation? The bulk of this episode focuses on Dark Souls, the 2011 masterpiece that put...

Say cheese and die! Braydon's alone this episode and breaking down Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, originally for Wii U, but now released on major consoles. Comparing against other games in the series and genre, Braydon is looking for the ultimate horror experience. Can Fatal Frame take that title? Or is the series headed to the grave? Join us for a different kind of episode! Email us comments...

A brand new Pokémon game has arrived and brings along a uniquely exciting episode! In a spoiler-free yet detail-oriented breakdown of Pokémon Legends: Arceus for Switch, we compare decades of expectation to modern-day reality. Is it the ground floor for a new line of games, or is it already a console seller? Can new mechanics reinvigorate jaded fans? Spoiler there, yes. Most importantly, why did t...

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate turned three years old, and the final Fighter Pass has finally wrapped up, but we are far from done with the game! Connor recently got all 86 fighters into the upper-ranked Elite Smash, so Braydon asks him about his Smash highs and lows. We discuss the roster, the online play and Elite Smash, the hype surrounding the game, and the future of the series as we put a cap on...

NintenGems is back with a mountain of an episode! Connor kicks off with the indie-throwback, Undertale, and Braydon's past comments on the game catch up to him. Is Connor a changed gamer? We then move into monster collecting territory with the newest entries in both the Shin Megami Tensei and Pokémon franchises, and while dichotomized experiences, we find ways to weave the discussions together. We...

WarioWare has been cranking out the microgames for years, and NintenGems is here to play the newest batch. With some game-defining new mechanics, has Get It Together! won over this podcast's hosts? For this episode's gem, we kick it indie and discuss Downwell, the deceptively straightforward (downward) game that has captured Connor's attention. We hope you'll join us! Email us comments, questions,...

In honor of covering No More Heroes 3, we begin this description with a content warning: this is a crude one! Connor gives a comprehensive history of the NMH series and its visionary, SUDA51, before giving his analysis of this third entry. Does the legacy hold up? Then, for this episode's NintenGem, we follow Nintendo's lead and revisit The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Originally released for t...

Greetings, sheeple of Shibuya! We kick off this red-hot episode by discussing NEO: The World Ends With You for Switch. Can it possibly live up to its predecessor? Braydon breaks down his perspective, then for our gem, Connor reaches back to the N64 to discuss Glover! Does this retro 3D platformer deserve to be called NintenGem? Let's find out! Email us comments, questions, complaints and suggestio...

Wake up, Link, it's a new episode of NintenGems! We bring you a special episode on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its impression on the gaming landscape - did it bring critical innovation, or was it a return to Zelda tradition? Did Nintendo produce the game they intended to? Is it game or art? We may not provide many answers, but we'll certainly tee some deep questions up in anticipat...

We took the summer to play some great games, and now we're BACK to dig into 'em! We kick off the episode by discussing Monster Hunter Stories 2: The Wings of Ruin for Switch. The MH-spinoff takes on the monster-collecting genre, but does it succeed? For this episode's gem, we look back on The Wonderful 101, the explosive action game originally for WiiU but remastered for Switch (and others)! Join...

Welcome back, NintenGemmers, to a very gem-y episode! Braydon kicks us off with a discussion and review of Famicom Detective Club, Nintendo's newly-remade detective-themed visual novel duology for Switch! From there, Connor takes us to the arcade with Sol Divide, the 1997 beat/shoot-'em-up hybrid that didn't make a huge statement at the time, but childhood memories prove resilient. Are visual nove...

It's been 22 years since the first Pokemon Snap graced our N64s, and now the time has come to get our lenses back in focus as New Pokemon Snap drops for the Switch! We dig into the mechanics that define the series, and of course fawn over the game's beauty and charm. Then, for this episode's NintenGem, we played the SNES classic Donkey Kong Country, available free for Nintendo Switch Online subscr...

It's all things Monster Hunter this episode as we crack into the series' newest installment, Rise. This is certainly a monster-sized episode for both series veterans and newcomers alike; we're talking vocab terms like gameplay loop, series streamlining and Connor even breaks out his keyboard for a quick music theming lesson! Join us for a heck of a show! Email us comments, questions, complaints an...

We're finally back to break down Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's newest duo, Pyra and Mythra! Then - we tried, guys - we start out spoiler free in our Xenoblade Chronicles X discussion. But then it snowballs into light, early spoilers, and ends with reality-shaking, religion-making, game-breaking spoilers (we warn you along the way!). Join us for a hell of a show as we break down 100 hours of themati...

NintenGems is back and dropping hot to discuss the internationally-acclaimed battle royale hit, Fortnite. For much-needed context and expertise, we brought in TikTok/YouTube star and resident sweat WG Mojo to round out our crew! How much do the pros make? Can Switch players compete? What IS a sweat, anyway?! Let's find out! Email us comments, questions, complaints and suggestions at nintengems@gma...

Metal Bowser? Nah. Giga Bowser? Who cares! Fury Bowser? Now that's something worth talking about! The gang's all here for a Godzilla-sized episode about the new Switch port of Super Mario 3D World, plus the new bonus mode, Bowser's Fury. Join us! Email us comments, questions, complaints and suggestions at nintengems@gmail.com   Follow/Subscribe on:   Apple Podcasts   Google Podcasts   Spotify   Po...

"What is the best Pokémon game?"   This is the question that haunts Braydon after playing Pokémon Conquest for Nintendo DS, the 2012 crossover with the Nobunaga's Ambition series. To find the answer, we tap deep into the Tactical RPG genre, the merits of the mainline Pokémon formula and the lessons learned from failed spin-offs. First, though, Connor shares his experience with Art Sqool, the absur...