Nintendo Cartridge Society

Patrick and Mark have never understood Sonic the Hedgehog, but with this week’s release of Sonic Mania they’re determined to figure it out! With the help of comedian and  Sonic superfan Rian Kountzhouse, the guys briefly re-ignite the console wars, needlessly pitting Sonic against Mario. Is there room enough in their hearts for Sega’s blue blur?

Your Nintendo news for the week of 8/15/17! Nintendo’s strange eShop release schedule strikes again as both Severed and the Rayman Legends Demo appear out of nowhere! Plus, chances are you’ll be able to find a Switch at GameStop this week, surprise new 3DS hardware, and the return of the Nintendo World Championships!

This week, Patrick and Mark are joined by comedian and podcaster Kelly Nugent (Teen Creeps, Hellmouthy) to discuss the 1998 Nintendo 64 classic: Yoshi’s Story. They talk about sincerity in cuteness, determining your own difficulty level, and how the game holds up almost 20 years later.

Your Nintendo news for the week of 8/8/17! Patrick and Mark admit defeat! Okay, so Splatfest didn’t exactly go their way, but at least there’s a lot of not new Dragon Quest news to tide them over. Plus, the guys admit that it’s probably time to pick up Resident Evil Revelations 1 & 2… y’know, when it comes to Switch, and more!

Rumors abound that Nintendo is preparing an N64 Classic Edition for 2018, and that means it's time for Patrick and Mark to place another $1 million bet. What games will it include? How will it handle rumble packs? And, really, should it even exist at all?

Your Nintendo news for the week of 8/1/17! There may be kind of a drought of new releases this week, but that just gives Patrick and Mark another opportunity to talk about Splatoon 2. Plus, new 2DS bundles (...err… 2DS bundles that are new), and no one can pronounce “exploitative.”

Splatoon 2 is finally here, and Patrick and Mark are trying to stay fresh… or whatever it is this time ‘round. From Turf War to Salmon Rush, and all the fat, fluffy cats in between, the guys break down Nintendo’s new online shooter.   This episode is brought to you by MackWedlon.com. Enter promo-code NINTENDO for 20% off

Your Nintendo news of the week of 7/25/17! Pokemon Go Festival evolves from Festival to Disaster, and the guys are there to walk you through it. Plus, rumors of a Nintendo 64 Classic Edition, details on Metroid: Samus Returns amiibo functionality, and more!

This week, Patrick and Mark are inspired by the sound of Splatoon 2! They trace the evolution of Nintendo’s music, from its humble 8-bit roots to modern eclectic soundscape of electronica-pop-punk, symphonic epics, and dixie-land toe-tappers.   Let ‘em know what you think of the new format at NintendoCartridgeSociety@gmail.com

Your Nintendo news for the week of 7/18/17! Patrick and Mark are finally excited about VR...because it's Mario Kart. Plus, they discuss the Splatoon 2’s pre-release Splatfest, Nintendo’s Quality of Life initiative, why Kingdom Hearts 3 should come to the Switch (even if they just don't get it), and so much more!   This episode is brought to you by MackWeldon.com - enter promo code NINTENDO for 20%...

Your Nintendo news for the week of 7/11/17! Patrick and Mark dive deep into last week’s Splatoon 2 Direct and the ensuing (one-sided) Pearl vs Marina debate. Plus, four new SNES games in the year of our lord 2017, more teases from Platinum Games, new Switch game announcements, and more!   Let ‘em know what you think of the new format at NintendoCartridgeSociety@gmail.com  

This week, Patrick and Mark discuss The Master Trials, the first Breath of the Wild DLC pack. From getting their butts kicked in the Trial of the Sword to getting their butts kicked in Master Mode, and all the butts in-between.   Let ‘em know what you think of the new format at NintendoCartridgeSociety@gmail.com

Your Nintendo news for the week of 7/4/17! Patrick and Mark sort through a handful of new Switch rumors - including Dragon Quest XI, Bayonetta and a Steep delay. Plus, the guys discuss Nintendo's fledgling online infrastructure, the difference between the Japanese and US game markets, and why investors shouldn’t be allowed to ask questions at shareholder meetings.   Let ‘em know what you think of...

This week, Patrick and Mark delve into the games of one of their favorite third-party developers: Capcom! Hey, why *do* they like Capcom so much? And what makes a Joe “Viewtiful” anyway? Let ‘em know what you think of the new format at NintendoCartridgeSociety@gmail.com

It’s all the news that’s fit to print! Patrick and Mark try out a new format, so this one’s all about what's new in Nintendo this week. Yes, that includes the surprise announcement of the Super NES Classic Edition (and yes, also light patch notes for ARMS).   Let ‘em know what you think of the new format at NintendoCartridgeSociety@gmail.com  

They did it! Patrick and Mark rolled credits on Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, and come away from it with a more positive view on the game. Plus, a bunch of convoluted theories: one about the Kong family tree (maybe “Donkey Kong” is a title; like Cesar), and another about this series being a stealth alt-right propaganda game (Kong KLAN? Dixie? OPEN YOUR EYES).

E3 2017 is in captivity. The galaxy is at peace. First, though - the elephant in the room: why aren’t the guys playing ARMS (7:40)? Plus, there’s still some news, leading them to discuss how the 3DS will outlive us all (16:40). Finally, with Metroid back in the zeitgeist, it’s time for another definitive ranking, this time of the mainline Metroid games (45:58).   This episode is brought to you by...

Hold on to your butts: Nintendo brought the goods to E3 2017 and Patrick and Mark’s bodies are oh so ready. Pokemon confirmed for Switch! Two Metroid games! Champion Amiibo! It was a stacked presentation and an awesome year for Nintendo at E3.  This episode is brought to you by MackWeldon.com . Enter promo code NINTENDO for 20% off.

THEY’RE NOT LOVING THIS GAME. Patrick drops his bombshell theory: Donkey Kong Country 2 is a stealth sequel Battletoads. A compelling theory with very little evidence! It’s tough, but your hosts eventually memorize their way through the next two worlds - but still hate the beehive levels.

E3 is next week, which means it’s time for Patrick and Mark to lay down their traditional $1 million bet and definitively predict Nintendo’s presentation with 99% accuracy (45:25). But first, they talk about what to expect from Tuesday’s Pokemon Direct (6:50) and Nintendo’s online service (17:05).

Patrick and Mark kick off the week’s news with the worst kept secret in video games: Mario + Rabbits Kingdom Battle (6:40). Then it’s a fighting game / don’t-call-it-a-fighting-game extravaganza as your hosts bemoan Switch’s Ultra Street Fighter II (43:30) before getting a handle on the ARMS Global Testpunch (56:00).

Patrick and Mark punch their way through the recent ARMS Direct, and in so doing have to redefine “waifu.” Everyone’s going nuts for Twintelle! Plus there’s a new Fire Emblem game out (yes: again; no: it’s not on Switch) - is it a welcome throwback or a creaky antique? This episode is brought to you by MackWeldon.com. Enter promo code NINTENDO for 20% off.

Patrick and Mark have soured on the experience! Your hosts lament the challenge DKC2 insists on presenting in every level. Plus, no one knows how to use coins or farm for lives. That’s okay: a helpful angler fish uses his bioluminescent powers for good and helps these monkeys find their monkey friend!

Patrick and Mark have both defeated Ganon in Breath of the Wild, and you know what that means: time to definitively rank all of the Legend of Zelda console games! Which ones rule and which ones drool? Plus, Nintendo’s E3 plans, Mark freestyle raps new Switch announcements, and rumors of Zelda on mobile. This episode is brought to you by MackWeldon.com . Visit MackWeldon.com and enter promo code NI...

This week Patrick and Mark shine a spotlight on one of Nintendo’s lesser known development partners: Good-Feel, makers of Wario Land: Shake It!, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, and Yoshi’s Woolly World. Plus, Retro rumors, Fire Emblem DLC, and a Reader Listener question has them debating what is (and isn't) Mario canon.