Episode 78: Are These Direct Leaks Real, Better Zelda Bosses, and Gaming Fears

This week, we're taking the show a place it's never gone before: back to the launch of the Wii U! We're reviewing the Zelda-themed attraction Battle Quest, which was one of twelve Nintendo franchise themed mini games included in the Wii U launch title / showcase game Nintendo Land! We talk about the levels, swordfighting with the Wiimote versus archery with the Game Pad, the design of the sock-puppet characters, if Nintendo Land contributed to the Wii U's poor first impression, some of the other attractions in the game, and maybe most importantly: if there was a reason we had never talked about Battle Quest before. Come listen, and don't forget: TWO DAYS until you can come support Andy and the Omega Metroid team as they stream on YouTube Feb 12-16 raising money for the Trevor Project! See the full details, schedules, special guests and more here!   Support The Zelda Cast on Patreon! Subscribe to receive the monthly bonus show ‘The Zelda Cast Top Tens! Follow The Zelda Cast! The Zelda Cast (@TheZeldaCast) Andy Spiteri (@Spiteri316) Alasyn Eletha (@AlasynEletha) Twitch x Facebook x Discord x Tik-Tok x BlueSky Advertise on The Zelda Cast! See Options Here! Subscribe to The Zelda Cast! Apple Podcasts x Podbean x Spotify x iTunes x Google Podcasts x iHeart Radio x PlayerFM Grab The Zelda Cast Merch! Official Zelda Dungeon Merch store

10 Helmi 20251h 5min

Andy's back! After two weeks off gallivanting doing who-knows-what, Spiteri rejoins the show to catch up with Al and give some thoughts on Nintendo's reveal of the Switch 2 and what we can expect from the console. We also take a quick trip through memory lane, talking about the Zelda series and its growth over the Switch era, looking at all the games and different ways Nintendo them more accessible to new players. Lastly, we talk sales figures for Breath of the Wild, some other major Nintendo franchises, and remember our Switch memories as the sun starts to set on the Big N's hybrid console. Lastly - WE HAVE AN OMEGA METROID MARATHON TO ANNOUNCE! Come support Andy and the Omega Metroid team as they stream on YouTube Feb 12-16 raising money for the Trevor Project! See the full details, schedules, special guests and more here!   Support The Zelda Cast on Patreon! Subscribe to receive the monthly bonus show ‘The Zelda Cast Top Tens! Follow The Zelda Cast! The Zelda Cast (@TheZeldaCast) Andy Spiteri (@Spiteri316) Alasyn Eletha (@AlasynEletha) Twitch x Facebook x Discord x Tik-Tok x BlueSky Advertise on The Zelda Cast! See Options Here! Subscribe to The Zelda Cast! Apple Podcasts x Podbean x Spotify x iTunes x Google Podcasts x iHeart Radio x PlayerFM Grab The Zelda Cast Merch! Official Zelda Dungeon Merch store

3 Helmi 20251h 21min

Al is at the helm once again, and this week she is joined by one of The Zelda Cast's producers, Cal! Now, many might not know this, but this mashup happened once before, on a Zelda Cast Top Tens Patreon episode last summer. Well, that happens to be the inspiration for today's episode. Alasyn and Cal decided to expand beyond their opinions of that one bonus episode, and share their top picks on every bonus episode! What are the best sound effects from the series? The best Zelda theories? Or what about the best single-dungeon-use item? Join us as we get into all these topics and more! Support The Zelda Cast on Patreon! Subscribe to receive the monthly bonus show ‘The Zelda Cast Top Tens! Follow The Zelda Cast! The Zelda Cast (@TheZeldaCast) Andy Spiteri (@Spiteri316) Alasyn Eletha (@AlasynEletha) Twitch x Facebook x Discord x Tik-Tok x BlueSky Advertise on The Zelda Cast! See Options Here! Subscribe to The Zelda Cast! Apple Podcasts x Podbean x Spotify x iTunes x Google Podcasts x iHeart Radio x PlayerFM Grab The Zelda Cast Merch! Official Zelda Dungeon Merch store

27 Tammi 20251h 2min

Welcome back for a new episode of the BEST Zelda podcast ever, folks! This week, Al is joined by The Zelda Cast's social media manager, Jules! In celebration of The Minish Cap's 20th anniversary (per the North American release on January 10th, 2005), we get down to business and definitively rank the most charming Zelda game. We discuss the game's world, story, pacing, dungeons, side content and more! And don't worry, we didn't forget about that little nugget of news Nintendo dropped earlier this week! Give us a listen to hear our initial thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, our Minish Cap rankings, and more!   Support The Zelda Cast on Patreon! Subscribe to receive the monthly bonus show ‘The Zelda Cast Top Tens! Follow The Zelda Cast! The Zelda Cast (@TheZeldaCast) Andy Spiteri (@Spiteri316) Alasyn Eletha (@AlasynEletha) Twitch x Facebook x Discord x Tik-Tok x BlueSky Advertise on The Zelda Cast! See Options Here! Subscribe to The Zelda Cast! Apple Podcasts x Podbean x Spotify x iTunes x Google Podcasts x iHeart Radio x PlayerFM Grab The Zelda Cast Merch! Official Zelda Dungeon Merch store

20 Tammi 20251h 4min

With no new news of the Switch 2 this week, we're turning to Zelda Dungeon's amazing writing team to answer a bunch of Daily Debates! Some of the topics include: what Zelda game has gotten better with age? What's the most underrated villain in the series? What accomplishment in the series that we have done are we the most proud of? What name do we always mispronounce? What's our thoughts on Nintendo Music so far? All this, and so much more! Come hang with us!   Support The Zelda Cast on Patreon! Subscribe to receive the monthly bonus show ‘The Zelda Cast Top Tens! Follow The Zelda Cast! The Zelda Cast (@TheZeldaCast) Andy Spiteri (@Spiteri316) Alasyn Eletha (@AlasynEletha) Twitch x Facebook x Discord x Tik-Tok x BlueSky Advertise on The Zelda Cast! See Options Here! Subscribe to The Zelda Cast! Apple Podcasts x Podbean x Spotify x iTunes x Google Podcasts x iHeart Radio x PlayerFM Grab The Zelda Cast Merch! Official Zelda Dungeon Merch store

13 Tammi 20251h 8min

We're doing things a bit differently this week and celebrating SEVEN years of this podcast by doing a special Q&A that's not necessarily about Zelda, but about Andy and Al as hosts! We're talking about the early days of the show, telling stories, and answering questions about favorite Lord of the Rings lines and moments, what our favorite songs of 2024 were, what JRPG series are amongst our favorites, Zelda ROM hacks and what game we'd make, why certain spinoffs aren't included in Best Zelda Ever, and so much more! Thank you to everyone for the support over the last 7 years! We can't wait to celebrate with you in 7 more years!   Support The Zelda Cast on Patreon! Subscribe to receive the monthly bonus show ‘The Zelda Cast Top Tens! Follow The Zelda Cast! The Zelda Cast (@TheZeldaCast) Andy Spiteri (@Spiteri316) Alasyn Eletha (@AlasynEletha) Twitch x Facebook x Discord x Tik-Tok x BlueSky Advertise on The Zelda Cast! See Options Here! Subscribe to The Zelda Cast! Apple Podcasts x Podbean x Spotify x iTunes x Google Podcasts x iHeart Radio x PlayerFM Grab The Zelda Cast Merch! Official Zelda Dungeon Merch store

6 Tammi 20251h 24min

Just in time for the end of the year, Zelda Dungeon has published it's biggest yearly feature: Best Zelda Ever! This years list features Echoes of Wisdom's debut, games rising and falling down the list, and some shocking placements of beloved classics. Andy and Al both contributed to the list and review it game-by-game to see what we agree with, what we disagree with, and why we placed some of our pick where we did. Make sure you check out the list for yourself to see where your favorite game landed! This is our final show of 2024, so from all of us, Happy New Year!!   Support The Zelda Cast on Patreon! Subscribe to receive the monthly bonus show ‘The Zelda Cast Top Tens! Follow The Zelda Cast! The Zelda Cast (@TheZeldaCast) Andy Spiteri (@Spiteri316) Alasyn Eletha (@AlasynEletha) Twitch x Facebook x Discord x Tik-Tok x BlueSky Advertise on The Zelda Cast! See Options Here! Subscribe to The Zelda Cast! Apple Podcasts x Podbean x Spotify x iTunes x Google Podcasts x iHeart Radio x PlayerFM Grab The Zelda Cast Merch! Official Zelda Dungeon Merch store

30 Joulu 20241h 46min

Happy Monday, Zelda fans. This week, we've got a breezy show that focuses on Okami's return at The Game Awards and our thoughts on the state of Geoff Keighly's show, what we thought the high points and low points for the Zelda franchise were in 2024, and what we can expect to see from the series in 2025 - everything from the debut of the Switch 2, possible casting news in the Zelda Movie, ports finally coming to Switch to fill time, and maybe even a new Zelda game announced?? Come and hang with us, and just FYI - no new show next week, as we're taking the week off for the holidays! From everyone at the Zelda Cast, have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!   Support The Zelda Cast on Patreon! Subscribe to receive the monthly bonus show ‘The Zelda Cast Top Tens! Follow The Zelda Cast! The Zelda Cast (@TheZeldaCast) Andy Spiteri (@Spiteri316) Alasyn Eletha (@AlasynEletha) Twitch x Facebook x Discord x Tik-Tok x BlueSky Advertise on The Zelda Cast! See Options Here! Subscribe to The Zelda Cast! Apple Podcasts x Podbean x Spotify x iTunes x Google Podcasts x iHeart Radio x PlayerFM Grab The Zelda Cast Merch! Official Zelda Dungeon Merch store

16 Joulu 20241h 6min