Tokyo Game Life

Writer and podcaster Drew Mackie is here to chat about the unknown origins of Mario! We explore everything you THINK you know about Mario, why lore is inconsistent between Japan and the west, and if they should bring back Mr. Video. Plus, I tell you if Star Fox is a perfect remake or not! Follow our guest! Mario 101: For Super Players: https://www.thrillingtalesofoldvideogames.com/blog/mario-101-h...

Hard Off ambassador Alex Kraus returns as we chat about Hard Off Shinjuku, a new major retro games hotspot in Tokyo! We delve into why Hard Off opened up a shop in one of Tokyo’s biggest shopping districts, if it lives up to expectations, and ponder about the future of the company. In the games, I take a look at the Zelda-inspired Mina the Hollower! Plus, all the stuff you should care about from t...

Podcaster JT from Nintendo Maniacs and The House of Mario returns as we look at the Switch 2, one year later. From launch to now, we touch on the weird and wonderful first twelve months of the Switch 2’s life. And I also take you inside a cool retro game shop in Akihabara, Rare Item Studio! Follow our guest! The House of Mario: https://thehouseofmario.captivate.fm/listen (0:00) - Intro Games (0:49...

Type designer and YouTuber Kaihatsu returns as we chat about Ainu in video games! We discuss how northern Japan’s indigenous people have been portrayed in games like Ghost of Yotei, Samurai Shodown, Pokemon Legends Arceus, and how their culture may have influenced countless games. Plus I give some final thoughts on Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Monster Hunter Stories 3! And I dig deep into...

Indie developer Chris from KaniPro Games returns to chat about his newest title: Hong Kong 2097, the sequel to one of Japan’s worst doujin games. We get into how he secured rights to the sequel, how to make a follow-up to an infamously bad game, and the rocky road to actually getting it released! In the feature, I highlight all the exciting collabs and the movie going experience of watching The Su...

Media historian Rex from Beyond Electric Sheep is here to chat about Evangelion video games! From visual novels to fighting games to mahjong, we (magma) dive into how one of Japan’s most important anime is also emblematic of a special time in Japanese gaming history. Plus, I look at the wacky Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and the deathly serious Pokemon Champions. Follow our guest! Website: htt...

Author John Szczepaniak is here to chat about his anthology of dev interviews: The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers! We chat about the lesser known corners of Japan’s gaming scene, the people who built it, and general sake consumption. In the games section, I look at some short and sweet games like Balloon Kid and Öoo! Follow our guest! Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/Untold-History-Jap...

YouTuber Oceaniz flies into the podcast to chat about Monster Hunter Stories 3! We examine all the ambitious additions to this underrated spinoff JRPG series and nail down which franchise rep will be in Smash Bros. Plus I gush even more about Pokemon Pokopia, and pop inside the newly opened Capcom Store Ikebukuro! Follow our guest! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Oceaniz BlueSky: https://bsky.ap...

Returning guest and Japan explorer Daan Koopman is back to bring us to PokePark Kanto, the newest Pokemon theme park in Japan! We explore every nook of this amazing new section of YomiuriLand, and what you should say if you meet Junichi Masuda! And I take a look at Pokemon Pokopia, one of the biggest Switch 2 surprises! Plus, the news including a peek at Pokemon Winds and Waves! Follow our guest!...

Nintendo superfan and YouTuber AK Family Home joins to chat about the revival of the Virtual Boy thanks to Nintendo Switch Online! We dive into the hardware, the games, and Virtual Boy’s unique stamp on Nintendo history. Plus, I take you into the retro game pop up shop/exhibit, Parco Game Center! Follow our guest! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Akfamilyhome Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/akfa...

Developer Lucy Blundell shares her experience creating the Miiverse inspired visual novel, Videoverse! We dive deep into a unique era of online gaming fandom and the challenges of making your own Miiverse. And we also chat about Capcom Creations, one of the best gaming exhibits I’ve ever visited! Plus, I analyze a flurry of Nintendo news! Follow our guest! Website: https://www.kinmoku.games/ Blues...

George from the Nintendormant podcast joins to chat about Chibi-Robo, which was recently added to Nintendo Switch Online! We chat about this cult hit’s enduring legacy and nail down how much a real Chibi-Robo would actually cost. Plus I return to my once abandoned island to bring you the details on Animal Crossing New Horizons 3.0. And I take you inside Tobichi, the official shop of Hobonichi. And...

YouTuber Dale Clayton returns to dish out some predictions about Nintendo in 2026! What’s gonna happen on Pokemon’s 30th anniversary? Will Rambi return? Are we due for ArtePiazza’s next game? Find out with our totally gonna come true predictions! In the feature, I take you inside the Suikoden 30th anniversary exhibit! Follow our guest! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dale_dpg (0:00) - Intro Game...

Source Gaming creator and Sakurai guru PushDustIn joins the podcast to chat about the new manga based on the life of Masahiro Sakurai! We dig into Sakurai’s fascinating career journey and how the manga highlights his biggest moments. Plus, I head to space to bring you impressions on Suika Game Planet and Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2! Follow our guest! Check out Knights of Fiona: https://knights-o...

Is Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour the best game of 2025? You’re gonna have to listen to find out! Josh from Still Loading Podcast is back as we chat about our favorite games from 2025, both new and old! From Donkey Kong to Rayman, from Medal of Honor to Boku no Natsuyasumi, we highlight what excited us this year. Plus, I look at this holiday season’s Japanese gaming pamphlets that are free in stor...

Source Gaming’s Joshua Goldie returns to talk Stray Children, the newest JRPG from Onion Games and the spiritual successor to Moon: Remix RPG Adventure! Plus I look at Sakurai’s Kirby Air Riders and the Japanese indie action game, Sonokuni! In the feature, I take you inside Final Fantasy IX 25th Anniversary: The Exhibition which is happening right now in Ginza! Follow our guest! BSky: https://bsky...

Dragon Quest superfan and returning guest ChristophRPG is back to chat about Dragon Quest I&II HD2D! We chat about the many changes to these classic games, why they still hold up today, and peek into the future of the franchise. In the feature, I take you inside Lawson to eat a bunch of slime bread as I break down their latest collab with Dragon Quest! And a lot of news, including the latest u...

Podcaster Joshua from Nintendo Maniacs joins to chat about Pokemon Legends Z-A! We break down this unorthodox Pokemon game, dig deep into Mega Pokemon, and give the final verdict on the Pokemon franchise in the Switch era. And we look at another Game Freak title, Mario and Wario! And in the feature, I look at the amazing illustrated Pokemon field guide, Pokecology! Follow our guest! Nintendo Mania...

Game localizer Stephen Meyerink joins as we dive into Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles! We explore this game’s many new additions, the history of FFT’s localization, and talk about this Final Fantasy spinoff’s enduring legacy. Plus, I take you inside the brand new Sega merch shop in Shibuya, Sega Store Tokyo! Follow our guest! BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sjmtaelus.bsky.social We...

Japan’s biggest gaming event, Tokyo Game Show 2025, just happened and video game PR guru Kyle aka Mr. KN1V3S is back to chat all about it! We dive into some amazing Switch 2 demos, the best booths, and talk about all the great upcoming games we tried out! Plus I look at the hotly anticipated Hades II and the not anticipated at all Fire Emblem Shadows! Follow our guest! Mr. KN1V3S: https://bsky.app...

Scott Popular and Mr. KN1V3S join the podcast to chat about Video Game Prom, the biggest video game related party in Tokyo! We talk about how they’re bringing a party atmosphere to indie dev meetups and strategies to become the prom queen! Plus I look at Hollow Knight: Silksong and the new Donkey Kong DLC! And of course, a big analysis of the Direct! Follow our guest! Video Game Prom: https://www....

Type designer Kaihatsu joins to chat about Nintendo fonts! We explore how Nintendo utilizes typography in their games, the surprising NHK/Wii connection, and the joys of Pop Happiness. Plus, I take a look at Kirby Star-Crossed World and Hello, Mario! Small correction: The Japanese version of Super Mario Galaxy uses the Rodin Maria font. Follow our guest! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Kaihatsu B...

Chris from KaniPro Games returns to chat about his new game: Conjunctivitalizer! This indie shoot ‘em up made in Japan is aiming to upend shooter conventions, and we explore the genesis of the project, the new demo on Steam, and how Toshiya Yamanaka of Sin and Punishment fame wrote music for the game! Plus, I roll you inside the Katamari Damacy Collaboration Cafe in Shibuya! Follow our guest! Conj...

Source Gaming’s Joshua Goldie returns as we chat about Dear me, I was… from some of the key staff behind Another Code and Hotel Dusk! We chat about this surprising return to Cing’s roots and how you should eat breakfast. Plus we share more in-depth thoughts on Donkey Kong Bananza! In the feature, I take you inside The Shape of Mother exhibit, featuring over 180 clay figurines from Earthbound’s his...

The world’s most renowned Donkey Kong journalist, Hyle of DK Vine, joins the podcast to chat about Donkey Kong Bananza! We explore the game’s development history, how it reimagines Nintendo’s iconic ape, and analyze Kong name lore. In the feature, I take you inside the newly opened toy store, Kiddy Land Shinjuku! Follow our guest! Website: https://www.dkvine.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/...