Mastering Mario Kart with Vantox, More Switch 2 Launch Games

Save me Mr Tako developer Christophe Galati joins me to talk about the origins of this Game Boy inspired title, the upcoming physical release, cooking takoyaki and more! Nintendo also has a new first party release this month, Nintendo Switch Sports! I chronicle my quest to become the first six sport all-star. And as always, I hit the streets of Tokyo to talk about BEEP, a unique retro game shop that specializes in old Japanese computers. The news has a rundown on the latest Splatoon info and five figure Final Fantasy statues! Christophe Galati’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisDeneos My guest appearance on Still Loading Podcast: https://stillloading.libsyn.com/still-loading-223-tokyo-game-life See me reach the final round in MinnMax’s Trivia Tower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUt_wpSAuMI (0:00) - Intro Games (2:48) - Save me Mr. Tako with developer Christophe Galati (24:46) - Nintendo Switch Sports (38:16) - Mario Golf (N64) Feature (48:26) - BEEP retro game and computer shop in Akihabara News (1:00:52) - Splatoon 3 gets a date (1:03:19) - $12,000 Final Fantasy VI statue (1:04:09) - Mini Pikmin erasers on sale at Nintendo Tokyo (1:05:00) - Embracer Group buys Square Enix’s western studios (1:06:57) - Japanese software and hardware sales (1:08:20) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (コネロス konerosu) (1:09:05) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/moku_ssbu/status/1519968936737275904?s=20&t=FP_-NtquDpwUIcSFJ1RTtw (1:09:31) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuRpKHGfsC3_45I3QVocxA Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

8 Mai 20221h 10min

Let’s go older than old school! We take a look at Nintendo’s origins in this episode’s feature on hanafuda, a traditional Japanese card game that was Nintendo’s first product. Hanafuda expert and YouTuber Omitsu joins me to chat about this ancient game and how to become a koi koi master. Is koi koi the best game ever? Find out as I rank all 51 games in Clubhouse Games for Switch. I also chat about my final thoughts on Elden Ring, and the news is filled with Final Fantasy shirts, Yoshi pajamas, Kirby stickers, and Earthbound plushies. Be sure to follow Omitsu on her social media accounts! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omitsu_hanafuda/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaIuCUXkqPxZ73Bqymj7wHw (0:00) - Intro Feature (2:42) - Hanafuda with Omitsu Games (13:46) - Ranking all 51 games in Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics (32:56) - Elden Ring endgame thoughts News (47:30) - Xenoblade 3 moved up to July (50:58) - Nintendo purchases land in Kyoto (51:35) - Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy/Game Boy Advance emulator leak (54:07) - Final Fantasy Uniqlo and Super Mario Gelato Pique clothing campaigns (55:14) - Sonic Origins and Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising get dates (57:43) - GrimGrimoire OnceMore and Bugsnax coming to Switch (59:08) - Pokemon TCG Dark Phantasma (59:53) - Kirby and Mother/Earthbound pop up shops in Tokyo (1:01:57) - Japanese software and hardware sales (1:03:22) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (裏技 urawaza) (1:03:55) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/pokeyugami/status/1513062298604433410?s=20&t=Gqct_jtZhfkoeWJqO2J_ag (1:04:28) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuRpKHGfsC3_45I3QVocxA Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

24 Apr 20221h 5min

Pink puff power has taken over the podcast as this episode is all about Kirby! Fellow Tokyo resident Genki joins me to talk about Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Kirby’s first 3D adventure. I also take a peek at some retro Kirby titles, Kirby’s Dream Land 3 and Kirby’s Dream Course. This episode’s feature is all about Yamashiroya, a six-story toy shop in Tokyo that’s home to amazing exclusive Kirby merchandise. How many Kirby plushies can you buy? Is HAL’s first 3D Kirby game the best yet? Should Marx be in jail? All will be answered in this episode! Be sure to follow Genki on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Genki_JPN (0:00) - Intro Games (2:25) - Kirby and the Forgotten Land with Genki (19:11) - Kirby’s Dream Land 3 (28:35) - Kirby’s Dream Course Feature (36:06) - Yamashiroya, a toy shop featuring exclusive Kirby merch News (55:14) - Breath of the Wild 2 delayed until 2023 (58:44) - Kirby collaborations in Japan and Grammy win (1:00:45) - Mario Golf coming to NSO (1:01:37) - Nobody Saves the World and Pocky and Rocky Reshrined get dates (1:02:29) - Yoshitaka Amano exhibition in Tokyo (1:02:53) - Japanese Software and Hardware Sales (1:04:53) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (移植 ishoku) (1:05:41) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/goegoezzz/status/1510461682186739713?s=20&t=5ZNCpJLpKiTfacWMGWYEQw (1:06:14) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuRpKHGfsC3_45I3QVocxA Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

10 Apr 20221h 7min

Race into spring with this racing game themed episode! I explore pro racing simulator arcade DDR Akiba, where you can experience the closest thing to driving on a real Japanese speedway. If realism isn’t your thing, I also look at a trio of fascinating Nintendo racers. Mario Kart 8’s Booster Course Pass gives new life to the Switch’s best selling game. F-Zero X reminds us of the N64’s impressive hardware. And Stunt Race FX is an odd yet important relic of Nintendo history. (0:00) - Intro Feature (2:28) - Racing Simulation Pro Shop DDR Akiba Games (14:50) - Mario Kart 8 Booster Course Pass (28:39) - F-Zero X (39:44) - Stunt Race FX News (49:14) - Alien Soldier, Super Fantasy Zone, and Light Crusader on Nintendo Switch Online (50:39) - Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Mythical Pokemon (52:12) - Kirby 30th Anniversary Concert (53:05) - Nintendo Switch Online Missions and Rewards (54:30) - Elden Ring Sales (57:10) - Yuka Morii Exhibition in Tokyo (57:54) - Japanese Software and Hardware Sales (59:51) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (芋 imo) (1:00:26) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/blacktangent/status/1504469997245980674?s=20&t=iwGjQNpa0Un7TBfCbJwinQ (1:01:02) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuRpKHGfsC3_45I3QVocxA Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

27 Mar 20221h 1min

Strategies, souls, and songs, this episode has it all! I’m joined this week by Ultra Healthy Video Game Nerd to get the details on the Tokyo Game Music Show 2022, an event where you can meet and greet iconic Japanese video game musicians. We talk about the best Japanese game music, house bands, and how to turn the PC Engine into an instrument. Then I go castle crazy talking about Triangle Strategy and Elden Ring. If castles aren’t your thing, how about cars? I check out Cruis’n Blast, the newest entry in a long dormant series. In the news, I speculate about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, run down the State of Play, and ponder about Kirby boxes. Be sure to follow Ultra Healthy Video Game Nerd on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ultrahealthyvi1 (0:00) - Intro Feature (2:18) - Tokyo Game Music Show 2022 with Ultra Healthy Video Game Nerd Games (20:41) - Triangle Strategy (32:30) - Elden Ring (43:45) - Cruis’n Blast News (49:56) - Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (55:27) - Pokemon TCG Expansion: Time Gazer and Space Juggler (56:03) - Nintendo Switch OLED Kirby box (56:45) - Advance Wars 1 + 2 Reboot Camp delayed again (57:55) - PlayStation State of Play March 2022 (1:01:40) - Japanese software and hardware sales (1:03:37) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (安全地帯 anzenchitai) (1:04:01) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/heat_maroon/status/1501430045705121792?s=20&t=BIQB5tBKYbHszr_I4kEKgw (1:04:29) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuRpKHGfsC3_45I3QVocxA Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

13 Mar 20221h 5min

We take it to the streets of Tokyo this episode! Special guest Kaori joins me as we talk about the Street Fighter 35th anniversary exhibit in Shibuya. We discuss iconic Street Fighter art, the power of Chun Li, and proper hadoken techniques. I’ve wrapped up Pokemon Legends Arceus, so now’s the time to wildly speculate about future Pokemon Legends games. If you’re more of a pixel person, I also dig deep into the classic Card Fighters Clash and the incredibly addictive Retro Bowl. On the news front, there’s a lot of fighting games and eShop talk, so get those wallets ready! (0:00) - Intro Feature (2:33) - Street Fighter 35th Anniversary Exhibit with Kaori Games (15:19) - Future Pokemon Legends Speculation (26:19) - SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash (37:18) - Retro Bowl News (45:23) - Capcom Fighting Collection (48:58) - Street Fighter 6 (49:29) - Card Fighters Clash 2 might be localized (49:58) - Soul Hackers 2 (51:17) - Nintendo acquires SRD (51:48) - Wii U / 3DS eShop stores closing (53:59) - Nier Automata pop up shop and anime (54:44) - Touken Ranbu Warriors tops Japanese software sales (55:44) - Pokemon Day preview (56:14) - Japanese Gaming Phrase of the Week (当てなげ atenage) (56:48) - Japanese Tweet of the Week: https://twitter.com/japanretrogame/status/1494204482686955524?s=20&t=yuqabwNfJFqV01LLik4sTA (57:18) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuRpKHGfsC3_45I3QVocxA Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

27 Feb 202258min

Let’s celebrate games both new and old! This episode’s feature is all about Hard Off, the famous used goods shop in Japan. I talk to official Hard Off fan ambassador Alex Kraus about retro game hunting, rare finds, and the mysteries of the junk corner. I also dig into the February 2022 Nintendo Direct, give my thoughts on Pokemon Legends Arceus’ postgame, and try out the roguelike autobattler dungeon crawler Vivid Knight. Be sure to follow our guest Alex Kraus on Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexfkraus (0:00) - Intro Feature (1:43) - Hard Off with Alex Kraus, official Hard Off fan ambassador Games (17:05) - February 2022 Nintendo Direct Reactions (36:01) - Pokemon Legends Arceus Postgame (47:04) - Vivid Knight News (53:44) - Nintendo 2021 Q4 Financial Report (56:08) - Sega sells arcade business (57:06) - Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden (57:51) - Japanese hardware and software sales (59:19) - Japanese gaming word of the week (リセットマラソン risetto marason) (1:00:00) - Japanese tweet of the week: https://twitter.com/Ara_love_kirby/status/1491966411618791426 (1:00:27) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuRpKHGfsC3_45I3QVocxA Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

13 Feb 20221h 1min

Game Freak’s newest Pokemon adventure is here with Pokemon Legends Arceus! Let’s dig into some early impressions on the world of Hisui discussing the radical departure from the Pokemon formula and the dangers of giant Bidoofs. This week’s feature is all about the Japanese Nintendo magazine Nintendo Dream. Imagine if Nintendo Power never went away, and if it was in Japanese! Better late than never, I also discuss indie hits Loop Hero and What the Golf?, the huge news about Microsoft purchasing Activision Blizzard, and wild speculation about the next Nintendo Direct! (0:00) - Intro Games (2:33) - Pokemon Legends: Arceus (15:36) - Loop Hero (23:03) - What the Golf?! News (30:59) - Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard (34:44) - Pokemon TCG Expansion: Battle Legion (35:32) - Pokemon Legends Arceus merch at Pokemon Centers (36:20) - Japanese hardware and software sales (37:46) - Nagoshi Studio (38:50) - Banjo-Kazooie and Majora’s Mask on Nintendo Switch Online (39:36) - February 2022 Nintendo Direct speculation Feature (43:49) - Nintendo Dream Magazine (54:10) - Japanese gaming word of the week (箱庭ゲーム hakoniwa ge-mu) (55:11) - Japanese tweet of the week: https://twitter.com/namico_x/status/1482623784666697729?s=20 (55:54) - Closing Social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokyoGameLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyogamelife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpuRpKHGfsC3_45I3QVocxA Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tokyogamelife Website: https://tokyogamelife.com/ Like and subscribe on your favorite podcast app! Send questions and suggestions to: tokyogamelife@gmail.com

30 Jan 202256min