Friend Code: March 2018 Nintendo Direct

I understand the desire to want to jump straight into the news, but I think an opening segment, not even necessarily a game, helps to sort of warm up to the podcast. Since this is the Nintendo podcast, I think doing something Nintendo-adajcent makes the most sense, and it can be snappy to keep Damiani happy too. Maybe some sort of real quick question and answer with hotly-debated Nintendo topics? Like "Ocarina of Time or Link to the Past?" "Smash 4 or Melee?" "Super Metroid or Prime?" - something where the answer and reasoning can be provided quickly, I'm sure there's plenty of hotly contested Nintendo topics that would be interesting to hear the Allies' opinions on

faqsimil

Well I don't think we really need a game to open up the podcast but a conversation starter could be interesting. How about this : since it has become clear that the allies don't frequent the switch eshop quite as often. You could discuss 1-2 lesser known upcoming releases. It could work like this: after corrections Damiani boots up the e shop and goes to the upcoming releases. He then picks 1-2 of them that he thinks might look interesting and reads their eshop description out to the panel. The panel can ask for the price, given genre and for Damiani to describe the way the game looks (no screenshots since some people only listen ) . Afterwards each panellist can briefly say weather he/she is interested or not. Just an idea. L&R Alex

Alex_AI

Thanks for everyone clarifying the Undertale thing. Will mention that in the corrections for the next episode for sure.

Easy Allies

Excellent Podcast!!! BTW Damiani, Undertale is definetly not easy to port on any console. Before PS4 release he confesed he had some issues on parsing all the code to take the game to work, so been in 2D does not mean it is an easy task. I personally found this announcement to be just perfect because I was about to buy it on PS4. It's no brainer to me to buy it on Switch due to his genre and duration.

Leo S. Luna

I was about the suggest a new game for opening but it’s clear your passion is to jump into Nintendo news so that’s 100% what you should do. It would be better if you did something fun and different towards the end of the podcast. Maybe like another comment suggested, everyone brings an old Nintendo game to discuss. Would be cool to cut to game footage as y’all talk over it. Great podcast Dam!

hellsfoxes

Damiani, regarding the discussion about platformers and Captain Toad. What would you classify Snake Pass? The dev's themselves say it's a platformer, despite not having a jump mechanic.

Andrew Chalmers

Going through old Nintendo Power magazines was an enjoyable opening segment. But I can see how you may run out of good content over time. But for now, I think running without an opening segment is better than just coming up with lame ones quickly. I think just do you for now Damiani, and over time, you may have an idea for an opening segment.

Andrew Chalmers

Great Episode man!

Chip Damage Mike

suggestion: You do you Damiani !

Randy Verschueren

So I know you said there wouldn't be one for 3 weeks now if we voted for this option, but I was wondering if maybe you had reconsidered after the Nindie Direct announcement?

Skankman

I think Corrections is a fine opening segment.

Olf Himself

I think having an opening segment is good, but not necessary. If you don't find any in the comments that you really like, then don't force yourself to do one. That said, here's my suggestion for an opening segment: Pick an older game that was on a Nintendo console and talk about it for 10-15 minutes. Pick the game with your panelists beforehand so that everyone can contribute to the discussion. I think that EZA's strength comes from their passion for video games, and having a segment that can channel that strength would be an excellent way to start the show. I'd love to hear you all reminisce about things like Goldeneye multiplayer parties, getting lost in Super Metroid, family Tetris rivalries, dealing with permadeth in Fire Emblem, and being destroyed by the Battletoads hover bikes.

Kenneth Childs

Was about to write the same about Undertale. There also isn't a fixed release date for the Switch version of GameMaker yet. They say Summer 2018 which is why Undertale is coming "eventually"

Sebastian Erben

Consider a few of the games that were announced for 3DS in this Direct: - Luigi's Mansion (looks to be made in the Dark Moon engine) - Bowser's Inside Story (using the same engine as the Superstar Saga which I believe is built in the Paper Jam engine) - Captain Toad for 3DS looks to be made in the 3D Land engine (which is likely why that port is even possible) The point is, the reason why Captain Toad can come to both while something like Luigi's Mansion or Bowser's Inside Story can't is because there is no foundation for a Switch port, unlike the 3DS, where the engines already exist and would make porting the game over significantly less of an investment (not to mention between Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8, and Splatoon 2, Nintendo has already done significant work at porting over Wii U engines to the Switch). Porting over something like Captain Toad, allows Nintendo to potentially release a 3D World port as well, getting two games worth of sales for the price of porting over a single engine - potentially increasing their profits more than if they were to undertake a Luigi's Mansion port. Plus, it's not like the 3DS didn't just have it's best January sales numbers in five years. Unrelated: As for the Undertale port, that game is built in Game Maker which did not support Switch until about a week and a half ago (which is why a release date isn't cemented). Undertale's announcement for Switch preceded the Game Maker announcement and also opens the door for many other indie games like Hotline Miami, Spelunky, and Hyper Light Drifter.

I think your good just like this episode. A introduction of the guests, a little chat of whats up then get into it. Don't stress though Damiani you have improved alot as a host since you started I think your doing great.

Elliot Childs

How about for an opening, the panel briefly discusses a game they're playing/would recommend on Switch? Something to consider. Will give the panel an opportunity to maybe talk about some lesser known games or games that they're just gravitating to. Something short, less than ten minutes, then you can dive right into news.