PodcastRandom Nintendo

Episode 89: New Year, New Direct

6 Comments on Episode 89: New Year, New Direct

Episode 89: New Year, New Direct

There was excitement, there was confusion, there was a lack of AC Adapters. Nintendo hosted its first Nintendo Direct of the year and it was packed with all sorts of news about what we’ll be seeing and playing in the first half of 2015. We break it all down in this episode of the Random Nintendo Podcast, including an analysis of the decision to only release the New 3DS XL in North America (and exclude the AC adapter), a look at the full Spring lineup, and first gameplay details on Pokemon/Tekken crossover Pokken Tournament. We also discuss the closure of Club Nintendo and December sales numbers, plus go hands-on with the upcoming Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate.

What was your favorite announcement from last week’s Nintendo Direct? Let us know in the comments below! We’d also love to know your thoughts on the show itself. If you like what you hear, consider leaving us a review (and subscribing) on iTunes and follow us on Twitter @RandomNintendo.

As always, we’ve included links below to all the games and news in this episode. Each link also lists a time stamp so you can easily find the segments that most interest you. Enjoy!

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6 Comments

  1. Hey guys!

    Thank you so much for another fantastic podcast! I absolutely love the show each and every time you post. Thank you so much for all the hard work and dedication you put into it.

    Oh and I have to give you both credit, Jason you knew there would be another Nintendo Direct and there was one very shortly after you posted the last episode and Jose, you said you thought there should be a new Rhythm Heaven in 2015 and you got the nail right on the head, nicely done.

    Anyways, as far as the Nintendo Direct goes, I’m a little disappointed we aren’t getting the standard size “new 3DS” I was planning on buying that one. But I was SUPER glad to see a new Fire Emblem announced. I’ve been a HUGE fan of the series since Sacred Stones on the GBA and have hundreds of hours invested in Awakening on 3DS.

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  2. I just wanted to let you know by the way, I don’t think you were too hard on Nintendo of America over the marketing of the “new 3DS” or any of their other recently released products (Amiibo, Gamecube adaptors). While I love Nintendo, some of NoA’s marketing and decisions of late are suspect at best.

    Oh and seeing Xenoblade Chronicles X in action was a real highlight of the Direct too. Xenoblade’s probably the first game that will get me away from Final Fantasy XIV. (Provided Zelda doesn’t come out first.) Since Xenoblade’s dated for April 29th in Japan I’m hoping we get the game sooner, rather than later. Plus, its too close too or after Zelda, it’ll sadly be sent to die. I personally want a summer release to have an awesome 100+ hour RPG during the slow summer release window to play.

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  3. Okay, last comment. I remembered the last thing I wanted to mention to you. I think you’re totally 100% right about your estimation of the “new 3DS” being a stop-gap console. If you recall, the week the DSi XL was released was the same week that Nintendo announced the original 3DS was going to be released within a year. So yes I genuinely believe, “new 3DS” is the 3DS-hardware’s last hurrah, so to speak.

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  4. Thanks, Satoshi! You make a great point about the launch of Xenoblade Chronicles X. Nintendo has to be really careful with its release or it will basically be sent to die. Given that it’s out in Japan so soon, I wouldn’t be surprised if they make it a summer game. June would be ideal like you said, but I suspect we may get it in August. In the past, they’ve used August to launch ‘core’ games like Metroid Other M and Pikmin 2 and 3, while June has been for lighter fare like Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Tomodachi Life, and Game & Wario.

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  5. Hi Jason.

    As much as I’d like the whole summer for Xenoblade, your August window is probably the right slot for the game. Even last year Nintendo was originally trying to put Smash Bros. for 3DS in August.

    I know they estimated Splatoon for May, much in the vein of Mario Kart 8 from 2014, but do we have any ideas for a June game? I kind of thinking / hoping maybe Yoshi’s Wooley World.

    In the end, Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii was such a fantastic RPG, I’d just hate to see the series die with X’s release “due to poor sales” because NoA’s marketing put the game in a slot where it was destined to fail.

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    1. Oh, that’s right. I forgot Smash Bros. for 3DS was also supposed to come out in August. I suspect we’ll see Yoshi in June, too. As for Xenoblade, Nintendo seems to be betting pretty big on the franchise with Shulk in Smash and the New 3DS port of the original. So I suspect they’ll do what it takes to ensure good sales (well, I hope!).

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